| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Greta Garbo | ... | ||
| Clark Gable | ... |
Rodney Spencer
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| Jean Hersholt | ... |
Karl Ohlin
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John Miljan | ... |
Burlingham
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| Alan Hale | ... |
Jeb Mondstrum
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Hale Hamilton | ... |
Mike Kelly
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Hilda Vaughn | ... |
Mrs. Astrid Ohlin
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Russell Simpson | ... |
Doctor
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Cecil Cunningham | ... |
Madame Panoramia aka Pansy
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Ian Keith | ... |
Robert Lane
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Susan, an orphan, lives the life of Cinderella with rustic relatives. She escapes one stormy night when the fiance her relatives chose tries to force his attentions. Rodney, an architecht, is the prince who rescues her, but he has to take a trip and the wicked relatives catch up with her again. Her next rescuer is a tatooed lady in a circus who can't save her from the circus manager. Rodney shows up and dismisses her as a fallen woman. Susan moves up in the world to the penthouse of a politician who can offer a construction contract to Rodney. Rodney says no and flees to the jungle with Susan in pursuit. Written by Dale O'Connor <daleoc@interaccess.com>
This was Gable's reward from MGM for being a good boy - to star with Garbo. Unfortunately the script is a mess and at 76 minutes a poor adaptation of the gargantuan 600 page plus novel. The script is very misogynistic with Gable's character completely incapable of understanding Garbo's fallen plight and refusing to forgive. Helga escapes her brutish home, falls in love with Gable and then must flee again when her father discovers her in Gable's absence. She joins a circus (as Susan Lenox) and is forced to accept the protection of its manager. Gable discovers and rejects her. Later she has risen to the top of society as a kept woman and upon encountering her again, Gable again rejects her. She gives it all up and follows him around the country and the globe. She is so shamed by something that wasn't her fault that we can't really respect or care for Susan Lenox. Gable's character is thoroughly detestable in every way - the absolute worst of all macho men's traits are exhibited here. The way Susan lowers herself to seek him out is pitiful. The stars' chemistry is excellent but the film itself is quite poor - episodic and unpalatable. Only for fans of the two stars.