Thieving Magpie (Russian: Сорока-воровка) is a 1958 Soviet drama film directed by Naum Trakhtenberg [ru], based on the novel with the same name by Alexander Herzen.
The film tells about the successful actor Shchepin, visiting the theater of Prince Skalinsky, where he meets a gifted actress named Aneta.
However, his heir, tempted by the prince's money, bribed legal representatives to destroy the documents that freed the actors.
Gravely ill, she explains her actions to Shchepin: she does not want her unborn child to endure the life of a serf.
At the theater, Shchepin announces to the audience that the performance will not take place because the lead actress has died, unwilling to live in bondage.