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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1097

The Single Standard

192973 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 70:47
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · John S. Robertson · Public domain

Synopsis

Arden Stuart wants women and men to enjoy the same freedom in love. Her relationship with adventurer and painter Packy Cannon seems to offer that possibility, until he sends her home. Marriage and motherhood bring a different life, but his return forces her to reconsider what freedom now means.

Cast

Greta Garbo

Nils Asther

Johnny Mack Brown

DirectorsJohn S. Robertson

Historical context

Greta Garbo's drama challenges a sexual double standard through a heroine's choices and their consequences. Dialogue remains in intertitles, while a synchronized score and effects accompany the action.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Greta Garbo — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (work for hire) · Public domain
Nils Asther — Ruth Harriet Louise · Public domain
Johnny Mack Brown — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer · Public domain

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