Theda Bara, Silent Film's original Vamp, promotes Maybelline in 1915.

Theda Bara was one of the most popular Stars, of her era, and one of cinema's earliest sex symbols.

The word “vamp,” originated from Theda’s nickname while filming a sultry vampire, in A Fool There Was.    

A 1915 silent film, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “The Vampire." Theda's character simply known as “the Vampire."  was reduced to “vamp,” and the title stuck.

Theda Bara, the original Vampire. click here and on the video.

Just as Theda Bara, appeared as the Vamp, in

A Fool There Was in 1915 - Mabel Williams, inspired her brother, Tom Lyle Williams - to formulate an eye beautifying product, called Lash-Brow-Ine - that  became Maybelline, in 1916, and was named in her honor.

 

Lash-Brow-Ine and Maybelline, were the first eye beautifying products, in America, sold through mail order and eventually over the counter.  Silent Film Stars, like Theda Bara, made the public aware of the most forgotten feature on the face, "The Eyes."

Tom Lyle Williams, founder and owner of The Maybelline Company from 1915 - 1967.

Older brother Noel James Williams, also played a role in Maybelline's birth, when he loaned his brother Tom Lyle, $500. to launch Lash-Brow-Ine, in 1915.  He was Maybelline's Vice President from 1915 until his death in 1951.

Hollywood and Silent Films were a key ingredient in making Maybelline, the great company it became during the 20TH Century.  

Silent Film week, continues tomorrow.

This is a song by Leon Redbone, called Nobody's Sweetheart Now, written in 1924.  It's about becoming a vamp.  "You'd be out of place in your home town.  Walk down the avenue - they won't believe it's you.  Painted lips, painted eyes...all seems wrong somehow, cause you're nobodies sweetheart now."

Thank you to my cousin Linda Hughes, Mabel Williams granddaughter, for suggesting this song to me.  It says it all, about the era when, Maybelline and Silent Films, explooded onto the world stage.

MAYBELLINE KID'S FASHION FROM THE 1920S AND 30'S

"The Artist," a black-and-white homage to the early days of Hollywood, was named best picture at the 84th Academy Awards.

“The Artist” is the first silent film to win best picture, since the first Academy Awards were held in 1929, and “Wings” won first place.

And for the first time in Academy Awards history, a French actor (Jean Dujardin) and a French filmmaker (Michel Hazanavicius) took the academy’s top acting and directing awards.

 I've been a fan of silent films for over 30 years and never miss them on Turner Classic Movies, Sunday nights.  One thing for sure is, kids and dogs are scene stealer's, when there isn't a lot of talking going on, and Baby Peggy was one of the best.

Of course Jackie Coogan was killer cute with Charlie Chaplin in the 1921 film, The Kid.

To celebrate the first Silent film in 83years, here is a tribute, showing adorable children, from my great aunt Bunny's 1920s, photo album.  First, my father, Bill Williams, in 1925, a real scene stealer all his life.

Bill Williams with his cousin, Arvis in 1928, check out the incredible clothes kid's wore in those days.

Two future little cousin, car-guy's, Bill Stroh and Bill Williams, 1927 in Chicago.

Bill Williams with his first set of wheel's 1927, on Christmas day.

Bill Williams, with cousin,  Arvis and her brother Bill Stroh, 1927.

My dad, "THE KID," Bill Williams dressed meticulously everyday by his doting mother Evelyn Williams.

Bill Williams in short pants and knee socks, a double breasted coat and cap - right out of a silent film, from 1928.

Bill and Arvis Stroh, roller Skating in Chicago, dressed for a fashion layout, in 1929.

Bill and Arvis Stroh, looking like part of the cast from Our Gang, in 1929.

Look how amazingly well dressed, Arvis and Bill Stroh are in this picture and the way they light up in front of the camera, in 1929.

Doesn't get much cuter than this.  Bill and Arvis Stroh, in 1927.

               Is this the most adorable picture ever.....

My dad's cousin's and Mabel and Chet Hewes daughter, Shirley and her little brother Tommy, in about 1932 - 33.  Look at the gold bracelet and ring on little Shirley's hand. These children look like child Stars or Royalty by today's standards.  Parents took such pride in their children's fashion during the first half of the 20Th Century.  

I hope we see more Silent Films made, because they are not only classic, they allow you to have your own thoughts and not be so caught up in the special effects, we are so inundated with today. 

More fun, fun, fun tomorrow!!  Thank you for following the Vintage Maybelline Docu-Blog, the most extensive living documentary Blog on the Internet.

More Classic cars from the 1920, featured in The Maybelline Story

When I look through my grandmother's, sister Bunny's 1920s photo album, I can't help be caught up in the magic of the era. Here are a few more delightful pictures I want to share with Vintage-lovers. 

Bunny's husband, Harold Cotter, picture shot in 1923, Chicago.

The irrepressible, Bunny Boecher-Cotter.

Bunny and Harold were the automobile enthusiasts, in their family.  They never had kids, but adored their dog and their fun, racy cars.

Bunny, dressed from a scene right out of The Artist, looks like a Movie Star in this picture.

Harold, Cotter, was the perfect bookend for Bunny Boecher, always meticulously dressed and an absolutely dapper dude.

And, here is Bunny and Harold's Baby!!

I have my fingers crossed for The Artist, to win Best Picture at the Oscars, tonight!!!

Chick here and check out - The Artist,

 and it's fantastic soundtrack.

If you love Old Hollywood, Vintage Silent Films and stunning scenes and costumes from the 1920s,

The Artist,  "will warm the cockles of your heart." 

Don't forget Uggie the spunky dog, who stole every scene in the movie and was suggested for an Academy Award, but turned it down, because he was far too busy, check out this article, http://www.citypress.co.za/Entertainment/News/Uggie-the-dog-turns-down-Oscar-invitation-he-is-far-too-busy-20120225

See you tomorrow with the results.... PS, my second pick an Academy Award is, Midnight in Paris.

The Artist Featured on E! News!
Charlie Chaplin's Granddaugh​ters Interview/
​Uggie's Appearance on E! News! IN THEATERS NOW! www.theart​istmovie.n​et http

Vintage Maybelline Marcel Wave,

My grandmother, Evelyn, and her two sisters, Verona and Bunny, spent their whole lives decked-out from head to toe and learned the art of finger waving a Marcel Wave, in 1927.

Having the right tools, a lot of gel and strong fingers were the secret to having the perfect, Marcel Wave.

My great aunt Verona and Bunny were experts at finger waving each other's hair, into ideal Marcel Waves. 

Bunny, the youngest of the sisters, was a spitfire, with a personality that jumped right off the page, and

 was always head of the curve, when it came to

the latest fashion craze

Here are the three girls in 1929, all Maybellined up, with Marcel waves, and chic little hats, going to lunch at

 The Italian Village, a new restaurant that just opened

 in Chicago, in 1927.

Keeping up a fashionable appearance took a great deal of time and energy, not to mention expense, but for City Girls, it was second nature.  I grew up with my grandmother, Evelyn, (Nana,) teaching me to pin curl my hair when I was 6 years old.  I remember her scolding me when I complained, about how hard it was.  She'd say "It hurts to be beautiful darling."  I suppose she was right.  It was worth it to be beautiful, as I look back now. 

Here's Verona and Bunny walking State Street in Chicago, shopping for more, more, more fabulous shoes, hats, coats, dresses and of course Maybelline, as they head into the 1930's.

VINTAGE FASHIONISTAS CREATED THROUGH ADVERTISING.

The horrors of the Great War lead people to want to ''let loose'' in the 1920's and advertisers capitalized on it.

The 1920's were the beginning, of liberation for women, from being thought of as child-bearers and homemakers. to co-equals with men in society.

It was the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations.

Young people began testing their new boundaries with more and more outrageous forms of behavior, as fast cars, short skirts and free thinking changed the rules of the game. 

Bathing suits in 1929, were made for board-thin, young figured women, who wanted total liberation, for their body as well as their mind.

Here is a photo, of my great aunt Bunny at 25, showing off, the art of looking feminine yet liberated, in 1929.  All these wonderful, vintage photos are from her, 83 year old album. I was lucky enough to get copies, before she died at 90 years of age.  

The Jazz Age represented, restlessness, idolization of youth, and dissatisfaction with the status quo.

My great aunt Bunny, on the right, (Nana's younger sister,) was 25 in this photo, and was beginning to develop a more womanly figure.  Fashion in the 1920's, was especially designed for girls with no breasts, hips or body fat.  Girls began to look like boys and boys like girls.

"[The flapper] symbolized an age anxious to enjoy itself, anxious to forget the past, anxious to ignore the future." (from Jacques Chastenet, "Europe in the Twenties" in Purnell's History of the Twentieth Century)

Young women in the 1920s, didn't want the drudgery of social conventions and routine of daily life.  Of Course, the Film industry and Maybelline helped shape this idea.

Fashion and Maybelline, in the late 1920's appealed to the modern woman who wanted liberation from a repressive Victorian  past.

Single and married women in the cities and the country came to enjoy the comfort and ease, of the new relaxed style in fashion and eye make-up, that were once considered, for Flappers only. 

     

Advertising helped shape a new identity for the Jazz Age, generation - making it sexy, for both men and women to smoke, drink out of a flask and have the power to spend on anything they wanted, even if they didn't need it

Tom Lyle Williams shaped the new image, for a liberated woman in the 1920s, when he contracted Clara Bow and Louise Brooks, to infuse glamour into

Maybelline advertisements. 

Sharrie Williams on Good Morning Arizona

Vintage Maybelline, Fashion Week, ends tomorrow, so don't miss it!!!