Hr. Tell og Søn: A Quaint Trip Through Classic Danish Comedy

Alright, so, Hr. Tell og Søn. Is this worth digging up today? Probably only if you’re already a fan of very old Danish comedies, especially the slapstick duo of Fy and Bi. If you love classic European physical humor, you might find some charm. Everyone else? You’ll likely wonder what on earth you’re watching. 😂

Fy and Bi's Modern Predicament

The whole thing kicks off with Fy and Bi moving into this apartment, which the movie calls 'modern.' And you know, for its time, maybe it was! To our eyes, it’s just… a room. But the way they interact with it, like it’s full of futuristic gadgets, that’s kinda fun. It gives the place a personality.

These two want to make it big on stage, which is a classic setup for this kind of film. They're all about 'the sloping boards,' which is a nice way to say they want to be actors. You can feel their earnestness, even if their methods are, well, *unique*.

Then there's this whole 'sidecar' thing. One of them, I’m guessing Bi, is nicknamed 'the sidecar' and turns out to be an amazing shot. Like, unbelievably good. His hero is Wilhelm Tell, obviously. It's a very specific kind of humor, leaning heavily on this one strange talent. You don't see that every day.

The Peculiarities of a Marksman

The Wilhelm Tell references are, frankly, a bit much sometimes. They really lean into it. There's a scene, and I won't spoil it, but it involves a target and an *unusual* projectile. It goes on for a beat too long, and you start to question the physics of it all. But that’s part of the charm, I guess? Or maybe it’s just me.

The shooting scenes are where the film really tries to shine. There's this one moment where Bi aims, and the camera just *holds* on his face. It’s supposed to show intense concentration, but after a few seconds, it just feels like they forgot to cut. 🤷‍♀️ It’s not dramatic, it’s just… long.

The plot, such as it is, kind of wanders. It’s less about a tight narrative and more about setting up a series of gags for Fy and Bi to bounce off each other. Which is fine! That’s what these films were often about. But it does mean if you're looking for a compelling story, you won't find it here.

Watching Old-School Comedy Unfold

The pacing is very much of its era. Things move slowly. There’s a lot of physical comedy that relies on exaggerated movements and reactions. Sometimes it lands, sometimes it doesn’t quite translate across the decades. A running gag with a particularly *stubborn* piece of furniture felt like it went on forever. And then some.

You can see the effort in the set designs, even if they seem sparse by today's standards. That 'modern apartment' had some really interesting lines and a few peculiar contraptions that made me wonder about Danish interior design in the 20s or 30s. It felt lived-in, somehow, despite its simplicity.

The performances, especially from Jørgen Lund and Olga Svendsen, who aren’t Fy and Bi but play other characters, they feel so big. Every gesture is amplified. It's like they're playing to the back row of a huge theater, even when the scene is fairly intimate. It can be a little jarring, but also kind of endearing.

One odd thing: there's this background extra in a crowd scene, just for a second, who seems to be looking directly at the camera. Maybe he knew something we didn't? It pulls you out for a moment, but then it's gone. A tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it detail that just stuck with me.

A Time Capsule with Quirk

Ultimately, Hr. Tell og Søn is a time capsule. It shows you a slice of humor from a different era. It’s not trying to be deep or profound, just funny. And sometimes it is! Other times, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. But it’s never boring in its *intent*.

Don't go into this expecting a laugh-a-minute riot unless you have a very specific appreciation for this brand of silent or early talkie comedy. It's more of a gentle, bemused smile kind of film. A curious piece of cinematic history, for sure. 🎬