THE ORDEAL (1926)

MGM wanted to team up Lon Chaney and Garbo in this film, based on a novel by Dale Collins. Marcel de Sano was set to direct but the project was abandoned. In 1930 MGM produced the film starring Kay Johnson and Conrad Nagel, titled The Ship from Shanghai.

SOURCE: M. Vieira – A Cinematic Legacy, other Garbo books

SUSAN LENOX (1926/27)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1931.

In November 1926, Garbo wrote her friend Lars Saxon in Sweden and asked if he knew books which would be suitable to be turned into a film for her. He recommended several ideas incl. Susan Lenox by Graham Phillips.

SOURCE: Karen Swenson: A Life Apart (1997)

ANNA CHRISTIE (1926/27)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1930.

In November 1926, Garbo wrote her friend Lars Saxon in Sweden and asked if he knew books which would be suitable to be turned into a film for her. He recommended several ideas incl. Anna Christie by E. O' Neal.

SOURCE: Karen Swenson: A life Apart (1997)

RESURECTION (1926/27)

In November 1926, Garbo wrote her friend Lars Saxon in Sweden and asked if he knew books which would be suitable to be turned into a film for her. He recommended several ideas incl. Resurrection by Tolstoy.

SOURCE: Karen Swenson: A life Apart (1997)

ANNA KARENINA (1926/27)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1927 and again in 1935.

In November 1926, Garbo wrote her friend Lars Saxon in Sweden and asked if he knew books which would be suitable to be turned into a film for her. He recommended several ideas incl. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy.

SOURCE: Karen Swenson: A life Apart (1997)

SCREENPLAY BY LARS SAXON (1926/27)

In November 1926 Garbo wrote her friend Lars Saxon in Sweden and asked if he knew books which would be suitable to be turned into a film for her.

He recommended several ideas incl. a self written story for Garbo. It was about a female office worker who becomes a soldier in the Salvation Anny.

Saxon was actually asked by MGM to come over and work on the script but after quite a bit of correspondence the whole thing fizzled out.

SOURCE: Karen Swenson: A life Apart (1997)

THE SON OF THE SHEIK (1926)

One author of a Valentino biography wrote that Garbo was suggested as Valentino’s leading lady in his last Film.

SOURCE: Valentino -  Dark Lover

HOTEL IMPERIAL (1927)

This is not the same version and/or project that was rumored to be produced in 1924 for Trianon AG in Germany.

M. Stiller wanted to film this story by Lajos Biró (original title: Hotel Stadt Lemberg) with Greta and for MGM. But because of trouble with Mayer, and Garbo being signed to do Flesh and the Devil, he made the film for Paramount, starring Pola Negri.

Hotel Imperial was a big hit in 1927.

SOURCE: Garbo book

WOMAN LOVE DIAMONDS (1927)

MGM sent Garbo the script for the female lead role but Garbo didn't want to play another "bad“ woman again. The film was made with Pauline Stark, Lionel Barrymore and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

SOURCE: Barry Paris – Garbo

FILM ABOUT QUEEN CHRISTINA OF SWEDEN (1927)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1933.

In an unpublished letter to Mauritz Stiller from Swedish writer Inga Gaate dated February 1927, she reminded him that they talked about a possible Christina film during the Gösta Berling (1924) production, and suggested to him again in 1927 to make the movie with either Garbo or Pola Negri in the lead role. She also offered to assist and collaborate on the manuscript.

From Sweden, on 17 February 1927, Gaate wrote him:

“Permit me to remind you of our last rendezvous at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm where you had the kindness to say that you were interested in my idea for the film about Christina. [Are] you still ... interested in it? If so, I will provide you with a manuscript in English.

I have [a] friend in Rome who is a chamberlain to the Pope and married to his niece. If introduced in the proper way – that the Christina film could be a Catholic propaganda movie, which of course it isn’t – we could get His Holiness interested and perhaps take some authentic scenes within the walls of the Vatican. [It] has top-notch psychological and dramatic material.

A fate and a life like Christina’s are like a fairy tale, a thrilling adventure, a wonderful mosaic, the arabesque of which consists of a woman’s strong and strange personality ... tragic, comic, grotesque, poetic and grandiose.”

“Oh, and most important! As Christina you can choose between Pola Negri and Greta Garbo. Both would make wonderful Christinas under your direction. For my own part, I only ask to become your assistant and to collaborate on the manuscript with you.... I can come over in October.”

Copyright: Gaate letter, courtesy of the Swedish Film Institute. Translation, courtesy of Ann Sitrick
 

But Gaate’s proposal arrived just as Stiller was leaving Hollywood, and there is no evidence that he ever told Garbo about it.

SOURCE: Barry Paris: Garbo (1994)

FILMS WITH CHARLIE CHAPLIN (1927-1929)

Charlie always wanted to make a film with Greta. The two had great mutual respect for each other, and he often proposed joint film ventures – impossible fantasies at heart – in which she humored him. They met for the first time in December 1927.

It’s rumored that he had several ideas, though nothing ever materialized.

SOURCE: Garbo book

HER BROTHER FROM BRAZIL (1927)

A rumor said that Greta was cast by Mayer in a supporting role as one of the chorus girls kn this romantic comedy with Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle. But when a cooperative Garbo showed up for a costume fitting, Miss Pringle rebelled. She knew perfectly well that she would have no chance onscreen with the most talked-about actress in Hollywood playing a supporting role.

Garbo's salary was reinstated at this time and a press release was prepared. Variety magazine was foolish enough to believe it and reported on March 18: “Greta Garbo will play the part of a chorus girl in 'His Brother from Brazil', the first costarring vehicle of Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle.”

Even more incredibly, Garbo later told an interviewer that she had gone to the studio. “I did not say a word,” she recounted, “but tried on the dresses and was all ready to play the little part in the picture when Miss Pringle said she would not do it. Then they called me and said I was impossible and could not be handled. For the first time I answered Mr. Mayer back. I said I had all my clothes fitted and was ready to play the little part. What more did they want?”

The fans who were watching this bizarre charade wanted to know what it meant. Garbo supporting Pringle as a chorus girl? It made no sense. No one would be watching Pringle!

Most of MGM's costume test photographs survive in archives. None has ever been found to substantiate the chorus girl story. The film was made in 1927 under the title Adam and Evil.

SOURCE: M. Vieira – A Cinematic Legacy, other Garbo books

ANNA CHRISTIE (1927)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1930.

John Gilbert suggested Mayer the idea of a film version based on the successful stage play Anna Christie with Greta. Mayer didn't want Garbo to play prostitutes. True or not, a film, based on the Eugene O'Neill play, was produced in late 1930.

SOURCE: Garbo and Gilbert in Love (England 2005)

LADY OF THE CAMELIAS (1927)

This is not the same version and/or project that was actually produced in 1936.

John Gilbert suggested Mayer the idea of a film version based on the famous novel Lady of the Camelias, with Greta. True or not, a film, based on the Alexandre Dumas novel, was released in 1936.

SOURCE: Garbo and Gilbert in Love (England 2005)

THE ORDEAL (1927)

This MGM production was already planned to be filmed in 1926 with Garbo and Lon Chaney in the lead. In spring 1927, it was again announced, this time with John Griffith Wray as the director. Garbo was offered the part, three times.

Finally, the film was made as The Ship from Shanghai in 1930.

SOURCE: M. Vieira – A Cinematic Legacy, other Garbo books

FILM ABOUT ADRIENNE LECOUVREUR aka DREAM ABOUT LOVE (1927)

Dorothy Farnum was writing a script for Garbo about the famous 18th century French actress, immensely popular with the public, until her mysterious death. Garbo had to choose between this film and The Mysterious Lady.

In 1928, MGM Studios filmed Dream of Love, based on the Scribe and Legouvé play, Adrienne Lecouvreur, starring Joan Crawford and Nils Asther, directed by Fred Niblo.

SOURCE: Garbo books, Movie Magazine

THE LEGEND OF LOVE (1927/1928)

Another planned movie starring Greta and Lars Hanson: it was going to be directed by M. Stiller.

SOURCE: Magazine

PALMOLIVE ADVERTISING (late 1920s)

In the late 1920, Garbo had an offer from Palmolive to advertise their soap–for a king's ransom. She declined. "After all, I had never used Palmolive. I have always used lavender soap" she told a friend in mid-1970.

SOURCE: Garbo book

TIGER SKIN (1928)

After The Mysterious Lady, MGM announced that Tiger Skin would be Greta's next film, written by Elinor Glyn, famous for Clara Bow's IT. Garbo couldn't identify herself as a woman who hypnotizes men, and the film was never made. Greta did A woman of Affairs instead.

SOURCE: Garbo DVD Documentary

STREET OF SIN (1928)

This was rumoured to be a project Stiller wanted to do with Greta and MGM. No details are known. He later made the film for Paramount, starring Fay Wray.

SOURCE: Garbo Book or Internet Article (We can't remember anymore)

THE CARNIVAL OF LIFE (1928)

A proposed film with John Gilbert, to be directed by C. Brown.

SOURCE: Magazine

THE LOVES OF CASANOVA (1928)

Another film-plan with John Gilbert–a remake of the French movie Casanova (France 1927).

SOURCE: Magazine

TOLSTOJ'S RESURRECTION – STAGE (1928/29)

While back in Sweden for a holiday, Greta was asked to play the part of Katjuschka in this Stockholm stage play. Surprisingly, she really considered the theatrical outing while at home.

According to Lars Saxon, Garbo rehearsed Tolstoy's Resurrection with a former employer, John W. Brunius, but panicked and backed out from the much heralded performance the night before the dress rehearsal. She apologized to Brunius and co-star Gösta Ekman, explaining that she was too nervous and agitated to appear on stage again.

SOURCE: Barry Paris: Garbo (1994)

KARL GERHARD'S MUSICAL REVUE (1928/29)

Another guest appearance she briefly considered, while back in Sweden, was a cameo role as a prima donna, in Karl-Gerhard's musical revue.

It is said that Greta had a sweet little singing voice and a wealth of humour that only those who knew her more closely had any idea of. But Garbo's days of live performances were firmly in the past and she declined.

SOURCE: Barry Paris: Garbo (1994)

THE SHIP FROM SHANGHAI (1929)

This project based on Dale Collins novel was offered to Garbo in late 1926 and early 1927 (Original title: The Ordeal).The film was finally directed by Charles Brabin.

It starred Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson (in the role planned for Greta) and Carmel Myers. Charles Brabin was married to the legendary film vamp – Theda Bara. I always wondered if the producers thought to give Theda the part that was later played by Carmel Myers in the final film production.

 

SOURCE: Barry Paris: Garbo (1994)

EX-WIFE aka THE DIVORCEE (1929)

The leading role was offered to Garbo in 1929. She had to decide between Ex-Wife and The Kiss. Greta chose the latter and her MGM rival Norma Shearer made the film as The Divorcee, and won herself an Oscar.

SOURCE: M. Vieira – A Cinematic Legacy

SAINT JOAN (1929)

After her trip to Sweden in 1928, Mardunt Hall interviewed Greta for the New York Times.

GG told her that she would have loved to play Saint Joan in a film.  Thalberg saw George Bernard's play as the perfect sound debut for Garbo in films. MGM had asked Jacques Feyder to direct the film. Sadly Shaw didn't want to sell the rights for a film version.

After her trip to Sweden in 1928, Mardunt Hall interviewed Greta for the New York Times. GG told her that she would loved to play Saint Joan in a film.

SOURCE: Barry Paris: Garbo (1994)

SOUND VERSION OF DREYER’S THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (1929)

A Joan of Arc film, was Thalbergs first choice for Garbo's sound debut. Knowing that she had seen and liked the 1927 silent French film La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc. Tahlberg toyed with the idea of engaging Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer to remake it as a USA sound film, with Greta.

It is unknown if Dreyer declined or if Thalberg told him his idea about a USA sound remake with Greta.

The original silent film Passion of Joan of Arc is an untouchable masterpiece.

SOURCE: Garbo books

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1929)

Asked by a reporter what part she would most like to play next, Garbo mentioned The Picture of Dorian Gray.

She asked the reporter: “Have you read Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray? It is impossible, of course but I would like to make a picture of such a book. I would like to play the boy‘s part – that is, if I could be accepted convincingly as a boy – not merely a woman's performance in boy‘s clothes”.

The film was never made but Garbo never gave up hope of making a film of this novel.

SOURCE: Garbo book

1920-1924          Unrealized Projects          1930-1934