The biography is excellent - succinct, simple, straight forward, down to earth and to the point. It is not a star worship vehicle. We get Louise and all her problems. It is fascinating. It covers New York in the early 1920s (Louise was thrown out of a hotel for 'promiscuity'!), the introduction of the talkies, the flapper era, Berlin in the 1920s, Marlene Dietrich (who Louise does not appear to like!), and all her movies.

It is also horribly sad. All the people who disowned her - though Roddy McDowall comes over as a genuine friend.

It also proves that it isn't always the so called big stars of their day who become icons and are remembered. I wonder who we will look back on - Tom Cruise and the awful Sandra Bullock or someone we don't even appreciate right now?

It is also a dreadful warning to any young girl who wants to be a star. Louise was 17 when she made it big in New York and she was dreafully misunderstood and used. Child abuse was taboo back then and her adult behaviour was never treated or understood. Today we can see her behaviour as a direct result of the abuse she suffered.

But back to the video. It is beautifully presented. There are scenes from Louise's movies, stills, photos of her family, interviews with her relatives, and a rare interview with Louise herself. And while it does leave you desperate for more it is an excellent introduction and had me rushing out to by Kenneth Tynan's book and all her videos. It covers so much ground in a short time and while it may seem it is all over too quickly it's because the script is just so succinct. We learn as much about the advent of the talkies in 3 minutes as we do in the whole of Singing In The Rain, and about Berlin in 2 minutes than in the whole of Cabaret, and how the studios treated their actors and other actors treated their colleagues than all the other tomes I have read!

Also, Shirley Maclaine's narration is stunning. Matter of fact and very subtle. One of the best things she's ever done! I really do believe that Shirley had her heart in this project.

I have watched it over and over again. Even if you have never heard of Louise Brooks and aren't really bothered to find out about her, there are lessons for life in Louise's story and I am sure none of you will be disappointed.


Exceptionally Awesome   August 24, 2001
 6 out of 11 found this review helpful

It is amazing that all the information provided about this one time potential star was ferreted out. She was a tremendously amazing lady. The narration by Shirley MacLaine sounds like she closely identifies with Louise's character. I just recently learned that Louise is my second cousin so I was "blown away" that there is so much on the Internet concerning Louise. Louise was my Mother's (Mary Brooks) first cousin and my Mother lived with Louise's parents in Wichita, KS in the early 40's. I was never told of Louise until recently as it was obviously unseemly to live the Free Spirited life that Louise obviously subscribed to. I am fascinated by this video as I have a daughter that has similar characteristics and we always wondered where the genes came from. Absolutely fascinating stuff from my vantage point and I will always wonder why I never heard anything about this marvelous woman until 3-4 years ago and I am 56 years old. What a bloody shame!!! A must read for anyone who entertains an interest in women with a zest for life. Killer Video!!!