Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Gustaf Edgren
Swedish film director (1895–1954) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Gustaf Edgren (1 April 1895 – 10 June 1954) was a prominent Swedish film director, screenwriter, and producer who played a significant role in the development of Swedish cinema during the first half of the 20th century. His extensive filmography across multiple roles – totaling over 80 film credits – spans silent films to talkies and comedies to dramas.[1][2][3]
.jpg)
Remove ads
Remove ads
Early life and family
Erik Gustaf Edgren was born on April 1, 1895, in Östra Fågelvik, Karlstad, Värmland County, Sweden.[2] He was the son of Karl August Edgren (born 1878 in Råda, Hagfors, Värmland County), who worked as a tenant farmer (arrendator), and Elin Sofia Danielsson (born 1871 in Brunskog, Arvika, Värmland County). In 1900, five-year old Gustaf and his parents were living at the Krogsvik property in Varnum parish, Varmland.[4][5][6] He attended a local trade school (handelsskola), worked at the Uddeholm ironworks,[7] and pursued studies abroad in Germany, England, France, and Italy.[2] He led the "Brage Folkdansgille" (Brage Folk Dance Club) in Kristinehamn, Värmland.[8] From 1920-22, he was a reporter for Nya Wermlands-Tidningen, a local newspaper, when he begain his film career.[7]
Edgren was married twice: first to actress Svea Hellberg in 1924, who died the same year, and then to actress Linnéa Spångberg whom he married in 1927 and remained with until his death in 1954. Their children—Britt-Lis, Bengt, and Björn—were all child film actors.[1]
Remove ads
Career
Summarize
Perspective
_from_Kristinehamn_in_Värmland.jpg)
Värmlandsfilm
Gustaf Edgren made his film debut in 1921 as a choreographer in the film Värmlänningarna, directed by Erik A. Petschler, in which he also appeared in a minor role. Edgren led his folk dance ensemble in traditional dances during the midsummer celebration scenes. Critics noted that these dance sequences were particularly memorable and received generous screen time.[8]
In 1922, he made his directorial debut with Fröken på Björneborg, a film for which he was also responsible for the screenplay and production. He made six films with local actors from the amateur theatre in Kristinehamn for his own company Värmlandsfilm before joining Svensk Filmindustri.[1]
Svensk Filmindustri
In 1927, Edgren joined Svensk Filmindustri (SF), where he became the company's most profitable director over two decades. A significant part of his early success was his discovery and promotion of comedian Fridolf Rhudin. His films between 1927 and 1934 were particularly successful, with Rhudin featured in six films from Spökbaronen (1927) to Simon i Backabo (1934).[1] Edgren successfully navigated the challenging transition from silent to sound film during this period, when many Swedish filmmakers struggled with the new technology, helping Svensk Filmindustri maintain its commercial viability when the studio had considered halting production entirely in the late 1920s.[9] During this critical period for Swedish cinema, as Leif Furhammar notes, the advent of sound film technology "provided the vehicle for the commercial renaissance [of] Swedish film" after a period when "not a single Swedish film was in production" for nine months in 1929.[9]
Filmography overview
Gustaf Edgren had a special affinity for folklustspel (Swedish rural comedies). This was evident in his debut film and continued with works like the 1932 remake of Värmlänningarna. He also explored political themes, directing Erik Lindorm's political comedy Röda dagen (1931) and Karl Fredrik regerar (1934), a film about a farmhand who becomes the Minister of Agriculture.[1] Edgren's prolific career spanned multiple facets of Swedish filmmaking: he directed 32 films and wrote 22 screenplays (1922-1951), produced 6 early films (1922-1926), and contributed 2 story/scenario works. His versatility extended to occasional acting (3 films), film editing (2 films), choreography (1 film), production management (2 films), and even songwriting (13 lyrics for Sköna Helena). This comprehensive involvement demonstrates a filmmaker who mastered nearly every aspect of cinema during three critical decades of the medium's development in Sweden.
Notable films
Among Gustaf Edgren's extensive filmography, several works stand out for their historical significance, critical reception, or cultural impact. Among his most notable works as a director are:
Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton) is a 1935 Swedish drama featuring performances by Lars Hanson, Karin Kavli, Victor Sjöström, and a young Ingrid Bergman. The film delves into themes of love, societal expectations, abortion, conflicting views of the roles of women, and the complexities of human relationships. The context of the story is concern about declining birth rate in Sweden during the 1930s.[10][11]
John Ericsson, Victor of Hampton Roads (John Ericsson – segraren vid Hampton Roads) is a 1937 Swedish historical drama depicting the life of Swedish-American inventor John Ericsson. The film centers on Ericsson's development of the ironclad warship USS Monitor and its pivotal role in the 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads during the American Civil War. Victor Sjöström portrayed Ericsson, and the score was composed by Eric Bengtson.[12] The film was part of a broader cultural initiative to celebrate Swedish contributions abroad and was especially targeted toward Swedish-American audiences during the 1938 tercentenary celebrations of Swedish immigration to the United States.[13] Screenings were held in communities such as South Bend, Indiana, and the film was praised as a tribute to Swedish ingenuity and perseverance.[14]
Sunshine Follows Rain (Driver dagg, faller regn) is a 1946 romantic drama based on the novel by Margit Söderholm. The film portrays a love story set against the backdrop of 19th-century Swedish rural life, highlighting themes of tradition, love, and societal norms. It was one of Edgren's most commercially successful films, resonating with audiences for its heartfelt narrative and picturesque depiction of the Swedish countryside.[15][1]
The Girl from the Marsh Croft (Tösen från Stormyrtorpet) is a 1947 adaptation of Selma Lagerlöf's novella. The film tells the story of a young woman's struggle with societal judgment and personal redemption. It is noted for its faithful representation of Lagerlöf's themes and its exploration of morality and social ostracism in early 20th-century Sweden.[16]
The Swedish Horseman (Svenske ryttaren) is a 1949 historical drama inspired by Leo Perutz's novel The Swedish Rider. The film explores themes of identity, fate, and the supernatural, set against the tumultuous backdrop of 18th-century Europe. It stands out for its atmospheric storytelling and philosophical undertones.[17]
Beautiful Helen (Sköna Helena) is a 1951 Swedish musical comedy loosely based on Jacques Offenbach's operetta La Belle Hélène. The film, Edgren's final directorial work, showcases his versatility and flair for integrating music with narrative cinema. It features performances by Max Hansen and Eva Dahlbeck, bringing a comedic and satirical touch to classical themes.[18]
Remove ads
Awards and affiliations
- Swedish Film Society Medal (Svenska Filmsamfundets medalj)[19][20][2]
- IFK Kristinehamn Gold Merit Medal (I.F.K:s i Kristinehamn förtjänstmedalj i guld) - IFK stands for "Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna" (Sports Club Comrades), the local sports club in Kristinehamn[2]
- Värmland Football Federation Silver Merit Badge (Värmlands Fotbollsförbunds förtjänsttecken i silver) - awarded for 10 years of meritorious service[2]
- Board member of Swedish Youth Ring (Svenska Ungdomsringen), 1921-22[2]
- Member of the Council for the Protection of Kristinehamn's Beauty (Skönhetsrådet i Kristinehamn)[2]
- Member of Swedish Film Society (Svenska Filmsamfundet)[2][21]
Legacy
Gustaf Edgren is remembered as a pioneering figure in Swedish cinema, known for his ability to create popular, folksy entertainment that resonated with broad audiences. Bengt Forslund, in a 2011 biography, noted that while Edgren might not have been an excellent personal acting coach, he had an exceptional talent for choosing the right actors for the right roles. His lifelong goal was to create popular entertainment for a broad audience.[22] His prolific career, spanning three decades, significantly contributed to the development of Swedish film during the early to mid-20th century.[22]
Remove ads
Filmography
As Director
As Screenplay Writer
As Producer
As Scenario/Story Author
Other Roles
Soundtrack
Cast Appearances
Private films
Remove ads
References
Bibliography
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads