Gustaf Harald August Molander (18 November 1888 – 19 June 1973) was a
Swedish
Swedish or ' may refer to:
Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically:
* Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland
** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...
actor and film director.
His parents were director Harald Molander, Sr. (1858–1900) and singer and actress
Lydia Molander, ''née'' Wessler, and his brother was the director
Olof Molander
Olof Johan Harald Molander (8 October 1892 – 26 May 1966) was a Sweden, Swedish theatre director, theatre and film director. He was most notable for his many Strindberg and Shakespeare productions. Biography
Molander was born in Helsinki. H ...
(1892–1966). He was the father of director and producer
Harald Molander from his first marriage to actress
Karin Molander
Karin Molander (born Katarina Margareta Elisabet Edwertz, 20 May 1889 – 3 September 1978) was a Swedish stage and film actress whose career spanned over five decades.
Career
Born Katarina Margareta Elisabet Edwertz in Stockholm, Sweden, ...
and father to actor
Jan Molander
Jan Göran Gustaf Harald Molander (2 April 1920 – 30 June 2009) was a Swedish people, Swedish actor and film director who had a decades-long dominant career in his country's film and television industry.
A native of Stockholm, Jan Molander was ...
from his second marriage to Elsa Fahlberg (1892–1977).
Gustaf Molander was born in
Helsingfors
Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the capital, primate, and most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, and has a population of . The cit ...
(now Helsinki) in the
Grand Duchy of Finland
The Grand Duchy of Finland ( fi, Suomen suuriruhtinaskunta; sv, Storfurstendömet Finland; russian: Великое княжество Финляндское, , all of which literally translate as Grand Principality of Finland) was the predecessor ...
(in the
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
), where his father was working at the
Swedish Theatre
The Swedish Theatre ( sv, Svenska Teatern) is a Swedish-language theatre in Helsinki, Finland, and is located at the Erottaja ( sv, Skillnaden) square, at the end of Esplanadi ( sv, Esplanaden). It was the first national stage of Finland.
Hi ...
. He studied in the school of the
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre ( sv, Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern, colloquially ''Dramaten'') is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's five running stages.
The the ...
in
Stockholm
Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
1907–1909, acted at the Swedish theatre in Helsingfors 1909–1913, and then at the Royal Dramatic Theatre from 1913 to 1926. The last years there he headed the school; his students included
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson; 18 September 1905 – 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress. Regarded as one of the greatest screen actresses, she was known for her melancholic, somber persona, her film portrayals of tragedy, ...
.
Molander wrote several screenplays for
Victor Sjöström
Victor David Sjöström (; 20 September 1879 – 3 January 1960), also known in the United States as Victor Seastrom, was a pioneering Swedish film director, screenwriter, and actor. He began his career in Sweden, before moving to Hollywood in ...
and
Mauritz Stiller
Mauritz Stiller (born Moshe Stiller, 17 July 1883 – 18 November 1928) was a Swedish film director of Finnish Jewish origin, best known for discovering Greta Garbo and bringing her to America.
Stiller had been a pioneer of the Swedish film ...
, and was helped by the latter to get employment as a director for
Svensk Filmindustri
SF Studios is a Swedish film and television production and distribution company (both Swedish and international) with headquarters in Stockholm and local offices in Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and London. The studio is owned by Nordic media cong ...
, where he worked 1923–1956. All in all, he directed sixty-two films. He often worked with
Gösta Ekman
Hans Gösta Gustaf Ekman (; 28 July 1939 – 1 April 2017) was a Swedish actor, comedian, and director.
Career
Ekman was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and was the son of the director Hasse Ekman and Agneta (née Wrangel). Ekman represented t ...
, and his films include ''
Intermezzo
In music, an intermezzo (, , plural form: intermezzi), in the most general sense, is a composition which fits between other musical or dramatic entities, such as acts of a play or movements of a larger musical work. In music history, the term ha ...
'' (1936), which became
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman (29 August 191529 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays.Obituary ''Variety'', 1 September 1982. With a career spanning five decades, she is often ...
's breakthrough and paved her way to America, where she starred in the 1939
Hollywood remake of the film.
In 1943 he directed ''
Ordet
''Ordet'' (, meaning " The Word" and originally released as ''The Word'' in English), is a 1955 Danish drama film, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. It is based on a play by Kaj Munk, a Danish Lutheran priest, first performed in 1932. The film w ...
'', the first film version of the play of the same name written by the Protestant pastor
Kaj Munk, not to be confused with the second and more famous version of the film brought to the big screen by
Carl Theodor Dreyer. The Danish master's film was shot twelve years later and won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
In 1948 Molander made what should have been his last film, ''Eva'', but almost twenty years later, in 1967, he agreed to participate as a director of an episode in the collective film ''Stimulantia'' only to return to work with Ingrid Bergman 30 years later.
Selected filmography
Director
* ''
Thomas Graal's Ward
''Thomas Graal's Ward'' (Swedish: ''Thomas Graals myndling'') is a 1922 Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Einar Axelsson, Vera Schmiterlöw and Nils Aréhn.Gustafsson p.63
Cast
* Einar Axelsson as Paul
* Ve ...
'' (1922)
* ''
Ingmar's Inheritance
''Ingmar's Inheritance'' (Swedish: ''Ingmarsarvet'') is a 1925 Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Lars Hanson, Conrad Veidt and John Ekman.Hjort & Lindqvist p.253 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockholm ...
'' (1925)
* ''
To the Orient
''To the Orient'' (Swedish: ''Till österland'') is a 1926 Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Lars Hanson, Jenny Hasselqvist and Mona Mårtenson.Qvist & Von Bagh p.29 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockh ...
'' (1926)
* ''
She Is the Only One
''She Is the Only One'' (Swedish: ''Hon, den enda'') is a 1926 Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Alphons Fryland, Vera Voronina and Ivan Hedqvist.Gustafsson p.101 The film was based on a nineteenth century play ...
'' (1926)
* ''
His English Wife
''His English Wife'' (German: ''Die Lady ohne Schleier'', Swedish: ''Hans engelska fru'') is a 1927 German-Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Lil Dagover, Gösta Ekman and Karin Swanström.Donoghue p.viii It was ...
'' (1927)
* ''
Sealed Lips'' (1927)
* ''
Sin
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, s ...
'' (1928)
* ''
Parisiennes'' (1928)
* ''
The Triumph of the Heart
''The Triumph of the Heart'' (Swedish: ''Hjärtats triumf'') is a 1929 Swedish silent drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Carl Brisson, Lissy Arna and Edvin Adolphson.Gustafsson p.185 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stock ...
'' (1929)
* ''
Frida's Songs'' (1930)
* ''
Charlotte Löwensköld'' (1930)
* ''
Black Roses'' (1932)
* ''
Love and Deficit
''Love and Deficit'' (Swedish: ''Kärlek och kassabrist'') is a 1932 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Sigurd Wallén, Tutta Rolf and Edvin Adolphson.Qvist & von Bagh p.150 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockh ...
'' (1932)
* ''
Servant's Entrance'' (1932)
* ''
Dear Relatives
''Dear Relatives'' (Swedish: ''Kära släkten'') is a 1933 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Gösta Ekman, Tutta Rolf and Carl Barcklind. It was a hit at the box office.Wright p.32 It was made at the Råsunda Studios in ...
'' (1933)
* ''
Under False Flag'' (1935)
* ''
Swedenhielms
''Swedenhielms'' is a 1935 Swedish comedy-drama film directed by Gustaf Molander. The film is based on the play by Hjalmar Bergman from 1923 and starrs Gösta Ekman, Karin Swanström, and Tutta Rolf.
Plot
The Swedenhielm family is an old proud ...
'' (1935)
* ''
The Wedding Trip
''The Wedding Trip'' (german: Die Hochzeitsreise) is a 1969 German-Italian comedy film directed by Ralf Gregan and starring Liselotte Pulver, Dieter Hallervorden and Ewa Strömberg.Bock & Bergfelder p.379
Synopsis
After seven years of marriage ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Intermezzo
In music, an intermezzo (, , plural form: intermezzi), in the most general sense, is a composition which fits between other musical or dramatic entities, such as acts of a play or movements of a larger musical work. In music history, the term ha ...
'' (1936)
* ' (1936)
* ''
The Family Secret'' (1936)
* ''
Sara Learns Manners
''Sara Learns Manners'' (Swedish: ''Sara lär sig folkvett'') is a 1937 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Tutta Rolf, Emma Meissner and Aino Taube.Qvist & Von Bagh p.128 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockhol ...
'' (1937)
* ''
Dollar
Dollar is the name of more than 20 currencies. They include the Australian dollar, Brunei dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Jamaican dollar, Liberian dollar, Namibian dollar, New Taiwan dollar, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar, U ...
'' (1938)
* ''
A Woman's Face
''A Woman's Face'' is a 1941 American Drama (film and television), drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas and Conrad Veidt. It tells the story of Anna Holm, a facially disfigured blackmailer, who because of ...
'' (1938)
* ''
Emilie Högquist
Emilie Sophie Högquist or Högqvist (29 April 1812 – 18 December 1846) was a Swedish stage actress. She was a star of the Royal Dramatic Theatre and has been referred to as the first celebrity within Swedish drama and known as the Swedish ...
'' (1939)
* ''
Variety Is the Spice of Life
''Variety Is the Spice of Life'' (Swedish: ''Ombyte förnöjer'') is a 1939 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Tutta Rolf, Per Aabel and Elsa Burnett.Larsson & Marklund p.115
The film's sets were designed by Arne Åker ...
'' (1939)
* ''
Only One Night
''Only One Night'' (german: Nur eine Nacht) is a 1950 West German drama film directed by Fritz Kirchhoff and starring Marianne Hoppe, Hans Söhnker and Willy Maertens.Bock & Bergfelder p. 52 It was shot at the Tempelhof Studios in West Berlin. Th ...
'' (1939)
* ''
One, But a Lion!
''One, But a Lion!'' (Swedish: ''En, men ett lejon!'') is a 1940 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Håkan Westergren, Annalisa Ericson and Marianne Aminoff.Larsson & Marklund p.118
The film's art direction was by Arne ...
'' (1940)
* ''
Bright Prospects
''Bright Prospects'' (Swedish:''Den ljusnande framtid'') is a 1941 Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Signe Hasso, Ernst Eklund and Erik 'Bullen' Berglund.Larsson & Marklund p.118
The film's art direction was by Arne ...
'' (1941)
* ''
The Fight Continues
''The Fight Continues'' (Swedish: ''Striden går vidare'') is a 1941 Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Victor Sjöström, Renée Björling and Anne-Margrethe Björlin.Larsson & Marklund p.116
The film's art direction was ...
'' (1941)
* ''
Tonight or Never'' (1941)
* ''
Ride Tonight!
''Ride Tonight!'' (Swedish: ''Rid i natt'') is a 1942 Swedish historical drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Lars Hanson, Oscar Ljung, Gerd Hagman and Eva Dahlbeck. It is an adaptation of the 1941 novel '' Ride This Night'' by ...
'' (1942)
* ''
There's a Fire Burning
''There's a Fire Burning'' (Swedish: ''Det brinner en eld'') is a 1943 Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Inga Tidblad, Lars Hanson and Victor Sjöström. It was made at the Råsunda Studios in Stockholm. The film's sets ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Ordet
''Ordet'' (, meaning " The Word" and originally released as ''The Word'' in English), is a 1955 Danish drama film, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. It is based on a play by Kaj Munk, a Danish Lutheran priest, first performed in 1932. The film w ...
'' (1943)
* ''
The Emperor of Portugallia
''The Emperor of Portugallia'' (Swedish: ''Kejsarn av Portugallien'') is a novel by Nobel-laureate Selma Lagerlöf, published in 1914 with drawings by Albert Engström. Lagerlöf called it a "Swedish King Lear". The novel was a success with crit ...
'' (1944)
* ''
The Invisible Wall'' (1944)
* ''
The Gallows Man'' (1945)
* ''
Affairs of a Model'' (1946)
* ''
Woman Without a Face
''Woman Without a Face'' ( sv, Kvinna utan ansikte) is a 1947 Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and written by Ingmar Bergman.
Cast
* Alf Kjellin as Martin Grandé
* Anita Björk as Frida Grandé
* Gunn Wållgren as Rut Köhler
* ...
'' (1947)
* ''
Eva
Eva or EVA may refer to:
* Eva (name), a feminine given name
Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters
* Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character by Dynamite Entertainment
* Eva (''Devil May Cry''), Dante's mother in t ...
'' (1948)
* ''
Life Starts Now
''Life Starts Now'' is the third studio album by the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The album was released on September 22, 2009. It was produced by Howard Benson. It was the second time in a row that the band has worked with him, after the ...
'' (1948)
* ''
Love Wins Out
''Love Wins Out'' (Swedish: ''Kärleken segrar'') is a 1949 Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Karl-Arne Holmsten, Ingrid Thulin and Ilselil Larsen.Qvist & Von Bagh p.146 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockholm ...
'' (1949)
* ''
The Quartet That Split Up'' (1950)
* ''
Fiancée for Hire
''Fiancée for Hire'' (Swedish: ''Fästmö uthyres'') is a 1950 Swedish comedy film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Olof Winnerstrand, Karl-Arne Holmsten and Eva Dahlbeck.Qvist & Von Bagh p.115 It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stoc ...
'' (1950)
* ''
Defiance'' (1952)
* ''
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...
'' (1952)
* ''
The Glass Mountain'' (1953)
* ''
Sir Arne's Treasure'' (1954)
* ''
The Unicorn'' (1955)
* ''
The Song of the Scarlet Flower'' (1956)
* ''
Stimulantia'' (1967)
References
* Forslund, Bengt: "Molander, Gustaf", ''Svenskt biografiskt lexikon'', Vol. 25, pp. 619–622.
External links
*
*
*
1888 births
1973 deaths
Burials at Norra begravningsplatsen
Male actors from Helsinki
Swedish film directors
Swedish male actors
{{Sweden-film-director-stub