By Glenn Erickson
Garbo Talks
Brief Synopsis
A young man risks everything to help his dying mother meet Greta Garbo.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Sidney Lumet
Director
Anne Bancroft
Estelle Rolfe
Ron Silver
Gilbert Rolfe
Carrie Fisher
Lisa Rolfe
Catherine Hicks
Jane Mortimer
Steven Hill
Walter Rolfe
Film Details
MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
1984
Production Company
United Artists Films
Distribution Company
MGM Distribution Company; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 44m
Synopsis
A young man risks everything to help his dying mother meet Greta Garbo.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Director
Cast
Anne Bancroft
Estelle Rolfe
Ron Silver
Gilbert Rolfe
Carrie Fisher
Lisa Rolfe
Catherine Hicks
Jane Mortimer
Steven Hill
Walter Rolfe
Howard Da Silva
Angelo Dokakis
Dorothy Loudon
Sonya Apollinar
Harvey Fierstein
Bernie Whitlock
Hermione Gingold
Elizabeth Rennick
Richard B. Shull
Shepard Plotkin
Michael Lombard
Mr Morganelli
Ed Crowley
Mr Goldhammer
Alice Spivak
Claire Rolfe
Maurice Sterman
Dr Cohen
Antonia Rey
Puerto Rican Nurse
Court Miller
Romeo & Juliet Director
Denny Dillon
Elaine
Karen Shallo
Harriet
Adolph Green
Himself
Betty Comden
Garbo
Maxwell Alexander
Roger Kellerman
Peter Gumeny
Arresting Officer
Stephen Burks
Black Officer
Tony Di Benedetto
Construction Worker
Mervyn Nelson
Movie Shop Owner
John Ring
Garbo Doorman
Anne Gartlan
Garbo Maid
Jose Santana
Sanchez The Orderly
Jennifer Ogden
2nd Nurse
David Hammil
Ferry Conductor
Mary Mcdonnell
Lady Capulet
Leila Danette
Augusta
Nadine Darling
1st Flea Market Saleslady
Joan Demarrais
2nd Flea Market Saleslady
Ethel Beatty
Prisoner
Didi D'errico
Actors Equity Receptionist
Harry Madsen
Delivery Man
John Debello
Patrolman Anderson
Kevin Hagan
Arthur Schlesinger
Himself
Max Alexander
Crew
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Director Of Photography
Harry Peck Bolles
Sound Editor
Joseph M Caracciolo
Property Master
Sarah Carson
Production Office Coordinator
Cy Coleman
Music
Paul Coombe
Sound Rerecording Mixer
Joe Cranzano
Makeup
Lee Dichter
Sound Rerecording Mixer
John Godfrey
Set Decorator
Robert Grimaldi
Hairstyles
Larry Grusin
Screenwriter
Burtt Harris
Producer
Robert Hein
Sound Editor
Alan Hopkins
Assistant Director
Anna Hill Johnstone
Costume Designer
Elliott Kastner
Producer
Susan Brockman Metzger
Unit Publicist
Billy Miller
Key Grip
Andrew Mondshein
Editor
James H Nau
Assistant Editor
Sandy Nelson
Location Manager
John Oates
Set Dresser
Jennifer Ogden
Associate Producer
Jennifer Ogden
Production Manager
Philip Rosenberg
Production Designer
James Sabat
Sound Mixer
Philip Smith
Set Decorator
Phillip Smith
Set Decorator
Chris Stoia
Location Manager
Joy Todd
Casting
Robert E Warren
Assistant Director
Film Details
MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
1984
Production Company
United Artists Films
Distribution Company
MGM Distribution Company; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 44m
Articles
Garbo Talks -
Veteran director Sidney Lumet favored powerful dramas, alternating between stage adaptations, topical potboilers and the occasional courtroom blockbuster, such as The Verdict (1982). Lumet's atypical comedy, Garbo Talks (1984), was given an ambivalent reception. The whimsical, sentimental screenplay by television writer Larry Grusin has been compared to the work of Neil Simon. Anne Bancroft takes on the showcase role of Estelle Rolfe, an outspoken, feisty New Yorker who joins street protests and retaliates verbally when insulted by the catcalls of construction workers. She's also a dedicated Greta Garbo fan, and when the doctors tell her she has a brain tumor, Estelle determines to meet the reclusive star before she dies. The task of making this wish come true falls on her dutiful, indulgent son Gilbert (Ron Silver), whose efforts to locate Garbo verge on the absurd. Reviewers praised some scenes but balked at the film's overall cuteness and occasional descent into bathos, as when Estelle leaves her deathbed to express her feelings through dance. Other aspects of the show are more down to earth, as when Gilbert's uncomprehending wife Lisa (Carrie Fisher) leaves him because he's quit his job to pursue his mother's mission. Providing good support are Steven Hill, Howard da Silva, Hermione Gingold and Harvey Fierstein (in his first film). A few sources credit director Sidney Lumet with the voice of Greta Garbo, but it's been confirmed that actress Nina Zoe did that service, while views of the back of Garbo's head were provided by writer-actress Betty Comden.
By Glenn Erickson
By Glenn Erickson
Garbo Talks -
Veteran director Sidney Lumet favored powerful dramas, alternating between stage adaptations, topical potboilers and the occasional courtroom blockbuster, such as The Verdict (1982). Lumet's atypical comedy, Garbo Talks (1984), was given an ambivalent reception. The whimsical, sentimental screenplay by television writer Larry Grusin has been compared to the work of Neil Simon. Anne Bancroft takes on the showcase role of Estelle Rolfe, an outspoken, feisty New Yorker who joins street protests and retaliates verbally when insulted by the catcalls of construction workers. She's also a dedicated Greta Garbo fan, and when the doctors tell her she has a brain tumor, Estelle determines to meet the reclusive star before she dies. The task of making this wish come true falls on her dutiful, indulgent son Gilbert (Ron Silver), whose efforts to locate Garbo verge on the absurd. Reviewers praised some scenes but balked at the film's overall cuteness and occasional descent into bathos, as when Estelle leaves her deathbed to express her feelings through dance. Other aspects of the show are more down to earth, as when Gilbert's uncomprehending wife Lisa (Carrie Fisher) leaves him because he's quit his job to pursue his mother's mission. Providing good support are Steven Hill, Howard da Silva, Hermione Gingold and Harvey Fierstein (in his first film). A few sources credit director Sidney Lumet with the voice of Greta Garbo, but it's been confirmed that actress Nina Zoe did that service, while views of the back of Garbo's head were provided by writer-actress Betty Comden.
By Glenn Erickson
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States October 1984
Released in United States Fall October 1, 1984
Began shooting March 19, 1984.
Completed shooting September 1984.
Released in United States October 1984
Released in United States Fall October 1, 1984
