"Ninotchka" Review

 

by Daniel White

Although Gloria Swanson failed to make it as an actress in sound films (her performance in Tonight or Never is as dull as dishwater), fellow silent screen goddess, Greta Garbo, conquered the new medium. Her debut in 1930's Anna Christie was a triumph, while her first comic role in Ernst Lubitch's Ninotchka (1939), priceless. An endearing, poignant turn, she makes you laugh while breaking your heart. Not an easy feat for any actor to accomplish. Where La Swanson trumps the camera-shy Swede is in her magnificent comeback in Sunset Boulevard. She scores as forgotten film star Norma Desmond. It's a shame that Garbo never had her "Sunset" moment, or several of them for that matter; she is a spirited farceur.

Directed and produced by Lubitsch, with a witty, delightful screenplay that Billy Wilder co-wrote (coincidentally, he also directed Swanson in Sunset Boulevard), Garbo plays the title role. She is a Soviet envoy sent to Paris to administer the sale of aristocratic jewels the state "acquired" during the revolution. Taciturn and committed to communism, she finds herself being wooed by the charming Leon (Melvyn Douglas). Soon our hard-hearted heroine is a blushing ex-Bolshevik, softening under the powerful spell of love. It is a cinematic joy and privilege to witness Garbo go from harshness to warmth, aglow with the fire of romance. She is luminous in her transformation, bewitching not only her smitten suitor, but us, the audience, as well.

"Garbo Laughs!" was the tagline MGM used to promote the film. "Garbo Gets Drunk And Is Incredibly Funny!" would have worked as well (though it is a touch unwieldy). She has an inebriation scene with Douglas that is pure delight. The movie itself, like our leading lady is near perfect. Besides the debonair Douglas, Ina Claire is on hand as a worldly, calculating Russian grand duchess determined to get her jewels, and paramour, Leon, back. A worthy adversary for the love-struck Ninotchka, their final showdown is sublime.

Claire was married to John Gilbert at one time. Before that, Gilbert and Garbo were lovers. Did the two divas swap stories about their shared swain. Ah, to be a fly on the wall if they had...

Released in November 1939, the world Ninotchka invoked was already in flames. The Paris that our infatuated couple encounter together would soon be under siege. WWll had commenced and its effects would have an impact on our star. Always a favorite in Europe, the loss of revenue, cut off because of the war, made Garbo a less valuable commodity to MGM. After one more flick, the poorly received Two Faced Woman, she would stop working. It was supposed to be temporary, but unfortunately, it was forever. What might have been...

With a stellar supporting cast that includes Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, and Rolfe Sedan, Ninotchka is available on YouTube. Oh, and one other selling point: horror immortal Bela Lugosi and the glorious Garbo have a scene together. That's motion picture history being made, fellow film buffs! You don't want to miss that!