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My October 28 Barbara La Marr Program in Cave Creek, Arizona

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” I (Sherri Snyder) will be in Arizona at the Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek on Tuesday, October 28 to portray Barbara in a self-authored performance piece, then present a slideshow lecture about her, detailing her oftentimes scandalous life from her humble beginnings to her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as a dancer, a vaudevillian, a screenwriter, and an actress; her impact upon cinematic history; and her fierce determination to forge her own destiny amid the constant threat of losing it all to scandal and, ultimately, death will be spotlighted.

I will also sign copies of my biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood (a limited number of books will be available for purchase).

The event, beginning at 1 p.m. and roughly an hour and thirty minutes long, is being held in the library’s Jones/Coates Room and is FREE to attend. Attendees are asked to please register in advance here.

(Photos: [left to right] Barbara, me as Barbara, and my Barbara biography.)

Barbara La Marr and Others Spotlighted on October 5 Hollywood Forever Living History Tour

Join me, Sherri Snyder, at the 126-year-old Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 5 as I once again portray silent screen star Barbara La Marr in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her incredible life and laudable career.

My performance is part of the 42nd Art Deco Society of Los Angeles Hollywood Forever Cemetery walking tour. Also featured on the tour are the stories—told by performers and historians—of silent film god Rudolph Valentino, action hero Douglas Fairbanks Sr., actress and William Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, and around twenty other Old Hollywood luminaries and Los Angeles pioneers who made Hollywood and history.

Click here for more information and tickets.

Barbara La Marr in 1925 (left) and me as Barbara.

ADSLA Hollywood Forever Tour promo photo featuring (left to right) Barbara La Marr, Rudolph Valentino, Vampira, and Tyrone Power.

My March 23 Barbara La Marr Program at Hollywood Heritage Museum

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” I (Sherri Snyder) am honored to partner with the Hollywood Heritage Museum during Women’s History Month to portray Barbara in a self-authored performance piece, then present a slideshow lecture about her, detailing her oftentimes scandalous life from her humble beginnings to her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as a dancer, a vaudevillian, a screenwriter, and an actress; her impact upon cinematic history; and her fierce determination to forge her own destiny amid the constant threat of losing it all to scandal and, ultimately, death will be spotlighted. I will also sign copies of my biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood, after the program.

The Hollywood Heritage Museum is located in the restored Lasky-DeMille Barn, Hollywood’s oldest surviving motion picture studio. The program, beginning at noon and approximately an hour long, is free with museum admission (seating is limited, however).

Click here for additional details and to purchase tickets in advance.

Dominique Benedict of Breakfast at Dominique’s will be in attendance with Barbara La Marr tribute coffee blend samples (in addition to other Hollywood icon-inspired coffee blends).

A Dream (A Poem by Barbara La Marr)

A Dream
By Barbara La Marr

I sat last night alone and weary;
All the world seemed drab and dreary;
An irresistible longing stole o'er me---
I wove a dream---stardust---spray of the sea.

Depths of purple night, fragrant, hushed;
Silvered moonbeams, a rose crushed---
A sylphlike form of supple grace,
A wistful, lovely, upturned face.

Ah, dreams of stardust and gold sea spray
That linger the night, then fade away---
Cherished, precious---a dream, did I say?
I hold a crushed rose in my hand today!

Photo of Barbara (circa 1923-24) courtesy of Carl Youngblood; shared here with permission.

*****Additional posts featuring Barbara’s poetry may be found here and here.

Help Return One of Barbara La Marr’s Films to the Public

Film restorationist Joe Harvat has been working diligently on restoring The Eternal Struggle, a 1923 silent drama starring Renée Adorée as a fugitive caught in a love triangle with the two Northwest Mounted Police officers (Pat O’Malley and Earle Williams) pursuing her.

Barbara appears in the film as temptress-turned-murderess Camille Lenoir, a supporting part that was enlarged after she agreed to play it. Despite her relatively minor role, Barbara made an impression when the film hit theaters. Movie Weekly declared that “no picture requiring a dark-eyed adventuress is complete these days without Barbara La Marr.”

Please consider donating to Joe’s fundraiser. (The campaign begins on Friday, January 24 and will remain open until Sunday, February 2.)

Barbara and Pat O’Malley in a 1923 film magazine ad.

October 13 Hollywood Forever Tour and My Performance as Barbara La Marr

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding, oftentimes scandalous life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” Join me, Sherri Snyder, at the 125-year-old Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday, October 13 as I once again portray Barbara in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as an actress, a dancer, a vaudevillian, and a screenwriter; her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926; and more will be spotlighted.

My performance is part of the Los Angeles Art Deco Society’s 41st Hollywood Forever Cemetery walking tour. Also featured on the tour are the stories—told by performers and historians—of silent film god Rudolph Valentino, matinee idol Douglas Fairbanks Jr., actress and William Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, glamour ghoul Vampira, and around twenty other Old Hollywood luminaries and Los Angeles pioneers interred at Hollywood Forever.

In addition to portraying Barbara on the tour for many years, I now have the honor of producing it.

Click here for tickets and additional details. This event typically sells out.

(Photo: [left to right] Barbara in 1925 and me as Barbara.)

Barbara La Marr Tribute Coffee Blend

I am pleased to announce a coffee blend specifically created to pay tribute to the legendary Barbara La Marr. As one of the silent screen’s leading vamps, Barbara seduced audiences worldwide with her laudable talent, exotic beauty, and enigmatic allure. Offscreen, her sweetness, tender heart, and giving nature endeared her to others. The Siren Blend, a cinnamon vanilla flavored medium roast, salutes Barbara’s fiery screen persona and her kind soul.

It was a pleasure to work with Dominique Benedict of Breakfast at Dominique’s on this blend in an advisory capacity, providing biographical information and photos for the bag design, naming the blend, and choosing a proceeds recipient.

Breakfast at Dominique’s fair trade, organic, and sugar-free coffees honor classic Hollywood luminaries and other celebrated icons, including Mary Pickford, Ava Gardner, Bette Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Joan Crawford, and many more. A variety of the blends support charities and other deserving organizations.

Proceeds from Barbara’s Siren Blend benefit the National Film Preservation Foundation.

(Coffee bags may be purchased here.)