• Source: Woman is the Wild Card

Nainen on valttia (Woman is the Wild Card) is a 1944 Finnish black-and-white comedy film directed by Ansa Ikonen. It was Ikonen's only directorial effort. The film is based on an original screenplay by Mika Waltari, revolving around a young woman who transforms the lives of three bachelors upon arriving at their home. The woman, a fugitive from the police, is revealed to be a famous operetta star named Kirsti Kalpa. She manages to conceal her identity—at least temporarily.
Despite being filmed in the midst of the Continuation War, the film does not reflect the war but instead presents a lighthearted comedy. The five-month production took place mainly indoors.
The project was offered to Ikonen by T. J. Särkkä, but she initially doubted her abilities, fearing male actors might not accept a female director. Ikonen received technical assistance from cinematographer Armas Hirvonen. While contemporary reviews noted issues with Waltari's script, Ikonen's direction was seen as skilled.




Plot


Baron Heimonheimo (Ture Junttu) demands that his fiancée, Kirsti Kalpa (Ansa Ikonen), abandon her singing career. Tired of his behavior, Kirsti fakes her suicide on the seashore. When her body is not found, the police launch a missing person investigation. A suspicious police officer notices Kirsti loitering in a park, prompting her to flee into a house occupied by three bachelors: a professor, his servant Kalle, and a composer named Rantamaa. Introducing herself as a country girl who mistakenly entered the house, Kirsti manages to stay as a maid, despite the men's initial reluctance to allow women into their home. Over time, Kirsti's talent and charm win them over, culminating in a romance with Rantamaa.




Cast


Ansa Ikonen as Kirsti Kalpa
Uuno Laakso as Kalle
Aku Korhonen as the professor
Unto Salminen as composer Rantamaa
Ture Junttu as Baron Heimonheimo
Laina Laine as actress
Pentti Saares as reporter
Veikko Linna as theater director
Arvo Kuusla as Eikka, photographer
Ensio Jouko as police commissioner
Toppo Elonperä as janitor
Eino Salmi as theater accountant
Olavi Saarinen as policeman
Lauri Kyöstilä as customs officer
Kyösti Käyhkö as radio doorman
Jalmari Rinne as radio music director
Usko Kantola as operetta singer
Heikki Aaltoila as Unto Salminen's stand-in




Production


Filming of Woman is the Wild Card took place from January to June 1944. Outdoor scenes were shot in Helsinki and Vantaa, including locations such as Helsinki-Malmi Airport. The professor's residence was portrayed by a 1920 building designed by Armas Siitonen in the Eira district. Studio scenes were filmed at SF Studio 1.
Woman is the Wild Card is notable as the second Finnish feature film directed by a woman. The first was Glory Leppänen's Onnenpotku (1936).




Reception


While the film received fewer viewers than average, critics cautiously praised Ikonen's debut. Helsingin Sanomat reviewer Paula Talaskivi lauded her directorial skill but criticized the story as outdated. Other critics appreciated her ability to maximize the script's potential. Ikonen's performance and the roles of Korhonen and Laakso were particularly commended.




Release


Nainen on valttia premiered on Finnish television on 13 February 1966. It was later released on DVD by Finnkino.




References


Suomen kansallisfilmografia 3, ISBN 951-37-1019-X




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External links


Woman is the Wild Card at IMDb

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