Ninotchka (1939)
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Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas
Honors:
Garbo Laugh! This was the phrased used to publicize first endeavor into
comedy for the Swedish born star actress for MGM. The long, stoic-faced
emotional beauty, Greta Garbo, makes another splash on cinema as she expands
her performing abilities into the realm she was not familiar with. Banking on a
catchphrase used when Garbo made her first sound, Ninotchka is a film that was produced and released during the early
parts of World War II, before the United States would be pulled into the international
clash, and would satirize their future war time allies, the Soviet Union. The film
would become a well embraced comedy for American audiences at a time while
Europe was falling deeper into war.
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| Ninotchka starts off so strict... |
Ninotchka is a romantic comedy about
a rigid Soviet lady learning to enjoy life and falling in love with the
freedoms of the western world and the man who introduces her to these new
delights in life. Strict, militaristically disciplined Nina Ivanovna
“Ninotchka” Yakushova (Greta Garbo) is
sent from her home country of the Soviet Union to Paris to ensure the sale of
priceless aristocratic jewelry claimed by the nation during the Russian
Resolution for much needed monetary state aid for the socialist nation. Count
Leon d’Algout (Melvyn Douglas), a suave Parisian nobleman, is sent to slyly
infiltrate the sale of the jewels for their previous owner, the former Russian
Grand Duchess (Ina Claire). During his mission Leon comes to be quite stricken
by the beauty and discipline of the very interesting Ninotchka. Slowly he opens
her up to the freedom of capitalism and the joys of life it allows as the two
fall in love. However, the only way the Grand Duchess would drop her lawsuit,
thus giving up her claim to the jewels is if Ninotchka leaves Paris, in turn
leaving Leon as well. She heartbreakingly does so in order to benefit her
country. Leon surprises her after she leaves France by showing up at her door,
making the idea of love goes beyond politics or money.
What makes the picture so surprisingly entertaining are the satirical
jabs made at the expense of Soviet Russia, keeping in mind that in 1939 World
War II had spread across Europe. The comedy is lighthearted, while at the same
time is quietly political. Greta Garbo spreads her wings a bit artistically,
adding humor to her skill set. The movie is yet another Hollywood romantic
comedy set in Europe, as was very popular during the time of 1930s Hollywood
features, but this particular film features saltire that would punch holes in
the stressful news that appeared to be pouring in from overseas on a regular
basis due to the unset of war.
The picture’s Academy Award nominated story and screenplay, partially
penned by Billy Wilder, would be a tale written because of the sign of the times.
Europe was being torn in several different directions at this point and satire
made light of the situation. Most of the jokes were made at the hands of the
Soviet Union, including it’s the mocked “five year plan” that took longer than
expected, and several of their rigid ways which are shared by the actions of
Grabo’s character of Ninotchka. A small jab is even made at the hands of Nazi’s
during a train station scene when we are introduced to the title character. What the script and accomplished romantic
comedy filmmaker Ernst Lubitsch do is knock the political strife of overseas
affairs down a peg, sending an up-with-capitalism message.
Before Ninotchka Greta Garbo
was coming off the box office failure of Conquest,
an expensive venture that did not make its money back in theaters. Coupled with
her introverted public image her status as a star had greatly waned far the
more successful earlier parts of the decade. The idea of her playing in a
comedy was something she was apprehensive about, but it took such a chance to
draw the much needed attention to make her name economically feasible again.
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| Garbo Laughs! |
The tagline of “Garbo Laughs!” was attached to the picture to harken back
to the “Garbo Talks!“ that went along with Anne
Christie, her first talking picture of which she was nominated for an
Oscar. Here this phrase was used to manifest Garbo’s first venture into a
comedic role, not simple her laughing, as she had done many times in other
features. Like Anna Christie, she
would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress., her third career
nomination.
The ever important role of the man that wins the heart of Garbo would go
be Melvyn Douglas, the middle-aged actor known for his smooth talking romantic
comedy roles. This was actually his second feature with Garbo as he was her
love interest in 1932’s As You Desire Me.
He plays the usual well-dressed middle-aged gentleman that can talk his way through any situation.
The character of Count Leon is rather generic compared to the bigger actors of
the day, but his confident demeanor allows for humor to contrast with the
strict Ninotchka in the film.
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| To manifest her change she wears this "fashionable" hat, which was created just for the film. |
Ninotchka opened to favorable
reviews domestically and helped to revive Greta Garbo in the minds of
audiences. However the film would be banned by the Soviet Union and surrounding
nations for its satire of the communist country and its perceived shortcomings.
Despite this lack of foreign revenue the film would still make good profits
internationally.
The picture, come award season, would be up for four Academy Awards,
including best picture. Ninotchka would leave a lasting legacy on the film
world as it inspired many other films, and even the Broadway musical Silk
Stockings. The feature would be elected to preservation in the National Film
Registry in 1990, only the second class, by the Library of Congress, and would
be honored the American Film Institute’s list for 100 Top Laughs and 100 Top
Passions.
Beyond being an entertaining feature about the freedom of capitalism, the
picture rejuvenated the name of Greta Garbo. However the Hollywood star would
remain low key and only appear in one more feature before retiring from the
business at the unset of the United States joining World War II. Ninotchka leaves us a lighter side of
Greta Garbo that audiences clearly enjoy, but would sadly not see much of.
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