Ninotchka replies to her interlocutors, that Stalin’s show trials are producing ”less, but better Russians”. Putin is trying to do the same in Ukraine, only it’s more difficult to make comedy out of that. Greta Garbo plays a commissar, who arrives in Pariisiin to reprimand some good-for-nothing Soviet ambassadors. Capitalism doesn’t get away easy either. Its symbol is a ridiculous fashion creation. The hat is supposed to be evidence of the fact, that even a dyed-in-the-wool Communist can’t resist beautiful vanities.
The previous year Garbo still counted among the erstwhile legends of Hollywood who had turned into box-office poison. Ernst Lubitsch gave the star a chance for a revanche. Ninotchka became Garbo’s best-loved role. It proved to the sceptics that the actor who had been typecast as a serious character, could do other things as well, even laugh – also at herself.
“Garbo laughs!”, read the headlines. Accompanied by laughter, the 37th film and first comedy in her career became 1939’s tähden popular and critical hit. Ninotchka got four Oscar nominations: one for Garbo, one for the film and two for the writing. Her chemistry with Melvyn Douglas functioned so well, that MGM decided to produce another joint film for the charming star couple. It turned out to be Garbo’s final film. (Hannu Björkbacka)
Language: English, subtitles: Finnish and Swedish