I really enjoy the episodes with Marya. I think she's so over the top outrageous and unpredictable, and sexy the way some crazy women are, she's a nice change of pace.
Maybe not every episode would be good, but I think she's great as a recurring guest star.
She's like Col. Krittendon that way.
Nita Talbot played one of the more intriguing sitcom characters of the day. Both Marya and Hogan were anti-Nazi, but she was also pro-Soviet which often put her a loggerheads with Hogan. She also put Hogan in serious jeopardy, relying on his ingenuity to extricate himself and complete their mission. Considering Hogan had men and materiel at his disposal, Marya accomplished much basically working alone...although you can't discount her feminine wiles.
shareNita Talbot was nominated for an Emmy for one of her Marya episodes. I always thought it odd that she could so easily worm her way within the German command with so little trouble, even if she had presumably defected. I seem to recall that she was described as a White Russian but I may be mistaken.
BTW Bogart, you wrote that she was, "one of the more intriguing sitcom characters of the day." Who was the other one?
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Keeping people straight since 1958. No need to thank me - I already know you are grateful.
<BTW Bogart, you wrote that she was, "one of the more intriguing sitcom characters of the day." Who was the other one?>
I thought the meaning is clear, but let me try to explain it to you. Nita's portrayal of Marya stacks up one-on-one against any other performance of a sitcom character more often than not.
Okay, thanks for the clarification. Your mistake is obvious now. Thanks for clearing that up.
EDIT (26 June): I wasn't trying to start an argument but I was simply trying to point out that when Bogart used the comparative he was comparing just two things, and when he said, "one of the more intriguing...," then he is saying she is one of two actresses. He of course should have said she was one of the most interesting actresses, using the superlative. This has become a very common mistake these days, for unknown reasons.
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Everyone may have an opinion but very few seem to have an informed one.
I was just trying to clear up your confusion over a straight forward message.
shareIf you enjoy Nita Talbot's Marya, check out Eve Arden in "The Doughgirls", set in World War II in Washington DC when it was impossible to find a hotel room. Her Russian Sgt. is hysterically over the top, introducing herself to the women with, "Oh, you are all so happy to meet me", then insulting Jane Wyman with the put-down, "Little hands. No good for nothing." Of course, Marya also reminded me of "Bullwinkle's" Nastasha.
"Great theater makes you smile. Outstanding theater may make you weep."