Overview
- TASS marked the semicentennial of Eldar Ryazanov’s 1976 television comedy, which debuted on January 1 at 17:45 on Central Television and drew an estimated audience of about 100 million.
- The Guardian placed the film on a 13‑title list for year‑end viewing, with critic Phil Hoad likening its tone to Kieślowski and noting the 2022 American remake has already faded from memory.
- The production grew from a 1969 stage play by Ryazanov and Emil Braginsky and proceeded under Gosteleradio after Goskino’s reservations, with Mosfilm providing technical support.
- Casting choices included Andrey Myagkov in the lead after extensive tests and Barbara Brylska as the heroine with her dialogue dubbed by Valentina Talyzina, while Yuri Yakovlev played Ippolit.
- Composer Mikael Tariverdiev’s songs were performed off‑screen by Alla Pugacheva and Sergey Nikitin without on‑screen credit, and the film later earned a USSR State Prize after topping a 1976 readers’ poll and becoming an annual New Year broadcast.