Nutcracker is a 1982 British drama film directed by Anwar Kawadri and starring Joan Collins, Carol White and Paul Nicholas.
Contents
Premise
Set during the Cold War, the story concerns a Soviet ballerina who attempts to defect to the West and settle in London.
Cast
Joan Collins as Laura Carrere
Carol White as Margaux Lasselle
Paul Nicholas as Mike McCann
Finola Hughes as Nadia Gargarin
William Franklyn as Sir Arthur Cartwright
Leslie Ash as Sharon
Murray Melvin as Leopold
Vernon Dobtcheff as Markovitch
Geraldine Gardner as Markova
Cherry Gillespie as Mireille
Jane Wellman as Grace
Ed Bishop as Sam Dozier
Jo Warne as Madame Olga
Martin Burrows as Tom
Fran Fullenwider as Vi
Anna Bergman as Tashi
Nicola Austin as Sylvie
Olivier Pierre as Alex Lasalle
Steve Kelly as Boris
Richard Marner as Popov
Morgan Sheppard as George Peacock
Patti Hammond as Sue
Production
Collins had appeared in two popular vehicles, The Stud and The Bitch which led to her casting on Dynasty. She made Nutcracker over six weeks during early 1982 in between season one and two of Dynasty. The director had only made short films.
Carol White stormed out of a screening after seeing she had been shown topless, contrary to previous assurances.
Reception
The Guardian called the film "living testament to the propensity of the British happily to survive the dollops of soft porn with Joan Collins at its gooey centre."