Greta Garbo

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(picture credit amazon.com)

Biography

Greta Lovisa Gustafsson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on September 18, 1905. When she was 14 her father died. Greta was forced to leave school and go to work in a department store. The store used her for modeling campaigns and newspaper ads. She had no film desires until she appeared in her first advertising short while at the department store while she was still a teenager. This brought her to another short film when Erik A. Petschler, a comedy director, saw her short. He gave her a small part in the film, Luffarpetter (1922). When she saw herself in Petschler's short film she was inspired to apply for a scholarship for the Royal Dramatic Theater Academy. She won the scholarship and stayed at the drama school. While she was attending the school, she appeared in two films, En lyckoriddare (1921) and Luffarpetter (1922) the following year. Both were small parts, but it was a start. Finally, a well known swedish director, Mauritz Stiller, pulled her from drama school for the leading role in Gösta Berlings saga (1924). At 18, Greta was given her stage name 'Greta Garbo', by Stiller. Following Die freudlose Gasse (1925) both Greta and Stiller were asked to sign contracts with MGM. It took her and Stiller a while to get to America, but it was worth it. Her first US film was Torrent (1926). It was a silent film, as were most of her films, where she didn't have to speak English. After a few more films, such as The Temptress (1926), Love (1927/I), and A Woman of Affairs (1928), she truley made her mark as a 1920's star.

(Information from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001256/)

Sentences

When people talk about Greta Garbo, they can’t complain about her voice being acrimonious, because in the 1920’s all she did was silent films.

Greta Garbo is the farthest thing from bovine, she is beautiful and resembles a Swedish goddess.

There was a lot of consternation with a quote miss. Garbo said ,”I want to be alone”, she stated that it didn’t mean that she wanted to be alone, but she wanted to be left alone.

Greta Garbo was an in-shape and attractive woman she was not corpulent at all.

When MGM took her to America she did not disavow on her contract.

While her fame started in the 1920’s she never had abate, she was always and will still always be a legend.

Garbo got adulation for everything that she did in her career.

Greta’s father’s disease was an anathema to her, and to him.

Garbo was an intelligent astute woman.

Greta was an actress for her career, not for avarice.

Miss. Garbo had to accrue a tolerance for crazy fans after a while.

If I had to sit through a silent movie of Greta’s or anybody’s I would go into a scene of bedlam.

When in public, Garbo was still covert, to protect her against any threat.

Greta can be looked at as debonair, for her class and respect.

Greta Garbo dunned attention from anyone who would watch her.

What is the 1920's all about?

The 1920’s was an age of miracles, The American Dream of success, a celebration of enterprising individuals, creativity, art, music, writing, movies, inventions..Etc. and progress. This era spawned some of the greatest, and most well known jazz artists, real movie stars and writers. Greta Garbo was a real movie star. She had a career with acting not just a job. She was living the American Dream of Success. Greta made her mark performing in silent films and in films with sound, she did what she loved not for the fame but for herself. She says “My life is spent going through back entrances, and secret elevators just to get around.” Of course fame did reach her, and although it did disrupt her regular life she did not let it get to her. Miss. Garbo was a truly strong woman, who pioneered the way of the diva for a lot of actresses in her times future.

Quotes

“Is there anything better than to be longing for something, when you know it is within reach?”

“Anyone who has a continuous smile on his face conceals a toughness that is almost frightening.”

“Life would be so wonderful if we only knew what to do with it.”

“There seems to be a law that governs all our actions so I never make plans.”

“There is no one who would have me - I can't cook.”

“There are some who want to get married and others who don't. I have never had an impulse to go to the altar. I am a difficult person to lead.”

“If only those who dream about Hollywood knew how difficult it all is.”

“The story of my life is about back entrances, side doors, secret elevators and other ways of getting in and out of places so that people won't bother me.”