Edvin Adolphson Movies
- 1970
- R
In this youthful adventure, a young orphan is sent to live in a Danish village where he is cast out because his mother was a West Indian. With nowhere to turn, the ingenious survivor begins devising a new life outside of town. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In this children's movie a newly orphaned child from the West Indies encounters prejudice when he is sent to Denmark. There he becomes friends with a poacher who takes him in after he is chastised by the townsfolk. Unfortunately, the poacher is caught and the boy is sent to reform school. Fortunately, he escapes and is taken in by a friendly squire. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1964
An aging butcher marries a very young, pregnant woman in this Nordic drama. The woman really loves the baby's father, a simple farmhand, but unfortunately, he refuses to marry her. Following her wedding, a big banquet is held and much liquor is consumed. As the guests become increasingly inebriated, they begin to share their deepest secrets. Later the remorseful farmhand hangs himself. Meanwhile, the drunken groom lurches home with his bride. Unfortunately he is too drunk to consummate the union. Fortunately, his buddy is close at hand and does the job for him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jarl Kulle, Christina Schollin, (more)
- 1962
At the heart of this standard drama is a conflict between the modern world with all its conveniences and problems, and the world of the remote Lapps in northern Finland. Lila (Erika Remberg) was just a wee tot when her parents who were trying to settle in Lapland were horribly killed by a pack of wolves. Lila escapes the tragedy, saved by a compassionate Lapp couple who then raise her as their own daughter. Once she reaches adulthood Lila is set to be married to a tribal member but just as these plans are progressing she meets someone from the world outside and falls in love. As might be expected, she is torn between staying with the only home she has ever known or going to the outside world to start a new life. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erika Remberg, Joachim Hansen, (more)
- 1961
In this romantic comedy, a young heir sets off to prove he can make a fortune on his own by working from the ground up at a bank. To assist his rise, he woos the daughter of a wealthy client. At first it's only business, but in time he comes to love her. When he eavesdrop on a conversation in the bank and overhears some hot market tips, his good fortune is assured. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jarl Kulle, Christina Schollin, (more)
- 1960
This effective literary drama is one of the later films in the long career of Swedish director Anders Henrikson whose cinematic work began in 1936 and continued through 1965. The film is based on two stories by writer August Strindberg, ~On Payment~ and ~The Doll's House~ (not Ibsen's famous play, but Strindberg's parody of it). In the first story, a tragedy, director Henrikson takes on the role of a sexually unassertive husband who has to somehow contend with his wife's dislike of sexual contact. In the second story, Mai Zetterling stars as the primary female character in a comedy about love, marriage, and conflict between a husband and wife. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mai Zetterling, Anita Björk, (more)
- 1959
Though not especially innovative or original, this romantic comedy by director Arne Mattsson features Sven Lindberg as Bertil Lund, an up-and-coming executive in a company that specializes in baby products. Bertil's problem is that he could be tapped for the V-P slot if only he were married and therefore, a potential father. No problem, his friend Thorbjorn (Bengt Brunskog) says. He then tells Bertil's boss that the bachelor really is married, and has Bertil introduce his (Thorbjorn's) wife Ulla (Elsa Prawitz) as "Mrs. Bertil Lund." Everything is just fine until Bertil falls in love with the boss's daughter (Mona Malm) and the boss sends Bertil and his "wife" on a business trip. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson, Sven Lindberg, (more)
- 1959
A young boy (Jimmy Sterman), the result of a union between a Danish sailor and a woman from the Virgin Islands (a former Danish crown colony) is brought to Denmark to live with paternal relatives in a pleasant country town. Of course, the mere presence of the boy forces the good citizens to reevaluate their hitherto hypocritical view of racism. Paw was based on a popular children's book from 1918, and the sight of a small black child in provincial Denmark was still a revelation in 1959. Times have changed; the small kingdom has since become a multi-cultural society with problems demanding (and sometimes receiving) far more serious solutions than director Astrid Henning-Jensen was able to provide. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jimmy Sterman, Edvin Adolphson, (more)
- 1958
Filmed in 1958 and released to US television in 1963, Make Way for Lila is a lively Swedish "mountain" drama. Erika Nemberg plays Lila, who as a foundling was adopted and raised by a Lapland chieftain. Growing to maturity in the frozen Northlands, Lila enjoys an adventuresome existence. Obedient to her adoptive parents, Lila is prepared to settle down and marry the man of their choice--until she falls in love with handsome Joachim Hansen. Hansen turns out to be the better choice when Lila's fiance betrays a sadistic streak. Evocatively photographed by Sven Nykvist, Make Way for Lila was generously distributed by the low-budget American firm of Parade Pictures in the early 1960s, then vanished as if it had never existed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Synnove Solbakken (The Girl of Solbakken) stars Synnove Strigen as the title character. Set at the turn of the century, the story focuses on a drunken lout (played by director Gunnar Hellstrom) who takes out his frustrations on everyone around him. He relents only upon finding out that someone loves him regardless of his many faults. Alas, this turnaround may be too late to do anyone any good. Restraint is not the strong suit of Synnove Solbakken wherein everything is larger than life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gunnar Hellstrom, Harriet Andersson, (more)
- 1951
Better known as One Summer of Happiness, Hon Dansade en Sommar was the most popular and financially successful of Swedish director Arne Mattson's romantic films. Based on the novel by Per Olof Ekstrom, the story revolves around the romance between college graduate Goran (Folke Sundquist) and farmer's daughter Kerstin (Ulla Jacobsson). Their plans to marry are stymied by the opposition of a local clergyman (John Elfstrom). Only after a devastating tragedy occurs does Goran realize the folly of allowing others to make decisions for him. Though Arne Mattson could have spent the rest of his career turning out Bergmanesque exercises like this one, he decided to switch creative gears and concentrate on Hitchcockian thrillers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Folke Sundquist, Ulla Jacobsson, (more)
- 1949
An established film favorite in both her native Sweden and Hollywood, Viveca Lindfors made her French film debut in Singoalla. Lindfors plays the title character, a wild-eyed gypsy lass who falls in love with a nobleman (Michel Auclair) The plot thickens when the nobleman's son (Johnny Chambot) likewise lusts for Singoalla. Director Christian-Jacque exhibits his customary lack of restraint, which in this instance is a plus rather than a minus. Filmed in French, Swedish and English versions, Singoalla was also released as The Wind is My Lover and The Mask and the Sword. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Viveca Lindfors, Michel Auclair, (more)
- 1948
People from Simlangs Valley is the English-language title of this leisurely Scandinavian drama. Several subplots are woven into a cogent tapestry of Swedish rural life, with emphasis on characterization rather than plot. Carl Strohm stands out as Jan, a backwoods activist who tirelessly lobbies for the basic rights of his fellow farmers. Top-billed Eva Dahlbeck likewise contributes an excellent performance. Based on a novel by Fredrik Strom, Folket I Simlangsdalen didn't make much of an impression outside of Sweden, but domestic audiences were satisfied. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson, Eva Dahlbeck, (more)
- 1947
Edvin Adolphson was both star and director of the Swedish Ingen Vag Tillbaka. The title translates as No Road Back, and the story deals with Danish resistance activities during WWII. Having already proven their courage and resilience by publicly standing by their Jewish friends and neighbors, the Danes further demonstrate their fierce anti-Nazi stance by sabotaging German maneuvers whenever possible. Popular in Scandinavia, Ingen Vag Tillbaka was less so in the U.S. and other countries where there was already an overabundance of "wartime underground" dramas. The film was based on a best-selling novel by Hans Severinsen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson
- 1947
Supe for Tva (Supper for Two) was directed by Ragnar Arfvedsson, who also essayed one of the leading roles. Based on the French play L'Inevetable M. Dubois, the story concerns a whirlwind romance amongst the rich and famous of Southern Europe. In a rare move for its time, this Swedish production was largely filmed on the French Riviera. "Pick-up" scenes were lensed in Finland, a reasonably adequate substitute for coastal France. Edvin Adolphson and Karin Ekelend head the cast of this ooh-la-la comedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson, Gaby Stenberg, (more)
- 1946
As was customary in his 1940s films, Anders Henrikson both directs and co-stars in Asa-Hanna. The film concerns the trials and tribulations of a "typical" Swedish family over a period of several years. Adept at both comedy and drama, Henrikson was in his dramatic mode throughout this picture, which adopts a somber, almost funereal tone early on. Edvin Adolphson and Aine Taube are seen as the family's patriarch and matriarch, respectively. Though highly regarded at the time of its first release, Asa-Hanna is little known today, and is often deleted from the "official" lists of Henrikson's films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson, Aino Taube, (more)
- 1946
Begar (Desire) was based on a novel by Hans Severinsen. In near-excruciating detail, the film details the decline and fall of a drunkard, played by Olof Winnerstrand. Hilda Borgstroem co-stars as the woman who does her best to remain faithful to the tosspot Winnerstrand, but she's fighting a losing battle. At the time of its release, the film was compared unfavorably to Hollywood's The Lost Weekend, though it might seem better if seen today. Begar was a major flop in Sweden, instantly killing any plans (if any) for an American release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edvin Adolphson, Gunn Wållgren, (more)
- 1938
Filmed in Sweden in 1938 as En Enda Natt, Only One Night was released in the US in 1942 to capitalize on the popularity of its star, Ingrid Bergman. Actually, Bergman's role is secondary: the film's true star is Edvin Adolphson, playing the illegitimate son of wealthy Olof Sandborg. Taking on the airs of an aristocrat, Adolphson dumps his middle-class girlfriend Aino Taube and commences to enjoy the good life. Sandborg tries to pair up Adolphson with socialite Bergman, but his crude behavior squelches any possibility of lasting romance. Realizing that he's in over his head, Adolphson returns to his former life and former love. By the time Only One Night made it to American theatres, many of its "racier" sexual aspects had been shorn in the editing room. Fortunately, all of Ingrid Bergman's close-ups remained intact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1938
The Swedish historical drama The Great John Ericsson was better known to English-speaking filmgoers as Victor of Hampton Roads. The great Scandinavian director Victor Sjostrom plays the title character, a celebrated 19th-century Swedish inventor. Ericsson's fame rests largely on his development of a steel-armored, manned submarine, which took shape during the American Civil War as the ironclad vessel Monitor. The film's highlight is the battle between the Monitor and Merrimac, though the producers seem more interested in the romantic subplot involving a Confederate lieutenant and a Southern belle. Filmed to commemorate the Swedish-American Tercentenary, The Great John Ericsson could very well have served as one of the sources for the 1990 TV movie The Rose and the Jackal, which also spotlighted the Monitor-Merrimac confrontation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anders Henrikson
- 1937
Most of Klart Till Draggning (Ready For Action) takes place on a Swedish battleship, where all the sailors sing and dance in celebration of their mother country. Whenever the ship pulls into port, dozens of beautiful girls climb on board, all with marriage on their minds. The Scandinavian comedy team of Thor Modeen and Aake Soderbloom are cast as two fathers of the brides, doing their best to put up with their rowdy seafaring son-in-laws. After several merry misadventures, the film wraps up with a slapstick boat race, won hands down by Modeen and Soderbloom. Designed almost exclusively for a Swedish audience, Klart Till Drabbning may seem a bit confusing to American eyes, especially when the director concentrates on the heroine's lovely teeth (could it be that a full set of molars was a rarity in Sweden at the time?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Weyler Hildebrand
