Miehen kylkiluu

Yrjö Niemelä leaves the countryside for Helsinki. Unemployed, homeless, and penniless, the young man attempts suicide in despair, but a Salvation Army soldier comes to his rescue at the last moment. His luck changes when Yrjö gets a job in a warehouse and, as a fast runner, becomes a sports coach. His childhood sweetheart Elsa encourages him to succeed.

Inspector Puosu investigates the murder of smuggler Nelly with journalist Harn. Doubts are directed at wholesaler Antti Rajapalo, whose innocence is believed only by Rajapalo's secretary Ane Arvila.

A romantic story about a rich girl, who is not used to household work, charms many men while working in the "Haukka" manor. The reason for this undercover work is a bet. Despite being a bad cook she soon becomes attracted to engineer Karma.

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.

Mauri Huhkinen, a busy man in Tukkilahden, has taken on so many municipal positions of trust that he has three meetings in one evening and no time for his family. Everything changes when the residents of Tukkilahden hear about Mauri and his fellow trustees' rowdy night out at a restaurant in Helsinki.

Taavetti, the young master of Rantasuo, refuses to give up, even though frost destroys his harvest, a crooked logger steals his forest money, and a dishonest bailiff takes away his freedom. The innocent Taavetti is sent to prison, and the indebted Rantasuo farm is put up for auction. The determined swamp clearer fights for his life, his loved ones, and his land.

Corporal Möttönen is an incomparable humorist whose easygoing banter brings a pleasant atmosphere to the unit. The smooth-talking man from Savo is assigned to the entertainment troops at the front.

Timo plays a jealous husband who shoots his wife's lover on stage. The theater director urges the shy young man to gain experience with women and guns before the premiere. Both become familiar when Timo gets caught up in the schemes of his fellow actress Aili and a Russian spy ring.

Olli Suominen fancies his teacher and other shenanigans.

Joonas, a perpetual student living in a small town and working odd jobs, wants to spend May Day in Helsinki with his classmates from 30 years ago. His old friends are successful, but they have grown apart and are unhappy. Joonas helps them rediscover friendship and the joy of living.

Set during the recession of the early 1930s, Reino, an engineer who has been laid off from a shipyard, is not considered suitable as a son-in-law for a factory owner. Reino, who has lost his beloved Maire, finds happiness when he befriends Hillin-Jussi, an unemployed rogue.

Pipsa catches the theater bug. The schoolgirl becomes obsessed with acting, which causes suffering for the whole family. Pipsa's brother Olli arranges performances for his sister and collects money for a poor war widow.

Poor but ambitious country girl Hulda arrives in the country's capital and gets a job as a maid for a bachelor Member of Parliament, Judge Soratie. She works hard, never loses her common sense, and starts taking evening classes. Keeping her studies secret from her employer for years, she eventually graduates from the university and becomes candidate in the parliamentary election, stressing women's and working people's rights. Romance with Judge Soratie finally ensues.

Baron von Sumers, owner of the Tottisalmen estate, sends his mischievous grandson Klaus to learn manners at the vicarage in the neighboring parish. Yrjö, the vicarage's farmhand, has an accident because of Klaus and ends up in Tottisalmen for medical treatment. When Yrjö's resemblance to the baron's missing son is noticed, events from the past begin to unfold.

Olli, a schoolboy from the Suominen family, accidentally causes two accidents, which he does not dare to confess to his father Väinö. He runs away from home in Helsinki and tries to get to the Savijärvi clearing camp with his friend Jaska. The journey, which began joyfully, turns into a nightmare when the boys, who have run into trouble, have to flee from the law and Olli's lively little sister Pipsa.

Set in turn of the century Helsinki, author Arvo Helavalla's novel makes an indelible impression on adolescent Auli Ranta. She idolizes the author of a work that can never be forgotten.