Ninotchka

NINOTCHKA is a classic romantic comedy, with a witty script and the legendary Greta Garbo in her first official American comedy. The charming film about clashing ideologies (Soviet communism vs. capitalism) tells the story of a no-nonsense diplomat of the Soviet Union, Nina Ivanovna “Ninotchka” Yakushova (Greta Garbo), who comes to Paris to ensure the sale of jewels seized during the Russian Revolution. At the same time, the carefree bachelor Count Leon d’Algout (Melvyn Douglas) tries to intercept the jewels on behalf of their former owner, the Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire). Despite their clashing allegiances, the icy Ninotchka soon warms to Leon’s charms, reluctantly going against her better judgment.

The sparkling screenplay that satirizes the Communist political system with clever innuendos was written by Billy Wilder (before he became a director), Charles Brackett and Walter Reisch, based on a screen story by Melchior Lengyel.