Fools in the Mountains

"Fjolls til fjells" is a boring Norwegian farce, that (strangely) is insanely popular over here. The setting is a hotel, and the movie is about all the intrigues between the characters. This proves to be very boring and we`ve seen it a hundred times before, and Leif Juster just isn`t funny as the chief of the hotel. Avoid it but small children might enjoy it. Just be sure to let your children watch this on their own, so you could go out to see a good film. The Danish version of this film is called "Solstik" and is actually a better movie, which is mostly because of the better actors. I give "Fjolls til fjells" a 2/10

"Fools In The Mountains" (1957) is an excruciating example of what Roger Ebert famously called The Idiot Plot - the kind of plot that would be resolved in 5 seconds if everyone involved was not a clinical idiot. The entire film is built on the shaky foundation of dumb misunderstandings. It is a major disappointment coming form Norway's first female director, Edith Carlmar, after her two very good noirs, "Death Is A Caress" (1949) and "Young Woman Missing" (1953). Maybe comedy just wasn't her forte. On the positive side, Unni Bernhoft is cute, and there is some pleasing snowy scenery. *1/2 out of 4.

Leif Juster is the manager of a ski resort. He has just ordered a snowmobile for the guests. The extravagance rouses the ire of the owner of the chain. He sends his daughter, Unni Bernhoft, to investigates, which she does by putting on a bellhop's uniform, which seems to fool everyone but the audience. Meanwhile, Frank Robert has checked in as two characters: one is a repressed ornithologist who carries a stuffed owl around; the other is a free-living star of stage and screen. Naturally, everyone thinks they are the same character, which causes the usual comic misunderstanding.

Juster is a fine comic, with his big nose and gangly build, but his demeanor and temper proclaim him a stage comic, and some good camera work and editing don't disguise the work this is a stage farce. It's also paced a trifle slow and goes on a bit too long for someone used to the lightning farce sequences of Friz Freleng and Michael Frayn.

This must be one of Norway's best comedy's, and most certainly a masterpeice from the grand old lady of movies in Norway, Edith Carlmar.

The movie itself has all of Norway's biggest comedy stars from that periode, and that shows.

The story is from a Hotel on a winter resort and the hotel manager is begining to get a few problems when he gets a new piccolo. The hotel owner keep calling and asking for his daughter, that seems not to be there, and one hotel guest keep disapering and turning up at the same time. The manager is a little over his head with this guest, and he is headed for a nervous breakdown.

This is quite a funny farce from the fifties. The main theme is about mistaken identities. But you will also find a disguised bellboy, owls and lots of complications. Add to that a well written dialog. Leif Juster, one of Norways longest comedians (and best loved) in his best movie role. Although he was mainly a revue actor. This movie is also based on a revue. He is accompanied by a good cast. The movie is directed by Norways first female director Edith Carlmar. And she has a good hand with comedy. You will also find Liv Ullmann in her first appearance in a movie. You will have to look hard though... I pity people who can't see the charm in this movie.