GARBO SINGS

Evening Star, Issue 23685, 19 September 1940, Page 6

GARBO SINGS

SOPHISTICATED LUBiTSCH COMEDY ‘ Ninotchka,’ Greta Garbo’s first picture in two years, and the Swedish star’s first venture into gay, sophisticated romantic comedy, is the attraction coming to-morrow to the Regent. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch and filled with characteristically whimsical “ Lubitsch touches,” the picture presents the world with an entirely new Garbo. She plays Ninotchka, a girl reared in tho stern code of Soviet Russia, who is sent to Paris on a Government mission. There, in contact with the gaycties of the French capital, she changes her severe Russian garb for Paris fashions, falls in lovo with a debonair French count, played by Melvyn Douglas, and fails in negotiations to soli the confiscated jewels of a Russian grand duchess. The duchess, also in love with the count, trades the jewels on condition that Ninotchka return to Russia at once. But the wily count manoeuvres until Ninotchka is sent on another mission to Constantinople, where he induces her to marry him. Garbo plays her first scenes in plain, almost unattractive garb, then blossoms out in gorgeous Adrian creations. Melvyn Douglas is her leading man for the second time, having appeared opposite her in 4 As You Desire Me. An hilarious new comedy team is introduced in Felix Brcssart, Sig Rumavm, and Alexander Granuch, playing three Russian commissars who completely “ go Paris ” during their visit to the French capital. Ina Claire plays the grand duchess, and Bela Lugosi the stern chief commissar. Gregory Gave, Bolfe Sedan, Edwin Maxwell, and Richard Carle are others in the picture. Based on a story by Molchoir Lcngyl, ‘ Ninotchka.’ while filled with comedy situations and brilliant dialogue, also lias moments of gripping drama for Garbo. But comedy predominates. The star dances a modern dance to swing music, sings a French chansonette, and introduces a new “ Garbo hat,” among other gay things, she does in the new picture.