Ninotchka (1939) | |
| Director(s) | Ernst Lubitsch |
| Producer(s) | Sidney Franklin (associate uncredited), Ernst Lubitsch (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Romance |
| Top Topics | Jewels, Romance (Comic), Screwball Comedy |
Featured Cast:
Ninotchka Overview:
Ninotchka (1939) was a Comedy - Romance Film directed by Ernst Lubitsch and produced by Ernst Lubitsch and Sidney Franklin.
SYNOPSIS
"Garbo Laughs!" The cool beauty's first comedy was a triumph and she never looked more beautiful or performed so gracefully. When the Soviet Union sends a committee to Paris to exchange royal jewels for tractors, former Russian Grand Duchess Claire dispatches her lover and a former count (Douglas) to liberate her diamonds. He successfully corrupts the comrades and the Soviets send in a secret weapon, the utterly humorless, businesslike Garbo. Douglas goes to work showing her the delights of capitalist life and of love, and, though he loses the battle for the jewels, wins her heart. Directed with a light touch by Lubitsch from a sparkling script by Wilder and Brackett. Remade as Comrade X (1940) with Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr, and Iron Petticoat (1956) with Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.Ninotchka was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990.
Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actress | Greta Garbo | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Melchior Lengyel | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, Walter Reisch | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Garbo and everyone laughs in Ernst Lubitsch's "Ninotchka"
By Stephen Reginald on May 20, 2024 From Classic Movie ManGarbo and everyone laughs in Ernst Lubitsch's "Ninotchka" Ninotchka (1939) was the movie that proclaimed, “Garbo laughs!” The great Great Garbo is Ninotchka is a sophisticated delight. The supporting cast includes, Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach, and Bela (Dracular) Lu... Read full article
COMEDY GOLD #19: Greta Garbo in Ninotchka (1939)
By Carol Martinheira on Sep 17, 2019 From The Old Hollywood GardenCOMEDY GOLD #19: Greta Garbo in Ninotchka (1939) On September 17, 2019 By CarolIn Uncategorized Earlier this year, I had an idea for a Top 10 article and, as a result, I’ve been watching and re-watching films in order to prepare myself for it ? it’s going t... Read full article
Watching 1939: Ninotchka
on Mar 22, 2018 From Comet Over HollywoodIn 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them.?As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film of the year. Right now, tha... Read full article
Great Films of 1939: “Ninotchka” March 12 at Daystar Center
By Stephen Reginald on Feb 26, 2016 From Classic Movie ManGreat Films of 1939: “Ninotchka” March 12 at Daystar Center Great films of 1939: Ninotchka Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL When: March 12, 2016 Time: 6:45 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald Ninotchka (1939) was the movie that proclaimed, ... Read full article
The Essential Films of 1939: Ninotchka
By Amanda Garrett on Dec 8, 2014 From Old Hollywood FilmsThe Film: Garbo laughs in Ninotchka. The Director: Ernst Lubitsch The Stars: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Ina Claire. Source Material: An original story by Melchior Lengyel with an original screenplay by Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett and Walter Reisch. As Count d'Algout (Melvyn Dougl... Read full article
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Quotes from
Ninotchka: No.
Ninotchka: [to Leon] I want to tell you something which I thought I would never say, which I thought nobody should ever say because I thought it didn't exist. And Leon, I can't say it.
[Ninotchka is examining a map of Paris]
Leon: Pardon me, are you an explorer?
Ninotchka: No. I'm looking for the Eiffel Tower.
Leon: Good heavens, is that thing lost again? Oh, are you interested in a view?
Ninotchka: I'm interested in the Eiffel Tower from a technical standpoint.
Leon: Technical? No, no, I'm afraid I couldn't be of much help from that angle. You see, a Parisian only goes to the tower in moments of despair to jump off.
Ninotchka: How long does it take a man to land?
Leon: Now isn't that too bad? The last time I jumped, I forgot to time it.
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Facts about
According to published newspaper reports in the spring of 1939, Spencer Tracy was a leading contender for the role of Leon. William Powell, Robert Montgomery and Cary Grant were also considered for the part.
Greta Garbo had her misgivings about appearing in a comedy and was particularly nervous about the drunk scene, which she considered to be highly vulgar.
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