Review of As You Desire Me (1932) by Bill T — 09 May 2011

Since I don't like Greta Garbo films, I had very low expectations of 'As You Desire Me'. But I was actually quite surprised at how entertained I was at this ludicrous tale of amnesia and the power of love overcoming it! Melvyn Douglas stars here as a Prince whose inheritance of a missing wife's estate will go to his sister, unless his missing wife is found, pronto. Because of this, he sends out his best friend to search for her, ending up in a sleazy bar trying to fend Garbo off from plenty of amorous suitors. Oh, and Erich Von Streinheim.. After convincing her to go off with him and re-meet her husband she honestly can't remember (she's had amnesia you see), she's off to the estate of Melvyn Douglas, who's simply thrilled with the reunion, and willing to forget little things that don't quite add up, like Garbo not remembering a thing, or how her eye color has changed. Garbo isn't convinced either, but she falls in love with him anyways.

Ahh, but Eric Von Stronheim isn't too easily fooled, she knows where the actual missing wife is! Which is somewhat hilarious, I mean, why would he know that? Pretty soon, they all gather for one hooty finale which doesn't really resolve anything, but at the end, I didn't care, because I was guffawing at just how OUT THERE this was.

Mevyn Douglas and Greta Garbo were okay I suppose, with Garbo still doing her mad theatrical hand gestures all over the place. But the performance here goes to Eric Von Stronheim, who's just great as Garbo's past companion willing to fight to bring her back.

And get a load of those costumes! Whoa! What was Adrian smoking on the set? Love the little Cap without a lid number Garbo is wearing at the outset..