NIKOLAI KONSTANTINOVICH CHERKASOV

Russian actor and film. Among roles: Peter I (Peter the Great "), Ivan the Terrible (" Great Sovereign "), Michurin (" Living Color "), Khludov (" Running "), Osip (" Auditor "), etc. . appeared in films: "Member of the Baltic", "Peter the Great," "Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible," "Don Quixote", "All remains to people", etc.

Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov was born July 27, 1903 in St. Petersburg in the family of a railway employee Konstantin A. Cherkasova. From childhood Kohl was fascinated by music. In the evenings his mother, Anna Andrianovna, played the piano. His father drove him to the opera and symphony concerts. Another teenager Cherkassov heard FI Shalyapin - and the image of Boris Godunov acute and strongly etched in his mind.

In 1919, Nicholas went to the Mariinsky Theater - in the quality of statistics, he appeared in several scenes of "Boris Godunov, in which the glittering Shalyapin.

Cherkassov applied in the Military Medical Academy while enrolled in courses mimistov at the Mariinsky Theater. The family live is difficult, and it was necessary to seek an opportunity to bedding. As a pianist Nikolai plays on youth parties, participating in performances of the Bolshoi Drama Theater.

July 23, 1919 Cherkassov was the first theatrical contract: he was adopted mimistom third category in the Mariinsky Theater. The young actor performing the role of episodic, it also occupied in the ballet - in the first large-scale scenes, and then in separate episodes.

In 1920, Cherkasov was also included in the studios of young ballet. Initially, he played a specific role to mimic classical ballet - such as father Kolena in a vain precaution, Brahmin in La Bayadere, the evil genius in "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky, at last, Don Quixote in the same ballet. Then began to speak in comic characteristic dances. Staged celebrated his undoubted talent. The "Fee dolls" Cherkassov served Negro dances and always bisiroval its on-demand viewers. In press flattering reviews. After "Twelfth Night" it noted as "well-prepared actor clowning with great technique. "

In autumn 1923, Cherkassov entered the Leningrad Institute of Performing Arts, the drama department. A little later, the students have fun parody number "Dance trio - Pat, Patashon and Charlie Chaplin. " Charlie Chaplin portrayed Peter Birch, Patashona - Boris Chirkov, and the role of inherited Nikolai Cherkasov Pat.

The trio received many invitations, and almost every day to appear at various Club nights and then on the professional stage - sometimes three or four times a day. Nina Veytbreht, a student of art history department, saw it in the image Cherkasova lanky Pat during a speech in the Garden of rest. A few days later they met at a student party. "How do you unlike you Pat!" - she was surprised. Cherkassov smiled in reply: "If you knew how much time I spend in order to be like him!" In November 1930, they married, and next spring in the family′s daughter was born.

According to the Cherkasova, his path as a professional actor, drama began at the Leningrad Theater of young viewers. By the time Cherkasova had the reputation of the actor-clowning, he had already played a few occasional kinoroley - hairdresser Charles nemom in the film "The Poet and the King" (1927), a clown in the "HE" Pat in the "my son".

Photo — «Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov»

The huge impression on him made the book KS Stanislavsky′s "My Life in Art", which is infinitely enriched it, knock on many of its submission. Permanent head TYuZa Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bryantsev immediately gave Cherkasov major role in the new production - in "Don Quixote" (1926).

In March 1929, the actor offered to move out of the theater TYuZa "Music Hall". After some hesitation Cherkassov agreed. One reason for this decision was financial. After the death of his father helped Cherkassov mother, sister, continued to worry about his own family. In the "Music Hall" pay all the same twice in TYuZe. But soon he realized that not imagine their existence without the drama theater and cinema.

In spring 1931 Cherkassov moves in Leningrad theater "comedy. " As a dramatic actor, he played in several stage plays, classical and contemporary repertoire.

His first great work on sound in cinema - Koly Loshak role in the film "Hot denechki" Zarkh - replete with comical details of amusing tricks.

Directed Vainshtock invited him pull in the "Children of Captain Grant. " Indefatigable traveler, geographer Paganelya Cherkassov played with joy, because from childhood love of the hero of Jules Verne. In the film, he performed the famous song Paganelya "Captain, Captain, - smile! . . "

In 1934, Cherkasov enters the Leningrad troupe Academic Drama Theater named AS Pushkin. His first role Senechki Perchatkina in vaudeville B. Shkvarkina "Strange Child" was based on a single cam. But the next play "The tops of happiness" on the play by Dos Passos, he convincingly played a detective Hayk Auerbaha. Among his subsequent roles: the monk Varlaam (Boris Godunov), Osip ( "Auditor"), Krogstedt (Nora), Bulanov (Forest "). . .

Cherkassov long dreamed of the role of Peter I. And when the studio Lenfilm "going to film the novel, AN Tolstoy "Peter I", he appealed his sentence to the heads of the studios. In response, the movie producer director VM Petrov exclaimed: "Ryashku for this you need to have", and invited to play Cherkasov chief opponent Peter′s transformation, the Tsarevich Alexei. Choosing Petrova was unexpected and for others and for the actor. However, reflection, Cherkassov agreed.

After reading the scenario, Cherkassov settled for the book. He carefully studied the huge tomes, deepened in historical research, long considered the old prints and portraits of Peter the Great′s times. By creating an image of Tsarevich Alexei, Cherkassov saw it man, not devoid of character, strong-willed active features. When you view the future film material captured AN Tolstoy said loyalty and, above all, complete specifications Alexei. This was the highest praise for the young actor.

When shooting began on the second series of films, Cherkasov suggested the role of Peter I in the Performance Theater. AS Pushkin. "In the evenings I was playing in the theater of Peter I, but the morning was shot in the role of Tsarevich Alexei, so my friends on me podtrunivali folding Jocular couplet:" From morning till the morning - then Alexis, a Peter "- recalled Cherkassov.

During the break between filming directors Zarkh Heyfits and handed him a script of new film "restless old age. " Quickly read through it, Cherkassov decided to do everything possible to get the role of Professor Polezhaeva, although that scenario, it was seventy-five years, and he only thirty-two.

Photo — «Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov»

The first test for the role of a scientist turned out to be unsuccessful. Cherkassov made repeated trial and was approved for the role.

The image was inspired by Professor Polezhaeva to the great scientist, KA Timiryazev. Cherkassov studied his biography, familiar with his articles and letters in an effort to understand his inner world, his psychology. Nikolai Konstantinovich recalled: "Playing Polezhaeva as a wise old man, a man with a deep, clear mind and a few" troublesome "nature, I nevertheless tried to reveal his extraordinary spiritual youth, to show its not free from a youth and even the eccentric habits . . . Slowly I am so szhilsya with the way Professor Polezhaeva that, of course, easy to show it in any situation - to show, for example, it is gymnastics or dance the mazurka in the day, their name, as the rubble looking for a wardrobe for the book, as talks with the janitorial at the gate of his house " ;.

Premiere of "Baltic Deputy" was held on January 1, 1937 at the Leningrad House of Cinema and caused a storm of delight. Cherkassov refuted all the doubts and bewilderment. He became professor of classical role of Russian cinema. At the International Exhibition in Paris, the film was awarded the "Grand Prix".

1 Dec, 1938 came on the screens picture S. Eisenstein Alexander Nevsky "with Cherkasov in the title role. Once again, the actor talked about the work as the opening consonant of time. Cherkasov was able to discover the richness of the legendary military commander - a complex, strong willed, absorbed the best features of the mighty Russian people.

In April of next year, viewers saw another film with his participation - "Lenin in 1918. " Cherkassov created a reliable image of the writer Alexei Maximovich Gorky. The role of small, but memorable.

In summer, the family of Nikolai Konstantinovich wrong mountain - dead new-born daughter. To muffle the pain, Cherkasova go touring in a trip to the Far East. Intimate meetings with the audience, and most importantly - care, attention and love of her husband helped to overcome the tragedy of Nina Nikolaevna.

In early 1941, the family of the father of Andrew. In August, the Academic Drama Theater evacuated to Novosibirsk, with him gone Cherkassov, his wife and synishka. The elder daughter remained in Leningrad (it dies during the siege, together with the father Cherkasova).

At the new location Nikolay established concert artists of his brigade from the theater and went on tour to the Baltic Fleet ships. A few months later in Novosibirsk from Almaty, where the central united studio, received a letter from Eisenstein. Directed by Cherkasov suggested that the role of Ivan the Terrible.

Filming began in 1943. Cherkassov saw his hero, above all, a genius statesman, military leader. "brave, noble, strong-willed image of Ivan the Terrible, fearless in the fight for the supreme interests of the state, full of complex psychological content, delivered in the acute in its dramatic situation, in the true tragic character from the first days of a role has taken all my attention and forces "- the actor wrote.

October 28, 1944 show was the first series of films on the big Arts Council. Stalin was pleased with it.

In the wake of the success kinogruppa Eisenstein began work on a continuation of the painting. But it was a sad fate.

During the reception in the Kremlin on Feb. 25, 1947 Stalin said Eisenstein and Cherkasov, that too much haste in such a case is not needed and it is very important that the picture was made in the style of the era, in accordance with historical truth.

Photo — «Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov»

The next day, after talks in the Kremlin N. Cherkasov was awarded the title People′s Artist of the USSR. S. Eisenstein also died a few months, which is not allowed to transform the picture.

In spring 1946, the first foreign trip Cherkasova - as part of a delegation of Soviet cinematography, he flew to Czechoslovakia for the festival of Soviet films. A few months later the director Grigory Alexandrov offered him the role of Gromov in the painting "Spring" (1947).

During the shooting of Nikolai Cherkasov, together with Grigory Alexandrov and actress Lyubov Orlova was in a serious accident. Some days he spent in Prague once in his hospital ward looked old and asked with a smile: "Not here there is Professor Polezhayev? Visitor extended actor bouquet, which was tied a small cake in shape of heart. Nikolai Konstantinovich was very touched by such attention . . .

At the turn of 1940-1950 Cherkassov filmed mostly in the historical-biographical scenes: "Admiral Nakhimov" (1946), "pie" (1947), "Academician Ivan Pavlov, Alexander Popov, Enjoy the road "(all - 1949)," Musorgsky "," Zhukovsky "(both - 1950)," Belinsky "(1951), Rimsky-Korsakov" (1953), "They knew Mayakovsky" (1955 ). Heroes Cherkasova never looked at one another, as well as not have been very similar to an actor - and in this great art Cherkasova, art reincarnation.

The three films - "Alexander Popov," "Happy sailing" and "Mussorgsky" he performed the main role.

"Playing the role Popova - wrote Cherkassov - I especially wanted to show people the clear light of mind and a strong, sharp-sighted scientific foresight - cresset technological thinking, the humankind with a brilliant opening and approving the priority of domestic science. "

For the role of educator suvorovtsev Levashova of "Happy sailing" Cherkasov was awarded a fifth account Stalin Prize (1950).

While working on a way Stasov in the film of Mussorgsky, Cherkassov perfectly plastic, and used its voice capabilities, because its hero named "Vladimir loud. " Role Stasov - undeniable luck actor.

Academic Theater of Drama Cherkassov successfully played in performances of "Great Sovereign" (Ivan the Terrible), "Living in Color" (Scientific Michurin IV), "Boris Godunov" (Varlaam), "Auditor" (Osip ), "A citizen of France" (Dumont-scientist Teri) . . .

Cherkassov had a great public work and as a member of the Soviet Committee for the Defense of the world, often traveling abroad. He was a deputy of the USSR Supreme Soviet, he was one of the founders of the USSR Union of Cinematographers, deputy chairman of the All-Russian Theatrical Society.

In 1952 a book Cherkasova "Notes Soviet actor," regretted a great success with readers. Upon receiving the fee, he built a small house on the Karelian Isthmus in a country house Komarovo. From his apartment on Avenue Kronverkskom there could be reached by car in just half an hour. Cherkasova neighbors were on the testimony of Shostakovich.

In March 1956, Cherkasov was in the main role of the Grigori Kozintsev in the film "Don Quixote. " There is something strange, perhaps, natural that his entire life Cherkassov not to part with "knight sad way. " For the first time he has played this role in the episode in the opera Massenet, and then performing the roles of Don Quixote, the ballet Minkus.

Photo — «Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov»

Later Cherkassov played Don Quixote in the play TYuZa, in a production rich in music, singing and dancing. He had to appear in the role of "knight sad way" to stage them. Pushkin, where the grotesque and a certain eccentricity combined with deep psychological development of character.

And finally the last, fifth Don Quixote Cherkasova. "With thoughts of him, I lay down to sleep with thoughts of him I wake up" - wrote the actor. Daily survey of twelve, fourteen hours a day took place in Old Crimea, where the daytime thermometer заÑ?каливал fifty degrees! Lata Don Quixote raskalyalis so that Nikolai Konstantinovich sometimes joked: "No one wants to fire me an omelet?"

The film "Don Quixote", released in wide screen in spring 1957, was enthusiastically received by the audience. The painting was shown at international film festival in Canada Statforde. During the execution of the role of Don Quixote, Cherkasov was awarded "best actor".

Jun 27, 1958 the premiere of "Run" on the play by M. Bulgakov, which created an image Cherkassov Hludova. In November next year, the actor played the role of the Ural Akademik Fedorov Aleckseievich Dronova to play on the play by S. Alyoshin "All remains to people". "I am confident that my Dronov not necessarily be known as an academician, - wrote the actor. - It could be a miner, and chairman of the collective farm, and a physician. It is important that everywhere he would have been an exceptional person. Not one of the many ", as one of the few, those who maintain for themselves, rather than seeking to get lost in the crowd. "

In 1962, filmmaker Nathanson brought this play to the wide screen. The main role, of course, performed Cherkassov.

By the time the health of the actor has deteriorated. In recent years it muchila asthma. Despite this he continued to go on stage the Academic Drama Theater.

Once at the production meeting, theater administration, difficulty with payroll, decided to send to a pension of two actors. Cherkasov said that much better than to dismiss him because he gets a lot more. 1 Aug. , 1965 was signed the order on release Cherkasova NK from work in connection with the transition to retirement. "

The dismissal was for him a heavy blow. In 1965, he still went to London. In May the following year found the strength to carry out reporting conference Leningrad Branch of the WTO. In August he was again put in the hospital. September 14, 1966 Cherkassov died.

"From the standpoint of a professional, he was unique - considers the People′s Artist of USSR Y. Gorbachev. - He had the power and high tragedy - I remember the scene of the death of the son of Grozny in the "Great Sovereign" goose ran in the skin. And the role of comic. For example, Osip at the Auditor "he played so that we, the actors kept laughing with difficulty. And dance like! Shows us how in his youth portrayed Pat . . . This ability to see life and the tragic and comic, to see and convey to the audience - a rare quality. Cherkassov - truly representative of the Russian School of Drama: confessional and samosgorayuschey. He was given the role of the whole. Choking on the stage in anger, if necessary, and this was it, cherkasovskaya Fury, pereplavlennaya in one or another character. "