The White Moth

In the pre-talkie era, Barbara La Marr enjoyed a reputation akin to Hedy Lamarr (who owed her name to the silent goddess) - audiences went to see her films simply to sit back and be mesmerized by her beauty.

While undeniably beautiful (despite changes in fashion & makeup), Miss La Marr lacks the acting chops of a contemporary like Pola Negri, who made several films of a similar type.

Thanks to director Maurice Tourneur, who was acclaimed for his pictorial composition, Barbara is exquisitely showcased in several scenes, including her stage presentation as The White Moth, were she "dances" around and is threatened by a man costumed as a spider; a extravagant artist's ball where she is lavishly gowned; and a tantalizing glimpse of Barbara in her bath.

With three handsome men vying for her attention, beautiful gowns & jewels, and expensive sets, The White Moth was an excellent vehival for Barbara's vamping and it's certainly easy to see why Barbara had a successful career in Hollywood.

The print I viewed on YouTube was incredibly crisp and clear, and the lack of a soundtrack didn't hamper my enjoyment of the film. The film was missing a few shots here and there, as well as the last few minutes of the film, but this didn't lessen my opinion of the film.