Filmed in Germany she starred in "Pandora's Box", directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst in his New Objectivity period. The film is based on two plays by Frank Wedekind (Erdgeist and Die Büchse der Pandora) and Brooks plays the central figure Lulu. This film is notorious for its frank treatment of modern sexual mores, including the first screen portrayal of a lesbian. Brooks then starred in the controversial social dramas "Diary Of A Lost Girl" (1929), also directed by Pabst, and "Prix de Beauté" (1930), the latter being filmed in France, and having a famous surprise ending. All these films were heavily censored, as they were very "adult" and considered shocking in their time for their portrayals of sexuality, as well as their social satire. Once returning to Hollywood she would be "blacklisted" and future roles became almost non-existent playing bit-parts in "B Movies". Sometimes uncredited.
Brooks had retired from the screen in 1938 (only 13 years after it began), completing one last film, the John Wayne western "Overland Stage Raiders".
She had lived alone by choice for many years, and Louise Brooks died from a heart attack in 1985, after suffering from arthritis and emphysema for many years.
Pandora's Box
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On an ordinary plain
Ran to New York
But ran away from fame
Only seventeen
When all your dreams came true
But all you wanted
Was someone to undress you
Could never ease the pain
Still the grace remains
And though the face has changed
You're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
Frame of silence
Of an innocence divine
Is a dangerous creation
When you fail the test of time
And all the photographs
Of ghosts of long ago
Still they hurt you so
Won't let you go
And you still don't know
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
When you look around yourself now
Do you recognize the girl?
The one who broke a thousand hearts
Terrified the world
And all the stars you kissed
Could never ease the pain
And if the face has changed
The grace remains
And you're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
The lyrics of "Pandora's Box" tell a story of a young woman who left her ordinary life in Kansas to pursue her dreams of fame and fortune in New York. At the age of seventeen, she achieved her goal but realized that all she really wanted was someone to love and see her for who she truly was. Despite all the success and attention she received, she felt a sense of emptiness and longing that no amount of stardom could fill. The pain caused by her past and the ghosts of her former self continued to haunt her, even as her appearance changed over time. This is highlighted by the lines: "And all the stars you kissed could never ease the pain, and if the face has changed, the grace remains, and you're still the same."
Line by Line Meaning
Born in Kansas
The artist was born in the state of Kansas.
On an ordinary plain
The artist grew up in a simple, unremarkable environment.
Ran to New York
The artist moved to New York City.
But ran away from fame
The artist did not want to become famous.
Only seventeen
The artist was only 17 years old at the time.
When all your dreams came true
Despite not wanting fame, the artist achieved success through their music.
But all you wanted
Despite their success, the artist's true desire was for intimacy and connection.
Was someone to undress you
The artist desired a partner who would allow them to be vulnerable and intimate.
And all the stars you kissed
Despite many romantic encounters, the artist was still left unsatisfied.
Could never ease the pain
These romantic encounters did not provide the emotional connection the artist desired.
Still the grace remains
Despite the pain, the artist's grace and talent remain.
And though the face has changed
Despite growing older and changing physically, the artist's inner self remains the same.
You're still the same
The artist's true self has not changed, despite their success and experiences.
And it's a long long way
The path to true fulfillment is long and difficult.
From where you want to be
The artist is still far from achieving their true desires.
And it's a long long road
The journey towards fulfillment is filled with challenges and obstacles.
But you're too blind to see
Despite these challenges, the artist is unable to see the path forward.
Frame of silence
The artist is experiencing a moment of quiet reflection.
Of an innocence divine
The artist's inner innocence and purity is on display during this moment.
Is a dangerous creation
This vulnerability can be dangerous for the artist.
When you fail the test of time
If the artist is unable to withstand the challenges of life, their innocence will be eroded.
And all the photographs
Memories from the past continue to haunt the artist.
Of ghosts of long ago
These memories are like ghosts of people and experiences that no longer exist.
Still they hurt you so
These memories continue to cause the artist pain and suffering.
Won't let you go
The artist is unable to move on from these painful memories.
And you still don't know
Despite experiencing these memories and emotions, the artist is still unaware of how to move forward.
When you look around yourself now
The artist is engaging in self-reflection.
Do you recognize the girl?
The artist is questioning their identity and sense of self.
The one who broke a thousand hearts
The artist realizes that their actions and experiences have impacted others in significant ways.
Terrified the world
The artist's experiences of pain and suffering have had a larger impact beyond themselves.
And if the face has changed
Even if the artist has grown older and changed, their true self remains.
The grace remains
The artist's grace and talent remain despite the changes they have undergone.
And it's a long, long way
The path to self-discovery and fulfillment is a difficult and arduous journey.
From where you want to be
Despite the artist's success, they are still far from achieving their true desires.
And it's a long long road
This journey will be filled with challenges and obstacles.
But you're too blind to see
Despite the difficulties, the artist is still struggling to see the path forward.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonydimambro1188
Born in Kansas
On an ordinary plain
Ran to New York
But ran away from fame
Only seventeen
When all your dreams came true
But all you wanted
Was someone to undress you
And all the stars you kissed
Could never ease the pain
Still the grace remains
And though the face has changed
You're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long way
But you're too blind to see
Frame of silence
Of an innocence divine
Is a dangerous creation
When you fail the test of time
And all the photographs
Of ghosts of long ago
Still they hurt you so
Won't let you go
And you still don't know
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long way
But you're too blind to see
When you look around yourself now
Do you recognize the girl
The one who broke a thousand hearts
Terrified the world
And all the stars you kissed
Could never ease the pain
And if the face has changed
The grace remains
And you're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long way
But you're too blind to see
@ximresal
My Dads Favorite song in the 90s. He passed in 2009. Rest in Peace Francis...
@gdog3finally
Sad brother. How old was your Dad when he passed?
@tomaszszmit3019
Miałem całą płytę. Byłem zachwycony muzyką i słowami. A od występie OMD w Sopocie w 1991roku nie było dnia bez ich muzyki.
@leandropereira-dr4ns
I’m 42 and today 01/18/2024 this song came to my mind, years can pass and nothing compares to songs from the 90s
@PietroSelvinelli
Grandi....
@IsaganiGuevarra-o4f
Yeah!! Tnxs
@cultmamacultmama3571
This song is from 1991 though.
@lorrainegraley7781
I would do anything to turn the clock back
@PietroSelvinelli
La fine dei tempi
@lucyinthesky2023
"And if the face has changed. The grace remains. And you're still the same." Beautiful tribute.