Lalla vinner! (1932): A Sweet, Slightly Wobbly Dive into Old Norwegian Charm

Alright, so Lalla vinner! isn’t going to set anyone’s world on fire today, but for a specific kind of viewer, it’s a pretty neat little watch. If you’re into vintage Scandinavian films, or just enjoy simple, gentle comedies about people faking it till they make it, you might find some charm here. Anyone expecting modern pacing or high stakes? You'll probably be bored stiff. 😴

The whole thing kicks off with Lalla, a kitchen maid, suddenly winning the lottery. Instead of just enjoying her cash, she gets this idea to check into a fancy seaside hotel, pretending to be some important 'consul' type. It’s a classic setup, really.

Lalla Carlsen, who plays Lalla, she’s really the heart of it. You just want to root for her, even when her act is a bit transparent, it’s a tiny moment but it works. ✨

The hotel itself feels like a character. All grand hallways and stiff-upper-lip guests. You can almost smell the sea air, though it’s all in black and white. It’s quite the change from the bustling kitchen scenes at the start.

Her interactions with the actual consul, played by Harald Schwenzen, are pretty funny. He’s trying to be all dignified, and Lalla is just trying to keep her story straight. The way they slowly start to warm to each other, it’s quite sweet.

There's a moment when Lalla tries to play the piano for guests, and she’s clearly not very good. Instead of making it a huge, slapstick disaster, it’s just a bit awkward. It makes her feel more real, less like a caricature.

The movie doesn't really dwell on the 'financial downturn' bit too much. It’s more of a plot device to push Lalla’s story along, rather than a deep dive into class struggles. It gets resolved a little too neatly, I thought.

Pacing is definitely from a different era. Things take their time. A scene of Lalla just walking through the hotel lobby feels like it goes on for ages sometimes. But then again, you get to soak in the details of the set.

Marie Hedemark as the gossipy lady, she’s a standout too. Always lurking, always ready to raise an eyebrow. You just know she’s going to be the one to figure things out.

Some of the humor is very gentle, almost quaint. It’s not laugh-out-loud stuff for a modern audience, but there are genuine smiles to be had. Like when Lalla is trying to learn table manners. Her little mistakes are endearing.

The whole 'falling in love' aspect unfolds pretty predictably, but it’s done with a certain charm. No huge dramatic declarations, just a gradual understanding between the two main characters. It’s comforting, in a way. 🥰

One thing that struck me: the costumes for Lalla. When she’s in her maid uniform, she looks so worn. Then, in her fancy dresses, she really transforms. It highlights the change she’s trying to embody, even if her manners don't quite match.

The film ends on a fairly upbeat note, as you’d expect for this type of story. It doesn’t try to be too clever or surprising. It just delivers on its simple promise.

It's not a film I'd rush to rewatch immediately, but it left me with a warm feeling. It's a nice little time capsule, showing how storytelling worked back then. For fans of The Habit of Happiness or other early comedies, it’s worth a look. Not revolutionary, but genuinely pleasant. 👍

Didja notice?

• Lalla’s smile when she first sees the lottery ticket – priceless!
• The way the hotel staff just kind of accepts her consul story without much question.
• The sheer amount of walking characters do in long shots.
• The subtle eye-rolls from some of the fancier guests towards Lalla.
• That one background extra who keeps looking directly at the camera.
• The sound design is pretty basic, just music and a few effects.