Just a few words about an odd but very nice event last Friday, for those
interested in old films and odd stuff.
Despite chilly weather and snow, members of the Thor Modeen fan club TOFS
gathered on the Adolf Fredrik churchyard in Stockholm, to celebrate Mr Modeen's
118th birthday, as they do every year.
Thor Modeen (1898-1950 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_Modéen ;) was a
leading comedy actor, known for the so called "Lager Films" (Pilsnerfilmer)
that caused an animated debate about the low quality of Swedish films before
the age of Ingmar Bergman.
From the churchyard the group of about 30 (incl eg my friends from the Sunkit
club, Martin and Anna-Lena) went to Thor's daughter Margareta for some great
food - Beef à la Lindström, potato, sauce - and entertainment. Finn of the
Lager Film Society held a speech about the history of the gathering, which has
been going on since 1992 (it was my fifth time of participation), in 1993 even
making it to the TV news. Since 2003, we have gathered at Margareta's place
afterwards. Wholesaler ("Grosshandlare") Lindberg led the re-enactment of the
hairpiece scene from the quintessential lager film "Pensionat Paradiset"
("Boarding House Paradise", 1937) with Thor Modeen, the film that lead to the
infamous Lager Film debate. You can actually see the whole film on Youtube,
with part 1 of 5 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pavgEIaFOFA ;(but it is
in Swedish, with Swedish subtitles...). "Wholesaler" is a title often used in
the Modeen fan club, since Thor himself often played one.
I very nice evening with a lot of humour I had a peek at Johan Frick's (RIP!)
first and last sf novel, that Martin showed me. We remembered the recently
deceased radio genius Kjell Alinge, and I had a chat with a member of the Harry
Martinson Society about an essay I've written about this space poet (Aniara)
and Nobel laureate.
I like old films and "forgotten" older, odd culture. I don't mind Ingmar
Bergman, but the Mighty Thor was more entertaining.
As he used to say: "Brilliant times, wonderful times!" Or in Swedish:
"Strålande tider, härliga tider!"
--Ahrvid
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