Romance *** (1930, Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone, Gavin Gordon) – Classic Movie Review 5,321

MGM’s 1930 romantic drama film Romance casts Greta Garbo in her little-known second talkie as 1860s Italian opera singer Rita Cavallini, 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, a world-famous 1860s Italian opera singer, mistress of rich, married Corny Van Tuyl (Lewis Stone), and courted by young, earnest American priest Tom Armstrong (Gavin Gordon), challenging his religious vows. The priest’s struggle between his duty to the church and his love for Rita is the driving force of the story.

On New Year’s Eve, Harry (Elliott Nugent) tells his bishop grandfather that he intends to marry an actress, and the grandfather recounts in flashback a cautionary tale of his youthful love affair with what was known as a fallen woman. The 28-year-old Tom Armstrong falls deeply in love with Rita Cavallini, whom he meets at an evening party given by Van Tuyl. Rita is rumoured to be the host’s mistress.

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 the great Greta’s greatest, though it has its antique charms. The production impresses and Lewis Stone is a strong star supporting presence in his key role.

It is simple, over-familiar, novelettish romantic stuff, old-fashioned and hackneyed, even in 1930, based on Edward Sheldon’s 1913 stage 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 (the third Academy Awards) 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 [Countess 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 as Rita Cavallini on stage in the 1913 play.

Gavin Gordon was injured in a crash driving his car to the set the first day of shooting. Garbo visited his hospital bedside and told him production would wait for him. Clarence Brown then shot first all the scenes in which Gordon does not appear.

Lewis Stone and Greta Garbo appeared in seven films together, including two silent ones.

Clarence Brown and Greta Garbo made seven films together from Flesh and the Devil (1926) to Conquest (1937). They were also both Oscar nominated for Anna Christie (1930).

Brown recalled: ‘She was a shy person. I never gave her direction above a whisper. Nobody on the set ever knew what I said to her; she liked that. She hated to rehearse. She would have preferred to stay away until everyone else was rehearsed, then come in and do the scene.’

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5,321

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