‘Garbo, by Joan Crawford’ — Rare BBC Documentary Resurfaces: Here’s How to Watch in the U.S.

In 1969, the BBC scored a coup. The network tapped none other than Joan Crawford, one of the largest (or larger-than-life) film legends to narrate a documentary — which the U.K.’s BBC Four is now unearthing on August 14 and 15 — about the largest legend of them all: Greta Garbo. Both stars had been under contract at MGM back in the ’20s and ’30s, during the heights of the studio system as well as that patricular studio. The two icons, however, barely crossed paths.

Garbo — an infamous recluse until her dying day — didn’t socialize with her fellow actors. Personal appearances were off the table and, even though she co-starred with Crawford in 1932’s Oscar-winning “Grand Hotel,” the two didn’t share any scenes. MGM actually had to composite a cast photo to make it appear like Garbo was ever in the room with more people than absolutely necessary:

On the set…