As in so many countries, the first truly popular sound films were those based on national musical forms. The USSR was no exception, and Aleksandrov's Jolly Fellows provides the template for dozens of productions that followed. An ambitious but untalented singer Yelena (Mariya Strelkova) mistakes a simple shepherd, Kostya (Leonid Utyosov), for a famous jazz band leader. She invites him to accompany her at an upcoming swank get-together. Kostya readily agrees, but instead of a saxophone, he brings along his pan-pipes—as well most of the animals from his nearby farm. All is not lost: Yelena's long-suffering servant, Anyuta (Lyubov Orlova), happens to be a terrific singer. When she and Kostya discover each other, musical and romantic fireworks soon follow. The film was an enormous success throughout the Soviet Union, and transformed both Utyosov and especially Orlova into the first Soviet movie stars. 35mm
1934, b&w, 1 hour 36 minutes, USSR