According to Raymond Leader's article Where Are Our Vamps? (1) the first actress to become famous as a 'vamp' (an abbreviation of vampire) was Theda Bara. I don't recall seeing any of her films but in promotional photographs she had a exotic appearance due to her Russian and Jewish parentage and also emphasized this with strong make up; a clever newspaper reporter rearranged her name and nicknamed her 'Death Arab'. (2)
The great Gloria Swansea played a former silent star in Sunset Boulevard (1950) which was ironic as in the film she watches movies of her sweet screen self but Norma Desmond the character had to be the oldest vamp in town!
There were many vamp actresses but my personal favourites are Barbara Stanwick, Jean Harlow, Rita Haywood and Marilyn Monroe.
One of Stanwick's best OTT performance was Sorry Wrong Number (1948) in which she uses Daddy's money to steal her best friend's boyfriend. Interestingly Ed Begley Senior played her father but in real life was only 6 years older than Stanwick.
The great modern film Shawshank Redemption (1994) features a clip from Gilda (1946) starring Rita Haywood. A poster of her is used to cover an escape tunnel in one of the cells.
Marilyn Monroe was best known for her breathless wiggle arse parts but she also did some great work as an insane nanny in Don't bother to knock (1952) and plotting to kill her husband in Niagara (1953).
Rather than a picture of Marilyn this Philip Treacy velvet clutch bag is a wow accessory.
(1) and (2) Raymond Leader. ABC Film Review July 1953 magazine. Rex Publicity Servcies LTD.
