Silk Stockings (1957)

George Tobias: Vassili Markovitch

Quotes 

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : I want to look somebody up. Does this office have a copy of Who's Still Who?

• Vera : Darling, I have looked it up. Comrade Yoschenko is a woman.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : That's your opinion.

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Well, the Comrade Minister said, but, he didn't tell me - I'm not so sure if for this job a woman, well, physically a woman is not equipped...

  Ninotchka Yoschenko : When the Minister sent me here, he did not say it was for a discussion of biology.

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : I am the new commissar of art. My name is Markovitch. Any questions?

  Choreographer : Comrade commissar...

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : I will ask the questions. What are they doing?

  Choreographer : Peter Boroff's tone poem, "Ode to a Tractor."

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Peter Boroff? Do you not know that the great Peter Boroff may not come back from Paris, and if he does not, he no longer has any talent?

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : [On telephone]  What? But comrade minister, how can I be in trouble already - I just sat down? The Boroff matter? I wasn't the one who sent those three idiots after Boroff, so why is it my fault? Oh, that is true, there is no one else.

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Let us get down to business. You are familiar with Peter Ilyitch Boroff's music? You are a music lover?

  Ninotchka Yoschenko : Music is essential for parades.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Of course.

• Ninotchka Yoschenko : It seems to me that seduction can only take place when one is willing.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Yeeesss. I can see that you would think that. Have you ever been to Paris?

  Ninotchka Yoschenko : No! I have never been outside the Soviet Union.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Welllll, heh, heh, I have spent many years in Paris. I got very close to the French people. In fact, they deported me three times.

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : A couple of months ago some idiot let Boroff get to Paris and naturally he wants to stay there.

  Ninotchka Yoschenko : What do you mean: naturally?

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : I have made it. Finally I am commissar.

  Vera : Now you can make me, prima ballerina.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Oh, patience, little one.

  Vera : But you promised me! As soon as you would become commissar, you would make me, prima ballerina. Throw out this horrible Kranivoska.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : Patience. Kranivoska has power.

  Vera : She has nothing. She is fat and ugly and she cannot dance.

  Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : I know. But, she is my wife.

• Vassili Markovitch, Commisar of Art : But - you are a woman.

  Ninotchka Yoschenko : The commissar has good powers of observation.