Rina Zelenaya Movies
In a case of classic body-switching, a group of sorcerers appear in a modern-day small town and trade bodies with four schoolmates to live life as if they were young again in the children's fantasy A Tale of Time Lost. While the magical evildoers head off to school and wreak havoc in their young bodies, the now aged kids retreat to a decrepit house where they hatch their plan of revenge. With time running out, the kids have only one chance to reverse the effects of time before they are stranded in these bodies forever. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Grisha Plotkin, Oleg Anofriev, (more)
- 1954
Though the headliners in Variety Stars were virtual unknowns in America, each and every one was a favorite in the Soviet Union. Essentially, this is a filmed record of a musical revue, staged at the Russo Variety Hall. The big-money acts range from a ballet troupe to a professional whistler (!) To add a bit of continuity, a fragmentary plot involving a pair of comedians who strive mightily to win a spot in the revue weaves in and out of the proceedings. Variety Stars was directed by Vera Stroyeva (Grand Concert), the actress-wife of filmmaker Grigori Roshal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yuri Timoshenko, Efim Berezin, (more)
- 1947
Heavily influenced by Hollywood musicals, the Soviet tunefest Spring won several awards for its director, the prolific Grigory Alexandrov. Not surprisingly, the leading role went directly to Alexandrov's wife, popular film personality Lyubov Orlova. Actually, Orlova essays the leading roles, since the story is a mistaken-identity affair involving a female scientist named Irina and her lookalike, a Bolshoi dancer named Vera. When a Russian film studio announces plans to film Irina's life story, Vera is chosen to play the role, leading to a wacky comedy of errors. Though unimpressed by Spring, American reviewers were at least grateful that the film wasn't a podium for Communist ideology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lyubov Orlova, Nikolai Cherkasov, (more)
- 1940
Only in a Soviet propaganda film like Tanya (aka The Bright Road) would it be suggested that hard work and utter devotion to the State would make a homely girl attractive! The story takes place in a small Russian textile-manufacturing town, when illiterate kitchen slavey Tanya Morozova (Lyubov Orlova) takes a factory job. She does so well in this capacity that she is ultimately awarded the Lenin Medal for developing a faster and more efficient weaving method. In addition, she transforms from ugly duckling to gorgeous swan, much to the delight of nominal male lead Alexei. Chalk up another box-office winner from the talented husband-wife team of director Grigori Alexandrov and star Lyubov Orlova. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lyubov Orlova, Yevgeny Samoylov, (more)
