Song of Norway (1970)

Director:

Andrew L. Stone

Writers:

Homer Curran (play), Milton Lazarus (musical play),

Stars:

Toralv Maurstad, Florence Henderson, Christina Schollin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Toralv Maurstad	...	Edvard Grieg
Florence Henderson	...	Nina Hagerup
Christina Schollin	...	Therese Berg
Frank Porretta	...	Richard Nordraak
Harry Secombe	...	Bioernstjerne Bjoernson
Robert Morley	...	Berg
Edward G. Robinson	...	Krogstad
Elizabeth Larner	...	Mrs. Bjoernson
Oskar Homolka	...	Engstrand
Frederick Jaeger	...	Henrik Ibsen
Henry Gilbert	...	Franz Liszt
Richard Wordsworth	...	Hans Christian Andersen
Bernard Archard	...	George Nordraak
John Barrie	...	Mr. Hagerup
Wenche Foss	...	Mrs. Hagerup

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

composer | territory name in title | 70mm film | country name in title | independent film | 

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Taglines:

A song for the heart to sing...for the world to love!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Canción de Noruega

Filming Locations:

Norway

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Pictures, American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During its Broadway tenure of 860 performances (a substantial number for the time span of two years and slightly over two weeks), the musical changed houses, playing the Imperial Theatre between August 21, 1944 and April 13, 1946, then continuing at the Broadway Theatre between April 15 and September 7, 1946.

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Connections

Referenced in Strauss and Vienna: On Location: The Great Waltz (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Freddie and His Fiddle"
Music by Edvard Grieg
Arranged by Roland Shaw

User Reviews

What's the Norwegian word for 'jolly'?

Critically-lambasted musical adaptation of the successful play regarding the early years of Norwegian pianist/composer Edvard Greig (played by Toralv Maurstad, a Bruce Davison lookalike with oddly shaped eyes). Grieg--initially a rowdy scamp in the 1860s who pined after a lovely girl from a prominent family while trying to get his sonnets published--found himself frustratingly without a benefactor or any professional engagements in which to showcase his work, later marrying his cousin and barely scraping by giving piano lessons. For the most part, writer-director Andrew L. Stone has crafted a not uninteresting, frequently engaging romp with several intentionally funny asides and endearingly klutzy musical numbers. The on-location shooting in Norway and Denmark is lovely, even if the cinematography in general is poor and the editing mediocre. Frank Porretta is a robust presence as fellow composer Richard Nordraak (who sings to the heavens and, at one point, directly to Edvard while seated in a restaurant!). Yet, just about the time Grieg is gaining some prominence for his hard work, the narrative (loose to begin with) gets all balled up, with too many tragedies coming to a head at once. This patchy third-act, punctuated by a myriad of nature shots and sunsets, doesn't allow the viewer any emotional satisfaction, and the finale is flat. More genuine style and gloss was required, and classical purists will probably scoff, however the picture has a lively beginning. Results are far from terrible. ** from ****