Theda Bara as Cleopatra Vintage Movie Poster

Theda Bara (July 29, 1885 – April 13, 1955), born Theodosia Burr Goodman, was an American silent film actress. Bara was one of the most popular screen actresses of her era, and was one of cinema's earliest (censored) symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname "The Vamp" (short for vampire). Cleopatra (1917) was directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starred Theda Bara in the title role. It was one of the most elaborate Hollywood films ever produced up to that time, with lavish sets and costumes. According to the studio, the film cost $500,000 (approximately $8.3 million in 2009) to make and employed 2000 people behind the scenes. The story of this silent film was loosely based on the plot of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Theda Bara appeared in a variety of fantastic costumes, some quite risqué. The film was a great success at the time.