Greetings, commies!
Courtly romance is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of post-WWII Soviet culture. Think again! The 1946 blockbuster The First Glove is a great example of a counter-trend project. The world was weary of tragedy and violence. It needed a touch of comedy, tenderness and humor. The First Glove tells the story of an aspiring boxer who falls in love with a rhythmic gymnast. What makes that film stand apart is the famous romantic song Our Boat. The leading actress, Nadezhda Cherednichenko died just last month at the age of 91. She looks like a mixture of Maureen O'Hara and Judy Garland. She confirmed to the Western beauty standards and had an affinity for the West. It's not surprising that USA was the place of her death. Her performance of Our Boat transcends all linguistic and political barriers. The song itself dates to the 1930s.
