Yhteinen vaimomme (1956)
A Finnish romantic comedy about love, war, and the chaos of coming home to a wife who has already moved on.
Yhteinen vaimomme - Movie Information
- Original Title: Yhteinen vaimomme
- Release Year: 1956
- Directed by: Valentin Vaala
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: Finnish
- Spoken Languages: Finnish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 23, 1956 (Finland - K-16)
- Alternative Titles: Vår gemensamma fru (SE)
- Production Companies: Suomi-Filmi
- Production Countries: Finland
Yhteinen vaimomme - Plot
A story set in post-war Helsinki, where the last released prisoners of war arrive. They are accompanied by Captain Erkki Lahtinen, who returns to his home and back to his wife Jenni. However, during his four-year imprisonment, Erkki has been pronounced dead and Jenni has remarried to office manager Nevamaa.
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Yhteinen vaimomme - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Valentin Vaala
Main Cast
- Kosti Klemelä
- Marjatta Kallio
- Eero Eloranta
- Anneli Haahdenmaa
- Elna Hellman
- Kirsti Hurme
- Kaarlo Halttunen
- Ari Laine
- Kauko Laurikainen
- Erkki Uotila
Writers
- Eino Heino
- Valentin Vaala
Producers
- Risto Orko
Yhteinen vaimomme - FAQs
What is Yhteinen vaimomme about?
Yhteinen vaimomme follows Captain Erkki Lahtinen, who returns to Helsinki after years as a prisoner of war, only to discover he was declared dead and his wife Jenni has since remarried. The film mines this awkward love triangle for warm, witty comedy against a post-war Finnish backdrop.
Who does Erkki find when he returns home?
When Erkki walks back through his front door, he finds that his wife Jenni has moved on and married office manager Jalmari Nevamaa, believing Erkki to be dead. The resulting three-way tangle — two husbands, one wife — drives the film's comic plot forward with plenty of awkward charm.
Is Yhteinen vaimomme based on a play?
Yes, Yhteinen vaimomme is adapted from a stage play or musical source. This theatrical origin gives the film its tight, dialogue-driven structure and farcical energy, which director Valentin Vaala translates effectively to the screen with a lively ensemble cast.
Who directed Yhteinen vaimomme?
Valentin Vaala directed the film. One of Finland's most prolific and beloved filmmakers of the mid-twentieth century, Vaala was known for his light comedies and romantic pictures. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside cinematographer Eino Heino.
Who are the main actors in Yhteinen vaimomme?
The film stars Kosti Klemelä as the returning Erkki, Marjatta Kallio as his wife Jenni, and Eero Eloranta as the second husband Jalmari Nevamaa. The supporting cast includes Anneli Haahdenmaa, Elna Hellman, Kirsti Hurme, and Kaarlo Halttunen, among others.
What is the post-war setting like in the film?
Set in Helsinki just after the war, the film captures a city rebuilding and readjusting to peacetime life. The return of the last prisoners of war gives the story its emotional grounding, making the comedy feel rooted in real social upheaval — families reuniting, identities shifting, and lives rearranged.
When and where was Yhteinen vaimomme released?
Yhteinen vaimomme premiered on March 23, 1956, in Finland with a K-16 age rating. It was produced by Suomi-Filmi, one of Finland's leading production companies of the era, and is entirely in Finnish.
What are some similar films to Yhteinen vaimomme?
If you enjoy Yhteinen vaimomme, you might also like The Major and the Minor (1942), It's Always Fair Weather (1955), or Easy Virtue (2008) — all comedies that play with romantic complications and social misunderstandings. Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Hello, Dolly! (1969) share its theatrical, warm-hearted spirit.
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