Lindsay Lohan May Portray "It Girl" Silent Film Star Clara Bow

Lindsay Lohan is reportedly in talks to make a movie about silent film star, Clara Bow, according to People Magazine. In an interview with People, Lindsay Lohan said that she could understand some of the trials and tribulations that Clara Bow went through in Hollywood.

Clara Bow was an actress from silent film era of the Jazz Age. Clara Bow followed in the tradition of silent film stars who preceded her: Mary Pickford , Theda Bara and Lilian Gish.

The "It Girl"

The 1920's were a time of prosperity and optimism. The decade was marked by flappers in fringed dresses, frivolous parties and a Bohemian lifestyle. Clara Bow rose to fame as the "It Girl," an euphemism for sex. Clara was the first sex symbol of Hollywood.

Clara Bow, with her heart shaped face, cupid-bow lips and flaming red hair was the original "it Girl." There is no real definition for "It Girl," but everyone knows it when they see it. Reportedly, Clara Bow bestowed her "It Girl" status on a young starlet named Marilyn Monroe. Since Marilyn Monroe, a blond bombshell of Hollywood, died, there have been other "It Girls." "It Girl" status has been bestowed on the young party girls who come and go through Hollywood, such as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.

The silent film star was one of the bright lights of Hollywood in the 1920's. Clara Bow was a pretty, shapely girl with an hourglass figure and large, expressive eyes. I found a You Tube video of Clara Bow and was amazed at how much animation and vivaciousness she was able to convey with her expressions and body language. She was also able to convey a range of emotions, including sadness, surprise, love, fear, amazement and adoration.

Clara Bow Early Years

Clara Bow was born into poverty in 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. Her upbringing was full of domestic violence. Her mentally ill mother threatened to kill her rather than see her become an actress, which was seen as a scandalous profession at that time.

Clara Bow signs with Paramount Pictures

Clara Bow was discovered in a contest when she was 16 years old. Her first role, part of the contest prize, ended up on the cutting room floor. She was signed as a contract player for Paramount, where she was overworked and underpaid. Many of her films were shot in one take and were of cheap quality. The cheap quality of films, which was beyond her control, affected later perception of her work.

The silent film actress ofter portrayed independent working girls of the era. She was wildly popular with the public, receiving 45,000 fan letters a week.

Many of the films made by the silent film star, many have been lost or destroyed. Of the 56 films made by Clara Bow, only a possible 37 in bits and pieces exist today. Contrary to popular opinion, Clara Bow transitioned successfully from silent films to "Talkies." Clara filmed 11 talking films.

Clara Bow's Scandalous Personal Life

Clara was notorious for a madcap personal life. Hollywood, in that era, still tried to keep scandal under wraps. Clara Bow became famous for her affairs and partying ways. The tabloid media exploited her by making up even more outrageous stories about sexual adventures. She was exploited, and then condemned unfairly for her questionable morality by the Hollywood community.

In 1930 Clara Bow's life started to spin hopelessly out of control. She fell victim to three scandals that involved gambling, carousing and a court trial. Paramount Pictures abandoned her, calling Bow "Crisis-a-Day Clara." Clara Bow was left alone, with no one to fall back on. She had suffered a nervous breakdown and decided to quit films.

Clara Bow Marries Rex Bell

Clara found safety in the arms of cowboy star, Rex Bell. The couple married and moved to a remote ranch in Searchlight, Nevada. Clara recuperated at the ranch and soon felt strong enough to return to work.

Clara Bow's Final Films with Fox

Clara Bow made a financially lucrative deal with Fox and made two more films: "Call Her Savage " in 1932 and "Hoopla" in 1933. After making these films Clara Bow was able to retire and move back to Nevada. Clara Bow and Rex Bell had two sons, whom she adored.

It would be nice to leave the story at this happy ending, but that was not the end. Clara Bow suffered from Schizophrenia, as her mother and grandmother before her did. At the end of her life she was separated from her husband and institutionalized. Clara Bow died alone at the age of 60, in 1965.

Clara Bow lived a fascinating life, which is a study of the early days of Hollywood movie making. It would be interesting to see the story of the tumultuous life of the actress brought to film. Lindsay Lohan, who has fallen into some of the same pitfalls as Clara Bow, might just make this a successful comeback vehicle.

Read Lindsay Lohan Poses Nude as Marilyn Monroe.