In July 1926, at the height of their fame, Hollywood stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks made a historic visit to the Soviet Union. Their arrival coincided with the death of the founder of the Cheka, Felix Dzerzhinsky, and, ironically, their hotel was located next to the Hall of Columns, where his body lay in state. The atmosphere took on a nearly surreal quality, as crowds alternated between mourning the Soviet leader and joyfully welcoming the Hollywood stars. Despite the brevity of their stay, Pickford and Fairbanks left an indelible mark on the hearts of Soviet admirers-poets wrote verses, and musicians composed songs in their honor. Director Sergei Komarov even managed to film the comedy Mary Pickford's Kiss, starring Igor Ilyinsky and Anel Sudakevich in the lead roles. However, just a few years later, the silent film era would come to an end, and the world-renowned Pickford would find herself an unneeded actress. This story serves as a reflection on life, talent, fame, time, and fate.
