Three Russian employees of the Communist State arrive in Paris to sell the jewels that belong to Countess Ina Claire (Swana) who has been deposed and exiled. As it happens, she is now living in Paris and gets wind of the fact that her jewels have arrived in the city. She wants them back and a scheme is hatched by her boyfriend Melvyn Douglas (Leon). I'm not sure if he is a boyfriend or husband as he is referred to as a Count. I assume there are many Counts in Russia just as there are numerous Viscounts in France and the title is meaningless. Is he a Count that is married to the Countess Ina Claire? His position is unclear but his behaviour is that of one big sleazeball as he effortlessly drops his girlfriend/wife and starts pursuing the Russian bureaucrat who is next sent to monitor proceedings of the sale - Greta Garbo (Ninotchka). He is not a particularly pleasant character for doing this.
We follow a love story until Claire pulls a scam that determines the outcome of what happens to the jewels and it is up to the 3 original bungling Russian employees to rekindle romance for Garbo and provide a happy ending for all as defection from the Communist territory is the order of the day.
Keep a look out for Bela Lugosi (Razinin). I noticed his name in the beginning credits and completely forgot about him until I noticed his name again at the end credits! I thought he must have been edited out. No, he's in there. He appears late and only has one scene so doesn't deserve his placing so high up the cast list.
The film is funny and succeeds as a comedy - so much better than those ghastly quickfire attempts at humour where everyone shouts over each other. This thankfully is no screwball uncomedy, but a sophisticated attempt at romance and humour and it ends well. I still don't like Douglas and his caddish behaviour. Claire grew on me and comes across with dignity in her resolution. I was on her side.
Does anyone know what happened to MacIntosh and McGillicuddy?
We follow a love story until Claire pulls a scam that determines the outcome of what happens to the jewels and it is up to the 3 original bungling Russian employees to rekindle romance for Garbo and provide a happy ending for all as defection from the Communist territory is the order of the day.
Keep a look out for Bela Lugosi (Razinin). I noticed his name in the beginning credits and completely forgot about him until I noticed his name again at the end credits! I thought he must have been edited out. No, he's in there. He appears late and only has one scene so doesn't deserve his placing so high up the cast list.
The film is funny and succeeds as a comedy - so much better than those ghastly quickfire attempts at humour where everyone shouts over each other. This thankfully is no screwball uncomedy, but a sophisticated attempt at romance and humour and it ends well. I still don't like Douglas and his caddish behaviour. Claire grew on me and comes across with dignity in her resolution. I was on her side.
Does anyone know what happened to MacIntosh and McGillicuddy?