Episode 6: Ninotchka (1939)

Greta Garbo has long been in the American cultural zeitgeist as the actress who "wanted to be alone", as her early retirement from Hollywood precluded her from a long career as an actress.  Ninotchka was her penultimate film, and it was billed as "Garbo Laughs!", as it was her first comedy, a fact that she had quite an issue with, particularly the scene in which she appeared drunk. Garbo was in the good hands of Ernst Lubitsch, a German-born director who had made a string of successful comedies before and after Ninotchka.  The film became a critical and box office success, and remains surprisingly witty even today.  It is readily available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video. Have a question or feedback for Sean?  Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter via @1001moviesPC.