Maria Skvortsova is a talented actress who became famous in the days of the USSR. The audience learned about the existence of this amazing woman thanks to the film "Viburnum red." It is interesting that at that time she was already 60 years old, in her youth with bright roles, the star was unlucky. Maria died in 2000, having barely lived to see her 90th birthday. What is known about this actress, which film projects with her participation are considered the best?
Maria Skvortsova: biography of the star. Childhood and youth
The future actress was born in a small village located in the Tula region, it happened in April 1911. Maria Skvortsova spent her childhood in the capital, the girl was taken to her older brothers. Her first serious hobby was singing, Mary had a beautiful voice, which allowed her to be a member of the church choir for some time.
The future star of the film "Kalina Red" became an actress by accident. Having received a certificate in 1930, Maria Skvortsova could not decide on the choice of a profession. A friend who was going to take part in a creative contest, according to which the students of the studio working at the All-Union Radio Committee were selected, convinced the girl to join her. Gifted Skvortsova liked the head of the course, Serafima Birman, so she became a student at the studio. The training lasted four years, then Maria began performing in one of the theaters of the Moscow region.
After the war, Maria Skvortsova got a job in the Moscow Youth Theater, to which she remained faithful until her retirement. At a young age, she played Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, pioneer heroes, thanks to her small stature, the woman looked like a teenager for a long time. Then came the more “adult” roles, the actress had a chance to visit even Baba Yaga.
Star role
Maria Skvortsova is an actress who in her youth preferred to play in the theater, the world of cinema attracted her less than performing on stage. Rare episodic roles in films did not bring her popularity in those years, for example, she starred in the film “At an expensive price,” raising questions regarding true love, the meaning of life.
Actress Vasily Shukshin persuaded the actress to star in Kalina Red when she had already celebrated her 60th birthday. The director considered that she would look great in the role of Lyuba's mother. He chose Mary from the many other candidates in question. Then, for many years, Skvortsova recalled her participation in the filming of this famous film as a holiday, admiring Shukshin's professionalism, his ability to make actors live, and not play on the set. After the release of Viburnum Red, she literally woke up famous, began to receive offers from other directors.
Interesting films with her participation
The most famous film project, in the filming of which the actress took part, was still not "Kalina Krasnaya", but "A guest from the future." Maria Skvortsova got a small role in this film, appearing in only a few episodes. However, it was her character who was among the most memorable. The last episode was especially successful, in which the actress portrayed a space pirate who turned into a grandmother.
The film “Trustees”, shot by Mikhail Kazakov, did not appeal to critics, the director was accused of insulting the plot of Ostrovsky’s work “The Last Victim”. Maria Skvortsova was one of the few performers in this film whose work was approved. She also played a small role in Crew, retaining fond memories of collaborating with director Mitta. Finally, viewers remember the actress on the tape "White Bim, Black Ear", in which Vyacheslav Tikhonov became her colleague on the set.
In 1993, Maria Skvortsova last agreed to shoot. Films of that time did not satisfy the high demands of a talented actress. She did not like the proposed scenarios, working conditions. Finally, she was convinced of her decision not to act anymore, appearing in the film “If I Know”, the plot of which was taken from Chekhov's “Three Sisters”. Maria was horrified at how the creators of the picture perverted the play.
Offscreen life
The actress is one of the representatives of the creative profession who managed to find happiness in marriage. Her chosen one was actor Semyon, who also worked in the Moscow Youth Theater, where they met.
The star also experienced great grief - in 1991 the only son died of a serious illness. Consolation for the actress in the last years of her life was her beloved granddaughter. Maria Skvortsova died in December 2000.