Jessie Marie Flaws Wallin, born August 13, 1935 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, would have celebrated her 90th birthday today. Sadly, she left us on November 25, 2014 in Sollentuna, but I think her life and career are worth telling a little about, she is still part of Swedish entertainment history.
When Jessie landed in Sweden in 1953, just 18 years old, she was thrust straight into the spotlight with a role in Ingmar Bergman's "Summer with Monika". From there, it was on with a cavalcade of films such as "Kvinnodröm" (1955), "Den glade skomakaren" (1955) and "Kostervalsen" (1958). With almost 20 films to her credit, she often played characters that made the audience smile and remember her.
She had that twinkle in her eye that made people call her "Sweden's Marilyn Monroe" – and we understand why!
Kristoffersson's beautiful picture of her adorns the cover of the magazine Se no. 22 in 1954 and here it is also written: "Swedish Marilyn". The picture is also published in Kristoffersson's own book about photography: Hon Kameran och Jag on page 40.
But Jessie wasn't just a movie star. She owned the stage at theaters like Oscarsteatern and Casinoteatern, where she starred in productions like "No, No, Nanette" (1957) and "Tre walser" (1962). She also toured the country and the kingdom in folk parks and had success in revues together with greats like Gösta Bernhard.
The picture of Jessie and Åke Söderblom was taken in connection with the Scalateatern performance Be happy in your own city in 1956.
When she stands alone on the stage of the Scala Theatre dressed in a tailcoat and top hat, it is taken when she participates in the Scala gala in 1954.
Extra bonus for everyone who likes Anita Lindblom, she is at the top of the picture with Jessie Flaws on the far right, also from Scala in the gala.