Who was Louise Brooks? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Mary Louise Brooks

Died At Age: 78

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: A. Edward Sutherland (m. 1926–1928), Deering Davis (m. 1933–1938)

father: Leonard Porter Brooks

mother: Myra Rude

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'2" (157 cm), 5'2" Females

Died on: August 8, 1985

place of death: Rochester, New York, United States

Diseases & Disabilities: Emphysema

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

U.S. State: Kansas

Recommended For You

1

What was Louise Brooks' impact on the film industry?

Louise Brooks is best known for revolutionizing the portrayal of women in cinema, particularly through her iconic roles in silent films like "Pandora's Box" and "Diary of a Lost Girl." She challenged traditional gender roles and brought a new level of depth and complexity to female characters on screen.
2

What was Louise Brooks' signature style?

Louise Brooks was known for her distinctive bob haircut, which became a fashion trend in the 1920s. Her style was considered modern and rebellious for its time, reflecting her independent and free-spirited personality.
3

Why did Louise Brooks retire from acting at a young age?

Louise Brooks retired from acting in her early 30s due to disillusionment with Hollywood and the film industry. She grew tired of the studio system and felt constrained by the limitations placed on her creativity, leading her to pursue other interests outside of acting.
4

How did Louise Brooks influence future generations of actors and filmmakers?

Louise Brooks' bold and fearless approach to her craft inspired many actors and filmmakers who followed in her footsteps. Her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking performances and enduring impact on the art of cinema.
5

What role did Louise Brooks play in shaping the image of the "flapper?"

Louise Brooks was often associated with the "flapper" image of the 1920s, a symbol of women's liberation and social change. Her on-screen persona challenged traditional notions of femininity and helped popularize the image of the independent, modern woman during that era.

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Childhood & Early Life

Louise Brooks was born on November 14, 1906 to Leonard Porter Brooks, a lawyer, and Myra Rude, a gifted pianist, who nurtured in Louise and her siblings, a love of art.

Sexually abused at 9, she developed a deep distrust of men who were the gentle and kind types. When she confided to her mother, she was told that it, probably, was her own fault.

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Career

Brooks’ show career began in 1922, as dancer with the leading dance troupe the Denishawn Dance Company, Los Angeles. In 1924, she was dismissed from the company by St. Denis, who envied her growing popularity. She became a chorus girl in ‘Scandals’, a successful series of Broadway revues, produced by George White.

Her dance in Broadway’s ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ in 1925 was noticed by Walter Wanger of Paramount Pictures. She earned a five year contract with Paramount and debuted in the film, ‘The Street of Forgotten Men’.

In 1926, she featured as a flapper in ‘A Social Celebrity’ with Adolf Menjou and Chester Conklin, and co-starred with W.C. Fields in ‘It's the Old Army Game’.

Her role as a vamp named Marie in ‘A Girl in Every Port’, a silent comedy film directed by Howard Hawks in 1928, made her popular in Europe.

In 1928, she acted opposite Wallace Beery in ‘Beggars of Life’ as Nancy, a girl trying to escape abuse. The film has the distinction of being Paramount’s first sound film.

She left Paramount after its chief executive B.P. Schulberg went back on his promise to give her raise. She accepted director G.W. Pabst’s invitation and in 1928, travelled to Germany to work there.

She refused to cooperate in the sound version of her own movie, ‘The Canary Murder Case’ in 1929. Paramount had to engage actress Margaret Livingston to dub for Brooks.

In 1930, she acted in the French film, ‘Prix de Beauté’ (Beauty Prize), directed by Augusto Genina. It was the first sound film done by the actress, although her dialogues and singing were dubbed.

She relocated to Hollywood in 1931. She starred in two films, ‘God's Gift to Women’ and ‘It Pays to Advertise’, but her performances were ignored and virtually boycotted by critics.

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Her career virtually ended when she made the mistake of refusing a lead role in William Wellman’s film, ‘The Public Enemy’. The movie established James Cagney and Jean Harlow as stars.

She acted in insignificant films such as ‘Windy Riley Goes Hollywood’, ‘Empty Saddles’, ‘King of Gamblers’ and ‘When You're in Love’. Her last film was ‘Overland Stage Raiders’ in 1938, starring John Wayne.

In 1940, she returned to Kansas and opened a dance studio in Wichita, authored a booklet, ‘The Fundamentals of Good Ballroom Dancing’. Later, she relocated to Manhattan to do radio work.

To support herself, she did a variety of jobs, including publicity and sales work. In 1955, encouraged by film curator James Card, she began writing articles on films, including one called 'Mr. Pabst'.

Major Works

In 1929, Brooks played the character of Lulu, a sexually liberated woman, in German director, Pabst’s film, ‘Pandora's Box’. The film, now considered a classic and her finest, included the earliest portrayal of lesbianism.

She essayed the role of Thymian, a naive girl, in the Georg Pabst-directed, 1929 silent film, ‘Diary of a Lost Girl’. The film, an adaptation of a controversial bestseller, is considered a classic.

Personal Life & Legacy

Louise Brooke‘s first marriage to Edward Sutherland, a movie director, resulted in divorce, due to her relationship with entrepreneur George Preston Marshall. She left her second husband, Deering Davis, after five months.

She considered herself sexually liberated and had many lovers, both men and women. By associating with lesbian and bisexual women including Greta Garbo, she tried to create a lesbian image for her.

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She inspired two comics – ‘the Dixie Dugan’ newspaper strip published from 1929 to 1966 by John H. Striebel, and the erotic comic books of ‘Valentina’, by the Italian cartoonist Guido Crepax.

In 1991, the British new wave music group Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark’s hit single, "Pandora's Box" was a tribute to Brooks. They used footage of the actress’s movies to introduce her in the video.

In Gayle Forman’s novels, ‘Just One Day’ and ‘Just One Year’, the chief female character Allyson, is called "Lulu" because of her bobbed hair, similar to that of the actress.

A collection of her writings was published as ‘Lulu in Hollywood’ in 1982. They trace her career and friendship with Charles Chaplin, W. C. Fields, Humphrey Bogart, William Paley and Pabst.

Facts About Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks was a talented dancer, known for her unique and expressive movements on screen.

She was a trendsetter in the 1920s, popularizing the iconic bob haircut that became a symbol of the flapper era.

Brooks was a free spirit who often challenged societal norms, both on and off screen.

She had a keen interest in literature and was known to be well-read, often incorporating literary references into her conversations.

Brooks was an early advocate for animal rights and was known to be a devoted pet owner.

Louise Brooks Biography

You wanted to know

What was Louise Brooks' impact on the film industry?

What was Louise Brooks' signature style?

Why did Louise Brooks retire from acting at a young age?

How did Louise Brooks influence future generations of actors and filmmakers?

What role did Louise Brooks play in shaping the image of the "flapper?"