plot. Several films in the series have the plot divided episodically, focusing on different stories for the first and second halves, such as in Pekka ja Pätkä pahassa pulassa, Pekka ja Pätkä ketjukolarissa, Pekka ja Pätkä Sammakkomiehinä, Pekka ja Pätkä Neekereinä. The secondary male protagonists would frequently be famous Finnish singers, such as Olavi Virta who appeared in three consecutive films in the series as different characters. Tapio Rautavaara starred in the first film. A then-unknown Spede Pasanen also had supporting roles in Pekka ja Pätkä Sammakkomiehinä and its direct sequel Pekka ja Pätkä Suezilla. The grumpy janitor, Pikkarainen, debuted in the fourth movie, played by Armas Jokio. The character became so popular he would appear in all subsequent movies barring Kiini on ja pysyy. Lohikoski was fired from SF film, when he presented his original script for the series' 13th and eventual final film. Lohikoski's original concept had Pekka and Pätkä become Members of the Finnish Parliament. Toivo Särkkä, head of SF Film, was so offended that he fired Lohikoski on the spot. The financial disappointment of the eventual movie, Pekka ja Pätkä Neekereinä, caused Särkkä to cancel any future films. Devastated, Masa Niemi committed suicide the same year. Characters The characters are loosely based on the original comics. Pekka, Pätkä and Justiina were heavily modified by their actors. While Pätkä was only an incidental actor, he became Pekka's best friend for the films. Justiina's mean-spirited nature was added to by Siiri Angerkoski's talent for speaking incredibly fast. The character Pikkarainen, the janitor for the Puupää couple's building, was not from the comics but became a staple of the series following his debut in the fourth film. Pekka Puupää is a tall and lanky man who lives in Helsinki with his strict and controlling wife Justiina (played by Siiri Angerkoski). He is a very kind man but probably not the sharpest knife in the drawer. In addition to his height, his most recognizable feature is the daisy attached to his hat. His last name translates to the Finnish equivalent of the expression "blockhead". In the films he speaks with a distinct Savonian dialect. Pekka's best friend Pätkä is a short and stocky man, whose past is not known. He knows many sayings and usually utters them whenever he has the chance to do so. He is the more intelligent member of the pair. Reception Though the films are very