Ramon Novarro, Greta Garbo, Mata Hari
Among the Mexican-born Ramon Novarro's best-known movies are Rex Ingram's The Prisoner of Zenda (1922), Scaramouche (1923), and The Arab (1924), all three featuring Ingram's wife, Alice Terry; Fred Niblo's worldwide blockbuster Ben-Hur (1925), with May McAvoy; Ernst Lubitsch's The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927), with Norma Shearer; and W.S. Van Dyke's The Pagan (1929).
Also: George Fitzmaurice's Mata Hari (1931), with Greta Garbo; Sam Wood's The Barbarian (1933), with Myrna Loy; and William K. Howard's The Cat and the Fiddle (1934), with Jeanette MacDonald.
Novarro was a Metro Pictures — and later an MGM — star from 1923 to 1935. He continued making sporadic film and television appearances until his brutal death in 1968. His personal life was a troubled one, as he became increasingly torn between his ardent Catholic faith and his homosexuality.
See also: Ramon Novarro Biography
Dear Mr Soares,
I like very much Ramon Novarro ; his play, his beautiful face, his smile, his voice are so fascinating and when I see his movies he is so present..I like very much your book ; I wrote it in english but it would be nice to have a translation of it in French.
An other point is that its difficult to see movies with Ramon in Europe. Many movies are not available on dvd and its the same with the songs… ! I like very much "Devil may care", its so "charming"…. and the Shepherd's serenade is so sweet….
The end of his life, his secret and that tragic end are so sad.. Its an other reason to love him more..
Thank you for that beautiful book, its more than a book..
David
(excuse my bad english)
Also I meant to add to my previous note about your book that I felt this deep sadness for Mr Novarro when he was murdered. Honestly I can understand his complexities particularly when it comes to his sexuality and it's very sad to see how alone he must've felt in his old age. In the end, happiness is in our own hands but when we have demons haunting us throughout our lives, we forget how to try to obtain it. I think perhaps that was his issue as well as his heavy drinking which didn't help.
It was a very sad ending indeed and like you already stated in your book, most of it was his own fault including when his film career began to diminish. I agree with you how he could've had another successful movie with Greta Garbo. Perhaps there was truly a lack of focus from Mr Novarro.
Thanks again for writing a great book!
M.
Hey, Martin,
Thank you very much for writing. Glad you enjoyed "Beyond Paradise."
I think my favorite Novarro is the one in "The Pagan." I also really like him in "In Gay Madrid," but many find that romantic comedy one of his worst films…
A compilation CD would be cool. I'm assuming Time Warner owns the copyright to the songs.
If you find out something about this issue, please let me know.
Thanks again for writing.
Best,
Andre'
Dear Andre,
I love reading biographies but yours took the cake for me. I recently bought it and couldn't put it down for the next week or so. Thank you for shining a light on a figure who deserves to not be forgotten for his contribution to old Hollywood. Apart from being a very handsome man, Ramon was also a great actor. I recently purchased some of his films and loved him in The Red Lily, The Pagan, and even The Flying Fleet. I thought he was miscast on The Barbarian to be honest but you pointed that out already several times in your book about him being miscast in several of his films.
I only wish there was a compilation of sorts on CD where his best recordings can be heard all in one shot. I'd have to look into that a little further. I find him a pleasant singer based on what I heard in his films.
The ending was brilliantly executed. You didn't glamorize his murder like many other publications. You simply stated the facts as much as you were able to from your research.
Ramon Novarro was a complex man like many of us but even though he was only 5'6 boy was he mighty in front of that camera!
RIP Ramon.
M.
Ramon Novarro was a great actor .
Was not aware of this book until last week so just ordered it and am looking forward to reading it.
Surfing the web today and was pleased to see that Mr Navarro is remembered on many sites for his movies and great good looks. The tragic end of his life should never be allowed to overshadow this talented man's memory.
Thanks, Gustavo!
Mr Andre Soares
Your boock is very interesting. I was read in Durango Mexico, and i think about your investigation was very hard
Congratulations
Gustavo Melero
P.S. I have many fhotografies of Ramon, Dolores, Andrea and Julio Bracho
Andre, I just want to thank you for writing the wonderful book "Beyond Paradise – The Life of Ramon Novarro". I recently 'discovered' Mr. Novarro, and really knew nothing about his life until I read the book. He was truly a great actor & singer, and I wish I could have been born earlier in the 20th century so as to possibly have met him in person (I was 5 years old when he died that horrible death).
I also find myself wondering how different his life might have been, had he not started drinking and let alcohol take over, especially during his last years. I can only pray that he is now at peace, with no more demons to haunt him.
Thank you again for writing such a sensitive and informing book.
Ken Speth