While the Door Was Locked (Medan porten var stängd)

Digitally restored by the Swedish Film Institute in 2014.

"While the Door Was Closed."

A movie about a building, its inhabitants and visitors,

and what happened to them over a ten-hour period.

It was a fall evening in Stockholm.

Dusk had already descended on the city,

and the bell of the old Östermalm church just sounded the first stroke of nine.

It was an ordinary evening,

and Kavallerigatan 7 was, strictly speaking, a very ordinary building.

Its tenants weren't all that different from tenants in general.

In the combined dining room and living room of the gatekeeper's apartment,

Johansson was reading, when he was interrupted by a voice from the kitchen.

Emil!

Johansson!

Yes, what is it?

Didn't you hear the bell?

- Time to close the gate. - Let me just finish this chapter.

- The gate should be closed at nine! - You do it, then!

Johansson!

Right, I'll go.

- Leave the book where it is. - The book? It's a magazine.

That's just typical.

She couldn't stand to let me have a quiet moment!

- Life isn't easy, Johansson. - It's a living hell.

At least if you're married. Nagging all day long!

"Johansson, go and close the gate." "Johansson, go and light the fire."

- "Johansson, go and open the gate." - Johansson!

See what I mean?

I'm coming!

- Good night. - Good night.

Women are a curse!

Shame on you, Johansson!

I didn't have you in mind, Miss. A new hat, I see?

- Yes. Does it suit me? - Yes, it's pretty.

Johansson!

I'm coming!

- Good night, Johansson. - Good night, Miss Olsson.

- You sure surprise me, Johansson. - Do I?

Complimenting a woman like that. She's going out again.

I'll talk to the landlord. She's turned this place into a whorehouse!

She's going for Ekberg, the editor.

Do you want a ride? I'm waiting for a car.

Mrs. Johansson would love that! I'll bet you she's spying on us.

Indeed, the guardian of morality is at her post.

I told you so. You're welcome to my place for coffee when you return.

- If I don't answer the door… - I'll discretely retire. Trust me.

Old hag!

What a scoundrel!

I'm sure those two are up to something.

Of course, they said hello to each other.

Don't try to be witty.

Frida Johansson knows what lice like her are like.

- Then how about some delousing? - You're silly!

- I'm sorry? - I was talking to my husband.

Oh, that poor man.

This is Cora Anker speaking.

I'm having a gentleman over for supper tonight,

but the old guy doesn't have any keys.

So, I would like to ask if it's possible

that Mr. Cerberus Johansson could pull his finger out and let him in.

- At nine thirty. - My husband's name is Emil.

What does that have to do with anything?

Will that prevent the opening of the gate?

Only one gentleman, was it?

Yes, actually!

Didn't you get the last word?

She can talk all she wants.

But she's not getting any parts.

She can't afford servants, and we all know why.

That sure hit the spot!

Who in God's name could that be?

Bonsoir, Madame Cora. How are you?

So, it was only you, Mr. Sjöwall.

I wanted to ask if you would like to join me for my evening walk,

but I can see from your dress, which is enchanting, by the way,

that you're having company. I won't bother you.

- Another time, Mr. Sjöwall. - "Another time is a rogue," madame.

But who wouldn't want to be a rogue in such lovely company?

Will we have the pleasure of seeing you on stage again?

I've retired, for good.

It's not fair to your audience.

C'est pire qu'un crime, c'est une bêtise.

- As Voltaire said. - I think you mean Talleyrand.

You're absolutely right. I'm getting old and senile.

- Bonsoir, madame. - Bonsoir, Mr. Sjöwall.

He's just getting more and more stupid!

Voltaire! When, for once, it happens to be Talleyrand!

- Bonsoir, mademoiselle! - Good evening, Mr. Sjöwall.

Straight from the airport, I see. Have you been to Paris?

- No, this time it was New York. - Mon Dieu, ma pauvre petite!

- You must be tired! - I sure am.

I've never been to the great country in the west,

but during my years in Paris, I did meet some Yankees.

Delightful people!

Happy, open-minded, and vigorous. I especially recall one...

I think my phone is ringing. Excuse me, Mr. Sjöwall.

Don't let me keep you.

Hello?

Hello?

Oh, it's you…

Couldn't you leave them with my lawyer? I'll sign them tomorrow morning.

Well, if it's that urgent, you can come over. In fifteen minutes, then.

I'll come down and let you in.

There! Let him come now.

TO MARIANNE WITH LOVE - HENRIK

Hi there, old man!

Good evening, Johansson. I'm just smoking my evening cigar.

Enjoying the dusk descending on our dear Stockholm.

Is there anything more beautiful?

Well, steak and onions, and a bottle of liquor.

You're an incorrigible joker!

When the twilight hour, I'heure bleue, as the French say, descends on the city,

it's time to start living.

That "lure blue" certainly has descended up there!

Yes, Breda is a merry garçon. I remember his grandfather, Carl Gustav von Breda.

We often met in Paris in my younger days. He used to tell me,

"My friend, a woman is like a Burgundy wine.

She needs to warm up before she can be enjoyed."

He knew how to live life, our friend Carl Gustav.

And his grandson does what he can to continue his family's noble tradition.

One should live life while one is young, and have fun.

But God knows it's not easy in our modern welfare state.

- No, there's not a whole lot of fun. - No, certainly not.

We think we live in a free country, but we couldn't be more mistaken.

We're under guardianship, and we're all discontented.

But do we protest? No?

In a country like France, the people would revolt!

But we settle for grumbling and sending letters to the editor.

But things are better for ordinary folk.

Perhaps better, but definitely more boring!

- Bonsoir, cher capitaine! - Bonsoir, monsieur Sjöwall. How are you?

Splendid, my boy!

Could I feel any different at the sight of such a lovely young lady?

Who in the world was that old codger?

An old parasite who tries to make himself and others believe he's a French viscount.

Quite harmless.

- Pretty, isn't she? - And engaged, right?

- To one of your subordinates. - That won't make her any less attractive.

- So, she'll be the next one? - That's the idea.

- You're such a bastard, Totte! - Why?

Engagements are made to be broken. And who knows, I might marry her.

And make her as happy as your two former wives?

Dear Margareta, your idea of marriage is so banal!

A happy marriage doesn't have to be a long one - on the contrary!

To have a happy marriage you must be wise enough to end it

before you bore each other. My marriages have been very happy.

Yes, and short.

Birgit, shouldn't we go home now?

Go home? I thought we were going to Royal?

I don't feel like it. I regret coming here in the first place.

I think it's been delightful.

- Meeting Captain von Breda, you mean? - That, too.

I noticed at dinner. You didn't bother to restrain yourself.

- I have to answer when he addresses me. - Just like you had to dance with him?

- Are you coming? I'm leaving now! - Breda is your superior!

- I don't give a damn! Are you coming? - No.

I won't let your jealousy ruin my evening!

Alright. As you wish.

- That made things easier. - Watch out.

You will get what's coming to you.

Perhaps. But I'll have no regrets.

Watch where you're going!

- My, wasn't he in a hurry? - He sure was.

Hush! There is someone in the stairwell. It wouldn't be very appropriate if…

- If an acquaintance saw you with me? - That's right.

No loitering at night!

May I introduce Mrs. Johansson? She sees and hears everything.

But I don't do everything! Shame!

- Come on in, Karl-Otto. Welcome! - Thank you.

I started to worry that you wouldn't show.

I apologize for answering the door myself, but my maid has the day off.

- You know how servants are these days. - Yes, I'm familiar with that.

Welcome, Karl-Otto. Come on in.

You haven't visited me since I moved from Sturegatan, have you?

- No, I don't think so. - The place is smaller, of course.

But I actually prefer not having all that space.

And I don't have to listen to those streetcars,

making a terrible noise from morning to night.

- This is lovely. - Yes, I don't find it too shabby.

If you only knew how many times I've called you at the theater.

- You're always busy. - You know how it is…

I understand very well that a successful theater manager such as yourself

doesn't have time for an old has-been like me.

- Nonsense! I always have time for you. - Well, I don't know about that.

But when I saw you today, I didn't want to let you get away.

We will have a drink here tonight and talk about times gone by.

We've been through so much together, haven't we?

Yes, of course we have… my dear!

And your scalp collection has grown since last time, I believe.

Well, not very much.

These days I'm all alone in the sack!

Let's go inside and have a bite, and a tipple with it!

I have champagne! Veuve Clicquot from 1923.

- Shall I take you, Miss Ström? - I'll go with Captain von Breda.

Leave the sacrificial lamb be!

A lovely sacrificial lamb, I must say.

Monsieur Sjöwall, are you trying to steal my latest conquest?

If I were fifty years younger I would try - and succeed!

But at my age, my only extravagances are culinary ones.

It's like your grandfather said and he was a great gourmet: