The accents were pretty bad, almost as if there was no Russian-speaking dialog coach involved in the production. The clincher was Ninotchka, which everyone pronounced with the accent on the second syllable. At least those who were supposedly Russian should have properly put the accent on the first syllable.
Otherwise I liked the film, Especially Cyd Charisse. It was amazing that Fred Astaire was still going strong at 57 or 58.
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Drake Straw
I can not really offer an informed opinion. They sounded OK to me, but I wouldn't really know. In the little documentary attached to the DVD Cyd Charisse talks about having a Russian dialogue coach. He or she ought to have picked up problems of this sort.
shareWith respect, this movie "Silk Stockings" is a musical comedy, made in 1957. The producers/director were not interested in creating an accurate portrayal of a Komisar of the Soviet Union. In fact, with the Cold War going strong, and in order to make this a light and non-threatening movie for American audiences, they purposely made sure that the Soviets looked, acted and sounded exactly like Americans trying to be funny at the expense of the Soviets.
While making a wonderful musical, they also carried forth the tone that Democracy and Capitalism were great, and Communism and the Soviets were silly and comical, not a serious threat.
If this were a serious drama, such as Doctor Zhivago (1965) or Reds (1981), then I could see your point, that the actors portraying Russians should have a good Russian accent. But that is just not the case here.
How about trying to enjoy the wonderful dancing, and celebrating Mr. Fred Astaire, as he was about to retire from making musical-comedies after this movie came out! Regardless the fact that he was getting on in years, it was still sad to see such a great dancer and musical comedy genius retire from the genre!
"If GOD Had Wanted Me To See The Sun Rise, HE Would Have Scheduled It Later In The Day!"
Poor accents? So what?!
This film has as little to do with Russia as it does with Paris.
Actually, if you really pay attention the the way Fred Astaire says "Ninotchka", he does put the accent on the first syllable. It's especially noticeable in the "All Of You" scene.
shareI don't recall Fred ever accenting the first syllable in this film. If he had it would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Can you link to a clip?
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Drake
FYI
He does it subtly, but it is especially noticeable in the "All Of You" sequence where he says, "Ninotchka, Ninotchka" and Cyd says, "You're repeating yourself." He distinctly says, "NI-notch-ka", not "Ni-NOTCH-ka".
share... where he says, "Ninotchka, Ninotchka" and Cyd says, "You're repeating yourself." He distinctly says, "NI-notch-ka", not "Ni-NOTCH-ka"It's rather distinct to me that even in this scene Fred accents the second syllable. (more like sylLABle to my ear) Were you to hear a Russian echo the name the distinction would be even more clear. The "o" in Fred's "Ninotchka" is very clear. In Russian the "o" and "a" are indistinguishable, both being schwa sounds.
I don't know Russian. I just am certain I heard Fred Astaire accent the name on the first syllable, but I will bow to your superior understanding of the language, and concede that I'm wrong. :)
shareActually, I do know Russian, and dmnenmaine is correct -- Fred Astaire does place the emphasis on the word correctly during this sequence.
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