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 THE DIVINE WOMAN |
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(USA 1928)
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| ALTERNATE TITLE | ||
Das göttliche Weib (GERMANY)
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| FILM SCENES | ||
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| COMPANY | ||
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
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| CREDITS | ||
Directed by Victor Seastrom (Sjöström).
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| TECHNICAL SPECS | ||
80 Minutes
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| CAST | ||
Greta Garbo, Lars Hanson, Lowell Sherman, Polly Moran, Dorothy Cumming,
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| GARBO'S CHARACTER | ||
Marianne
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| FILM POSTER | ||
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| SYNOPSIS | ||
Marianne (Greta Garbo), was placed on a farm by her mother. So that the mother might live her gay life in Paris alone. Marianne finally sent for by her and is brought to Paris by one of her mother's lovers. Legrande (Lowell Sherman), the lover makes a pass at her, she hits him and flees, thinking he is dead. She is befriended by a soldier, Lucien (Lars Hanson). He leaves her with a friend, Mme. Pigonier (Polly Moran), a laundress, and goes off with his regiment. One night, Marianne meets Legrande. He is fascinated by her and vows to make her a big stage star. Excited by the prospect of becoming famous, Marianne becomes his mistress. Lucien returns, a deserter, and is arrested and imprisoned. When he gets out on parole, he goes to see Marianne and denounces her. She, still in love with Lucien, renounces her career, and leaves Legrande. She becomes impoverished, but Lucien finds her and saves her from self-destruction. They reconcile and leave for South America, where he has a small ranch, to start life anew.
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| MOVIE PROGRAM | ||
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| PREMIERED/RELEASED | ||
Premiere Date: January 14, 1928 (Capitol Theatre in New York)
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| LOBBYCARDS | ||
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| PRODUCTION | ||
| Production Dates: September–November 1927
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| MOVIE STILLS | ||
| The Stills were made during the production by Milton Brown. 154 Movie Stills were shot.
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| TRIVIA | ||
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| THE REAL MARIANNE | ||
Garbo's character in the film, Marianne, is based on real actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844 – 1923). Sarah was a French stage actress. She made her fame on the stages of Europe in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the United States. She developed a reputation as a serious dramatic actress, earning the nickname "The Divine Sarah".
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| BACKGROUND STORY | ||
(in Treatment)
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| BUSINESS DATA | ||
| Budget: 267.000 Dollar
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| PORTRAITS | ||
Ruth Harriet Louise made the portraits for the film on November 9, 1927.
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| REVIEWS | ||
New York Herald Tribune: |
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We insist that all those who, in their foolishness, have cried, “There is no screen acting–the figures are but puppets, with the director pulling the strings,” po to the Capitol Theater and take a look at Greta Garbo and Lars Hanson in The Divine Woman. Many who admit that there is acting on the screen have stated that Miss Garbo did not act, however, that she was only a beautiful woman with a strong appeal. After seeing her play Marianne in this new Metro-Goldwyn picture, no one ever again could say that. In the first place, we are not at all sure that Miss Garbo is beautiful. It seems to be soul, rather than prettiness, which makes her face so attractive, and no one could call Lars Hanson handsome! Still we cannot for the moment think of any two performances as fine as these offered by a Swedish actress and a Swedish actor. |
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| Motion Picture Magazine: | ||
April, 1928. I must be getting inured to Greta Garbo. In this picture she again seemed very lovely indeed. And I think the secret is that, given a part in which she is expected to be something more than a vamp, she is quite a capable girl. She wakes up and has expressions just like other people and is really charming. In fact, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this picture. It is about a little French waif who is rescued from the streets by a young soldier, whom she ultimately deserts for a dazzling career on the stage. Things don't go so well, and she finally realizes, after everyone has suffered a good deal, that all is not gold that glitters, and love is enough and all that sort of thing. A poor tale, but it has been directed in the main with good taste by Victor Seastrom, and acted with charm by Greta, Lowell Sherman and Lars Hanson .
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| Screenland: | ||
| This picture is a huge disappointment, and, although I am trying to bear up, my emotions get the better of me at times; you see, I counted on Greta Garbo. I rooted myself hoarse for her. The most potent personality on the screen–the girl who made Hollywood actresses look like stock company ingenues the Swedish marvel at emotional massage–she was all of that. And now, just look at The Divine Woman. Here is a new Garbo, who flutters, who mugs. This interestingly reserved lady goes completely Hollywood, all at once. It may have been the part. It may have been the direction–but I don't think so. Miss Garbo seems to me to have only one scene in her usual marvellous quiet manner.... But for the rest–excuse me! “I go now!”
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| SIMILAR FILMS | ||
| The Incredible Sarah – with Glenda Jackson (England 1976)
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| PICTURE FROM THE FILM-SET | ||
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| STORY FROM THE FILM-SET | ||
(in Treatment)
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| THE ORIGINAL PLAY | ||
Based on the play Starlight by Gladys Unger.
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| DVD/VHS | ||
A short excerpt, is Available on the The Garbo Silents Collection DVD.
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SOURCE |
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Greta Garbo: A Cinematic Legacy – by Mark A. Vieira (Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York 2005). This is the best and most accurate book about Garbo's-Films.  |
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OTHER SOURCES |
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Karen Swenson – A life Apart Barry Paris – Garbo IMDB – International Movie Database plus many other books, magazines and internet sites. |
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Film - Introduction |
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Garbo's only full film that is lost.
