Mariemont Theatre hosts sold-out Theda Bara screening as only three films survive
A tribute event in Cincinnati honors the silent film star, whose career was largely erased by a 1937 studio fire.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Cincinnati residents will gather at the Mariemont Theatre on Saturday, October 24, for a sold-out tribute to local silent film star Theda Bara. The event marks the centennial of the actress’s early career and serves as a reminder of how much of her work has been lost to history.
Bara, born Theodosia Goodman in Avondale in 1885, rose to fame as the original screen vamp between 1914 and 1919. Studio publicists crafted a fictional identity for her, billing her as an Arab princess and claiming her name was an anagram for Arab Death. In reality, she was the daughter of a Jewish tailor and a Swiss mother. She attended Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati before moving to New York City to pursue acting.
During her five-year peak, Bara appeared in 40 films, including titles such as A Fool There Was, East Lynne, and Cleopatra. Nadya Ellerhorst, producer of the public television series The Art Show, described Bara as a fascinating figure in Cincinnati history. Ellerhorst also directed an eight-minute documentary titled Theda Bara's Memoirs, which will be screened at the event alongside A Fool There Was.
The evening includes a panel discussion with Dr. Jennifer Glaser, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, and Brian Powers, a historian with the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. With Halloween approaching, the program also features a costume contest. The documentary has gained a wider audience through online distribution, accumulating 50,000 views on YouTube since May 2025.
The preservation of Bara's filmography is limited due to a 1937 fire at Fox Studios. Only three of her 40 films survive today. Her primary career ended in 1919, though she returned to the screen for two productions in the mid-1920s. She died in Los Angeles in 1955 at age 69.
Her personal history remains tied to the city. Xavier University acquired her former home on Victory Parkway and Ledgewood Drive in 1979. The institution used the Spanish-style house for its Honors College before demolishing it in 2011.
Source: WVXU Cincinnati Public Radio
