''Kranes konditori'' (Krane's Café) is a Norwegian drama film from 1951 directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen. Henning-Jensen also wrote the screenplay, which was based on Cora Sandel's novel of the same name.

Plot

The film takes place in a small Norwegian coastal town and follows the life of Katinka Stordal (

Rønnaug Alten Rønnaug Alten (9 February 1910 – 20 January 2001) was a Norwegian actress and stage instructor. Biography She was born in Tromsø, Norway. Her parents were Emil Bredenbech Melle (1878–1950) and Ragna Aass (1880–1975). After her parents' ...

). The film depicts her loneliness and longing for love. The only man she has ever loved has left her without saying goodbye. From her children she receives neither tenderness nor kindness—only hard, cold demands. Katinka fights to keep her home together. One day she meets the Swedish sailor Stivhatten ( Erik Hell) at Krane's Café. Their meeting fuels gossip in the sleepy town, and Katinka's behavior arouses outrage among many: Is she thinking of leaving her home and children?

Reception

The newspaper ''

Verdens Gang ''Verdens Gang'' ("The course of the world"), generally known under the abbreviation ''VG'', is a Norwegian tabloid newspaper. In 2016, circulation numbers stood at 93,883, having declined from a peak circulation of 390,510 in 2002. ''VG'' is n ...

'' praised the solid acting in the film, but complained about stiff camera work. The newspaper wrote: "The drama was intended to be presented firmly and tightly, with completely natural realism. Rønnaug Alten and Erik Hell maintain this style. But the situation and a number of secondary characters are drawn in strokes that are too thick. The film is solid, but it is also heavy. This simply makes it less entertaining. Astrid Henning-Jensen was not able to overcome this weakness, which has characterized so many Norwegian films."

Cast

as Katinka Stordal * Erik Hell as Stivhatten * Wenche Foss as Elise Gjør * Harald Heide Steen as Justus Gjør * Kolbjørn Buøen as Peder Stordal *

Lydia Opøien Lydia Marie Opøien (November 4, 1894 – November 24, 1961) was a Norwegian actress. Among other venues, Opøien was engaged with the Oslo New Theater, the Norwegian Theater in Oslo, and the Trøndelag Theater. She also worked with the NRK Ra ...

as Mrs. Krane *

Randi Kolstad Randi Kolstad (born Randi Ballestad, later known as Randi Borch, May 23, 1925 – October 6, 1999) was a Norwegian theater and screen actress. Kolstad made her film debut in 1951 in ''Kranes konditori''. She appeared in 14 films. She participa ...

as Borghild Stordal *

Toralv Maurstad Toralv Maurstad (24 November 1926 – 4 November 2022) was a Norwegian stage, film, and television actor. He was the son of actor Alfred Maurstad and actress Tordis Maurstad (née Witzøe), and half-brother of actress Mari Maurstad. His screen d ...

as Jørgen Stordal *

Jon Lennart Mjøen Jon Lennart Mjøen (22 October 1912 – 3 January 1997) was a Norwegian actor, film director and screenwriter. He appeared in twelve films between 1936 and 1968. His film ''Stevnemøte med glemte år'' was entered into the 7th Berlin Interna ...

as Lydersen * Carl Struve as Buck, a lawyer *

Ingeborg Steffens Ingeborg Steffens (October 3, 1907 – April 27, 1982) was a Norwegian actress. Steffens was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway. She was the daughter of Major General William Steffens (1880–1964) and Anette Eger (1884–1944). She was the ...

as Miss Sønstegård *

Siri Rom Siri Rom (March 17, 1918 – November 13, 2002) was a Norwegian actress. She was engaged for many years at the Norwegian Theater. Theater Rom debuted at the Falkberget Theater before she was employed at the Trøndelag Theater from 1940 to 1943 ...

as Miss Larsen *

Aud Schønemann Aud Schønemann (13 November 1922 – 30 October 2006) was a Norwegian actress, regarded by many as the leading comedienne of her generation in Norway. She was born in Østre Aker, and was a daughter of actor August Schønemann and dancer Dagmar ...

as Miss Thorsen * Eva Steen as Mrs. Buck *

Sigrun Otto Sigrun Otto (a.k.a. Sigrun Enersen Otto, April 13, 1896 – August 15, 1980) was a Norwegians, Norwegian actress. She was married to the theater director Reidar Otto. Otto was born in Oslo, Kristiania (now Oslo), the daughter of Otto Enersen an ...

as Mrs. Breien * Brita Bigum as Mrs. Berg *

Marit Halset Marit Halset (May 18, 1912 – March 22, 1986) was a Norwegian actress. She performed roles in theater, radio theater, and film. Halset was engaged with the National Theater in Oslo from 1933 to 1948. She debuted as the young girl Hazel Niles ...

as Mrs. Settem *

Turid Haaland Turid Haaland (June 23, 1908 – October 12, 1979) was a Norwegian actress. Haaland debuted in 1926 at the Norwegian Theater. She played the daughter in Runar Schildt's play ''Den store rolla'', and the character's parents were played by her re ...

as Mrs. Fosnes *

Harald Aimarsen Harald Aimarsen (June 9, 1881 – January 5, 1966) was a Norwegian actor. Aimarsen was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway. Among other venues, he worked at the Oslo New Theater. He acted in many films from 1919 until his death. Aimarsen died ...

Harald Heide-Steen Jr. Harald Heide-Steen Jr. (18 August 1939 – 3 July 2008) was a Norway, Norwegian actor, comedian and singer. He was the son of Harald Heide Steen. Biography During the 1960s, Heide-Steen. Jr made the radio programs ''Hørerøret'', ''Sugerø ...

as Justus

References

External links

*
''Kranes konditori''
at Filmfront
''Kranes konditori''
at the National Library of Norway
''Kranes konditori''
at the Swedish Film Database 1951 films Norwegian drama films Norwegian black-and-white films 1950s Norwegian-language films Films directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen {{Norway-film-stub