“Soviet Romantic Movies Aren’t, Danny Kaye Says”

European Stars and Stripes – July 15, 1963

NEW YORK (UPI) – Comedian Danny Kaye says the closest most Russian films get to a romantic line are pictures involving “a love affair between two tractors.”

Kaye, just returned from a 10-day visit to Moscow, said most current Soviet films are about war “with a propaganda line.” He said, however, he had seen an “extremely well done” documentary about the training of Soviet space pilots.

The comedian, who was in Russia as an observer for the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said none of his films have been shown in Russia and he was able to walk the streets virtually unnoticed.

He said: “This gave me a much greater opportunity to observe the people,” whom he found to have an “indefinable air of inhibition.”

“There is scarcely any comment made about any of their political leaders or about the government. I had the feeling that they think four times before they say anything.

“When I talked to adults, I never got the impression they were saying what they were feeling, even in a joking way.”

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