Ninotchka is a 1939 American film by Ernst Lubitsch

Storyline

Three Russians, Iranoff, Buljanoff and Kopalski, are sent to Paris to sell jewelry confiscated from the aristocracy during the Russian Revolution. Upon arrival, they meet Count Leon d'Algout, on a mission from the Russian Grand Duchess Swana who wants to retrieve her jewelry before it is sold. He corrupts them and talks them into staying in Paris. The Soviet Union then sends Nina Yakushova, a special envoy whose goal is to go through with the jewelry sale and bring back the three men. Rigid and stern at first, she slowly becomes enticed to the West by Count d'Algout who has fallen in love with her.

Commentary

Launched with the tagline "Garbo Laughs!", Ninotchka is Greta Garbo's first comedy, and her next to last film. It is one of the first American movies which, under cover of humorous light romance, overtly criticizes the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. It depicts the Soviet system as rigid and gray, comparing it to the free and sunny Parisian society. Released in 1939 in the United States, the movie was released during World War II in Europe, where it became a great success.

Cast

• Greta Garbo : Nina Ivanovna Yakushova, aka Ninotchka
• Melvyn Douglas : Comte Léon d'Algout
• Ina Claire  : Grand Duchess Swana
• Sig Ruman  : Michael Simonavich Iranoff
• Félix Bressart  : Buljanoff
• Alexander Granach : Kopalski
• Bela Lugosi : Commissar Razinin
• Tamara Shayne : Anna, Ninotchka's roomate in Moscow

Technical details and crew

• Title : Ninotchka
• Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
• Screenplay: Melchior Lengyel, Charles Brackett , Billy Wilder et Walter Reisch
• Production : Ernst Lubitsch, Sidney Franklin
• Cinematography: William H. Daniels
• Original Music: Werner R. Heymann
• Make-up: Jack Dawn
• Costumes: Adrian
• Editing: Gene Ruggiero
• Set decoration: Edwin B. Willis
• Released: November 9, 1939
• Country: United States
• Genre: comedy
• Color: black and white
• Length: 110 minutes

Accolades

The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Remade as Silk Stockings in 1957, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

Nominations and awards

4 nominations for Academy Awards in 1939 including Best Picture, Best Actress in a leading role, best Original Story and best Screenplay. Won none.