Damen i svart

First of five film adaptations, between 1958 and 1963, of detective novels by Folke Mellvig and Lars Widding, starring the Hillman couple, private detectives played by Annalisa Ericson and Karl-Arne Holmsten.

The overall tone is light, almost comedic, halfway between the Thin Man couple and Charlie Chan's deductive powers. There's even a clumsy sidekick, Freddy, played by Nils Hallberg.

In this episode, in particular, there is a certain gothic appeal arising from the murderous character of the Lady in Black, a kind of specter, very real, who kills by strangulation.

All in all, a light and enjoyable detective story, with just enough emotion, in the old Agatha Christie way. A formula for success, anywhere in the world.

This film is based on an popular series of crime novels written by Folke Mellvig. Mellvig was also one of the screenwriters to this film, and this film was also the first of the so called Hillman detective films.

Just like in Sherlock Holmes, The Thin Man, the Hillman couple would solve crimes together. This one has a generic storyline but have an eerie, darker feel, which sometimes borders on Gothic horror.

The story is simple about a girl that disappears and Hillman and his wife, together with a stuttering, bumbling assistant Freddy tries to solve the case. But it proves to be very hard....

Two main actors Annalisa Ericson(Kajsa Hillman)and Karl-Arne Holmsten(John Hillman) had great chemistry on screen. The same kind of banter, and razorsharp wit that William Powell, Myrna Loy had in The Thin Man (1934).

I don't think this film and its sequels could have been that successful without them. And with supporting comedic relief from Nils Hallberg(Freddy Sjöström) they carry this film with excellence.

Director Arne Mattsson did a great job creating suspense and also adding a very creepy, Gothic horror style to this film. Using a great musical score, and a talented cinematographer Sven Nykvist(who would work with Bergman, Woody Allen among others) he makes a top notch thriller from the 50's.

The problem with film is the very generic storyline, and the problem of clichés that are prevalent in this film. Sometimes it feels like watching any episode of the Scooby Doo series.

But as always it is better then most Swedish crimethrillers made today, this film creates far better atmosphere then Strandvaskaren (2004). Future Swedish genre filmmakers should watch this film for that reason only.

Even though Mattsson did a better thriller later on in his career, Yngsjömordet (1966), this one isn't bad. Anyone interested in Swedish crimethrillers should check this one out.

In 1958, the Swedish director Arne MATTSSON (1919-1995), who won the Golden Bear at the BERLINALE 1951 with SIE TANZTE NUR EINEN SOMMER / SHE DANCED ONLY ONE SUMMER, started a five-part film series with crime stories about the private detective John Hillman (Karl-Arne HOLMSTEN). . In the first film WHEN THE MISTS FALL (The Lady in Black) Annalisa ERICSON was also there as his wife Kajsa, who does the more effective investigative work. The Hillman couple are on holiday at the estate of a beautiful friend (Anita BJÖRK), where a mysterious lady in black is soon up to mischief...

Nostalgic, beautiful crime thriller fun from Sweden that scores with the outstanding camera images by OSCAR winner Sven NYKVIST (OSCARs 1974 (Screams and Whispers) and 1984 (Fanny and Alexander) / OSCAR nomination 1989 (The Unbearable Lightness of Being)). . Sven LINDBERG and Ake LINDMAN can also be seen in other roles.

NETFLIX has thankfully included this pleasantly creepy horror story in its program. Other parts of the series are: Mannequin in Red (1958), The Countess with the Whip (1959), The Lady in White (1962) and The Yellow Car (1963).

Husband and wife private detectives John and Kajsa Hillman are visiting friends in rural Sweden. They soon learn of an intriguing mystery; a woman has disappeared and the locals seem to suspect 'The Lady in Black'; a ghost who has apparently been haunting the area for a hundred years! In what follows a local man has a riding accident... that was no accident then disappears presumed murdered. There are plenty of suspects but evidence seems to point to one in particular.

I thought this was a fun murder mystery. The plot may seem like something from an episode of 'Scooby Doo' but to be fair this was made ten years before that show started. Excluding the possibility that the ghost did it there are a good number of suspects. The tone of the film is fairly light with humorous moments that keep it from ever getting dark. Most of this humour is provided by Freddy Sjöström, he Hillman's somewhat bumbling assistant who appears far more interesting in an attractive young model that his job. The cast is solid; especially the leads and the location suits a murder mystery; fairly remote and without too many people. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of classic mysteries looking for something a little different.

These comments are based on watching the film in Swedish with English subtitles.

Although I loved it, I understand why some people won't. It's a very old movie, and not for the likes of the average today's mystery fan. It's a big movie, and personally I kind of got confused who was who, but it's a black and white movie, so this is expected to happen. Personally I loved it, and I suggest every vintage enjoyer or any mystery fan to watch this movie.