Introduction
(in Treatment)


At first, Stiller was assigned to direct the film. He started filming on March 24 but was fired on April 29 and replaced by director Fred Niblo. Not much is known about Stiller's filmed material. One of Stiller's filmed scenes was complete different introduction for Greta's character, Elena. It is said that Elena's first appearance in the “Paris Cirque” sequence, was just beautiful.


Elena's first appearance

 
 
Garbo enters the party on a horse

In Stiller's circus party scene, Elena (Garbo) enters the scenario on a huge white horse. She is dressed in a tailored white riding outfit, complete with stencilled boots and a kinky riding crop. Stiller filmed many great scenes but his directed footage is lost.


Portraits with Antonio Moreno and ‘alone’

   
Portrait photographer: Ruth Harriet Louise.

Party scene with Antonio Moreno

 
 
Moreno without his ‘moustache’

The ‘black haired’ Elena
Garbo in a black wig. This is another mystery. In some Stills , Portraits and in a rare film test footage we have.  Garbo was wearing again a black wig (like she did in Torrent). Garbo had no black hair in the final Fred Niblo directed movie.


We think that either…
1. Elena was a black haired vamp in the beginning of the movie
2. Elena became a black haired vamp later on in the movie
3. Stiller and/or ‘MGM’ disliked this first look for Elena and they changed the look during production and started all
    over again.

  
  
‘Black hair’ Stills

 
‘Black hair’ Portraits

More info  HERE!