Looking at a list of actors who failed to make the transition from silent to "talkies," John Gilbert is one of the names on top of the lineup. There was no bigger movie star in the mid-1920's than Gilbert, most notably in his films with Greta Garbo. But Gilbert's problem was his employer, Louis B. Mayer, who headed the MGM studio. The two constantly bickered about his salary, the type of roles he was given, and other disagreements that escalated into shouting matches between them heard throughout the hallways. One particularly nasty incident encapsulates their tension. Gilbert and long time live-in girlfriend Greta Garbo planned to hold a dual wedding with director King Vidor and his fiancee, actress Eleanor Boardman. At the appointed time to exchange vows, Garbo failed to show up. More than a few witnesses swear that Mayer said something not complimentary about Garbo to the despondent Gilbert just outside the restroom. The actor smacked the MGM president so hard it sent him sprawling onto the floor of the bathroom. According to some Mayer swore he was going to get even with his star, "Even if it costs me one million dollars."
Gilbert had just signed a very lucrative six-picture deal with MGM for $250,000 per movie, with his name above anyone else's-a deal Mayer had opposed. Gilbert was given a string of weak roles in a series of bad movies in 1929 and 1930. Typical of the quality of films he had to appear in was November 1930 "Way for a Sailor." Although the part was strong on masculinity than his previous talking roles, the movie was so bad its director, Sam Wood, didn't want his name listed in the credits. The motion picture did have one of MGM's biggest star, Wallace Berry, as well as a whopping $900,000 budget. Gilbert plays a wise-cracking womanizer, Jack, who lands in jail in almost every port his ship docks. In one foreign port, Jack falls in love with London-native Joan (Leila Hyams), who doesn't reciprocate his many overtures.
Legend has it that Mayer ordered his audio technicians to speed up the film in the scenes where Gilbert speaks to make his voice sound pitchy. But film analysts insist the actor's voice was somewhat light and thin, but not unlike other silent movie actors who made the successful transition to talkies. Another account has Mayer ordering his sound men to turn off the base while recording "Way for a Sailor" so his voice would register higher than normal. The technique wouldn't have affected the women voices nor would it do much to Wallace Berry's ultra-low, gravely voice.
What probably hurt Gilbert more than his less than assertive voice were the types of roles he found himself. Also, Hollywood's major studios had an underground network called 'greylisting' that had them avoid hiring any actor Mayer called troublesome, placing a damper on any film opportunities. MGM tried several times to cancel his contract, but the actor was determined to see the deal through, even though there were long stretches between each picture. Gilbert began to drink heavily, he became mentally exhausted and his physical health began to show a decline during his personal bouts with the studio. That is, until his former girlfriend, Greta Garbo, in 1933 gave him a new chance at resurrecting his stardom in "Queen Christina."
Gilbert had just signed a very lucrative six-picture deal with MGM for $250,000 per movie, with his name above anyone else's-a deal Mayer had opposed. Gilbert was given a string of weak roles in a series of bad movies in 1929 and 1930. Typical of the quality of films he had to appear in was November 1930 "Way for a Sailor." Although the part was strong on masculinity than his previous talking roles, the movie was so bad its director, Sam Wood, didn't want his name listed in the credits. The motion picture did have one of MGM's biggest star, Wallace Berry, as well as a whopping $900,000 budget. Gilbert plays a wise-cracking womanizer, Jack, who lands in jail in almost every port his ship docks. In one foreign port, Jack falls in love with London-native Joan (Leila Hyams), who doesn't reciprocate his many overtures.
Legend has it that Mayer ordered his audio technicians to speed up the film in the scenes where Gilbert speaks to make his voice sound pitchy. But film analysts insist the actor's voice was somewhat light and thin, but not unlike other silent movie actors who made the successful transition to talkies. Another account has Mayer ordering his sound men to turn off the base while recording "Way for a Sailor" so his voice would register higher than normal. The technique wouldn't have affected the women voices nor would it do much to Wallace Berry's ultra-low, gravely voice.
What probably hurt Gilbert more than his less than assertive voice were the types of roles he found himself. Also, Hollywood's major studios had an underground network called 'greylisting' that had them avoid hiring any actor Mayer called troublesome, placing a damper on any film opportunities. MGM tried several times to cancel his contract, but the actor was determined to see the deal through, even though there were long stretches between each picture. Gilbert began to drink heavily, he became mentally exhausted and his physical health began to show a decline during his personal bouts with the studio. That is, until his former girlfriend, Greta Garbo, in 1933 gave him a new chance at resurrecting his stardom in "Queen Christina."