The Single Standard (1929)

The wealthy Arden Stuart is bored in a party; after refusing the wedding proposal of Tommy Hewlett, she drives her car with her driver to a lonely place. She has one night stand with him ... See full summary »

Director:

John S. Robertson

Writers:

Adela Rogers St. Johns (from the novel by), Josephine Lovett (adaptation),

Stars:

Greta Garbo, Nils Asther, Johnny Mack Brown

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Greta Garbo	...	Arden Stuart
Nils Asther	...	Packy Cannon
Johnny Mack Brown	...	Tommy Hewlett (as John Mack Brown)
Dorothy Sebastian	...	Mercedes
Lane Chandler	...	Ding Stuart
Mahlon Hamilton	...	Mr. Glendenning
Kathlyn Williams	...	Mrs. Glendenning
Zeffie Tilbury	...	Mrs. Handley

Storyline

The wealthy Arden Stuart is bored in a party; after refusing the wedding proposal of Tommy Hewlett, she drives her car with her driver to a lonely place. She has one night stand with him and returns to the party; then she witnesses the driver being fired by a relative and committing suicide. In a rainy day, Arden goes to an exposition and meets the painter and aspirant boxer Packy Cannon. They sail to the South Seas together in his sailboat and Arden falls in love for him. However, a couple of months later, Packy dumps her and brings her back to her city, traveling to China alone. The heartbroken Arden is proposed again by Tommy and gets married with him. Three years later, Arden meets Packy by chance and becomes divided between her unconditional love for Packy and the love for her son.

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Plot Keywords:

love | party | south seas | chauffeur | suicide | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 July 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Den nye moral

Box Office

Budget:

$336,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min 71 min (Turner library print) 73 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System) (musical score and sound effects) Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in MGM Parade: Episode #1.30 (1956)

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Soundtracks

"Den Har Man Med Sej"
(1929) (uncredited)
Music by Helge Lindberg
Lyrics by Gösta Stevens

User Reviews

Garbo Sets the Single Standard

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