Director Boris Barnet could and did make heaver fare but few of his pictures are as charming as this one. Plus, we get to see the much-maligned Anna Sten showing us what she could really do when people weren’t trying to turn her into Marlene Garbo 2.0.
It’s a thoroughly Russian romantic comedy about bureaucracy, a housing shortage, a lottery ticket and a poor student in need of an apartment. If this makes the film sound heavy, I assure you it isn’t and Sten’s darling performance is a big part of its success. In fact, I doubt there is a cuter non-Lubitsch romantic comedy in all of silent film.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Anna gets her lottery winnings and her man. Who would have doubted it?
If it were a dessert it would be: Lemon curd and blueberry mini tarts. A little bit of everything in a tiny, cute package.
Read my full-length review here.
Availability: Released on DVD with another Boris Barnet feature, Outskirts.
Movies Silently 
poor Anna Sten is so much maligned which is more Hollywood’s fault than hers…poor thing. This film sounds like a fun movie to watch…and sweet
Yes, she has so much life in this film that it really makes you realize how little Hollywood understood her talents and needs as a performer.