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Preferred Citation

Two signed photographs of Russian dancer Theodore Kosloff and dance ensemble from MGM film "Madame Satan," C0468, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Purchased by Steve Gerber from Schubertiade Music in March 2015.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in February 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in February 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.

Biographical and Historical Information

"Madam Satan" was a Pre-Code Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film premiered in 1930 and is considered one of the odder films by DeMille (it serves as his only movie-musical) and the studio as a whole. The plot centers around a woman attempting to win back and teach a lesson to her unfaithful husband by attending a masquerade ball in a Zeppelin, disguised as "Madam Satan." The film is known for its strange dynamics and creative art direction, including the "ballet mécanique" scene. This scene, which occurs during the masquerade ball, features Theodore Kosloff as "Electricity" in high Art Deco costume, along with other dancers dressed similarly.

Theodore Kosloff was a Russian ballet dancer. Born in 1882 in Moscow, he danced at Moscow's Imperial Theater, and eventually toured with the Ballets Russes. In 1909 he met the film director Cecil B. DeMille, which kicked off a personal friendship and long term professional collaboration. Kosloff began as a choreographer for silent films and Broadway shows, eventually acting in said films. His role as "Electricity" in Madam Satan was his last major film appearance. With the advent of sound film, Kosloff retired from Hollywood and opened up a successful ballet studio in Los Angeles, where he had a commanding presence in the local ballet scene. Kosloff died in 1956.

Scope and Content

Two black and white photographs featuring the Russian ballet dancer Theodore Kosloff in the role of "Electricity" in the 1930 film "Madam Satan." The first photo features Kosloff and the rest of the dancers from the film's Art Deco "ballet mécanique" scene. The second photo features Kosloff individually posing in costume. Both photos are inscribed by Kosloff reading "-To Bob-from Theodore Kosloff 19 15/1x 30 Dallas, Tex."

Arrangement

This is a single folder collection.

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center holds many other collections related to film and ballet.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Ballet
• Dance
• Kosloff, Theodore
• Madam Satan (Motion picture)
• Motion pictures -- United States