Comrade Cukor: When Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Taylor and Cicely Tyson Invaded The Soviet Union

In the 1970s, in an attempt to thaw the Cold War, the U.S. and USSR decided to co-produce a film: Cinematic detente!

The United States would provide big Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda and Cicely Tyson. They would be directed by the legendary George Cukor. The Soviet Union agreed to provide the crew, equipment, locations, and of course some ballet dancers.

Then it all fell apart, because of course it did.

Also, be sure to check out the We Know Jack Show Podcast!

Sources for this episode:

Shaw, T. (2012). Nightmare on Nevsky Prospekt: The Blue Bird as a Curious Instance of U.S.-Soviet Film Collaboration during the Cold War. Journal of Cold War Studies, 14 (1), 3-33. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/26924108

Olsen, Lynne. Will Soviet-US Film Find Happiness? Ft. Myers News-Press, March 4, 1975

Cooper, Arthur & Friendly, Jr, Alfred. Hooray for Hollygrad! Newsweek, March 31, 1975

Reed, Rex. 'Bluebird' limps rather than soars on detente. Long Beach Press Telegram, August 17,1975.

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