Inspired by Kipling's poem, "The Vampire,"
A Fool There Was catapulted Theda Bara into super-stardom. America was captivated by "The Vamp," a beautiful seductress who would use sex to ruin powerful men. With the studio publicists circulating exotic stories, such as her name being an anagram for "Arab Death," she would make scores of films for Fox over the next several years, most notably
Salome and
Cleopatra, both in 1918.
Wealthy lawyer John Schuyler is appointed by the president as a special envoy to Great Britain. Leaving his wife and young daughter behind, he sets sail for England. On board he is waylaid by the beautiful and sensuous "Vampire," who quickly seduces the diplomat. Schuyler becomes helplessly addicted to her sexual charms, while she begins methodically draining his wealth. The once brilliant and accomplished lawyer is soon spiraling out-of-control, downward past the depths of depravity and hurtling toward self-destruction.
Bonus: This release also includes The Sultan's Wife (1917) with Gloria Swanson and Bobby Vernon, and directed by Clarence G. Badger.