During Greer Garson's glory days, Joe Ruttenberg was her favorite cameraman at MGM. Using an array of screens, discs, and other devices, Ruttenberg was able to mute the light and bring out her best features. One day late in her career, Garson returned to Metro to shoot a film and asked for Joe Ruttenberg's services. This time, however, she was disappointed with the tests. "You know, Joe," she said, "you're not photographing me as well as you used to." "I'm sorry, Greer," Ruttenberg replied with a playful smile. "I'm ten years older."

[This story is also told of Marlene Dietrich and Norma Shearer.]