The Reluctant Debutante (1958) - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

'The Reluctant Debutante' is a 1958 comedy directed by Vincent Minnelli and starring Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, Angela Lansbury, John Saxon, Sandra Dee, Peter Myers and Diane Clare. The film's screenplay is by Julius J. Epstein.

The film was later remade as "What a Girl Wants" (2003) with Amanda Bynes.

The film is set in London, 1958. 17 year old Jane Broadbent (played by Dee) arrives in London to live with her wealthy father Jimmy Broadbent (played by Harrison) and her stepmother Sheila Broadbent (played by Kendall). In order to compete with her "second cousin twice removed, and twice isn't far enough", Mabel Claremont (played by Lansbury), Sheila is determined to give Jane a coming out party to make her debut. Along the way, Jane falls in love with drummer David Parkson (played by Saxon), whom Sheila disapproves. 

Watch the trailer:

Musical program

The musical score features memorable MGM songs including "The Boy Next Door", "Easy to Love", "You Are My Lucky Star", "Love" and "How About You?". The contemporary "Rock Around the Clock" also makes an appearance.

Did you know...

• This film was shot in Paris, as Rex Harrison was experiencing tax problems and was unable to stay in the US or the UK
• This was the 12th most popular movie at the British box office in 1959

Closing remarks

Not a bad film but in comparison to the rest of Vincente Minnelli's body of work, this is somewhat a disappointment. That said, Angela Lansbury steals the show as the stuck up and snobby Mabel Claremont. Lansbury and Kendall play an amusing game of keeping up with the Joneses as their characters attempt to outdo each other throughout the film. Real life husband and wife Harrison and Kendall also make a great pair. Overall a below average, yet very predictable romantic comedy. 

Flesh and the Devil (1926) - Star of the month... Greta Garbo

"You know... when you blow out the match... that's an invitation to kiss you" - Greta Garbo (as Felicitas von Rhaden in 'Flesh and the Devil')

'Flesh and the Devil' (1926) is a silent romance-drama produced by MGM, directed by Clarence Brown and starring Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lars Hanson and Barbara Kent. 

The film is based on the play 'The Undying Past' by Hermann Sudermann.

In 2006, 'Flesh and the Devil' was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

Leo (played by Gilbert) falls in love with the beautiful Felicitas von Rhaden (played by Garbo). Felicitas does not tell Leo she is already married, and the pair are shortly caught in bed together by her husband, Count von Rhaden (played Marc McDermott). Infuriated the Count challenges Leo to a duel, and is killed by Leo. As punishment for killing the Count, Leo is sent to Africa for five years, and before leaving Leo asks his best friend Ulrich (played by Hanson) to care of Felicitas while he is away. As Leo returns from Africa, he finds Felicitas and Ulrich married, and Felicitas finds herself in love with both men.

Greta Garbo & John Gilbert fell in love off-screen when making this film

Garbo & Gilbert: A love story

'Flesh and the Devil' was the first film Greta Garbo & John Gilbert made together, and shortly after meeting the pair fell in love off-screen. Before the film was complete, the pair had already moved in together and shortly after the pair became engaged to be married. However, Greta Garbo never showed up to the wedding, and left poor John Gilbert waiting at the alter.

The church scene

One of my favourite sequences within 'Flesh and the Devil' is the scene in the church. I like this scene for a number of reasons:

Firstly, I think it was clever of Clarence Brown to position Felicitas and Ulrich on one side of the church, and position Leo on the other side. The aisle between them is a metaphor of the division separating Felicitas and Leo.

Secondly, the priest delivers a very passionate sermon on David seducing Uriah's wife, which is a result of the priests observations of Leo pursuing Felicitas.

Thirdly, while taking holy communion, the priest hands Felicitas the chalice to drink from it immediately after Leo. Felicitas twists the chalice and places her lips directly where Leo's lips had just moistened the chalice. This is metaphorical for her desire to kiss Leo inside the church.

Did you know...

• The first of 8 Greta Garbo films directed by Clarence Brown
• Lillian Gish was originally considered to play the role of Felicita, however at $1 million per film she was deemed to expensive - the role was then given to recent hire Garbo, who was payed $450 per week
• The film was such a success for MGM and Great Garbo, that Garbo was considered 12% of the entire studios value by the end of 1927
• Greta Garbo had initially refused to appear in the film due to her sister's recent death from cancer - MGM sent her a sternly worded telegram threatening deportation and Garbo soon agreed to appear in the film

Closing remarks

'Flesh and the Devil' is an enjoyable Greta Garbo silent film to watch. The image of Greta Garbo lighting her cigarette in her first scene is pure magic, and seeing the two Hollywood lovers (Garbo & Gilbert) falling in love with each other before my very eyes is just as magical, if not more.

What makes this film so brilliantly crafted is it's ability to communicate a story with images. If you were to edit out the title cards throughout the film and remove the music, it would still be possible to follow the story as the film is so well directed and acted.