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The Baritone’s Corner
Presents
 

Nelson’s Russian Christmas


The Christmas bonfire

 

 

. Nelson only made one movie that featured Christmas….it was Balalaika and it opened in theaters December 29th, 1939 just in time to celebrate the beginning of the Russian Orthodox Christmas season where Christmas Eve falls on January 5th .  

 

 

 

. Balalaika began production in June, not the month for Christmas bonfires and snowy sled rides. Miliza Korjus had been offered the role of Lydia but “I thought it was a joke” and turned it down on the premise that Nelson would demand Jeanette MacDonald for that part. When Ilona Massey accepted the offer, Miliza was devastated that she lost the chance to work with “that gorgeous hunk of baritone”.


Miliza Korjus
Ilona Massey


 


Jeanette wears the costume with Nelson in "Maytime".

. However, Jeanette did make a ghostly appearance in the wardrobe room. Adrian designed the clothes for Ilona in this film to accent her blonde beauty and voluptuous figure….all except one. He brought back the costume he had designed for Jeanette’s Czaritza sequence in Maytime and, with some very slight alterations, added it to the collection. The skullcap (based on the traditional Russian kokoshnik headdress) and gown were his favorite designs and he used variations of it in many of his film designs.

                  

 

 

. For once, we see Nelson in the first scene so methinks L. B. Mayer must have been out of town. As Prince Peter Karagin, he rides into town at the head of his Cossacks singing “Ride, Cossack, Ride” as the villagers literally drag their womenfolk behind closed doors. But the men have their minds on wine, women and song at the Balalaika, a café in town.
                  


 


"Ride, Cossack, Ride" 
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. There are many girls to choose from at the Balalaika…but it is Lydia that captures the prince’s attention and he begins his planned seduction by posing as a music student in search of a teacher (the sly dog  has already learned her father is a music teacher). He also makes her a present of an audition with the National  Opera’s director (who he browbeats into it).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. Prince wins fair maiden....until she finds out his true identity. When the King is shot and her father is accused of the deed, it looks as though the romance is over.  Peter apologizes for his deception and she accepts but they both know their love is doomed. The war with Austria takes him off to the front and Lydia is left with her broken dreams.
                    

.  At the front, Peter is faced with life and death situations. War is hell. On Christmas, the enemy stops long enough to sing “Silent Night” and Peter tearfully returns the song in their language. This scene is a four-hanky affair.
                
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. The overthrow in Russia  complete, Peter and his family are now expatriates in Paris working in a nightclub…. the Café Balalaika.  The opera director is now a doorman, the ex- king is a wine steward, Peter is a singing waiter and  his former valet owns the place. But happily Lydia and Peter are reunited.
                          


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. The film opened to rave reviews but was overshadowed by the release of Gone With The Wind the same year. The Hollywood Reporter said  “Chalk up another hit for MGM…It creates a new star in Ilona Massey and brings the fans a Nelson Eddy such as they have never seen before.”  

 

So get out that tape of Balalaika (sorry, it isn’t on DVD just yet),  your favorite holiday beverage and sit down for a warm evening’s delight….and here’s the recipe for something Russian to go with it….

…and you can even sing along…

At the Balalaika

When the melancholy shadows fall,
My heart is melancholy, too.
Then I hear the balalaikas call,
And life is gay and bright and new.

At the Balalaika,
Where there is magic in the sparkling wine
And mellow music in the candles shine,
I have a rendezvous.

At the Balalaika,
Who knows what ecstasy tonight may bring
What lovely melody my heart may sing
Before the night is through.

I hear the violin, the haunting gypsy violin
And when it sighs its strangely tender song.
I know that I belong.
At the Balalaika.
Oh, let me linger there ‘til break of day
Where hearts are young and balalaikas play.
I have a rendezvous.