The Garden of Eden
"Where Love Blooms in Paradise"
Plot
Toni Le Brun, a talented and beautiful Viennese singer, arrives in Monte Carlo seeking her fortune but finds herself destitute. She is taken in by Madame Bouvier, the wardrobe mistress of a prestigious nightclub, who Toni believes is simply a kind benefactor. In reality, Madame Bouvier is Baroness von Schwartzberg, a wealthy noblewoman living incognito who sees potential in Toni. Toni blossoms into a celebrated performer and catches the eye of the handsome Richard Dupont, with whom she falls deeply in love. As they prepare to marry, Toni discovers her benefactor's true identity and learns of her own inherited noble status, leading her to fear that Richard's affection stems from her newfound wealth rather than genuine love. The truth of their romance is ultimately revealed when Richard proves his love is genuine, and the couple finds their happily ever after in the garden of Eden.
About the Production
The film featured elaborate sets designed to replicate Monte Carlo's luxurious atmosphere, including detailed nightclub interiors and garden scenes. The production utilized the new Technicolor process for select sequences, making it one of the early films to incorporate color. Corinne Griffith, known as 'The Orchid Lady of the Screen,' performed her own singing sequences, showcasing her musical talents. The film's costume design was particularly elaborate, with Griffith wearing over 30 different costume changes throughout the production.
Historical Background
1928 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the transition from silent films to sound pictures. 'The Garden of Eden' was produced during this transitional period, incorporating both silent storytelling techniques and early sound technology. The film reflected the Roaring Twenties' fascination with European sophistication and luxury, particularly the glamour of Monte Carlo, which had become a symbol of wealth and excess in popular culture. This was also the year before the stock market crash of 1929, so films depicting wealth and romance were particularly popular with audiences seeking escapist entertainment. The film's production coincided with the rise of the studio system, with First National Pictures competing with major studios like MGM and Paramount for star talent and box office dominance. The late 1920s also saw increasing American interest in European culture and settings, as international travel became more accessible to the wealthy.
Why This Film Matters
'The Garden of Eden' represents an important artifact of late silent cinema, showcasing the sophistication and narrative complexity that the medium had achieved before the sound revolution. The film's use of both traditional silent storytelling and early sound technology makes it a valuable document of this transitional period in film history. Its portrayal of an independent female protagonist who achieves success through her own talents reflected the changing attitudes toward women's roles in society during the late 1920s. The film's emphasis on European glamour and sophistication also contributed to Hollywood's ongoing romanticization of continental culture, influencing countless subsequent films. As one of Corinne Griffith's major starring vehicles, it helped establish her as one of the era's top box office draws and demonstrated the commercial potential of female-led productions. The film's partial use of Technicolor also contributed to the growing acceptance of color in motion pictures, paving the way for more extensive use in subsequent years.
Making Of
The production of 'The Garden of Eden' was marked by several interesting behind-the-scenes developments. Director Lewis Milestone, coming off his Oscar win, was given considerable creative freedom and budget for this production. The casting of Corinne Griffith was significant as she was one of the few silent stars who successfully transitioned from small parts to leading lady status. Griffith reportedly clashed with director Milestone over her character's development, wanting more dramatic depth than initially written. The film's color sequences required extensive preparation, as the Technicolor process of 1928 was still experimental and time-consuming. The Monte Carlo nightclub set was so large that it occupied two entire soundstages at the Warner Brothers studio. During filming, Griffith's real-life husband, producer Walter Morosco, frequently visited the set, creating some tension with the production team. The film's musical numbers were recorded live on set using the Vitaphone system, a cutting-edge technology for the time that required synchronized playback during filming.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'The Garden of Eden' was handled by Ernest Haller, who would later win an Academy Award for 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). The film employed sophisticated lighting techniques to create the glamorous atmosphere of Monte Carlo, utilizing extensive backlighting and soft focus to enhance the romantic mood. The color sequences, filmed in early two-strip Technicolor, featured carefully planned color palettes to maximize the limited range of the process. Haller made extensive use of tracking shots and camera movement, particularly in the nightclub scenes, to create a sense of energy and sophistication. The garden sequences benefited from natural lighting and careful composition to create the paradise-like atmosphere suggested by the title. The film's visual style reflected the influence of German Expressionism in its use of shadows and dramatic lighting, while maintaining the bright, optimistic aesthetic preferred by American audiences.
Innovations
The film was notable for its early adoption of sound technology, using the Vitaphone system for musical sequences while maintaining silent storytelling for dramatic scenes. This hybrid approach represented an innovative solution during the transition to sound cinema. The use of two-strip Technicolor for approximately 10% of the film was technically ambitious for 1928, requiring specialized cameras and lighting equipment. The production also employed advanced matte painting techniques to create the illusion of expansive Monte Carlo landscapes. The film's sound recording required synchronization between the film and separate phonograph records, a cutting-edge but challenging technology of the era. The elaborate set construction included mechanical elements for the nightclub scenes, allowing for dynamic camera movements that were technically difficult to achieve in 1928.
Music
The film featured a musical score composed by Cecil Copping, with additional songs by various composers of the era. As a late silent film, it was originally presented with live musical accompaniment in theaters, with a detailed cue sheet provided to theater musicians. The musical sequences featuring Corinne Griffith's singing were recorded using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, making this one of the early hybrid films combining silent and sound elements. The score incorporated popular songs of the period as well as original compositions designed to enhance the romantic atmosphere. The nightclub scenes featured jazz-influenced music reflecting the contemporary dance craze, while the romantic sequences utilized more classical, melodic themes. The soundtrack also included sound effects for key dramatic moments, representing an early use of synchronized audio in feature films.
Did You Know?
- This was one of the first films to use the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system for musical sequences, though it was primarily a silent film.
- Corinne Griffith was considered one of the highest-paid actresses of the silent era, earning approximately $15,000 per week during this period.
- The film's Monte Carlo sets were so elaborate that they reportedly cost more than $100,000 to construct.
- Lewis Milestone directed this film shortly after winning the Academy Award for Best Comedy Direction for 'Two Arabian Knights' (1927).
- The Garden of Eden was partially filmed in early Technicolor, with approximately 10 minutes of color footage, though most surviving copies are black and white.
- Louise Dresser, who played the baroness, was a veteran actress who had been performing since the early 1910s.
- The film was based on a play by Rudolph Lothar and was adapted for the screen by Hanns Kräly.
- Lowell Sherman, who played Richard, would later become a director himself, helming films like 'She Done Him Wrong' (1933).
- The film's success led to Griffith receiving a contract renewal with First National Pictures worth $500,000.
- Some of the film's exterior garden scenes were filmed at the famous Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, California.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised 'The Garden of Eden' for its lavish production values and Corinne Griffith's performance. Variety noted that the film 'delivers everything promised in its title with exceptional beauty and romance.' The New York Times highlighted Griffith's 'charming and natural performance' and praised the film's 'exquisite cinematography and set design.' Modern critics, when able to view surviving prints, often note the film's significance as an example of late silent cinema's sophistication, though some find the plot conventional for its time. The film's technical achievements, particularly its use of early color processes, have been retrospectively appreciated by film historians. Critics generally agree that while the story may follow familiar romantic tropes, its execution and production quality elevate it above many contemporaneous works.
What Audiences Thought
The film was well-received by audiences in 1928, particularly appealing to fans of romantic dramas and those who admired Corinne Griffith. Contemporary box office reports indicated strong performance in major urban markets, especially in theaters catering to sophisticated audiences. The film's European setting and glamorous costumes resonated with moviegoers seeking escapism during the prosperous final years of the Roaring Twenties. Audience letters to fan magazines frequently praised Griffith's wardrobe and the film's beautiful settings. The film's success helped cement Griffith's status as one of the era's most popular actresses and led to increased demand for her appearances in subsequent productions. However, like many silent films, its popularity waned with the advent of sound pictures, and it became less frequently screened as audiences embraced the new technology.
Awards & Recognition
- None specifically recorded for this film
Film Connections
Influenced By
- European romantic literature
- The tradition of rags-to-riches stories
- German Expressionist cinema
- Broadway musical theater
- The glamorous lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties
This Film Influenced
- Subsequent films about mistaken identity in romance
- Later musical films featuring nightclub settings
- Films exploring themes of wealth and true love
- Early sound films that blended silent and talking sequences