Before the OSS sent Hedvig Johnson from Washington, DC to London they gave her four sheets of paper entitled A Short Guide to Grosvenor Square.

The area of Grosvenor Square was called “Eisenhower Platz” or “Little America” because “Grosvenor Square and surrounding area are completely taken over by the Americans. If you see an Englishman there, he is probably dodging in alarm from a pair of G.I’s, size 11E.”

This guide describes the various addresses that would be important for Hedy to know.  I’ve added some notes.

• 1, Grosvenor Square.  The Embassy building houses its own personnel and that of the Consulate.  It also has the Harriman Mission and part of the OWI. If you are not met at the station by OSS, the embassy will always direct you.

– Between 1941 and 1943 William Averell Harriman was special representative of the President to Great Britain with rank of ambassador for Lend-Lease or Harriman Mission.

– The Office of War Information was the U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services.

–In 1960 a new U.S. Embassy was built on the western side of Grosvenor Square. The former Embassy was purchased by the Canadian government and renamed Macdonald House. According to this NYT article written in 2008, the Embassy will move again.

• 3, Grosvenor Square, In the basement is the Grosvenor Club, the crowded restaurant where most of the Embassy staff eat.
• 20, Grosvenor Square.  The Army Headquarters where the A.G.’s office is located.

–Eisenhower’s WWII headquarters were located here. From what I can find, A.G. was an initial for Adjutant General, the head of the British Army. It might make sense that he had an office here also … I would love for someone reading this to clarify.

–Later #20 became the headquarters of the US Navy in Europe.

–31, St. James Square was Eisenhower’s headquarters where Operation Torch and Operation Overlord were planned.

• 18, Grosvenor Square. Naval Headquarters which adjoins No. 20.
• 15, Grosvenor Square. The Red Cross Headquarters. Red Cross Clubs are all over town. Red Cross nurses all over town, too … The Red Cross Rainbow Corner on Piccadilly circus is the grand information centre for all U.S. Army and Navy enlisted personnel.
• 49, Grosvenor Square. OWI, that part not in the Embassy.

View Eisenhower Platz in a larger map

• Hereford House near Marble Arch. Office of Scientific Research and Development and Petroleum Attaché.

– The OSRD advised the President on status of scientific and medical research relating to national defense.

–The Petroleum Attaché concerned the study priority bombing of German oil facilities.

• 40 Berkeley Square. The Biddle Embassy and the Economic Warfare Division.

– Ambassador Anthony J. Biddle, Jr. established an embassy of Czechoslovakia in London in 1941.  It was maintained until the end of the war.

–Economic Warfare Division: Included OSS economists as part of EOU, . One of their missions, for example, was to obtain estimates of German war production and strength. They assisted with selecting Axis targets for USAAF strategic bombing.

• 18, Oxford Street, opposite Selfridge’s. The Army Canteen or Post Exchange. You can get cigarettes, tobacco, candy, etc. – all ridiculously cheap. You may even hope that they will have fruit juices or fig newtons.  The Navy is barred from the Army Canteen, but they have their own rather smaller one in the basement of No. 18, Grosvenor Square.

–According to today’s map, 18, Oxford Street is not across from Selfridge’s.

• There were many locations for OSS offices, and none of the addresses were mentioned in A Short Guide to Grosvenor Square. The main office was at 72, Grosvenor Square.

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The German Legation at Hovslagargatan 2 on April 30, 1945, the day of Hitler's death. Photo by Lennart af Petersens, from Wikipedia.

Like the American Legation during World War II, the German Legation had several locations for their offices. I am trying to clarify what was where. My thanks to Tommy Jonason and Ulf Gahm who have helped me with these.

Hovslagargatan 2 – The German Legation (main building.) This was likely where the Nazi party’s intelligence organization (SD) was housed.  According to Wikipedia, the former German “Legation” was converted in 1956 to the “Embassy.” The current German Embassy was built in 1958 at Skarpö 9.  Today at Hovslagargatan 2 is the Lydmar Hotel.

Karlavägen 59 – German RadioCentral

Strandvägen 7C – German Military Attaché. On my mother’s postcard she indicated that this address was the German Legation.  It was not their main headquarters.

Kaptensgatan 8 – German Information or Propaganda Bureau

Karlavägen 99 – German Air Attaché

Nybrogatan 27– The Abwehr office (military intelligence) as mentioned in resource book by C.G. McKay,  From information to intrigue: studies in secret service : based on the Swedish experience, 1939-45.

Kungsgatan 18 – German Tourist Bureau

On the American side, I have written about The American Legation but there were other offices also.

From a 1944 postcard. My mother indicated that the German Legation was right next to the American Legation. Actually Strandvägen 7C was the office of the German Military Attaché.

Strandvägen 7A – The Chancery. The Military Attaché and OSS offices were also here.

Strandvägen 7 B – Military Air Attaché

Nobelgatan 2 – Annex A.  Press Section, All State Department, the Press. The Naval Attaché’s Office.

Biblioteksgatan 26 - Annex B.  Foreign Countries Division.

Kommelndörsgatan 16 – Annex C. Swedish Division, Politico-Economic Section, Press Telegram Section, Commercial Section.

Smålandsgatan 2 – Annex D. Military Attaché Finance. Military Air Attaché’s Internee Section.

Strandvägen 63 – Annex E. Financial Attaché’s Office, War Refugee Board.

Strandvägen 59 – KIBRE Section.  I need help here … don’t know what this means.

As always, what I have written is to the best of my knowledge … I welcome additions, edits, and comments!

View The American and German Legations in a larger map

On the Google map above I have tried to pinpoint each of the addresses.  No wonder the Americans and the Germans were always running into each other!

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In anticipation of my trip to Stockholm in May I have created this walking tour of Old Town Stockholm. During World War II this island was known as Staden, and now Gamla stan.

My tour has been adapted from Frommer’s Walking Tour 1, changed for what interests me the most.  I know it is very courageous to create a Walking Tour from a Google map when I haven’t been there yet so I am absolutely open to comments and critiques!

• Begin at Gustav Adolfs Torg. At this spot is the Royal Opera and in the center of the square, a statue of Gustav II Adolf, King of Sweden from 1611 until 1632 when he was killed in battle.
• Walk across Norrbro (the North Bridge) heading toward the Royal Palace and passing on your right the
• Swedish Parliament on the tiny island of Helgeandsholmen, dating from 1897. Here is a virtual tour.
• Along the bridge on your left is the Medeltidsmuseet (Museum of Medieval Stockholm.) This museum contains objects and settings from medieval Stockholm and parts of the old city wall. Closed on Mondays.
• Continue along the bridge until Slottskajen. You are looking straight at the Royal Palace. Make a right turn to Riddarhuset. The “House of Nobility” was built in the period 1641-1672 and was used by the Swedish aristocracy during the Parliament of the Four Estates (1668-1865). Today the Nobility gathers here every third year. Open Monday-Friday 11:30 to 12:30 for a fee.
• Walk across the Riddarholmsbron bridge to the little island of Riddarholmen. Here are private palaces dating back to the 17th century. The main landmark is the Riddarholmskyrkan church. One of the oldest buildings in Stockholm dating back to the 13th century, it has been the burial place of Swedish kings for 4 centuries.
• Walk along the north side of the church until you can cross Birger Jarls Torg. Take Wrangelska Backen to the water. Then go left and walk along Södra Riddarholmshamnen. Great spot for photos.
• Look for the yacht Mälardrottningen Hotel.
• Left on Gymnasiegränd back to the church and circle around to your right to cross the bridge again.
  When you hit Myntgatan it looks to be tricky. Cross the 1st lane of Myntgatan, then fork left.
• Pass Stora Nygatan (to your right) and take the next right onto Storkyrkobrinken, passing the landmark Cattelin Restaurant on your right. According to Wikipedia their specialty is a garlic-flavoured squid salad but I didn’t see it on their menu. Oh well …
• Continue along this street, past the Lady Hamilton Hotel, then turn right onto Trångsund. Immediately on the left is Storkyrkan, also  known as “The Great Church,” the oldest church in Old Town. Founded in the mid-1200s, it is the site of coronations and royal weddings.  The most famous sculpture here is St. George and the Dragon, a huge work dating from 1489. There is an entrance fee unless you are there for a church service, morning prayer in English daily at 8:45.
• Next on your left is the Nobel Museum located in the former Stock Exchange Building (Börshuset.) Dedicated to the history of the Nobel Prize, Nobel laureates and the life of Alfred Nobel, the prize’s founder. The museum is on the north side of:
• Stortorget (Great Square) the oldest square in Stockholm and the site of the Stockholm Blood Bath of 1520 when Danish-Swedish king Christian II beheaded 90 Swedish noblemen and displayed their heads in the square.
• At the NE corner of the square, take Källargränd north to view the entrance, opening onto Slottsbacken, of the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet.) This is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. It is the daily place of work for The King and Queen as well as for the various departments that make up the Royal Court. The present palace dates mainly from 1760 after a previous one was destroyed by fire. Tours and entrance fees. Times for the changing of the guard.
• After your tour, along Slottsbacken, then go right on Bollshusgränd, a cobblestone street of old houses leading to the square of Köpmantorget or ”Merchant’s Square.” One of the most charming squares of the Old Town, Köpmantorget contains a famous copy of the St. George and the Dragon statue (in case you didn’t get to see it at the church.)
• From the square, take Köpmanbrinken (west) which runs for 1 block. Also known as “Merchant’s Slope.” The street is lined by historic buildings on cobble-stone streets.
• Turn right and you will run into Österlånggatan, once Old Town’s harbor street and a major thoroughfare of taverns, restaurants and shops. Continue along Österlånggatan and take the first left under an arch leading into:
• Stora Hoparegränd, a dark dark and narrow alley from the mid-1600s. Walk toward the water, and turn right on Skeppsbron. Walk for 2 blocks and turn right up Ferkens Gränd until you return to Österlånggatan. As you are walking south, keeps your eyes open for Johannesgränd to your left.
• Johannesgränd is another historic alley. Take a peek, then continue walking on Österlånggatan until you come to Tullgränd. Take the street on your right:
• Prästgatan. This street was named after the priests who used to live here. As you climb the street, look to your left to:
•  Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, an often photographed street of steps that’s the narrowest in Gamla Stan. The width of its 36 steps tapers down to only 90 centimeters.   Double back on Prästgatan to Österlånggatan 51.
• Den Gyldene Freden Restaurang is the oldest restaurant in the world to have the same surroundings and environment as when it opened in 1721. From the restaurant there is a small connector street to the street Järntorget. At this point you can walk south along Järntorget which becomes Järntorgsgatan.
• Järntorgsgatan (Iron Square’s Street.) This used to be the main approach to the city from Södermalm and was known as Stora Gatan or “The Big Street.” Lined with fantastic shops, cafes. Walk (north or south) to the 2nd oldest square in Stockholm, dating back to about 1300.
• Järntorget (Iron Square) was the center of the copper and iron trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, and until 1662 the city’s official scales were here.  Sundberg’s bakery dates back to 1785. Look for the statue of Evert Taube, troubadour and Swedish national poet. From the Iron Square take Västerlånggatan heading NW.
• Västerlånggatan(The Western Long Street.) This pedestrian street is the main shopping artery of Old Town and actually traces the original length of the 13th century defensive wall which protected the city. Most of the front doors of the shops are located either on the quieter Prästgatan, the parallel street passing along the eastern side, or in one of the numerous alleys on the street’s western side. Continue along Västerlånggatan or Prästgatan (however you are shopping) and turn right onto Tyska Brinken until you see on your right:
• Tyska Kyrkan which  Since the beginning of the 17th century, this has been the German church of Stockholm.
•  After you leave the church, the street in front of you will be at Skomakargatan. Head up this street and you will pass Stortorget Square. The street is now called Trångsund. When you get to Storkyrkobrinken, turn left and then right on Västerlånggatan. Keep walking and you will pass through the Riksdag Building, the Parliament of Sweden, over the bridge to Drottninggatan.

Wow, I wonder how long that will take!  I’ve tried to put most spots on this Google Map.  Again, I’m open to any ideas.  What have I missed?

View Walking Tour Old Town in a larger map

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Stockholm restaurant 1944

In 1944 Stockholm there were many restaurants available for the dining pleasure of the members of the American Legation and the American airmen who were interned there. I have written about some of them, but here I would like to keep a running list of what I’ve found in my research. I will continue to add to it.

Several of these came from the 1944 Stockholm Illustrated Guide as “the most frequented summer restaurants in Stockholm … most of which are also open in winter.”

The American internees and those working at the Legation were cautioned that no restaurant was safe, even the very finest such as the Grand Hotel.  The Gestapo could very well be seated at the next table!

I welcome comments and edits from anyone who has “been there.”

In alphabetical order:

• Bäckahästen – This restaurant at Hamngatan 2 was known as a Nazi hangout. I found a posting, “Beneath a Steel Sky” which suggests that it was also popular with Stockholm gays. Do a google translate and read the interesting comments which suggest that this may have given intelligence officers a convenient cover.
• 

  Bellmansro Restaurant, courtesy of Simon Olsson

  Bellmansro – Popular during World War II but burned in 1952.

• Berns Salonger - very elegant, still open today.
• Blanche’s Café - another popular restaurant and bar. The building was replaced in the 1960′s during a great urban renovation.
• Den Gyldene Freden – in Old Town. Built during the 17th century. The house and tavern opened in 1721. Österlånggatan 51.
• Djurgårdsbrunn – bar and restaurant in Djurgården. According to the restaurant website, it is on the site of Queen Kristina’s former royal estate where she would hunt lions.

Katarinahissen in 1941. Source: Wikipedia (Stockholms stadsmuseum, Börge Gallen)

• Gondolen – by Slussen. The Katarina Lift (or in Swedish, Katarinahissen) is an outdoor elevator with walkway between Stadsgården and Mosebacke Square. The original steam engine lift was inaugurated in 1883 but demolished in 1933 when the Slussen traffic hub was rebuilt. A new lift with an electric motor was finished in 1936 but closed to the public in 2011 due to its worn condition. The restaurant is now “Erik’s,” and it hovers 33 cm high. It looks like it might be right on the walkway .

• Grand Hotel - Yes, this was the destination for Allied and Axis guests to mix freely, always on high alert. It is open today of course, a magnificent place to dine.
• Hasselbacken – at Djurgården, Hazeliusbacken 20. Dating from the 1700’s. After a fire the restaurant was rebuilt in 1874, and it has been extensively renovated since. Today there is a hotel, conference center and restaurant at the site.
• Högloftet – in Skansen, and still serving today.
• Konstnärshuset - this is the “Artists’ House,” just a few minutes from the American Legation and open today. Also known as K.B.
• Lindgården – opposite Hasselbacken in Djurgården. Built in 1929 but torn down in 2011 to be replaced by a hotel.
• Mosebacke – at Mosebacke Torg (Moseback Square) In 1944 this was considered the “south side of the city” in Södermalm, just below Staden (or Gamla Stan.) Today this is a more bohemian easy going part of Stockholm with lots going on. From what I can tell online, the Mosebacke restaurant is now part of the Södra Teatern, “Sweden’s foremost international venue for music, theatre & debate.”  There is a jazz brunch on weekends. I am not sure whether or not this is the same restaurant as in 1944.
• Operaskällaren - at Karl XII.  “The Opera Bar” The name dates back to 1787 when the restaurant was located in the cellar under Gustav III’s opera house. In the 1860’s the wine cellar was transformed into a modern restaurant. Then when the new Opera House was built a bar was added in 1905. After a total renovation the new Operakällaren was opened in 1961.
• Regnbågen - a noted Nazi hangout no longer there today.
• Solliden – in Skansen. Still open today.
• Stadshuskällaren – luxury restaurant in the basement of the Town Hall Stadhuset, inaugurated in 1923.  This is where the annual Nobel banquet is served
• Stallmästaregårder – at Haga Park in northern Stockholm. “Stockholm’s oldest inn” according to its website. Dates back to the mid-1600′s.
• Stortorgskällaren – Located at the public square Stortorget 7 in Staden (Gamla Stan.) It is built over a medieval basement, part of which dates back to the 15th century.
• Strand Hotel - today this hotel is the Radisson Blue luxury hotel.
• Strömsborg – on an island in the river and part of the Old Town. Looks like the restaurant burned down in 1953.
• Sturehof at Stureplan 2 was first a German-style beer hall, Malta, opening in 1897.  In 1905 the owners changed the name to Sturehof. Many items on the menu date back to the restaurant’s early days.
• Zum Franziskaner is a German restaurant popular with the Axis crowd, of course, during the war. According to its website, “Stockholm’s oldest restaurant from 1421 in the old town with stunning views …” The present house was built in 1906.

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Joyeux Noel, WWI Movie about the 1914 Christmas Truce

(2006) On December 24, 1914 British soldiers faced the Germans across a “no-man’s land” stretch on the Western Front.  Both sides were holed up in freezing boggy trenches, and it was Christmas Eve.

Last night on The Military History Channel I watched an excellent one hour documentary on “The Christmas Truce,” narrated by Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd. You just know that the young men on both sides were all homesick and scared. What happened is that in some areas, these boys were able to celebrate Christmas together.  Songs, soccer, gifts, handshakes, beer, stories shared.

Joyeux Noel is the movie made in 2006 about this event. This is the first time I have written about a movie I haven’t seen yet … I am on the lookout for it!

If you search on YouTube for Christmas Truce 1941 you can find lots of videos about this amazing event. This is my favorite, the reading of a “letter” authored by storyteller Aaron Shepard.  And, another series of five parts.

In 2004, the last survivor of the “Christmas Truce” gave an interview to The Observer.  He still shed tears when he talked about his Great War.

Some of the high command on both sides were unhappy with the truce and reminded their troops that fraternizing with the enemy was high treason.

I don’t think that message went very far.  After all, it was Christmas.

Joyeux Noel at amazon.com

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Berns in the 1800's. Photo taken from the press section of the Berns website, www.berns.se

One of the more elegant restaurants my Dad, American internee Lt. Herman F. Allen, visited in 1944 Stockholm was “Berns Salonger.” It was only a six minute walk from the American Legation at Strandvägen 7.

The lavish “Berns” (for short) had been a popular restaurant and entertainment venue since renowned pastry chef Heinrich Robert Berns opened it to the public in 1863.

Located at Berzelii Park in central Stockholm, its grandeur made it a destination not to be missed. A Grand Salon, the Red Room, was a meeting place for artists and intellectuals. (In Wikipedia, I read that the Red Room was frequented by Stockholm bachelors.)

In 1944, a French restaurant was added as well as Stockholm’s very first Chinese restaurant.  Berns was a popular spot for entertainment and dancing.

The facade of Berns as it is today. The photo is also taken from the Berns website press section.

I found a short film on Sweden’s Filmarkivet.se titled “A Stockholm Silhouette (1943)” which shows a day at Berns, from morning until night.  You will see goods being delivered (by horse and buggy) for the day’s dining. The black tie wait staff prepares to greet the guests. The chefs slice smoked salmon and cucumbers. In the afternoon, the Mischa Angelinis orchestra provides music, military music no less. There is footage of the early years with guests dining in the elegant concert hall. In the evening the music is more suitable for dancing and cocktails.

In the 1980’s at the time of a big renovation a hotel was added to Berns. On their website you can read about their elaborate events and concerts. There is an underground passageway from Berns to the China Teatern. The banquet halls can accomodate 800 persons for cocktails.

And Berns is where Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Stockholm will be held in 2012, January 30th – February 1st.  According to the history page on its website, “Berns has been credited by many as having moved the centre of the city to where it is today.”

Berns will be a destination for me as well when I visit Stockholm next year … tentatively scheduled for early May!

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The Strand Hotel, the building with the Tower, in Stockholm 2007. Photo by Boberger in Wikipedia.

One of the popular hotels in Stockholm during World War II was The Strand, located at Nybrokajen 9,  overlooking the harbor. It was a short walk along the water from the American Legation, up Strandvägen and then a left turn on Nybrokajen. It is also very close to Staden, the Old Town.  In January of 1945, the hotel was listed as the address for Bernt Balchen.

The Strand Hotel Terrace was a popular restaurant for the American internees when they were in Stockholm and wanted a fine meal and cocktails.

Location of the Strand Hotel (left) across from the American Legation (right)

The Swedish Order of Freemasons built the hotel for the Stockholm summer Olympics. Incidentally, it was at these Olympics that Carl Rosenblad competed and finished fifth in the individual dressage competition.

The architect of the Strand Hotel was Ludwig Peterson who had earlier designed the House of Artists, Konstnärshuset. In 2011 the Swedish Order of Freemasons bought the hotel building back.  Today The Strand in Stockholm is a Radisson Blu luxury hotel.

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Konstnärshuset in 1897 as depicted by the architect Ludwig Peterson

During World War II one of the restaurants convenient to the American Legation in Stockholm was Konstnärshuset on Smålandsgatan 7, barely more than a five minute scenic walk away. Konstnärshuset google translates to “Artists’ House.”

Construction on the building was completed in 1899. The well known Swedish architect Johan Ludwig Peterson designed with an elegant Venetian façade. Today the property is officially listed as a historically valuable building.

From what I gather from my research, there were artist exhibits at Konstnärshuset from the very beginning and then a restaurant opened on the main floor in 1931.  The famous artist Evert Lundquist held his first exhibition at Konstnärshuset in 1934 with repeat showings there in 1938 and 1941. I know that my Dad, Lt. Herman F. Allen, ate there in 1944, and I am sure other American internees did also, especially if they had any interest in seeing local Swedish artwork.

KB KonstnärBar, Smålandsgatan 7, Stockholm, from Google Maps

Today Konstnärshuset is owned by the Swedish Artists Association and has more than twenty exhibitions each year. The restaurant, now known as KB KonstnärBar, occupies the ground floor, just as during the war.  According to its website it has been a “waterhole for famous artists and actors. Even today you can see today’s artists, journalists and art patrons at the restaurant.” A current exhibition showcases photographer Felix Oppenheim.

From the looks of the Google map, the restaurant is beautiful and one I definitely want to visit when I am in Stockholm next year.

As always, I welcome comments and corrections from anyone reading this who has actually been there!

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Domkyrkans mittskepp ~ Uppsula Cathedral's Nave from a 1944 era postcard

Uppsala, the fourth largest city of Sweden, is the site of the country’s oldest university, founded in 1477. (An older spelling is Upsala.) The city is located on either side of the river Fyrisån, the more historic part of town being to the west.

At the time of World War II, there were 41,800 inhabitants. The most interesting places to visit were the 13th century cathedral, the castle from the Vasa Age, university buildings, including Carolina Rediviva, the university library.

Boats could sail from Lake Mälaren up to central Uppsala and would have given a more scenic journey than the train.  In 1944, it was about a one hour train ride from the Central Railway Station in Stockholm.

2.5 miles north of Uppsala is the original location of the town, now known as Gamla Upsala or Old Uppsala. What is now Uppsala was then called Östra-Aros and was in earlier centuries the commercial town and harbor of the kings of Sweden when they resided at Gamla Upsala.

The Uppsala Cathedral is the tallest church building in Scandinavia. It was erected in 1260 – 1435. It was built by the Roman Catholic Church but is now the seat of the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Its architect was one of the assistant builders of the Notre Dame at Paris. The Cathedral has been the coronation church for many of Sweden’s monarchs.

American internee Herman F. Allen in front of a cannon, most likely at the Uppsala Castle

In 1944, just a short walk from the Cathedral was the Gillet, a hotel with a popular restaurant. It was closed in 1973 and since has been both an art gallery and a clothing store.  Today there is a hotel across the river that has taken the name Gillet, now the Clarion Hotel Gillet.

Carolina Rediviva is the University library, the largest in Sweden and completed in 1841. A chief treasure is the Codex Argenteus, a translation of the four Gospels into Gothic, dating back to the 4th century, written on 187 leaves of parchment in gold and silver letters. This manuscript was captured at Prague in 1648 and presented by Queen Christina to her librarian, and then was purchased from him for 400 crowns by the chancellor of the university.

Right in the city is the historical Uppsala Castle, built by King Gustav Vasa beginning in 1549. A fire in 1702 caused serious damage and reconstruction took many years. In front of the castle are some large ancient cannons, one of which my Dad was standing in front of for this photograph in 1944.

So it sounds like a tour of Uppsala would be a full afternoon, doesn’t it?  And I plan to be there next May or June just so I can find my Dad’s cannon!

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Rosita Serrano and Gustav Wally, 1946. Photographer unknown.

Gustav Wally was a well known Swedish entertainer who was in Stockholm during World War II.  He was manager of the Oscar Theatre (Oscarsteatern)  during the World War II years and produced lavish musical productions.

In the fall of 1944 the “operett” Serenad opened with many dance numbers. One highlight was Wally and his dance partner, Annalisa Ericson, doing the jitterbug. My parents were there, in the audience for this extravaganza.

Gustav Wally was born as Gustav Axelsson Wallenberg into  the prominent Swedish dynasty of bankers and diplomats. I wonder how his family reacted when instead of following family pursuits young Gustav went to New York and studied dance.  Wally (his stage name) wrote his own story in the 1946 “Följ mig i dansen” or “Follow me in the dance.” I would love to see a translation.

In the playbill for “Serenad” is this beautiful photograph of Gustav Wally, featured in an advertisement for Nordiska Kompaniets or NK, the department store.

The other photo on the upper right is of Wally and Rosita Serrano, the “Chilean Nightingale” who was also in Stockholm during the war and who mingled with my Dad on more than one occasion.

As I was researching online, I found a fabulous filmclip online from that same year … a 1944 dance competition. First is Gustav Wally and Annalisa Ericson doing the jitterbug then Rosita Serrano sings.  The venue is Kungliga Tennishallen, a tennis venue built in 1943 so at the time it was brand new.  This event was the finals for a highly publicized dance contest, and the house was packed with fans and movie stars alike.

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