'Louise Brooks' from Mysteries and Scandals documentary biography

Mary Louise Brooks (November 14, 1906 -- August 8, 1985), generally known by her stage name Louise Brooks, was an American dancer, model, showgirl and silent film actress, noted for popularizing the bobbed haircut. Brooks is best known as the lead in three feature films made in Europe, including two G. W. Pabst films: Pandora's Box (1929), Diary of a Lost Girl (1929), and Prix de Beauté (Miss Europe) (1930). She starred in 17 silent films and, late in life, authored a memoir, Lulu in Hollywood.
rooks made her screen debut in the silent The Street of Forgotten Men, in an uncredited role in 1925. Soon, however, she was playing the female lead in a number of silent light comedies and flapper films over the next few years[citation needed], starring with Adolphe Menjou and W. C. Fields, among others.
She was noticed in Europe for her pivotal vamp role in the Howard Hawks directed silent "buddy film", A Girl in Every Port in 1928.[3]
In an early sound film drama, Beggars of Life (1928), Brooks played an abused country girl on the run with Richard Arlen and Wallace Beery playing hoboes she meets while riding the rails. Much of this film was shot on location, and the boom microphone was invented for this film by the director William Wellman, who needed it for one of the first experimental talking scenes in the movies.
By this time in her life, she was mixing with the rich and famous, and was a regular guest of William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, Marion Davies, at San Simeon, being close friends with Davies' niece, Pepi Lederer. Her distinctive bob haircut, which became eponymous, and is still recognized to this day, helped start a trend; many women styled their hair in imitation of her and fellow film star Colleen Moore.[4] Soon after the film Beggars Of Life was made, Brooks, who loathed the Hollywood "scene", refused to stay on at Paramount after being denied a promised raise, and left for Europe to make films for G. W. Pabst, the prominent Austrian Expressionist director.
Paramount attempted to use the coming of sound films to pressure the actress, but she called the studio's bluff. It was not until 30 years later that this rebellious move would come to be seen as arguably the most savvy of her career, securing her immortality as a silent film legend and independent spirit. Unfortunately, while her initial snubbing of Paramount alone would not have finished her in Hollywood altogether, her refusal after returning from Germany to come back to Paramount for sound retakes of The Canary Murder Case (1929) irrevocably placed her on an unofficial blacklist. Actress Margaret Livingston was hired to dub Brooks's voice for the film,[5] and the studio claimed that Brooks' voice was unsuitable for sound pictures.
[edit]In Europe

[@brhorn]

I first met Louise back home in Rochester NY in the late 70's. She was an interesting personality to engage with. A private but strong lady, she was compelling to converse with, especially about her earlier years in the film industry. I had missed her Service when she had passed, as that I was out of town on business; however, I bought red roses to place at here grave in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery off of Lake Ave. there: red roses for all of the romance that she embodied. She had done a magnificent set of works interviewing and chronological reporting of famous directors such as Buster Keaton.

[@tommihail6564]

Did Louise ever mentioned working with WCFIELDS?

[@mikegehre570]

What a gorgeous woman! Had a tragic later life. Nice that she's been rediscovered and appreciated. Too bad she's not around to see it

[@carolinecorman1716]

She was such a beautiful lady. Those eyes speak volumes.

[@ukijohn57]

Even in old age Louise was beautiful.

[@sitarnut]

She was way ahead of Hollywood...

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

There is no doubt that it was possible to a strong assertive woman in Hollywood as Bette Davis proved. Louise Brooks for whatever reason was undoubtedly not able to find any degree of contentment in anything she did. That was her real problem and perhaps that was rooted in her childhood

[@exaudi33]

Bette Davis was not at the mercy of alcoholism. Brooks, alas, was. A dreadful disease.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I wonder why I love this era ... it doesn't particularly represent me at all but this time in history has always held a fascination for me .... The clothes , the culture , the architecture , the cars , the optimism and naiveté clashing with reality ... the whole schpiel

[@miapdx503]

She was amazing, one of a kind. I just saw Diary of a Lost Girl, mesmerizing!

[@jenniferkokoris6076]

My go to hair cut/style each summer. I keep her picture in my Phone to show the stylists 😊

[@keithlcrabtree]

I'm so glad she went to Berlin. Those films she made in Germany and with Pabst are SO amazing and don't seem dated at all. I watch them over and over. If you have not seen them, do so now!

[@sereno353]

Yes, I have seen them and I also have read Pandora's Box and The Spirit Of The Earth by Frank Wedekind, the theatrical pieces. I think her in that time with Pabst in Pandora's Box create a unique and magic alchemy in the History of the cinema.

[@daisyblue2447]

I loved Diary of Lost Girl. Was so much story in one movie

[@cliffgaither]

@sereno353 :: What a bad decision to return to Hollywood after Germany. I'm glad she turned down _The Bride._ She probably would have been mesmerizing, but Lanchester was magnificent !

[@francinenazaruddin]

Such a ICONIC BEAUTY! I am mesmerized by Lulu. Thank You for posting.

[@dariowiter3078]

The problem with your statement is that she ISN'T iconic, because she wasn't famous during her time in films, despite the fact that she was an up-and-coming actress who was becoming popular with movie audiences. Only film nerds have turned her into an "icon" or a "goddess."

[@bobtaylor170]

@@dariowiter3078, and if a tree falls in the forest, and no one hears it, has it made a sound? Of course, she was iconic. History is full of people whose particular gift or gifts weren't recognized at the time, or, as in Brooks' case, were recognized, then forgotten about. But there is such a thing as discovery and rediscovery. Louise Brooks is one of the most striking people in the history of movies. I wonder if her uncooperativeness doesn't provide a clue to her failure: maybe she had borderline personality disorder, which I think you can make a case Frances Farmer also had.

[@brookegoslin]

I think she is very unique , intelligent amazing actress ! I loved her in Pandora's Box endearing facial expressions I just love her ! Extremely Cool ! ❤️

[@George888e]

R.I.P. Thanks for posting in .She should have stayed in Europe. The most beautiful and talented actress of all time by far..........................

[@wvanderwahl]

I agree- there was nothing waiting for her in Hollywood as we now know. But, she didn't speak German or French and was a bit much for GW Pabst to handle.

[@bobtaylor170]

I would disagree with your characterization of her appeal. She was one of the great stars, but my vote for "most beautiful" would go to the tragic Frances Farmer. I think they may both have had borderline personality disorder.

[@nosmoking2480]

@@bobtaylor170 I agree that saying "most beautiful...of all time" is a big stretch. But if the vote was narrowed down to "most beautiful actress of the 1920s", then Brooks would get my vote.

[@bobtaylor170]

@@nosmoking2480, there we agree! She was certainly the hottest, most striking creature, wasn't she?

[@stephaniestanley8041]

Her beauty, her independence and talent was light years before her time. ❤

[@potdog1000]

a timeless beauty

[@peggyhill7283]

She was her own woman before her time with great confidence & strength. R.I.P. Ms. Brooks. Miss you Hef.

[@StevenTorrey]

Too many actors underestimate the role of the director in their success. Louise Brooks is remembered because Pabst saw something in her that can be melded into a role of a lifetime--Pandora's Box. Too many actors underestimate the role of their own folly in their failure...

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Spoken like a director

[@lynnd.8893]

She was so beautiful♡

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Louise must have been very strong. How many other people could have kept going for so long in the circumstances Louise was in for so many years after she left films? How many would have committed suicide? She was a voracious, intelligent reader. Maybe in books Louise found both escape and encouragement.

[@judacia]

thanks for sharing. hopefully a more uncut version will surface.

[@markcantemail8018]

7-18-2018 I visited and Photographed her Headstone today In Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Today . I have 3 conflicting dates and a Published Photo of A stone that does not match what I saw Today . Rochester , N.Y . You are not forgotten !

[@ohmeowzer1]

Loved this ty

[@josephharnett5075]

Next to Clara Bow Louise was the most stunning silent star I've had a picture of her in my home for years true beauty

[@NuisanceMan]

What a brilliant woman.

[@stephenbrumfield8443]

Very good, thanks for the upload.... :)

[@autumrose1]

She is a woman all her own. I would have loved to met her

[@JSB1882]

There was nothing like her! I love Barry Paris' book about her! I first saw Louise Brooks through the Richard Leacock interview - and I fell in love with the old woman in the bathrobe.

[@loge10]

I totally agree about Louise and about Paris's book about her. I already liked her but the biography brought her to a whole new level.

[@nosmoking2480]

The Paris biography is one of the greatest biographies I think I've read. So much more was revealed than was ever known before about Brooks that Paris discovered from pouring over her letters to so many friends and family members (who thankfully had kept them...Louise herself discarded most of their replies).

[@shaun5944]

The original "IT" girl, alongside Clara Bow. Amazingly strong 💪 beautiful ❤️ woman 😻🌟🎭👍🇬🇧

[@JustinTyme1966]

She was gorgeous!!!

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Pretty lady, even into the 1970s.

[@regmunday8354]

Neither mystery or scandal, simply tragic.

[@skolamaria4090]

I've been stunned the moment I first saw her in "Pandorra`s Box"

[@kaewonf8]

She never should've left Germany. Pabst was the ideal director for her.

[@elizabethevans1275]

kaewonf8 yes she really does look like Laura dern, the lady in the dressing gown in what looks like the bathroom.

[@gretagarbeige]

Or she could have stayed in the US and worked with Howard Hawks who was ready to work with her again, she would have been amazing in his talkies...

[@dariowiter3078]

Brooksie wanted to return to America so she could be with multi-millionaire/sports owner George Marshall whom she had a long time affair. Marshall wanted to marry Louise, but she wanted her independence and enjoyed her romance with Marshall the way it was going at the time.

[@spicey6646]

@@elizabethevans1275 Laura Dern? Please.Laura Dern can't hold a candle to Lulu's Beauty!

[@bobinobaker]

kaewinf8 That's nonsense! If it had remained Nazi Germany, do you really think that artistic films like those made before 1933 would still have been possible there . Of course not !

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

She was amazing and her own worst enemy.

[@jamescowan3651]

She was gorgeous

[@tc19948]

To come back from being sexually abused at 9 is some feat. Little wonder she was a bit cranky sometimes. RIP Louise.

[@waynej2608]

@Voracious Reader Valid points. It's to her credit then, that she persevered like she did. Finding some solace in her writing, reading and a few friends. I think she was magnificent.

[@sonjaashmore2972]

@Voracious Reader Not necessarily true, I know that happened to me. Of course I am not a star just a wife and mother ,sister and friend . Life isn't easy for anyone who has gone through that . But some of us do move on .

[@dianae.martinherrero9174]

Maravillosa, Brooksie....

[@u.s.n.retired1995]

Sounds like she was a beautiful, smart and strong lady.

[@kentonclarkson1449]

I agree. If she had found a strong man who loved and respected her instead of just wanting her for her beauty her whole life could have been different

[@gregdalton-white7740]

She and Vivian Vance came from Cherryvale, KS originally.

[@terry4137]

She was no Vivian

[@sharksport01]

@@terry4137 Thankfully!

[@americanwoman9880]

Sounds like Louise had borderline personality disorder. Trauma as a young child, reckless behavior, etc.

[@scotnick59]

A wee bit of trivia: Louise came from the tiny hamlet of Cherryvale, KS = As did Vivian Vance.

[@MrTomladd]

Her resemblance to Coleen Moore is stunning however she was not as comedic as Moore and might have been taller in physical stature. Two beautiful silent stars!

[@ellyreginald6546]

Louise would have been an incredible serious actress. hard-boiled and tough.

[@dariowiter3078]

That's "Colleen," idiot, not "Colleen." 😠😠😠😠😠

[@TheFinalBathAmber]

No contest Louise was a true stunner

[@MarianoBulaBlackOrpheus]

Every girl wants the Louise brooks!

[@jeffpagan7735]

She was evicted for wearing what wasn't considered appropriate at that time. It was a pink dress in the lobby. The other was exercise bloomers on the roof exercising.

[@teeramirez1624]

Ok.... so why no mention of her connection with Greta Garbo. I hate how history is distorted.

[@hellothere5579]

What are you talking about?

[@jeffpagan7735]

This skipped a lot. Like how Barbara Bennett took her in and they went to England. How she was the first one to dance the Charleston there.

[@redcan5254]

Happy Birthday Louise ... You Lit Up The Screen and You Live Forever ... Louise Brooks: November 14 1906 - August 8 1985 November 14 2021 (2309 hrs)

[@elianamarinho9542]

Louise brooks🥰🕵️♥️

[@nosmoking2480]

Nice overview of L.B.'s life and career, and good interviews with writers and others who have helped keep her spirit alive. I could have done without the re-enactment segments, but mercifully they aren't nearly as excessive as some docs made today (History Channel is currently really lazy with depending on these to fill time in their bio "doc" series...the Washington and Lincoln recent docs on HC use these incessantly; hard to believe that Doris Kearns Goodwin gave her approval to rely so much on this annoying approach). I fail to see how Brooks' life qualifies as anything having mysterious or scandalous associated with it, though. If anything, her life was more tragic than anything else because by self-sabotaging her own career at the end of the silent era, film-lovers were deprived of ever seeing her star in pictures made during the 1930s that may have catapulted her to stardom on a level with Garbo, Davis, Stanwyck, etc. Louise has bluntly admitted the mistakes she made that doomed her motion-picuture career, but never possessed any regrets regarding them. Her views expressed about this always struck me as an attitude of "what's done, is done," and she stood fast with her opinion that the choices she made were the right ones for her at that time. It's just fortunate that she never sank too far before the cinema world got another chance to rediscover her and fall in love with her again while she was still around to appreciate the acclaim.

[@brunothor2696]

BBC Arena produced a far superior documentary than this one.

[@waynej2608]

@GMoorefan115 Exactly. And what's the deal with that guy, Benza? It seems he'd be more suited to doing solitious pieces on mob hit men.

[@michelponchon6859]

INLASSABLEMENT PASSIONNANT !

[@ScratchthechalkBoard]

The founder of CBS looked modern like 1960s looks wise

[@imsocuteimsorich4952]

Rest in peace Louise, amen 👍🌠🌈☀️

[@johnmamo653]

Louise was from the future

[@bobbybrooks4826]

"AT 15 NOW A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN.... ".... You slipped up shilly reader

[@mtnpfi]

Min 1:11 is the inspiration for Alexander McQueen's Image for Björk's "Homogenic" album cover! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homogenic

[@tecumsehcristero]

I'll I have to say is Good For Her

[@Moosetta]

That's not Flo Ziegfeld at 2:34

[@JWS79621]

That's correct!

[@leighness1988]

All these condescending talking heads mouthing on about her, they are all so smug. With terrible hair. Lulu is a legend.

[@Ice-fg9jc]

I saw that too

[@scarletpimpernelagain9124]

And me three. They are all incredibly comfortable talking about this woman’s experience.

[@ranifanphenix4819]

They dont make em like that anymore-)

[@deborahruthbarlow1695]

Really? Rochester NY?

[@deb53]

I think she was a fool. Louise had talent and a rare beauty. Had she learned to harness that anger, she would have been one of the greats! That would have provided her with the means to have more control over her career, such as directing and producing, choreographing dance movies, etc . . . and thereby giving her a stronger voice in the industry. Louis was her own worst enemy!

[@marsh443]

Good grief, does anyone know anything abt EDITING??

[@Jay-n262]

Louise' parents weren't very parental like!

[@williamneumyer7147]

You looked better in a dinner jacket, Hef.

[@lovelydaniel8083]

....Forgot I was on KZbin, I was waiting on Janis Joplin biography lol

[@watermelonlalala]

Sorry, but screwing every guy who comes along is not a sign of intelligence.

[@irenejohnston6802]

Same yardstick, millions of unintelligent men throughout history.

[@watermelonlalala]

@@irenejohnston6802 But they don't have fans making videos about them. Sad!

[@nosmoking2480]

Yes, god forbid that any woman could enjoy having sex as much as a man. (That's sarcasm, which I'm pointing out as you seem to be a very narrow-minded individual.)

[@evaperez4139]

A man who has alot women is admired. A woman who does the same thing (alot of men) is a slut

[@zolanihogana]

Did she have kids??

[@MrHDE-ex6xl]

No...she sometimes referred herself as “Barren Brooks”

[@ericametzinger4061]

I don’t think she had kids

[@nosmoking2480]

No children. In some of her conversations and writings she expressed how motherhood was not something she desired, either. A lot of her feelings about this no doubt came from the conflicted feelings she had about her own mother.

[@godlygirls62]

I despise that the narrator referred to Louise as a 15 year old beautiful young woman. Excuse me. She was a 15 year old child

[@mybabba]

When the one man was recounting the story of how a molester lured her to his house, he smiled as if he thought it was funny. Not cool.

[@VicAlexanderAramaicBible]

I wished so much for the actors to vote for Louise Brooks, becsuse her only child was my Norwegian mother-in-law Signe Ingeborg Louise (there it is, Louise Brooks!) and I am married to her daughter Liv Marie Alexander, the SAG-AFTRA actress Liv Alexander hated by the Jews of Hollywood because my wife has a Norwegian accent -- actresses like Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, the talentless Gabrielle Sallinger (who was because of the cruelty of people like Burt Ward whom I cast in his only significant feature film STAR QUEST (based on Ibsen's Lady from the Sea) who prevented Liv from getting an Oscar. Gene Hackman prevented Liv from getting an Oscar. The King of Norway Harald V took away my Oacar for as the Director of STAR QUEST because he considers himself as the authority on Ibsen (Ibsen dramas must never be used as adaotations), even Liv Ullman hated Liv Alexander because she, Liv Ullman had done the original play Lady From The Sea in Norwegian, and the list of hateful people in Hollywood is endless, Sir Steven Spielberg whom I had knighted by Queen Elizabeth II because my father Nimrud Alexander born Jewish in 1884 and the first CIA man who saved the English monarchy and the House of Windsor from didappearing during WW II -- Vic Alexander

[@666sdkfz]

Stay off the drugs Vic ! 🤪 Cheers from Norway

[@grapiken7766]

She acts like a man (enjoying sex) and gets evicted from her hotel. Makes me angry... The double standards.

[@huelperkins8676]

Gra Piken

[@thomassperduti4500]

She ended up a miserable old lady angry at the world in Rochester, New York.

[@will7its]

You would be miserable too if you lived here.....😁

[@ericametzinger4061]

Upstate has bad winters So I get it

[@nosmoking2480]

Way to reduce a symphony of a life to just one note.

[@mercurypoizund2291]

Gossip.....worthless story

[@christorpher84]

sick person

[@scootergreen3]

Just curious. Why do you say she was sick? I don't know much about her.