Alla Nazimova: Forgotten Queer Hollywood Icon

Ойын-сауық

In this video, we'll explore the fascinating life of Alla Nazimova, a theatre, silent film, and golden-age of Hollywood star. The video will help uncover why she is not well - known today despite a highly successful entertainment career.
00:32 Disclaimer
1:49 Chapter 1: Early Life
7:59 Chapter 3: Broadway Success
9:50 Chapter 4: Shift to Film, New Marriage, Garden of Alla
17:06 Chapter 5: Production Company
Bibliography:
Marc Zinaman
Ukraine, United States of America
www.makingqueerhistory.com/articles/2023/7/30/alla-nazimova
McLellan, Diana. The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood. New York, LA Weekly Books, 2000.
Shokin, Samantha. “The Founding Mother of Sapphic Hollywood.” Tablet Magazine, 2022, June 1. www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/alla-nazimova-sapphic-hollywood
Schanke, Robert A. and Kim Marra, Ed. Passing Performances: Queer Readings of Leading Players in American Theater History. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 1998.
Tatna, Meher. “Forgotten Hollywood: Alla Nazimova and the Garden of Allah.” Golden Globe Awards, 2020. www.goldenglobes.com/articles/forgotten-hollywood-alla-nazimova-and-garden-allah
www.allanazimova.com

Пікірлер: 74

  • @chyannehainstock7842
    @chyannehainstock784213 күн бұрын

    I didn't know people still remembered her❤ So happy to find this❤

  • @ajabrams
    @ajabrams4 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much for this. She was such a fascinating person and I hope that she will never be forgotten!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your comment, I agree!! Such a fascinating life

  • @AleisterCrowleyMagus
    @AleisterCrowleyMagus4 ай бұрын

    Those images of her in those Klimt-inspired robes are just stunning. Thank you for a lovely video about one of the silent era’s great faces (to quote the immortal Norma Desmond!)!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes, agreed - those robes are simply gorgeous :) Also - Sunset Blvd is the best!

  • @viktorzavadsky4746

    @viktorzavadsky4746

    4 ай бұрын

    the costumes are inspired by Aubrey Beardsley's illustrations of Oscar Wilde's play "Salome" which provides the scenario for Nazimova's film - the work of Klimt is not a factor in the designs

  • @julia-ff9kt
    @julia-ff9kt4 ай бұрын

    I'd not heard of this fascinating person. You did a great job ... and it's your first video at that. Well done and thank you.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Wasn’t she the coolest!? Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked the video :)

  • @lindaloe
    @lindaloe22 күн бұрын

    I First Heard Of NAZIMOVA When I Got The Book, The Sewing Circle.

  • @ron-waynehoekstra7007
    @ron-waynehoekstra70072 ай бұрын

    Only thought Leslie Caron played Pola Negri in the atrocious bio of Valentino . It was Pola who had ordered a ( blanket like massive ) train of a roses to cover Valentino’s bier . Although her hair was done like Nazimovas in Salome . Well . So glad u put this together . Thank u . April 2024 . From Alberta here .

  • @rmn3186
    @rmn31864 ай бұрын

    What a fascinating life Nazimova had. Thanks for your interest in this important artist. Just a little point here, Marlene Dietrich is pronounced Mar-le-ne Dee-trik. You would probably enjoy learning about the German icon and possibly make a video of her would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for posting your video. Nice work!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the kind and thoughtful feedback!! I will definitely look more into her life & hopefully make a video in the future (with the correct pronunciation of her name next time haha) So far from what I’ve read, she sounds like a total rockstar of a person :)

  • @Dd-ci4bf

    @Dd-ci4bf

    3 ай бұрын

    You're almost right, the ch in Dietrich is pronounced like in "Chanel", or an "sch" like in "schmooze" would also be acceptable.

  • @christheghostwriter
    @christheghostwriter4 ай бұрын

    I rarely bother to like and subscribe, because I like the algorithm and to surprise me. But I did both after watching this video. Nice work.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    I really, really appreciate that. Can’t promise I won’t disappoint but grateful you’ve given the channel a chance :)

  • @ron-waynehoekstra7007
    @ron-waynehoekstra70072 ай бұрын

    Am so glad to come across your vid on Alla . Have known about her since my teens , mid 1970s and all the years hoped to find one at least of her films on vhs . Mercedes d’Acosta would go on to another troubled relationship with the most famous face of all time , Garbo . Stalking her by all accounts various bios over the years Alla been mentioned in. Another huge note is she ,Alla mentored Natasha Rambova as her new young designer who later married Valentino . On KZread ( and so glad this is here ) one can find some film clips of Alla in Salome and I believe a shirt clip of actually film work in Camille . Barbara Stanwyck too was part the sewing circle being mentored by Alla and she too a long time Lavender marriage ( do believe a son from that marriage ) with gay Robert Taylor . And think that Loretta Young one her first film appearances in one of Alla ‘s films . Yes she is all too long overlooked !

  • @johnvonundzu2170
    @johnvonundzu21704 ай бұрын

    Very nice well paced telling of a way complex life. Turning 40 was always a disasterous thing for a leading lady to do in Hollywood and Nazimova made it almost to 50 before the doors closed to her. She was doomed to be forgotten, yet she wasn't, even in her lifetime, she was unique - not just another film star. After the big money evaporated poor woman had to deal with Nancy Reagan (what a low point!). Greenwich is always pronounced Grennich, not as spelled & Pauline Kael's nane is pronounced like kale the vegetable. Many thanks for your work!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Well said. & She really did make it in the industry for an impressively long time given the period/circumstances. Thanks for your comment!

  • @David-lg2dv
    @David-lg2dv4 ай бұрын

    You're pronouncing her last name wrong. Nazimova is pronounced nuh-zyee-muh-vuh

  • @rebeccatighe1505

    @rebeccatighe1505

    3 ай бұрын

    The content was very good, but this narrator should be dubbed Ms Pronunciation. I lost track of how many words and names were mispronounced. It was very distracting!

  • @dennistravers8392
    @dennistravers83924 ай бұрын

    Faaaaabulous, darling!

  • @michaelmcgee8543
    @michaelmcgee85434 ай бұрын

    I remember buying an 8mm version of Salome back in 1975, three, two hundred feet reels. I was a classic film fan. Val Lewton I think was her nephew.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Oh wow, where did you find it/do you still have it? That’s so cool - also, I think you’re right about her nephew!

  • @alfredbonnabel7022
    @alfredbonnabel70224 ай бұрын

    Whatever I've seen her in, I was waiting for more...

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    I feel you on that! True talent

  • @carasmith549
    @carasmith549Ай бұрын

    "And why you've never heard of her" - I'd read about her back in the '70s. I believe she was also featured in the "Hollywood" tv series, around 1979. Of course, a lot of viewers don't be in my age group.

  • @carrerlluna66
    @carrerlluna664 ай бұрын

    Loved it. Thanks.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you too!

  • @CyndyCody
    @CyndyCody4 ай бұрын

    You are great at your passion. Topic was right on time. Thanks 🌈

  • @marshakrinsky669
    @marshakrinsky6694 ай бұрын

    Just make sure to double check pronunciation that you’re not sure of. Otherwise, good job on an interesting (previously unknown to me) subject.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @cafeAmericano
    @cafeAmericano4 ай бұрын

    I can see Tilda Swinton playing her in a biopic

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Definitely!

  • @snownoir761
    @snownoir7614 ай бұрын

    That was really great! Just make sure to check pronunciation. Good job on your research, I did a paper on her for my gender studies class.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for the feedback. She was such an interesting person to learn about!

  • @horizonsfluidline
    @horizonsfluidline4 ай бұрын

    Splendid video

  • @bjornpalenius2144
    @bjornpalenius21444 ай бұрын

    Very nice and informative! As an older gay man, however, I feel like the word "queer" is a bit overused today.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I do understand that viewpoint, and can honestly relate to how you feel. In this case, I’m curious to know what term you would use? Since posting this video I’ve gotten a lot of different suggestions, some folks referring to her as trans, other as a lesbian, and queer just seems like a good umbrella term to me since we don’t have direct evidence from Nazimova herself. Appreciate your comment! ☺️

  • @viktorzavadsky4746

    @viktorzavadsky4746

    4 ай бұрын

    the word "gay" is the "umbrella" term - "queer" is an insulting slur

  • @MartinTurnbull
    @MartinTurnbull4 ай бұрын

    Hi there. It's no mean feat to condense a big life into 30 minutes and I think you did a sterling job. And thanks for my surprise cameo near the end! Just one thing: Alla's last name is pronounced "na-ZIM-ova" with the emphasis on the second syllable.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Wow, what an honor for you to comment on my video. Glad to hear I did alright ☺️ Appreciate the note on pronunciation, it is definitely not my strong suit! Thanks for all of your wonderful work on Nazimova, I learned a lot from your fantastic resources!!

  • @MartinTurnbull

    @MartinTurnbull

    4 ай бұрын

    @@spillinghistoryYou might like to know that I had published FIVE WHOLE NOVELS set at the Garden of Allah before I learned how to properly pronounce Alla's name! #BetterLateThanNever. Also, I've posted the link to this video on my various socials which will hopefully get some more eyeballs on it.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Haha, wow, seems as though I’m in good company then! Glad to know I’m not alone in that. Thanks so much for sharing the video! :)

  • @VicenteGallego186
    @VicenteGallego1864 ай бұрын

    Gracias!!!!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    De nada !! 😁

  • @user-nb4ex5zk3w
    @user-nb4ex5zk3w3 ай бұрын

    Even film stars with a decent home life invent a dramatic upbringing....."drama" is their bread and butter.

  • @bjornpalenius2144
    @bjornpalenius21444 ай бұрын

    I agree to this about modern terms being used on people from the past!

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    I was surprised to find it seems to be a somewhat controversial opinion! Thanks for your comment 🫶

  • @user-jw4mc7lp1o
    @user-jw4mc7lp1o4 ай бұрын

    I like Nazimova.

  • @frankvierra2487
    @frankvierra24874 ай бұрын

    BRAVO!! WELL DONE!! NEVER KNEW OF HER... THANK YOU SO MUCH VERY INTELLIGENT FOR DÉBUT VIDEO. ❤

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you so very much, I appreciate that! ❤️

  • @lindefort7390
    @lindefort73904 ай бұрын

    She was so ahead of her time.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Lightyears ahead!

  • @viktorzavadsky4746

    @viktorzavadsky4746

    4 ай бұрын

    no - she was right on time and personified the zeitgeist of the 10's & 20's - please make some attempt to expand your limited frame of reference and educate yourself about the era beyond your callow experiences in order to comprehend the historical context

  • @flonzaley6092
    @flonzaley60924 ай бұрын

    No rough edges at all! A skilful and engaging telling of a fascinating story.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Glad you liked it, thank you!

  • @brianduff8005
    @brianduff80054 ай бұрын

    ❤❤❤

  • @cocoaorange1
    @cocoaorange15 ай бұрын

    Interesting, I have heard of her since I am a silent film buff.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    5 ай бұрын

    Interesting! I'm glad her memory is still alive and well. :) I'm interested in getting more into silent films myself - do you have any recommendations? I've only really seen a handful of Charlie Chaplin scenes really, I feel like he gets all of the silent film era glory

  • @viktorzavadsky4746

    @viktorzavadsky4746

    4 ай бұрын

    that's only because your knowledge about the subject is so limited - don't blame your ignorance on Charlie Chaplin

  • @bruceshelton1498
    @bruceshelton14984 ай бұрын

    Very well presented

  • @donnadees1971
    @donnadees197124 күн бұрын

    Sounds familiar.

  • @jeannadriver9552
    @jeannadriver95524 ай бұрын

    The only "mistake" I could see was how you mis-pronounced Marlene Deitrich's last name; it's like "dee-trick". Otherwise, great job! 😊😊

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you!! 🫶

  • @dunclesam
    @dunclesam4 ай бұрын

    I think you meant, overcame some serious adversity instead of "diversity

  • @joannvonroemer7102
    @joannvonroemer71024 ай бұрын

    Alla N. might have been gay, but he also was a man. Just saying.

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Interesting, I didn’t come across that point in any of my research. Do you have any sources? I’d love to look into it!

  • @viktorzavadsky4746

    @viktorzavadsky4746

    4 ай бұрын

    cupid stunt

  • @reflexomeu

    @reflexomeu

    4 ай бұрын

    She was not a man 😅

  • @horizonsfluidline
    @horizonsfluidline4 ай бұрын

    Splendid video

  • @spillinghistory

    @spillinghistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)