Kärlek och journalistik

Mauritz Stiller's most well known comedy is Erotikon (1920). The comedies he made before that, Kärlek och journalistik (Love and Journalism), Tomas Graals bästa film (Thomas Graal's best film), and Thomas Graals bästa barn (Thomas Graal's best child), are usually described as lesser movies which show the promise of better things to come. It's all a matter of individual taste, since comedy is subjective, but I thought these little 1910's movies were much more enjoyable than Erotikon. They are less controlled, and more zany. And Karin Molander has bigger parts in them.

Love and Journalism is very light fare, of course. It will not stay in your memory long, or if it does, you won't remember what the story was about. You will remember Karin Molander's cheerfully mischievous face as she scrubs her love-interest's shoes clean, or when, clad in a pajamas and a night cap, she makes herself comfortable on the divan with a news paper - and a cigarette! Karin Molander seems to play modern, sassy young women in most of her comedies. This comedy persona works so well for her, that I think she must have been a bit like that in real life. She has a great screen presence, which is what makes this movie worthwhile.