Theda Bara on the cover of the sheet music for The Blue Flame Theme Song by composer William Frederic Peters and lyricist Ballard MacDonald | Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Music Publishers, New York, 1920 | New York Public Library
The Blue Flame Theme Song was written to promote the Broadway play The Blue Flame (1920), which starred American silent film actress Theda Bara (1885--1955) and was directed by J. C. Huffman and W.H. Gilmore.
Although it was panned by critics, and Bara’s acting on stage deemed severely below par, the production drew big crowds on the power of the starring actress’ enormous movie fame alone, and even went on a tour across the U.S. after 48 Broadway performances.
It was however, the first and last Broadway play in which Ms Bara would act. After The Blue Flame closed, the already floundering film career of the once legendary-in-her-own-time silent film star went in as steep a decline as her stage career, until she was all but forgotten by the time the femmes fatales started talking in movies. Still her legendary status has since been restored, even if it took several decades.
‘’The Blue Flame is a four-act play written by George V. Hobart and John Willard, who revised an earlier version by Leta Vance Nicholson. Ruth Gordon, the main character, is a religious young woman who dies and is revived by her scientist fiancé as a soulless femme fatale. She seduces several men and involves them in crimes, including drug use and murder. In the final act, her death and resurrection are revealed to be a dream.’’ (Wikipedia)
Soulless, femme fatale, seduction, several men, crimes, drug use, murder, dreams, death, resurrection? Somebody please put this show back on. And please use the theme song -- it’s not on YouTube and I want to hear it. Thank you.
Below: promotional photograph of Theda Bara as Ruth Gordon in the play The Blue Flame, 1920
