How Well Do You Know Hollywood? - Question 17

According to Photoplay, July 1940

This star's constant escort is an expert in health foods

Greta Garbo

Norma Shearer

Rosalind Russell

Ann Sheridan

This magazine featuring Ann is the source of our delightful quiz

View comments for the answer

Greta Garbo, Spy

Mata Hari; 1931

Today, I thought I would be treated to some wonderful films on TCM because it was Lionel Barrymore day.  Anyone who has experienced TCM's Summer Under the Stars programming knows that it can be a real treat - or a real dud.

Lionel Barrymore and Greta Garbo

Since Lionel is one of my favorite stars, I was expecting some real gems.  As a whole I wasn't disappointed. Mata Hari (1931) by MGM was not one of the gems.  I've always wanted to see this picture because I've heard the film was fantastic, the costumes looked great, and I find the real Mata Hari's story intriguing.  I should have known not too keep my hopes up, since it was a Garbo film.  Barrymore and Novarro were fantastic, as were several of the minor characters as well.  But Garbo again proved why she is on my Least Favorite Actresses list.

The REAL Mata Hari

When I think Mata Hari, I think of someone who has to be charismatic enough to have everyone in the palm of their hands - someone who causes men to lose their loyalty and honor.  Garbo, as usual, was cold as a fish.  Everyone seemed drawn to that coldness, which frankly is incomprehensible to me.  Perhaps it is my peasant stock, but I saw no reason why anyone would want to know her, let alone poor out government secrets to her.

Greta Garbo in the Death Scene

Naturally, she was fantastic at being stoic on the way to the death scene.  This she did wonderfully well.  As a viewer, I cared more about how her death affected Alexis, Ramon Navarro's character.  So on the whole, everyone but Garbo was wonderful in this take on Mata Hari's life.  If someone can explain the appeal of Greta to me I would be grateful, because for the life of me, I find her cold and emotionless.  I just don't feel any kind of connection to her when I see her films.  It's like watching a beautiful statue walk around - beautiful, but distant.

Homes of the Stars - Part 1

Homes of the Stars - Part 1

Will Rogers

Tyrone Power

Rudolph Valentino

Shirley Temple

Greta Garbo

Least Favorite Actresses Part 1

Since I've done a best actresses list, I thought I'd do a least favorite actresses list. I did not take personal life into account, this is simply based on their on screen appearances. I know many people's favorites are on this list, but these actresses just rub me the wrong way.

Jean Arthur

Can't stand the voice!

Tallulah Bankhead

Leslie Caron

Arlene Dahl

Jane Fonda

Greta Garbo

Too cold

Audrey Hepburn

Katherine Hepburn

Greta Garbo on TV?

Greta Garbo
Can name her own price for doing one of those TV extravaganzas. But if she won’t do a picture, it’s hardly likely that she’ll do television. Incidentally, the last time we saw Garbo, she was dining with a party of friends in a very public place and seemed to be having a wonderful time. That ultra-shyness attributed to her is simply a part of the Garbo legend. If the lady doesn’t have to work and doesn’t want to, why should she?

(Source: Movieland, February 1955)

Theatrical Thursday: Male Leads - George Brent

A fun George Brent Fact - He was an IRA Guerrilla in the Anglo-Irish War and fled Ireland with a price on his head. Where else but America could someone go from guerrilla to leading man?

George Brent and Ann Sheridan

George Brent and Ginger Rogers in 1935


Bette Davis and George Brent in Jezebel