Ballaadi

The film takes place in the summer and spring of 1940. Isä, the father, gets involved in the stock market and threatens the livelihood of the family.

A lock factory worker Pertti would like to marry his girlfriend Verna, but fears they don't have enough money. His brother Martti is a member of a youth gang that is planning a robbery with three other young men. When the boys have to flee at the time of the robbery, Pertti who secretly shadowed them sees an opportunity to solve his money problem.

Eemeli, a lazy farm boy, is sent out into the world by his parents due to poor potato harvest forecasts. On his way to the logging camp, he meets Tommi, a man from Helsinki who sells razors and is headed to the same destination. At the logging camp, the loggers and Eemeli perform several musical numbers and flee from Isabella, the cook, who is hungry for men.

The self-assured manager Julius Särkelä maintains strict discipline in his office and at home, which is experienced by his daughter Saara and her suitor Martti, as well as the landlord Heroja, who is chasing his debts, and even the cat belonging to the patron Fallsten. Dr. Kosonen softens the stern leader by giving a speech at a party, which ultimately revolutionizes Särkelä's worldview.

Lauri and Anna are released from prison. They run into trouble when they cannot find work because of their past. Lauri obtains false identity papers, which enable him to get a job at a factory. A dangerous criminal named Asseri begins blackmailing Lauri, who is using the alias "Pentti Tahvana." Lauri's true identity is revealed in connection with the murder of Kaalep, the factory's night watchman.

The municipal council of Pinsiö tries to get Taavetti, the 'baron of Pinsiö', to move into a retirement home. However, the baron refuses and flees to Tampere to stay with his nephew Heikki and his wife Liisa. Heikki and his family dream of building their own house, but obtaining a mortgage loan is difficult. Their financial worries deepen when Heikki, as a union representative, has to deal with a strike at his workplace and illegal work practices.

Immersed in his research work, professor Reinhold Varavaara realizes that he has neglected his children's upbringing. He falls in love with his son Pelle's girlfriend Marja and becomes a laughing stock in the eyes of his family. The offended father sets out to discipline his ill-behaved children.

Schoolboy Klaus is convicted of theft and sent to prison. At his release Klaus feels that his life has changed a lot. Despite all his hardship and difficulties he keeps up his studies under the supervision of the grim Master Kahari.

Timo learns about his grandfather Santeri's background in the workers' sports movement. Inspired by this, he begins to encourage his alcoholic father to practice his own sport, javelin throwing.

Young Affu sets off to travel around the summer countryside, hoping to find himself a bride. He carries with him an engagement scarf given to him by his mother, which he promises to the farmer's daughter Milda, until he meets the mysterious gypsy girl Marketa.

Traveler Severi travels to Helsinki to enjoy some culture, where he meets Sinikka and Simo, who run a buying and selling business. At a customs auction, he buys a painting that businessman Kehveli and his assistants also have their eyes on.

When Continuation War started in Summer 1941, German soldiers arrived to Oulu. With their charm they conquered women and town boys. Finnish boys communicated with them on many levels: had trades, worked as interpreters, rotated business, spied on German love adventures and fought with each other about the favor of soldiers. In autumn 1944, the war was ending. Germans left Oulu by leaving behind fragile relationships, bastard kids and unfinished businesses. The most shocking of all was the faith of young Jake...

Kaarina, an orphan girl raised by Taneli, the innkeeper, notices that her friendship with her childhood friend Antti is turning into romance. Henrik, the patron, also has his eye on Kaarina.

Heta, the strong-willed daughter of the Niskavuori family, who is pregnant, marries Akusti, a farmhand, and remains bitter toward Santeria, who broke her heart. Heta and Akusti begin their life together on the modest Muumäki farm, where they are assisted by their loyal maid Siipirikko.

Two conservative men are surprised when they find out that their wives are actually athletes.

Dr. Peter Holmes (Carl Moehner), zoologist and veterinarian, relectantly agrees to permit his dog, Wolf, to be used in a launch project commissioned by the International Conference of Science, at Geneva, to study body function and survival in outer space. Holmes had discovered Wolf as a pup in the forest, only to lose him again in a flood, and is fearful of risking the dog's life again.