Romance *** (1930, Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone, Gavin Gordon) – Classic Movie Review 5321

MGM’s 1930 romantic drama film Romance casts Greta Garbo in her little-known second talkie as Signora Rita Cavallini, an 1860s Italian opera singer, courted by a young American priest (Gavin Gordon).

Director Clarence Brown’s 1930 romantic drama film Romance casts Greta Garbo in her little-known and less-regarded second talkie, following Anna Christie (1930).

MGM’s unique superstar stars as Signora Rita Cavallini, an 1860s Italian opera singer, mistress of rich, married Corny Van Tuyl (Lewis Stone), and courted by young, earnest American priest Tom Armstrong (Gavin Gordon).

Garbo is entirely credible and charming – which is quite a feat in these circumstances – but unfortunately Gordon makes a weak hero, and the film is hardly Greta’s greatest.

It is simple, over-familiar, novelettish romantic stuff, old-fashioned and hackneyed, even in 1930, based on Edward Sheldon’s 1913 play Signora Cavallini. But it is tastefully realised by director Brown, and Garbo is as magnetic to watch as ever, lending it style and class. Their work was recognized at the 1930 Oscars with Best Actress and Best Director nominations.

Also in the cast are Elliott Nugent, Henry Armetta, Clara Blandick, Florence Lake, Mathilde Comont, Rina De Liguoro, Roy d’Arcy, Rolfe Sedan and William Stack.

Romance is directed by Clarence Brown, runs 76 minutes, is made and released by MGM, is written by Bess Meredyth and Edwin Justus Mayer, based on Edward Sheldon’s play Signora Cavallini, is shot in black and white by William H Daniels, and is set designed by Cedric Gibbons.

It was released on 22 August 1930.

It was a hit. Romance cost $496,000 and grossed $1,256,000 worldwide, making a profit of $287,000.

The cast are Greta Garbo as Rita Cavallini, Lewis Stone as Cornelius Van Tuyl, Gavin Gordon as Tom Armstrong, Elliott Nugent as Harry, Florence Lake as Susan Van Tuyl, Clara Blandick as Abigail Armstrong, Henry Armetta as Beppo, Mathilde Comont as Vannucci, Rina De Liguoro as Nina Roy d’Arcy, Rolfe Sedan and William Stack.

The play had previously been filmed as Romance in a 1920 silent film, one of the first releases by United Artists and starring Doris Keane, who had appeared on stage in the 1913 play.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5321

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