It's understandable that Hollywood marketed Comrade X as a remake of the previous year's Ninotchka: an undercurrent of capitalism vs. communism runs through the plot, the star is a beautiful, cold, unromantic Russian who has to be taught to loosen up by an American playboy, and both Felix Bressart and Sig Ruman costar. However, as much as it seems to be a copycat, it's really nothing like Greta Garbo's comedy.
Hedy Lamarr is as Russian as Greta Garbo, but she takes on the masculine mantle by playing a bus driver named Theodore. She's in love with communism and the leader of a rebellious Russian party, but she doesn't even make an appearance for quite a while. Clark Gable is the lead, and he plays the titular character, a reporter who smuggles forbidden information out of Russia to the United States through his newspaper column and a hidden camera. So far his identity is a secret, but when the humble, harmless, bumbling hotel valet Felix Bressart discovers his secret, things take a very dangerous turn. Meek, clueless Felix gains a sudden backbone and shocks everyone, including the audience, by threatening Clark with an ultimatum: either he smuggles Felix's daughter Hedy out of the country that very night so she'll be safe from the government officials who want the rebels dead, or Felix will expose Clark's identity as the Western spy to the government officials who want Comrade X dead. It's a pretty amazing scene, showing off Felix's versatility. I actually got goosebumps watching his desperation, and it's no stretch to say he steals the entire movie with that one scene. Go Felix!
When Clark tries to get Hedy to leave Russia, he has to pretend to be an ardent communist so she will be swept away by a new romance and run away to America. It's a much more difficult task than he thinks, and his work is cut out for him for the rest of the movie. The plot has many unexpected twists and turns, and it's quite entertaining. Not only is it not another version of Ninotchka, but it's not even a comedy. This is a tense drama with lives on the line. If you're a fan of the cast, check it out.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the last few minutes, the camera tilts back and forth to mirror the tank's movement, and that will make you sick, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Hedy Lamarr is as Russian as Greta Garbo, but she takes on the masculine mantle by playing a bus driver named Theodore. She's in love with communism and the leader of a rebellious Russian party, but she doesn't even make an appearance for quite a while. Clark Gable is the lead, and he plays the titular character, a reporter who smuggles forbidden information out of Russia to the United States through his newspaper column and a hidden camera. So far his identity is a secret, but when the humble, harmless, bumbling hotel valet Felix Bressart discovers his secret, things take a very dangerous turn. Meek, clueless Felix gains a sudden backbone and shocks everyone, including the audience, by threatening Clark with an ultimatum: either he smuggles Felix's daughter Hedy out of the country that very night so she'll be safe from the government officials who want the rebels dead, or Felix will expose Clark's identity as the Western spy to the government officials who want Comrade X dead. It's a pretty amazing scene, showing off Felix's versatility. I actually got goosebumps watching his desperation, and it's no stretch to say he steals the entire movie with that one scene. Go Felix!
When Clark tries to get Hedy to leave Russia, he has to pretend to be an ardent communist so she will be swept away by a new romance and run away to America. It's a much more difficult task than he thinks, and his work is cut out for him for the rest of the movie. The plot has many unexpected twists and turns, and it's quite entertaining. Not only is it not another version of Ninotchka, but it's not even a comedy. This is a tense drama with lives on the line. If you're a fan of the cast, check it out.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the last few minutes, the camera tilts back and forth to mirror the tank's movement, and that will make you sick, "Don't Look, Mom!"