This thoroughly entertaining romantic comedy from 1928 was an important film for both its beguiling star, Corinne Griffith, and talented director, Lewis Milestone, a two-time Oscar winner for Best Director.  The film was scripted by Hans Kraley with gorgeous production design by William Cameron Menzies.  This digital edition of the film is mastered from what is considered the best surviving elements of the original print with a new score arranged and performed by Robert Israel.

Stylish and sophisticated, Garden of Eden follows vocalist Toni LeBrun (Corinne Griffith), who leaves her family’s bakery for Budapest to become an ‘opera singer’, unaware that she has contracted to perform as a chorus dancer at the Palais de Paris, a cabaret run by the decadent and delightfully manacing Madame Bauer (Maude George).  Toni soon escapes to Monte Carlo with the cabaret’s seamstress, Rosa (Louise Dresser), after warding off the wily cabaret patron, Baron Henri D’Arvil (Lowell Sherman).  At the deluxe Hotel Eden, Toni attracts the attention of potential suitor Richard Dupont (Charles Ray), but she’s in danger of running out of money before he pops the question.  Dueling attention from Richard’s Uncle, Colonel Dupont (Edward Martindel), and a surprise guest create further obstacles and romantic adventures for the couple.