Silk Stockings (film)
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| Silk Stockings | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Rouben Mamoulian |
| Written by | Abe Burrows (play) Leonard Gershe Leonard Spigelgass |
| Starring | Fred Astaire Cyd Charisse |
| Release date(s) | July 18, 1957 |
| Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Silk Stockings is a 1957 MGM musical film remake of Ninotchka. It was directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. The supporting cast included Janis Paige, Peter Lorre, Jules Munshin, and George Tobias repeating his Broadway role.
It received Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Film and Best Actress (Charisse) in the Comedy/Musical category.
The score was embellished with the song "The Ritz Roll and Rock," a parody of the then-emerging rock and roll genre. The number ends with Astaire symbolically smashing his top hat, considered one of his trademarks, signaling his retirement from movie musicals, which he announced following the film's release.
[edit] Plot summary
Movie producer Steve Canfield (Fred Astaire) wants Russian composer Peter Illyich Boroff (Wim Sonneveld) to write music for his next picture. However, Comrades Brankov (Peter Lorre), Bibinski (Jules Munshin) and Ivanov (Joseph Buloff), have been sent by Moscow to take Boroff back. Canfield corrupts them with decadent western luxuries and talks them into allowing Boroff to work with him. He also arranges for his star, Peggy Dayton (Janis Paige), to convince Boroff to cooperate.
Finally, another, much more dedicated Communist, Ninotchka Yoschenko (Cyd Charisse), is sent to bring in all four men. Though she proves a much bigger challenge, Canfield eventually succeeds in romancing her. He proposes marriage, but after she and Boroff are horrified by the changes that have been made to the music, the Russians all go home.
Canfield does not give up though, arranging for the pliable Brankov, Bibinski and Ivanov to be sent to Paris, knowing that they will be seduced by the city's charms. Once again, Ninotchka is sent after them, giving Canfield time to convince her to give in to her love for him.
