Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise) (1931).

Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)(1931). Cast: Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. Directed and produced by Robert Z. Leonard. The music was by William Axt, the cinematography by William H. Daniels, the art direction by Cedric Gibbons and the costume design by Adrian. The film's supporting cast includes: Jean Hersholt and Alan Hale.

This film was the only teaming of Greta Garbo and Clark Gable, when she was an established star and he a promising young actor. Reportedly, they did not get along well, Garbo thought Gable was vulgar and he thought she was stuck-up.

Because, Helga was born out of wedlock, her unkind uncle, Karl Ohlin, wants to marry her off as soon as she comes of age, to farmer Jeb Mondstrom.

The night before their wedding, Mondstrom tries to rape Helga, because she is a pretty girl. She is able to get away from him and runs away during a terrible rainstorm.

 

Taking shelter in a nearby house, she quickly becomes friends over dinner with, Rodney Spencer and his dog named Major.. even though he thinks something is wrong with her.

They spend the next day fishing, flirting and falling in love. Rodney, proposes just before an going on a short business trip, but.. the fun soon ends when Ohlin and Mondstrom, come looking for her. They shoot and kill the dog while he is protecting her as she escapes.

She jumps on a circus train headed for Marquette and quickly becomes friends with Madame Panoramia, the tattooed lady. She changes her style and name to Susan. Helga writes Rodney asking him to meet her in Marquette, but.. the circus owner Burlingham's, takes advantage of her and her situation when he realizes she is in hiding.

When Rodney finds out about their relationship he calls her a tramp. Heartbroken, Helga goes from one man to another until, she becomes the glamorous mistress of wealthy politician, Mike Kelly. Rodney, goes into a deep depression..

Later, Helga, meets Rodney at a dinner party and tries to humiliate him in front of everybody, but.. when he leaves, she realizes that she still in love with him. She travels from city to city looking for Rodney, winding up as a singer in a dive in Latin America.

She has learned that Rodney is working on a construction crew in the jungle and plans to wait for him, even though, millionaire Robert Lane wants to marry her. Will Rodney ever reunite with Helga and forgive her?

Greta Garbo, plays the vulnerable young woman, who grows into a more sophisticated woman, that you will have high hopes for until the very end..

Clark Gable, is not wearing his famous mustache, but once you get past that... he gives a good early performance.

Alan Hale, Sr. (February 10, 1892 – January 22, 1950) studied to be an opera singer and also had successes as an inventor. Among his innovations were the folding theatre-seat, the hand fire extinguisher, and greaseless potato chips.

His first film role was in the 1911 silent movie, The Cowboy and the Lady. He played "Little John" in the 1922 film Robin Hood, with Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Beery, reprised the role sixteen years later in The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone, then played him yet again in Rogues of Sherwood Forest in 1950 with John Derek as Robin Hood's son, a 28-year span of portrayals of the same character.

His other films include the epic, The Trap(1922) with Lon Chaney, Sr., Skyscraper(1928), Fog Over Frisco with Bette Davis, Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen with Baby LeRoy and William Frawley, The Little Minister with Katharine Hepburn, and It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert; all released in 1934, Stella Dallas(1937) with Barbara Stanwyck; High, Wide, and Handsome with Irene Dunne and Dorothy Lamour,The Fighting 69th with James Cagney and Pat O'Brien; They Drive By Night with George Raft and Humphrey Bogart, Manpower with Edward G. Robinson, Marlene Dietrich, and George Raft, Virginia City with Errol Flynn, Randolph Scott, and Humphrey Bogart and as the Sgt. McGee in the movie This Is the Army with Irving Berlin(1943). He also co-starred with Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland in the western film Dodge City (1939) where he played the comical Rusty Hart, sidekick to Flynn's character, Sheriff Wade Hatton.

Hale directed eight movies during the 1920s and 1930s and acted in 235 films.

Hale's wife of over thirty years was Gretchen Hartman (1897–1979), a child actress and silent film player and mother of their three children. He was the father of lookalike actor Alan Hale, Jr., best known as "the Skipper" on television's Gilligan's Island.

Alan Hale, Sr. died in Hollywood, California on January 22, 1950 following a liver ailment and viral infection.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Greta Garbo and Leo the Lion

Sorry for not posting pawsome pet pictures of late but I came across this great one today I had to share....

MGM's Greta and Leo share some space together but I get 

the feeling that Greta is a tad uncomfortable...

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Greta Garbo.

Personal Quote: I am still a little nervous, a little self-conscious about my English. I cannot express myself well at parties. I speak haltingly. I feel awkward, shy, afraid. In Hollywood, where every teat table bristles with gossip-writers, what I say might be misunderstood. So I am silent as the grave about my private affairs. Rumors fly about. I am mum. My private affairs are strictly private.

Camille(1936).

Camille(1936). Director: George Cukor. Produced: Irving Thalberg and Bernard H. Hyman, from a screenplay by James Hilton, Zoe Akins and Frances Marion. The picture is based on the 1852 novel and play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. Cast: Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Jessie Ralph, Henry Daniell, and Laura Hope Crews.

The film inspired Milton Benjamin to write a song called "I'll Love Like Robert Taylor, Be My Greta Garbo." Portions of the film, including the final scene, are featured in the 1982 musical film Annie after the number "Let's Go To The Movies."

Marguerite Gautier, is known as "the lady of the camellias" because of her love for the flowers. Marguerite's friends know her as a woman whose heart is bigger than her bank account. Though she is given money and jewels by her many suitors, she has trouble keeping up her lifestyle.

Prudence Duvernoy, comes to Marguerite and tells her, she must find a rich man who can take care of her and arranges for her to meet, Baron de Varville. When Prudence leaves the theater box to find de Varville, Armand Duval, who has been in love with Marguerite and has been following her for weeks, joins her.

Because they have never met, she thinks that he is the baron.



 When she is introduced to the real Baron, Marguerite is disappointed, but she still leaves with him. Soon, Marguerite, becomes de Varville's mistress. When he goes on a business trip to Russia, her frail health keeps her home.

At a coach auction, she meets Armand again and is told by her maid, that he came to ask about Marguerite's health every day.

Later, Marguerite invites him to a party at her home, and when she becomes ill, he carries her into her bedroom and tells her that he is deeply in love with her and wants to take care of her. Marguerite, must choose between the young man who loves her and the baron who wants her.

A very romantic film and one of my favorite Garbo performances. The cinematography and costume design are absolutely beautiful. The supporting performances from Lionel Barrymore, Laura Hope Crewes and Maureen O'Sullivan are perfect. Robert Taylor, is very young and handsome. A wonderful classic film you will not soon forget.

Fun Facts:
Greta Garbo's personal favorite of all her films.
Greta Garbo wore bedroom slippers under all her fancy dresses so she could be comfortable.
Film debut of Joan Leslie.

Elizabeth Allan (9 April 1908 – 27 July 1990) was an English actress who worked in both England and Hollywood, making about 50 films over more than a quarter century.

She made her movie debut in 1931, first appearing in Alibi. 1935 was her most memorable year in Hollywood, when she not only distinguished herself in two memorable Dickens' adaptations as David's young mother in, David Copperfield and as Lucie Manette in Jack Conway's, A Tale of Two Cities, but was also featured in, Mark of the Vampire.

By the 1950s, Allan had made the transition to character parts. Particularly memorable is her appearance in, The Heart of the Matter (1953). In 1958, she appeared as Boris Karloff's wife in, The Haunted Strangler.

Queen Christina (1933).

Queen Christina (1933). Pre-code historical/ drama. Director: Rouben Mamoulian.The film was written by H. M. Harwood and Salka Viertel with dialogue by S. N. Behrman, based on a story by Salka Viertel and Margaret P. Levino. Cast: Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith and Lewis Stone. The movie is very loosely based on the life of the 17th century Queen Christina of Sweden, who, in the film, falls in love during her reign but has to deal with the political realities of her society. It was billed as Garbo's return to cinema after an eighteen-month hiatus.

In 1632, after her father, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, is killed on the battlefield, six-year-old Christina raised as a boy is crowned "king" of Sweden . Then promises to her court, that Sweden will fight until it wins the war.

Many years later, the now-grown Christina, who dresses in men's clothing, meets with her council and states for the good of the country, they must find peace. Christina then argues with Oxenstierna about marrying her Swedish-born cousin, Prince Palatine Charles Gustavus. Not wanting to marry a man she does not love, Christina rejects Oxenstierna's demands.

To escape Christina, goes on a hunting trip with her servant Aage. While riding, Christina comes across the path of a coach filled with Spaniards, which have gotten stuck in a ditch. Because she is dressed as a man, Christina is not recognized and is treated as a male servant by Don Antonio de la Prada. Later, Christina and Aage seek shelter at the Inn and once again meet Antonio and his men.

Antonio apologizes when he learns that Christina is a gentleman of means and engages him/her, in conversation. Christina impresses Antonio, after which insists that he take her to his room, the last room in the inn. After a polite argument, the couple decide to share the room. While Antonio undresses, Christina becomes uncomfortable, but finally reveals that she is a woman by removing her jacket. Surprised, Antonio takes Christina in his arms. For the next several days, Christina and Antonio, who is still unaware of her royal identity, fall in love and promise their lasting devotion to each other. Needing to accomplish his mission, Antonio leaves the inn, but arranges to meet with Christina in Stockholm.

Back at the palace, Christina is confronted by Magnus, who questions her about her disappearance. Christina's only care, is her reunion with Antonio and dresses up in her most beautiful gown to greet him. When Antonio is introduced to Christina, he is surprised but maintains his composure.

 Later in private Antonio, accuses her for playing with his affections and presents to her a proposal of marriage. Christina ignores her royal duties to spend time with Antonio. Jealous, Magnus hires two men to spread rumors about the queen's scandalous behavior, and one night in the Palace, Christina is met by an angry mob.

After calming the crowd, Christina confronts Magnus, where he threatens to have Antonio killed. For his protection, Christina orders Antonio back to Spain, unaware that the Spaniard has challenged Magnus to a duel. Christina calls together her court, announces that she is stepping down from the throne. While Christina says good- by to her heartbroken court, Antonio and Magnus engage in their sword fight. What will Christina find when she reaches Antonio's ship?

Fun Fact:
Since John Gilbert was becoming less popular as a leading man, Greta Garbo was doing him a big favor by requesting him as the male lead. Unfortunately, the film did not help to re-establish Gilbert, and soon after he dropped out of pictures altogether.

For me, this is a beautiful and haunting film. John Gilbert and Greta Garbo have wonderful on screen chemistry. My favorite scene in the movie, is when she is enjoying herself as a woman.

Muriel Evans (July 20, 1910 – October 26, 2000) Her father died when she was only two months old, forcing her mother to move to California to find work, where Evans' mother took a job as a maid at First National Studios.

 She spent her afternoons on film sets and was soon noticed by a studio executive. The executive introduced her to the director Robert Z. Leonard, who gave her a small role opposite Corinne Griffith in the 1926 film, Mademoiselle Modiste. She continued attending classes at Hollywood High School and landing bit parts in stock theater productions and silent films.

 In 1929, Evans co-starred in the silent, comedic short films, Good Night Nurse and Joyland, starring Lupino Lane. Shortly after completing Joyland, Evans put her acting career on hold to finish school.

 Later that year, she married Michael Cudahy, the wealthy scion of a meatpacking family. The couple traveled the world and settled in Europe. In 1931, Evans decided to pursue the film career she had given up and left her husband in Paris. Evans returned to Hollywood, signed a contract at MGM and quickly began making films again. She and Cudahy divorced in 1932.

Later that year, Evans starred in six films, most notably, Young Ironsides with Charley Chase and Pack Up Your Troubles with Laurel and Hardy. She would go on to star in eight more shorts with Chase before his death in 1940.

She made a smooth transition from silent pictures to talkies, and throughout the 1930s, Evans continued to work steadily. She appeared in Frank Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Manhattan Melodrama with Clark Gable and William Powell, and The Prizefighter and the Lady with Myrna Loy.

By the mid 1930s, Evans also began co-starring in popular westerns alongside Tom Mix, John Wayne and Tex Ritter. She also starred in three Hopalong Cassidy films opposite William Boyd, and did seven westerns with Buck Jones.Muriel Evans with James Ellison in the 1936 film Three on the Trail In 1936, Evans married a theatrical agent, Marshall R. Worchester.

 By age 30, she retired from acting. One of her last film appearances came in 1946, in the Pete Smith short, Studio Visit. Soon after retiring, Evans and her husband settled in Washington, D.C. Over the next decade, she starred in four radio shows and in the television show Hollywood Reporter.

 In 1951, the couple moved back to Hollywood, although Evans never resumed her acting career. Eventually, the couple bought property in Tarzana, California, where Evans dabbled in real estate. After the death of her husband in 1971, Evans began work as a volunteer nurse at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills not far from her home.

After a stroke in 1994, she became a resident within the complex and often dined with fellow actors with whom she had once worked, including Anita Garvin. In 1999, Evans made her last film appearance in a 2000 documentary, I Used to Be in Pictures, in which she was one of many former actors who recalled their experiences in the film work.

Pre-Code: Mata Hari(1931).

Mata Hari(1931). A Pre-Code film loosely based on the life of Mata Hari (the stage name of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), an exotic dancer/courtesan executed for espionage during World War I. The film stars Greta Garbo in the title role. The film is credited with popularizing the legend of Mata Hari. The third and final film in which Ramon Novarro and Lewis Stone both appeared, though they have no scenes together.

During World War I, after the execution of a group of convicted spies, Dubois, chief of the French Spy Bureau, vows that he will someday find enough evidence to prosecute France's greatest enemy, Mata Hari, a famous dancer, who lives a double life as a German spy.

Mata, receives her assignments from a man named Andriani, who wants her to use her charms to learn more about the secret messages and maps detailing Russian troop movements, from the French and Russian officers.

Soon after meeting Lieutenant Alexis Rosanoff of the Russian Imperial Air Force, a flier who was had a successful flight over German lines to bring back a secret message, Mata begins an affair and falls in love  with him. At first Mata, does not know that Alexis has the secret documents she has been ordered to steal.

Later, when Mata learns that Alexis is carrying the secret documents, she sleeps with him and darkens the apartment so that her fellow agents can take the papers, copy them and return them before anybody notices.  Andriani,  has Carlotta, one of his spies, killed for falling in love on the job. He then tells Mata that she must continue her relationship with Alexis.

Looking for a way to find the evidence he needs against Mata, Dubois tells  her ex-lover General Shubin, that Mata has been having an affair with Alexis, hoping out of jealousy he will expose her treachery.

Shubin, does confront Mata, and Mata tries to prove that she does not love Alexis by showing Shubin the secret photographs she stole from the lieutenant. Not believing her, Shubin calls the embassy to have Mata arrested, but Mata shoots him so she can get away.

As Mata, leaves the murder scene, Andriani tells her that her Paris assignment is over and that she must now go to Amsterdam . Andriani, also informs her that Alexis has been injured in an airplane crash and has been hospitalized. He then forbids her to visit Alexis, Mata resigns so she can be with Alexis. At his bedside, Mata promises the blinded Alexis that she will never leave him. As soon as Mata leaves the hospital, she is arrested by Dubois and put on trial for murder and espionage.Will she be able to prevent Alexis from ever knowing about her crimes and avoid execution?

 

I really enjoyed this dramatic love story and thought Great Garbo, looked beautiful performing the exciting role as a double agent.

Karen Morley (December 12, 1909 – March 8, 2003). After working at the Pasadena Playhouse, she came to the attention of the director Clarence Brown when he was looking for an actress to stand-in for Greta Garbo in screen tests.

This led to a contract with MGM and roles in such films as Mata Hari (1931), Scarface (1932), The Phantom of Crestwood (1932), The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), Arsene Lupin (1933) and Dinner at Eight (1933).

 In 1934, Morley left MGM after arguments about her roles and her private life. Her first film after leaving MGM was Our Daily Bread (1934), directed by King Vidor. She continued to work as a freelance performer, and appeared in Michael Curtiz's Black Fury, and The Littlest Rebel with Shirley Temple.

Without the support of a studio, her roles became less frequent, however she played a supporting role in Pride and Prejudice (1940). Her career came to an end in 1947, when she testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee and refused to answer questions about her alleged American Communist Party membership. She maintained her political activism for the rest of her life. In 1954, she ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor of New York on the American Labor Party ticket. After being blacklisted in Hollywood by the studio bosses, she was never able to rebuild her acting career. In December 1999, at the age of 90, she appeared in the magazine Vanity Fair in an article about blacklist survivors.

ROMANCE(1930).

Romance(1930). Cast: Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone, Gavin Gordon, Elliott Nugent, Florence Lake, and Henry Armetta.The movie was adapted by Edwin Justus Mayer and Bess Meredyth from the play by Edward Sheldon. It was directed by Clarence Brown. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Greta Garbo) and Best Director.

On New Year's Eve, a bishop who understands what his grandson Harry is going through and wants to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak, decides to share with him about his own love affair:

At a party given by Cornelius Van Tuyl, Tom Armstrong, the son of an aristocratic family, meets the famous Italian opera star Rita Cavallini and falls madly in love with her, in spite of rumors that she is Van Tuyl's mistress.

Tom and Rita's, romance is ended on another New Year's Eve, because of his families wishes. The bishop then tells how he  married another woman and tells Harry to, " marry the woman he loves no matter what his mother thinks. "Because.. it is the greatest thing in the world"

Fun Facts:

Greta Garbo originally wanted Gary Cooper as her leading man in "Romance". In the end, however, MGM could not borrow Cooper from Paramount, so Garbo settled for the unknown Gavin Gordon. Cooper would come to MGM two years later for the Joan Crawford vehicle Today We Live.

Leading man Gavin Gordon was hit by another vehicle while driving his car to the set the first day of shooting. He was flung onto the pavement and fractured a collarbone, as well as dislocating his shoulder. Gordon was determined to play alongside Greta Garbo and feared his part might be recast if he went to the hospital, therefore proceeding to the set in spite of great pain. He managed to get through the first scene, whereupon he fainted. Garbo visited his bedside at the hospital and told him, production would wait for him. Director Clarence Brown therefore had to shoot all the scenes first in which Gordon didn't appear.
Garbo, is very good in her role, although it's a bit hard to believe her as an opera star. I think Gary Cooper, may have been better in the leading man role. A tearful ending, but not one of my favorite Greta Garbo films.

Gavin Gordon (April 7, 1901 – April 7, 1983) was a film, television and radio actor. He was born in Chicora, Mississippi, and died in Canoga Park, California on his 82nd birthday.

Gordon studied secretarial work. While working as a railway clerk, he attended a film acting school.

In Los Angeles, he became secretary to an actor who later gave him his first part on stage at the age of nineteen.

After a film test, Gordon starred as Greta Garbo's leading man in the 1930 film Romance. With his distinctive voice, Gordon acted in radio dramas.

Photo of the Day: Ninotchka and friends

Happy Monday Morning from Ninotchka and friends!

Great On Screen Couples: Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor.

Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor, performed together in Greta Garbo's personal favorite of all her films, Camille (1936). Greta Garbo never looked better then she did in this romantic drama about a woman named Marguerite Gauthier, who was born into a lower class family, but becomes well known as Dame Camille, living in Paris, high society.

Camille, after many years of living as a mistress of wealthy Baron de Varville, falls in love with a handsome young man named, Armand. She is willing to give up her comfortable life with the Baron to be with him. Armand's father begs Camille, to break it off with his son, knowing her past will ruin his future.

Knowing that he is right, Camille breaks it off with Armand and soon after she comes down with tuberculosis. The film ends with Camille's heart breaking death in the arms of the only man she's ever loved.

Please click here for Camille movie review.

The film inspired Milton Benjamin to write and publish a song called "I'll Love Like Robert Taylor, Be My Greta Garbo".

The Painted Veil (1934).

The Painted Veil (1934). Directed by Ryszard Bolesławski. Cast: Greta Garbo Herbert Marshall, Warner Oland and Jean Hersholt.

After her sister Olga gets married, Katrin, the daughter of an Austrian medical professor, dreams of leaving her boring life in, Austria. When Dr. Walter Fane, a British bacteriologist, asks her to marry him and move to Hong Kong, she jumps at the chance, even though she does not love him.

After Walter, becomes involved in his medical work and does not have much time for his new wife, is when unhappily married Jack shows Katrin, all the popular city's land marks and Jack finds the opportunity to kiss her. Katrin, shocked by his actions still agrees to go with him to watch dancers performing at a Buddhist festival. Jack tells Katrin, that he is love with her and Katrin tells him that she is not in love with her husband.



Later, Katrin tells Walter that she is tired of him not being home very much. Walter comes home early the next day, but finds Katrin's bedroom door locked and Jack's hat on a table. That evening, Walter confronts Katrin and she admits that she is in love with Jack. Heartbroken, Walter tells Katrin, that he will give her a divorce only if Jack promises in writing that he will divorce his wife and marry her. When Katrin goes to Jack, with the terms he tells her that a divorce would ruin his life and breaks off the affair.

Heartbroken, Katrin travels with Walter to China, where a cholera epidemic has broken out. While Walter, tries to get the epidemic under control, Katrin grows more and more depressed. He tells her that he still loves her, but will send her back to Hong Kong. She tells him that she now knows what a good man he is and that she's ashamed of having betrayed him.

It is not long before, Jack realizes his is still in love with Katrin and leaves Hong Kong for to find Katrin. Walter, returns from the village after ordering it to be burned to stop the spread of the disease. He is happy to find that Katrin, was still there helping the children at the orphanage. Walter, is stabbed by villagers angry over having their houses burned and Katrin rushes to his side. Katrin, is confronted by Jack. Who will Katrin, decide to live the rest of her life with?

"The Painted Veil." Is a very moving love story. The score and cinematography and the Asian sets were beautiful.

Herbert Marshall (23 May 1890 – 22 January 1966). The actor spent many years playing romantic leads opposite such stars as Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Bette Davis, and starring in classics: Trouble in Paradise (1932), The Little Foxes (1941), and The Razor's Edge (1946). He was featured in both the 1929 and the more famous 1940 version of The Letter, first as the murdered lover, then the wronged husband. He starred in a popular radio series, The Man Called X, in which he played a globe-trotting "American" spy with an English accent.

He was married five times. Among his wives were two actresses, Edna Best, with whom he appeared in The Calendar, Michael and Mary and The Faithful Heart, and Boots Mallory, to whom he was married from 1947 until her death in 1958.

“The Kiss” 1929

“The Kiss” (1929) is a silent romantic drama starring Greta Garbo, Conrad Nagel, Anders Randolf, and Lew Ayres. Directed by Jacques Feyder, this film was Garbo’s last silent film and Lew Ayres’ first major screen role.

In this film, Garbo plays Irene Guarry, a young woman unhappily married to an older man, Charles Guarry, played by Anders Randolf. Irene is in love with a young lawyer, Andre Dubail, played by Conrad Nagel. When Irene decides to stop seeing Andre, she starts spending her time with Pierre Lassalle, the son of her husband’s associate, played by Lew Ayres. When Pierre leaves for college, he begs Irene for a goodbye kiss, a gesture that leads to jealousy, death and an explosive murder trial.



I think what makes “The Kiss” a good film is the combination of Garbo’s acting and the fine cinematography. Under Feyder’s direction, Garbo was even more impressive than she was in her other silent films. I like the way she convincingly played the sympathetic, but no longer in love wife. I also liked the use of light and dark and the superb close-ups. Lew Ayres, whose distinguished career would include “All Quiet on the Western Front” and the Dr. Kildare movies, impresses in his first major screen role. Only 64 minutes in length, “The Kiss” is a good story of tortured romance with a bit of mystery.

Born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson on September 18, 1905, in Stockholm, Sweden, Garbo was brought to the United States by Swedish director Mauritz Stiller after Louis B. Mayer saw her in “Gosta Berlings saga” (1924) and found it exciting enough to sign both Garbo and Stiller to MGM contracts. In her first American film, “Torrent” (1926), Garbo dazzled audiences with her beauty and complex emotions. Her films with silent screen star John Gilbert and their offscreen romance made for big box office as well. One of her most provocative pairings with John Gilbert was “Flesh and the Devil” (1926). With the advent of talkies, Garbo’s career continued to rise and she was successful in “Anna Christie” (1930), “Grand Hotel” (1932), “ Anna Karenina” (1935), “Camille” (1936) and “Ninotchka” (1939). When “Two-Faced Woman” (1941) turned into a humiliating debacle, Garbo decided not to make another film until the time was right. That day never came. The secret of the success of Garbo is not that she lived too long or too short a space in years, but that she knew when to retire and how to fashion herself into a mysterious and reclusive figure. Garbo had one of the most flawless faces in film history, and she looks beautiful in the silent films.

Stevie Nicks performing the song, "Garbo".

Stevie wrote the song "Garbo" after the photo shoot for the Buckingham/Nicks album cover, where she posed topless. She said this song was about having to do things in the business you did not want to do.. She also said she had just spent her "last $200" on a beautiful blouse, and hadn't eaten for days to look great in it...and they wanted her to be topless..she was devastated--but did it...

She then thought of Greta Garbo, and how she probably had to do lots of things she didn't want to do along with the other actress in Hollywood.

Garbo lyrics

I love to waltz with a man in a dark linen suit
All alone-at a party with someone I knew
From a time gone by turned into stone
You could be Garbo or even Marlene
You could be Marilyn...
Or you could forget
I play the part but then all of us do
And I do it so well as I do it to you
In this town full of strangers
In this town full of fools

Venus doesn't glitter when she stands next to you
When you're waltzing through stardom
You miss what you lose
Lose yourself in a silvery dress
For you think you must do what you feel you do best
And you mustn't give it up for you're still but a guest
You could be Garbo or even Marlene
Or you could forget...

Grand Hotel (1932).

Grand Hotel(1932), has stood the test of time because of it's all-star cast. Directed by Edmund Goulding. The screenplay by William A. Drake and Bela Balázs is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Drake, who had adapted it from the 1929 novel Menschen im Hotel by Vicki Baum.

The film is the only one to have won the Academy Award for Best Picture without it or its actors being nominated in any other category. The film was remade as, Week-End at the Waldorf (1945).

The film begins when, Grand Hotel permanent resident Doctor Otternschlag, a veteran of World War I,  is looking on while people are coming and going.

Next.. you have Baron Felix von Geigern, who supports himself gambling and part-time jewel thief. He becomes friends with Otto Kringelein , who is dying and wants to spend his last days in a beautiful hotel after a life time scrimping and saving.

Then you have.. Kringelein's former employer, Preysing, closing a deal with the help of his stenographer, Flaemmchen. Who really wants to become an actress and she is willing to do anything to advance her acting career.

Another guest is... Russian ballerina Grusinskaya , whose career is beginning to fade. When She returns from the theatre, she finds Baron in her room stealing her pearls and she tells him, "I want to be alone." Baron decides to stay and Grusinskaya, does not seem to really want him to leave.

The next morning, Baron returns Grusinskaya's pearls, but after a wonderful night with him, she does not seem to concerned about the necklace and invites him to travel with her to Vienna, which he accepts the invitation.

Later, during afternoon tea, the Baron joins Kringelein and Flaemmchen, talks the frail man into dancing with her. Preysing, demands she join him in his suite. Not happy, with his former boss rude behavior, Kringelein gives him a piece of his mind. Preysing, is about to hit Kringelein up side the head, when the Baron jumps in and invites him to join him in a game of cards. Kringelein accepts and wins everything, when he becomes intoxicated and drops his wallet, the Baron picks it up and hides it in his jacket pocket. When Kringelein, begins to search for his lost wallet, the Baron pretends to have suddenly have found the wallet returns it to him.

As part of a merger, Preysing must travel to London and he asks Flaemmchen to join him. Later, when the two are in her room, Preysing sees the shadow of the Baron going through his things. He confronts the Baron and the two get into a fight. Preysing hits the Baron with the telephone, killing him. Flaemmchen comes in and sees what happened. Preysing, insists he acted in self-defense, but Kringelein calls the police and has Preysing arrested.

Grusinskaya leaves for the train station, expecting to find the Baron waiting for her. Kringelein, offers to take Flaemmchen, to Paris to find a cure for his illness. As they leave the hotel, Doctor Otternschlag once again watches, the people coming and going in "Grand Hotel"....

Greta Garbo, is definitely the star of the film, but Joan Crawford, also gives a wonderful performance. Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore are also impressive. The cinematography is beautiful, as it gives us the grandness of the Grand Hotel, the overhead shot of the operators who are taking the calls and then focusing on everyone who are busy with their own lives, is very interesting to watch.



 Fun Facts:

There are no scenes where Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford are in the same frame. This was done to eliminate the possibility that one of the two great stars might upstage the other.

Joan Crawford was irked by Greta Garbo's insistence on top billing and decided to take her revenge. Knowing that Garbo loathed tardiness and Marlene Dietrich in equal measures, Crawford played Dietrich records between shots and made sure to arrive late on set.

The only Best Picture Oscar winner not to be nominated for any other Academy Awards.

Lewis Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953). He performed in the film, Nomads of the North(1920), playing a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. He performed in the title role in the silent film version of, The Prisoner of Zenda(1922), as well as, Rudolf Rassendyll.

Stone was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for, The Patriot (1929). After that, he performed in seven movies with Greta Garbo, in both the silent and sound periods. He played the role of Dr. Otternschlag in the Garbo film, Grand Hotel, in which, completely unaware of all the high drama that is going on, he says the famous closing line: "Grand Hotel. People come. People go. Nothing ever happens". He played a larger role in the Garbo film, Queen Christina(1933).  He performed in the films, Big house, The Lost World (1925),The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) and Missing Persons (1933).

In 1937, Stone began the role which would become his most famous, that of Judge James Hardy, in the Mickey Rooney "Andy Hardy" series. Stone performed as the judge in fifteen movies, beginning with You're Only Young Once (1937).

Video from the silent film:Torrent(1926). Pictures of Greta Garbo .

Torrent (1926). Romantic/drama/silent film, directed by Monta Bell. Based on a novel by Vicente Blasco Ibanez.

Torrent was the first American film starring Swedish actress Greta Garbo. The film also starred Ricardo Cortez.

The title refers to a flood that occurs in the small town where most of the action takes place, which brings the couple together.

Fun fact:

Joel McCrea doubled for Greta Garbo in a horse-riding scene.

Please click here to view past Greta Garbo reviews.

"Torrent” (1926)

“Torrent” (1926) is a silent romantic drama starring Ricardo Cortez, Greta Garbo and Gertrude Olmstead. Directed by Monta Bell and adapted from the novel by Spanish author, Vicente Blasco Ibanez, “Entre Naranjos,” this film is a story of lost love and missed chances. Leonora Moreno, a peasant girl, played by Greta Garbo, and Rafael Brull, played by Ricardo Cortez, have grown up in the same Spanish village. Although they are in love, Rafael is from an aristocratic family and dominated by his mother, Dona Bernarda Brull, played by Martha Mattox. Dona Bernarda forbids the relationship causing Leonora’s family to be kicked out of their home. Leonora’s father, Don Pedro Moreno, played by Edward Connelly, decides to take his daughter off to Paris where her trained voice is sure to be a hit. Meanwhile, her mother, Dona Pepa Moreno, played by Lucy Beaumont, is left behind to work as a maid for Dona Bernarda. After Leonora leaves for Paris, Dona Bernarda convinces Rafael that Remedios Matias, played by Gertrude Olmstead, would be the ideal wife for him mainly because her father, Don Matias, played by Mack Swain, has grown rich in hog raising, and he becomes engaged to her. While living in Paris, Leonora becomes a famous opera singer, La Brunna, and develops a reputation for being a loose woman. When Leonora returns to her home to see her mother, she and Rafael meet again and their love is rekindled. Unfortunately, Dona Bernarda separates them again, and he marries Remedios. Years later, Leonora and Rafael meet again. She is still beautiful, but he looks older than his years and is an unhappily married man with two children. The ending is surprising.











“Torrent” (1926) was Garbo’s American film debut and it helped establish her as a big star. With magnificent sets and costumes, this was MGM filmmaking at its best. The special effects must have been quite remarkable for their time. With no language barrier to deal with, the Swedish actress was able to play a Spanish peasant turned temptress with no disbelief from the audience. Handsome Ricardo Cortez was quite convincing as a Spaniard and does an admirable job appearing foolish and growing old ungracefully. One of the things I liked most about the film was the use of sepia, blue, lavender and red hues throughout. I liked the scene where Cortez braves the torrent in a row boat trying to rescue Leonora. One of my favorite scenes is when a lovesick Cortez wanders back to Garbo’s home and tells her he needs her and they dissolve into each other’s arms. The scene in which Cortez and Garbo are lying near the orange blossoms is breathtakingly romantic and very well done. “Torrent” is worth watching just for its stunning cinematography and Garbo’s impressive American film debut.

Ricardo Cortez, who looked like Latin Lover Rudolph Valentino, was invented, named and groomed to become a direct rival. Ironically, he wasn’t Latin at all, having been born Jacob Krantz to an Austrian Jewish family in New York City. He became starstruck growing up in Manhattan, began playing bit parts in New York-based films, and after moving to Hollywood, his appearance in a dance contest won him a Paramount contract. Jesse Lasky of Paramount was in the audience and noticed how much Krantz resembled Valentino. Lasky immediately offered Krantz a contract and began preparing him to take Valentino’s place. Lasky’s secretary picked the name Ricardo Cortez when it was decided the young actor needed a Latin name. Krantz stuck with his new name and went on to make ninety pictures from 1924 to 1958, all under the name of Ricardo Cortez. He also achieved a considerable degree of prominence during the silent era with films such as “Argentine Love” (1924), “The Spaniard” (1925), “The Swan” (1925) and “Torrent” (1926). Cortez moved easily into talkies and starred in such films as “The Maltese Falcon” (1931), “Symphony of Six Million” (1932), “Midnight Mary” (1933) and “Torch Singer” (1933). When Cortez retired from the film business, he went to work as a stockbroker on Wall Street. Cortez died in New York City on April 28, 1977. He was 76 years old. He was the brother of noted cinematographer Stanley Cortez (born Stanislaus Krantz).


Dona Bernarda has in mind Remedios Matias, played by Gertrude Olmstead, as a daughter-in-law mainly because her father, Don Matias, played by Mack Swain, has grown rich in hog raising.

Happy Birthday: Greta Garbo!

Greta Garbo, was a Swedish actress best known for her work during Hollywood's silent film period and also part of Golden Age. She performed in 27 movies and has become one of the most popular Hollywood stars.

Her first talkie was in the film, Anna Christie(1930). Of all MGM stars, Garbo was the actress that they kept out of talking films the longest, so they could coach her in English. Her famous first line is: "Gif me a vhisky, ginger ale on the side, and don't be stingy, baby!". Garbo's English became so good by the time she performed in this film, she had to add an accent in several retakes to sound more like the Swedish Anna.

Next she went on to perform twice in Anna Karenina. Her favorite performance was in the film, Camille(1936), The film is about Marguerite Gauthier, who is born into a lower class family, but in time becomes Dame Camille, living in high society in Paris. Camille, is supported by the wealthy Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell), for many years. Eventually, Camille falls in love with Armand (Robert Taylor), a handsome young man. Which turns everyones life upside down.

During the World War II era, MGM wanted to recast Garbo as a comic actress in the film, Ninotchka(1939). Followed by, Two-Faced Woman(1941), in which Garbo danced and sang.

Stevie Nicks, singing her beautiful song "Garbo".

I thought it would be fun to share this video of my favorite singer, Stevie Nicks, singing her beautiful song "Garbo" and compare their similar styles.

Wild Orchids (1929)

Wild Orchids(1929). Director: Sidney Franklin. Cast: Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone and Nils Asther. This was Greta Garbo's 15th film, the 8th of her Hollywood career and her 7th silent movie after talkies. It was also her 1st film with Swedish actor Nils Asther, with who she would star again in The Single Standard in the same year, and the 2nd of seven films between Garbo and Lewis Stone.

Please click here to view Silents movie review.