“VAMPS” OF FILMLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1919, Page 4

“VAMPS” OF FILMLAND

American slang has sent an old word to us across the waters in a new disguise—the expression “ vamp.” “Vamp” is a contraction for “vampire”—aud the vampire, as everyone.knows who has been fascinated by Briarn Stoker’s uncanny hovel “ Dracula,” is an unpleasant creature which drinks the blood of human beiugs. “ Vampire,” however, in the United States is now used to indicate a siren who attracts men from their lawful wives or lures them to their doom. It is strange how quickly a new word gains momentum, for a picture containing a story of this type is called a “ vnmp ” film and akinema actress who plays such .parts is known as a “ vamp one of them has even been described as “ America’s Premier Vamp Actress.” “ Va!mp ” is also a verb, for a wife in a recent film who regained her husband’s affection by siren-like wiles is said to have “ vamped her husband back to her.” So there is no telling where it will all end.

When “ vamps ” were first seen on the film they could be distinguished many leagues away by their 'peculiar disguise. Such a woman was closely enveloped in a clinging black gown which gave her a snake-like appearance. She usually plastered her hair in strange curls, writhed rather than walked, always seemed to look out of the corners of her eyes, and often carried a rose in her mouth—all to add to the hypnotic effect of her unholy fascination. The type Certainly became standardised.

Although the name “ vamp ”, is now applied to most film sirens, the snaky original must have made great headway judging from the many burlesques to be seen on the screen. Obviously

her popularity was greater in America than in this country, where she is practically forgotten. It is quite a favourite piece of work with an American comedy film “star” to portray an exaggerated “vamp,” and it is usually .good fun, for the costume and the customs of the real article were perilously near burlesque.