Die schleiertänzerin.

I had hoped to have a post ready for Edith Meinhard's birthday last Sunday, but family and work obligations put things on hold. New information is as scarce as ever, but I do have scans from a recently-acquired film program for Die Schleiertänzerin. The film was released in 1929, shortly after Tagebuch einer Verlorenen (Diary of a Lost Girl), and sadly is presumed lost.

The program is quite weathered and worse for wear, but it's another way to highlight the importance of preserving films and film ephemera regardless of condition. If there's sufficient interest I can and will continue to upload scans of film programs and other memorabilia. Why keep it to myself? It belongs to anyone and everyone. I'm thankful for film databases and social media groups that unite fans (and even industry professionals) and promote a continued interest in film history and the people who built it.

Also of interest, there is a new cut of Diary available from Kino. The print is crisp, clear, and luminous; Louise Brooks and Edith are both at their best. Thomas Gladysz of the Louise Brooks Society provides commentary on this edition, which includes the bonus short Windy Riley Goes Hollywood (Brooks speaks!).

More to come...

Some Saturday Follies.

Having taken an extra long weekend to burn up a glut of vacation days from work, I've finally had a chance to scan some of my vintage ephemera. I wanted to share a collection of photos of Anastasia Reilly, dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies and pal of Louise Brooks, who spoke glowingly of Reilly; leaving show business behind, she married Theodore Buhl (nephew of Flo Ziegfeld) in 1927 and moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan where she was an editor of the local paper. She sadly succumbed to cancer in 1961 but left behind tales of a colorful life.

"Stasia", as she was affectionately known, age 16.

In Brooklyn, her stomping grounds.

With mother Hattie in Atlantic City.

With Paulette Goddard in the Follies era. According to handwritten notes on the reverse, "Stasia always said she (Paulette) had lousy legs!"

In riding gear. Stasia was incredibly fond of animals and had a cattery on her own property.

 

I've saved the best for last...you'll recognize who's writing the ticket:

Follies wheeling around in 1925. Stasia's own notes are on the back: "Gag shot taken at Ethel Shutta's house- where we spent a weekend. The "cop" next to the car is Louise Brooks- my pal- who married Eddie Sutherland."