Eugene L. SCHWARTZ

Eugene L. Schwartz (1896 - 1958), novelist, playwright.

Born on October 9 (21 NS) in Kazan in the family physician.

After graduating from high school he entered the law faculty of Moscow University (1914 - 16). In his student years continue, as in the gymnasium, to get involved in theater and to compose humorous poems.

However, events occurring in the country, forcing the writer to change their future plans. He went to Rostov-on-Don and arranged in a theater workshop (1917 - 21). In 1921, together with the troupe moved to Petrograd, and parted with the scene. At this time he is moving closer to the literary group "Serapion Brothers", which included the Sun. Ivanov, M.3oschenko, Kaverin etc..

In 1923 the newspaper "boiler" city Bakhmut appear his verse satires and satirical reviews. Together with M. Slonim, it organizes literary magazine "slaughter".

In 1924, returned to Leningrad and became a permanent employee of the Department of Child State Publishing House, author of magazines for children "Hedgehog" and "Siskin". "Story of Old balalaika" (1924) - his first book for children, then followed - "The Adventures of Shura and Marousi," "Alien Girl" (1937), "first grader" (1949).

In 1929 - 30 Schwartz wrote the first piece for the Leningrad Spectators: "Underwood", "Treasure". Using scenes from folk tales and fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, Schwartz created his original plays staged with live characters. In 1934 the play was written "Naked King" in 1937 - "Little Red Riding Hood", then - "Snow Queen", "Shadow". Important role in the dramatic works of Schwartz played a close cooperation with the Comedy Theater and its leader N. Akimov.

The beginning of World War Schwartz "notes" play "Under the linden trees of Berlin" (1941), written with Zoshchenko. During the war creates a play: "One Night", "The Far Country", etc.. In 1944, completes the play-pamphlet "Dragon".

In the postwar years created a number of popular plays: "Ordinary Miracle", "The Tale of the brave soldiers". In his scripts to make a film "Cinderella", "first grader", "Don Quixote", "Ordinary Miracle", etc.. E. Schwartz died Jan. 15, 1958 in Leningrad.