Hans Alfredson, 1931 - 2017

Hans Alfredsson by Per Åhlin

Today Hans Alfredsson passed away at 86 years of age. If you ain't a Swede or at least Scandinavian you would rightfully ask: Who?

Well, the importance of Hans Alfredson in Swedish culture and entertainment can hardly be overstated. It is however impossible to fully convey his importance to youngsters and non-Swedes who did not experience Sweden in the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s. Those were probably his most productive and successful years. He was, among many other things, a comedian, a showman, an actor, a writer, a director of movies, TV, theater and shows. Internationally he would have been most noted for his brilliant film The Simple-Minded Murderer (1982) in which Stellan Skarsgard had his break-through role outside Sweden.

Hans Alfredsson was also the father of directors Thomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Daniel Alfredson (The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest )

Vila i frid Herr Lindeman, Herr Garbo, Don José m fl.

Warner Oland

One of the earliest Swedish-born Hollywood stars is a relatively forgotten one. Those who do know about Warner Oland (Born Johan Verner Ölund on October 3, 1879 – August 6, 1938) probably know him for his screen role as the detective Charlie Chan. He starred in a total of 16 Charlie Chan films. The success of the Chan character turned into a cash cow for Fox Studios and Oland became a valuable property. He became wealthy and bred miniature schnauzers.

Another asian role Oland played was that of evil criminal genious Dr Fu Manchu.

"Oland continued to appear onscreen as an Asian, probably more often than any other white actor in the history of cinema. This was not, strictly speaking, "yellowface", since Oland used no special makeup to change his ethnic appearance, according to frequent co-star Keye Luke."

Yet another asian role for Oland was Dr Yogami in Werewolf of London from 1935. Here's the French poster:

Wrong Side Of The Art!

Sources:
Wikipedia, IMDb

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