CAMILLE

Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor

CAMILLE (1936). Director: George Cukor. Colorized. 

"I didn't know rich men ever looked like that." 

"Cows and chickens make better friends than I have ever met in Paris."

"Love isn't always selfish, nor goodness dull, nor men faithless."

Marguerite Gautier (Greta Garbo of Mata Hari), a former farm girl, is now an infamous courtesan living in Paris in 1847. One night at the theater she meets two men who will become quite important to her: the very, very rich Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell of The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake); and the very, very handsome Armand Duval (Robert Taylor of Valley of the Kings). 

Henry Daniell with Garbo

Marguerite allows herself to be taken off by the baron, who sets her up in fancy quarters and takes care of her while she spends and spends and spends. Despite her reputation, Armand is convinced that he is in love with her, and she dares to hope that they might actually have a chance. They retreat to the country, where -- wouldn't you know? -- the baron's utterly magnificent castle (too bad we never get to see the inside of it as Marguerite does) lies just over the hill. However, despite this reminder of her past, the couple are very happy until Armand's father (Lionel Barrymore) visits and tells Marguerite in no uncertain terms how she is essentially ruining Armand's life and chances for real success. She makes a fateful decision ... 

Armand and the Lady of the Camellias 

Camille is a romantic masterwork that excels in just about every element. The performances are wonderful, with Garbo -- despite being a bit mush-mouthed at times -- creating an indelible and poignant portrait of a woman who may be mischievous and clever but certainly not evil. Taylor possibly gives the best performance of his career, up there at Garbo's level throughout the picture. Daniell is as superb and icily cutting as ever. Jessie Ralph as old Nanine, who loves Marguerite like a mother; Laura Hope Crews as the scatterbrained yet shrewd Prudence; Lenore Ulric as the rather catty Olympe; and Rex O'Malley as the boyish yet kindly Gaston, are all on the money. I might have wished for heavier scoring by Herbert Stothart, but the music is pleasant, and the film is very well-directed by George Cukor, famous for his work with actors, and well-photographed by Karl Freund and William Daniels. 

Lovers in the mirror

Camille had been filmed several times before and after, but I feel confident that this is the best version. It is, of course, based on Alexandre Dumas fils famous novel "The Lady of the Camellias," written when he was only 23 and after an affair with a courtesan he based the character on, who died at that same age. Garbo was 31 and Taylor 25; the difference in their ages is obvious but it makes no difference, as Armand clearly doesn't care about his great love's age or occupation. 

Verdict: Near-perfect, and with a genuinely moving finale. ****.