Annika!

A few days ago I bought a double DVD of the original 70's Pippi Longstocking series (Pippi's full name, fact fans, is Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump). Last night we watched the first episode, in which Pippi discovers a new word "Spunk" and spends the entire episode trying to find out what a "spunk" is. When Pippi, Tommie and Annika determine that it is not a dangerous animal or some sort of candy, Pippi develops a serious case of "spunk" and has to be taken to a doctor. The doctor examines Pippi, but luckily finds no evidence for "spunk". Pippi offers to pay for the consultation, but the kind doctor (70's haircut and glasses) assures her "spunk-consultations" are free. After 25 minutes of wonderful television they discover a beetle that turns out to be a "spunk". The End. I wonder if this was ever broadcast in the UK where "spunk" has an altogether different and less innocent meaning! As an aside: when I was Pippi's age and the TV series was shown on Dutch television I had a serious crush on Annika. Curious about what happened to her I spent some time on the internet (source of all knowledge these days). Annika was played by Maria Persson. After the Pippi TV-series she studied at the School of Theatre, but found it hard to find work as people related to her as the Annika character. She married a Spaniard and opened a bar in Mallorca (this part is a bit of a let down I have to say). She got divorced and now works with the elderly. A fascinating and slightly tragic interview with her and Tommie, albeit in German, can be located at http://efraimstochter.de/tommi_und_annika/euch_kennen_wir_doch.shtml
The picture shows Maria at 51, and I have to admit, she still looks good. Incidentally, the DVD, for which I paid 1,25 Euros, also includes the classic movie Pippi at Taka Tuka Land, in which she saves her father from evil pirates - I can't wait to see Annika in action against pirates!