Kaasua, komisario Palmu!

Kaasua, Komisario Palmu (1962) is based loosely on the short novel written by the critically acclaimed Finnish author, Mika Waltari. This black and white thriller, shot on location in Helsinki, Finland, still continues to stand even today as one of the most celebrated and memorable landmarks in the short and relatively unnoticeable history of Finnish cinematography.

The canvas on which this movie is painted is a familiar one. A wealthy old religious patron raises a disobedient and mentally disturbed niece - until she all of a sudden drops dead as the result of a murder made to look like an accident. A grouchy, elderly superintendent (Joel Rinne) and his young and overly enthusiastic assistant are called in to investigate. And there certainly is a lot to look into, since the deceased had few friends, but many enemies. Almost everyone seems to have not only a motive but also something to hide; the question is, who acted on their motive and took matters into their own hands?

The typical modern murder mystery emphasizes the victim's unjust fate, and in the end pursues to punish the perpetrator. This thriller on the other hand tends to play with your mind. Not only does it drop clues here and there, some more noticeable than others, but the actors put on such a convincing and exciting show, that the corpse at the morgue is quickly forgotten. If anyone ends up gaining the viewer's sympathy, it is the murderer, or the long line of possible suspects, and not so much the actual victim. And once it is all said and done, the question is, who in fact was the real victim?

If you have the opportunity to see this old thriller, take it. You'll be glad you did.

"Kaasua, komisario Palmu!" is based on Mika Waltari´s novel "Kuka murhasi rouva Skrofin". Palmu-movies are Finnish classics filled with great actors. The movie is a typical murder mystery case. In the beginning of the movie rich old lady is found dead in her apartment. What first looks like an accidential death (gas leaking from the stove) turns out to be a murder. There are of course several suspects, all with good motives to kill the old lady.

For me Joel Rinne as Palmu is a great actor and his character has something in common with Peter Falk´s Columbo. Palmu has a sharp mind but also a sharp tongue. He is sarcastic and his colleagues sometimes feel this. Palmu´s motto is "the murderer always makes one mistake". Brilliant acting from Rinne.

By far the best actor in Palmu-movies is detective Kokki played by Leo Jokela. Jokela was a great Finnish actor who played in many Finnish movies such as "Ala nuolase". He almost literally steals every scene in which he is. Sad thing that Finnish movie scene does not have such actors anymore.

All in all, "Kaasua, komisario Palmu!" is the best Palmu-movie and everyone who has the chance to watch it, should do so. I give 9/10.

Director Matti Kassila made four Palmu films, and this one is the best. If this had been filmed in an English speaking country, it would have been a worldwide success. Especially I enjoy the work of two actors: artist Kurt Kuurna played by Pentti Siimes and assistant Kokki played by Leo Jokela. Unfortunately Palmu films are not yet available on DVD, but hopefully we'll see a change on that in the near future.

"Gas, Inspector Palmu!" is the first sequel to "Inspector Palmu's Error", which introduced the title character the previous year, and it is an inferior film. The original was a good mystery that just happened to be Finnish; the sequel is a routine mystery that just happens to be Finnish. While Palmu himself is still fun to watch, the crime plot and supporting characters are less interesting, including one guy in particular who just won't shut up (you'll know who). The film still has some amusing moments, but it's just too talky and laborious. As Palmu himself says, "get to the point!". ** out of 4.