Silk Stockings Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rigid Soviet agent goes to decadent Paris to retrieve some comrades and a composer, but accidentally discovers silk stockings, champagne, and Fred Astaire’s charms, causing her communist heart to thaw.

🍿 Silk Stockings: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Three Comrades in Paris

The film opens with three bumbling Soviet agents, Brankov, Markovitch, and Bibinski, sent to Paris to retrieve composer Peter Ilyitch Boroff. Boroff has defected, captivated by the luxurious Parisian lifestyle and the opportunity to compose music for an American film producer, Steve Canfield. The three agents quickly fall prey to the same capitalist temptations, becoming enamored with Paris themselves and failing their mission.

Ninotchka’s Arrival

Alarmed by the agents’ failure and their enthusiastic reports of Western decadence, Moscow sends Comrade Ninotchka Yoschenko, a highly dedicated and humorless official. Her mission is clear: bring back Boroff and the three straying comrades. Upon arrival, Ninotchka is critical of everything Parisian, maintaining a stern demeanor and unwavering loyalty to the Soviet system.

An Encounter with Steve Canfield

Steve Canfield, the American film producer hoping to work with Boroff, encounters Ninotchka. Intrigued by her unyielding seriousness, he attempts to charm her and expose her to the joys of Paris. Their initial interactions are marked by a clash of ideologies, with Ninotchka dismissing his world as decadent and frivolous, while Steve finds her rigidity both baffling and captivating.

Falling Under Paris’s Spell

Despite her best efforts to resist, Ninotchka gradually begins to soften under Steve’s persistent charm and the allure of Paris. Simple pleasures like beautiful clothes, champagne, and romantic walks start to break down her strict facade. She experiences personal freedom and emotional connection she never knew existed, culminating in her famously trying on silk stockings and embracing a more expressive side of herself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ninotchka Yoschenko (Cyd Charisse): A stern, ultra-serious Soviet envoy sent to Paris who finds her rigid ideology challenged by Western charm and romance.
• Steve Canfield (Fred Astaire): A debonair American movie producer in Paris who endeavors to charm a Soviet official and disrupt her mission.
• Peggy Dayton (Janis Paige): A vivacious American movie star who represents the exuberance of the West and attracts a Russian composer.
• Brankov (Peter Lorre): One of three bumbling Soviet agents in Paris who become easily enamored with the city’s decadent lifestyle.
• Bibinski (Jules Munshin): One of the three comical Soviet agents whose mission to retrieve a composer is sidetracked by the pleasures of Paris.
• Ivanov (Joseph Buloff): One of the trio of Soviet agents sent to Paris who quickly succumb to the freedoms and luxuries of the West.
• Vassili Markovitch (George Tobias): Ninotchka’s long-suffering Soviet superior in Moscow who sends her to Paris after his initial agents fail.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vassili Markovitch: “I want to look somebody up. Does this office have a copy of Who’s Still Who?” – Said by Ninotchka’s boss in Moscow, highlighting the rapid changes and disappearances within the Soviet system.
• Ninotchka Yoschenko: “Silk should be used for parachutes… It should save lives, not cling to legs.” – Ninotchka expresses her initial utilitarian and puritanical Soviet view on luxury items like silk stockings.
• Steve Canfield: “Glorious Technicolor, breathtaking CinemaScope, and Stereophonic sound!” – Sung as part of a satirical number mocking the film industry’s reliance on technical gimmicks to attract audiences.
• Bibinski: “Have you seen our choice bill of fare… Please try the fillet of polar bear!” – Sung by one of the three Soviet agents in the ‘Siberia’ number, gloomily contemplating the harsh conditions they face if sent back.
• Ninotchka Yoschenko: “Paris loves lovers. The rest of us are here on business.” – Said by Ninotchka upon arriving in Paris, asserting her rigid focus on her mission despite the city’s romantic reputation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,553,463
• Domestic Gross: $3,800,000
• Worldwide Gross: $4,800,000

💥 Silk Stockings Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Silk Stockings’ finally, and wow, Cyd Charisse’s legs are LEGENDARY for a reason! Her solo where she’s putting on the silk stockings? Absolutely mesmerizing. Fred Astaire is pure class, even if, yeah, he’s a bit older here, but he still moves like nobody else. Their dance together, ‘All of You,’ felt so romantic and smooth, it just made my heart melt. I also got a kick out of the ‘Stereophonic Sound’ number, totally spoofing all the movie tech back then – relatable, even now! And seeing Peter Lorre dancing? Hilarious and unexpected. Honestly, the political stuff is super dated, but I just kind of tuned that out and focused on the songs, the dancing, and the pure old Hollywood charm. It’s just a feel-good movie that makes you want to twirl around your living room.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood musicals”
  • “Admirers of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse”
  • “Enthusiasts of Cole Porter’s music”
  • “Viewers interested in Cold War era satire and remakes of classic films”
  • “Those who enjoy romantic comedies with dance sequences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Cold War era political satire and stereotypes (may be perceived as dated or potentially offensive by some)”
  • “Mild thematic elements typical of a U-rated film”

Professional Reviews

• Generated: “”Silk Stockings” delivers a delightful blend of Cole Porter tunes and captivating performances. While a musical remake of the classic ‘Ninotchka’, it stands on its own with stylish direction and vibrant use of color and Cinemascope. Fred Astaire remains effortlessly charming, even at this stage in his career, and Cyd Charisse is a vision, showcasing breathtaking dance talent, particularly in her iconic solo numbers and duets with Astaire. The supporting cast, including Janis Paige and Peter Lorre, add ample humor. A visually and musically rich experience.
• Generated: “Rouben Mamoulian’s ‘Silk Stockings’ updates the ‘Ninotchka’ premise with Cold War satire and dazzling musical numbers. While the political commentary can be a bit broad, the film finds its strength in the performances and production values. Astaire and Charisse are a dynamic duo, their dance numbers are the undeniable highlights, even if some feel slightly constrained by the widescreen format. Porter’s score is a mixed bag, featuring some gems like ‘Stereophonic Sound’ and ‘All of You’, alongside less memorable tunes. A pleasant, if occasionally uneven, watch.
• Generated: “Despite the considerable talents of Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Cole Porter, ‘Silk Stockings’ doesn’t quite reach the heights of its source material, ‘Ninotchka’. Charisse is a phenomenal dancer but struggles to capture the nuanced comedic depth of the original role, sometimes feeling more robotic than stoic. While the dance sequences are, predictably, superb – showcasing both leads’ enduring grace – the musical numbers occasionally feel tacked on, slowing the narrative pace. It’s a visually pleasing film with memorable moments, but lacks the consistent spark of MGM’s best.

Audience Reactions

Cyd Charisse’s dancing and stunning legs were consistently praised as a visual highlight.: Viewers loved the dancing by both Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, finding their chemistry engaging, and particularly enjoyed standout musical numbers like ‘Stereophonic Sound’ and Cyd’s solo.

Overall Consensus: A visually opulent and charming musical remake primarily celebrated for the exceptional dancing of its stars, Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire, despite some dated political humor and mixed opinions on Cole Porter’s score.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the final stage musical score written by Cole Porter for Broadway.”
• “It was the last musical film Fred Astaire made as the lead, intending to retire from musicals afterward (though he returned for ‘Finian’s Rainbow’). He symbolically crushes his top hat at the end of the ‘Ritz Roll ‘n’ Rock’ number.”
• “The character of Peggy Dayton is widely considered a parody of MGM swimming star Esther Williams, with whom the studio had recently had a public falling out.”
• “Cyd Charisse’s singing voice was dubbed in the film by Carole Richards.”
• “Director Rouben Mamoulian stated that the CinemaScope aspect ratio used for the film was ‘the stupidest shape I’ve ever seen’, despite using it effectively in musical numbers.”
• “The look of Boris and Natasha from the ‘Rocky and Bullwinkle’ cartoons was reportedly inspired by characters in this film and the original ‘Ninotchka’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Silk Stockings?

To watch ‘Silk Stockings’ (1957), check major digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Vudu, where it is typically available for rent or purchase. Availability on subscription streaming services varies, so consult your preferred platform’s library. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be purchased from online retailers or found in libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Silk Stockings, you might like these similar films:

• Ninotchka (1939): The direct source material for this musical remake, sharing the same core plot of a rigid Soviet official softened by the romance and pleasures of Paris.
• The Band Wagon (1953): Also starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, produced by the Arthur Freed unit at MGM, and considered one of the peak backstage musicals of the era.
• One, Two, Three (1961): A fast-paced Billy Wilder comedy set in Cold War Berlin, offering a similarly satirical take on the clash between capitalist and communist ideologies.
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): Another iconic MGM musical from the Arthur Freed unit, featuring Cyd Charisse in a memorable sequence and satirizing the film industry (the transition to sound vs. ‘Stereophonic Sound’).
• Roman Holiday (1953): While not a musical, it shares the theme of a highly structured, high-status woman (a princess) finding freedom and romance while experiencing a foreign city outside of her official role.

🛒 Silk Stockings Related Products

• Silk Stockings Blu-ray/DVD: Experience the dazzling musical in high definition, showcasing the vibrant Technicolor and Cinemascope visuals and the full Stereophonic Sound mentioned in the film.
• Cole Porter’s Silk Stockings Original Soundtrack: Listen to the full Cole Porter score, featuring classic tunes like ‘All of You’ and satirical numbers like ‘Stereophonic Sound’ and ‘Siberia’.
• The Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals: Explore the era that produced ‘Silk Stockings’, delving into the history, music, and stars of the stage productions that transitioned to the screen.
• Vintage Silk Stockings Movie Poster Print: Own a piece of Hollywood history with a high-quality print of the original movie poster, featuring Astaire and Charisse in their memorable roles.

🎧 Soundtrack

Silk Stockings features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – performed by Cole Porter
• “All of You” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Paris Loves Lovers” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Stereophonic Sound” – performed by Cole Porter
• “The Ritz Roll ‘n’ Rock” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Siberia” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Red Blues” – performed by Peter Ilyitch Boroff
• “Fated to be Mated” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Josephine” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Satin and Silk” – performed by Cole Porter
• “Too Bad” – performed by Cole Porter

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CYD CHARISSE, the best female dancer in Hollywood history

This video showcases why Cyd Charisse is considered one of Hollywood’s greatest dancers, featuring jaw-dropping moments from *Silk Stockings* alongside her other iconic performances. It’s truly inspiring to see her talent shine across different films!

Cyd Charisse performs The Red Blues in SILK STOCKINGS | Mad About Musicals | TCM

Want to see one of Cyd Charisse’s most iconic dance numbers from *Silk Stockings*, ‘The Red Blues’? This clip from TCM gives you the performance plus some fascinating background straight from the source – a must-watch for dance fans!

Fred Astaire – The Ritz Roll and Rock (Silk Stockings)

Witness a piece of movie history with Fred Astaire’s memorable ‘Ritz Roll and Rock’ number from *Silk Stockings*. The description mentions it was his symbolic final dance in musicals, which just adds so much weight to this performance!

Silk Stockings – Cyd Charisse ‘s own voice – It’s a Chemical Reaction

Ever wondered what Cyd Charisse actually sounded like singing, since she was usually dubbed? This fascinating clip finally reveals her real voice singing a tune from *Silk Stockings* – honestly, it’s better than I expected, but gives great insight into the casting choices!

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