Alexei Batalov spoke the word “love” only one person

“Well, admit, probably, the students sometimes showed initiative and took care of you?” somehow…

Inna Makarova in the movie “my Dear man”. 1958

“Well, admit, probably, the students sometimes showed initiative and took care of you?” — once I asked Batalov. After a pause, he replied, no showing off: “This is not the word!” Yes, he realized, what impression on women. Once on the street, rushed to his lady: “my Lord! Batalov! I’m still in you after the release of “the cranes are Flying” in love!” — “Where were you fifty years ago?!” threw her on the move Alexey Vladimirovich”, — says the chief editor of the magazine “7 Days” Anzhelika Pahomova.

I met Alexey Vladimirovich in 2008, shortly before he celebrated the 80-summer anniversary and tired of attention to the person. Explained that the interview does not want to give. “But if I you are interested, you can go to the theatre archives to look for photos and documents. This is for my book would be useful”. When preparing a book about him, and I gladly agreed to help. Thus was born our friendship, which I treasured, understanding that this person is very hard and rarely takes in the circle of new people. Interviews in recent years, Batalov, no one would. With one exception: only in our journal at times, it sounded quiet, honest story about the events of the past. Do not dare to call himself a biographer Batalova, but over the years of meetings and discussions were many, and not everything they said was included in the publication. This article is about the present Director, has that remained behind the scenes of our interview.

Historic building fighting positions. Getting there, Batalov at once was younger. So he walks down the corridor: prosnuvshis, cheerful, as usual, hiding in the sleeve of a cigarette and occasionally flicking the ashes right into his hand. In fact, Smoking in the Institute is strictly prohibited. But not for Batalov. Once I was a witness, as in answer to his timid request, “I’d like a ashtray…” the cleaning lady from the street brought a huge iron urn. Banged on the floor: “Here you are! Smoke! You — you can! I’ll clean up…” to Go to the Institute physically, yet was healthy, loved, although it his workshop, there were no specific responsibilities. But he liked walking through the corridors of the Institute, to talk, to remember. And trainees have always been.

In a good mood he could sing: “the Thunder of victory sound” or favorite Aria from the musical “My fair lady”. Although, to be honest, hearing the music Alexey Vladimirovich was not. But as he read the poems! For every situation he had a ready line from any poem Akhmatova. And Batalov get very angry if the listener has picked up the line. Should be silent and wonder. “The more I live, the more I am amazed by her poetry, he said. — Look, what a miser, completed the row. Neither add nor subtract. Written — once and for all”.

Akhmatova he knew by heart — all, even the most rare her poems, even the options… they sometimes couldn’t remember his home address, did not know his own phone. Short-term memory was gone, and the distant became stronger, sharper. Remained in the memory of what was important to him…