The Temptress

Plot

Elena (Greta Garbo) is a beautiful and seductive woman living in Paris who marries a wealthy banker, but soon grows bored with her comfortable life. When she meets Robledo (Antonio Moreno), a young Argentine engineer, she becomes instantly infatuated and follows him to Argentina, abandoning her husband. However, Robledo discovers Elena's manipulative and promiscuous nature when he learns she has been simultaneously seducing his best friend and his own brother. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Robledo rejects her, leading Elena on a downward spiral of despair and self-destruction. The film culminates with Elena realizing too late that her inability to truly love has cost her any chance at genuine happiness, leaving her alone and abandoned by those she used and discarded.

Historical Background

The Temptress was released during the height of the Roaring Twenties, a period of unprecedented social change and cultural upheaval in America. 1926 was a pivotal year in cinema, as the industry was transitioning from the silent era toward sound technology, though talking pictures were still about a year away. The film reflected the era's fascination with European sophistication and exoticism, while also tapping into contemporary anxieties about female sexuality and independence. The period saw the rise of the 'New Woman' - more independent, sexually liberated, and career-oriented - and Garbo's character represented both the allure and the perceived danger of this modern femininity. Hollywood was also establishing itself as the global center of film production, with MGM leading the way in creating star vehicles for their contract actors. The film's themes of moral ambiguity and psychological complexity were becoming more common in cinema as audiences matured and filmmakers explored more sophisticated narratives.

Making Of

The production of 'The Temptress' was marked by tension and artistic disagreements. Director Fred Niblo, who had just come off the success of 'Ben-Hur,' struggled with Garbo's intuitive acting style and her tendency to underplay emotions rather than use the exaggerated expressions common in silent films. Garbo, who was still learning English, often relied on her Swedish-speaking friend and director Mauritz Stiller for guidance. The famous tango sequence required extensive rehearsal, as neither Garbo nor Moreno were experienced dancers. The production design was particularly ambitious, with MGM investing heavily in recreating both Parisian boulevards and Argentinean landscapes on their backlot. Cinematographer William H. Daniels, who would become Garbo's preferred cameraman, began developing the lighting techniques that would create her legendary screen presence, using soft focus and careful backlighting to enhance her mysterious aura.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'The Temptress' was handled by William H. Daniels, who would become Greta Garbo's most trusted cameraman and shoot many of her greatest films. Daniels employed innovative lighting techniques that would become hallmarks of the Garbo aesthetic, using soft focus and careful backlighting to create an ethereal glow around her face. The film features dramatic use of shadow and light, particularly in the tango sequence where silhouettes and partial lighting enhance the scene's sensual atmosphere. Daniels utilized the latest camera equipment of the time, including the Bell & Howell 2709 camera, to achieve smooth tracking shots and dynamic camera movements that added visual sophistication to the storytelling. The Parisian exteriors were shot using process photography and matte paintings to create convincing urban environments, while the Argentinean sequences used a combination of location footage and studio sets. The film's visual style reflects the transition from the flat lighting of early silent films to the more dramatic, expressionistic lighting that would characterize late silent cinema and early sound films.

Innovations

The Temptress showcased several technical achievements that were noteworthy for 1926. The film employed advanced matte painting techniques to create convincing European and South American settings without leaving the studio. The production utilized the new Technicolor process for certain sequences, though most of the film was shot in black and white. The elaborate costume changes for Garbo required innovative quick-change techniques to maintain filming efficiency. The film's tango sequence featured complex choreography and camera movements that required precise synchronization between performers and camera operators. MGM's makeup department developed new techniques for creating Garbo's distinctive look, including specialized lighting preparations that worked with her skin tone. The film also demonstrated advances in set construction, with some of the most detailed and realistic interior sets of the period. These technical elements combined to create a production value that was among the highest of its time, reflecting MGM's commitment to presenting Garbo in the most sophisticated manner possible.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Temptress' was originally presented with musical accompaniment that varied by theater. The score was typically compiled from classical pieces and popular music of the era, with theater organists or small orchestras providing live accompaniment. For its premiere at the Capitol Theatre in New York, MGM commissioned a special orchestral score that included pieces by composers such as Debussy and Ravel to enhance the film's sophisticated European atmosphere. The famous tango sequence was accompanied by authentic Argentinean tango music, which was relatively exotic to American audiences of the time. Modern restorations of the film have featured newly composed scores by silent film specialists, with the 2005 restoration featuring a score by Robert Israel that incorporates period-appropriate music while maintaining the film's dramatic tension. The absence of dialogue heightened the importance of musical cues in conveying emotion and advancing the narrative, making the musical accompaniment an integral part of the original viewing experience.

Memorable Scenes

• The tango sequence where Elena first seduces Robledo with her passionate dancing and magnetic gaze, creating an atmosphere of sensual tension and inevitable doom
• The confrontation scene in the Argentinean mansion where Robledo discovers Elena's betrayal of both his brother and best friend, leading to a dramatic emotional breakdown
• Elena's final scene alone in her Paris apartment, surrounded by luxury but utterly desolate, realizing the emptiness of her life choices
• The opening ballroom scene where Elena's beauty and dangerous allure are established through her interactions with multiple admirers
• The train journey where Elena follows Robledo to Argentina, showcasing her obsessive determination and foreshadowing the tragedy to come

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception to 'The Temptress' was mixed to negative. Many critics praised Garbo's magnetic screen presence and exotic beauty but found the film itself melodramatic and implausible. The New York Times criticized the film's plot as 'unconvincing' and 'overwrought,' though acknowledging Garbo's 'hypnotic' performance. Variety noted that while Garbo was 'undoubtedly a star of great magnitude,' the story failed to provide adequate substance for her talents. Some reviewers found the film's moral ambiguity problematic, with Motion Picture Magazine suggesting it 'glamorized destructive behavior.' Modern critics have reassessed the film more favorably, recognizing its artistic merits and its importance in Garbo's filmography. Contemporary film historians appreciate the film's visual sophistication and its role in establishing Garbo's enduring mystique. The film is now often studied as an example of late silent cinema's artistic ambitions and as a significant step in the evolution of screen acting.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception to 'The Temptress' was generally disappointing, particularly given the growing anticipation for Garbo's follow-up to her successful American debut. While Garbo's fan base continued to grow, many viewers found the film's dark tone and unsympathetic protagonist off-putting. The film performed poorly in smaller cities and rural areas where its European sophistication and moral complexity didn't resonate with mainstream audiences. However, in major urban centers, particularly New York and Los Angeles, the film found more appreciative viewers who were drawn to Garbo's exotic appeal and the film's stylish production values. The disappointing box office performance led MGM to reconsider their approach to showcasing Garbo, resulting in more carefully crafted vehicles for her subsequent films. Despite its initial commercial failure, the film contributed to building Garbo's mystique and reputation as an enigmatic, unattainable star, which ironically enhanced her long-term appeal to audiences.

You Might Also Like