The beautiful Eeva-Kaarina Volanen comes pedaling through the farm idyll.She plays a rich girl called Valborg Biörcke (Vappu).The time is late 19th century.She falls for the Dean's son Kaarlo Härkönen (Kalle).He's played by Matti Ranin.They later meet in Helsinki.The girl's father Ossi is against the relationship.He's played by the father of Matti, Helge Ranin.Toivo Särkkä's Katupeilin takana (1949) is a brilliant Finnish movie.It really captures the spirit of the 19th century.The way they speak, the way they dress...It's all there.Eeva-Kaarina Volanen is perfect in the lead.Nobody could have done the job better than her.Matti Ranin is the perfect man opposite her.The chemistry works wonderfully between them.Helge Ranin is amazing in his part.Jalle is one fantastic character portrayed by Uuno Laakso.So is Moster Mella portrayed by Henny Waljus.Rauha Rentola plays Liisi and she's great.Birgit Kronström as Sonja Brandt is also great.Lasse Pöysti does another brilliant performance as undergraduate Arvid Molander.Jalmari Rinne is terrific as Rovasti Molander.Unto Salminen and Kyllikki Väre, who were married, do a great job playing Einar Heckler and Elma Lindgren.Their son, the 9-year old Esko Salminen is in his first movie.Tarmo Manni is Axel Gallén.Heikki Savolainen portrays Väinämöinen.Martti Katajisto plays Sibelius.Also Vappu Jurkka, Elsa Turakainen and Laila Rihte are seen in this movie.I could call this picture a bit minna canthian.It talks a little about women's rights, how they should study like men.That was something writer Minna Canth may have written in her books.This movie got five Jussi awards and it really deserved them.Katupeilin takana is a mixture of comedy and romance and everything a good movie needs.
