Spede Pasanen

Spede Pasanen
Spede Pasanen, 1990.
Born	Pertti Olavi Pasanen (1930-04-10)10 April 1930 Kuopio,Finland
Died	7 September 2001(2001-09-07)(aged 71) Kirkkonummi,Finland
Occupations	film director film and TV producer screenwriter film production company owner radio comedian inventor

Pertti Olavi"Spede"Pasanen(10 April 1930 – 7 September 2001) was a Finnish film director and producer, comedian, and inventor.During his career he directed, wrote, produced or acted in about 50moviesand participated in numerous TV productions, including the comedySpede Showand the game-showSpeden Spelit.Much of his more commercial work was in collaboration withVesa-Matti Loiri(whose most popular character created by Pasanen wasUuno Turhapuro;first in TV sketches and then in a long-lasting series of motion pictures) andSimo Salminen.Pasanen's films and TV shows, often made quickly and on a low budget, usually received little critical recognition but were popular among Finnish audiences from the 1960s onwards.He was the owner of his own film production company, Filmituotanto Spede Pasanen Ky.

Childhood and youth

Pertti Olavi Pasanen was born in April 1930 inKuopio.He was the eldest child of Kusti and Helmi Pasanen (née Rantala).His father was a forestry technician and worked as the district chief of the paper companyAhlström.Other children in the family included Pertti's little sister Virpi and little brother Risto.Pasanen's family lived in theLinnanpeltodistrict.By Kuopio standards, the family was of upper middle class. The nickname "Spede" comes from an earlier nickname "Speedy" which he got from playingice hockey,and was given to him at an early age.The nickname "Speedy" came from the fictional mouse characterSpeedy Gonzales,the hero ofWarner Brothers'Looney TunesandMerrie Melodies.

Young Pasanen in his student apartment in the 1950s

Pasanen's interests at school age included entertainment, sports, various games and inventions. He was the star of theKuopio Lyceum's evening programs, played ice hockey with passion and performed chemical experiments in his home's basement. However, he did badly at school. In spring 1948 he got a report card with five 4 grades (failing grade in the Finnish school system) and stayed behind in his class after spending most of the spring by building a custom scooter from parts he had found from junk shops. After Pertti Pasanen had ended up in arguments with most of his teachers, his parents sent him to another school. In autumn 1950 Spede Pasanen moved to theIisalmilyceum, from where he matriculated in theOlympicspring of 1952. He spent the next year doing his military service and completed it with the rank ofSub-lieutenantin the anti-aircraft branch. In the military he also performed in the entertainment parade of the defence forces, which circulated between barracks entertaining soldiers.

In autumn 1953 Pasanen moved toHelsinkiand started his studies at the Faculty of State Politics at theUniversity of Helsinki.Instead of studying, he concentrated on social life at the Nation of Savonia, where he usually acted as host and master of ceremonies at parties. Pasanen's student indoctrinations and initiations of new students gained fame throughout the university. In the university he also metJukka VirtanenandMatti Kuuslawho became important partners for him. Kuusla, working atFennada-Filmias a studio assistant got him a background role in the 1954 filmLaivan kannella.He appeared in the film as a man at a bar.

Radio career

Pertti Pasanen (left) with Aune Haarla and Antero Alpola at Yleisradio's entertainment division in 1960.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s Spede was a noted presence as a radio comedian. He applied to work atYleisradiotwice in 1956 and again in 1959 as an entertainment provider (ajanvietetoimittaja) and was hired on his second try. Spede's most popular program wasRuljanssiriihiwhich combined sketch-comedy and musical performances. The program eventually developed into the programHupiklubi.Spede and actorLeo Jokelaalso created the break-out characterG. Pula-Aho(voiced by Jokela), a smart-talking, Helsinki slang speaking parrot who would insult Spede on Ruljanssiriihi.

Spede's other programs includedTervahöyry Hyrskynmyrskyn suvisilla laineilla,Hyvää iltaa – tulkaa mukaanandKesäterässä.

Film career

Pasanen andJaakko Pakkasvirtain the scene of the 1964 filmX-Paroni

Speden Saluunain 1965

After playing several supporting roles throughout the 1950s Spede made his first starring appearance in 1964'sX-Paroniwhich he wrote and co-directed with his on-screen co-starJaakko Pakkasvirta.The movie's success led to the creation ofMilli Pilleriwhich also introduced moviegoers toSimo Salminenwho became a fixture of Spede's acting troupe, often playing the side-kick to Spede's own characters. It was also the first movie Spede co-directed withJukka VirtanenandEre Kokkonenwho would alternate directing Spede's future motion pictures, while Spede focused more on writing and producing.

1967's period-comedyNoin Seitsemän Veljestäwas a parody ofRobin Hoodwhich Spede had worked on since the 1950s and introducedVesa-Matti Loirias an adult actor (having made his on-screen debut years earlier as a child actor inPojat). The success of these movies led to Spede producing and releasing three movies in 1969,Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut,Leikkikalugangsterias well as his first colour featurePohjan Tähteet.Näköradiomies performed well despite being a more serious movie but it and Pohjan Tähteet underperformed in comparison to the more typically comical Leikkikalugangsteri. Despite Pohjantähteet winning a sharedJussi Awardfor Kari Sohlberg in the category of best cinematography(with Spede's own Leikkikalugangsteri andJörn Donner's Sixtynine 69), Pasanen did not produce another colour feature until the late 1970s.

Spede continued to experience success withSpeedy Gonzales – noin 7 veljeksen poikaand the tragic comedyJussi Pussiboth released in 1970. Speedy Gonzales performed well, despite Vesa-Matti Loiri being absent due to a leg injury just prior to shooting (he instead received a writing credit). Spede had to finance most of his films during this period due to his poor relations with the Finnish Film Foundation.

In 1971, Spede released three motion-pictures,Kahdeksas Veljes(his debut as a solo director) andHirttämättömät(the sequel to Speedy Gonzales) both starring himself as well asSaatanan Radikaalit,which was co-directed by its four starring actors Paavo Piironen, Heikki Nousiainen, Timo Nissi and Heikki Huopainen. Spede only produced this movie which was intended to give its four stars a chance to complete a motion-picture on their own. All three movies under-performed though which led to Spede taking a two-year hiatus from film-making during which he focused exclusively on his TV work. Regardless, Spede won the 1971 Producers' Jussi Award for all three movies.

Pertti “Spede” Pasanen in a Swedish television show, instructing Finnish expatriates in Sweden to fill in their tax declaration in 1972.

Pasanen as Härski Hartikainen in the film set of the firstUuno Turhapurofilm (1973)

In 1973, Spede released the firstUuno Turhapuromovie based on the popular skit-character by the same name. To save costs, Spede filmed and edited the movie entirely on video and had it transferred to film for theatrical distribution. Uuno became a hit and a further four Uuno films were finished during the 1970s. Spede resumed filming small budget comedies with 1974'sViu-Hah-Hah-Taja,directed byEre Kokkonenand mostly starring Spede's TV actors. Spede only appeared in a cameo and went uncredited as the film's writer. In 1979, he releasedKoeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit,his first colour feature since Pohjantähteet. The movie was a surprise hit and led to a sequelTup Akka Lakkobeing released the following year.

In the 1980s, the Uuno series peaked in popularity with 1984'sUuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissäbreaking the record of the most popular Finnish domestic film. Spede cranked out movies on an annual basis, using his stock actors and frequently utilizing the popular skit characters for movies such asKliffaa Hei,Pikkupojat,Fakta HommaandOnks Viljoo Näkyny.The last of these skit-comedy films is considered to be 1990sRampe & Naukkis - Kaikkien aikojen superpari,which was lampooned on the popular characters created byPirkka-Pekka PeteliusandAake Kallialafor the TV showPulttibois.

During the 1990s, Spede focused almost exclusively on producing rather than writing or directing films with TV work taking more and more of his time. By this point his relationship with the Finnish Film Foundation had improved and he received grants for most of his films. The final movie directed by Pasanen wasNaisen Logiikka,released in 1999 though production of it began in 1992. The film was hastily completed for release to prevent Pasanen from having to pay back his grant for the movie.

TV career

Left actorJukka Virtanen,composer Jaakko Salo and Spede Pasanen

Starting from 1964, Spede began making live 15-minute sketch programming forYleisradioproduced byMainos-TV.The show which alternated between the titles Spedevisio, Speden Saluuna as well as Spede Show established many of the tropes and core actors whom Spede would use in his films. Most of the early skit work is now lost due to live broadcasts not being routinely recorded. Spede appeared on TV continuously until 1976 when he started to focus primarily on film work.

Pasanen andRiitta Väisänenin 1993.

Starting from 1981, Spede once again put priority on TV work. First airing surviving black and white skits on YLE. He began making new skits in 1984 with Spede, Simo Salminen and Vesa-Matti Loiri.Hannele Laurialso joined as a regular cast-member. Mainos-TV also moved Spede's programming to the newly formedKolmoskanavachannel. The new Spede Show continued to air until 1987 when Spede and Loiri had a mock-feud which led to the launch of Vesa-Matti Loiri's own TV sketch show, Vesku Show. Throughout the 1980s, Spede also produced other programs such as the comedy programFakta Hommaand the competition showKymppitonniwith hostRiitta Väisänen.

By the 1990s, Spede was himself tired of sketch-work but producedAake Kalliala's andPirkka-Pekka Petelius'sPulttiboisandTsa Tsa Tsaaas well as the sporty competition showSpeden Spelit.Pasanen also produced more drama-programming such asHynttyyt Yhteen,Blondi tuli taloon(The Blonde That Came to the House), andIhmeiden tekijät(as well as its follow-up,Parhaat Vuodet). Many of these shows became stables of MTV3 with many of them airing for several seasons. Spede also approved the production of the dramedy-seriesKuumia Aaltoja,which aired in 2003 (two years after his death).

Influences and comedy

Spede Pasanen namedBob Hopeas one of his biggest comedy influences.

Spede Pasanen is considered emblematic ofSavonianironic humor varying between the fullest extremes of understatement and hyperbole. As he himself explained: "A Savonian never tells a thing exactly like it is." Spede's comedy denounced elitism and he explicitly sought to write and perform comedy for the largest possible audience. His early films in particular, featured elements uncommon to Finnish cinema such as fist-fights, car chases, other elaborate stunt-work as well as unconventional special effects. Many of his movies also featured unconventional settings (such as the medieval period or the wild west), though his later films focused almost entirely on poking fun at Finnish stereotypes.

His Uuno Turhapuro movies can be considered conventionalfarces.An unemployed slacker will, with comically incredible luck, a father-in-law who is rich and connected but unlucky (mainly due to Uuno), and with slick charm, end up in roles of minister, general officer, or rich man, usually causing havoc in the father-in-law's businesses.

Other achievements

Pasanen was also an inventor and jack-of-all-trades; he submitted dozens ofpatentapplications, of which ten were registered,and many of his films includeRube Goldberg-style gadgets. Besides gadgets involved with industrial production, his inventions include:

• The Ski jumping sling
• A Boat ski (to alleviate *bumps* in aquaplaning boat)
• A self-extinguishing, one-size-fits-allcandlestick.

For a period of time Pasanen was also obsessed with inventing aperpetual motiondevice. His crude drawings of it also appeared in his sketches shows and films. Once he became convinced that perpetual motion is theoretically impossible, he openly ridiculed himself in the character ofHärski Hartikainenin one of the Uuno Turhapuro movies.

Personal life

Spede married Pirjo Vainimäki, the leading lady of his first starring pictureX-Paroni,in 1965. Spede's first and only child,Pirre Pasanen,was born later that year. The couple separated in the early 1980s and divorced later.

A family private individual, Pasanen did not discuss his personal relationships in public. He had a long relationship with the 1976Miss Europe,Riitta Väisänen.Pasanen valued loyalty and friendship, and even after separation, kept employing and financially supporting previous companions. During and after relationships, he vouchsafed confidentiality and privacy for all involved in his private life. His good relations with the media might have helped with this.

In 2022, famous Finnish businesswoman and former TV hostLenita Airistoaccused Pasanen of having attempted to rape her in the early 1990s.Reporter Katariina Souri reported of similar behaviour in a Facebook post.Former MTV manager and director Jorma Sairanen also confirmed that the allegations were not a surprise to him due to Pasanen's importance and status at the network.

Death

Spede's tombstone in Helsinki,Hietaniemi Cemetery.

On 7 September 2001 Pasanen was playing a round of golf at the Sarfvik golf course in Kirkkonummi, Finland. At the 9th hole he began to feel ill and was taken to the club house, where his condition rapidly deteriorated. Despite resuscitation by a doctor and a rapid response of emergency medical services Pasanen died. His death was attributed to advancedcoronary artery disease.

Notable collaborators

• Ere Kokkonen
• Jukka Virtanen
• Simo Salminen
• Vesa-Matti Loiri
• Leo Jokela
• Riitta Väisänen
• Pentti Siimes
• Olavi Ahonen
• Juhani Kumpulainen
• Hannele Lauri
• Marita Nordberg

Filmography

Writer, director or producer

• X-Paroni(directed withJaakko Pakkasvirta,1964), in EnglishThe X-baron
• Millipilleri(1966)
• Pähkähullu Suomi(1967), in EnglishThe nutty Finland
• Noin seitsemän veljestä(1968), in EnglishAbout seven Brothers
• Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut(1969)
• Leikkikalugangsteri(1969), in EnglishThe Toy Gangster
• Pohjan tähteet(1969)
• Jussi Pussi(1970)
• Speedy Gonzales – noin 7 veljeksen poika(1970)
• Saatanan radikaalit(1971) (Producer only)
• Kahdeksas veljes(1971), in EnglishThe Eighth Brother
• Hirttämättömät(1971)
• Uuno Turhapuro(1973)
• Viu-hah hah-taja(1974)
• Professori Uuno D.G. Turhapuro(1975), in EnglishProfessor Uuno D.G. Turhapuro
• Lottovoittaja UKK Turhapuro(1976)
• Häpy Endkö? Eli kuinka Uuno Turhapuro sai niin kauniin ja rikkaan vaimon(1977)
• Rautakauppias Uuno Turhapuro, presidentin vävy(1978)
• Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit(1979)
• Tup-akka-lakko(1980)
• Uuno Turhapuron aviokriisi(1981)
• Pölhölä(1981)
• Uuno Turhapuro menettää muistinsa(1982), in EnglishUuno Turhapuro loses his memory
• Uuno Turhapuron muisti palailee pätkittäin(1983)
• Lentävät luupäät(1984), in EnglishThe Flying Boneheads
• Uuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissä(1984)
• Uuno Epsanjassa(1985), in EnglishUuno in Spain
• Kliffaa hei!(1985)
• Uuno Turhapuro muuttaa maalle(1986)
• Liian iso keikka(1986), in EnglishA Gig Too Big
• Pikkupojat(1986)
• Uuno Turhapuro – kaksoisagentti(1987)
• Fakta homma!(1987)
• Tupla-Uuno(1988), in EnglishDouble Uuno
• Onks' Viljoo näkyny?(1988), in EnglishHave Ya Seen Viljo?
• Rampe & Naukkis(1990)
• Uunon huikeat poikamiesvuodet maaseudulla(1990)
• Uuno Turhapuro, herra Helsingin herra(1991)
• Uuno Turhapuro, Suomen tasavallan herra presidentti(1992)
• Uuno Turhapuron poika(1993), in EnglishThe Son of Uuno Turhapuro
• Romanovin kivet(1993)
• Pekko ja Poika(1994)
• Uuno Turhapuron veli(1994)
• Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro – pisnismies(1998)
• Naisen logiikka(1999), in EnglishThe Logic of the Women

Actor

• Laivan kannella(1954)
• Sankarialokas(1955)
• Säkkijärven polkka(1955)
• Villi Pohjola(1955)
• Tyttö tuli taloon(1956)
• Tyttö lähtee kasarmiin(1956)
• Rintamalotta(1956)
• Anu ja Mikko(1956)
• Pekka ja Pätkä ketjukolarissa(1957)
• Vääpelin kauhu(1957)
• Pekka ja Pätkä sammakkomiehinä(1957)
• Asessorin naishuolet(1957)
• Pekka ja Pätkä Suezilla(1958)
• Ei ruumiita makuuhuoneeseen(1959)
• Mullin mallin(1961)
• Taape tähtenä(1962)
• Hopeaa rajan takaa(1963)
• Pohjan tähteet(1969)
• Tup-akka-lakko(1980)
• Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit(1981)
• (Hei kliffaa hei!(1985)
• Pikkupojat(1986)
• Naisen logiikka(1999)

In the Uuno Turhapuro series, Pasanen played the role of Härski-Hartikainen, a car repairman with a cunning and ribald character, who often participated in Uuno's farcical adventures. His sidekick was Sörsselssön – earlier known as Lörssön (played bySimo Salminen).

Television series

Spede is considered the father of modern Finnish television sketch-humour. Starting his career onYleisradiohe later jumped camps to the competingMTV3network. However, his work on both has been extremely popular. Apart from starring in these series he was also the main producer for many of the popular shows on MTV3, such as the game-showKymppitonniand the cult-hit showPulttibois.

Yle

• Spede Show(1964, 1971–1976, 1982 ja 1984-1987)
• Speden saluuna(1965)
• Spedevisio(1965–1967)
• 50 pientä minuuttia(1967–1971)
• Robin Hood ja hänen iloiset vekkulinsa Sherwoodin pusikoissa(1974)

MTV3

• Kymppitonni(1985–2005)
• Uuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissä(1986) (the film as a TV series)
• Vesku Show(1988–1991)
• Spede Special(1988–1990)
• Pulttibois(1989–1991)
• Spedestroikka(1990)
• Junnutonni(1991)
• Speden sallitut leikit(1990–1992)
• Speden tee-se-itse TV(1991–1992)
• Hynttyyt yhteen(1991–1995)
• Speden spelit(1992–2002)
• Tsa Tsa Tsaa(1993–1994)
• Blondi tuli taloon(1994–1995), in EnglishThe Blonde That Came to the House
• Uuno Turhapuro(TV series) (1996)
• Ihmeidentekijät(1996–1998)
• Parhaat vuodet(2000–2002)
• Kuumia aaltoja(2003)

Legacy

In popular culture

In 2023, abiopicfeature-length film,Spede,directed byAleksi Delikourasand starringRiku Nieminenin the title role, was released.

Named after Spede Pasanen

• SPEDE (Spacecraft Potential, Electron and Dust Experiment), an instrument attached to theSMART-1lunar probe.

External links

• Media related toSpede Pasanenat Wikimedia Commons
• Spede PasanenatIMDb