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In a bold move to reclaim her artistic identity, Bara ventured to Broadway and later attempted a return to film, but the industry had moved on without her. Despite several appearances, her efforts to resurrect her career fell flat, and she retreated from the public eye for a life of relative solitude following her marriage to director Charles Bren.
The Legacy of Theda Bara
By the time of her passing in 1955, Theda Bara had become more a relic of early cinematic history than a celebrated star. The most significant portion of her filmography was tragically lost in studio fires, leaving only a few surviving works and countless haunting photographs. As the 20th century progressed, her image became a caricature, often ridiculed and referenced as an example of outdated cinema.