''Balzaminov's Marriage'' () is a 1964 Soviet

historical History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the human past. As an academic discipline, it analyses and interprets evidence to construct narratives about what happened and explain why it happened. Some theorists categ ...

comedy-drama film Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc. ...

directed by Konstantin Voynov and loosely based on three plays by

Alexander Ostrovsky Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky (; ) was a Russian playwright, generally considered the greatest representative of the Russian realistic period. The author of 47 original plays, Ostrovsky "almost single-handedly created a Russian national repe ...

: "Celebratory Daydream is Only Before Dinner", "Two Dogs Fight, the Third Keep Away" and "Whatever You Look for, You'll Find".

Plot

The film is set in 19th-century Moscow and follows Mikhail Balzaminov, a petty clerk (played by Georgy Vitsin), and his overbearing mother (Ludmila Shagalova), who dream of securing a wealthy marriage. One morning, after interpreting a dream as a sign of impending marriage, Mikhail receives news from a matchmaker (Lidiya Smirnova) about a potential bride. Filled with visions of a prosperous future, he and his mother embark on a journey across Moscow to meet the Nichkin family. Along the way, Mikhail's mother teaches him rudimentary French words to bolster his appearance of sophistication. However, their visit ends in disaster when the bride's uncle (Nikolai Kryuchkov) rejects Mikhail, unwilling to see his family’s fortune wasted on what he deems an unworthy suitor. Undeterred, Mikhail sets his sights on two wealthy women. His pursuit of a spirited young woman (Nadezhda Rumyantseva) fails, but he ultimately marries Domna Belotelova (Nonna Mordyukova), a domineering merchant with a vast fortune. Though Mikhail's new life may lack romance, his mother's final words encapsulate their pragmatic triumph: "Don’t worry, Misha. With money, we can live just fine without wit!"

Cast

Georgy Vitsin Georgy Mikhailovich Vitsin (; 18 April 1917 – 22 October 2001) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actor. People's Artist of the USSR (1990). Biography Vitsin was born in Zelenogorsk, Saint Petersburg in 1917 (Soviet documents list h ...

as Misha Balzaminov * Lyudmila Shagalova as Pavla Balzaminnova, his Mother * Lidiya Smirnova as Akulina Krasavina, Matchmaker * Ekaterina Savinova as Matryona *

Zhanna Prokhorenko Zhanneta "Zhanna" Trofimovna Prokhorenko (, ; 11 May 1940 – 1 August 2011)Death notice ...

as Kapochka Nichkina * Lyudmila Gurchenko as Ustinka, Kapochka friend * Tamara Nosova as Kapochka's mother * Nikolai Kryuchkov as Neuyedenov, Kapochka's uncle *

Rolan Bykov Rolan Antonovich Bykov (October 12, 1929October 6, 1998) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actor, director, screenwriter and pedagogue. People's Artist of the USSR (1990). Early life Rolan Bykov was born to Anton Mikhailovich Bykov and Ol ...

as Lukyan Chebakov * Inna Makarova as Anfisa Pezhonova, older sister *

Nadezhda Rumyantseva Nadezhda Vasilyevna Rumyantseva (, 9 September 1930, Potapovo, Smolensk Oblast — 8 April 2008, Moscow) was a popular Soviet and Russian actress. People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1991). Biography Early years Nadezhda Rumyantseva was born in th ...

as Raisa Pezhonova, younger sister *

Tatyana Konyukhova Tatyana Georgyevna Konyukhova (; 12 November 1931 – 2 April 2024) was a Soviet actress. People's Artist of the RSFSR (1991). She was also a Member of the CPSU from 1967. Biography Tatyana Konyukhova was born on 12 November 1931 in Tashkent ( ...

as Khimka *

Nonna Mordyukova Noyabrina Viktorovna Mordyukova (Russian: Ноябри́на (Но́нна) Ви́кторовна Мордюко́ва; 25 November 1925 – 6 July 2008) was a Soviet and Russian actress and People's Artist of the USSR (1974). She was the star o ...

as Domna Belotelova * Grigory Shpigel as policeman

External links

* 1964 films Mosfilm films Films based on works by Alexander Ostrovsky Films shot in Vladimir Oblast 1960s historical comedy films 1960s historical drama films 1960s historical romance films Soviet historical comedy-drama films Soviet romantic comedy-drama films 1960s Russian-language films Films scored by Boris Tchaikovsky 1960s Soviet films Soviet films based on plays Russian-language historical romance films Russian-language romantic comedy-drama films {{1960s-USSR-film-stub