Having already conquered Dutch, Belgian and German TV audiences with his studio bound television shows, Dorus (Tom Manders) felt the need to broaden his scope and go out into the real world to make a series short films on location. While most of his shows had featured him performing sketches, singing songs and some of them had been complete mock-opera's, this would be the first time that Dorus the lovably tramp would interact with other characters to form a coherent story. Each one of these three television specials would be set (and filmed) in a different Dutch town. For the first one, "De Wolf en Zijn Zeven Dochters", Dorus visited Volendam.
Jacob de Wolf, a widower bringing up 7 daughters, insists on each one of them marrying in chronological order and, more importantly, only to devoted fishermen who can take over his work. The eldest and thus first in line, Aaltje, has been secretly seeing Jan van der Plas, son of a wealthy shoe-merchant for 16 years, but stern father Jacob will hear none of it. Aaltje and Jan meet in secret in her father's barn, which happens to be one of Dorus' favorite places to stay when visiting Volendam. In fact, the old hobo has been using the barn as a hotel room each September for 15 years, and is well aware of Aaltje and Jan's plight.
Taking on the responsibilities of a makeshift matchmaker, Dorus trades papers (and identities) with Jan, so the shoe merchant's son can pose as a young sailer and apprentice to old Jacob (and get in his good graces). While clumsy Jan (as Dorus) is away at sea with the elder De Wolf, Dorus (as Jan) promises to keep an eye on the 7 daughters. Not that there is much need to do so. In a clever montage we learn that each one of them has already picked out a suitable suitor, all stationed in Volendam, though there isn't a single pair of sea legs between them.
Soon, Dorus is enjoying his new identity as the well respected Jan van der Plas a bit too much, getting out of scrapes with the police (who start looking for the real Jan now bearing Dorus' name) and free drinks to boot. A few tables on in the same café, the 6 remaining suitors are making plans to confront the elder De Wolf and ask him for all his daughter's hands simultaneously, because they have had more than enough of waiting. Of course the cases of mistaken identity must first become even more confusing to all concerned (especially the old Jacob) before being resolved, leading to a thoroughly confused father De Wolf finally conceding. Finally, there is a great big seven way marriage and good old Dorus can brighten the happy ending with a song.
7 out of 10
Jacob de Wolf, a widower bringing up 7 daughters, insists on each one of them marrying in chronological order and, more importantly, only to devoted fishermen who can take over his work. The eldest and thus first in line, Aaltje, has been secretly seeing Jan van der Plas, son of a wealthy shoe-merchant for 16 years, but stern father Jacob will hear none of it. Aaltje and Jan meet in secret in her father's barn, which happens to be one of Dorus' favorite places to stay when visiting Volendam. In fact, the old hobo has been using the barn as a hotel room each September for 15 years, and is well aware of Aaltje and Jan's plight.
Taking on the responsibilities of a makeshift matchmaker, Dorus trades papers (and identities) with Jan, so the shoe merchant's son can pose as a young sailer and apprentice to old Jacob (and get in his good graces). While clumsy Jan (as Dorus) is away at sea with the elder De Wolf, Dorus (as Jan) promises to keep an eye on the 7 daughters. Not that there is much need to do so. In a clever montage we learn that each one of them has already picked out a suitable suitor, all stationed in Volendam, though there isn't a single pair of sea legs between them.
Soon, Dorus is enjoying his new identity as the well respected Jan van der Plas a bit too much, getting out of scrapes with the police (who start looking for the real Jan now bearing Dorus' name) and free drinks to boot. A few tables on in the same café, the 6 remaining suitors are making plans to confront the elder De Wolf and ask him for all his daughter's hands simultaneously, because they have had more than enough of waiting. Of course the cases of mistaken identity must first become even more confusing to all concerned (especially the old Jacob) before being resolved, leading to a thoroughly confused father De Wolf finally conceding. Finally, there is a great big seven way marriage and good old Dorus can brighten the happy ending with a song.
7 out of 10
