Main Cast: Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Jessie Ralph
Release Year: 1936
Country: US
Run Time: 108 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Greta Garbo enjoyed one of her greatest triumphs in this glossy adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' oft-filmed romantic tragedy. Here, Garbo stars as Marguerite Gauthier, who is born into humble circumstances but in time becomes Dame aux Camille, one of the most glamorous courtesans in Paris. Camille is kept by the wealthy and powerful Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell), but after many years of earning a good living from her beauty without finding true love, Camille's heart is stolen by Armand (Robert Taylor), a handsome but slightly naive young man who doesn't know how she came by her fortune. Armand is just as attracted to Camille as she is to him, and she's prepared to give up the Baron and his stipend to be with Armand. However, Armand's father (Lionel Barrymore) begs Camille to turn away from his son, knowing her scandalous past could ruin his future. Realizing the painful wisdom of this, Camille rejects Armand, who continues to pursue her even as Camille contracts a potentially fatal case of tuberculosis. Remarkably, even though this was one of Garbo's greatest commercial and critical successes, she would make only three more films before her retirement in 1941; Camille, however, would be filmed several more times following this version (most memorably by elegant sexploitation auteur Radley Metzger in 1969's Camille 2000). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Camille is among MGM's most lavish productions of the 1930s, and features what many critics consider to be Greta Garbo's greatest film performance. Among the last of the projects overseen by studio production chief Irving Thalberg, the film boasted MGM's customary collection of behind-the-camera all-stars, including director George Cukor, whose patient attention to Garbo helped her to find just the right tone for her role. The supporting cast is similarly solid, highlighted by standouts Henry Daniell and Laura Hope Crews. They help to deflect attention from the film's weaker scenes, most of which involve Lionel Barrymore as the father of the frustrated suitor (Robert Taylor). Despite spending the latter part of the film succumbing to illness, Garbo looks radiant, thanks to her Adrian gowns and William Daniels' loving cinematography. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
The film inspired Milton Benjamin to write and publish a song called "I'll Love Like Robert Taylor, Be My Greta Garbo." Camille was included in Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Movies in 2005.[3] It was also included at #33 in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions. Portions of the film, including the final scene, are featured in the 1982 musical film Annie after the number "Let's Go To The Movies."
The films tells of Marguerite Gauthier (Greta Garbo). She's born into a lower class family, but in time becomes the well known Dame Camille living in high society in Paris.
Camille's finances are covered by the wealthy Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell), but after many years of making money from her looks Camille falls in love with Armand (Robert Taylor), a handsome young man.
Armand is attracted to Camille and she's prepared to give up the Baron and be with Armand.
However, Armand's father (Lionel Barrymore) begs Camille to turn away from his son, knowing her past will ruin his future in Paris.
Realizing the painful wisdom of his advice, Camille rejects Armand, who continues to pursue her even as Camille contracts a serious case of tuberculosis.
