I had read two versions of the pop actress and singer , in Russia at that time,Lyudmila Gurchenko. One story was that his picture was too western and she was scolded for doing it and accused of excepting extra pay for her picture, other than the government wage. She was kicked out of films for years , until the 70's. Then she was recognized.Others An official,of the state cinema photography school made a pass at her and she rejected him so he had her black listed from films a while.After this film she did others. This is a m very modern style type musical for Russia. I had thought that this film was made for distribution in America to try to convince Americans that communism was democratic? No it's just light hearted. The dull head of the ministry of cultures planning a boring new years eve carnival. He's trying to mess it up. But students played by Lyudmilla and the others pep it up. You see Her and the other students ,including a Russian sister act . rehearsing a very jazzy song.She later goes with the culture director to check the other acts. One is an orchestra rehearsing another semi jazz number. He badly criticizes it and insist that they play classics.He approves of the dull ballet dancing,Which later in the film when they keep him locked under the stage ,while the ballet dancers do a jazz number instead. For some reason one of the students disguises himself as an old man to Lyudmila and when she finds out she chases him down until he removes the costume. Two actors quit when the director criticizes the clown act.. Durring the party The students try to prevent the dull director of culture from messing it up. As he about to go on stage and make a dull speech, Ludmila get's one of the magicians to take the speech out of his suite and replace it with magic tricks. This mess up his speech but makes the celebration better.She sings one number behind a big clock and the orchestra around it .The party continues after the 12.Another number the orchestra disguises themselves as old men playing classics , to get into the stage in front of the director. After a few minutes they go wild in their music embarrassing the director.Another number Ludmila does a ice skating singing number with ice skate dancers behind her. One official is gotten drunk ,by Ludmilas boyfriend, That he gets on stage an makes a fool of himself.The party , now way after one, goes well in the end and Ludmila and her boyfriend decide to dance together. She is still a top entertainer today.
Review of Carnival Night
