If I Could Marry the Minister

If I Could Marry the Minister (Swedish: Tänk, om jag gifter mig med prästen) is a 1941 Swedish romantic drama film directed by Ivar Johansson and starring Viveca Lindfors, Georg Rydeberg, Arnold Sjöstrand. with screenplay by Ester Lindin and Ivar Johansson. The film's sets were designed by the art director Bertil Duroj.

Plot
Eva Örn, a young teacher, moves to rural Vikarlunda, where her good looks and strong opinions estrange her from the locals. She begins a clandestine affair with the priest, Ingvar Hagson.

Cast

 * Viveca Lindfors as Eva Örn
 * Georg Rydeberg as 	Ingvar Hagson
 * Arnold Sjöstrand as Knut Knutsson of Sjövalla
 * Nils Lundell as 	Albert Sundström
 * Anna Lindahl as 	Greta Knutsson
 * Gudrun Brost as 	Helga Persson of Mon
 * Sven Bergvall as 	Persson of Mon
 * Linnéa Hillberg as Sophie Ekeberger
 * Viran Rydkvist as 	Ester Örn
 * Arthur Natorp as 	Pettersson, Organist
 * Axel Högel as 	Mr. Örn
 * Ruth Stevens as 	Doris Örn
 * Torsten Bergström as 	Brother Johannes
 * Gabriel Alw as Sjövalla's Helping Hand

Controversy and reception
The novel by Ester Lindin which forms the basis of the film was already very controversial, and when it was announced that it would be adapted for the screen, a delegation of priests petitioned the film company Luxfilm and demanded that filming be stopped. The chief executive officer issued an unofficial warning. Despite this, the film was made and became one of the greatest successes of the 1940s.

One reviewer at the time wrote: "Since her novel was released [Ester Lindin] has had the questionable pleasure of getting pilloried in cheap cabarets and causeries as the amorality priestess number one. The film gives all these moral busybodies an answer that should sting – never before has moral hypocrisy and the false idyll of the philistine been exposed to such a mighty attack."