Overview"Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)" is a 1931 American pre-Code film directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. The movie is based upon the 1917 novel of the same name composed by David Graham Phillips. It tells the life of a girl from an innocent rural maiden who suffers abuse to a rich, independent female of society.
SummariesThe film begins in a rural setting, focusing on a young girl called Helga (Greta Garbo), who is forcefully engaged to a harsh guy, Jeb Mondstrum (Alan Hale), by her illegitimate father, Ohlin (Jean Hersholt). In an effort to leave this abusive relationship, she escapes in the middle of a dreadful storm and looks for refuge at your home of an architect engineer, Rodney Spencer (Clark Gable). The 2 fall in love and plan to get wed.
However, Rodney is dispatched on an engineering task, with a guarantee to return quickly. Regardless of his lack, Rodney and Helga continue to communicate via mail. Unfortunately, Rodney's letters are obstructed by his employer who now has eyes for Helga, unbeknownst to Rodney.
Helga, stressed by Rodney's abrupt stop of letters, presumes he has forsaken her and in her desperation, she succumbs to the coercive temptation of his company. She takes on the pseudonym "Susan Lenox" and falls into a life that is far from the innocence of her past.
Change of Susan LenoxHelga transforms into Susan Lenox and ends up being a female understood for her charm and worldliness. She moves from city to city, meeting various guys of power and influence. However, fate brings her in person again with Rodney at a regional party. Their encounter brings up old sensations; however, Rodney is injured and repulsed by the woman she has ended up being.
Attempts to fix up and in spite of their enduring love for each other, Susan and Rodney battle to reconcile their divided lives. After a string of bitter conflicts, Susan decides to leave from Rodney and elopes with a millionaire to South America, ultimately choosing control over liberty.
End of Susan Lenox's Rise and FallThroughout her journey from Helga to Susan Lenox, she gains track record, wealth, and status, but her achievements come at the cost of her inner contentment, self-respect, and joy. In the background of the South American plantation, she finds herself assessing her previous choices and the love she left behind. The movie concludes with a rather optimistic yet unclear ending, leaving it unclear whether Susan Lenox handles to discover individual liberation, reconciliation with her love, or is left caught within her past errors.
Performance and ReceptionBoth Greta Garbo and Clark Gable provided a strong performance, with Garbo embodying the tragic transformation of Susan Lenox and Gable successfully depicting the unyielding Rodney Spencer. However, the movie got combined evaluations due to its complicated story and moral uncertainty. However, it gained popularity for its pre-Code narrative design that permitted a more open exploration of the sexuality, agency, and fallibility of its female lead.
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