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Russians Are Coming, Russians Are Coming, The: A Hilarious Cold War Comedy

Andy Hayes

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Published in Russians Are Coming Again The: The First Cold War As Tragedy The Second As Farce

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Released in 1966, The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming is a hilarious Cold War comedy that follows the misadventures of a group of Russian sailors who accidentally land on a remote New England island.

Russians Are Coming, Again, The: The First Cold War as Tragedy, the Second as Farce

by John Marciano

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1313 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	235 pages

The film stars Carl Reiner as Walt Whittaker, a small-town police chief who is tasked with keeping the peace while the Russians are in town. Jerry Lewis plays Alexei Kolchin, the captain of the Russian submarine that ran aground on the island. Jonathan Winters plays Alexei's bumbling first officer, Nikolai. Alan Arkin plays the town's drunken doctor, Paul Vizzini. Eva Marie Saint plays Walt's wife, Ellen.

The film is a satire of the Cold War paranoia that was prevalent in the United States at the time. The Russians are portrayed as bumbling and incompetent, but also as surprisingly human. The Americans are portrayed as well-meaning but also quick to panic.

The film is full of slapstick humor, but it also has a lot of heart. The characters are all well-developed, and the film does a great job of exploring the themes of fear, prejudice, and friendship.

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming is a classic comedy that is still relevant today. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, laughter can be found.

Cast

Carl Reiner as Walt Whittaker
Jerry Lewis as Alexei Kolchin
Jonathan Winters as Nikolai
Alan Arkin as Paul Vizzini
Eva Marie Saint as Ellen Whittaker

Crew

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Carl Reiner
Screenplay: William Rose
Cinematography: Joseph Biroc
Music: Ernest Gold

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
BAFTA Award for Best Film

Legacy

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming is considered one of the best comedies of the 1960s. It was a critical and commercial success, and it has been praised for its humor, heart, and social commentary.

The film has been remade twice, once in 1988 and again in 2019. The 1988 remake, Red Heat, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Belushi. The 2019 remake, Stuber, starred Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista.

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming is a timeless comedy that continues to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, laughter can be found.

Russians Are Coming, Again, The: The First Cold War as Tragedy, the Second as Farce

by John Marciano

5 out of 5