Oh, Tomorrow Night...
Plot
In this 1919 Swedish silent comedy, Ernst Rolf plays a henpecked husband married to a domineering woman reminiscent of Xanthippe (the famously shrewish wife of Socrates). Struggling with marital troubles and financial concerns, the protagonist escapes to town where he meets his friend Boman at the Opera Terrace. There, he laments how his once-sweet wife has transformed into a 'bitch,' and fantasizes about other women who appear to dance on the terrace table through innovative trick photography. Boman devises a scheme to help his friend escape domestic misery by writing a letter calling Rolf to a meeting in Jönköping, providing him with the perfect pretext to attend the masquerade ball at Hasselbacken the following evening.
About the Production
This film featured early special effects using trick photography to create the illusion of dancing women appearing on a terrace table, representing the protagonist's fantasies. The production utilized the facilities of Svenska Biografteatern, one of Sweden's leading film studios of the silent era. The masquerade scenes were filmed at Hasselbacken, a famous entertainment venue in Stockholm.
Historical Background
This film was produced in 1919, during the immediate aftermath of World War I, a period of significant social and cultural transformation in Sweden and across Europe. The Swedish film industry was experiencing what many historians consider its golden age, with directors like Victor Sjöström and Mauritz Stiller gaining international recognition. The year 1919 also saw the establishment of democratic reforms in Sweden, including women's suffrage, which may have influenced the film's themes of marital discord and female empowerment. The entertainment industry was thriving as people sought relief from the war years, and films like this reflected both the escapism audiences desired and the changing social dynamics of the time. The film's focus on domestic comedy and fantasy elements was typical of post-war cinema, which often favored lighter fare over the serious themes that had dominated during the conflict years.
Why This Film Matters
'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' represents an important example of early Swedish comedy cinema and the star vehicle format that was becoming increasingly popular in European film production. The film showcases Ernst Rolf, a major cultural figure in Swedish entertainment, bridging his stage popularity with the emerging medium of cinema. Its use of trick photography and fantasy elements demonstrates the technical experimentation occurring in Swedish cinema during this period. The film's themes of marital discord and the desire for escape reflect broader societal changes in post-WWI Sweden, including evolving gender dynamics and the questioning of traditional domestic arrangements. As a product of Svenska Biografteatern, it contributes to our understanding of how Sweden's major film studios operated and what kinds of content they produced during this crucial period of national film development.
Making Of
The production of 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' took place during a pivotal period in Swedish cinema when the industry was gaining international acclaim. Director John W. Brunius, working with Svenska Biografteatern, employed innovative techniques for the fantasy sequences, using multiple exposure and matte photography to create the illusion of dancing women materializing on a table. Ernst Rolf, primarily known for his stage work in revues and musical theater, brought his considerable comedic timing and audience appeal to this film role. The production team faced the technical challenges common to silent film era, particularly in creating seamless special effects without modern digital technology. The masquerade ball scenes required extensive costume design and choreography, showcasing the elaborate entertainment culture of Stockholm's high society in the late 1910s.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' featured the innovative use of trick photography for the fantasy sequences, particularly the scene where dancing women appear on a terrace table. This effect was likely achieved through multiple exposure techniques or matte photography, which were cutting-edge methods for the time. The film would have been shot on black and white film stock typical of the era, with the cinematographer needing to carefully plan and execute the special effects sequences. The Opera Terrace and masquerade ball scenes would have required careful lighting to create the appropriate atmosphere while still allowing the camera to capture the action clearly in the available light conditions of 1919 filmmaking.
Innovations
The most notable technical achievement in 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' was the use of trick photography to create the fantasy sequence with dancing women appearing on a table. This effect demonstrated the growing sophistication of special effects in Swedish cinema during the silent era. The production also showcased the capabilities of Svenska Biografteatern's studio facilities and technical expertise. The film's production during Sweden's cinematic golden age meant it benefited from the technical advancements and professional standards that had been established in the Swedish film industry by this time.
Music
As a silent film, 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The score would likely have been performed by a pianist or small orchestra in the cinema, using either pre-composed cue sheets or improvisation based on the action on screen. Given the film's comedic nature and fantasy elements, the musical accompaniment would have included light, playful themes for the comedy and more whimsical or romantic music for the fantasy sequences. The masquerade ball scenes would have been accompanied by dance music appropriate to the period setting. No original soundtrack recordings survive from this production, as was typical for silent films of this era.
Famous Quotes
He laments that the sweet woman he once married has turned into a bitch
The idea is to Rolf with this pretext to escape from home and be able to amuse themselves on Hasselbackens masquerade next evening
Memorable Scenes
- The innovative trick photography sequence where dancing women appear on the terrace table, representing the protagonist's fantasies and desires. This scene stands out as a technical achievement and visual highlight of the film, demonstrating early special effects capabilities and serving as a key moment in establishing the character's motivations and inner conflicts.
Did You Know?
- Ernst Rolf was one of Sweden's most popular revue artists and entertainers of the early 20th century, making this film a star vehicle for his considerable talents
- The film's title in Swedish was likely 'Och i morgon kväll...' reflecting the original English title provided
- Director John W. Brunius would go on to become one of Sweden's most prolific film directors, directing over 60 films during his career
- The trick photography sequence showing dancing women on a table was considered innovative for its time and demonstrated early cinematic special effects techniques
- The film was produced during the golden age of Swedish silent cinema (1917-1924) when Swedish films gained international recognition
- The character comparison to Xanthippe references the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates' notoriously difficult wife, a common literary reference for shrewish women
- Hasselbacken, where the masquerade scenes take place, was a real and famous entertainment establishment in Stockholm during the early 1900s
- The film reflects the changing social dynamics of post-World War I Sweden, including evolving gender roles and marital relationships
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception of 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' is not well-documented in available sources, which is common for many Swedish silent films of this period. However, as a vehicle for the popular Ernst Rolf and a production of the respected Svenska Biografteatern, it likely received positive coverage in Swedish entertainment publications of the time. Modern film historians have noted the film as an example of early Swedish comedy and the star system that was developing in Nordic cinema. The technical innovation of the trick photography sequences would have been noted by contemporary critics as a noteworthy feature of the production.
What Audiences Thought
As a film starring Ernst Rolf, who was enormously popular with Swedish audiences, 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' likely drew significant viewership upon its release. The combination of Rolf's established stage popularity with the relatively new medium of cinema would have been a strong selling point for audiences. The film's comedic themes and fantasy elements would have appealed to post-war audiences seeking light entertainment. However, specific box office figures or detailed audience reception records from 1919 are not readily available in surviving documentation.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Swedish folk comedy traditions
- European theatrical farce
- Early Hollywood comedy shorts
- Domestic melodrama conventions
This Film Influenced
- Later Swedish domestic comedies
- Films featuring fantasy sequences in everyday settings
- Star vehicle formats for popular entertainers
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of 'Oh, Tomorrow Night...' is uncertain, which is common for many Swedish silent films from this period. Many films from the 1910s have been lost due to the fragile nature of early film stock and the lack of systematic preservation efforts in the early decades of cinema. The Swedish Film Institute may hold materials related to this film, but complete copies or high-quality restorations are likely rare or non-existent. Further research in the Swedish Film Database and archives would be needed to determine if any copies of this film survive.