Louise Brooks: Lulu Forever

by Peter Cowie, Jack Garner (Foreword), Eva Prinz (Editor)

Louise Brooks has become one of the most spectacular icons of early cinema. Her distinctive "bob" haircut looks as modern as they did when she first appeared in films in 1925. Louise Brooks was born on November 14, 1906 in Cherryvale, Kansas, and by eighteen had established herself as a dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies, and was receiving film offers from both MGM and Paramount. In 1928, she starred in William Wellman's Beggars of Life . Meanwhile she was mingling with the high and mighty of Hollywood, having a passionate affair with Charlie Chaplin, spending weekends at William Randolph Hearst's castle and captivating such men as William S. Paley, the founder of CBS. Her brief, yet spectacular role in Howard Hawks' A Girl in Every Port impressed G.W. Pabst, the German maestro who was seeking an actress for his upcoming production, Pandora's Box . He rejected Marlene Dietrich in favor of Brooks, who went to Berlin and made not only Pandora's Box but also Diary of a Lost Girl , forever ensuring her status as a screen icon.This exquisitely produced album celebrates Lulu with rare film footage stills, private photos, letters, interviews, and text by renowned film critic Peter Cowie, exploring this influential cult figure and abiding symbol of the Jazz Age.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, History, Media Tie In, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2006

About the author

Peter Cowie is a film historian and author of more than thirty books on film. In 1963 he was the founder/publisher and general editor of the annual International Film Guide, a survey of worldwide film production.

Reviews

[Jim Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will suffice for those who want to learn more about Louise Brooks, although the Barry Paris biography is more fascinating, better written, and has more depth.

The selling point for this book is the exquisite photographs. I don't know that a still image can capture the Louise Brooks who appears on the screen, but these come close. There were a number of shots that caused me to pause and try to read the thoughts behind her eyes.

I would recommend this as a companion piece to the Barry Paris biography.

[Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Barry Paris' bio is insurpassable for learning about Brooksie, the gorgeous photos - many of which have never been published before - are reason enough to covet this book. I'm adding it to my home library as soon as I have the funds.

[Varja Askeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I JUST SAY WOW FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!
I haven't come very far yet. I'm just so amazed by the stunning photos of miss Brooks. The very best book you can find when it comes to photos of her. A simply must have for every Louise Brooks fan!

[Kendra Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

From humble beginnings in Kansas to being blacklisted from Hollywood and her ultimate rediscovery and resurrection in New York, Louise Brook's story is as fascinating as any to come out of the era of silent cinema. Codie's Lulu Forever is a stunning photography book with expert, in-depth analysis of how her appearance as Lulu in GW Pabst's Pandora's Box solidified her image as the penultimate flapper.

[Birgit]

Interesting woman. A good read.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story covering the life of Louise Brooks..... it was a good read...I enjoyed it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great companion book to the Chaperone. Beautiful pictures and story about a troubled star from the 1920's and 30's. She was much more than just a pretty face.