After reporting a parachute jump among other things, a daring radio reporter Toivo Teräsvuori (Hannes Häyrinen) wants to break into an art museum and get arrested for it while recording the whole thing for a radio program. When his idea is accepted but the assignment given to another reporter, Teräsvuori decides to get it done without permission before anyone else can. Unfortunately, real criminals led by the suave Robins (Kunto Karapää) happen to hear about his plans and decide to utilize the poor reporter in their own schemes. Teräsvuori gets framed for the theft of valuable paintings, but manages to flee and tries to clear his reputation while on the run.
The premise of the story is based on a legendary real-life radio reportage by journalist Usko Santavuori, but of course things have been spiced up for the movie. The result is both entertaining and even suspenseful at times, as the funny music and shadowy black & white lighting are always in tune with the storytelling and there are many excellent individual moments. Teräsvuori's dream montage after his arrest, the hectic chase through the snowy streets of Helsinki and the crowded Stockmann shopping mall and the suspenseful sequence of Teräsvuori searching through the locker room of the magician Durando (Kauko Käyhkö) are all very enjoyable scenes in the whole, especially the latter which is all done utilizing only point-of-view shots and voice-overs to show the characters thoughts.
Hannes Häyrinen is very sympathetic and lovable in the lead role, as is Ritva Arvelo as his beautiful lady colleague Eila. The always good Heikki Savolainen is also amusing in his small role as a card-playing crook near the end of the film. All in all, Radio tekee murron is a well-made classic comedy and recommended to any fan of 1950s Finnish cinema.
The premise of the story is based on a legendary real-life radio reportage by journalist Usko Santavuori, but of course things have been spiced up for the movie. The result is both entertaining and even suspenseful at times, as the funny music and shadowy black & white lighting are always in tune with the storytelling and there are many excellent individual moments. Teräsvuori's dream montage after his arrest, the hectic chase through the snowy streets of Helsinki and the crowded Stockmann shopping mall and the suspenseful sequence of Teräsvuori searching through the locker room of the magician Durando (Kauko Käyhkö) are all very enjoyable scenes in the whole, especially the latter which is all done utilizing only point-of-view shots and voice-overs to show the characters thoughts.
Hannes Häyrinen is very sympathetic and lovable in the lead role, as is Ritva Arvelo as his beautiful lady colleague Eila. The always good Heikki Savolainen is also amusing in his small role as a card-playing crook near the end of the film. All in all, Radio tekee murron is a well-made classic comedy and recommended to any fan of 1950s Finnish cinema.