Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… (1970) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The murder occurs in a multi-story building where Lilly Hansen lives. The top floor houses Mr. Marthinsen's company office, representing his wealth and power. Other key locations include the Rosekjeller'n club, which has personal significance for both Lilly and Bakker, and a rural farm owned by Marthinsen that adds a contrasting element to the urban setting.

• setting
• locations
• building
• office
• club
• farm

Rosekjeller'n is a nightclub that serves as a connection point between Lilly Hansen and Henry Bakker. Both characters have past memories associated with this venue, and it represents their shared history. The club becomes relevant again during the investigation as old ties resurface.

• rosekjelleren
• club
• nightlife
• past connections

Lilly Hansen is the cleaning lady who discovers Mr. Marthinsen's dead body in the building where she lives. She is played by Aud Schønemann. Her testimony becomes crucial to the investigation, though her credibility is questioned by authorities. She shares a romantic past with Henry Bakker from their Rosekjeller'n days, which complicates her role in the case.

• lilly hansen
• cleaning lady
• main character
• witness

Henry Bakker is the chief inspector leading the investigation, played by Arve Opsahl. He is initially annoyed at being called out of bed, especially since he is battling the flu. Despite his gruff demeanor, he has a history with Lilly Hansen from the Rosekjeller'n era, which adds personal complexity to the professional investigation.

• henry bakker
• chief inspector
• police
• investigator

Mr. Marthinsen is the murder victim whose body Lilly discovers. He is the head of a company located on the top floor of the building and also owns a farm. His dual roles as corporate leader and rural property owner hint at the power dynamics and wealth underlying the mystery.

• mr marthinsen
• victim
• company head
• farm owner

The mystery centers on the discovery of Mr. Marthinsen's body with a knife in his back, followed by its disappearance before the police arrive. The investigation focuses on who could have moved or hidden the body and why. The case becomes more complex when another corpse is found in Palace Park, deepening the puzzle.

• mystery
• murder
• investigation
• body
• disappear

The investigation is heavily influenced by old connections between the characters. Lilly and Bakker share a romantic history from their Rosekjeller'n days, which affects how she is perceived by authorities. Other acquaintances from the past reappear, bringing hidden motives and personal stakes that complicate the search for truth.

• past connections
• relationships
• history
• motives

Mr. Marthinsen's dual identity as a company head and farm owner illustrates the theme of power and status. The investigation explores who benefits from his absence and what wealth might be hidden beneath the surface. Loyalty and jealousy among staff members become key motives, suggesting ambition and control may drive the crime as much as personal vendetta.

• power
• status
• wealth
• ambition
• control
• greed

Despite being a crime mystery, the film has a light and comedic tone. The intensity is low because the murder investigation is undercut by humorous elements like a disappearing body, an inspector with the flu, and the absurdity of the situation. The stakes feel low, and the premise is played for humorous effect rather than serious drama.

• tone
• comedy
• humor
• light
• crime-comedy

The ending is ambiguous. The summary explicitly questions whether a murder even occurred and who the victim truly is, leaving the central mystery unresolved. This open-ended conclusion fits the film's comedic and light tone rather than providing a definitive resolution.

• ending
• resolution
• ambiguous
• unresolved
• twist