Inger Stender
Encyclopedia
Inger Stender was a Danish
actress of stage, film and television whose sophisticated elegance and classic beauty earned her the description of Denmark's version of Marlene Dietrich
.
, Denmark
, was the daughter of a baker from Valby. She attended drama classes from 1929 to 1931 at the student schools for the Komediehuset (Comedy House) and Det Ny Teater (The New Theater), then made her stage debut at Det Ny Teater on 24 April 1931 in the role of Flora in C.E. Soya's
Kendt Navne. Beginning in the 1930s, Stender was an actress for several stage companies throughout Denmark, including the Riddersalen, Odense Theater, Apollo Theater, Aalborg Theater and Aarhus Theater. She was a prolific and versatile stage actress, playing roles in Uncle Tom's Cabin
, Tartuffe
, and Henry IV as well as cabarets and comedies. In one season alone at the Odense Theater (1934–1935), Stender played 14 leading roles and received critical success as The Ship's Boy in Alle Mand på Dæk (All Hands on Deck). Stender also became an operetta star when she sang the title role in Den Skønne Helene (The Beautiful Helena) and was Zorina in Zorina.
Stender made her film debut in 1931 as the daughter Rosa in Hotel Paradis
. The following year, at the age of 20, Stender played her first leading role as the sweet heroine in the Liva Weel
farce Odds 777
. Throughout the 1930s and the early 1940s, she continued to be cast as the charming young girl in such films as Benjamin Christensen
's Barnet
and the Herman Bang
story, Sommerglæder. In the meantime, Stender married Mogens Flindt-Larsen in 1935 and they had two sons together. She divorced him in 1940, and thereafter maintained a lifelong romantic relationship with the Danish actor Poul Reichhardt
with whom she played opposite in the 1941 film Moster fra Mols
. It was in her next film that Stender finally caught the type of role for which she would become known—the 1943 Marguerite Viby
comedy Som du vil ha' mig -! (However You Would Have Me-!), in which she played the sophisticated, and a little too intimate society girl.
Danish film historian Morten Piil described Stender's onscreen persona as blonde, beautiful and sophisticated with an almost aristocratic elegance yet a naughty glint in her eyes. He refers to her as the Danish version of Marlene Dietrich
. Stender continued to reprise this persona as the opera singer in Så mødes vi hos Tove, the rash society dame in Foldboldpræsten and the threatening woman in Fra den gamle købmandsgård (1951). However, Stender said that her desire was to play a light comedy part like the lead in the Noel Coward
operetta Bitter Sweet
, but that newspaper reviews focused so much on her beauty that it perhaps prevented her from receiving more varied roles.
Stender continued to perform through the 1970s, but usually in smaller matronly roles. She eventually made 38 films over a span of six decades, with her final role in 1981 in the popular Danish television series Matador. Stender died on 26 June 1989 at the age of 77 and is buried in Søndermark Kirkegård in Frederiksborg
Denmark
.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
actress of stage, film and television whose sophisticated elegance and classic beauty earned her the description of Denmark's version of Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
.
Biography
Inger Margueritha Stender, born 7 June 1912 in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, was the daughter of a baker from Valby. She attended drama classes from 1929 to 1931 at the student schools for the Komediehuset (Comedy House) and Det Ny Teater (The New Theater), then made her stage debut at Det Ny Teater on 24 April 1931 in the role of Flora in C.E. Soya's
Carl Erik Soya
Carl Erik Soya, , also known by the single appellation Soya, was a Danish author and dramatist. His works were often satirical provocations against double-standards and dishonesty...
Kendt Navne. Beginning in the 1930s, Stender was an actress for several stage companies throughout Denmark, including the Riddersalen, Odense Theater, Apollo Theater, Aalborg Theater and Aarhus Theater. She was a prolific and versatile stage actress, playing roles in Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War", according to Will Kaufman....
, Tartuffe
Tartuffe
Tartuffe is a comedy by Molière. It is one of his most famous plays.-History:Molière wrote Tartuffe in 1664...
, and Henry IV as well as cabarets and comedies. In one season alone at the Odense Theater (1934–1935), Stender played 14 leading roles and received critical success as The Ship's Boy in Alle Mand på Dæk (All Hands on Deck). Stender also became an operetta star when she sang the title role in Den Skønne Helene (The Beautiful Helena) and was Zorina in Zorina.
Stender made her film debut in 1931 as the daughter Rosa in Hotel Paradis
Hotel Paradis
Hotel Paradis is a 1931 Danish drama directed by George Schnéevoigt. The film, based on a novel by Einar Rousthøj, stars Eyvind Johan-Svendsen and Inger Stender. The film was also known as Hotel Paradisets hemlighed .-Cast:*Eyvind Johan-Svendsen ... Heinrich Schultz/Bremer*Karen Caspersen ... ...
. The following year, at the age of 20, Stender played her first leading role as the sweet heroine in the Liva Weel
Liva Weel
Liva Weel was a Danish singer and actress. She is listed in the book of The 20th century's 100 most important people in Denmark.- Filmography :* Odds 777 * De blaa drenge * Cocktail...
farce Odds 777
Odds 777
Odds 777 is a 1932 Danish family film directed by George Schnéevoigt. The film stars Liva Weel and Inger Stender.-Cast:*Liva Weel as Hansy Hansen*Emanuel Gregers as Godsejer Rosen*Inger Stender as Inga Rosen*Angelo Bruun as Hans Berg...
. Throughout the 1930s and the early 1940s, she continued to be cast as the charming young girl in such films as Benjamin Christensen
Benjamin Christensen
Benjamin Christensen was a Danish film director, screenwriter and an actor both in film and on the stage. As a director he is most well known for the 1922 film Häxan and as an actor, he is best known for his performance in the film Michael , in which he plays Claude Zoret, the jilted lover of the...
's Barnet
Barnet
High Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
and the Herman Bang
Herman Bang
Herman Joachim Bang was a Danish author, one of the men of the Modern Breakthrough.-Biography:Bang was born into a noble family of Asserballe, on the small Danish island of Als, the son of a South Jutlandic vicar...
story, Sommerglæder. In the meantime, Stender married Mogens Flindt-Larsen in 1935 and they had two sons together. She divorced him in 1940, and thereafter maintained a lifelong romantic relationship with the Danish actor Poul Reichhardt
Poul Reichhardt
Poul David Reichhardt was a Danish actor, well known for his roles in Danish 1940s/50s comedies. Later on, he also played more serious and varied roles; he has also starred in Huset på Christianshavn, Matador and as various minor characters in the Olsen Gang films.For almost thirty years...
with whom she played opposite in the 1941 film Moster fra Mols
Moster fra Mols
Moster fra Mols is a 1943 Danish family film directed by Poul Bang and starring Rasmus Christiansen.-Synopsis:A wealthy businessman and his wife deal with gardening troubles and more importantly, their daughter's depression after she has had several romantic problems.-Cast:* Rasmus Christiansen -...
. It was in her next film that Stender finally caught the type of role for which she would become known—the 1943 Marguerite Viby
Marguerite Viby
Marguerite Viby was a Danish actress of stage, film and television. Considered one of the great comedy actresses of Danish cinema, Viby received honorary Bodil and Robert Awards in 2000 for lifetime achievement...
comedy Som du vil ha' mig -! (However You Would Have Me-!), in which she played the sophisticated, and a little too intimate society girl.
Danish film historian Morten Piil described Stender's onscreen persona as blonde, beautiful and sophisticated with an almost aristocratic elegance yet a naughty glint in her eyes. He refers to her as the Danish version of Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
. Stender continued to reprise this persona as the opera singer in Så mødes vi hos Tove, the rash society dame in Foldboldpræsten and the threatening woman in Fra den gamle købmandsgård (1951). However, Stender said that her desire was to play a light comedy part like the lead in the Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
operetta Bitter Sweet
Bitter Sweet
Bitter Sweet is an operetta in three acts written by Noël Coward and first produced in 1929 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. It ran for a very successful 967 performances....
, but that newspaper reviews focused so much on her beauty that it perhaps prevented her from receiving more varied roles.
Stender continued to perform through the 1970s, but usually in smaller matronly roles. She eventually made 38 films over a span of six decades, with her final role in 1981 in the popular Danish television series Matador. Stender died on 26 June 1989 at the age of 77 and is buried in Søndermark Kirkegård in Frederiksborg
Frederiksborg
Frederiksborg is a Danish placename that can refer to:* Frederiksborg Palace* Frederiksborg County* Frederiksborg horse...
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Filmography
- Hotel ParadisHotel ParadisHotel Paradis is a 1931 Danish drama directed by George Schnéevoigt. The film, based on a novel by Einar Rousthøj, stars Eyvind Johan-Svendsen and Inger Stender. The film was also known as Hotel Paradisets hemlighed .-Cast:*Eyvind Johan-Svendsen ... Heinrich Schultz/Bremer*Karen Caspersen ... ...
- 1931 - Odds 777Odds 777Odds 777 is a 1932 Danish family film directed by George Schnéevoigt. The film stars Liva Weel and Inger Stender.-Cast:*Liva Weel as Hansy Hansen*Emanuel Gregers as Godsejer Rosen*Inger Stender as Inga Rosen*Angelo Bruun as Hans Berg...
- 1932 - Lynet - 1934
- Der var engang en viceværtDer var engang en viceværtDer var engang en vicevært is a 1937 Danish family film directed by Lau Lauritzen Jr. and Alice O'Fredericks and written by Børge Müller. The film stars Osvald Helmuth and Connie Meiling .-Cast:* Osvald Helmuth ... Vicevært Christensen...
- 1937 - Mille, Marie og mig - 1937
- Komtessen på Stenholt - 1939
- Jeg har elsket og levetJeg har elsket og levetJeg har el sket og levet is a 1940 Danish family film directed by George Schnéevoigt. The film stars Erling Schroeder and Johannes Meyer.-Cast:*Erling Schroeder as C.E.F...
- 1940 - Sommerglæder - 1940
- En pige med pep - 1940
- BarnetBarnetHigh Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
- 1940 - En mand af betydningEn mand af betydningEn mand af betydning is a 1941 Danish family film directed by Emanuel Gregers and starring Osvald Helmuth.-Cast:* Osvald Helmuth - Baldur Justesen* Sigrid Horne-Rasmussen - Fru Sonja Jensen* Inger Stender - Anita Justesen...
- 1941 - Thummelumsen - 1941
- Natekspressen (P. 903) - 1942
- En pige uden ligeEn pige uden ligeEn pige uden lige is a 1943 Danish family film directed by Jon Iversen and starring Ellen Gottschalch.-Cast:* Ellen Gottschalch - Anna Hansen* Peter Malberg - Hans Østermann* Johannes Meyer - Lars Østermann* Rasmus Christiansen - Nikolaj Østermann...
- 1943 - Som du vil ha' mig - 1943
- Moster fra MolsMoster fra MolsMoster fra Mols is a 1943 Danish family film directed by Poul Bang and starring Rasmus Christiansen.-Synopsis:A wealthy businessman and his wife deal with gardening troubles and more importantly, their daughter's depression after she has had several romantic problems.-Cast:* Rasmus Christiansen -...
- 1943 - Alt for karrieren - 1943
- Så mødes vi hos Tove - 1946
- FodboldpræstenFodboldpræstenFodboldpræsten is a 1951 Danish family film directed by Alice O'Fredericks.-Cast:* Jørgen Reenberg - Præst Søren Holm* Grethe Thordahl - Inger Dahl* Ib Schønberg - Direktør Jacob Dahl* Peter Malberg - Degnen Ottesen* Helga Frier - Fru Dahl...
- 1951 - Fra den gamle købmandsgård - 1951
- Jan går til filmen - 1954
- Ung kærlighed - 1958
- Peters babyPeters babyPeters baby is a 1961 Danish comedy film directed by Annelise Reenberg and starring Ebbe Langberg.-Cast:* Ebbe Langberg - Peter Bergman* Ghita Nørby - Tony* Dario Campeotto - Sanger* Dirch Passer - William Thorsen* Inger Stender - Peters mor...
- 1961 - Cirkus Buster - 1961
- Kampen om Næsbygaard - 1964
- Mord for åbent tæppe - 1964
- Don Olsen kommer til byenDon Olsen kommer til byenDon Olsen kommer til byen is a 1964 Danish comedy film directed by Anker Sørensen. The film stars Dirch Passer.-Cast:*Dirch Passer*Buster Larsen*Bodil Udsen*Birgitte Price*Marguerite Viby*Bendt Rothe*Otto Brandenburg*Daimi Larsen*Karl Stegger...
- 1964 - Næsbygaards arving - 1965
- Krybskytterne på Næsbygaard - 1966
- Midt i en jazztid - 1969
- Christa - 1970
- Farlige kys - 1972
- I din fars lomme - 1973
- StrømerStrømerStrømer is a 1976 Danish crime drama film directed by Anders Refn.-Cast:* Jens Okking ... Karl Jørgensen* Lotte Hermann ... Vera Jørgensen* Bodil Kjer ... Sabine Lund* Birgit Sadolin ... Grete Svendsholm* Otto Brandenburg ... Willer Johansen...
- 1976 - Terror - 1977
- Slægten - 1978
- Næste stop - Paradis - 1980
- Sådan er jeg osse - 1980
External links
- Inger Stender at The Danish Film Database (In Danish)
- Inger Stender at The Danish Film Institute (In Danish)