It Was a Gay Ballnight (1939): cast, story & where to watch
1939 · Film · ★ 5.7
Released in 1939, It Was a Gay Ballnight is a drama film directed by Carl Froelich, running about 94 minutes.
What it’s about. 1865. Katharina goes to a ball in Moscow. There she meets again Tchaikowsky, her first and only love. The young, who is now married to wealthy Michael Iwanowitsch Murakin, a man she does not love, has not forgotten Piotr Illich, the (not yet) famous composer. Both are still in love with each other but Piotr is engaged to Nastassia, a dancer, while for her part Katharina cannot leave her husband. Tchaikowky's first love then decides to sacrifice her happiness to the success of the composer, sponsoring him in secret. Something Piotr will learn only years after. When Katharina finds herself free at last it is too late: Tchaikowsky is dying of cholera and she only has time to close his eyes.
Who’s in it. It Was a Gay Ballnight stars Zarah Leander as Katharina Alexandrowna Murakina, Marika Rökk as Tänzerin Nastassja Petrowna Jarowa, Hans Stüwe as Peter Iljitsch Tschaikowsky and Aribert Wäscher as Michael Iwanowitsch Murakin, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, It Was a Gay Ballnight has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch It Was a Gay Ballnight page.
If you liked it. Fans of It Was a Gay Ballnight tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch It Was a Gay Ballnight (1939)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for It Was a Gay Ballnight change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is It Was a Gay Ballnight worth watching?
- It Was a Gay Ballnight holds an audience score of 5.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in It Was a Gay Ballnight?
- It Was a Gay Ballnight stars Zarah Leander, Marika Rökk, Hans Stüwe, Aribert Wäscher and Paul Dahlke.
- When was It Was a Gay Ballnight released?
- It Was a Gay Ballnight was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 94 minutes.