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Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Bela Lugosi, Sig Rumann, Felix Bressart ... see more see more... , Ina Claire , Alexander Granach , Gregory Gaye , Rolfe Sedan , Richard Carle , Dorothy Adams , Monya Andre , Bess Flowers , Mary Forbes , Jo Gilbert , Lawrence Grant , William Irving , Charles Judels , Armand Kaliz , Edwin Maxwell , Peggy Moran , Frank Reicher , Harry Semels , Tamara Shayne , Florence Shirley , Edwin Stanley , Kay Stewart , George Tobias , Paul Weigel , Elizabeth Williams , Marek Windheim , Wolfgang Zilzer , Sandra Morgan , Alexander Schoenberg , Jenifer Gray , Elinor Vandivere , Symona Boniface , George Davis , Sig Ruman

"Garbo Laughs!" declared the ads for Ninotchka. In the face of dwindling foreign revenues, MGM decided to put Greta Garbo, a bigger draw in Europe than the US, in a box-office-savvy comedy, engaging t... read more read more...he services of master farceur Ernst Lubitsch to direct. The film opens in Paris during the aftermath of the Russian revolution. A trio of Russian delegates (Sig Rumann, Felix Bressart, and Alexander Granach) are sent to Paris to sell the Imperial Jewels for ready cash. Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire), who once owned the jewels, sends her boyfriend Count Leon (Melvyn Douglas) to retrieve the diamonds, and he turns the trio into full-fledged capitalists, wining and dining them all through Paris. Moscow then dispatches the humorless, doggedly loyal Comrade Ninotchka (Garbo) to retrieve both the prodigal Soviets and the gems. When Leon turns his charm on Ninotchka, she regards him coldly, informing him that love is merely a "chemical reaction." Even his kisses fail to weaken her resolve. Leon finally wins her over by taking an accidental fall in a restaurant, whereupon Ninotchka laughs for the first time in her life. She goes on a shopping spree and gets drunk, while Leon begins falling in love with her in earnest. As a bonus to the frothy script, by Billy Wilder and others, and its surefire star power, Ninotchka features what is perhaps Bela Lugosi's most likeable and relaxed performance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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88% liked it

6,195 ratings

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100% liked it

27 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch

Release Date: November 3, 1939

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DVD Release Date: September 6, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (382)

  • ajv2688
    September 20, 2010
    ajv2688
    This predictable romantic comedy disguises itself as a story about relations between Russia and France, but that story takes a back seat to the romance in the end. I found this movie contrived and boring. I liked the more comedic remake, Silk Stockings (1957), better than the o... read moreriginal.
  • bottcorecords1
    February 15, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    Greta Garbo stars in the title role in this pre-cold war look at the Soviet Union. When three emissaries come to Paris to sell the royal jewelry confiscated during the revolution, Leon (Melvyn Douglas), representing the Duchess, attempts to reclaim the jewels in her name. The no-... read morenonsense Ninotchka, a high-ranking official, is sent to straighten out the mess and get money for the jewels which her country so desperately needs. But things go awry when she meets Leon by accident (the two don't know each other yet) while sight-seeing, and they fall in love at first sight. Ninotchka has two distinct parts to it: one is a conventional love story, the other is probably the most unique portrayal of Soviet-western relations in the history of cinema. It's one of the rare instances of the Soviet Union (Stalin's Soviet Union, no less) not being villainized but rather viewed from a realistic, humanist point of view. Don't get me wrong, it's not glorified either, the Soviet Union is portrayed as a desperate, secretive place, but it's the people are good and noble. The aristocracy is the real villain in the film, being petty and bourgeois and treating those not of noble birth as inferior. On the other hand, the other part is a fairly low caliber love story that in modern times would star Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. There's something very "Miss Congeniality" about the whole thing. The idea that this film is billed as a comedy is also highly questionable, as there's nothing all that funny to be found in it. Melvyn Douglas is a cardboard character who's role could've been filled by virtually any other actor of his day and it would've had nil effect on the film. Garbo's performance however, was quite good in what would be one of her last roles. All in all, a mixed bag of a film.
  • rubystevens
    August 8, 2008
    rubystevens
    ...<3
  • kenstachnik
    August 5, 2008
    kenstachnik
    One of my new favorites. One of the most charming movies ever made.
  • staindslaved
    March 7, 2012
    staindslaved
    A well acted film from a well written screenplay by the legendary Billy Wilder (how often does the writer outdo the director?). Ninotchka is a great romantic comedy about a pair of Russian jewels and the Soviet Comrade Ninotchka (Greta Garbo) who is sent to retrieve them. The j... read moreewels used to belong to a Grand Duchess Swana who in turn sends her suave boyfriend Count Leon (Melvyn Douglas) to try and find a way to return them to her. He begins to woo the icy Ninotchka whose Soviet beliefs and stern strict personality make a natural defense. Eventually her cold front begins to met away and Leon is able to get a smile, than a grin and then a full on laugh. Unfortunately in wooing Ninotchka he has developed real feelings for her and the sticky situation transcends to a testament to love over duty and personal wants over your Country's needs. Greta Garbo was well known as a serious thespian actress and Ninotchka was sold under the phrase "see Garbo laugh!". A woman who always plays cold and serious roles finally stars in a comedy where she plays a cold and serious role. Hysterical!
  • merlynsprankling
    August 1, 2011
    merlynsprankling
    Ninotchka: What have you done for mankind?
    Leon: Not so much for mankind... for womankind, my record isn't quite so bleak.

    Ninotchka: Let's form our own party.
    Leon: Right. Lovers of the world, unite!

    Ninotchka: I must have a complete report of your negotiations and a ... read moredetailed expense account.
    Buljanoff: No, non, Ninotchka. Don't ask for it. There's an old Turkish proverb that says: If something smells bad, why put your nose in it?
    Ninotchka: And there is an old Russian saying: The cat with cream on his whiskers had better find good excuses.

    Ninotchka was one of the first in which Holywood took note of the existence of Soviet Russia (then an ally of Germany). The approach was satirical: Greta Garbo (Ninotchka) was a cold, automation-like Communist, a kind of ugly duckling transformed into a swan by Melvyn Douglas (Count Leon) who used the magic of Paris to perform the trick..

    It's based on the story by Melchior Lengyel, that leaves us with the message that capitalism is not so bad when compared with communism and especially when promoted by a handsome stud like Melvyn Douglas. The film gingerly criticizes the politics of the Soviet Union at a time when they were being courted to be on the side of the West against the war-mongering fascists.

    Three bumbling Soviet emissaries, arrive in Paris on a mission to sell the valuable royal jewels confiscated from the Grand Duchess Swana during the Communist revolution. The aim is to get quick cash for the strapped Russian government to feed its hungry workers. When they botch the sale, their big boss Commissar Razinin (Bela Lugosi) sends as a special envoy, the loyal, humourless and stern Ninotchka to straighten things out. Swana, in the meantime, retains her playboy boyfriend Count Leon to retrieve the diamonds. In the process Leon starts a romance with the icy Ninotchka, converts the three comrades to be full-fledged capitalists and in the end convinces a warmed-over Ninotchka to stay with him in Paris.

    The film contains many inside jokes, including a historical encounter between the great instinctive artist of the screen and the great stylist-technician of the stage-Ina Claire-as a Russian grand duchess. The sarcastic joke: the Russians don't defect for freedom but for consumer goods is one of some of the sociological banters which is a bit outdated, but a light-hearted Garbo still sparkles and shines. She did "flirt, dance, drink, howl, romance and kiss" in a non-Garbo way.

    Directed by Lubitch, this light, satirical comedy has the nonchalance and sophistication that were his trademark (To Be or Not To Be, Heaven Can Wait). The subtle gestures and meanings still work effectively.
  • toejambaseball24
    March 30, 2012
    toejambaseball24
    A charming comedy with some really great dialogue in some of the scenes.
  • codyfranklin2
    March 3, 2009
    codyfranklin2
    I've been on a bit of a Lubitsch kick lately and Ninotchka is one of his best. Lubitsch is a great writer and really good with actors. Garbo and Melvyn Douglas are great together and have wonderful chemistry. Douglas plays a french playboy who falls for the no nonsense communist ... read moreGarbo. His charm slowly melts away her strong Soviet beliefs, but she must choose between love and country. Very entertaining with great performances.
  • benjaminzapata
    October 22, 2011
    benjaminzapata
    By now,Greta Garbo's best-known and most-loved performance,Ninotchka. Directed by and with the delicacy and magic of Ernst Lubitsch's famous touch,and from the script by Billly Wilder,Charles Brackett,and Walter Reisch,it sure was a winning combination. A delightful and very beau... read moretiful comedy about a cold Russian agent(Garbo) coming to Paris to close a deal,and ending falling in love with gay-blade Melvyn Douglas. With a great supporting cast showing some fine comedy flair,the film is one of the most elegant comedies from the 30ths. A true classic,with Greta Garbo still shining,an eternal beauty!
  • LittleMissBloodAndGuts
    August 14, 2011
    LittleMissBloodAndGuts
    I missed the opening credits. At first I didn't realize it was a comedy because it was so droll. Duh! I felt really dumb, but I'm not used to comedies that are subtle. It didn't take long for the romance element to charm me. I just knew under that hard, communist, unemotional... read more exterior, she had to have a heart and I had to keep watching to find out how long it would take for her to show it. I thought it was very funny, and very cute!

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
February 3, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Selection of Ernst Lubitsch to pilot Garbo in her first light performance in pictures proves a bull's-eye. Full Review

Dave Kehr
February 3, 2009
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The satire may be mostly a matter of easy contrasts, but the lovers inhabit a world of elegance and poise that is uniquely and movingly Lubitsch's. Full Review

Frank S. Nugent
May 20, 2003
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times

One of the sprightliest comedies of the year. Full Review

David Parkinson
February 10, 2012
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

Iridescent and teaming with vitality, Garbo glows in her penultimate film. Full Review

Matt Bailey
March 1, 2011
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

Ninotchka stands as one of the finest films Lubitsch made. It was reportedly one of the director's own favorites among his films, and it's easy to see why. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 26, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Great, but kids may need historical context. Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 23, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

The masterpiece among Lubitsch's later films. Full Review

Cole Abaius
February 11, 2009
Cole Abaius, Film School Rejects

It's comedy is rooted in classic sentimentality, but the dialog is often hammer and sickle sharp. Full Review

February 3, 2009
Film4

It is a film that blends pratfalls and a sophisticated comedy of manners. Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics
April 5, 2008
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

This was Garbo's first comedy and second last film. And it's a unique role for her, first because she starts off as a dour, cold comrade with no sense of humour, and second because she laughs herself ... Full Review

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    • Ninotchka: Must you flirt?
    • Count Leon Dalga: Well, I don't have to, but I find it natural.
    • Ninotchka: Suppress it.
    • Count Leon Dalga: Ninotchka, it's midnight. One half of Paris is making love to the other half.
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Ninotchka Trivia

  • What comedy, starring Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Bela Lugosi, is about a Russian Communist party member sent to Paris on business?  Answer »
  • Who is the leading actress in the movie "Ninotchka" ?   Answer »
  • ****WHAT ERNST LUBITSCH FILM OF 1939 WAS REMADE IN 1957 AS THE FRED ASTAIRE/CYD CHARISSE MUSICAL 'SILK STOCKINGS'? (HINT: IT WAS A LEGENDARY ACTRESS' NEXT TO LAST FILM.****  Answer »
  • Who directed such romantic comedies of the thirties and forties as Ninotchka, The Shop Around the Corner, and Trouble in Paradise?  Answer »
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