Benevolent Siren: Remembering Louise Brooks

By Ross Berkal

Louise Brooks endures as one of silent film's most charismatic and contemporary performers. Immortalized in Pandora's Box, she left a disinterested Hollywood to suffer years of hardship until finding a new career as an author. Later in life, an admiring 20-year old managed to pry a chink into the armor of the reclusive actress, establishing a friendship that revealed a hidden, gentler side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ross Berkal
• Release date: Oct 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301255566

Ross Berkal

Ross Berkal was born and raised in Massachusetts. While a young man he had the unique experience of meeting - and later developing a friendship with - iconic silent film actress and author Louise Brooks. The story of that friendship is chronicled in his book Benevolent Siren: Remembering Louise Brooks. During the 1990’s he relocated to New York City where he established himself as the founder, songwriter, and bassist of the alternative rock project Dahlia, which performed at many of Manhattan’s best known venues including landmark rock club CBGB’s. He has published several volumes of musical works, as well as a collection of poems, Youthful Places.

Book preview

BENEVOLENT SIREN

remembering Louise Brooks

Ross Berkal

Copyright 2012 Ross E. Berkal

All rights reserved

This work may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any format or by any means, including without limitation: photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the express prior written consent, in each instance, of the copyright holder.

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Photograph of Louise Brooks by Bain News Service, courtesy of Library of Congress, George Grantham Bain Collection. Reproduction No. LC-DIG-

ggbain-32453

Correspondence of Louise Brooks courtesy of The Louise Brooks Estate, Inc.

Correspondence of Marjorie Van Tassell courtesy of Mary Armour Kuziak

First Fig from A Few Figs from Thistles by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Ode to the Girl Whose Face I Cannot Forget by Ross Berkal

Smashwords Editions License

This ebook is licensed solely for personal reading use of the purchaser and may not be loaned, distributed or re-sold. If you wish to share this ebook, kindly purchase an additional copy for each desired recipient. If you did not purchase this ebook, or if it was purchased for other than your sole reading use, please visit Smashwords.com to purchase your own personal copy. Thank you for respecting the work of the Author.

Contact us at [e-mail].

~ Dedicated to the memory of Louise Brooks ~

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

A Siren Calls

A Roll of the Dice

Seduced and Abandoned

Always Trust Your Heart

Reprise

Till We Meet Again

Postlude

Remembrance

About The Author

PREFACE

It was in 1984 that I stepped into Louise Brooks’ life, though she had captivated my thoughts for at least a year before then. Though I was one of relatively few persons who had the privilege of knowing Louise during her later years, I am happy today to see what a prolific correspondent she was during that time. Whatever she forfeited in direct human contact, she more than made up for in her written relationships. Had she lived long enough to reap the benefits of the Internet and email, I am certain that she would have exploited those tools brilliantly.

When I was interviewed for a planned biography of Louise one year after her passing (by odd coincidence, on its first anniversary), the writer noted that I, and a number of other persons he met with in the course of his research, spoke of Louise in the present tense. I feel this to be a very important point in understanding what Louise was like.

Many of us meet during our lives at least one person -