Ruma Elsa

Fula Elsa / Ugly Elsa. FI 1949. PC: Suomen Filmiteollisuus. P: T.J. Särkkä. D: Edvin Laine. SC: Topias based on the play by Ensio Rislakki (1947). DP: Kalle Peronkoski. PD: Aarre Koivisto. M: Nisse Rinkama. S: Kurt Vilja, Taisto Lindegren. ED: Armas Vallasvuo. Starring Eeva-Kaarina Volanen (Santtu / Elsa Kassel), Arvo Lehesmaa (prof. Taavi Harjula), Kullervo Kalske (sculptor Pertti Oras), Elsa Turakainen (Vivi Kassel), Liisa Tuomi (Irma Kassel), Rauha Rentola (Paula Kassel), Lasse Pöysti (Usko Aamunen), Hannes Veivo (Erkki the agronome). 73'. A beautiful vintage nitrate print viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 24 Aug 2005. The popular comedy which had been directed recently by Laine at the theatre was filmed with many of the theatrical cast but starring Volanen whose breakthrough this became. The comedy is somewhat forced, yet it's a pleasure to watch fine actors doing their stuff. Visually, it's great to see a film of this vintage in such good form. Laine was much more visual a director than he is usually credited for, and Suomen Filmiteollisuus did make brilliant prints (usually it's the rivalling Suomi-Filmi with the luminous prints and Suomen Filmiteollisuus with shabbier ones). There is a variety of milieus including the chemistry class of the university, the ballet rehearsal hall of the opera, and the cultural home of the deceased professor whose three wild daughters include the impossible Elsa. She is the boy girl who breaks all the rules, and, for a joke, transforms from the ugly duckling into swan to woo the suitors of her sisters and her mother. Gross caricature is the main spirit.