Kovanaama (1954) User Reviews

Hard-boiled Lasse Pöysti

[Petey-10 · 9/10 · 14 November 2009]

Esko Pekuri is a young editor, who believes he has come up with a real scoop, but it's not on the front page, not even close.He feels frustrated, and he comes up with an idea, with the help of his buddy, photographer Evert Pinsiö that could become a scoop.He goes to jail, as a prisoner, pretending to be an American gangster called Larry Peters.All the other prisoners think he's real tough, who's heading to the electric chair.Crimechief Anders arranges his getaway, so that he could help him in robbing a bank.In his gang there's also a real pretty gal they call Miss Judith.It turns out she's not a real criminal either, but she's there to get back at Anders, who killed her brother.Soon they're both in a big jam, when it's found out who they are.Aarne Tarkas is the director of this Finnish crime comedy, Kovanaama (1954).I couldn't picture a finer comedian in the lead, playing Säilyketölkki-Larry, than Lasse Pöysti.He does his physical comedy with style.Sirkka-Liisa Wilén is fantastic as Miss Judith.Pentti Viljanen is hilarious as the drinking photographer, who's nicknamed Hakkelus-Bill.Toivo Mäkelä is brilliant as Anders.Uljas Kandolin and Heikki Savolainen make a fine comical pair as Terävä and Hoppu.Kandolin won a Jussi Award for best supporting actor.Matti Tamminen is great as Roivas.Sakari Jurkka does very good job as Captain.Tarmo Manni is funny as Chief Accountant Uolevi Tiitinen.Jussi Jurkka, Åke Lindman and Pentti Irjala play prisoners.Kaarlo Halttunen is Eemeli.Leo Jokela plays gangster.Veikko Linna is Factor.Pia Hattara plays Mother at Studio.Juhani Kumpulainen is in an uncredited role playing a criminal.The movie has lots of funny scenes.One of them is where Pöysti goes to jail, and he is scared of his roommate, who doesn't sound scary at all as he opens his mouth.And when he leaves the jail.Or when Terävä and Hoppu are crying, when they think the girl they're guarding, is going to get killed.They also feel sorry for Pekuri and Pinsiö, when they're ordered to take their lives.In the end, when Lasse and his buddy are swinging on those pieces of cement, is hilarious.55 years ago movies like this were the thing here in Finland.I'm talking about movies that are fun to watch.If you like good old time comedy, Kovanaama is your film.