The second of three silent features featuring Garbo released in 1929 while MGM scratched its head pondering how they were to promote her as an attraction in talkies; 'The Single Standard' was also her second feature in a row pairing her with fellow Swede Nils Asther.Garbo is introduced as All American party girl Arden Stuart, presumably loaded, but of whose life and means prior to the wild party in an enormous Art Deco mansion with which the film begins we learn nothing. Despite the provocative title - vaguely advanced at one point as some sort of feminist statement about the social constraints placed upon women - 'The Single Standard' swiftly turns into a standard Garbo vehicle in which after flirting with modernity in the form of motor rides at seventy m.p.h. and a dalliance with pugilist turned artist Asther she ultimately embraces respectability and parenthood with John Mack Brown for the sake of her cute little curly-haired moppet of a son.The name of director John S. Robertson isn't much recalled today, even by connoisseurs of silent cinema, but he does a good job here with the assistance of high-priced Metro talent like cameraman Oliver Marsh, art director Cedric Gibbons, costume designer Adrian and whoever was responsible for Garbo's various hairstyles which subtly changed as the film ran its course to reflect her developing emotional state.

Greta Garbo envies the freedom acceptable for men, but not permissible for women - the sexual "Double Standard". She asked her chauffeur to take her for a ride. When they are caught returning from a rendezvous, the chauffeur is fired; then, he commits suicide. Somewhat disenchanted, Garbo takes off with exciting Nils Asther for a long romantic trip aboard his ship - the "All Alone". Garbo wants to marry, but Asther must travel to China. Back home, Garbo is romanced by, and does marry, millionaire Johnny Mack Brown. Later, Asther returns… Garbo loves Asther, but is married (with child) to Mack Brown. What will she do? "The Single Standard" is beautifully photographed and silently performed. The subject matter must have been considered daring at the time. Today, it's fairly standard stuff. Still - Garbo, the photography, and briefly twisted ending make it look like magic. ******* The Single Standard (1929) John S. Robertson ~ Greta Garbo, Nils Asther, Johnny Mack Brown

A young woman defies THE SINGLE STANDARD of morality which allows males freedom while restricting the behavior of females.Greta Garbo stars in this late silent trifle from MGM. Her flawless beauty is thawed somewhat by a script that allows her a sly sense of humor and a more approachable demeanor. Playing a character torn between the duties of a wife and the passions of a lover, she is always entertaining, even if the film isn't terribly significant.Nils Asther, who could almost match Garbo's exoticism, gives a fine performance as the celebrity artist whose adventurous lifestyle & romantic allure prove such a temptation to Garbo. Handsome Johnny Mack Brown gives a touch of nobility to his rather small role as the dull husband willing to sacrifice everything for Garbo's happiness. Elderly character actress Zeffie Tilbury scores as an observant society matron who speaks her mind.In unbilled roles, Robert Castle grabs the viewers' attention as Garbo's tragic chauffeur and Wade Boteler provides a few chuckles as the merry masher who confronts Garbo in the rain. Movie mavens will recognize a young Joel McCrea as one of the trio of philandering husbands whose antics amuse Garbo in the film's opening moments.

Garbo is a free-spirited debutante who becomes scandalous for first having an affair with her chauffeur, then artist (Asther), all before she settles for millionaire Brown. Irrational soap opera is enjoyable thanks to Garbo's luminescence. A silent film with original music score.