Two Big Lost Clara Bow films found?
Posted: March 17th, 2013, 1:38 pm
I've just seen the brand new BBC Clara Bow Documentary-HOLLYWOOD'S LOST LOVE GODDESS that premiered in December. What is this? I was dumbfounded at what I saw! In addition to the Color footage of RED HAIR (Not Outtakes), there are pristine clips from both THE RUNAWAY and ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE! That's definitely Clara with William Powell from RUNAWAY and the footage is crystal clear. Several snippets from different portions of ROSIE, and it's no trailer like we have seen in the past. These were new finds, no question!
Where on earth did this precious footage come from I wonder? Are they just fragments, or have the complete films actually been re-discovered and fans have been told nothing whatever about it? I'm hoping that somebody can please shed some light on this matter. If I find out some details I will definitely let everyone know. Clear back in 2009 the guy from the Chicago film society claimed to me that he was close to tracking down ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE. But nothing ever came of that? At least as far as I knew? I was sort of surprised not seeing any footage from CHILDREN OF DIVORCE.
Unfortunately some of the claims made in this documentary were rather ludicrous. Example, "Clara Bow was the first woman to actively pursue a man on screen?" Seriously now? Theda Barra, Leatrice Joy, Nita Naldi, Pola Negri, Constance Talmadge, Marie Prevost among others. Even Colleen Moore in THE HUNTRESS and FLAMING YOUTH. What a rash statement. Overall it's a good production, but weak on information. Such as when she first signed with Paramount. And of course where the clips serviced of these three long lost features? It was great seeing Diana Serra Carry again being interviewed.
I'm sure that RED HAIR is probably just those fragments of the Color scene. But THE RUNAWAY and ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE might be complete, or at least mostly there. These would have to be considered, major finds. We also see a an opening title card from THE KEEPER OF THE BEE'S. This is proof that many so called lost Silents may not be so much lost as they have been misplaced.
Where on earth did this precious footage come from I wonder? Are they just fragments, or have the complete films actually been re-discovered and fans have been told nothing whatever about it? I'm hoping that somebody can please shed some light on this matter. If I find out some details I will definitely let everyone know. Clear back in 2009 the guy from the Chicago film society claimed to me that he was close to tracking down ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE. But nothing ever came of that? At least as far as I knew? I was sort of surprised not seeing any footage from CHILDREN OF DIVORCE.
Unfortunately some of the claims made in this documentary were rather ludicrous. Example, "Clara Bow was the first woman to actively pursue a man on screen?" Seriously now? Theda Barra, Leatrice Joy, Nita Naldi, Pola Negri, Constance Talmadge, Marie Prevost among others. Even Colleen Moore in THE HUNTRESS and FLAMING YOUTH. What a rash statement. Overall it's a good production, but weak on information. Such as when she first signed with Paramount. And of course where the clips serviced of these three long lost features? It was great seeing Diana Serra Carry again being interviewed.
I'm sure that RED HAIR is probably just those fragments of the Color scene. But THE RUNAWAY and ROUGH HOUSE ROSIE might be complete, or at least mostly there. These would have to be considered, major finds. We also see a an opening title card from THE KEEPER OF THE BEE'S. This is proof that many so called lost Silents may not be so much lost as they have been misplaced.