Ninotchka + Woman of the Year
Ninotchka + Woman of the Year
Ninotchka
A no-nonsense diplomat of the Soviet Union, Nina Ivanovna "Ninotchka" Yakushova (Greta Garbo) arrives in Paris to ensure the sale of jewels seized during the Russian Revolution. Meanwhile, carefree bachelor Count Leon d'Algout (Melvyn Douglas) attempts to intercept the valuables on behalf of their former owner, the Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire). Despite their conflicting allegiances, the icy Ninotchka soon warms to Leon's charms, reluctantly going against her better judgment.
WINNER
National Board of Review Awards - Best Acting (Greta Garbo)
"The romantic roundelay, linking fine emotions with fine lingerie, is shadowed by the brutality of Soviet tyranny." - New Yorker
"Ninotchka is delicate flirtation and political satire made into a perfect whole..." - Time Out
"Iridescent and teaming with vitality, Garbo glows in her penultimate film." - Empire
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Woman of the Year
Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) is a progressively-minded political journalist. Sam Craig (Spencer Tracy) is a sports writer with very traditional values. The only thing the two have in common is that they both work for the same New York City newspaper. Despite an initial and mutual dislike, the two eventually fall in love and get married. When Tess wins the Woman of the Year award, traditional gender roles become flipped and their relationship suffers as a result.
WINNER
Academy Awards - Best Original Screenplay
"an entertaining film with superb work by Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy..." - Variety
"Tracy and Hepburn were a great team, and this, their first outing together, set the seal on the pattern to follow into the next decade." - Time Out