Bør Børson
Encyclopedia
Bør Børson jr. is a satirical novel from the boom period during World War I, written by Norwegian writer Johan Falkberget
. It was first published as a feuilleton
in the satirical magazine Hvepsen
in 1917, then again printed as a feuilleton in the newspaper Nidaros
, and issued as a book in 1920. The story was a great success, and has later been adapted into two films (one in 1938
and one in 1974
), a comedy, a musical, and a comic series.
When Falkberget wrote a sequel called Den nye Bør Børson jr. for the magazine Arbeidermagasinet
in 1927, he set the condition that the story should not be issued in book form.
, who also played the title character with the touring ensemble Falkbergets Teater from 1929. Their performances in Trondheim in February 1929 were met with full houses and enthusiastic public. The story was basis for a film from 1938
, where the title role was played by Toralf Sandø. The theatre version was again staged at Det Norske Teatret
in 1958. A musical by Harald Tusberg
and Egil Monn-Iversen
was staged at Det Norske Teatret in 1972, with Rolv Wesenlund
as Bør and Britt Langlie
as Josefine. The musical introduced popular songs such as "Å æ kjinne ein kar
", "Børs Song" and "Wienerbrød-tango", and was given the Spellemannprisen Honorary Award for 1972
, and a musical film
was released in 1974. A comic series in the magazine Nynorsk Vekeblad
was drawn by Arne Wold
.
Johan Falkberget
Johan Falkberget, born Johan Petter Lillebakken, was a Norwegian author.-Life and career:Johan Falkberget was born on the Falkberget farm in the Rugldal valley in the Norwegian copper mining municipality of Røros.In 1891, he began to write his Christianus Sextus trilogy, though it was not...
. It was first published as a feuilleton
Feuilleton
Feuilleton was originally a kind of supplement attached to the political portion of French newspapers, consisting chiefly of non-political news and gossip, literature and art criticism, a chronicle of the latest fashions, and epigrams, charades and other literary trifles...
in the satirical magazine Hvepsen
Hvepsen
Hvepsen was a Norwegian humorous and satirical magazine.It was founded in 1905 by people involved in the labour movement in Kristiania, including Joh. Johansen. Ole O. Lian, Marius Ormestad, Lyder Strøm and Hans Østerholt. Østerholt was the editor-in-chief from 1905 to 1925.Illustrators for...
in 1917, then again printed as a feuilleton in the newspaper Nidaros
Nidaros (newspaper)
Nidaros was a Norwegian newspaper, published in Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag.Nidaros was started on 1 May 1902. Its first editor was former Dagsposten editor Håkon Løken, and with its Liberal Party affiliation Nidaros became the largest newspaper in Trondheim, with a circulation of 20–30,000...
, and issued as a book in 1920. The story was a great success, and has later been adapted into two films (one in 1938
Bør Børson Jr. (1938)
Bør Børson Jr. is a 1938 Norwegian comedy film directed by, and starring Toralf Sandø. The film is based on a novel by Johan Falkberget.Bør Børson Jr. is a peasant son with great ambitions. He starts a grocery store and – after some initial problems – makes a good deal of money. He then leaves...
and one in 1974
Bør Børson Jr.
Bør Børson Jr. is a 1974 Norwegian musical film directed by Jan Erik Düring, starring Rolv Wesenlund, Britt Langlie and Sølvi Wang. The film is based on a novel by Johan Falkberget....
), a comedy, a musical, and a comic series.
Plot
"Bør Børson Olderstad" is a farmer's son from the fictional valley Olderdalen. Dreaming about money, wealth and a position at the board of the local savings bank, he has changed his last name to Børson, and started a local grocery store. The name Børson is a paraphrase of the Norwegian word , from , in stock market. Via various burlesque episodes he eventually ends up as a millionaire. The story ends with a wedding between Bør and Josefine Torsøien, a girl from a nearby farm. The novel is set in the boom period during World War I. Norway did not participate in the war, but the country's merchant fleet carried goods at increasing freight rates. The sea transport was a risky business that cost the lives of 2,000 Norwegian seamen, while a volatile stock market could multiply investments over short periods of time.Reception
The literary critics barely mentioned the book. But the satire was met with great popularity among the readers.When Falkberget wrote a sequel called Den nye Bør Børson jr. for the magazine Arbeidermagasinet
Arbeidermagasinet
Arbeidermagasinet was a Norwegian weekly magazine established in 1927. It changed its name to Magasinet For Alle in 1953, and ceased publication in 1970. The magazine is especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story.-Editors:Arbeidermagasinet's first editor from...
in 1927, he set the condition that the story should not be issued in book form.
Derivative works
The story was adapted for theatre by Toralf SandøToralf Sandø
Toralf Sandø was a Norwegian film director and actor. He also read Olav Duun books for NRK Radio.-External links:...
, who also played the title character with the touring ensemble Falkbergets Teater from 1929. Their performances in Trondheim in February 1929 were met with full houses and enthusiastic public. The story was basis for a film from 1938
Bør Børson Jr. (1938)
Bør Børson Jr. is a 1938 Norwegian comedy film directed by, and starring Toralf Sandø. The film is based on a novel by Johan Falkberget.Bør Børson Jr. is a peasant son with great ambitions. He starts a grocery store and – after some initial problems – makes a good deal of money. He then leaves...
, where the title role was played by Toralf Sandø. The theatre version was again staged at Det Norske Teatret
Det Norske Teatret
Det Norske Teatret is a theatre in Oslo. The theatre was founded in 1912, after an initiative from Hulda Garborg and Edvard Drabløs. It opened in 1913, touring with two plays, Ervingen by Ivar Aasen and Rationelt Fjøsstell by Hulda Garborg...
in 1958. A musical by Harald Tusberg
Harald Tusberg
Harald Tusberg is a former Norwegian television personality. He was host of many Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation programs, including the Norwegian version of This is Your Life, the Eurovision Song Contest and was also a screenwriter, songwriter, and author. In 1996, he suffered a stroke which...
and Egil Monn-Iversen
Egil Monn-Iversen
Egil Monn-Iversen is one of the most influential modern composers in Norway. He has had many important roles in Norwegian music, film, opera, television, comedy and theater...
was staged at Det Norske Teatret in 1972, with Rolv Wesenlund
Rolv Wesenlund
Rolv Helge Wesenlund is a Norwegian comedian, singer, clarinetist, writer, and actor.Wesenlund is most famous for having portrayed the title character in the movies Bør Børson, Bør Børson II, and the TV series Fleksnes Fataliteter...
as Bør and Britt Langlie
Britt Langlie
Britt Langlie is a Norwegian stage actress.Born in Trondheim, she made her debut at Trøndelag Teater in 1966. From 1967 she has worked at Det Norske Teatret. In 1981 she was awarded the Norwegian Theatre Critics' Prize for her role as Edith Piaf in Piaf. She has also appeared on the screen, mostly...
as Josefine. The musical introduced popular songs such as "Å æ kjinne ein kar
Å æ kjinne ein kar
"Å æ kjinne ein kar" is a song with text by Harald Tusberg and music by Egil Monn-Iversen. It was introduced in the musical Bør Børson Jr based on Falkberget's story Bør Børson, which was staged at Det Norske Teatret in 1972. The song was performed by Britt Langlie, and was one of the most popular...
", "Børs Song" and "Wienerbrød-tango", and was given the Spellemannprisen Honorary Award for 1972
Spellemannprisen 1972
Spellemannprisen 1972 was awarded on Saturday 3 March 1973 at Chateau Neuf in Oslo. This was the very first time Spellemannprisen was awarded and there were 7 winners, and 3 additional special awards. Composer Egil Monn-Iversen and the musical Bør Børson Jr. got the jury's honorary award as the...
, and a musical film
Bør Børson Jr.
Bør Børson Jr. is a 1974 Norwegian musical film directed by Jan Erik Düring, starring Rolv Wesenlund, Britt Langlie and Sølvi Wang. The film is based on a novel by Johan Falkberget....
was released in 1974. A comic series in the magazine Nynorsk Vekeblad
Nynorsk Vekeblad
Nynorsk Vekeblad is a former Norwegian Nynorsk weekly magazine, published from 1934 to 1954. In 1945 the magazine had a circulaton of around 37,000. Hans Aarnes edited the magazine from 1934 to 1942, and Arnulv Sudmann was editor from 1943 to 1945. Among other contributors to the magazine were...
was drawn by Arne Wold
Arne Wold
Arne Wold was a Norwegian journalist and illustrator.He was born in Kristiania. He took his education at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry between 1911 and 1916, studying under Philip Barlag, Eivind Nielsen, Hans Ødegaard and Johan Nordhagen. He then spent two years at...
.