Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 185. Photo: Skandiafilm. Gösta Ekman and Mary Johnson in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920).
Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 186. Photo: Skandiafilm. John Ekman and Tora Teje in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920).
Borrowing money from a stranger
Familjens traditioner/Family Traditions (Rune Carlsten, 1920) is based on Einar Fröberg's play 'Disciplin' (Discipline), which premiered at Dramaten, the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, in 1911. The film scenario was written by Sam Ask and director Rune Carlsten.
The young Baron Robert of Valla (Sven Bergvall) falls in love with his distant relative Helga (Tora Teje) on a motorbike ride. They marry.
However, Helga feels unappreciated and is kept in her place by old Aunt Frederique (Hilda Castegren) and others. It is not until the death of her father-in-law, the old Baron Stenklo (Hjalmar Selander), and Robert's appointment as lord of the manor that she begins to breathe again. She throws herself into a whirl of pleasures.
Her husband does not give her much pleasure and neglects her. Helga is courted by the owner of the estate, Sixten Borgman (John Ekman), an upstart who, on a visit to the races, persuades her to make a bet: he lends her money and she writes a receipt.
Helga loses the money, and at the ball that follows, the landowner takes the opportunity to betray her. Through the mediation of the scheming Aunt Frederique, the story comes to Robert's attention and he takes great offence at Helga's borrowing money from a stranger. After this, the marriage becomes very cold, and Helga's life becomes even more desolate than before.
Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 189. Photo: Skandiafilm. Gösta Ekman and Mary Johnson in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920).
Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 190. Photo: Skandiafilm. Gösta Ekman and Mary Johnson in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920).
The daring intervention of the house's faithful servant
Robert's younger brother, Ernst (Gösta Ekman), has long had a crush on Helga and is now indignant at the way she is treated by her husband. At the same time, Ernst is very enamoured with the sweet daughter of the provost, Inga Lidner (Mary Johnson).
When the Stenklo family visits Provost Lidner for crayfish fishing, a series of dramatic events occur. Ernst and Inga fall out. Robert behaves rudely towards Helga. Helga seeks comfort from Ernst.
A forest fire breaks out on the estate and Robert has to go out and lead the extinguishing work. When Robert returns home at night and seeks out his wife to apologise, he finds his brother hiding in her sleeping alcove.
The situation is about to lead to the deepest misfortune when the house's faithful servant, old Bergqvist (Carl Browallius), dares to intervene. He overheard Helga talking to Ernst through the door, explaining that she loved her husband and could never betray him. Bergqvist also reminds Robert of his promise to his father: to always support his brother.
After this settlement, all is well again on the estate. The family traditions are cherished as before, but no longer as a heavy duty but in love.
Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 191. Photo: Skandiafilm. Gösta Ekman and Tora Teje in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920).
Swedish postcard by Axel Eliassons Konstförlag, no. 192. Photo: Skandiafilm. Gösta Ekman and Mary Johnson in Familjens traditioner (Rune Carlsten, 1920), here also with Sven Bergvall and Carl Browallius, mentioned here as Brovallius.
Sources: The Swedish Film Database, Wikipedia (Swedish) and IMDb.
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