Sir John Gielgud about his meeting with Garbo

Guilgud was an English theatre and film actor. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest English actors in history. One day he met Garbo...

15.04.1947/NY/Letter to his mother…….

Had a long talk with Garbo who is the most extraordinary individual – little girl face and now quite short, straight hair tied with and Alice ribbon, hideously cut dress of beautiful printed cotton to her calves, and then huge feet in heel-less black pumps. Lovely childlike expression and great sweetness.

She never stopped talking, but absolutely to no purpose – said her life was empty, aimless, but the time passed so quickly that there was never time to do anything one wanted to do! All this with twinkling eyes and great animation, not at all the mournful tones of her imitators – charming slight accent. But I couldn't make out whether her whole attitude was a terrific pose of just plain stupidity – perhaps a mixture of the two!

This letter below seems to be the reporting the same event….in slightly different way:

23.05.1947/Washington

I met Garbo in New York the other day – what an extraordinary little creature, without a brain in her had. I thought – but such beauty of feature though she had all her hair cut off and what was left tied up in a little blue ribbon like a tweeny. She was very amiable, but her conversation smiling but utterly negative.

08.11.1958/to Paul Anstee, St Louis

Lovely day in NY – glorious summer weather, no overcoats – met Miss Garbo on Park Avenue looking like a displaced charwoman. I'm sure she cuts her own hair with nail scissors. Distantly gracious, and that beautiful smile. 'Don't touch me,' (as I made t o shake hands) 'I am ill – on my way to the specialist!'

18.04.1959/NY to Paul Anstee