Line #9 Literature/RomanceWithADoubleBass

Context Literature / RomanceWithADoubleBass

Go To


1	"Romance with a Double Bass" is a short story (only three pages long!) by Creator/AntonChekhov, that was later adapted into a 1974 featurette from the United Kingdom. The adaptation was written by Creator/JohnCleese, Creator/ConnieBooth, and Creator/BillOwen.
2
3	Smychkov, a bassist, shows up too early for the ball of a beautiful princess, and decides to spend his extra time skinny dipping in the nearby lake. The princess, meanwhile, has gone fishing at the lake, and later decides to go skinny dipping as well. However, things change when a thief absconds with both Smychkov's and the Princess's clothes, and while the Princess is wandering around, she meets Smychkov. After their initially embarrassing encounter, he tries to help her return to the castle by hiding her in his bass case.
4
5	The first film adaptation of this story was made in Russia in 1911 as a short silent, directed by Kai Hansen. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViA7_f7KAT0 This is available on [=YouTube=]]].
6
7	----
8	!! Tropes in the short story:
9
10	* DownerEnding
11	* FlyingDutchman: Smychkov.
12	* GoneSwimmingClothesStolen: The basis for the plot.
13	* KarmaHoudini: Arguably the thief of Smychkov's and the princess' clothing.
14	* MeetCute: Smychkov and the princess, both nude, are embarrassed at their first meeting.
15	* NakedPeopleAreFunny
16	* TimeMarchesOn: The idea of a clothing thief might mystify modern readers unaware that clothing was notoriously expensive in Russia at the time the story was written.
17
18	!! Tropes in the 1911 film adaptation:
19
20	* MaleFrontalNudity: In-universe only; otherwise averted in the film. The OldTimeyBathingSuit is worn by both man and woman.
21
22	!! Tropes in the 1974 film adaptation:
23
24	* BehindAStick: At one point in the film, Smychkov hides behind a statue with his head barely concealed behind the head.
25	* {{Fanservice}}: Necessarily, a lot of skin is on display; Creator/ConnieBooth has to get into a double bass case.
26	* HeroWithBadPublicity: In the film, Smychkov is briefly apprehended as a thief because he took the princess' dress and shoes from her bedroom in order to deliver them to her while she was hiding naked in his double bass case.
27	* MaleFrontalNudity: In-universe only; otherwise averted in the film.
28	* UptownGirl: In the film, the princess and the humble musician Smychkov explicitly develop feelings for each other.
29	* WithCatlikeTread: In the film, Smychkov has to sneak past all the servants in order to fetch the princess' dress and then her shoes, while wearing much-too-tight shoes that squeak with every step.

Context Literature / RomanceWithADoubleBass