"The Face of the Century"

Greta Garbo was born Greta Lovisa Gustaffson in Stockholm, Sweden on September 18, 1905. The daughter of a poor working class family, who would have imagined that one day she would become a cinematic goddess, worshipped and adored by millions?

It was said that her face had no bad angles, that it was impossible to photograph her poorly. She was gifted not only with a face the angels themselves would envy, but with incredibly expressive eyes and a deep, world-weary voice that could break your heart.

Seen today, many of her films may appear stilted and creaky, but the goddess herself rises above them. Her performances transcend her material without exception, and, in films in which the material was worthy of her (notably "Camille" (1936), "Queen Christina" (1933), "Ninotchka" (1939)), she is nothing less than breathtaking.

My favorite Garbo photo, taken by Steichen in 1928.
In her very greatest performance as the tragic Camille, 1936.
A stunning early photo from about 1928.
From "The Mysterious Lady,", a 1928 silent.
From her first talking picture, Anna Christie, 1930.
From "Romance", 1930.
With a very young Clark Gable, on the cover of Photoplay Magazine, January 1932.
As the tragic ballerina Grusinskaya in "Grand Hotel", 1932.
A poster for "The Mysterious Lady,",1928.
A photo by C.S. Bull for "Mata Hari", 1932.

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