Nothing But the Truth (1939 film)

Nothing But the Truth (Swedish: Rena rama sanningen) is a 1939 Swedish comedy film directed by Weyler Hildebrand and starring Erik Berglund, Tollie Zellman and Sickan Carlsson.^[1] It was shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockholm. The film's sets were designed by the art director Arne Åkermark. It is based on the 1914 novel Nothing But the Truth by American author Frederic S. Isham and its 1916 Broadway adaptation.^[2]

Bertil Dahl, a conscientious bank employee working at Ludvig Lund's financial institution, becomes increasingly frustrated and morally conflicted by the dishonest sales practices he witnesses daily. His colleagues routinely mislead customers with false promises and exaggerated claims in order to sell more government bonds and investment products. Unable to tolerate this culture of deception any longer, Bertil makes a dramatic decision that will turn his life upside down.

Determined to prove that honesty can be both profitable and ethical in business, Bertil takes a solemn vow to speak nothing but the absolute truth for exactly 24 hours. He believes this experiment will demonstrate to his colleagues and superiors that straightforward, honest dealings with customers will ultimately be more successful than their current deceptive practices.

However, Bertil's noble intentions quickly lead to unexpected and increasingly chaotic consequences. His brutal honesty begins alienating everyone around him - from his colleagues at the bank to his friends and family members. What he intended as a moral awakening for others instead creates a series of uncomfortable situations and hurt feelings. His blunt truthfulness, while technically virtuous, proves to be socially disastrous as he inadvertently insults people, reveals uncomfortable truths, and disrupts the delicate social fabric that holds his relationships together.

As the 24-hour period progresses, Bertil discovers that absolute honesty, while morally admirable in theory, can be practically devastating in a world built on social niceties, white lies, and diplomatic omissions. His experiment in truth-telling becomes a comedic exploration of the complex relationship between honesty and human social interaction.

• Erik Berglund as Banker Ludvig Lund
• Tollie Zellman as Charlotta Lund
• Sickan Carlsson as Märta Lund
• Åke Söderblom as Åke Lund
• Håkan Westergren as Bertil Dahl
• Eric Abrahamsson as Filip Morell
• Marianne Löfgren as Gun Morell
• Hilding Gavle as Josephson
• Maritta Marke as Eva Berg
• Karin Nordgren as Astrid Holm
• Thor Modéen as Police Inspector
• Torsten Winge as Dr. Bruhn
• Richard Lund as Mr. Lagersten
• Douglas Håge as Wholesaler Ström
• Julia Cæsar as Kristin
• Britta Larsson as Ellen, Lunds' Housemaid
• Alice Wallis as Kerstin, Lunds' Housemaid
• Bror Bügler as Actor
• Svea Holst as Shop Assistant
• Artur Cederborgh as Man at Police Station
• Artur Rolén as Man at Police Station
• Ivar Wahlgren as Policeman
• Anna-Stina Wåglund as Telephone Operator

• Wright, Rochelle. The Visible Wall: Jews and Other Ethnic Outsiders in Swedish Film. SIU Press, 1998.

• Nothing But the Truth at IMDb