🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: George Cukor
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Screwball Comedy, Mystery
- Release year: 1941
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (2.1K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A ski instructor invents a wild twin sister to spy on her commitment-phobic husband, only for him to figure it out and flirt with the ‘twin’ anyway, making their marriage a really elaborate game of charades.
🍿 Two-Faced Woman: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Whirlwind Romance and Early Discord
New York magazine editor Larry Blake, on vacation at an Idaho ski lodge, impulsively falls in love with and marries ski instructor Karin Borg within hours of meeting her. Despite their contrasting urban and outdoor lifestyles, Larry initially vows to embrace a simple life with Karin in the mountains. However, in the sober light of day, Larry reveals his true intentions to return to his demanding New York job, expecting Karin to abandon her life and join him. This immediate clash of lifestyles and expectations creates a significant strain on their nascent marriage.
Karin’s Bold Gambit: The Fictitious Twin
As Larry repeatedly postpones his return to Idaho, Karin decides to surprise him in New York. There, she discovers him flirting with his former girlfriend, playwright Griselda Vaughn. Heartbroken and determined to test his fidelity, Karin, with the subtle encouragement of Larry’s personal secretary Miss Ellis, devises a daring plan. She decides to pose as her morally-depraved, urban-chic, and entirely fictitious twin sister, ‘Katherine Borg’, to clandestinely observe Larry and reignite his interest.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Karin Blake / Katherine Borg (Greta Garbo): A ski instructor who, upon discovering her husband’s infidelity, fabricates a sophisticated twin sister persona to reclaim his attention.
- Larry Blake (Melvyn Douglas): A New York magazine editor who impulsively marries Karin, yet struggles to balance his urban lifestyle with his new commitment and finds himself entangled in his wife’s deception.
- Griselda Vaughn (Constance Bennett): Larry’s former girlfriend and a playwright who attempts to rekindle their romance, becoming an unwitting rival to Karin’s disguised alter ego.
- O.O. Miller (Roland Young): Larry’s business partner and a somewhat naive admirer who falls for the fictitious twin sister, unknowingly aiding Karin’s scheme.
- Miss Ellis (Ruth Gordon): Larry’s astute personal secretary who helps Karin devise and maintain her elaborate ruse as Katherine Borg.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Katherine Borg: “I like older men. They’re so grateful.” – Said by Karin in her guise as the flirtatious ‘twin sister’ Katherine, playfully hinting at her new, less conventional persona.
- Larry Blake: “Well, it seems I’ve met my wife’s wilder half.” – Larry says this with amusement when he encounters Karin in her ‘Katherine’ disguise, subtly acknowledging her dramatic transformation while playing along with the charade.
- Griselda Vaughn: “Don’t bother trying to make me jealous, darling. I invented the concept.” – Griselda delivers this cutting line to ‘Katherine,’ asserting her sophisticated and dominant personality in the rivalry for Larry’s attention.
- Katherine Borg: “It’s the Chica-Choca! An entirely new dance… born of necessity and a stuck hem!” – Katherine playfully explains her improvised dance at the nightclub, making a virtue of a wardrobe malfunction and showcasing her spontaneous charm.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1,247,000
- Domestic Gross: $2,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $2,185,000
💥 Two-Faced Woman Reviews
Personal Review
I loved ‘Two-Faced Woman’ way more than I expected! Seriously, I’d heard all the fuss about it being Garbo’s last and not-so-great, but I was hooked. Seeing Greta Garbo let loose and be funny, especially in that wild ‘Chica-Choca’ dance scene, was just pure joy. It felt so fresh to see her out of her usual dramatic roles. The whole twin sister charade was silly fun, and I just kept rooting for Karin, or Katherine, or whoever she was at the moment! It’s a charming, lighthearted escape that really made me smile.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic Hollywood and Golden Age cinema”
- “Greta Garbo enthusiasts interested in her comedic and final role”
- “Viewers who enjoy screwball comedies and mistaken identity plots”
- “Those curious about controversial films of the Production Code era”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Implied infidelity themes”
- “Alcohol use and drunken behavior”
- “Stylistic elements and dialogue reflecting 1940s gender dynamics, which some modern viewers may find dated or misogynistic”
- “Scenes featuring skiing (stunt work)”
Professional Reviews
- Classic Film Quarterly: “Often dismissed, ‘Two-Faced Woman’ is an unexpected delight! Garbo shines, especially as her flirtatious alter-ego, proving her surprising comedic range. The chemistry with Melvyn Douglas is electric, and Constance Bennett is a scene-stealer. While the plot has its quirks, the film offers enough sparkling dialogue and engaging performances to make it a treasure, proving its poor reputation is truly underserved.
- Vintage Cinema Weekly: “While ‘Two-Faced Woman’ finds Greta Garbo stepping bravely into screwball territory, it’s a mixed bag. Her attempts at light comedy, especially the famous ‘Chica-Choca’ dance, are certainly memorable and show her willingness to break type. However, the convoluted mistaken-identity plot often feels more tedious than witty, and the film struggles to maintain a consistent comedic momentum. A fascinating curio for Garbo fans, but not her finest hour.
- The Cinema Critique: “‘Two-Faced Woman’ is a baffling misstep that sees a legendary actress struggling in a poorly conceived vehicle. The premise of a woman pretending to be her own twin to test her husband’s fidelity is flimsy at best, and the execution often drags. Garbo, while trying, feels uncomfortable in the screwball comedy format, and even the usually reliable Melvyn Douglas can’t elevate the contrived humor. A forgettable end to an otherwise illustrious career.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved Garbo’s surprising comedic talent, especially her uninhibited dance and playful ‘twin’ persona.: Many were pleasantly surprised by how entertaining the film was, often calling it unjustly maligned. Fans appreciated seeing Garbo in a lighter, more modern role, finding her charming and delightful, despite its controversial reputation as her final film.
Overall Consensus: Despite its historical reputation as a critical disappointment and Greta Garbo’s final film, ‘Two-Faced Woman’ is generally viewed by modern audiences as a harmless, often charming screwball comedy, notable for Garbo’s rare comedic performance.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This film was Greta Garbo’s last motion picture. Its critical and public reception was so poor that she bought out the remainder of her MGM contract and went into self-imposed retirement at age 36.”
- “The original version of the film was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency for its risqué premise (Melvyn Douglas’s character unknowingly tries to seduce his wife’s twin sister). MGM was forced to cut several scenes and add a new scene where Larry Blake discovers ‘Katherine’ is actually Karin, reducing the runtime from 94 to 90 minutes.”
- “Famed costume designer Adrian, who had worked on many of Garbo’s iconic films, left MGM after his designs for ‘Two-Faced Woman’ were rejected, leading to a public disagreement with the studio.”
- “Despite the film featuring a significant dance sequence (the ‘Chica-Choca’), Greta Garbo famously disliked dancing. In real life, she would often hide from her dance instructor, once yelling, ‘Go away, rumba! Go away!’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Two-Faced Woman?
To watch ‘Two-Faced Woman’ (1941), look for it on classic film channels such as Turner Classic Movies (TCM), which frequently broadcasts it. For digital access, check major video-on-demand (VOD) platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or YouTube for rental or purchase options. Physical copies may also be available on DVD or Blu-ray from online retailers like Amazon or eBay, often as part of classic film collections.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Two-Faced Woman, you might like these similar films:
- The Lady Eve (1941): A classic screwball comedy that also features a female lead using a false identity (multiple times) to pursue and ultimately win back the man she loves, full of witty dialogue and comedic misunderstandings.
- Ninotchka (1939): Greta Garbo’s previous, and much more successful, screwball comedy, also co-starring Melvyn Douglas. It’s another example of Garbo playing against her dramatic type and showcases her comedic talents.
- Tootsie (1982): Explores themes of identity, gender roles, and deception for personal gain, as a male actor poses as a woman to get a job, leading to a complex web of romantic and professional entanglements.
- The Awful Truth (1937): A quintessential screwball comedy from the same era, known for its rapid-fire dialogue, witty banter, and a divorcing couple’s convoluted attempts to derail each other’s new romances while still being in love.
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003): A modern romantic comedy where both the male and female leads enter the relationship with hidden agendas and deceptive intentions, leading to humorous complications as they try to manipulate each other.
🛒 Two-Faced Woman Related Products
- Two-Faced Woman: The Restored Classic Blu-ray: Experience Greta Garbo’s final film in stunning high-definition. This meticulously restored edition brings back the film’s original charm, crisp black-and-white cinematography, and vibrant sound. Includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes documentaries and retrospective interviews.
- Greta Garbo ‘Chica-Choca’ Dance T-Shirt: A stylish, vintage-inspired t-shirt featuring an artistic rendition of Greta Garbo’s iconic ‘Chica-Choca’ dance scene from ‘Two-Faced Woman.’ Made from soft, breathable cotton, perfect for classic film buffs and fashion enthusiasts.
- The Essential Guide to Screwball Comedies (Hardcover): Dive deep into the golden age of Hollywood’s most hilarious genre. This comprehensive guide covers the history, tropes, and iconic films of screwball comedies, featuring insightful analyses and rare photographs. Available in hardcover and Kindle editions.
- Classic Hollywood Star Portraits: Greta Garbo Collection: A curated collection of high-quality fine art prints featuring rare and iconic portraits of Greta Garbo throughout her illustrious career. Each print captures the timeless allure and enigmatic beauty of the legendary screen goddess.
🎧 Soundtrack
Two-Faced Woman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘Two-Faced Woman’ (1941) is widely known as Greta Garbo’s final motion picture appearance. Despite its mixed reception upon release, she chose to retire from acting after this film, never making another movie.
The film faced strong condemnation from the Catholic Church’s Legion of Decency, which initially gave it a ‘Condemned’ rating. The primary issue was the original plot implying Larry unknowingly attempted to seduce his wife’s twin sister, which was deemed immoral. MGM was forced to revise the film, adding a scene where Larry discovers Katherine is Karin, before the film received approval.
Yes, in a memorable scene, Greta Garbo’s character Katherine performs an improvised and energetic dance called the ‘Chica-Choca’ at a nightclub. This scene is often highlighted by fans as a unique and delightful departure for the usually dramatic actress.
‘Two-Faced Woman’ received a largely negative critical reception upon its release, with many critics finding it an awkward attempt to push Garbo into screwball comedy. Reviews were often harsh, though some modern retrospective views find it enjoyable or unfairly maligned, praising Garbo’s versatility and the supporting cast.
Despite its critical reputation, ‘Two-Faced Woman’ reportedly made a profit, earning back approximately five times its estimated budget of $1,247,000. This indicates a profitable run, contrary to some narratives of it being a commercial failure.
‘Two-Faced Woman’ was directed by George Cukor, a renowned Hollywood director also known for his work on Greta Garbo’s acclaimed dramatic performance in ‘Camille’ (1936) and other classics like ‘The Philadelphia Story’.
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