TCM movie alert: "Comrade X" on tonight at 11:45 PM E.S.T.

Turner Classic Movies ^ | 1940 | King Vidor

[ReformationFan]

Tonight at 11:45 PM, Turner Classic Movies is showing a hilarious spoof of communism and the Soviet system called "Comrade X". It was made year after the similar-themed "Ninotchka" but I've always found this Clark Gable/Hedy Lamarr spinoff the far funnier of the two films. I especially love the slapstick scene where in an effort to escape the USSR, Gable leads a battalion of Soviet tanks into invading Rumania. It also won an Oscar nomination for its funny story.

[ILS21R]

Deal. I’ll record it tonight and watch it tomorrow.

[I Drive Too Fast]

I’ve seen Ninotchka, but not Comrade X. I will record it.

[marylina]

Thanks for this alert. I just set it to record and will watch it later. Sounds perfect for these trying times.

[TigerClaws]

Thanks!

[RitaOK]

Had it recorded already, as I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it, but can Hedy dance like Cyd in Silk Stockings, which I’m watching now? ;D

[dfwgator]

"That's Hedley!"

[Sporke]

Thank you for the heads up. I woulda missed it. :)

[surroundedinCT]

Incidentally, “Ninotchka” is on right after “Comrade X”. After that, it’s “British Agent”. “Silk Stalkings” is on now. It’s Russian night on TCM, evidently.

I never would have known these gems were on if Peter Lorre wasn’t on my auto record list.

[Oratam]

Curiously, it’s the feast of St. Andrew, patron saint of Russia. Mmm.

[surroundedinCT]

Maybe TCM started the veneration of St. Andrew a few hours early?

[ReformationFan]

“It’s Russian night on TCM, evidently.”

Yep. They started the night off with the first television showing in 46 years of the 1955 East meets West comedy “The Iron Petticoat” with the interestingly matched team of Bob Hope and Katharine Hepburn. I dvred this long missing Cold War comedy but haven’t watched it yet.

[Intolerant in NJ]

“Ninotchka” is a real classic well worth watching - one great bit which even when the film was made years ago poked fun at the very roots of Communism has Greta Garbo playing a stern communist agent arriving at a Paris railroad station - as she’s carrying her suitcase out of the station a porter comes up and tries to take it from her. “I will carry my own bag” growls Garbo. “That’s my job” says the porter. “That’s exploitation of the workers”, snaps Garbo, to which the porter replies, “that depends on how big a tip you give me”........

[surroundedinCT]

Oh man! I can’t believe I missed that airing. :(

[SueRae]

Watching it as we speak!
Someone sent me an email about Hedy Lamarr this past week. This woman was a genuine hero and a brilliant inventor. An amazing woman and now, a personal hero of mine. Oh, if Hollywood would only see fit to do a movie of HER life. She is a woman to be admired, a role model for young girls, not some ditz like the Sandra Flukes of the world..who wouldn’t know hardship and bravery if it smacked them with a 2X4.

[Bobalu]

I adore this film!

Here are some youtube clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdphkYk080
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUmFKMsPOwg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6IVOjWYPuI

[wally_bert]

I will have to look for those. Iron Petticoat was on last night and after a few minutes I couldn’t watch it. Hard to believe a Bob Hope movie that would almost be MST3K fodder.

[capt B]

Hedy Lamarr, about as beautiful as they come. AND Brilliant-
Ck her biography at google

[jocon307]

“Oh, if Hollywood would only see fit to do a movie of [Hedy Lamar’s] life.’

You are right, that would be good. I suppose she doesn’t fit the “narrative”.

And how about George Washington Carver? I did a ‘black history month” report on him goodness knows how many decades ago. Years later a friend of mine (very liberal btw) told me that around the world he is so revered for his discoveries and how they helped reduce hunger and want, that there are statues to him all over. But not here. He doesn’t fit the post-sixties grievance era narrative.

Maybe it would be good to do a series of TV documentaries about people like this. What could you call it? Outside the Story Line? Something like that.