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I lifvets vår
Also known as The Springtime of Life in the USA : [I livets vår]
(1912) Sweden
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Paul Garbagny Victor Sjostrom Victor Seastrom
Cast: Victor Sjöström [Cyril Alm], Anna Norrie [Fru Alm, Cyrils mor], Georg af Klerker [Von Seydling, kommerseråd], Selma Wiklund af Klerker [Gerda Von Seydlings dotter], Mauritz Stiller [Löjtnant Von Plæin], Astrid Engelbrecht [Sara Andersson, Änka], Victor Arfvidson [Brooms, Ljusskygg individ], Erland Colliander[ Man hos Von Seydling], Martha Josefson (Martha Colliander) [Gerdas uppasserska], Valdemar Dalquist [Hovmästare vid teaterbranden], Georg Fernqvist [Betjänt hos Von Seydling], Henrik Jaenzon [Gäst på utekaféet], William Larsson [Inspicient på teatern], Olof Ås [Man i teaterpubliken]
Pathé Frères Filial production; distributed by Pathé Frères Filial. / Scenario by Abdon Hedman, from an adaptation by Paul Garbagny of the novel Första älskarinnan by August Blanches. Cinematography by Julius Jaenzon. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Stiller and Sjöström act only. The film was released in the USA on 1 August 1913.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Little Gerta, when her mother dies. is brought to her father, Carl Von Seydling, a government official, who deserted his wife and child a few years before. Councilor Van Seydling found the child’s presence in his household to be cumbersome and for that reason turned her over to one Sarah Anderson, a nurse. Although Van Seydling did not know it, the Anderson woman was a notorious fagin. She promptly sold Gerta to a beggar, who taught her to beg and to steal. One of her begging trips brings Gerta to the attention of a young man named Alm Stoddard, He becomes interested in the pretty child and upon learning her story is horrified. The police are notified. They arrest her supposed father, but Sarah Anderson escapes. Little Gerta is adopted by Alm’s mother and grows to be a beautiful young woman. Alm falls in love with her, but Gerta has lost her heart to the dashing Lieutenant Wiles. Through Alm’s efforts the character of this man is shown to Gerta, and thus she is warned in time. Lieutenant Wiles challenges Alm to a duel and in the encounter Alm is wounded slightly. Gerta, frightened by the trouble she has caused, disappears, leaving a note begging the Stoddards to forgive her seeming ingratitude. Some years later a grand opera star, Mlle. Hauser, has taken the public by storm. Among her admirers is Alm Stoddard, although he is too fainthearted to write to her or tell her that he knows her to be little Gerta. She, from behind the footlights, has recognized him but, fearing he has not forgiven her, makes no sign of recognition. Another man, in constant attendance at the opera, is Councilor Van Seydling, who has long since believed his daughter dead. By a strange coincidence Sarah Anderson is employed as Gerta’s maid. She has not reformed any and when she steals Mlle, Hauser’s handbag she extracts a picture of a very little girl. Looking at the picture Sarah suddenly realizes that Mlle. Hauser is none other than little Gerta. That evening the audience is assembled when a fire breaks out. In the panic that follows Alm is the only one who remembers Gerta. At the risk of his life he brings the unconscious girl out of danger. At the corner drug store Sarah Anderson, mortally injured, is dying. She bares the story of her life and among the listeners is Councilor Von Seydling. The memory of his misdeeds strikes terror to his heart. Van Seydling hurries out and, finding his daughter in the arms of Alm, begs her to forgive him. The girl is mystified, but a little explaining clears the situation. Following custom, Alm asks her father for her hand. Von Seydling asks Gerta to decide and she, clinging to Alm, smiles her contentment.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: (unknown)
Listing updated: 24 April 2025.
References: Forslund-Sjöström p. 273 : Website-IMDb.
Home video: DVD.
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