Ninotchka (1939): Greta Garbo

     Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, and co-written by Billy Wilder, Ninotchka (1939) was the first full-on Comedy for Greta Garbo... who had long reigned as the stoic Queen of Drama going back to the Silent Era. The story concerns a stiff female Russian Envoy, sent to settle a deal in carefree Paris, involving the sale of Russian Imperial jewels. The film is entertaining throughout, and the whole cast is great... including Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Bela Lugosi.

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo and Bela Lugosi

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Ninotchka. 1939: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina (1933): Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

     Directed by Rouben Mamoulian, Queen Christina (1933) was the fourth and final screen pairing of Greta Garbo and John Gilbert. The two had been a star couple during the Silent Era, and while Garbo's career still flourished, Gilbert had not transitioned well into Talkies... but Garbo still insisted that he be her co-star. The story presents a semi-accurate portrayal of Sweden's 17th Century Queen Christina, with some Hollywood glamour thrown in. The film was made Pre-Code, so there is a touch of implied eroticism. Greta Garbo and John Gilbert display fine chemistry, and the film is an enjoyable and lavish production overall.

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Queen Christina. 1933: Greta Garbo

Flesh and the Devil (1926): Greta Garbo and John Gilbert

     Based on Hermann Sudermann's play "The Undying Past", Flesh and the Devil (1926) was one of Greta Garbo's most successful Silent Films, and it served to position her as one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood at the time. Director Clarence Brown's job was made easier during the filming of Flesh and the Devil, because Garbo and her co-star John Gilbert did not have to fake their romantic chemistry on screen. The two stars had already begun a real-life whirlwind relationship, that briefly became an engagement, before Garbo broke it off. Garbo and Gilbert's rapport was so good, however, that the pair continued acting in films together into the Sound Era. 

     Leo (John Gilbert) and Ulrich (Lars Hanson) are the best of friends... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926

     While home on leave, Leo meets the beautifully enchanting Felicitas (Greta Garbo)... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

     and he is infatuated, seduced by her sexuality... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

     and head over heels in love with her... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

      Everything is fine until Felicitas' husband catches them together and challenges Leo to a duel. Leo wins the duel, killing the husband. As punishment, he is sent to be stationed in Africa... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

      When Leo returns, he is dismayed to find that Felicitas has married Ulrich, his best friend... 

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

     Can Leo and Ulrich's friendship survive... or is the sexual draw of Felicitas so strong that it will tear them apart...

Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo

Grand Hotel (1932): Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford

     One of the greatest early sound films, Grand Hotel (1932) also developed techniques that would contribute to the process of set manipulation and production within a film. The hotel lobby scenes featured a three hundred and sixty degree desk, adding a revolving vantage point around the action, giving the film a less stagy feel. The dialogue is sharp and elegant, and the format of the film became so well known, that any movie featuring a group of characters in a busy place with overlapping stories is called a "Grand Hotel Theme." The cast is all excellent, including Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery and Lionel Barrymore. 

     The Grand Hotel in Berlin, where "People come and go. Nothing ever happens.":

     A group of strangers find their lives overlapping briefly in the corridors, rooms, lobby and bar. These folks include Baron Felix von Geigern (John Barrymore), a broke aristocrat, and part-time jewel thief. Otto Kringenlein (Lionel Barrymore), a terminally ill man, who, having just found out he will die soon, plans to live out his remaining days squandering his savings in the lap of luxury. Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), a stenographer and part-time model... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Joan Crawford and John Barrymore

     General Director Preysing (Wallace Beery), who is at the Hotel on business... 

Grand Hotel. 1932

     and Russian ballet dancer, Grusinskaya (Greta Garbo)...

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo

     who has grown despondent with her life and career... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo and John Barrymore

     but finds new love with the Baron... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo and John Barrymore

     Friendships develop... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Joan Crawford

     and conflicts arise and the stories intertwine and unfold...

Grand Hotel. 1932: John Barrymore