Hollywoods Lost Screen Goddess Clara Bow 01/04

BBC-Documentary about the original It-Girl Clara Bow.
"On screen she was bigger
than Garbo, bigger than anybody.
But off the screen she disappeared
like an over-exposed negative."
- Louise Brooks

[@ChildOfThe1970s]

Clara Bow is not "all but forgotten" like the opening narration states. She's still very well known among people who know anything about movies.

[@jubalcalif9100]

So very true !!

[@dariowiter3078]

Absolutely! 👏👏👏👏👏 👍👍👍👍👍 😀😀😀😀😀

[@telephilia]

Much has been made of this woman's beauty, big brown eyes and her personification of the flapper era. But what is equally extraordinary is the wide gamut of emotions she could summon instantly, naturally and convincingly in her acting, silent and talkies.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put !

[@ken9268]

Very true

[@StellaWaldvogel]

She once said that when she cried onscreen, she summoned the memory of a childhood friend who burned to death in front of her. What you see is Clara reliving that.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

They mention this early in the video.

[@gloriahanes6490]

Clara Bow - She had the personality which set the set on fire ! In every scene she played, she captured the audience in seconds and lit up like a Christmas tree. No one in my opinion, will every match her vivaciousness, talent, or sheer screen presence. One of a kind, and truly, truly missed and loved by the world.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably !!

[@dariowiter3078]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!! 😁😁😁😁😁 💘💘💘💘💘 💖💖💖💖💖 💞💞💞💞💞 💋💋💋💋💋

[@mistyo2158]

She is the most wonderful person ever in my eyes. I have massive posters of her on my walls and im a girl in my 20s absolutely infatuated by her. Wish I could have met her she brings joy to me. I wish more people knew who she was she deserves recognition she's my favourite film star of all time.

[@Modeltnick]

Good for you! People, like you, will keep here memory alive for future generations. It was such a different time.

[@dariowiter3078]

I love to hear new Clara Bow fans worship her like the dickens! You rock, my dear Misty! 😀

[@GypsyFairy85]

+Misty O So glad you are a fan Misty! When I was 12 years old I saw her in "Wild Party" on the late, late movie. She was so pretty and full of life! Her eyes we amazing. She wasn't treated well in Hollywood- her career should have lasted much longer. But we have her on film, and that is more than enough.

[@FatGirlsSmellLikeBreakfast]

sex with dogs is wonderful?

[@GypsyFairy85]

Polo Everything What are you talking about?

[@ken9268]

She's not forgotten by me she's my number 1 favorite actress the reason she wasn't in movies after the 1920s is they switched to sound and she had a New York accent the directors hated she only made two movies with sound

[@telephilia]

She made about 11 talkies, her voice was beautiful, and the Brooklyn accent is hardly noticeable.

[@alwaysblake148]

Like many enormously talented people way ahead of their time, Clara Bow was maligned and treated badly. Studio moguls made her uneasy with a microphone. Her silent performances are wonderful, mesmerizing even. But watch her sound films, especially Call Her Savage and Hoopla. In both, her artistry is timeless.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe !!

[@StellaWaldvogel]

It's horrible the way she was treated. Her parents and then Hollywood. She was never valued the way she should have been, just used. It's a profoundly sad story.

[@teacupalice]

I do love Clara bow, she's my favourite actress over any of the modern ones, she was so real, and seemed truly lovely.

[@troynov1965]

She was miles ahead in talent of any other actor or actress of her time . Possibly the greatest actor (male or female ) of all.

[@patricias5122]

David Stenn's biography, "Running Wild" is fantastic! I cannot recommend it too highly. It's a sympathetic, but extremely factual and well researched and beautifully written book.

[@MrEdWeirdoShow]

Actually young Stenn's book, which was quite a whitewash, very oddly used the title of a WC Fields film (instead of The It Girl, etc.). As I read it, I noticed that it denied virtually all of the naughty stuff she got up to behind the scenes. Why this was done is simple - newbie Stenn was denied access to the old timers and their friends unless he made their pal Bow look innocent in many areas of which she was not. That's why after this one book, there was virtually nothing released on her. No one has produced even a bad onscreen Bow biography, either. (Which would've been a natural.)

[@anneroy4560]

Watching her silent films these days, 2023 she seems so modern, so current, as if she could walk off the screen & be in this moment ... great admiration for her talent ...

[@peternewman1179]

My favorite Silent Actress. A thoroughly modern woman for her times.

[@garytbradbury4799]

I believe Clara started the IT factor...Harlow was next and Monroe picked "It" up, the last of the IT...girls...

[@catspaw3092]

Theda Bara was the one that actually started the it factor she was the 1st sex symbol of the silent film era then Clara Bow, followed by Jean Harlow who became the it girl of the talkies. Some of today's actresses looked up to women like Clara & Jean they even try to emulate them but they'll never come close to these old Hollywood starlets.

[@garytbradbury4799]

Tiffany Days That would be wrong information Tiffany. Clara Bow was the 1st It Girl. We're not talking about the first sex symbol here. Elinor Glyn came up with a new idea called the It factor. She deemed Clara as the First It Girl on Sept. 1926. Clara passed the torch onto Jean Harlow,I hope this helps?

[@catspaw3092]

Garyt Bradbury It does looking at today's actresses & how they behave Clara's behavior was tame compared to the likes of Miley Cyrus or the Kardashians.

[@aliciaveal1284]

I've always loved Clara Bow along with Jean Harlow and Thelma Todd. Such goddesses and inspiration

[@jubalcalif9100]

You obviously have xlnt taste !

[@lillinablue]

As far as I know the most accredited and important biography of Clara Bow was written by David Stenn.

[@JSB1882]

There are only three women of that era that just come off the screen for me: Louise Brooks, Clara Bow, and Marion Davies. They were incredibly beautiful, and I don't mean that in a physical sense - just everything about them.

[@lillinablue]

🧚‍♀️🎥She WAS the Charisma that emanated, unique and special🌹 . I don't think there will be another Clara Bow.❤️ 🧚‍♂️❗

[@hcombs0104]

Brooklyn seemed to be the starting-off place of a lot of talented actresses: Clara Bow, Barbara Stanwyck, Susan Hayward.

[@beverlyledbetter8906]

God! I'm surprised she survived that childhood!

[@julianmarsh1378]

What I enjoy is that when I first started getting into the lives of early film stars, many years ago, what I read turns out to be mostly sensationalist b.s. So yeah I enjoy years later coming across more honest and more complete stories about these people....Clara Bow rules!

[@giavannira]

God I love your Chanel !! Young people like me who love these great real legends! Thanks again for posting these greats documents of these legends! There are millions of stars but only a handful of legends and clara now is def in that handful!!!

[@tallulahhula01]

Awww, thank you giavannira!!! This comment really made my day! Thanks a lot! I adore Clara, she was one of the most charming actresses and women ever. She deserves to be remembered!

[@kyleporter2360]

+Tallulah Hula I'm now a fan of Clara ! Thanks for this !!

[@tallulahhula01]

Hey Kyle, you're very welcome!!! Clara needs more fans for sure, she was wonderful. :)

[@AllySheehan]

Cannot wait to see how this talented woman inspired Taylor's upcoming song

[@jillsarah7356]

Gasp Hi Ally! I too am deep diving on Clara Bow thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming TTPD

[@rayito2005]

Clara Bow , the "it " Girl.

[@TotzkeMike]

Isn't it funny ... the BBC does the best docs about Hollywood!

[@RememberRox]

Her eyes were HUGE, like doll eyes. I mean just look at 13:27

[@fionamacdonald8794]

I adored her as a teenager and now i am in my 20s I still do. I too have pictures of her on my wall. I would pick one of her films over the latest Hollywood blockbuster any day of the week.

[@Patrick3183]

ditto, but for me it's Jean Harlow. Clara was Jean's idol.

[@fionamacdonald8794]

Jean Harlow is still a huge favourite of mine. She's the wallpaper on my phone. They were truly wonderful! I wish Jean had made more films.

[@dariowiter3078]

As a Clara Bow fan, you have no idea how happy I am in reading you post! CLARA BOW ROCKS, BIG TIME!!!!! 😀

[@fionamacdonald8794]

it's brilliant to know that she still has a big fan base, she would be so chuffed :)

[@dariowiter3078]

+Fiona Macdonald I've been a fan of hers since the '90s, Fiona, and believe me, I'm tickled pink that I am a fan of hers! 😀

[@dxmxo9427]

Can you imagine if she were alive today?? She would not be a scandal

[@jesusdavidmartinezramos4283]

clara bow, will always be the queen of hollywood and she always it will be the only girl

[@TTatitalks]

She's beautiful

[@baratheda777]

Garbo and Clara are the forerunners for realistic acting. In the silent films its staggering

[@harryknackers7892]

I can't get over her.

[@jackierafter304]

Marilyn Monroe has been compared to Clara Bow just like her she can sell emotions in pictures. Both have had a very similar background.

[@harryfishback8173]

Only Clara rarely spoke of the horrors of her childhood growing up in the slums of New York in Tenemants Being locked in closets while her mother turned tricks being chased around by her Insane mother with a Butcher Knife, Her Childhood friend whom she considered a fantasy brother burned alive and dying in her arms Seeing her mother committed then being molested by her drunken absentee father. On the flip side Marilyn Monroe often exaggerated her past for sympathy...

[@Muirmaiden]

@@harryfishback8173 How do you Monroe exaggerated her past? Were you there? Like Clara Bow, there was a history of mental illness in her family as well. Monroe went from foster home to foster home after her mother was institutionalized.

[@josephinamungaray6118]

@@harryfishback8173 She wasn't exaggerating, you jerk.

[@patricias5122]

I don't agree with the opening line, "....today she is all but completely forgotten." Far from it! People who really follow filmmaking know perfectly well who Clara Bow is.

[@alvexok5523]

6:25, I never realized til now that this scene where Clara fights the boys for bothering a poor dog, that that was probably the scene that the very similar scene in "Annie" got the idea from. Remember the scene in "Annie" where she fights the boys bothering the dog, the dog that became her dog, Sandy? I haven't seen "Annie" in quite a few years, but I remember the dog/fight scene. "Annie" also took place in the early 1930s, not far from the time period of this film with Clara.

[@richardmoon1852]

Thanks much for this treat.

[@tallulahhula01]

+Richard Moon You're welcome. I'm glad you like it. :)

[@ThrivingJean]

We appreciate greatly your wonderful youtube channel. Thank you.

[@jubalcalif9100]

THANKS for uploading this very informative & entertaining bio ! Part One has been a pip...greatly looking forward to watching Part Two !!

[@danielcowan8673]

I first heard of Clara Bow as a 14 year old kid in the UK because Prince namechecks her in his song Condition of the Heart.

[@tinamarie8492]

When I see pictures of Clair she seems she was the inspiration for betty boop. Clair is timelessly the inspiration to me. She had so many drawbacks with her family, including trauma and dysfunction... and yet life for her was a challenge, not a problem. Its truly awesome what we can do when we view life differently. ❤ clair is my inspiration... 🏆

[@cocoaorange1]

I am fascinated by silent star's lives. A great documentary.

[@thomassperduti4500]

"A more tragic person you cannot imagine".

[@joannecataloni3410]

I think she was a great actress disspite her home life but she was real and didn't let nothing get her down

[@richardmoon1852]

Thanks again.

[@chrisyonts9652]

Anyone who has ever seen her face will never forget her.

[@debberraharriman7403]

She was very attractive

[@darryl3422]

She was so pretty..the camera loved het

[@ComeAlongKay]

Well the father didn’t try to kill her so he has that going for him over the mother, and he did give her permission to try out. The mother was sick obviously but alcoholism is a version of that as well so they were both under that. It’s rough when the alcoholic is the relatively stable one out of the parents, and when not trying to kill your child is what ranks you as less destructive.

[@maudelynn13]

My Queen. Always

[@jetnight88]

Clara bow , Mary Pickford and olive Thomas are the badass women of old Hollywood

[@jeannecastellano7181]

Very good documentary on Clara Bow. How about documentaries on Alma Rubens and maybe her marriage to heart throb, Ricardo Cortez

[@carolrashee6346]

I like her movies

[@nobodysperfect06]

Unfortunately, half of her films are lost

[@mabshowme]

This is my ancestor ‼️

[@an-tm3250]

I believe she married handsome, handsome actor Rex Bell.

[@greggeshelman]

How about higher resolution version instead of this lousy 240p?

[@AmIDeadYet]

Gotta admit, I didn't know who she was until recently when i watched Babylon. I googled who the Margot Robbie character was based on. Now I'm really interested in her story.

[@jeffpagan7735]

I think she was too insecure about her accent. She could've done much more. They broke her down.

[@Wilson.katie815]

Taylor Swift honors her on A new song on her latest album

[@lillinablue]

I don't like so much Clara Bow starring "Call her savage" ( I don't feel the character she played perfectly fitting around her). Contrary Hoopla is a very nice early talkie movie. I suggest to enjoy it The character she acted was fitted for her personality. She playing cool, hot, cheerful . Also costumes and dresses are very nice. The movie closed her career, because new actresses were rising.

[@iainwood1905]

Love the music at 7.21 . . . love to know what it is! 🌿🦊🌿

[@broken1394]

Whatever didn't happen to Clara Bow?

[@fabianvictoria-moreno3008]

DOLORES DEL RIO

[@MartinDelCarpio]

cool

[@Tomfrost1997]

She had IT…..

[@nickangelo9971]

Does anyone know if there is any grandchildren or even great grandchildren?

[@ericplunder2744]

There are definitely grandchildren

[@palomabovary8198]

Tallulah..i love you

[@derrickkimmons8785]

Clara know how to fight

[@joinveronica5041]

2021 ?

[@DaughterOfChrist1997]

subtitles pls, im begging, even autogenerated.

[@tallulahhula01]

I added them for you. Greets.

[@auletjohnast03638]

CLARA BOW CAN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO THE BEAUTIFUL LOUISE BROOKS.

[@LucilleBrawl17]

I agree.

[@telephilia]

You're wrong there. Both are stunning looking but Bow is really the better actress.

[@taylorb5535]

Even Louise herself thought that Clara was a better actress. (And Louise actively spoke out to try and amplify Clara Bow’s legacy, - including sharing how Clara was undervalued in Hollywood due primarily to classism )

[@hedylamarr1637]

Louise loved Clara...your comparison comment she'd absolutely hate it....🧏

[@neilpower60]

Is it just me or are there lesbian undertones in some of those clips?

[@ealswytheangelicrealms]

If Clara Bow was such a great actress then why was her career over in the early 30's? Joan Crawford played the same type of jazz girl roles as Clara Bow. Bow starred in "It" and Crawford in Our Dancing Daughters - both jazz age flapper roles. But decades after Bow was out of film and long forgotten Joan Crawford was still a big star and winning Academy Awards. It is because Clara Bow was a very limited one dimensional actress who played a character only identifiable with the 1920's or jazz age. The stock market crash of 1929 brought the 20's to a close and Clara Bow's career along with it. Joan Crawford was an infinitely better actress who could adapt to the changing times while Clara Bow couldn't..

[@lillinablue]

Joan Crawford was completely another actress and person in my opinion. You can't compare them at all. Clara Bow was over as Silent Era ended.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

She got married and had kids and said "fuck it".

[@Myplop]

She left the business, she’d had enough and she also found the wonderful Rex Bell who loved her so much.

[@ericplunder2744]

Clara's two most financially successful movies were Hoopla and Call Her Savage, her two final films, both sound movies. She had lots of offers to continue, but she retired- with a lot of money- to have a family. So your post is simply wrong.

[@ericplunder2744]

@@lillinablue Clara's two most successful films were her final sound films. Sound didn't end her