The title of this movie, "Two-Faced Woman," might just as well be labeled "Two-Faced Man." Greta Garbo gets all dolled up from her outdoors skiing persona to become a New York glamor puss, all in the interest of pursuing her husband. She gets passed off as a twin sister, wherein most of the comedy of this film lies. Melvyn Douglas is her recent husband of a very short whirlwind romance on the ski slopes somewhere out West. But he has returned to the daily grind as a magazine impresario in the Big Apple. Although he fell for the attractive ski instructor hook, line and sinker, he can't tear himself away from the excitement of his big city persona. He's addicted to work, glamor and recognition.
Garbo plays Karin Borg and her would-be twin sister Katherine, and Douglas plays Larry Blake. Some great laughs are provided by the supporting cast, especially Constance Bennett as Griselda Vaughn, and Roland Young as O.O. Miller.
While this is an entertaining piece, it's not a very sharp or witty script. It's a weak story and the screenplay is choppy in places. It's not among the best work of either Garbo or Douglas. They had made three movies together, this being their last. The film bombed at the box office and turned out to be Garbo's last movie. She quit films and retired to New York where she became a favorite of among the jet set for many years. She never married and died in New York at age 84 in 1990. She was buried in her native Stockholm, Sweden.
Garbo never won any major honors in her career, just short of 20 years. But she received several nominations including three Oscar nominations. The Academy Awards gave her an honorary award in 1954 for her unforgettable screen performances. Who could ever forget her In "Grand Hotel" (1932), "Anna Karenina" (1935), "Queen Christina" (1933) or "Camille" (1936)? And, she was the essence and embodiment of excellent comedy in "Ninotchka" of 1939. I think that may be the best satire ever put on film. Douglas was her co-star in that smashing success.
Interestingly, Douglas never won an award or even received a nomination during these golden years of Hollywood. But he kept his career alive and won several awards in the 1960s to 1980, including two Oscars.
A little added enjoyment is a couple of skiing scenes early and late in the film. A very good skier did some excellent stunt skiing as Douglas's character. Garbo and Douglas fans should enjoy this movie as a light sample of their comedy work. Others may find it so-so.
Garbo plays Karin Borg and her would-be twin sister Katherine, and Douglas plays Larry Blake. Some great laughs are provided by the supporting cast, especially Constance Bennett as Griselda Vaughn, and Roland Young as O.O. Miller.
While this is an entertaining piece, it's not a very sharp or witty script. It's a weak story and the screenplay is choppy in places. It's not among the best work of either Garbo or Douglas. They had made three movies together, this being their last. The film bombed at the box office and turned out to be Garbo's last movie. She quit films and retired to New York where she became a favorite of among the jet set for many years. She never married and died in New York at age 84 in 1990. She was buried in her native Stockholm, Sweden.
Garbo never won any major honors in her career, just short of 20 years. But she received several nominations including three Oscar nominations. The Academy Awards gave her an honorary award in 1954 for her unforgettable screen performances. Who could ever forget her In "Grand Hotel" (1932), "Anna Karenina" (1935), "Queen Christina" (1933) or "Camille" (1936)? And, she was the essence and embodiment of excellent comedy in "Ninotchka" of 1939. I think that may be the best satire ever put on film. Douglas was her co-star in that smashing success.
Interestingly, Douglas never won an award or even received a nomination during these golden years of Hollywood. But he kept his career alive and won several awards in the 1960s to 1980, including two Oscars.
A little added enjoyment is a couple of skiing scenes early and late in the film. A very good skier did some excellent stunt skiing as Douglas's character. Garbo and Douglas fans should enjoy this movie as a light sample of their comedy work. Others may find it so-so.