Camille (1936 film)

Camille
Theatrical Poster
Directed by	George Cukor
Produced by	Irving Thalberg Bernard H. Hyman
Written by	James Hilton Zoë Akins Frances Marion Story: Alexandre Dumas, fils
Starring	Greta Garbo Robert Taylor Lionel Barrymore
Music by	Herbert Stothart Edward Ward
Cinematography	William H. Daniels Karl Freund
Edited by	Margaret Booth
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	December 12, 1936 (1936-12-12)
Running time	109 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1,486,000[1][2]
Box office	$2,842,000[2]

Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor

Camille is a 1936 American romantic drama film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by George Cukor and produced by Irving Thalberg and Bernard H. Hyman, from a screenplay by James Hilton, Zoë Akins, and Frances Marion.^[3] The picture is based on the 1848 novel and 1852 play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The film stars Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Jessie Ralph, Henry Daniell, and Laura Hope Crews. It grossed $2,842,000.^[1]

The film inspired Milton Benjamin to write and publish a song called "I'll Love Like Robert Taylor, Be My Greta Garbo". Camille was included in Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Movies in 2005.^[4] It was also included at #33 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions.

Plot

The film tells of Marguerite Gautier (Greta Garbo). She's born into a lower-class family, but in time becomes well known, living in high society in Paris.

Marguerite's finances are covered by the wealthy Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell), but after many years of making money from her looks, she falls in love with Armand (Robert Taylor), a handsome young man.

Armand loves Marguerite and she's prepared to give up the Baron and be with Armand.

However, Armand's father (Lionel Barrymore) begs Marguerite to turn away from his son, knowing her past will ruin his future in Paris.

Realizing the painful wisdom of his advice, Marguerite rejects Armand, who continues to pursue her even as she contracts a serious case of tuberculosis. The film ends with Marguerite's tragic death in the arms of her suitor Armand, who has been much changed over the course of the film.

Cast

• Greta Garbo as Marguerite Gautier
• Robert Taylor as Armand Duval
• Lionel Barrymore as Monsieur Duval
• Elizabeth Allan as Nichette, the Bride
• Jessie Ralph as Nanine, Marguerite's Maid
• Henry Daniell as Baron de Varville
• Lenore Ulric as Olympe
• Laura Hope Crews as Prudence Duvernoy
• Rex O'Malley as Gaston
• Mabel Colcord as Madame Barjon (uncredited)
• Mariska Aldrich as Friend of Camille (uncredited)
• Wilson Benge as Attendant (uncredited)

Production

According to a news item in Daily Variety, M.G.M had considered changing the setting of the famous Alexandre Dumas, fils. story to modern times.^[5]

The film was not changed to modern times, but Thalberg wanted the film to have a more contemporary feeling than earlier Camille’s. He wanted audiences to forget that they were watching a “costume” picture. He also felt that morality had changed since the earlier Camille’s and the fact that Marguerite was a prostitute was not as shameful anymore so Garbo's character became more likeable than in previous productions. The modernization of the story proved to be successful.^[6]

While filming Marguerite's death scene, Robert Taylor brought his phonograph to Garbo's dressing room so that she could play Paul Robeson records to put her in the mood.

In the words of Camille Director George Cukor, “My mother had just died, and I had been there during her last conscious moments. I suppose I had a special awareness. I may have passed something on to Garbo without realizing it.” Garbo later praised Cukor's sensitivity. “Cukor gave me direction as to how to hold my hands,” said Garbo. “He had seen how, when his mother lay dying, she folded her hands and just fell asleep.”

While producing Camille, producer Irving Thalberg died. After filming was ended and post-production began, Louis B. Mayer assigned Bernard Hyman as the films new producer. Hyman arranged re-takes, cut some scenes or edited scenes from the original Thalberg produced film. It is not exactly known which scenes were edited or cut.

The famous death scene we see is not the original version from the first version of the film. In the original version Garbo died on the bed, had more text to say and folded her hands before she died. This original death scene is lost. Cukor thought that it didn't really feel very natural talking that much when you are about to die, so Garbo's last scene was re-written and re-shot three times. In the first and second alternative endings, Garbo was on the deathbed with less words to say but they still weren't satisfied. They thought it seemed unreal for a dying woman to talk so much. In the third alternative ending, Garbo had to be even quieter and just slowly slipped away in Robert Taylor's arms.^[7]

The 1936 production of Camille was the eighty-fourth anniversary of its original stage presentation in Paris in 1852. It was also far from new to the films, since it was done once in 1915, twice in 1917, again in 1921 with Nazimova and Rudolph Valentino, and last in 1927 with Norma Talmadge.^[8]

News items in Daily Variety and Hollywood Reporter on Jul. 25, 1936 note that John Barrymore was originally cast in the role of "Baron de Varville," but a bout of pneumonia prevented him from working on the picture. Barrymore's brother Lionel was scheduled to replace John in the role; however, a few days later, it was reported that a change in casting resulted in Lionel Barrymore's assignment to the role of "Monsieur Duval," and Henry Daniell's assignment to "Baron de Varville." Photographer William Daniels is mistakenly listed as a cast member in early Hollywood Reporter production charts. Camille marked the screen debut of actress Joan Leslie, who appeared under her real name, Joan Brodel.^[5]

Reception

Premiere

Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs

Camille had its grand premiere on December 12, 1936 at the brand new Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California. Many celebrities attended the gala which cost ten dollars a seat. The little desert resort of Palm Springs was turned upside down with all the commotion of the film's premiere. Some of the film was actually buried in stone to commemorate the celebration. Ralph Bellamy, who was a leading civic figure and Racquet Club owner in Palm Springs was master of ceremonies. Rumors were spread that Greta Garbo was staying at the desert resort and would attend the premiere, but these rumors proved to be unfounded. The reclusive Garbo remained that way.^[10]

At the gala premiere, Camille was given an enthusiastic reception; the critics praised it as the finest performance ever given by Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore and Lauren Hope Crews and the best work by Director George Cukor. The enthusiasm accorded the picture was seen as a tribute to the genius of the late Irving G. Thalberg who conceived of and was responsible for the production. The 37-year-old Thalberg died just prior to the film's release.^[11]

Awards

Won

• New York Film Critics Circle Awards: NYFCC Award; Best Actress, Greta Garbo; 1937.

Nomination

• Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Actress in a Leading Role, Greta Garbo; 1937.

Cultural references

• In the 1982 musical film Annie, the film is both seen and referenced to. A portion of the film is seen after the number "Let's Go to the Movies". The final scene is also alluded to in the lyrics of the song: "Greta Garbo is probably crying/While Robert Taylor is locked in her dying embrace."
  • Margaret Booth (1898–2002) was the editor for Camille and also the supervising editor for Annie 45 years later.
• On the series premiere of The Lucy Show in 1962, the Carmichael and Bagley families are going to see the film on television. Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball) attempts to use the film's television airing to keep her daughter Chris (Candy Moore) from going on a date, much to the annoyance of her friend/roommate Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance).
• In the lyrics of "How Can Love Survive", from the Broadway production of The Sound of Music, there is a reference to Camille: "I cannot die like Camille for you."

Footnotes

See also

• Lionel Barrymore filmography

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Camille (1936 film)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camille (1936 film).

• Camille at Filmsite by Tim Dirks. Contains plot detail.
• Camille at the TCM Movie Database
• Camille on IMDb
• Camille at AllMovie