As movie patrons sat in darkened theaters in January 1914, they were mesmerized by an alluring temptress with long sable hair and kohl-rimmed eyes. Theda Bara-the vamp, as she would come to be known-would soon be one of the highest paid film stars of the 1910s, earning an unheard of $4,000 dollars per week, before retiring from the screen in 1926.

In 1946, at age five, the author met Bara-then 61-at her Beverly Hills home and the actress became her mentor. This memoir is the story of their friendship.