Contrary to reports, Greta Garbo wasn’t the last major M-G-M star to speak onscreen. That honor went to her most constant of co-stars, Leo the Lion, who's still silent here. Clarence Brown directed more Garbo pics then anyone else, but her gifts seemed to paralyze his own considerable talents, especially in their early Talkies. (Their silents generally hold up better.) That said, once Garbo gets into Eugene O’Neill’s meaty dialogue, there are some tough speeches in this whore’s homecoming tale, she does fine, nailing the big confession scene. Still, this famous film is hardly Garbo at her best, or even second best. But watch it for the great Marie Dressler, playing a decaying waterfront tart (a gift of a part to her from her pal, ace-scripter Frances Marion). Dressler steals the whole caboodle and set herself up for the comeback of a lifetime.
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