by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Only in a Soviet propaganda film like Tanya (aka The Bright Road) would it be suggested that hard work and utter devotion to the State would make a homely girl attractive! The story takes place in a small Russian textile-manufacturing town, when illiterate kitchen slavey Tanya Morozova (Lyubov Orlova) takes a factory job. She does so well in this capacity that she is ultimately awarded the Lenin Medal for developing a faster and more efficient weaving method. In addition, she transforms from ugly duckling to gorgeous swan, much to the delight of nominal male lead Alexei. Chalk up another box-office winner from the talented husband-wife team of director Grigori Alexandrov and star Lyubov Orlova.
