Edward Fleming

''Edward Fleming'' is a Danish actor and film director known for his eclectic career in European cinema, beginning with roles in Italian and French films during the 1950s and later focusing on directing and acting in Danish productions. Born Flemming Møller on 25 July 1924 in Farum, Denmark, he initially gained experience in international films, appearing alongside prominent actors such as Sophia Loren in La donna del fiume, before transitioning to Danish film after training at the Danish Film School in the 1960s. ^{[1] [2]} Fleming directed several Danish feature films during the 1970s and 1980s, often contributing as writer and producer, including Den korte sommer (1976), Lille spejl (1978), Rend mig i traditionerne (1979), and Den kroniske uskyld (1985). As an actor, he frequently took on supporting and character roles, notably in the popular Olsen-banden comedy series and in Lars von Trier's early film Befrielsesbilleder (1982), where he portrayed a German officer. ^{[1] [2]} His varied background also included work as a dancer in Paris and contributions to television series and dubbing for animated features. Fleming died on 12 June 1992 in Kastrup, Denmark. ^[1]

Early life

Birth and background

Edward Fleming was born as Flemming Møller on July 25, 1924, in Farum, Denmark. ^{[2] [3]} This small town, located north of Copenhagen, marked his early origins before he later adopted the professional name Edward Fleming for his international work in film and theater. ^[2] Limited details are available about his immediate family or formative years prior to entering the performing arts, with sources focusing primarily on his birth record and Danish nationality. ^[2]

Theater and dance beginnings

Edward Fleming began his professional career in the performing arts with engagements in theater and dance under his birth name Flemming Møller. ^[4] He later transitioned to the professional name Edward Fleming as he moved into international entertainment, beginning with work in Italy around 1950. ^{[1] [4]}

Acting career

Early and supporting roles

Edward Fleming appeared in minor and supporting roles in Danish and international productions during the 1970s, often in comedic or genre films. He played Stort brød in the Euro-western parody Guld til præriens skrappe drenge (English title: Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie, 1971), his only role in the western genre. ^{[5] [1]} Fleming had recurring small parts in the popular Olsen-banden comedy film series. In Olsen-banden deruda' (1977), he played an uncredited security guard (vagtmand). ^[2] In Olsen-banden går i krig (1978), he portrayed Den sorte baron. ^[6] He appeared in Olsen-banden overgiver sig aldrig (1979) as a civil servant (civilbetjent). ^[1] These credits featured Fleming in brief character parts within Denmark's leading comedy franchise and genre cinema.

Notable performances in Danish films and television

Edward Fleming played the German officer Leo Mendel in Lars von Trier's Befrielsesbilleder (Images of Liberation, 1982). ^{[1] [7]} In this role, he portrayed a disillusioned officer in post-occupation Copenhagen. DFI notes this as one of the few times he broke from his usual typecast. Fleming also made guest appearances in Danish television series, including Tobias in En by i provinsen (1977) and H.C. Jensen in Rejseholdet (1983). ^{[1] [4]} He appeared in Sonny Soufflé chok show (1987). ^[2] In Danish cinema, he had supporting roles such as Tommy in the television film Strejferne (1980) and a chauffeur in Ballerup Boulevard (1986). ^{[1] [2]} These reflected his presence in character parts in Danish film and television during the 1970s and 1980s. ^[1]

Directing career

Debut and short films

Edward Fleming began his directing career with the short fiction film Magasin (1966), where he served as director.^[8] The following year, he directed and wrote the screenplay for the short fiction film Hjemturen (1967).^[8] In 1968, he directed, wrote, and appeared in the short fiction film Mystik om et knald på Amager.^[8] Fleming made his feature directorial debut with Og så er der bal bagefter (And there's dancing afterwards) in 1970, a folk comedy that he also scripted.^[9] This film represented his transition from short films to feature-length narrative work, drawing on his earlier experience as an actor touring provincial theaters.^[9] Although some sources describe Og så er der bal bagefter as his debut as a director, his prior short films established his initial work behind the camera.^[8][9]

Major feature films and television directing

Edward Fleming established himself as a prominent director in Danish cinema through a series of feature films spanning the 1970s and 1980s, often blending drama, comedy, and literary adaptations.^[8][2] His debut feature, Den korte sommer (1976), is a drama set during the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, exploring personal struggles amid wartime hardship.^[10][11] Subsequent major features include Lille spejl (also known as Mirror, Mirror, 1978), Rend mig i traditionerne (1979), De uanstændige (also known as Topsy Turvy, 1983), Den kroniske uskyld (The Chronic Innocence, 1985), and Sidste akt (1987).^[8][2] Fleming also contributed significantly to television directing, helming several TV movies and series episodes.^[2] His television credits encompass the TV movies Lyse udsigter (1976), Sparekassen (1980), and Bare en tilfældighed (1987), as well as eight episodes of the series Station 13 (1988–1989).^[2][8]

Writing and other contributions

Screenwriting credits

Edward Fleming's screenwriting credits are closely intertwined with his directing career, as he authored the screenplays for most of his feature films.^[2][12] His writing often adapted literary sources or developed original stories with dramatic and satirical elements reflective of Danish society. Fleming wrote the screenplay for his directorial debut Den korte sommer (1976).^[2] He continued this practice with subsequent projects, including the screenplay for Lille spejl (Mirror, Mirror, 1978), Rend mig i traditionerne (1979), Topsy Turvy (1983), Den kroniske uskyld (The Chronic Innocence, 1985), and Sidste akt (1987).^[8][12] For Den kroniske uskyld, he is explicitly credited with the script in addition to direction.^[8] No additional screenwriting credits are documented for Fleming outside of the feature films he directed.^[2]

Producing, editing, and additional roles

Edward Fleming contributed to several film projects in producing, editing, and assistant director capacities, often in conjunction with his own directorial efforts. He received producer credits on four feature films, all of which he also directed: Den korte sommer (1976), Rend mig i traditionerne (1979), Topsy Turvy (1983), and Sidste akt (1987).^[13] In addition to producing, Fleming worked as an editor on two films, including Mirror, Mirror (1978) and Topsy Turvy (1983), the latter forming part of his multifaceted involvement in that production.^[13] Earlier in his career, he served as assistant director on two titles: Episode (1967) and The Olsen Gang in a Fix (1969), with the credit for the latter being uncredited.^[13] These early assistant roles represented his initial entry into film production before he transitioned to more prominent creative positions.^[13]

Later years and death

Final projects and retirement

In the late 1980s, Edward Fleming completed his final major directing projects with the feature film Sidste akt (1987) and the television series Station 13 (1988–1989). ^[8] His last feature film, Sidste akt, which he also wrote and produced, was an adaptation of Noël Coward's play Waiting in the Wings centered on the comedic interactions among residents of a retirement home for former actresses. ^{[14] [15]} He subsequently directed Station 13, a Danish television series where he helmed eight episodes across its run. ^{[16] [2]} Following these works, Fleming's directing output saw a marked reduction, with no additional original directing credits recorded after 1989. ^{[2] [8]} This brought his active involvement in filmmaking to a close in the late 1980s. ^[8]

Death and legacy

Edward Fleming died on 12 June 1992 in Kastrup, Denmark, at the age of 67. ^[2] He is primarily remembered as a director of popular Danish films in the 1970s and 1980s, including Den korte sommer (1976), Lille spejl (1978), Rend mig i traditionerne (1979), De uanstændige (1983), and Den kroniske uskyld (1985). ^[1]