THE SINGLE STANDARD (1929) Greta Garbo, Nils Asther & Johnny Mack Brown | B&W | Retro Movie

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The Single Standard is a 1929 American synchronized sound romantic drama film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by veteran John S. Robertson and starring Greta Garbo, Nils Asther and Johnny Mack Brown. The film has no audible dialogue but featured a synchronized musical score and sound effects. The soundtrack was recorded using the Western Electric Sound System sound-on-film process. The soundtrack was also transferred to discs for those theatres that were wired with sound-on-disc sound systems.

This was Greta Garbo's fifteenth film and her second collaboration with fellow Swedish actor Nils Asther, after Wild Orchids.

Synopsis

Debutante Arden Stuart (Greta Garbo), believes a single standard of conduct should apply to both sexes, one that strives for a combination of freedom, equality, and honesty — in regards to love. Her first attempt is with chauffeur Anthony Kendall, who is secretly a disillusioned "ace aviator" and son of a lord. However their joyous romance ends in disaster, when the young ace commits suicide after being fired because of their illicit affair.

Her longtime admirer Tommy Hewlett (Johnny Mack Brown) wants to marry her, but Arden finds fulfillment after a chance encounter with Packy Cannon (Nils Asther), a wealthy ex-prizefighter turned painter. He had planned a solo cruise to the South Seas on his yacht, but impulsive Arden sails along with him. After months of idyllic bliss however, he turns around and takes her home, explaining that he needs his full attention for his painting.

Though Tommy knows of Arden's love for Packy, he begs her to marry him anyway. She agrees. Several years go by, and they have a much-beloved son.

However, Packy returns and admits to Arden that he could not stop thinking about her. She is swept away and agrees to sail away with him once again. Tommy confronts his rival at gunpoint, ordering Packy to pretend to reject Arden. In return for the bargain, Tommy promises to arrange a hunting "accident" for himself, so that Arden can be with Packy without starting a scandal, which would hurt his son. Meanwhile, Arden comes to realize that their child means more to her than anything else. She tells Packy she cannot go with him. Tommy, completely unaware of this, still plans to carry out his shooting "accident." Fortunately, Arden intuitively figures out Tommy's fateful plan in time. Suddenly, Tommy gazes out the window, noticing Packy's yacht is sailing away in the harbor, with his family safe at home.

Cast & Crew

Greta Garbo as Arden Stuart Hewlett
Nils Asther as Packy Cannon
Johnny Mack Brown as Tommy Hewlett (as John Mack Brown)
Dorothy Sebastian as Mercedes Stuart
Lane Chandler as Ding Stuart
Mahlon Hamilton as Mr. John Glendenning
Kathlyn Williams as Mrs. Glendenning
Zeffie Tilbury as Mrs. Handley

Director: John S. Robertson
Writers: Josephine Lovett, Marian Ainslee (intertitles)
Based on: The Single Standard (1928 novel by Adela Rogers St. Johns)
Cinematography: Oliver T. Marsh
Editor: Blanche Sewell
Music: William Axt
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: July 27, 1929
Running Time: 73 minutes
Country: United States
Languages: Sound (Synchronized), English Intertitles
Budget: US$ 336,000
Box Office: US$ 1,048,000