Tonight's Movie: Comrade X (1940)

Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr star in COMRADE X as an American reporter and a dedicated Communist, respectively, who are manipulated into marriage in Russia by Lamarr's father (Sig Ruman) in order to save her life. Gable's in danger himself, as he's been smuggling uncensored stories out of the country. It doesn't take the new couple long to warm up to each other, and soon they're heading for the border together in a hijacked Russian tank.

COMRADE X owes more than a little inspiration to the previous year's NINOTCHKA, including the presence of Sig Ruman in the supporting cast. The film reunited Gable and Lamarr, who had costarred in BOOM TOWN earlier in 1940. Lamarr is charmingly funny and the film really takes off once she enters the picture. The supporting cast includes Eve Arden. The film was directed by King Vidor.

COMRADE X is available on video and is part of the Turner Classic Movies library.

Update: COMRADE X is now available on DVD-R from the Warner Archive.

May 2016 Update: An extended review of the film and the Warner Archive DVD may now be found here.