'The Village Shoemakers'
Nummisuutarit (Sockenskomakarne)
**
Finland 1923 B/W 83min
Comedy
cast: Axel Slangus (Esko), Heidi Korhonen (Jaana), Konrad Tallroth
credits: dir. Erkki Karu (also prod. and edit.) music Jean Sibelius,
Selim Palmgren, Toivo Kuula and Oskar Merikanto, shot by Kurt Jäger,
story by Aleksis Kivi
One of the very first Finnish movies is silent as films of 20's were.
It's about life in a village, marrying and how complicated that can be.
Of course this film is not the first Finnish movie
(the first Finnish film work was made in 1907 and the first full lenght
movie was - correct, if I'm wrong - Venusta etsimässä eli erään nuoren
miehen ihmeelliset seikkailut = 'In Search of Venus, Or the Fantastic
Adventures of a Young Man', 1919), but it's an excellent sample of our early movies.
TRIVIA: Aleksis Kivi's Nummisuutarit ('The Village Shoemakers') has been filmed
three times (1923, 1938 and 1957).
---
The Young Pilot
Nuori luotsi (Den unge lotsen)
*1/2
Finland 1928 B/W 79min
Drama
cast: Joel Rinne, Lilian Järnefelt
credits: dir. Erkki Karu (also script and prod.)
Well, this is a very very old film. It's silent,
but it's still one of Joel Rinne's first films, so...
The same story was shot as early as 1913 under the very
same title by Kaarle Halme for Lyyra Filmi.
---
'Have I Entered a Harem?'
Olenko minä tullut haaremiin? (Har jag kommit till ett harem!)
*1/2
Finland 1932 B/W 92min
Comedy
cast: Birgit Kronström, Joel Rinne, Paavo Jännes
credits: dir. Waldemar Wohlström (also script from a
play by Agapetus)
A comedy about guys who hire young ladies
as their maids. Some funny twists.
---
'Our Boys at Sea'
Meidän poikamme merellä (Våra gossar till sjöss)
**
Finland 1933 B/W 111min
Musical
cast: Georg Malmsten, Kati Aspelin, Aku Käyhkö, Vili
Vesterinen
credits: music by Georg Malmsten, dir. and script Erkki Karu
Stupid story, but hey, the songs are always the best thing in musicals.
When a song is ended there is bad acting and romantical things,
but not too long - thank God.
In this film there is many famous (or not so well known any more)
Finnish performers from the music era. Then Georg Malmsten was
almost the biggest name in those business. He was the Finnish
Chevalier according to critc Peter von Bagh.
---
'The Steward of Siltala'/ The Foreman of Siltala Farm
Siltalan pehtoori (Inspektorn på Siltala)
***
Finland 1934 B/W 87min
Drama
cast: Jalmari Rinne (Pehtoori =The Steward), Hanna Taini,
Uuno Laakso, Matti Lehtelä
credits: dir. Risto Orko
The Finnish cinema industry was in big troubles, so
"it needed something very good and soon. ""What it could"
"be?"" ""Shall we do something romantical?"" ""A little drama?"""
"A sad drinking story? ""And some villains in it? Problems"
with the inheritance? This sounds good, let's put all
"this together!"" It's always a brilliant idea to mix "
everything.
äRemade in 1953 under the same title
(dir. Valentin Vaala, prod. Risto Orko, actors: Erkki Viljos, Helena Vinkka).
TRIVIA: Jalmari Rinne was brother of actor Joel Rinne.
TRIVIA#2: This was the first Finnish movie which got
over a one million watchers (in Finland).
---
'Everybody's Love'
Kaikki rakastavat (Alla älska)
*
Finland 1935 B/W 80min
Romance
cast: Ansa Ikonen, Tauno Palo, Jalmari Rinne
credits: dir., script, edit. Valentin Vaala
Oh, the summer is hot and it's nice to stay under
those big and green trees... A clumsy love story
between four young people. When they are trying to
find their true love Uuno Laakso steals the show.
TRIVIA: This was the very first film where Ansa
Ikonen and Tauno Palo were together. These Finnish
sweethearts were together in 13 films.
---
'Surrogate wife'
Vaimoke (Så tuktas en man)
**
Finland B/W 1936 89min
Comedy
cast: Ansa Ikonen, Tauno Palo, Uuno Laakso, Kunto Karapää
credits: dir., edited by Valentin Vaala, music Harry
Bergström
A man bet that he'll marry some girl and so he does.
After all those ceremonies the man gets his money, but
the girl is unhappy, of course: she's just a kind of a
wife, not a loved one. But who will be the winner in this tricky
game?
Like all this time's movies also this have some really
boring singing sections. Ansa's voice was thought admirable
years ago, but nowadays it's horrible to hear. Maybe
the cause is in old recording system, maybe it's just
Ansa's fault. Based on Hilja Valtonen's book.
---
'Surrogate husband'
Mieheke (Så tuktas en kvinna)
***
Finland 1936 B/W 80min
Comedy
cast: Tuulikki Paananen, Regina Linnanheimo, Tauno Palo,
Uuno Laakso
credits: dir., edited by, script Valentin Vaala, music
Harry Bergström
Two woman are in love with a same young business man.
The one girl is an famous actress and the other is also
a very good looking wife candidate.
Sweet songs and tolerable acting works. Based on Hilja
Valtonen's book.
---
VMV6 (Tulljagaren VMV6)
**1/2
Finland 1936 B/W 110min
Adventure, drama
cast: Joel Rinne, Regina Linnanheimo, Uuno Laakso
credits: dir. Risto Orko, based on Mika Waltari's story
Dark sea. Criminals and action. The Finnish Coastguard
are doing their job well and save pretty women.
---
'The Assessor's Woman Troubles'
Asessorin naishuolet (Assessorns kärleksbekymmer)
Finland 1937 B/W 90min
**
Comedy
cast: Aku korhonen (Affe), Yrjö Tuominen, Ester Toivonen, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. T.J. Särkkä and Yrjö Norta (also edit. and sound), music Olavi Karu
Old Affe finds his maid dead and starts to look new one. Lots of funny twists.
äRemade in 1958 by Lasse Pöysti. In the new version Hannes Häyrinen played the title role.
---
'The Log Drifters'
Tukkijoella (Stockflötarna)
*1/2
Finland 1937 B/W 109min
Drama, musical
cast: Kyösti Erämaa, Kirsti Hurme, Liisa Fredman, Eero Roine
Kalle Viherpuu, Urho Valkama
credits: dir. Kalle Kaarna
People thought that this film had disappeared but it was found after
many years from USA. The story about good Finnish
timber-floaters, love, two guys (the bad and the good one)
with same name and evil suitor who tries to steal everybody's
money and other property... It has been told many
times before and after this movie.
The cast plays like they would be in a theatre, not in a
movie set. Guys have more make-up than girls (who are still
prettier than them) and jokes are long and almost impossible to bring
"into today. Quite boring... This ""piece of art"" is"
nothing else but silly memory from the past.
---
'A Stranger Came Into The House'
Vieras mies tuli taloon (En främling kom till gården)
**
Finland 1938 B/W 101min
Drama
cast: Kaarlo Angerkoski, Kaisu Leppänen
credits: dir. Wilho Ilmari, prod. T.J. Särkkä,
based on a novel by Mika Waltari
A very dark, but powerful film. It tells a tale of
a stranger who came to a lonely country house. There
was then only a man and his wife and of course this
man gets suspicious. He thinks that the stranger is
in love with his wife and then we can se some real
anger...
Over-acted.
---
Lapatossu
Finland 1937 B/W 83min
***
Comedy
cast: Aku Korhonen (Lapatossu), Kaarlo Kartio (Vinski),
Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. T.J. Särkkä, Yrjö Norta
"Lapatossu (straight translation: shoulder-blade-slipper or just ""a lazy man"")"
does everything to avoid every kind jobs. He is not a
stupid man - as his friend Vinski - and so he can very
easily and loveably be lazy.
Lapatossu is a very sweet film and actually funny which
old comedies usually are not. The time has been very gentle
to this piece of art.
TRIVIA: There is more than one Lapatossu movie. There
could even be more of them, but Kaarlo Kartio died 1941
and so the serie ended. Sad.
---
'Hulda Of Juurakko'
Juurakon Hulda (Hulda från Juurakko)
Finland 1937 B/W 82min
***
Drama, comedy
cast: Irma Seikkula (Hulda), Tauno Palo
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also script and edit.),
music Harry Bregström
A young country girl comes to town. It come to pass that
she'll be soon a house-maid to one handsome minster.
The minister has certain opinions, but soon he'll find out
that the country girl isn't just a stupid country girl.
It feels like something is missing although the actors
are good.
---
'The Women Of Niskavuori farm'
Niskavuoren naiset (Kvinnorna på Niskavuori)
Finland 1938 B/W 84min
**1/2
Drama
cast: Sirkka Sari, Olga Tainio, Tauno Palo, Ossi Elstelä
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala,
A old family drama. There's also sequels. Brrrr.
---
A Yager's Bride/'The Jäger's bride'
Jääkärin morsian (Jägarens brud)
Finland 1938 B/W 97min
****
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo, Tuulikki Paananen, Kullervo Kalske,
Ossi Elstelä
credits: dir. Risto Orko
A historical drama and love story.
TRIVIA: This film contains the biggest Finnish movie
scene. There's 3000 men and 2000 horses.
TRIVIA#2: Tauno Palo acted also in the first
version of this movie (1931) but in different role.
---
'Out to borrow matches'
Tulitikkuja lainaamassa (Låna tändstickor)
Finland 1938 B/W 72min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Aku Korhonen, Uuno Laakso, Joel Rinne, Siiri
Angerkoski, Kaarlo Angerkoski
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä, Yrjö Norta, based on a
novel by Maiju Lassila
Two country men go to borrow matches and suddenly
they are doing a trip far away from home to town.
Matches will be forgotten, but hey: the town is
really funny place. They try to catch a pig, get
married and all strange stuff. This is how people
lived 19th century?
The cast is great. The best (?) Finnish comedians
together!
---
'The Barchelors' Ward'
Poikamiesten holhokki (Ungkarlsklubbens skyddsling)
Finland 1938 B/W 84 min
1.helmi
Comedy
cast: Helena Kara, Kullervo Kalske, Tauno Majuri,
Ossi Elstelä, Ville Salminen
credits: dir. Orvo Saarikivi, music, Harry Bergström,
staging Ville Salminen
Okay, the title tells everything. Horrible. Overacted.
---
Because of a Mark/A Day as an Heiress
Markan tähden (För en mark)
Finland 1938 B/W 79min
*
Comedy, musical
cast: Birgit Kronström, Uuno Laakso, Irma Seikkula,
Kullervo Kalske, Salli Karuna
credits: dir. Risto Orko, music Harry Bergström,
based on a play by Hilja Valtonen
Poor man's musical with stupid jokes. Watchable, but
not twice.
---
A Man From Sysmä
Sysmäläinen (Mannen från Sysmä)
Finland 1938 B/W 93min
**1/2
Adventure
cast: Olavi Reimas (A man from Sysmä), Sirkka Sari,
Uuno Laakso
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, staging Ville Salminen, Kosti
Aaltonen, based on a novel by Jalmari Finne
A hilarious poor man's adventure (but a good one) of
a stupid but handsome man form Sysmä and his love.
Time: 1600-1700.
The staging is well done and actors very good. Yet there is
one bad thing. Although the lady of the film (Sirkka
Sari) can cheat the man from Sysmä by saying that she
is a man too, the audience can see what she really is.
Sari is defenetly not Hilary Swank.
---
Activists
Aktivistit (Aktivisterna)
Finland 1939 B/W 110min
****
Drama, war
cast: Tauno Majuri, Helena Kara, Uuno Laakso, Ville
Salminen, Kullervo Kalske
credits: dir. Risto Orko (also script with Ilmari
Unho)
This is a great drama and war movie. It's also
historical. There's good Finnish men looking handsome
in their suits and doing best for their land. There's
evil Russians too. One very mean Russian is Ville
Salminen's officer.
---
"ä""Coat and Waistcoat Off"""
Takki ja liivit pois
Finland 1939 B/W 76min
**
Comedy
cast: Aku Korhonen (professor Vartio), Sirkka Sipilä (Ilona Vartio), Kaarlo Angerkoski
credits: dir. Jorma Nortimo (also script)
A comedy about an old professor whose daugter wants to be an actress. He, of course,
doesn't buy the idea but then he gets involved with the theatre world himself...
Aku Korhonen saves quite a lot in this stiff and oldish farce.
---
'The Rich Girl'
Rikas tyttö (En rik flicka)
Finland 1939 B/W 80min
*
Comedy
cast: Sirkka Sari, Olavi Reimas, Lea Joutseno,
Hannes Häyrinen, Irma Seikkula
credits: dir. + edit. Valentin Vaala, music Harry
Bergström
A high society living style... But money does
not always bring happiness.
TRIVIA: After the making of this movie the actress
Sirkka Sari died accidentally in
a party (Aulanko, 7-30-1939). She fell
down from a place that she had thought to be a balcony
---
'Red Pants'
Punahousut (Rödbyxor)
Finland 1939 B/W 91min
*
Drama, comedy
cast: Helena Kara (Irja Mähönen), Kullervo Kalske (Kyrö), Tuulikki Paananen (Elli), Paavo Jännes,
Elsa Turakainen, Reino Valkama, Ville Salminen
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music Harry Bergström, staging Ville Salminen,
prod. Risto Orko, script Ilmari Unho with Valfrid Ahonen and Aarne Orri
Dragoons in their fine red pants are arrived to the town.
Ladies are charmed by this good-looking bunch of men.
There's love, some so-called funny characters and - well, that was pretty
much all this film has. The best part of this movie is Ville Salminen's Japanese style staging.
---
'Lapatossu and Vinski at the Olympics'
Lapatossu ja Vinski olympiakuumeessa
(Lapatossu och Vinski i olympiafeber)
Finland 1939 B/W 55min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Aku Korhonen (Lapatossu), Kaarlo Kartio (Vinski)
credits: dir. Yrjö Norta (also sound and edit.)
"A Sequel to film ""Lapatossu"". See Vinski winning"
the running race!
TRIVIA: The third and last Lapatossu movie was called as Tavaratalo Lapatossu & Vinski
(Varuhuset Lapatossu & Vinski = 'The Department Store Lapatossu and Vinski'). It was directed
by T.J. Särkkä on 1940. That was Kaarlo Kartio's last movie, he died on same year.
---
'The Last Quest'
Viimeinen vieras (En oväntad gäst)
Finland 1941 B/W 95 min
**
Crime
cast: Hugo Hytönen (Puosu), Ville Salminen (Antti Rajapalo), Hannes Häyrinen (Harni),
Reino Valkama (Aapeli), Irma Seikkula (Ane Arvila), Paavo Jännes
credits: dir. Ville Salminen and Arvi Tuomi, staging Ville Salminen, music Harry Bergström
A murder. Inspector Puosu investigates this difficult case
while journalist Harni does his own investigations. More
murders and the tracks lead to the leader of Rajapalo Oy,
Antti Rajapalo. Who is really behind that all and who is pretty Ms. Ane Arvila's mysterious friend?
"Not a very popular film but quite good ""film noir"" anyway. "
Ville Salminen has a slightly nicer role as usual.
---
The Beautiful Regina of Kaivopuisto
Kaivopuiston kaunis Regina (Brunnsparkens vackra Regina)
Finland 1941 B/W 110 min Oy Suomen Filmiteollisuus
**
Romance
cast: Regina Linnanheimo (Regina Berg), Tauno Palo (Engelbert von Leijoncrona), Ester Toivonen,
Siiri Angerkoski, Yrjö Tuominen, Rauha Rentola
credits: dir. T.J. Särkkä (also script and prod.)
A beloved movie about an orphan girl Regina who lives in a poor home, in 1850's Helsinki.
The story is a variation from Cinderella.
The cast has lovely outfits. The story is quite sugared but people loved it during the war years.
---
The Barchelor Daddy
Poikamiespappa (Ungkarlspappan)
Finland 1941 B/W 82 min
*
Comedy
cast: Sirkka Sipilä, Leo Lähteenmäki, Joel Rinne, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. Orvo Saarikivi
A silly Hollywood like comedy about a guy who
is entitled to inheritance if he gets married and has baby in a week.
Overacted, slow and stupid story. Wasting of good actors and time.
---
The Vagabond's Waltz
Kulkurin valssi (Vagabond-valsen)
Finland 1941 B/W 96min
**1/2
Adventure, musical
cast: Tauno Palo (The vagabond), Regina Linnanheimo
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä, music George de Godzinsky
A vagabond falls in love on his travels. Mr. Palo
does again his hero figure alive.
TRIVIA: A story tells that this film's story was made
in a train where T. J. Särkkä met writer Mika Waltari.
Mr. Särkkä said that he had all songs for the film but
no story. Mr. Waltari was very keen to do something
to this in the absence of anything better and so
mr. Särkkä got a story to his film.
---
My Son The Hall Consul General
Poikani pääkonsuli (Min son generalkonsuln)
Finland 1940 B/W 100 min
**
Comedy
cast: Helena Kara, Uuno Laakso, Tauno Majuri,
Lea Joutseno, Hannes Häyrinen
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho
Poor girl wins a trip to Sweden, meets her love
and tells some lies about herself. Unfortunately also the hall consul
general wants to marry her.
The plot is patchy and the ending is easy to see
from the first moment. Also casting is a bit odd. Nobody can't believe
that Hannes Häyrinen is still a school boy... Or then he must be really
stupid one because he was 26 when this came out.
---
'SF parade'
SF-paraati (SF-paraden)
Finland 1940 B/W 81min
****
Musical
cast: Tauno Palo, Ansa Ikonen, Aku Korhonen,
Joel Rinne
credits: dir. Yrjö Norta, music Georg Malmst‚n
One big song machine. Everybody are smiling and singing and
dancing. In real life there was war going on between
Finland and Russia.
---
'The Tenant Farmer's Girl'
Suotorpan tyttö (Tösen från stormyrtorpet)
Finland 1940 B/W 66min
**
Drama
cast: Regina Linnanheimo (Helga), Tauno Palo (Mauri), Ester Toivonen, Aku Korhonen, Joel Rinne
credits: dir. (& prod.) T.J. Särkkä, staging Ossi Elstelä, based on a story by Selma Lagerlöf
A story about honesty. Poor Helga has to leave her job because she has a baby.
The rich father of the baby tells to the judge that he's no father of that child and
he doesn't have to pay anything to Helga. It looks like everyone in the small village
are going to turn their back to Helga and her child until splendid Mauri comes to her way.
Old-fashioned acting, lots of sentimental stuff and big (Finnish) stars. Luckily this movie is not very long.
Another good thing: Regina Linnanheimo is quite good in the main role.
---
'Dressed Like Adam and a Little Like Eve, Too'
Aatamin puvussa - ja vähän Eevankin (I Adams kläder - och lite i Evas)
Finland 1940 B/W 77min
**
Comedy
cast: Sirkka Sipilä (Alli), Tauno Palo (Himanen), Leo Lähteenmäki, Jalmari Rinne, Yrjö Tuominen
credits: dir. Ossi Elstelä, based on a story by Agapetus
Two guys lost their boat and clothes while they're visiting on an island. Oldish comedy.
TRIVIA: Actor Kaarlo Angerkoski was going to play Mr.
Himanen but he died in the middle of the shooting and Tauno Palo got the role.
---
'Poretta, or the emperor's new points'
Poretta [eli keisarin uudet pisteet] (Poretta, eller
Kejsarens nya poäng)
Finland 1941 B/W 94 min
*
Musical
cast: Birgit Kronström, Uuno Laakso, Eine Laine
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music George de Godzinsky
Fancy. Lots of joy. Poor musical. Boring for the today's audience.
---
Heir Of Tottisalmi
Tottisalmen perillinen (Arvatagaren till Tottisalmi)
Finland 1940 B/W 69min
***
Drama
cast: Tuulikki Schreck, Raino Hämäläinen, Reino Valkama,
Paavo Jännes
credits: dir. Orvo Saarikivi, music Harry Bergström
Thrilling drama where a little boy founds new
relatives by a chance. Good enertainment.
---
Ryhmy and Romppainen
Ryhmy ja Romppainen (Ryhmy och Romppainen)
Finland 1941 B/W 79min
**
Comedy, war
cast: Reino Valkama (Romppainen), Oiva Luhtala (Ryhmy),
Kirsti Hurme (Vengrovska), Ville Salminen
credits: dir. Risto Orko, based on novels by Armas J.
Pulla
In reality 40's in Finland were very hard times. Wars and stuff
like that. Ryhmy and Romppainen were a happy couple.
They were soldiers and in the middle of the war, but
they had a very good time together. This is a pure farce.
There's also sequels: Jees ja just ('Yes and Right Away!', 1943),
"Jees, olympialaiset, sanoi Ryhmy ('""Give us the Olympics"","
Said Ryhmy').
TRIVIA: The parody writer Armas J. Pulla's surname is in
"English ""a baked roll"". It's his original name!"
---
Suominen Family
Suomisen perhe (Familjen Suominen)
Finland 1941 B/W 104min
*****
Drama
cast: Maire Suvanto (Pipsa), Eine Laine (the grandmother),
Lasse Pöysti (Olli), Yrjö tuominen (Father), Sirkka
Sipilä (Sister Elina), Elsa Turakainen (Mother), Siiri
Angerkoski, Maire Suvanto (Pipsa)
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä (also script with Tuttu Paristo)
When the war was going on people wanted sweet films
of happines. Suominens were like Andy Hardy's family.
The Finnish Andy Hardy was Olli. Actor Lasse Pöysti
grew up with this role and got very popular.
Sequels: Suomisen Ollin tempaus ('Olli Suominen's Stunt'
"[Suominens Olli på farliga vägar] 1942), Suomisen "
taiteilijat ('The Little Artists of the Suominen Household', 1943),
Suomisen Olli rakastuu ('Olli Falls In Love', 1944),
"Suomisen Olli yllättää ('Olli Pulls a Surprise', 1945), Taas "
tapaamme Suomisen perheen ('The Suominen Family Is Here Again', 1959).
TRIVIA: Tuttu Paristo wrote Suominen family serie to radio before this movie.
"The original idea was taken from Swedish radio by Markus ""Markus-setä"" Rautio. "
The Swedish serie told about a family called Björk.
---
Sylvi
***
Finland 1944 B/W 89 min
Drama
cast: Helena Kara (Sylvi), Siiri Angerkoski,
Edvin Laine, Elsa Turakainen, Leif Wager
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä, based on Minna Canth's play
An orphan girl gets marriend with an older man. She is just
a child and doesn't love him. Soon she'll grow up and finds her love
but her husband will not let her to go.
The casing is quite good. Mr. Laine does his grumpy old man
routine as young Sylvi's husband and Leif Wager is
just right into the role of Sylvi's new love. Only mistake
is Sylvi. Helena Kara was almost 30 when she played this part
and that's defenately too old. Nobody can believe that she
still plays with dolls.
TRIVIA: The music for the film was made by Nils-Erik Fougstedt
who also composed music for Katariina ja Munkkiniemen kreivi.
---
'The Bride Springs a Surprise'
Morsian yllättää (Brud efterlyses)
Finland 1941 B/W 65 min
**
Comedy
cast: Lea Joutseno, Tauno Majuri, Olavi Reimas, Eine
Laine
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also edit.), music Harry
Bergström
A happy little comedy. An overacted collection of romantical twists.
---
Puck
**1/2
Finland 1942 B/W 92min
Comedy
cast: Helena Kara (Puck), Tauno Palo, Elsa Rantalainen
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
Hannu Leminen directed gladly his wife Helena Kara.
But he should have payed more attention to her too theatrical acting (most annoying
thing in this movie). If that was the only thing to make
this film to be a comedy - no good.
A young woman meets an artist lady and gives her an inspiration.
The artist lady starts to call this woman as Puck because she remains her
of Shakespeare's character. Tauno Palo is a pianist who falls in love with Puck
but nobody knows that this happy young woman has a terrible secret to hide.
TRIVIA: Leif Wager's first (Finnish) film role was in Puck.
---
'Over The Border'
Yli rajan (Över gränsen)
Finland 1942 B/W ?min
**1/2
War
cast: Joel Rinne (Mikko Vanhala), Irma Seikkula
(Eliisa Raaska), Wilho Ilmari (Her father)
credits: dir. Wilho Ilmari
Mikko and Eliisa are in love, but the border is between
them. There's war going on and Mikko wants to save
Eliisa. Eliisa's father must also bring over the
border, but it's hard. Eliisa's father is crippled.
Powerful drama, but so gloomy that it makes one sick.
TRIVIA: This film got a prize in Venice. It was the
first time when a Finnish film got a prize.
---
'The Dead Man Falls In Love'
Kuollut mies rakastuu (Dör man blir kär)
Finland 1942 B/W 91min
***
Adventure, mystery
cast: Joel Rinne (The Dead Man/Mr. Sarmo), Hilkka Helinä,
Reino Valkama
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho
The elegant Colonel Sarmo is part of the Finnish film
noir films. He and his simple looking friend get into
a strange case and through all adversities they just
tell smart jokes although mr. Sarmo almost become really
dead.
Beware James Bond, this is cool stuff!
---
"'Safety Valve'/""Love's ABC"""
Varaventtiili (Kärlekens ABC)
Finland 1942 B/W 100min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Lea Joutseno, Tapio Nurkka, Irma Seikkula,
Olavi Reimas, Emmi Jurkka
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also edit.), based on a
novel by Hilja Valtonen, music Harry Bergström
It's not easy to be a young and pretty teacher.
Man troubles, happy moments, cuckoo-eyes.
I have never readed the book, but it has been told
to be good. It's translated in English, so try it!
---
ä'Magistrate Martta'
Tuomari Martta (Domaren Martha)
Finland 1943 B/W 91min
**½
Drama
cast: Helena Kara (Martta Karsta), Uuno Laakso (Kalle Karsta)
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen (also staging and edit.)
Martta is reading law. Although some men are against to her career plans,
she's going to continue. The main question of the film is, can woman have children
and career at the same time?
A very dry drama.
---
Katariina And The Count Of Munkkiniemi
Katariina ja Munkkiniemen kreivi
(Katariina och greven av Munksnäs)
Finland 1943 B/W 105min
***1/2
Drama, romance
cast: Leif Wager (The Count), Regina Linnanheimo
(Katariina)
credits: dir. Ossi Elstelä, music Nils-Eric Fougstedt
If there is a film which is more romatical than this,
it's pure honey and syrup. The time is 1800 something
"and a beauty (Katariina or ""Catherine"") falls in love"
with a handsome count. The count is also in love and
"sings sugarly a sweetish song Romanssi (""The Romance"") to"
her. A sample of film's lyrics (by Palle):
Only ya over everything I loo-oo-ove,
"when I'll look in to your eee-yyy-eees"""
(Sua vain yli kaiken mä raaa-kaaastan,
kun silmiisi katsoa saaaaaaan.)
This Palle guy usually wrote comical songs...
The nice and happy future must be omitted because the
plague and other horrible things happends. But the
longing stays and after many years Katariina and her
love will meet again. A big and wet kiss.
TRIVIA: the wonderful costumes of the movie were bought for another
movie (Katariina Maununtytär) but the war cancelled that production.
TRIVIA#2: Regina Linnanheimo is not singing in this movie.
The singing voice of Katariina is Greta Fougstedts.
---
'Magistrate Martta'
Tuomari Martta (Domaren Martha)
Finland 1943 B/W 91min
**½
Drama
cast: Helena Kara (Martta Karsta), Uuno Laakso (Kalle Karsta),
Elsa Rantalainen, Aku Korhonen, Thure Bahne, Jalmari Rinne, Kyllikki Väre
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen (also staging and edit.)
Martta is reading law. Although some men are against to her
career plans, she's going to continue. The main question of the
film is, can woman have children and career at the same time?
A very dry drama.
---
'With Serious Intent'
Tositarkoituksella
Finland 1943 B/W 79min
**1/2
Comedy, musical
cast: Lea Joutseno, Tapio Nurkka, Olavi Reimas,
Tauno Majuri
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala
They swing on a field. Help!
A handsome and rich guy wants to marry a country girl.
" City girls try to catch him acting like ""real"" counry gals. Oh, no... "
---
'Miss Hothead'
Neiti tuittupää (Fröken Brushuvud)
Finland 1943 B/W 80min
*
Comedy, musical
cast: Lea Joutseno, Tapio Nurkka, Eine Laine, Tauno Majuri
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also edit.), based on a
novel by Hilja Valtonen, music Harry Bergström
Pianist Anna Tipuli Pusu would like to study music as her friend Erkki Erä.
Their ways separate because Anna's parents don't like her idea. Romantical twists, cheap laughs.
---
'White Roses'
Valkoiset ruusut (Vita rosor)
Finland 1943 B/W 102min
**
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo, Helena Kara, Aku Korhonen
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen (also edit. and staging)
A young girl falls in love with a handsome jet-set
man. The Man does not even see her. She does
everything for him and when she is a bit older she
at last get this man... But only for a moment. The
man has no real love to give.
Strenuous to watch. The lady of the film looks too old
to be a young and silly girl.
---
'Lord and Master'
Herra ja ylhäisyys (Herre och excellens)
Finland 1944 B/W 113min
**1/2
Adventure
cast: Tauno Palo (T. J. A. Heikkilä), Jorma Nortimo,
Ville Salminen, Regina Linnanheimo, Reino Valkama
credits: dir. Jorma Nortimo
This is maybe Tauno Palo's best movie. He was Finland's
Clark Gable and in this movie he shows all his common
tricks. He's a happy hero. He is a honest Finnish man
but also a master and noble man. He rides in Mexico
with his adjutant into a dangerous case and put all
things right like some Indiana Jones with a sombrero
hat.
TRIVIA: the shooting locations were all in Finland. (Vihti: Nummela, Pori: Yyteri).
---
'The Woman Is the Trump'
Nainen on valttia (Kvinnan är trumf)
Finland 1944 B/W 96 min
**
Comedy
cast: Ansa Ikonen (Kirsti Kalpa), Uuno Laakso (Kalle), Aku Korhonen, Unto Salminen
credits: dir. Ansa Ikonen, script Mika Waltari, staging Ossi Elstelä, music Heikki Aaltoila
A famous operetta singer Ms. Kalpa gets sick and tired to her busy life and disappears.
When polices try to catch her, she hides into an apartment where three guys, an old professor,
a moody composer and their servant, live happily together. They have promised to each other
to not let women in their life but Ms. Kalpa looks so sad and lonely...
As a modern comedy this could be very kinky movie. But it is not modern. It's Ansa Ikonen's
only work as director. We can hear her singing, see her dancing, her her singing, see her
smiling, hear her singing... What becomes to acting, this is not as bad movie as it could be.
But instead of Ikonen it could have been better with Lea Joutseno in the main role. She had
that certain lightness that this movie needs. Aku korhonen, Uuno Laakso and Unto Salminen
are ok, as many times before and after this movie.
---
'The dead man loses his temper'
Kuollut mies vihastuu (Död man blir vred)
Finland 1944 B/W 95min
***
Adventure, mystery
cast: Joel Rinne (The Dead Man/Mr. Sarmo), Reino Valkama,
Regina Linnanheimo, Eine Laine, Ville Salminen
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, staging Ville Salminen,
music George de Godzinsky
Film noir, it's something. The dead man goes after
bad boys (their leader is Ville Salminen's loveable
and charismatic villain who has a foreign name) and
undress elegantly with his eyes the beauty of the
film, who is also a villain. This film looks really good,
"although it's just a sequel to ""The Dead Man Falls In "
"Love""."
---
The Dynamite Girl
Dynamiittityttö (Dynamitflickan)
Finland 1944 B/W 73min
**
Comedy
cast: Lea Joutseno, Tapio Nurkka, Tarmo Manni
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also script with miss
Joutseno), music George de Godzinsky
This time miss Joutseno turns into a robber figure...
Although this robber isn't a robber at all.
---
Crime and Gold
Nokea ja kultaa (Sot och guld)
Finland 1945 B/W 88 min
**½
Drama
cast: Ansa Ikonen (Sirkka), Edvin Laine (Jalmari), Veli-Matti (Risto), Uuno Laakso
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, script Olavi Veistäjä, prod. T.J. Särkkä, music Heikki Aaltoila
A story about good-hearted but poor people, who try to survive together.
Risto is a little boy who escapes from a violent home. Soon he meets an old
drunkard Jalmari and they'll become friends. Jalmari leaves the bottle and
tries to live sober, so Risto could stay at his place. But life is never that easy.
This is surprisingly good movie. It doesn't try to underline good and bad
things too much and it leaves something to think about. Also the shots
(cinematographed by Felix Forsman) look very European and nice (-> sort of neorealism).
However, the movie sounds very old.
TRIVIA: This was both Veli-Matti Kaitala's and Pikku Ritva's
(AKA Ritva Mirjami Åberg) first movie.
---
'The Green Chamber of Linnais'
Linnaisten vihreä kamari/Linnaisten kartanon vihreä kamari
Finland 1945 B/W 91min
****
Drama, mystery
cast: Rauli Tuomi, Reino Valkama, Kaija Rahola, Regina
Linnanheimo
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, staging Roy
The time is about 1800. Everybody in the manor lives
happily. Two daughters are shearching their love and
try to find somebody noble enough for marrying. Somebody
with a good name. A handsome architect comes to the manor
to do his business and soon there is love in the air.
But the manor has secrets which has something to do with
certain surnames and one of these surnames is mr.
architects surname. The dreams of marrying a doughter
of the manor are goon because of this. Or is it?
Whose surname is really Littau and whose not? Is there
really a ghost in the green chamber? Who will marry
that odd noble man whose home burnt? And who is that
old woman?
Sweetly spooky movie. Reminds of good old days. Actor
Rauli Tuomi (the architect) is just right in his role
and the others survive very well.
---
"I'm Not A Countess/""A Countess For A Night"""
En ole kreivitär (Grevinna för en nätt)
Finland 1945 B/W 77min
*1/2
Adventure
cast: Helena Kara, Olavi Reimas, Thure Bahne, Ville
Salminen
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen, (also edit. and staging),
music Nils-Eric Fougstedt, script Roy
Two same looking women get mixed and soon countess
is not a countess. Robbery will be happend, we'll see
foolish men in love and wonderful old clothes. What a
joy?
---
The 13th Knock
13. koputus (13. varslet)
Finland 1945 B/W 80min
1.helmi
Adventure
cast: Joel Rinne, Tauno Palo, Reino Valkama, Hilkka
Helinä
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music George de Godzinsky,
staging Roy and Erkki Siitonen
Two big stars and a bad script (by Simo Penttilä).
All is so in mess that the actors too are doing their best to
be as worse as they can. They do that very well...
---
'The Witzard Of The White Carnation'
Valkoisen neilikan velho (Vita nejlikans herre)
Finland 1945 B/W 82 min
***1/2
Adventure, mystery
cast: Joel Rinne (The Witz), Reino Valkama, Hilkka
Helinä, Eine Laine, Tauno Majuri
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music George de Godzinsky
This is really good job, although the magical tricks of
"the witzard are not very credible. ""The witzard"" is "
not only a magician but also a dentist. He gets involved
in a mystery case and meets a clumsy robber who'll be
"his helper. The heroes are the same as in ""The Dead Man"""
serie (Kuollut mies-sarjassa), mr. Rinne and mr. Valkama
(the robber in this film). Funny jokes.
---
'Girl of the Week'
Viikon tyttö (Flickan för veckan)
Finland 1946 B/W 88min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Lea Joutseno, Emma Väänänen, Tauno Palo
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala
"A common girl wins a contest ""Girl For A Week""."
She doesn't change, but everybody else start to
think that she is a different girl after the
competition. Includes deeper thinking of life.
---
Loviisa
Loviisa Niskavuoren nuori emäntä (Loviisa unga värdinnan på Niskavuori)
Finland 1946 B/W 91min
***
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo (Juhani of Niskavuori), Reino Valkama,
Emma Väänänen (Loviisa), Kirsti Hurme (Malviina)
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, based on a play by Hella
Wuolijoki
Juhani is in love with Malviina (ough! What a terrible
name...) but he will still marry Loviisa. Loviisa just
watches sadly how her husband dances in their wedding
with Malviina and later speaks to Malviina sweet words
of love. But Loviisa will rise.
Strong women and passionful love in country side. This film
is a part of Niskavuori serie.
---
'Maaret - Daughter of the Fells'
Maaret, tunturin tyttö (Maaret, fjällens dotter)
Finland 1947 B/W 82min
*
Drama
cast: Eila Pehkonen (Maaret), Olavi Reimas, Hilkka Helinä
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala (also script and
edit.)
Passion in Lappland (that snowy northern part of Finland).
The story tries to be very much but like balloon shrinks
it will too.
---
Särkelä Himself
Särkelä itte
Finland 1947 B/W 85min
***
Comedy
cast: Uuno Laaksonen (Särkelä),
Aku Korhonen, Siiri Angerkoski, Hillevi Lagerstam
credits: dir. Orvo Saarikivi, based on a play by Ilmari Turja
Mr. Särkelä has always done everything himself. And now he is
the big boss. He thinks that there's no better than work after work and so on.
Nobody likes him (except his family) and he likes only his family. And
then one day his daughter wants to marry a guy. No way! Daughter belongs to me!
Old, but funny film. Aku Korhonen makes good role as a humble old
man who just waits his money...
---
People in The Summer Night
Ihmiset suviyössä (Människor i sommarnatten)
Finland 1948 B/W 66min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Martti Katajisto (Nokia), Eila Pehkonen, Tarmo Manni
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, based on a novel by
F. E. Sillanpää
äIt's a peaceful summer night in country. Deer eyed boy, Nokia, and
other people are living their normal life. The movie tells many stories but
soon comes one stronger story over the others. A fight (well, we know that
the young blood can be very 'stormy') and then: a murder. How little can be
done before everything changes...
This is a very profound film although it may not look like that at first.
TRIVIA: F. E. Sillanpää was a Nobel winner writer.
TRIVIA#2: Martti Katajisto, Kaisu Leppänen, Eero Roine, Valentin Vaala
and Lea Joutseno won Jussi prizes from this movie (Mr. Vaala and Ms. Joutseno for their script).
---
Play For Me, Helena
Soita minulle, Helena (Spela för mig, Helena)
Finland 1948 B/W 91min
**
Drama, romance
cast: Helena Kara, Erkki Viljos
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
A quite typical love story. A woman is going to marry a man, whose mother
doesn't like her. Then, suddenly, this woman's old love comes back after many
years and she has to decide who she will marry.
Nicely shot country landscapes but not much else.
There's also a sequels (...Ja Helena soittaa [1951], Näkemiin Helena [1955] and
Pää pystyyn Helena [1957] which all based on - more or less - Aino Räsänen's books.
She wrote 12 Helena novels).
TRIVIA: the script for the movie was written by its director and Ilmari Unho,
who worked for another company and that's why he wrote under nickname.
---
'Song of the City Outskirts'
Laitakaupungin laulu (Sången från gränden)
Finland 1948 B/W 73min
*
Crime
cast: Tauno Palo, Ella Eronen, Ansa Ikonen, Aku
Korhonen, Tarmo Manni
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, music Heikki Aaltoila
The title screams: this is a musical! But... This is more film noir and
comedy than a musical . It's a story of poor people who try to help
each other to survive in the cold world. Although the cast is good and
everybody are acting like they are not there where they are
(in a Finnish film studio), the reality shines through the staging.
Looks old, sounds old, smells old.
TRIVIA: Both Aku Korhonen and Elna Hellman won Jussi prize (Finnish Oscar) from this film.
TRIVIA#2: Juudit was Ella Eronen's last film role.
---
'Kilroy Was Here'
Kilroy sen teki (Kilroy var här)
Finland 1948 B/W 90 min
*
Comedy, romance
cast: Lea Joutseno, Joel Rinne, Reino Valkama,
Salli Karuna
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music George de
Godzinsky, written by Lea Joutseno and Ilmari
Unho, based on a novel by Hilja Valtonen
Poor, a comedy of one joke. Man loves a girl, the
girl pretends that she doesn't love him and
in the end they go together. Still, I liked
to watch Joel Rinne (although he wasn't comedian).
---
The Singing Heart
Laulava sydän (Hjärtats sång)
Finland 1948 B/W 71min
**1/2
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo, Eila Peitsalo, Mirjami Kuosmanen,
Ville Salminen, Little Annika
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, music Toivo Kärki
äA man and his little daughter lives together. The Man is busy.
He has a good voice and soon he finds himself from a radio station,
singing sweet songs (Yeah, there was a time, when all music in the radio
"was performed ""live""). Stardom is a hard thing. He starts to eat pills and "
one day his little daughter eats those too, gets sick and death comes to their door...
The main problem of this movie is somekind of a distance. Tauno Palo
looks and sounds good although he wasn't young anymore in late 40's.
---
'Hormones on the Loose'
Hormoonit valloillaan (Hormonerna rasa)
Finland 1948 B/W 73min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Joel Rinne, Hilkka Helinä, Reino Valkama,
Rauha Rentola
credits: dir. Orvo Saarikivi, music George de
Godzinsky, written by Armas J. Pulla and Orvo
Saarikivi
This is a nice comedy, although it's rather old. There is a new medicine
and a two middle aged couples test it. They turn into children (mentally)
and start to make things what they have not been doing - because they
were adults. Especially Joel Rinne is hilarious, Reino Valkama does his comedy routines
---
Ugly Elsa
Ruma Elsa (Fula Elsa)
Finland 1949 B/W 70min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Eeva-Kaarina Volanen (Elsa), Kullervo Kalske,
Lasse Pöysti, Rauha Rentola
credits: dir. Edvin Laine
Well, fatherless Elsa dresses up like a boy and smokes and talks like bad boys.
But her sister is pretty and nice. What to do with Elsa?
Overacted, but funny. Still, it's old.
TRIVIA: Edvin Laine directed also the original theatre version of this play.
Some of the actors in the film were same as on the stage.
TRIVIA#2: Eeva-Kaarina Volanen won Jussi prize (Finnish Oscar) for her part.
---
'Aaltonen's Missus Takes Charge'
Aaltoska orkaniseeraa (Aaltoska i sitt ässe)
Finland 1949 B/W 77 min
*
Comedy, musical
cast: Elna Hellman (Aaltoska), Veli-Matti (Jukka), Hannes Häyrinen (Lipponen), Kalle Viherpuu (Aaltonen)
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, music Heikki Aaltoila, prod. T.J. Särkkä
The time after WWII was not easy for Finns. Many people had to move to
new locations, usually even to stangers' homes. This movie tells about two
kids who have to do so. It's also a crime story but in a funny way. A clumsy
reporter Lipponen is searching crimes with crazy wife of the janitor Aaltonen.
This is a quite useless movie. There's singing, funny moments with kids and
a lot of over-acting but with all that it looks like a mess. And Elna Hellman...
It's Hell to watch her in this one.
TRIVIA: This was the very last movie which T.J. Särkkä made with his child star Veli-Matti.
---
Behind The Street Mirror
Katupeilin takana (Då mormor var ung En idyll från forna tiden)
Finland 1949 B/W 88min
***
Romance, comedy
cast: Eeva-Kaarina Volanen, Uuno Laakso, Matti Ranin
credits: dir. Toivo Särkkä (Glory Leppänen)
A romantical costume drama which tells about young and lovely
Vappu Biörcke who has many nice suitors. Ms. Volanen is lovely in
her role as is young Matti Ranin in his. They use old-fashioned language
which has parts of Swedish tongue.
Actor Rauli Tuomi was cast in Matti Ranin's role but he killed himself before the filming.
TRIVIA: This play was running in a theatre and it was directed by
Glory Leppänen. Mister Särkkä filmed it with same actors and almost
with the same staging as in the theatre. Therefore there has always been
a strife of that who really directed this cute little movie.
---
Sleeping Beauty
Prinsessa Ruusunen (Prinsessan Törnrosa)
Finland 1949 B/W 99min
**1/2
Fantasy
cast: Tuula Usva (Sleeping Beauty), Martti Katajisto
(the prince), Mirjam Novero (the queen), Uuno Montonen
(the cook), Eeva-Kaarina Volanen
credits: dir. Edvin Laine
We all know this old story. There is a happy royal
family. A princess is just born. Her godfairies are
arrived - all but not bad one, who didn't get an invitation -
and given her fine presents (beauty, fine character...).
Then arrives that one angry fairy and says that there is a curse
on, because she didn't get the invitation. When the princess
starts to spin, she will hurt herself and fall in sleep
with the whole castle. They will never awake after that.
Well, as we know one good fairy change the curse a bit.
After a 100 year's sleep a prince can wake them up, if
he kisses the princess.
Okay, Tuula Usva was a pretty girl and won the Miss Finland contest,
but she wasn't an actress. The film is still fine. All
star cast (cameos after cameos).
äTRIVIA: The actress of the queen was the director's wife and the actor
of the king was his brother in reality.
TRIVIA#2: Actress Siiri Angerkoski's daughter Sirkka in the second lady-in-waiting
and Kalle Peronkoski's daughter Eeva-Liisa is one of the little girls in the movie.
---
'Serenading Lieutenant'
Serenadiluutnantti (Serenadlöjtnanten)
Finland 1949 B/W 75min
1.helmi
Musical
cast: Henry Theel, Siiri Angerkoski, Ossi Elstelä
credits: dir. Ossi Elstelä
This is bad. Henry Theel was a first rate singer, but not an actor.
He was the Finnish Mario Lanza. Women loved him like women loved Rudolph Valentino.
Well, poor Henry is not only bad actor in this strange farce. The director himself
tries to play a recruit. That's because he and Mr. Theel's character have got into wrong
bus and that brings them to an army camp where nobody realises that they are not real reacruits...
The director was 50 years old when they shot this and it shows.
I wonder why nobody in the film's army didn't realise that...
---
'The Adventures of Kalle-Kustaa Korkki'
Kalle-Kustaa Korkin seikkailut
(Kalle-Kustaa Korkkis äventyr)
Finland 1949 B/W 108min
**1/2
Comedy, crime
cast: Joel Rinne (Kalle Kustaa Korkki), Reino
Valkama (Pekka Lipponen), Ville Salminen,
Hilkka Helinä
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, music Harry Bergström
Kalle Kustaa Korkki is an old fashioned version
of an international man of mystery. Once again
loveable Ville Salminen is the bad guy and Reino
Valkama is the helper of Joel Rinne's character.
Story changes a bit, names changes also, but the
faces are the same as in the Dead Man serie.
TRIVIA: There was a radio play of Kalle Kustaa
Korkki and Pekka Lipponen before this film. It
was written by Outsider. Joel Rinne played also a role in that.
---
'Maija Finds the Right Tune'
Maija löytää sävelen (Maja och fru musica)
Finland 1950 B/W 95min
**½
Drama
cast: Leena Häkinen (Maija Lehtinen), Martti Katajisto (Erkki Orasto),
Rakel Laakso (Elna Orasto), Arvo Lehesmaa (Evald Orasto), Eine Laine (Ester Orasto)
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, prod. T.J. Särkkä, music Ahti Sonninen
A head of the musical family Orasto finds a poor young lady Maija crying on the street.
She tells lies about her past and Mr. Orasto takes her into his home. He gives her work
to do and a little by little she becomes as friends with the Orastos. The younger mister
Orasto falls in love with Maija and composes a musical piece to her.
The story is somewhat too sweet but the actors do quite nice work although some of
the smaller parts are over-acted. Anyhow, this is not a special movie.
---
The Dance Over the Graves
Tanssi yli hautojen (Dansen över gravarna)
Finland 1950 B/W 98min
**1/2
Drama
cast: Leif Wager, Eila Peitsalo,
Arvo Lehesmaa, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä
It's 1809 and members of the Diet are coming
together in Porvoo. Alexander the first has came from Russia
to let people know that he's still the ruler of Finland etc.
Some people are against this and so a sweet young lady
will be sent to manipulate Alexander. But she falls in
love with him...
Leif Wager plays Alexander - who talks better Finnish
than the real Alexander the first ever did. Eila Peitsalo is
the young beauty who falls in love with him. The whole film
is so sweet that it's hard to not vomit when you're watching it.
It's pathetic one hour and 38 minutes.
TRIVIA: A scandal queen Tabe Slioor can be seen here
in a small role as a famous lady who has big breasts.
---
'Ten Lads From Härmä'/ 'Ten Men from Härmä'
Härmästä poikia kymmenen (Österbottniskt blod)
Finland 1950 B/W 86min
**
Drama, adventure
cast: Tauno Palo, Kauko Helovirta
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho
In the eastern and northern parts of Finland was
years ago hot blooded men who did terrible things
and gave much work to the local sherrif's officer.
This film tells about them. They sing and give and evil look if
somebody says that they should not take
alcohol so much and break everything.
Tauno Palo does his best to keep the show going on.
---
'Beautiful Vera, or a ballad of Lake Saimaa'
Kaunis Veera eli ballaadi Saimaalta (Veera - zigenerskan)
Finland 1950 B/W 79min
*1/2
Musical
cast: Olavi Virta, Elsa Turakainen, Kalle Viherpuu,
Uuno Laakso, Assi Nortia, Hannes Häyrinen,
voices of the Kipparikvartetti:
Kauko Käyhkö, Auvo Nuotio, Teijo Joutsela
credits: dir. Ville Salminen
People ran into movie theatres when this movie was released.
Kipparikvartetti singer group did their debut in this film, although
it's just a light story of a steamboat Prinsessa Armada and its crew.
Well, there is a love story too, but it sinks into the songs.
TRIVIA: Although the shooting of the film got a long time,
it was really shooted in a few days, because it was raining
almost all time. A big part of film material was also ruined
in film laborator and that had to shoot again with bored
(and drunken) cast.
In the middle of the shooting one of the cast returned
to his home because the weather was rainy and of course the rain
stopped right away. When he came back it was raining again...
---
ä'Maija Finds the Right Tune'
Maija löytää sävelen (Maja och fru musica)
Finland 1950 B/W 95min
**½
Drama
cast: Leena Häkinen (Maija Lehtinen), Martti Katajisto
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, prod. T.J. Särkkä
A head of the musical family Orasto finds a poor young lady Maija crying on the street.
She tells lies about her past and Mr. Orasto takes her into his home. He gives her work to
do and a little by little she becomes as friends with the Orastos. The younger mister Orasto
falls in love with Maija and composes a musical piece to her.
The story is somewhat too sweet but the actors do quite nice work although some of the
smaller parts are over-acted. Anyhow, this is not a special movie.
---
'Katarina the Beautiful Widow'
Katarina kaunis leski (Katarina den vackra änkan)
Finland 1950 B/W 79min
**
Romance
cast: Eeva-Kaarina Volanen (Katarina Thorwöst), Martti Katajisto (Carl-Magnus Schildt),
Rauha Rentola, Jalmari Rinne
credits: dir. & prod. & script T. J. Särkkä
A rich, young and beutiful widow falls in love with a young swordsman.
There's also other men, poor upper class people, who are interested into Katarina.
They try to do everything to win her heart.
Oldish costume drama. Eeva-Kaarina Volanen is beautiful as usually and
the milieu is nice. Jalmari Rinne as poor but highly respected Mr. Cajalen
is the funny guy in this movie. He is overacting but perhaps somebody likes that.
TRIVIA: The original play (which was written by Serp) was a big success in the
late 40's. In the stage version actress Ansa Ikonen played Katarina.
---
The Poor Singer
Köyhä laulaja (Fattig sångare)
Finland 1950 B/W 73min
*
Musical
cast: Henry Theel, Aku Korhonen, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging)
äHenry Theel is singing again (just because his first big movie was such a big success -
this movie was Serenadiluutnantti). This time he is a poor singer who'll suddenly get job
and start to tempt customers to a restaurant with his singing.
Poor Henry sings very well, but his acting...
---
Darling, I Hate You
Vihaan sinua, rakas (ÄÄlskling, jag hatar dej)
Finland 1951 B/W 74 min Suomen Filmiteollisuus
**
Drama, comedy
cast: Edvin Laine (Esa Karnala), Ansa Ikonen (Leena Karnala), Lasse Pöysti (Tauno),
Leena Häkinen (Kirsti Lumio)
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, DOP Osmo Harkimo, music Heikki Aaltoila
Mrs. Karnala is a tired house wife who travels to the country side to get some rest.
In the meanwhile her husband falls in love with his new secretary and soon there's a
big scandal in the family.
An old, occasionally a bit funny comedy about a subject that wasn't so light in 1950's.
Edvin Laine stars as chauvinistic husband and Ansa Ikonen makes one of her nicest
performances as his poor wife. Lasse Pösti is the sidekick as their son. This is not
a masterpiece, but worth of watching on a rainy day.
---
'Stolen Love'
Ylijäämänainen (Stulen kärlek)
Finland 1951 B/W 77min
**½
Drama, romance
cast: Asta Backman (Laura Kari), Tauno Palo (Lennart Qvist)
credits: dir. Roland af Hällström, DOP Esko Töyri
A melodramatic story about a lady who loses her love in the war. This time the guy doesn't
die, he just marries somebody else. After a few years he comes back to meet his old love,
who is still unmarried - mainly because so many men have died in the war.
The old-fashioned way to tell the story makes it slow and heavy. Luckily Asta Backman's
"performace in the main role seems to still be kind of fresh. Even Tauno Palo doesn't ""shine"" "
as much as she does.
---
'At the Rovaniemi Market Fair'
Rovaniemen markkinoilla (Marknad i Rovaniemi)
Finland 1951 B/W 79min
1.helmi
Musical
cast: Jorma Ikävalko, Reino Helismaa, Esa Pakarinen,
Marja Korhonen
credits: dir. Jorma Nortimo, script Reino Helismaa
Three guys go to search gold. When they find out that there's no
gold they go to the market fair. Happy country songs and things like that.
People loved it, critics didn't.
TRIVIA: this was Reino Helismaa's first script which was shot.
---
'The Scarf'
Tytön huivi (Flickorna kring Affu)
Finland 1951 B/W 66min
***
Musical
cast: Sakari Halonen (Affu Tanner), Eija Inkeri (Milda), Assi Nortia (Marketta)
credits: dir. Ville Salminen, music J. Alfred Tanner
Amazinly swell musical from 1950's. This movie has the same happiness and lightness as
there was in 1930's Hollywood musicals, except this one doesn't take place on a city or
business world. There's not much of the plot. Young Affu Tanner wants to find a girl and
"his mother gives him a scarf, which he can give to ""the right lady"". Affu rides through the "
forests and fields, searching his love and keeps on singing.
The film has many songs, most of them are still nice to listen, they're pretty joyfull.
Mr. Halonen plays Affu Tanner with a hearty smile. His cheerful way to do his job
makes the movie watchable, no matter how oldish it would look otherwise.
---
A Summer Night's Waltz
Kesäillan valssi (I sommarkvällen)
Finland 1951 B/W 97 min
**1/2
Drama, romance
cast: Leif Wager, Uuno Laakso, Eeva-Kaarina Volanen
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
A young girl falls in love with her music teacher
in late 1800.
Some lovely songs and loveable scenes shot on country side.
But the old-fashioned acting style may work like the warm milk:
you'll fall asleep.
---
Come Back, Gabriel
Gabriel, tule takaisin (Gabriel, kom tillbaka)
Finland 1951 B/W 80min
*****
Drama, romance
cast: Tarmo Manni (Gabriel), Emma Väänänen, Salli Karuna
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, staging Roy, music George
de Godzinsky, based on a play by Mika Waltari
Gabriel is a casanova. He is a smooth swindler. He speaks
words of love and cheats old women to give him all their
money. And still Gabriel is their darling. Yes, he is evil,
but he speaks so amiable, that he must be every woman's
honey. He must love also the watcher. By God, Tarmo Manni
WAS Gabriel.
This heartless comedy (as Mika Waltari called it) is really
art. The whole cast does their best and it's shame that mister
"Manni didn't win the Finnish Oscar ""Jussi"" from his role. But"
maybe he was too good to got that statuette. Emma Väänänen
and Salli Karuna won prizes for their performances anyway.
TRIVIA: According to A RUMOUR, both actor Tarmo Manni and director Valentin Vaala were gay.
---
'The Old Man and the Youngster'
Isäpappa ja keltanokka (Farsgubben och gulnäbben)
Finland 1950 B/W 70min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Lasse Pöysti, Matti Ranin,
Joel Rinne, Siiri Angerkoski, Eila Peitsalo
credits: dir. Edvin Laine
A grumpy old man lives in
his bedroom with his fishes, growls to his kids (teens) and roars to
everybody else. There's no domestic servant who would like
stay in that house for long. What to do? Well, kids start to
search a nice woman who would like to marry their father.
Old-fashioned, but nice little comedy. Joel Rinne is good
as usual, as is the other cast too. The script should have been better.
---
Roope The Robber/'Rob The Robber'
Rosvo-Roope (Piraten älskaren)
Finland 1949 B/W 99min
***1/2
Adventure
cast: Tauno Palo (Roope the Robber)
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
The biggest Finnish star. Excellent costumes. Fantastic
milieu. The year is 1700 something. It's time of the
legendary Roope (or Rob) the Robber, who got all women and won
every fight with his magnificent sword. The movie starts
"from old tavern, where one ""nobody"" sings a ballad of the"
great robber.
If you pour me a drink,
"I will tell you a tale..."""
Maybe the best of all old Finnish adventures.
äTRIVIA: According to Suomen kansallis Filmografia 1948-1952 the shots of
Roope's ship were taken from Michael Curts movie called Captain Blood (Kapteeni Blood, 1935).
These shots were borrowed without permission.
---
'The Radio Commits a Burglary'
Radio tekee murron (Radion gör inbrott)
Finland 1951 B/W 91 min
***
Crime, comedy
cast: Hannes Häyrinen, Ritva Arvelo
credits: dir. Matti Kassila
äMatti Kassila had that something. Well, Mr. Häyrinen is excellent as reporter
Toivo Teräsvuori, but what makes this film special is that the story has happened
really (äreporter Usko Santavuori did a robbery in his radio program in Helsinki, Finland,
years ago and he also had problems with police in this case).
Matti Kassila succeed to give the film a touch which makes
it still very enjoyable.
TRIVIA: This was Aarne Tarkas' first movie script. Mr. Tarkas (who is better
known as director) can be seen in the beginning of the film as stuntman for
Mr. Häyrinen (the parachutist scene).
---
'A Night in Rio'
Rion yö (Det hände i Rio)
Finland 1951 B/W 72min
1.helmi
Adventure
cast: Tapio Rautavaara, Lasse Pöysti, Leif Wager,
Reino Valkama, Assi Nortia
credits: dir. (& staging) Ville Salminen, music
Harry Bergström
Three sailors go to Rio and sing. They all fall in love with the
same woman who is in big trouble. Horrible acting, bad script.
---
The Man of a Hundred Swords
Sadan miekan mies (De hundra värjornas man)
Finland 1951 B/W 88min
**1/2
Adventure
cast: Kalervo Nissilä, Marja Korhonen, Toini
Vartiainen, Uljas Kandolin
credits: dir. Ilmari Unho, staging Roy
The name tells everything. It's not bad but Kalervo Nissilä
is like a smiling superman in his role.
Do you like Errol Flynn as Robin Hood? If you do, this is a film for you.
---
Heta From Niskavuori
Niskavuoren Heta (Heta från Niskavuori)
Finland 1952 B/W 95min
****
Drama
cast: Rauni Luoma (Heta), Kaarlo Halttunen (Akusti Harjula), Mirjam Novero (Hilja their servant),
Eino Kaipainen, Leo Lähteenmäki (Santeri from Lammentausta), Martti Katajisto (Jaakko),
Kullervo Kalske (Juhani Niskavuori), Emma Väänänen (Loviisa Niskavuori)
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, prod. T.J. Särkkä, script Hella Wuolijoki and Paula Talaskivi
"One of the funniest (?) parts of the Niskavuori series; the film has some really funny "
characters in a natural way. It's 1898 and Juhani's sister Heta is going to marry a poor
servant, Akusti. Why? Well, what for she is feeling ill in the middle of the ceremony?
Of course, she is pregnant.
Heta is a powerful lady who will not get scared her new husband's way of living.
She's going to be the head of the house no matter of what and if she wants
something, she will also get it. Luckily Akusti is a nice man who will love Heta
and all their children - also those who aren't really theirs. It takes a long time before
Heta realises how good man she has married.
This movie won three Finnish Oscars (Jussi prizes),
one from directing (Edvin Laine), one from best actress (Rauni Luoma)
and one from best actor (Kaarlo Halttunen). In this case the prizes went to
right people. Also the script is well written.
---
The White Reindeer
Valkoinen peura (Den vita renen)
Finland 1952 B/W 66min
****1/2
Drama, fantasy
cast: Mirjami Kuosmanen (Pirita), Kalervo Nissilä (Pirita's husband),
ÅÅke Lindman, Jouni Tapiola, Arvo Lehesmaa
credits: dir. Erik Blomberg, music Einar Englund
This movie has won prizes around the world.
Critics praise its expressionism and beauty. There's
no doubt about it, it is a very good film but today
it doesn't look quite so big anymore. It's the effects,
you know. Although they look still very impressive
the whole movie is very oldish. It's about a young woman
in Lappland, whose evil powers arise suddenly. She
turns into white reindeer who kills men in mystical ways.
The acting in the movie is O.K., since there's not
much of talking. The biggest power of the movie is in
the pictures. There's plenty of powerful shots of
the reindeer lady Pirita (Kuosmanen) and views of
Lappland.
TRIVIA: The film won three Jussi awards (Finnish Oscars)
and also a special award in Cannes. In 1954 it won a prize in
Karlovy Vary and in 1956 another in Hollywood
(both director of photography awards).
TRIVIA#2: Blomberg collected a lot of information about
shamanism in [the Middle Ages] Lappland for the script. It's been
told that some shamans drank dead people's blood in those days.
TRIVIA#3: The idea for the script was Ms. Kuosmanens.
---
Finnish Girls in Stockholm
Suomalaistyttöjä Tukholmassa (Finska flickor i Stockholm/ Stockholm lockar)
Finland 1952 B/W 95min
*1/2
Drama
cast: Toini Vartiainen, ÅÅke Lindman, William Markus,
Elvi Saarnio
credits: dir. Roland af Hällström
Three girls go from Finland to big and
strange world (= Sweden). Everybody falls
in love, one loses her money, other her glory
etc. An educative movie for every young
girl? Good effort, but horrible film. Overacted.
---
'The Dead Man Walks Again'
Kuollut mies kummittelee (Död man går igen)
Finland 1952 B/W 82min
***
Crime
cast: Joel Rinne, Reino Valkama, Hilkka Helinä
credits: dir. Jorma Nortimo (also script)
He is here again, this time Mr. Sarmo helps the consul of Bindorra, whose
life is getting short. Not the best part of serie, but
still watchable. This was the last part.
---
'He Came Through The Window'
Hän tuli ikkunasta (Han kom genom fönstret)
Finland 1952 B/W 98 min
*
Romance, comedy
cast: Tauno Palo, Helena Kara
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
As the title says, he comes through the window. Where he comes to?
Of course, to he lady's bedroom. Well, they have met before (it was all so sudden)
and so on. Boring, overacted romantic comedy.
TRIVIA: This was Helena Kara's last movie.
---
'Ferryboat Romance'
On lautalla pienoinen kahvila (Flottarkärlek)
Finland 1952 B/W 84min
*
Musical
cast: William Markus, Siiri Angerkoski, Kalle
Viherpuu, Tuija Halonen
credits: dir. Thure Bahne, music Harry Bergström
Based on two songs (one by Harry Bergström and Tatu Pekkarinen and the other by Erkki Salama).
There's very little depth in this movie. It tells about lovely Sanni who escapes from a guy to the ferryboat
and gets a job there. Then, of course, there will be a romance and since this is a musical, a lot of singing too
(mainly by Kipparikvartetti).
Sounds pretty boring and that it also is.
TRIVIA: The production title for the movie was Savotan Sanni.
TRIVIA#2: This was Kalle Viherpuu's last movie role.
He died before the movie was released.
---
'The Girl's Very Own Recruit'
Kaikkien naisten monni (Flickornas egen rekryt)
Finland 1952 B/W 80min
*
Comedy
cast: Lasse Pöysti, Toini Vartiainen, Reino Valkama
credits: dir. Lasse Pöysti (also script)
äMonni is a old Finnish slang word and it means recruit.
Nieminen is the name of the recruit. He's clumsy and he can't read (ha-ha-ha? - Nah.)
but so cute that every girl falls in love with him. This kind of old plot makes you only yawn.
TRIVIA: Jutta Armela has been also known as Jutta Zilliacus, member of the diet.
---
The Sailor Quartet
Kipparikvartetti (Skepparkvartetten)
Finland 1952 B/W 78min
*
Musical
cast: Kauko Käyhkö, Liisa Tuomi, Olavi Virta, Auvo Nuotio,
Teijo Joutsela, Eero Roine
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging), script Reino
Helismaa, music Harry Bergström
Good songs, but pretty mindless story about musicmen who try to
make living with their music. It seems like the names of the characters are
"the witty part of the whole thing: they are ""funny"" versions of the performers real names "
(for example Olavi Virta [virta means stream] is here Olli Joki [joki means river]).
---
The Witch Gomes Back To Life
Noita palaa elämään (Häxan går igen)
Finland 1952 B/W 74min
**
Horror
cast: Mirja Mane, Sakari Jurkka, Helge Herala,
Aku Korhonen
credits: dir. Roland af Hällström, play by Mika Waltari
They killed the evil beauty. They though that she had supernatural powers.
Yes, she has those, because she won't stay in the grave. After 300 years
archaelogists find her body and horrible things will happen.
Very dark film in every way. Mirja Mane looks fine without clothes but
that's still pretty poor reason to watch the film.
TRIVIA: Mirja Mane is the very same person as Mirjam Manelius.
---
"'Esa ""Flies"" to Kuopio'"
"Lentävä kalakukko (Esa ""flyger"" till Kuopio)"
Finland 1953 B/W 68min
**1/2
Musical
cast: Esa Pakarinen, Masa Niemi
credits: dir. Ville Salminen
"In the original name, kalakukko (""fish cockerel"") is a straight translation of a name of "
one Finnish food: a bread, fish and bacon baked in it. Here it means a train. Possibly,
"because the train is full of everything ""interesting""... "
Esa Pakarinen is a conductor who sings with the passengers. He was a very original person.
One can not describe him. A tall, thin singing troll would be closest image of him. If
you want know more, you'll better see the movie.
---
'Adventure in Morocco'
Rantasalmen sulttaani (Äventyr i Marocko)
Finland 1953 B/W 77min
1.helmi
Comedy
cast: Esa Pakarinen, Kauko Käyhkö, Assi Nortia, Oke Tuuri
credits: dir. Eddie Stenberg, music Toivo Kärki
Ville Lipponen travels to Morocco. There he's going to
inherit something that has been kept in secret.
Oh, my God! This is really terrible movie. Has the set
decorator (Aarre Koivisto) done everything fast with
couple of paper rolls and rivets? Has the director been away all
of time? And what are the actors been drinking? If you
ever get this movie in your hands, please throw it away!
---
'Pete 'Woodhead'/ 'Pete Blockhead'
Pekka Puupää (Kalle Träskalle)
Finland 1953 B/W 71min
*
Comedy
"cast: Esa Pakarinen (Pekka or Pete), Masa Niemi (""The Shorty""/"
Pätkä), Siiri Angerkoski, Tapio Rautavaara, ÅÅke Lindman,
Thure Bahne
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging), music Toivo
Kärki, script Reino Helismaa
Based on the comic book under the very same name.
Pekka or Pete is a tall stupid man. Shorty (Pätkä) is his short and fat friend.
He also is not very bright. Well, isn't that nice? Two stupid guys doing things.
That's something new?
Kids have always loved these films. I must say, that I loved especially Shorty
when I was a kid. The song writer Reino Helismaa has done good work for kids,
although it was not always his idea that made people laugh: many times his scripts
were so full of holes that the director had to complete them. .
Pekka got many new adventures after this. One of many is
'Pete Blockhead Takes a Vacation' [Pekka Puupää kesälaitumilla, (Kalle Träskalles pensionat) 1953].
TRIVIA: The player of the shorty's role killed himself
when this comedy serie was still very popular (1960). His last
"message was a little poem: ""It's good to be, when my head is"
"empty like zero"" (On niin hyvä olla, kun pää on tyhjä nolla). Sad."
He was such a good man.
---
'The Nude on the Run'
Alaston malli karkuteillä (Naket äventyr)
Finland 1953 B/W 77min
*
Comedy
cast: Raili Mäki, Sakari Jurkka, Rauni Luoma, Reino
Valkama
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging), music
George de Godzinsky
Again the name tells everything. This is so stupid film that its humour may work only
if you're very tired. It is a comedy about painter who tries to make living with his
work but ends up as murderer (because somebody thought that his plastic model
was a real human) and poor maniac.
---
'We're Coming Back'
Me tulemme taas (Vi kommer igen/Vi kommer med våren)
Finland 1953 B/W 76min
1.helmi
Comedy, musical
cast: Tuija Halonen, Tapio Rautavaara, Siiri Angerkoski,
Aku Korhonen, Anneli Sauli
credits: dir. Armand Lohikoski, script Reino Helismaa, music
Toivo Kärki
äThe lumber-jacks are comin again! Hooray, folklore! There's a forbidden romance,
a new romance and a romance between two elder people. This may have been a
very light comedy but it hasn't aged well.
TRIVIA: Actor Tapio Rautavaara was in real danger in one of the scenes
when his leg was stuck in the middle of the logs.
---
'The Girl from Moon Bridge'
Tyttö kuunsillalta (Flickan från månbron)
Finland 1953 B/W 97min
***
Romance, drama
cast: Ansa Ikonen (Pepi/Linda Varala), Joel Rinne (Erik Ramberg), Kerstin Nylander,
Vilho Siivola
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script based on the radio play by Juhani Tervapää)
26 years has past when Pepi, who is now a wealthy lady, calls to her old good friend Erik.
He is very wealthy too and just like Pepi, he has married somebody else. Pepi loves still Erik
but she won't say who she really is. He misses Pepi and wants to find out who and where
she is etc. Pretty simple plot.
Both Ms. Ikonen and Mr. Rinne gives fine performances. In some scenes they may
seem too old but it doesn't matter very much since the film is quite well done otherwise.
The oldish split screen effect is nicely used here to make the phone calls between
"the main couple a little more quot;colourfulquot;. This Kassila's film has aged as "
beautifully as Ansa Ikonen in it.
---
Misters' Eeva
Herrojen Eeva (Eva gör skandal)
Finland 1954 B/W 73min
**½
Comedy
cast: Liisa Tuomi (Eeva Taavanen), Erkki Viljos, Uuno Laakso
credits: dir. Yrjö Kostermaa, prod. Risto Orko
Eeva is a fatherless young woman, who lives with her mother.
People say that Eeva's mother has a new man every day. Also
Eeva herself is consired very attractive but she seems to be
somewhat wiser than her mother. Men can't win Eeva in their
game of love.
First of all: if the chick is as noisy and greedy for alcohol
as Eeva is, it's very hard to believe that men really want even
"have ""that one thing"" with her. But that's what the director and "
Liisa Tuomi (who plays Eeva) wants us to believe anyway. The acting
in the film is very oldish but there's been also worse stuff than
this, so it's merely okay this time.
The film is nicely shot, in fact everything around the actors looks
fine although there must have been only a quite little money to put
it all together. Too bad that the story is not exactly funny (or at
least it doesn't feel like that anymore) and Liisa Tuomi is trying to
be like some stupid clown half of the movie.
---
'Hilma's Name Day'
Hilman päivät (Hilmadagen)
Finland 1954 B/W 77 min
***
Comedy
cast: Tauno Palo (Yrjö), Aino Mantsas, Edvin Laine, Matti Ranin (Heikki),
credits: dir. (& script) Matti Kassila, prod. T.J.Särkkä
It's Kalervo's wife who is having her name day. The village has just got a new resident.
He's young judge Heikki. Two ladies fall in love with him but who will got who and is it
Vekkula that is burning? This movie tells lightfully about fate.
'Hilma's Name Day' is a small comedy about common people. It doesn't try to be a
masterpiece and that's perhaps its best part.
TRIVIA: The producer T.J. Särkkä can be spotted in the Hilma's name day party scene.
He stands in a doorway with a coffee cup.
---
'Blue Week'
Sininen viikko (Den blå veckan)
Finland 1954 B/W 70min
****
Drama
cast: Matti Oravisto, Gunvor Sandkvist,
Toivo Mäkelä, Leo Jokela
credits: dir. Matti Kassila
It's a nice and warm summer day, everybody are going to
spend their weekend dancing and having fun in an island.
Usko drinks too much and deciedes to stay longer.
Just when he thought that he would be alone there,
he'll see a beautiful young woman. It's going to be
a blue (positive meaning, happy) week for him and her.
At first it's only fun but the woman is married with an old man,
so can it last forever?
Although the dialogue is once again old fashioned,
this time it doesn't really matter much. The cast is all fine,
especially Toivo Mäkelä as the old man. Another good thing in
this movie: the music. It's lively and very well made. Also
the shots are beautiful, almost dreamy. No wonder that this
film won awards.
---
Opri
Opri
Finland 1954 B/W 79 min
***
Drama
cast: Rakel Laakso (Opri), Elna Hellman, Elsa Turakainen
credits: dir. Edvin Laine
äThis is a story of old people. Opri is an old woman whose dreams look like omens to her.
She lives far from her original home that she had to left behind because of the war.
In her new home she feels unwanted. This is a cause of her dreams and age.
Although the plot may sound sad, the story is so lively told and full of funny
characters that nobody will find it depressing.
The cast is marvellous. All three, Rakel Laakso, Elsa Turakainen and
Ossi Kostia, won Jussi prize (Finnish Oscar) for their performances.
This is one of the masterpieces of Edvin Laine.
---
Leena
Finland 1954 B/W 77min
***
Comedy, romance
cast: Heidi Krohn (Leena), Matti Oravisto (Lauri Huurros), Eija Karipää, Mia Backman,
Paavo Jännes, Arvo Lehesmaa, Aku Korhonen, Heikki Savolainen, Leo Jokela,
Sakari Jurkka, Tyyne Haarla
credits: dir. Sakari Jurkka, script and staging Roy, music George de Godzinsky,
edit. and prod. Veikko Itkonen
An orphan girl Leena tries to steal goods and gets gaught.
Reporter Lauri Huurros saves the girl. He says that she did it for
the newspaper and she is actually his fiancée. Later they fall in love but Leena's
old robber friends find her and start to blackmail her. Nice twists and happy athmosphere.
This was the very first Irina Krohn movie ever. She was still studying
acting at the school when she start to act in movies. Because she was
succesful, she left her studies. Although the movie is old, her talent is
clear to see. Thanks for the (quite) witty script and professional workers
behind and infront of the camera, the movie is still pretty entertaining.
TRIVIA: The Russian title of the movie means an arrogant girl. The movie
was shown in 1956 Russia.
TRIVIA#2: The producer Veikko Itkonen can be seen in two
cameo roles in this movie: as a man in the department store and as captain in the airplane.
---
'Aarne of Niskavuori'
Niskavuoren Aarne (Aarne från Niskavuori/ Aarne på Storgården)
Finland 1954 B/W 86min
**½
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo (Aarne Niskavuori), Elsa Turakainen (Loviisa, old Mrs. Niskavuori),
Rauni Ikäheimo (Ilona Niskavuori), Hillevi Lagerstam (Martta), ÅÅke Lindman
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, prod. T.J. Särkkä, script Hella Wuolijoki and Pentti Unho, music Heikki Aaltoila
A part of the Niskavuori serie. The big and powerful family drama.
This part tells about Aarne and his women. He lives in the city and is
married with nice and quiet Ilona and his ex-wife Martta rules the Niskavuori
house with the old Mrs. Niskavuori. Since Martta can't live like a nunn, a new
scandal is approaching the mighty Niskavuori.
This was Edvin Laine's second Niskavuori movie. It's like old-fashioned
The Bold and Beatiful. If you're interested in juicy scandals and you also
like country side romances, this movie is for you.
---
'Hei, Trala-lala-lalaa'
Hei, rillumarei
Finland 1954 B/W 78min
*
Comedy, musical
cast: Esa Pakarinen, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. Armand Lohikoski, script
Reino Helismaa, music Toivo Kärki
An easy and light comedy about a simple golddigger who goes to the town
and gets into trouble. Esa Pakarinen plays his accordion and sings with his
dry voice oldish humour songs. If you want to see great acting, intelligent plot
and hear wise dialog, this movie is not for you.
---
'Up on the Highest Bough'
Mä oksalla ylimmällä (Jag gungar i högsta grenen)
Finland 1954 B/W 88min
*½
Romance, musical
cast: Maaria Eira (Maria Sawina), Martti Katajisto (Gabriel Linsén)
credits: dir. Jack Witikka (also script with Valentin Chorell), prod. T.J. Särkkä
A rose pink story about a young composer Mr. Linsén who falls in love with a beautiful
and famous singer Maria Sawina in 1864. Ms. Sawina wants more than a poor
composer - what a misery. The characters have actually lived once but in real life
"Mr. Linsén and Ms. Sawina were never ""young lovers""."
The film is visually nice to watch. Its costumes are lovely. But the acting is theatrical
and - although Maaria Eira sings beatifully - Maria Sawina's singing can be hear so
many times that it starts to sound boring.
---
'Two Old Lumberjacks'
Kaksi vanhaa tukkijätkää (Två glada stockflötare)
Finland 1954 B/W 82 min
**
Comedy, musical
cast: Ossi Elstelä, Anneli Sauli,
Olavi Virta
credits: dir. Ossi Elstelä, script Reino Helismaa,
music Toivo Kärki
äIf we look back in Finnish film history, there's many films of lumberjacks and farces.
This is one of many. Again, there's a romance. A doctor recommends to a cityman a
peaceful half-year as lumberjack on the countryside. Cityman goes there, tells
everybody that he's somebody else and helps a friend to find his girl.
A very simple film in every way. Nothing special in it but maybe somebody wants
still to pay some interest into the shots that represent old Finnish lumberjack culture.
---
'Father's New and Ex'
Isän vanha ja uusi (Pappas gamla och nya)
Finland 1955 B/W 90min
*1/2
Comedy, romance
cast: Ansa Ikonen, Tauno Palo
credits: dir. Matti Kassila
Mr. Pekanpää is a wealthy man. Everything looks fine, he has even a new young
wife nowadays. But he misses his ex.
The Finnish sweethearts (Tauno & Ansa) were a bit old when they made this film.
Still the audience loved them as they loved the story that was so fresh and
cool in 1955. It doesn't look like that anymore.
---
'The Unkonwn Soldier'
Tuntematon sotilas (Okänd soldat)
Finland 1955 B/W 170 min
*****
War
cast: Jussi Jurkka, Reino Toivanen, Leo Riuttu,
Veikko Sinisalo, Tarmo Manni, Taneli Rinne,
Kaarlo Halttunen, ÅÅke Lindman...
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, based on a novel by
Väinö Linna
This is art. The story tells about the war between
tiny Finland and big Russia over 60 years ago. It's pain,
sorrow, love, hate, divinity... It's real. I have no
words for this film. It's more than great.
TRIVIA: The director Edvin Laine was one of them who
never was in war with other brave men. This film was his
way to be in that war.
Actor Tarmo Manni said once that if Edvin Laine could
have been one of those men he might have not done this film.
---
'Conscript Hero'
Sankarialokas (Hjälterekryten)
Finland 1955 B/W 80min
**½
Comedy
cast: Lasse Pöysti, Leo Jokela,
Tuulikki Suomela, Jussi Jurkka
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas
A young writer lives in his dreams and falls in love with a soldier's daughter.
Soon the writer finds himself from army doing his best to show that he too is a real man.
Mr. Pöysti acts like an yo-yo, but it's good. Leo Jokela does a hilarious role as a helpful
gypsy.
---
Pastor Jussilainen
Pastori Jussilainen (Pastor Jussilainen)
Finland 1955 B/W 88 min
**½
Comedy
cast: Edvin Laine (Elias Gabriel Jussilainen), Rauha Rentola (Eveliina Jussilainen),
Tyyne Haarla, Kirsti Ortola
credits: dir. (& script) Matti Kassila, prod. T.J.Särkkä
Mr. Jussilainen - he's a chauvinist and priest of small Finnish village.
His wife is kind and nervous. Her mother is coming to a visit and Mr. Jussilainen
won't even like to have new carpets on their floor. He is against everything new and nice...
But will it last forever?
Mr. Jussilainen is so disgusting person that you have to hate him before
the first scene ends. Edvin Laine uses all his power to make this character
unloveable and when the film has ended, it's difficult to know whether you
actually liked the character or not.
The movie starts with an unusual opening: every actor and also persons
from the director to the composer are introduced to the audience in a special
way. The movie is shot like it would been shot on stage. The effect is actually
suitable for this story. Aarre Koivisto's staging looks great.
---
The Doll Merchant
Nukkekauppias ja kaunis Lilith (Dockhandlaren och den vackra Lilith)
Finland 1955 B/W 89min
****
Fantasy
cast: Martti Katajisto (the doll merchant), Hillevi Lagerstam
(Lilith), Tauno Palo
credits: dir. Jack Witikka (also script with Walentin Chorell),
music Simon Parmet
There's not many Finnish films like this. When this was made, the time wasn't right for
strange movies. People wanted more romances that happen in barns, in the middle of
hayheaps and silly fellows singing on the fields. But this movie shows a dictator (great
Tauno Palo) who puts a doll merchant in the jail and destroys all his puppets. Well, the
film has a good ending anyway. At the time it was only too artistic for the audience. It has
"many visually wonderful details (for example odd shadows which made buildings ""smile"" "
or the ball scene in the end). A must see!
---
ä'Silja - The Maid'
Silja - nuorena nukkunut (Silja)
Finland 1956 B/W 91min
***½
Drama
cast: Heidi Krohn (Silja), Jussi Jurkka (Armas), Aku Korhonen, Pentti siimes
credits: dir. Jack Witikka, script Juha Nevalainen (based on a novel by F.E. Sillanpää)
It's late 1910's. Silja is an young servant girl, an orphan who finds a job and home from
the Nukari family. Men fall in love with her but she loves only one of them. Unfortunately
she never can have him.
Heidi Krohn is so fresh and real as Silja that it makes one to forget how pathetic the
plot is. Mr. Witikka's directing is smooth and gentle. The story ends in a way that leaves
an opportunity for Silja and the audience to be happy.
The first version of the same story is Teuvo Tulio's Nuorena Nukkunut from 1937.
---
'Harvest Month'
Elokuu (Skördemånad)
Finland 1956 B/W 92min
**1/2
cast: Toivo Mäkelä (Viktor Sundvall), Rauni Luoma
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, based on a story by F. E.
Sillanpää
An old drunken man dies a bit by bit mentally, hurts his family and in finally he
dies also physically.
It's a strange decision to tell the story as a long flashback. Cast does its best and
the story is not weak, but it just has too big 'tail'. However, in 1957 the film won many
prizes (for example from directing, shooting and music). The film was also shown in
Cannes but that version was cut differently.
---
'A Certain Groom'
Muuan sulhasmies (Luffarbaronen)
Finland 1956 B/W 105min
***
Comedy
cast: Joel Rinne (Baron Mauriz Leonard Wilhelm Grafvenhjelm),
Hannes Häyrinen (Ville, his friend), Sylvi Salonen (Svea Jonsson)
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen, music Harry Bergström
When I first time saw this film, I had really good laughs. It's old, but sometimes you need
"old fashioned jokes. A poor, but still aristocratic baron Mauriz Leo... Well, Baron ""Moppe"","
gets himself in a mess when he tells (after a few drinks) that he'll marry rich miss Jonsson.
When his head is clear again, he doesn't remember what he said, but his friends tell him that
he has proposed to miss Jonsson. Well, that's not quite true, but baron is a man of honour
and so he goes to visit at miss Jonsson's home. Pretty soon this poor fellow is married and
then the fun begins. He hates his new life. So he'll escape.
Joel Rinne and Hannes Häyrinen are both great. They support each other in their roles
very well. And, not only these two men do charismatic performances, but also the leading
lady Sylvi Salonen. Her Ms Jonsson can be really scary.
---
'Niskavuori Fights'
Niskavuori taistelee (Niskavuoris kamp)
Finland 1957 B/W 96min
***
Drama
cast: Elsa Turakainen (old Mrs. Niskavuori), Mirjam Novero (Ilona), Tauno Palo
(Juhani Mattila and Juhani Niskavuori), Martti Katajisto (Paavo Niskavuori),
Hillevi Lagerstam (Martta), Joel Rinne (Doc. Santala)
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, prod. T.J. Särkkä, music Heikki Aaltoila
The movie starts from early 40's. War is going on and Mr. Mattila saves a baby in
the middle of bombing. Pretty soon after that he has to escape to the country side.
There he meets the ladies of Niskavuori. They ask him to help them on the fields of
Niskavuori because all their workers are in the war. He agrees but he has a secret.
This part of the Niskavuori serie is clearly more modern by its dialog, acting and technic
as the earlier parts. Although the film tells about depressive things, it's surprisingly lively.
"The cast is OK, but seeing Tauno Palo in two different roles makes me ask: ""Was this"
" guy really the only one who could play these roles?"" It's confusing and it gets even more "
confusing because he has also been Aarne Niskavuori (earlier in this serie).
TRIVIA: Aarne Laine (as Jokinen in this movie) was the director's brother.
---
'My Beloved Thief'
Rakas varkaani (Du kära tjuv)
Finland 1957 B/W 71min
**
Comedy
cast: Pentti Siimes, Elina Pohjanpää,
Kullervo Kalske, Heikki Savolainen
credits: dir. William Markus
Dosent Leopold knows a lot about thieves. He does
a research for them. He is good in his job but in every
day life he is clumsy and pretty much a disaster. He
doesn't even notice when he meets a real thief.
This is a love story and a comedy. Although Mr. Siimes
"acts funny and ""the female thief"" Pohjanpää tries her best"
the conclusion is not the greatest. Poor script, I'll say.
TRIVIA: Pentti Siimes was married with Elina Pohjanpää.
---
'1918'
1918 - mies ja hänen omatuntonsa (1918)
Finland 1957 B/W 96min
***
Drama
cast: ÅÅke Lindman, Anneli Sauli, Helge Herala, Ture Ara
credits: dir. T. J. Särkkä
The first part of this film looks funny although it must have not been the intention.
But it gets better. If you forget its old dialogue, it looks alike a master piece. Åke
Lindman is more than good in the leading role.
1918 tells a story of priest who is loosing his faith. He ends up to a prison camp
where the life is hard and his mission there is to save souls.
TRIVIA: Ilmari Unho wanted it be a secret that he was written the script with T.J. Särkkä.
That's because Mr. Unho was working for antother movie company (Suomi-Filmi).
---
'The Stranger'
Vieras mies (Främlingen)
Finland 1957 B/W 105min
**
Drama
cast: Aku Korhonen, Rauni Ikäheimo, Kaarlo Halttunen, Esko
Vettenranta
credits: dir. Hannu Leminen
Gloomy. A stranger comes into a lonely house and soon there's suspicious looks.
The master of the house is often too drunken to think clearly and that causes many ugly
situations between him, his wife and the stranger.
This is may be too gloomy movie for some. Because of its subject it's heavy but also
the oldish way to tell certain things can make it somewhat difficult to watch.
TRIVIA: This was not only Hannu Leminen's but also old Aku Korhonen's last movie.
Mr. Korhonen won a Jussi prize for his role in this movie.
---
Little Ilona And Her Lambkin
Pikku Ilona ja hänen karitsansa (Lilla Ilona och hennes lamm)
Finland 1957 B/W 88min
**
Drama
cast: Riitta Hämäläinen, Siiri Angerkoski, Elsa Turakainen,
Pentti Siimes, Oke Tuuri
credits: dir. Jorma Nortimo, script Mika Waltari, music
Heikki Aaltoila
äLittle Ilona is a poor girl who loses her mother in the war. She and her lambkin has
to survive alone in the big world.
A pathetic story but this is actually a children's movie, so what can you expect?
TRIVIA: The filming of this movie started as early as 1941. Maire Suvanto
(Pipsa from the Suomisen perhe movie serie) was cast as Ilona but later all plans
changed because the war started in Finland.
TRIVIA#2: This was director Jorma Nortimo's last movie. He died in 1958.
---
'Wild Generation'
Kuriton sukupolvi (Nutidsungdom)
Finland 1957 B/W 89 min
***
Drama
cast: Tauno Palo, Leo Jokela, Matti Ranin, Jussi Jurkka, Irma
Seikkula, Maikki Länsiö
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, script Mika Waltari with
Juha Nevalainen and Ritva Arvelo), music Heikki Aaltoila
äOld fashioned, but very real. The parents just have to move out when the teens begin their
party. Old professor (Tauno Palo) tries to do his job in his corner but his kids act like the
owners of his own house. One day he wants to change this. There's also more. A love affair
between the professor and one of these teens. Crisis after crisis.
TRIVIA: This is a remake. The first version was made in 1937 by Wilho Ilmari (dir.), Uuno
Laakso (the professor), Ansa Ikonen and Oke Tuuri.
---
'Another Girl Lost'
Taas tyttö kadoksissa (Åter en flicka försvunnen)
Finland 1957 B/W 68min
1.helmi
Comedy
cast: Leni Katajakoski, Leo Jokela, Pia Hattara
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging and script with
Kaarlo Nuorvala), music Harry Bergström
Boring, stupid and bad.
This movie has a so twisted plot - if it has one at all -
that it gives a headache. A lady who looks and talks
like Marilyn Monroe, steals a bike.
Another lady disappears and suddenly somebody finds illegal cars in somebody's garage.
Leo Jokela is a reporter who has some funny lines.
Or more likely: he speaks them out funnily.
---
'Mr. Minister of War'
Herra sotaministeri (Herr krigsministern)
Finland 1957 B/W 90min
**
Comedy
cast: Pentti Siimes, Heidi Krohn, Tarmo Manni, Elina Salo
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas (also script with Pentti Unho),
music Harry Bergström
An ordinary fellow got suddenly the war minister's job. There's no harm in it, as long as
the country is not in war!
Hilarious, but too slow and many jokes are too long. Pentti Siimes is funny in the role
of the ordinary fellow. Tarmo Manni looks very militant in his big boots. Beside that,
there's nothing much.
---
'Scapegoat'
Syntipukki (Syndabocken)
Finland 1957 B/W 91min
***
Comedy
cast: Lasse Pöysti (the scapegoat), Hannes Häyrinen, Leo Jokela,
Hilkka Helinä, Marjatta Kallio
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, music Heikki Aaltoila, based on
a play by Agapetus (script by Matti Kassila, Hannes Häyrinen
and Ritva Arvelo)
A remake from an old play. A stupid young man goes to the town and asks for a job.
He finds one in a supermarket, one in which he is perfect. They need a scapecoat because
there happens so many mistakes and little accidents.
Oldish acting, somewhat dull plot. If you'll find these things enjoyable, this is a
must-see for you.
The same story was also filmed in 1935 with Kaarlo Kartio as the scapecoat.
---
The Young Miller
Nuori mylläri (Den unga mjölnaren)
Finland 1958 colour 90min
*½
Musical, romance, comedy
cast: Martti Kuningas (The miller), Teija Sopanen (Hilkka),
Senni Nieminen, Matti Lehtelä, Elvi Saarnio
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, music Harry Bergström, based on a story by Maiju Lassila
A light comedy about a young man who moves back to a village
where his father was once a miller. Because the old miller had no
wife and he was sorry for his son he left him a big inheritance.
His son just doesn't know this.
The colours of the film are rich as the life on the country side years ago.
The film is full of funny characters, pretty girls etc. but years haven't
been good for it. It seems so very old today. Filmed in Sovcolor.
TRIVIA: Teija Sopanen was a popular face in Finnish televison world. She
has won over ten Telvis prizes.
---
The Blessed Colonel
Autuas Eversti (Salig översten)
Finland 1958 B/W 63min
*
Comedy
cast: Pentti Siimes (the colonel),
Hillevi Lagerstam, Tarmo Manni, Ekke Hämäläinen, Anneli Sauli, Leni Katajakoski
credits: dir. William Markus
A flashback. The colonel walks with this beutyful lady. Back to present time.
The colonel is old. Another flashback. Back. Flashback. Back... Now the colonel is
dead. No, he wakes up! Then some action: this old fellow runs to his old love. How
exciting?
The film is short, but it feels like 3 hours long. Even Tarmo Manni sounds boring as
a caricature of over-reacting husband of the colonel's second daughter.
---
The Women Of Niskavuori
Niskavuoren naiset (Kvinnorna på Niskavuori)
Finland 1958 colour 80min
***
Drama
cast: Emma Väänänen (Loviisa), Erkki Viljos,
Pia Hattara, Elvi Saarnio, Teija Sopanen
credits: dir. Valentin Vaala, music Harry Bergström
"äAlthough the Niskavuori movie serie is ""heavy"" drama, there's some hilarius supporting roles "
which keep it somewhat enjoyable. In this movie Aarne Niskavuori falls in love with an
young teacher Ilona and that, of course, makes his wife Martta unhappy. What will happen
to the great Niskavuori farm then?
The movie is slightly more fresh than the earlier version of the same subject (made in 1938).
---
'Stomach In - Chest Out'
Vatsa sisään ja rinta ulos (Magen in och brösten ut)
Finland 1959 B/W 89min
*
Comedy
cast: Helge Herala, Marjatta Kallio, Tommi Rinne
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas
A girl school and the barracks. Lovely girls and more or less militant military boys.
Of course it's hard to keep them separated. Poor officier tries his best, but soon he'll
find himself from a girls' bathroom in drag...
Occasionally funny. Mister Herala does good work, as does the rest of the cast but this
is still far away from a masterpiece. Still, it is one of the best soldier farces from Finland.
---
The Day the Earth Froze
Sampo (Sampo)
Finland 1959 colour 91min
*½
Fantasy
cast: Urho Somersalmi (Väinämöinen), Anna Orotsko (Louhi), Ivan Voronov (Ilmarinen),
credits: dir. Aleksandr Ptusko, prod. G. Kuznetsov and Risto Orko
A huge and ambitious production. The story is taken from Kalevala, the book in which Elias
Lönnrot collected many years ago old people's songs of Finnish history. Sampo is a machine
that Mrs. Louhi wants to be build for her. This mysterious machine is a somekind of money-maker
and only one guy can build it: Ilmarinen. Evil Mrs. Louhi kidnaps Ilmarinen's sister and promises to set
her free if he builds the machine.
The movie is as stiff as a corpse. It smells like anything that has been made with too big
ideas. We can see the attempt, the passion and the brilliance of some scenes but that all
makes the movie too heavy and dull. It sinks into the swamp of poor B-movies. Let's hope
it also stays there. Filmed in Sovcolor.
TRIVIA: Urho Somersalmi was only Finnish actor in this movie. His own voice can be heard also on Russian version.
TRIVIA#2: The Day the Earth Froze is only partly the same movie (according to Suomen Kansallisfilmografia).
This 67 minutes long version has also partly different cast and it's directed by Gregg Sebelious and
Herman Erkko (possibly fake names).
TRIVIA#3: This was Urho Somersalmi's last movie.
---
'The Wonderful Adventures of Isaskar Keturi'
Isaskar Keturin ihmeelliset seikkailut (Isaskar Keturis underbara äventyr)
Finland 1960 B/W 80min
*
Comedy, musical
cast: Hannes Häyrinen (Isaskar Keturi), Pirkko Mannola (Irma),
Leo Jokela, Siiri Angerkoski, Umberto Marcato, Vesa Enne
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas
Isaskar Keturi is private detective. He and his
friend should try to find a rich girl who has ran away
from her home because her father wants her to marry
a bad guy. Keturi is not very good in his job,
everything goes wrong. Somehow he and his friend
find the girl and go to a song contest...
The plot is so stupid that it's a wonder if
this movie has been a succes. There's only two good
things in the movie: Pirkko Mannola and Umberto Marcato singing.
The most terrible part is to see Jokela and Häyrinen in drag.
---
'Police Inspector Palmu's Mistake'
Komisario Palmun erehdys (Mysteriet Rygseck)
Finland 1960 B/W 103min
*****
Crime
cast: Joel Rinne (inspector Palmu), Matti Ranin, Leo Jokela
(Mr. Kokki), Pentti Siimes
credits: dir. Matti Kassila, based on a book by Mika Waltari
Murder! A young and rich man is found dead from his swimming pool. What has happened?
Old and authorical inspector Palmu and his young partners start to investigate this case.
A horrible game is behind evrything and more deaths will happen.
A lovely crime movie, wonderful cast (especially Joel Rinne), some hilarious moments
(Mr. Kokki sings...) and fantastic dialoque. All fits together brilliantly. There's also sequels.
TRIVIA: Inspector's role was made for actor Aku Korhonen, but he was too ill to act
and Joel Rinne got this part. Also the partners of the inspector were changed from Hannes
Häyrinen and Uljas Kandolin to Mr. Ranin and Mr. Jokela.
---
"'""Oho!"" Emil Said'"
Oho, sanoi Eemeli (Åhå, sa Eemeli)
Finland 1960 B/W 94min
1.helmi
Comedy
cast: Esko Toivonen (Eemeli), Tommi Rinne, Leni Katajakoski,
Ville-Veikko Salminen
credits: dir. Ville Salminen, script by Reino Helismaa, music Toivo Kärki
äMama sends her 38 years old son to the big and bad world. It's a boring story but
the actors keep so much noise that you can't sleep. There's also sequels.
---
'The School Marm on the Road Adventure'
Opettajatar seikkailee (Lärarinnan på adventyr)
Finland 1960 B/W 92 min
*1/2
Comedy, romance
cast: Leni Katajakoski, Tommi Rinne, Pirkko Mannola,
Leo Jokela, Uljas Kandolin, Hannes Häyrinen
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas (also script)
You'll probably never see this film. It's hard to find anywhere even in Finland.
There's a tough teacher lady who tries to keep her students (all girls) away from boys
and love stuff. Summer holidays come and of course this teacher gets stuck on a lonely
island with some guy and falls in love.
The movie has some funny moments but mostly it is over-acted mix of oldish school
comedy and 60's modern world.
---
"'""Kerplunk,"" Said Emil'"
Molskis, sanoi Eemeli, molskis! (Plums, sa' Eemeli, plums!)
Finland 1960 B/W 81min
1.helmi
Comedy
cast: Esko Toivonen (Eemeli), Tarja Nurmi, Ville-Veikko Salminen,
Uljas Kandolin, Tapio Rautavaara
credits: dir. Ville Salminen (also staging), script Reino Helismaa,
music Toivo Kärki
A sequel for Oho, sanoi Eemeli. This time Eemeli is a little short of money and so he
has to earn some to pay his taxes. It is hard to make a good comedy and this is not good.
"Third part for the Eemeli serie was released in 1962 (""Ei se mitään!"" sanoi Eemeli). "
That part was directed by ÅÅke Lindman.
---
'Little Peter'
Pikku Pietarin piha (Lilla Peter)
Finland 1961 B/W 73min
***
Drama
cast: Tuukka Tanner (little Peter), Elsa Turakainen,
Tea Ista, Leo Jokela Hannes Häyrinen
credits: dir. Jack Witikka, music Simon Parmet, based on a story
by Aapeli
äA lovely little piece of art. A tale about a motherless boy and his life. Really good
work from the cast and the crew. Unfortunately this was Jack Witikka's last film.
---
'Songs After the Heart's Desire'
Toivelauluja (Önskevisor)
Finland 1961 colour 80min
**
Musical
cast: Pirkko Mannola, Esko Salminen, Leif Wager,
Leni Katajakoski
credits: dir. Ville Salminen, script Reino Helismaa
"This looks like someone would have said: ""Let's make something that looks like those fancy "
and big Hollywood musicals! Does anybody have money? Oh, a dollar... Well, we can
"make it a little smaller..."" It's about a girl who finds a song book and starts to dream about "
the songs in it.
---
'Step on the gas, Inspector Palmu!'
Kaasua, komisario Palmu!(Vem mördade fru Skrof?)
Finland 1961 B/W 95min
****1/2
Crime
cast: Joel Rinne (Inspector Palmu), Pentti Siimes,
Matti Ranin, Leo Jokela, Elina Salo
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script with Kaarlo Nuorvala,
based on a book by Mika Waltari)
The semll of the gas. That old hag Mrs. Skrof must have fallen asleep and forgotten the
gas on. Or is it a murder? Who would have done it? Another case for inspector Palmu
and his good assistants.
The second movie from the Palmu serie. Hilarious and stunning as the first one.
Director's wife Aino Mantsas does an entertaining role as a foreign show girl.
---
'When the Chokecherry Blooms'
Kun tuomi kukkii (När häggen blommar)
Finland 1962 colour 105 min
½
Musical
cast: Mauno Kuusisto (Mikko), Tamara Lund (Liina), Leo Lastumäki (Eetu),
Siiri Angerkoski, Matti Oravisto (Jaakko), Raakel Laakso
credits: dir. ÅÅke Lindman, music Erkki Melankoski
A big singer star Mauno Kuusisto seems to be the only issue why
this movie was ever made. The plot is dull and acting... Well, the main
stars, Tamara Lund and Mr. Kuusisto were better singers than actors.
The story tells about a travelling tradesman who stops in a beautiful little
village where he meets Liina, his new love. Liina is promised to another
guy and that brings up difficulties. The story could be told in ten minutes
but songs make the film longer. Sadly they are pretty boring and the silly
echo effect make them sound irritating.
TRIVIA: the chokecherry in the movie was painted and decorated to look like it
was really blooming. The real flowers had died already when they start the shooting.
---
'Don't Count Your Chickens'
Älä nuolaise (Kurragömmaleken)
Finland 1962 B/W 113min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Leo Jokela, Tommi Rinne, Leni Katajakoski,
Elina Salo
credits: dir. & script Aarne Tarkas
äA couple of poor gas station workers win in a lottery. The prize is not big
but just enough for living a high quality life for a moment and perhaps that
will bring rich ladies to them... Soon this pair of fellows start to act like two rich
Americans and of course it will turn into a mess.
Leo Jokela and Tommi Rinne are fantastic as the gas station boys/ rich Americans.
These guys are not the only ones bluffing in the movie. Good acting, funny script and nice views.
---
The Boys
Pojat (Grabbarna)
Finland 1962 B/W 106min
****
Drama
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri (Jake), Kauko Helovirta, Liisa Nevalainen
credits: dir. Mikko Niskanen
A story about boys. How hard it is to live in country where's war,
how hard is to grow up. Young Loiri does good work as Jake
(he got also a diploma of it). Sad ending.
TRIVIA: The story was originally written by writer Paavo Rintala.
In his novel Jake (the main character) shoots himself in the end.
---
A Wonderful Adventure
Ihana seikkailu
Finland 1962 colour 96min
**
Romance
cast: Pirkko Mannola (Helena Ehrenheim), Stig Fransman (Paul),
Esko Mannermaa (Mr. Pedanzius), Siiri Angerkoski (Loviisa),
Kauko Helovirta (Anders)
credits: dir. and prod. T.J. Särkkä, music Heikki Aaltoila
Time and place: it's summer, far before 20th century, somewhere in Finland.
Always smiling Pirkko Mannola plays Helena, who has been promised to a rich
but not so nice man. Hovever, she is in love with another guy and escapes
from her rich house with him. Her parents doesn't of course like this, neither
the rich guy was going to marry him. What comes next, that you can figure out
or watch by yourself. It's worth of watching, although it is very much like
those old Hollywood black and white B-movies from the 1940's.
This is one of the few feature films which was shot in colour in 1960's
Finland. The material was expensive, so they haven't spent it much for new
takes. This means, if you're okay with old kind of acting and romantic stories,
you're going to love this movie. Otherwise, you don't have much to see in it
but the glorious costumes and warm and green Finnish summer.
TRIVIA: Actress Ruth Snellman won a Finnish Oscar (Jussi) from her workmin this film.
---
The Stars Will Tell, Inspector Palmu
Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu (Stjärnor, kommissarie Palmu, stjärnor)
Finland 1962 B/W 100min
****
Crime
cast: Joel Rinne (Palmu), Matti Ranin, Leo Jokela, Aino
Mantsas, Esko Salminen, Helge Herala, Pentti Siimes,
Pia Hattara
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script with Kaarlo Nuorvala,
based on a story by Mika Waltari)
Inspector Palmu is old, but when there's crime he'll go
and investigate. Hilarious and stunning as all Palmu movies are. This time the inspector
has to help his young chief to find out the mysterious
murdered who is maybe a friend of astronomy...
The tracks lead to gloomy house of major Vadenblick
(portrayed by incredibly sane looking Mr. Herala).
---
'Gold from the Wild North'
Villin Pohjolan kulta
Finland 1963 B/W 90min
**
Western
cast: ÅÅke Lindman, Vili Auvinen, Helge Herala, Tamara Lund,
Kauko Helovirta, Leo Jokela, Toivo Mäkelä (the priest)
credits: dir. Aarne Tarkas
What is a Finnish western? - A northern. This film was shot in Lapland (Finland).
Otherwise it's pretty much same as the westerns which
has been made in west and shot in colour. Gunfights, gold, robbers,
good men who has something to hide, bad and rich boss, stupid bad
guys and a lovely lady.
The dialogue is oldish and the fights are a bit too slow. But in
60's this must have been really cool to watch. Especially for young boys.
The story tells about three brothers of Vorna (Lindman, Herala, Auvinen)
who returns to a place from where they had to escape 15 years
ago. There everybody thinks that they are gold robbers.
The bros. are willing to search gold peacefully and alone
but of course the evil ruler of the saloon (Jokela) wants to spoil their plans.
Will the villagers hang the bros.? Will the bad guy (Helovirta) get
the lady (Lund)? Will she ever change her trousers to a dress?
...Well, you can't get everything...
There's a sequel for this film: Villin pohjolan salattu laakso
(Den hemlighetsfulla dalen, 'The secret Valley in the Wild North', also 1963).
It's also directed by Aarne Tarkas.
---
The Gang
Jengi (Gänget)
Finland 1963 B/W 97min
*1/2
Drama
cast: Tarja Nurmi, Esko Salminen, Ville-Veikko
Salminen, Liana Kaarina, Siiri Angerkoski
credits: dir. ÅÅke Lindman
Nice attempt to tell a story about teenagers. A country boy
and girl meets the city life. The director tries to say that the city
is bad and the country side would be better place for everyone.
Maybe, maybe not. Funny drinking and lovemaking sections.
TRIVIA: Many of the film's so called naughty parts had to be cut
before it was released. These parts contain the striptease and
dialog about getting to bed. Also the title of the movie had to be
changed. Before the change it was Ota minut nuorena (= Take me when I'm young).
---
'The Partisans'
Sissit (Stridspatrull)
Finland 1963 B/W 102min
***1/2
War
cast: Matti Oravisto (Takala), Kauko Laurikainen, Paul Budsko,
Heimo Lepistö
credits: dir. Mikko Niskanen, script Matti Kassila etc.,
based on a story by Paavo Rintala
Ex-soldiers gather together after war. The war has left a
certain mark into them. We'll see a long flashback where
lieutenant Takala and his men try to survive in the brutal
reality of the war. Many of the lieutenant men (and even
himself) are near to loose their mind.
This movie shows well what the war really is and what
it makes to people. Matti Oravisto in the main role is
quite good and the other cast has also been picked well.
What's wrong in this movie is the language which sounds
sometimes too formal into people's mouth. If you'll forget it,
it's a fine picture.
TRIVIA: This movie was the most expensive of all the movies of Fennada-Filmi
'till 1963 (400 000 FiMK).
---
'The X-Baron'
X-paroni (X-baronen)
Finland 1964 B/W 86min
*1/2
Comedy
cast: Spede Pasanen (the baron/Kalle),
Meri Lii, Jaakko Pakkasvirta (James), Simo Salminen, Heikki Kuvaja,
Tapio Rautavaara
credits: dir. (& script) Risto Jarva, Spede Pasanen & Jaakko Pakkasvirta
There is a highly respected baron and a looser Kalle. They are like twins but at first they don't know
about each other. Then one day they meet and soon Kalle is the baron and the baron starts to be Kalle.
Some good laughs (thanks to pheonomenal Simo Salminen), but in between those moments...
Well, this was mr. Pasanen's first film. Something has to be forgiven, even that boring ending.
TRIVIA: Pirjo Vainimäki married Spede Pasanen a year after this movie was released.
---
'Under Your Skin'/Skin, Skin
Käpy selän alla (En kotte under ryggen)
Finland 1966 B/W 89min
1.helmi
Drama, romance, musical
cast: Kristiina Halkola, Kirsti Wallasvaara, Pekka
Autiovuori, Eero Melasniemi, Anneli Sauli
credits: dir. Mikko Niskanen, music Kaj Chydenius &
Henrik-Otto Donner
Well. What to say? The Finnish Blair Witch Project? Yeah, this is
terrible. Some Finnish critics love this film now and the 60's audience has
loved it too. It was something totally new. Young people without script
in woods with lots of beer. äIt is a love story with songs that sound like protest songs.
TRIVIA: The actors had really to get drunk to do some nude shots.
---
'Crazy Finland'
Pähkähullu Suomi (Crazy Finland/ Det helgalna Finland)
Finland 1967 B/W 79 min
****
Comedy
cast: Spede Pasanen (Mr. Njurmi), Simo Salminen (Simo), Toivo Mäkelä, Leo Jokela,
Tauno Palo (the vagabond), Siiri Angerkoski, Urho Kekkonen
(as himself), Gregory Peck (as himself), Ester Toivonen (as herself)
credits: dir. Jukka Virtanen, Spede Pasanen's production
Crazy film which briefly tells everything about Finns and Finland.
How to hunt a moose and how we always want to take every traveller
into our saunas... And even the then president of Finland, Urho Kekkonen,
glimpses in one scene.
A fast, surprisingly enjoyable comedy.
---
'About Seven Brothers'
Noin 7 veljestä (Ungefär 7 bröder)
Finland 1968 B/W 96min
**½
Comedy
cast: Juhani Kumpulainen (von Wurstburg), Spede Pasanen (Sir Wilhelm/Robin Hood),
Simo Salminen (Mauno Munalukko), Leo Jokela (Leonardo), Helge Herala,
Kaisu Vuoristo, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Ere Kokkonen, Jukka Virtanen,
Danny (the ballad singer)
credits: dir. Jukka Virtanen, prod. Ere Kokkonen, music Jaakko Salo
Everybody knows Robin Hood and every Finn knows Aleksis Kivi's 'Seven Brothers' (a book).
This film tries to be a somekind of combination of these two. It starts with Aleksis Kivi's
words but soon we'll hear that the movie is actually about evil von Wurstburg and
good Robin Hood. Von Wurstburg collects taxes and Robin (with his about seven
brothers) robs them back from the bad guy. And of course there's also lovely ladies,
for example inventor Leonardo's wife.
There's many funny jokes (like the gas-station for horses) in the movie but it has been
edited (by Ossi Skurnik) so oddly that it makes the film look more like an amateur
work than a real movie. But still: Spede Pasanen and his merry fellows tried to
make something that nobody else wanted to try in late 60's Finland - which is great.
---
'Under the North Star'/ Here, Beneath the North Star
Täällä Pohjantähden alla
(Här under polstjärnan)
Finland 1968 colour 186 min
***
Drama
cast: Aarno Sulkanen, Titta Katajakorpi, Kalevi Kahra, Pekka Autiovuori
credits: dir. Edvin Laine (also script with Väinö Linna,
Juha Nevalainen and Matti Kassila)
äYear: 1880-something. Jussi from Koskela is poor but he asks if he could build
his home to the vicar's swamp. The man agrees. When all seems to be fine, jealous
people come and spoil poor man's dream. Briefly: people go through hard times
in the yesterday's Finland. Hard it is also to watch if you want to be wake all
of time. This film is too... serious.
TRIVIA: The director (Laine), the set decorator (Ensio Suominen) and the
"leading man (Kahra) got ""the Finnish Oscar"", Jussi for this movie."
---
The Marvellous Adventures of a TV Man
Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset seikkailut (En synradiomans underbara upplevelser)
Finland 1969 B/W 83 min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Pertti Spede Pasanen (Mikko K. Ovimikko/Syvärivi),
Simo Salminen (as himself), Aarre Elo (as himself), Tamara Lund, Vesa-Matti
Loiri (Mr. Vasa), Tarja-Tuulikki Tarsala, Leo Jokela, Danny (as himself)
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen, producer & script
Spede Pasanen
Hilarious story about a night-watchman who goes into
show business with his run-into-door tricks.
The film contains many funny episodes and countless
number famous Finns. It's amazing how it all stays together,
but it does. Good work.
---
'Vodka, Mr. Palmu'
Vodkaa, komisario Palmu (Vodka, kommissarie Palmu)
Finland 1969 color 96min
***
Crime
cast: Joel Rinne (Palmu), Leo Jokela (Kokki), Matti Ranin, Inga Sulin,
Viktor Klimenko
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script with Geotg Korkman)
This is the last Palmu movie. Writer Mika Waltari died, so
the script was not made after his story. Also that that this
Palmu film is not black & white makes the film lighter (in bad way).
It's not so witty and funny as it could be. There is stupid action sequenses
and boring musical numbers (Viktor Klimenko is a singer in reality).
Also Joel Rinne acts like other foot in the crave.
Time has not been kind to this movie.
---
Leftovers from the North
Pohjan tähteet (Bottenskrap)
Finland 1969 B/W 87min
****1/2
Comedy
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri, Simo Salminen, Spede Pasanen,
Ville-Veikko Salminen, Arja Saijonmaa
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen, script Spede Pasanen with
Ere Kokkonen and Vesa-Matti Loiri, (Spede Pasanen productions)
Oh man, this is pure art! It's a story about making of an art film.
The director (Loiri) is just a beginner and his cast... Well, they
have their own problems. The director of photography is old
professional... In one scene they forget him in the middle of
nowhere when they are travelling to the next shooting place!
The best scene is a long drive shot which shows all the bad sides
of one town (and the whole society). You wouldn't believe how
much criminality you could set on one street of a little Finnish town!
And when the producer comes... If he wants to do a western and not
an art film or put his stupid relative in one extra part, the crew just have to
kiss his arse.
TRIVIA: Spede Pasanen was really angry for the Finnish critics. His movies
were not art, they said. This movie made critics even more cold for Pasanen's films.
The state never gave him any money (without the state's money it's VERY hard to make
a movie in Finland). Pasanen got even more angry and there was a
time when he chopped his films with an axe. Some brilliant works were destroyed, but gladly
there were few copies of some his early works and not everything was lost!
"TRIVIA#2: The director of photography (Kari Sohlberg) got ""the Finnish Oscar"", Jussi."
TRIVIA#3: This movie seems to be also a parody of Finnish film called Kesällä kello 5
(This Summer at 5, 1963), where a young couple drives around and speaks about divorcing.
---
The Headquarters
Päämaja (Högkvarteret)
Finland 1970 B/W 88 min
***
War, drama
cast: Joel Rinne (Marshal Mannerheim), Tamara Lund,
Jussi Jurkka, Leif Wager, Ossi Ahlapuro, Heikki Kinnunen,
Matti Kassila, Anssi Mänttäri
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script with Risto Juhani,
based on a novel by Ilmari Turja)
A true story about marshal Mannerheim.
This war film happends in rooms of the headquarters,
but some winds from the battle field appears
occasionally. The film seems then very realistic.
Only the figure of Mr. Mannerheim seems at times too
immortal and high although Joel Rinne is perfect in
this role. Also Jussi Jurkka does good work as
Mannerheim's friend and companion. Singer Tamara Lund
has too wide role for her acting talents, but she
sings lovely. The movie is well made, only its old
fashioned language disturbs.
TRIVIA: Joel Rinne's last big role on the big screen.
Young Heikki Kinnunen in brief role as an soldier!
---
Aliisa
Finland 1970 B/W 85 min
****
Drama
cast: Siiri Angerkoski (Aliisa)
credits: dir. Jukka Sipilä, script Aulikki Oksanen
"This movie was made for TV but that doesn't make it worse than ""real"" "
movies. It's a story about poor old lady who tries to survive although
she has no home and no friends. It's very realistic. There's (still) many
old women and men who has nobody to help them when they really need it.
Although the movie is quite depressive, Siiri Angerkoski's strong
performance is good to see. This was her last movie before she died (cancer, 1971).
---
'A Summer Rebellion'
Kesäkapina (Sommarrevolt)
Finland 1970 B/W 78min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Titta Karakorpi, Hannu Oravisto, Petra Frey,
Eero Melasniemi, Veikko Honkanen
credits: dir. Jaakko Pakkasvirta
Mr. Pakkasvirta may have had a good idea when he
started this project - at least it looks like it. It's a comment
for society about the life of it and everything included on
the time when the film was made. At same time it tries to be
a story about a new star model, who climbs up to the top
during the movie and gets everything what famous people can get.
The movie starts as a documentary but changes little by little
to artistic show and looses its characters to words and views.
The acting in this film is incredibly good. If the movie would have
"been more like a ""normal"" drama movie and shot in colour, it would"
have earned more $.
TRIVIA: This was the very first movie role for Hannu Oravisto
(who is the son of Ritva Arvelo and Matti Oravisto).
---
Speedy Gonzales/
'Speedy Gonzales, The Son Of About 7 Brothers'
Speedy Gonzales - noin 7 veljeksen poika
(Speedy Gonzales)
Finland 1970 B/W 85min
****
Comedy
cast: Spede Pasanen, Pertti Melasniemi, Leo Jokela,
Tarja Markus, Simo Salminen
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen (also script with Vesa-Matti Loiri
and Spede Pasanen)
äSpeedy Conzales investigates the murder of his brother Mooses.
A comedy western. Beware Sergio Leone!
TRIVIA: The reason why Vesa-Matti Loiri (Pasanen's good friend
and trusted cast member) is not in this movie is that he had broken his
leg before the shooting. Pertti Melasniemi plays his part.
TRIVIA#2: Mr. Pasanen won the Jussi prize as producer in 1971.
---
Akseli and Elina
Akseli ja Elina
(Akseli och Elina)
Finland 1970 color /131min
***
Drama
cast: Aarno Sulkanen, Anja Pohjola, Mirjam Novero
credits: dir. Edvin Laine, script Väinö Linna with Edvin Laine,
Juha Nevalainen etc.
A sequel for Täällä Pohjantähden alla (Here, Beneath the North Star).
Akseli and Elina have hard times. Akseli is a free man again.
He returns to those small circles which he once left behind. Sad and boring.
---
'The Unhanged'
Hirttämättömät (De ohängda)
Finland 1971 B/W 85min
***
Comedy, western
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri, Simo Salminen, Spede Pasanen
credits: dir. Spede Pasanen with Vesa-Matti Loiri,
script by Spede Pasanen, music Jaakko Salo
This is good stuff. It's about mighty Speedy Gonzales who tries to catch two criminals acting
like he would be a criminal too.
Most of the movie happens in a deserted place - or at least these scenes are so boring
that they seem to take more time than the other scenes. Otherwise, this movie has good
jokes and some quite funny characters like Mr. Salminen's Indian Tonto..
---
'In Adam's Dress... And A Bit Like Eve's Too'
Aatamin puvussa... ja vähän Eevankin (I Adams kläder och lite i Evas)
Finland 1971 B/W 88min
*
Comedy
cast: Heikki Kinnunen, Juha Hyppönen, Kauko Helovirta,
Marja-Leena Kouki
credits: dir. Matti Kassila (also script with Osmo Lampinen),
music Nacke Johansson
äA remake of an old story. A couple of young guys goes to swimming and lose their clothes.
Soon everybody think that they are some criminals because they can't prove who they are and
police is after an escaped prisoner on the very same area where these two guys lost their
clothes. Of course there's a romance or two too. Loud acting, not so funny gags... Boring.
TRIVIA: This was the third film version of the story. It has been shot also in 1931 and 1940.
---
'Numbskull Emptybrook'/'Numbskull Uselessbrook'
Uuno Turhapuro (Uuno Turhapuro)
Finland 1973 B/W 87min
**
Comedy
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri (Nubskull), Marjatta Raita (his wife), Spede Pasanen
(Mr. Hartikainen), Simo Salminen (Sörsselssön or Soersselssoen), Juhani Kumpulainen
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen, script (producer) Spede Pasanen
There's about twenty Numbskull films, last one was released in 2004. Their main character,
Numbskull, is a stupid and lazy man. He's a pig but he gets married with a lovely lady. This
woman has a rich father who hates Numbskull. He tries to separate his daughter and Numbskull
or at least get Numbskull in a proper work. His wife likes Numbskull and so does his secretary too.
Numbskull has also friends: a home filosopher and mechanican Härski (or Haerski) Hartikainen
"and his working partner Sörsselssön (or Soersselssoen). They have ""brilliant"" ideas to help Numbskull."
Since his very first tv appearances Numbskull has been one of the most loved characters for
Finns. All Numbskull movies have been in Finnish top five lists when they have been shown in
theatres or television. If you are not a Finn, you won't probably understand this success or its cause. Don't worry. You won't miss a thing.
Other Numbskull movies:
"(In """" you see my own translation and after /-mark is the original name)"
Professor Numbskull D. G. Emptybrook/Professori Uuno D.G. Turhapuro, 1975
Lottery Winner UKK Emptybrook/Lottovoittaja UKK Turhapuro, 1976
Hardware Store Seller Numbskull Emptybrook, The President's Son-In-Law/
Rautakauppias Uuno Turhapuro, presidentin vävy, 1978
The Marital Crisis Of Numbskull Emptybrook/Uuno Turhapuron aviokriisi, 1981
Numbskull Emptybrook Loses His Memory/Uuno Turhapuro menettää muistinsa, 1982
Numbskull Emptybrook In Army/Uuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissä, 1984
Numbskull In Psain/Uuno Epsanjassa, 1985
Numbskull Emptybrook Moves To The Country Side/Uuno Turhapuro muuttaa
maalle, 1986
Numbskull Emptybrook Master Of Helsinki/Uuno Turhapuro herra
Helsingin herra, 1991
And so on...
"In film ""Numbskull Emptybrook's Son""/Uuno Turhapuron poika the role"
of the son is played by Jukka Puotila, Finnish high-class imitator and in
"film ""Numbskull Emptybrook, Mister Preseident Of The Rebublic""/Uuno"
Turhapuro herra tasavallan herra presidentti is very talented Finnish dog
palying his talented dog. The dog's name is Tessu.
---
Holy Jumpin' Jimminy! Said Mr. Who
Herra Huu jestapa jepulis penikat sipuliks (Herr Huu - jestapa jepulis)
Finland 1973 colour 70min
**
Children
cast: M. A. Numminen (Herra Huu), Elvi Saarnio, Martti Kuningas
credits: dir. and prod. Jaakko Talaskivi (also script with M.A. Numminen and Antero Helasvuo),
based on a story by Hannu Mäkelä, music M. A. Numminen
Mr. Huu is a poor ghost who tries to be scary. But he isn't.
A lousy children's movie which best part is singer M.A. Numminen, whose strange
voice and odd grin may actually scare people.
---
The Man Who Couldn't Say No
Mies, joka ei osannut sanoa ei(Mannen som inte kunde säga nej)
Finland 1975 colour 103 min
***
Drama, comedy
cast: Antti Litja, Kirsti Wallasvaara
credits: dir. Risto Jarva (also script with Jussi
Kylätasku and Kullervo Kukkasjärvi, and edit.
with Matti Kuortti)
äThe title tells almost everything. But there's also more. The movie is full of interesting
characters whose life is funnily realistical.
TRIVIA: Antti Litja won a Jussi prize (Finnish Oscar) from his role in this movie.
Also the team that wrote the script won Jussi.
---
Olympian Holiday
Loma (Solskenande)
Finland 1976 colour 113min
****
Drama, comedy
cast: Antti Litja (Aimo Niemi), Tuula Nyman (Marjukka Notkola), Eija Poikkinen
credits: dir. Risto Jarva (also edit with Matti Kuortti and script with Jussi Kylätasku and
Kullervo Kukkasjärvi)
A shy Finnish man takes a vaction and plans a trip to winter Olympics. Somehow he ends up
on an island where's no snow but a lot of sunshine. Well, one must take what one gets. If you
don't have proper clothes for swimming etc., you can always... use your imagination.
Lots of hilarious moments but not much of talking. Antti Litja is perfect as the shy Finn and Eija
Poikkinen is just lovely as the mysterious woman who catches his eye on this bizarre trip.
A brilliant movie by Mr. Jarva.
---
The Test-tube Adult And Simo's Angels
Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit (Provrörsmannen och Simos änglar)
Finland 1979 B/W 89min
**
Comedy
cast: Spede Pasanen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Simo Salminen
credits: script and dir. Spede Pasanen
Mr Pasanen plays a guy who has grown up before his birth from a strange thing called test
tube... He plays also a guy who has died in very strange way. And of course we'll see
Uuno also. Some laughs. This is an odd Charlie's angels parody and not even very good
one. It looks very amateurish.
---
'To Stop Smoking'
Tup-akka-lakko (Spola röken!)
Finland 1980 colour 105 min
***
Comedy
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri, Spede Pasanen, Simo Salminen, Leo Lastumäki, Heikki Kinnunen,
Hannele Lauri, Tenho Saur‚n, Helge Herala, Olavi Ahonen
credits: dir. Spede Pasanen
"A sequel to film ""The Test Tube Adult And Simo's "
"Angels"" (Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit). "
Tenho Saur‚n recreates his police role from famous Finnish
"TV series ""Reinikainen"" and ""Fill the Cistern"" (Tankki täyteen)."
The film contains several funny episodes that are told by a postman
(Kinnunen) to kind ladies on his round. Looks like amateur work.
Not Pasanen's best work.
---
That Kiljunen Family
Kiljusen herrasväki (Herrskapet Kiljunen)
Finland 1981 colour 103min
***
Children, comedy
cast: Jukka Sipilä, Marja-Sisko Aimonen, Jouni Lukus,
Kai Lemmetty
credits: dir. Matti Kuortti (also script)
Based on the story written in 1914 by Jalmari Finne. The movie tells about a very noisy family
(Kiljunen -> kiljua = to yell). This family has a fat and happy father, an ordinary mother, two wild
boys and one small girl. They live on the countryside until they win a trip to the big city. Then the
adventure starts.
The film is full of yelling (in funny way) and crazy situations but you must remember it's for kids.
In this way it is a good flick, children will enjoy. There's also a sequel.
TRIVIA: Esa Pakarinen Jr. who plays Mr. Finne in this movie, was the son of
Esa Pakarinen (musicman and comedian).
---
The Worthless
Arvottomat (De avlösa)
Finland 1982 colour 115 min
***
Drama
cast: Matti Pellonpää (Manne), Pirkko Hämäläinen, Aki Kaurismäki
(Ville Alfa), Esko Nikkari
credits: dir. Mika Kaurismäki
äManne looks alike a thin wet dog. This poor guy is a criminal. Not a very big one. He has a friend,
Ville Alfa, who has a valuable painting. It promises only problems for both of them. There's a lovely
blond woman. Manne finds out that the painting has something to do with the lady... and gangsters.
Matti Pellonpää's huge charisma helps this flick a lot. He doesn't have to do much to make the film
funny in a way. Nowadays Esko Nikkari plays usually nice polices and funny loonies but here he does
a scary role as a mafia chief and director Aki Kaurismäki remakes his role as an odd young fellow
called Ville Alfa. He is quite terrible.
"TRIVIA: Rauli ""Badding"" Somerjoki appears briefly in this movie. This very odd looking singer was a "
really big star in Finland until he died in late 1980's. A movie called Badding is about him.
---
The King Who Had No Heart
Kuningas jolla ei ollut sydäntä (Kungen som inte hade något hjärta)
Finland 1982 colour 86min
***
Fantasy
cast: Kari Franck (the king), Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Heikki Kinnunen (the primeminister),
Aino Seppo (the princess), Tom Pöysti (the prince), Erkki Saarela (the angry man),
Esko Salminen (narrator)
credits: dir. Päivi Hartzell & Liisa Helminen,
The king gives his heart away and loses his happiness. The person who can make him happy again,
will get the princess and half of his land. This is a sweet fairytale for children but it also has some so-called
artistic elements which can make kids bored. However, the movie was successful in Finland.
---
Crime And Punishment
Rikos ja Rangaistus (Brott och straff)
Finland 1983 colour 94 min
**1/2
Drama, crime
cast: Markku Toikka, Aino Seppo, Esko Nikkari,
Matti Pellonpää, Kari Sorvali
credits: dir. & script Aki Kaurismäki, producer
Mika Kaurismäki
A young man kills a man who did wrong to his girl. Because of his crime the guy will get a punishment.
The story is from Dostojevsky's famous novel but it's set in 1980's Finland. Not a bad idea though.
This was Aki Kaurismäki's first (feature) movie, so it's far from a masterpiece. There is too much talk
for a Kaurismäki movie. Still, the director has given the movie a bit of that auteurism
which made him later very famous.
---
Pessi and Illusia
Pessi ja Illusia (Pessi och Illusia)
Finland 1983 colour 81min
****
Fantasy
cast: Jorma Uotinen, Sami Kangas, Anu Marttila
credits: dir. Heikki Partanen (also one of the script makers),
music Kari Rydman, Jean Sibelius and Antti Hytti
A lovely fairy tale. Illusia is a fairy who finds a gnome Pessi while she is visiting on the earth.
They start to live together. Pessi keeps the little fairy warm when it's winter. But then an evil spider
(dancer/choreographer Jorma Uotinen) finds out where they live.
In spite of that there must not have been much of money to make this movie, it looks wonderful. Sari
Salmela's costumes are fantastical and Jorma Uotinen's dance steals the show. Even the child actors
are surprisingly good. One can only imagine how great movie this could have been with a bigger budget.
TRIVIA: The movie won four Jussi prizes (Finnish Oscars) but also international awards.
---
The Clan - The Tale of the Frogs
Klaani - Tarina sammakoitten suvusta (KLANEN Berättelsen om Grudornas släkt)
Finland 1984 colour 93min
***
Drama
cast: Antti Litja, Kari Väänänen (Leevi), Tuija Vuolle
Soili Labbart, Matti Pellonpää, Esko Nikkari, Lasse Pöysti,
Ville Salminen (Grandfather Sammakko)
credits: dir. Mika Kaurismäki, music Anssi Tikanmäki, script Aki Kaurismäki
They were known as criminals. Their women loved them but hated their bad habits.
Why they always had to get drunk or act like big robbers. Every man in this family from the
grandfather to Alexander the Great (Aleksanteri Suuri) Sammakko (or Frog in English) are robbers. The
grandfather is dying in his home at same time when his son is boozing himself into the death.
And the grandsons are in the jail. But not all. The family has still one hope: the youngest son.
Will he be good?
The cast is doing a good work, especially Kari Väänänen and Matti Pellonpää. The film is
worth of watching but it may feel somehow gloomy. The biggest fault for this is in the story.
We know in the baginning what's going to happend. It's a bit dull way to tell a story. But if you
are a Kaurimäki fan, you'll enjoy.
TRIVIA: Old director/screen writer/actor Ville Salminen does a cameo role as sick grandfather
Sammakko. This was his last movie role.
---
The Tug of Home - The Famous Niskavuori Saga
Niskavuori
Finland 1984 colour 120min
***
Drama
cast: Rauni Luoma (Loviisa), Esko Salminen (Aarne), Satu Silvo (Ilona Ahlgren)
credits: dir. and script Matti Kassila, music Rauno Lehtinen
Mr. Kassila's version of the great Niskavuori saga. This movie is a combination of
two different stories but still it's somewhat more lame than any of the old Niskavuori movies.
Maybe that's because the old Niskavuori movies are B/W which gives the certain loom for the
film and its characters.
TRIVIA: Loviisa was Rauni Luoma's last movie role. Originally she played Heta
Niskavuori in the old Niskavuori film serie.
---
Calamari Union
Finland 1985 B/W 78min
***
Comedy
cast: Markku Toikka, Kari Väänänen, Matti Pellonpää,
"Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Pate Mustajärvi, Martti ""Eppu"
"Normaali"" Syrjä, Tuomari Nurmio, Sakke Järvenpää,"
Mato Valtonen, Sakari Kuosmanen, Dave Lindholm,
Kari Heiskanen
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki (also script and edit.)
A group of men (their all name is Frank) travel from one side
of the town to other side. It is very hard. Only two of them survive. :)
It's funny, because there is really nothing to stop them.
When you live in a joke, it's almost no joke anymore.
TRIVIA: Almost all of the cast are Finnish rock musicans:
Martti Syrjä is the leader of Eppu Normaali band, Pate Mustajärvi has
a long career in smoky bars, Sakke Järvenpää, Mato Valtonen and
Sakari Kuosmanen are Sleepy Sleepers band.
---
Rosso
Finland 1985 colour 74min
****
Drama
cast: Kari Väänänen (Rosso), Martti Syrjä (Martti)
credits: dir. & prod. Mika Kaurismäki
This is far away from the westerns but still it felt like some good old Sergio Leone film.
A contract killer Rosso travels to Finland. He has some business there. He has lost his love
and he cares about nothing.
Although the whole movie bases on moods and it's full with improvisation, it's very
enjoyable. Kari Väänänen really is Rosso and the landscapes - this movie looks good!
TRIVIA: Mika Kaurismäki got the idea for this movie in pizzeria Rosso.
---
The Unknown Soldier
Tuntematon sotilas (Okänd soldat)
Finland 1985 colour 199min
***
War
cast: Risto Tuorila, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Paavo Liski,
Pertti Koivula
credits: dir. Rauni Mollberg (also script with Veikko Aaltonen
and Väinö Linna... based on Linna's book)
A remake. Not as good as the first version, maybe because it tries to be
too artistic (espesially in the end).
---
'Cool, hey?! Happy-Go-Lucky Andy and Carefree Charlie'
Kliffaa hei! (Kliffa, hej!)
Finland 1985 colour 101min
**
Comedy
cast: Vesa-Matti Loiri (Auvo), Simo Salminen (Kultsi), Hannele Lauri
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen, script Spede Pasanen (also producer),
Simo Salminen, Ere Kokkonen and Vesa-Matti Loiri
Cool? Actually this is quite boring.
Two clown-like guys gets a lot of money, spends it and get some more money.
---
The White Dwarf
Valkoinen kääpiö (Den vita dvärgen)
Finland 1986 colour 105min
***
Drama
cast: Kari Heiskanen, Esko Salminen,
Lilga Kovanko, Jaakko Pakkasvirta, Matti Tuominen
credits: dir. Timo Humaloja
A tough mine engineer is doing his job when
the roof of the mine suddenly falls down. He and his
colleagues are trapped. When they'll finally get out, they find out
that there has been a nuclear accident. The mine engineer gets sick
and he starts to think about his life.
Kari Heiskanen is an excellent actor when you need a
tough looking guy. Although he does his best, he can't do much
for the boring story. The promising start is the only good thing
in this movie.
---
The Snow Queen
Lumikuningatar (Snödrottning)
Finland 1986 colour 93min
****
Fantasy
cast: Satu Silvo (The Snow Queen), Outi Vainionkulma,
Sebastian Kaatrasalo, Tuula Nyman , Esko Hukkanen
credits: dir. Päivi Hartzell (also script), music Jukka Linkola
äA wonderful fairytale of two children and a bad queen who wants to separate them.
The whole movie looks just amazing. It has everything that a fairytale should have and
maybe even more. Satu Silvo is perfect for her role as the icy queen. The music is like
silk for your ears.
---
Helsinki Napoli - All Night Long
Helsinki Napoli All night Long
Finland/Germany 1987 colour 93 min
**1/2
Comedy, action
cast: Kari Väänänen (Alex), Roberta Manfredi (his wife), Jean-Pierre
Castaldi, Samuel Fuller, Jim Jarmusch
credits: dir. Mika Kaurismäki
äDark roads, Russians, Italians, Germans... And one Finnish taxi driver who drives around
with two corpses. Sounds funny? Yes, occasionally this film has hilarious moments, but it's
more an action than a comedy movie.
Director Samuel Fuller does a tiny role as a gangster. Finnish Kari Väänänen has a great role
as a taxi driver but he is not Bruce Willis. Mr. Väänänen seems to be always better when he
is not in the leading role. Well, the language of this film is not very realistic either and the
camera is always too far from the objects. In night scenes it's very hard to see all expressions
if the actors are a mile away...
---
'Hamlet Goes Business'
Hamlet liikemailmassa (Hamlet i affärsvärlden)
Finland 1987 B/W 85 min
**
Drama, comedy
cast: Kati Outinen (Ofelia), Pirkka-Pekka Petelius (Hamlet), Esko
Salminen, Elina Salo
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki
"Hamlet goes business and that will be a mess. Not so ""shakespeary"" as"
you might think. Still funny and quite interesting version.
---
Ariel
Finland 1988 colour 70 min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Susanna Haavisto, Turo Pajala, Matti Pellonpää
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki (also script)
äAriel is a story of hard times and growing out of them. The main character loses everything
and by a chance he becomes as thief. Critics of USA voted this piece of art for best film of
the year (1990). It's easy to see why. It is good. Its jokes are on time and the plot is easy to follow.
"The movie isn't anyway ""easy"", it just looks like that."
---
Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Finland 1989 colour 78min
***
Comedy
cast: Matti Pellonpää, Kari Väänänen, Sakke Järvenpää, Sakari
Kuosmanen, Silu Seppälä, Mato Valtonen, Mauri Sumén
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki (also script), music Mauri Sumén
The world's worst rock band go to America. Hooray! This is cult stuff. A story about a rock
band which travels to America with their evil manager and tries to reach the stardom. The
whole thing is shot with a wry sense of humour - you'll either love it or not. The casting is great,
of course, Leningrad Cowboys plays themselves.
Followed by two sequels: Total Balalaika Show (1993) and Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994).
TRIVIA: Singer Mato Valtonen can not really play quitar. He's just bluffing.
---
The Match Factory Girl
Tulitikkutehtaan tyttö (Flickan från tändsticksfabriken)
Finland 1989 colour 68 min
****
Drama, comedy
cast: Kati Outinen (Iiris), Elina Salo, Esko Nikkari, Vesa Vierikko,
Silu Seppälä
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki (also script & edit.)
äPoor Iiris tries to find happiness. We see her sitting in the corners of different dancing places
and working at the match factory. She lives with her mother and stepfather and she has even to
pay for this poor little place. But then one day everything seems to become little lighter...
The first half of the film goes almost without any words (in fact the characters speak only about
ten words during that time) and the whole film's dialoque is hilariously small. Kati Outinen is
perfect as Iiris. She's looks so sad and little that no one could replace her in that role.
---
'The Winter War'
Talvisota (Vinterkriget)
Finland 1989 colour 195min
***
War
cast: Taneli Mäkelä, Konsta Mäkelä, Timo Torikka,
Vesa Vierikko
credits: dir. Pekka Parikka (also script with Antti Tuuri),
music Juha Tikka
The winter war - a historical war for Finns.The films starts from fall 1939 and follows the
history line carefully. It's epical and at same time pretty traditional war movie.
Is this a big and mighty war movie? Well, it's not a dreadful film. There is everything that a war
movie needs, but the director tried to make some scenes too artistic. He has fallen in
sentimentality which may lack the power of the movie.
---
'Alone'
Yksinteoin (Genom en gärning)
Finland 1990 colour 82 min
**½
Documentary, drama
cast: Jussi Parviainen, Sanna-Kaisa Palo, Vesa Mäkinen
credits: dir. and prod. Pekka Lehto, music Matti and Pirjo Bergström, DOP Kari Sohlberg
There's at least two versions of this film, one has three cast members and another only one.
This review is for the last one.
When this movie was made, writer-actor Jussi Parviainen was divorcing from his wife
Sanna-Kaisa Palo. Actor Vesa Mäkinen is Sanna-Kaisa's new boyfriend. Mr. Parviainen
tells straight to the camera how he feels, what has happened and what he has been thinking
about the issue. It's a long monologue in dark. Mr. Parviainen is amazingly good, really
credible, it's been told that he improvised all he was doing in the movie. The movie is,
however, difficult to watch. It has nothing much else to show to us but Mr. Parviainen and
it can be really boring to watch only him a hour and a half.
---
äCupid Aims High
Amor ampuu ohi (Amor misses målet)
Finland 1990 colour 47min
**½
Drama, comedy
cast: Sanna-Kaisa Palo (Leena Virtanen), Kaija Pakarinen (Miia Palokärki)
credits: dir. Marjo Valve (also script with Raija Talvio)
Two different ladies and an apartment which the other one of them has to leave behind.
These ladies are dollmakers and performers waiting for their big hit. When the other one
falls in love with an art magazine owner they can almost smell the success. The only problem
is, does the mister art want his honey and her apartment just as they are or should there be
something else?
A short low-budget comedy. This is a cute little movie but nothing much else. It has its
moments, at times Sanna-Kaisa Palo is almost funny. That's enough, since the director has
"told that she didn't even want to make a big ""killer"" comedy. This movie's historical value is "
mainly in its clothes and landscapes and that's something which them doesn't have 'till at
least 60 years has passed. What's really great in this movie, is actually the song in the ending
titles (Dalida: La Flamenco). That kicks.
---
I Hired a Contract Killer
Finland-Germany-Great Britain-Sweden 1990 colour 80 min
***1/2
Drama, comedy, crime
cast: Jean-Pierre L‚aud (Henri Boulanger),
Margi Clarke (Margaret),Imogen Claire, Kenneth Coley,
Nicky Tesco
credits: dir. & script & producer Aki Kaurismäki
äHenri loses his job. Everything goes. He thinks that it's better to be dead than alive and so
he tries to kill himself. No good. He can not even kill himself, so bad is the world. Then
Henry hires a contract killer - one sad fellow too. After that Henri's life changes: love comes.
And he can't stop the killer...!
Silent humour, gloomy characters and landscapes - everything that a Kaurismäki movie needs.
Actors are good, although Margi Clarke is a bit too lively to be a real Kaurismäki lady.
TRIVIA: The director himself does a cameo role in the movie as a guy who sells shades.
---
'Sgt Major Körmy and the Field Marshal's Baton'
Vääpeli Körmy ja marsalkan sauva (Fältväbel Körmy och marskalkens stav)
Finland 1990 colour 111min
**½
Comedy
cast: Heikki Kinnunen (SM Körmy), Pentti Siimes (Tossavainen), Tom Pöysti (Ville Pienimäki)
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen (also script), music Aarno Raninen
Sgt major Körmy has a task to give for his good soldiers: they'll have to find field marshal's
baton to win a game. This is a farce comedy of army and its traditions. Every part of Sgt major
Körmy series has lots of army jokes, one part takes a look into female soldiers (then quite new
thing in Finnish army), another into submarine business (submarines are not allowed for Finnish
army) and so on...
Every part of the serie is heavily overacted as that would make them funny. You may like them,
if you like Police Academy series. There's many similar things in these two different series, this
one is only produced with a lower budget.
---
Zombie and The Ghost Train
Zombie ja Kummitusjuna (Zombie och spöktåget)
Finland 1991 colour 87min
***
Drama
cast: Silu Seppälä (Zombie), Matti Pellonpää (Harri)
Marjo Leinonen, Mato Valtonen
credits: dir. & script Mika Kaurismäki
Zombie plays a bass quitar, sits alone in his home and walks around the snowy streets.
Something is missing in his life. The Ghost Train is a band whose music nobody has heard
but they are still rich and famous. They walk around Zombie's life like death's angels.
The whole movie is Zombie's diary. This sad looking guy is writing his own destiny. If
Zombie is a bit boring his friends are not. Matti Pellonpää as Harri, a famous singer and
Zombie's closest friend, is one of the funniest characters in the movie. Just like in other
Kaurismäki movies, the humour is a bit twisted and not so easy to see at first. However,
this movie is not a comedy but more like a tragedy with a grin. It won three Jussi prizes
(Finnish Oscars), one for the best actor (Silu Seppälä).
TRIVIA: Matti Pellonpää sings himself in the movie.
---
Rolli - Amazing Tales
Rölli - hirmuisia kertomuksia (Rölli - Förfärliga berättelser)
Finland 1991 colour 83min
****1/2
Children, fantasy
cast: Allu Tuppurainen (Rölli or Rolli or Roelli), Sari Mällinen
(the fairy), Jussi Lampi, Risto Kaskilahti
credits: dir. Olli Soinio (also script with Allu Tuppurainen),
music Allu Tuppurainen with Kari Hillo and Antti Hytti
Röllis are trolls which live in forests. Most of them are scary but not all of them. The main
character, simply named as Rölli, is peaceful and only a little scary. Only with other trolls he
acts like bad boy.
Rölli is known from the Finnish television. The tv serie has been shown there for years and
all the characters are made by actor Allu (Allan) Tuppurainen. This film was made after the
tv serie. In this flick Rölli falls in love with a lovely fairy and tries to keep their forest clean.
The sweet little troll makes his best to save the nature. An instructive story with lots of
fantasy. The film won Jussi prizes (Finnish Oscars) for best actress and costumes &
make-up. There's also a sequel (Rölli ja metsänhenki, 2001).
---
ä'Moonshine Moonshine'
Pirtua pirtua
Finland 1991 colour 96min
½
Drama
cast: Martti Kainulainen (Matson), Matti Mäntylä, Mikko Jurkka (Masto), Timo Koivusalo
credits: dir. and prod. Visa Mäkinen
A real B movie, or even worse... This movie is about smugglers, who worked during late
1919 to early 1932 in Finland and dealed mainly alcohol. Somebody gets killed, somebody
losts the goods, somebody else gets killed... Finally the whole movie gets so messy that if
you're still watching it then, you don't care about any of its characters.
It's hard to believe that the actors of this film could do better work. Actually, they can, they
have proved it on the stage many times. So the problem is in the script and directing. There
you have bookish dialogue, too much of babbling, unimportant scenes... Luckily Ms. Mäkinen
hasn't made new movies since this.
---
Goodbye, Trainmen/ And the Men on Train Wave
Veturimiehet heiluttaa (Lokföraren som vinkade)
Finland 1992 colour 86min
**1/2
Drama
cast: Samuli Edelmann, Santeri Kinnunen
credits: dir. Kari Paljakka, script Juha Lehtovuori
A story about two friends, the good and the bad. They'll separate and life goes on.
The one gets a good life and the other doesn't.
Not exactly a bad movie but the whole idea of the good and the bad boy is already
a too old cliche. Singer/actor Samuli Edelmann did his debute role here.
---
La Vie de Bohème
Bohemian Life
Boheemielämää (Bohemliv)
Finland/France 1992 B/W 100min
****
Comedy
cast: Matti Pellonpää, Evelyne Didi, Andre Wilms,
Kari Väänänen
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki (also script)
äA story about poor artists who try to be understood and loved. One of them falls in love but
another one seduces his lady. Well, the world is full of women.
This is a wonderful piece of art. The story is loaned from Henri Murger's novel. It fits perefectly
in black and white. There's more talk than in Kaurismäki movie usually is but in this case it doesn't
make the movie look or sound bad. There's also some absolutely crazy scenes which make just
anybody laugh. Simply one of Aki Kaurismäki's best movies. The movie is in French.
TRIVIA: Matti Pellonpää played an Albanian in this film, because only then his bad
French didn't matter so much.
---
Tanjuska and the 7 Devils
Tanjuska ja 7 perkelettä (Tanjuska och de 7 djävlarna)
Finland 1993 colour 82min
****
Documentary
cast: Tatjana Vladimirova (Tanjuska), Pirjo Honkasalo (narrator)
credits: dir., prod., script, edit. and DOP Pirjo Honkasalo
"Director Pirjo Honkasalo introduces us to a little Russian girl, who has been ""out"" of the "
society since a holy man found out that she has demons. The girl, Tanjuska, lives alone with his
father, who makes everything to save his daughter.
This documentary affects emotionally. It's a powerful story created by almost one woman alone.
If it wasn't a documentary, it could be easily a horror flick. The only minus for the whole thing is
the soundtrack. At times it's really hard to heard the narrator.
---
ä'The Bachelor Days of Pekko'
Pekko aikamiespojan poikamiesaika
Finland 1993 colour 89min
**
Comedy
cast: Timo Koivusalo (Pekko), Joel Hallikainen (himself), Satu Silvo (Pipsa)
credits: dir. Sina Kujansuu (also script with Timo Koivusalo and Elina Tunturi)
Pekko was created by Timo Koivusalo for his stand up show. The character has a pretty
similar history as Esko Toivonen's character Eemeli has. Pekko is almost a middle-aged
man, who lives with his mother in a small country village. He is almost as childish as Uuno
Turhapuro but he doesn't want to make good only for himself but also for the others. In the
village lives among many a shy police Reino, a mad inventor Heka and beautiful Kaisa who
secretly loves Reino. Pekko helps the other villagers to won their battle against bad city
people, who are threatening their peace. There's also nice city people, for example lovely
Pipsa. Pipsa is, of course, the one whom Pekko loves.
The very first Pekko movie is about Pipsa and Pekko, how they met each other in Pipsa's
work (she's an archaeologist) and what are the curious business connected to it. There's
some funny gags but as movie Pekko is too kind and sweet to be a strong comment for
anything. The problem is perhaps in Pekko himself, who is maybe too innocent and weird
to be real enough.
However, Pekko has got many fans. The first movie got a sequel in 1994. This movie
brought back the old cast. The same cast has been also in later Pekko movies with some
minor changes. In Pekko ja massahurmaaja the character called Heka was played by Juha
Laitila instead of Jope Ruonansuu (they both are imitators).
---
Tigrero - A Film That Was Never Made
Finland/Brazil/Germany 1994 colour 75 min
***
Documentary
cast: Samuel Fuller, Jim Jarmusch
credits: dir. Mika Kaurismäki (also script, edit. &
producer)
A story about a film that Samuel Fuller never made of Karaja Indians. It's exciting
although there's finally very little action. But if you're interested of backgrounds of a lost
movie project, this is the film you're searching for.
---
ä'The Killing of a Cat'
Kissan kuolema (Kattens död)
Finland 1994 colour 89 min
***
Drama
cast: Marja Pyykkö (Nitta), Kalle Ahola (Ari), Kaija Kangas (Liisa)
credits: dir. and script Raimo O. Niemi, prod. Claes Olsson and Bert Sundberg,
music Yari
The main character of the movie is Nitta, an young and angry woman, who lives in so
called school home. She seems to be bored into her life behind laws and orders. The fact
is, she and the other teen girls in the school home have a secret which has something to do
with their teachers.
There's a good idea behind the story. But the movie doesn't work very well anyway. It has
idly fitting dialogue and some scenes that look pretty unnecessary for the story. A good
movie is one that makes you to forget that you're watching a movie. This flick can't make it.
---
Lipton Cockton in the Shadows of Sodoma
Finland 1995 colour 83min
½
Sci-Fi
cast: Jorma Tommila (Cockton)
credits: dir. Jari Halonen
Detective Lipton Cockton tries to
search a woman who looks like Marilyn Monroe?
Detective Lipton Cockton tries to search a woman who looks like Marilyn Monroe?
The film looks a bit like Blade Runner, but... It seems to me that there's no script at all.
And actors... They are so poor that I'll hope you never see this flick.
"TRIVIA: When mister Halonen's movie Aleksis Kiven elämä/""The Life of Aleksis Kivi"" "
was just arrived to theatres, the director had an interview in Joonas Hytönen Show (a talk
show). Mister Halonen had a long monoloque about his methods and thoughts. The host
"was quiet for a long time after that and then he replied: ""Wow, that sounded great - but I "
"didn't understand a word..."""
---
'The Last Wedding'
Kivenpyörittäjän kylä
Finland 1995 colour 90min
***
Drama
cast: Pertti Koivula, Martti Suosalo, Esko Nikkari,
Esko Hukkanen
credits: dir. Markku Pölönen
Iät's like a long and hot summer day. There's a guy who tries constantly move a big rock -
because of something that his father once said to him. And there's a bunch of women who
just babble and babble. A guy, who has moved to Sweden. Wedding quests. Lots of tiny
stories in one.
Director Markku Pölönen has coloured this film with certain kind of humour which makes
"its characters loveable. He is not (luckily) just one new ""Aki Kaurismäki"" but a man who "
has something own ingenuine to give. Great casting, everything works nicely together.
No wonder that this movie was a big success.
TRIVIA: Actor Pertti Koivula had to put his weight up about 20 kg for his role.
TRIVIA#2: The movie won three Jussi prizes (Finnish Oscars), one for the best movie,
one for directing and one for supporting actor (Matti Varjo).
---
Vampira: About Sex, Death and Taxes
Vampira
Finland 1995 colour and B/W 64min
***
Documentary
cast: Maila Nurmi
credits: dir., sound and prod. Mika J. Ripatti
It's been told that she was James Dean's girlfriend. The dark lady from a 1950's tv show.
She was the horror hostess but what she is today? Is she even living anymore?
"An interesting little documentary about Maila ""Vampira"" Nurmi. Director Mika J. Ripatti "
shows introduces us to Ms. Nurmi's past and present but he doesn't make the subject look
any odder or lovelier than she was or is. However, he could have shown something more,
nothing scandalous but just more theatre, film and television history. Maila Nurmi herself is
as fantastic and funny as she can be.
---
Kummeli Stories
Finland 1995 colour about 86 min
***
Comedy
cast: Timo Kahilainen, Heikki Hela, Heikki Silvennoinen
(The Kummeli group)
credits: script The Kummeli group, producer Claes Olsson
In 1990's - Kummeli was running on tv. Short, funny stories made by four, extremely
hilarious guys. This movie is mostly the same. We go through different episodes, some of
them keeps going on through the whole movie. There's no real plot.
The tv serie was something that may not feel like comedy for a foreigner. The movie is a bit
better than the serie, but still you have to know something about Finnish culture before you
can really understand it. The movie has also a sequel, Kummeli kultakuume.
---
The Night Train
Yöjuna
Finland 1996 colour 82 min
***1/2
Thriller
cast: Santeri Kinnunen, ÅÅke Lindman, Minna Soisalo, Martti Suosalo
credits: dir. Arto Lehkamo
An accident happends. A common freight-train crashes into a truck. The weather was foggy
and the night was dark. And the truck was empty. It seems to be a sabotage, but why?
An young investigator Ari Nykänen (Kinnunen) finds out that this train wasn't as common as
everybody says. Soon there is killers after him. His marriage was in crisis and now
everything is even more difficult.
Santeri Kinnunen is just a right guy for the leading role. He is the cute hero and helpful
everyman. It's easy to like his character. Also his family looks very real.
The budget of the film hasn't been big and that shows. Although the acting is abowe routines
and clumsyness, there's faults. The sound of the copy that I saw was bad and the scenes
are sterile: there's nothing much but the actors and the darkness of the night to look at. Still,
this is OK movie.
---
'Drifting Clouds'
Kauas pilvet karkaavat
Finland 1996 colour 96min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Kari Väänänen, Kati Outinen
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki
The life is hard. Depression, grey sky. But then everything starts to smile - thanks for the
restaurant Työ (work in English).
The cast is good. Actor Matti Pellonpää died before the filming, so Kari Väänänen shared
his role with Ms. Outinen in this movie. Kati Outinen does her work very sensitively.
The jokes are witty as always in Kaurismäki's movies.
TRIVIA: The photo on the desk in the film's house, that's actor Matti Pellonpää as baby.
TRIVIA#2: The famous Finnish movie critic and historian Peter von Bagh has a cameo role
as a customer in the restaurant.
---
The Heart of the man
Miehen sydän
Finland 2004 colour ?min
***1/2
Drama, comedy
cast: Mari Rantasila (Raija), Pertti Sveholm (Harri),
Juha Muje, Oskari Katajisto, Elena Leeve
credits: dir. Veli-Matti Saikkonen, script Kjell Westö
äIt's late. A man enters to a tiny dinner place, orders a meal and starts to eat it. It's
almost the closing time. Suddenly he gets angry: the meal is cold. The lady who owns
the place doesn't want to do anything for the issue, and the man goes absolute mad.
Later we'll learn more about this guy, his friends, job, the misery of middle-age and his
women. The owner of the dinner place may become one of them.
The script of the film won in 1997 a prize in EBU contest. The text is good and the
actors work well together, especially Sveholm and Rantasila as the main couple. Still,
the dialogue sounds a bit too stiff for their mouths. However, this is a very good story
about Finnish mentality.
---
The Kummeli Gold Fever
Kummeli kultakuume
Finland 1997 colour 96 min
***1/2
Comedy
cast: Timo Kahilainen, Heikki Hela, Heikki Silvennoinen
(The Kummeli group), Heikki Vihinen, Kari Hietalahti, Mari Turunen,
Jukka Puotila (Peter North), Vesa-Matti Loiri,
Oiva Lohtander, Tapio Liinoja, Tuula Nyman, Vesa Vierikko
credits: script The Kummeli group, dir Matti Grönberg, prod.
Markus Selin
If the first Kummeli movie wasn't actually very funny, this one is better. It's about a madman
Elmeri Hautamäki (Silvennoinen) who escapes from mental hospital to search a gold treasure
which his father, Kyrpä-Jooseppi (Joseph The Cock), left to him. Elmeri is not alone on his
"way. There's also his nurse, a guy with huge muscles and a ""lady"" with him. Together they'll "
meet a bunch of weirdoes. There's evil nazis, deaf monks, poetic homos and almost
everything else...
Although there's jokes about monks, homos etc. the comedy doesn't go over the edge.
It's mainly funny, thanks for the great cast. One of the film's best perfomances comes from
imitator Jukka Puotila, who plays extremely well a crazy German (was that really him?!).
The soundtrack is... magnificent. :D
---
The Minister of State
Sagojoga Minister
Sagojogan ministeri (Minister på villovägar)
Finland 1997 colour 83min
****
Drama
cast: Bjorn Sundquist, Erik Kiviniemi,
Anita Suikkari, Kari-Pekka Toivonen, Esko Hukkanen
credits: dir. Paul-Andres Simma
äAt first it wasn't easy to believe that this kind of a movie could be so funny, but it is.
It starts with a scene in the present day. An old man is driving his car and he starts to
tell a story to a kid. Then we go back to 1945, when the WW2 was going on. The story
takes its place in Sagojoga, Lappland. The small village is surrounded by three big states:
Sweden, Finland and Russia. The people there change their language and props depending
on who is attacking. Sometimes Sagojoga is part of Finland, sometimes part of Sweden etc.
The life in the village changes when two villagers find an ill man from the woods. The scary
villagers don't know should they kill the man or what until the guy finally wakes up and
claims that he's minister Rävmark from Helsinki, Finland. Of course he's not, but that is a
starter of an incredible adventure. Both the minister (Erik Kiviniemi) and the villagers are
criminals but somebody has to win.
The story has some real historical background but it's still very much of fantasy. Some
of the actors seem to be unprofessional, but in a way it's good to see real people from
Lappland in the movie too. The Lapplandish music of the movie won a Finnish Oscar
prize called Jussi. It's brilliant in its happy weirdness.
---
'Collector'
Neitoperho
****1/2
Finland 1997 colour 98 min
Drama
cast: Leea Klemola (Eevi), Reea Mauranen, Elina Hurme
credits: dir. & script Auli Mantila
Eevi is far away from child but she acts like one. Her sister has been
her mother since their parents died and when her sister wants to get
new life without Eevi something snaps in Eevi's head.
She runs away, steals her sister's car and starts to drive away from
the reality.
Leea Klemola is great as Eevi, she won prizes for this role. The dialogue
sounds real and the script is good. You never know what happends next in the movie.
There's much of violence in this movie so I don't recommend it to
everybody.
---
'Freakin' Beautiful World'
Sairaan kaunis maailma
Finland 1997 colour 94min
***
Drama
cast: Arttu Kapulainen, Kati Outinen
credits: dir. and script Jarmo Lampela
A story about teenagers who tries to stay alive in the world of drugs and crimes.
Many people in Finland have been angry because of the language of this film. When almost
"every word is ""fuck"", it's hard to watch a film? At least it's more realistic than bookish "
language from the 1950's movies. This film is very well made and its young cast is perfect
for their roles. Still there is some failures which makes the movie look a bit awkward. The
pictures are freakin' colourful anyway.
---
The Quiet Village
Vaiennut kylä
Finland 1997 colour 77 min
**1/2
Crime
cast: Taisto Reimaluoto (the police), Taneli Mäkelä
(Pukari), Vesa Vierikko (Mandoliini), Sari Havas
credits: dir. Kari Väänänen (also script), music Ismo Alanko
äBased on a true story about a girl who was found killed in the woods (this happened a few
decades ago, the case Kyllikki Saari). Everybody in the girl's home village suspected their
neighbour as the killer. The case is still open.
Actor Kari Väänänen has done a lot of work, when he wrote and directed this film but
something is missing. There's funny characters, suspicious characters and action. Almost
too much of everything.
---
Little Sister
Pikkusisar
Finland 1999 colour 107 min
***
Drama, war
cast: Vera Kiiskinen (Katri Ruuska), Kai Lehtinen (Arvo), Tarmo Ruubel
credits: dir. Taru Mäkelä, script Raija Talvio, DOP Jouko Seppälä
It's 1941, the war between Finland and Russia is going on. Katri has lost her husband in the war.
She tries to start a new life giving her best as nurse in a hospital. There she meets a charming poet
Arvo, who may have lost his eyes forever. But there's also another guy, Eero, Katri's old friend from
her childhood, who fancies her.
A slightly melodramatic war movie. There's nothing bad in the actors. Both Mr. Ruubel and Lehtinen
are ok in their roles. Vera Kiiskinen is perfectly calm and still sensitive as Katri. The movie looks and
sounds fine, like it all would really happen in 1940's. The major problem in the movie is its script.
There's no real surprises and the characters never grow interesting enough. That's pretty sad, since
this flick has everything else just as it should be.
"TRIVIA: The singer in the hospital is Virve ""Vicky"" Rosti, who can be rememberd also from"
song Sata salamaa which she sang in the Eurovision song contest (1980's).
---
The Redemption
Lunastus
Finland 1999 colour 78 min
****
War, drama
cast: Kari Heiskanen
credits: dir. Olli Saarela
The story takes place in Finland about a hundred years ago. There's war going on, also
in that small village, where the priest Patrick Sillman lives. He tries to stay away from it
'tillhis secret takes him over. A story about love and hate.
Mr. Heiskanen does perfect work in the main role. His acting is very small and
therefore pleasant to watch. Same goes with the whole film.
---
Amazing Women by the Sea
Ihanat naiset rannalla (Underbara kvinnor vid vatten)
Finland 1998 colour 100 min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Åsa Karlin (Rosa), Marika Krook (Bella), Onni Thulenius,
Nicke Lignell, Micke Rejström
credits: dir. Claes Olsson, music Yari, based on a book by
Monika Fagerholm
This movie is full of pretty scenes. Nostalgy, laughters, love and amazement. Most of the
time we'll see everything trough little Thomas' eyes. Beautiful summer holidays, his ex-mermaid
mother (singer Marika Krook), his jazz-loving father. We get also the boy's view to their
summer neighbours, who have a shiny boat, lots of money and a strange daughter. But not
everything is fine. The little boy can not understand adults who cry and scream. His mother
(Marika Krook) falls in love with her somebody else's husband and all starts to go wrong.
Critics have crushed the whole film. Maybe after many years they understand it better?
After all, it is more than just a collection of nice pictures...
---
'The Fire-Eater'
Tulennielijä
Finland 1998 colour 100min
**1/2
Drama
cast: Elena Leeve, Elina Hurme
credits: dir. Pirjo Honkasalo
A very dark movie. It's a tale about two sisters, the pretty one and the ugly one, who live
in circus. Their father wants the pretty one to be acrobat, but she wants something else and
acts like handicapped. Because of this the father has to change his plans and try the same
with the ungly one but she's no good at all. The story circles around the ugly sister and
shows us how she grows up to be what she wants to be. In this way the movie is quite
succesfull. However, at times it feels a bit too long. If you're searching for a nice little
Hollywood story with a happy ending, this movie is not for you.
---
A Respectable Tragedy
Säädyllinen murhenäytelmä (En anständig tragedi)
Finland 1998 colour 112 min
****
Drama
cast: Ville Virtanen, Timo Jurkka, Päivi Akonpelto, Henriikka Salo,
Kyllikki Forssell
credits: dir. Kaisa Rastimo, based on a novel by Helvi Hämäläinen
äIt's the late 1930's. Elisabeth (Päivi Akonpelto) finds out that her husband has a lover.
A girl from neighbour. Elisabeth runs to her husband's sister, to ask an advice. But the sister
doesn't find there any problem, of course, Elisabet's sister has a more twisted life. Her
problems are bigger. Her ex-husband is addicted to his own mother and sex. She loves
still him.
The story is old, but Kaisa Rastimo has this certain ability to make everything to look very
fresh and interesting. Although there's a tragedy going on, the world of the film looks like a
paradise and sounds like thousands bells would be ringing all of the time. It's lovely and
ironic.
---
Going to Kansas City
Finland/Canada 1998 colour 98min
***
Drama, romance
cast: Mikko Nousiainen, Michael Ironside, Melissa Galianos
credits: dir. Pekka Mandart (also script with Tony McNabb and Morrie Ruvinsky)
An young and handsome Finnish guy travels to US, falls in love and gets in trouble.
A story about prejudice, love and an American life. It's a bit road movie too. OK cast,
OK music, nice shots... But nothing much else.
---
A Long Hot Summer
Pitkä kuuma kesä
Finland 1999 colour 100min
****
Drama
cast: Unto Helo, Hanna-Mari Karhinen, Mikko Hakola
credits: dir. Perttu Leppä (also script)
A hilarius story about young guys who wanna be real rock stars.
äA hilarius story about young guys who wanna be real rockstars. The summer is hot, as the
title says, and the music is rough as sand.
All the young dudes in the movie are almost amateurs but they do still fine job. The dialogue
sounds realistic and everything in the movie looks well-thinked. It's a joy to watch this kind
of a movie.
---
Satumaa: Unto Mononen's Life And Tangos
Satumaa - Unto Monosen elämä ja tangot
Finland 1999 colour/B/W 71min
***
Documentary
cast: M.A. Numminen (himself), Risto Kaskilahti (Unto Mononen)
credits: dir. and prod. Claes Olsson (also script with M.A. Numminen)
A half-acted documentary about composer Unto Mononen who wrote many tangos
years ago (one of them was called Satumaa). Risto Kaskilahti looks very much like
Mr. Mononen but the acted scenes doesn't fit very well in the other material. The
documentary gives, however, quite a lot interesting information about the subject.
---
Kiss Me in the Rain
Rakkaudella, Maire
Finland 1999 colour 100 min
****
Drama
cast: Eeva Litmanen (Maire), Minna Haapkylä, Esko Salminen
credits: dir. Veikko Aaltonen
äShe looks fine. She has money, a son and a good job. But her husband is not there. His job
is far away and the son is distant. She drinks and collects crime articles from newspapers.
And then she gets an idea: she has to help one of those poor people whose name she has
found in one of the articles. Maire wants to be loved and this is her way to find love.
Eeva Litmanen plays Maire as she really would be her. She is so good that you find yourself
"talking to her character, saying: ""No, Maire. Stop that. Get some help, woman!"" Another "
surprisingly good actress in this film is Minna Haapkylä. At first her character is to Maire as
helpless object but in the end she is changes. The role is very difficult but Haapkylä makes
it look easy. The reason for that why this movie is not worth of five stars (*), is in its story.
This kind of a tale stays in between of realism and fiction but it can't never really reach the
other side (realism).
---
The Tough Ones
Häjyt
Finland 1999 colour 102 min
****
Drama, crime
cast: Samuli Edelmann (Jussi), Juha Veijonen (Antti),
Arttu Kapulainen (Roope), Kalevi Haapoja, Sari Havas (Sisko),
Kari Väänänen, Jussi Lampi, Teemu Lehtilä
credits: dir. Aleksi Mäkelä
Three young guys did a messy bank robbery. Two went into the jail and the third one -
he became a police. Nobody knows where they put the money. After years they finally
meet. But: where is the money? The two of the guys start to search the third one who most
likely has taken their money. Of course innocent people will be killed and lots of damage
will be seen, but there's also humouristic moments.
The cast makes fine roles, especially Sari Havas as Sisko. Gladly the head roles are not
stereotypical. The story is occasionally a bit weak (it's a modern version of rough free guys,
who used to mess around Pohjanmaa years ago). The whole film is still very interesting.
Something is happening all of the time in the movie.
---
'The Swan And The Wanderer'
Kulkuri ja joutsen
Finland 1999 colour 117min
***1/2
Biography, drama
cast: Tapio Liinoja (Tapio Rautavaara), Martti Suosalo
(Reino Helismaa), Pertti Koivula,
Esko Nikkari, Tuija Piepponen (Siiri Angerkoski),
Martti Katajisto (T.J. Särkkä)
credits: dir. Timo Koivusalo (also script), music Tapio
Rautavaara and Reino Helismaa
Tapio Rautavaara, an Finnish icon. He was an Olympic star, but later also singer and actor.
(I think he was as stiff as a log as singer and actor, but it's just my opinion).
Reino Helismaa was a singer and a comedy song writer. He wrote also plays (movies) and
love songs. His face was seen in many movies aswell but he never came as big star as his
good friends Esa Pakarinen and Tapio Rautavaara.
This film tells the story of these three good men. It's about their life and how hard is to keep
friends.
Timo Koivusalo did the Pekko movie serie before this film, but he has no professional
education from movie area. At times this shows, he makes decisions which are very
common for people who have no real touch into movies. Fortunately he had a good team
with him. Especially actor Martti Suosalo does wonderful work as Reino Helismaa.
He IS Mr. Helismaa.
---
Juha
Finland 1999 B/W 78min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Kati Outinen, Elina Salo
credits: dir. Aki Kaurismäki
A remake. A strory about an young couple. There's a simple guy and his pretty wife, who
falls in love with an evil man and runs away from her lovely and peaceful home to bad city
and life. Tragical.
The casting is well made, but the movie itself is a bit slow. This film is silent.
This is third version of the same story. Other versions were directed by T.J. Särkkä (1956,
with Eino Kaipainen as Juha, the movie is in color) and Nyrki Tapiovaara.
---
'The Ambush'
Rukajärven tie
Finland 1999 colour 120 min
***1/2
War
cast: Peter Franzén (Eero Perkola), Taisto Reimaluoto (Unto Saarinen),
Kari Heiskanen (Jussi Lukkari), Kari Väänänen (Tauno Snicker),
Irina Björklund (Kaarina Vainikainen), Kai Lehtinen (major Kivikari),
Arttu Kapulainen (Ville Snicker)
credits: dir. Olli Saarela, based on a book by Antti Tuuri
Another Finnish war movie, and, not a bad one! Many old Finnish war veterans have
blamed this film about its action sequenses (They found mistakes in them...). Well, still the
film looks good and Peter Franzen is perfect in his role. There's a lot of blood, but also a
love story. So, this is a good combination of everything that a common war movie has.
---
"ä""The Call of Lakeus"""
Lakeuden kutsu
Finland 2000 colour 94 min
***½
Drama
cast: Kari Väänänen (Erkki Hakala), Esko Nikkari (Paavo Hakala), Mari Rantasila, Martti Suosal
credits: dir. Ilkka Vanne (also script with Antti Tuuri, based on a novel by Antti Tuuri)
A man, who has spent the last few years of his life in Florida, returns back to his old home country.
He wants to start his life there from the beginning and now he has money to do it.
But what the others think about his return?
This is a slow moving drama with some nice and tidy action scenes. It has many good
characters, even juicy ones, and the cast is excellent. Unfortunately the movie never
reaches the point, where the audience could really enjoy of the catharsis. Anyhow,
there's a lot of movies which are worse than this.
---
Badding
Badding
Finland 2000 colour 103 min
****
Drama, musical
"cast: Janne Reinikainen (Rauli ""Badding"" Somerjoki),"
Karoliina Blackburn (Mari), Pertti Koivula, Peter Franz‚n (Ossi), Ilkka
Koivula, Vappu Jurkka
credits: dir. Markku Pölönen
"Rauli ""Badding"" Somerjoki was a singer. A nerd looking guy who sung lika an angel. The "
cause of his death was mainly the boozing. All that's fact. This movie starts with a text:
This is not true, this is a fairy tale. Unlikely the film claims, Mr. Somerjoki never had a
friend like Ossi and there was never brothers Hilton. But when I first saw brothers Koivula
(Ilkka and Pertti) looking like somebody in Rocky Horror - well, I thought this could be
something different. And it is.
The whole movie is like a drunkard's dream. It seems to me that he (Badding) wakes up at
times but his reality is too hazy and so he goes everywhere half-dreaming his life. Maybe it's
all naïve, but the dream is better for him, 'cause it's just so lovely. Mr. Reinikainen really
looks like Badding. He goes deep inside into the character and brings the dead singer back
alive. Some other actors act like they would be in circus but that's not so bad as it could be
"in ""non-dream"" movie."
Thank you, Rauli! OK. Maybe Badding gave something to Mr. Pölönen, but still that text
looks stupid at the end of the film.
---
Gold Fever in Lappland
Lapin kullan kimallus
Finland 2000 colour 120 min
****
Drama
cast: Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Vesa Vierikko, Lasse Pöysti, Peter
Franzén, Irina Björklund
credits: dir. & script ÅÅke Lindman
äA historical story about a goldrush in Lappland. Mr. Lindman got the idea for the film as
early as in 1970's. It took this long to finally get shot. Two humble guys goes to Lappland
to find gold. They have a brand new map that shows good places to make some money.
But the map is fake and when they finally find gold, more obstacles come on their way.
The landscapes in the movie are wonderful. We'll see many fine characters and especially
Lepistö and Ervasti (Vierikko & Petelius) are charming fellows. Everything looks very real
(the houses, clothes, manners etc.), the whole crew has done lots of work for this. Still, this
movie may feel overlong and very old-fashioned.
---
Lovely Mass Suicide
Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha
Finland 2000 colour 118 min
**
Comedy
cast: Santeri Kinnunen, Heikki Kinnunen, Tom Pöysti, Kristiina Halkola,
Esko Nikkari, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Eero Melasniemi, Titta Jokinen
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen, based on a novel by Arto Paasilinna
A group very different people find out that
they all want one and same thing: to commit a
suicide. So they get a bus and start the trip to their end.
Poor acting or at least poor lines they have.
The film affects like a sleeping pill.
TRIVIA: A famous Finnish singer Eino Grön does a cameo role in
this film.
---
A Monkey Story
Apinajuttu
Finland 2000 colour 60 min
***
Drama
cast: Ville Virtanen (Jensse), Miia Lindström (Sirje), Max Bremer
credits: dir. Esa Illi (also script)
A group of friends come to Sirje's wedding and memories rise up.
The actors look and sound very realistic in their roles. A small budget movie.
---
The King Slow
Kuningas Hidas
Finland 2000 colour 60 min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Kai Lehtinen (painter Taisto), Tanjalotta Räikkä
(his wife)
credits: dir. Saara Saarela
A story about a painter who thinks that he has lost his feelings because he washes his
hands with turpentine (a rumour says that turpentine goes trough the skin into the brains
and kill cells which we need to have emotions). The painter tries to feel, but nothing
happends.
The whole film is warm and gentle. Kai Lehtinen is a just right man to play the main
character, a little bit slow painter. The name of the movie comes partly from King Midas,
who had an ability (a curse) to made gold with his touch.
---
The Geography of Fear
Pelon maantiede
Finland 2000 colour 94 min
**1/2
Crime
cast: Tanjalotta Räikkä, Leea Klemola (Maaru Tang), Kari Sorvali,
Kaarina Hazard, Eija Vilpas
credits: dir. Auli Mantila (also script, based on a book by A. Kauranen)
A group of women kills a man. They want to teach to all men, who act like pigs, that
women are no toys. Director Mantila said somewhere that this movie is not feministic.
Most of the time it is. Among these kind of issues this also a story about two sisters, the
one hates the other. The other loves her sister anyway.
The leading lady can't give an impressing performance in this movie. She's like outsider all
of time. Leea Klemola and Kaarina Hazard are better in their roles, just like they would
have born to be angry and feministic bitches. However, that's not enough to save the film.
---
Bad Luck Love
Finland 2000 colour 91 min
**1/2
Drama, action
cast: Jorma Tommila, Tommi Eronen,
Marja Järvenhelmi, Ilkka Koivula, Arttu Kapulainen, Kari Väänänen
credits: dir. Olli Saarela
Seems to me that the director hasn't known should he be like Tarantino or not. This is not
utterly bad movie but it could have been a lot better... Too many talented actors are wasted
(for example Arttu Kapulainen in the role of young junkie) just because the makers of the
movie have stuck into tricks with pretty images.
The story tells about tough guy Ali (Jorma Tommila) who kills another criminal. While he is
in the jail, he gets news that changes his life: his girlfriend has a baby and he is the father.
There are lots of good character roles among poor ones. One of the best roles has given to
Kari Väänänen (the mafioso). It was delightful to see him in this kind of action.
---
Restless
Levottomat
Finland 2000 colour 111 min
***
Drama
cast: Mikko Nousiainen (Ari), Irina Björklund, Laura Malmivaara,
Petteri Summanen, Samuli Edelmann
credits: music by Crash, Ultra Bra, Maija Vilkkumaa etc.,
dir. Aku Louhimies, script Aleksi Bardy
They have shot this film in Turku, Finland. But almost nobody in this film talks like people
there do. Samuli Edelmann is one of those, who sounds real and his performance is also
one of the film's finest performances. Mikko Nousiainen plays his friend, the main character
Ari... His character is not very easy to identify. This young man gets all women and forgets
them. He can not feel anything, he says this also to a woman, who finally wants to get
married with him. This poor lady tries everything but the case is impossible to solve.
The actors may have tried their best and the script is not exactly bad. But, something's
missing. These actors and actresses are too pretty to be believable. Anyway, this film got
really big success in Finland. Lots of love scenes and country's best pop hits. That's the
mixture to get money.
---
River
Joki
****
Finland 2000 colour 106min
Drama
cast: Juha Kukkonen, Elina Hoffrén, Ilkka Koivula (Erkka),
Sanna Hietala (Anni), Pihla Penttinen (Virve), Heikki Rantanen
credits: dir. Jarmo Lampela
River has almost no story at all. It's about people who live their lives. The most important
character is an young lady, Anni, who is going to kill herself and her baby. She walks into
the river while two different brothers, a music person and a becoming young dad are
searching their father. The father has escaped from his birthday party to a bar. And at same
time in a local pizza house, there's an young woman who tries to make her co-workers fall
in love with each other. A bit by bit all these stories start to fascinate the watcher.
River is a lovely movie. It's nothing special but definitely something it's pleasant to watch.
All the actors are have a good touch to their roles and the camera work is very smooth.
As a movie River looks and sounds like a river.
---
Young Love
Finland 2001 colour 80min
**½
Drama
cast: Joonas Nordman (Jukka), Saija Lentonen (Johanna), Sari Havas (mother)
credits: dir. and script Arto Lehkamo
As the title tells, this is a story of young love. Jukka is about 13 years old when he falls in
love with Johanna. Johanna, who is almost twenty, has an evil father and no trust in herself.
Jukka wants to help her and one way to do it is to make Johanna as beauty model. But
"does Johanna want to love him and be a ""star"" of catwalks?"
The main problem of this movie may be that it wants to be too realistic, but the same time
the story is full of cliches. It also has very bookish dialogue, which may not be a big deal for
people who don't speak the language but to them who do... The actors are pretty good
anyway, and the soundtrack is kind of okay. But that's just not enough to make this film
anything big.
---
The Kites Over Helsinki
Leijat Helsingin yllä (Drakarna över Helsingfors)
Finland 2001 colour 90min
***
Drama
cast: Paavo Kerosuo, Pekka Strang, Johanna af Schulten,
Pirkka-Pekka Petelius
credits: dir. Peter Lindholm, based on a novel by Kjell Westö
This is a story about a rich family and different generations. There’s the once poor but now
rich and famous father, who wants to see, how his two sons grow up to keep the family
name honoured. His wife, a silent and sensitive lady is like a decoration on the wall. And
their children. Riku (Kerosuo), the younger one, is lazy and a bit lost. Dani (Strang), the
elder one, is bright but he has no will to follow his father's steps. He wants to be a musician
and so the family goes into pieces.
The cast is good. It keeps the story running on with fresh acting. Especially Pekka Strang
does nice work, although we can never get close enough to his character. The whole movie
is in Swedish. It may irritate some Finnish watchers…
---
The Rose of the Sloven
Rentun ruusu
Finland 2001 colour 99min
***
Drama, musical
cast: Martti Suosalo (Irwin Goodman),
Ilkka Koivula (Vexi Salmi), Esko Nikkari, Riitta Salminen,
Pertti Koivula, Vexi Salmi (himself)
credits: dir. (& script with Vexi Salmi) Timo Koivusalo, music Irwin Goodman
Somehow it’s amazing, somehow not, but you can be a singer star with a rusty and nasal
voice. At least Irwin Goodman could. He was a protest singer, a bit like Bob Dylan, and a
beloved folksman. This movie tells his story, how he became into the stardom, how the
Irwin Goodman character took him over and finally, how he died. His friend and
ex-manager Vexi Salmi is telling this story.
Timo Koivusalo gets better as director and writer a film by film but he’s still not perfect.
Using real Vexi Salmi as the story teller the director makes a mistake. Mr. Salmi is not an
actor and it shows. There’s also some scenes which look just amateurish. Luckily Mr.
Koivusalo has again got Martti Suosalo into this project. A good actor saves much.
TRIVIA: Actor Matti Mäntylä re-creates his role as the music man Toivo Kärki in this
movie. He played the very same role in Timo Koivusalo's Kulkuri ja joutsen which also
told about Finnish musicians.
---
Everything Is Alright
Kaikki Hyvin
Finland 2001 colour 2 h
*****
Drama
cast: Outi Mäenpää, Sari Havas, Tobias Zilliacus...
(Stella Polaris group)
credits: dir. Janne Kuusi, script Stella Polaris group
A powerful drama about a big brother's birthday party where his famous, infamous, crazy,
poor etc. family is invited. There's terrible fights between his wife and sisters and finally
there's everything else but a happy birthday party. And then he has something to say...
Wonderful acting - it's no wonder, because it was pretty much improvisated. The Stella
Polaris group has really succeed.
---
Tango Cabaret
Tango kabaree
Finland 2001 colour 84 min
**
Drama, dance, musical
cast: Aira Samulin (as herself), Martti Suosalo (M.C.),
Remu Aaltonen, Helena Lindgren, Jorma Uotinen, Tuomari Nurmio,
Andy McCoy, Paula Koivuniemi
credits: dir. Pekka Lehto
Take a little bit Fellini, over one 70 years old dancing star, a bunch of Finnish singers and
"other art persons... And you'll get ""Tango Cabaret"". The story is about this (yes, she "
actually exists) red haired, old but still lively dancer lady. She tells her life story while she
and her friends are in the rehearsal of her new show. This show is just a big fantasy
sequence and it should have been in a totally different movie. Now it only makes things
messy and terrible to watch. what a pity.
---
The Classic
Klassikko
Finland 2001 colour 80 min
*****
Comedy
cast: Martti Suosalo (Hotakainen), Janne Hyytiäinen, Martti Onnismaa,
Pertti Sveholm, Arvi Lind (as himself), Pirkka Pekka Petelius
credits: dir. Kari Väänänen, based on a novel by Kari Hotakainen
äPerhaps one of the most funniest Finnish movies ever. It's a story about a writer (Suosalo),
whose publisher wants him to be like everybody else in the business: to write his own
memoirs. But what if you don't have anything to tell...? The writer has to create something
big and so he does. There's some nice looking cars in his big story. Somehow trusted and
well-known Finnish news anchor Arvi Lind gets involved with this case too.
The casting is great. Martti Suosalo does once again a marvellous performance. He is the
heart of the whole show and Pertti Sveholm's police character is a brilliant sidekick.
---
'Rollo and the Woods Sprite'
Rölli ja metsänhenki
Finland 2001 colour 92min
***
Fantasy, adventure
cast: Allu Tuppurainen (Rölli), Maria Järvenhelmi (Milli), Peter Franzén , Samuli Edelmann
credits: dir. Olli Saarela, music Tuomas Kantelinen
A sequel for the TV serie and movie Rölli - hirmuisia kertomuksia (1991).
This movie tells, like many other movies do too, about the fight between good and bad. Rölli
and his troll friends are searching a new home when they suddenly find one. Unfortunately that's
"already occupied. Because the trolls are ""horrible"" they want to take the place to themselves. Can "
anything change their mind and what happens then to the charming little Rölli troll?
Although this movie has been filmed with a smaller budget than for example LOTR or Harry Potter
films, it looks good. The scenes are colourful and imaginative. At times the picture seems to take over
the story but - thankfully - not too often.
The cast is superb, especially Allu Tuppurainen (the creator of the Rölli character) and Maria
Järvenhelmi do good work. This movie definetely is a joy to watch.
---
The Man Without Past
Mies vailla menneisyyttä
Finland 2002 colour 94min
****
Drama, comedy
cast: Markku Peltola, Kati Outinen, Sakari Kuosmanen, Annikki Tähti
credits: dir. & prod. & script Aki Kaurismäki
A bunch of robbers attack on a guy and he almost loses his life
in that moment. Later he wakes up in a hospital, finds out that he
can't remember his name or anything and escapes from the hospital before anybody
will pronounce him as dead. He has to start a new life but it's
not so easy if you have no name.
This movie is one of Aki Kaurismäki's funniest flicks, although maybe
not his best one. It could have been better if Matti Pellonpää was
playing the main character. Markku Peltola is not as sensitive actor
as Pellonpää was but not a very far from that. Kati Outinen is excellent as
Irma, it's no wonder that she won a prize in Cannes from this role.
There's also numerous cameos and other supporting roles that are more
than well acted. Esko Nikkari as a bank robber and Sakari Kuosmanen as
Anttila make two of the most hilarious roles in this movie. It's well shot
and edited. A must see for everyone.
TRIVIA: Director's own dog Tähti plays Hannibal the dog. She is the granmother
"of the dog called Ilona, who ""plays"" a part in the tv serie Kotikatu."
TRIVIA#2: This movie won two prizes in Cannes (Kati Outinen and the movie itself)
but it was also the very first Finnish movie which was nominated for the Oscar.
---
"ä""Heinähattu and Vilttitossu"""
Heinähattu ja Vilttitossu
Finland 2002 colour 75min Kinotaurus Oy
****
Children, comedy, drama
cast: Katriina Tavi (Heinähattu), Tilda Kiianlehto (Vilttitossu), Minna Suuronen (mother Hanna),
Antti Virmavirta (father)
credits: dir. & edit. Kaisa Rastimo (also script with Marko Rauhala), music Hector
A light kids movie about two small girls who rather stay with their exiting neighbours than at home with their
boring father (all he can think is his potatoes - he examines them) and highly educated mother (in spite of that
she can't even cook). Then the other one of the girls, Heinähattu, has to go to the school. Because her sister
is two years younger than her, she begins to worry about her. Who shall look after the small Vilttitossu if their
mother goes to work and father just keeps observing his plants?
There's no doubt about it, this is fun to watch. Especially kids may like about it. The child performers,
Tilda and Katriina, are a marvellous couple. Adult performers go at times over the edge from realistic acting
to complete circus. But it doesn't matter much, because the funny neighbours and policemen in the movie are
mostly seen from the kids point of view. These characters are partly fantasy, a link to the world that only a
child's imagination can create. The movie is not full of nonsense, it tries also to teach something to the kids.
"This part is nicely ""hidden"", it goes well with everything else."
TRIVIA: The movie won Finnish Oscars, Jussi prizes, from costumes and staging.
---
Lovers and Leavers/ Lovers & Leavers
Kuutamolla
Finland 2002 colour 119min
***½
Drama, romance, comedy
cast: Minna Haapkylä (Iiris Vaara), Peter Franzén (Marko), Anna-Leena Härkönen (Anna)
credits: dir. Aku Louhimies (also script with Katja Kallio), based on a novel by Katja Kallio
A romantical comedy that comes from somewhere else but Hollywood really looks a bit different. Iiris Vaara
is a 30 years old single woman. She's quiet and nice as her working place, the bookstore, quite opposite
to her mother. Iiris loves romantical movies, her mother loves reality. Iiris needs some reality too but will she
find it with a handsome movie director Marko?
The two funniest characters in the movie are played by Pirkko Saisio and writer/actress Anna-Leena
Härkönen. Ms. Saisio's bohemian artist mother suits well in the story as does Ms. Härkönen's sex maniac.
The best performances of the movie are given by the main star Minna Haapkylä and Matti Ristinen. Ms. Haapkylä
makes her character loveable with her solid presence. Mr. Ristinen's character needs a little more time but in the
end you'll love him too. When the cast is as good as this and everything else seems to be running well too, the
main problem in this movie seems to be in the fact it looks too much like a mass product. The sense of
Hollywood is too near. This is anyway a great film from director Aku Louhimes.
---
"Ten Hags /""Ten Graters"""
Kymmenen riivinrautaa
Finland 2002 colour 103min
**1/2
Comedy
cast: Esko Salminen (Rauno Rämekorpi), Santeri Kinnunen (Sorjonen),
Petra Frey, Rinna Paatso, Kristiina Elstelä, Susanna Haavisto,
Rea Mauranen, Tea Ista, Kari Väänänen
credits: dir. Ere Kokkonen and script with Arto Paasilinna (novel)
Rauno Rämekorpi is a big boss and now he's having a big birthday party. He gets lots of
presents and flowers. Unfortunately his wife is allergic to the flowers and he has to move
them somewhere. He doesn't want to waste his pretty gifts, he calls a taxi and then it starts:
he wants to meet all his old lovers and give the presents to them.
The dialogue - it's not very natural. The actors do their roles as routine and that's nothing
else but dull to look at. There's funny moments but anyway it all seems kind of old fashioned.
TRIVIA: Director Ere Kokkonen and writer Arto Paasilinna makes cameos in this film.
Also violinist Linda Brava (Lampenius) has a quick appearance.
TRIVIA#2: Santeri Kinnunen played a character called Seppo Sorjonen also in
the movie Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha.
---
Duet Amoroso
Duetto Amoroso
Finland 2002 colour 45min
**1/2
Musical
cast: Mari Palo (Maria), Pentti Hietanen (Laszlo), Jarmo Mäkinen (Bruno),
Juha Laitila (Jorkki), Pertti Koivula (Jesse)
credits: dir. (& script) Markku Pölönen, music Verdi etc.
äMarkku Pölönen has done better films than this. His attempt to put together opera, musical
and... stuff is interesting but it moves on too slowly. Tenor Pentti Koivula and soprano Mari
Palo are good but they are opera cast and they have their manners which don’t work well
in Pölönen’s hands.
The story tells about beautiful Maria, who moves to evil Bruno’s house and falls in love with
the porter Laszlo. They sing lovely duets and evil Bruno’s servants make a slapstick comedy.
Odd, occasionally fun and nice to listen but it’s still too long.
---
Handcruff King
Kahlekuningas (Utbrytarkonungen)
Finland/Sweden 2002 colour 91 min
****
Drama, comedy, fantasy
cast: Miikka Enbuske (Esko), Heikki Hela, Maija Junno,
Arttu Kapulainen, Sulevi Peltola
credits: dir. and script Arto Koskinen, music Samuli Laiho, prod. Claes Olsson
12 years old Esko dreams about becoming new Houdini. He has only one friend,
Swedish boy Patrick. When Esko's mom and dad have hard times in their marriage
and big kids tease smaller ones, Esko and Patrick escape to boyish fantasy world
where Rommel and his troops are still alive.
"Although the story is told from 12 year boy's point of view, this is not ""a for kids only"" "
movie. The young actors are very good. The script is well written but there's scenes
where Mr. Koskinen has gone perhaps too far into fantasy world. This is one of
those movies where you'll have to focus on every scene and word or else you may
not know what's happening. Anyway, it's a fine movie and there's good humour.
TRIVIA: The movie was shot in Tornio.
---
Sound Of Brazil (Moro No Brazil)
Moro No Brazil
Germany, Brazil, Finland 2002 colour 105min
*****
Documentary, musical
cast: Walter Alfaiate, Velha Guarde da Mangueira
Mika Kaurismäki
credits: Mika Kaurismäki (dir., script)
äA beautiful documentary of the music and musicians of Brazil. A colourful story which is
really nice to watch. It goes really deep into the Brazilian culture but never looses certain
lightyness.
---
Stripping
Hengittämättä & nauramatta
Finland 2002 colour 74min
***
Drama, comedy
cast: Liisa Kuoppamäki (Inka), Meri Nenonen,
Marc Gassot (Arno), Johan Storgård (Luukas), Mikko Nousiainen
credits: dir. Saara Saarela
äIt's a bit like Ally McBeal. A story about a woman called Inka who draws a cartoon serie
and seems to live her life like a cartoon heroine. She wants always be in the middle of the
action and arrange everybody's business. Oh boy, she's a wacko.
In the beginning she leaves her lover (Nousiainen), who is as surprised about this as the
audience. There's no good reason for her to move but she does it anyway. Her cartoon
seems to be never published. Everything goes wrong. Even her new lover is a big mistake.
But better times will come.
Liisa Kuoppamäki was a good choise in the head role of this movie but sometimes she's
showing out either too little or wrong feelings. Maybe the fault was not her but the director's.
However, there's some hilarius supporting roles. For example Inka's brother, a computer
"witzard who doesn't usually come out from his ""cave"", is fantastic. The movie is visually fine "
and its soundtrack sounds nice but the story should have been better written.
---
Raid
Finland 2003 colour 125 min
***1/2
Crime, action, comedy
cast: Kai Lehtinen (Raid), Oiva Lohtander (Jansson),
Mari Rantasila (Tarja), Pekka Huotari (Huusko), Kirsti Väänänen,
Juha Muje (Sundman), Markku Maalismaa, Risto Salmi (Arska),
Helge Herala (Keisari, Tarja's father)
credits: dir. Tapio Piirainen
The popular TV serie called Raid was made in 2000. It told about a contract killer, polices,
corruption, love and lots of other things around their world. This movie is a second act for
that serie. Still, it works without the serie too and it is extremely funny.
The movie starts from the point when the contract killer, Raid’, travels back to Finland. He
wants to see his girlfriend Tarja, but it seems that she has died in an arson. Raid’s old friend,
a huge and sympathetic cop Jansson, has some other information about things and soon
they both are investigating Tarja’s case. There’s big business behind everything.
The cast is same as in the tv serie. Lehtinen, Lohtander, Muje and the others does very
good work. Especially Juha Muje as an alcoholist and Markku Maalismaa as a weird truck
driver are great. They are also the funniest characters in the movie. The dialogue of the
movie is as short and juicy as in the tv serie.
TRIVIA: The leading lady of the movie, Mari Rantasila, sang both the movie and the serie’s
main themes.
---
Sibelius
Finland 2003 colour/B/W 116min
***1/2
Drama
cast: Martti Suosalo, Miina Turunen,
Heikki Nousiainen, Seela Sella, Vesa Vierikko
credits: dir. & script & prod. Timo Koivusalo, music by Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius, a famous Finnish composer, is definitely one of those persons, who will be
always remembered as one of great Finns. This movie is his biography. It shows the tragic
childhood of the genius, his wild years with heavy drinking and all which comes with it and
the ageing maestro with his loyal wife and charming daughters.
Mr. Koivusalo isn’t a great director. He isn’t also a great writer but he has done his best for
this movie. It’s powerful drama, because of the music which is composed - of course - by
Jean Sibelius. Martti Suosalo plays young Sibelius well, as usual, and Heikki Nousiainen is
also quite good as the ageing maestro. Although Mr. Koivusalo has used some clichés
(he seems to not get rid of those), this is a good film. After all, it’s not easy to make a
movie about somebody, who has so big role in Finnish history.
---
Gourmet Club
Finland 2004 colour 65min
***
Comedy
cast: Hannu-Pekka Björkman (Paavo Ylönen), Harri Ketonen, Michael Badalucco (chef Orsino)
credits: dir. Juha Wuolijoki
Doctor Paavo Ylönen has lost his money. Because he is highly respected man, he tries to
fake that he is still a rich man. Then he gets one more problem. He and a few other men has
this so called gourmet club, where they eat expensive meals, made of something that one of
its member has brought with him. After the meal the other members try to guess what
they've been eating. Every time they make a bet about it. It's doc's turn to bring the special
ingredient with him but what could a poor man offer, if he wants to win too?
This is a black comedy, which tells a lot about the movie. You know in the beginning what's
going to happen. It's not a bad idea but it also lacks the power of the ending. However, the
movie has its moments. Although it takes place mainly in the stiff upper-class gourmet club,
"everything is moving on all of the time. All the actors work nicely together, even ""the big "
"American star"" Michael Badalucco fits well in the image as the chef of many secrets."
This is a TV movie.
---
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