S5E03a - Ninotchka [1939] with Griffin Newman

How Would Lubitsch Do It?

Actor and podcaster Griffin Newman joins us to discuss NINOTCHKA! We discuss Lubitsch’s stature in Hollywood, Greta Garbo’s incredible lead performance, Rouben Mamoulian’s musical remake SILK STOCKINGS, the early development of the script, Cary Grant’s possible involvement, the film’s mechanics as both a romantic comedy and geopolitical satire, the film’s relationship with the ideologies of the lead characters, the great Felix Bressart, and the Al Ruddy hagiography otherwise known as ‘THE OFFER’.

Edited by Griffin Sheel.

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NEXT WEEK:

Author Donald Bracket joins us to discuss NINOTCHKA and the film’s two writers: Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. For information as to where to find this film, check out our resources page.

WORKS CITED:

Production Code Administration notes on NINOTCHKA