The point being, you never know what gems you might find on MST... which takes me to Jack Frost, which I've seen unmsted and in its original language, under its proper title Morozko. If you subscribe to MUBI, you can watch it there (and you'll discover that Nastenka has an even more high-pitched, girlish voice than what was dubbed for her on the English language version)... https://mubi.com/films/jack-frost-1964 - I also founded it posted at YouTube.
There's some interesting casting in the film - the witch Baba Yaga was played by a man, who was famous for the role, as he (Georgi Millyar) played the character in many other productions.
And just who is Father Mushroom?
Credited to G Borisova. Some sources say it was played by a 14-year-old girl and voiced by Mikhail Yanshin, a male character actor who stood 5'7. Height is important to note because Father Mushroom is diminutive (he looks smaller than 5'7 to me), but also, does that look like a girl to you, hell of a makeup job if it is? Some say G stands for Galina Borisova, who was a popular mezzo-soprano opera singer, but she was born in '41 which would have made her 23 (no info on her height was available). Others say it's actress Galina Alexsveena Borisova, who was born in 1950 and would have been the right age, but databases disagree on the credit. Somewhere the truth is out there, but hell if I can find it.
BTW, Father Mushroom's actual name is Starichok-Borovichok, who is often referred to as 'good old man', who, though powerful, is not omnipotent, and is under the service of the master of the forest, Leshiy.
As for Eduard Izoto (Ivan), it sounds like he had a difficult time later in life. He served a prison sentence and struggled with ill-health... Wiki (one Russian site, translated but difficult to read, says he suffered several strokes)
But the cast member who stands out for me is this performer...
She's Inna Churikova, one of Russia's most renowned and respected actresses. But back in 1964, she was a relative newbie, at age 20, working in only her second credited motion picture, playing the part of Nastenka's spoiled step-sister. When this experiment debuted I wasn't aware of who she was or anything about her career. I might have thought that she wasn't bad for what she was asked to do, but I had no idea I was watching someone who would later become one of my favorite actors.
BTW, the above scene is what got her the part, and according to this wonderful article at Moscow Seasons, she cried after seeing the picture and considered leaving the business. Thankfully, she stuck with it.
I also host an Alt Oscar Blog, and that's what's occupied my time since I stopped reviewing at Mighty Jacks in 2014. And on that Blog (The Felix) I've given Inna 3 Best Actress nominations. In 1994 for The Year of the Dog, in 1983 for her towering performance in Vassa, and in 1970, where she won my award for her work in The Debut... in which she plays an actress who is offered a role she assumes will be for Baba Yaga, as she's always asked to play this part, and she thinks they're pulling her leg when she finds out they actually want her to play Joan of Arc.
Inna's an amazing performer, and to any die-hard film buff, I'd highly recommend seeking out her films.
BTW the DVD release I watched years ago included a short interview with the actress who played Nastenka, Natalya Sedykh. She was older, of course, still very thin, still with those large eyes, though her hair was strawberry blonde.
She was performing ballet at the Bolshoi Theater when Director Aleksandr Rou saw her and asked her to be in his film. She said she was very scared at first, and noted that Rou was naive but wise at the same time, and very kind.
But the cast member who stands out for me is this performer...
She's Inna Churikova, one of Russia's most renowned and respected actresses. But back in 1964, she was a relative newbie, at age 20, working in only her second credited motion picture, playing the part of Nastenka's spoiled step-sister. When this experiment debuted I wasn't aware of who she was or anything about her career. I might have thought that she wasn't bad for what she was asked to do, but I had no idea I was watching someone who would later become one of my favorite actors.
BTW, the above scene is what got her the part, and according to this wonderful article at Moscow Seasons, she cried after seeing the picture and considered leaving the business. Thankfully, she stuck with it.
I also host an Alt Oscar Blog, and that's what's occupied my time since I stopped reviewing at Mighty Jacks in 2014. And on that Blog (The Felix) I've given Inna 3 Best Actress nominations. In 1994 for The Year of the Dog, in 1983 for her towering performance in Vassa, and in 1970, where she won my award for her work in The Debut... in which she plays an actress who is offered a role she assumes will be for Baba Yaga, as she's always asked to play this part, and she thinks they're pulling her leg when she finds out they actually want her to play Joan of Arc.
Inna's an amazing performer, and to any die-hard film buff, I'd highly recommend seeking out her films.
BTW the DVD release I watched years ago included a short interview with the actress who played Nastenka, Natalya Sedykh. She was older, of course, still very thin, still with those large eyes, though her hair was strawberry blonde.
She was performing ballet at the Bolshoi Theater when Director Aleksandr Rou saw her and asked her to be in his film. She said she was very scared at first, and noted that Rou was naive but wise at the same time, and very kind.
