Louise "Lulu" Brooks -way ahead of her time!!!
The reason women everywhere started cutting their hair in an ultra short Bob. Louise was a complete original and way ahead of her time. She was kicked out of her hotel /apartment for women only because she was sneaking men back to her room. She wasn't afraid of being the aggressor in relationships, her career or career trajectory. She lived by her own rules up to the end. A leader in the flapper movement she was probably Clara Bows most famous and forcefully vocal fan. She admired the hell out of Clara and always jumped to defend or gush about the woman who seemed to captivate Louise from the very first film she ever saw Clara in. She had many lovers like Clara, became an actress like Clara, chose to live by her own rules like Clara and unfortunately had a traumatic upbringing like Clara. Clara had a mother who brought clients home and made Clara sit in a cabinet until she was done and the men left. Then her mother tried to kill her at 16. After her mother was institutionalised her father would come home drunk and do terrible dark things to her and then pass out. She left home at 17. Louise was 8 years old when an unmarried man moved to her street. He would sit candy and popcorn in bowels and put them on his porch. He said it was for the children of the neighborhood. Back then nobody realized that child predators were everywhere. So one day she walked up to his porch and he came out and told her that there was more in the house. After he got her in his house he did horrible things that only an evil child predator can do. She ran home and told her mother. And her mother was horrified and blamed her. Saying things like, what you did to that poor man. Making comments about Louise going in his house alone on purpose to seduce him. She was traumatized by the abuse and her mother taking the side of the man who destroyed her innocence, childhood and self worth. Her mother blamed her and said she went over their with the intention of tricking him into it. She couldn't get away from her mother and out of her home fast enough. She and Clara were the blueprint for women like Marlene Dietrich to become such a feminine force that gave her male costars a run for their money. There are so many interviews, documentaries, biographies and books about these 3 women and the timeline of their lives. It's so interesting! If you're into that. Which I am😊🫶
Okay, so after diving deep into Louise Brooks' world, I just had to share more about what makes her so utterly captivating, especially for anyone curious about the real 1920s flapper girl or that legendary bob haircut! It’s not just about her striking look in the silent films; it’s about the sheer audacity of her spirit. When I saw that iconic close-up portrait of her with her short, straight bob and bangs, I realized it wasn't just a hairstyle – it was a statement. She didn't just wear the bob; she defined it, turning it from a simple cut into a symbol of liberation for women everywhere. Imagine the courage it took for women to chop off their long hair back then, all inspired by Lulu! She truly embodied the authentic 1920s flapper spirit, pushing boundaries not just with her appearance but with her entire lifestyle. But her story doesn't end with the jazz age glamour. Many of you might wonder about Louise Brooks in the 1930s or even old Louise Brooks. Her career trajectory was fascinating. After her initial success, she famously walked away from Hollywood, later finding renewed fame in Europe, particularly with films like G.W. Pabst's "Pandora's Box" and "Diary of a Lost Girl" – seeing those movie posters on book covers like "Louise Brooks Pandora's Box" and "Jerry Winters Presents Louise Brooks G.W. Pabst's Diary of a Lost Girl" really puts her international impact into perspective. It shows how magnetic she was on screen, even beyond Hollywood's grasp. This period is a testament to her unique talent and how she always followed her own path, even if it meant defying industry expectations. Later in life, she became a reclusive but incredibly insightful writer, offering candid reflections on her past. It’s amazing to think that the same woman who graced the silver screen, inspiring a generation, would later share her wisdom through words. If you're interested in her later thoughts, looking up books like "Louise Brooks Portrait of an Anti-Star" or "Lulu in Berlin und Hollywood" (which I also saw mentioned on a book cover!) can give you such a rich insight into her mind. It’s not just about her glamorous youth; it’s about her entire journey, from silent film queen to a thoughtful observer of life. The newspaper clippings about her, even one announcing her passing as 'Silent film queen Louise Brooks dies,' really underscore her lasting legacy. She might not have signed many Louise Brooks autographs for fans in her later, more private years, but her impact is still felt today through her films, writings, and the countless articles and documentaries celebrating her. She truly was a force, a symbol of feminine strength and independence that continues to resonate. I find her resilience and refusal to conform so inspiring!
Great story you just told , you tell some really fascinating things that’s why your one of my favorites MK !!! Thanks as always