Lill-Babs and Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt in Swedish Floyd 1961 - Premium poster with matte paper

Lill-Babs and Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt in Swedish Floyd – A comic knockout from 1961

The year is 1961, and the Swedish film scene offers a real audience favorite: Swedish Floyd, an exuberant comedy in which two of the most beloved stars of the time, Lill-Babs and Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt, shine in the lead roles. With direction by Börje Nyberg and a script written by Lindstedt himself together with Rune Moberg, the film becomes one of the most talked about of the year – and it is not difficult to understand why.

The plot – A boxing comedy with heart

In Swedish Floyd we follow the somewhat naive but kind-hearted boxer Flosse, played by Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt, who goes by the nickname "Swedish Floyd" from Nockeby. Flosse dreams of becoming world champion and travels to Rome to challenge for the world title in boxing. Once there, he meets the colorful nightclub singer Lollo Fillipini, played by Lill-Babs, who immediately captures his heart with her charm and singing voice. What follows is a whirlwind of romantic entanglements, misunderstandings and humorous boxing matches, all spiced up with a hefty dose of 60s energy. The film offers both laughter and warmth, and it is clear that Lindstedt and Lill-Babs enjoy each other's company.

Lill-Babs as Lollo – A tough chick in luxury packaging

Lill-Babs, or Barbro Svensson as she was actually called, was already one of Sweden's most popular artists when Svenska Floyd premiered. In the role of Lollo Fillipini, she gets to show off both her singing talent and her comedic timing. Lollo is a "pangbrallis" – a confident and glamorous woman who knows what she wants. One of the highlights of the film is when Lill-Babs sings the song "En tuff brud i lyxförmänning", written by Simon Brehm, Sven Paddock and Gösta Stevens. With her exuberant energy and charming appearance, she makes Lollo a character that the audience can't help but love. It is also worth noting that the filming partly took place in Cannes, where Lill-Babs took the opportunity to film a commercial for Lux soap on the side – typical Lill-Babs multitasking!

Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt as Flosse – The charming underdog

Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt, one of Sweden's most versatile comedians at the time, is perfect in the role of Flosse. With his background in revues and crazy humor – not least from Casinoteatern and his own theater Nöjeskatten – he brings a natural comedic timing to the film. Flosse is a classic underdog: a bit clumsy, but with a heart of gold. Lindstedt, who co-wrote the script himself, gives the character an authenticity that makes you root for him from the start. His scenes in the boxing ring are both funny and heartfelt, and his chemistry with Lill-Babs is one of the film's great strengths. By this point, Lindstedt had already established himself as a master at balancing humor and warmth, something that Swedish Floyd really benefits from.

Their collaboration – A trio with chemistry

Svenska Floyd was not the first time Lill-Babs and Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt had worked together. They had already met on the stage, including in the song-loving play Fly mig en greve at Nöjeskatten in 1958, in which Arne Källerud – who also appears in the film – also appeared. The trio had a special chemistry that made them a dream team in both revues and film. In Svenska Floyd, their interaction is enhanced by the light, playful tone of the film. It is clear that they are having fun together, and that joy is contagious to the audience. The film became one of three feature films in which they played against each other, and it is considered one of the most popular – not least thanks to Lill-Bab's performance as Lollo.

A success typical of its time

When Svenska Floyd premiered on July 10, 1961, it quickly became a hit with the audience. With an ensemble that also included names such as Arne Källerud, Nils Asther and Jan Malmsjö, and a plot that mixed humor, romance and sports, the film was exactly what the Swedish cinema audience was longing for. The poster, designed by the artist Bommelin, attracted attention with images of Lill-Babs and Lindstedt in full action, and today the original posters are sought-after collectors' items. The film was also an example of how Swedish film in the 1960s often built on the popularity of stars from the revue scene – something that Lill-Babs and Lindstedt really benefited from.

The legacy of Swedish Floyd

Svenska Floyd is not only a fun time travel to 60s Sweden – it is also a testament to the unique talents of Lill-Babs and Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt. Lill-Babs, who continued her career for over six decades, showed here that she could do more than sing – she was a natural in front of the camera. Lindstedt, who would later take on heavier roles such as in Mannen på taket (1976), proved that he could carry an entire film with his comedic presence. Together they created a piece of Swedish film history that still makes us smile. So the next time you want to experience some classic Swedish humor, turn on Svenska Floyd and let yourself be swept away by Lollo and Flosse's adventures!