Finished reading Barry Paris' excellent biography of the Swedish-born
actress Greta Garbo. In many ways, she is as elusive a personality as
Louise Brooks. But, her mystery - her appeal - comes from somewhere
else. After having read Barry Paris' biographies of both film stars,
I am certain there was more going on in Brooks' head (as well as deeper
motivations) than in Garbo's.
Reading Garbo got me onto a Garbo jag. I am wanting
to read more. Scouring the bibliography in the back of Paris' book led
me to track down and purchase over the internet two early books on the
actress, The Private Life of Greta Garbo by Rilla Page Palmborg (published in softcover in London in 1931), and Greta Garbo: The Story of a Specialist by E. E. Laing (published in London in hardcover in 1946). I am looking forward to receiving each of these books.
p.s. When I saw Barry Paris a few years ago, he gave me a special Garbo
bookmark which was made by a friend of his. I keep it in my copy of his
book. It measures approximately 2.5 inches wide by 8 inches tall, and
is reproduced below.
