Helga, a poor farm girl, runs off from the lecherous brute who means to marry her and lands in the arms of a charming neighbor, engineer Rodney Spencer. When misfortune separates them, Helga seeks refuge with circus folk, then is forced to trade her body for survival in an uncaring world. Using the name Susan Lenox, the fallen woman rises high, all the way to a Manhattan penthouse. Her heart remains with Rodney. But Rodney, sickened by the path Helga has taken, finds solace in the bottle. This intense pre-Code romance is propelled by the incomparable star power of two of the greatest icons in Hollywood history -- Greta Garbo and Clark Gable in their only screen pairing -- as the ill-fated lovers. No film fan should miss it.
D**E
Garbo dvd
Very happy with this purchase in all categories.
D**.
Cutting-edge narrative, but 4* performances
The narrative was superb. Both hero and heroine become increasingly debauched as it develops. Such a welcome contrast from, for example, Pretty Woman in which he drifts slightly down to her level and she rises towards his.4* rather than 5* because (i) the performances from both of them come across as routine. Wikipedia suggests that Garbo and Gable disliked each other and that would account for the lack of on-screen chemistry. (ii) The circumstances of their random encounters over protracted time- and geo-frames defy credulity and (iii) the ending is too obvious from far too early in the film.Despite those points, though, I am very impressed with the daring involved in a narrative in which she degenerates into prostitution and he into alcoholism simply because of communications problems between the two early in the film.
C**E
Greta Garbo joins the carnival!
The campy, often corny, pre-code "Susan Lenox" has finally received a DVD release at last and I am thrilled as it is my favorite Garbo film. This movie shows off a young and beautiful Garbo in a contemporary role for the 1930's as she later went on to play mostly tragic heroines from the past. It is interersting to me for this reason. But, I don't want to mislead anyone, "Susan Lenox" is not a particularly good film and it certainly is not the first movie I would look to if I wanted a real appreciation for Garbo as an actress, she had much better material to work with in other films. In fact this movie is just plain weird most of the time- mostly due to some strange dialogue and scenarios (see Garbo\Gable fishing scene). BUT, that being said, It's just good fun to see the Great Greta Garbo slumming it for awhile as a girl on the run turns carny hooker!!! I mean does it get much better than that?! For this reason alone I love this film! If you're a Garbo fan, as I am, you'll love it too.
T**E
Another Planet
Garbo is terribly miscast in this potboiler. She drifts through the movie like a being from another planet. Although incredibly beautiful she could never be common. Harlow would have been a lot more believable.Garbo dance the shimmy!?
R**S
G & G!!
Garbo & Gable - what more do you need to know?!?OK, here's a little more......Their one & only time starring together in a movie.Neither were particularly impressed with each other off camera.You would NEVER know that watching the movie!If you like either one, you should like Susan Lenox.If you like both, you're in for a treat!!
S**N
Corny melodrama with stereotypes.
I guess I’m in the minority. I love Garbo and like Gable, but this movie is a melodrama. Why does a farm girl have a thick European accent? The stereotypical girl doing what she has to to get ahead and the prideful jackass of a man who rejects her for not being a plaster saint.
C**N
Predictable but Enjoyable!
Very enjoyable movie, It is quite predictable but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. I'm glad Warner are releasing all these iconic Garbo movies so a whole new generation can discover her brilliance!
A**R
Four Stars
Better plot than most of Garbo's lesser known films. Vintage Gable.
D**Y
Five Stars
SHE WAS SO GORGEOUS!!!!!
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