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Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… (1970) Plot Summary & Timeline

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… (1970) movie poster

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… is a 1970 comedy and crime film directed by Knut Bohwim, running 1 hour 38 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 294 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 4 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe….

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
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Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… (1970) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m
Director
Knut Bohwim
Genres
Comedy, Crime
Original language
Norwegian
No spoilers

What Is Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… About?

The premise of Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… in 268 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

The humdrum atmosphere of a quiet office building is abruptly shattered when the everyday routine of cleaning reveals a grim and startling sight. What should have been a straightforward discovery quickly spirals into a puzzle where nothing is quite as it seems, grounding the story in a specific blend of suspense and character-driven comedy. The setting itself—a mix of domestic spaces and business offices—becomes a character, concealing secrets behind every door and challenging the perceptions of those who traverse its halls.

At the center of the chaos stands Lilly Hansen, a diligent cleaning lady whose sharp eyes witness something they shouldn’t, and Henry Bakker, a Chief Inspector reluctantly pulled from his sickbed to investigate. Their interaction is complicated by a shared history from their days at Rosekjeller’n, adding a personal dimension to an already perplexing situation. While Lilly fights to have her account taken seriously, Bakker battles a fever and a deep-seated reluctance, creating a dynamic that is as friction-filled as it is engaging.

The premise hinges on a classic dilemma: a witness speaks the truth, yet the evidence refuses to cooperate. When the police arrive to verify the initial claim, the scene has been scrubbed of its most damning proof, leaving credibility hanging in the balance. As the night wears on, the tension mounts not just from the mystery itself, but from the clash of personalities trying to solve it. With alibis to sort and suppressed truths waiting to surface, the film promises a steady, restrained unfolding of events where the greatest obstacle might be simply getting others to believe what is right in front of them.

Full plot

What Happens in Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

The complete story of Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…, from the first scene to the last, in 294 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

A murder disrupts the quiet building where Lilly Hansen, played by Aud Schønemann, lives. Lilly discovers the body and immediately calls the police, naming the victim as Mr. Marthinsen, a man who runs a company on the top floor and also owns a farm. When Constable Jeremias P. Grodahl, played by Helge Reiss, arrives, the body has already disappeared, leaving investigators with more questions than answers. The constable is not quick to credit Lilly’s account, casting doubt on her story, while Overbetjent Henry Bakker, played by Arve Opsahl, arrives on the scene, irritable at being woken from bed with a fever to a crime scene where the evidence seems to vanish.

Yet there’s a personal thread that complicates the case: Bakker and Lilly are old acquaintances from their Rosekjeller’n days, and their shared past makes even straightforward questions feel loaded. The tension rises as the investigation unfolds, with signs that something serious happened — blood is found on a chair, and it becomes clear that Mr. Marthinsen never came home that evening. Bakker, initially reluctant and disappointed, is drawn into a real inquiry into a possible murder, stretching his patience and resolve as he probes the surrounding circumstances.

The story builds to a climactic gathering: Bakker brings Mr. Marthinsen’s entire staff into the top-floor office to identify a potential killer and to sort through alibis, motives, and suppressed truths. As the room fills with cautious theories and uncertain testimonies, the film maintains a steady, restrained tone that invites viewers to weigh each clue. Who did it, really — is Mr. Marthinsen dead, or has the victim not yet been named? The conclusion lingers, leaving room for suspicion to fall on various players while staying faithful to the mood and stakes established at the outset.

Timeline

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Lilly discovers a murder and calls the police” to “Cliffhanger: evidence points in multiple directions”. 12 events name a place, across 8 locations.

  1. 1

    Lilly discovers a murder and calls the police

    Lilly finds that a murder has occurred in the building where she lives. She recognises the victim as Mr. Marthinsen, the head of a company on the top floor who also owns a farm. She immediately calls the police to report the scene.

    When:evening Where:Lilly's building

  2. 2

    Lilly identifies the victim as Mr. Marthinsen

    Lilly tells the police the victim's name and position, confirming that Mr. Marthinsen is a top-floor corporate leader and farm owner. This identification anchors the case to a prominent local figure. The officers begin to map out the potential motives and suspects.

    Where:Lilly's building

  3. 3

    Constable arrives; the body has disappeared

    Constable Jeremias P. Grodahl arrives at the scene and finds that the body has vanished. He remains skeptical of Lilly's claims and does not immediately accept the murder narrative. The disappearance complicates the initial police assessment and shifts the focus to where the body might be.

    Where:Crime scene

  4. 4

    Bakker arrives, frustrated by being woken

    Bakker arrives on the scene, irritated at being dragged out of bed while recovering from a fever. He is an old acquaintance of Lilly, and their reunion hints at unresolved history between them. His mood signals the start of an active, perhaps reluctant, investigation.

    When:early morning Where:Crime scene

  5. 5

    Old flame and old days complicate the conversation

    Lilly and Bakker's exchange reveals they were close in the past at the Rosekjeller'n, which makes discussing the current murder awkward. The memory of past intimacy heightens the tension as they try to steer the conversation toward the crime. The scene exposes how personal history can color professional judgment.

    Where:Scene at the crime scene

  6. 6

    Blood is found on a chair at the scene

    Blood is found on a chair at the scene, suggesting that foul play occurred. The clue complicates the puzzle as the body is not present for examination. Investigators begin to treat the case as a potential homicide based on the evidence at hand.

    Where:Marthinsen's office / crime scene

  7. 7

    Marthinsen never comes home that evening

    It is established that Marthinsen did not come home that evening, widening the mystery surrounding his disappearance. The implication is that he could be the victim of an orchestrated crime or he may have vanished under other circumstances. The absence intensifies the urgency to locate him or determine his fate.

    When:that evening Where:Marthinsen's home

  8. 8

    Bakker commits to investigating a possible murder

    Despite initial skepticism, Bakker commits to investigating a possible murder. He accepts the possibility of foul play and starts pursuing leads rather than settling for ordinary explanations. The shift marks a commitment to a formal inquiry.

    Where:Crime scene / office

  9. 9

    Staff meeting to identify a potential murderer

    Bakker gathers Mr. Marthinsen's entire staff in Mr. Marthinsen's office to identify a possible murderer. The meeting creates a tense atmosphere as colleagues are questioned and alibis are checked. The aim is to quickly narrow down suspects within the company.

    Where:Mr. Marthinsen's office

  10. 10

    Uncertainty and unresolved questions linger

    The investigation culminates in a moment of questioning and doubt, but the killer remains unidentified. The question remains whether Marthinsen is dead or if the victim has yet to be named. The scene ends with unresolved suspense about who committed the crime.

    Where:Mr. Marthinsen's office

  11. 11

    Past relationships influence the investigation

    The tension between Lilly and Bakker, rooted in their shared past, colors how they interact with one another and with potential suspects. Their complex relationship adds emotional stakes to the inquiry. The past clearly colors the present investigation.

    Where:Scene of investigation

  12. 12

    Cliffhanger: evidence points in multiple directions

    With the staff gathered and the clues scattered, the case points to multiple possible killers and motives. The evidence remains inconclusive, keeping the investigation open for new leads. The narrative ends on a note of uncertainty about the true murderer or even the true victim.

    Where:Mr. Marthinsen's office

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

4 characters, among them Lilly Hansen, Jeremias P. Grodahl and Henry Bakker: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 3 of them link to the actor’s page.

  • LH

    Lilly Hansen

    Played by Aud Schønemann

    Lilly discovers the dead body in the building where she lives and immediately calls the police. She knows the social circle around the victim and has past intimate ties with Bakker, which complicate how she is perceived by authorities. Her account becomes a key thread in the investigation as loyalties and old conflicts surface.

    • 👩‍💼 Lead
    • 🗣️ Witness
    • 🏠 Neighbor
  • JP

    Jeremias P. Grodahl

    Played by Helge Reiss

    Constable Jeremias P. Grodahl arrives on the scene but is skeptical about Lilly’s story. He is pragmatic, focused on establishing whether a murder occurred and where the evidence lies. His investigation will test the reliability of witnesses and the alibis of those in Marthinsen’s orbit.

    • 👮 Police
    • 🕵️ Detective work
    • 🏛️ Bureaucracy
  • HB

    Henry Bakker

    Played by Arve Opsahl

    Overbetjent Henry Bakker is dragged out of bed to the scene and is initially annoyed, yet he shares a history with Lilly from the Rosekjeller'n era. He balances skepticism with duty as he leads the investigation and calls for a collaborative staff meeting to uncover the killer.

    • 👮 Authority
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation
    • 🤝 Old acquaintances
  • MM

    Mr. Marthinsen

    Mr. Marthinsen is the head of a company on the top floor and also a farm owner. The victim’s identity anchors the mystery, and his disappearance raises questions about fate and motive. The unresolved status of his death drives the investigation and the tension among suspects.

    • 🏢 CEO
    • 🌾 Farm owner
    • 💼 Wealth and influence
Setting

Where and When Is Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… Set?

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… is set in Lilly's building, Mr. Marthinsen's top-floor office, Rosekjeller'n club and the…. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Lilly's building, Mr. Marthinsen's top-floor office, Rosekjeller'n club, the farm

The murder takes place predominantly in a multi-story building where Lilly lives, making the residence the crime hub. On the top floor sits Mr. Marthinsen's company office, hinting at wealth and power behind the mystery. The Rosekjeller'n club is recalled as a place connected to Lilly and Bakker, showing personal ties that complicate the case. A nearby farm owned by Marthinsen adds a rural tie to the corporate intrigue.

  • 🏢 Building
  • 🗂️ Office
  • 🎶 Club
  • 🌾 Farm
Themes

What Are the Themes of Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mystery, Old Ties and Power & Status.

  1. 01

    Mystery

    A murder sets the plot in motion, but the body disappears before the constable arrives. Lilly's testimony becomes a focal point, yet she is not easily trusted by the police. The investigation hinges on who could move or hide the body and why. The staff around Marthinsen's orbit is pulled into the whodunit as the truth unfolds.

  2. 02

    Old Ties

    The case is steeped in past connections, including Lilly's reminiscences of the Rosekjeller'n days with Bakker. Old acquaintances reappear, bringing personal stakes and hidden motives to light. Trust is tested as history complicates the search for a logical explanation. Secrets from the past threaten to derail the investigation.

  3. 03

    Power & Status

    Mr. Marthinsen’s dual role as head of a company and owner of a farm hints at power struggles underlying the crime. The investigation probes who benefits from his absence and what wealth hides beneath the surface. Loyalty and jealousy within the staff come into question as motives emerge. The ending suggests that ambition and control may drive the crime as much as personal vendetta.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Steady
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Low
Ending
Ambiguous

A lighthearted and quirky murder mystery that unfolds with steady pacing, centered on a missing corpse and a frustrated inspector, creating an amusing and bemused atmosphere.

  • amusing
  • quirky
  • lighthearted
  • mysterious
  • frustrated
  • nostalgic
  • murder mystery
  • disappearing body
  • wrong suspect
  • police investigation

Content notes: murder, blood.

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FAQ

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… about?

The humdrum atmosphere of a quiet office building is abruptly shattered when the everyday routine of cleaning reveals a grim and startling sight. What should have been a straightforward discovery quickly spirals into a puzzle where nothing is quite as it seems, grounding the story in a specific…

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… take place?

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… is set in Lilly's building, Mr. Marthinsen's top-floor office, Rosekjeller'n club and the farm. The murder takes place predominantly in a multi-story building where Lilly lives, making the residence the crime hub. On the top floor sits Mr.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

The story follows Lilly Hansen (played by Aud Schønemann), Jeremias P. Grodahl (played by Helge Reiss), Henry Bakker (played by Arve Opsahl) and Mr. Marthinsen.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Mystery, Old Ties and Power & Status.

The themes explained

Who directed Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe…?

Skulle det dukke opp flere lik, er det bare å ringe… (1970) was directed by Knut Bohwim and runs 1 hour 38 minutes.

Knut Bohwim’s films

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