JohnHowardReid The Warner Archive print of The Single Standard is not in an immaculate condition, but I'd give it 9/10 nonetheless. This time, Nils Asther has a more complex role, but either he or director John S. Robertson decided that the part should be played with little depth so as not to distract viewers from the Garbo character who rightly occupies center stage. In fact the only actor whose role rivals Asther's is Johnny Mack Brown. Mr. Brown is awful, as usual, but he doesn't come across too badly because Robertson artfully places him in Garbo's shadow, thus diluting his excessive hamming to a point where he often (but not always) seems reasonably tolerable. All the other roles are small. Third-billed Dorothy Sebastian has such a miniscule part that most viewers would be unaware that she's in the picture at all. Aside from the three leads, the only players who make any impression are Joel McCrea as leader of the opening party-goers, Wade Boteler in an unusual role as an umbrella snatcher and Fred Solm as the hapless chauffeur. This time, the alluring Garbo is photographed by Oliver T. Marsh. In both this films and "Wild Orchids", she is costumed by Adrian. And both films have delightfully atmospheric music scores composed and conducted by William Axt. Oddly, Wild Orchids also has lots of sound effects, but Single Standard, though released later in 1929, has none at all. Not even a lion's roar!

Michael_Elliott Single Standard, The (1929) ** (out of 4)Outside of Greta Garbo, this silent film pretty much lives up to the "standard" mentioned in the title. In the film Garbo plays Arden Hewlett, a rich woman who believes that men and women should play by the same rules in terms of relationships. She doesn't have a problem with the boys running out on their wives and she expects the same. She eventually hooks up with a boxer (Nils Asther) but winds up with another man (Johnny Mack Brown) who she marries. Once married the boxer comes back into her life and wants her back. I'm sure this film was dated even by 1929 standards so it certainly doesn't play any better today. This isn't a horrible movie but at the same time everything in it is so bland that you can't help but be bored out of your mind. What's even worse is that the film lasts a short 73-minutes yet even that seems way too long. The only thing that really works here is the beauty of Garbo. She does a nice job in the role and she's easily believable as the "fun girl" every guy would want to be with. I thought Asther was also pretty good and what lively moments the film does have are due to the boat trip between his character and Garbo's. Brown isn't too bad but his role is so predictable that it comes off rather boring. Director Robertson really seems to be asleep at the wheel because there's no energy or life anywhere in the film. I'm not sure if the studio just made this production a quickie until they could find out what to do with Garbo and sound movies but in the end the film just doesn't work.

wes-connors 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

sunlily Now here is one of my favorite romantic pairings, yet I had mixed feelings about this late silent with Greta Garbo and Nils Asther. This is mostly due to the fact that I don't think the characters or the background are developed enough to make the whole cohesive.A case in point is the suicide of the chauffeur in the beginning of the movie. He and Arden (Garbo) are having a love affair, but for some reason, when he's dismissed, he inexplicably wrecks the car, committing suicide. I was wondering, " What in the world!" because there wasn't enough background on this character to understand why he would make a decision like that.Arden believes in, as she puts it, " living life freely, without restraints," and we believe at the end of the movie that she is going to sacrifice her husband and adorable little son to do that, but she makes the traditional choice and stays. I realize that was the best decision and I don't think the audience would've had much sympathy for her had she gone away with Packy (Asther), but I wonder if that's the choice her character would realistically have made given what we know about her before.This movie is beautifully photographed and lit, and the secondary actors are enjoyable as well! ( Johnny Mack Brown is a doll!)The director John S. Robertson gets a sensitive, restrained performance from Garbo. The love scenes are idyllic and tender.Watch this one for the Greta and Nils, but the story doesn't completely gel for me! P.S. Packy's hair has oddly turned white in the front during a trip to China!