THE MYSTERIOUS LADY
Starring Greta Garbo and Conral Nagel
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE
October, 1928
Greta Garbo's latest picture is devoted to disproving those two disagreeable statements of Jim Tully's - that Greta is anemic and flat-chested. She darts about displaying unwonted vim and vigor, and wears gowns that might very appropriately have adorned Barbara La Marr. Greta as a beautiful lady spy is too alluring to miss. The action alternates between Austria and Russia. A Russian spy falls in love with the man she is sent to spy on, and is torn twixt love and duty, in the usual way. This is one of those plots that hinges on stealing The Papers, never a very absorbing topic. But there is a good deal of suspense. And the love scenes are numerous and all that could be desired, even though Conrad Nagel is occupying John Gilbert's usual place beside the couch. Gustav Von Seyffertitz supplies the menace. Give "The Mysterious Lady" a buzz when she shows up.
THE MYSTERIOUS LADY
Starring Greta Garbo and Conrad Nagel
SCREENLAND
October, 1928
You'll have to go a long way - to Sweden, probably - before you'll find another girl like Greta Garbo. And even then, I doubt it. Greta is what you mean when you say "Girl." She is all girl and all girls - retaining the best features of each. In "The Mysterious Lady" she is at her very best. Need I say more? No, but I will.
Fred Niblo is at his best, too. It must be the Garbo influence. He has directed a most absorbing picture from an old-fashioned story about a Russian spy and her Austrian officer boyfriend. She plies her wiles, he responds, she steals his papers, he sulks - and the consequences are court martial - but well worth it. Because the beautiful Russian falls for the officer in earnest, and any punishment is pleasant for the sake of such a reward. She dedicates herself henceforth to her lover's cause instead of her country's, much to the disapproval of her big boss, played by Gustaf von Seffertitz in his usual masterly manner. He loves her, too; he has good taste but a bad temper; and you know what happens to big boys with bad tempers. You don't? See the picture. The lovers leave Russia for a new land. Somebody ought to write a movie story in which the lovers decide to stay in Russia for the finale, just for the change - and the caviar. Conrad Nagel is the male attraction in this little game of "I spy." A different Conrad - a handsome, husky he-boy with that something in his eyes, to match Greta's. You're going to fall for Conrad in "The Mysterious Lady." I'll catch you. What a charmer Greta is, anyway. After watching her in a picture, every girl emerges a Venus, and every man imagines himself an Adonis. She makes us feel as good as she looks. And behold the one woman in the movies who doesn't look silly when a ball-roomful of extras gives her a toast. "To the beautiful Tania!" they cry, and she really is beautiful, and you believe it, and you'd drink a toast, too - if you had some of that champagne.
For more information, see "The Mysterious Lady" as our "Feature of the Month"