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Greta Garbo's life and loves get the big screen treatmentThrough her life, Greta Garbo was famously for saying she vanted to be alone. But even almost 20 years after her death, we just can’t seem to let her have her wish. With a life and career as rich and interesting as Garbo’s, how could we? Well now, a new film project will delve further into the private life of the screen icon.
Tapped to play the reclusive screen icon is relative unknown Swedish-born, New York-based actress Anna-Karin Eskilsson. She looks a little like Garbo and Padma Lakshmi had a love child, no?
Eskilsson has had small, largely cameo roles in films like The Wrestler (as a flirt in the supermarket) and Sex and the City movie (as one of Charlotte’s girlfriends). Before being tapped for the lead in the new biopic she was a bartender at the Empire State Building Bar. From cocktail slinger to screen icon, that’s what I call an upgrade.
According to IMDB, the Garbo film will delve into the private life of the secretive actress, including her on-again, off-again relationship with fellow screen legend Marlene Dietrich, writer Mercedes De Acosta and Vogue photographer/designer Cecil Beaton.
The film is currently in production in Germany and is slated for a 2010 release. Until then, for more on Garbo’s life, legacy and loves, check out Karman Kregloe’s past “Remembering Greta Garbo” here at AfterEllen.com.
So, what do you think? Does this biopic and its unknown star seem befitting the great Garbo? Thanks to AE reader What's It To You for the tip! Submitted by on July 16, 2009 - 12:00pm. |
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What? What? Whaaaat?
I didn't know they were doing a film about Garbo's life..... Oh My Goddess! She is one third of my Holy Trinity, Oh my God.... I can't wait for next year already and hope for all that is sacred that they make it worthy of her name.
Thank you for the news!
Hum... interesting enough, the same company also has a biopic about Carmen Miranda, one of our most famous star, coming out next year.... hum, interesting.
Swoon...
O Greta...
"Why would you care for a woman like me? I'm always nervous or sick or sad or too gay." (Garbo)
Absolute adoration / admiration for Greta Garbo.
*gasp*
I'm a huge, huge Garbo fan
So I'll definitely be seeing this.
BUT ... they talk about Mercedes, Cecil and Marlene, but no mention of John Gilbert, who Garbo almost married more than once? He was pretty important in her life, both professionally and personally. Probably her only real het affair, (and one does wonder how much was studio hype or if it was a bit one-sided) but hopefully he won't be brushed aside.
Plus, the affair with Marlene is very much alleged. There's no actual evidence to support that they even really knew each other, let alone that anything actually went on. As much as I liked Diana McLellan's book, it was highly speculative, and all the evidence suggests that it actually wasn't Marlene in Joyless Street (though it really does look like her ... so who knows).
I'm a bit skeptical ... but cautiously optimistic. Is this going to be a full biopic of her life & career, or more just about her loves? I hope not the latter. I'm all for more recognition of Garbo as a gay lady, but I'd like something a bit more well-rounded, or it runs the risk of being sensationalistic.
That actress really does look the part so kudos there :-) I can't wait to see who they cast as the other Hollywood figures ... Ernst Lubitsch, L B Mayer, Louise Brooks, etc ...
The Real Garbo
EMK2009-FOR LIFE-FOR LOVE-FOR-LIBERTY- FOR SELF RESPECT-FOR A CAUSE TO LIVE AND DIE FOR.
@wintergreen.
I agree with the point you make about the supposed realtion ship between Ms. Garbo and Ms.Dietrich. I have always considerd to be someting of a rumor myself. The only real connection that ever really existed between the two women, that I know of , was Mercedes De Acosta.
At one point in her life Ms. De Acosta had ongoin and signicant relationships with poth women.
My only concern about this fillm is that brave enough to show the real Garbo. She was a great actress but she was also a JERK. Before you all start complaining read further.
When Mercedes De Acosta had her car accisent Ms. Garbo freeked and bailed out on her "beloved". It was Marlene Dietrich, her then ex-girlfriend", who stepped up like a real Woman should and cared for and nursed the woman. that she was no longer havinf sex with, back to health. She had to take a small break from her family, with their permission of course, so she could be with Ms. Garbo's injured girlfriend.
And when Ms. De Acosta was well again and no longer need constant care? Who came running back to her with open arms protestations of of love? Ms Garbo who hadn't seen her since she disappeared on Ms. De aCosta inthe hospotal.
The REALLY sad thing: SHE TOOK HER BACK
John Gilbert: The women basicall watch the poor man drink himself to death. She never really a good girlfriend to anyone.
Love or hate her, and I do love her, the the woman was a JERK. HIstory should never be rewritten just to make it pretty.
Garbo and Dietrich
Part of what makes them interesting as a supposed couple is the lengths they each went to in denying knowledge of the other. Despite film evidence to the contrary, they often said they never met.
The book The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood by Diana McLellan details how they did in fact both take part in the filming of The Joyless Street in Berlin in 1925. Copies of the film are apparently available through the National Archives in Washington DC.
It proves nothing about the alleged affair, of course, but the fact that they both lied about knowing each other speaks volumes.
Interesting!
*Finger's Crossed*
I am a huge fan of Garbo's films. As with any kind biopic,/semibiopic film of someone I'm a fan of, I hope for the best.
" True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united" ~ Wilhelm von Humbolt
Omg I'm rattling
Omg I'm rattling with excitement at the prospect of this.. [just hope its good].
He who overcomes himself is divine. Most see their ruin before their eyes; but they go on in to it [anyway]. - Leopold Von Ranke.
Who plays Mimi, Fifi, and Tashman?
Garbo's true love was Mimi so I wonder if that will be in there.
true, but i doubt the
Don't know much about Garbo
and if I lived back then, I probally would be scrubbing her floors or invisible, but I do love the style and glamor of the 1930's and 40's. I would probally watch the movie for the costumes and set design alone.
www.swandiver.wordpress.com
"Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained" - William Blake
Ooh!
The Kiss And Tell Of Greta Garbo
I use to immerse myself in all the leading ladies like Garbo,Dietrich,West,Crawford,Bankhead and so on and so o and read their biographies as a kid. I had no idea why I was obessed with them.
I also thought Garbo was actually bisexual and not a lesbian. Some of the biography on these stars did not truly reveal the truth 100%. Look at Josphine Baker, I probably read all the biographies on her and very little ever mention about her bisexuality in those biographies
I do hope the writers get their information from good and reliable sources.
Yes, this is a must see film.
See,I told you scouts need to focus on unknown actors/actreses. Who knows Anna-Karin just might be the unknown starlet to make it big.
I hope this Greta's story is done right.
God, I miss her!
How exciting!
Greta is one of my idols. She was a great actress. I love all of her movies and her sex appeal.
Her life was so sheltered we really don't know much about her but speculation. Which makes this movie even more intriguing. It will be interesting to see which road the writers and director take.
I think choosing an unknown Sweedish actress was a great move, not only for the film, but for Anna-Karin herself. If the movie is done well it could make her career! Lucky lady...
Oh wow!
I went as Garbo to a Halloween party once in a vintage ivory pantsuit. Of course only the Queens got it. I've seen every one of her movies that's available on DVD!
I cannot wait for this!
greta garbo
Ah
Oh my, I LOVE Greta in this scene from Anna Christie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzgMHP4cu8o&feature=related
Love the accent, the natural yet tragic presense on the screen, and her masculinity, oh her masculinity. The movements. The shoulders. It get's me every time. Of course she was into the ladies, isn't it obvious? ;)