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IMDbPro

A Fool There Was

  • 19151915
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 7m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
943
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
69,603
18,870
Theda Bara, Mabel Frenyear, and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)
Drama
A married diplomat falls hopelessly under the spell of a predatory woman.A married diplomat falls hopelessly under the spell of a predatory woman.A married diplomat falls hopelessly under the spell of a predatory woman.
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
943
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
69,603
18,870
  • Director
    • Frank Powell(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Porter Emerson Browne(by)
    • Rudyard Kipling(poem "The Vampire")
    • Roy L. McCardell("Picturized By", i.e., screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Theda Bara
    • Edward José
    • Mabel Frenyear
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Powell(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Porter Emerson Browne(by)
    • Rudyard Kipling(poem "The Vampire")
    • Roy L. McCardell("Picturized By", i.e., screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Theda Bara
    • Edward José
    • Mabel Frenyear
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos16

    Theda Bara in "Fool There Was, A" 1915 Fox
    Theda Bara in A Fool There Was (1915)
    Theda Bara in A Fool There Was (1915)
    Theda Bara and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)
    May Allison, Clifford Bruce, Mabel Frenyear, Runa Hodges, and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)
    May Allison, Clifford Bruce, Mabel Frenyear, Runa Hodges, and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)
    Theda Bara and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)
    Theda Bara and Mabel Frenyear in A Fool There Was (1915)
    A Fool There Was (1915)
    A Fool There Was (1915)
    A Fool There Was (1915)
    Theda Bara and Edward José in A Fool There Was (1915)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Theda Bara
    Theda Bara
    • The Vampire
    Edward José
    Edward José
    • John Schuyler - The Husband
    Mabel Frenyear
    • The Wife
    May Allison
    May Allison
    • The Wife's Sister
    Runa Hodges
    Runa Hodges
    • The Child
    Clifford Bruce
    Clifford Bruce
    • The Friend
    Victor Benoit
    • Reginald Parmalee - One of the Vampire's Victims
    Minna Gale
    • The Doctor's Fiancee
    Frank Powell
    Frank Powell
    • The Doctor
    Creighton Hale
    Creighton Hale
    • Minor Role
    • Director
      • Frank Powell(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Porter Emerson Browne(by)
      • Rudyard Kipling(poem "The Vampire") (uncredited)
      • Roy L. McCardell("Picturized By", i.e., screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Theda Bara's first starring role.
    • Goofs
      During the "sunset of happiness" shot, the ocean waves are going in reverse, showing the film has been run backwards.
    • Quotes

      The Vampire: Kiss me, my Fool!

    • Connections
      Edited into Murnau, Borzage and Fox (2008)

    User reviews22

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    4/10
    Kiss Me, My Fool!
    Exotic seductress Theda Bara (as "The Vampire") learns happily married Edward Jose (as John Schuyler) will be sailing for Europe on a business trip. Deciding to entrap the wealthy man, Ms. Bara secures herself on board his ship. When Mr. Jose's sister-in-law May Allison falls to illness, wife Mabel Frenyear (as Kate) decides to stay home with cute little Runa Hodges. On board, this gives Bara free reign over Jose. A glimpse at Bara's bare ankles fills him with desire, and he succumbs to her wiles. The month-long trip doubles in length. Apparently, Jose is addicted to the sex and drugs provided by Bara. She may destroy his life…

    This film was "inspired" by Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Vampire" (1897), which could conceivably be about what we now call a "vampire". But, the word has a different meaning; here, "The Vampire" (or "vamp") was a female who possessed an irresistible sexual command. Allegorically, it's all about sex; however, "A Fool There Was" is unimaginative in that regard. Nevertheless, this stilted sex drama introduced someone new, and was a big critical and commercial success. Bara became a major movie star, appearing in the lower half of the "Top Ten" lists in "Motion Picture Magazine" and "Quigley Publications" from 1916-1921.

    **** A Fool There Was (1/12/15) Frank Powell ~ Theda Bara, Edward Jose, Mabel Frenyear, May Allison
    helpful•3
    0
    • wes-connors
    • Jan 4, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 1915 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Жил-был дурак
    • Filming locations
      • St. Augustine, Florida, USA
    • Production company
      • Fox Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 7 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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