Seeking escape from the dire circumstances of the Great Depression, audiences sought out escapist entertainment with glamorous stars, who dressed fabulously and overcame the odds to find happiness. Such a slice of Hollywood hokum is "Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)," which is a remarkably adult pre-code drama. The orphan of an unwed mother, Susan flees her abusive uncle and an intended forced marriage to find her way in the world. Sheltered from a storm by a handsome engineer, Rodney Spencer, Susan is forced to flee again, when her Uncle discovers her whereabouts.
Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, an MGM contract director, the film's brief 76-minute running time allows for few transitions between sequences and little character development. The drama jumps from unlikely event to an even more unlikely event, which leaves viewers to fill in the blanks. Shot during the pre-Production-Code era, the film does not shy away from pre-marital sex, illegitimacy, and prostitution, although the subjects are not labeled, but strongly implied.
Two great MGM stars make the film worth watching, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. However, the heavily dramatic Garbo is ill matched with the light and cocky Gable. Garbo needs a John Barrymore, while Gable should have a Carole Lombard. Although Garbo definitely laughs here, she is far from fun loving, and she delivers many long languid looks as she suffers through the trials of her life. William H. Daniels, Garbo's customary cinematographer, captures her glamour, even in the early scenes, when she is still under the hand of her uncle, played by Jean Hersholt. Once again, Adrian designed her costumes to good effect, especially in scenes when she has reached the penthouse class. Even without his trademark mustache, Gable looks great, and facial stubble enhances his sex appeal. The somewhat mismatched stars illuminate the screen and almost overcome the choppy incredible plot that flits from a meeting in a rain storm to a circus train to a sleazy nightclub in Algiers to a New York penthouse. Fans of the two legendary stars will forgive the flaws, go with the flow, and enjoy the tale of Susan Lenox. However, those unfamiliar with Garbo and Gable had best look elsewhere to begin an appreciation of the stars' appeal.
Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, an MGM contract director, the film's brief 76-minute running time allows for few transitions between sequences and little character development. The drama jumps from unlikely event to an even more unlikely event, which leaves viewers to fill in the blanks. Shot during the pre-Production-Code era, the film does not shy away from pre-marital sex, illegitimacy, and prostitution, although the subjects are not labeled, but strongly implied.
Two great MGM stars make the film worth watching, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. However, the heavily dramatic Garbo is ill matched with the light and cocky Gable. Garbo needs a John Barrymore, while Gable should have a Carole Lombard. Although Garbo definitely laughs here, she is far from fun loving, and she delivers many long languid looks as she suffers through the trials of her life. William H. Daniels, Garbo's customary cinematographer, captures her glamour, even in the early scenes, when she is still under the hand of her uncle, played by Jean Hersholt. Once again, Adrian designed her costumes to good effect, especially in scenes when she has reached the penthouse class. Even without his trademark mustache, Gable looks great, and facial stubble enhances his sex appeal. The somewhat mismatched stars illuminate the screen and almost overcome the choppy incredible plot that flits from a meeting in a rain storm to a circus train to a sleazy nightclub in Algiers to a New York penthouse. Fans of the two legendary stars will forgive the flaws, go with the flow, and enjoy the tale of Susan Lenox. However, those unfamiliar with Garbo and Gable had best look elsewhere to begin an appreciation of the stars' appeal.