The Fourth Marriage of Dame Margaret

The Fourth Marriage of Dame Margaret, considered a rare and obscure film, is based on a true story by Kristofer Janson, a turn of the century popular and acclaimed Scandinavian author.

A rather simple story of a very poor young man, Sofren, who is selected over two other applicants to become the parson of a small rural village. According to the custom of the parish, the wife of the deceased parson, the elderly Dame Margaret, has the right to marry the new parson. Sofren, in order to obtain the position as the parson and all its fringe benefits, agrees to marry Dame Margaret who has been widowed three prior times. Sofren has been engaged for many years to a young lady,

Mari, whose father will not consent to their marriage until Sofren is made a parson. Sofren, who prefers the comforts of the parsonage but will not give up Mari, brings Mari into the parsonage by the ruse that she is his sister. Sofren and Mari seek ways to circumvent Dame Margaret while they await the elderly Dame Margaret to die. One day when both Dame Margaret and Mari are in the loft, Sofren moves the ladder leading to the loft, hoping to hasten the old ladies end but .......

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Directed by Carl Dreyer
Produced by Svensk Filmindustri, Stockholm
First shown October 4, 1920, at the Rialto Theater in Stockholm.
Based on a true story by Kristofer Janson, a turn of the century popular and acclaimed Scandinavian author.
The print shown in the United States was titled "The Witch Woman." This print is titled "The Parson's Widow" and has English titles.
Cast: Hildur Carlberg, Einar Red, Greta Almroth, Olav Aukrust, Kurt Welin, Mathilde Nielson, Emil Helsengree, and Lorentz Thyholt.