Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut

In 1969 the popular comedy genius Spede Pasanen made two of his most interesting films, "Pohjan tähteet" and "Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut". The first was his most obvious self-parody as a film maker and producer and the latter set in the unstable world of television comedy was a kind of a self-portrait.

The story: Pasanen works as an assistant in television comedy called "Simo-Show" (in real life Pasanen made "Spede-Show") and dreams of his own career as a comedian. Then he gets a supporting role in one gag and accidentaly steals the whole show. Soon he gets his own television series where he does gags with doors. Success makes him too proud and he tries to move from door comedy to window comedy. Although the basic joke is the same with windows than it was with doors, the audience does not approve this at all and in one night Pasanen's fame collapses.

The disasterous window show is the emotional climax of the film, and the image of the sad comedian on the stage after audience has left is oddly melancholic for Pasanen. The film is uneven, but it has great moments. One of them has Pasanen trying to do some shopping, which is impossible because everybody starts laughing at him and at everything he says. A scene from his everyday life? In the funniest scene night-watchman (Veikko Sinisalo) starts rewriting Pasanen's script.

Mikko Syvärivi is an organizer for Yleisradio.He fantasizes of becoming a comedian, like his idol Simo Salminen.And soon he gets his chance.He becomes a comedian that calls himself K. Mikko Ovimikko, and he specializes on gags done with doors.Näköradiomiehen Ihmeelliset Siekailut (1969) is directed by Ere Kokkonen.Its written by Ere, Spede Pasanen and Jukka Virtanen.Jaakko Salo is behind the music.Pasanen is terrific in the lead.Vesa-Matti Loiri is hilarious as Antti Vasa.Leo Jokela sure made me laugh as Iivari Päreistöniemi.Tarja-Tuulikki Tarsala is wonderful as Mikko's love interest Sirkku.Simo Salminen is great portraying himself.You've got to like Veikko Sinisalo as Poliisi.Tamara Lund is very fine as Ester.Spede's ex-wife, Pirjo Pasanen, plays Liisa.Marjatta Rinne is Raija.Mirjam Himberg and Juhani Kumpulainen are Mikko's parents.Irja Seikkula is Opettaja.Jukka Virtanen portrays Ohjaaja.Aarre Elo plays Head of Entertainment Department.Rally driver Timo Mäkinen is seen driving fast.Cinematographer Kari Sohlberg is Mies Kadulla.Juha Watt Vainio is seen as Ölman.Danny gets to sing a song.Teija Sopanen gets to announce on TV.Spede, who passed away ten years ago, shows us in this movie what a great humorist he was.I found myself laughing out loud several times.I just started reading the man's autobiography from 2002, written by Tommi Autio.I also bought today another fantastic film of his, Pähkähullu Suomi.That movie, and this are two comic gems of the 60's. In this one Spede gets to prove his acting skills in the scenes that show the downfall of the comic.You know, when he wants to move on doing window comedy.I found it hilarious how Spede laughs every time he sees Simo.And Simo draws a caricature of a serious comedian, who's funny only on TV.Spede writing a mystery story is very funny.Mikko's folks back home is a riot to watch.They seem like taken from the 19th century, but with a TV set.Mikko's first appearance on TV is a lot of fun.There's a good spirit in this movie.It brings you in a good mood.And isn't that the task of a comedy movie?