Garbo: The Signature Collection (2005)

Only ever captured in black and white, the Swedish enigma who famously departed Hollywood in 1941 at age 36 could convey more with one languorously arched eyebrow than with any passionate soliloquy — a legendary talent on display in Garbo: The Signature Collection. The 10-film set, a celebration of the late recluse's 100th birthday, includes three silent pictures (the previously released Flesh and the Devil, The Temptress, and The Mysterious Lady) and six DVD debuts: Anna Christie, Mata Hari, Queen Christina, Anna Karenina, Ninotchka, and the jewel in the actress' dramatic crown, Camille; the heart-wrenching role of the dying courtesan was, not surprisingly, Garbo's personal favorite as well.

EXTRAS An insightful new 88-minute doc (co-produced with Turner Classic Movies) reveals that before Bennifer and TomKat there was ''Gilbo Garbage'' — the media's moniker for Garbo and her frequent costar and jilted fiancé, silent-era heartthrob John Gilbert. Plus: a tidbit-packed making-of doc for Grand Hotel (Garbo signed only after producer Irving Thalberg promised she'd be billed just by her last name), vintage shorts and trailers, and the German-language version of Anna Christie, featuring pal Salka Viertel in the Marie Dressler role.

You Might Also Like

• DVD Review The Saga of Gösta Berling (Jun 06, 2006) | Edward Karam
• Book News Remembering those who died in 1990
• Movie News Why Greta Garbo is one of the the greatest movie stars of all time | Ty Burr