The Mysterious Lady

Garbo, 1928, Fred Niblo for MGM: a Russian spy (Garbo) is sent to seduce an Austrian officer (Conrad Nagel) and falls for the assignment. Late silent, already a Garbo vehicle: the train, the pearls, the face that changes sides. Niblo, who had done Ben-Hur, here just lights her. It is a spy picture that knows the spy is the only character, and the war is a reason to put her in a gown.