This lavishly-illustrated tour through the film career of Greta Garbo (1905-1990) provides a biographical background of the star and an analysis of her very special mystique. Payne describes how Garbo's timeless beauty worked its magic in such films as Flesh and the Devil, Anna Christie, Mata Hari, Grand Hotel, Queen Christina, Camille, and Ninotchka. Remarkable photos show the transformation of working-class girl Greta Gustafsson into a Hollywood bit player, and later into an icon of cinema glamour.

"A candid, perceptive portrait of Hollywood's most mysterious star." - Publishers Weekly

"In The Great Garbo, biographer Robert Payne reveals the headstrong and intelligent woman whose face inspired the passions of countless moviegoers during the 1920s and 30s." - Turner Classic Movies

"Researched and written by historian and biographer Robert Payne, The Great Garbo is a thoughtfully presented and informative biography of the great film actress Greta Garbo (1905-1990), a woman who mesmerized the movie-goers of the 1920's and 1930's." - The Northern Mariner/Le Marin du nord

"Payne has done a first rate job of uncovering the star's past , even including the grades from her report card" - Home Entertainment Books