[1] It is based on the 1936 novel by Agapetus, telling story about a small village preparing to celebrate the shopkeeper's wife's name day when a fire breaks out in the night and turns out to be more difficult to put out than expected.

Like the novel, Kassila wanted set the film in the 1930s, and for that, a possible authentic shooting environment was needed to get the impression of the period.

In 1955, the film won two Jussi Awards: for best direction (Matti Kassila) and best set design (Aarre Koivisto).

[1] Hilma's Name Day has often been called one of Kassila's best directorial works,[4] and even Agapetus, who wrote the original novel, is said to have been exceptionally pleased with the result.

[1] Timo Malmi from Ilta-Sanomat estimates that "Edvin Laine in particular has the role of his life as the chief of the volunteer fire department in this warm Agapetus film adaptation.