The great history of our cinema is reflected not only in the original work of the most famous masters, but also in the complex twists and turns of their destinies. The key facts of the biographies of these people, as well as the variety of artistic methods, artistic techniques, unique features that brought world fame to Russian (Soviet) cinematography, are told by the essay of talented film critic Nikolai Irina, who over the years of cooperation with Nikita Mikhalkov's magazine "Svoy" has prepared dozens of materials about the idols of the past, outstanding professionals of the golden age of the national film industry. Two articles about the actors were written by film critic, regular author of the newspaper "Culture" Alexey Kolensky. The book will be of interest to everyone who likes Soviet films, and can serve as an excellent textbook where modern theater and cinema artists are trained