Dutch postcard by Scala Theater, Utrecht, 1949. Photo: Meteor-Film. Publicity still for Ballongen / The Balloon (Göran Gentele, Nils Poppe, 1947).
Dutch postcard by Scala Theater, Utrecht, 1950. Photo: publicity for Tappa inte sugen / Don't give up (Lars-Eric Kjellgren, 1947).
West-German postcard by Agfa, no. 538. Photo: Svensk-Film / Panorama. Nils Poppe in Flottans överman / More Than a Match for the Navy (Stig Olin, 1958).
Sweden's leading film comedian
Nils Poppe was born as Nils Einar Jönsson in Malmö, Sweden, in 1908. His mother was unmarried and brought him into an orphanage. After two years, he was adopted by Anders and Amanda Jönsson in Malmö. At school, he became interested in acting, and while performing in a school play, he already showed his comedy skills.
In 1930, he started as a serious stage actor at the Hippodromteatern in Malmö. He quickly realised that he was better suited for comedy, revue, operetta and musical, especially as he was also a good dancer and singer. Four years later, he moved to Stockholm to appear in the 'Klangerevy'n (Klang Revue) at the Folkets Hus-teatern (People's House Theatre). There he first did his Charlie Chaplin parody. Nils Poppe is often compared to Chaplin. The similarities were numerous, even if Poppe, over time, developed his very own style.
In 1937, he made his film debut and appeared in Swedish romantic comedies like Skicka hem Nr. 7 / Send Home Number 7 (Schamyl Bauman, Gideon Wahlberg, 1937) and Adolf i eld och lågor / Adolf in Flames (Per-Axel Branner, 1939). His first leading role was in the comedy Melodin från Gamla Stan / Melodies from the Old Town (Ragnar Frisk, 1939). During the 1940s, he became Sweden's leading film comedian. His comedies included Beredskapspojkar / Prepared Boys (Sigurd Wallén, 1941) with Carl Reinholdz, and Blåjackor / Sailors (Rolf Husberg, 1945).
He directed himself for the first time in Pengar - en tragikomisk saga / Money - a tragicomic saga (1946). At IMDb, Anders Emil Lundin writes: “This film is proof of Poppe's genius as an actor. Not only does the story with the seven workers in the forest and little innocent Harry Orvar resemble the fairy tale ‘Snow White’, but it also shows that Poppe could play all varieties of roles - from comedy to tragedy.” It earned Poppe the Swedish equivalent of the Oscar.
In Scandinavia, Poppe is probably best remembered for his character Fabian Bom, which he introduced in Soldat Bom / Soldier Bom (Lars-Eric Kjellgren, 1948) with Gunnar Björnstrand. Bom is the very meticulous stationmaster, who makes sure that the train leaves exactly on the second. But his beloved Plum-Plum, the major's daughter, is infatuated with army officers. To regain her attention, he joins the army. Bom becomes a soldier who loves the military training, long marches, as well as hard labour as punishment. He meets Agnes, who falls madly in love with him. The film became a smash hit and ran for 48 weeks in Stockholm cinemas. It was the start of a series of 7 films around Bom, including Papa Bom / Father Bom (Lars-Eric Kjellgren, 1949) and Tull-Bom / Customs Officer Bom (Lars-Eric Kjellgren, 1951), with Inga Landgré, who had become his wife in 1949.
German film special by Internationale Film-Bühne, no. 1343. Film special on the Swedish military comedy Beredskapspojkar / Der Stolz der Kompagnie (Sigurd Walleen, 1940-41), starring Nils Poppe. Cover page.
German film special by Internationale Film-Bühne, no. 1343. Film special on the Swedish military comedy Beredskapspojkar / Der Stolz der Kompagnie (Sigurd Wallen, 1940-41), starring Nils Poppe. Back cover page.
French promotion card for Cinéma Midi Minuit in Paris. Nils Poppe in Tappa inte sugen / Oscar (Lars-Eric Kjellgren, 1947).
Surprisingly cast by Ingmar Bergman
During the 1950s, Nils Poppe continued to star in Swedish comedies. The Bom films were international successes and especially popular in Germany. Another popular returning character was Sten Stensson, an academic upholding a high moral standard. He figured in Ballongen / The Balloon (Göran Gentele, Nils Poppe, 1947) and Ljuset från Lund / The Light from Lund (Hans Lagerkvist, 1955).
It surprised many when renowned film director Ingmar Bergman decided to cast him as the street performer Jof in his drama Det sjunde inseglet / The Seventh Seal (1957) opposite Max von Sydow and Gunnar Björnstrand. Tom Wiener at AllMovie: “The Seventh Seal is a skilful blend of realistic drama (the disillusioned knight returning from the Crusades in a land wracked by plague and madness) and the allegorical (most famously, the chess game and further encounters with a black-robed figure representing Death). The historical setting provides a convenient vehicle for Bergman to deal with issues of death and spirituality that are ultimately timeless.”
Poppe showed with his role that he could also convey much warmth and compassion. He would later participate in another Bergman film, Djävulens öga / The Devil's Eye (Ingmar Bergman, 1960), starring Jarl Kulle and Bibi Andersson.
After a period of inactivity in the early 1960s, Poppe started to work for television. In 1966, he took over the management of Fredriksdal´s Open-air Theatre in Helsingborg, where he produced a comedy each summer. Through a deal with Swedish Television, he managed to make the theatre known throughout the country and also revitalised his career. People flocked from all over Sweden to see Poppe in farces like 'Charley’s Aunt'. He also played in productions of other theatres. Particularly memorable is his Tevye in the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' at the Helsingborg City Theatre in 1979.
He retired from the stage at the age of 85, still able to dance, but a few years later he suffered from several strokes, which left him both blind, speechless and immobile. In 2000, he finally died in Helsingborg, Sweden, at the age of 92. Nils Poppe was married twice; first to actress Inga Landgré (1949–1959), and then to actress Gunilla Poppe (née Sundberg) (1965–2000), who was 29 years younger than him. He had two children with each wife. They are actress Anja Landgré, Dan Landgré, dancer/actress Mia Poppe and troubadour/actor Thomas Poppe.
German film special by Internationale Film-Bühne, no. 6028. Film special on Det sunde inseglet / The Seventh Seal (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) with Max von Sydow, Bengt Ekerot and Nils Poppe. Cover page.
German film special by Internationale Film-Bühne, no. 6028. Film special on Det sunde inseglet / The Seventh Seal (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) with Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson and Gunnar Björnstrand. Back cover page.
Sculpture, Malmö, Sweden.
Sources: Tom Wienert (AllMovie- Page now defunct), Hal Erickson (AllMovie - Page now defunct), Anders Emil Lundin (IMDb), Peter Robsahm (Find A Grave), Wikipedia (Swedish and English) and IMDb.
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