What I am Watching -Mati Hari

I am not sure how this movie ended up on my Netflix's Queue. I might have watch a History Channel documentary about Mati Hari or maybe I was just interested in seeing the movie stars . It's probably the later. Greta Garbo was a switch-hitter and part of the
SEWING CIRCLE(wink) ladies. Ramon Navorra was one of the more out gay actors of the 1920's and early 30's.

Greta plays the bewitching double agent Mati- Hari. Ramon plays her naive Russian boy-toy.

Greta may have been lovely to look at but she's is no dancer. In her seductive dance scene she walks around with extended out of either side with a draped cape. I understand who Carol Burnett was imitating in those Sunset Blvd routines. Ramon as you guessed is not Russian, he spoke with a Spanish accent. Interesting Casting. They looked terribly mismatched for each other. Garbo with her constant boredom and Ramon with boy next door looks. Still the movie had a very sweet ending. Garbo protecting her Latin/Russian lover as she faces the firing squat.

Ramon Navorra was a huge box office drawn in the 1920's. The second Latin lover right after another gay actor Rudolph Valentino. He was no longer big box office by the mid 30's he has invested well and continue to act throughout his life. He is most remembered by how die in 1969 at the hands of two male prostitutes.

Greta remain elusive all of her life. Usually spending time alone. It's rumour that her greatest fear is that someone would find out her father cleaned latrines for a living.

Here's a site about the sewing circle http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Suite/9048/SEWING.html