History's Mysteries: Nadia Stalin

Host: Good evening. And welcome to History's Mysteries. On the morning of November 9th, 1932, Josef Stalin's second wife was found dead at home with a gunshot wound to her heart. Stalin is reported to have physically abused her and to have often humiliated her in front of his cronies. On the night of her death she wrote him a letter which was full of political and personal reproaches. Did Nadia Stalin kill herself, according to the official account of the day? Or was she murdered by her brutal husband? We have dramatized the key events of the last week of her life to help us answer this intriguing question. Let's take a look. (November 1932. A cigar smoking Stalin meets with his deputies to discuss national affairs. Nadia stands modestly in the perimeter.) Deputy: Comrade Chairman, we need to frighten the peasants again. Stalin: Why don't we put Nadia's face on a giant billboard? It will stop them in their tracks! (Raucous laughter from Stalin. His deputies laugh in nervous support.) Deputy: Good one, Comrade Chairman. But seriously, we must crush them now or they may revolt. Stalin: You want to crush them? Why don't we get Nadia to sit on them with her big fat kaboose? (More laughter from Stalin and forced laughter from his deputies.) Deputy: Ahem! On another matter, the fire from the village we burned has spread to the surrounding forest. Stalin: I'll show you how to put out a fire. Nadia, darling, come here. Nadia: (Approaching) Yes? How may I be of service to the Comrade Chairman? Stalin: Stand right there and don't move. (She complies. Stalin backhands her hard across the cheek. She sobs bitterly but remains frozen.) Now tilt your head forward. (Stalin catches a tear with the lit end of his cigar, extinguishing the cigar with a hiss.) There, you see? All we need is Nadia! (Another round of laughs. Exit a distraught Nadia.) Hey, come back here! I have not given you leave to leave! (A few days later at Stalin's house, Stalin stands at the door while Nadia sits at a desk and writes a letter.) Stalin: Come, Nadia. It's time for another conference. Nadia: I'm staying home. Stalin: No, I forbid it. This is important state business. The people are counting on you. Nadia: (Tearing out the top page of her notebook, she gets up to give it to him.) Everything I need to tell you is in this note. Nadia's Voice: (In Stalin's head as he reads) Dear Josef, I hate you. (His smile disappears.) You are a big bully! (His eyes bulge.) Why don't you go get a job in the New York Stock Exchange? (He gasps.) Your mustache is too bushy! (His face turns red with rage.) Oh yes, one more thing, Svetlana is Trotsky's daughter! (He draws his revolver and shoots Nadia.) (Return to the host's chair.) Host: Well, there you have it. Nadia Stalin's death was a suicide because of the certain death she faced by telling those things to Josef Stalin. And that's it for this installment of History's Mysteries. Good night.
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© 2007, 2013. Scripts by David Skerkowski. All rights reserved.