1939
Three Soviet agents in Paris, attempting to sell stolen jewels, are thwarted by Count Leon d'Algout, leading Moscow to send stern Envoy Ninotchka Yakushova to resolve the issue. Ninotchka, however, falls in love with Leon and embraces Parisian culture, prompting Duchess Swana to blackmail her into returning to Moscow by threatening to expose her affair and prevent the agents' return. Struggling in Moscow, Ninotchka is sent to Constantinople to retrieve the three agents, only to find they have defected and opened a successful restaurant. Leon, having orchestrated the agents' defection and restaurant, surprises Ninotchka in Constantinople, allowing them to reunite and pursue their love free from Soviet influence.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Ninotchka follows the stern Soviet envoy Nina Yakushova as she arrives in Paris to reclaim stolen jewels, clashing with the carefree Leon.
Open full beat sheetCount Leon d'Algout is listed as Parisian Playboy. A charming, sophisticated, and resourceful Parisian aristocrat who falls in love with Ninotchka. In the parsed data, Count Leon d'Algout is connected to 27 scenes, 117 dialogue lines, 117 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
27 scenes / 117 dialogue linesNinotchka Yakushova is listed as Soviet Envoy. A stern, analytical, and dedicated Soviet official who undergoes a transformation after experiencing Paris. In the parsed data, Ninotchka Yakushova is connected to 25 scenes, 124 dialogue lines, 124 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
25 scenes / 124 dialogue linesComrade Buljanoff is listed as Russian Board of Trade Member. One of the three original Soviet agents sent to Paris. In the parsed data, Comrade Buljanoff is connected to 19 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 17 dialogue linesComrade Iranoff is listed as Russian Board of Trade Member. One of the three original Soviet agents sent to Paris. In the parsed data, Comrade Iranoff is connected to 19 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 12 dialogue linesComrade Kopalski is listed as Russian Board of Trade Member. One of the three original Soviet agents sent to Paris. In the parsed data, Comrade Kopalski is connected to 19 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 12 dialogue linesDuchess Swana is listed as Russian Exile. A sophisticated and manipulative Russian aristocrat living in exile in Paris. In the parsed data, Duchess Swana is connected to 12 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
12 scenes / 11 dialogue linesGaston is listed as Butler. Leon's elderly, dignified, and traditional butler. In the parsed data, Gaston is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesCount Rakonin is listed as Waiter / Russian Exile. A former Russian Count working as a waiter at the Hotel Clarence. In the parsed data, Count Rakonin is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRazinin is listed as Soviet Commissar. A militant and aggressive Soviet official in Moscow. In the parsed data, Razinin is connected to 2 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
2 scenes / 16 dialogue linesThree Soviet agents arrive at the Hotel Clarence, clearly out of place in their Russian attire, and are observed by the hotel manager.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiThe three Russians debate whether to stay at the luxurious Hotel Clarence or follow orders to stay at the Hotel Terminus.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiThe three Russians check into the hotel and insist on the Royal Suite to accommodate their safe.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiThe Russians secure their suitcase in the safe while being observed by Rakonin, a waiter.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade Kopalski, Count RakoninLeon visits Duchess Swana and discusses selling her memoirs, before Rakonin arrives with news of the stolen jewels.
Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess Swana, Count RakoninThe Russians negotiate with Mercier the jeweler, interrupted by Leon who claims the jewels belong to Swana.
Count Leon d'Algout, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiLeon confronts the three Russians with a legal injunction regarding the Duchess's jewels, forcing Mercier to pause negotiations.
Count Leon d'Algout, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiA wild party ensues with the Russians, girls, and music; Leon manipulates them into sending a telegram to Moscow suggesting a settlement.
Count Leon d'Algout, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade Kopalski, Count RakoninThe Russians receive a telegram from Moscow ordering them to halt negotiations and announcing the arrival of an Envoy Extraordinary.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiThe Russians meet Ninotchka, the new Envoy Extraordinary, who is stern and business-like.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiNinotchka takes charge, criticizes the luxury of the suite, and demands legal and technical information.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiLeon and Ninotchka meet by chance on an isle of safety in the middle of a street while waiting for traffic signals.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutNinotchka arrives at the Eiffel Tower to study it; Leon follows her, reading facts from a book.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon and Ninotchka reunite at the top of the tower and discuss the view and their differing worldviews.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutNinotchka visits Leon's apartment, where they debate love, politics, and their personal connection.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'Algout, GastonThree days later, Duchess Swana visits Leon's apartment.
Duchess Swana, GastonDuchess Swana arrives at Leon's apartment and is greeted by his butler, Gaston.
Duchess Swana, GastonSwana finds Leon asleep and they discuss his health and his obsession with Ninotchka.
Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess Swana, GastonSwana opens the door to the three Russian envoys.
Duchess Swana, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiThe three Russians wait outside Leon's door and discuss their pasts.
Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade Kopalski, Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon meets with the Russians who express their fear of returning to Moscow.
Count Leon d'Algout, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade Kopalski, Duchess SwanaNinotchka works on legal documents and orders food.
Ninotchka YakushovaLeon intercepts Ninotchka's room service call.
Count Rakonin, Count Leon d'AlgoutNinotchka leaves the hotel and seeks a restaurant.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon confronts Ninotchka at a workman's restaurant and tries to make her laugh.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon attempts to make Ninotchka laugh with a joke, eventually failing and falling, which causes Ninotchka to finally laugh.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutNinotchka meets with lawyers and the three Russians, then prepares to go out after they leave.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiLeon and Gaston discuss the changes in Leon's behavior.
Count Leon d'Algout, GastonLeon greets Ninotchka, who is wearing a new outfit.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon and Ninotchka share an intimate evening and discuss their feelings.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutDuchess Swana and her party arrive at the club and spot Leon and Ninotchka.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess SwanaLeon and Ninotchka are interrupted by Duchess Swana and General Savitzky while dining.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess Swana, RazininNinotchka, intoxicated, attempts to make a speech on the dance floor.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'AlgoutThe Manager confronts Leon about Ninotchka's behavior in the powder room.
Count Leon d'AlgoutLeon and Ninotchka return to the suite and share an intimate, intoxicated moment.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Count Leon d'Algout, Count RakoninDuchess Swana visits the suite and finds Ninotchka sleeping.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Duchess SwanaSwana visits Ninotchka to pressure her into leaving Paris for Moscow, revealing she has stolen the jewels.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Duchess SwanaLeon confronts Swana about his love for Ninotchka, only to learn she has already left.
Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess SwanaNinotchka and the three comrades fly back to Moscow, reminiscing about Paris.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiLeon attempts to get a visa to Russia to find Ninotchka, but is blocked by the official.
Count Leon d'Algout, Duchess SwanaLeon attempts to get a visa to Russia from an official, eventually resorting to violence.
Count Leon d'AlgoutMay Day parade in Moscow.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiNinotchka hosts a dinner for the three Russians and receives a censored letter from Leon.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiNinotchka says goodbye to the three comrades; Buljanoff whispers a final thought before they leave, leaving Ninotchka alone and heartbroken.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade KopalskiNinotchka reports to Razinin in Moscow; he confronts her about the three comrades' behavior in Constantinople and orders her to go there.
Ninotchka Yakushova, RazininNinotchka arrives in Constantinople and meets the three comrades, who reveal they have opened a restaurant and are no longer acting as Soviet agents.
Ninotchka Yakushova, Comrade Buljanoff, Comrade Iranoff, Comrade Kopalski, Count Leon d'AlgoutYou analyze everything out of existence. You analyze me out of existence. I won't let you. Love is not so simple. Ninotchka, Ninotchka, why do doves bill and coo? Why do snails, coldest of all creatures, circle interminably around each other? Why do moths fly hundreds of miles to find their mates? Why do flowers open their petals? Oh, Ninotchka, Ninotchka, surely you feel some slight symptom of the divine passion... a general warmth in the palms of your hands... a strange heaviness in your limbs... a burning of the lips that is not thirst but a thousand times more tantalizing, more exalting, than thirst?
How can I make myself clear... It is difficult to express but I'd rather not go to foreign countries any more. Please, Comrade... let me stay here... let me finish my work... I am in the rhythm of it now... I don't want to go away. I don't want to be sent into that foreign atmosphere again. It throws one out of gear.... Let me finish my work... I have concentrated everything in it... Please... don't make me go.
This anonymous report was sent me. They are dragging the good name of our country through every café and night club. Here... "How can the Bolshevik cause gain respect among the Moslems if your three representatives, Buljanoff, Iranoff, and Kopalski, get so drunk that they throw a carpet out of their hotel window and complain to the management that it didn't fly?"
Just a minute -- just a minute -- I have nothing against the idea but I still say let's go back to the Hotel Terminus. Moscow made our reservations there, we are on an official mission, and we have no right to change the orders of our superior.
They tell me when you ring once the valet comes in; when you ring twice you get the waiter; and do you know what happens when you ring three times? A maid comes in -- a French maid.
You are bringing in wrong values. Love is a romantic designation for a most ordinary biological, or shall we say chemical, process. A lot of nonsense is talked and written about it.
We can say whatever we want. We can shout... we can complain... Look... The service in this hotel is terrible! See? Nobody comes... nobody pays any attention. That's freedom.
It's never too late to change. I used to belong to the petty bourgeoisie myself. My father and mother wanted me to stay and work on the farm, but I preferred the bayonet.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.