The Painted Veil (1934)

68% of users liked it
(898 ratings)

A W. Somerset Maugham novel was the source for the fair-to-middling Greta Garbo vehicle The Painted Veil. In a situation comparable to the plotlines of most of her silent films, Garbo is lovelessly married to Herbert Marshall, but carries a flaming torch for George Brent. (Also harking back to… More A W. Somerset Maugham novel was the source for the fair-to-middling Greta Garbo vehicle The Painted Veil. In a situation comparable to the plotlines of most of her silent films, Garbo is lovelessly married to Herbert Marshall, but carries a flaming torch for George Brent. (Also harking back to Garbo's silent days is the fact that neither one of the men in her life is particularly interesting!) Marshall, a brilliant physician, is compelled to go into the interior regions of China to quell a cholera epidemic. He knows that Garbo has been having an affair with politician Brent, and chivalrously gives her the choice of remaining with Brent or accompanying him. Fearing a scandal, Brent bids farewell to Garbo. Once they're in the midst of the epidemic, Garbo tirelessly works by her husband's side; eventually she falls in love with him for the first time. Seriously injured in a peasant uprising, Marshall hovers near death. Brent reappears, offering to take Garbo back with him. She refuses, electing to stay with her husband no matter what the future brings. Among the supporting players in The Painted Veil are Warner Oland and Keye Luke, one year away from their memorable pairing in Fox's Charlie Chan films. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Richard Boleslawski
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 23, 1934 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 1990

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Garbo lights up the screen with a sensuous, charismatic performance in this adaptation of Somerset Maugham as an errant wife who redeems herself during cholera crisis in China; Herbert Marshall as the husband and George Brent as the lover are also good

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Featured Audience Ratings

Morgan S

I watched the newer version with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts before I saw this one and I pretty sure I like the Newer one better...dont get me wrong this movie is very very well acted (especially by Garbo) but I just felt a better connection to the characters. Like Katrin...Garbo… More
I watched the newer version with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts before I saw this one and I pretty sure I like the Newer one better...dont get me wrong this movie is very very well acted (especially by Garbo) but I just felt a better connection to the characters. Like Katrin...Garbo play her as whinny and I didnt actually feel bad for her while I did have that connection with Watts.
Cindy I

Pretty good romantic drama, with Garbo putting in her regular wonderful performance as a woman trapped in a marriage with a man she doesn't love, and in love with another man who won't commit to her. Herbert Marshall and George Brent are not some of my favorites, but they… More
Pretty good romantic drama, with Garbo putting in her regular wonderful performance as a woman trapped in a marriage with a man she doesn't love, and in love with another man who won't commit to her. Herbert Marshall and George Brent are not some of my favorites, but they held their own here well, as the husband and the lover, respectively. I pretty much expected the ending, but that's OK. The film held my attention and kept me awake even at 1 in the morning, so that's saying something.

Cast

            Greta Garbo as Katherine Koerber Fane

            Herbert Marshall as Dr. Walter Fane

            George Brent as Jack Townsend

            Warner Oland as Gen. Yu

            Jean Hersholt as Prof. Koerber

            Beulah Bondi as Frau Koerber

            Katherine Alexander as Mrs. Townsend

            Cecilia Parker as Olga

            Forrester Harvey as Waddington

            Billy Bevan as Bridegroom

            Vernon Dent as Chief of Police

            Lawrence Grant as English Governor

            Ethel Griffies as Lady Coldchester

            Olaf Hytten as Dr. Somerset

            Colin Kenny
            
            Jane Kerr as Cruel Woman

            Gus Leonard as Major-Domo

            Keye Luke as Shay Kee Seng the Clerk

            Margaret Mann as Mother Superior

            Leonard Mudie as Secretary

            Delmar Watson as Crying Boy

            Dorothea Wolbert as Stuttering Woman

            Soo Yong as Amah

            James Wang as Proprietor of Curio Shop

            Alice Cook as Curious Woman

            Lillian Lawrence as Spinster
See full cast