Tauno Palo

Tauno Valdemar Palo (born Tauno Brännäs; 25 October 1908 – 24 May 1982) was a Finnish actor and singer in what some consider the golden age of Finnish cinema.

Film historian Peter von Bagh described Palo as one of the most prominent and influential actors in Finnish cinema, noting his ability to combine light, youthful roles with more dramatic performances, particularly in the theatre.

His most famous roles were perhaps in Kulkurin valssi ("The Vagabond's Waltz"), and Vaimoke ("Surrogate Wife"). He appeared with actress/singer Birgit Kronström in the 1941 romantic comedy "Onnellinen ministeri" ("The Lucky Cabinet Minister"), which included the famous song "Katupoikien laulu", remade by other Finnish pop singers including Katri Helena.

Life and career Palo was born in Hämeenlinna as Tauno Brännäs, but changed his name to Tauno Palo in 1935. He was of partial Russian descent through his mother Olga Andersson whose father was a Russian soldier and mother a Finnish maid. Palo recruited in the military and was educated as a chemist. His friend invited him to join the theatre of Working Men's Club in Sörnäinen. Theatre director and famous actor Aarne Orjatsalo became his mentor. The dark-haired lad from Sörnäinen who had a good voice got attention, and in 1931 he was invited to audition for film studios. His final breakthrough came when the era of silent films was over, and people could hear his voice.

Palo left his work as chemist in 1932. He was hired by the Finnish National Theatre, but until 1938 he got only small roles, because his popularity as a film star harmed his credibility on the stage.

Palo had in total over 300 roles on stage and played in 65 feature films. He died in Helsinki.

Selected filmography

Jääkärin morsian (1931) (as Tauno Brännas) Kaikki rakastavat (1935) ("Everybody's Love", romantic comedy) Vaimoke (1936) ("Surrogate Wife") The Rapids-Rider's Brides (1937) SF-paraati (1940) ("SF Parade", the first Finnish musical comedy) Kulkurin valssi (1941) ("The Vagabond's Waltz") Rosvo-Roope (1949) ("Rob the Robber") The Milkmaid (1953) Shamrock (1953) It Began in the Rain (1953) Hilma's Name Day (1954) The Unknown Soldier (1955) The Scarlet Dove (1961) – final film role

Highlights on stage Anton Chekhov: Uncle Vanya (as Dr Astrov) Aleksis Kivi: Seitsemän veljestä (as Juhani) Henrik Ibsen: Doll house (as Dr Rank) Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire (as Stanley) Georg Büchner: Danton's death (as Danton) Josef Julius Wecksell: Daniel Hjort (as Olavi)

Selected discography

Tuulikki 1934 (Odeon A 228258) – a waltz Tuohinen sormus 1934 (Odeon A 228282) – a jenkka Syksyn tullessa 1935 (Odeon A 228327) – a waltz Mieheke 1936 (Odeon A 228359) – a jenkka Marjatta 1936 (Odeon A 228360) – a tango Sinä semmoinen, minä tämmöinen 1936 (Odeon 228370) – a jenkka Nuoruuden sävel 1940 (Odeon A 228590) from film SF-paraati Tauno Palo & Ansa Ikonen: Pot-pot-pot 1940 (Odeon A 228590) from film SF-paraati Näenhän valoisan taivaan 1940 (Odeon A 228615) from film SF-paraati Soittoniekka 1942 (Columbia DY 386) – a ballad Ruusu on punainen 1967 (RCA FAS 985) – comeback with a German schlager arranged by Aarno Raninen Rosvo-Roope 1968 (RCA EPS 222) – finally recorded melody from eponymous film Tauno Palo & Ansa Ikonen: Ansa & Tauno 1974 (Kiss RPLP 5007) – LP, including Kulkurin valssi