He belongs to the great generation of actors of post-war Greece, when the so-called “commercial cinema” flourished and theaters were groaning with crowds. THE Dionysis Papagiannopouloslived in an era of glory for spectacle and entertainment, which was due primarily to actors and especially a series of protagonists with innate talent, as at least in the field of cinema, Greece, with poor means and a lack of professional directors and screenwriters, she was setting up her own “craftsmanship” of cinema.
Although he was not handsome and his appearance, with the crow-like features, was suitable for villain roles, with which he became known in his first appearances in the cinema, Papagiannopoulos would distinguish himself especially in comedy, although he might – as he had proved – in the theater as well and on the sets that he might play anything, with incredible success. Something he proved both in Epidaurus and in the classical theater repertoire, even in the last film he shot, shortly before his death, directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos, with opposite him the master of acting, the imposing Manos Katrakis.
Dionysis Papagiannopoulos, who we lost 40 years ago, on April 13, 1984, was also an extraordinary character, inside and outside the film studios and the stage. He was a solitary man, serious, noble, of study and writing, generous, harmless, particularly modest, who kept his private life out of the public eye, although he had a particular weakness for women and for that reason his friends were not few who teased him saying “Nionio, you are accompanying your niece once more…”.
From Diakopto and Paneiyaleio to the theater
He was born in Diakopto, Achaia, on July 12, 1912, and was the eighth child of a poor family of twelve. His father, Spyros, having returned home from… America, will marry Maria, with whom they will have ten children. The family ran a kiosk on the village beach, with little Dionysis having an affinity for philology and the arts, something his parents objected to. He didn’t get good grades at school, but he also excelled in sports, javelin and football, while he also liked traditional dances. He was friends with the later important painter Yannis Spyropoulos and the well-known musician and scholar of Byzantine music Spyros Peristeris in the following decades.
From the boatman… to Veakis
His love for football will be replaced by the theater, following a neck injury in a game of Paneiyalio, in which he was playing. However, the main reason was when he saw the play “The Boatman of the Volga” with his company in the theater of Aegion and, shocked by the performance, he decides to leave for Athens, in order to become an actor. He will settle in the house of his beloved sister Nota, in Metaxourgeio and take exams at the Drama School of the National Theater, where he will pass with the second place. In 1938, still a student, he will play the knight in the play “King Lear”, alongside Emilios Veakis, where he will leave an excellent impression. It was the beginning of his impressive career.
Alice and Jenny’s father
Papagiannopoulos, in addition to his original talent, will support his brilliant career in his professional conscientiousness, which was unprecedented for the time, something regarding which his colleagues had to say, and above all for the search for his roles, the study and dedication that he showed to get into the skin of the characters. Papagiannopoulos will distinguish himself in characterist roles, setting the tone as well as the best moments in films or plays. In the cinema, he will quickly take the place of the father of Alice or Jenny, without, however, becoming standardized or letting the mannerism become, as it used to be, the sure path to success.
War hero
Although he interrupted his studies at the National to fight as a reserve lieutenant on the Albanian front, where he distinguished himself for his heroism, he will return following the capitulation to the theater, in occupied Athens. With the release, he will act for the first time in the cinema and in the occupation drama “The Children of Athens”, in which Elli Lampeti, Christoforos Nezer and Despo Diamantidou starred.
The first successes
In 1954, while the Greek cinema had acquired production companies and some rudimentary infrastructure, he will act in “Mouse” and “Terrible Joe”, two interesting melodramas regarding the underworld of Athens, playing villain roles. Next year will come the time of “Stella”, where he will distinguish himself by playing a waiter in the night club that Melina sang, while he will rise even more in the public’s estimation with the films “To Xylo Vgyke apo ton Paradisos” and “Stournara 288 “, as it starts to take more time.
And Gruezas and Skoutaris
The sequel will be triumphant, starting with the comedy “Miss’s Joke”, making Jenny Karezis’ father for the first time. Huge successes will follow, in which his contribution will be decisive. Just a few of them are “The Orgy Villa”, “Miss Manager”, “A Crazy Crazy Family”, “Lola”, “Thieves Out”, “The Thief Calls” and “Some Tired Boys”. Of course, among the more than 130 films he starred in, there are also the well-known nonsense, far below his level. After all, there were very few of our leading actors who avoided the low-level producers and the scams. You see, it was the daily wage, but also the passion for good theater. However, his roles that will forever remain in our memory and are truly admirable were those of the famous Grueza in the comic – and political – satire “There is Philotimos”, where he plays a provincial party leader, a rodent of public money, and Scutari in the romantic comedy, and also a satire of the political morals of the time, “Jenny Jenny”, playing a cunning party leader, who had the shopping of politics.
The last trip
In the 1970s, he would also take leading roles, but without the same success. And this is mainly due to the decline of commercial cinema which dragged all the actors of the post-war era, except for Thanasis Veggos, the only protagonist, who managed to escape from misery. However, shortly before he died, Papagiannopoulos would make another huge performance in Angelopoulos’ film “Journey to Kythira”. Few minutes were enough to show the greatness of his acting prowess.
Dionysis Papagiannopoulos, despite his ephemeral love affairs, lived a solitary life, especially following the rejection of his great love, the one with Anna Kaloutas, who only had eyes for Konstandaras. His sudden death from a stroke and the discovery of his body three days later, in his small apartment on Alexandras Avenue, will shock the Greek people. It was April 14, 1984. Following his wish, he will be buried in his hometown, in Diakopto, where the Municipality will place his bust on the beach. To the place and people he loved…
Source: RES-MPE
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