Soviet Art

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Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Although Vasily Lanovoi was born in Moscow on January 16, 1934, his parents were simple laborers “from the plow.” Fleeing from hunger, they moved to the capital of the USSR from the village near Odessa. When he was 7 years old, his father and mother sent Vasily to grandparents. Have decided as follows: let him spend the summer in the village, and help the elderly. They couldn’t even think their son to get into the German occupation – as much as three and a half years. Once one of the Germans gave Lanovoy his smart belt. The boy without hesitation put it on and went for a walk. But another soldier gunner ordered the boy to return the unearned gift. Lanovoi refused. Then the raging fascist let machine gun all over the child’s head. “I returned the belt with a trembling hand, and then stuttered for year from the shock”, – says the actor. But the actor is grateful to be alive.

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Higher forces kept the boy in Moscow, in the difficult postwar years. The father and mother after the rear work with chemicals have become disabled, and ruined. The starving capital was dominated by hooliganism and banditry. Did not remain aloof young Vasily Lanovoi. For example, together with his friends climbed into food trucks and stole products. Police have arrested many of his friends. Nearly all perished in the prisons. And Vasily Lanovoi was lucky again …

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Vasily Lanovoi

After leaving the walls of the school with a gold medal, Vasily could not decide whom to become. On the one hand, in his youth dreamed of a career of a pilot. On the other hand, he wanted to get a prestigious education, becoming, for example, a journalist. Finally, Lanovoi chose theater.
The love to the scene was instilled by a famous Soviet director Sergei Stein. In his amateur drama studio Lanovoi mastered the basics of the profession. In company with him were not less promising future actors – Valery Nosik, the star of the Moscow Satire Theater Vera Vasilyeva and prima operetta Tatiana Shmyga.

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Still not being able to make a difficult choice, the young Vasily Lanovoi filed documents to flight school, and journalism at Moscow State University.
– After a month and a half from I left the university… – Well, from “aviation”… had to say goodbye to the sky, thanks to Stein.
Vasily Lanovoi entered the Shchukin Theater School Lanovoi without questions asked. Tall, broad-shouldered, a noble person … The ideal image of a man with light communist future!

Certificate of Education, 1954. Vasily Lanovoi - Soviet Johnny Depp

Certificate of Education, 1954. Vasily Lanovoi – Soviet Johnny Depp

For the first time in the country’s movie screens Lanovoi appeared in 1954, as a Valentine Listovsky, handsome egoist of the “Certificate of Education”. The production was awarded the Grand Prix at the All-Union competition of amateur, and Vasily, as a key figure, handsome, received five hundred rubles as prize money. But the really famous actor became after the film “Pavel Korchagin”.

Vasily Lanovoi in 1971 "The Officers"

Vasily Lanovoi in 1971 “The Officers”

By the time of the shooting of the Soviet epoch-making film “Officers” (1971) behind Lanovoi were blockbusters such as “War and Peace”, “Anna Karenina and” Scarlet Sails”. Lanovoi played
Red Guard Ivan Varavva so enthusiastically that in 1971 he was recognized as the best actor of Soviet cinema. By the way, all the tricks in the frame Lanovoi carried himself – catching up with a freight train with flowers in his hands, ran across the rooftops of wagons, and rode a horse. And once he acted as a hero outside the frame – saved Alina Pokrovskaya, when her horse suddenly rushed to the precipice. Of the entire crew only Lanovoi did not lose control: he caught the mare and stopped it at the edge of a precipice.

Going into the storm. 1965

Going into the storm. 1965

His secret to success Lanovoi once put simply: “I always knew that I not only play a role, but set an example for the young! How one should love, be friends, and live!”

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi was appreciated by both the audience and critics, and also officials. In 1972, the Young Communist League presented him with a special award – “For the creation of heroic imagery.”

Anna Karenina. 1967

Anna Karenina. 1967

On the screen, everything breathes passion – but in real life were nothing but regret for the lost happiness … Lanovoi and Samoilova in “Anna Karenina” movie. 1967

Messrs. Glembay. 1979

Messrs. Glembay. 1979

Lanovoy managed almost impossible: in the USSR, where the word “sex” was forbidden everywhere and for all, he was recognized as the first sex symbol of Soviet cinema. And not just critics, but by the people themselves, especially women. On his insane popularity among the ladies Lanovoi knew, but always stressed with humor: “I am not a womanizer”. As a true romantic hero, he could love only one woman.

Soviet actress Tatyana Samoilova (1934-2014)

Soviet actress Tatyana Samoilova (1934-2014)

First wife of Lanovoi became his classmate Tatiana Samoilova. Tatiana learned about Vasily interesting facts. That he lives in one room with sick parents and two sisters, very simple man, almost rustic. First, experienced sympathy, then respect, and after – love.

In 1955, the couple married. Alas, the marriage was doomed almost from the beginning. Affected all – material disorder, permanent trips, and finally, abortion (it was twins)…
-Vasily was against, but I insisted on the surgery – not once regretted Tatyana. – was afraid of misery! About this mistake I regret all my life …
Lanovoi and Samoilova divorced when both were only 24. After 8 years fate brought them together again-on the set of “Anna Karenina.” For roles, both visibly lost weight, from what have become even more attractive. For a while, the actors, and most viewers were hoping love awaken in them. Alas, it did not come true …

Scarlet Sails poster, 1961

Scarlet Sails poster, 1961

The second wife of Vasily Lanovoi became Tamara Zyablova – TV stage director and actress, who was 5 years older. Immediately after the wedding, the newlyweds went to Crimea to work on the film “Scarlet Sails”. The film crew found a ship, bought fabric, sewed the sails and sailed from Sevastopol to Koktebel. Knowing that in Yalta was his newly made bride, Lanovoi, to her surprise, invited her to the dock at the appointed hour and … sailed under red sails!

Scarlet Sails. 1961

Scarlet Sails. 1961

Happiness of the actors was short-lived: in 1971 Zyablova died in a car accident while being pregnant. After the double loss the actor became indifferent to everything, except work.

Vasily Lanovoi and Irina Kupchenko

Vasily Lanovoi and Irina Kupchenko

This family happiness and the joy of fatherhood to Vasily gave his third wife – actress Irina Kupchenko. Their union surprisingly coincided everything: material well-being, a rich experience of life, readiness of both to sacrifice family for career. The age difference was beneficial – he was 37, she was 23.

Vasily Lanovoi with his sons

Vasily Lanovoi with his sons

The couple had two sons – Alexander and Sergei. To the great relief of their parents, both sons were indifferent to the profession of actors. The first graduated from the history department of Moscow State University, and the second – economic. From birth, children of Vasily and Irina were different: older – calm and rational, but younger – frivolous and hopping: often ran away from home, dabbled in drugs and alcohol. Not once Lanovoi Jr. became a defendant in the criminal chronicle.

Irina Kupchenko with sons

Irina Kupchenko with sons

Sergey has left this world suddenly – 9 October 2013 at the age of 37 years. His body was found in St. Petersburg, in the apartment of his civil wife. The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest. The memory of his son continues in his daughter and granddaughter of Vasily Lanovoi and Irina Kupchenko – Anna.

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Black Square. 1992

Black Square. 1992

In the era of perestroika Lanovoi virtually disappeared from the screens. Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi did not want to act in offered vulgar TV shows and crime films, as he was raised on high ideals of Soviet cinema and born for the great roles!
Recovery from depression creative actor found in teaching. In his native Shchukin School has gone from the lecturer to the head of the Department of scenic speech.

Mistress into Maid (1995)

Mistress into Maid (1995)

In the late nineties in the creative biography of the actor once again came a streak of light. He successfully participated in performances of “Dear Liar”, “The Lion in Winter” and “Dedication to Eve”. In 2013, the actor appeared again on the big screen – in the image of Cardinal Richelieu of the adventure series “The Three Musketeers”. This work greatly enriched the arsenal of Lanovoi. In the past, Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi didn’t often play the cynical fans of vile intrigues.

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Aristocrat of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoi

Sources:
Biographies magazine, 7-2016
kinopoisk.ru
kino-teatr-ru