Greta Garbo, a pitiable self-contradiction
Reproduced here from the GRAND HOTEL trivia section:
Depite them not having any scenes together, Joan Crawford often tried to talk to Greta Garbo, and would say "Hello, Miss Garbo" whenever the two would pass each other in the hall. Garbo never responded, so Crawford gave up and stopped saying anything. This led to Garbo stopping Crawford as she walked silently past her, and asking, "Aren't you going to say something to me?"
Greta Garbo, as everyone knows the legend concerning her, was an enigma from the start of her film career, to the end of her career, and all the way to her death in 1990. In every phase of her life and at every turn, she shunned publicity (only agreeing to so much when participating in any sort of studio PR) and had rigidly avoided virtually any interaction at all with her fans. And yet it's plain that she was lonely and craved some attention and human contact; but it seems that if she must choose between living out her famed "Grand Hotel" quote, "I want to be alone" (i.e. maintaining her privacy) and its opposite (to be more outgoing and to enjoy others' company), she would always choose the former.
She didn't want to be noticed but didn't want to be ignored, either!
It's true that Garbo did have a few friends and she wasn't a COMPLETE recluse in her private life -- but she was about as close to BEING one as you can get.
I wish I could know more about Greta Garbo and what made her tick; but you know what? I don't think she'd want me to know! So I'll respect her wishes and just take of her what she wanted me and the rest of the world to have (her work in motion pictures) and simply leave it at that.
But I still can't help feeling sorry for her.
Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message! share