A Fool There Was
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Clifford Bruce, Mabel Frenyear, May Allison, Theda Bara, Victor BenoitBrand: Kino International
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Japanese (Dubbed)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC, Silent
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 67 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-04-02
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: 2412
Studio: Kino Video
Product features:
- FOOL THERE WAS, A (DVD MOVIE)
Movie Reviews of A Fool There Was
Movie Review: A Fool There Was DVD review
Summary: 5 Stars
A Fool There Was features great acting by the entire cast and the plot moves along very nicely. The cinematography works quite well in the shots where we see the cars going around the streets of Manhattan; and the choreography also works very well in scenes where several actors had to be within the camera frame at once. Despite the fact that this film was produced almost a century ago, many parts of this story could still happen today. The film was restored in 1982 but it still could use some work in certain spots; but then again after a fire destroyed most of Theda Bara's films I suppose we're fortunate that this film still exists at all.
When the action starts we quickly meet prosperous New York City Wall Street lawyer John Schuyler (Edward José). He has his own yacht and his family adores him. His wife, Kate (Mabel Frenyear) and daughter (Runa Hodges) turn in great acting performances as the perfect loving wife and child who yearn for him and love him unconditionally.
Things are going well for John--so well, in fact, that the American government employs him as a special envoy to Great Britain on the eve of World War One. John and his family are thrilled for him; but after his sister-in-law gets injured in a car accident John's wife and daughter cannot sail with him to England. John feels badly about it; but duty calls. He departs New York's harbor and is quickly caught by the "vamp" (short for vampire) who is played by Theda Bara.
It doesn't take long, either, before the vamp "helps" John to forget about his vows to his wife; and he certainly doesn't worry much about his daughter, either. We see the vamp and John relaxing at a fancy resort in Italy; but things start to go sour when John is spotted by an acquaintance from New York. She won't even stay at the same hotel with John because she is disgusted by his behavior!
Of course, as time wears on, John becomes more and more absorbed and consumed by the vamp. We see him keeping her as his "mistress" in his Manhattan townhouse which is safely out of the way of his family's home in Larchmont, New York. He spends money--a lot of money--on the vamp and this slowly but surely drives John into tough times at work John begins to drink way too much as well.
John's wife Kate wants him back--but will he take her back? Kate even tries bringing their daughter to John in his townhouse to remind him of a good reason why they should at least try to work things out. Kate doesn't want a divorce; she wants John--but will she eventually decide divorce is better? And what about the vamp--will she relinquish John at the last minute when she's drained him for all he's got, or will she not care at all and throw him into the wind? Watch and find out!
A Fool There Was shines bright with great performances by all, especially Theda Bara who is perfectly cast as the vamp. The DVD comes with a few extras including the complete text of Rudyard Kipling's "The Vampire" and a "1915 review." I highly recommend this film for fans of Theda Bara and silent movies; people interested in silent film drama would also do well to add this to their collections.
Summary of A Fool There Was
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