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IMPERIAL CINEMl
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il

CONTENTS
Girl

on the Cover

VERA ZORINA.
The Brother Overseas

Editorial

"Cecil DeMille's Blunder"

By
Bombay

Mr.

P. S.

Harrison

By

Calling

Judas

Harrison's Reports

Merle Oberon
Scathing Criticism of Middlemen
By Mr. V. Shantaram

Round

the

Town

Editor's Mail

Howlers

of the

The Indian and

Month
British

Film Industries

By

A. Bhaskar

Rao

Studio Close-Ups

Kicks & Kisses

TEN ART PLATES

and
chic
graceful in a modern

Prabha,

romance,

"Grama-

Singer "
by Virendra
for
S a g a. r
Desai
Movietone.

phone

directed

OND'S Creams

do more

for the skin than ever

before?

They

contain

vitamin found

the

foods

certain

in

many

"skin-vitamin".

Doctors found that when

you eat foods containing this
vitamin > one of its special
functions is to help keep skin
tissue healthy. But when this
vitamin

is

skin,

aids

it

applied
the

right

to

more

skin

directly.

Then Pond's found

way

put "skin-vitamin" into

Pond's Creams. Now everyone can have it Pond's new
"skin-vitamin" Creams. Just

to

these
wonderful
creams for yourself.

try

new

SEND THIS COUPON FOR THE

NEW CREAMSl

POND'S. P.O. Box 144, Bombay.

me free of charge sample tubes:

Please- send

Ponds

POND'S COLD CREAM

Replaces

of

\dd ress

55Sm?J
IizsSeSSZp
No.

F. 2

oils

your

in

Use

Now

for pore-deep cleansing.

contains "skin-i itamiri '

mm

natural

also,

Name

the

unefer-slim, preventing wrinkles.

reams containing "skin-vitamin."

Also generou samples of Pond's new Face Powder
lu<>

POND'S VANISHING CREAM

Removes

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softens the outer-skin.
skin-softener and powder base.
contains '^kin-vitamin".

and
as

Now

Proprietors

Filmindia Publications

104, Apollo Street, Fort,

Editor:

B A BUR AO

Ltd.,

BOMBAY.

PATEL
No

MAI] 1938

Uol. 4

THE BROTHER OVERSEAS

have gone over the different copies of your
paper carefully and I want to congratulate you
on its fine quality from every angle. Its appearance is artistic, the type legible, and the make up
"I

pleasant to the eye.

course, to

comment on

terial that

appears in

It

is

hardly necessary,

the excellence of the

it.

As

a matter of fact,

called the attention of a friend of

comments on two

of

ma-

mine

to

of the big pictures that

your
have

been produced at studios in India, and he was

very much interested,"
writes Mr. P. S. Harrison about "Filmindia" in his
letter of the 14th April to us.
doesn't know
Mr. Pete Harrison? As the most eminent critic in
America he is held in reverence by the producers
His marvellous
and the cine goers in general.
paper "Harrison's Reports" claims the unique distinction of being free from the influence of film
advertising. This exceptional attribute of the paper
commands great respect from all journalists, and
therefore, the comments and criticisms of Mr. Harrison carry great weight and influence all over

Who

America.

We

are immensely thankful to Mr. Harrison for

us his kind permission to reproduce in
"filmindia" from month to month important excerpts
from his reports, and we are sure that our readers
will join with us in congratulating Mr. Harrison on
the excellence of his criticism and the overwhelming authority behind it.
granting


FILMINDIA

May

SLOW DEATH FOR CINEMA OPERATORS

To ask human beings

to

work

for

fourteen hours

continuously and most of the time- standing

The
working

in India,

theatres,

is

of the

lot

thousands

of

throughout

its

Cinema

operators

The payment

not very enviable.

Our army
hours

Cinema

of

down owing

operators

is

steadily

inhuman and excessive

work through which it has been going
Cinema industry became a major indus-

of

since the

to the

of

attendance

of 10 hours.

when

On

for

city ope-

continuous span

that

not very tempting

which are enforced

an operator gets for his job

and there is no reason why
to the protective

case

in

an

not

there

our theatres give a matinee

show

space enclosed from

of

hardly any ventilation or fresh

It

sides,

all

air

is

and

allowed

into the cabin.

Most

at 2-15 the

of

the cinemas in the city are old con-

which have outlived

Even without a

structions

modern

clean 121 hours at a stretch.

times.

their usefulness
visit

imagine what the projection cabins

some cinemas have Sunday

morning shows, which add another 3 hours, making
the operator's job a 15i hour labour in a 24 hour
In addition to this,

On

our cinemas

in

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays,

operators have to attend from 1-30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

day.

workers.

ideal place for long hours of work.

bit

is

regulations

of other city

The average projection cabin

a small
The usual hours

little

torture.

he should not be subject

is

try in India.

rator are from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

is

thousand and odd

is

breaking

a mediaeval

short of

1938

other days, but a Sunday, there are

pri-

vate shows in the morning, arranged for producers,

censors, trade or press.

of

must be, when the auditoriums are

and

in

one can well

these cinemas
ill-ventilated

stuffy places.

Cinema owners
profits

have

in

the city are

every month, and the very

to

ply their trade

till

enough

people

that there are

1-30 in the
to

making huge
fact

they

that

morning shows
fill

up

the last

shows.

Almost every second day, the operators are

called for these morning shows which last nearly
3 hours

every time.

Calculating

and

the regular

100 hours'

work

all

trials,

matinees, special shows

shows the city operators put in over

in a week
an average of over 14

hours a day.

The Police authorities seem

Indian

Cinemas

breach

in the

jobs under the chief.

This assistant is usually an

unpaid apprentice or if paid, he is very poorly paid.
In some cinemas there are as many as four unpaid

the

these

head

and

to

in

The Cinemas are situated

allow the cinemas

to

by

in the

office

run the shows

workafter

all

to

there to learn the

keep the

full

work and

hours along with

And

and sleep which they so badly need.

the theatre operators are the last people

They have to kill a little

more time than the audiences to clean up the equipment and the cabin and close for the day.

to

leave the theatres.

The authorities must do something about all

The hours of the operators must be regulated
and so must the hours of the show.
this.

operator.

When
The same story of long hours is repeated at
smaller towns with only a slight variation in the

time of the shows.

conditions

regulations

their

midst of crowded localities inhabited

ers

all

the

matter of the last shows which con^

elude at 1-30 a.m.

the rest

who are
men have

observe

have allowed

midnight, amounts to denying to these city workers

The average projection cabin in a city cinema

has two employees the operator and his assistant.
The operator is the man in charge and his assistant
is there to wind and rewind films and do other odd

assistants

to

to

all

the Police authorities issue

theatre, they should

the conditions

may

of

first

license to

decide upon enforcing

the license or the harmless

as well be removed form the license.

Mr. Pete Harrison, Editor, "Harrison's Reports"

Feared and admired,
to

this

thousands of exhibitors
opinions an pictures

eminent
all

and

critic

New

provides a beacon

York.

light of

guidance

over the world by his impartial and trenchant

of

men behind

the'

American

film industry.

"Cecil DeMille's Blunder"

" Buccaneer "

Paramount^
By Mr.
In the

issue

HARRISON,

P. S.

January

of

15,

Offensive
New

Editor, "Harrison's Reports",

Army. Does

feating the British

brought better results in propor-

New

Mr. De Mille think the picturegoing public in

Great Britain

Orleans' statement, by which he

and the British Dominions will

it is

suggested

accept this picture without re-

sult

sentment?

many

was

there

discussed

these

in

pages by Cecil B. DeMille's

the

that

money

should pay more

because

producers,

exhibitors
to the

to-day picI

tures cost more.

In

that

discussion,

producer

the

that

stated

could

get

more money from the exhibitors

without exacting from them a
higher percentage of the intake,

simply by

have heard

it

making better

pic-

tures.

road; and since eighty per cent

market consists
of Great Britain and the British
Dominions, it is natural for any
one to ssume that Mr. DeMille
of the "abroad"

looking

"Buccaneer",

DeMille's

at

can

ously say that a

conscienti-

more

sensible

piece of advice could not have

been given to the producers

general and to Mr. DeMille

in

particular, for the

seem

case in this instance.

mand

a greater share of the ex-

Mr. DeMille to de-

hibitor's intake.

There are no individual blunders in any of the situations or

in any characterizations;
it
fcs
the whole story that is a blunder.
How could Mr. DeMille
hope to interest the picturegoers in the doings of a leader

band

of a

son

who

who

of cutthroats, a per-

sent to death any one

contested his authority?

The making
a blunder

viewpoint;
lities of

shows
6

of

also
it

offends the sensibi-

band

of

it

hooligans de-

a great picture,

that
of

two

with the re-

the picture-goers,

them should

entertainment

if

find

values

its

highly

exaggerated, will lose faith in

the exhibitor, to the detriment
of the entire industry.

But

this

fault of

not altogether the

is

Mr. DeMille; the blame

bankers, who,

without knowing the

ciples

have undertaken

prin-

first

production,

picture

of

on the

chiefly

take over

to

They know no-

million dollars on a picture that

film companies.

could

thing about story material; con-

not

help

offending the

greatest part of his foreign mar-

which brings approximate-

ly fifty per cent of his pictures'

an

injustice, not

only to the exhibitors, at

home

as well as abroad, but to the Pa-

ramuont
organization
itself,
which is entitled to receive some
profit from its hard work in selling his pictures.
In order for
tain

sequently they are

Paramount

enough returns

to

to ob-

be en-

in

upon the

tion to pass

no posi-

suitability

them by
approval. They

of stories presented to

a director for

approve budgets amounting to

dollars,
without
millions of

knowing the
business.

first

Any

principles

wonder

of

then

that they are compelled to dig

pockets

their

into

more

for

funds to enable the studios

to

finish their schedules?

abled to recoup the cost of pro-

duction and pay the cost of distribution,

even

count any

if it

profits,

were
Neil

must devote the energies

"Buccaneer" is
from another

the British people, for

be the
For him,

to

then, to have spent nearly

total intake, is

entitle

the public believe that

shoulders of the

caution in

great

not the sort of picture that

would

and the exhibitors must try

make

choice of his story material. But

in

"Buccaneer"

to

must be placed

ket,
is

tion;

the

exercises

such does not

After

said that Mr.

DeMille's pictures go well ab-

York.

to dis-

Agnew
of his

Harrison's Reports suggests to

Mr.

Agnew

not to exert his or-

ganization's

greatest

this picture;

this picture almost exclusively,

the faith the public

money away from

propriation of

other

which

perhaps

could

the ap-

pictures,

have

to use

he should

entire organization to exploiting

taking

efforts

Paramount trade mark

still

has

Paramount trade mark

use

it

for

future

be entitled

to

pictures

such

it

retain

the

may

on

m
to

that

efforts.

A.

HYLAND D

TD

HUGHES ROAD,

BOMBAY

SOLE DISTRIBUTORS FOR

ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY
Ft AT

and

SING ER

CARS

LUBER-FINER

and

(Oil Refiner for Cars

Trucks).

"CAR PUP"

Reversible Trailers

PYE RADIOS
SPECIALISTS

IN

Automobile Repairs

all

Makes

All types of mechanical Engineering

work

Spray Painting

Chrome, Nickel and Silver Plating

Fortnightly or Monthly Car maintenance
service

ALL

WORK CARRIED OUT

Under Expert European Supervision

Bombay Calling
section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what tic
and about things which he likes. The views expressed here arc

'Lhis

likes

but

ours,

necessarily

not

they

still

carry

STANDARD LENGTH FOR PICTURES!

scale must standardize

problem

this

its

itself

Standardization faced

of

manufacturing industry

of the world.

makers manufactured

different

cars with

different

we

various sizes of the numerous gadgets which

The market became shy

find in motor cars.

in pur-

chasing and only leading manufacturers with world

wide organizations monopolised the trade. Motor
parts
ral

had

was

to

to

be standardized if the industry in geneimprove.

Motor manufacturers got to-

and planned the future standardization of

The result
spare parts and different accessories.
was an all-round improvement in the trade.

gether

similar planning

our film industry

is

at all

if

absolutely necessary

we

are to

make any

some

take

to

feet to 16,000 feet is the

range

of

From

our supply.

producer once gave even 17,000 feet

in

pro-

of projection

One
single

different periods

begin at the same time.

of

be

should not be boring and

so,

much

ducers

should be the standard length

the next two years
short features.

till

we have

of

in

boring and

its

better

cut

to

it

Entertainment to
will

down

pay our

pro-

pictures to

their

UNIFORMITY IN ENTERTAINMENT
Another

problem

for

standardization

the

is

question of regulating the shows in our cinemas.

Every show

in an Indian Cinema begins at a wrong

Shows begin at 2, 2-15, 2-30, 2-45, 3, 5, 5-15,

time.
5-30,

8-15,

8,

and

10-15,

10-30,

erratic timings,

10-45,

With such

11.

people are never sure

when a certain show in a certain cinema will begin.

The people are always kept guessing and they can
never rely upon the theatre owners as in the case
of

English picture houses.

English picture houses have a definite plan ot

at 4 p.m. they have the

and the third and final one
at 10 p.m. The final show gets over at 12 midnight
just in time for every one to get some sort of a conveyance to go home.

With matinees

business.

of the

is

maximum

our pictures

for

our newsreels and

at 6-30 p.m.

some sense

in this

plan but the methods

Indian cinemas are foolish.

It

high time

is

that the Indian theatres should follow the plan of the

English theatres

and standardize entertainment

in

the town.

Indian
of 12,000 feet

feet

12,000 feet.

double the footage.

An average programme

is

length taxes the nerves severely.

There

a good American picture

is about 7,500 feet and that length is good enough
for the foreign producer to tell a story effectively,
while our producers cannot do the job well with
The average length

within

story

do so even with 15,000

The average Indian picture

second show

with the result that no two shows of

different theatres

the

9,000

picture.

These various lengths require

tell

in

instances, our produ-

cers give us films with varying footage.

cannot

hand.

various

gress in stabilizing our industry.

At present,

who

12,000 feet cannot

motor

the

In those times

are

they

his job.

Producers

on a permanent
problems.
Years back

industry to stabilize

because

weight

man who knows

written by a

Any

follows:

cinemas should plan

at 3-30, 2nd show

Matinee

and last show at

are more than enough

third

9-30.

their

shows as

at 6-30

Three shows

to cater for the

and the
a day

in

crowds

single day.
,9

of

FILMINDIA

May

At present the Indian cinemas have 23 shows

Under the revised plan they will have
in a week.
21 shows in a week, including a matinee every day.

Our theatre proprietors are not known for their

intelligence or wisdom in business and they are not
expected to adopt any sensible plan of business,
but the police authorities can enforce this plan and
once for all standardize all the shows in the town.
above
If the shows are standardized as suggested
will
shows
the traffic porblem before and after the
be considerably

less acute.

STORY THE PIVOT OF SUCCESS!

During the

last

twelve months only 6 Indian

proved successful. All the rest failed and

some miserably so. The most outstanding success
was "Tukaram" produced by Prabhat. "lagirdar"

Those producers who suc-

audiences spell bound.

ceeded
lost

1938

doing reaped a rich harvest, others

in

just

big money.

Judging the exact merits

Several

difficult job.

them today are not

story

is

a very

we

at all qualified for this job.

and

are so foolish

of

our producers as

of

find

They

blind that they simply cannot

find faults with their stories.

Most of the subjects for our pictures are copied

from American films or from authors like E. Phillip

Oppenheim and Edgar Wallace. Only once in a

way we get some original stories written by an
Indian author and such stories which are full of
Indian sentiment are more often successful than the

pictures

stories

from Western authors.

producer can rarely judge a story correctly,

can always do

by Sagar, "Jeevan Prabhat" by Bombay Talkies,

"Lutaru Lalna" by Wadia, and a couole of others

but a film

were other successful

better stories

and

by prominent

critics.

And on
had

India,

pictures.

these six pictures, exhibitors

to

all

recover their losses suffered

in

That

the

story
this

of

the

several high paid

pictures
'stars'

which

like,

failed

and

yet they

the

reply

first

definite

is

therefore

is

more and

for

them perused and

criticised

way

producing a successful

of

aspect

pictures will

keep on

of

film

not realize'

our

production,

failing.

Sulochana, Madhuri,

drew poorly

essential of

It

and as long as our producers do

all-important

at the box-offices.

one big question: What

a successful picture? The

A SAMPLE OF AMERICAN COURTESY!

Some

Distributors of foreign pictures

yet to learn

All these failures spell

is

get

the only

is

presented

Sabita Devi, Ratnaprabha, Chandramohan, Motilal,

etc.,

so.

over

other productions that failed.

Some

critic

necessary that producers should call

and admits no doubt,

viz.,

a good

lot of

And

modern business methods.

before learning

new

and learn

ordinary courtesy.

just

have as

things, they

must unlearn a

Some

lot

of these

boobies do not yet

know how

of their pictures.

Indian producers can give them

to

conduct press shows

story.

Our producers have

stories

which produced

not

been able

into

pictures

give good
would keep

to

pointers

in

this

department,

as the press

shows

given by the local producers are heavily sprinkled

with courtesy

and

there

is

that

human

element in

MARCH BRAIN TWISTER

The Solution
"The Ranee was

and

17 at

her engagement

24 at marriage."

Prize of Rs. 10

is

given to:

CHANDRAKAVI,
28 Mohan Mansion,
Telang Road, MATUNGA.

Mr.

Amina
10

in "Pati-Patni",

a picture by General Films.

S.

R.

May

FILMINDI

1938

them which demands

full

co-operation

from the

MAY BRAIN TWISTER

press.

Prize of Rs.

These remarks are necessary, because the other

day

was

invited to

a press show by a

was no one

to

receive the

pressmen on behalf of the people who issued the

invitations.
The press people were left to the tend-

a couple of door-keepers and of the

operator.
The show was due to start at 12 noon.
12-40 p.m.
It actually began at
The fans in the
auditorium were switched off and there was no one
to whom an appeal could be made to switch them
on.
Even the theatre was not represented by anyone intelligent. To add injury to insult, the wrong
picture and not the one for which invitations were
er mercies of

was

Mr. Root advertised for a lady typist.

After taking tests he appointed Miss Scott.
"What was your plan of testing?" I
asked Root.
"Very simple" said Root. In each subject I gave one mark to the bottom girl, 2
marks to the girl next above her, 3 marks
Miss Scott,
to the next girl, and so on.
whom I appointed, got the best aggregate

mark."

"How many

is

the scant respect

some American

pay to our press people. Either our

have pawned their self-respect or the

distributors

press people

people

who

who do

not

tesy.

is

give these shows are

know what

And

pity that
I

am

is

just

damn

fools

ordinary trade courtesy.

Americans have

to learn cour-

not surprised that foreign pictures

are losing ground in India rather

what they

"A dozen were called, but I don't think

all turned up though."
"You don't remember the exact num-

they

."Well,

it

can be worked

fast.

They deserve

out, because

got the same mark in two subjects.

Subject to that, Miss Scott got as many
marks as was possible. Miss Coral, who
was bottom, got as few marks as was possible.
And Miss Scott was 28 marks ahead
of Miss Coral."

no

girl

How many

girls

took the examination?

Only one prize

It

did you examine?"

ber?"

shown.

that

girls

asked.

And

1st correct solution

Picked up at random from our mail.

Half-a-dozen leading papers were

of foreign films.

represented, but there

sent

To the

local otfice

10[-

Address replies

The

will

be given.

to:

Editor, "filmindia",

104 Apollo Street, Fort,

BOMBAY.

get.

H. E. Sir George Lumley, the Governor of Bombay and Lady Lumley visited the studio of the Bombay
Talkies recently.
Photograph shows (from left to right) 1. Mr. Himansu Rai, 2. Sir Richard Temple,
3. Devika Rani, 4. Rai Saheb Chunila', 5. His Excellency the Governor, 6. Lady Lumley, 7. Franz Osten
11

G^qency

Of*nnouncemen t!

International Talkie Equip-

Bombay,

have
great pleasure in announcing their appointment as
Sole Agents for the World

ment

Co.,

ASKANIA CINE
CAMERAS for standard

Famous

mm.

and accessories for India, Burma and

Immediately folCeylon.
appointment,
the
lowing
they have already sold one
Camera to Messrs. Prabhat
Film Co., and many others
are also expected to buy
35

them

in

films

the

near

For details write

future.
to:

INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT

187,

HORNBY ROAD,

FORT. BOMBAY.

Co.,

Harrisons Reports
NEW YORK
(The*e are important excerpts from "Harrison's Reports"

from the
of America on men and things

for impart/al criticism flue to

the best

are

known

still to

critic

its

being free

he released on our side, but the

influence

New

Fiwitj

the only paper of its kind which

of film advertising.

It is

is

where you

find it"

Olivia deHavilland
National

{.First

New

Some of the pictures renewed here

American film industry.
known critic then- advance publiworld
reviews coming as the;/ do from the

&

with George Brent,

Claude Rains.

York Release: February

19: lime. 04

mm.)

very gocd
The
despite a slow start.
mostly on impressing the spectator with the gorgeous
out-door photography, which becomes somewhat monotonous because of repetitious shots of certain scenes.
Once the action starts, howewver, one is less conscious of the striving for effects and becomes absorbed
in the plot. The real thrills are in the closing scenes,
where the hero, in order to protect the farmers, dynamites the miners' plant, causing a flood. The technicolor photography heightens the excitement in these
scenes. There are some situations that stir the emotions.
The situation in which the young son of the
leading farmer is killed by the miners is one of them.
The romance is simple (put pleasing. The action
takes place in the year 1870.

box-office attraction,
first half is concentrated

technicolor

Suitability: Class A.

"A

Slight Case of

Murder" with Edward G.

Robinson.

New York Release; March 5; time, 84 in in.)

This burlesqued gangster melodrama is one of
the finest comedies produced in a long time. For one
thing, the story is. different; for another, the action
is both exciting and comical, holding one's attention
throughout. The situations in which the bodies of
four dead gangsters are made the butt of jokes are
a little gruesome, but people will not be able to refrain from laughing at the reaction of Robinson and
his henchmen when they find the bodies, and at
what they do with them. The production is not particularly lavish; but that does not matier, for there
are other things that make up for it novelty of plot,
comical dialogue, and fast action. Many laughs are
provoked by a young orphan, who matches his toughness with Robinson's henchmen. A romance is worked into the plot: but that too. is treated in a comical
(First National:

vein.

Not particularly suitable for children

1

Class

B)..

"The Adventures of Marco Polo" with Gary

Cooper, Basil Rathbone & Sigrid Gurie.
Artist's ;'New York Release; March 4: time. In4 min.)
Expert performances and a lavish production are
the highlights of this adventure comedy. But its entertainment value lies in the comedy more than in

(United

famous

in the

THE

cation will he useful to the exhibitors all over India in booking the said pictures.

"Gold

is

ably edited by Mr. P. S. Harrison,

EDITOR.)

for, with the exception of the thrilling

Because
closing scenes, the story lacks fast action.
of this, its appeal should be directed more to sophisticated audiences. There is no doubt, however, that
first because of
it will draw well at the box-office,
Gary Cooper's popularity, and. secondly, because of
the fame of the character he portrays. The picture

the adventure,

"big" from a production standpoints that is in sets

and mob scenes. The romance is handled in good
taste, and with an eye to comedy.

is

Suitability:

Class A.

&

"Jezebel" with Bette Davis. Henry Fonda

George Brent.
(Warner Bro New York Release: March 26: time. 103 min.]
Powerful dramatic entertainment. It is unusual
in its way, for it makes no concessions to the boxoffice either in characterizations or development of
plot; and it is from its honesty that it derives its
power. For instance, the heroine is not painted as.
a lily: she is shown to be a hot tempered emotionally
:

uncontrolled,
tricks to get

person

who

resorts

to

contemptible-

what she wants. Nevertheless, one understands her and even sympathizes with her. In the
end, one's heart goes out to her, because of the great

makes. It is not what one would call

cneerful entertainment, and may not appeal to the
rank and file, but it should please those who like

sacrifice she

good acting.

No part of the action is immoral, but it

depressing for children, and for many adults.
ability Class A.

too
Suit-

is

"The Girl of the Golden West" with Jeanette

Macdonald and Nelson Eddy.
(MUM New York Release: March IS: time, 120 min.)
:

Very good! When First National produced it in

1930 without music, it was just fair entertainment.
Although the story has not improved with age, this
version is much more entertaining, because of the
excellent production values, and of the singing by
Jeanette MaoDonald and Nelson Eddy. Miss MacDonald is particularly appealing both in voice and
appearance, and is largely responsible for the entertainment the picture offers. She acts the part of the
western mountain girl with such warmth and understanding, that she makes the character believable.
Typical of westerns, it has plentiful shooting and
horseback riding. Towards the end one is held in
13

FILMINDIA

May

suspense, this being caused by the fact that Eddy, a

notorious bandit, was in danger of being caught by
the Sheriff. The outdoor scenes, photographed in
Sepia tint, are beautiful. The one large number is a
colorful fiesta scene, with large groups of dancers

and

singers.

Suitable for

all.

Class A.

"Goodbye Broadway" with Alice Brady and

Charles Winninger.
(Universal

New

York Release: March

25; time, 69 min.)

Moderately entertaining program fare. Alice Brady

and Charles Winninger give good performances, trying hard to put some life into the picture, but there
is not much that they can do with the trite material.
The action, which is concentrated mostly in a

small-town hotel lobby, lacks speed; it is only towards the end that a flurry of excitement is created.
And even this is brought about by an obvious and
ordinary situation. The romantic interest is mild.
Morally suitable.

Class A.

A Woman" with Joan Blondell

and Melvyn Douglas.
(Columbia; New York Release: April 20; time, 80 min.)
A highly entertaining comedy-murder mystery
melodrama, with the comedy outstanding. It is somewhat reminiscent of the "Thin Man" series, for here,
too, husband and wife both take an interest in the
solving of the case, at the same time continuing their
"There's

Always

personal bickering. There are many comical angles,

brought about by the scatter-brained actions of Joan
Blondell (the wife). Hearty laughter should be provoked in the situation where Miss Blondell, snooping
around the victim's home, sees what she thinks is a
wall safe; hoping to get important information, she
turns the knob, trying to open it, when suddenly there
is a blare of music, for what she thought was a safe
was just a radio. Another comical situation is that
in which Miss Blondell, who was withholding information from the District Attorney's office, is put
under a third-degree examination. In the end she
comes out perfectly calm; she had divulged nothing,
The murder
and her questioners were exhausted.
angle is interesting; and since the murderer's identity
is not divulged until the end one's attention is held
throughout.

Not suitable

for children.

Good

for adults. Class

B.

"The Rat" with Ruth Chatterton. Anton

Walbrook & Rene Ray.
(RKO New York Release: January 21; time, 69 min.)
This British-made melodrama is mediocre in en;

tertainment as far as intelligent audiences are concerned; but it may find favour with those who go in
for lurid melodramas. Both the story and background
which hark back to the old days of Paris underworld
dramas, are sordid. And with the exception of the
14

heroine (Rene Ray) there

one

feels

sympathy.

is

not a character for

1938

whom

A few

situations are distasteful.

One such situation is where the heroine, an innocent
young girl is approached by a lecherous millionaire,
who attempts to make her surrender to him. Even
the big dramatic moment at the end where Ruth
Chatterton, a wealthy woman of the world, who had
become infatuated with the hero, sacrifices her reputation to save him from the guillotine, fails to make
much impression, by reason of the unpleasant nature
of her testimony.
Nor is the romance developed in

an appealing way
Suitable for children or adolescents.

Class B.

"Goldwyn Follies" with Adolphe Menjou,

Andrea Leeds and Kenny Baker.
(United Artists

New

York Release: February

4; time,

121 min.)

An

excellent box-office attraction, considering the

magnificent technicolor work, the drawing power of
the individual players, and the advance publicity the
And the Hollywood backpicture has been given.
But
ground
may still attract the masses.
seems a pity that so much care should
it
to everything but the story, which
As a matter of fact there is no story
to speak of; it is more or less a grand and glorified
vaudeville show, with individual acts that vary between very good and fair. The Ritz Brothers are, as
usual, comical and provoke hearty laughter by their
Edgar Berantics, despite the material given them.
gen and Charlie McCarthy, in their few appearances,
are good and should delight all their fans, who have
become familiar with them through their broadcasts.
The outstanding feature is the dancing by Zorina and
by the members of the American Ballet. There is
one scene in which they appear against a background
of blue and white, which, for sheer beauty, has not
been surpassed it is breathtaking. There are scenes
of beauty throughout, as a result of the color photography. The music is good, varying from the operatic (sung by Helen Jepson) to the popular variety.

have been given

in itself

is trite.

Class A.

"Radio City Revels" with Jack Oakie, Bob Burns,

Milton Berle, Victor Moore & Ann Miller.
(RKO; New York Release: February 11; time. 90 min.)
Fairly good mass entertainment. The lavish production and the list of popular plays are its main attractions, for the material is pretty weak. The action
comedy, except, for one
is slow in spots, and the
The most
situation, is not of the uproarious type.
comical situation is that in which Jack Oakie and
Milton Berle use various methods to put Bob Burns,
who was suffering from insomnia, to sleep; in the end
they fall asleep from exhaustion. There is plentiful
music, good singing by Kenny Baker and Jane Froman
and dancing by Ann Miller; the tunes are pleasant
And Miller and Kenny Baker are
if not exceptional.
an acceptable romantic team.
Suitability:

Class A.

May

FILMINDIA

1938

'The Big Broadcast of 1938" with

W.

C. Fields.

Martha Raye &

New York Release: March 4: time, 90
possibilities, but only
box-office
in
Good
Dorothy Lamour.

^Paramount

Class A.

Suitability:

min.)

fair in

entertainment value. Despite a lavish production,

popular players and good tunes, it is slow-moving and
The story is so thin that it falls to
dull in spots.
The picture is a hodge-podge of comedy and
pieces.
melody, the individual situations ranging from good
to fair. W. C. Fields provokes laughter as usual. The
funniest scene is where he plays golf, driving around
the course in a peculiar looking motor cycle. Comical
also is the situation where he plays pool with a silly
Englishman. But with the exceptions of these two
scenes he is at a disadvantage, because of poor material.
Martha Raye runs through the picture rather
aimlessly and is given only one chance to sing and
dance. The outstanding feature for class audiences
is the singing of one aria by Kirsten Flagstad, the
world famous operatic star, and the two songs sung
by Tito Guizar. For the rest, Bob Hope, from the
stage makes a fairly good impression; Dorothy Lamour, appearing in a rather negative part, sings one

{Being jiroLcJ

song effectively, and the rest do the best they can

with the material at hand.

"Fools For Scandal" with Carole

Fernand Gravet.

New York Release: April' 16: tiw.e,[79 min.

The story is thin, the comedy
Disappointing!
labored, and the action slow. The picture lacks novelty
of plot and dialogue depending on trite situations for
its comedy; at no time does the action provoke real
hearty laughter. Thus a lavish production and the
talents of two capable stars have been wasted. Miss
Lombard, usually so adept at comedy parts, can do
{First National

nothing with this story material; as a matter of fact

she has to resort to shouting to cover up the absur-

some of the situations.

loped in a routine way.

dity of

It is

doubtful

if

The romance

deve-

is

the children will understand the

therefore, morally suitable for

sex insinuations;
Suitability: Class A.

WAD/A

at'

Lombard &

StU(H0S

SUNDER MOVIETONE'S
MILE -A- MINUTE THEILLEE

TCCEAN - EXPRESS
CDirecU

In

CHUNILAL PAREKH
Featuring:

<JAL

MERCHANT
In the

"d

jfbAJ

KUMARI

most mysterious Drama of Romance

and acluenture of 1938

WE

BET

YOU CAN'T SOLVE THE MYSTERY^ TILL JOLLY JAL SOLVES

IT

FOR YOU
15

all.

I*
* V Vic
>-v

COihau of

Sisa/i

s
* ADOLPHE
*

The RITZ

* VERA

MENJOU
BROTHERS

ZORINA

+ KENNY

BAKER

* ANDREA LEEDS
* HELEN JEPSON
* PHIL BAKER
* ELLA LOGAN
* BOBBY CLARK

* JEROME
* The

COWAN

AMERICAN BALLET

*The GORGEOUS GOLDWYN

GIRLS
and introducing
the

comedy sensation

of the

world

* EDGAR

BERGEN

and

"Charlie McCarthy"

'UNITED*

"31S&

MERLE OBERON 1
Glamour
Merle Oberon,
Feb.

1911

19,

Island

in

was born on

Hobart, on the

where her

Tasmania,

of

Merle

Estelle

O'Brien Thompson,

Girl of the Screen

parents were visiting the father's

maiden

Her

aunt.

According
ever since

to

the screen.

And Hollywood was

much persuasion

After

gave

was an

ket

to

her

officer,

the paternal

and French-Dutch on

side

the

other.

Merle was seven years

Until

what

Calcutta

in

together

tic-

with

America would be about

When

$100.

the un-

his niece her return

the

pended she was

boat home.

money was
to

take the

exfirst

the mother continued to re-

old,

with

side

her

in

sister-in-law,

whose home the girl was born.

She then accepted an invitation
to stay with Lady Monteith, the
Bombay,
child's god-mother, in
The

India.
into

be an actress on

her goal.

cle

mother English on

Oberon,

childhood she

had wanted

before the birth of his daughter,

army

Miss

to

early

who

father,

died of pneumonia three months

English

a stay

visit

prolonged

itself

two years, then Mrs.

of

Thompson went to join a

and brother in Calcutta.

sister

Thompson had started school in Bombay. In Calcutta where she lived

Merle

Estelle

for the next

she

was

the

aus-

ten years,

educated along

further

tere lines

uncle

O'Brien

which her army

deemed

fitting

for

officer-

one

of

at

La

Matinere College where she

stu-

his

family.

died

She finished

and

Hindusthani,

French,

Latin.

17 when her
army leave for a trip
to England and took her along.
They toured France, Italy and

She was not quite

Switzerland in the course of the

tour.

When

uncle

to

of the

to

it

came

return,

go back

time for the

the girl did

to India.

not

had

told

should be an actress.

ot

money

girl had no idea

money, and it
She was deter-

her

she

Merle Oberon
like

Her

actress.

have you meet some

to

first

Perhaps

the girls.
therefore

went

for clothes.

Then she "cashed in" her steamer ticket fcr about $80, and set
about finding a job. In all her
money carried her tor about a
She knew nothing about
agencies and was
theatrical

change your mind."

By the next Thursday Miss

Oberon was not only penniless
but hungry. She was at the Cafe

Among

de Paris

completely at sea about starting

working there was Mimi

now prominent on
dan,

her career.

screen.

One day

she

heard

H.M.V. film company

hold-

players

at

the Cafe de Paris in London.

It

ing

was

an audition
quite

a swanky place.

rived there,

same

for

ether
call.

she
girls

found at

answering

Arleast

the

future

Very haughtily, she

says, she declined.

the

friendly, the

uncertain

so

Jor-

Miss

Oberon accepted a position as

She kept the job three
hostess.
months. Then her mother, frantic
hearing that the child

at

London alone,

was

in

arrived.

With her mother's income

was

girl

do hope" said the man, "that

you will do me the honor of coming to tea next Thursday. I would

the

relieved of the necessity

finding

of

herself.

for

In

the

course of her work at the cafe,

she had met people

who enabled

her to get work in a film studio.

Her
"I

was

the girls

She was not picked.

While she was waiting to hear

her fate a man, with an air of
authority, approached her and
asked if she would like to dance
at the cafe.

for tea.

Everyone was so

that the

was

of

you'd

then

month.

Many

people she met, struck with

her beauty,

value

went quickly.
mined to be an

fifty

uncle got

want

The 17-year-cld
of the

tra

first

work

pay cheque was

in "Alf's

line to speak,

for

She was
and got $10 a day

Bntish-Gaumont.

for ex-

Button",

given

19

FILM INDIA
weeks.

for three

May

When

the pic-

was released she did not

hear herself speak and caught

ture

only one glimpse

screen.

the

But

of

her figure on

that

confirmed

her screen aspirations.

For two years she worked obscurely in films,

usually

playing

that he was about to start

own producing Company and

ed her
his

wanted to give her a screen test.

She thought he was just joking,
but two months later she received
a call to report at the Wembly
Studios. She found she had been
preceded by about 200 of the
most beautiful

girls

she had ever

lot

Korda

Paramount at the British and Do-

picked Miss Oberon, Joan

Gard-

minion studios, she happened

ner,

One

bits.

day, while working

for

to

a table close
where Alexander Korda was

be having lunch
to

sitting

at

with his wife.

Korda was

working on an adjoining stage

same

the

seen.

But

names

on the

themselves

for

English screen.

out

to

already selected the cast

the
the most striking face

after,
to

have ever seen."

one

to

for his

would use her

came on
where she was work-

to

the set

ing,

took her aside

and

inform-

that air which only the French

word "chic" can characterize. Her
manner of wearing clothes is

French,

mother,

chestnut hair,

and

is

but

heritage

with

hazel-green

nose looks

tilted

She

doubtlessly

from her

her

eyes

bit Irish.

a nervous tempera

of

ment and very

superstitious, hav-

and looking

at

wihch she

sure

is

piebald
are

horses,

signs

oi

follow.

however, the

Shortly theregirl

who was

play the lead was injured

good

luck.

in

in

So Miss

That afternoon Korda

has

Miss Oberon he had

production, but

Miss Oberon and said:

is

told

is

5 feet 2 inches

is

and weighs 112 pounds, and

more than just beautiful. She

ing a fondness for picking up pins

at

studio.

Korda's wife pointed

the

Diana Napier and Wendy

Barrie. All four have since made

Korda

"That

out of

Miss Oberon
tall

1938

an automobile accident.
Oberon was given the part, which
was opposite Roland Young in
"Wedding Rehearsal".

Merle Oberon's
will

next

be "The Divorce

of

picture

Lady X

a London Films Technicolor

duction shortly

through
bay.

United

to

be

Artists,

'

pro-

released
in

Bom-

We Have

Great Pleasure

Indeed great pleasure

that

we

for

are

the

in

appointed

well

announcing

Sole Agents

known

make

of

I
Film Printers and accessories for India

Burma and Ceylon.

Ms. PRABHAT FILM

Have

Co., Poona,

already purchased one from us.

Needless to mention others

will

soon

follow.

e**Jcy

ARRI Bll
Picture

&

A.T.A. FILM PRINTER

Sound

Printing

Combined with Automatic

for

pictures

and also

Machine

light

full

change

automatic

light-change for sound.

REMEMBER

THIS

IS

YOUR

GUARANTEE

For Illustrated Catalogue and Further Particulars Please Write to:

THE INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT

187.

HORNBY ROAD.

Co.,

BOMBAY

Shantaram

Director

Scathing

Criticism

Of Middlemen
Condemns

Profiteering

&

Wants 3,000 More

Theatres.
"I have no patience or respect for those importers of machinery who
have been profiteering at the cost of the Indian Film Industry," said Mr.
V. Shantaram, the famous director and partner of the Prabhat Film Co.,
when our Editor Mr. Baburao Patel interviewed him recently.

"They have been bleeding the 'infant' by inflating the prices of all
kinds of machinery and making huge profits for themselves since the
advent of the talkies.
"Projectors whi:h were hardly worth five thousand have been sold
and fifteen thousand rupees.

for fourteen

SHANTARAM

Mr. V.
Partner

&

"This greedy inflation has put back the clock of progress so much
that after 25 years of its existence, the Indian film industry can hardly
claim a thousand theatres in India.

Director, Prabhat

Film

Company

our market, there are good pro-

more

jectors actually not costing

theatres

a population of 350 millions!

That works down to one theatre
ior every 350,000 people. What a

tor

pathetic

we

when

progress

think

have a theatre
every town with a population

that
in

ought

to

far

we have

hardly touch-

ed the fringe of our huge population.

In
opinion, our most

my

successful picture

drawn more than

may

ple to the theatre.

all

we can

cater
rest of India?

Need

of the

not

have

five million peo-

And

for,

if

where

that is
is the

the progress

of

an

procedure

"All this
it

is just

our

theatres in

it

thousand
India someday.

four

this

to

five

supplementary trade

selling cars.

"The crying need of the hour is

a projector with a price and quality within reach of all.
A qocd
serviceable projector ought not to
3000

and

informed that even in the premakes available in

sent range of

If

maintaining theatre projectors

we have

tainment.

am

wrong

machinery importers thought for

a while, they would well imagine
the huge business in spares, acreplacements in
cessories and

"And

Rs.

is

bad business.

selling machines.

more than

indus-

a well known fact that

motor dealers make more proiitr,
In their repair workshops than by
"It

"What we must all do to-day is

create more demand for our
pictures and we can do that only
by exploiting new and virgin
We simply must have
fields.
more cinemas and quickly too if

to

the industry

"During the next three years

we must at least have 3000 more
theatres, if our film industry is to
assume any national importance
In culture, education and enter-

cost

entire

try.

would always pay better dividends than the principal job of

Moment:

and

this

flation of prices for

and

oi 10,000 people.

"So

amount, but due to inpersonal gains

these projectors are not brought
within the reach of small enter
What a pity that the oer
prise.
Bonal gains of a few should baulk

than

Imagine a thousand

healthy competition
spurring enterprise.

viting

is

Importers of cinema
machinery can do the same, if
they allow the field to expand
and secure nation wide demand.

The Sesame

of Progress

"That one word 'demand'

a
opens
is

It
sesame of progress.
wide the gates of progress by

in-

is to

live.

"The present tactics of machinery dealers are not praiseworthy

apart from the fact that they are
suicidal to the industry in general.

"There

is

no

sense in

killing

the goose that lays the golden

eggs. If the industry survives, as
an industry of such national importance should, the machinery
perhaps the
importers will be
first ones to clear good profits.

"Big profits got with the present quick methods leave the industry more crippled than otherwise.

"What an irony it is when manufacturers equipped with the latest plants and protected by mass
production can put out on the
market projectors at a reasonable
price, that the middlemen should
step in and make more profits
than the manufacturers themsel-

23

FILM INDIA
ves and

in

doing

May
so, throttle

our

progress.
really a good case for
slate control of prices.
"It

is

illustrate my argument,
I
mention the immense popularity of the Bauer projectors.
A
reasonable price coupled with reliability and backed by personal
service has enabled the importers of this make to sell nearly
three hundred machines within a
short period of two years.

"To

me

as a producer, that
means just 300 more theatres, and
thanks to the man who achieved
the result.
"If

the

patrons and to the producer by the employment of in-

owes

efficient operators.

of

"In my several tours on business, I have come across numerous theatres with good machines
but bad men behind. However

"Theatre
fires,
which
have
been recently frequent and some
of them with tragic results, are
due entirely to the negligence of
bad operators. I have seen an
operator smoking with the film in
the projector running and the proprietor of the cinema taking this
as an indication of expert knowledge. This is a crime and richly deserves to be punished.

to their

good a machine may be it alrequires an efficient operator io get good and correct results.
What a heartburning it must be
to a producer to see his carefully
produced picture running 'jazzuy' io the accompaniment of
sound which is just bad noise.

ways

"I

must frankly admit that we

good operators

have very few

who know
same

ple
spirit

of

service

which prompted the Bauer agent

shown by other importers, my

dream of 3000 more theatres will
is

be accomplished within half the

time given.

"Apart from the huge commercial possibilities,

think that this

mission has in it a patriotic facet

which ought to appeal to every
man of clean business.

of

years

with

half-a-dozen

this

cou-

could

training

insti-

Bombay, this state of afcannot be excused any lon-

fairs

ger.

it

to his

patrons to protect

safety by the employment

trained operator.

"It is high
time that operators
should be licensed and should be
made to pass an efficiency test.

"It is amusing to think that the

Government which is always so
keen on examining the electric
equipment and in licensing the

theatres under several strict conditions should agree to hand over

the safety of the people into the
inefficient

who does

hands

of an operator
not realize his respon-

"It is in the interests of the exhibitor to employ a well trained

sibilities.

operator. If he does so, his business pays better dividends and

his equipment gives him better

"Don't you think that our present

day
popular
ministries

value.

"I mustn't forget to remind the

exhibitors of the injustice they dc

aspect of

in

back,

tutes, in

Need

A tense situation

their jobs well.

have been explained, but now

Bad Operators Ruin Business!

24

their

may

"To

1938

for Licensing!

"Apart

should do something about this

they want their voters to enjoy
entertainment with safety?"

if

from

the

this affair,

commercial

an

exhibitor

I think so, of course!

But they
must, if anything is to happen.

"Abha&in" a New Theatres' production. Here, you see

Ima

in

holy terror.

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THE FASHION
in

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CALCUTTA
JETPUR

Finest Film Hits are

How

you

often nave

witk your favourite

kaunt you.

You

tke theatre

song

kits

still

Tkey

still

feel like seeing

tke

your memory

lurking in

picture

left

But why not

again.

relax

your nerves ky keanng tkeir records ?

Rememker
DEVIKA RANI & ASHOK

KUMAR

Now

await the release of a new duet records of the

duetists who
sang the popular song "Mai Banki
oltSO
Chidiya" on record No.

Both the new duets are as good

the previous hits. Here them.

as,

if

tke finest

FILM. HITS

ARE RECORDED ON
H.jM.V\And
all

mind, recorded music of

your favourite

stars is

on

H.M.V.

not better than

SURENDRA & BIBBO

N51I64 Tumhine

Their Record No.

sikhaya Issued is
of this blind singer of
iV
T

!>

6963
1 6 1 H

Bengal

Qokulse qauo qirdhari

Kahe dera karat Mjam

still

in

great

mujko prem

demand Surendra
Maya recorded on

has again, but this time with

an equally Due duel from the
H. M. V.
"Dynamite". Here it at our nearest dealers

film

HiS Master s Voice'

THE TOWN
OUND
p
"NIRMALA"

Photography: (By Wirsching

Bombay

Produced by:

Talkies

Ltd.

standard

the usual

<S

Roxy

at:

treated

Recording:

bay.

(By

S.

B.

Vacha).

Quite good.

Dale of Release: 15th April 1938.

(By

Direction:

Bombay

Distributors:

Circuit

Ramniklal Mohanlal.
Cast: Devika Rani, Saroj Borkar,

Maya

Gulbadan,

Mumtaz

Franz

some scenes oi Devika

Rani, the director showed lack of
imagination peculiar to a foBarring

flame

OUR NEW
ADVERTISING MANAGER

etc.

a woman

to

the picture

the

In

picture.

this

parts

and

touch-

Several scenes before

ing.

lengthy,

are rather

interval

as a

new

bit

his

to

and

throughout

couple

of places.

intelligent

Songs are not

cond part

of

though

song No.

the
is

to

a mother's
radiate

glow of motherhood.
Devika's music was not well chosen

this time.

Ashok Kumar

showed

consi-

derable improvement. Especially

the early college scenes fitted him

The lad

CAMER SALEH

MR.
We want

to

meet someone

industry

film

who

good

in the

doesn't

this live-wire publicity

man.

is

know
He

with us now.

was

portrayals.
artificial,

pretty well.

improving.

fast

M. Nazir and Nazir

gave

Bedi

Saroj

though

Borkar

sang

she

Meera has a

thrilling

voice which could be used with

great advantage.

rather

reigner in a subject of this nature.

Saraswati

Devi).

Classic music, usual with

this di-

Music:

people

more

required

the divine

se-

clever.

rector,

as a mother.

One must perhaps

role.

Cas-

thrilling

something

but

is

very

think

in

job.

beautiful at

convince

Dialogues are quite good

shyap).

me

is

well.
S.

this

was
somehow she

than mere acting

ture considerably.

J.

like

become

to

the

early parts will improve the pic-

By

subject

scenes were superbly

light

acted.

Drastic editing especially in the

Language: Hindi.

director

pathetic.

Her

Picment becomes a pleasure.

ture development proclaims the

writer

which

failed to impress

disappoint-

screen,

The

inspiration.

easily the best but

with every appearance of Devika

Rani on the

weak and

is

Performances: Devika Rani

of

latter

pathetic

is

The

the director.

best

should have,

sanc-

theme

the

is

to

at

failed to give the picture

and

lends halo of

love which

direction

soul

mother

of

due

picture

lacks

Screen Play: (By Basudev).

That eternal

early part are there in the

in the

has

Pithawalla,

Nazeer Bedi,

Ali,

Osten).

Ashok Kumar, M.

Devi,

Nazir,

tity

maintaining, at the same

time, the casual interest
of readers in general.)

Bom-

Talkies,

published
are use-

bookings have been

here
in
short,

in his

Talkies.

Released

this section

both to the average

cine-goer and the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are oi importance to the exhibitor

Bombay

of

reviews

under
ful

Very good and upto

Pareenja).

(The

(By

provides the picture with

grim

background.

songs Nos. 10 and

and popular.

11

Tunes of
are good

The final sequences were brought

on too suddenly. The opportunity of creating a pathetic suspense with Devika as the old beggar

in

child,
tor.

search

was

of

her long

dissipated

by

lost

the direc-

Several unnecessary scenes

Publicity: Quite good.

Box Office Value:

Devika fans.

ture lor

much

of

good

There

picis

so

her in the picture, that

one practically gets a full measure.

The picture will run well
due to Devika Rani.
27

FILM INDIA

May

"MEETHA ZAHAR"
Produced by: Minerva Movietone
Released

Minerva

at:

Talkies,

Bombay.
Date

enterprising

March

1938.

Gajanan

Cast: Schrab Modi,

Naseem,

girdar,

is still

travelling in the old rut.

Gajanan

Performances:

Ja-

Jagir-

work was polished while

Dutt,

was

diction

Sheela.

he
Screen Play:

(By G. Jagirdar).

carried

superb.
the

was

Modi

stagy and unconvincing. His man-

"Meetha Zahar" however,

guiding.
The intention

tiresome.

of the picture is not

title

misthe

in

pursued

made the scenes

Naseem was an

look unnatural.

to

seems

Hoogan). Tunes

songs Nos. 6 and 9 are popu-

of

The

lar.

music

rest of the

is

artiste.

well but her acting

Sheela

Sarpot-

S.

Not consistent throughout.

dar).

Old fashioned
minence.

shots

The

were

to

laboratory

have suffered a

affected

and

really good,

is

work

Erratic

and

Box Office Value: Quite a good

a bi-weekly change.

Produced by: The Madras United

The songs,
however well

The
Artists
Corporation
<S
Chandraprabha Cinetone, Ma-

recorded.

a wee

bit inspite of all

rience he has got so

rection

28

of

Released

at:

The Paragon

this

the expe-

far.

picture

is

The

di-

Casf:

not

at

Mr.

extraordinary length

sequences are

of the picture, the

The picture
needed drastic editing, which
could have improved the enterdecently

directed.

tainment value of the same.

Performances: Miss M.

S.

Sub-

given beautiful

has

music, though she has sung too

songs.

Her acting

Natesa

good.

Iyer

is

also

as Iswara

good and gives a

promise
to
be a good chabold
Rampyari
racter actor in future.

Sarma

is

really

not convincing.

Muthuswamy

gives a good performance.

rest are not much.

rite

Date

Subramaniam)

Direction: (By K.

Barring the

Tal-

(By

kies,

(By Jyotish Sinha).

The

Box Office Value: Subbulakshmi who happens to be a favou-

dras.

Sohrab Modi).
Mr. Modi has not improved even
Direction:

lover.

places.

Recording:

is

dinary and not enterprising and

are

attractive

Quite good.

many

picture for

and

every music

some

at

being an asset.

lot.

places.

for

bulakshmi

"SEVA SADAN"

defective at

good

illogical.

Recording: (By M. Eduljee). Or-

barring two,

Good

Music:

enough

The name "Meetha Zahar" turned out to be a liability instead of

in pro-

being bad the photography seem-

ed

is

both in music and performance.

The others were not worth noting.
Publicity:

Photography: (By Y.

was

pathos

quite

good.

are commendable.

to

artiticial.

B. S.

Language: (Tamil). Good and

The comic dialogues

snappy.

Photography: (By Sailen Bose).

songs.

Her beautiful face

be made of wax and is
incapable of betraying any emotion or feeling. Shanta Dutt sings
screen

Music: (By

ral places.

Not very enterprising and slightly

care.

Munshi Abdul Baqi). Quite good.

The songs which are composed
by Irshad Ahmed are common.

This

seve-

at-

depict

(By

is

Her

more pathetic than her acting.

Naseem is a rank failure as a

Urdu).

The
too long providing a

in

tempt

(Light

slight

to suit local colour.

utter failure

is

Language;

Premchand's novel

programme of ZVz hours.

makes the picture boring at

and
His jerky movements

and

sketchy at places and could

have improved with a little more

an adapta-

nerism has become boring

expressions

The scenario

in the screen play.

is

same name with

the

picture

on his

picture

Sohrab

shoulders.

his

Practically

As a story the picture is interesting and well woven. The name

is

Screen Play: This

tion of Pandit

changes

dar gave the best performances.

His

Shanta

pyari and others.

of

Bombay

Circuit
Distributors:
Evergreen Pictures, Bombay.

Mr. Modi

imagination.

flights of

of Release: 5th

new

Direction requires

director.

Ram-

yalakshmi, Varadachar,

and lacks imagination.

We think that Mr. Modi
will be a better organiser than a
all

1938

Madras.

of Release:

Miss M.
F.

2nd
S.

May

1938.

Subbulakshml,

G. Natesa Iyer, Mrs.

Ja-

will

prove a great factor

in

the success of the picture.

The

comic element in the picture

also be a draw. The picture

will

pay well

in

Tamil

districts.

will

BIMLA KUMAEI
This attractive starlet from Calcutta
Films' picture which will be

is

now working

coming

to the

in

"Baghban" a General

screen next month.

GOHAR

'

ACHHUT

(THE UNTOUCHABLE)
(

Hindi

Gujratki
Supported

Englisn

by:

Itajkumari - Vasanti Mazhar

Sunita Devi
Trilok Kapoor
-

RICKSHAWALA
NOW ON

AR>AL
MADHUR1

THE SCREEN

WEST END CINEMA,

BOMBAY

Prith
MAZHAR

KALVi

GORAKH AYA
-

Hindi

STARRING

Trllok Kapoor
S a r I a
and

Kalyani

others

*
Vishnupant Pagnis

<S-

Vasanti

IN

SANT TULSIDAS
(M arathi

Hindi

RAJKUMARI
In "Gorakh Aya" Ranjit's spectacular picture this talented girl has given the
The picture is coming to the screen very
best performance of her career.
shortly.
,

Death deprived her

of

her

offsprings.

But Hope

filled

her heart

with strength.

HI Forsaking all luxury and

happiness
;

Deserting him whom she

loved more than life

She courted poverty and

suffering

AND SHE CONQUERED

SHE

SEE THIS GREAT

IN

TALKIES' GREAT SCREEN PLAY

IPMALA
STARRING

DEVIKARANI and

ASHOK KUMAR

WITH

Saroj

FATE

ROMANCE OF MOTHERLY LOVE

BOMBAY

DEFEATED

Borker,

Mumtazalli,

Maya

Pithawala,

Devi,

Bedi,

Kamtaprasad,
Pratima,

Mira,

M. Nazir

DRAWING CROWDED HOUSES AT

r c x y

The Editor's Mail

Readers "when you are worried" write

receive like

replies,:

Tlte

formances and they are either good or bad

S. R.

best in serving

To become a producer you must have money

your own, or you must be in a position

From: B.

my

good actor is so
admire your intention.
rare in our film industry. It is unfortunate that
there is no school in India to teach acting.
Besides acting cannot be so much taught as
mechanics. A good actor is always born. For
the screen an actor should have well cut features' or a personality which distinguishes him
good
from the average man in the street.
actor is intelligent and a master of emotions.
The actors we have at present are more or less
types.
They have never given versatile per-

own types.
qualification.

will do

cribed the essentials.

director, I mean a good
one, is not found every day.
India has only
four good directors and their job is exclusive.

What should be the

/ want to be an actor.
qualifications ot one? .Is there any school in India,
where the art of acting is taught?

their

Editor.

From: Esmail Ebrahim (Calcutta).

me.

to

Serious matters will be treated seriously, while flippant letters will

you.

In India, singing is

in

of
to

influence finance.

The best post to begin is that of an assistant

under a good director.
With your eyes and
ears open, you can become a director in time
to

And

come.

is just

from the director

to the

producer

a kangaroo jump.

From: R. C. Nigam (Cawnpore).

There is a great change in the voice of Shanta
Apte in " The Unexpected" Has she undergone a
.

tonsil

operation?

an extra
Voices change as the girls change. Some girls
become sweeter in looks but hoarse in the
throat with the addition of years. Shanta is an
exception. She has become sweeter both ways
and that is why she is a top-liner today. I
am not a medical student and I don't know anything about the operation you suspect. But if
such operations could do the trick, then some
other girls would have got themselves cut into
pieces to get Shanta's musical notes.

(Vizagapatam).

What languages can the following actresses

speak and understand easily: (1) Devika Rani, 12)
Shanta Apte, (3) Prabha, (4) Padmadevi?

When

it
is a question of understanding, girls
understand matters of self-interest in any language on earth. But in speaking the girls score
as follows: (1) English, Hindi, Bengali and German. (2) Marathi and Hindi, (3) Hindi and Urdu,
(4) Bengali, Hindi, Marathi and Urdu.

From:

Why
to

From: Harbhajan Singh (Nagpur).

have completed my education and I am on

I feel inclined towards
the threshold of a career.
the cinema industry and think of becoming a producer, director or an artiste. Can you tell me where
I can get an all-round training?. Can you also tell
me what are the qualifications necessary for a man
I
am a regular
before entering this industry?
reader of your esteemed magazine "filmindia."
J

If you are reading "filmindia" your training has

already begun. Persevere in this direction, as
thereby, you will understand several unexplainable things in the industry. The primary qualifications are: a good education, tact and commonsense. If you have these in a fair measure,
you are justified in thinking of films as a career.
For an actor, in a previous reply, I have des-

Om

Prakash Sharda (Ludhiana).

do

the producers allow their 'stars' to

go

others?
"Stars" in the filmdom are as volatile as some of
the stars in the heavens. When the film 'stars'
become too affectionate and warm, the producers look after their own health by 'obliging'
But there are others like
their contemporaries.
Proprietor Chimanlal of Sagar, who stand the

heat longer and feel themselves under 'treatment 'and even start 'dieting' with the lower
staff to feed the 'stars'.

How

are cartoons

made?

A large number of graduated drawings with

progressive action are prepared by the cartoon
artists and then they are exposed one after
another on single frames. Shooting these pictures in small bits creates the illusion of continuous action when projected on the screen.
35

LOCK MCPC LCVCLY

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May

FILMINDIA

1931

Khajuni (Jammu Tawi).

What service has the Indian film industry

From:

Why

T. R.

ren-

dered towards the development of the vernaculars?

Even people from the South have started talking

with the

Which do you consider

is

it

first

companies in Punjab fail

production? Sometimes even before
that film

that!

Being an affecat the wrong end.

tionate people, the Punjabis believe in acting
the 'heroes' themselves and when a producer
takes up this job, the 'heroines' run away with
all the money they can get leaving nothing behind to complete the picture. I do not think
that any concern can go on well in the Punjab
as long as people manage things with their

They begin

heart leaving the

head severely alone.

Which Company has

and

from

"Baghi

Sepahi"

artiste

and

be the good picture

by Kardar and

to

directed

"Watan" directed by Mehboob?

In my opinion, both are bad pictures.
But
between the two, "Baghi Sepahi" is less so.
Is

it

true that Ashraff

Khan

working

is

in the

Film City?

As a 'Sadhu'

Absolutely!
ban".

in

Kardar's "Bagh-

From: Rash an Lai Sabir (Jamshedpur).

Is there any chance for an actor on the screen
who has talents but measures only 5 feet 3 inches?

shot the Haripura Con-

Midgets on the screen always excite laughter

gress?

The Wadia Movietone

From

Theatres

To cash her reputation as a good

earn more money.

Hindi.

How

New

did Rajkumari leave

join Ranjit?

S.

Who

of

and

this quality is a box office asset.

On the
screen there is place for every inch and all the
inches and your 63 inches are quite welcome

Bombay.

M. Ahmed Shola (Lucknow).

is

the

better

director:

A. R.

Kardar or

Nitin Bose?

you

From: N.

Nitin Bose.

People
Mr. Barua?

if

say

really
S.

When
that

As long as Baiua
any one.

Jamuna

is

the

wife

of

talent.

Anandam

will

you

(Cocanada).

print

the tri-colour picture of

Leela Desai?

When
doesn't say so, don't believe

have

she will come

dancing

down

to

Bombay on a

tour.

From: Sita P. Malkani (Hyderabad).

Don't you think that if New Theatres, Prabhat,
Sagar and Bombay Talkies exchange their artistes
and technicians and produce 'coalition pictures, all
would be benefitted?
Yes, of course.

From: Kutumba

But that
S.

is

an impossible dream.

Tadimeti (Kurnool).

Whaf was your

profession before you

the Editor of "filmindia"?

became

Shorthand typist, commecrial traveller, salesman, business manager, chemist, motor maniac, film writer, film director, journalist; these
were the professions that did not pay.
The
happiest job, by way of recreation, has been
"loafing."
The last job paid good dividends
in experience.

Chandran (Madura).
How is that Shantaram never introduces the
love' element in his pictures (the hug and the kiss
variety especially when Shanta Apte acts? .Is it
From: V.

E. R.

because

it

Shantaram

Sitara in "Baghban", a General Films' production

is

inconsistent with Indian traditions or is

in love with her?

Love expresses itself in more subtle ways than

in a "hug" and a "kiss". Shantaram is a polished ar'.^st and doesn't believe in the crude variety.
The old Persian poets loved through poems
with a thousand miles between the lovers and
37

May

1938
that distance passions burnt as inof love. Shantaram doesn't
you suggest but that

even with

cense at the aitar

love Shanta in the

way

doesn't mean that Shanta is unloved by anyone.

It doesn't need arms to encircle a heart, love
in itself is a flame that will lend a halo to any
heart. Shantaram is not a stage lover, he is
an oriental artist and does not need the crude
methods of the West to establish the divine

between man and woman.

relation

I think that Kokila is now at the right age to

Will you please introduce me
receive admirers.
to her?

You

talk like her father.

Any way,

am

afraid

has been giving a

a number of admirers for the last
If
you care to come down to
three years.
Bombay, I shall of course oblige you by an
introduction with her, though I am not much
good at this job.
too late now, as Kokila

is

it

good run

to

From: K.

Prakash (Cocanada).
Is Avadoot, Shantaram' s own brother?
Yes! Don't you think that as an expert cameraman, Avadoot makes a splendid brother to a
S.

irom the best. The others have yet

what acting means.

N D
to

Padma Devi more otten

she your favourite star?

find photos of
Is

Have you any

Yes!

in

From: Shri

Why

Ram Azad

(Aligarh).

are cinema actresses called "stars". Are

:hey relaxed

to the

moon

in the

heavens?

relations with the

moon-

From: Lily B. Gidwani (Hyderabad).

Where is Kumar of "Puran Bhakt" fame?

He is working at Sagar Film Co., and very
cently he

gave a good performance

Is Madhuri a proud
she slaps the hero?

When

girl,

in

Just
7s

because he

is

as in every picture

the hero gives the 'Cheek,'

why

shouldn't

she?

From: Jumna N. Mirchandani (Hyderabad).

Why is Surendra always sad and why is he
always given sad parts?

He can't help
much pathos

Can he? There is so

Surendra's face that his pro-

his face.
in

your

objection?

better character actor than

not,

why

not?

not.

Shobhana Devi married and

to

whom?

Yes, to one Mr. Samarth.

From: Shewa L. Nawani (Karachi).

I have read in some local film magazines that
New Theatres is going to be closed.
These magazines are lying when they say so.

New

Theatres

Where

is

is

Mr.

of

C.

course closed to them.

N.

Lalla

of

Golden Eagle

Movietone now-a-days?
That

is

what

would like to know in addition to

Bombay. Lalla has left behind

several others in

very affectionate memories.

Who

is the best actor from Kumar, Najmul

Ashok Kumar, Moti and Surendra?
Motilal is of course the best, but in a costume

Hussein,

picture

Kumar

threatens to

wrest the laurels

re-

"Watan".

From: A. Curls (Bangalore).

Shanta Apte is becoming more and more beautiful day by day.
What is it due to?
Her youth and Shantaram's care in shooting.
Keshavrao Date is a
Baburao Pendharkar. If

know

great director?

issues.

Why do the Indian stars become 'fat' day by

day?
Because they get less work and more pay.

No, but they have

struck producers.

From: A. Balaji Rao (Kundukur.)

Miss M. R. Santhanalakshmi whose performance

in
"Ambikapathy" got her many new fans.

39

alj

^is

&J^oar\n6
on

cJpeclacLs

^0Cancl

SQL

CHANDRAKANT LEELA
LONDHE RATNAPRABHA
DINKER KAMANNA- USHA
-

AND

ALL

OF

THEM TOGETHER
IN

The Greatest Spectacular

Picture of the Year

GOPICHANC
In

Two

Versions

HINDI & MARATHI

bhal g.:pendharkar
Miss

USHA

CTVKK MIMA MAS MOl SEEM BEFORE

Under the personal supervision of

MR.

R. G.

TORNEY

7ioc/ucec/

SARAS1PAT1 CINETONE
PHONE: 255

POONA

KAPURCHAND
Queen's Road,

VIRBAUG

Ltd.

BOMBAY
Miss

LEELA

May

FILMINDIA

1938

ducers cannot help but find sad parts

his

'castor

oil'

Personally,
see his face.

face.

weeping whenever

to

frame

feel

What became
Company?

From: M. L. Mudaliar (Negapatam).

I understand that there is a Hindi version oi
"Seva Sadan." Will you give me some particulars
about the picture?

"Seva Sadan" was produced by Mahalaxmi

in Hindi under the direction of Nanubhoy Vakil. Zubeda worked as the heroine.
Cinetone

7s fhere

any harm

if

you publish engagements,

marriages and 'prospects'

No harm

oi

to the patries affected,

but

will

be a

From: A. Halim (Rangoon).

responsible for such awful songs given
Banner jee in Watan? In "Eternal Music"
by
her music was much better, especially with Surendra?
is

faded

Just

What
Bombay?

is

of

Hadi once

of Imperial Film

out.

the

matter

with Shakti Cinetone

of

Just closed.

From: V. Krishnamurthy (Thachakadoo).

our iilm stars?

ruined man if all the proposals and 'misfires'

are faithfully printed as the news will be long
and big enough to fill up ten volumes every
month.

Who
Maya

From: Rajiva Lochan Varma (Benares).

like

am

of the opinion that film stars destroy the

romance which they enjoy by making

an appearance on the stage for singing or dancing.
illusion

of

You are absolutely

right.

But those stars

who

do so are not in the industry for art, but for

money. They are anxious to make as much

money as possible from all sources by exploiting their popularity which they have earned in
the pictures. Those screen girls and boys who
go out dancing and singing in theatres not only
usurp the vocation of others, but also shed a lot

directed

own glamour. Screen artistes live on

glamour and if this glamour is dissipated by
constant appearances in the public it will nei-

music with a

ther

In India, for everything

good

or

ture, the director is responsible.

ly

bad in the picMehboob who

improved the
"Watan" could have
Maya was merelittle more care.
a victim and cannot be blamed.

Who

is

Sitara?

Only a woman!

of their

pay the star nor the producer. Producers

allow their stars to stage such private shows
are bad businessmen, while the artistes themselves are just fools who expose those defects
which the camera had covered.

who

^C^/op

sLon?

lie

in

ioicn

yon

leading

jor*

ii

NKW THEATRES'

DHARATI MATA
-

(THE MOTHERLAND)

NITIN BGSE
,SNT THAT ENOUGH?

Director:

Starring

SAIGAL

UMA
NAWAB

KAMALESHKUMARI

AMAR

Musk

by.

PANKAJ MULLICK

MULLIGSC

Released thru

Gaigutta Film Exchange

Girgaon,

BOMBAY

Offices:

CALCUTTA, MADRAS

May

FILMINDIA

1938

supplies the motive force is made to appear like

rocks of quicksands, to be shunned. At this rate I

From: Ramlal (Rajpipla).

Who

the best looking actor in India?

is

don't think much of the future of the industry.

do you think?

Kumar.
I

want

to

be an actor. I am
go to Hollywood.
have any chance?

go

to

Hollywood

good-looking and can afford

Do you

think

What

Picture making is in itself a commercialised art.

But commerce and art should be well-balanced
to serve entertainment to the people.
But the
present day producers are putting so much of
'commerce' into their pictures at the expense
of 'art' that pictures are no longer any good
commercial propositions.
It
will be better

to

to

But my opinion should not

Absoultely none!
stop you from going to Hollywood, as you can
afford it. If Greta Garbo takes a fancy for you,
then you might end by being an 'extra' in one
of the studios.

'commerce'

if

art is

made an argument

of suc-

There are several reasons

cess in our pictures.

and the principal one is

most of our producers, as they are today,
hardly have even a nodding acquaintance with
for this state of affairs,

From:

C.

Ranganathrao (Nellorc).

that

Why do Indian Pictures fail?

Because they are badly produced.
Who

is

the

best

actor

Chandramohan, Ishwarlal
and Gulam Mahomed?

from

Sayani

Keeping recent performances

easily the best.
second.
is

art.

the following:
Atish,
Yakub

From: V. R. Shyam Sunder (Sivakodu).

Is

in

view Ishwarlal
is a close

Chandramohan

From: K. P. Budhay (Nagpur).

The film industry in India, in my opinion, is
exclusively of a commercial type and the art which

As an untouchable

in

"Achhoot"

Gohar

is

it

true

that

Auzurie has

left

the shores o/

India on a continental dance tour?

incomparable.

She has been threatening to do so for long, but

that may be to bring her erring friends round.
She is still in India, now touring the South.

Has Rajkumari
Yes,

left

left

New

Theatres?

behind.

Her perfo rmance

will

convert

critics

into

fans.

43


4?

# DEVIL ON HORSE BACK

OTHER GRAND NATIONAL SENSATIONS

"SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT"

1.

with

Cagney

James

an

in

An

entirely

Colour Musical
Extravaganza

All

different role.
2.

3.

NO"

With
THE GIRL SAID
Hervey and Robert Armstrong.

"

"

HATS OFF

"

Mae

With

Helen Lynd and 200 Gorgeous

4.

"23*

HOURS' LEAVE"

Irene

Starring

DAMITA, JEAN CHATBURN,

FRED KEATING, DEL CAMPO.

LILI

Clarke,
Girls.

With James

Running

Ellison, Terry Walker.

5.

"SINS OF

CHILDREN"

Linden and
6.

"

With

in

Bombay

AT

Eric

Cecilia Parker.

EC$ CINEMA

WALLABY JIM OF THE ISLANDS''

Houston, Mamo Clark,

With George
Ruth Coleman.

The Rendezvous

of

the East

Sole Distributors for India,

Burma

<&

Ceylon

CHAUDHRI FILM SERVICE

LAHORE

POST BOX

fjhey

are

again

Produced by

logethet

GLAMOROUS
ZUBEIDA and JAL MERCHANT
KHALIL and AKHTAR NAWAZ
IN

SUNRISE FILM

with

Co.

at

THE TOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Whose

Darling

A HEART-THROBBING RAJPUT STORY

LOVE, ROMANCE AND CHIVALRY

OF

Supported by

Rani Premlata,

Bitten

Bai,

Thousand

Anees Khaloon and

others.

Written and Directed by:

For Bookings Apply to

AKHTAR NAWAZ
R.

S.

CHANDAN MULL

Lamington Road,

Beadon Road,

BOMBAY.

LAHORE

INDRA

3-Synagogue

St.,

KUMAR
CALCUTTA

BANGALORE

May

FILMINDIA

1938

From: C. Rajagopala Rao (Tckkali).

The people of Calcutta are under an impression
that Bengali Talkies are tar superior "in every respect" to the Hindi Talkies produced in Bombay.

As the Bengali is a mother-tongue to them it

must be so, though I can't agree with that "in
every respect". But Hindi pictures coming from

And crowds would

From: A.

produced by Prabhat.

We

Kumar

Wait

till

Is there
iilm stars?.
It

for

must give

From:

S. C.

Who

is

any calendar

the best actor in India?

Besides "filmindia" which

in India?

with photographs of all

Huns
is

Pictures.

cinema

the best

magazine
will

None!

be no dates

you.
to

be

the greatest director

ot India?

Yes, just appears to be.

At present he

is

one

From: N. T. Reddiar (Trivandrum).

I want to learn film photography.
school where it is taught?
Ther-

of the greatest.

may

Why

don't they produce the lives and teachings

religious preachers like Ramanuja, Buddha,

is

no glamour about

who

their lives.

But you
for this training.
some of the leading studios who
you up as an unpaid apprentice.
can't guarantee any entrance to

studio, as the producers are

do not like to teach others.

Screen's

Qr*a\

any

no school

might train

any

Because there

is

Is there

write to

Personally,

Vivekanand?

S)Q

Misra (Cawnpore).

Mr. Baburao Pendharkar of

Shantaram appears

ot

in films?

is doing her work with sincerity and

realism that is demanded in films, then at the
most Rai must be feeling like being in Ashok
Kumar's place at the moment. But it is all acting, sonny.

meet one!

want one.
no use having, one as there

is

left

(Ludhiana).

she

If

the devils their due.

The Malayali ladies are comparatively more

enlightened and beautitul than the ladies ot other
provinces. But they do not seem to take any interest
in the tilm industry.

S. Gill

How does Mr. Himansru Rai feel when his wife,

Devika Rani expresses her feelings of love to Ashok

New Theatres are certainly better pictures than

many Bombay pictures, barring of course some
of those

not be interested in these

ascetic portrayals.

perfect

picturization

of

queer boys

the

( }eU

&lchr

grandest theme, that

S^l

greater

will

justify

every

(Director
superlative.

with

CH AND RAM

Spell-binding drama acted

tremendous

power;

screen

classic that will live for ever

IN

HUNS

PICT

WA

Directed by
IN

L.

Written by

Cametaman: P.

NAYAK

SUPPORTING CAST

RATNAI'KAKHA.

ASHALATA,

WINAYAK

. V.'S. KHANDEKAR

.1

WA

S.

NAIK

I.

A
45

the dancing hero of the Imperial.

Howlers of the Month

No

jection in being so as long

as one doesn't go to strange pastures.
*

new book

"Parcrchct Kavla", the

by Principal Atre
"Dharmaveer" & "Premdedicated to Baburao

Marathi

in

(writer of

veer")

is

After going through

Pendharkar.

one

the book,

compelled

is

mire Atre's sincerity

old

comrade

purpose

of

dedicating the correct

in

book

to his

better

'arms'.

in

ad-

to

book could not have been found

for an old campaiqner covered

story.

ed

to

fisji.

The dialogues are reporthave been written by HaLet us wish Khan all luck.
*

Hafisji

Film City nowadays.

Is

Old Chowdhary

at

the

Saroj Studio though Rose has

left.

And

is

still

both

of them are not seen

nowadays, in the Packard.
Instead, Mehboob seems to
have taken Chowdhary's place.

together

very often seen at the

is

he help-

ing Director Atorthy to get along?

Didn't

once

you

tell

that

Dialogue

writer

Mantoo

the

man who

wrote the police chow-

ky scene

in

"Kisan Kanya"

is re-

was an understudy to
Chowdhary and is there anything strange in Mehboob acting
like the 'old

man'?

with 'wounds'?

In

way,
about wine and

By

Atre's

the

ten perhaps with

book

is

Sulochana's

"Prem

women and writa woman in the

tended

and enough wine in the head.

It is a pity that Atre has not yet
learnt much of his own language
to give vulgarity a semblance of
dignity.
The book has therefore
become a skit for a colony of

riage

to

commemorate her mar-

with

Weingarten, the

Dr.

German surgeon? With

having

tor

picture

there are plenty of

scenes. Are they in-

personal

the doc-

interest

in

the heroine of the picture, the hospital shots should be very vivid.
*

nudists.
*

Years back when

In appreciation of Atre's

came down

"good"

Baburao

now ask him

Pendharkar

will

"Sati

write

to

Lala

Bombay

to

moustache
Anusuya",

trim
turn,

new

Jyoti",

hospital

lap

amateur

Meh-

boob

Alopi
with

bargain

to

a
for

he was taken
a 'gilded goat' as they call tingods in the film industry. To-day

the next

for

Huns and leaving aside

by Khandekar,
new Atre script will go into

story for

"Amrit", written
the

he

Another

camp.

Ratan's

Khan,

split

rumoured in
They say that

is

man who

acted

the

hero in "Usne

Kya Socha",

will

direct the next

Ratan Bai picture

the

while Hafisji will stick on to Im-

brilliant

ported to have had a similar ex-

perience

chap!

a dialogue expert and

me

director.

Khan

was

likely to

take

an entirely
new theme and they say that
Khan is secretly taking reheardaily at Ratan Bai's place,

of the

in the film

very

Poor

recently.

some one tell

day that Mantoo

But didn't

the other

much consciousness of
importance as the old Lala

with as
self

does when entering Saroj and Imperial.

Buck up Lalajji, these

Bombay

fellows must

near Delhi

important incidents in the

recently married!

the poor
*

Oh

In

"Playing the 'hero'

in

a picture

make people romantic

and daring", says Ashak Hussein
seems

to

yes!

girl!

know how

is.

is

social subject with

sals,

who gave a
performance
in
"Bala Yogini".

Miss Brahadambal

perial as

much involved

even the coolies in

the Imperial studio look up to him
for payment.
No man walks in

production very soon.

so

is

industry, that

Saroj
of

"Afsana" Nanubhai Desal ot

is going to tell us his story

life.

He

shouldn't

numerous financiers
tale

realistic.

to

forget

his

make

the

Friend Alopi will

47

FILMINDIA
also

May

have a scene

himself

to

Zebunnissa doesn't butt

wrong

if

in at the

time.
*

Baburao Patel has

more than once found some fault
with Moti's face", writes Kriparam
"Friend

of

"Movies"

You are
Every one knows that the Fazalbhoy Brothers brought Kardar
to

Bombay paying a

salary

of Rs. 1500

people want

By

blind Kriparam.

way, did you discover

last show?

the

this at the

Iqbal probably knowing of Ajij's

intentions chose to

is,

who

Nazir, Lala Yakoob, Mirza Musharaf, Mushtaq Hussein and the

two assistant troopers. A complete Muslim League with the pro-

Let us

pray that Tagore doesn't

follow

his

It

ger
of

seems

that

even a

may someday

becoming a

neral

Films,

Munshi

Ajij

get

street sin-

a chance

director in the

the

way we

talking of

Ge-

hear

becoming

"Duniya-na-mane"
again

with Naseem",

says a weekly paper.

That

is ra-

have
been rested a bit after "Meetha
Sohrab knows
Well,
Zahar".
best that is good for her.
ther quick, the girl should

(but

Munshi

becoming a director

Ajij

should not surprise anyone.

By
all

the

Shantaram wrote most of

them) Munshi Ajij seems to be
making capital of the weak moment in which Shantaram entrusted the work to him. To begin
with, he talks of taking a Tagore

that Mr.

story with dialogues from Iqbal.

way, where was

They say

these years.

of

some say

on,,

the Fazalbhoy's departed

on production and one more in

Mody has once

things are going

Equipped with the dialogues

*

shooting

since

one.
*

started

Otherwise

Many new

community.

"Sohrab

example.

Munshi Ajij will straightway become an 'orphan'.

coming from Mr. Jinnah's

and as
him down".

die

let

prohibitive

brought the others: Bimla Kumari,

prietors

says "badly

Ajij

a month. What

know

to

in praise of Motilal.

193S

he was waiting

become

for his

hair

Ajij

that

ta

grey, before he stepped

out into the world with his wares.

*

Fazalbhoy's will need plenty of

luck to

come

out of the future with

their

usual victorious smile.

wish

it,

as friends.

We

It I

MLA K

THE GREATEST ACTRESS

The

Biggest

Soul

Stirring

ON THE

A It I

INDIAN

SCREEN

Box Office Attraction of 1938

Director

31

Drama

A. R.

Human

of

KARDAR

Despair and Intrigue and Love's Final

Triumph Enacted By

AN ALL STAR CAST INCLUDING

Yasmin, Sitara, Ashraf Khan, Nandreker, Nazir. Singh, Wasti, Musharaf and others

WATCH FOK HATE OF

ALL INDIA

IS"

IKE LEASE

WAITING fC

miing I

ATI

PATNI

Director:

story based

on

ATORTHY

the

from a

Eternal

New

Triangle

viewed

Angle

Starring:

SHOBHANA SAMARTH
WITH

C. HAITI,

ULLA yAl^CCD,

tt.

N. SINGH,

AtNDHI^ECs AHIKA, SHYA.HA, EALACAI

AND OTHERS

NEUSTRIAL INDIA
Director:

Mohan
Starring

Sin ha
:

HOBHANA SAMAETH
WITH

PEEM

I
rollicking

hold

comedy
its

sides

that will

make

India

with laughter

For Bookings Apply:

reme
jton

Road

II

Film

Distributors

Manoranjan Pictures

BOMBAY

ESE GENERAL

DELHI

fI LHS*

Exploitation

Film City

Manager:

Bombay

PICTURES

The Indian and

Film Industries

British

A COMPARISON
An

Anglo-Indian motion picture

whose

monthly magazine,
excuse

subsistence

for

is

shamelessly boost rotten

has, in

pictures,

word

much

as

borrowing.

obstacles,

issue,

a tone as
be capable of

of continuity

and

pictures, the

poor quality

ries

and

detail in Indian
of

sto-

other shortcomings.

In-

RAO.)

and

other

points out the lack

It

trial

to

dignified

Anglo-India can

the

Despite these

Indian Producers,' in

to

by

BHASKER

thod.

graciously been pleased to offer

'a

A.

sole

British

latest

its

ing

(BY

the

to-day

til

the

specially
culture.

given a soul
Technically,

industry,

one

is

un-

nous

having

ably

crisis

of the

major industries with a national

importance.

has not been

Though
of any

vice to the industry

the

press

active seris

(it

too

com-

mercial to offer independent ser-

ducers,

turned towards

and pointed

own

its

might at least have had

satisfaction

cases where

and

it

would be

taking

into

various

ele-

industries,

film

consideration

the

ments peculiar

to

is

other

why

Indian

tface

such hardships and public

anti-

pathy as the motion picture

The

requirement

poor,

sponsored

privately;

ducers had

to

al-

that almost

our

into ei-

cheap
American style and
or

Altogether the

fuis

rosy.

Film Industry

(especially in

equip-

Moreover, technical know-

ledge

branches

self-taught, technicians learn-

to

the British film

is

highly pleasing

to

has met with an

ex-

note that

case

the industry has collapsed.

it

of the British film industry

a help. The
public too has begun to take an
increasing and intelligent inter-,
est in films and often offers conwhich

in

itself

is

structive suggestions

As a

various

pictures

and even an art-critic can

be bought for a dinner),
has at
least not pampered it
as In the
vice,

have been
hence pro-

ment.

the

and

British

almost

the beginning) with poor

in

bright

ducers.

since

enterprises

work

in-

and foremost

finance has

ways been
the

first

reu-

possess

otherwise

Turning

to

dustry.

per-

have

pictures
is

ta-

Mr. A. Bhasker Rao

had

industry has

some

in

lacking,

ture of the Indian film industry

each.

The development of the Indian

Cinema provides a romance worthy of a film subject for an imaPerhaps no
ginative
director.

52

only a mat-

for,

can easily be
But the fundamental

presentation.

and also enlightening

compare the Indian and Bri-

was

this

average

would have degenerated

interesting

all

is

ther stagy productions

In this connection,

with

effort

imitations of

tish

It

equipment,

of

sense;

ruin.

to

favour-

es-

the

save the 'home' industry from

to

indige-

stand

and some
have developedthat most
sential
requirement picture

having attempted

of

ter

all directors

other defects to British producers,

it

of the

than the

better

British picture.

steadily improved,

and many

out these

life

have

comparison

in

finitely

son

'home'

they

Indian pictures.

to

some

productions

ceived.

Anglo-India had

only

if

our

to

American
pictures,
and the
average Indian pictures is in-

lent

stead of preaching to Indian pro-

suited
In fact

and hard

many a

steadily developed,

tion

and

producers,

through perseverance
work, tided over

me-

many

error

and

to

the pro-

of

result of all this, the

qua-

the

pictures

ther social, historical or mythological,

it

it

ceptionally

well-deserved

has a problem, a motive, a

purpose; and directors have de-

veloped a

method

of

presenta-

in-

fate:

This

a hollow industry, propped up by artificial

publicity, was bound to crash;
and in a large measure this is
due to the British Press (not to
is

quite natural, as

mention the bastard press

has remarkably improved. Every story, whelity

dustry,

in India)

and boosting the

home product, out of a false sense
of patriotism.
But the main rea-,
son, however, is due to a woe*,
for

ful

of

glorifying

lack of imagination
cine-art

of

the

tion of shopkeepers.

soul.'

a naAbsence of

the British,

May

FILMINDIA

1938

production,

a lament-

mismanagement

all-round,

system
able

in

have

expenditure,

extravagant

all contributed to the

downfall

of

the very beginning,

From

Bri-

have been poor imipictures, and

American
tations of
have never been popular with the
tish pictures

British

public.

That

quota

system

was

whereby a

is

why

pictures exhibited in Britain

to

be

comment on

This
the

is

had

an eloquent

quality

of

the

the

British

director

found his work simplified.

has

He

bodily transports stage successes

camera has
only a photographic, and not a

to the screen, for

the

cinematic use for him.

no idea

of

universal

He has

appeal

in

his pictures.

unlimited.

Just

before the crash,

advanced

money

to the pro-

it.)

highest quality.

everything

of

fit

In fact, the Bri-

producer has had the bene-

tish

finance,

equip-

And

ment, a protective measure.

yet the average "All British" picture

Is

devoid

are either American,

so crude in content
of soul that

is

it

and so

German

or

French.

to lose practically all

The technical equipment

the sudios has been of the

of

To those who bluster that Lon-

don

will

soon become a Super

Hollywood, the

and

following

facts

figures about the British film

industry, from the

"News

the

of

World" England, might be

of in-

terest:

"The industry normally employs

Of these

10,000 people

10,000,

unfit for

at least 8,000 skilled technicians,

public exhibition.

It

can entertain

only drunken, homesick English-

men

overseas.

in his excellent
Till

Now"

British
filled

with

intelligence

new

English

book

"The Film

"British

studios are

persons of

who

moderate

are afraid of

any

process in case their feeble

mentality

gTasp

is

part players

critic,

says, while speaking of

films,

cameramen,

small

carpenters,

and

'extras'

30

British

now

are

out of work.

Paul Rotha, an

to

Crude and Devoid of Soul

The financial backing to the
British industry has always been

oi

ducers (only

Since the advent of the

product.
talkies,

the

introduced,

certain percentage of

British.

huge sums

of

the industry.

had

banks

several

There

are

studios,

which are standing idle,

maintained by skeleton staffs, or

most
in

of

some cases
There are

less than

deserted.

80

stages

a dozen are

at

but

present

being used.

not sufficiently clever

its

significance.

The

of
Cine TechniAssociation
"Of our 750 members en-

cians:

very few mediocre pictures com-

gaged

ing out of British studios are any-

are out of work."

thing but British, for most of the

stars, directors

and

technical staff

Had

in the studios, at least 600,

not Anglo-India better

in the matter?

do

something

\
Surendra and Bibbo that singing pair gives some marvellous music in "Gramaphone Singer" a Sagar
picture directed bv Mr. Virendra Desai.

53

Thrill

Qfs a teal

meel

to

Che

"MASTER MAN"
Successor
"GENTLEMAN DAKU"
the

to

KRIS H IN MOVIETONE'S

New

MASTER MAN

Thriller

FEATURING

Leela

I'liitnis.

(iaurhngee,
Gulab, Indira Wadker.
Ramlal, D. Manek, Gope & Omkar.

A,,

It.

O. K. Dar.

Anieeiia,

Note Running

to

Crowded Houses

at the

SUJPKK.

CINEMA

Bombay

GET READY TO MEET

VI

I I

PAVAR

(of

"DUNHJA^KUA-HAV fame)

RAJ KUMAR
BOMBAY:

Leading a Star - Cast m

Kislun s Jewel Production

BENGAL:

Royal Film Circuit, Bombay, 4

S.

One may

land

M
a

saint

Co., Calcutta

Qndia

but

and

saints

of

she'

AI

-t- 1

proud

of

it.

A HI I

thrilling

situations

interwoven

who chekmates

dastardly

attempts

with

is

MAN

OR

Deo
Featuring

'

i l <

story of court intrigues

of

Qclea,

the

al

scoff

NIC
A

Hemraj &

INDIA: South India Bombay Picture Corporation, Bangalore

is

Lalji

of

with
a

the mystic

powers

Pradhan

MR. RUKESH

:-RUKESH, GULAM MAHOMED, SEETA, GULAM RASUL, KESAR,

LAXMI,

R.

G.

PANDE

&

Others

WATCH THE
Lamington

MINERVA TALKIES,

Road,

BOMBAY

The notes tjiven under this section

STUDIO CLOSE-UPS

are not

go

by

production

into

Studio

close-ups

the

this is in print is "Saint Tulsidas",

The new
afire

studio

new .activity.

with

we

where
figures

is

Every-

see beautiful and gor-

which imposing
Trilok Kapoor and

geous settings
like

in

Mazhar Khan move about with

a grace and grandeur that tell
us what Ranjit is going to give
The last
us in the near future.
"Gorakh Aya" under the

shots of

Vishnupant Pagnis and

starring

Ranjit

of

Vasantee both

of Prabhat.

the

with

We

bookings:

hope they

achieve the goal.

Bombay

Sagar Movietone:

by

screen

which

touches

final

is

being

by

Direc-

popular and

a number
The plans

"Postman"

new

still

let

has reached half way,

while Mehboob is well on wcry
with his new picture which he

Director

expects to complete

by

the

Madhuri and

E. Billimoria in

though

nothing

compared

realism that

to

is

It

once

pathetic

Being

rare

treatment

it

the

portrayed

is

tale

which

and

at-

is

beautitui.

and

likely to give the

highest profits possible to the Ran-

Movietone.

in the

ture

is

title role,

shooting last month.

work

will start

in

to

start

However,

the pic-

Imperial Film

under producIndia",

and "Why" have been

completed and the entire staff has
been served with notices with an
"Actress"

idea

of re-organising the

on new

And

Vasantee

in

Rajkumari and Mazthere

it

is

Prabhat's

"Rangilla Mazdoor"

concern

start

of

"Achhut"

wiil

immediately Miss Gohar

change at MahaAnother one that will

turns from her

baleshwar.

re-

Lamington Talkies. At the studio

there are two more 'quickies'
being shot regularly.
Saroj Movietone:

"Prem Samadhi" and "Afsana"

still in the making, and goodness knows when they will be
finished.

Minerva Movietone:
"Jailor"

services

be given
more capable

in

month.

With Leila Chitnis

in the cast, the picture

is

shooting

and Sheela

is

reported

is

of

Padmadevi

which
the hands of a

for their next colour picture

found

with

story

social

powerful dramatic situations has

It

Director Aspi Irani

will

progressed very well within the

are being retained by the studio

The shooting

waiting

lines.

"Flying Queen".
the

is

"Lutaru Lalna" to leave the

last

that

too.

making and we will

you know what they decide
in the

are

"Mother

namely,

tion

Bombay.

in

next picture are

June seriously.

Co.:

All the pictures

weeks

for the

for

it

ably supported by other

artistes like

har.

With Miss Gohar

emotional

was expected

"Ach-

conception

in
is

in

vivid

untouchable

hut", the story of our

people.

jit

Chattopaahya-

Harindranath

of

run

likely to

is

Wadia Movietone:

end

ya's unit has not yet got going,

is

the picture proved

in the next issue.

of June.

it

Inspite of the un-

Roxy.

is

At the studio

being shot by the

is

at the

drawing very well

is

fortunate riots

Virendra Desai.

tor

the

the time this issue

your hands.

in

on

be

will

"Prithvi Putra"

But all this grandeur

Talkies:

"Nirmala"

"Dynamite"

is

the cast.

and need

at the top in 1939.

foi

near-

the Studios,

working in

by

people

the

not be the source of guidance for

given the

is fast

and

producers

once again h-

have been taken and

the picture has gone into the ediThe personal superting room.
vision of Mr. Chandulal Shah is
bound to make this picture a huge
success for Ranjit who will open
a new chapter of quality pictures
for 1938 with "Gorakh Aya".
Another one which

Studio

the

in

These reports, are there-

tell that Ranjit will

"Gramophone Singer"

ing completion

from

receired

fore, expectations entertained

All

these gigantic preparations fore-

excellent direction of Mr. Chatur-

bhuj Doshi

ours.

which are added

to

whispers

corners.

Ranjit Movietone:

riews

is

are prepared

reports

the

the Studios

time

the

our

language

the

from

BOMBAY

necessarily

though

director than those

in the staff at present.

expected

to

be a good draw.

General Films:
Regular shooting

and

"Pati Patni"

ternate

days

at

is

"Baghban"
going on al-

of

the

Film

With Kardar and Atorthy

City.

trying

55

FILMINDIA

May

to give their best, these pictures

ments point

are expected to be very success-

ral Films

ful

from the producers' point

of

view.

to a tie up with Geneand we won't be sur-

prised to see General Films pre-

a Nataraj production.

senting

Director Mohan Singh has half

completed "Industrial India" and

expects to censor the picture

end

by

The directors of
the Company will probably enter
into arrangements
with outside
units to produce pictures on cooperative basis.
The names of
Durgabai Khote and Mubarak are
the

of July.

iientioned
jjr this

as probable entrants

scheme.

Ruby Mayer's

"Tukaram"

is

running

still

Isn't that

cap it all "Gopalkrishna" has

been released at the Central TalIt is diffikies to huge crowds.

na"

But

"Gopalkrish-

assured a run of several

fune.

story under the direction of

Nataraj Films:

Kale has gone

"Soungadi"
ran through the curfew period at

the

Majestic

from

vote

Cinema taking
of

the society.

in

enough? And
is
"Duniya-Na-Mane".
so
That
should be more than enough. To
city.

months.

good

the

the

intelligentsia

Future arrange-

still,

seem

is

thing
for

new

artiste

studios

story

by

Hublikar.

the

a new

social

Mr.

and
a new
Shanta

into shooting

will

name

Prabhat

star
of

expects

to

give wonderful singing from this

new-comer.

be

at

warm

is

at

seem

expected

sometime

to

to

be mere-

and

present

no-

take shape

to

come.

Saraswati Cinetone:

Old Dada Tomey can be seen

moving about with his irresistable
smile of victory and anticipation.
And why should he not? "Gopichand" is going to be one of the
greatest hits of the year
of

At the

to

the luke

after

on paper

ly

"Prem Jyoti" is now in the editing room and ought to be on the

screen sometime in the month of

the

Dhaiber

rao

All future plans

Prabhat Film Co.:

bhat success.

Inspite of the riots

All the activities of Mr. Keshav-

reception given to "Nandkumar".

cult to forecast the extent of Pra-

Productions:

Jaishree Films:

stand

POONA

the

1938

in

terms

of

if

thought

grandeur,

treat-

ment and spectacle. Nearly half

of the picture has been completed and by the end of July it
ought

to

be on the screen.

KOLHAPUR
Huns

Pictures:

High hopes

went

west

when

"Jwala" failed to attract the anti-

May

ore

The

support.

cipcrted

now

and

FILM INDIA

1938

in

might

state of indecision

probably

"Amrit" as the next

perhaps

producers
take
subject

may commission

up
or

Princi-

Roy is busy with

"Abhagin" and as these shots are
the concluding ones this picture

also expected to be ready, even

earlier than "Dharati

like

"Premveer".

Mata".

mythological

That
called

Another one called th- "Street

with

production

"Dhruvakumar" has been

Cinema

released at the Majestic

in Bombay and is reported to

have been received well. Their
productions seem to improve with
every new picture and we hope
that the next subject which the
producers take will be even more
ambitious than "Dhruvakumar"

CALCUTTA
New

now under production

Saigal and Kanan in the

now

Mullick's

Director

cast.

Didi"

is

is

"Bara

being rehearsed very

that

Molina

is

fast

Saigal

who had been

ill

rati

Mata" are

being

taken

complete the picture by the end

of this

Uma and

story

of

will

Ponnambalam

the

at

Premier

the finishing touches to "Abhina-

"Tukaram"
a poor reception in

Sadhana Bose
in the heroine's role. By the time
this is in print this work will have
finished and we will have a new

dras.

On

Madhu Bose

is

giving

ya", the story with

Their Telugu

Now

they are producing the Ta-

fifteen
to

days the
be

within the next

picture

is

liked

mil version of the

by anyone.

same

picture.

the same,

they

be taking up a social story

"Rambha's Love".

"Col-

lege Kanya", Bengali social are

now ready and

the whole, the picture

much

not

After finishing

the preparations for

had
Ma-

was

called
All

"Ek-

a Saint of Maharashtra,
be produced by Mr. V. R.

nath",

rather

Director

ed

month.

The

Central Studios:
(Coimbatore).

Bharat Laxmi Pictures:

'or

to

Radha

"Bandit Chief" with M. K.

in the cast.

will

sometime has now returned to

work and the final shots of "Dha-

already
mofussil

Cinetone.

free.

picture from the studio.

Theatres:

(Coimbatore).

"Kanda Leela" has

been released in the

Their next picture will be called

Singer"
Shalini Cinetone:

Premier Cinetone:

is

pal Atre to write another social

comemdy

SOUTH INDIA

Director

expect-

in the sets of shooting.

Modern Theatres:
(Salem).
Their

"Balan",

first

is

Malayalam

picture

running well at Mala-

Prithviraj in "Abhagin". Thinking, aren't they?

57

May

FILMINDIA

1938

bar and drawing good crowds.

The producers seem to be intent

"laya

Pradha"

Telugu.

on producing Malayalam

hold of

He
some

talkies

in future.

At the studios, Angel

Films

shortly

will

go

shoot-

into

ing of "Kovalan".

Andhra Cinetone:
has almost

Director Hiren Bose

completed

Telugu

his

"Bhakta Jayadev"

in

picture

Telugu and

Hindi.

Chettiars to relieve

given
nar".

Talkies:

"Orphan

Jupiter's

dio.

completed

The

mofussil.

under production

is

their

new one

called "Mo-

with Dasari Kotiratnamma,

hini"

in the cast.

Sandow

is

giving

touches

to

finishing

his

Kalidas Films:

go

as their two pic-

into production.

Mysore Sound Studios:

(Bangalore).

"Mayuradwaja" or "Self Sacrifice" has been

completed and the picture is now
in the editing room.
Miss Mannargudi Papa is in the cast.
The shooting

of

famous musician and

actor Subbiah
Bhagavathar is
working in a Tamli picture called "Kambar". The shooting of
That

picture

is

The next one

tion is

na

be a mythological one.

Talkies

Renaissance Theatres:
"Jalaja" featuring Seshgiri will

be released

at the

Broadway

kies during the month.

numati

is

a couple

Tal-

Miss Ba-

reported to have given

good dances.

of

National Movietone:

Kubera Films have

com-

just

nalata" under the direction of Y.

kandeya"

studios

Their

started shooting of "Inbasa-

han"

Mahalakshmi

Rao.

garan"

Tamil

in

featuring San-

at the

own
is

above

production

be taken

thanalakshmi.

Newtone
Owing

Mohan

Studios:
Director

to

Rao's sick-

ness the picture "Bhakta Meera"

has been

slightly delayed.

will

It

however be completed within the

next fortnight.
Rayal Talkies'
"Sakubai" has also been delayed because of Miss K. Aswathmma. Rajan Films of Trichy
are thinking of shooting "Tirunee-

lakanta Nayanar".

will

be

Kinema Central
month. They are now

released at the

during the

making preparations for another

which is being dis-

social picture

A new

hand

rail-

Pictures:

"Baghya Leela" starring Miss

Rukmcmi is progressing fast
Mohan Sound Studios in Bom-

in

bay.

Grand National Productions:

"The Devil

On

Horse Back" a

"Grand National"

all-colour

starring

Damita,

ture

Lili

pic-

Jean

Chatburn, Fred Keating and Del

Campo now
for

Jarasanda,"

Mo-

K. T.

proves

Jaya Films:

in

studios.

"Raj

awaiting release.

picture will

ed "Punjab Kesari".

be a popular

Bombay

Some
ses

to

of

running at the Eros,

attraction

fans.

of the

outstanding relea-

"Grand

National"

are

"Something to Sing About", starring James Cagney, "Devil On

Horse Back", 23^ Hours", starring
James Ellison & Ferry Walker,

cussed rather hotly.

"Sins of Children" with Eric Lin-

go

into produc-

Oriental Films:

den and Cecelia Parker.

to

in Tein

the

With M.
mascot
the

is

making steady
"Pururava"

or

S.

of the

Srinivas Cinetone:

58

to

pleted their picture "Bhakta Mar-

Sundari"

with

pected

Films will soon be starting "Swar-

lead.

Narayan

Studios:

"Bhu Kailas" is in the editing

room.
The next picture is ex-

progressing.

lugu with Miss Sriranjini

Mr.

Sundaram Sound

Rajendra

while

Thoothu,"

"Sundaramoorthy NayaThey are still thinking.

to

fast

"Bhakta Pundalik"

progress

Rajagopal

are progressing fast with "Krish-

"Krishna

Vel Pictures:

this

finished the out door

rathy Films.

have

"Kannappanayanar" which has

been recently released is reported to have failed rather badly.
The future programme announced points to "Mohini" and "Kalatures to

Rama-

Director

still

reception

be-

ing edited while Raja

V.

mega Pulavar"

has

is

shooting of "Mala Pilla" for Sa-

Satyanarayana",

Telugu talkie has been released

in the

Girl"

and

shooting

its

braham has

(Vizagapatam).
"Shree

stu-

warm

luke

the

Motion Picture Producers'

Combine:
A number of pictures are un-

new

a stand

All affairs are at

after

himself of this picture.

"Vishnu Leela".

Andhra

Karthikeya Films:

catch

to

der production in this

(Vizagapatam).

and

Tamil

in

bound

is

is

Vijayal, the lucky

season,

Imperial

studios

under the direction

manabhan.

"Sowbagya

being steadily shot at

in

of

Bombay
Mr.

Pad-

"Walla-

by

Jim of the Islands" featuring

George Housten, "Girl Said No"
" Hats off"
with Irene Harvey.
with Helen Lynd and many others.

The

Distribution

rights

National Pictures
Messrs. Chaudhri
of Lahore.

of

Grand

are held by
Film Service

Kicks and Kisses

One
how a

mysteries of love

of the

loose girl can rattle

has a crimson

kiss

ing.

looking

is

egg.

a doubt-

is like

shouldn't be cracked

It

school

com-

girl

plexion seems to have

Polly: "I shivered all over last

*

The

does,

A woman who

has no time

a man has no man

for

burn a hole

is to

wer without

my

Making love

that

her.

kill,

he had

catch anything

girls can't

unless they expose themselves.

*

Young

lads often

Scouts, but older

lads

camp

nudist

girl

wearing a

lo-

this

way."

mean

"You

He:

and

puff

is

She "No,
-

a place where
would be

mean

you're on the

right track."

fig leaf

over -dressed".

up

take

late

when you hold me

become Boy

work

wheeze?"

to

at the office."

comotive

it

mirror."
*

come

She: "Big boy, you're like

\70uld be suicide for her to use

a cold woman

play the ukulele

Some
merely

looks could

if

heat

the

an axe.

with

insult

didn't

to

like trying to

feet wet."

Polly: "No,

can take a sho-

getting

"Didn't

Sally:

up?

is

evening."

boy-

friend's pocket.

work, dearie?"

now

in the

for

did that bust developer

"Well,

of love

time.
*

"How

a spark

thing

first

graduat-

at all.

"I

at

time.

ed.
*

said,

more than one

can't enjoy

Her

"Yes.

doubtful joke

You

Girls are like cigarettes.

old

rather

lately".
*

ful

"Irene

lin-

tight

man.
*

Every

is

When a girl gets hungry for

love,
may mean she's fed up

it

scouting for

girls.
*

Tie only exercise some girls

get is jumping to conclusions.

with being single.

that

you

love

I
like my wome.i
whiskey the same way.'

He: "Baby,

me!"
He: "Sure; but don't ask
write

me

to

it."

is

'*

like

"Aw, baby,

neck,

first

turn to the
*

some

girls

(in

parked

said

down

my

She: "Ah, straight?"

bite.

He: "Gosh, no!"

car):

"Love

left."

what they

thought, they'd be speechless.

a rare man who can keep

head when a girl has taken

It's

"Yeah?

She:

how

to find its

Weil

his

way

everything else.

in the dark".

is

my

is

blind".

"Straight

the toast of a

and

He:

around

where

is

men want a
*

yours knows

your heart?"
Pauline:

gal

the

an electric
She begins warming up
iron.
when there's a new attachment.
girl

all

Many a

Paul:

When a
town,

If

me

She: "Tell

Every

hard

ways yellow

boiled

egg

is

al*

secret

woman makes

never

golddigger

sucker the bird until

is

gives

j.

she's fea-

thered her nest.

inside.

Where a

concerned a

every word

tell.

He:

And

is

your

boyfriend

hit-and-run driver?

FILMINDIA
She:

May

When

should say not!

he makes a

he parks!

hit,

a shove
work?"

you bold

villain!"

for love?"

is

to

It

fire-eater!"
*

makes a woman

A
be

hot to

and

rich

An

itch for love often

woman

smart.

'.*

"Beautiful.

cuum

makes a

kiss

some-

how did you know that I

shooting than any man
more
do
in the

If

your

I've

heard reports."

"Shh, Jane

any

let's

have a

you

nod,

if

secret

you smile

longer."

she

"No,

heard

plati-

num."

me

make

don't

Girls usually

lauah!
*

Shalini's Great Gift

the

it

keep a

comes

stiff

upper

to kissing.

Film World!

PRABHArAE

Kumar
Screen's

lip until

to

cleaner."

about

lips.

Gal: Please
va-

a golddigger

isn't

"Did she reform?"

can

hold your hand,

kiss

regiment?"

"Oh.

*
is

"But

tak-

away

butter

love code.

can

like

up

man's jam.

Boy: Darling,

town

bread and butter

of the

gal's

out in the cold.

*

to believe in

might as well be your-

from her.
*

left

It

self."

jealous wife

see the toast

ing her bread

"Sure, but I'm not

*

thing.

What burns a

"Say, didn't you say you were

hungry

"You've got

*
*

"Stop,

have to
before you

give you
start to

mean

"Oh! does that

1938

New

Find,

who

performance in the

gives a brilliant

Title

Role in

MARATHI
The Boy
Kicked
Father's

Lap
l

GwaoV*

K. P.

BHAVE

lvN. H.

who

was

from

his

Lap

of the

to the

Gods

with
)

INDIRA WADKAR,
ROHINI,

MANOHAR

MAJESTIC CINEMA, Girgaon

APTE
Daily 5,

(Aufhor of "Unexpected"'

Printed and Published by D. K. Parker

for

at

8 10-45 pm.

New Jack

Sat, Sun, Hoi.

Printing Works, 75. Apollo

Pilmindia Publications Lid.

St..

2 30 p.m.

Bombay

Only a month more /

And
W.ll

the

be

musical

best

on the

screen

South

in

ihe

to

the delight

of

millions

PRAGATI

NAND KUMAR
(TAMIL)
The

of Lord Krishna

life

sented

in

done

by

pre-

way never before

any

one

on

the

RAJ

Master M

A 1
I

I.

\ 31

MA A M
C.

screen.

whistle

world

on His

thought

and the

flute
it

was

divine

KRI5HA' AMI R T HI
AND ll\0 00 OTHERS

music.

IA

frolic in

world took

Lord

it

as a feat.

who

Krishna,

millions

myst.fied

through ages,

introduced
that

the backyard and the

with

commands

an

is

now

intimacy

admiration.

THE NEXT ONE

JUST

FOR THE CRAZE

SOCIAL

PRODUCED

BY:

PRAGATI PICTURES
BANGALORE

LIS

Now Drawing Huge Crowds

at:

CENTRAL TALKIE

Over 1.50.000 Readers Every Month

ALL HALFTONE BLOCKS AND COLOUR BLOCKS WHICH ARE MADE FROM
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS. APPEARED IN THIS JOURNAL ARE MADE BY:

ENGRAVERS
ACT
COMMERCIAL
PRODUCERS
MAKERS
TO LEADING CINE-FILM
PHOENIX BUILDING. GRAHAM ROAD. BALLARD ESTATE, BOMBAY

BLOCK

TEL. 2677C:

ONCE AGAIN

TO GIVE

takes

A New Picture

Pra

up

hat

new theme!

to th eir mi lion

MY SON
*
Directed by

NARAYAN KALE

K.

Starring

Mrs.

Sensational

Melody

Queen

SHANTABAI HUBLIKAR

*
With A

Cast

Great Supporting

HOT

SHAHU MODAK

MAMA BHAT

SHANTA

VASANT

iBUWA SAHES

THENGDI
ETC.,

THE

MUJUMDAR

ETC.,

NEW PRABHAT PICTURE

IN

PRODUCTION

fans

Our C5v
filmindia

CONTENTS

published in the 1st week of

every month.

is

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annas

Price of single copy

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&

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( Subscription

To

quick

ensure

every

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This

correspondence.

mentioned

is

the

on

Metro Insults the Nation

postage).

quote

should

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attention

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rates

DEVIKA RANI

Editorial

hand

left

numbers

subscription

their

corner

oj

the

in

all

wrapper

of

copy.

advance

in

Money Order.

by

Advertising in "filmindia"
The huge
great

circulation

rush

advertisers

of

magazine

the

of

medium

advertising

stimulate

to

throughout

sales

and unless space

booked

is

&

Tariff for films

insertion

than

less

&

Small Trades
benefit

of

Rs.

Rs. 125/-

Studio Close-ups
of the

Month

TEN ART PLATES

be accepted.

Cottage Industries.

advertisers

who cannot

the huge

circulation

of

afford

"filmindia"

to

pay the usual

short

special

may not

tariff

lose

advertisement schedule has

pre/tared'.'"

2" x one

of 2" Rs. 10/- per single insertion.

column
hi>

minimum space

the

is

booked

be

to

at

time.

STOP PRESS

Any

extra inches under this plan will be charged at Rs. 5/an inch per column of 2 inches.

Advertisements of big
accepted under this plan.

and

industries

films

not be

will

payment for

All

advertisements
case

In

published.

of

local

advertisers,

advertisers

All

outside

be

made

strictly

in

advance

within 30 days

Bombay

pay

must

charges

the

to

the

no

condition

presentation.

their

of

which

without

approved accounts can be opened subject

be made payable

will

bills

all

must

advertisements

be

will

Wilford Deming

on

PAYMENT.

that

Town

Rs. 200/-

page space shall not

small

the

that

half

the

Howlers

other industries.
40/-

3rd Cover

Round

advance no space can be guaranteed.

in

Half page

&

it

therefore,

is,

75/-

For a single

been

There

Rs.

4th Cover (Tri-colour

if necessary)

the

commodity.

Full page Inside for single insertion

2nd

So

Burma and Ceylon makes

India.

any

of

Kicks & Kisses

an opportunity.

is

Mail

Editor's

ADVERTISEMENTS.

ideal

Calling

-By Judas
must be paid

The subscription

an

Bombay

in

advance

while

booking

the

high

the

seas

Copy
the

submitted

be

before

the

10th

of

the

previous

month

position

read

is
is

from

cover

to

cover

and

every

position

is

good position.

No

guaranteed,

therefore

ILLUSTRATIONS & BLOCKS.

Any

blocks

or

published

illustrations

for

the

always

be a courtesy and not a condition attached

blocks

shall

be

paid for

by

the

advertiser

the

to

in

the

advertisement

reading
contract.

matter

will

All

such

advertisers,

bound

for

he is accomEwing Scott
Mr.
one
panied by
This time

who

reported to have received

is

good experience
other

production

in

Metro

and

companies.

he
This time he

correspondence should be addressed to

should be addressed to

the

the

firm.

The Editor's correspondence

Editor.

FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS
Offices:

104.

Apollo

Tele:
Editor:

Mr.

No.

St.,

Fort.

LTD.,

BOMBAY.

26752

BABUBAO PATEL

in India once.
to be producing picreported
is
tures in association with Mr. Ma-

was

homed Akbar Fazalbhoy and

will

probably work in the Film City.

Deming will be in India some-

CORRESPONDENCE.
Business

already

Everyone knows Deming as

issue.

"filmindia"
special

must

advertisement

the

of

next

is

India.

space.

for

Jr.

time on the 26th of August

for us to wait
is better
it

watch

till

then.

and
and

Tkese

new Creams

contain

"Skin-Mtamiif
without w/iic/i skin cannotle leautiful

WOMEN

living in

the tropics have

always had to take particular care

Now

skin.

their

ot

have

biologists

thrown fresh light on the reasons

made

possible

more

and

beauty

effective

treatment

that burning sun and

They have found

hoc, dry

winds are constantly drying out

your

ot

"skin-vitamin"
loses

its

certain

vitamin

the

without

which

skin

skin

becomes coarse, dull

freshness,

and old looking.

Pond's tested

this

POND'S

POND'S
VANISHING CREAM

COLD CREAM

Removes roughness, smooths and

softens the outer-skin.
Use as a
skin-softener
and
powder base.

Replaces the natural oils in your

underskirt, preventing wrinkles.
Use also for pore-deep cleansing.
Noiv contains "skin-vitamin"

Now

and dry became

P.

().

BOX

144,

Now

and supple

skin

new

the

in

in just

it

were

Pond's

skin fresher and

"skin-

By replacing the pre-

cious "skin-vitamin" they help

Please send me free of Charge sample tubes of Pond's Two Creams

containing "skin-vitamin". Also geneious samples of Pond's new

tried

you can have these benefits for

vitamin" Creams.

BOMBAY.

in

enthusiastic in their praise!

your

POND'S

soft

Women who

a few weeks.

contains "skin-vitamin".

SEND THIS COUPON FOR THE NEW CREAMS!

"skin-vitamin"

Skin which was rough

Pond's Creams.

make your

lovelier than ever before!

Face Powuer.

Namt

The new Pond's "skin-vitamin" Creams

..-

are

available

jars as

Address

at

No.

5.

the

everywhere,

in

before, with the same

same

prices.

the
labels

same
and

Subicription

Inland

Burma

Single

Rs.

5/-

Foreign Rs. 8/-

Copy As. 6/-

mini

in

Proprietors

Filmindia

104, Apollo Street,

Publications
Fort,

Ltd.

BOMBAY.

BABURAO PATEL

Editor:

AUQUST

Dot. 4

1938

No. 4

METRO INSULTS THE NATION

The Home Member

THE METRO "TICKET"

"Management

34

admission"
of the

MtTBO CINEMA
ADMISSION
TAX
TOTAL

R.

5:30

right

Bombay has

refuse

to

which a patron
to

buy

his enter-

tainment.

tial

other

Eros,

cinema

has

this

in

Bombay,

not even the pala-

condition printed on

its

ticket of

admission.

0-4-0

R. 2-4-0

1938 Row

PM

But in the case of

Sea/ T^T.

Management reurvsj

the

2-0 0

WEDNESDAY
June, 22,

reserves

Metro Cinema,

No

DRESS CIRCLE

& The Police Commissioner

Must Act.

the condition under

is

lh

refuse admission
on

which costs

Metro,

even on the

ticket

Rs. 2-4-0 this irritative notice is printed.

That means that even after paying a patron

is

suspect.

The question which suggests

the Metro Cinema is a private club

itself

or

is

whether

a public place

of entertainment.

under which the Commissioner of

Police grants a license for cinema houses in Bombay, there is no provision for this illogical and
In the rules

the
pawn-ticket of selfespect that admits a patron as a
uspect after
paying
for
it.
Wouldn't it be better if
they
earched
every
one
before
icre's

admitting?

highhanded condition
There

has

Metro Cinema

in

the license for

it.

of

admission.

been enough trouble about the

Bombay, ever since the grant of

In defiance of public opinion, those responsible

for the construction

of

the

cinema have taken ad-


FILMINDIA

August

vantage of the legal obstacles and built a picture

house which spells a grave menace to the Indian

and

film industry

other local cinemas.

This insulting condition affects the Indian most,

as in India, almost the entire patronage of a cinema

is

Indian.

The Europeans who attend the shows

are so few in comparison with our large numbers,

is

It

power

not in

was
was

unfortunate that a popular government

Had

granted.

time

the

at

that

been

when

license

the

our people would not

so,

have to-day to suffer the mortification of seeing a

huge pile that has trampled down the justifiable

that

any

restriction of this nature will

the Indians almost exclusively.

always

And

affect,

with the pre-

day national awakening, such irresponsible

acts however small they may be, soon assume the
grave form of a national insult.
sent

protests of our citizens.

We
Ame-

In keeping with the reputed arrogance of

management

ricans, the

more

of the

insult into the face of our

Metro has flung one

people by reserving

leave the matter at that

during the month

to

pass

Minister Hon- Mr. K. M.

we

Munshi

for the

expect
to act

present
the

quickly and

decisively.

the right of admission as aforesaid.

Patrons
that

who

pay, to be there on sufferance

is

the position in short-

In

any country but

India, the

Metro would have been lynched

manager

of the

what

for that is

he deserves.

What

moral or

right,

a public place
to invite

legal,

has anyone

of entertainment, to

people

to

pay and

to

If

lic

any

of the patrons

nuisance, there

chooses

and
and then

advertise

attend

reserve to himself the right of pick

open

to

and choose?

to

become a pub-

always the ordinary law

is

to

look after him.

its

What right has the management

own law and pass judgment on a

has paid and has legally acquired a

to

deal out

who

patron

right to

a seat

in the auditorium?

Are we

in the

age

of

democracy

we

or are

still

struggling in the mediaeval times?

The

disgrace

the

of

whole

is

that

and

spit

affair

foreigners should restrict our liberties thus

in our face.

The Commissioner
doesn't, the
dition

Home

from the

of

Police must act.

Minister must do so.

ticket

If

he

That con-

must be removed forthwith or

the license to the theatre must be withdrawn.

The arrogant
the face
If

American must be slapped

and taught politeness.

he wants

to

he doesn't do

down
4

his

self respect of

our people.

he must be compelled
business and pack off.
so,

in

trade in India, he must help to

maintain the national

to

If

close

shot from "Blockade" a coming- United

Artists release.

and

Home

THE

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Bombay Calling
This section

monopoly of

the

is

Wees and about things which

not

necessarily

ours,

he

In 1914, the

carry

had framed

weight

"300

"Watan".

be granted only on the express

license shall

and

Has

this condition in

its

the Metro

and

spirit

Cinema

observ-

practice?

has done so, how is it that we find a carpet

below the feet spread all over the house?
Metro has a bar where people are expected

was

person chooses

and

to

throw

the carpet catches

From
as

a burning cigarette-end

the necessity of that carpet

better precaution against

gave a

the

the

pati".

when

such

possibilities of

fire?

In allowing

story

was

con-

agree with only one

one,

was another

better

performance

in

year

for the

Though

Motilal

of the

mistake.

comparison with his

cannot stand any comparison with

it

excellent

work as

the king in "Vidya-

work was again easily the best

Prithvi's

of

the year.

ordinary rubber matting could have been safer

vanity,

awards

Giving Motilal the award

best acting

fire!

attend the show?

an
and a

direction of

for the best story of

awarded as no

appropriate

previous ones,

Will this not endanger the lives of the people

Where was

best

for

namely, the one

awarded to Mr. Debaki Bose.
In my opinion,
though "Duniya-Na-Mane was a very good picture
was certainly not the best. "Vidyapati" was a
better one in several respects and easily the best
picture of the year. It ought to have got that award.

Prithviraj's

who

not

the four

most

the

to

Suppose a half-drunk

interval.

Sitara for best acting in

3.

Debaki Bose

it

If it

drink during the

After".

year

Motilal for best acting

2.

sidered good enough.

and
and danger

most modern precaution against

arising from fire is adopted on such premises."
is:

for the best picture of the

practical

fire

The question

are

they

The 5th medal

"Vidyapati".

condition that every reasonable

ed

medal

4.

the year

"A

because

his job.

Days &

rules

follows:

what he

write*

"Duniya-Na-Mane".

viz.

in

he

views expressed here are

gets the gold

Commissioner
under which a license is issued to theatres
and cinema houses in Bombay. Rule 261 reads as
of Police

The

man who knows

FIRE PROOF!

METRO NOT ABSOLUTELY

J CD AS" and

likes.

they

stilt

tint

written by a

"

Metro

Commissioner

the safety of thousands

to

is

who

indulge

in

cheap

taking chances with

attend the shows daily.

That carpet must be removed and its place

must be taken by a rubber matting or Rule 261
must be removed from the book of regulations.
Will the Commissioner of Police do

it?

WRONGLY AWARDED GOHAR MEDALS!

The Gohar Gold Medal Committee has announced its 1938 awards as follows: 1. Prabhat

Still

was

another award going to the wrong person

the

one

given

What

"Watan".

Sitara

to

Sitara has

done

for
is

her

work

in

when
Kanan

poor work

one remembers Kanan Bala in "Vidyapati".

ought to have got that award. That she didn't get
it

is

pity.

When

the Committee decided that they didn't

a good and new story they erred sadly- "Duniya-Na-Mane" had a good story and a good theme
"Duniya-Na-Mane" should
that provoked thought.
have been given the award for the best story of
find

the year.

The

much for
members

awards doesn't speak

and the judgment of the
Gohar Gold Medal Committee.

distribution of

1938

the intelligence
of the

FILMIKDIA

August 1938

I hope that
the personnel
would be soon overhauled and

of

to get

committee

by

a national

if

men

with

the

Why

status.

of leading citizens

better

Committee

awards are
a
and judge the awards

greater artistic leanings appointed

ever

the

From sighs and whispers, affairs developed into

and war, till matters reached a conclusion

threats

High Court

in the

of

Bombay on

the 14th July 1938.

not appoint

Prabhat's as plaintiffs prayed for

against General Films as defendants

the process of elimination.

an

injunction

to restrain the

defendants from releasing "Baghban" on the 16th

If

Gohar's glorious reputation as an

be perpetuated

who

let

it

are qualified to

be done
do so.

artiste is to

intelligently

July at the Imperial-

by men
After three

days'

heartburning

and

talk

by

counsels and

produces results that make people laugh.

others of both the sides, the Hon.

Engineer refused injunction and dismissed
the notice of motion with costs. It was one of the

A STORM

ever heard.

The present method

is

merely

slipshod

and

Justice

most

One

IN

THE TEA CUP!

of those unfortunate incidents

which leave

behind a bad odour has been the small quarrel

between the Prabhat Film Company and the GeneThe pity of it is that it was all over
ral Films Ltd.
an actor who only a few months back was an un-

known

impartial

From
silly,

of

and conclusive judgments

the very beginning the

looking at

it

from a

strictly

the hero of

the facts in brief,

"Amar

was

commercial point

Imagine two good producers quarrelling like

of an actor whose

school boys for the possession

quantity.
recite

affair

had

view.

presence or absence would not

To

whole

let

us remember

Babasaheb Nandrekar.
years' contract on him and

ence

in

make any

differ-

picture.

Jyoti":

Prabhat claimed a three

Puerile!

should call

why

it.

If

both the parties

objected to his working with the General Films in

did want a fight

"Baghban". In "Chandrarao More" he was however allowed to work with the consent of Prabhat.
But not so in "Baghban".

bigger field of competition in quality and produc-

T. P.

tion of pictures?

didn't they fight

it

out on the

That would have been something

praiseworthy.

Rajalaxmi and Master Mahalingam in "Nandkumar" a Tamil picture produced by Pragati Pictures Ltd.

FILMINDIA

August 1938

The game was not worth the candle. It only

helped to expose the hidden jealousies and the
exact love lost between our producers. It paid the

and

solicitors
rel,

while

But to the last minute the staff displayed exem-

plary fidelity and stood

Ardeshar

the barristers to run this family quar-

the

themselves

producers

is

It

money

lost

protect

invited unnecessary ridicule.

and
300

ON THE STREETS!
July

has been a bad month

Film Co.,

closed

dawn of the month the

which was the oldest producing

Impe-

its

a small army of over 300 worThe crash was expected for

kers on the streets.
a long time but no one could have foretold the
exact day when this institution would cease to
And the day it did, it provided a shock to
exist.
financiers, throwing

all in

It

an open

secret that

is

hardly any hope

it.

studio

bad management

lost

of their

money.

and technicians

An

including
of

And

tions

and

studio,

them the payment

film

250

wake

not

and

workers

faithful

of their dues.

company has gone

west.

UNEMPLOYED!
of this

crash

came

the

news

own

that

produc-

on hiring out the

perhaps as they would hire out a buffalo
its

financiers are bent

stable.

This event

But

its

was

also expected sooner or later.

taking place in July

was

bad

for the

persons

unem-

rather

hit

were the poor

several

some eminence.

intriguing situation from

Saroj throws out

artistes

nearly

250

ployed.

Nanubhai Desai,

there

recovering even a part

The people who were badly

workers

his

the Saroj Movietone has stopped their

is

Almost everyone con-

responsible for this crash.

nected with the concern

of

In the

of

month.

the industryis

for

ANOTHER

studio

Khan Bahadur

the old

Khan Bahadur could

pity that the

Indian film

doors suddenly under pressure from

its

the interests

One more
for the

V/ith the

industry.
rial

secure

by

Irani.

the

man who always

took

pride in calling himself the "wizard" of the Indian

screen seems to have forgotten his

just failed to

'tricks'

keep his studio running.

and has

That

much

for his vanity!

"Nandkumar" a Tamil

picture produced by Pragati Pictures Ltd.

FILM INDIA

August 1938

FRIGHTENED FAZALBHOYS?

these starving

The biggest surprise oi the month, however,

and a real surprise at that, was the decision of the
Fazalbhoy Brothers to discontinue their production
activities in General Films.

of closing

find any reason for

have come to the end of
resources and wish to stop on the

It

is difficult to

unless

this

or

men

will certainly

Are the Fazalbhoys frightened of competition

have they now discovered that this business of

production

not theirs?

is

Businessmen

like

Fazalbhoys should not throw

the Fazalbhoys

their finan-

up the sponge so soon.

cial

way

continue production.

to re-

demand a reason

from their erstwhile employers.

General Films ought

to

cover their breath.

Their
not

much

first

to

picture

speak

of

"Chandrarao More" though

in quality, yet proved so sucthe

General

immediately secured a respectable footing

Films
in

the

market-

Three pictures which are ready in hand name-

"Baghban", "Pati Patni" and "Industrial India"

also give good hopes of success.
ly,

And

Shantaram has drawn our attention to

a reply given by us to V. M. Sukumar (Tellicherry)
The reply as it
in the July issue of "filmindia".
appears in the issue unconsciously imposes on the
great director a liability of a definite opinion. And
all this has happened because
the printer has
dropped one complete line. It is greatly regretted
and now we reproduce below the question and
answer as in our original manuscript.
Director

cessful at the box-offices that

stopping

A CORRECTION

yet the Fazalbhoys declared that they are

production.

strange

family

this,

to

down production just when they were making

a name and would have soon made money.
close

From:
1

V.

M. Sukumar (Tellicherry).

would

like

to

know which

is

the best cine-

projector?
If

out of

the Fazalbhoys' close

down

they will throw

work another 250 persons, and

the sighs of

Kumar and Maya

in

to Director Shantaram "Bauer"

is
machine that is used in 300 theatres. It
must be therefore the best. It can be relied
upon and is backed by excellent service-

According
the

"Postman" a Sagar

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No. 4

The Editor's Mail

" write to

Readers " when you are worried

flippant letters will receive like replies.

my

will do

best

Serious matters will be treated seriously, while

in serving you.

me.

The Editor.

From: V. G. Dhar (Cocanada).

Are you related to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?

Do you

Fortunately not.

find

any

points

From:

B. R. Seshagiri

Rao (Bangalore).

Rao (Madras).

bhat's are playing through their business? They

know what Shanta is and they can afford to

From:
I

her, apart

S. B.

am

from knowing

how

to

do

so.

Hunnaji Rao (Bellary).

very anxious

to

and hear her music.

ally
vitation?

From:

E.

Will she accept

my

in-

Masih (Bangalore).
is

Sarala

of

"lambo" fame?

I can't tell you the exact address of the place

where she has gone, but she departed from this
world a couple of months back. In dying the
poor girl left Bhavnani without a heroine for

his jungle pictures.

are the four best directors in India?

V. Shantaram, Debaki Bose, Nitin Bose, and P.

C. Barua, They are, by the way, the only good
ones.

From: Ramjilal Srivastava (Lucknow).

Whom

ing:

her the best.

am

Is

in business

magazine.

am

film

magazines

sporting?

it

and

my

first

care

is

my own

not playing cricket.

Don't you think that V. Shantaram will

match

make a

Shanta Apte?
I think so, but Shantaram ought to.
Shanta, of
course, should have no objection. Knowing
that Shantaram used to act once, I suggest this
for

any other sphere,

not much good, bewith a family.

alliance only in pictures.

I

am

ing

afraid,

Shantaram

a married man

In

is

P. L. N. Rao (Masulipatam).
Has Devika Rani got any children?
Not to my knowledge. Why are you worry-

From:

From: R.

S.

Sanghi, (Hyderabad

Who

is

superior in singing:

Dn.).
Uma

or

Kanan?

Kanan!
will,

Where

Who

like

is

ing?

see Shanta Apte person-

provided the invitation is torn from

your cheque book. But I don't think there are
any chances in the near future, as the memories of her last professional tour to Ahmedabad
are still too fresh in her mind.

She

suitable

she
If 1 pay a decent salary to Shanta Apte will
come to Madras to work in a Hindi picture?
Do you imagine that others on this side cannot
afford to pay her a decent salary? There are
some who would go in for a lot more than
mere decent. Besides, do you think that Pra-

keep

more suitable for a

a melodious poem in

opinion,

Kanan

you encourage other

don't

besides yours?

"Gentleman Daku" not a better picture than

"Daku Mansoor"?
From an entertainment point of view, yes.
V. N. A.

my

B. N. B. Vathsal (Secunderabad).

Why

7s

From:

private party.
pictures and

of

affinity?

From:

ral films, is in

you

do
Ratnaprabha,

prefer in music from the followKanan Bala, Hirabai Barodkar

and Indira WadkarHirabai and Indira are

They are more suitable

Which

is

"Mukti" or "The

the better picture:

Unexpeced"?
"The Unexpected".

Who is the greater genius in direction:

or D. K. Bose?
Did you say genius?

Then

Barua

think Bose beats

Barua.

From: K. Madhu

(Bellary).

any relationship among D. &

moria and Ghory?
D. <S E. are brothers. Ghory is related
as a friend.
Is there

Where

is

Miss Sulochana now?

E. Billi-

to

them

Has she

I don't know whether she has got the husband

but I know that she was married alright and
naturally she ought to have him on hand. She
her own picture called "Prem
is producing

Jyoti".

classic

songstresses.
concert.
in seve-

a public
Ratnaprabha, though she has worked
for

got

her husband?

From: Ratansey D. Thakar (Nagpur).

Why is Mr. P. C. Barua going to England?
In search of something

he

can't find here.

15

The

Projector that has saved thousands

For producers, distributors and exhibitors

The Projector

that has

earned thousands

for producers, distributors

Guarantees
of

all

the

Indian

and exhibitors

goodwill
Producers

PROJECTORS
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Please Nole The Change of Address.

BEZ WADA
CALCUTTA
JETPUR

FILMINDIA

August 1938

From:

Krishna Murthy (Madras).

P.

May

know why Chandramohan

truth,
left

Rabindranath (Guntur).

B.

Why

dies tor the Indian screen?

Can

cinema house?
Write

me a good

plan to construct
want the estimate also.

Talkie Equipment Co.,

Patel,

J.

From: W.
I

Why

our

in

you think that persons like

should give a lead in this and

why

Indeed,

them

not,

is

in private-

what
don't

have been asking

Shantaram
his usual enterprising spirit.
I
have already
spoken to him and he has promised to set aside
a large fund for granting annual awards. You
know Shantaram can afford to do it. What
worries me now is to find the "academy". Failing to find one, we shall, of course, have to
name the awards after Shantaram.
will take the lead, but

Padmadevi being a constant favou"our Editor". One paper describes you as

her guardian; another paper calls you a 2nd Barua
in our film industry who doesn't tell the truth about
himself?
J

object to

rite of

Who

Barua doesn't do so? Why

do you drag him in and couple an innocent
man with me? What personal objections have
you to Padmadevi being my favourite? As an
told

Editor,

you

am

do you want

and

that

me

dislikes, for

best to serve you. Why

trade in my personal likes

my

doing
to

your pleasure?

As regards

(Karachi).

names of the following:

What are the
Sulochana, Sabita Devi and Yasmin (Malti).
1.

Sircar
might, with

Tilly C. Kirpalani

real

train public opinion?

know whether

the

a new

From: Miss

two persons

is

of

Padmadevi,

awards like "The

him industry? Don't
Shantaram and Sircar

the present activities of Sulo-

being shot by Director Kale in the settings

social picture by Prabhat called "My
Son". Devika Rani works from mom till night
at the Bombay Talkies studio so that Rai Saheb
Chunilal may get a quicker chance to lord it
over at the Roxy, Bombay during the release
of "Vachan"- When Devika is not working,
she keeps on smoking cigarettes.

Roxy Chambers, Queen's

will give you the most

some

not introduce

Academy Awards"

know

to

Ermeline has also acquired family worries after

Shanta Apte
her retirement from the screen.

International

Preet (Rawalpindi).

S.

want

so far is only made up of

other being Dr- Weingarten.

tion!

From: G.

Ranney (Karachi).

S.

is playing the heroine opposite D.

When she is not
Billimoria in "Prem Jyoti".
doing that she has her husband on hand, which
means, that she looks after her family, which,

Old chap, you have asked me a ques-

I?

'direc-

Sulochana

reliable details.

Will

as

chana, Ermeline, Shanta Apte and Devika Rani.

Road, Bombay, and he

Will you print a tri-colour photo of

the Colour Queen?

readers
anything

Because the producers themselves are laymen.

(Cocanada).

Mr. Jagannath

to

my

there

pictures?

tors' for their

greater intelligence than the

ordinary plot of which our producers are fond.
Producers follow the line of least resistance and
minimum intelligence. Several producers, as 1
find them to-day have not yet sighted humour.
Their life has been a tragedy and how do you
expect them to turn out humour.
I,
however,
agree with you that we ought to have comic
shorts with our usual film fare.
Kisri

told

Is

Om Prakash Sharda (Ludriana)

Why do our producers get laymen

Comedy needs

you give

myself.

From:

do not our producers produce short come-

From: Krishna Rao

have always

wrong in a human being having faults and

weaknesses? I have them in plenty and they
make me all the more interesting to my friends
and readers. Are you by any chance, a saint?
If so, change
your profession and remember
that there is more glamour in sin.

To become a partner in Huns Pictures- They

say that he has a share in the profits of "Jwala".
The question is whether "Jwala" will leave any
By the way, Chandramohan is
profits behind.
reported to have left Huns now.
From:

think

everything about

Prabhat?

Ruby Mayers (Sulochana)

2.

Miss Gasper (Sabita Devi)

3.

Betty

From:

Gomes

Gurbaxani (Karachi).

Lila K.

Who

(Yasmin).

the best actor from the following: Saigal,

Pahari, Yusuf Effendi and Chandramo-

is

Prithvirai,

han.
Prithviraj

From: Miss

is

easily the best.

P. G.

Badlani (Karachi).

Please rate the acting talents of the following:

Devika Rani, Sabita Devi and Jamuna.

Jamuna

is

easily the best artiste in so far as

is concerned.
Her work in "Devdas" was eloquent of art and realism-

real acting

Devika Rani comes next. She is sincere in her

work and tries to give her best every time. Her
wonderful personality makes up for a lot in
Sabita gave only one good performacting.
ance in all her career and that was in some
parts of "300 Days & After".
With the exception of that she has not done anything worthwhile considering

in the field of acting.

17

Keeping Pace with the Latest

Mech anical

Announces

Which

It

Development

the Uncanny Film Printer

Hollywood

Set

has numerous small and

provements
existing

give

over

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FILM PRINTER

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Co.,

NEW QUEEN'S ROAD

FILMINDIA

August 1938

From:
I

A.

Janardhan Aise

(Udipi).

have been observing

They say

that

to

in these jerks and gestures true acting lies.

If they only 'lived' the
parts they played, these jerks and gestures
would be unnecessary. And 'living' the part
is the height ot good acting.
At present most
of the girls only use those parts of the body
which move most to express that there is some
emotional disturbance within.

Is 21.
Fortunately, she
Fortunately, because, I am

her screen fan.

tional feelings almost all actresses have their own

peculiarities, e.g. Sulochana resting her cheeks on

her palm, Durga Khote heaving her chest at a tremendous speed, Shanta Apte wrenching and rubbing her hands, etc. Can't they express emotions
without these gestures?

age

that ner

has no children.

express emo-

Once I read in
bonny baby.

got a

"filmindia" that Zubeida has

is the child's father?

Who

You are asking us

could tell you that.

Only the mother

too much.

Write

her and inquire.

to

Perhaps they think that

From: Biren Kazmi (Benares).

Who
female)

Leela Desai

is

one

ot the

to

is

the best?

good ones we have,

What

Imam
is

the

age

of

Padmadevi knows dancing.

my

(Patna).

Devika Hani? Has she any

children?

THAN

Will she dance to

tune?

She

will,

emotions.

CHEAPER

Baburao Pendharkar

Generally the best dressed people are the

They beat
extras who come from the Punjab.
the best of the above named gentlemen.

but the best is Sitara who is now working in

the Ranjit Movietone.
She is a classic dancer
with a far advanced technique, than othersIn addition she has grace and charm.

From: M.

actors: Mr.

if

the tune

is

in tune with her

Can you play

that tune?

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Amongst Producers: Mr. Kikubhai Desai (Paramount)-

be the best dancer

who

the best dressed personality (male

the Indian film world?

Amongst
Amongst
Amongst
Amongst

From: Balbirsingh Marvaha (Jubbulpore).

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on the Indian screen? If not,

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FILMINDIA

August 1938

produced "Passing Show"

What brand of cigarettes
are they going to produce next?
If they need money "Scissors" would be handy.
But with Sardar Akhtar in the staff, "Red Lamp"
would be convenient to give the audiences a
Prakash people

and then

lene Dietrich has only glamour and no looks.

Her half-closed eyes and she generally keeps
them so are seductive. I think Norma Shearer is the best artiste in so far as acting goes,
even better than Greta Garbo who has, of late,
been typed in the same kind of roles. Norma
is more versatileJoan Crawford is better than
Jeanette in acting.
Marlene doesn't act much,
her cameraman does a large part of it.

first

"State Express".

scare.
I hear that Hadi previously with the Imperial
has become a Sadhu?
But what kind of a Sadhu has
I believe you.
Hadi become?
From: Bhasker Rao (Raichur).

Madhuri and
Devika Rani; Shanta Apte and Uma; Sulochana and
Gohar; Sabita and Padmadevi; who is the better

From the

artiste

from

following, four pairs:

view points?

all

Devika Rani

is

miles better than Madhuri-

What do you think of Clarke Gable?

Not much! He is a publicity "product".
What is your opinion of Mehboob as a

during the last year.

Between Gohar and Sulochana, Gohar is easily

the better one and one of the best ones, in the
Sulochana never reached the emoindustry.
tional heights of acting as Gohar has done
Between Sabita Devi and Padmadevi, Padmadevi is any day a far better artiste than Sabita.
For pathetic and emotional work, Padma has
few rivals in our filmdom. Padmadevi 's dark
the artificial glaWhile Sabita
of Sabita on the screen.
all

has given only one good performance

in

all

her career (in "300 Days & After"), Padma has

several excellent performances to her credit.

From: M. Din (Peshawar Cantt).

Is Jayant of Prakash a Muslim?
real

What

is

his

name?

name

His

he

is

is

And

Zakeria Khan.

frontier

man.

Yes, he

is

like his

name

a Mahomedan.

From: Anil Bhathija (Bombay).

J am an admirer of Durga Khote and
all the news about her?

want

Write to MubaI
can't give you all the news.
rak Merchant cjo Nataraj Films, Queen's Road,

Bombay and he
know.

By

the

will tell

way, what

you
is

all

you want

to

your age?

who

is

the best actress out of the following

Norma

Garbo,
Jeanette
Greta
Shearer,
McDonald, Joan Crawford and Marlene Diet-

rich.

Norma Shearer has that mellow and soothing

personality that warms anyone's heart. Greta
Garbo's ascetic poise attracts but awes at the
same time. Jeanette McDonald is vivacious
and

entertaining.

Joan Crawford looks cold and designing. Mar-

the better artiste

is

and Eddie
and who has the

greater draw?

Eddie Cantor beats Chevalier in both things.

From: Miss R. A. M. (Indore).
J learn that Barua is in love with Jamuna. How

rumour true?
It is not a rumour- it
with her work and so

far is this

rich

is

am

fact.

He

in love

is

I.

Being the niece of Tagore, is Devika Rani not

enough to serve her husband? Then why does

she work

pictures?

in

is richer to do so.
Besides, by working in the films, she serves her husband better.
You see, her husband is a producer.

Because

it

From: Y. S. Patel (Bombay).

In which picture has Maya Bannerjee acted
her best?
In "Jagirdar" she gave a pretty good performance- But thereafter she seems to have some-

how become
From:

Dilip S.

want

to

stale.

Dani (Godhra).
know whether Jayshree Films exists

at present.
Yes, in

our memory and stares at us

account books.
From: Mohd. Shaft" (Port Blair Andamans).

in

our

you were a Mahomedan with Urdu as your

favourite language, would you have preferred Pra//

bhat pictures

From: Harkishan U. Jhangiani (Hyderabad).

Which
and why?

he

Betv/een the two: Maurice Chevalier

Cantor

direc-

me

to

knows anything but direction.

You seem to be having correct judgment in certain matters.
Read my reviews of Mehboob's
picture and you will know what I think of his

through several pictures.

mour

success,

"Jagirdar's"

direction.

used to act better than Shanta once, but

Shanta has improved a lot recently, while Uma
has not given any outstanding performance

charm outweighs

Inspite of

tor?

Uma

oriental

in

Hindi?

Admitting that Prabhat pictures are

weak

in

production, what makes you presume that Urdu is not my favourite language.
I
consider Urdu to be the most beautiful language in the world. It has a word for every
expression of the mind, and the heart and romance cannot get a better tongue than Urdu.

this section of

As regards my being a Mahomedan, though

am born a Hindu, Islam is as near my heart as
my own religion. Someday, when you come
down to Bombay, might surprise you with my
1

intimate

knowledge

of

your

religion.
21

IS

NAXD-KUMAR
With Master Mahalingam, T.P. Rajalaxmi,
Krishnamurthi, G.R. Santlow

sirti

ItSffijSifla

pttsttw

QsirtSsOsairQi

(3jo.Tfl(3aj

utau

utftS /SILlTtQf*

(P2bot

^tf

qjl.

T.S. Rajalaxmi,
etc.

mi

tgam provca the

t

ttcnsation

of

rWEES LTD

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CALCUTTA, DELHI, SECUNDERABAD.

AUTOWORKS

Kicks and Kisses

He: "Could
tle

have

one

just

lit-

kiss?"

She:

"I

don't cater to the retail

trade."
*

Our

knows

editor

man who

ing

always

drink-

the

moon

he's

full.

is just like

when

bright

The

of

marries the

fool

man

wise

A new

he

girl

loves

the

moth

he marries*

Puppy love

at

often gets

girl in

The best years

girl

as

ly

of

life

A needed

non-refillable
*

Rouge

now

is

when

terrible

baby

carriage.

she

doesn't

girl

a penbecome expensive.

is

tie,

a sweeone you love when you

sweetheart,

unlike

When

He:

the love.

She:
*

Girls are not democrats.

can't convince

them

one

that

You

man

man's

property,

starts

stroking

usually after

is

a girl must start

tom and warm up.

"I don't

"Now

Man

is

the only

animal that

to

mily

is

wave

"Let the crime

*

looked up, and he

of

fa-

greatest

labor-saving dethe will of a millionaire.

is

He: "Do you think

be-

any

26

to

slap his face.

is

possi-

with

the

dead?"

What

hear you

the

dis-

new

chatter-proof

cars need

glass

is

behind

the

editor tells

one about a
judge who's getting
triangles under his eyes.
tired divorce

art in kiss-

He: "The only art

is,

art

thou

Month only

No middlemen's

marvellous value
*

>;..*'-

pedestrian

is

girl

who

doesn't neck.
*

gigolo

*
Is

his

a man who earns

keep by heart

labor.

high

quality Swiss Wrist Watches. Lever movement.

A girl doesn't have to be

clumsy to break the Ten Commandments.
A

profits

mean, lowest price tor

GENTS & LADIES

REDUCED PRICE Rs. 8 - ONLY
Wrist watches, rolled gold A chromium
plated have just received. Correct time keeper.
Attractive designs, Shape:-Round, Oct. A Itcct.
Host tor Dowry, Present or Gifts. If not approved they can be exchanged. Please do not ask for
catalogues because wrist Watches are imported
in three shapes only, as above. Postage & packinn free to a purchaser of S Watches at a time.
Watch in appearance is equal to Rs. oil - Please
disappointment and apply sharp to
avoid
Iii.ihki

THE ORIENT WATCH IMPORTERS,

(

she had

it

communicate

to

Best Bargain

trac-

limbs so far that

Sensational Sale for one

who went

genealogist to have her

ed a couple

gin."

girl

suits.

When a girl's as fit as a fiddle

she usually has a beau.

Our

can be skinned more than once.

Then there

the cho-

bathing

girls'

willing."

to

driver's seat.

I'm about to steal

She: "Is there

at the bot-

rus,

makes

"Can you cook dearie?"

ing?"
in

tries

tinctly."

To have a career

man who

things as brief as possible

She: "Oh, yes,

*

kiss."

un-

through a key hole.

He:

She:

There's no law against looking

it's

girl

little

at another
less

leg.

know, but I used

make wonderful mud pies."

to

as good as another.

He

ble

Love is spelt with a capital.

The bigger the capital the bigger
*

furthest*

vice

his scalp.

shake a

to

fellow's hair, she

are sober.

nearest that

In order to jingle coins in your

pocket you've got

he goes

The

doesn't take long for

It

sive girl to

when a man's

use

any.

*
It's

what makes

is

is

men

invention just

say "no".

make

When girls drop their eyes

should pick them up.
*

man

who had a lot ot success with

the girls He couldn't hear them

There's one
*

Here's one about a deaf

fun as one on your

girl's

simile as hungry as a
a nudist camp*
bsB!
on your mind isn't near-

much

five she's eighteen.

first

like

lap.

the doghouse.

are the

theatrical

to

nothing.

girl

comes

it

costumes nothing succeeds

loves; the

When

I)ei>t. P.

Post Box 979,

BOMBAY

1.

FILMINDIA

August 1938

"Would you marry a man

without knowing his past?"

"When

man

marry a

be

I'll

Golddiggers are

Some

just like goats.

They use their heads when they

go after a man.
*

when

The best

detector

lie

The reward

is

wife.

girls

girl

ney on

long to neck, while

maid

is

a woman who

was once

ripe

but

love,

for

wasn't picked.
*

Too

a man to
not spend mofor

girls

have

a guy who earns

the sweat of your

it

is

Jerrold flirted

very, very

takes

girl

with

that night-

at his waitress

dreamy eyes

maid

is

he smiled
he winked
he flattered

and

his wife's friends.

Jerrold did not care

any

The difference between an old

politician is that a
politician is a humbug and an
old

steno-

at a girl on the street,

with his

grapher, occasionally

keep the men awake.

maid and a

many

But

to

old

money by

his

difficult.

It

An

capitalist is

wrong
out and

her.

others neck too long.

*

ice.

not

is

take a

Some

cold as

are

brow.
It

merely

virtue.

but

of virtue is

they
*

are like snow. Soft

girls

and white

Some

cigars.

like

how bad

lit.

his past."
*

are

girls

They reveal

him.

them.

of

They

for

But his wife liked to think

be watched

he had

to

liked to

please her-

a bum hug

a whit

really bored

and

he

school complexion.
*

The trouble with

girls is that

headed

level

they usually are also

flat-chested.
*

When a

girl

knows

all the

ans-

wers, she has usually been going with questionable people.

*

Once an actress put on

much weight that her studio
ed her as a double

so
bill-

feature.

For

Youth

Eternal

and

Beautiful

Figure

FIGURFINE
Bust

Develop-

ing

Set,

builds

re-

fallen,

and undeveloped bust,

due to illness

flat

am

Motherhood,
or

'

*
!

General

Debility.
of three
Set
Bottles Rs. 15.

For free literature write to'

CONTINENTAL DRUG STORES

115, I'risckss

Stubs' r. Bom n.\ v 2

Miss T.

S.

Rajalaxmi as "Radha" in "Nandkumar" a Pragati picture.

27

PRABHAT'S NEW CHARMER

Mrs.

SHANTABAI HUBLIKAR.

Meet a new sweetie for the first time through "hlmindia"! She is
heroine of "My Son" a Prabhat picture now under production.
hear her and say, "By God, what a girl"!

the singing

See

and

LEELA CHITNIS
This well

known

picture directed

artiste

is

once again seen

in "Jailor"

by Mr. Sohrab Mody. The picture

Cinema, Bombay.

is

a Minerva Movietone
running at the Krishna

THE TOWN
OUND
R
NANDKUMAR
Produced
Ltd.,

Pragati

by:

Mahalingam,

Rajalakshmi,

T. S.

T.

P.

Rajalakshmi,

Sandow, M.
murthy & others.
S.

Screen Play:

R. Krishna-

This

the

is

Lord Krishna and

and

frolics

ultimately the destruction of King

The story is woven in

the time honoured
fashion with

Kamsa.

several small

places which

liberties

make

both

published
are use-

the average
the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are of importance to the exhibitor
in his bookings have been
treated here
in
short,
maintaining, at the same
time, the casual interest
of readers in general.)
ful

to

and

cine-goer

Sar-

and

scenes have

Several

this section

been very cleverly directed and

the work of Master Mahalingam
has been taken with an eye to

Performances: Master Mahalinfa-

tha which portrays the incidents

childhood, with his

harmonious

reviews

under

secure popularity.

mous episode from Mahabharaof the birth of

Very

pleasant.

Bangalore.

Cast: Master

G.

Pictures

Nanasaheb

(By

Direction:
potdar).

(The

taken

gam

of course, the best.

is,

dynamic

little

His

person overwhelms

and stamps him

as an young boy with a big fu-

the other artistes

wonderful

His

ture.

music

is

South

the

can

The

proud.

This

make

heart

cess which

be

per-

is

of

which

justifiably

and

story, spectacle

music overlap

soothing to the ear

and to the
and Mahalingam is bound

Value:

Box-office

haps, the best picture

one another

this picture

ought

it

to

glorious sucto

be

at all

box-offices.
at

the picture all

TWO WOMEN

more interesting. The picture

with numerous
trick
is packed
scenes of spectacular shots, which
at times take your breath away.
Ihe

Language:
logues

are

(Tamil).

The

beautifully

Produced by: Imperial Film Co.

Bombay.
Released

written

Music: (By Ramaswami).

Numerous well sung songs cast in

backbone

tunes
the

of

form

picture.

the

The

shown rare
by giving Western In-

music director has

enterprise

dian music

in

South Indian

strain thereby providing

a plea-

"Nandkumar" (Tamil)

treat,

being very melodious and

to

be a favourite

Photography:

Good throughout

(By

with

work done with regard

Mr.

Pai).

excellent
to the

mob

scenes.

song

and Mr.
sant.

(By Y. S. Kothare

Biggs).

Clear and plea-

specta-

of

all

screen

short time.

is

Distributors:

vi.

Screen Play: (By Hakim

Ahmed

an ordinary plot with

usual theme of two women

the

It

is

love with the

same
One of them happens to
be his own wife and the other
falling in

Rajalakshmi has sung one

marvellously

her other music

well,

as

while

good as

She acts with a poise and

man.
one

is

tions

a singing

that

The

girl.

situa-

are developed in this

new

but have been

polish generally acquainted with

picture are not

an embodiment of innocence and gives

a portrayal which acts as a per-

seen several times on the screen

her.

fect

Recording:

fans in

Circuit

Supreme
Film
Distributors,
Bombay.
Casf: Padmadevi, Rose, Gulam
Mahomed, Baba Vyas, Gazna-

Shujaa)

ever.

snappy.

Bombay

cular picture.

T. P.

The songs sung by

Master Mahalingam are a rare

Date of Release: 18th June 1938.

Director
Nanasaheb
Sarpotdar
whose excellent direction has made

sant novelty to the music lovers

of the South.

Royal Opera House,

Bombay.

dia-

and well spoken.

very attractive

at:

Rajalakshmi

T. S.

for

foil

formance

Sandow

is

the frolicsome per

Mahalingam. G. S.
good- Krishnamurthy

of
is

as Narad

is

an ideal

selection.

before in different pictures.

married barrister
with
his

a singing

own home.

reciprocates this

cards her

own

falls

girl

in

and

forgets

The singing
love

A
love

and

girl

dis-

Tra-

profession.

37

FILMINDIA

August 1938

gedy follows in which the singing girl makes a sacrifice of her

The situations
life for the man.
are developed rather meekly and
do not make the

picture

inter-

esting or forcible-

Ahmed

Language: (By Hakim

tional heights.
to

Her music

is

sweet

hear and well sung/ Rose

likewise out of place in

is

a home

Gulom
Mahomed has not done much to
speak of. BabaVyas as the faithservant of the
ful Mahomedan

and looks

too fashionable.

family has given the

best per-

The dialogues are good

Shujaa).

Publicity: Utterly useless

marred the release

licity

no chance

succeed.

to

Box-office Value:

It

the picture

is

well advertised before release,

it

will pull

bit in

towns where

serious pictures are liked-

with the Imperial

throughout and beautiful in pla-

the

giving the picture abso-

picture,

lutely

pubof

doubt whether

it

But

name on

will

pay

it,

the ex-

ces.

hibitor in the long run to

Music: (By H. C.

songs No.

particularly those of
3,

tion

and

the songs

of

larly intelligent,

words are

some

still

attractive.

those

Released

of the

Date

particu-

at:

Roxy Cinema, Bom-

of Release: 25th

Bombay

Mohini (Padma-

of

Movietone,

bay.

The songs,

short,

Sagar

Bombay.

not particu-

is

however, are too

larly

Produced by:

The poetic composi-

9.

so.

WE THREE

tunes given are quite good

of the

do

Some

Bali).

Circuit

Super

Film

June 1333.
Distributors:

Bom-

Disribuors,

devi).

bay.

Photography: (By Rustom

Erratic throughout

Cast: Motilal, Rose, Yakub,

Irani).

and only

Sunalini Devi,

in

some places good.

Recording: (By

Not at

all

Screen

Abbas

satisfactory.

Direction: (By Moti B-

Common and

Gidwani)

not enterprising.

the two girls in the picture

tirely

wrong.

vice versa.

It

is

en-

Padmadevi had

director to
in the

initial

both the
to

give

role
ted.

have

of the

killed the picture

casting.

As

it

is

in

which they are not fitPadmadevi has done her

for

Lest in very unpleasant circumstances, but the

has

just fallen

short of the ultimate pitch of

38

Hollywood does it in the Indian

way! A damsel in Indian "distress"
in "Adventures of Marco Polo"

emo-

make

pathetic.

it

unfortunate that the

unnecessarily

story

thrown

background.

Doing

this invites criticism

slight

protest

and a

from the orthodox

in the audiences.

was
and

It

have been easily portrayed on a

The
of
life.
different canvass
story in short, is that of two girls
falling in love with one man and
the man gives a child to one on
the quiet, while the other girl gets

married

girls try their level best

some performance

a love yarn with

has a sprinkling

the characters in the story could

a singing girl, the

would have helped the
much better.
It was
a

grave mistake on the part

is

to

Vazahat

not at all necessary to do so

the role of

casting

It

element

been given the role of the housewife and if Rose had been given

picture

tragedy

is

that

against a college

of

should have been

If

of

has been

The casting

Performances:

This

a romance

Maya

others.

(By

Play:

Mirza).

Basrai).

and

formance
is

of

the picture though he

inclined to be slightly stagy in

parts.

Gaznavi the hero

picture, looks
rister

be.

of

the

anything but a bar-

which he

is

supposed

to

she does
silly

to

another
not

love.

man whom
Plenty

complications follow,

of

most

them unconvincing, with the

ultimate result that one girl dies
of

and
of

the hero recovers his balance

mind.

August 1938

FILMINDIA

The continuity is jerky and

badly suffers from disharmony of
The

thought.

come

however, be-

shots,

and sketchy. The

scenario badly needed a revision
by a more experienced person.
stale

Language:

The

(Hindi).

dialo-

The

however,

pity,

man has

is

that

lost all his facial

for picture

this

charms

making and looks

finitely ugly.

ance-

de-

work.

Inspite of previous

sweet

comments made by me the director has shot him in close-ups and

semi-close-ups, thereby adding to

Barring Motilal,

she ec-

lipses everyone,

with her good

Her singing voice is also
hear,

to

though her face

and flat nose do not wake up

romance in the spectators. Maya
was again tiresome, having given

gues are pretty good with a cou-

her stereotyped performance with

ple ot intelligent passages.

jerky actions. Her dialogues

At

become awful

places, however, they are suggestive

and

Sagar not taking

of

Music: (By

was a

Anil

songs.

pains over

Yakub as

Rajgir, is quite good,

songs No. 2 and 4

though he has not much

are

Harish, the

music

though light
The rest of the

popular.

still

much

not

is

The composition
silly

and

of the

verses

face nor the voice to

is

Quite

(By

good.

projection shots

are

Faredoon
The back

become a

screen actor.

His appearance on

the screen

most revolting and

is

remains

one

working

in the

someone-else

of

Bombay

Talkies.

successful

where the hero and his compashown motoring.

In

throughout his performance.

case

a modern

Sankata

nions are

the shots

of

of

do.

to

new find is utterly

He has neither the

hopeless.

of.

unintelligent.

Photography:
Irani).

speak

to

fire-fly

her dialogues and diction.

It

a picture havThe tunes of

relief to find

ing less

Biswas).

is

It

heart rending to find this

too light.

have

hear.

to

the water-

is

stagy

suit,

and

he looks

crude
In

like

an

camera seems to have

been unsteady and this experiment with back projection is not

could not have worked in a bet-

so successful.

mercy

falls,

the

shows

ancient

ter role

All this, however,

looks

enterprise.

(By

ChandraJcant

of

sister of

hospital.

a missionary every

She
inch.

ant to hear, being correctly spo-

Tolerably good.

Direction: (By

enterprising

a mission

Her Urdu dialogues were pleas-

Recording:

Pandya).

than in that
in

Devi

Sunalini

misfit.

ken

and

decent.

Mr.

im-

the

exact

tone that

langu-

age.

Mehboob, however, seems to

have missed the spirit of the
story and made the whole picture a light affair. Straight shooting has been done throughout by
the director, missing the all

with

makes Urdu a pleasant

Mehboob). Quite

Diamond Newby gave a beautiful Indianized dance, but it was

a pity that it was too short. The
director should have given it a
Leela

in
"Tulsidas"
Chitnis
Ranjit picture.

little

more footage.

portant psychological angle.

Box-otlice Value:

Performance: Motilal has given

an excellent performance.
His
diction,

and poise

actions

beautiful.

He

is

quite

at

are

home

through every foot of the picture.

the ugliness of the features.

unfortunate that

Motilal's

It

is

inimi-

work should be compromised by this aspect. Rose has given

a pathetic and exciting performtable

There

is cer-

tainly entertainment in the

ture for those

demand a

people

who do

big fare in theme

pic-

not

and

The picture will run well

because of the Sagar trade name.
logic.

39

FILM INDIA

August 1938

ABHAGIN

ficult

New

Produced by:

they are unnecessarily

Theatres

Minerva

Talkies,

Music: (By

Date ol Release: 2nd July 1938.

Distributors:

Film

Distributors,

Supreme
Bombay.

Cast: Mollina, Vijaykumar, Prith-

With

C. Boral.)

two tunes which

sung by HariBackground music was ra-

these songs

mati.

is

Prithviraj

The picture has hardly a

dar).

story to boast

has

it

begins in the

and ends with

whole

and

last

little

it

two reels

the picture.

stretches the imagination un-

faulty

and

sympathetic

The continuity

The outdoors were

good.

more

satisfactory than the indoor

count.

work.

(Hindi).

(By Shore)-

The dialogues are not

ly intelligent,
on the

In
.,

40

Gramaplione

particular-

contrary

Singer"

Bhudo

Mr.

Roy will have to spend some

more time experimenting before

Weak

direction

ble for several

is

Mr. Roy should

direc-

responsi-

situations

remained undeveloped
out.

is

having

through-

also study

well.

Vi-

heart breaking.

He

thorough milk sop

no stage
Others

Publicity:

Recording: (Profulla Roy).

but she

portrayal,

in

the story

Devbala

interesting.

in parts.

he could be called a good

defective.

he

at

Good

tor-

Language:

(By Bimal Roy).

The

affair is rather far fetched

sympathetically.
is

What

of.

Photography:

natural per-

Mollina also gives

has not been directed

jaykumar

again

easily the best, be-

is

formance.

and
Screen Play: (By Phani Mujum-

Once

cause he gives a

looks like a

ther indifferent.

etc.

are translated

on the screen.
Perlorwances:

were attractive the rest of the

music was not enterprising. One
of

Devbala

R.

the exception of

Circuit

tne psychological angles of situations before they

barring that of the last song.

Bombay.

viraj,

dif-

The song

compositions are not very happy,

at:

Bombay

made

Ltd.,

Calcutta.

Released

and awkward.

is

quite

is

in the picture don't

Too poor and not

at

all enterprising.

Box-oHice Value:

This picture

never pay in any station or

any province as much as other
It will be a great
N. T. pictures.
risk for exhibitors to offer a miniwill

mum

guarantee

as the

picture

has got no entertainment value.

Aclvani gives a good slapstick portrayal.

soon coming to the screen.

This Sagar picture

will

be

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rassments.

Close

Studio

U ps

If

rumours are

relied

of

months.
Krishin Movietone:

BOMBAY
Bombay

Talkies:

The studios are busy taking

indoor shots for "Vachan" a cosDevika Rani
tume
and Ashok Kumar. The picture
is expected to be ready by the
middle of August and immediately "We Three" of Sagar leaves
picture starring

the screen at the Roxy this

picture will be released.

new

Sagar Movietone:

The

"Vasanti" is another
success.
one with Naseem in the lead
which is being shot and will be
completed before the end of this

month.

Wadia Movietone:
This studio seems to be doing
from the commercial
view point as they have given
a month's salary as bonus to all
the staff who draw below Rs.
Incidentally this is the first
200.
time that a studio has given a

very well

Atorthy's

bonus
ed its

Secretary" in the studios. "Taxiwali" is another picture that will

soon be coming to the screen as
it
is lying completed.
Shootings
are being taken of "Sant Tulsidas" and "Achhut" and the lat-

Director Yusoof

releas-

Divali

in

Bombay.
Minerva Movietone:

be on the screen
the time you read this. With
Leela Chitnis in the cast and
Sohrab Modi in the lead, the picture is expected to be a great
"Jailor" will

by

Pendharkar who
G.
Saraswati's "Raja Gopi-

Bhal

directed

chand".

India"

will also

Prakash Pictures:
Gorilla, the faithful

to the staff

profits

and thus

with
will

shar-

the workers.

be taking up

"Romeo and

Juliet", while DirecAspi Irani will be beginning

There is
on "Lanka-ki-Ladi".
called
picture
jungle
another
town
the
In
King".
"Jungle
"Rangilla Mazdoor" is giving a
good account of itself at the Lamington Talkies, while in the
studio Raja Yagnik's "Vijay Kumar" will be soon completed-

tor

Imperial Film Co.:

All the activities of this company are for the present stopped
owing to certain financial embar-

should
now.

directed
by
be shortly
completed and with the completion of these three pictures, the
Fazalbhoy Brothers will have got
a rich experience in the vicissitudes of production.
"Industrial

Chaturbhuj Doshi who has completed another one called "The

be

completed by

Mohan Singh

Mr.

Patni"

"Pati

have been

As we go to the Press "Gorakh

Aya" will probably be released
at the West End Cinema in Bombay. This picture is directed by

during

will

let us help them

keep the mystery undivulged
Kardar's "Baghfor the present.
ban" has been released at the
Imperial Cinema, Bombay, while

Ran jit Movietone:

likely to

shot

to

sometime.

is

"Prem Jyoti" is still being

and goodness knows when it
be completed.

mysterious and

Director Badami is shooting "Ladies Only"

with Sabita in the
lead.
Director Luhar has started
a new picture the name of which
is not known and so has Mehboob
started another one- The English
unit led by Harindranath Chattopadhyaya is still resting on its
oars.
From the look of things
they seem to have got a steady

picture

Ruby Mayer's Productions:

This studio has declared its Intention to ring down the curtain
on their present activities of proThe readuction for sometime.
sons for the same seem to be

very shortly.
"Gramaphone Singer" by Mr. Virendra
Desai has also been completed.

ed sometime

in course of time.

General Films:

nema

ter

to

record time

brilliant

tor

have been completed in

by the Daryani Brothers
and the story, which is
unique and powerful is likely to
give the brothers a good income
seems

reception given
to "We Three" at the Roxy
has
made the producers very enthu"Postman" directed
siastic.
by
Mahindra is lying ready and will
be released at the Imperial Ci-

anchor

In the second week of August

social picture starring
Padmadevi, the
Colour
Queen will be on the screen at
This picture
the Pathe Cinema.

"Zamana" a

done more than

its

monkey has
to make

bit

"State Express" a success at the

"Poornima", a
Talkies.
social picture is now getting the
from Mr. Balfinishing touches

Super

want Bhatt, while Mr. Khosla

be taking up a crime story

name

will

by

"Hero No. 1", with

a couple of new finds from Calcutta to provide the romantic inA Tamil picture called
terest.
the
"Toofan Queen" is now in
editing room and is likely to be
the

of

released next month in the Sou-

With the dog and

thern circuit.
the horses thrown in, our South
Indian friends are going to get
something thrilling in the picture.

-47

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FILMINDIA

August 1938

POONA

runner of the good times coming

Saraswati Studio- In the future

at

Prabhat Film Co.:

They have

new

picture

at last

named

and called

it

their

"My

With Director Kale at the

megaphone, we should like to see
how this child of his, his second
one, is going to be after rememSon".

bering the adventures of the

first

one. The picture features an absolutely new girl in Shanta Hubliker

whose melodious
voice
seems to have taken Director
ElseShantaram by surprise.
where in this issue you will find
her photo in colours and you can
imagine what she will be like in

pictures.

Saraswati Cinetone:

"Gopichand" that well boomed

picture has really become an excellent
production.
It
will
be

drawing
crowds
good
Royal
Opera House
is
likely
to
be a huge

the

at

and

programme, there is a social by

Mr. Chowdhary and a historical
one called "Bhagwa Zenda" di-

by Bhal

rected

G. Pendharkar.

CALCUTTA
New

Theatres:

"Dharati Mata" has been completed and will be soon seen on

the screen in Bombay during the
month. "Adhikar", a Barua picture 's now in the final sets and
to be ready soon to enable
Barua to resume his previously

ought

interrupted holiday in England.

The "Street Singer" has been
practically completed barring the
editing room work, while "BaraDidi" is in the sets.
"Abhagin"
which was released at the Minerva Talkies in Bombay, has not
come up to the expectations of
the producers in the box-office
takings.

success and incidentally the foreMetropolitan Pictures:

"Maya Machindra"
picture

is

hands

of

Tamil

under production
Raja Sekhar.

Film Corporation of India:

We are now waiting

"Hope" on the screen.

it will be hopeful.
SOUTH INDIA

in ihe

see

to

We

hope

Andhra Cinetone (Vizagapatam)

"Bhakta Jaydev" is
almost
ready and preparations are on

way

to release it in several plaDirector Hices all over India.

ren Bose is expected to start an-

other picture in the near future.

Andhra Talkies (Rajahmundry)

"Mohini Bhasmasura" is worryabout its reing the producers
lease as it is lying ready. With
Kotiratnam
Pushpavalli, Dasari

and Tungala

Chalapati Rao

the cast, the picture

to

be a good draw

is

pro-

Central Studios (Coimbatore)

With Vasanti Devi

good footage of
Love" has been shot.

in the

lead

"Rambha's

Premier Cinetone (Coimbatore)

Krishnamurthi as "Narada" in
a Pragati picture.

"Eknath"

yana

Iyer

to

people expect the same

be ready by the end

of

this

month.

Modern Theatres (Salem)

Under the

direction of

Sampat

Kumar "Maya Mayavan"

ducers.

"Nandkumar"

way and

in

supposed

for the

Sunita Devi in "Taxiwalli" a

Ranjit picture.

with
acting

cast.
:

Ananthanarais
well on

it,

is being steadily shot.

T. R.
Sundaram is busy with "Thayamanavar" with Miss M. S. Devasena
and Dandapani Desikar in the

Famous Films

(Nellore)

This is a new company which

has taken up "Venkatesa Mahat-

49

Seen The Fate

The World Has Recently

Cine-Fans w

Edward

of

now be seeing the unexpected

ill

VIII of

England

fate of a

PRINCESS
in

JiOAnJ

the

Directed

A Krishin

Release No. U.

KHOSLA

by:

Picture featuring the one and only

LALITA PAVAR
(of

In

"Resurrection or Duniya-kya-Hai

the dual role of

Princess and Hotel Girl

Supported by

slar-cast

NAZIK, DAR, AMEENA, MAJID, SHIRAZ,

II

mm
lr
l J IV

ft

in

Panorama

'he

rage

GOPE.

Bombay

of

Krishin' Social Jewel

Royal Film Circuit,

of Thrills

since

22nd July

Soon!

Very

"ZAMANA" A

Released by:

OMKAR &

Her All-India Premier on

Coming

Padma Devi

been

nas

lllllcll 1I

Fame"')

'

Bombay,

U.

A storm of swift Action

PLUS

Golden Romance

IN

BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS

1]

AN QR 1LLA
-

It's

PURI.

GYANI.

DAVID.

IDrestling of India's

FATTY PRASAD.

Coming
For TerriU

Rights

Famous

BROWN.

RAI MOHAN.

Gripping from

start to finish

of a scientist

in

search

of

hoarded treasure

The romantic adventures

and

boatman

very

Shortly

at

for the

lPrestlers.

the heroic adventures

Tibet.
a

Lama Dances,

Black ITlagic,

ENAKSHI RAMA R All,

Love of

of gay
a

in

desparado

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FILMINDIA

August 1938

who saw

from everyone

in

it

It is expected to be released during the month in Madras and Bangalore.

Bombay.

Tamil Nadu Talkies (Madras)

"Dharmapuri Rahasyam",
a
mystery directed by Mr. Setty at
the Imperial Studio

in

Bombay

proved an entire mystery

Salem Shankar Films (Salem)

to the

audience, with the result that the

"Ambikapathy" seems

be

to

going strong at Madras and there

pleased with
is nobody more
himself than Mr. Ellis R. Duncan

who

Shree Sowdeswari Films (Salem):

great disappointment and its director Mr. Drupod Roy has now
become a submissive person. The
the comfuture programme of
pany is not yet known.

Chamaria Talkie

This firm has secured the distribution rights of "Sanjeevini" or

"Kach Devayani"
with Mr.

B.

Co.,

V-

by

produced
in

picture.

This

huge

studio

lodges a number

Some

of

boards and
of

producers.

the pictures under pro-

duction are

"Krishna Thoothu",
"Inbasagaran",
"Ahimsa Shakti"

"Mala Pilla",
"Prem Sagar",
etc.

Distributors:

(Madras)

Radha Film

the box-offices also remystified. It was a weak

at

Motion Picture Producers'

Combine (Madras)

directed the picture.

"Bhaktha Namdev" proved

men

mained

association

Ramanandham.

National Movietone (Madras)

Srinivas Cinetone

(Madras)

A. Narayan is busy with the

rehearsals of "Kanaka", a Tamil
Wood's
Henry
of
adaptation
"East Lynne". It will go into production immediately the financial
arrangements are complete.

"Punjab Kesari" is ready for

release and ought to be on the
screen during the month. "Luck"

which is being produced by Mayura Films under the direction of

Mr. Yogi is making steady progress.
The next subject will be
"Kamalambal".
Renaissance Theatres (Madras):

and
"Jalaja" failed to draw
in the town think that it

people

direction.

The

also reported to be

weak

was due
story

is

to

bad

and a bad

selection of artistes
also given as a reason.

Iladevi in "Taxiwali" a Ranjit

picture.

is

Newtone Studios (Madras)

are proViveka
pictures
here.
shooting
started
pictures have
romance in
"Chitra", a social
Tamil.
They say this is being
directed by S. K. Vasagam who
was till recently the manager in
ThyagaJaishree Films, Poona.
raja Talkies will also be shooting their picture "Tiruneelakanta
Nayanar" at the above studio.
That famous singer M- K. ThyaPlenty of producers

ducing

rayam" as their first picture with

Santakumari in the leadSundaram Sound Studios (Madras)
in
"Bhokailas" has brought
good returns from the country

and

the people in the city are

its release in the near
future.
The picture was directed
by Mr. Nadkarni.

expecting

Pragati Pictures (Bangalore)

Little

need be said about

that

wonderful picture "Nand Kumar"

in Tamil which has been receiving such
marvellous publicity

garaja Bhagavathar will be working in the picture. Director Raja

Sandow after finishing "Vishnu
Leela" will probably take up the

above

picture for direction.

T. S.

Rajalaxmi in Pragati's

"Nandkumar" (Tamil)
51

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one time
refuses to believe that he
has gone old. He quotes his wife
in support.
suggest his seeing "Prithvi Putra" and if he cannot afford that, look into the mirror.
The mirror at home never
lies though some in the town doE.

Howlers of the Month

August

6th of

usher a

to

whole
run

week

Mohan

of India.

Bombay have

of

for the

Pictures

threatened

to

picture
(Chabukwalli
etc.) at 250 theatres all over India for a week from that date. It
would be well for the British

Girl"

and

Prabhat

came to grips
Bombay High

General
recently

Films
in

the

Court

providing
the dull lawyers and

variety to
publicity to

Nandrekar once
an unknown actor. Thanks to
Prabhat, "Baghban" got dashed
good free publicity and now we

dhary.

dhary

some

weeks.

Talking of court cases

minded about
is

own

dabad

the

am

re-

way Shanta

reported to have settled

suit which one Popatlal

Sakalchand

Thakker

of

Believe

or not,

Motilal

Sagar.

The

has

bosses
take a pride in saying that he
was dismissed.
Dismissed or
at

last

left

Motilal is too good a draw

the box-offices to remain unemployed for long. Chowdhary
has been seeing his pictures recently and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Motilal under the
Saraswati banner in his next
picture.
Will Sabita be the next
one to be "dismissed". I am told
left,

at

that she won't be missed

dismissed.

much

if

Studio news of Saraswati say

that 1600 girls bathe in a luxury
setting
in
"Gopichand".
That

should have kept Bhal Pendharkar blushing with modesty for

months. Wonder if Bhal has
made their identification as girls
easy. If that be so, Kevalchand
might shift his lodging to the
theatre.

Sabita's next at Sagar is "Service Limited". How some wish it

was really so! But she needn't
worry with
threatening
to
take Sabita to Hollywood.
That always brings Seth Chimanlal to his senses. People say that
Sagar can run without Seth Chimanlal (perhaps the big son can
manage affairs) but it can never
run without Sabita. They said
so in case of Motilal also.

Mummy

If
you want to see a living
example of a very successful distributor meet Mr. Chunilal Desai
of Supreme.
But where will you
do so? He is never at his office
as people come and worry him
for cheques.
The beggars! they
shouldn't worry a big man like
that.
Recently I met him for 3
days continuously and five hours
at a stretch
every day in the

High Court awaiting the verdict

on "Baghban". He did a semitango after the judgment.

filed

Film Corporation of India

still

Davies

We

The anxiety

their

are

Direc-

had done

are

anxious

in

to

here.

an over-enthusiasmanager has now

of

publicity
started inviting suspicion. Where
is "Hope"
the first to-be-born?

tic

J. K. Nanda that dynareminder of Punjab's ever

erupting ambitions in film pro-

duction is reported to have returned from his foreign tour and

now threatens to start a big producing company in the Punjab.

be on your guard.

what

know what he has done

Director

When Nanda started for England

we knew this was coming. And
now that we have warned you.

talking of

tor
Parry
England.

mic

56

it

We

new one?
*

Ahme-

against her for the

recovery of Rs. 7,000/- They say
that she caught the bull by the
horn by travelling with the plaintiff
to Ahmedabad, staying
as
his guest
and returning back
with a clean slate.
Marvellous,
how these girls manage suits. If
men would only understand they
would employ girls as counsels.
And imagine Shanta as a modern
Portia.
Poor Popatlal.

Better

or of the

B.

think the picture will run

Apte

say that Saroj's "Rifle

a masterpiece of ChowIs it of
the old Chow-

is

their

Indian Steam Navigation Co. to

organize an outdoor trip to the
Seychelles Islands during the
week and they will find thousands of patrons who would like
to escape.

her

They

promises

1938

frightful

Billimoria, Ranjit's

hero,

Behram Marzban, the son-inlaw of Khan Bahadur Ardeshar

M. Irani is reported to be building
a film studio at Boisar, a village
52 miles from Bombay, where he
has his personal property. They
say that he has already "pur-

WANTED

INDIAN

For Sole Agency

ZEISS IKON

ENGINEERING FIRM
Cine Talkie Projectors

Large Territory

Apply

P. O.

Box 581, Bombay.

NITIH B0S1

PANE A J MULLICK

SAIGAL
II

NAWAB
KAMALESH KUMARI

AMAR MULLICK

0)ery
CALCUTTA FILM EXCHANGE
Bombay

Calcutta

Madr

soon

Minerva

aV~)

Talk ies

B CP IB AT

N D

August 1938

chased" cameras, lights, sound

equipment and other machinery.
All luck Behram! You were once
the production

manager

looking longingly at
site
the
closed hotel inside. It would be
worthwhile investigating where
these people have gone and it
is strange that a crime wave has

the

of

now he

will be yoursTimes do change. Ratilal's sonin-law should now finance this

old man,

broken

not yet
with so

out

the city

in

many suddenly

loose.

let

son-in-law producer.
Director
lor his

2.

search

Nearly

1.

had

not

thirty

moved

persons

cabin

and

the
at

and

his clothes in. For

time perhaps, his people

wnere

the trousers

out of the studio

and who had

Poor chaps, they had

slept

keep

fore.
4.

geography

For days, they

to

first

tree

gotten their

whe-

Mahomed has no

home iound

to

take.

to

lay

they should have been long be-

who

seven years, perhaps due

the fear of law,

to

is

deserted and misses

the

warmth of the formidable Ratan and her retinue

remember

courtiers

of

and
5-

(Hafisji,

Khan,

Rele

others).

Fram, the cat-eyed secretary

Khan Bahadur

of the old

for-

is

ask-

address of his
Some say that
home.
he never had one, though Fram
ing
old

outside

on the footpath oppo-

In "Gorakh Aya" a Ranjit classic,

he had

6.

Jehangir Master dressed like

a railway guard
religiously
comes to the gates every morning and discovers every time
that the gates are closed.
He
delivers a lecture to the passersmismanagement
by on
and
passes on.

cruel habit, ehV

Behram Shah

the "faithful"

Pathan who maintained

affection-

by

feeding the old Khan

Bahadur with 'pan and beetle'
considerable
recalls with
diffiate ties

culty that
Ardeshar Irani was
once the boss. He now feeds
Ratilal the
mortgagee-in-possession with that magical pan and
beetle and gives a double salute.

friends

8.

The

tall

billiard

man now

about the wonfairy tales

ders of the billiard table at the
studio.
People in the Majestic
cinema anticipate his intentions
tells

when he

is

seen approaching-

the

Daruwalla, whom
9. Cursetji
cruel fate has unfortunately made

Rajkumari and Mazhar give marvellous work. The picture

by that famous journalist, Mr. Chaturbhuj Doshi.

58

that

affectionate

of the city.

lingered

The round seat under the big

to

one.

7-

Gulam

3.

enjoyed home comforts within the

fencing, mothered by the Mahomedan hotel keeper, were suddenly thrown out on the streets.
When driven out on the road
they did not know what turn to

for

had

his tired bones.

I
wonder
ther he has found it yet.

The sudden closing of the Imperial studio though sufficiently

tragic has its humorous side also.
Here are some of the relishing
items presented with humour
sprinkled with pathos.

Gidwani

own home

seems

is

directed

DECCAN FILM DISTRIBUTORS

PRESENT
THEIR SECOND TAMIL TALKIE

A LEELA

Itll A4.Y
(A STORY.

FIRST OF ITS KIND FILMED

TAMIL

IN

STARRING:

RUKMANI, BABY RUKMANI, S. PASHA,

R. PADMA, P. SRINIVASA RAO, S. COCO

K. T.
S.

AND MANY OTHERS.

Directed by:

Remember,

"BHAGYALEELA"

the best show of the town.

AMARNATH.

K.

means the biggest box-office success and

It is

really

MINALKODI.

worthy successor to

WRITE FOR PARTICULARS:

DECCAN FILM DISTRIBUTORS

Gandhinagar,

Bangalore City.

Qram$: "IFlDAR"

6i

Those two

unspoken by the

terrible words,

emotion-charged heart
terrible

like

lips

but

It

is

shooting

an electric spark from an over heated

words of indictment of

tradition-ridden

you, surprise you and compel you to think things over

NEW THEATRES

Hyderabad Dn.

ACCUSE!"

Those two

Sultan Bazar,

a Challenge to Ijou from a

out of

an

dynamo

...

India

will

shake

much thronged

Qirl

ABtlAGIN

LTD.

The Story

CALCUTTA

{Starring

MOLINA

of a

Human Dynamo

PRITHVIRAJ

b. a.

WITH

VIJAY

KUMAR + DEO BALA

And Famous

Songstress

+ NEMO +

-fa

BIKRAM K A POOR

KAMLA JHARIA

Superbly Presented .... Marvellously acted

Dvairhio Capacity Houses At

Re

'

" ed

the

SUPREME FILM DISTRIBUTORS

BOMBAY-4

MINERVA TALKIES

lamington road

5=====^^^^^^^^=^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^=

FILMINDIA
a

cripple,

August 1938

has now no place

ner

to

drive to in the evening and no

occasion to clear his throat of the

complexion
alone to-day

company was. Retiring in

presence of the big man,
Abdulally is to-day an eloquent
poem of pregnant pathos.

film

a pang

with

it.

t4.

of

Bha-

strong

more sinned against than a

sin-

About 12th

May

it

Khan Bahadur has

askance

their

gone.
Ratilal

at

their

bad manners to tell Ratilal

have not had anything

that they

to eat since the departure of the

from the studio. They
old
suffer in silence in direct contrast to some of the employees of

man

Mr. Mahomed Akbar Fazalbhoy,

Mg. Director, Fazalbhoy Ltd., and
General Films Ltd.

Weight 230
Weight 200
Weight 180
Weight 240

the old

What an

Khan Bahadur.

example

to the present

day

Fazalbhoy
on top)

lbs.

(R.C.A. sales

lbs.

(Worries of General Films)

lbs.
lbs.

hu-

manity!

Mahomed Akbar

Weight 200 lbs. Eyes staring, feet

general condition
cold and
de-

1938

and a

eyes. More
faithful than men, they consider

Probable Health Report of

11th July 1936
11th July 1937
Xmas 1937
8th January 1938

dogs, two cats

with tears in

that thirst.

me

Two

They look

Exactly 149 persons led by

the young rebel Harbans, camp
hours, every morning,
for two
shouting themselves hoarse
for
their salaries and savings. Only
poor Bharucha's blood will allay

and

The

deer are wondering where

12.

polite

sympathy

excites

that

my

Gunjal

old

silent,

Napoleon on
Elba, looking back

film industry has not dealt fairly with old

verdict
Bharucha- That is
and I don't expect fools to agree

direct from his bed but

wakes up when he knocks his
head on the closed gates. Then
h goes home for a cup of tea.

That reminds

stands

virtue,

like

from the brave.

picture

13.

of

the Island of
on the ruins of his ambition with

the

rucha,

10. Mr. Abdulally Eusufally, the

partner of Khan Bahadur Ardeshar is still in a trance and keeps
on asking what the name of his

direct

between

shock-absorber

and the staff a gentleman always misunderstood, nevertheless

faithful
a
smiling
friend who had the desire to help
but not the power the man who
numerous faults of
justified the
his employers and gave them a

day's deposits.

Absent
minded
11.
comes every morning to

the boss

(Kardar cum Atorthy worries).

(Chandrarao More released)
Prabhat's injunction on Nandrekar.

pressed.

May

1938

to

200

June 1938
12th July 1938

Weight varying between

lbs.

180

and

with palpitation and fast

pulse.

Weight

170 lbs.
Eyes wide open.
Heart beating at intervals. Pulse

Interim

period

of

uncertainty.

("Baghban" in the balance of fate

and "Bauer" appendicitis).
(1st

day of the hearing

tice

of motion)

of the no-

feeble.

13th July 1938

Weight 170 lbs. and 2 ounces.

Other indications slightly improv-

(The 2nd day)

ed.

14th July 1938

2 p.m.
3 p.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
5-5 p.m.
15th July 1938

Weight 185
Weight 190
Weight 200
Weight 225
Weight 250

'The 3rd day of judgment)

lbs.

lbs.
lbs.

lbs.

Weight out of question. Ear trouble and hands aching. Face flushed.

60

lbs.

A broad

smile exposing teeth.

(Injunction refused).
(Profuse
tions

telephonic

congratula-

and hand shakes).

G^fter alt a (Prabkat Picture

RUNNING FOR MONTHS

Prabhat

mythology

rewrites

gives Lord Krishna a

for

In

Directed by:

DAMLE

&

His

Divine

and

new purpose
Existence.

the Spectacular Epoch-making Picture

GOPAL
KRISHNA

FATEHLAL

Starring

Ghe ynimiiable Slar

SHANTA APTE
^TL'itli

a graal supfrorlwid

casl led

RAM MARATHE

* PARSHURAM
P R

*
*
CVU.JJ~U*
io

com. air

A
L

And 1000

H A D
A

others.

CENTRAL TALKIES BOMBAY

PRABHAT TALKIES POONA
AND AT ALL IMPORTANT STATIONS

Works,
Printed and Published by D. K. Parker at New Jack Printing
Filmindia Publications Ltd.

75,

Apollo

St.,

IN

Bombay

INDIA

for

Over 3,00,000 Readers Every Monti

RY

No. 5

VOL. 4

SEPTEMBER 1938

EPlri *

*2

-4t

***

"ft

ALL HALFTONE BLOCKS AND COLOUR BLOCKS WHICH ARE MADE FROM
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS, APPEARED IN THIS JOURNAL ARE MADE BY:

ENGCAVECS
ACT
COMMERCIAL
PRODUCERS
MAKERS
TO LEADING GIN E - FILM
PHOENIX BUILDING. GRAHAM ROAD, BALLARD ESTATE. DOM DAY

BLOCK

TEL. 2677C-

Peeeect

!
"In
is

all

respects

the

perfect

"Dharati Mata
Indian Picture,

presenting Indian Life and Thought

and

Feelings

as

never

before."

''Times of India.''

The most

gripping problem drama of all times

DHARATI MATA
-

NEW

THEATRES' SCREEN

ODE TO

MOTHER EARTH
SAIGAL
UMA SHASHI

The

Story

and

Tug

of

thousand
-

of

War

LOVE AND

KAMALESH KUMARI

three

hearts
hearts

between

LOYALTY.

JAGOISH

NAWAB
K. C.

Qz'recfec/

^yO

NITIN BOSS

DEY

NEMO

Who

Running

into 5th

CALCUTTA FILM EXCHANGE

BOMBAY

makes only master pieces

Crowded Week at

inerva

Talk. es

=bo;>\:b.\t=

CONTENTS
GIRL ON THE COVER

Miss

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To

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This

copy.

Mibscnpiions

should

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attention

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u period

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left

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corner

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less

The subscription must be paid in advance by jfoney Order.

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Copies

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No

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ILLUSTRATIONS & BLOCKS.

Any

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always

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or

courtesy

be

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illustrations

and not

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condition

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the

for

attached

advertiser

the

to

in

the

advertisement

reading
contract.

matter

will

All

such

advertisers.

CORRESPONDENCE.
Business
should

he

correspondence should be addressed

addressed to the Editor.
Queries for
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with

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The Editor's correspondence

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correspondence.

FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD.,

Offices:

104.

Apollo

Trie:
r.lii...

Mr.

No.

St.,

Fori.

BOMBAY.

26752

BABURAO PAT

II.

Romilla (Sophie, to us) gives some

work in "Cyclewalli" a Mohan

fast

picture.

THE SUPREME CHOICE OF THE WISE ADVERTISER

MALAKAND

RlSALPUR

>^AlP.NDI

V?,^

CAMBELLPUR ^ kohat
NARIPANA5
BANMU
MARINDUS

RAZMAK

ARIPUR

JHELUM

KASHMIR

UDHUMPUR

JAMMU

'

OALHOUSIE

CUJRAT 9 SIALKOT JAMMU TAW

SARGODHA
."wAZIRABAD
OHARMSALA
.
"
GUJRANWALA^ BATALA
GURDASPUR

WANA

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KHAN

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LAHDRE
SIMLA
* KAPURTHALA
* SOLAN
JUUAJNDEP,
MAfHIANA KASUR* .
MftoniANft

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luD -|ANA
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MULTAN BHATINDA

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RODRKE E MUZAFARNACAR 4
HISSAR.

MEERUT*

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chaziabad +u
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BIKANER

SHIKARPUR

LARKANA
*

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KHUPJA
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CHIPLUN

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DACCA
AD
.COMILIA
TIPPERA
ASANSOl FARIDPUR*
*
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BANKURA'CHIKSURA BARRACKPORE jEllORE

DUMDUM BARIS A
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PAJNANDGAON

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HOSPIT.

HUBU

CUPIVA(A>^ BHIMAVARAM
NARSAPURAM
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MASUUPATAM

BELLARY

SIRSI

EXCHANGES

'

SHOIAPUP
GULBARCA

FOREIGN

KORAPUT-* VIZIANAGARAM
WALTAIR
HANAMKONDA
VIZAGAPATAM
YELLAMANCHILI"/*^

KAZIPET

PALKONDA
TEHKALI'X

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8
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PANDHARPUR
AUNDH

KOIHAPUP

ANANTAPUP

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HINDUPUP

CAPETOW

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TELLICHEPKT

VIUAPURAM
SALEM

o otacamuno

\coono'op

JPONOICHEPPY

.TIOUPUR KAPUP
PALLADAM

COIMSATOEE-

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ASSAM

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PABN

hinganghat

BILASPUR

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"
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KHARAGPUR

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CMANORANACOM

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QUICK RESULTS - COUNTRY WIDE COVERAGE

Suticription

Inland

Rs.

Burma Cr Foreign
Single

5/Rs.

8/-

Copy As. 6/-

Proprietors

Filmindia Publications

104, Apollo Street,

Fort,

B A BUR AO

Editor:

Ltd.,

BOMBAY.

PATEL

SEPTETTIBER 193

Pol. 4

No. 5

THE FOREIGNERS INSULT THE INDIANS! i<

The Germans have
Sometime back

insulted India once again.

German

enterprise

known

as "Tobis Film Expedition" travelled the length

and breadth

of our country to shoot certain -films.,

and Oriental atmosphere, which

shots to the best of our knowledge have been incorporated in two pictures called "The Indian
Tomb" and "Tiger of Eschnapur".
of typical Indian

When
Indian

soil

these

Germans were working on the

they were given hospitable treatment

by every one throughout the country. Influential Indian gentlemen and powerful Indian States
went out of their way to help these Germans in
every way possible, so that the work for which
they had come may achieve eminent success.
'

These Germans made their tr,ip a success as

they got certain scenic and atmospheric shots
which they could never have got anywhere else
without the complete co-operation of our men.

The Maharana
out of his
at

their

way

of

Udaipur

disposal his palace,

elephants and

in particular, went,

to help these people

all his

soldiers,

by placing
servants,

entire resources, thus sup-

porting the traditional reputation that Indians are

hospitable.

But

in the light of

subsequent hap-

FILMINDIA
penings,

we can

September 1938

well realise what a serious blun-

Prince in

der was committed by the Indian

helping this ungrateful crowd of foreigners.

arrogance

utter

his

pride and power,

come blind

newly found national

modern German has be-

of

the

to all the finer feelings of

which distinguish a better type

One particular incident should prove an eyeopener to all the Indian States and particularly
to the Maharana of Udaipur who is ever willing
by the
the West and charmed by

to help the foreigners, attracted probably

illusive

glamour

of

the colour of their skin.

To expect the Germans

Indians

but

is a tall order,

to

be grateful to the

when they

forget the

giving vent

ordinary obligations of humanity by

to the most ungrateful and irresponsible expressions of their mind, Indians must stand up and

News

"It

was

Read

it

terribly

people there.

This

is

the film which these

Germans pro-

duced when in India. It is the story of an Indian Maharaja who falls in love with a European
dancer in Paris and brings her back to India as
his Maharanee.
The dancer's previous lover, of
course an European, follows the girl to India and
passing through a series of Indian "cruelties"
takes the girl back. The Maharaja pursues but
ultimately loses. The European has vanquished

to deal

difficult

They work

"You can have no

idea of

like

and

so stupid that

it

train a dog.

how

it

hard manual labour than

was.

life

For

it

to

make

imagine Richard

films.

Eichberg

women were

on Indian
mockingly presents

of contrast, at places casts ridicule

NO

EUROPEAN IS EVER ALLOWED TO

TOUCH AN INDIAN WOMAN; THAT IS,
NO MAN, THEY FEEL POLLUTED IF YOU
director) seeing that the

The picture has already been shown in seveEuropean towns and a Prague report says:
"Around this thin story are woven various
and varied scenes, many weird and several
highly sex-ridden. The Raja's life is shown,
as dominated by the sexual factor with a
harem touch and suggestion of extreme ruthlessness to assert his will. The film, by way

with the

snails

example, we had ten girls for the bathing

scene with the "princess" who simply didn't
turn up the next day, although they were
They preferred to do
satisfied with the pay.

Now

ral

yourself:

some of the natives were

would have saved time to

DO.

being.

"THE TIGER OF ESCHNAPUR"

Semi-Official

the

Service,"

organization reports the following having been

said by an important member of the Tobis Film

Expedition.

sentiment

human

the Indian, as usual.

take notice.

"Foreign

of

(the

stand-

wrong and doing everything wrong, and

didn't understand a word of English, and he
unable to go in and show them what they
ought to do. It was enough to drive anyone

and

at places rather

as strangely primitive."

There are obvious references to the primitive

and animal instincts prevalent among the men
and the women of India and a laboured attempt
has been made to reveal the supposed superiority of

the European.

"Tiger of Eschnapur"

is

in short

an obnoxi-

which is at present doing dirty work in

the European countries by defaming Indians and
exposing them to the ridicule of the world.
ous film

ing

crazy".
is

To expect the modern German

v/hat he has said,
4

a pity that

spirit

is

to repent for

practically impossible.

In

it

and

it

can come to India though

it is

in

is

and essence anti-Indian.

We

what we have got in return for the

hospitality that we had shown to the Germans
when they were on our soil.
This

is

now coming

to India

This picture

are told that Mr. M. B. Billimoria has

purchased the picture for India and is going to

chaperon its release. He can do so, because he
is the Treasurer and Member of the Executive
Committee of the Motion Picture Society of India
and feels safe. Mr. Billimoria has perhaps forgotten that the Society has been carrying on a

FILMINDIA

September 1938
for years against this type of anti-Indian
propaganda. No better exhibition of patriotism
fight

can

be

nation
the

is

The shame of our

than this.
to us by a son of
home
brought
being

poor souls, do not even

given

shall

and

on the Congress High Command to ban

"The Drum" and stop further malice and
defamation of a brave and chivalrous race of
men.
insist

at least

copy of the picture and not the doctored Indian

version. The copy that spread the poison should
be seen before the picture is allowed to screen
in India.

Elsewhere we are publishing an Englishman's appreciation of "The Drum" and cautious

though it is, it lets the cat out of the bag sufficiently

This

is

hospitality,

of

how

the Germans,

German

courtesy

is

who enjoyed

our

for

know how

India to

the breeze has

been blowing.

Another example
described elsewhere in

have insulted

Saheb, the enlightened Congress

shall

call for the original

The Censor Board must

Khan

Dr.

to ridicule.

Premier of the North Western Frontier Province ought to take notice of this dirty propaganda that is being carried on against his men

soil.

But the Congressmen of the country

not sleep. The Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi
wake up the censors and ban the picture.

know how they have

been defamed and exposed

us.

THE TICKET FOR INDIANS!

this issue.

Will Indians

take

beating

foreigner that comes along?

from

Let us wait

Foreigners have been so

every

and

see!

we

"DRUM" ANOTHER ANTI-INDIAN FILM

Alexander

Korda,

that

Continental

god

from a short

In his efforts to

"It is

is

an argument for the British

West Frontier Provinces. It

is anti-Indian in spirit and there is enough suggestive material in the picture, if viewed with
the correct nationalist angle which would justify
a ban by the censors.

Proprietor

Pictures,
trip to

has

of R.C.A.

recently

Like "The Charge of the Light Brigade"

it

a shameful fling at the Frontier Pathans who,

and

returned

Bengal

the

Film

Journalists'

now

practically impossible for us to do

reason being that an Indian

is

The simple

not allowed to stay

America more than sixty days."

If

Indians cannot stay in America for

more

than 60 days how is it that Americans can stay

as long as they like in India, do what they like,
say what they like and trample on our self-respect as they like?

Supposing

this

enforced in India,

Sixty days' rule was to be

then no American would be

As a retaliation the ConGovernment in India ought to think of

some sort of a measure which will meet the

here on the 61st day.

gress

is

of

America.

directly any business in America.

produce saleable pictures,

policy in the North

Pancholi,

a very significant statement:

in

Korda has produced "The Drum" at the expense

of India and her hallowed traditions.

news

Association Mr. Pancholi has given expression to

pictures.

"The Drum"

Radio

Addressing

good beating to Korda and those British producers who think that they can produce saleable

and popular

Rewashankar

Empire Talkie Distributors, Agent

R.K.O.

dian, in the lead.

Korda's efforts to revitalize the British film

industry have not been successful so far. Inspite
of the quota act the Americans have given a

in the

visit their lands.

Mr.

father of the British Film Industry has gone out

and produced "The Drum" with Sabu, the In-

much

due to their native arrogance that it would

be worthwhile knowing how they treat us when
of late

Americans half way

in their arrogance.
5

Olivia

de

Havilland

coming to the screen

very shortly. The one
in the cart is Ila Devi.

Offler all a Qrabkal Picture

RUNNING FOR MONTHS !

Prabhat

rewrites

mythology

gives Lord Krishna a

for

His

Divine

and

new purpose
Existence.

*
In

the Spectacular

Epoch making

Picture

Gopal
Krishna
Directed by

DAMLti

FATEHL.4L

olamng Ghe

(Inimitable

Slar

SHANTA ARTE
a oVeal sufjfiorlwg cas\

* RAM MARATHE
* PARSHURAM
* PRALHAD
* U L H A S
* And 1000 others

Qloxc and
lo

joy

come

al

a
"3

long

CENTRAL TALKIES-BOMBAY
PRABHAT TALKIES POONA
AND

AT

ALL

IMPORTANT

STATIONS

IN

INDIA

Why

do

the

women
have

tropics

living in

take

to

special care of their skin?

Work

conducted recently by prominent biologists has

thrown new

have

known

"skin- vitamin"

helps

For some years

vitamin

the

tissues.

Now

coarse, loses

on the causes of rough, faded

light

doctors

they

its

know

that without

texture and

to burning sun

and

is

hot, dry

it

that

is

Replaces the natural oils in your

under-sYm, preventing wrinkles.
Use also for pore-deep cleansing.
Now contains "skin-vitamin"

certain

rebuild

skin

your skin grows

old-looking

winds

POND'S COLD CREAM

skin.

that exposure

POND'S VANISHING CREAM

constantly drying

Removes roughness, smooths and

softens the outer-skin. Use as a
skin-softener and powder base.

"skin-vitamin" out of your skin!

this

Now

Pond's added "skin-vitamin" to Pond's Creams

and put it to exhaustive tests. Skin which was rough
and dry became soft and supple agjiin in just a few

weeks.

Women who

tried

it

were

enthusiastic

in

new

Pond's "skin-vitamin" Creams are

available everywhere, in the same jars as before,
the

with the same labels and

at

the

same

prices.

ing the precious "skin-vitamin" they help

skin

NEW CHEAMSI

P.

BOMBAY.

O. Box

praise
Please send

Now

"skin-vitamin"

SEND THIS COUPON FOR THE

POND'S,

their

contains

fresher and

lovelier

me

free of charge

sample tubes of

skin-vitamin."
Pond's Two Creams "containing
Also generous samples of Pond's naw Face Powder
'

Na

By supply-

make your

Addr

than ever before!

No.

F.

Bombay Calling

is the monopoly of "JUDAS'' and he writes what he

and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are

Ihis section
likes

not

necessarily

ours,

but

they

still

written by a

carry

weight

man who knows

A SCANDALOUS EXISTENCE:

Item No.

The sixth annual report of the Motion Picture

Society of India, just published, provides interesting
In the first seventeen pages, there is noreading.
thing of interest, as these pages are devoted to the
achievements of the Society in the year gone by. As
the Society did nothing of importance during the
year, these seventeen pages hardly deserve any notice.

because

they

are

his job.

in the expenditure section

shows an

amount

of Rs. 2160-10-6 as defalcated by an employee'

of the Society. With regard to this item the Auditors

say:

"No steps have been taken

for the recovery of

the amount." Someone must know

not taken to recover the money.

why

steps

were

The fun starts when you peruse the balance sheet

and read some of the riders by the firm of Registered
Accountants and Auditors who audit the accounts of
the Society. Here are the two columns of expenditure and income, which generally spell the existence
of any institution in the world.

In the small life of the Society the sum of Rs.

2160-10-6 is a huge amount. Every payment that is
made is under the joint
signatures
of
Mr. M. B.
Billimoria, the Hon. Treasurer and Mr. B. D. Bharucha, the Honorary Secretary or Mr. Motwane,
the Jt. Secretary.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE

YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 1938.

fore

How

could anyone therea fraud to

that extent without the

commit

knowledge

EXPENDITURE
Printing of Journal

5,748
3.443

Salaries

10

5
9

Amount

defalcated by an employee
written off
2,160
I.C.Y. Book 1938 expenses written off 1,259
Postage and Telegrams
830
Rent
660
Stationary
544
Sundry Expenses
344
Telephone Charges
290
Conveyance
215
Propaganda
275
Blocks etc.
118
Electricity charges
107

Bad Debts
Bank Charges

12
0
3
8

15

0
8 12

Depreciation of Furniture and Library 118

Excess of Income over Expenditure
1,875
Total

18,015

0
14
13

6
2
8

0
0

Less Outstandings as at
31-3-1938
By Journal Advertisements

10,321

6,064 10

Donations
Entrance Fees
Journal Subscriptions

6
0

that

strictly moral
Looking at the matter from a
point of view, these gentlemen should make good
the amount misappropriated by the ex-employee.
The Society cannot afford to lose the money.

0
0

4256 10
9768 12
3632 6
244 0
70 3
27 15

Total

these
is

The employee who defalcated the amount

also be brought to book as he has
minal offence, to suppress which
offence against the Society.

should*

committed a criwill be another

Are the Members of the Executive Committee

afraid of bringing the culprit to book thru fear of
exposing something which can't stand the light of

15 10

Miscellaneous Receipts
Sale of I.C.Y. Copies

It

0
0

INCOME
By Subscription Accounts

of

obvious
gentlemen
these
have shouldered their hoMr. M. B. Billimoria,
norary responsibility ra- the well known film
and did not distributor, is the Hon.
ther lightly
check the accounts daily Treasurer of the Motion Picture Society of
with the result that some
India.
public
funds have been
criminal
way.
in
a
dissipated
dignitaries?

18.015

0
0

day?

0
0
0
3

The criminal must be punished and the fraud

must be exposed if the society is to live in the future.

SOME MORE DISCREPANCIES!

The outstanding subscriptions not collected by the

workers are shown as Rs. 6064-10-9. And yet in the

VWOVADO

WON

HAS

165 FIRST PRIZES AND

GRAND AWARDS

162 PREMIERS PRIX

Select a watch as

you would

Select a Friend!

watch

panion

is

the com-

every

of

moment. .you refer

to
it
a
hundred
times a day
.

You depend on
Therefore

it

it

should

prove to be a perfect

of

time
never

keeper
failing

accuracy.

Wear
You

a
will

MOVADO
find

dependable

it

as

as

the

truest friend.

DISTRIBUTORS
II

HCMLTU/

PROPRIETORS-BOMBAY AUTOMOBILES
HUGHES ROAD

CP/tone

41448

BOMBAY

No. 4

FILMINDIA

September 1938
report the following tribute is paid to the Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. Bharucha and Motwane: "The achievements during the period
*~~

under review cover a wide

range. Not a little of this
is due to the untiring efforts of the Hon. Secretaries".
And inspite of all
the "untiring efforts" of
the two Secretaries, the
subscription
amount
of
Rs. 6064-10-9 remains to be

collected.

Mr. V. G. Motwane, Jt.

Hon. Secretarv of the
motion
Picture
Society of India.

"Accounts for the major

portion of the year under
audit were not written up
from dav to dav but were
_ "
all<med ' rema,n
ar
rears
were subsequently written up from pass
books and other vouchers,"
,

say the Auditors. And this disgraceful negligence exists

in a Society with four clerks, two Hon. Secretaries,
seven leading businessmen as Executive Committee
Members and Sir Phiroze Sethna, Kt., O.B.E., as the
President.

Another rider by the frank firm of Auditors reads

as follows: "The amount of Rs. 1289-3-9 under the
head of "funds" has been utilised for the current expenses of the Society which is contrary to the
Society's committments to donors.'
This is a very serious charge. It means that the
Society has misused money received as funds from
donors who were told that the money was required
for different purposes.
We have reasons to believe
that a part of the Jamnadas Subedar Memorial Fund
has been thus misused. We hope it is not true, but
the auditors' report leaves no loophole for an alternative inference.
In ordinary dealings of life this
action amounts to criminal breach of trust and it is
the duty of the members of the Society to punish the
culprits.

MISSED ITS PURPOSE

A close examination

of the balance sheet and the

items of expenditure point out forcibly the fact that
the organization of the Society has missed its purpose of existence.

One

of the main objects of the Society was propaganda for the Indian film industry. Actually during the year under review, the Society has spent a
paltry sum of Rs. 275 for propaganda as against Rs.

3443-8-0 paid out in salaries, Rs. 2160-10-6 allowed to

be robbed and other items amounting to Rs. 18,000
and odd.
Rs. 275 for the

vital

and main object

of

the

Society "Propaganda"!
A ridiculous fraction of Rs.
18,000 spent during the year.

That is the Motion Picture Society of India of today, which invites people of the Industry to become
its

members

and, support the industry.

INDIAN CINEMATOGRAPH YEAR BOOK

704 pages of German Art Paper bound
between clumsy
first year book
Motion Picture
page article by
ley Jepson and

together
yellow cardboards is in short, the
of the industry published by the
Society of India.
Barring a three-

Mr. Stana page of

advertisement of
"filmindia", there
is
nothing
worth reading in
the
whole book, either for the
layman or for the man in
the industry. The Year
Book is edited by Mr. B. D.
Bharucha of the Motion
Picture Society.

If this is

not a job
worth doing. From the
very first page the whole
job is childish and amaediting,

it

teurish.

The

statistical

is

collection of

material

necessary,

is

illogical

unand

The printing is
The book must have

useless.

bad.

proved paying only to the

printers.

Mr. B. D. Bharucha,
the manager of Edward and Palace Talkies is
the Jt. Hon.
Secretary of the Motion
Picture
Society
and Editor of the I.C.
Year Book.

The book should have been dedicated

to Mr. K.

and founder of the Society.

The present men at the helm seem to have forgotten
that for the first two years the headquarters of the
Motion Picture Society of India were located in the
office bag of Mr. Hirlekar.
S.

Hirlekar. the father

Luckiij enough, after seeing the book Mr. Hirlekar has escaped the dedication. But it is strange to
find the first official publication of the Society dedicated to men who are strangers to the Society and
not to the father and founder of the Society.

There

will be people, in press

and industry, who

book a great publication. Some of these

may be merely polite and others may be just fools
who do not understand true values in life. "Filmindia" as the only leading trade paper of India must
tell the truth, whether it is liked or not.
And our
real verdict is: "It would have been better if the
book had not been published than published thus".
And it is reported to have cost over Rs. 8,000.
will call this

A NEW SOCIETY:
Slowly but

surely,

"Visual

Education"

will

be

coming into India, for I hear of the inauguration of

"The Visual Education Society of India" in Bombay
during the month.
Recently a meeting was held under the presidentship of Mr. Jathar, the principal of the Elphinstone
College and the preliminaries were discussed thoroughly by a representative gathering and a committee was appointed for further spade work.

That is good news to those who are thinking of

producing educational pictures. The idea of visual
education should appeal to all who believe in modern
methods of imparting knowledge and education.

FILMOIL

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Mrs. Shantabai

Hublkar
In "My Son" the
next Prabhat picture
this new heroine will
crash the gates with
her melodious music.

Mr. Londhe with his

wonderful traditions
on the stage has given
a sparkling performance on the screen in
"Raja Gopichand", a
Saraswati
Cinetone
picture drawing packed houses at
the
Royal Opera House.

hiio

8,5oo<
EXTRA PRIZES

DOWN

ch

Olver,

" COM3MONSENSE

CROSSWORD"

Four

t-'^t

No. 131

A monthly income of Rs. 1,350 for 12 months is an agreeable prospect to contemplate. So is a cheque made
payable to oneself and bearing the pleasing inscription Rs. 15,000. Yet there is nothing fantastic in either of these
fancies and any one of you who enters for this Competition may well find yourself in receipt of the handsome income
or the fat cheque. And even if you fail to secure top honours you may still reap a rich award, for the large sum of
Rs. 8,500 will be distributed to Runners-up. In addition to which there are unlimited Extra Prizes and Free Entry
facilities.
The Offer, in fact, provides yet one more of those opportunities for pleasure and profit which, other considerations apart, have made Commonsense Crosswords famous throughout the length and breadth of India, Burma and
Ceylon. In your own interests, please take full advantage of the Practice Square below :

CLUES ACROSS
1.

CLOSING

Brothers, beware of the woman who

seems to be as simple as this !

5.

Lofty

8.

Eggs

9.

N.B.

CLUES

DATE SEPTEMBER 23rd

The Entry Fee

Competition is Re. 1
per entry and Entry Squares will be published
in the issues of September 4th and 11th.
in

DOWN

1.

Often easier to persuade than to

force to one's point of view

2.

Ludicrous descent from the sublime

this

to the ridiculous

motive

10.

Hurled

12.

Many young
a

3.

Very small

4.

Persons who do this at social gatherings usually evoke dislike

5.

Offensive

6.

It is

7.

Blunderingly causing pain to a

sensitive person is apt to make a

9.

Jumbled

girls are susceptible to

handsome one

13.

Being a keen one often jeopardises a

15.

His work usually

17.

man is this
We are apt to become impatient with

man's business career

who does

a person
18.

when a

desire to flaunt his

individuality

prompts many an

be

man

this

An overweening
egotist to

19.

reflects

11.

" of a clever man

Having the "
enables many a mediocre one to

24.

Inexperienced investors frequently

get let in for

26.

bad

Alone
Consisting of or resembling ink

30.

Collection of cattle

32.

From morning

till

33.

To lament

34.

Too much alcohol

man do
35.

ONLY ENTRY SQUARES

CUT OUT FROM

this

29.

apt to

OF INDIA
make

Flesh of calf

15.

How

reflect violently

truly unfortunate is the

a woman

man

16.

Credulous people are easily misled

by one

20.

Dwelling in such an atmosphere for

a long period is apt to undermine

21.

Mark left by a wound

When a man is this

one's health

THE ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY

night

is

14.

22.

"

this

spelling of reversion

These often plainly

who marries such

go far

Meadow

feel this

agitated feelings

this

23.

the practice of many political

"
satisfied
agitators to
workers to rebel against their
terms of employment

"

of September 4th or

Adversity has the effect of making

some men of weak character this

COPIES A VA ILA RLE

will

be

accepted

Nth

his utterances

are usually sincere

extracted from this mineral

25.

Metal

27.

Musical instrument similar to the

harp

28.

Protects and irritates us

30.

Border of a garment

31.

Clamorous this at one's door tends

to be damaging to one's reputation

is

ROM ALL NEWS AGENTS

The Editor's Mail

Readers " when you are worried

in serving you.

From: B.

From: B. V. N. Rao (Rajahmundry).

How is Kolhapur Cinetone now?
noble death a year and a half back.

From: Nandlal Sharma (Bhagalpur).

Is Devaki Bose related to Rampyari as

find her

in every picture of Devaki Bose?

That is what I have not solved yet. I found her
superfluous in "Vidyapati". Why don't you write
Don't forget to tell me
to D. K. and ask him.
what he has to say in reply.

From: R. Dayal (Allahabad).

I want to send a sari to Leela

Desai.

Will

she

accept?

Of course, she
expensive one.
for a suit?

will.

Why

But see that you send an

me some silk cloth

not send

shall print your photograph.

From B. Venkateswarlu (Cocanada).

Who acts better as a villain? Nawab

or

Chandra -

mohan?
Once Chandramohan used to act better, when he
was in Prabhat, but now Nawab beats him hollow.
Good acting is entirely dependent on good direction since he left Prabhat,
not get good direction.

What has become

Nothing

is

Chandramohan

did

of East India Film Co.?

coming out

of

it

since

Kardar came

out.

Please give me Yasmin's address, as

in a natural pose.

want her

photo

Good! But will she give it? Anyyou her residential address as
being a free lancer she is hardly at one studio
Write to her at
for more than two months.
Rail View, Vincent Cross Road, Dadar, Bombay.
Natural pose?

way

must

will do

my

best

Serious matters will be treated seriously, while

flippant letters will receive like replies.

It died a

" write to me.

give

The Editor.

P. Chincholikar

(Baroda).

I shall be glad to receive the following information through your columns regarding Miss Shanta
Apte.
1. Birthdate and place.
2. Names of her parents,
their education and position. If dead, dates on which
they died. 3. Her education place, school and names
of her companions, if
any. 4. Her real name. 5.

Number

(a) brothers and (b) sisters.

6. Are
married or single? 7. Who taught her
Indian music? 8. Does she know dancing well? 9.
When did she join Mr. Bapat's Mela? Did she join
of her own accord or was she forced to do so?
10.
Were there other girls in the Mela? 11. Her mother's
attitude when she acted as Radha in "Shamsunder".
12. How much did she get for this role?
13. Is it a
fact that before she entered a film co. she used to
give public recitals of her songs?
If this be a fact,
what places did she visit and whether she was accompanied by her mother or some other elderly person?
14. When did she join the Prabhat Film Co.? 15. In
how many pictures has she played (a) principal roles
and (b) secondary roles? 16. Have you reviewed all
these pictures in your magazine?
If so quote the
years. 17. Which are her best songs?
18. What does
she think of her acting and singing?
19. What is
her present salary? Is she thinking of going to Hollywood? 20. Has she been caricatured in some Marathi novels?
21. Is she fond of reading?
22. Are her
relations with her brothers cordial?
23. Does she
really like her present profession?
24. What is her
attitude towards life in general?
25. Is her economical position responsible lor persuading herself to
join this profession?
28 Does she think that Indian
women can safely join this business? i.e. without the
least fear of being molested?

5 (a)

of her

and

(b)

Are you quite sure, you have asked me all that

to be asked?
If not remember and com-

was

plete the

list.

From: Moinuddin

Abbottabad).

is necessary to start a well

How much
equipped film producing company?

capital

From: R. D. Sharma (Fategarh).

Please rate the acting talents of the following:

Shanta Apte, Devika Rani, Ratan Bai and Uma.

Devika stands

first

due

to her deeper

ing of the roles she plays.

Uma

is

understand-

a good second.

Shanta Apte is fast improving and would rank

third.
Ratan Bai is to-day a "has been". After
"Yahoodi-ki-Larki" the poor girl did not get a
in any good picture.

chance to act

Apart from actual experience and technical knowledge of things, a decent studio with pretty good
a capital of five
equipment would easily need
lakhs of rupees

if it is

to survive in the long run.

But contrary to this counsel, several present day

producers have actually begun with only Rs. 5 in
Prabhat the great and glorious
their pocket.
began with a mere fifteen thousand rupees.

15

Have you a

TELEPHONE
your

in
If not

HOME

you are denying yourself the pleasure of communicating

with your FRIENDS and running the risk of
being unable to call the

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time of need.

121-

A MONTH.

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Street,

Bombay.

Wood

Shahpur Road, Ahmedabad.

Street, Karachi.

FILM INDIA

September 1938

From: M. V. Dikshitulu (Cocanada).

Among

the following directors

whom

do you place

on the top: Kardar, Badami, Dhaibar, Hemchunder

and Narayan Kale?

On

the top of what?

to be considered,

others.
place.
I

don't

are
be on the top of
tie up for second

If talents for direction

then Kale

will

Kardar and Badami

Hemchunder may rank third.
know where to place him.

Dhaiber

D. Singh (Bombay).
Why does D. Billimoria always park his car in
the evening at a particular spot near the Taj?

From:

S.

To save

petrol

and perhaps

by being noticed.

He

to earn
also stands near

car so that people may

Well, why do you grudge

distinction

enough the
whose car it is.

know
him that

little

vanity?

a peculiarly sympathetic way.

pleted by excellent direction.

of the stories

of the following pictures and which of them is the

best story? "Devdas" (N.T.) "Dalit Kusum'' (Adarsh
Chitra), "Unexpected*'
(Prabhat)
and "Chhaya"
(Huns).

"Devdas" was the best

story, in so far as it appealed to the sentiment. It was a love yarn and

presented aspects more abstract than practical.
However, it had enough melodrama to become a
good screen story.

"The Unexpected" ranks second. The theme of

this story was thin, but its cinematic treatment
made the small germ of the theme provocative in

Ila

rest

was com-

"Dalit Kusum" advocated widow re-marriage with

a vengeance. The picture had powerful situations, though some of them too grim, to propagate social reform. I place it third in importance.

"Chhaya", known in English as "Holy Crime" was

a crime in the world of entertainment. Though
the picture had a provocative theme, it was too
morbid for a picture. The picture script was in
the hands of inexperienced people who developed situations in a wrong light, and turned an
otherwise pathetic theme into a monstrous mess
warped by grim emotion and cheap vulgarity.
"Chhaya" was an odious entertainment wherein
realism had assumed a hideous shape.

From:

S. R.

Why
From: N. H. Sindhia (Bangalore).
Please let me know what you think

The

Chandrakavi (Matunga).
Durga Khote,

don't the old actresses like

Enakshi Ramrao, Sulochana retire from filmdom or

take elderly roles? It is so clumsy to see these "grand
mas" make love on the screen to equally old "grand
pas".
Don't you think so?
think so, but do you think that these girls will
admit the march cf time even if it leaves on their
I

face milestones of ugly wrinkles? Producers who

give them juvenile roles are following a suicidal
policy and will end by mortgaging all their assets.

What are these rumours about "New Theatres""

going through bad times and borrowing money in the
market?
Success often makes more enemies than friends.
out great pictures like

No producer would turn

Devi seems to be worried with the old man's talk in "The Cat" a Ranjit
screen very shortly.

picture

coming

to

the
17

FILM INDIA

September 1938
"Devdas". "Dhup Chhaon", "Vidyapati" etc.. unproduction plans were well thought out
and organized. If New Theatres had been in
they
difficulties and had been badly managed,
would have by now closed doors. Instead they
draw
pictures, which
are producing wonderful
crowds for weeks. Any amount of dirty propaganda set afloat with malice and self-interest will
New
not affect a sound firm of producers.
Theatres are far, far away from what these dirty
and inspired insinuations want people to believe.

From: H. S. Raizada (Budaun).

Cinema actresses are always "Miss" and never

less their

"Mrs.' yet they "give birth to lovely

Why

are

the productions of

all

Bombay

strange to you as It is evident that you are

not aware of the etiquette of the trade.
The
"Miss" that you see attached to the names of
actresses is a professional "Miss" and is not intended to indicate their eligibility for marriage.
In the profession of acting a "Mrs" sounds too
old and shatters all dreams of romance which
the audiences like to indulge In about their favourite stars. Here are some instances of "Mrs"
being used: Mrs. Durga Khote, Mrs. Shobhanadevi Samarth, Mrs. Shantabai Hublikar.

Talkies

same type?

suppose you have no objection to our actresses

Because people working in them are the same

getting

babies.

and all the possible facets of presenting them

have been exploited by now. They are however,
looking out for new talent and you will see some

married

women who work on

new

to see

can act better with sweet

Ashok Kumar or Kishore Sahu?

Himansu

them

of

are respectable
the screen to earn

From: S. N. Aiyar (Matunga).

You have given so much publicity to Pragati's
"Nandkumar" that I and my family are most anxious

From: Ishwar Trivedi (Ratlam).

Who

Some

a living.

next year.

girls

babies".

It is

From: V. Narayenan (Madras),

of the

human

Isn't it strange?

Devika

Rani?

branch

it

in

Bombay.

Pragati's

possible?

it

Is

Pragati a

all that my paper

one of the best musl-

"Nandkumar" deserves

has written about

Ral.

Is

of Jaishree?

it.

It is

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NclajS

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No.D.A.

Photos).

Artistes

the

The

SHANTA APTE
RAM MARATHE

Shahlr

singing

Trio

Prabhab on

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FILMINDIA

September 1938
have seen.

Pragati used to be once a "head

That is when Keshavrao
Jaishree.
Dhaiber, Jaishree's erstwhile proprietor needed
money he ran up to Pragati. In business, Pragati
and Jaishree were entirely different companies.
cals I

of

office"

Jaishree

is

no longer

living,

Row
a big

is the best in looks

actors: Saigal, Pahari, Ashok

Pandit

Indra,

Betab,

Kashyap,

Motilal,

warlal,

Dialogue writers

like

consider Kashyap to be the best man available

to-day from your list.
He gives enterprising
music and thought provoking dialogues more
often than the others. Second in rank is Kedar
Sharma. His work is clean and high pitched in
intelligence.
He is a classic by himself.

Third in rank is Pandit Indra. His dialogues are

not easily understood though they are good
and very good sometimes, but this man bids bold
for the third place by virtue of his excellent musical compositions.
His songs are to-day the most
popular.

Betab comes next. His recent work in "Prithvi

Putra" was good in parts and gave glimpses of
the old master that he once was at this game.

Khandekar would rank next

in the intellectual
conception of dialogue writing.
But his views
being too morbid the dialogues stink in memory
like gasses from a coated tongue.

Zia is the Urdu version of the Hindusthani language. His dialogues lack logic and reason. But
brilliant

flashes

him second

which fact

last.

Intelligence is not a feature of Atre's dialogue

writing.
Colloquialism and slapstick and cheap

humour do not need much study

or any deep inDivorced from any intense emotion

or sentiment, most of the dialogues are mere dew
drops good as long as they last. I put him last
telligence.

list.

And

after all said and done, any of these writers

are capable of giving very good or very bad work
if not well supervised in any individual picture
inspite of what they may have achieved in the
past.

You

see,

are not 'horses'.

they lose form.

Some

3.

Pahari,

4.

Surendra,

5.

Ish-

of

And

them are

all of

them

just 'mules'.

of all

film stars printed on it?

You might get a calendar like that if you try but

what use is it if you don't get any 'dates'.

to place

Saigal,

Ashok Kumar.

From: J. Venkateswar (Masulipatam).

Can I get any calendar with the photos

criterion of rating.

sometimes he gives

2.
6.

race horses strike or lose

Betab was once a great writer, but with

age he is now a tired man and does not give a
very intelligent work. To form an opinion, therefore, I must consider recent performances. Consistency of all round good work will however be
form.

in the

following

Well
the word "looks"?
mere "looks" Ashok Kumar is well off and so
is a statue in the Queen's Gardens in Bombay. A
film actor must have a personality which asset is
even more important than mere "looks". Judged
that way, I place them in the following order: 1.

Kedar, Zia?

me

the

Motilal, Suren-

in

From: Mahavir Prasad, Advocate (Santa Cruz).

From the list of Marathi and Hindi dialogue
writers given how would you rate them and why:

induces

among
Kumar,

What do you mean by

issues of "filmindia".

my

girl

Co.

P. S. Joshi (Rajpipla).

Who

Write to them or cut them out from some old

Khandekar,

Bombay Telephone

in the

dra and Ishwarlal?

and Shanta Apte?

Atre,

was a telephone

'glamorous' Sulochana

No!

From:

(Masulipatam).
size photo of Shantaram

typist

before she took to films?

while Pragati will be

producing pictures very soon.

From: K. Srinivasa
Where shall I get

From: P. V. Krishnan (Matunga).

Was glamorous Sulochana a short-hand

(1)

Is

(1)

No.

Shanta Apte married?

From: Premnath (Margao-Goa).

Which are the five very good Indian pictures in
the last year and who are the five very good directors?

We never produced
are asking too much.
very good pictures in one year and to complete five very good directors one director is still
to be born.
You
five

From: Pandit Indra (Bombay).

Why don't the donors of the Gohar Gold Medals
not award medals for distinction to the following: 1.
Song and dialogue writers, 2. Cameraman, 3. Recording Engineers, 4. Setting makers, 5. Editors of films.
will create a competitive spirit and encourage

This

new

talent.

would go one better and suggest a double weighted gold medal for film journalists for the best
But to get
services rendered during the year.
gold from the Gohar Gold Medal Committee, one
has to get it out of Chandulal Shah. And that
Old Chandulal is not so easy
is where the rub is.
a person to tackle and I don't think he thinks
much of what we think in the way of giving away
Originally to comgold particularly his gold.
memorate Gohar's unique success, he only wanted to give the medal to the actress who gave
the best performance in the year. But to clothe
his chivalry, he had to take
in other awards.
To add more now, would amount to robbing him.
I

From: V. U. Patel (Bombay).

Is

it

dangerous for any

human

being to join the

film line?
21

ILMINDIA

September 1938

if you get yourself wrapped up in celluloid

one sets fire to it. Or if you get wrapsome
and
ped up with a sweet looking heroine. Then it is
more dangerous.

Yes,

Is

Mr. Jagannath Patel your brother?

More

than

that!

He

is

god

From: M. C. Menon (Aruppukottai).

Director Shantaram wants 3000 theatres.

We

father

From: G. R. Bagalkote (Bezwada).

I want a short biography of Vishnupant
in

to

day.

Don't pay the distributor more than 50%.

Unite
tate and form an exhibitors' union.
Teach the exhibitor to respect
strike.
wishes. Don't pay the representative who is
Don't give him any board
to spy on you.
lodging.
Starve him. The producer needs

Pagnis.

"Tukaram", now on

oxygen, Rest after "Tulsidas".

Don't you think that "Gopal Krishna" is a procow-killing

against
picture propaganda
intelligently and glaringly stressed throughout the film.

Don't you think that the cow

is the only animal which replaces the
missing mother of an orphan should live to give
With her
life to millions of unfortunate babies.
milk the cow gives life to human beings.
Don't you worry, the bulls are left alone in the
picture and the cows will not be missed even if
people stop killing them.

What,
which

Who

is

if

it

is?

going to direct Ranjit's "Sant Tulsidas"?

One Mr. Jayant

Desai.
I
dare say, you have
heard of him.
Recently he directed "Prithvi
Putra" another Ranjit picture.

Agi-

and
your
sent

and
you

The distrias much as you need his picture.

is
butor, unless he is the gentlemanly type,
merely a creation of circumstances and an Instrument of the financiers.

From: Murtiza Ali (Patna).

paganda
which is

TO THE READERS:
very large number of letters every
not possible for me to reply to all
of them. So I select those which are interesting for
replies.
Some readers are kind enough to enclose
return postage for personal replies. For a busy
Editor it is impossible to give individual replies and
I have to request
my readers not to waste postal
stamps. Some of the readers have sent me lawyer's
notices, demanding an explanation for my silence
over their queries.
To those I advise, leaving
"filmindia" alone, in this state of frenzy.
I

receive

month and

is

it

The

Editor.

MAKES EVERY FACE GLEAN AND KISSABLE

Add 100^ To
in

skin

your Personality

The Result of the

latest research

hygiene.

FAIRY - LOTION
P.MPLES
N BUR-N|S

BLACK HEADS
the

remedy gives a new com-

plexion within

week removing

World a New Face

With This

Rs.

This marvellous

pimples,

black heads, sunburns and disinfects the skin

Show

1-8

New Remedy

per bottle post paid to any part of India

sent.

No

V. P.

Remit money by W.O.

Agents & Stockists Wanted.

NATIONAL HEALTH PRODUCTS.

1C4,

22

is

an exhibitor

possible for

"filmindia".

Vishnupant Pagnis, born

How

to live after paying the

South Indian Distributor 60/65 per cent, with to and
fro travelling expenses for two representatives and
are losing every
Rs. 1-8-0 per day as "bhatta".

it

Apollo

St.

Fori,

BomLoy.

Mm. DIAMOND
i

Here's grace with

the
vengeance
of

youth
and
beauty
thrown in. Mademoiselle

Diamond who

is

the pupil of the Ripman School of Daneling,

ens

London,

threat-

wrest
the
monopoly of Oriental
dancing by her recent
[engagements on the
to

Indian screen.

WISTFUL NASEEM
With
eyes,

her
this

dreamy
delicate

beauty has given a

beautiful performance
in
"Vasantee"
the
next Minerva Movietone picture directed
by Mr. Sohrab Mody.

Girls in

Howlers of the Month

"Baghban" has added a feather
Kardar's well feathered self,"
We want to
says a Delhi paper.
know which pictures supplied the
to

tar.

The month's

prize for

exemplary

courage: To be awarded to Bombay Talkies on their decision to

produce two pictures without DeWhat will DeviKa
vika Rani.
Rani do all this time? I can get
her a job on five thousand rupees
per month if she thinks this offer

worth while.

Under the caption, "Believe It

Or Not", the "Movies" report of a
man named Beg Raj having seen
"Baghban" 30 times during the
three weeks of its run in Delhi.
stupid this man
must be and what a mess "Bagh-

How

infernally

ban" must have become to need

so

many

to

know what the row

visits

By the way,
the

before people

isn't

secretaries

Beg
of

Kardar?

Hafisjee has started listening to

a lot of nonsense printed in the
Delhi papers. They accuse him of

having committed
some heinous
crime
(in their words: "heinousmost") against his wife, children,
society and religion. If that is so,
Hafisjee should be a very dangerous man and like Frankenstein the
human monster deserves to be
closely guarded.
I
wonder why
Hafisjee is swallowing all this nonsense.
People who write about
Hafisjee should
remember that
Ratan Bai is his legally married
wife and it is not fair to probe into

any one's privacy to that extent.

propaganda against
Theatres at present going on
in Lahore and Bombay shows to

New

24

dirty

paying a little more to start a

counter-propaganda.
It is worth
doing so once to expose these
pseudo -journalists who have neither principles nor policy.
*

The second Indian suspected to

be bound for England, perhaps to
join the London Films is reported
to be Azurie, the well known dancer.
The first one was Sabu, the
elephant boy.
Compliments to
Korda's intelligence in selecting
peculiar Indian
types the types
that represent the minority. Azu-

of course,

rie, will

meet

old friends

there.

come

about.
Raj one of

"Nazir and Yasmin Paired In

Midnight Mail" says the "Movies".
What was the outcome?

The

lying journalists can

go, especially in reviews of "Dharati Mata".
Those who pay these
men to write against the dictates
of their own conscience
may as
well remember that New Theatres
can also employ the same men by

is

thought so from his photograph,

but Kriparam of "Movies" says
that he is a shop keeper of Delhi.
I wonder what shop he keeps.
*

what extent

I don't think much of the intelligence of our present day producers the way
they hunt down
Kardar with requests to direct
pictures.
With every hour Kardar's price is going up and his programme seems to be well booked
till the end of next year.
Some of
the producers betray such utter
imbecility that they go almost on
their knees to secure the services

the

Delhi

were

surprised

way they found Mr. Mehboob a

film director, visiting girls' houses

during the day. They perhaps
couldn't understand that times can
change and even film directors can

improve. Poor girls, they did not

know that Mehboob was finding
girls for his boss Chimanlal Desai
of Sagar.
A thankless task fdr
such a nice
man. But pictures
can't run unless you bring new
talent into the studios.
*

Imagine B. D. Bharucha that

small sized manager of a cinema
theatre in Byculla, becoming the
Editor of the Year Book published
by the Motion Picture Society of
India.
He has done it without
giving us a warning.
*

Rumours say that a famous

Hindu stage and screen actor will
soon embrace Islam with the help
of a

Mahomedan

screen

girl

who

has worked in several stunt picI hope these rumours are

tures.
true.
Hindu girls mustn't
not
allow Muslim beauties to steal a
I
march over them this way.
wonder how the aged Hindu actor
look with a red fez if he
will

Mahomedan.
becomes a
really
Kardar might give him the hero's
role in a picture called "Fakir-yaKafir".
*

The theme

of

"Brahmachari",

of

Kardar and Kardar like a true

knows how to treat
them. Bravo Kardar, you have

the latest picture of Huns, threatens to keep married and family

people miles away from the Majes-

Mahomedan

tic

taught submission even to the wild

Gujrathi producers of Bombay.

jealousy of a bachelor
happy in wedlock.

can

Cinema, Bombay.

Perhaps few

relish viewing the

passionate
for those

FILMINDIA

September 1938
not
even If

"Editors and writers should

condemn Indian

pictures,

fall below their expectations,"

says Mr. Chimanlal Desai, ProprieWhy not
tor of Sagar Movietone.

Mr. Chiway for a

pictures,

in

"No one of the cine journalists

should say, even to his friends,
that such and such a picture is
hopeless" further advises Mr. Chimanlal Desai. We never say that
the picture is hopeless, we generally say that the producer is so. Any
objection to that Mr. Chimanlal?
*

Shobhana Samarth, the

Mrs.
heroine of "Pati Patni" is reported to have decided upon producing
Things howher own pictures.
ever, have been postponed for the
present as Mr. Yusufally Fazalbhoy is touring in the South and
Shobhana
hire out his

immediately
cannot
equipment for produc-

"Loch Ness Monster", do you think

that the reference to "a new type
of animal" has something
to do
with the fat and comfy heroine of
the story?

Emperors.

13th
of
August,
the day on
which Principal P. K. Atre, writer
of "Dharmaveer", "Premveer" and
"Brahmachari" was born, was celebrated at a dramatic theatre.
was
born
on
the
So Atre
13th.
After seeing "Dharmaveer
and "Premveer" I was wondering

'

about the missing

Publishing
Mr. Baburao
Delhi writes,
Mr. Baburao
readers some

a photo of our Editor

Patel, the "Movies" of
"This photograph of

will give our

Patel
idea about this man's
stature and build. It is his domiwhich infuses
nating personality

so

much might and majesty

in his

made him
writings which have
the terror of Indian filmdom today. His writings are dreaded and
country."
over the
respected all
Very flattering, isn't it?
"Movies" should know that
"terror"
had no terrors for
beautiful Shanta Apte. Beauty
always been disarming.

The

pular.

Atre would not have enjoyed the

blessings of the day without them.

picture

hurriedly

have

Now

that Motilal has gone away

from Sagar, Surendra has become
the cock of the walk. They say
that even Sabita is frightened of
him, and makes way when SurenPoor
dra is seen approaching.
Surendra what a victim of "great-

"MOONLIGHT"

But
GEORGETTE

the
the

has

"Premveer"

It had
withdrawn In a

failed miserably in Delhi.

to be

Pendharkar must

attended at least to offer Shanta

Apte a contract.

week. The next release "Brahmaa similar subject,

chari" being
fears are entertained of a similar
The Northern
fate in the North.
people don't seem to like sex rid-

very

FASHION

popular

modern

fashion *ari highly appreelated by educated noble

|L,

ladies of

all

provinces rieh

really
a sari worth
Hs. BO
an amazingly low price of Ks. io postage etc, free available in any size fast or
light colour size '> 1 2 yds. by is indies also
in any size required order early to avoid disappointment not more than :t saris will
be supplied to any one. Beware of cheap
taxi

tine

border

- at

rubbish

saris.

Price Rs. tO

SWADESHI SARI STORES.

"F" B.ldeo Bid.

JHANSI, U

P.

Naginlal Shah, Editor of "Chitrapat"

(Gujrathi),
says
that
"Abhagin" was the right picture
for the right moment".
What he
forgot to mention was that with

Supreme Film

Distributors,

also in the right hands.

If

was
"Dha-

it

Mata" had also gone there a

greater picture would not have
been produced. Bravo, Naginlal,
on your "deeper" understanding of
art and entertainment.
You are
the correct judge to sit on the
rati

Gohar Gold Medal Committee.

*

"We Three"

a picture beginning
with laughter but ending in tears"
describes a film paper. Why make
people shed tears? Why not refund the ticket money?
*

Once again

Motilal.
*

The birthday celebration was a

colourful event with plenty of local
if
"Acharya"
girls
present as

floral

That Huns

No won-

might patronise

13th.

link.

der the pictures failed to be po-

Baburao

Chimanlal Desai is
always in bad humour, half-afraid
that his intimate friend Chandulal
Shah and his partner Dr. Patel
ness thrust".

now

"Delhi is gone mad after seeing

"Bhedi Trishul" a Mohan picture"
says a Delhi paper. Poor Delhi, its
greatness died with the Moghul

studio news of Mohan Pictures reads as follows: "In "Cyclewalli", the company has introduced a new type of animal for the
first time to be seen in the Indian
films".
As the daily papers have
not yet reported about a new

want

The

tion at Film City.

to

realities.

they

produce good
manlal, once
change?

They seem

den comedies.
sexy

Pheroze Sethna,

Sir

an inevitable prenumerous public func-

almost

sident of

tions, has been elected the president of the Motion Picture Society
of India, superseding the overdue
claim of Rai Saheb Chuni Lai. One
would like to know, how exactly
and to what extent has our film
industry been benefitted since Sir
Pheroze's association with it?
*

One thing we, however, do know

and everybody knows, that a lot of
which the old Sir Pheroze
could not have otherwise got, he
has got during the last three years
of his association with the Society,
not to mention a number of lunches at the Taj.
publicity

When the late Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawalla, the Chairman of the

Central Bank of India died, film
producers in India welcomed the
appointment of Sir Pheroze Sethna
to the exalted position of a leading city banker. They expected
Sir Pheroze to stand by the Indian
film industry. But has Sir Phiroze
induced his bank to advance even
a pie to our producers so far? Even
now, it is not too late for his bank
to save the industry of which he
is a prominent pillar.
25

ONCE AGAIN

TO GIVE

Prabhat
takes
up a new theme!

to their million

A New Picture

MY
K.

Mrs.

SHAHU MODAK

SON
NARAYAN KALE

ULHAS

CHHOTU

MAMA BHAT

SHANTA MUJUMBAR

VASANT THENGDI

BUWA SAHEB

SHANTABAI HUBLIKAR
(iwarathd

Etc.,

THE

hindi

Etc.,

NEW PRABHAT PICTURE

IN

PRODUCTION

fans

PADMA DEVI

In

"Zamana"

a Krishin

Movietone social picture directed by Mr. Ram Daryani.

has once again given a great pathetic performance.

this talented Bengali artiste

NOW RUNNING

IN

3RD WEEK AT

DEVIKA RANI

Given in Prizes to

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OCTOBER, NOVEMthis

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The
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1938.

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The Finest
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AND THIS TIME WITH MA GIG"!
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Notes

& News
RAI SAHEB CHUNI LALL

MOVIES SEEN AS EQUIVALENT

TO COLLEGE COURSE

riad of things. She practically has

to
be
an expert on
diction,
fashions, hair styles, customs and

Dixie Dunbar, has a new "slant"

on Hollywood. She is convinced

manners.
"Her work gives her a knowledge
of photography, sound and the several" other
technical
elements

that four years in picture are equal

to a like number of years in college or university.

that enter into the making of pic-

She bases her observation on a

remark once made by William
James to the effect that the chief

tures."

NEW PROCESS FOUND

value of college training lay in the

to
fact that it taught a person
man when he
recognize a good
sees one.

What is purported to be the

nearest approach to practical stereoscopic photography ever achieved in Hollywood is claimed by its
inventor, Joe Valentine, AS.C.

Try to Bluff Through

"On that

score,"
she declares,
"Hollywood would rank among the
world's top ten if it were a univerBut it is a place where the
sity.
rewards for success are so great
that thousands, with little or no

Achieved through the use of an

adapter which employs filters, the
nature of which Valentine will not
divulge, the stereoscopic quality of
the photography is quite evident,
giving foreground objects almost
complete separation from
the

talent are attracted. Many of them

realise that their talents are limited, with the result that they try to
bluff their way through.

"In such a situation, a person

would be in a terrific quandary if
he weren't able to distinguish the
Mrs.

YAMUNABAI HIRLEKAR

IN

SCREEN FILMING

The Government

of

Bombay

de-

serve
congratulations
for
their
wise selection ot Rai Saheb Chuni
Lall as a member of the Bombay
Board of Film Censors. The Rai
Saheb represents the interests of
Motion Picture Industry of India
and by virtue of his rich experience in all the departments of the
industry, we could not have desired for a better person to advocate
our rights and grievances. A skill-

background.
is employing the
new
photography on Deanna
Durbin's current production, "That
Certain Age." Rushes already photographed are startling, studio

Valentine

method

officials

Mr.

of

claim.

HO MI

M.

MISTRY

parliamentarian,
Rai Saheb
Chuni Lall will prove himself immensely useful to the Government
and to the industry alike. It is
hardly necessary to mention that

ed

he

is the business
genius behind
the glorious success of the Bombay Talkies Ltd.

from the bluffers. And

you stay around Hollywood you

real artists
if

don't limit yourself to being able

You
to recognize genuine talent.
learn to spot the 'phonies' practically the minute you see them."

Mrs.

Yamunabai Hirlekar

Must Learn Many Things

M.A.,

has made history by her Minute of

Dissent published in the Report of
the Adult Education
Commiteee.
Her suggestions to reorganise the
present Department of Visual Instruction deserve
second thought
by all those who believe in the

method

of visual

instruction.

"Of course."
William James

"what
meant was

she adds,
really

that college gives one discrimination, teaches him how to place a

proper appraisal on value.

actress

ther, the son has now proceeded

to Los Angeles to study Sound En-

gineering and Film Craft. Handsome and intelligent, we hope

young Homi doesn't bring back a

The sucmust know a my-

Hollywood beauty to India when

he returns with other equipment.

"Hollywood does that,

wide variety of subjects.
cessful

This 19-year old recruit to film

art is the worthy son of an illusfather Mr. M. L. Mistry,
trious
F.R.P.S. (London).
Like the
fa-

too,

in

33

BAUER
BAUER

When

Phoenix Talkies, Meerut

Palladium Cinema, Mussoorie

3 Tuticorin

Cinema

Co., Ltd.,

Tuticorin
4 Sri

Karunanithi Talkies.
Tiruvarur

Chellam Touring Talkies,

Anthiyur

Permanent Perfect T. Talkie

House, Champion Reefs
(K.G.F.)

Phoenix Talkies, Pondicherry

8 Kunhappu Cinema, Trichur
9 Majestic Cinema, Trichur
10 City Touring Talkies, Trichur
11 Sharda Cinema, Trichur
12 Varthen Talkies, Trichur
13 Giri Ram Talkies, Erode
14 Oriental Talkies, Salem
15 Coronation Talkies, Madura
16 Lakshmi Talkies, Bangalore

Lakshmi

Talkies, Tinnevelly

18 Variety Hall Talkies.

82

43 Jayaram Talkies, Cannanore

44 Kohinoor Talkies, Paramakkudi
45 Shree Krishna Touring
Talkies, Akola

83

46 Paramount Talkies, Ujjaln

47 Shree Ganesh Talkies. Gondia
48 Sri Narayan Talkies,

19

New

20

Oorgaum (K.G.F.)
Shree Gajanan Talkies,

Imperial Talkies,

Amalner
22
24

25

Sr.

Gowder

51

Krishna Talkies, Sunam

Shree Mahavir Talkies, Seoni

52

Dhruva

50

Talkies,

Pachora

New

Gloria Talkies, Sinkheda

54 Sri Bharati Cinetone.
53

Lakshmi Talkies, Karanja

32 Imperial Cinema, Trichur

Murugananda Talkies, Tiruvadi

34 Shri Nataraja Talkies, Lalgudi
35 Mahabir Talkies, Akot
36 Shri Lakshmi Talkies, Ellichpur

55

Venus

Talkies,

Saharanpur
Kolhapur

56 Shalini Cinetone,

57 Imperial Talkies, Gojra

58 Alfred Talkies, Bombay

Sagar Movitone Co. Bombay

60 Gaiety Talkies, Trichur
61 Shri Maharajkumar Sahib
Bahadur, Kotah

City

63

Royal Talkies, Malegaon

91 Srinivas

Rainbow

93

Saraswathi Touring Talkies,

Venkateswara Cinema,

67 Shree

Krishna Talkies, Poona

Chhindwara

95 Central Talkies, Ahmedabad

96 Prabhat Talkies, Nipani
97 Bassein Talkies, Bassein
98

99
100

101

Talkies,

Saravana Talkies, Ambur

Muthukumar Touring Talkies,
Pennadam
Hollywood Talkies, Tenkasi
Touring Talkies.
Kottur

Touring Talkies,
Sangrur

Krishna Talkies, Hissar

73 Prem Talkies, Barnala
74 Shree Sharda Talkies, Ratlam
75 Nand Kumar Touring Talkies,
Rewari

72 Shri

78

Ernemann Touring

40 Shree Chitra Talkies,

79 York Talkies, Ahmednagar

80 Royal Talkie Distributors,

Talkies, Palghar
Talkies, Poona

Jaggayyapet

Madura

Cumbum
chalam

106

Balasubramania Talkies, Erode

Saraswathi Talkies.
Devakottah

108 Pearl Theatre. Ayyampalli

109 Radha Touring Talkies.

Red

Hills

Kumaran

Talkies. Alandur
Sridharan Talkies, Kallakurchl
112 Saraswati Cinetone, Poona
113 New Shivaji Talkies, Harigaon
114 New Globe Talkies, Anjangaon
115 Dig Vijay Talkies. Jamnagar

110
111

116

Talkies,

Raja Touring Talkies,

104 Shri Lalitha Talkies. Bapatla

105 Kamakshi Talkies, Vridha-

Gwalior

Nandurbar

Deccan

Bold types Indicate double Machine.

Gothamchand Touring

Tiruvottiyur

107

71 Universal

Poona
Challapalli

68 Patni Picture House,

Udaya

Prakash Talkies, Ahmedabad

Talkies,

94 Palace Talkies, Bangalore.

103

66 Shree

77

Mangalore

Cinema, Gudivada

92

Iynavaram

69 Central Talkies,

Talkies,

102 Elizabeth

76

Azeem

Bombay Touring

Tasgaon

62 Silver Talkies, Bhavnajrar

Talkies, Nanded
38 Vest Talkies, Pudukotah
39 Chand Talkies. Kotah

41

90

Villupuram

31 Shri
33

Touring Talkies, Kurnool

Krishna Talkies,

Cocanada

Virudhunagar

70 Moti Talkies,

Picture Palace,

Palghat

37

88

Talkies,

Talkies.

Ramachandrapuram

26
27 N. V. G. Balsamy, Dindigul
28 Opera Talkies, Vellore
29 Rajaram Talkies, Tanjore

30

Meenakshi

Rampur

Nag arniwas Cinema, Dewas

Mooken Talkies, Trichur
Plaza Talkies, Colombo

87

Belgaum
Empire Talkies, Rander
Regal Talkies, Vaniyambadi
Arun Talkies, c o Leela

Huns

65 Oriental Touring Talkies.

Bajarang Talkies, Belapur

23 Coronation Talkies,

N. Parur
85
86

89 Shree

64 Jos Theatre, Trichur

Junagadh

84

Gulshan Talkies, Veraval

Raja Talkies, Rajapalayam
Hind-Mata Talkies, Yeola
Golden Touring Talkies,

Inchalkaranjl

59

Coimbatore

21 Royal Talkies,

81

Periakulam

17

Installat

42 Silver Jubilee Talkies,

49 Sri

Sells*

117
118

Arun Talkies, Gadag

Gulshan Talkies. Veraval
Kohinoor Talkies, Nandurbar

119 Balbir Talkies,

120
121

Balaghat

Sundaram Talkies, Shlyall

Lakshmi Talkies, Arnl

covers the

in India

in1938
Rajalakshmi Talkies,

Radhakrishna Talkies.
Pallavaram

159

123

Karunambika

160

Ganesh Touring

124

Ramalingam

161

Roxy

125

Meenakshi Talkies, Tiruppattur

122

Talkies.

Talkies. Arcot

126 Popular Talkies, Tiruchendur

127 New Mangrol Talkies. Mangrol
129

Prabhat Talkies, Sholapur

Godavari Theatre (Talkies),

Manmad
130 Central Talkies,

Jetpur

Regal Talkies, Dharwar

132 Sivakami Sundari Talkies,

Talkies,

Sholingar
Talkies, Trichur

Talkies, Chetpet
Great Indian Cinema, Trichur
164 Rama Krishna Touring

162 Coronation

Sardar Talkies, Malegaon

Vishnu Talkies, Dharampurl
135 Harihar Talkies, Pakapatan
136 Chandra Talkies, Batlagundu
137 Coronation Theatre.

133

138

West End Talkies. Salem

139

Gopalkrishna Talkies.

Rasipuram
140 Sri

Nambu

Talkies,

Rameswaram
Madurantakam

141

Purna

142
143

Rahmania Talkies, Mysore

Jaya Touring Talkies, Arcot

144

Ranga

Talkies,

Vilas Theatre,

Trichinopoly
145 Paradise

Touring Talkies,
Bassi

146 Majestic Talkies,

147

166

Paramount

Viramgam

148 Shri
149 Sri

Lakshmi

Talkies,

Karmala
Mehsana

167 Erskine Cinema, Aruppukotah

168 Saraswathi Stores, Madras
169 Cine-Ideal,

152
153

Balkrishna Touring Talkies,

150
151

Tiruvottiyur
.54

55

56
57

',(58

170
172

Annamalaiyar Talkies,
Kottayur

Kannan
Kannan

Anand Touring
Laxmi
Laxmi

Talkies, Ranlpet
Talkies, Conjeevaram

(Bengal*

207 Vijayalakshmi Talkies.

Madras
208 S.

209

Gomathinayagam

Alwar

Narasaraopet
210 Vel Touring Talkies.

Montgomery

Talkies,

Vasant Talkies, Davangere

Cinema, Cambay
180 Vijayanand Talkies, Nasik
181 Laxmi Talkies, Baroda
182 Partap Vijay Cinema, Baroda

178

Veeravanallur
211

Krishna Kalamandiram.
Gudlavelleru

212 Bharatmata Talkies, Chetpat

213 Popular Talkies. Irinjalakuda
214 S. A. Rahim Theatre.

Periakulam

179 Shree

183

Roxy

184

Mohan Sound

215 Siddeswara Touring Talkies,

Elampalli
216

S.

Talkies, Delhi

Chidambaram

Studio,

217 Kaleeswaran Talkies.

185 Desai and Co., Lahore

186 Anoopam Theatre, Bhavnagar
187 Famous Pictures, Bhusaval
188 Pioneer Picture Palace,

Cranganore
218 Joyce Talkies, Cochin
219 Majestic Talkies, Parur
220 Lakshmi Talkies, Mailpattl
221 K. A. Mohd. Abdul Khader,

Koothanallur

Nagercoil

Modern

Talkies, Sulur

190 Amritsar Cantt.

191

Cinema,
Amritsar

222 Bombay Cinema, Kharagpur

223 Dilbahar Talkies, Pattokl
224 Hansa Theatre, Narayanganj

Shree Shivaji Talkies,

Shendurni

Vishnu Talkies, Raver

193 Shree Durga Talkies, Wardha
192

194 Circle Talkies, Nasik

195

Har Hareshwar

Pillai.

Ambasamudram
Andheri

189

Pillai,

Ambasamudram
Hanuman Touring Talkies.

Talkies, Karjat

Talkies,

Talkies, Igatpuri
174 Leela Touring Talkies, Vapi
175 Huns Pictures, Kolhapur
176 Angel Talkies, Narasaraopet
177 Shri Ramdas Talkies, Pachora
173

Talkies, Atpore

205 Prabhat Talkies, Chopda

206 Sivakumar Touring Talkies.

Cuncolim
(Salcete-Goa)

171 Kishore

Shajahan

Nannilam

Trichinopoly

Velavar Touring Talkies,

Jayakondacholapuram
Muthu Talkies, Aruppukotah
Coonoor Talkies, Wellington
Murugar Talkies, Hospet

(Burma)
204

Talkies,

Pathanan

Bharat Touring Talkies,

Calcutta
200 Shree Krishna Talkies, Akola
201 Shankar Talkies. Purulia
202 Kohinoor Talkies, Bantva
203 Mr. Nariman, Moulmein

Chidambaram

Talkies,

165 K. R. Kasi Viswanatham

Chettiar, Devakottah

134

Utharamelur

Film Service,

163

131

Tirukoilur

199 Sonpal Talkie

Wandiwash

Avanashi

128

field

Turn over

Read

the

and
names

Talkies,

Pimpalgaon

Radhakrishna Touring Talkies

Mannachanallur

196 V. O. Touring Talkies, Trichur

197 Hassan's Pavilion. Delhi

Lalitha Touring Talkies, Atur

198 Saraswati Talkies, Sinner

of

several

satisfied

more

Buyers.

225

Cinema. Wana. (Waziristan)

226 Prince Talkies, Ankleshwar

227 H. J. Mohd Shaft,
228
229
230
231
232
233

Tandlianwala
Kalapi Talkies, Cutch Bhuj
Simla Talkies, Multan Canti.
Saroj Movietone, Bombay.
Wadia Movietone, Bombay
Shree Datta Talkies, Shirpur
Brothers Touring Talkies,

Pind-Dadan-Khan
234 Nazir Talkies, Amalner
235 Central Talkies, Gondal
236 Union Touring Talkies,

Ahmedpur Ease
237 Raja Talkies, Tumkur
238 Public Talkies, Ltd.,

Montgomery
239 Krishna Talkies, Ratodero
240 Shalimar Talkies, Belgaum
241 Garrison Theatre,

Ahmedabad
242
243

Kumara

Talkies, Tirutani
Dhanalakshmi Talkies,

Elampalll
244 Bharata Touring Talkies,

Puttur
245 K. C. Chacko, Trichur
246 M. D. Joseph, Trichur
247 Coronation Talkies,
Tuticorin
248 M. Sivabhushanam, Madras
249 Shanmugananda Talkies,

Kodambakkam
250

Union Touring Talkies

Chiniot

251 Hira Touring Talkies,

Rahimyarkhan
252 Sayed Abdul Qadir Shah.

Ahmedpur East
253

Rajmahal

Talkies,

Muzzafargarh
254 Lakshmi Film Co. Bangalore
255 Mr. Paranjpye, Poona
256 R. G. Apte, Tasgaon

250 Installations and

293 Projectors
"

For the next

Mach ine

BAUER"

write

to:

THE INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT

Roxy Chambers

SAKASWAT1 STORES.

FAMOUS PICTURES.
SAXENA & CO.

Sub-Agents:

MADRAS
BHUSAVAL
DELHI & LAHORE

Co.,

New Queen's Road, Bombay.

ANGEL TALKIE EQUIPMENT CO.

SONPAL TALKIE FILM SERVICE
CENTRAL TALKIES.

BEZWADA
CALCUTTA
JETPUR

H OUND THE TOWN

(The

reviews

under

this

the average
the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are of importance to the exhibitor
in his bookings have been
treated here
in
short,
maintaining, at the same
time, the casual interest
of readers in general.)
lul

both

cine-goer

"BAGHBAN"
Produced by: General Films Ltd.
Released

at:

Bimla

Performances:

Cinema,

Imperial

Bombay.

Kumaii

was on the verge of giving a good

performance but she did not do

because of her affected stagiso

Sitara was
good.
ness.
Yasmin

gave a pleasant dance and spoke

Date of Release: 16th July

1938.

Cast: Bimla Kumari, Sitara, Yas-

min, Ashraf

Khan, Nandrekar,

well but relaxed too soon after her

Nandrekar proved utdialogues.
terly useless.
ral

Nazir, etc.

and

vince.

Screen Play: (By A. R. Kardar)

This is a very thin story and
proves tiresome and boring at se-

The theme

Lalla

His

He
Yakoob

didn't con-

places.

particularly Punjabi
K. N. Singh easily gave

the best

ing.

Direction: (By A. R. Kardar): A

can never be well
story

weak

Kardar has Im-

proved a bit over his previous efThis picture is clean in

forts.
comparison with Kardar's "Milan"
and thanks to Kardar for that.
Kardar should always show this
sympathetic consideration for his
Hindu audiences. Hindus are not
generally used to seeing Immoral

"GORAKH-AYA"
Produced by: Shree Ranjit Movie-

West

End Cinema,

Date of Release: 30th July

Kalyani, Sarla,

Screen Play:
Acharya):
The
in a time worn
not impress one

f
j

'

// I

Wk

publicist
Doshi,
Mr. Chaturbhuj
and journalist has now become a
film director.
His maiden picture
"Gorakh Aya" has proved to be the
best picture of the year coming
from the Ranjit Studios.

performance of the whole lot. He

would make a good character actor
if well nursed by some producer.
Wasti was good in one comic inunterlude. Mirza Mushraff was

1938.

Rajkumari, Mazhar, Trilok,

Iladevi,

(By

etc.

Gunvantrai

developed
fashion and does
with any novelty
or enterprise.
The story begins
with politics and ends with a philosophy.
In
between
romance
punctuates the sequences and good
music makes the story tolerable.
It is not necessary to go into the
details of the story, the subject
being too well known.
Some excusable liberties are taken for the
purposes of production but they
are not cleverly used.
plot

is

Language:
shi):

good.
2

and

(Hindi)
(By Santodialogues are
quite
Composition of songs Nos.

The

is

attractive.

Music: (By Jnan Dutt):

The
tunes of the songs are cleverly
mixed up, with the result that in
The direcbits they sound new.
should have taken
tor, however,
several more rehearsals of Rajkumari, Shah Jehan and Kalyani.

necessary and useless.

Very good

publicity
was secured for the picture either
The
by design or by accident.
Publicity:

and suggestive scenes smelling of

lust and lasciviousness. The direc-

Prabhat-Nandrekar case proved a

particular picture is
unimaginative and unintelligent,
considering the requirement of the
subject.

As a quota
one can be a good
booking for a three day change.

of

Cast:

Photography: (By Kukde): Quite

good in parts. The outdoors called for more care.

Bombay.

(By Mushtaq Hussein):

Released at:

Rather poor in tunes and composiThe background music was

tion.
a sorry affair.

Quite
Recording: (By Arora)
good throughout and excellent in
parts especially in song record-

tone.

have forgotten that he was prestory with the

senting a Hindu
traditional Hindu sentiment.

tion

is

the
idioms "distinguished"
ized
The writer seems to
dialogues.

directed. However,

was amasounded
and rustic.

Language:
(Hindi)
(By A. R.
Kardar): Cheap and Mahomedan-

Music:

dialogues

love
and mystery the love being too
common and the mystery being too
obvious.
The continuity is very
faulty and the development of the
story is too tame to hold the interest of the audience for any appreciable length of time.

veral

to

and

was unnatu-

Nazir

affected.

teurish.

published
section are use-

windfall to the picture.

this

Box-Office Value:

picture

this

Photography:

(By Krishna Go-

Beautiful and in places too

words.
Processing,
beautiful for
however, was not careful. Krishna
Gopal should be more careful
about his outdoors in future. The
pal):

need for an art director is felt in

composition and angle selection.
The trick shots were good.
37

FILMINDIA
Recording:
Quite nice.

September 1938

(By P. C. Subedar)

(By Chaturbhuj DoDirected by a man who

good reputation as a
enjoys a
journalist this picture has a parinterest for the intelliticular
Fortified by his long exgentsia.
perience as a scenario writer, Mr.
Chaturbhuj Doshi has given an
excellent account of himself as a
that this is
director considering
Incidentally,
his very first effort.
in "Gorakh Aya", Mr. Doshi has
given the best picture coming out
during the year from the Ranjit
Studio and in doing so has partly
proprietor's procarried out the
mise to give better pictures during
Direction:

shit.

music.
The
given
by
Yvonne Harroll and the other by
Wallace Young and his wife were
apologetic and lacked school. The
second one looked like a bad parody on the famous Tandav Dance
of Lord Shiva.
liarly

affectionate

other

dances

one

Special Effects: The absence of

Charlie, Ghory, Dixit and E. Billimoria provided a welcome relief
If Ram Apte had
to Ranjit fans.

been dropped
really

it

would have been

new

one new

picture with every

including the director.

Bombay

Circuit Distributors:
cutta Film Exchange.

Cast: Saigal,

Cal-

Jagdish, Nemo, Na-

wab. K. C. Dey, Kamlesh Kumarl,

Uma,

etc.

(By Nitin Bose):

story of this picture has
a
definite purpose.
The writer decries the present day industrialism
of our life and
recommends the
development of agriculture and
other natural resources.
The film
script has
become a jumble
of
Ideas and has gone out of hand at
several places. Nevertheless
the
Screen Play:

The

and based

attempt is meritorious
on high idealism.

Language: (Hindi) (By

Pandit
Sudarshan) The dialogues are ap-

1938.

propriate
Particular pains have been taken
over Rajkumari and Mazhar. Drasthe pictic editing will improve
ture considerably, especially if the
In
conclu'drags' are removed.
sion, old Chaturbhuj can look upon "Gorakh Aya" as a splendid
maiden effort that ought to inspire
him to bigger things in future.

Performances: Rajkumari
given the best performance.
stature
to the

Photography:

has

She
by her

the interpretation of his role rather cheap and puerile. The por-

did not impress,

was

sincere.

soft

Ila

and sweet

though he
Devi was too

to play the part of

an

invading tyrant. She is however,

fast improving.
Sarla
was good
and gave the best music. Kalyani
failed to impress.
Ram Apte who
is the living
disillusionment
of
the innocence of child life proved
boring with his precocious actions.
Ram Apte should not be given
child roles in

of the

but

future.

He

is

Mr James

David

A.

is

now with

the United Artists, Bombay, in

charge of publicity and sales. And

now you know why U.A. pictures

recently jumped into prominence
and popularity.
In

Publicity:

dedicating

the

opening day to the women of the

city
by denying admission to
males, the producers compelled the
world to take notice of the picture.
Good paper publicity backed the release.

Box-Ofnce Value: Plenty of entertainment with a popular plot

makes the picture a great boxoffice

possibility

at

every

station.

"DHARATI MATA"

no

longer a child and does not appeal

as such. It is better to find him
pigmy and dwarfish jobs. Sitara
gave a beautiful dance with pecu-

storm shorts were beautiful

some were too

obv.vous

and

did not help the visual illusion.

some

ascetic digMazhar however, did what

nity.
he was told and did it well. Trilok

trayal called for

(By Nitin Bose):

Good throughout but negligent at

places, particularly in some closeThe laboratory
ups of Saigal.
work was not very careful. Some

Her

vibrant personality. Her dialogues

were beautiful to hear and the
girl gave a good and sympathetic
Mazhar was the
performance.
next best, though I could not reconcile with his gait and poise in
the role he was playing. I thought

4,

The music provides

entertaining.
a great relief in an otherwise dry
subject to the city workers.

role.
it

3,

Music:
(By Pankaj Mullick):
Beautiful tunes leaning slightly towards classics make the picture

rather pathetic looking

is

demands of the
however, makes up for

3S

tractive.

Nos.

and at places very atThe composition of songs

and 5 is praiseworthy.

Produced by:
Released

at:

New

Theatres Ltd.

Minerva

Talkies,

Bombay.
Date of Release: 10th August

1938.

Recording:
(By Mukul Bose):
Quite good but could have been
better.

shown

Some
enterprise
in overlapping sound

was

with
The sound level maintaineffect.
ed in recording echos and mental
promptings ought to teach something new to other recording engineers.

Direction: (By Nitin Bose): Like

the director of "Good Earth" Nitin

Bose has also just failed to deliHis message has

ver the goods.
not gone ringing into the ears of
the world nor will it leave an impress on its
mind. Nevertheless
In
the attempt has been great.
parts the direction
and enterprising.

is

The

very Cleveldirector,

however, had many limitations in

a story of this nature wherein he
has to deliver the goods and yet
maintain the romantic interest to
entertain people. It was a difficult

FILMINDIA

September 1938
a
job, but Nitin has tried it in
great way. Drastic editing of some
of the paddings of paddy will improve the entertainment value of
the picture considerably.

Performances:
Uma gives a
good
beautiful performance with
music.
role

But

was that

the
of

really

difficult

Kamlesh and she

has given very good work. Kammuch that

lesh has improved so
pleasant to know her as she
Her dialogues however
is now.
need more attention. Saigal sang

it

is

When

he opens his
mouth to sing the world becomes

beautifully.

melody, but when Saigal starts

the
acting with one eye-ball on
camera, the world looks cock-eyed.
K. C. Dey is good. Jagdish spoke
the best as usual and his performance was sincere though not up to
his usual standard. He didn't seem
was playing.
to like the role he
Nemo was not bad. Nawab was

man who

has brains to receive

provocative thought.
Publicity:

Too poor and

entirely

inappropriate. The English drafts

excited ridicule
and misled the
Subjects like this require
people.

Special Effects: The storm scene

(generally a
much abused and
obliging safety valve) is an attraction.

General Remarks:

needs vision to see light in the dark and

It

a picture like this will

not appeal to the
non-thinking
in the way it is intended to.
It
has however, enough material to
recommend itself to the intelligent
therefore

An

interesting situation

much

Box-Office Value:

it

is

is excellent in as
pure,
and without

hearing twice.

Photography: The out-doors are

"New Thea-

tres" stands for quality and there

is certainly enough quality in this

In addition there is
a
problem with romance and music
thrown in for grace. This picture
ought to run well with intelligent
audiences. To the masses,
the
picture.

music

as

any mixture of the Hindusthani

blend. Subbiah Bhagavathar sings
the songs worth
well and makes

special publicity.

will appeal.

all

quite impressive. The rest of them

were like good furniture in a good
house.

Music: Music

tolerable, but the indoors are not.

The close-ups are disheartening.

Recording: Barring some songs
Subbiah Bhagavathar, the recording is not at all encouraging.
of

Direction: The direction of this

picture is entirely
unimaginative
and in places illogical.
Slapstick

humour has been introduced which

"KAMBAR"
Produced

Kandan

by:
Vel Pictures and
Films, Madras.
Broadway Talkies,
at:

Released
Madras.
Date of Release: 2nd July, 1938.

S. V. Subbiah Bhagavathar,
Miss Swarnambal, Comedian Na-

Cast:

rayan Rao and others.

(Tamil):
Screen Play:
This Is
the story of a court poet whose
name is Kambar and who was expelled from the court for an Indiscretion to wander aimlessly for
days and then to be found out and
restored.
The incidents selected
weak and make
in the story are
the screen play unappealing. The
dialogues as they are do not grace
the lips of one of the greatest poets
of Tamilnad being
too
common
and cheap.

from "The Secretary" a Ranjit

social picture

makes the picture common and

cheap. The situations between the
barber and his wife are ridiculous,
while the Iyengar girl pouring water

on

her

husband's

a shocking sight.

medy,

it

If

head

is

this is co-

should not be, in our pic-

tures.

Performances:
Subbiah Bhagavathar is a miscast in the story.
His huge body is not meant for
film acting.
The effort to build
him in films on his reputation of
gramaphone records is suicidal
and will never pay any producer.

Performances by the others are too

poor to deserve any mention.
Box-Office Value: For the music
and Bhagavathar fans this
picture will be a treat.
For the
others we doubt whether
it will
even prove entertaining.
lovers

directed

by

Mr.

Chaturbhuj

Doshi.

39

Cinematographer

Hampi

In

By: Dr.

Pathy, India's well known

news-reel
and widely travelled

Dr.

PATHY.

cameraman.
"La bataille de Talikota, en 1565,
entraina la chute de l'empire de
Vijayanagar'
it
was
in Paris, in 1932 that I wrote this
line in my thesis for a
Doctorate
Degree at the Sorbonne. Whenever I referred to that magnificent
book 'Forgotten Empire' by Robert
Sewell. I felt sorry at not having
seen the
ruins of
Vijayanagar;
but at the time I wrote this sen-

seven heads, other

Hindu

deities

and a

particularly
fine
one of
Vishnu reclining on a great cobra.

Dinner passed with barely a

Not one of us felt comfortable.
Perhaps what made us feel
strange was the mere
fact that
our dining hall was the corridor
where, at one time, devocees prayword.

ed to their gods. Somewhat depressed we decided to get to bed

early, as there was much to do the
next day.

Daybreak and we were on the

road to the ruins. There is no
death of events in Indian History,
but some of them have left traces
unparalleled.

Hampi

is

an

out-

standing instance. On looking at

the ruins of the 'Lotus Mahal' and
the 'Queen's Bath' I remarked to
my assistants that I was reminded
of Pompeii.

The Great Narasimha

The history of Vijayanagar and

the ruins that are in Hampi to-day
have been described by the facile
pens of talented authors and as 1
wandered in these ruins and gazed my 'wonder grew' that in spite
of all material and literature available, Hampi had never been utilised as a subject for a documentary film.

My

on the Battle of Talikota,

I distinctly recollect my keen regret at having sailed from India
without visiting Hampi.
tence

Four years later I was in Hampi.

In a traveller's bungalow that was
once a temple. My two assistant
cameramen who accompanied me
on this trip, attended to the unloading of the tongas. As it was
almost dusk when we arrived there
was little else to do but wait for
dinner.
I spent some time wandering around looking at the stone
images scattered about the verandah of the 'dak Bungalow': many
hooded cobras, with from one to

cf Vishnu.
Pictures of details in
sculpture, the huge cobra hood, the
entire monolithic
statute twentytwo feet in height with my assistant close by for comparison.

From here we climbed a hillock

and visited the Krishna Temple.
The carvings on the pillars were
exquisite but there was much more
to see. so we took
a few 'snaps'
and followed the route indicated
in the guide book.

After a visit to
the shrine ox Ganesh, the elephant
headed god eight feet high, we
came to the Jain Temples which
adcrn the slone of the rising mound
and are so different in their archi
tecture from what one
generally
sees in

Southern India.

Here we

spent a good

deal of time
and
many filmpacks. Beiow, we could
see the huge 'gopuram' of Pampapati Temple and the Car Street
where for centuries past amidst
thousands of pilgrims the jugger-

naut moved in all its grandeur.

this day, an annual car festi-

To

val takes place and visitors and

pilgrims from the Nizam's Domi-

nions and
the 'Ceded
Districts'
come to the ruins to participate
in the fair.
Virupaksha the lord

luck for films

was out on
day was
very
cloudy and
though
there were
chances of a few breaks of sunshine I decided to take still phothis

trip!

The

tographs only. The palaces, the

stone door, the stone trough, the
throne platform and sati memorials unearthed by archaeologists
****it wag a i reacjy p aS k midday.
We returned to the 'dak bungalow'
for lunch.
Leaving our cine-ca-

mera and

accessories behind and

with just the 'Reflex' for photographs, we set
out towards
the
Narasimha.

Over half an hour was spent in

photographing the gigantic Image
in stone of the 'Man-Lion* avatar

The Stone Chariot

41

FILM INDIA

September 1938

of the Nagas is the principal deity

of the shrine 3nd being Hindus
we eagerly went towards the great
templejust too
portals of the
late to get a darshan.

Our last monument for the day

Evening was
was Soolai Bazaar.
coming to a close as we hurried
through the long rows of pillars
that once formed the supports of
the great market of Vijayanagar's

second day's programme.

Rampant with ruins that include an
entire chariot cut from solid stone
and myriads of pillars with carvings on them of unusual beauty
Vittala's

Temple

took

over live

We strolled along Car Street towards Hemakuta Hill and looked

back on that often photographed
Hampithe Pampapati
scene of
Street and the
temple, the Car
mound. Behind
rising
the
slope of
our
us Hampi's great street, to
the

left

Tungabhadra

River,

of us more than two miles

according to our
ruins;
the

ahead
of

the
guide book the route along
of the river was the easiest

bank

The water level was

to take.
pretty high and some of the ruins
The
were practically submerged.
Tungabhadra, it struck me, must
have served as a great natural
to Glorious Vijaynagar.

moat

Crowning the Summit

Twenty minutes walking and we

came to what to-day is known as

capital city.

Up

a slight

ascent

Kings Balance, where the

weighed
Rajas of Vijaynagar

and we were

themselves against gold and precious stones and distributed such

treasures amongst the Brahmins
From the Kings
and the poor.
Balance our task was easier and
we located the ruins of rocks
where rishis once lived, the cave
where Sugriva hid Sita's jewels
and the reck which is marked

Deccan

dropped
while she was being abducted by
Ravana.
Such is Hampi' its relics go back to mythological eras,
its temples
its ruins spell history
to this day are sacred and attract
from everynumberless pilgrims
where in India.

missed stepping on a huge black

"No need to worry. They
cobra.
never come inside the bungalow."
our cook said to us.

the

where

Sita's

garment

Hemakuta

Hill

on the summit of
from where, in the

twilight,

we could

see the

car street again.

Our second night in Hampi

passed without much excitement,
except for a scream from one of
my assistants, while he was strolling in the compound of the dak
bungalow after

dinner.

He

just

Sleep was a blessing.

or

Shree Vittala's Temple and one

two other shrines formed the

of

Malayavanta

hours of our
its

compound

Hills

time.

Surrounding

wall are several mi-

nor ruins
which
we
strolled
through and finally got into the
tonga to return to the dak bungalow. At the base of a hill our
tongawallah stopped and pointed
out to us the temple of Malayavanta Ragunatha, crowning
the
summit. Ton minutes later,
a
sadhu at the portals of ths temple stopped us and requested us
to remove our shoes.
He took us
behind the temple and showed us
shrine cleft in a huge
a small
boulder.
Alongside of it was a
flowing stream.
"Lakshmana was
thirsty one day and with his divine arrow, he cleft this rock and
water poured forth," the sadhu
said in Hindi. It is claimed by
scholars that Hampi
is probably
the region where Rama spent a
great deal of
his exile.
Perhaps
there is something
in
the story
the sadhu told us. As we des-

cended the
ing.

From

hill

it

was late evenwe could see

the road

the Jain Temples in the far distance and Matanga Hill enveloped
in mist.
Almost at the gate of
the bungalow, we looked back. In
the dull twilight everything faded

"We must come back to

Hampi and make a documentary,"
we all agreed.

out:

Jain Temples

42

FOR EXHIBITORS TO MAKE EASY MONEY

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Sample of German Courtesy

Well-known

city

lawyer man-handled and thrown out by the

addressed to the
(In a letter
Mr. T. H.
Sentinel"
Suntoke, B.A., LL.B., a well-known

"Bombay

lawyer describes a shameful

incident which happened at the
in
offices of the Agfa Photo Co.
city

Bombay when Mr. Suntoke

visited

This
the same on an invitation.
courtesy
Nazi
of
specimen
unique
!s recommended to those who still
propagate the supposed superiorEDITOR)
ity of the foreigners.

"I am sure my experience of the

type of courtesy meted out to the
Indian public by the concern of
Agfa Photo Co., of Bombay (which,
by the way, is owned by that firm

Havero's about which your

esteemed journal acquainted the
Bombay public of a good few hard
truths), would prove of interest to
your readers.
of

make

enquiries regarding certain photographic

"I

had occasion

accessories,

to

which were

available

only with this firm to which I

received a most polite reply asking me to call over personally and
undersigned (Manager)"
"see the
when the accessories would be de-

monstrated to me, and wound up

with an anxious desire to be of
"service," so

"I called

much
at

for preface.

the

firm's

Head

on Hornby Road, on the 4th

instant and asked to be shown in,

German

explaining my business. I was led

into the presence of a young German who merely growled at me
stating I was wasting
his time
over such a trifling matter which
could have equally well been dealt
with by the clerk at the counter
outside.
My explanation that I
had troubled him in response to
the firm's letter, cut no ice, and I
was given in charge of a peon to
be led to the Stores where, I was
told, I would be served.
"I accompanied the peon to the
basement where I was received by

the Indian staff, who asked to come

in and take a seat and the accessories were brought out
and were
being shown to me. In rushes this
young German, and seeing me
seated on a chair inside the Stores,
catches me by the arm, and with
characteristic
German thoroughness, leads me out to the counter,

asking to be "excused" for such

conduct as no one was allowed inside.

"I indignantly

explained that

was asked to go in by the staff

and did not do so on my own,
whereupon a volley of angry words
were thundered at members of a
cowering and thoroughly frightened

staff.

"The moral

Office

ly

of this episode

needs explaining.

It is

hardappar-

Assistant in Agfa Photo Co.

ent that these over-bearing Germans consider us Indians like unto

dust beneath their feet, although
they live upon our patronage. In
face of such an attitude and the
very glaring truths revealed very
recently in your
columns anent
the political
significance
of the
leading German commercial
firm
of Havero's, I wonder how a popular government can afford to look
askance at a situation which very
definitely promises the worst outlook for Indian aspirations should
a German Indian Empire
(God
forbid!) ever come about.

our much-mooted
"I am sure
would
Congress High Command
headquarters in some
find their
but
most
of
Siberia
corner
certainly unable to direct the destinies

of Provincial Ministries
the British Flag.

as

now under

"I feel it would not be out of

place to pass on a friendly hint to
our Indian Picture Producers who
rely exclusively on German made
films, to discontinue their patronGerman espionage
Let not
age.
and German trickery thrive on
patronage
a
patronage,
India's

which may one day smother her

own national hopes and aspirations in characteristically thorough

German

fashion."

Mr. T.
B.A.

Suntoke,

H.

(Hons),

LL.B.,

Advocate of the Bombay High Court is the

victim

German

of

with

courtesy

his

Buick car in which

he perhaps went to
Agfa Photo Company.
His sad experience is
described

on

page.

46

this-

KORDA'S

"DRUM" AND

Russell Ferguson rot only beats

INDIAN SABU
"The Drum "

he

kicks a hole right through the middle

Much the most interesting thing
about the North-West Frontier of
India is the persistence of the traditions of the Pathans on the one
hand and of the British administration on the other. A study of
the relevent literature, drama and
film reveals that in all their dealings with each other, the natives
and the British punctiliously observe a pattern of behaviour which
practically never varies in detail,
and certainly never in essentials.
Korda's new film, "The Drum", is
it
a valuable document, in that
sets
out authoritatively all the
principles

tion about

machine-gun emplace-

ments and

revolts,

frontier".
But now we come
one of the strongest of British
traditions, which
is,
to rely
on

part of the social life of

the military stationed In the East.
Native unrest ball, native unrest
ball, one follows the other in inexorable rhythm.

character. The reply to the native

threat always takes the form of
a ball at the Residency at Peshawar,

The function has, however, a

further traditional purpose, for it
Is at this ball that the Governor's

"along the en-

tire

to

Carruthers about he
matic choice.

and since each side always

behaves in the same way, all the
revolts,

The formula
little.
He

but

revolts are exactly the same.

the auto-

is

of betrothal varies
says,

"Could you

give your life to the frontier, with

me thrown

in?" and she replies,

"No, darling, but I could give my
life to you with the frontier thrown

rests

side.
There are
instances of British troops
starting a native revolt. The practice is for one chief to murder another, usurp his throne and prepare to start a revolution "along
the entire frontier". All these affairs take place "along the entire
frontier".
The main tradition ot
is
that the
the actual murder
usurper invariably allows someone
to escape from the victim's household, in order to bring word to the
British
British.
This lets the
troops know (that they have an

with the native

no

in."

We mourn
Mr. B.

S.

the premature death of

Hoogan, the well known

music director who died at Ferozpur at the age of 37 years. In

"Afzal", "Mazdur" and "Dharma
Veer" Mr. Hoogan proved to the
world

his

extraordinary

musical

talents.

fixture.

The formality

is always observbut always unnecessary for the

Governor at Peshawar Invariably
knows all about the impending reThe reason tor
volt beforehand.
Officers,
this is, that all British
above the rank of a second lieutenant dress up, as part of their
regular duty, in native clothes, dye
fetch informatheir beards, and

ed,

In view
the native unrest, It Is clear
that someone will soon be required
to be the only white woman in the
hills, so the Governor makes haste
to get his daughter married to a
of

officer,
suitable
whom he will
shortly put in charge of the revolt.
The officer's name need not,
of course, be Carruthers, but
so
many men of that name have put
down revolts that if there is a

Since the pathans are a warlike

by
people who live, so to speak,
killing each other, and the British
are there to keep them in order,
most of the business transacted
in fact all of it is in the form of

away

daughter gets engaged.

This ball at the Residency,

it
may be noted, in a historical aside,
Is in very old tradition.
It is pro-

involved.

The opening gambit always

sential

bably directly descended from the

game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe,
and has come down the centuries,
via the
dance before Waterloo
(there was a sound of revelry by
night) and the ball before Balaclava in "The Charge of the Light
Brigade".
Anyway, whatever the
historical origin,

it

is

now an

es-

By and by, the bridegroom is

taken aside, appointed to a new
Residency established at the danger spot in the hills. This is not
done in any precipitate manner,
but after an adequate lapse
of
time, in order to ensure that the
trouble will develop reasonably, so
that when the troops go up they
will be surrounded.
What is the
use of British troops unless they
are surrounded? Everybody knows
that they are not at their best unless they are hopelessly
outnumbered.

Anyway, the practice is for the

Governor to take the young man
aside and say: "I want you to go
up there and keep your eye on
being

things."

This,

means

want you

and

"I

translated,

to go

up there

get surrounded."

47

FILM INDIA

September 1938

So a small garrison of British

troops moves into the Pathan city
and awaits the next development.
It is against the rules for the Pathan to murder the British at this

dispensed with, in any case, because according to long established

usage somebody has to be
thrown into a dungeon with his
tongue cut out.

has never happened, if

would be much the same
as shooting the fox on sight. On

In several interviews the Pathan

chief kisses
the white woman's

stage.
it

It

did, it

in
grounds, as well as
principle, it is impossible for the
preceding ritual takes several days,
and no detail of it can be omitted.
So the feast is fixed several days
take
ahead (massacres always
place at a feast).

hand and

practical

East.

When

ed.

Both

know

sides

it is time
massacre and rescue. It
is not unusual for the rescue
to
prevent the massacre, but if it
does not, the main tradition to be
observed is that no officers are to

involv-

is

that

all

be killed, only

is

necessary to proceed, because the

side, spends
chief himself on his
most of his time giving broad hints
of his intentions while the British
command is trying all the time to
send the only white woman back
The spying contito Peshawar.
nues, however, for the look of the
In passing we may note
thing.
that the spying could scarcely be

are

made

manding

officer

poor man's heart

give

up

At the end. the Pathan chief is

preferably by the man who
had his tongue cut out, and peace
Another page
reigns once more.

palatial

cherished

There are those who say that our

old traditions
are
decaying so
they may be elsewhere, but not on

the Frontier.

Mr. A. E. W. Mason, in introducing Sabu and Desmond Tester at

the premiere of the film, said, "We
have no idea of propaganda, but
we hope you will see. in the friendship we have tried to portray between these young people, a symbol
of the friendship which is so common between British people and
the Pathans ef North West India,".
This was well said for these peothough treacherous, are very
loyal, and we must always remember that although at regular intervals we have to go up among them
with machine guns and artillery
and knock hell out of them, they
are our friends.
ple,

(Courtesy: World Film News).

PARAMOUNT INDIAN LIBERTY PICTURE

Featuring:

NAVINCHANDRA, VATSALA KVMTHEKAR,

YASMIN, BOSE, ALL, BHIM, MIRAJKAR,
MARUTIRAO, BHALERAO, POKHRAJ, ETC.

and

And that was how two women

came into the life of a man whose
was

All this, set out in Technicolour,

makes a magnificent record of life

in North West India, the same yesterday,
to-day and
to-morrow.

VAGABOND LOVER !

coueted place

pouertu

ten.

BANKE-SAVARIA

alreadu forestalled her and

that

com-

Korda's

killed,

THE OTHER
acquired

(in

*
to

soldiers,

specimen, a machine-gun trained upon him is fired continuously for

several minutes) but never
with
serious consequences.

splendours to qain possession of a

Had

common

to kill the British

THE ONE
Determined

and other prelimi-

for feast,

lot of spy-

ing and counter-spying

these

naries have taken place,

Meantime, the Pathan chief has

several things to do.

her the most beauthe

calls

rose in the gardens of

tiful

British history has been writ-

of

all

that

Direction

belonged

1
.

NANUUHAI VAKIL,

to him.

B. A. L. U. B.

<2roJs

0\

Lamington Talkies
BOMBAY;

Now Under

48

Production:

MIDNIGHT MAN
* GOLDEN GANG

For Booking and Territorial Rights:

PARAMOUNT

FILM

Parekh Street, Bombay-4.

Co.

Lamour
Paramount star.

Dorothy

and Mira
n "Vachan" a Bom)evika Rani

Talkies

picture

ow running at the
Roxy, Bombay.

The

Motion

Artistic Side of

Pictures

By ALICE AMES WINTER.

(The

with

dealt

subjects

will

an art in

toy to

trivial

generation this

single

history of the motion

the

is

Its

picture.

days as an art are of very recent

This means

date.

that

best

its

exponents have reached the point

where they use it to give the rest
a thrill

of us not only

but a wider

men and

nature

and the things that count.

Every

understanding of

musical instruments,

its

ability

Romeo and

Dead

geous,

ample,
be

cinema form,

dif-

if

you put

English

would

Shelly's "Skylark"
it

into music or ex-

Says Rotha,

pressed in painting.

"No medium

critic,

of ex-

pression calls for such wide range

accomplishment

technical

of

as

men-

This dynamic

does the film.

claim,

the

most powerful form of expression

its

available to-day

and a constantly growing

notable productions are

to

the

of

list

the evi-

dence of the artistry of the motion

observe

to

pictures share certain

is

how

methods

expression with other arts:

of

How

Both develop

a story of charac-

whimsy by
Both
means of dramatic action.
beings
moving
present living
through circumstances and fate.
ter, destiny,

struggle or

actors with their personal

to

the

audience.

temperament

of

the

ponds to audience appeal.

as

thing to
art,

itself,

unlike any

making The Birth

Nation, brought

it

picture

home

to the

delicately

strung as

He

mo-

Use

ARYAN

world the fact that

was using new

tools

in a

correspond with
ality.

own person-

its

The cinema actor has

no

He must

"re-

inspiring audience.

from

emotions,

gister"

hate, out of his

own

love

very

stupid

sion.

The stage

framed

by

the

proscenium arch, while the

film

Again,

time.

the spectator at a stage play

and

in a fixed spot

The

of view.

a dozen

onlooker

near

points of view, here, there,

far

this

that side.

side,

Because, of

its

and

limitations

and

the distance between actors

audience, the

must

play

certain conventions.
trical"

sits

sees everything

from a fixed point

film gives the

It

follow

"thea-

is

whereas the excellence of

a picture requires

it

to be natural,

The screen

intimate, free.

actor

uses stage technique.

THE MOTION PICTURE AND THE

NOVEL.

limited in time

criticism

As a matter of
whenever the picture maker

by

strictly limited

is

the small space

mon, as well as wide

leap

comes from people who think of

the picture as merely an illustrated book or play.

to

inner impul-

differences.

Like the cinema, the novel

Much

out

qualities that

Again there are points in com-

new

way.

fact,

calling

from the actor the

becomes bombastic the moment he

other

of a

is

a violin.

began a generation ago when

Griffith, in

tion

is

the

actor res-

own, unlike any of the others. The

cinema

appeal

Moreover,

they have developed tools of their

realization that the

performance,

in the

mendous space and

THE CINEMA AND THE STAGE.

vantages of the presence of living

The thing

were, the audience shares

it

story can range at will over tre-

The stage has the inestimable ad-

picture.

So, as

creative

Zola,

Horizon,

Lost

is,

day film.)

artist."

Captains Coura-

End,

into

its

The Good Earth,

Juliet,

it

ferent from literature, as for ex-

marble,

tools as servants of finer purposes.

Pictures like

translate

tal pictorialism

mechanical

these

use

to

must

uses a piece of literature he

its

comes in

paint, but the test

the present

to

tools,

mechanical

art has its

Subsequent

art.

The Camera Angle, Time Lapses, Montage Symbolism

be

and other techniques peculiar

From a

hand maiden of

of articles dealing with films as the

first series

where

it

and space.
will,

when

Both claim the right

side the very

FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

racters

and

minds
tell

is

may

it

will.

to step in-

of their

you

un-

It

how

chathey

FILM INDIA

September 1938
think and

feel, the novel by giving in words the author's confidential information, the film by reIt
vealing it in symbolic flashes.
many successful
is evident that
films have a looseness of literary
the
novel
structure that is like
and gets away from what we
think of as dramatic structure.
The picture, like the novel, may

whatever

select

viewpoint

it

Quite apart from those pictures

which are almost operatic, rhythm,
melody, musical emotion are being used more and more in
the

adapting fine music to the film.

Notable, for example, is the way
Walt Disney uses good music as
intrinsic part of his Silly Symphonies, or the way in which the
elf-like piper in "The Firefly" stirs
up the tired mules by his piping,
and everything in the scene, from
the wagging of the mule's ears to
the swaying of the
stage coach,
sways to the same rhythm, until
the audience itself feels the swing.

an

very structure of filmic plays. The

two senses that are closest to our
emotional life, sight and hearing,
unite, each to intensify the effect
of the other.
So some of the best
musical talent of the world is finding its way to picture studios,

chooses.

in

ENJOY

But of course, the novelist paints

words and leaves it to his rea-

ders to envision the looks of his

characters, the background and
even the action, according to their
individual culture
and imaginaThe cinema paints for the
tion.
In the best pictures, words
eye.
play only a secondary part, dialogue is reduced to a minimum,
description disappears altogether,
because the audience "sees for itself".
This is why the literary
writer is often a failure as a scenario writer.

and

FIGURFINE
Bust

close

The Beer

DevelopSet,

builds

re-

fallen,

flat and undeveloped bust,

due to illness

So the film gathers something

from drama, from literature, from
music, from the pictorial and plasYet it is none of these.
tic arts.
Its tools and its methods are its

Motherhood,
or

General

Debility.

of three
Set
Bottles Rs. 15.

own.

For free literature write to'-

CONTINENTAL DRUG STORES

115,

relations.

that

ing

Music and the cinema have envery

Beautiful
Figure.

MUSIC AND THE CINEMA.

tered into

It is evident
that architecture,
dancing, sculpture, artistic
composition such as appears in painting all play their subservient part
in the film. As colour promises to
used,
both
be more and more
artistic composition and a study of
colour
the psychology of
(as
shown in Disney's "Snow White")
will play more important parts.

Youth

Eternal

is

Prixcbi

famous

m rket.

for

(Courtesy: The Motion Picture and The Family).

Bombay

its

AMST
BEER

Flavour and Quality,

glass

of

it

every

day makes you

happy and

Exchange

refreshed-

its

crown

ppers for useful free

afoL

<tf4

INDIA INTERNATIONAL
Readvmoney Mansion CI lurclieate

Street,

Fort,

feel

stogifts.

CO.,

Bombay.

51

IMPERIAL FILM

Studio Close

Ups

The doors are

CO.:

still

silence in the studio

and the
eloquent of

closed
is

the times gone by.

KRISHIN MOVIETONE:

BOMBAY

Harindranath
English unit

BOMBAY TALKIES:

is

Chattopadhaya s
missing from the

and even after a long

search we have not yet found them.
We are afraid Seth Chimanlal
must have missed his money too.
studio

"Vachan", an ancient story in

costume was released on the 19th
at the Roxy Talkies to a very appreciative audience,
which clamoured in crowds at the box-offi-

MINERVA MOVIETONE:

Devika Rani has once again

outwitted the Gods that defy box-

ces

ces.

Bombay

"The
up

Jailor" locked the audienin the

Krishna Talkies and

Talkies
have produced another successful
picture if the crowds are any crioffice

successes.

terion of success.

KAN JIT MOVIETONE:

new

With a stunning

and

of

Director
Kardar's
"Baghban"
was released at the Imperial Cinema and the first week proved
triumphant to this company. The
company has, for the present,

history.

With

stopped all production activities

and they have two pictures ready
in the tins, namely, "Pati Patni"
and "Industrial I{ndia" scheduled
to be released
in
Bombay after

the success of "Gorakh Aya", Chaturbhuj Doshi, that brilliant Gujarathi journalist of one time has
sprung into prominence as a budding director giving an encouraging
promise for the future. The next
to come on the screen after this
will be "The Cat", a social picture
with plenty of thrills in it.
At
the studio "The Secretary" is now
in the editing room and is beiin;
deftly cut foot by foot by Chaturbhuj Doshi. "Sant Tulsidas" and
"Achhoot" are being shot steadily.

"Baghban".

PRAKASH PICTURES:
"Tcofan Queen", a Tamil picture
should have been on the screen
by now. Director Khosla is busy
with his crime story named "Hero
1".
No.
"Poornima"
finishing touches.

"Rangilla

ral

Is

Impe"Bagh-

Cinema immediately
ban" makes room for it. At tne
studios "Postman" by Mahindra is
lying ready while Badami is Busy
looking after "Ladies Only", a picture written to cast Sabita in tne
lead. Director Luhar has taken up
a new subject called "Service Ltd"

and we only hope that he does

not limit his

own

service.

is

reported

indoor

shootings

of

"Vijay

Kumar".

"Punjab Mail", a 'diamond thriller' as the Wadia's put.

is being shot
it,
very 'fast with
Nadia in the lead. Three newdirectors are also working in the

After the first few weeks "We

Three" gradually weakened at the

rial

Mazdoor"

Raja Yagnik has completed seve-

SAGAR MOVIETONE:
"Gramaphone Singer"

getting

to be running well at different stations in the country. In the studio

be a glorious year for Raniit.

billed to be released at the

is

WADIA MOVIETONE:

Chandulal Shah Is very much a

busy man nowadays as we find him
in conference with Kardar and
other directors and hatching new
plots and plans.
1938 promises to

Rexy.

social

being directed by
Ram Daryani was scheduled to be
released at the Pathe Cinema during the month.
Certain last minute changes necessitated extra
shootings with the result that the
picture will now come on the
screen sometime in the month of
September. In a
heart-rending
pathetic story that famous Bengali artiste Padmadevi, is reported
to have given an excellent performance which will be long remembered by her fans.
is

GENERAL FILMS:
idea

keeping out the males Ranjit

ushered "Gorakh Aya" at the West
End Talkies and for weeks on end
It has been drawing huge crowds
of lovers of art

"Zamana", a sensational
picture which

Yasmin in "Banke Savaria" a

Paramount Picture.
kept them there thrill bound for
weeks.
Sohrab Modi as their
'jailor' is reported to have
given
a wonderful portrayal never before seen on the Indian screen. at.
the studios "Vasanti" is now between the scissors and will be soon
ready for the screen with Naseem
in the lead.

studios,

namely, Yusuf, Aspi and

Ghadialli.

EVEREST PICTURES CORPN.:

That ambitious director Ezra
Mir has at last launched an independent enterprise under
the

name

of "Everest Pictures".
The
story is a gipsy subject with
plenty of pathos and entertainfirst

ment. It is named "Sitara". We

wish Mr. Mir a splendid success

53

FILMINDIA
which

this

honest

September 1938
artist

is

ready at the Studio

Super Talkies

to be released at the

immediately

"Rajkumari"

is

off

Mr. Bhavnani in the

meanwhile is concentrating all his
efforts on building up a new story,
which as he usually does, will be
new in conception and
entirely
the screen.

presentation.

PARAMOUNT FILM

CO.

This studio which specializes in

producing breath holding 'quicwill
soon release "Banke
kies'
Savaria" in the first week of SepIn the studio "Midnight
tember.
Man" under the capable direction
of Mr. Kikubhai Desai himself is
progressing fast.
"Golden Gang
and "Madhu Bansari" are also
under production, the first one
under the boss of the show and
the second one under Nanubhal
Vakil. Paramount seems to be doing very well as long in advance
of some others they have paid a
month's salary as bonus to the
-'

staff.

PRABHAT FILM

CO.:

Son", a social story with an

extraordinarily new theme ana a
marvellously refreshing treatment
is under production in the indoors
under the capable direction of Mr.
Kale. The studio is agog with news
of the wonderful music given by
Shanta Hubliker the new find of
Prabhat, whose melodious voice is
likely to be the sensation of the
season in the Indian screen world.
That once popular hero Shahu
Modak is again cast as the hero
in this picture in the Marathi version of the story.
We hope he
gives his haunting and melodious
music once again to carry this picture of Prabhat to its usual spec-

the theme of "Gopichand" in a

SARASWATI CINETONE:
"Gopichand" as we had expectbecame the popular hit of the
season at the Royal Opera House.
The picture brought tears to the
ed,

eyes of thousands, but it is lucky

that reports have not yet come in
of the rich of the city rolling In
money having renounced their
riches and become fakirs. For this

Carroll,

At the studios director Chowdhary, once the star director ol

Bombay, is shooting a social picture called "It's True" with Motilal and Rose in the leading roles.

Another picture which

will

imme-

diately go into shooting, probably

within the next month, is a historical
subject
called
"Bhagwa

Zenda".

CALCUTTA
NEW THEATRES:
"Abhagin" did not fair well at
the Minerva Talkies in Bombay. It
Is a pity that New Theatres should
have given a weak picture for the
"Dharati Mata" drew
weeks at Bombay.
"Adhikar" has been completed and
Barua is well on way on his foreign
tour.
"Street Singer"
in the
is
editing room, while, "Bara Didi" is
still
being shot in the interior
box-offices.

well for the past

tacular success.

A shot from "Zorro Rides Again" with John

sets.

FILM CORPORATION OF INDIA:

The

studio news
coming from
studio still reports of entertainments arranged in honour of
this

somebody

Helen Christian and others.

Release.
54

is

line.

"My

BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS:
"Yangrilla"

POONA

has

hitherto been robbed of either by

circumstance or by misfortune

visiting the studio. This

It

is

Republic

FILM INDIA

September 1938
has been going on for a long time
and we hope that they now start
concentrating on their new picture "Hope" and get to work.

BHARAT LAXMI PICTURES:

By the time

this

print

in

is

"Abignan" should have been released at the local cinema in Calcutta. They call this an 'A' picture.
Till

we

see

it

we won't

risk

an

opi-

ANDHRA CINETONE,

direction of

(Vizagapatam)

The studio

is going on through a
troublesome time and we are
sure Mr. Raju will get through
them. "Bhaktha Jayadev" is ready
for release and is expected to be

bit of

released sometime in the

month

of

"Mohini Bhasmasur"

pictures under production In

this studio are "Maya Macchindra"
In
Tamil,
"Khana" in Bengali,
while Mr. Ellis Duncan is directing

"Chandra Sekhar"

in

Hindi

and

is due to be
Their studio is
expected to be used by the Chamarias, those Marwadi
distribu-

released very soon.

"Thyaga Bhoomi"

be the
new picture to go into production.
It is a patriotic subject with Subbalakshmi,
Papanasasivam and
Baby Saroj in the lead, and is expected to prove a
good banker.
The other picture to go into production is called "Ahimsa Sakti"
and it is expected to be in two
versions,

lakshmi

An

will also lead

interesting

with.
"Rambha's Love"
be starring Vasanti Devi.

met

will

will

Tamil and Hindi. Subbain this.

situation

go
"Nalini Sekharan" ought to
shooting very shortly under
the banner of the Premier. S. P.
L. Dhanalakshmi has been signed
into

to

play the lead.

PREMIER CINETONE,
(Coimbatore)

"Eknath" is being shot steadily

and Mr. Mehta the director of the
picture expects it to become a boxoffice

(Salem):

The new picture to go into shooting will be called "Prachin Kerala".

"Maya Mayavan" and "Thayumanavar" are being steadily shot in
the studios.

By the time

More care is being taken in the

shooting of "Rambha's Love" as
the producers are anxious to avoid
the fate which their "Tukaram"

(Madras)

nam.

(Madras)

CENTRAL STUDIOS.
(Coimbatore)

UNITED ARTISTS* CORPN.,

girl

SUNDARAM SOUND STUDIOS,

tors.

Bengali.

SOUTH INDIA

The

Miss C. V. Rajarath-

MODERN THEATRES

ANDHRA TALKIES
(Rajahmundry)

The

Dwarknath.
is

September.

nion.

METROPOLITAN PICTURES:

In the lead

Dwarknath
maiden

Productions

are

"Lucky Star", as
production under

their

the

Is

in

print

'Bhoo Kailas" should have been

on the screen. The picture is reported to have done well in the
mofussil.

NATIONAL MOVIETONE,
(Madras)
"Raj Mohan" is awaiting release
and will perhaps be released durSo is "Punjab
ing September.
Kesari", which is being produced
by Star Films.

Mayura Films

are

luck by shooting

success.

shooting

this

testing their

"Luck".

NEWTONE STUDIOS,

(Madras):
almost finished
the shooting of "Swarnalata" with
Y. V.

Rao has

from "Binke Savaria" a Paramount picture coming to the Lamington Talkies

very shortly.

55

FILMINDIA
Miss Aranganayaki

Immediately after

September 1938
the
In
this Mr.

lead.

Rao

be taking up a social subject

"Society Sinners" in two
called
versions, viz., Tamil and Telugu.
will

VENUS PICTURES

(Karaikudi)

Mr. Ramaseshan has done the

casting of "Kiratha Arjun". A good
girl in Miss K. Subbalakshmi has
been chosen to act as the heroine.
People expect the picture fo be
shot at Calcutta owing to Mr.

Ramasesham's

old associations.

SREENIWAS CINETONE,
(Madras)
Mr. Narayan has changed his
Now
Ideas about "East Lynne".
people think that he will produce
"Les Miserables" in Tamil and it
would not be a surprise if he
changes that and starts "Count of
Monte Cristo". The whole idea is
wants to live
that Mr. Narayan
and he does not care how it is
done. We advise him to be more
methodical in his work so that his
efforts start paying him.

FAMOUS FILMS,

RENAISSANCE THEATRES,
(Madras)
original "Jalaja" is now expected to be revived after a number of changes.
We hope this
change will help Mr. Seshgiri and

The

convince people that

hero of the piece.

"Mala

by Sarathy Films

lease.

"Veera

stunt picture
studios.

is

RAJU FILMS,

(Madras):

Director P. V. Rao
has almost
finished shooting "Madhurai Veeran" at the Wadia studios In Bombay. Miss T. P. Rajalakshmi. that
playing the leading role opposite
famous actress from the South is

Mr. Chellappa and Mr. Rajagopal

Chettiar expects the picture to be

Harijan picture,
expected to be

is

by Mr. Pattu
has already

the

in

being steaIyer.

"Prem

gone into
shooting, as the maiden attempt of
Mr. Narottam Vyas. (He is direct-

is
is

An

(Bangalore)

intimate cast

Rampyari, Kokila and Indubala

playing in the lead. We hope it
not 'all play and no work'.

"Nandkumar",

their

maiden

has been
spectacular production
and Kumbareleased at Madura

konam where

it Is still

running for

It was due to be
several weeks.
and should
released in Madras

The Chettiars are trying to put

some life into "Sundara Moorthy
Nayanar" by attaching a comedy
it called "Navin Kuchela".
hope they succeed.

FILMS, (Madras):
"Baktha Markandeya" is awaiting release in the city and will be
backed by the good reports received from the mofussil.

PRAGATI PICTURES,

KARTHIKEYA FILMS:

to

Studios, direcshooting
is
steadily
tor Kapoor
"Radhakrishna" in Telugu and
"Shyam Sunder" in Tamil.

KUBERA

lead "Inbasagaran"

Sagar"

(Madras):

At the Kolhapur

is

With Santhanalakshmi
dily shot

L.

at
the Film Corporation of India studios in Calcutta, with Miss Krishnaveni in the lead.

really good.

well received.

of

ready for reRamani" another

being shot at the

the

COMBINE, (Madras):
Pilla" a

In association with Hindusthan

Films these people are shooting
"Vimochan". The picture is being
directed by Mr. T. Marconi.

is

Is

MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS'

ing this time).

"Bhagya Leela"

he

(Madura):

Under the direction of M.

Tandon "Yeyati" is being shot

LAXMI CINETONE.

JAYA FILMS, (Madras):

MOHAN PICTURES:

MOHAN MOVIETONE,

(Nellore).

"Venkatesa Mahatmyam" in Telugu is expected to be produced at

Shalini Cinetone under the direcPeople sustion of Mr. Pulliah.
pect that Mr. Shiraz of Famous
Cine Laboratory has also something to do with this production.

become very
The
popular with the masses.
next item on the production budget is a social comedy of the crazy
have been by now,

We

Printed and Published by D. K. Parker at New Jack Printing Works,

Filmindia Publications Ltd.

type.

75,

Apollo

St..

Bombay

for

Mr. Somnath Mistry

apens

MILK BAR
IN

AT

AHMEDABAD

MODEL TALKIES

Lord Krishna
delivers the

message

to

Millions

of

In

Milk

the Prohibition

City,

people become

intoxicated on

MILK

Gopal Krishna
czrrinq

SHANTA APTE
Supported

Prabhat

rewrites

mythology

gives Lord Krishna a

new

and

purpose

II VI

His

Divine

VI

ULHAS
And 1000

for

by:

others

Existence.

unmtid at~>

MODEL TALKIES
AHMEDABAD

2CU

No. M3

==
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.5<JI#

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BABURAO PATEL

Editor:

OCTOBER

Vo\. 4

Ltd.,

BOMBAY.

No. 6

1938

TELL US ANOTHER, MR. MUNSHI!

When

politicians turn patriotism into a pro-

country slowly assumes an atmosphere

fession, a

of fascism.

That

is

what seems

to

be happening in India

to-day.

The Congress stepped into power with a big

and a long list of promises. The
pledged to carry out a patriotic
were
ministers
programme of national re-organization. How far
they are keeping this promise is being seen from
hullabaloo

day

to day.

One
is

thing

however was expected and it

would not hesitate to act

that the Congress

when problems
were

involving our national prestige

in question.

And

yet did the Congress Ministry in

Bom-

bay act adequately when "The Drum" was being

shown

in the city?

Beyond any shadow

of doubt,

it is

now

prov-

ed that "The Drum" is an offensive film and its

release all over the world impair the national
prestige of India.

Everyone has taken exception to "The Drum".

Elsewhere we publish our review of the picture

FILMINDIA

October 1938

which several aspects to which we have taken

objection have been pointed out.

And

in

yet 83 persons were arrested. Over 300

policemen were posted

arrest the picketers

When the picture was first released in Bombay it raised a storm in the city. Thanks to "The
Drum", 83 persons are to-day under arrest.

No one knew
gress taught

it

all

round the theatre to

by the Congress Government.

this art of picketing

to the

whole world.

Congress was not in power, peaceful

Anticipating trouble, the
of the film circumscribed all
loss

local

distributors

chances of possible

by releasing the picture

at

two theatres
But

was resorted

if

Conthe

picketing

to against the authorities,

Congress protested loudly

till

When

and the

the picketers were

arrested.

simultaneously and drawing huge crowds.

almost every one

who saw

the picture, attracted

by the thundering publicity, advised others not

to be misled by the boosting.

We

had anticipated the storm that ultimately

burst and to prevent it we drew the attention of
the Bombay Government on the 30th August,
two days before the actual release, and requested
them to stop the picture, as it was harmful to our
national interests and aspirations.
But the Government did not act. Probably
misled by the advice of the executives, Government considered their silence as a stroke of wisdom.

were submitted, but

Government remained adamant perhaps pro-

Protests after protests

the

But to-day with the Congress in power the

weapon has become rusty and peaceful picketing seems to have become an offence.
After
these arrests who would swallow the Government
old

assurance given in the Assembly?

The show made by the

pressive.

was im-

In fact, the police constables picketed

the picture better than the picketers themselves.

Three hundred constables armed with lathis, a

dozen British sergeants, half-a-dozen sub-inspectors, a couple of inspectors, a deputy commissioner and the all important Commissioner of
Police graced the spot where our people went to
pray to and persuade their own countrymen to
leave a bad picture alone and save our national
prestige.

tected by the thought that a sub-committee of

three members of the Censor Board had sanction-

ed the release after due consideration.

city police

How

does this display of power by Congress

policemen strike an Indian who has lived through

the old times when lathi charges punctuated the

These three members consisted of two offiN. Chandavarkar, (Assistant Collector of

Customs), H. V. Hampton, I.E.S., and the only

hours of a peaceful day in the

life of

the city?

cials, P.

The Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, the Home Minis-

outsider Dr. Kajiji.

ter

gave another

"It

assurance

to

the

Legislative

the Governments, people decided to picket the

Government
of Bombay to prohibit anti-Indian films.
The
films which were offensive to Indian national self

picture.

respect will not be allowed to be shown."

After

full

seven

days'

rush

at

the

two

theatres and an apathetic silence on the part of

And

immediately the situation

became
grave, thanks to the studied apathy of our Congress Government.
In replying to a question
on the floor of the Bombay Legislative

Assembly, the

was not the policy

Home

Minister said that "it

of the

Government

to inter-

with peaceful picketing so long as there was

no contravention of the existing laws."
4

Assembly:-

And

was the policy

yet "The

of the

Drum" was allowed

to

run for

over seventy shows continuously in the city for

14 days with thousands seeing the picture,

and

over 80 persons were arrested for picketing.

We

cannot doubt Mr. Munshi's patriotism as

that stands well proved

when we remember

old battles and the scars they left behind.

his

But

FILMINDIA

October 1938

we have

ernment

cause to doubt his courage in his pre-

sent old age surrounded

by the new found power

gressmen,

and pomp.

on.

though not composed of Conalso reported to have put the brakes

of Bengal,

And

is

yet the

Government

of

Bombay

is

grop-

ing for vision and waiting to act.

Are the Congress Ministers afraid of losing

Did the Commissioner of
their present power?
Has Mr. Munshi
Police overawe Mr. Munshi?
become a bureaucrat?.. Is Mr. Munshi no longer
a Congressman? A hundred questions like these
were asked by the multitude and remained unanswered during the last month.

On the other hand, perhaps due to the attitude of the local Executive, the local distributors
have viewed the whole
with the usual arrogance peculiar to the
foreigners in such matters. The exhibitors who
joined hands with the distributors in putting our
of the film are reported to
affair

nation to shame, deserve the censure of the public.

The Hon. Mr. Munshi must answer these

questions as a responsible patriot and a Congress
Minister.

People

who shouldered him

And that is the deal we had in the present

times with a popular ministry in power.

to his pre-

sent exalted position expect at least this

much

from him as a gentleman.

"The Drum" should have been

banned,

The Government

of Madras,

under the

dership of the venerable C. Rajagopalachariar

reported to have banned the picture.

QYllk

if

the Congress

profuse in declaring

lea-

and honour.

is

The Gov-

its

of a

half as sincere as

it is

love for national prestige

Even now, the Hon. Mr. Munshi

should act or he should

ike speed

is

straightway

tell

us another story.

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MARCH OF TIME

ANOTHER FOREIGN FILM AND A FRIENDLY

WARNING
India seems to be a popular subject for the
foreign producers as we hear that still another firm
of London producers is going to produce a picture on
India very shortly. Pictures like "The Charge of the
Light Brigade", "India Speaks" and "The Drum" have
done enough damage to the national prestige of the
Indian people by painting them in the darkest
colours possible which the foreign mind can imagine.

We are all aware of the storm which

picture "The Drum" created in the city.
ture is likely to be banned all over India.
banning of this picture should provide
iesson to foreign producers who revel in

JUDAS "

they

still

l>y

"

the latest
This picAnd the
an object

defaming

By producing "Brahmachari", the Huns Pictures

stepped into the lime light of the world as an enterprising firm who are bent on giving novelty in entertainment even at the risk of financi al success.
As things actually turned out, perhaps to reward
the daring enterprise, "Brahmachari" has become a
roaring success.
It is high time that the present
day producers in India should come to this inevitable conclusion that production of mythological pictures is sheer prostitution of human intelligence.
The stories written by Vyas and Valmiki during
the ancient times, were only good enough for those
times.
To repeat them and tell them again in celluloid, in the present fast moving times is to admit
an intellectual defeat from the old masters.

India.

The present day

We

hope that the new firm of producers do not

follow in these footsteps, but produce a picture, if
they really want to do so, with Indian colour, in full
sympathy with the customs and traditions of this
great land.
Thereby the producer will not only

make

the picture popular with the Indians but at the

time, present to the world true facts about
India, which the world so badly needs, at the present
juncture.

same

British National Films Ltd., of London, of which

is the largest shareholder, will be shortly
producing a picture called the "Daughter of India"
with a story thrown in the times of the Moghul

Lady Yule

Emperor Akbar. Mr. John Corfield, the Managing

Director and producer of the picture is already in
Bombay for the peliminary reconnoitring.
Mr.
Corfield will be in India for sometime,
and will
return to England in October to return again with
his unit in January to shoot the scenes of the above
picture on the Indian locations.
For his own sake we hope that Mr. Corfield does
not commit the same mistake which Alexander
Korda committed in producing "The Drum".
India is at all times, a hospitable country of gentlemen who are prepared to extend their sympathy

and

co-operation to
foreigners
reciprocate

warmth.

If

this

fact

all

foreigners

provided, the

same sentiment and

remembered then we hope

the
is

there will be no trouble in future.

civilization

is

complicated

and needs higher minds to interpret its spirit,

and provide a beacon light of guidance to society.
Life in the present times is entirely different from the
affair

the olden times. And for producers to give

mythological tales to provide as sermons to the present day generation, is something like putting an oil
lamp in a modern ball-room.
life in

The present day social picture should have been

the only pursuit of all Indian producers. It is pleasant to note that a majority of the producers are
meeting this present demand but very few have been
trying to add any spice to entertainment. In "Brahmachari" the producers have added that much needed
spice to entertainment, which makes it an enjoyable
comedy.

And
comedy

let

us

tell

you that producing a successful

more difficult and requires more

brains than the best of social pictures in the market.
is

infinitely

Our producers

do well to follow the example

their tracks to give India
those light comedies which are so badly required at
the present time.
of

will

Huns and march on

VITAL TIP TO ADVERTISING PRODUCERS:

In advertising trade, it is a vital principle of sucthat a firm of advertising consultants that buy
space and write copy for clients should not take up
another competitive product to advertise when a similar product belonging to their own client is already
cess,

FILMINDIA

October 1938

This creates clash of ideas and both

clients suffer in value and service.

on hand.

the

Good advertising firms observe this as a principle

while big advertising clients insist upon this as a
That

condition.

is

real business.

In India, one advertising agency carries sometimes over six competitive producers at a time, three
out of which invariably screen their pictures simultaneously with the result that the same advertising
agency doles out stale copies from day to day for
A foolish and suicidal procedure
different pictures.
but there are still producers in the present progressive
times,

who

And

follow

that

is

it.

why producers spend more money

Advertising to prove paying must

have its individual brilliance and originality and the
agent must have only a single picture to think of

and get

new

less result.

advertising ideas.

At present in Bombay there is a big shortage of

good publicity men. The only man who has recently
impressed me with good publicity is the fellow who
did the newspaper publicity of "Poornima", the latest
Prakash picture. Ranjit had a good opening shot
Sagar's publicity for "Jagirdar"
for "Gorakh Aya".

also a landmark, while the terrific hullabaloo

over "Kisan Kanya" would be long remembered.

was

But barring these few instances Indian pictures

do not get good publicity, though quite a good amount
of money is often spent by producers.

What we want now

is

new

publicity

men and

they must be trained men and not mere scribblers.

I know one man writing 'copy' for five companies, a
sort of a wholesale merchant in trite catch lines
That man is making good
written on shirt cuffs.
money, seeing that he doesn't actually deserve one
tenth of what he gets now, but the producers are
losing a fortune every month in newspaper publicity
at the hands of a useless man.

On an

average a big Indian studio spends over

on newspaper publicity. HoUywood pays that amount to one man, who would be
placed at the head of the publicity department merely
to think of new ideas.
Rs. 50,000 per year

Indian producers must learn to spend and buy

efficient original talent.

AN APPEAL TO RAI SAHEB CHUNI

LALL.

Affairs at the Motion Picture Society of India do

not seem to be very smooth, if some of the reports

FILM1NDIA

October 1938

Without going into smallei

are true.
us ask some questions to the Executive
Committee of the Society, regarding their recent publication of Indian Cinematograph Year Book.
that

we hear

details,

let

1.
Mr. Haribhai Desai was the original editor of
the Indian Cinematograph Year Book and he had
edited the said book which was published by the
Society and even copies were sent out to a few peoHow is that Mr. Desai's name does not appear
ple.
on the book as the Editor?

the Hony. Secretary, the wisdom of appointing Mr.

Desai as Editor when he had no previous experience
of a job of this nature? Is it also true that the Secretary did not pay any attention to this recommendation?
5.

B. D.

of the second edition of

Mr. Bharucha qualified to

job was a big affair considering that it cost Rs. 8,000.

Has Mr. Bharucha ever done journalism or edited a

2.
Some of the copies of the Year Book as originally published, to be accurate, printed, were hastily
withdrawn from the recipients. Why? Was it because

book of this nature?

Mr. Desai, editor No. 1 had written certain irresponremarks about several personalities in the
sible
Indian film industry? Who sat in judgment over his
work and labelled it as irresponsible to deserve a
hasty withdrawal?

money

What amount

exactly did the Society lose as a

work by way of reprintIs it true that the Society
ing and loss of paper?
had to spend Rs. 2,500 extra?
3.

result of this "irresponsible"

4.

Is it true

members

that some of the

staff of the Society

had brought

of

the

to the notice of

it

6.

Is

till

it

true that

the

Society

and

owes

lot of

not in a position
The Society
to meet these payments?
If so why?
must be having a fixed revenue within which it can
certainly manage its expenses. Some one must ansto several creditors,

is

wer these questions.

We

at the present mothe new acting President of the Society. Being a responsible man we
are confident that Rai Saheb Chuni Lall will look into
this matter seriously even at the risk of his very
valuable time and once for all organize the Society

can't find

anyone better

ment than Rai Saheb Chuni

on new

have seen many a stunt

but wait

first edition of the Year

Bharucha appointed editor
the Year Book? How was
do this editorial job? The

After the still-born

Book why was Mr.

Lall,

lines.

o
O

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you see

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Free Entry facilities augment this splendid array of t factions. The greater share of these awards will not be won
by mere chance or guesswork, it will be won by thore who study the Clues closely before recording their solutions
For which reason we strongly urge you all to take advantage of the Practice Square below :

CLUES ACROSS
1.

Woman or man,

CLOSING DATE OCTOBER

you value your life

Keep clear of one twixt a husband
and wife
if

N.B.

1.

The

Entry Fee in this Competition is Re. 1

per entry and Entry Squares will be published

in the issues of

October 2nd and

Those

8.

Candid

criticism

often

makes a

failure this
10.

Consumed

13.

Clearly subject to rigorous super-

to reckless action
2.

To

3.

Abbreviation of
"
and so on

5.

The banyan

19.

Part or share assigned

21.

Jumbled

Bright

22.

Confused mass of threads

26.

None

27.

Anger

29.

Unspoken annoyance can often be

plainly read in a woman's

of us
estimation

is

this

in

his

Envy

13.

There's surely something wrong with

the man who doesn't appreciate

15.

Dwelling-place

When

minor

children are not properly

cared for they arc apt to become

Allowing his general outlook to be

governed by this is apt to stifle
a man's individuality

18.

ONLY ENTRY SQUARES

CUT OUT FROM
"

THE ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY

OF INDIA "
of

This type of young man, rather

than the opposite, appeals to

most

" a husband
after a

home

hard day's work

Living this kind of a
make a man restless

20.
23.

Colour
Secure from danger
Reasonable men are

makes many a man

this

36.

Wives, never "

when he returns
!

absurdly conceited

35.

of some woman's appearance

often provokes other women to

one

part

34.

youth

not clear to the eye

or a lens unless it is in this
is

Reverential wonder

own

role enables
actor to obtain a star

this

enliven the

12.

17.

Becoming

to

such comments

many an

helps

many who are past

11.

16.

this in

this

An image

spelling of gust

Brink

meaning

7.

9.

severe one often has the effect

of making us extremely irritable

32.

phrase

is an Indian one
Blocks of metal for screwing on end

spirits of

33.

flow back

6.

Germany

14.

Proving

his courage is apt to

high spirited youngster

of bolts

vision in

31.

DOWN

One concerning
provoke

9th.

of wasps are acutely painful

4.

CLUES

21st

girls

vovies available

October 2nd or 9th

will

be accepted

life is

satisfied

apt to

when

their efforts yield a fair measure

of this
bitter one often makes one acutely

24.

25.

Many

28.

To gather by effort
Sometimes produces marked change

uncomfortable

29.

30.

political candidates resort to

extravagant and insincere promises in order to obtain these

in a person's behaviour
inconsiderate persons are apt to
"
" at one who has incurred
unhappy notoriety

from all news agents

The Editors Mail

Headers

when you

are worried " write to me.

will do

my

best

Serious matters will be treated seriously, ivhile

in serving you.

flippant letters will receive like replies.

The Editor.

i.

From: H. Roy (Matunga).

Don't you think that the personnel of the Gohar
Gold Medal Committee ought to be overhauled, because this year they have erred sadly in their awards?
I

think

and

so,

I also

and I have already written about it

think that the personnel will be over-

From: Behar N. M. (Khairpur Mir's).

Who is better from Azurie and Leila Desai
dancers.

.Is

there any other girl to compete

as

with

them?
Leila Desai

better of the two. but the best of

is

should be Sitara.

all

hauled this year.

From: Bashar (Bolarum

From: N.

Dn.).

What is the nationality of S. Fatehlal of Prabhat

and how much is he paid?
Sayed Fatehlal is a Mahomedan gentleman and
is

paid exactly l|4th of the profits of Prabhat.

What do you

think of

offering appointments to
of Prabhat's

audience

is

Prabhat's

policy of not

Mahomedans although

half

S. Iyengar (Bangalore).
Does not the popularity of an actress
upon her rare appearance in the public?

should think so, but some actresses cannot

without publicity and if they fail to appear
oftener in the pictures they go out of their way,
often forgetting our traditional womanhood and
indulge in street-girl stunts so that the people
may notice them. Ridiculous! Isn't it?
I

live

Muslim?

don't think Prabhat has any particular policy

as mentioned by you. They could not have one
because among their partners they have a Maho-

From: V.

medan gentleman.

Apte and Bibbo.

Probably, proper
artistes are not available and that
bhat cannot take them.

Mahomedan
is why Pra-

want

T. H.

What

shall

do?

In the first place buy some technical books on

film production and direction and learn everything about the films. Secondly attend good foreign pictures and all Indian pictures and learn
exactly what is the best and what is the second
best in direction. After having done this, try to
work as an apprentice to some director in the
Indian filmdom. And after doing all this, wait
for good luck, which may perhaps never come,
because film direction in India, unless luck permits, can also be done by street-singers.

From: Mansukh

T.

Mehta (Bombay).

Will you give me a brief

the Sagar Director?

life

sketch of Mr. Badami.

Began life as a motor mechanic, later sold motor

met with an accident and became a film
director. The rest, let Heaven's decide.
cars,

really left

you rate the following actresses with

Devika Rani, Uma, Shanta

regard to their acting?

From the

that you have given Devika Rani

Uma's recent performbest.
Mata" beats Shanta Apte, relegating to her the third place.
While between
Bibbo and Shanta Apte, there is very little to
choose.
lot

Sagar and what does he

Yes, he has really and truly left Sagar and is now

playing the hero's part In a Saraswati picture
called "It's True".

of

I want the photograph

normal dress?

of

Shanta Apte in her

do not know whether she has got one In her

dress, but you can hope to secure one
dressed in the male garb, with a stick for grace.

normal

From: Madhu (Waltair).

I have got a fine personality and a
But my pimpled face stands in the way
coming a star. What can I do?

fine voice.

of

my

be-

You may use a couple of bottles of "Fairy

Lotion" advertised somewhere in a previous issue.
I am told that the medicine has made hopeless
faces shine with personality.

From:
1

Has Motilal
do now?

Nath (Trichinopoly).

course, the
ance in "Dharati

Rao (Mopidevi).

to learn film direction.

J.

How would

is

From: Dr.

depend

T. V. R.

am an

director.

Chandu (Madras).

artist

Whom

You should
Ranjit and

and would

shall I

like

to

become

art

approach?

to
Mr. Chandulal Shah of
you are really a good artist, he
should give you a job because he needs an art

write

if

director rather badly.

15

FILM INDIA

October 1938

S. M. A. Shola (Lucknow).
"Baghi Sepahi" is a bad picture (as you have
said before), then why did Kardar receive a medal
from Hyderabad?
received
I am wondering why Kardar has not
half a dozen other medals from other Muslim
provinces? It's strange that Kardar always gets
And in fact
all the medals that can be given.
he can get as many as he wants as no one
seems to be anxious to claim them.

From:

From:

In my opinion, .Mehboob,
Desai are bad directors.

Kardar

The

Row

From: V. Narayanan (Madras).

Is it true that

Who

is

ma-

Prabhat has four partners, namely, Mr. V.

Shantaram, Mr. Damle, Mr. S. Kulkarni and Mr.
The concern is managed by all of
S. Fatehlal.
jointly.

From: Muni Lall (Dehra Dun).

How much box-office following

command and why?

do the following

pairs

2. Pahari and Kanan Bala.

1. Saigal and Uma.
3. Ashok Kumar and Devika Rani. 4. Shanta Apte
and Pralhad. 5. Motilal and Sabita. 6. E. Billimoria
and Gohar. 7. E. Billimoria and Madhuri. 8. Surendra
and Bibbo.

Saigal and

Uma

draw

perhaps, the largest

crowds as a result of their names. 2. Pahari

Sanyal and Kanan Bala will draw well in future
3. Ashok
if they are given good musical roles.
Kumar and Devika Rani pictures draw well
because of Devika and if the story is good, the
pictures run well.
4. Motilal and Sabita draw
well because of
Motilal's excellent acting.
5.
Surendra and Bibbo because of their popularity
based on singing and duets. 6. Shanta Apte and
Pralhad rank next in importance and draw only
because of the excellent trade name of their producers. Shanta Apte in addition gets some publicity of her own to help her pictures. 7. E. Billimoria and Gohar combination only attracts owing to
the excellent acting abilities of Miss Gohar.
8.
E. Billimoria and
Madhuri pictures should be
rated last under the present circumstances, as
they come in typically tiresome plots.

From: A.

S. P.

Shanta Apte has got 12 brothers?

know that she has

got one who called at my

recently and bids bold to become a successful publicity manager for a film star.
I
think one brother is quite enough but as Shanta
Apte happens to be a popular film star and everyone around must be having a brotherly affection

office

and Jayant

(Mangalore).

are the partners of Prabhat?

naging the concern?

1.

actresses.

for her.

Who

them

Divte (Hubli).
more pay, whether actors or direc-

gets

tors?

But they are good men.

From: C. V. Raghunatha

S. S.

Who

If

From: V. M. Sukumar (Tellicherry).

received a letter from Shanta Apte asking for
2-8-0 for an autographed photo of hers to be
sent through her secretary B. Govind. I have received photos from Devika Rani and other big stars, but
no other star has ever asked me money for her photographs. If Shanta Apte had no money for postage
But being a Prabhat
I could have willingly sent it.
star I can't imagine this. What do you think of her?
I

Rs.

Write to Mr. V. Shantaram of Prabhat as Shanta

Apte happens to be their star and her treating
the fans, as stated by you, would affect the producers more than the star herself. I think Mr.
Shantaram ought to send you a photo with the
star's autograph.

From: Ananta Poi Cano (Nova Goa).

Is there any relationship between Baburao Pendharkar, Bhal G. Pendharkar and Master Vinayak?
People say they are brothers.

People are often right.

From:

Desai (Bijapur).

S.

What has 'happened

where

is

to

Dulari

(Imperial)

and

she at present?

The
was

last time I heard about her I was told she

at Amraoti in the place once occupied by another film star.

From: B. Baburao (Mangalore).

From the following which company
popular songs?

New

gives

Theatres, Prabhat, Sagar

Bombay Talkies.
New Theatres and Bombay

more
and

Talkies would run a

close race while Sagar would rank third.

Prabhat, in this respect is unfortunately backward.

Bhimji (Dar-Es-Salaam).

"filmindia" read by most of our Indian actors

and actresses?
Is

Read!

From:

It's

sworn

at.

Prakasar Rao (Cocanada).

the best comedian in the Indian films?

E. S.

Who

is

Between Kanan and Shanta Apte who sings better?

Kanan

Who

is

Bala.

the prettiest star in India?

Devika Rani.
is the only one who has done
good work so far and gives a promise of doing
even better work if well directed. The rest of
the comedians either ape or weep.

Charlie of Ranjit

16

Are there better actors than

Nawab and Chan-

dramohan?
Baburao Pendharkar and

Prithviraj.

FILMINDIA

October 1938

From: C. D. Kalla (Vizagapatam).

From: Ramnik D. Pandya (Bombay).

Kabuli playing Lord
We are eager to see: 1.
Devaki
2.
Buddha against Rajkumari as Radha.
Bose directing "Khatarwali," featuring Nadia and
Ashok Kumar. 3. Atta Mahomed writing the scenario
4. Sohrab Mody not
of "Lord Buddha" for Prabhat.
playing the leading role in the pictures directed by
him. 5. B. N. Sircar appointing Master Mahomed as
Music director for New Theatres. 6. Sabita Devi working as heroine in pictures directed by Mehboob with
Bhudo Advani as hero. 7. The Motion Picture Society of India selecting "Hunterwali" for Venice Exhibition.
8. Vishnupant Pagnis playing the character of Tippu Sultan. 9. Nur Mahomed 'Charlie' playing Raja Gopichand to be produced by Wadia Movietone.
10. Vithaldas Panchotia knocking his "brains"
against one job only.

Who

A. R.

Miracles do happen and there's

no better place than the Indian film industry for

Don't be sure.

Who

the greatei- genius. Shantaram or Nitin

is

Bose?

Shantaram, though Nitin Bose

Who

a close second.

is

the better musician? Pahari Sanyal

is

or

Surendranath?

Between the two Pahari Sanyal

Who

the

is

better

comedian,

is

better.

Nemo

Bhudo

or

Advani?

Nemo.

Who

the better villain, Ishwarlal or

is

Nayam-

palli?

Ishwarlal.

Who
do not know the reason why

like

the better dancer, Sadhona Bose or Sitara?

is

Sitara

From: K. V. Ramiah Naidu (Nellore).

good in

is

Sadhona Bose
Miss

Ma-

dhuri?

Nor do

or

From the view point of personal magnetism

Kanan Bala is a better draw. Shanta Apte sells
on the trade name of her producers.

them.

Kanan Bala

a greater boxoffice draw.

is

Shanta Apte?

Who

is

is

classic interpretations,
a splendid show woman.

more advanced

years,

in

while

Madhuri or

Sabita?
I

why

I like

Sabita looks more

Miss Shanta Apte.

so.

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Korda's Libel on India

"The Drum" a Mischievous British Picture
(By

BABURAO PATEL)
badly by producing a picture that
helps to perpetuate imperialism in
these fast moving times of democracy.

What

does Korda care, as long

he and his brother and
the
other Kordas
in the world
are
nursed and fed by the British film
industry.
And the British would
need some Hungarian to do such

kicks

jobs.

through "The Drum".

as

Mr.

Baburao
a

hole

Patel,

right

"The Drum" is a story of the

Frontier in which the British step
in

to

interfere in

tribal

politics

is

quite capa-

some fun by keeping a distance

between India and Britain.
But
Britain must think in terms of empire prestige
and not provide a
play ground for the frolics of an

own

affairs con-

irresponsible Continental producer.

simply because some overfed military officers don't like the face of
one of the chieftains.

Alexander Korda, the

Hungarian, who produced "The Drum".

The chieftain who

ble of settling his

Alexander Korda. that Hungarian god father of the British film

industry has produced "The Drum"
and in doing so thinks that he
has achieved something unique in
the field of film production. Which,
wrong. What
all
is
of course,
Korda has done is, to go out of
his way and produce a picture to
Imperialism
British
support the
and in the same breath insult In-

kindly interference of
the British as presumptuous and
just for this 'crime' of free thinKing the British step in with their
military
and bore bullet holes
through thousands of brave Paincidentally
providing
thans,
splendid target practice so badly
needed for the soldiers to keep
siders

the

their guns

and

spirits in order.

And having done

dia.

all

this,

themselves
British
could not explain, Korda has tried
Time
to justify in "The Drum".
honoured pot shots which the British

the

regularly take

The

story

is

silly.

At least

looks so in the present times,

everyone knows

more about

it

when

than before. It doesn't

make any difference whether A. E.
W. Mason wrote it or his grandson
This is not the
has written it.
story which a wise and businessproducer should revive in the

present times.
to

be neither

businesslike.

Otherwise
India so

But Korda seems

wise nor

he wouldn't have hurt

And once again excited by over

indulgence in food, rest and romance, the blood cells burst and
they rush again into the hills to
remove one chieftain and place
another on the pile of a thousand
brave corpses.

the

Frontier

like

the 'brave'.

at the brave

Pathans under the guise of restoring peace and order on the fronthe
glorified by
tier have been
colourful brush of the Technicolor.

in

India Objects!

And what does India object

"The Drum"? Read the

to
list

yourself.

The entire spirit of the story

anti-Indian.
Right from the
beginning a laboured attempt has
been made to prove the superiority of the white skin.
1.

is

there

an interval of peace during

which the British soldiers start
with
some Residency
spooning
girls.
A romantic interlude for
is

What

Why

is what the "Drum" tries

portray and justify. The British film industry, with the help
of their Hungarian tool, has produced a libel on India.

That

to

In near future, Britain will need

India more than ever before and
to
this is certainly not the way
woo the Indians. What does the
Hungarian lose, as long as he gets

2. The technicolor seems to have

been used to show the skin colour
of Sabu who plays
an important

part of the prince in

the story.
everyone, including some
thousand extras are shown as
dressed or overdressed, Sabu, the
prince of his people is shown with
a half naked body. Was it a subtle ruse to dab Sabu's dark colour
on the minds of the white people? The majority of the Pathans
are a fairer race than the British.
How then does a prince happen to
be darker than his people? Sabu
originally comes from South India
where people are generally dark.
To show Sabu as a prince of the
Frontier is sheer miscasting
and
asking the people to stretch their

When

imagination and believe something

British stuthat is impossible.
dios
would not commit such a
clumsy mistake in casting when

23

FILMINDIA

October 1938
6. When Sabu runs away with a
stab from a murderous Pathan (of

course, from one of his own race.)

he is sheltered and protected by
the only British woman, Mrs. Carruthers.
The lady dresses his
wound and takes a motherly in-

boy and makes much

showering plenty of
kindness on him.
The "love" and
"kindness" of the British inciterest in the
of

him by

dentally serve as a contrast to the

murderous assault of the Pathan.
Clever, isn't it?

Even a drum boy in the Briarmy must be a better person,

a better hero, even a better Human being than a Muslim prince.
The Muslim prince is made to
think such a lot of the young Bri7.

tish

Sabu, Korda's chief instrument of

anti-Indian publicity.

drummer that the British

army might have been defamed
had the drummer boy been shown
tish

as less resourceful

danger from which only

the exemplary chivalry of the British can save
them. One point,
however, must be noted that the
British army
always needs
the
last moment and a tight corner to
come out with its best. Ordinary
skirmishes are usually left to the
Indian troops.
pletely in

A hundred more things can be

pointed out to immortalize Korda's
monumental work for imperialism.
And if the
Indians protest
against a picture of this kind, they
are just ungrateful to the ruling
race of white people and cannot
appreciate the sincere efforts to
establish peace and security on the
frontiers.

BOOKS OF THE MONTH

"IDEA &

and sporting.

FORM 1938"

(Published by G. T. Cheshire

they are out to compete with HolSo there must be some

lywood.
this
obvious
motive
for
other
"mistake".

8.

To maintain

ness,

Mahomed

chief

is

and

4. Raymond Massey as the Pa~

than Chieftan says to the white
heroine of the story: "I kiss your
".
feet lady. I am your slave
How many Mahomedans or Pathans, since the world began, have

kissed the feet of a white woman?

Yet Korda has found one.

you don't paint the Pathans

as wily and treacherous the lily
will lose
its
colour.
So Korda
makes his Pathan Chieftain (Raymond Massey) invite the British
Carruthers with his kindly soldiers for dinner and
there the
chieftain Jumps
on the trusting
British soldiers and kills them with
machine guns and sabres.
Curiously enough only the white soldiers are taken into this conflict.
Where was the Sikh and Indian
constabulary which was shown
5. If

earlier in the picture?

24

shown

as a faithful friend
of the British who dies

ally

an example to
Pathans and showing
"wisdom" of friendship
British even at the expense of his tongue which the brutal Pathan has cut off. How gloria jail,
the other
them the
with the
in

When

Carruthers,
the traditional Captain of the British army
on the Frontier asks Sabu: "Will
you promise me to speak the truth
always?" The prince says "AlAs if
ways, that is difficult
"
the British always speak the truth.
Shall we make a list of the historical lies of the British as a race?
3.

a sense of fairKhan, a tribal

setting

ous!

The polo

match

clever
is a
psychology. Ghul
(Raymond Massey) the Pathan
Chief, is shown as excelling
the
others (The British) in polo but
in allowing him to win the game a
laboured attempt has been made
and
to stress his native ferocity
cold determination to mow down
opposition. On the other hand the
British unit, composed of a captain, a doctor, a colonel and few
others, takes the beating
in the
proverbially English sporting spiThe British can be nothing
rit.
else but sportsmen, whatever the
circumstances.
Perhaps potting
human beings is also sport.
9.

piece of

human

10.
The British Governor at
Peshawar takes the exact amount

Sons

Edited by Edgar M. Firth, published as an annual by the publishers of "Gallery" an outstanding

magazine of international photo-

graphy. The present book contains

140
pages
of
very
interesting
material
giving
60
excellent
photographs
and with
very
enlightening
commentary on
them.
It
is
likely
to
be immensely useful both to amateur and professional
photographers alike and in addition we recommend it to all students of art.

(The following

books have been

rather late in the
month and will be reviewed in
the next issue.)
received

"BOOM TOWN"
By: Jack O'Connor;
Published
by
Constable
Co.,
Ltd.,
10-12,
Orange Street, London W.C. 2. 314
Price

pages.

7|6.

"FILMS IN THE MAKING"

By: Robb Lawson; Published by
Sir Issac Pitman & Sonc Ltd., Parker Street, Kingsway,
London,
W.C. 2. 132 pages. Price 2.

of time that

is necessary for a responsible British officer to believe

Sabu, when he comes with the
news of danger to his 'friends',
the Carruthers. This interval enables the Carruthers
to be com-

&

Coventry Street, Kidderminster, London).

Ltd.,

By:

"FILM & SCHOOL"

Helen Rand & Richard

Lewis;

Published

Century
Street,

Co.,

Strand,
Price

180 pages.

by

Appleton
Bedford
London, W.C. 2.

Inc.,

4|6.

D.

34,

"The Drum" Provokes a Nation

"

Filmindia

"

Launches the

Protest

First

be Picketed All Over India

83 Persons Arrested in BombayNation Condemns The Picture
Madras Government Bans "The Drum"
Film

to

On the 29th of August, "filmindia" came out with its smashing editorial about
"The Drum"
pointing out in no unmistakable
terms the anti-Indian element in
the picture.
This was the first
word on the subject as no one

demning, the imperialist propaganda contained in the picture

knew anything about "The Drum"

sion in the minds of those who

see it that the frontier tribesmen are a horde of wily, treacherous and ferocious men and
performing an
that Britain is
unselfish and beneficient task in

till

then.

On

the 30th, the editor forwarded copies of "filmindia" to the different provincial Prime Ministers
and leading journalists of the city.

On the
Drum" was

September
"The
released at two cine-

1st

mas simultaneously
The "Excelsior" and

in the city.

the

"New Em-

pire".

On

the 3rd September Mr. S. A.

Brelvi, the Editor of "The Bombay
Chronicle" came out with a personal article on "The Drum" con-

with the following words:

"The object

of the film

is

obvi-

imperialism and create an impres-

dealing with them in the manner in which she has been doing".

Baburao

Patel's

Telegram

letter

editorial "filmindia"

siastic

"Respect public sentiment. Request stop immediately screen-

Drum

film".

In the afternoon on the 8th a

deputation consisting of prominent leaders like Aziz Laljee, Mahomed Amin Azad, Yousuff Moledina.

Mahomed

Ahsan

and

Ibrahim

Septem-

issue

the

Sohrab is enthuabout film production.

He conducts the
and
Movietone
Minerva
his picture "Vasantee" will
soon come to the screen at
Minerva.

Mody.

the Muslim Nawajawans sent the

following telegram to the Hon. Mr.
K. M. Munshi, the Home Minister.

thirtieth

ture".
is

one and all condemned "The

Drum".
Mr. Aziz Laljee, leader of

Bombay:

published on the 1st

regarding the film "The Drum"
now running in Bombay, our
views strongly supported by the
eminent journalist Mr. S. A.
Brelvi, the editor of "The Bombay Chronicle" in to-day's issue.
At
Request immediate action.
Congress Govleast provincial
ernments must uphold national
such antiprestige by banning
Indian films and setting exampi? to foreign producers for fu-

Mody

From the 5th to the 9th numerous protest meetings in the different parts of the city were held and

ing

In the afternoon, Mr. Baburao Patel sent the following telegram to the Hon. Mr. B. G. Kher,
Prime Minister, the Government of

ber

Sohrab

india".

to

Premier

re:

elder brother of Mr. Keki

the 4th September a counwas broadcast and

all the national papers
supported
the original view taken by "film-

It is to glorify British

ous.

"Reference our

Mr.

On

try wide protest

By evening several dailies had

come out with the protest smashMass
ing "The Drum" to bits.
meetings were organised at several
places in the city and the leaders
exaddressed several meetings
plaining to the people the insinuation and the insult in the picture.

,'f

Keki M. Mody, the

enterprising Mg. Director
Western India Theatres,
controlling "New Empire"
and "Excelsior" Theatres
Mr.

in
Bombay.
Mr. Mody
showed exemplary courage
in running "The Drum" in

the

face
of
the severe
public protest.

25

FILMINDIA

October 1938

Patel waited on the President of

the Bombay Board of Film Censors.

A huge
nities

procession of all commuto the two cinemas

marched

the evening and demonstrated

exactly how much the people felt
about the anti-Indian propaganda
in the film.
in

"DOWN WITH KORDA"

"Down with Korda" and "Smash
the Drum" were the two deafening
the huge mass of people
that collected in the evening at
the Azad maidan. Numerous speakers condemned the picture over
and over again and it was decided
to resort to peaceful picketing at
the two cinemas.
cries of

EXHIBITORS ADAMANT
Several leaders approached the
theatre owners and asked them to
stop screening the pictures, but
they did not pay any heed to the
voice of the people.

In the meanwhile "filmindia's"

agitation with
the
Government
was steadily taking shape and Government was inclined to favour a
control over similar films
in future.

stricter

"filmindia"
appealed
members of the Bombay

the
Legisla-

to

Assembly and canvassed their

support for short notice questions

tive

and motion
46

adjournment.

of

ARRESTS IN TWO DAYS

On the 10th and 11th, peaceful

picketing was resorted to at the
two cinemas.
But the police
didn't seem to like this and then
started the
wholesale arrests of
peaceful picketers.

POLICY & UNDERTAKING

Replying to a further questoin,
the Minister stated that "it was
the policy of the Government of
Bombay to prohibit anti-Indian

The films which were offensive to Indian national selfrespect, will not be allowed to be
films.

shown."
Sir A.

M. K.

show

of

Sunday the

Government had instructed the

Board of Film Censors in regard
to this film and had asked them to
attention to this
give particular
film and send a report to government together with a synopsis of
the film and the Board's opinion.''

Replying to Mr. K. F. Nariman,

that
M.L.A., the Minister
stated

members of the Censor Board

would look after national interests

"the

of the country."

PEACEFUL PICKETING LEGAL

Replying to a question from Mr.
Ali Bahadur Khan M.L.A., the Minister stated that "it was not the
policy of the government to interpeaceful picketing
so
fere with
long as there was no contravention
of the existing laws."

the day the "Drum BoyCommittee" was formed with

Maulana Mahomed Irfan as the
President. The Boycott Committee

And on

cott

sent the following telegram to the

government:
"Re: Drum picketing 46 peaceful
picketers arrested who were re-

ATTENTION
On the 13th Mr. S. H. Jhabhwalla M.L.A. tried for an adjournment motion in the Assembly but
did
not succeed owing to
the
House having pressure of work.
Picketing at the cinemas continued, "filmindia's" agitation drew the
attention of the leading Muslim
Baronet Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim.
And in a letter to the daily papers
Sir

11th.

"In my opinion it is clear from

the film that efforts had been
made to degrade the Muslim
characters portrayed in the film
of the
Frontier Provinces" "1
can frankly state that "The

Drum"
to the
pect.

was

or,

is

self res-

quite evident

from

propaganda".

OVER SIXTY ARRESTED

On

the same day Yusuf Molesent another telegram to

Government on behalf of the
Boycott Committee:

arrested.

upon
rests

Government

reply al-

civil
still

Police

encroachment

unjust.
continue."
liberty

Ar-

HINDU LEADERS JOIN

Khan, M.L.A., the

Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, the Home

A huge meeting

"that the film

at
present
being

screened in Bombay. The film had

been objected to by "filmindia"
and "Bombay Chronicle".

Indian national
It

the film that a continuous effort has been made in the various Muslim characterizations of
the play to depict what will be
termed not only unhistorical but
uncivilised and primitive with a
view for a definite anti-Indian

Bahadur

"Drum"

film of this desdefinitely detrimental

is

"Inspite of

Replying
to a short-notice question by Mr.

stated

any

or

cription

lowing peaceful picketing over 60

bay Legislative Council.

Minister

Currimbhoy wrote:

dina

QUESTIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY

On the 12th September the film
"The Drum" figured in the BomAli

"FILMINDIA" COMPELS

Minister stat-

ed that "he was aware that there

were protests against the film
named, "The Tiger of Eschnapur".

One after another 46 people

were arrested and there ended the
last

temptuous treatment of Frontier

Indians.
Unless
immediate
steps taken situation grave and
serious."

To an enquiry from
Dehlvi, M.L.A., the

fused bail. Public feelings inflamed.

Picketing will continue. If government
considers
picture objectionable why permit exhibition? Picture inflames
public feelings by false and con-

FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

of all

communi-

was held in the evening at the

Azad maidan at 5 p.m. Messrs.
Nimbkar and Purshottamdas Trlcumdas prominent labour leaders
addressed the meeting condemnties

FILMINDIA

October 1938
Mr. Purshottaming the "Drum".
das in the course of his presiden
tial remarks said that there were
two issues in the matter. "Firstly
the film was based on a book written by one whose anti-Asiatic prejudices were notorious.
The present Censor Board which
had
many times in the past disregard ed the protests of Indians was being continued and
the Congress
Ministry should alter it soon. The
second issue was the legality
of
the arrests for peaceful picketing
The Bombay High Court had given
a ruling holding such picketing as

83

the 14th in a stunning editorial

"The Bombay Chronicle",
the
leading
Indian
daily,

once again condemns "The

and

series of

more

its

and

the
Censor
Board,
the
Editor says:
"The personnel of
the Board required to be changed
and certainly a Police Commissioner is the last person to be the
guiding spirit of such a Board. We
wish the Home Member had found
time to see the film himself before relying on the
judgment of
the Board. The film is objectionable, because it is a very insidious
attempt at pro-British propaganda, the danger of which will
be
realized by those who know something of the present Frontier po-

meet-

protest

Drum"

upon the Government to

run. Writing on the film

calls

stop

lawful."

PERSONS ARRESTED

On

ings in the night of the 13th in

different parts of the city and the
last day
of the city exhibition

dawned.

how
Drum"

Shots of

the

"The

at

the British Government, of

the criticism which it has evoked
in India and outside and above all,
of the character of the tribesmen
themselves."
licy of

By evening of the 14th, the last

day of the picture's run 83 persons
were arrested for picketing.
That is how British imperialism
was brought home to us with the
help of the Congress Ministry in

Bombay.
"The Drum" was due to be released at Madras on the 17th. But
as we go to the Press, we under"Adventures

stand that

Sawyer" had

of

Tom

to take its place ra-

ther suddenly, as the Government

of Madras has put a ban on the
picture though the Muslim censors
passed it after cutting a few feet

Indians picketed
the Excelsior

Bombay.

A British

Bureaucrat's Opinion on "The Drum" Should

Make Some Congress Ministers Blush!

Francis Younghusband, faauthor,

diplomat,
publicist
and
politician
the
was
1893Political
Agent,
from
1894,
at
Chitral
(the
State
(Sir

mous

where
"The Drum"
was filmed) and was sent later on as special correspondent to "Times" in
Chitral

Expedition in

worked

as

Political

1895.

Agent

He
at

Indore 1902-1903
and as British
Resident in Kashmir 1906-1909. An

unknown

British friend in

London

the
September
issue
of
"filmindia" sent
to us by
air
mail a cutting of
the letter Sir Francis wrote to The
Editor of "Times".
London, and
which appeared in the paper on
the 3rd September 1938.
What Sir
Francis says, of course, from the
after

reading

British view point, should count in

this world of opinions:

The Edi-

tor).
Sir.

The celebrated
now again being

film

"The Drum''

exhibited in London, proposes to be a picture of

life on the Indian frontier. I have
just seen it for the first time. The
mountain scenery of Chitral is
superbly
But
portrayed.
the
action is deplorable.
It gives the
impression that the frontier is run
by mistrust and force.

Now mistrust begets mistrust. A

mistrustful man never gains the
confidence of those astute judges
of
human nature, the frontier
tribesmen. But a trustful man
There are still living two
does.

other frontier officers besides

my-

namely, General Bruce and

Col. Gordon, who were in Chitral
over forty years ago in the first
delicate stages of establishing our
relations with the ruler: and nei-

self,

ther of us built up his influence

over the frontier people by mistrust.
We know as well as anyone their failings and delinquencies, but we were trustful men and
won their confidence.
It is lamentable that this film
should be going over the world
conveying so false an impression
of the way in which the Indian
frontier

is

controlled.

Sd. Francis
1st

September

Younghusband.

1938.

14, Ashly Gardens,

London, S.W. 1.

27

Given in Prizes to

Rs 1,000 Subscribers only

1st Prize

2nd
3rd
4th

200;

150
100

50

counter-foils of these

the

Editor will
at

random.

first prize,

15th

of

I0j-

numbers
December

draw from this collection

The first number drawn
the second number drawn

second prize,

etc., till all

Sundry purchasers
for prizes

And 20 prizes of Rs.

lected after

OPEN TO ALL SUBS CRIBERS WHO ARE ON OUR SUBSC RIBERS'

REGISTER ON THE 15TH OF DECEMBE R 1938.

Rs. 300|

5th
The

THIS UNIQUE OFFER

and DECEMBER will be numbered in this

panel every month and on this page.

23C5

each.
The winning numbers

and
January 1939
Subscribers having copies
issue of "filmindia".
with the winning numbers can exchange the
same for their respective prizes and get an extra
copy of "filmindia" complimentary, for completing their file, from the Proprietors of "filmindia".

will get the

will get the

decision

drawn

No correspondence

will

will

in their serial order

importance will be published

The
numbers

1938.

the 25 prizes are

Editor's

scheme.

BER

thus.

The

at bookstalls are not eligible

this

All the copies of "filmindia" going to the subscribers for the months of OCTOBER, NOVEM-

will be col-

25

under

IS

be

final

and

binding.

legally

be entertained with regard

in the

to this

scheme.

Subscriptions will not be accepted for any period less than one year and must
be remitted by M.O. or Postal Order. No V.P.P's will be sent and no cheques
will be accepted.

you are not a subscriber be one to-day

If
'

"

R U sh

by

the coupon

paying Ks. 5

~"

for

one

year.
.

To

Town.

FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS, LTD.,

104,

Apollo Street, Fort,

Dear

am

Date.

Sirs,

Please enrol
I

BOMBAY

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remitting Rs. 5/- by

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Money Order/Postal

from

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Order.

(Please write in Block Letters).

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rate for

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countries Rs. 8/- per year.

SUNITA DEVI

In

"The Cat" a

social

comedy produced by Ranjit,

this celebrated

given a sparkling performance.

dancer has

NASEEM

In "Vasantee" the next picture of Minerva Movietone,

stellar

role.

Naseem shoulders the

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BAUER
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When

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Royal Talkies,
(54 Jos Theatre, Trichur
65 Oriental Touring Talkies,
63

Iynavaram
66 Shree

Venkateswara Cinema,

Ramachandrapuram

99
100

101

Krishna Talkies, Hissar

73 Prem Talkies, Barnala
74 Shree Sharda Talkies, Ratlam
75 Nand Kumar Touring Talkies,
Rewarl
76
77
78

Hollywood Talkies, Tenkasi

Touring Talkies,

102 Elizabeth

Kottur
103

Raja Touring Talkies, Cumbum

104 Shri Lalitha Talkies. Bapatla

105

Kamakshi

106

Balasubramania Talkies. Erode

Saraswathi Talkies.

107

Touring Talkies,
Sangrur

Udaya
Deccan

Talkies, Palghar
Talkies, Poona

Ernemann Touring

Talkies,

Jaggayyapet
79 York Talkies, Ahmednagar
80 Royal Talkie Distributors,

Maudra

Saravana Talkies, Ambur

Muthukumar Touring Talkies,

Pennadam

68 Patni Picture House,

71 Universal

Talkies,

Tiruvottiyur

Krishna Talkies, Poona

Chhindwara

Gudivada
Poona

93

Villupuram
55

Talkies,

Tasgaon
91 Srinivas Cinema,
92 Rainbow Talkies,

54 Sri Bharati Cinetone.

72 Shri

Murugananda Talkies, Tiruvadi

34 Shri Nataraja Talkies, Lalgudi
35 Mahabir Talkies, Akot
Lakshmi

82

Karanja

33

36 Shri

Periakulam

69 Central Talkies, Gwalior

70 Moti Talkies, Nandurbar

31 Shri

Installal

42 Silver Jubilee Talkies,

67 Shree

Colombo

Sells

Talkies, Vridhachalarr

Devakottah
108 Pearl Theatre. Ayyampalli
109

Radha Touring

Talkies,

Red

Hills

110 Kumaran Talkies. Alandur

111 Sridharan Talkies, Kallakurchi

Saraswati Cinetone, Poona

New Shivaji Talkies, Harigaon
114 New Globe Talkies, Anjangaon
115 Dig Vijay Talkies. Jamnagar
1

12

113

116
117

118

Arun Talkies, Gadag

Gulshan Talkies. Veraval
Kohinoor Talkies, Nandurbar

119 Balbir Talkies.

120

Sundaram

121

Lakshmi

Balaghat

Talkies, Shiyali

Talkies, Arni

covers the
in1938

in India
122

Radhakrishna Talkies.
Pallavaram

123

Karunambika

124

Ramalingam

125

Meenakshi Talkies, Tiruppattur

Popular Talkies, Tiruchendur
New Mangrol Talkies. Mangrol
Prabhat Talkies, Sholapur
Godavari Theatre (Talkies),

Talkies.

Avanashi

126
127
128
129

Talkies,

166

172

.35
.36

Chandra

175

.37

Coronation Theatre.

176

Utharamelur
West End Talkies. Salem

177

Gopalkrishna Talkies,

179

.39

Rasipuram
L.40 Sri

.41

Nambu

Purna

Talkies,

Rameswaram
Madurantakam

Rahmania

182

Touring Talkies, Vapi

Pictures, Kolhapur
Angel Talkies, Narasaraopet
Shri Ramdas Talkies, Pachora
Vasant Talkies, Dp.vangere
Shree Cinema, Cambay
Vijayanand Talkies, Nasik
Laxmi Talkies, Baroda
Partap Vijay Cinema, Baroda

183

Roxy

Mohan Sound

178
180

184

44

Ranga

185 Desai

Vilas Theatre.

45 Paradise

Touring Talkies,
Bassi

46 Majestic Talkies,

47

Pathanan

48 Shri
49 Sri

Lakshmi

Talkies,

Karmala
Mehsana

Velavar Touring Talkies,

Jayakondacholapuram
Aruppukotah

50

Muthu

31

Coonoor Talkies, Wellington

Murugar Talkies, Hospet
Balkrishna Touring Talkies,

52
53

Talkies,

Tiruvottiyur

Annamalaiyar Talkies,
Kottayur
>5 Kannan Talkies, Ranipet
>6 Kannan Talkies, Conjeevaram
7 Radhakrishna Touring Talkies
Mannachanallur
8 Lalitha Touring Talkies, Atur
l>9 Rajalakshmi Talkies,

Talkies, Delhi

Studio,

Andheri
186
187

and

Co.,

Nagercoil
189 Modern Talkies, Sulur
190 Amritsar Cantt. Cinema,
191

Shree Shivaji Talkies,

Shendurni

Vishnu Talkies, Raver

Shree Durga Talkies, Wardha
194 Circle Talkies, Nasik
195 Har Hareshwar Talkies,
Pimpalgaon
192

193

Wandiwash
Talkies,

Sholingar

196 V. O. Touring Talkies, Trichur

197 Hassan's Pavilion. Delhi
198 Saraswati Talkies. Sinner
199 Sonpal Talkie Film Service,

Calcutta
200 Shree Krishna Talkies, Akola
201 Shankar Talkies. Purulia
202 Kohinoor Talkies. Bantva
203 Mr. Nariman. Moulmein

(Burma*

Pillal,

Ambasamudram
Hanuman Touring Talkies,
Narasaraopet

210 Vel Touring Talkies,

211

Veeravanallur
Krishna Kalamandiram.
Gudlavelleru

212 Bharatmata Talkies, Chetpat

213 Popular Talkies. Irinjalakuda
214 S. A. Rahim Theatre,

Periakulam
215 Siddeswara Touring Talkies.

Elampalli
216 S.
217

218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227

Amritsar

)4

|0 Ganesh Touring

209

Lahore

Anoopam Theatre, Bhavnagar

Famous Pictures, Bhusaval

188 Pioneer Picture Palace,

Viramgam

Bharat Touring Talkies,

Madras

Gomathinayagam

Huns

Talkies, Mysore
Jaya Touring Talkies. Arcot

Trichinopoly
I

173

Talkies, Montgomery
Talkies, Igatpuri

174 Leela

43

42

Nannilam
207 Vijayalakshmi Talkies,

(Salcete-Goa)

181

Talkies,

(Bengal)

208 S.

170 Anand Touring Talkies, Karjat

171 Kishore Talkies, Alwar

Laxmi
Laxmi

Talkies, Atpore

205 Prabhat Talkies, Chopda

206 Sivakumar Touring Talkies,

Trichinopoly

Sardar Talkies, Malegaon

Vishnu Talkies, Dharampun
Harihar Talkies, Pakapatan

Batlagundu

Talkies,

Cinema, Aruppukotah
168 Saraswathi Stores, Madras
169 Cine-Ideal. Cuncolim

i33

Talkies,

Paramount

Shajahan

Chidambaram

167 Erskine

Sivakami Sundari Talkies,

Tirukoilur

204

Talkies,

165 K. R. Kasi Viswanatham

Chettiar, Devakottah

.32

38

Talkies, Trichur

Chetpet
163 Great Indian Cinema, Trichur
164 Rama Krishna Touring

131

.34

Roxy

Talkies. Arcot

Manmad

161

162 Coronation

Central Talkies, Jetpur

Regal Talkies, Dharwar

130

field

228
229
230
231
232
233

Chidambaram Pillal,
Ambasamudram

Kaleeswaran Talkies.
Cranganore
Joyce Talkies, Cochin
Majestic Talkies, Parur
Lakshmi Talkies, Mailpattl
K. A. Mohd. Abdul Khader,
Koothanallur
Bombay Cinema, Kharagpur
Dilbahar Talkies, Pattokl

Hansa Theatre. Narayangan]

Cinema. Wana, (Waziristan)
Prince Talkies, Ankleshwar
H.

J.

Mohd

Shafi,

Tandlianwala
Kalapi Talkies, Cutch Bhuj
Simla Talkies, Multan Cantt.
Saroj Movietone, Bombay.
Wadia Movietone, Bombay
Shree Datta Talkies, Shirpur
Brothers Touring Talkies,

Pind-Dadan-Khan
234 Nazir Talkies, Amalner
235 Central Talkies, Gondal
236 Union Touring Talkies,

Ahmedpur East
237 Raja Talkies, Tumkur
238 Public Talkies, Ltd.,

Montgomery
239 Krishna Talkies, Ratodero
240 Shalimar Talkies. Belgaum
241 Garrison Theatre,

Ahmedabad

242
243

Kumara

Talkies, Tirutani
Talkies,

Dhanalakshml

Elampalli
244 Bharata Touring Talkies,

Puttur
245 K. C. Chacko, Trichur
246 M. D. Joseph, Trichur
247 Coronation Talkies,
Tuticorin
248 M. Sivabhushanam, Madras
249 Shanmugananda Talkies,

Kodambakkam
250 Union Touring Talkies

Chiniot
251 Hira Touring Talkies,

Rahimyarkhan
252 Sayed Abdul Qadir Shah,

Ahmedpur East
253

Rajmahal

Talkies,

Muzzafargarh
254 Lakshmi Film Co. Bangalore
255 Vasant Talkies, Bassein
256 Bharat Touring Talkie,

257
258
259
260
261

Tasgaon
Ganesh Talkies, Sinner
Vishwa Mitra Vaish, Banda
V. O. Thomas, Trichur
Jayashree Talkies, Bijapur
Sri Satyanarayana Touring
Talkies, Kaladipet

262 A. M.

Muniappa

Chettiar,

Dharampuri
Empire Talkies, Hassan
Raja Talkies, Aruppudottai
Somaraju Talkies, Peddapuram
266 Lakemi Touring Talkies,
Udamalpet

263
264
265

267 Moti Mahal Talkies, Calcutta

268 Lakshmi Talkies, Sibsagar,

(Assam)
Bharat Talkies,
Joypurhat (N. Bengal)
270 Biswanath Talkies, Sarisabari,
269 Jai

Mymensingh)

(Dt.

INSTIGATIONS
AND 308
PROJECTORS IN USE TILL 31ST
270

AUGUST

"

For the next

Mach ine

SARASWATI STORES.

FAMOUS PICTURES.
SAXENA & CO.

Sub- Agents:

MADRAS
BHUSAVAL
DELHI & LAHORE

BAUER"

write

THE INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT

Roxy Chambers

1938.

to:

Co.,

New Queen's Road, Bombay.

CALCUTTA
FILM
SERVICE
SONPAL TALKIE

CENTRAL TALKIES.

JETPUR

meet the same old woman every

day.

Mahomed Nazir: (Editor, "MusWhat a blooming mess,

savvir")

when
the studio
"Lala Alopi visited
and whispered a few things into
Director Raj nans' ear which made
him blush and beam with pleasure" reads a studio report of Ideal
"Blush"! what
Films. Lucknow.
do you think Lalaji must have said

We
Lucknow?
had retired from

and

thought

in

Lalaji

now

that I
wonderfully

but

is so much on the mind

"Movies" that old Kriparam
while writing of Korda says "Alexander Kardar stands second to
none in harming India through

Kardar

his pictures." (Vide

pp. 20,
September 1938). Whichever

misplaced, the news seem to

fit

in rather well.

(swinging a stick

I like

Atre's idea.

The

nation requires healthy bachelors.

Many of my friends are strong,
Look at
full blooded bachelors.
my own brother. He is still a bachelor and if I can help it he will

remain one

11th

name

just started organiz-

life

Abid Gulrays: (Editor,

"CaraOnly if Atre had met my

van"):

old friend Mrs. Abdulla, his ideas

bachelorhood would have

in a minute. She has definite views about life and many
convincing arguments. She thinks
that every young man should get
married and I didn't wait for a
second telling.
about

Shanta Apte:

of the

had

my

on English "lines". It
is no use showing "her" this picture.
She might call back her old
ing

boy-friend.

Baburao Pai: Marriage is such

an expense and worry while bachelorhood such an excuse and solace.
Oh! for my lost rights!

in the air)

is

how

this sort

married. Oh,
had held out,

for friends.

of thing long before.

am

changed

Chandulal

all his life.

Baburao Apte: Yes, look at me

am a bachelor, true and honest.

The only woman I know is my

own sister, and she helps me to

Shah:

(In

defiant

words): I challenge Vinayak (The

hero of "Brahmachari") to remain
a bachelor and remain good in the
industry.

film

family

We

believe

in

ties.

live this life of austerity.

Master

The

latest

machari"
proved a

Bombay.

Huns

picture "Brah-

has
Bachelor)
(The
in
sensational success
The hero (Vinayak) be-

sworn bachelor and after

going through numerous 'mishaps'

Pralhad (Prabhat Actor): Look

am a prize bachelor,
at me, I
though I believe in rescuing any
damsel in distress.

with women,
and particularly by that bad epidemic the modern girl, ultimately
falls into the lap of a persecuting
young beauty where his bachelorAtre, the brilhood is dissipated.
in a world infected

in writing this story

the screen has rudely shaken
the placid masks of several peosome of them
ple.
Here's how
should feel while seeing the pic-

liant writer,
for

ture.

V.

Shantaram: (curling

thus,

Damle (with one eye

ed):

half closdon't blame the hero (Vi-

nayak) with such a heroine (Meenakshi). Anybody should disagree

with Atre.
wish she gives me a
I
(Poor Meenakshi!)
sitting.
shall draw angles which even Baburao Patel can't imagine.
Fatehlal:

Baburao Pendharkar:

(with
a
hand). I was one
advocate bachelorhave already forwas once married).
You see bachelorhood is a profession that pays strange and sweet

toothpick in
of the first to
(People
hood.
gotten that I

Baburao Patel: What does that

fellow Atre, with his size and pos-

mean by

asking people
rather
I would
to be bachelors.
tell them to be old Moghuls.
sibilities,

B. P.

have

to

Samant: What a pity, I

advertise "Brahmachari"

my

in

in

Chi ma n la) Desai: (whispering to

Bulbul his son): We shall produce
a picture with Sabita as the spinster.
That will keep the boys
spinning.
Sabita Devi: (Dancing with joyj
fit the role better
than me. I don't like boys.

No one could

Mummy: (adjusting glasses):

my Sabita hates men. In In-

Oh,

dia "off ton" you

don't
get the
right sort. Well someday, we are

going to Hollywood.
A. H. Gadre:

After

should
sister

dividends.

his hair

I
wish
with the index finger):
"BrahmaHuns had produced
Keshavrao would
chari" earlier.
out of the firm
not have run

Chandulal

nature tof be deeply

such matters. In fact,
I suspect Atre having got his real
inspiration from me.
noft

moved

gins as a

Vinayak:

doesn't know me yet.

With all
these stars twinkling, I might still
remain unmoved. You see it is

Pramod):
I
"Brahmachari"
(Editor,

seeing
call every public

woman

a
and submit to her an apo-

logy for my existence. Women are

brave after all. And they should

not be misused by marriage.

R. K. Rele (Editor, Moving Picture Monthly): I hope the cult of
It will elibachelorhood spreads.
minate the necessity of going
So troublesome it is to
home.

Bibbo:

(smiling
knowingly):
of the scenes
in
this "Brahmachari" are shot during the day and in day-light. They
are alright for that purpose. You
know things are always different
later in the evening. Atre doesn't
say anywhere fehat people should
be bachelors even after dark.

You know most

Leela Chitnis: (with a knowing

wink): I know Atre and Baburao

37

FILMINDI

October 1938

One has
Pendharkar too well.
been married rather a long time
now and the other has been a
So you can't exactly
widower.
blame them. "Brahmachari" looks
to be their 'alibi'.

and Pendharkar

met

have

my

Nadia, otherwise,
how the devil
could they get this forlorn idea of
bachelorhood.

Kikubhai Desai: Just at preI think bachelorhood is good

bdd
Calcutta is
a
for health.

Jayantilal
Thakore:
(Famous
Pictures): The gods have answered my prayer. Oh what a relief.
(He saw the picture only till the
interval).
Now, I wish some one

persuades

me

to get married.

sent
(After

Nanasaheb Sarpotdar:

heavy meal): This is all tall talk.

wouldn't
It
Bachelorhood! bah!
be amiss with Vinayak, but with
(In a threatening at-

the others.

Now

titude).

happened

in

my

Dada Torney:

(Pacifying):

Nanasaheb.

please,

don't,

you what
"Guest House"?

shall I tell

place for this cult.

V. R. Mehta: I have bought the
picture and as a reparation I shall
give a day's income to any mater-

Rai Saheb Chuni Lall: Well,

one can remain a celibate (impractical bachelorhood)
even
in
married life.
Quite a reasonable
picture I should think.

Devaki Bose, Durgabai Khote,

Mubarak, Altekar and others in a
chorus: "What is the world com-

Oh

ing to?"

After

You know

boys must be boys.

to be somewhat like that

all,

we used

Rustomji Mody:

(Western

In-

dia Theatres)
We knew the wisdom of this picture long before.
My entire family is wedded to
celibacy.

once.

Chow(affectionately):
Rose:
dhary, what is all this row about
remaining a bachelor?

Sohrab Mody: (standing with an

in the air and eyes
toward
the Heavens)
Atre Zindabad.

arm

Chowdhary: (mystified): BacheThis is the first time I am

In Sindh
that word.
hearing
someone has .started the "Om
Mandali" where girls and boys
meet but don't mix together. Atre

lor!

Keki Mody:

hands in
Pendharkar Zin-

(with

trouser pockets)

dabad.

and Pendharkar must have done

But
something after that style.
don't let it worry you dear! I have

"Sabita

never believed in these fads.

and

come

Bibbo

to

blows," reads a Sagar Studio note.

Mehboob:

am

Mahomedan.

change my faith. These Hindus

Man is born to
can only talk.
enjoy life and not enjoy celibacy.

(disgusted):

Humbug, how can any one live

without a mate? They are mereDon't believe them.
We were going to buy the picture
and I know.
ly

bluffing.

Babuseth Mamooji: Surbhai, do

you think that there is something
wrong with Pendharkar and Atre?
I think they have been moving too

much
J.

in Pai's

company

R. H. VVadia:

one hand):
38

It

is

going to be a Limited Concern. It

is already so, with two pictures a
year.
Do they threaten to produce one picture in two years?

married for a long time, but now

I think there won't be any necessity, with this new vogue.
Desai:

"Rup Bani" says that Prabhat

Badami: (with a sigh of relief :

have been thinking of getting

Surbhai

wonder where they struck each

other.

Point me out one Mahomedan who

is a voluntary bachelor and I shall

A Bombay Weekly
After

villain" is

long

time

coming

this

"arch-

to the screen in

Huns' latest "Devata".

pyari a

would

like to

Pendharkar.
tools,

means that Atre

help.

these

by Baburao

With men downing

hospitals

'strip'.

will

need

day I met my old

Pramilla.
A flushed face
and bloodshot eyes made her look
like a tigress.
She apologised saying that she was returning home
from the Wadia studios where she
is working
in
a jungle picture.
Well, these are hard times and one

chum

recently.
(with a whip in

We

meet those who are

"teased" with this

The other

in the picture.

named

Ram-

Mr. Babu-

rao Pendharkar has a unique role

nity hospital

calls

"strip-tease-siren".

must

live.

Notes and
A LESSON

FROM MUSSOLINI!

News
of her national pride

down

brought

Even in her film industry Italy

has given a "dictatorial" lead so
Vittorio
peculiar to the country.
Mussolini, the eldest cub of II Dure
has rushed into production and
"Luciano
film
directed his first
Serra, Air Pilot'
of the story

is

in-

tended to glorify Italy's national

and provide
subtle encouragement to the youth
passion for aviation
to take

up

aviation.

Here's how a film can be used

education and our
for national
"dictators", both among Congressmen and Diehards would do well
to study the numerous uses of the
film.

YANK

IN

BULGARIA

how a
of
Here's an example
small state like Bulgaria conscious

prestige,
to

its

knees.

For "Paris Honeymoon", a picture produced by Paramount, the

producers required some Bulgarian
scenes to secure a certain amount
of
authenticity.
The Bulgarian

General

Consul

The subject

and

Hollywood

in

Washington

dazzled by the probable publicity

and tourist appeal agreed to help
the producers and OK'd the script.

Matters soon came to the noof the Bulgarian Minister to

the United
States
but he took
alarm at some dialogues in
the
The matter was referred
picture.
to the Bulgarian Propaganda Miserious ofnister who took very
fence at a scene in which a Bulagrees to sell his
garian mayor
the highest
police department to

months

(September to December;
a nation wide
publicity campaign to drive out the slump in the
film industry.
in

Producers found plenty of alibis

Viz weather, war,

for the slump.

strikes,

their

censors,

(except

critics

own productions which were

not quite up to the mark).

Hollywood is producing more

bad pictures than good.
People
see the very good ones. The rest
are canned.

tice

bidder.

The Americans tried to explain

away as their own burlesque but
the Bulgarian stamped his foot
and said "shut up".
it

character in the picture had

to say "He would be a
half wit in Mescala (Texas), but
he would be alright in Bulgaria".
This American wisecrack made the
His nation
Bulgarian adamant.
was insulted and the American
would not be allowed to play his

The new

publicity

campaign

tures are regularly given.

The publicity "dope" will be

spread through newspapers,
contests, propaganda films, pamphlets,
conveyances and all sorts of avenues.

Can the Indian producers ever

do anything like this? They have
not to call back the tired people

been made

little

jokes.

"Drop Bulgaria out of your picwe throw your pictures out

the ultimatum
of Bulgaria" was
ture or

given by the Bulgarian Minister.

So Bulgaria went out of "Paris

an imaginary
Balkan State stepped in.

Honeymoon" and

The Bulgarians
cheap

publicity.

care for

didn't

They cared more

for their national honour.

In the sudden death of Sir

Phiroze Sethna on the night
of 16th September Bombay has
lost its famous master of cereThe Indian film inmonies.
dustry has lost its great pillar
the
while
spokesman
and
Motion Picture Society of In-

dia has lost

its

revered presi-

dent.

Indian ministers, at least the

Congress Ministers whose principal
should study
patriotism,
alibi is
this incident

and follow Bulgaria.

Kesar, this popular artiste who

was once with the Imperial
Film Company, died on Saturday the 17th September in the

Cama

Hollywood
dollars

(Rs.

will

40

spend
lakhs)

a million
in

four

will

be

Her music
"Kisan Kanya"

Hospital.

and work

A MILLION DOLLAR PUBLICITY

is

expected to bring more and more

people to the
box-offices during
the four months.
But they won't
keep on coming unless good pic-

in

the last

memory

to all

and

lasting

her friends.

October 1938

FILMINDIA
but exploit a

still

larger

SETH CHIMANLAL

virgin

B.

DESAI

New Baby Keg-Lite

field.

Born

WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES DO

That brings to mind another Paramount fiasco about 3 years back.
Paramount had produced a picture called "The Devilish Woman"
the

portraying

Spanish

woman

character
in loose

of

McAlister's

keynotes of a new

authorities

ter, Inc,

Mr

the original negative for destruc-

ment
this

have
Paramount would not
agreed to that had they not been
faced with the alternative of losmarket for all
ing the Spanish

MOURNED BY LADIES
Max
tician

famous cosmeexpert from

make-up
and
Factor, the

Hollywood died on 30th August

1938. Beginning his career as hairdresser at the Russian Court, he
emigrated to America where he
opened a small salon for stage
make-up. To-day the Max-Factor
is the only inthe world, that supplies a "blush" even to a "dead"
woman. Max Factor has died but
his memory we shall find on every

make-up laboratory
stitution

in

beautiful face.

SABU IN AMERICA
Korda's "Elephant Boy"
was the guest of
drummer,
and
President Roosevelt when he visited America for the premiere of
"The Drum". The picture was
opened on the 22nd September at
Sabu,

the Radio City Music Hall.

York.

New

"THE DRUM" BANNED

As we go to the press, we understand that the Madras Government has banned "The Drum" and
stopped its intended release on the
Gov17th September at Madras.
40

McAlis-

Hollywood lighting equip-

manufacturers.

Following

Keg

Baby

weighs

only 28

pounds complete with double

riser

For breakdown the head

stand.

only weighs

pictures.

Spain was then a country of free

men. India is still a land of slaves.

&

the general lines of the Keg-Lite,

tion.

So the negative was burned in

the presence of the Spanish authovindicating the narities, thus
tional honour of Spain.

watt unit

500

introduced by Bardwell

saw the
picture and not only banned the
but demanded
picture in Spain,

Paramount

and lightness are the

Simplicity

and cheap

colours.

The Spanish

Bardwell

at

pounds, stand

16

12

pounds.

The popular
Mr. Chimanlal B. Desai is a frontline man in the Indian film indusAs a producer, distributor
try.
and exhibitor on a big scale, being
a unique achievement for one man,
he plays a great part in the future
our industry. Proprietor of
of
Sagar Movietone and partner in

Film Distributors and

several cinemas Mr. Desai is per-

Supreme

haps the most unassuming person

the industry. He is recently
appointed on the Bombay Board
of Film Censors as a representative of the Indian Motion Picture
Producers' Association.
in

BM

quick-focusing

device has been further simplified.

from both

lever arm, protruding

front and rear,

is

side

focusing spot to

to

side

for

So simple

flood.

moved
this

is

from

mechan-

ism that a high lamp can be focused by merely exerting a pressure against the protruding lever.

The lamp can be furnished with

either pre-focus or

Both types

sockets.

porcelain

are

medium

bipost

sockets

of

insuring

base,

against deterioration from heat.

praiseworthy
ernment's action
because it showed exemplary courage by banning the picture after
the Muslims in the Censor Board
had passed it for release.

gives

WHAT A CELEBRATION?

output.

is

Madras
Corporation was

The anniversary
United

Artists'

of the

celebrated in rather a tragic way.

Free film shows were given at 7
leading theatres and owing to the

unprecedented crowds and rush

one person died and several were
At the Gaiety, where
injured.
the crowd was the largest, one woman was crushed on the spot, being trampled upon and her body
was removed to the General Hospital.

juries

18 others

who

sustained in-

have also been admitted

the general hospital.

in

diameter

short focus 6 inch

fresnel lens

focused

combined with a pre-

high

The Keg-Lite
tion

make

mirror

reflecting

great efficiency

line

incorporated

in

lighting

and

ventila-

in

lamp

this

for longer globe life as well

as coolness of operation.

This lamp, while light in weight

yet of sturdy construction,

contribution to the small spot

for studio

and

Extract

field

and

professional

advanced amateur

is

use.

from "America)/

matographer "August 1938.

iac-

W^atck

for

Xke

Star

of Stars

IN

PREM-KI-JYOT
Supported

make

story that will

Your heart throb with

Director.

excitement

0or

JZookinqs Off>ply:

GUNJAL

Will shortly

All Old Timers

Garden View, Dady

Seth Road, Chowpalty,

sweep

all

over

Qnclia

Super

Stunt

Sensation

-c
Directed

"-/or

ROMOLA

(ChabukwalS)

BENJAMIN,
S.

AM IN A, VI IQ.
HAROON and ANSARI.
SADIK,

It

by:

A. M.

000

Khetwadi Main Road,

BOM8AY-4.
DELHI A BANGALORE

&

AS

C$ooing5 appfy,'

RAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL

SHIRAZ,

ALLAM, KHATUN,

Worthy Successor

CYCLE WALI
A

Bombay

of -Swift Action* 5

MOHAN PICTURES PRESENTS

Marutirao Pahelwan,
Laxmi, Rambha Devi.

A Storm

BILLIMQRI

Jal Merchant, Jamna,

Keki Bavta, Jamsotji,

RUBY PICTURES,

by:

CO.

GOPICHAND
An

action filled entertainment, glorified by resonant tunes,

and

dazzling with Spectacles.

Produced

Starring

DADASAHEB TORNEY

H|

DRAWING CROWDS AT

* ***

Usha, Chandrakant
Ratnaprabha, Leela,
Londhe, Dinkar.

Royal

Opera

OUSO

Booking

Records

New Queen's

Bombay

thai

you

have

been

wailing

Now Ready
Recorded

on

(Special

Red

Hear

Colour Labels with the

singing

No. D.A.

"YOUNG

our

INDIA"

Kanta Kumar

Dixit

No. D. A. 5472

5469 & 5470

THE NATIONAL GRAMOPHONE

110 MEDOWS
.-.-.IM

of

HE4D

I'onda

For Clear Reproduction Emotional Tunes and Sonorous Music,

Telephone No.

Trio

Prabhat on

OCTOBER RELEASE
D.

fjear^

Photos.)

Artistes

The

PARSHURAM
G.

lo

YOUNG INDIA RECORDS

SHANTA APTE
RAM MARATHE

I'alkar

No. 4.

GOPAL KRISHNA"

6i

Nclnji

Road,

Hear

Pmbhal's

Shahir

t/iru:^*-*

KAPURGHAND LTD.

BOMBAY

Ghe

by.

insist

on

YOUNG

INDIA RECORDS

RECORD MANUFACTURING.
STREET, FORT,

BOMBAY

CO., LTD.
FACTORY AT WAOAIA

Kicks and Kisses

Most lovers have their big moments in the small hours.
*

kisses

If

the language

are

then give the

who'll speak right up.
*

It's

that draws the most interest.

girl wants to be the toast
town she has to be hot and

have plenty of crust.

There's usually a lot of buzzing
around the office after a stenog
lets the boss kiss her, that is, he
keeps buzzing for her ever after.
*

woman

Eve was the unluckiest

it

Save your breath

out.

friend's dull,

Men no

longer find delight in

merely sitting and looking at u.
*

she couldn't argue with

Adam about the better man she
might have married.

is

sales

map

hundred words out of

stenographer said the first
banker.
To which, the second
"That's
nothing, I
two hundred out of my wife.
*

map.

It

office

mean any-

doesn't

thing without some pretty pins to

go with it.

One guy who always means business when he kisses is a gigolo.

*

how am

supposed to know that you're the toast

of the town?"
"Well, honey,

Some

girls

The

are

respect,

the

carries

up

his right to

it's

enough

for a girl to put

To be popular,

good front.

all

a girl really wants to see the

town at night, she should go out
with a boy who's all lit up.

Something

The

least

when
a

a girl

dame

fool.

kisses are the language of

a man doesn't care if a wogabs on for ever.

man

The walls may have ears, but

wall flowers can't bite them.

the

in,

to

girl

should

play

make an

interesting
a pair of shorts.

bound

named

to

happen

Perfect meets

boy named Practice.

opposites attract,

All

women and

loose

tight

especially

men.
*

There isn't enough wool in a

gall's bathing suit, to pull over a
man's eyes.
*

Running around with sailors, is

no way for a girl to keep ship
shape.

UnparaUel Quality
*

Thanks

for

Size

the hug and

He: Don't mention

all mine.

it.

The

pres-

girl

goose,

if

can easily cook a man's

she knows

how

to

turn

yds. x 17

Special
latest

sure was

ii

Most

kiss.

*
is

over

all

She:

a
Sometimes, you don't know
woman's dynamite until you've
dropped her.
*

girl.

If

be-

who used

'round

is

When

torch

she has to be an

Oddly enough, girls with clean

minds are the ones who can give
you the dirtiest looks.

a decent burial.
*

boy-

more than

to light herself to bed with a candle, now has a dizzy daughter who

It isn't

The average man

love,

unspoiled,

golf partner, is

you are wondering if the pedestrian has any rights a motorist

your

If

must

if

takes

Nowadays, the sea of matrimony

full of light house keepers.

get

old fashioned girl

around

"Watch my smoke!"
*

it

town.

and

cause they're always kept cool.

*

an

just like

is

black

get a

my

girl's

black

in

air to fix a flat tire.

alive,

"Can you prove that

and white?"

to see a girl in her

the

are absolutely

kisses

"Silly!
There's no
white lipstick."

grinned,

get

"My

best in town."

woman.

who

you want

If

the

If

Of the

true light, just put

no account

of

It's only the tight girls

loose with their love.

woman

the

of

man

girl

love,

Staying up late with a married

will usually put dark circles around your eyes, especially if
her husband comes home.

woman

When a guy gets hot with flaming passion, you can put his fire
out with a little icy stare.

Note (he Striking Bargain

Rs.

L>"

10

Durga Puja and Khali Concession.

<f ill'-

Style

Ladies in Ibdifl and abroad, are wearing

guaranteed unshrinkable and fast

coloured Georgette silken ami Beautiful Saris, in

appearence worth Rs 60 - at amazing low price,
lovely new range of fashion shades, (i 1 4 p.e. discount to lady students, postage and packing free
to a purchaser of :s saris at a time.

Apply sharp

lit

Indian Georgette Saris Manfg.. Co- of India

Post Box No. 79 Bombay.

on the heat.
47

FILM INDIA
A fellow
much of a

October 1938

Many

have

can't

very well

date

until he has

who marries

girl

finds that he doesn't

life

Girls with bent pins can't catch

big fish.

for

have

it.

car.

"Professor,
to consult

my

wife and

you about

my

want
motherI

The usual way

The kind of man a hungry young

maiden likes to meet is one with

something low,

a big stake.

tight.

to get a girl to
is

do

to first get her

in-law's case."

"But

my

dear man!

I'm a bo-

My

tanist."

"We know

it.

And

an open book, but can

a few of the pages are

life is

help it if
stuck together?
I

she's cling-

ing to us like a vine."

It is odd, but the darkest corners often contain the most flaming lovers.

These days when a man

and wines a girl, she has
drink and be wary.

has to have rings, under

her eyes, before she gets one on
girl

her finger.

dines
to eat,

female nut, who's a bit cracked, can always get a date with a
squirrely guy.
*

When
friend,

with

The place

a girl storms at her boyit's

both ends,

time he showered her

to

is

burn the candle at

dark parlor.

in a

kisses.

man's hands,

is

clay in a woplain dirt in her

eyes.

Usually a man can't walk in a

straight line, unless his wife is a

boiler.

girl

is

like

firing

to keep both of
pressure.

CjoQen Opportunity
on

Lease

an

up-to-date

from

1st.

The

You have

them under

Available

ruler.

Kissing

Student: Yes, sir, and got dates

with three of them!

isn't

The man who's

Architect: You've been studying
architecture, I hear.
Haven't you
been able to find new beauties in
the buildings I've designed?

the string of pearls

a
sugar daddy gives girl that worries her, it's the clasp that usually
goes with them.
It

kept
for a

itch to

many an

married, has
get
old maid scratching

husband.

October 1938,

THEATRE

perfectly suitable for

TALKING PICTURES

SUNDEKVILAS THEAI EE
PALACE TALKIES
MADHATAL

JUBBULPORE
For terms apply

48

to:

Mr. Jivandas

Dhanjibhai,

do

Bhatia Morarji Dhanjibhai Javahar Ganj, Jubbulpore.

EM

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Record Breaker of Record Makers

Brahmachari"
records

* The Dashing, Daring,

Roaring

Dazzling, Delicious

the

ted

Hamuli

first

all

has

broken

pictures

week

run

all

during
at

the

Prabhat Talkies, Poona, conduc-

Comedy Smash-Hit on

Celibabes (9 Celibacy

of

by

the

Prabhat

Film

Co.

ftftarathi Tension:**

A Huns Pictures "Royal Release Jewel,"

Hindi Version by:

Story by:

PANDIT INDRA

Directed by:

PRINCIPAL P. K. ATRE
(Author of "Dharmaveer"
"Premveer"

MASTER VINAYAK

<f-

Starring

Vinaynk
Running

To

Houses At

Packed

and Why

is

Six- Valve

(New

Sweetie Star)

BOMBAY, POONA, BARODA, GWALIOR

purchased bu the

PRE-RELEASE
New

Meenakshi

"BRAHMACHARI"

Mahatma Gandhi wants

Brahmacharis'

and

from

ROUAL

FlLTTl

CIRCUIT.

RADIO LYMPIA

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Here

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Radio's Finest value for

six valve four waveband
Superhet for A. C. mains at Rs. 325
and an H. M. V.! Housed in a
walnut finished cabinet of striking
but dignified design, this latest
addition to the famous "His Master's Voice"
range offers worldwide entertainment and magnificent quality of reproduction at a
price that is within the reach of
all.
It will receive all the Indian
is

money

short-wave stations.

SEND FOR COLOURED LEAFLET.

Model 656 A.C-Price Rs. 325/-

"HIS

(at

Ports.)

MASTER'S VOICE"

"R

ound the town

published
are use-

(The

reviews

under

this section

both to the average

cine-goer and the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are ol importance to the exhibitor

\
{

tul

"VACHAN"

Special Effects: War scenes are

good photographically.

Produced by: Bombay Talkies Ltd.

Released at:

Roxy

Talkies,

Bom-

bay.

Date

of Release: 19th

August

1938.

Cast: Devika Rani. Ashok Kumar

Meera, M. Nazir and Others.

Publicity: Quite good.

Box-office Value: It is a Devika

picture and should run well with

her fans. People pay willingly for

the pleasure of seeing her on the

Language:

(By

J.

S.

Kashyap).

Quite good, though not particularSome of the songs are

ly brilliant.
well worded.

(By Saraswati Devi and

Tunes given by
J. S. Kashyap).
Kashyap prove more popular than
those given by Saraswati Devi. On
the whole the music is quite good:
Music:

Photography:
Pareenja>.

(By Wirsching

&

Good throughout and

(The Bachelor)

Produced by:

Huns

Pictures, Kol-

napur.

Released

at:

Majestic

Date of Release:

September,

3rd

1938.

Cast:

Vinayak,

Meenakshi, Salvl,

Jog, etc.

Screen Play:

(By P. K. Atre).

The writer of this screen play has

made comedy his motive in life.
He has monopolised the trade so
much that he is now looked upon
as a wholesale dealer in humour.
An excellent use, he is making of
this monopoly.
Sometimes, when
his writings are high pitched and
the humour overcloaked, the wri-

Mukerji).
(By
S.
Recording:
Quite clear and distinct.

the joke.

to impress.

Cinema,

Bombay.

ter arranges a lecture

For the first

Performances:
kime I have found out some one
performance
else giving a better
than Devika Rani. She is Meera,
who has stolen the picture from
the star scene by scene. In a very
sympathetic role, Meera has given
with
an excellent performance
good music and graceful dancing.
Meera gives a brilliant promise for
Devika Rani Is good
the future.
good as usual, but there wasn't
much in her role. M. Nazir worked well but "died" too soon In the
picture. The others had not much

same

time, the casual interest

of readers in general.)

J
i

often due to bathos than pure hu-

mour.

excellent at places.

Franz Osten).
Direction:
(By
alOsten's technical direction is
ways clever, but wn'at he cannot
achieve yet is to catch the spiri'
of the play, which is always essensetially Indian in the subjects
lected by Bombay Talkies.

maintaining, at the
!

screen.

BRAHMACHARI
Screen Play: (By Agajani KasbThe story is developed in
rniree).
the nursery style, and the stock of
it
very limited,
incidents being
the interpractically ends before
A better writer could have
val.
improved the grip of the story by
adding suitable sequences.

bookings have been

treated here
in
short,

in his

That

is

to explain

only

the

tra-

gedy in the life of this big man

whose own size is a satire on the
present day
tailor-made youths.
"Principles are good; fads are dangerous.
Fads are principles accepted
without
understanding".
is the circle,
made intelligently humorous,
in
which the
writer argues away the theme, till
it gets out of his hand and
at
places hits him back.

That

Leaving eugenics alone, as a

grace perhaps, an "abortive"
at-

tempt has been made to show

bachelorhood as a solution of the
Humour is innation's problem.
laid in the "abortion".

had been taken

to

If
its

the idea
ultimate

conclusion, humour would have

died and tragedy born. The skill
in the treatment of the subject is
said
and
in keeping things half
allowing the audience to imagine

the rest. Obviously humorous passages do make one laugh more

Setting aside personal differences (and there are many on several points), considering past per-

formances, (some of them are not

praiseworthy ), I must
give
the
devil his due and state that "Brah-

machari" is Atre's best so far and

quite good for me as an excellent
entertainer.
I go to the pictures
for entertainment and when I get
a kick out of it, I get something

my money. Atre has

preach and the preaching

more than
tried to

part only appeals as a humorous

interlude.
The world has learned
caricature
to take Atre as a
of
gravity and therein lies the success
of a humorist.

"Brahmachari"

more

contains

fun than humour, more laughs

than smiles, and more entertainment than morals.
The screen
play

is

beautifully developed.

Language:

(Marathi)

Atre). Witty, sparkling

(By P. K.

and

choice,

had one additional

had a tickle that work-

the language
quality.

It

ed between the ribs. Some of the

songs had desperate romance.

Music:

(By

Dada

Chandekar).

Folklore tunes, popular with

the
masses, punctuated the sequences
while the words of the songs illuminated the situations with their

glow of intelligence.

Photography:
(By P. S. Naik).
Beautiful throughout.
It was refind
some creative
freshing to
thinking done by the cameraman,

and even
shadows in the

especially in maintaining

nursing natural
indoors.

Recording: (By Chintaman MoThe recording needed more

dak).

53

FILM INDIA

October 1938

dialogues and
Individual
care.
songs are well recorded, but the
crowd shots suffer due to lack of

more
ever,

care.

The

dialogues,

how-

can be clearly heard.

The
Direction: (By Vinayak).
direction of a subject of this nathan average
ture requires more
Humour always demands
brains.
intelligence to deal out or to unA social picture withderstand.
out an element of

humour

easier job in direction.

But

is

an

with

humour the

problem is difficult.
A slight mistake and a humorous
situation becomes ridiculous. Taking numerous other problems into
consideration, the director could
be said to have given a good account of himself in this picture
and with it makes a bold bid to
wrest the crown ot supremacy in
Maharashtra in near future.

Salvi and Jog are good.

Javdekar was disappointing.
direction.

Special Effects: This is a picture

perfect
entertainment
2h
hours of peaceful bliss with a tic-

for

kle

and

kick.

General
Remarks:
Comedy
seems to be coming into its own
seeing the splendid way "Brahmachari" was received in Bombay. If
we get such subjects in future, we
shall certainly pull more people to
our theatres.

personal appearance and a lecture in the city

on the eve of the release gave a
good lift to the picture.
Publicity:

Atre's

Box-Office Value: As the picture

contains excellent
entertainment
it should be booked by all exhibitors.

Vinayak as

the
very

piece-de-resistance proved
entertaining due to his intelligent
work. Meenakshi,
a
new find,
gives a new thrill under excellent

In "Shareef
time.

54

Produced by:

Minerva Moivetone,

Bombay.
Released

Bombay.

1938.

Sohrab Mody, Sheila, Leela

Chitnis, Sadik Ali. Shariffa and
Others.

Screen Play:
(By Amir Hyder
Kama!).
A very good subject
with a thought provoking theme
like this required

That

expert handling.

didn't get it, is a pity. The

writer, at several places, has
lost
grip of the deveolpment and strayed into inconciusiveness of several
it

The element of melodrama has been overused at places, making

the situations look
sequences.

artificial.

Language:
(By A. H. Kamal).
Not particularly impressive or attractive,

but quite suitable.

Music: (By Mir Saheb). A couple

sung by Sheila were good.

of songs

JAILOR
Performances:

Date of Release: 19th July

Cast:

.at:

Krishna

Cinema.

Photograaphy:
(By Y. D. Sarpotdar).
Some of the indoors
taken against light showed halation.
The other photography was
quite good.
Recording: Not careful.

Daku" a Jayabharat picture Padmadevi and Navinchandra once again meet after a long
The picture promises to be an excellent thriller and is directed by Mr. Govindram Sethy.

FILM INDIA

October 1938

Sohrab Modyi.
has
improvement

(By

Direction:

Considerable

been made by the director in this

Sheila's direction is
Some of the situa-

effort of his.

praiseworthy.

between himand Leela Chitnis are power-

tions, particularly
self

Mody's directorfully portrayed.

ial effort in this picture should be
a forerunner of better pictures in

Box-office Value: Quite good as

though the
problem picture
scenes of the maimed beggars beBeing
come slightly depressing.
rather an unusual picture, it may
be booked by the exhibitors.
a

RAJA GOPICHAND
Produced by:

appealing. It was pleasant to find

from
Sohrab restraining himself
his stage habits and giving a naHis performtural performance.
ance in this picture was far improved.
Leela Chitnis did not
make much of an impression. She
gave stereotyped actions and did
not show any enterprise. Her diaand
logues sound very affected
are delivered with a 'catch' in the
throat.

An

intelligent

artiste.

Leela should improve fast.

Rather poor and un-

Royal Opera House,

Bombay.

Here

is

1938.

Chandrakant, Londhe, RatLeela.

Usha
and
naprabha.

Cast:

beautifully done.

of the settings

Screen Play: (By Bhal G. Pendharkar).

This is an old story
which has become popular as a
legend all over India. The
present screen version is presented in
rather a stagy style and more reliance seems to have
been placed
on the element of melodrama.

Language: (Marathi).

The

dia-

Ahluwalia).

Direction: (By Bhal G. PendharThere is not much of a cinematic or pictorial direction in

kar).

Actions have been

throughout taken in a stagy way,
sometimes stressing them to the

(By C. Balaji).

"My Son"

The matepoint of artificiality.

rial in the story being small
the
director has directed a big footCouple
age in taking "passings".
of scenes, howeve^ are well directed.

Performances: Usha as Ratankunwar has given the best per-

formance backed by superb grace

and poise. Ratnaprabha comes off

Good

second best, with a sympathetic

"portrayal of the
queen mother.
Leela has surpassed Ratnaprabha

and well chosen tunes prove pleas-

a good shot from

(By

and

logues are beautifully written

immediately attract attention.
:

Reccrding:
Quite suitable.

this picture.

Others.

ing in the picture.

suitable.

(By Bal Gajban.

and the lighting in the picture could be called

admirable work.

Some

Saraswati Cinetone.

Date of Release: 30th July

Music
Publicity:

Art Direction

Bombay.
Released at:

Performances: Sheila gave a paand affectionate performance and incidentally the best
Her music was sweet while
one.
her expression was eloquent and

veral shots.

Very clever and

future.

thetic

(By Purohit
and
Shinde^. Quite good throughout and exceptionally good in se-

Photography:

S. P.

the next Prabhat picture under production.

55

FILMINDIA

October 1938

by giving a couple of good songs

Londhe
with very happy tunes.
as Kanif Nath was very impressChandrakant, Ranade and
ing.
others did not impress.
General Remarks: All the points
taken together, the picture is certainly an achievement for the reorganized Saraswati Cinetone, and
proves a hopeful fore-runner ol a
bright future promise.
.Publicity: Quite a good publicity
was given to the picture, which

has helped the picture to come

out victorious inspite of very good

Date of Release: 6th August

Chellam

Distributors:

Recording: Called for more care.

1938.

Talkies,

(By Sundera Rao

There is an absence
of
creative
imagination in the
work of the director. He seems to
have copied several
situations
from numerous pictures making
the treatment look familiar
and
common. However, he has given
Direction:

Coimbatore.
Cast: Miss

Nadkarni).

Hamsa Damayanti, Mr.

Santanam,
Iyer and Others.
T. S.

Mr. Mahadeva

Screen Play: This is a mytholotale

proceeding with time
honoured tradition in every detail.
Some small liberties have been
taken to make the story gripping
gical

and

his best so far.

Performances:
Mr.
Santanam
has given a good portrayal of
King Ravana.
Hamsa Damayanti
as Mandhodhari, did not impress.
Her music and acting fell flat.
Azurie's dance
was very disap-

interesting.

Language:

(Tamil). Quite satis-

factory.

opposition.

Worth bookBox-office Value:

ing by all exhibitors, even with a

minimum

guarantee.

"BHOO KAILAS"

Music:
There are too many
composed
picture
songs in the
with the help of some Hindi tunes,
with the result that some of the
songs sound ridiculous to the audi-

pointing.

Good

Special Effects:

settings

weie a feature of the picture.

Box-office Value: The picture is
the
ot run well owing to
popularity
of
subject and
the
It
some of the coloured scenes.
was well received in the mofussil

ences.

likely

Sundaram
by:
Studios, Madras.

Sound

The Gaiety

Talkies,

Produced

Released at:
Madras.

Photography:

(By Haribhai

K.

Patel). Some of the out doors are

very well taken and the photography in general is quite good.

WITCHING

and

DRALUE'S
fume

TULA
PERFUME

Madras.

in

Tula

modern

as

a charminq pertelevision as

as

elusiue as a dream.

of most fashionable

It is

the choice

women

through-

out the world.

The euer growing

popularity,

this

of

preparation

the best testimony of

Quality,

its

unrivalled

and

Fraqrance

Purity,

Free sample on request.

Agents:

A. V. R. A.

Adycappa

Chettiar,

Lalsing [Building,

Near Crawford

Bombay

56

Market,
2.

is

Studio Close" Ups

nitely booked for the Pathe,

to
run sometime next month.
The
picture features Padmadevi,
and

ably supported by Nazir and

other artistes, in a social melo-

is

drama.

RAN JIT MOVIETONE:

"The Cat", a social comedy
which was released during the
month is drawing good houses at
the West End Cinema, Bombay.
At the studio, "The Secretary",
directed by Mr. Chaturbhuj Doshi
is lying ready for release.
"Sant
Tulsidas" is being shot steadily by

Jayant

ed by Kapurchand Ltd., and the

old Khan Bahadur is seen taking
conduct.
We
active part in its
wish the old campaigner every
success.

KRISHIN MOVIETONE:
Director

Ram

Daryani's "Zama-

na" has been completed and defi-

GENERAL FILMS:
"Pati Patni" is receiving final
touches at the studio at the hands
of Director
Kardar.
"Industrial
India" has practically been completed and it
should be on the
screen in
the
coming
month.
"Baghban" is reported to have run
very well in the northern circuit.

Desai

with
Vishnupant
and others in the
cast.
Mr. Chandulal Shah is busy
shooting "Achhut" with Gohar in

PRAKASH PICTURES:

Pagnis, Vasanti

"Poornima"

received

splendid

ovation at the

"Gramaphone Singer" had

a
good reception at the Imperial Ci-

Krishna Cinema,
Bombay, when it opened there on
the
10th
September.
"Toofan
Queen" a Tamil picture is lying
ready, while "Hero No. 1" a stunt
thriller, by Director Khosla, is fast

nema when

progressing.

the lead.

SAGAR MOVIETONE:

it

was released on the

17th September.

WADIA MOVIETONE:
The horse is
We

At the studio "Postman" directed by Mahindra is lying ready for

ill.

a picture featuring Sabita.

Director Luhar has gone half way
through "Service Ltd.".
Mehboob
has started another picture and
he has taken plenty of indoor
shots of the same.

ordered new
recording machines
and other equipment for the 1939
production programme.

"Vachan" is still running at the

Roxy and people seem to be thrilled at seeing the new triumphs of

EVEREST PICTURES:
Ezra Mir should go into shooting

Devika Rani.

cf his gypsy story "Sitara" on the

1st of October.
The picture fea-

At the studio, a social picture is

being shot, but the name of the
said picture is not yet announced.

tures Khursheed, Yasmin,

Ratan
and others. Mr. Mir is likely to
score a signal success in this picture because of the care he is taking in production and the publicity he is giving to the picture.

MINERVA TALKIES:
completed

its

run

at

the Krishna Cinema and

was
transferred to the Novelty Talkies
in

BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS:

Bombay.

"Yangrilla" was well received at

the Super Talkies. The future
programme of Mr. Bhavnani is
not yet known. But he is bound

"Vasanti" starring Naseem

will
be shortly coming to the Minerva
Talkies in Bombay.
Mr. Sohrab
Mody has already taken up another social subject called "Divorce", for shooting at the Sewree

to

give

something new this time

with his previous record.

PARAMOUNT FILM

studios.

JYOTHI &

CO.:

People say that this is a new

concern which is being built on
the lost hopes of the Imperial Film
Co. The company is being financ-

to

starring Pramilla, and Maheru the

monkey, is well on way with its
stunts and thrills. The studio has

BOMBAY TALKIES:

"Jailor"

refer

"Punjab-ka-Beta",
and therefore
"Punjab Mail" which is being directed by Homi Wadia is held up.
Director Ghadialli's "Jungle King"

release while Badami is giving

finishing touches to "Ladies Only",

Ishwarlal in "The Cat" a Ranjit

picture.

CO.:

"Banke Savaria" was released at

the Lamington Talkies, Bombay, to
a crowded house.
In the studio,
"Midnight Man", "Golden Gang"
and "Madhu Bansari" are fast proceeding towards completion.
57

FILMINDIA

October 1938

POONA

JAYBHARAT MOVIETONE:
Under the capable supervision
of Bapubhai Desai, Mr. Vyas and
Director G. R. Setty are fast protheir
new stunt
gressing with
thriller "Shareef Daku". The picture stars Padmadevi and is ably

and
supported by Navinchandra
the rest of the cast is lead by Nurjehan. The picture being a meloexpected to
dramatic thriller is
a

large
office success.

secure

amount

of

box

PRABHAT FILM

CO.:

Director Kale is steadily proceeding with the shooting of "My

Son" featuring Mrs. Shantabai
Hublikar. The picture is likely to
be on the screen sometime in the

month

November.

of

At the studios "Street Singer" is

being shot in the out doors. "Adhikar" has been completed and is
ready for release. "Bara Didi" has
new been again taken up by Director Amar Mullick. On the completion of the interiors, this director will go for outdoor shootings.
Director Nitin Bose is shooting
"Dushman" in the interior sets.

Director Shantaram has

completed his script for the next pic-

which according to reports,

happens to be a very powerful
a
story with a new theme and

ture,

new

angle.

SARASWATI CINETONE:
"Raja Gopichand" proved

such

a huge success that it is running

at the Royal Opera House and is
likely to run there for a couple of
months more, which of course,
shows that good times are coming
for the Saraswati people.

At the studio, Director Chowdhary is shooting "It's True", a

social story with Motilal and Rose
in the lead. Chowdhary has writwith
ten a marvellous story and
such a distinguished cast that it
is likely to be one of the box-office
hits

of the season.

teran

Torney

script of

is

And the vepreparing his

"Bhagwa Zenda"

rical picture

a histothe

of the times of

Marathas.

KOLHAPUR
HUNS PICTURES:
"Brahmachari" had a good

re-

Cinema,
ception at the Majestic
when it was released there on the
3rd September. All those who saw
the picture expressed unanimously
in its praise and admiration.
At the studios in Kolhapur, DiVinayak is busy with the
shooting of "Devata", a story by
with Baburao
Mr. Khandekar
Pendharkar in the lead. "Devata"
is expected to be a great picture
and with such excellent cast as
Baburao Pendharkar and Vinayak,
rector

it

will

prove a box-office

hit.

CALCUTTA

NEW THEATRES:
"The Cat" a Ranjit
picture now running in Bombay.
Ila

Devi

58

in

"Dharati Mata" ran pretty well

at the Minerva Talkies

in

Bombay.

Sunita Devi in "The Cat" a Ranjit

picture

at

West

End

Cinema,

October 1938

FILM CORPORATION OF INDIA:

One more man has

visited

this

namely Mr. Mohanlal of

They
Ramniklal Mohanlal & Co.
say that the anxiety with which
he went there was considerably
subdued after seeing the rushes of
studic.

We are now
the picture "Asha".
waiting for the picture to come.

PREMIER CINETONE,

steadily progressing.

MODERN THEATRES,

(Salem):

Reports say that "Maya Mayavan" is ready for release and be-

SOUTH INDIA
UNITED ARTISTS* CORPN.

ing a stunt

(Madras)
The pictures contemplated for
production are "Thyag Bhoomi"
and "Ahimsa Sakthi". They should
have been well on way by now.

draw good crowds.

picture

is

likely

to

"Thayumana-

nearly
completed while
is
"Prachin Kerla" has been shot a
bit in the indoors.

var"

SUNDARAM SOUND STUDIOS,

ANDHRA CINETONE,

(Madras):

(Vizagapatam)
Mr. Raju

is still getting out of

troubles and is busy with
the bookings of "Baktha Jayadev".

his old

"Bhoo Kailas" was well received

The
in Madras and other places.
future programme of the
is not known.

company

VENUS PICTURES,

CENTRAL STUDIOS,

Every detail is being attended to

carefully with an idea to make the

(Karaikudi):
Mr. Ram Seshan has fixed up
the Andhra studios for shooting
his "Kiratha Arjun" in Tamil and
now he is definitely not going to
Calcutta as he probably finds the

picture a successful one.

South more congenial.

(Coimbatore)

"Rambha's

Love"

steady progress

in

making

is

its

shooting.

Aiming

N D

PRODUCERS
(Several South Indian producers
seem to live in a world of their
own perhaps thinking that they
are miles away from the rest of
the world. This is
absolutely
a
wrong attitude which producers in
business should take.
Every producer, for his own publicity should
send out Studio News regularly to
the different papers, and particularly to "filmindia" which happens
to be the most popular paper
in
the market to-day,
having the
widest coverage and the
largest
sales.
In the absence of our receiving such information directly

from the studios, we are not in a

position to check up the reports of
our

own correspondents and

very
mistakes creep in unintentionally.
We therefore request the
producers in general and those in
the South in particular, to send

often

their studio reports to us regularly to reach us before the 10th of

every month, if they desire their

news

to be published in our "Studio Closeups" column. Editor.)

Box Office -Records

straight at
Gomes

ihis

REPUBLIC SERIAL

THE PAINTED STALLION

WITH

nalion on Ihe brink of

war

the

RAY CORRIGAN

Seething intrigue,

in a valley of terror

and

Mystery Rider

slreakes

into

William Witney

ACTION.

HOOT GIBSON
SAMMY McKIM

k
Ov>r oSoo/cing

SELECT SERIAL SUPPLY,

un<i

NOTICE TO SOUTH INDIAN

(Coimbatore)
Under the direction of
Mr.
Mehta "Eknath" has practically
finished its shooting and is getting
touches.
"Lucky
the finishing
Star", by Dwarknath Productions
is

^dtrilortal

riglili

Govardnan Building, Parekli

Street,

Bonibay-4.
59

Our

Institutions

AMATEUR CINE SOCIETY OF INDIA

A

very progressive Society, which

is

doing

all

in

to give its members good value for their

money in the way of interesting lecture-demonstrations and outings, is the Amateur Cine Society of
its

power

India,

Mherwan

Building,

Sir

Pherozshah

Mehta

Road, Bombay.

Inaugurated but a year ago, the Society has, besides a growing membership role, its own premises,
comprising a projection room, work room and two

The membership is divided up into three

sections, namely Life Members. Ordinary or Camera
Members, and Associate or non-camera members, inprojectors.

cluding those in outstations.

This arrangement strikes us as being very good,

encourages all the departments needed for the
production of a film, namely cameramen, writers,
artists, actors and directors, and also affords an opportunity to those who. unable at the moment to run
a cine camera, are yet anxious to get an insight into
this interesting hobby against the day of their getas

it

ting one.

VISUAL EDUCATION SOCIETY

The Hon. Mr. Sampurnanand, Minister of Education, United Provinces was entertained on the 29th
August at the New Era High School on behalf of the
Visual Education Society.
Principals, G. B. Jathar,
and Vyas, Professor Beri and Mr. K. S. Hirlekar par-

ticipated in the discussion on the recognition of the

film as an educational medium for imparting instruction in schools and colleges.

The Hon. Minister gave them a patient hearing

and after a very pleasing entertainment was shown
some educational films by the Society. As a result
of this discussion, it is likely that the Government of
U.P. will seriously think of the introduction of the
films as a medium of instruction in their province.

MOTION PICTURE SOCIETY OF INDIA

The Society is in deep mourning owing to the
sudden and unexpected death of its president Sir
Phiroze Sethna. During the month no fresh activities are reported beyond the publication of the Indian Cinematograph Year Book, of which we have
already written a review in the previous issue. The
election of the office-bearers for the coming year has

been gone through with the following

results:

Rai
Saheb Chuni Lall, Vice President, and the following
members on the Executive Committee: Messrs. M. B.
Billimoria, Chimanlal B. Desai, B. D. Bharucha, V. G.
Motwane, B. M. Tata. Chandulal Shah, P. C. Subedar,
Sir Phiroze Sethna, President

(since dead),

C. R. Gvalani, S. R. K. Rao, L. T. Shivdasani, P. C.

Kapadia, Chottubhai Desai, and M. A. Fazalbhoy.
Messrs. Shivdasani and Bharucha were elected as
Hony. Secretaries, for the year.

THE INDIAN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS'

ASSOCIATION
At the meeting held at the Executive Committee
on the 1st September the Association decided to recommend to the Government the appointment of an
Indian secretary to the Board of Film Censors.

The

from Mr. F. J. Collins, publisher of the

Picture
Magazine expressing regret
to
the Association for certain articles which appeared In
the said magazine in the past was accepted by the
Association and a permission was granted to the
publisher to take advertisement business from the
Indian producers. As a further gesture of courtesy,
the Association warmed up and went to the length
of allowing its Secretary Mr. Ram L. Gogtay, to edit
the said paper on the understanding that his own
tiny publication
"The Lighthouse" should cease
thenceforth. Why the Association should worry about
letter

Motion

all

this,

we cannot understand.

On

the 8th September a combined meeting of

the producers, distributors and the exhibitors, was
held at the Film City to discuss the problem of producing newsreels for India and making them a part
and parcel of the entertainment programmes at our
Cinemas. After a lot of discussion and consideration,
objections raised by the Sholapur exhibitor Mr. S. G.
Patwardhan, matters were left in suspense merely
with an expression and the desire of producing newsreels.

For the

time

the Association introduced

by condemning the attitude
and remarks by certain Marathi papers about Mahatma Gandhi.
first

politics into its business

Devika Rani in "Vachan" a Bombay Talkies picture at

Roxy

Talkies,

Bombay.

Printed and Published by D. K. Parker at New Jack Printing Works,

Filmindia Publications Ltd.

75,

Apollo

St.,

Bombay

for

COOL
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CONTENTS
GIRL ON THE COVER

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To

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number

This

opy.

tkauld

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Copies

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The
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Editor's
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Editorial

of

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be

Home

all

Subscriptions for a period less than one year will not be accepted.

The subscription must be paid in advance by Money Order.

by V. P. P. and no cheques wilt be accepted.

Job for the

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There

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in

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For a

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This

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minimum

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is

tpace

booked

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at

& News
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fh: Pathy

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&

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time.

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Any extra inches under this plan will be charged at Rs. 5/an inch per column of 2 inches.
Advertisements of big industries and films will not be
accepted under this plan.

EIGHTEEN ART PLATES

PAYMENT.
payment for

All

advertisements
case

In
that

all

bills

All

advertisements

be

published.

of

local

advertisers,

will

be

will

advertisers

must

made

be

advance

in

without

approved accounts can be opened subject

made payable within 30 days

outside

strictly

Bombay

must

pay

their

of

the

no

condition

presentation.

charges

the

to

which

in

advance

while

booking

the

STOP PRESS

space.

Copy
for

the

the

of

next

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sprrial

position

Any

advertisement

must

submitted

be

before

the

10th

of

the

previous

month

issue.

read

is

is

from

therefore

cover

to

and

cover

every

position

is

good position.

No

guaranteed.

ILLUSTRATIONS & BLOCKS.

blocks

always

be

blocks

shall

or

illustrations

published

courtesy and not a

condition

be

adcertisers.

paid for by

the

for

the

attached

advertiser

the

to

in

the

advertisement

reading
contract.

matter

will

All

such

should

be

correspondence should be addressed

addressed to the Editor.
Queries for
with

other

to

the

"Editor's

correspondence.

FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS
Ofjices:

104.

Apollo

Tele:
Editor:

Mr.

The Editor's correspondence

Mail" should not be mixed up

firm.

No.

St.,

Fort.

BOMBAY.

267S2

BABL'RAO

LTD..

PATEL

IN

HOSPITAL

Mr. Baburao Patel, who has

been ailing for some time was

removed to the Charak Clinic

and operated upon by Dr. R. N.
Cooper.

CORRESPONDENCE.
Business

THE EDITOR

F.R.C.S.,

October.

He

is

on

now

satisfactorily.

the

14th

progressing

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Ltd.

BOMBAY.

1938

No. 7

A JOB FOR THE HOME MINISTER

The

agitation against

"The Drum", the

anti-

Indian British picture and the ban placed on the

picture by the different provincial governments

prove once again the utter unreliability of judgment of the Bombay Board of Film Censors as
constituted at present.

The present Board of Film Censors is an

heritage of the old Government which went out
of power making place for the Congressmen. Too
much haste was betrayed by the last Government in nominating the present members right
on the eve of the Congress taking up the reins.
In fact, the Congress Ministers were hardly given
any chance to interfere with the Censor Board
as everything was kept ready for them, well
cooked

in

advance.

The Congress Ministers perhaps thinking a

Film Censor Board to be a small affair in comparison with other national issues of importance
allowed affairs to proceed as before without caring to overhaul the personnel of the Board.

The present personnel of the Censor Board

sit in judgment over pictures
coming from foreign producers because with a
few exceptions most of the present members are
pillars of the old order.
We want men with

is

not qualified to

proved nationalism during these days of national

7ILMINDIA

November 1938

awakening to protect our national self-respect

and to insist on the correct standard of morals
for a new nation in making.

of

Film Censors. The film was endorsed as fol"Omit all parts of the dialogue suggesting

lows:

Mary was
To allow
to

deny

to

the

new

generation the right of

single instance

to the present

Imagine the Bombay Board

is

enough

to bring

home

popular ministry the fact that the

present Board of Film Censors has outlived

its

Film Censors

of

Germany
own.
From

protecting the national self-respect of

and forgetting

self-expression.

old weather beaten hard nuts to

carry on the fast dying traditions of imperialism

is

manager exploiting the heroine

German."

that the Circus

to look after their

we have quoted several instan:es

newly found arrogance of the German
people and their attempts to malign India even
time to time

of the

after enjoying our hospitality.

usefulness.

"The Drum" was first seen by one of the

two Censor inspectors who thought it necessary
submit the picture to the approval of the
Censor Board. A sub-committee of four mem-

to

bers of the Board

picture.

With

was appointed
minor excision

to

examine the

of 24 feet this

sub-committee passed the picture for country-

And

Government

of well tried ConCensor Board to safeguard

the prestige of those Germans. Well., we would
not quarrel with the Government about this.
India has always been a nation of gentlemen
and we have never been anything else but hosyet,

gressmen allows

its

pitable to our guests even under the gravest pro-

But we certainly expect our Government, that grants protection to foreigners, to

vocation.

wide release.

The

release of this unfortunate picture start-

ed an agitation and goaded by public opinion the

Government of Bombay was compelled to put a
provisional ban on the picture

by stopping

fur-

more zealously

protect our national self-respect

than hitherto.
In reply to Mr. K. F.

Nariman

in the Legis-

Assembly, the Hon. Mr. Munshi, the Home

was expected that the
"it
Members of the Film Censor Board would look

lative

ther exhibition.

Minister said that

The Governments of Madras and Bengal

banned the picture straightway thus proving

after the national interests of the country."

their anxiety to protect our national self-respect.

"Expected"
of the

This action of the

Bombay Government and

governments amply tends to

confirm the grave error of judgment on the part
of the sub-committee of the Board of Censors in
other

provincial

alright,

is

but do the members

Censor Board really look after the nation-

al interests of the

country?

If

they do,

how

is

to ban "The Drum" on

anti-Indian grounds, after the picture was passed by the Board of Film Censors?

that the

Government had

passing the picture for country-wide release.

members

portant semi-government body like

an imthe Board of

Film Censors should

with

In the present time, the

be

persons

of

correct

A hundred years under the British rule we

have been living in "expectations".
Is our position to remain unchanged even with the popular
Congress Ministers in power?

national outlook.

Here

is

another

instance

of

our

Congress

The present government should define its

policy more clearly in this respect.
The people
expect the Congress Ministers to be more explicit in their aims and objects in their pursuit

Ministers' unique regard for the

of national independence.

decided to grant representation on the Censor

Only the other day, a Russian film called

"Circus" was examined by the Bombay Board

Board to the Indian film industry representation

was also granted to the Kinema Renters' Society
and Mr. Rowland Jones of the Metro's was ap-

protection

of

foreign interests.

year back

when

the present

Government

FILMINDIA

November 1938
year the government had

Bombay Board of Film Censors.

We understand that the Kinema Renters' Societypointed on the

had never even asked for

this

hands strengthened
do so from the Indian
its

by a recommendation to
Motion Picture Producers'

representation,

how

Association.

One

the Indian Motion Pic-

but the right of representation was practically

cannot understand

thrust on

ture Producers' Association could be a party to

this
act of slavishness, which provides the

it.

The Kinema Renters' Society, with the exmember, is entirely composed of American producers, who take millions
out of India every year. Its membership is of
those Americans who do not even permit us to
stay on their soil for more than six months, let

retaliation

and

is clear and it is that the BomFilm Censors needs a radical over-

Our demand
bay Board
haul,

if

of

India

ever to look the other nations

is

in face.

civic rights.

And

We

Government constituted of well

tried Congressmen fighting for independence,
dare to give the Americans a representation on
a semi-official body like the Bombay Board of
Film Censors. Can slavishness go further?

in

of

throat-cutting competition.

alone the question of their giving the Indians

any

instrument

an

foreigners

ception of one British

yet our

want members on the Censor Board who

are not

merely

national

interests of the

sworn to do so
Munshi himself.

The strangest part of the whole affair is that

confirming the same appointment again this

"expected"

to

look

country but

members

like

the

after the

who

are

Hon.

Mr.

That is what we expect of the Congress

Government. Are we asking for much?

NOTICE OF REMOVAL

As our firm has amalgamated with the firm of

Messrs. Bhaishanker Kanga

&

Girdharlal, attorneys-at-Law

from Whiteaway
Laidlaw Building to Albert Building (Yokohama Bank Bldg)
First Floor, Hornby Road, Fort, Bombay.
from

to-day,

Dated

we have

this 1st

shifted our office

day of October

1938.

NATVERLAL &

!!
CO.,

Attorneys-at-Law.
!

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charge sample tubes of Pond's Two

Also generous samples of

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put back "skin-vitamin"

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Use Pond's Cold Cream

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from

Us.

12/-

a month

Have you a

TELEPHONE
in your
nof you

//^

HOME ?

are denying yourself the

pleasure of communicating with your

FRIENDS and

running the

being unable to call the

the

Q BOMBAY
Home

Streef,

Bombay

FIRE BRIGADE

in

risk

DOCTOR

of
or

time of need.

TELEPHONE COMPANY, LIMITED

-

Wood

Street, Karachi

Shahpur Road, Ahmedabad

Amidst the tumultous Joy of Jubilant Youth

Zhe fjappy tlew
WITH

ITS

Srilers

IJear

NEW

tiirlh

IDEALS,

NEW PROBLEMS,
NEW OPPORTUNITIES,
NEW OUTLOOK!

SARASWATI CINETONE (POONA)

r)as

and

caught

concentrated

new

the

Completing the conquest of Western

Producer:
Director

Dadasaheb Torney

&

spirit

Central India.

HIS

Bhal G. Pendharkar
Starring

Is

MAJESTY THE
MENDICANT

Usha, Leela, Chandrakant, Londhe,

Ratnaprabha,

in

Raja

D inker.
now conquering

Gopichand

the Plains of Hindusthan

nder

Vo

cl

BHAGWA ZEND A
An

Historical

Distributors

Messrs.
Roxy Chambers

Epic.

KAPURCHAND
New

Queen's Road

LTD.
BOMBAY-4

Bombay Calling
This section
likes

is the

and about

monopoly of

tilings

he

ivhieh

not necessarily oars, but

still

THE NEW FACTORIES ACT IN ENGLAND

In a foreword to the New Factoires' Act of 1937,
which has come in force from 1st July 1938, in England, Sir Samuel Hoare, the Home Secretary, claims
that the said Act is an important milestone on the
road to safety, health and welfare of the industry.
is definitely an advance, because it
the film workers with the exception of
the acting staff, and is applicable to every film studio

The new Act

all

whether big or small.

a dangerous job to summarize the official
Act, but here are some of the regulations of the new
Accumulations of dirt and refuse must be
1.
Act.
removed daily. 2. Floors must bo washed or swept
weekly. 3. Effective provisions must be made for seIt

is

curing reasonable temperature and ventilation. Workers must not be unreasonably exposed to excess of
temperature either high or low. In addition to these,
there are other clauses which regulate ventilation,
lighting, drainage of floors and sanitary convenience.

Another clause of particular importance to the

workers in the laboratories is the one giving the power
the Secretary of State to insist on certain conditions with regard to the health of the employees with
n intention to minimise the risk to their lives in
Some of the other
he discharge of their duties.
ompulsory items embrace fire precautions, precauion against acids and other dangerous liquids, proding of soap and clean towels for washing, keepng a well equipped first aid box in case of accidents,
nd in the event of employing more than 50 persons,
aving a qualified person for rendering first aid on
The total hours of work must not exccasions.
eed 44 hours per week with a very limited proviion

for

overtime.

of this nature is badly required

film workers in our country.

Something
e

JUDAS "

they

The

carry

and he

for

ONDITIONS IN OUR LABORATORIES

As matters stand to-day our film workers napen to be the most unfortunate lot of people, we
an ever find, struggling for a living. The present
ade depression has compelled the studio execuves in India to carry out heavy retrenchments in
ur army of film workers, with the result that the
resent people who are employed are putting excesve work, for which they get normal wages.
And
le conditions under which they actually work are

writes

what he

views expressed here are

because

irciglit

man who knows

written by a

embraces

"

likes.

they

are

his job.

not heavenly in any case. The film laboratories in

India with the exception of a few, are no better than
birth homes of disease and ill-health.

While every one admits that the health of the

laboratory workers should be the consideration of
all producers, the economical conditions do not permit the producers to introduce radical changes tor
the better. However, a lot can be done if the producers intend to put some human element in their
business by providing to the workers more rest and
changing conditions suitably to make the laboratories more comfoi table for work.

A
home

visit to one of these laboratories would bring

forcibly the necessity of installing air condi-

tioning plants and

introducing up-to-date

ventila-

tion.

Let us consider the fumes in the different parts

a film laboratoryTaking the cleaning department, where methylated spirit is used, the air is so
stagnant with the fumes of this particular spirit,
that one can hardly breathe with comfort.

of

The developing rooms where the tanks are

cleaned with profuse use of hydrochloric acid are
full of choking fumes which must in the long run,
cause a sorry effect on the health of the workers.
And to all these fumes, add the bad ventilation
and the necessary darkness which we find in our
laboratories, and you can well imagine the conditions under which our laboratory workers actually
work.
In foreign countries, Governments are takiing
serious notice of these affairs, but not so on our side.
Something must be done and that too urgently to
improve the lot of our studio workers by bringing
new changes in cur Factories' Act. The first and

foremost thing that compels attention is to equip

every laboratory with an air conditioning plant.
This item at least must be made compulsory by an
official

regulation.

THE HUMAN SOUL ON THE CELLULOID!

Right on

the

blazing trail of "Brahmachari",

are out to give a stunning picture
to the world, if some of the rushes and a complete
scenario are any evidence of the greatness of a pic-

Huns people

the

ture.

In "Devata", the next production of Huns Picwhich will come to the screen in the month

tures,

13

FILMINDIA

November 1938

December, Mr. V. S. Khandekar that famous

playwright and author has surpassed himself in giving a story which is at once pathetic and- instrucof

tive.

The worlds- greatest words have been solitaires

Mother, Home, Love etc. Combining the basic

like:

principles of these great words, this excellent author

has given a story which will bring tears of joy from
To bring home to the world
all those who see it.

that eloquent fact, that every mother is a heroine

of every home, Mr. Khandekar has woven a pathetic
story on the rough and sordid canvas of life.

The Huns people are by now conspicuous in the

world of film production for rare enterprise in giving pictures out of the usual trek. In keeping with
going to be another
this reputation "Devata" is
milestone of rare enterprise, having a unique theme.
Such a thought provoking subject in which the
principal role demands great psychological heights
of portrayal, can only be played by a superb artiste,
whose talent should not invite any doubts or quesSuch is the role of Ashok, the hero of the
tions.
story and who could play it better than Mr. Baburao Pendharkar, easily the greatest of our character
actors?

"Devata" won't merely be a picture for entertainment, but will prove a message of hope to that

crowd of humanity,
and dies in misery.

which
It will

suffers from suspicion

perhaps be the screen's

greatest triumph.

THE HOUSE OF KAPURCHAND

Students of the history of the Indian film inif they would be honest in their impressions,
must some day take their hats off to the family of
dustry,

Kapurchand, whose inimitable success in financial

undertakings

is

synchronised with the progress of

the film industry in India.

to

several struggling producers from

irr

spite of very precarious circumstances.

time to time,

The Indian film industry, until sometime back,

was never considered to be a heaven of capitalistic
Those industrial magnates who vie
investment.
with foreign capitalists in other spheres of life, wink
at our film industry with an utter indifference and

men

with rare moral courage to step fortheir coffers even at the risk
The family of Kapurchand
of losing all they had.
did this and gave to the industry a life which it had
never known before.
it

needed

ward and throw open

family of three brothers, but two of them

to our industry. One as Mr. Kapurchand
the other as Mr. Kevalchand Mehta. Is
the dawn of the Hindu
it not in season that on
Commercial New Year, every man in the film industry should ackmowledge the debt which lour film
industry owes for its present progress to the House
It is a

known
Mehta and
are

of

Kapurchand?

We

do not expect every one to agree with us

opinion, but we have still to find perfect
human beings and perfect institutions. The world
must only recognize the good points of an institution that glares one in the face with its overwhelmin

this

ing success.

A CAREER FOR THE MODERN YOUTH!

When one sees the huge army of the unemployed educated strolling in the streets of the city, one
must feel that our nation has come to the end of
her resources. Thousands of graduates who come
out of our colleges from year to year hardly realize
that there is a career waiting for them in the Indian
film industry only if they care to go and search.
Discussing affairs the other day with Mr. Jaganthat with a small
J. Patel, I came to know
capital of Rs. 5000/- and a splendid Bauer projector, any young man from college with a level head
can earn between Rs. 300 to 500 every month by becoming an exhibitor in any of the small towns crying for a cinema.

nath

People seem
showmanship in

to be
India.

having funny

The technical

ideas about
aspect
of

is so easy that students can become

perfect projectionists within a small period of three
months and the rest is just commonsense.

film exhibition

Mr. Kapurchand Mehta

Mr. Kevalchand Mehta

Success has always excited jealousy and such

jealous minds have always under-rated the importance and the sacrifice of those who, while serving
the industry, have also served their interests.

This has been in short, the biography of this

family of great financiers, who have supplied finance
14

If for this trouble and little capital one has a

chance to earn over Rs. 300 a month, I cannot for
the world of me understand why people choose to
knock themselves about for a job that never comes.

Mr. Jagannath Patel undertakes to start any

young man on the road to prosperity, if he proves

Why

to Mr. Patel his sincerity of purpose.

not write
to him and ask him how one can earn over Rs. 300

a month with a small investment and with a

labour?
His
address
is
Roxy Chambers,
Queen's Road, Bombay.

little

New

FILMINDIA

November

AN OFFERING OF TEARS!
There are few occasions

man

talking pictures at the Saraswati studios,

them eminently

in

the

a hard

of

life

Qne such occasion

when I saw "Zamana",

of the world to shed tears.

was provided

to

me

recently

and made

successful.

a picture produced by Krishin Movietone.

The human element in every business contributes

a lot to the success of the concern and we think that
the utter amiability of Dada Torney is responsible lor
the present eminence of the Saraswati Cinetone.

This unusual story carries a great compliment

for its writer Mr. K. S. Daryani, but a greater

com-

pliment must be paid to its young director Mr.

Daryani, who has given life to the dormant
underlying this great theme.

Ram
soul

They are now producing a sensational

social

Superbly acted by Padmadevi and Dar as sister

and brother in the story and ably supported by Nazir and Gulab as son and mother, this picture is a
heart rending satire on the evils of the dowry system in the Hindu family.

picture

mouth.
in this

tory as

memory

hardly remember a
so pathetic as to change the taste in one's
If pathos can ever please then it ought to
great picture, which will go down into hisa great production.

Within

rect<nt

when Mr. R. G-. Torney, popuknown as Dada Torney to one and all, started
company in association with Mr. Baburao Pai

Eight years back

this

ing a realistic theme

from our
True".

lives

The

"It's

picture

is

being directed

whose

by

Chowdhary,
past

experi-

ence qualifies him to

give to all

an excel-

R, S. Chowdhary,
Director of "It's True'

lent production.

THE HOME OF ART AND INDUSTRY

larly

picture, depict-

In the cast some prominent names like

Motilal and Usha certainly command respect.

and Darabshaw Colah,

no one could
have
it

foretold

would

come

that

to-day

one

of

leading

bethe

producing

companies in

India,

giving

coun-

try

to

the

excellent

tures

like

Sunder",

pic-

"Shyam
"Savitri",

"Bhakta
Prahlad"
and the recently re-

The Veteran

Dada Saheb

Torney

leased

"Raja Gopi-

chand".

Apart from this company becoming a first class

it has also become a nursery of
irt, from which that record breaking picture "Shyam
under", came out to introduce for the first time the
olden voiced boy Shahu Modak to his millions of
ins who were charmed with his lilting lyrics, and
he success of which picture gave the company a
wonderful backing up, due to which they are to-day
iroduction concern,

the forefront of artistic producers.

The personal popularity of Dada Torney has atracted other free lance producers to produce their
Ictures at the well equipped Saraswati studios. Huns,
[inerva, Nataraj

and Jayshree produced

their

first

D. Billimoria, the

as he

appears

in

versatile

Ruby

actor,

Pictures

Prem-ki-Jyot,
15

Rose,

 C0M310NSENSE

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Persistent one is apt to make impatient person extremely irritable

love

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Jumbled

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Reversed

spelling
noblest creatures !

4.

Scientific

5.

To do

conduct

Many

18.

CLUES

Oth

handled indiscreetly is liable to

cause one serious embarrassment

10.

17.

name

of

the

helps

to

world's

for heath

soon as things go
wrong reveals weakness of character
as

this

6.

Possess

7.

Smart business men are

inclined

keenly to resent being this

marry-

9.

13.

Average young woman is averse to

wearing dress which is clearly this

15.

Shady company promoter usually

spelling of rude

seat

Species of willow

12.

fragment

strip or

seeks to adorn his Directorate with

man who is this

One can gather comparatively little
about a foreign country from a few
titled

21.

Aged
16.

22.

Describes contracted lips

27.

Young people are prone

patient of person

who

may

is

to be

29.

As a rule

30.

This animal

32.

Clever counsel is often easily able

"
" a lying witness
to

33.

Reversed spelling of word meaning

34.

To our subsequent

35.

Being

this

these spent in

im-

this

plainly be read

ONLY ENTRY SQUARES

CUT OUT FROM

in a person's face

to

is

allied to the sheep

Weary

regret, impulsiveness often causes us to this too much

centre

of

interest among
apt to make self-

strange visitors is
conscious little girls
T6.

To have

full

"

THE ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY

OF INDIA "
of

October

confidence in

COPIES A YA I LA RLE

will

The more one has

more is one likely

19.

Sensible girls are seldom deceived

by the attentions of young men who
are inclined to this

23.

Man who

is

known

in business the
to be successful

to be this usually

has few friends

24.

This type of young man often strongly appeals to bright young woman

25.

Satirists

16th, 23rd or 30th

be accepted

it

17.

have expressed many a

profound truth in this form

26.

Cautious

28.

In old time

31.

To be unwell

FROM ALL NEWS AGENTS

The Editors Mail

Readers " when you are worried

in serving you.

" write to me.

will do

my

best

Serious matters will be treated seriously, while

flippant letters will receive like replies The Editor.

J
M.

e'rom:

am

K. Muraree (Bangalore).

S.

an admirer

Can you

of Prabha.

give

me

ome particulars about her?

To an admirer, the following particulars ought
to be interesting.
Prabha has recently worked
in "Gramaphone Singer"
and "Ladies Only",
both Sagar pictures. She is a respectable married woman, with two children.
Her husband's
name is Mr. Satyakam. The rest, ask her.
I

learn that Devika Rani

is

in love with

Ashok

kumar?

Where

did you learn

that?

Surely,

not in

school.

the pipers to call the tune are to be blamed and

these people are to be found in the community
of the producers.

Why is there a dearth of male stars in Bombay? Don't you think that people are fed up with
the same old faces?

Why not go round the hospitals and

count the persons who have actually become ill
seeing the same boys and girls for years. I am
sick of seeing the same old producers year
in
and year out. We badly need an earthquake.
Why not pay for one?
Fed up?

How
pictures

"rom:

Jyotindranath

How

is

(Benares).

is a human instinct and those who

don't
things try to ape them. Bengal, Bombay
and Madras provinces try to ape the Hindi provinces in speaking Hindi. Punjab, U.P., etc. try

Aping

know

ape Bombay, Bengal and Madras in commerenterprises.

Both fail in their mistaken
pursuits.
The world has been mismanaged this
way since it began and you and I cannot helo
to

cial

it.

Raimohan
omising

They

of "Himalaya-ki-Beti"

all

promise, but

What happened

seems

to be

very few keep the pro-

to

Sarla of

"Zambo"

is

still

alive?

But she

is

dead.

rom: Kantilal D. Kora (Khar).

The question of provincialism is raised in some

the cinema magazines. Do you consider
it healand

that "in pictures". You have taken a load

mind. Yes, I think it is due to bad direction plus bad acting.
off

my

How

is

Bombay though

that

called

the Holly-

wood of India, has not produced directors like Barua

and Devaki Bose or actresses like Kanan and Uma
or actors like Saigal and Sanyal?
Well, it is a relief that we have not the
exact
kind mentioned by you. However what is
wrong
with Shantaram and Winayak or with Devika
and Padma or with Motilal and Baburao Pendharkar.
Any way, your question is provocative and Bombay producers who
assemble at the
Producers' Association premises ought to find
an

answer

for you.

justifiable?

Looking at

it from a broad national view

point
provincialism is to be condemned.
Art, especially should be international in
outlook.
But
cinematic art is wedded to commerce
and com-

merce admits a

bit of provincial patriotism

of
right type.
To allow provincialism to become a fanatic bogey is to deny progress
its full
scope.
This type of provincialism

the

encouraged by the paper.

Frcm:

S. R. S.

May

Belur (Bolar).

know what New Theatres mean by Ram-

neck and Circo productions?

fame'' Is

alive?

Her fame

in

star.

mises.

ie

that Maya Bannerjee's performance

getting stale?
Is it bad direction?

I like

that non-Hindi

provinces
like Bengal,
iombay, and Madras produce Hindi pictures, while
(indi provinces like the Punjab, U.P., Behar
abd
P. don't produce any pictures at all?

is
is

should not be

But those who

pay

Ramneek and

Circo productions are independent companies which produce pictures

in
cooperation with New Theatres. Ramneek
and
Circo finance the pictures, New Theatres
produces them and both of them share the
profits.
Is

Sagar?

Surendra related to Seth Chimanlal Desai

of

you mean Surendra, the actor, then, no,

but
you mean Surendra Desai, who manages
the
studio, then he is the son of the
boss.
If
if

From: P. V. M. (Hyderabad).
Where is Miss Almas the heroine
Jung" a picture

of Prince

of

'Nishan-E-

Movietone?

She has now become Ila Devi in Ran jit

and her
latest picture is "The Cat".
17

Coming Very
A

Shortly

different Picture

With a different entertainment

It

Given Vital

a story of sweet, tender love

is

story of

and a

play

boy

Life

by Sincere and

Sensitive Performances of

SAIGAL & KANAN

play-girl

Direction:

King and Queen of Melody

Phani Maziimdar

ably supported by

JAGD1SH,KAP00R, RAMKUMARI

TTlusic,

IS.

C. Boral

and

^^vo

be

lolloioeci

others.

\>y

THE ENEMY
^

Direction:

NITIN BOSE

Direction:

DEVKI

KUMAR BOSE

Starring:

Starring-.

Saigal, Lila Desai,

Najmal Hussein

Kananbala, Pahari,
and others.

and others.

Releasing

organisation

CALCUTTA FILM EXCHANGE

TrifoTiDvim

Rond,

5l\

A rinrninn

S t.

Nawab

FILM INDIA

November 193$
I

cept

am anxious to
my invitation?

see Devika Rani.

Will she ac-

No, her place has been taken by Mrs. ShantaProbably Prabhat

people
were
bai Hublikar.
anxious to push a new heroine. Mrs. Hublikar
is expected to be a greater musical sensation.

But if
see her on the screen.
you mean meeting her, I am afraid, she doesn't
But
care for such miscellaneous invitations.
if you visit the Bombay Talkies Studios you can
always meet her.

You can always

From: P.

Why

don't you

Will you rate the following actresses according

Uma?
A

publish "filmindia" twice in a

will

is

is

In the copy of "filmindia" which you sent to me,

spider.
Did it mean
good luck or bad
luck?

found a

Mark Twain, I may say that the spider had

nothing to do with luck good or bad.
The
spider was merely scanning the pages to see
which firm was not advertising so that he could
go there, spin his web across the door and lead
a life of undisturbed peace ever afterward.

a Maratha

Like

From: C. V. Gopal (Coimbatore).

Is

social

Miss Shanta Apte acting in Prabhat's

(Dharmatma),

Uma

From: A. A. Gafoor (Surat).

the age of Vasanti and to what caste

i
does she belong?

about 14 years old and

risky job, doing this. Isn't it?

However here
I rate them: 1. Kanan (Vidyapati), 2. Va-

(Nirmala),
3. Devika Rani
(Chandidas), 5. Prabha (Awakening), 6.
Shanta Apte (The Unexpected), 7. Leela Desai
(President).
In the brackets I have mentioned
the pictures which have helped me to arrive at
the above estimate.

is

is

Kanan, Devika Rani,

and

Vasantee, Leela Desai

how

santi,
4.

From: D. Kari (Raichur).

Vasanti
Hindu.

Shanta Apte,

Prabha,

be too much drain on the producers.

Besides, our film industry is not so fertile in
incidents as the foreign one. I can quite understand your anxiety to read "filmindia" oftener,
but I am sorry that this cannot be arranged.
Anyway "filmindia" gives more kick out of it,
once a month, than several papers coming out
every week.

What

Malviya (Nagpur).

to their performances so far:

From: R. Sivakoluthu (Madura).

month?
That

S.

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FILM INDIA

November 1938

to-day and I sincerely advise you not to commit the mistake I did. And for giving this sincere advice to you I might be getting into hot

From: A. V. Gandhi (Bombay).

Who

Mae West

the

is

Rampyari

In certain respects,

Now

Yasmin.

of India?

don't ask for

and

further

others

in

explana-

tions.

What

are the ages

of

Sulochana, Sitara, Yas-

min, Kanan, Ratan Bai, Leela Desai, Kamlesh Kumari and Madhuri?

women

All

believe

well,

all

are

you don't want

if

it

under 16
Don't
but don't say so

to,

water.

From: Prem Kant (Gulbarga).

Who is the best villain and who

E.

From: K. D. Ananthani (Tanga

At what time of the day are

know whom

can induce to go to Andathough a few of our producers are ripe enough to go there. We have however one enterprising producer in Mr. Bhavnani who goes to the jungles and other corners
If he knows that you are ready
of the world.
to receive him he might do the trick.
But are
there any jungles on your island?
Bhavnani's
"Zambos" will want the correct atmosphere.
don't

mans,

of all places,

Generally during the day say from 10 a.m. to

6-30 p.m.
Sometimes, at night if special effects
are desired or if the studio has a number
of
pictures on hand simultaneously.

From: Krishna Chunder (Bangalore).

What do you think of Sohrab Mody? Will you
introduce me to him when I come to Bombay?
Mr. Sohrab Mody is one of those rare gentlemen
actors we have.
I shall introduce you to him
with the greatest pleasure and once you meet
him, you will also be pleased.

From: Rameshwar Dayal (Allahabad).

am

From: Shewa

L.

Nawani (Karachi).

film

When every magazine prints the photographs of

Leela Desai, how is that you don't?
Ask

this question to Leela.

got

a photograph good enough for "filmindia".

don't publish bad photographs.
We insist

We

on good

Probably she hasn't

prints.

Which do you consider to be the better picture

between "Baghban" and "Dharati Mata"?
"Dharati Mata".

Why
"Mukti"

like "Vidyapati", "Manzil"

at the box-offices?

do pictures
fail

and

Because these are pictures for the intellectuals.

In India, even after 25 years of film making,
box-office is spelt "masses".
The masses fail to
understand the elevating message in such soar-

From: H.

Madhav Rao

(Honnajipet).
I am a graduate of the Mysore University having a good personality and intend to embrace the
cinema lines.
S.

Embrace

it with all the strength and warmth at

your disposal. Who can stop you?

From: Hari

am

S.

Sahai (Bhagalpur).

thinking of marriage.
Then what do you advise me?
I

Are you married?

There is nothing wrong In merely thinking of

marriage
Theory is often more comfortable
than practice. I have been
married 20 years

going to open a soap factory. Will the

become my customers and use my

actresses

soap?

That

will

depend on the exact cleansing quality

you manufacture.

of the soap tablet

From: N.

P. Chitale

(Chiplum).

What do you think of Irene Dunne? Will you

give me her screen career in brief?
Irene Dunne is a very good artiste and has a
wonderful poise. She has worked in a number
of good pictures.
Some of her pictures which
I liked are as follows: "Cimarron", "The Great
Lover",
"Married in
Haste",
"Back
Street",
"Stingaree", "Roberta", "Magnificent Obsession,"
"Show Boat'", "Theodora Goes Wild" and "The
Awful Truth".

From:

P. V.

With
books on

ing pictures.

Africa).

films shot in the

studios?

der every help.

I

the best hero

Considering recent performances

and versatile
talents, Baburao Pendharkar should be the best
"villain", while Prithviraj ought to be considered the best "hero".

loudly.

From: H. U. Rahman (Port Blair- Andamans).

Those numerous readers of the popular "filmindia" in the Andamans would very much like to see
Why not induce some
their "Home" on the screen.
The
producing company to shoot a picture here.
natural scenery here is marvellous and we shall ren-

is

in our films?

Narasimha Rao (Rajahmundry).

whom

should

film editing

correspond to

some

get

and audiography?

the Motion Picture Society of India does not

help you in this, you can always write to "filmindia".
Remember, "filmindia" always
helps.
In this very issue a book on "Sound Engineering" has been reviewed. From month to month,
we shall review other books. I advise you to
follow these reviews and order the books directly from the publishers, but don't forget to mention "filmindia" when you do so.
If

Where is D. Billimoria of Imperial fame?

He is producing his own picture in association
with Miss Sulochana and under the trade

name

21

L
of

AI I

N D

Ruby

November 193S

The maiden

Pictures.

"Prem-ki-Jyot"

is

picture

called

almost ready now.

From: Madan Mohan (Karachi).

Can you not suggest to Bombay Ta'.kies Ltd.,
to change their "hero".. Motilal who is a free lancer
now cam easily fill in the vacancy and I think their
pictures will

draw more.

also

but the bosses at the

also think the same to
Bombay
with Devika.
original in everything

even in 'thinking'.

From: K. V. Singh (Jaipur).

Where is Aruna Devi of "Deccan Qusen" fame?
She has disappeared into
mony. Wise girl!

the land of

matri-

From: C. L. Victor Lazarus (Bangalore).

I wish to invite Sabita Devi to my marriage to
dance and sing for two hours. Will she take the

offer?

Sabita Devi is a film

No, a hundred times no!
By the
artiste and not a professional dancer.
way, why do you want a dance at the wedding

when you might get enough after

From: R. S. Mudaliar (Madura).
Is
girl?

Padmadevi, the Colour Queen,

What are her qualifications'?

it.

22

party scene from

and Ambalal

"Dushman" a New Theatres

any

relations existing

between Pramilla

Camera Cd.)?
Yes!
He is the photographer and she is
model, if that means anything to you.
J.

Patel (Central

From: G. V. Pantulu (Vizagapatam).

What is the best method of approaching

the

film

actresses?

That

all depends on
your intentions and the
type of girls you wish to meet. If your intentions are good and the girl is reputed to be gentle, then write a letter and pay a visit to the
studio where the actress works.
But there are
actresses who make street girls blush with their
cheek and behaviour. You may better avoid
such a type as this type is always anxious to
use the name of a good man to float one's own.

From: Narendra
I

an educated

Qualifications and testimonials are

things for
men in commerce. Almost every woman, barring

From: K. Anantaswamy (Mysore).

Is there

think the same,

Bombay Talkies should
permit Motilal to star
Talkies believe in being
I

a small number, is a
clever one.
Padmadevi
reads and
talks
in six
languages.
English,
Urdu, Hindi, Gujrathi. Marathi and Bengali. A
woman who can do t;hat must be considered
educated.

am

J.

a beautiful

Singh (Bijnor).

man and

want

to join

the

film line.

"Beautiful" men are rare. I advise you to join

the "Beauty Contests" and leave the film line
alone.

picture starring Saigal

and directed by Mr. Nitin Bose.

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Photo

PRAMILA
This talented starlet has now joined Wadia Movietone. She will be giving a
dashing performance in their next jungle thriller "Jungle Queen".

Dialogue -Writers or
Street Pedlars?
By PANDIT INDRA

The film studios are supposed to

have their "prize-fools" and this
uncomplimentary title is generalawarded

ly

to

the

Munshis and

who write the dialogues.

By common consent almost every
Pandits

one

tacitly

believes

this.

But

those who revel in the luxury of

another as a prize
considering
think what the
fool ever hardly
must be thinking
other man

about them.

The Munshi or the Pandit is a

dialogue writer and naturally
a
man of letters. His education
gives him the right to think more
than the others and when a diafinds
himself in a
logue writer
crowd of block-head directors and
think
producers, he must surely
himself to be in the land of fools.
In an atmosphere of this blissmutual misunderstanding, the
dialogue writer of our film starts
and
directors
his work with the
the producers, some of whom hardnodding acquaintance
ly have a
even with any primary education.
ful

The

and the producers

always labour under an erroneous
impression that the dialogue writer can never give anything new
The scenes of the
or original.
story are therefore written in advance with "original" dialogues in
Marathi, Gujrathi or English and
tame
these are submitted
for a
translation to the dialogue writer,
never even giving him a chance
to

directors

add anything or remove

any-

thing.

This procedure is a great handicap to an intelligent writer who

burning desire to
entertains
a
give

something new

and

original

every time.
But the tin gods of
production hardly ever listen to
any complaints from the dialogue
writer and merely choose to bask
in the poor sunshine of their generally plagiarist thoughts.

Dialogue-Writing
is

An Art

Dialogue writing for the screen

an art as much as producing a

In the days of
the
before
the screen was
given a tongue, the dialogues were
conspicuous by their absence and
the subtle expressions on the human face and the emotions within, were often explained away In
written sub-titles.
Very
often
these sub-titles
explained something which was never even expressed on the face.
picture

is.

'silents',

But with the talkies in vogue,

speech and action has been so
closely synchronised that the dia-

logues while being completely desthe situation should

PANDIT INDRA
As an excellent song writer Pandit
Indra has achieved a unique distinction in our film industry. Some
of

best

his

pictures

dialogues

in

and songs are "Chhaya",

"Dhar-

maveer",
"Jwala",
"Begunah,"
"Bala
Joban",
"Premveer" and
"Brahmachari". Panditji is now
working for Sagar and Ranjit.

criptive of
also

have an almost

invisible space

for the display of actions.

word

Long and jaw breaking dialogues

so well

is

commonly used

known and

is

.30

in our film studios

have often killed the emotional

importance of a situation while a
single word like "mother" delivered in a tense situation and with a
correct pitch has
often brought

without ever being

understood
that every budding director, who is
hardly a month old, uses "psycho-

tears to the eyes of thousands.

know'ng whether all

use this word with such

Therefore the inevitable gap of

the unsaid words is infinitely more
import, tnt than lines and lines o!
impressive dialogues. And in this
respect the dialogues of the screen
differ
materially from the dialogues of the stage. On the stage,
the audience being a long distance
from the players the dialogues
have to rely a lot on their ear
value and they are written to interpret the emotions of the situation.
But not so with the screen,
where big close-ups of the artistes
bring emotions within the clo^sl
eye range possible and the dialogues have merely to do the work
of illustrating the emotions of the
situations.
It is

hardly

necessary

to

men-

tion that these dialogues must be

in tune with the spirit of the sithe
tuation and the actions of
artistes.

The Psychology

of Writing

This creates a necessity for understanding the psychology of the

This word "psycholosituations.
The
gy" is an illusive quantity.

logy"

as

an

knowledge.

fect

alibi
It

lack of
while
those
who

for

is

his

worth

even know how to

And

yet

several

fatal ef-

spell

it.

unexplained

foolish things are straightway put

down as a result of "psychology".

Very few directors and producers

my experience have ever cared
to understand
even the primary
fundamentals of the basic psychology of film entertainment.
in

I have said before that dialoguewriting is an art.

I would go further and state that it is as well a

science.

The dialogue writer

of a present

day picture, should be both a writer and a businessman. He has to

elevate art and serve
commerce.
If he writes a language that can
be understood only by the highly
educated intellectuals, the picture
proves a commercial failure.
In
India the masses don't understand
high flown literature, but demand
common colloquial language.
To give the correct colloquial
language is a science; to use It for

the

(Continued on page

63)

45

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Directed by:

a stunt pictures,

SETHI

you see

JAYABHARAT MOVIETONES
SMASHING STUNT PICTURE

P ADM A D EVI
the colour Queen in the stellar
with
role

N4VINCHANDC4
the Stunt

King

Supported by. Manchi Thoothi,

Nurjehan,

S.

Baburao.

Central Circuit Agents:

South India Agents:

Bharat

Bombay

Pictures

Picture

Limited,

Corporation,
Akola, Berar.

Bangalore

City.

Bengal Agents

Lalji

North

India

Agents

M/> Saxena

Hemraj

& Co.

Haridas

Chandani (hcwk

Calcutta

Delhi.

kings jGhru:

GUJRAT FILM CIRCUIT,

Dadar Main Rd.,

BOMBAY-14

Pound

town

the

(The

reviews

under

this

published
section are use-

both to the average

cine-goer and the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are of importance to the exhibitor

in his

tul

"POORNIMA"

Performances: With a crowd of

mediocre talents one cannot possibly expect any excellent perform-

Produced by: Prakash Pictures.

Released at: Krishna Talkies.
Date of Release:

10th September

1938.

the lot to be reviewed Sardar gave a pretty good performance.

Gulab was her usual

Nurjehan has become

best.

Gulab,
Nurjehan,
Badri
Akhtar, Ranjit,

Cast:

From

ances.

Sardar
Prasad,

etc.

(By Ramanlal V.
With an excellent thought
provoking
material, though
the
theme sounds rather familiar, this
picture has not become as pathe
the original
tic and effective as
Screen Play:

Desai).

the camera.

too
ut-

Shirin is
terly hopeless.
She gave a pathetic performance in a sympathetic
role.
Her physical condition did
not seem to suit the demands of
the role. Badri Prasad sang badly.
Umakant was disappointing,
while the hero, Ranjit
was tiresome. The rest hardly deserve any
'big' for

mention.
publicity,
clever for Prakash,
ushered the picture to a large and
Desai's
Kanu
waiting
crowd.

attempt to do so in "Poornima"
This
however praiseworthy.

sketch work and clever

pressed well.

in

is

is

the story of a prostitute who dislikes

her
own profession and
wishes to settle down in society by
marriage. Her struglegitimate
gles to achieve this end have become the subject of this story.

Language:

(Hindi)
(By Anuj).
The dialogues were rather tame
considering the spirit of the play
and did not impress.

Excellent

Publicity:

intelligent

Box

and

Office Value:

who had

recently

For

stills

im-

Prakash

specialized

in

"GRAMAPHONE SINGER"
Produced by: Sagar Film Co,
Released at: Imperial Cinema.
17th September.

Music: 'By S. V. Vyas). Popular

devotional lyrics and concert clashave saved the
sics seemed to
music director from the trouble of
and origigiving something new

Date of Release:

nal.

Screen Play: (By Pandit Suder& R. Thakur). The story of

claims a
nodding
picture
this
acquaintance with the theme of
"Two Women" a picture produced
by Imperial about a year back.
The picture hardly has any story
worth remembering. A popular
gramaphone artiste leading a happy, contented married life comes
across a songstress and for a time
is lost in the net of her charms.
For Sagar who claim of giving
new and good stories to the world
suitable subject
this is hardly a
The romantic and
for a picture.
foolish escapades of a singer can
never provide any guidance to soThe continuity of the picciety.
ture is thoroughly amateurish.

Photography:

(By Guru Shirod-

Inspite of the "art concepthat clever

tion" of Kanu Desai,
photography had n.'t
artist, the
kar).

much
tion

to claim in artistic composi

Most,
eloquent lighting.

or

the scenes were taken

amateurish way.
of

Recording:

(By

in

an

Batuk Bhatt).

Quite good.
Direction:
(By Balvant Bhatt).
People were all the while looking
It was a misout for direction.
fortune that they could not find
The subject seemed to prove
it.
itself beyond the reach of the difor
intelligence
usual
rfctor's
stunts.

1938.

Surendra, Bibbo, Prabha,

Advani, Sankatha, & Others.

shan

bookings have been

treated here
in
short,

maintaining, at
time,

of

the

readers

same
J

casual

the

interest

in general.)

Language:

Sarhadyt.

(By Zia

The dialogues were common and

failed to help the story.

Music:

(By Anil Biswas).

The Sagar people have given

bet-

music in other pictures, but

in this which was supposed to be
a musical the music director seems
his talent.
to have suddenly lost
The verse composition of songs
Nos. 8

and

11

is

The other

good.

songs are apologetic.

stunt pictures, this is a praiseworthy effort and as such should be

encouraged by all exhibitors.

Cast:

ter

book.
Ramanlal's
the
books are not suitable for screen
adaptation because of the crowd
of characters which the writer introduces in every yarn of his. The
story

B.

Photography:

(By Keki N. MisTolerably good.

try).

Recording:

(By

Kaushik).

Poor

Bad

re-

cording has spoilt most of

Bibbo has suffered
music.
most.

the
the

and too bad

for Sagar.

Direction: (By V. C. Desai and

Considering that a
R. Thakur).
couple of juniors have directed
this picture, as their very first attempt, their work in this picture
is quite praiseworthy.

Performances:
Prabha stands
out with her
pathetic
performance.
Her broad gruff voice gave
good company to the tears which
several pathetic
situations made
Surendra seemed to
her shed.
enjoy the freedom he got in this
In consequence, he has
picture.
done good work. Bibbo sang rather badly.
Bhudo Advani tried

humour in a modern suit.

The only role which seems to fit
this man is
that of a highway
man. To give him roles in a soto instil

cial

picture

is

risky.

Others

did

not count.
Publicity:

Box

Half-hearted.

Office Value:

Surendra and

a popular pair and people will be attracted to hear their

music. A fair box office draw.

Bibbo

is

51

FILMINDIA

November 1938

"THE CAT"
Produced by: Ranjit Movietone.
Released at: West

Talkies.

10th September,

of Release:

Date

End

1938.

Cast:

E.

Billimoria,

Jayant Desai must improve

is

Mazhar,
Rajkumari,

KhaKal-

lage

Screen Play: (By M. R. Kapoor)

This story is an Indian version of
P. G. Wodehouse's "Damsel in DisSlight changes have been
tress".
made to making things acceptIt is supable to our audiences.
but the
comedy,
be
a
to
posed
actual

treatment

and

suitable roles,

direction

has got make

college, to realize

the present

ly

are.

jee

Old
Music: (By Jnan Dutt).
Bengali folklore tunes did not
make the songs attractive with the
solitary exception of song No. 6.
The song composition (Santoshi)
was too poor to deserve any special mention.

how

day

old actualcollege boys

Ghory was not bad. Chatterwas quite good.

Not impressive. Takround a big cat that looked

more like a Kabuli sheep through
Publicity:

ing

not a very clever shot

It should have
at
least looked like a cat.
the street

of

is

publicity.

Box Office Value: Well, there is

a good amount of entertainment in
the picture and it can be booked
at places where such light subjects
are liked.

Photography: (By G. G. Gogate).

Some
good throughout.
Quite
beautiful.
were
outdoor shots
and Iladevi
Close-ups of Sunita
were admirably taken.

52

pity
for the
poor girl.
Kantilal looked too big for a college boy.
By the way, the director should pay an early visit to a

(By Santo(Hindi)
At places
tolerable.
Quite
shi).
the dialogue writer has failed to
convey the spirit of the situations.

K. Trivedit.

This man
never been fair to him in my criticism. The only picture I liked of
his was "Nadira" and I would ask
this director what he has actually
present
The
given thereafter.
picture is another mess created by
bad direction. Men who copy foremember
should
reign pictures
that while they do so, they estabto
lish a standard for the critic
compare. An original subject is

manded

Language:

(By Jayant Desai).

complains that I have

girl

Mazhar was badly directed. He had a

good role, and he could have done
good work, but ....
Khatoon as
the 'queen' was a misfit. Her performance was ridiculous and com-

slapstick.

Direction:

this

L. Billimoria tried to please.

The situations
entirely wrong.
should have been treated seriously to create the necessary element
of comedy. The present treatment

C.

in future,

looked
If give^i

soon come up to the front

rank.
Sunita Devi's talent for
dancing was not properly exploited.
The girl managed to do some
good work by subduing several
physical handicaps, but alas

is

(By

she

part,

in

girl,

will

from satisfactory. The strain in

which the film story is developed

Recording:
Quite good.

my

charming and convincing.

the subject a tragedy of humorous

The continuity is far
intentions.

is

Ishwarlal
once
previous opiversatile
acting

Performances:
again bears out
nion about his

by giving another good

performance which becomes immediately popular.
Ila Devi has
improved wonderfully. Her singing
voice is sweet to hear.
As a vil-

yani and Others.

which the picture

he

if

to survive the speed and progress of modern film technique.

talents

Sunita, Ha-,

devi, Ishwarlal,

toon, Ghory,

its own merits, but it

not so with copied subjects. A
is
often
applauded
good copy
while a bad one is always deridThe direction in this picture
ed.
Is so weak, that inspite of a good
subject and a good cast, the direc-

judged on

is

Sulochana, in Ruby Pictures'

Prem-ki-Jyot.

Buy Gold
To Earn Gold!
Notice

Pandit Indra, that celebrated writer has several mytor has at no place succeeded in
exciting any laughs for which the
picture was essentially meant. It
is alright to go on directing pictures after pictures, because a doting producer wants to be charit-

not become nedirector

to
use
these opportunities for Improving?
but does
cessary for the
able,

thological,

historical

and

so-

ready with diasongs and shooting

stories,

cial

logues,
scripts for

Foreign

immediate sale to
and Indian produ-

cers.

Write:

Pandit INDRA,

c/o "Filmindia"

it

104,

Apollo

St.,

Fort,

Bombay.

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Studio Close
SAGAR MOVIETONE:
The end

of this

two pictures
"Ladies Only"
and "Service
Luhar. "The

Chandramohan,

month

will see

namely

completed,

by Director Badami
by Director
Ltd.,"

Postman"

is

lying

ready and is likely to take to the

screen during the Diwali holidays.
Director Mehboob's social picture is well on way, but will take
at least a month and a half for
completion. Tamil pictures under
shooting are progressing very well
and one of these pictures is likely
to come on the screen during the
Diwali holidays in the South.

Naseem, Sardar
Akhtar, Sheela
and others are
working. In keeping with the policy of the studio both these new
stories are
supposed to present
new themes, which are expected to
take people by storm.

RUBY MAYER PRODUCTIONS:

That famous

star

Sulochana

is

staging a wonderful come back in

a new production called "Prem-kiJyot" with herself in the lead, D.
Billimoria,

Jal

Merchant

and

called

10,000

social

picture

feet

memory

of

the people for a long time.

In short, this is an entertainof tears shed with intelligent

understanding.
The picture is
expected to be a great social sen-

ment

again been taken up and is likecompleted by the end of

the month.

PRAKASH PICTURES:

in

under

MINERVA MOVIETONE:
"Vasanti" has been released
Talkies in

likely to linger in the

ly to be

"Good

production is tentatively named as

"Poisonous Smoke". The name is
provocative and we are sure that
producer Himansu Rai must have
provocative
equally
given
an
theme to provide good scope for
Devika
the histrionic talents of
"Vachan" has been reRani.
ceived very well at all places and
has proved a paying proposition.

the Minerva

rending

finishing
touches
have
"Industrial India"
and the picture is now renamed
"Nirala
Hindusthan",
which
change we think, is for the better.
"Pati
Patni" which was left out
from shooting for sometime has

BOMBAY TALKIES:
The new

heart

Final

Luck" and is likely to complete it

sometime in the second week of
has
November. Director Kardar
taken up a social picture and has
already shot over
the indoors.

been given to

West End Talkies. Shooting of

"Sant Tulsidas" is going at a
great speed under the direction of
Mr. Jayant Desai. In between
scenes of "Achhoot" by Mr. Chanbeing shot.
also
dulal Shah are
Director Manibhai Vyas is shooting

comedy

is

which condemns in no
uncertain manner the dowry system existing amongst the Hindus
and shows its evils in a way at
once eloquent and pathetic. Padmadevi, that famous Bengali star
has given a performance which is

GENERAL FILMS:

After "The Cat", "The Secretary" directed by Chaturbhuj Doshi

has come to the screen at the

social

"Zamana"
social story

sation.

RANJIT MOVIETONE:

duled to run at the Pathe last

month. Something seems to have
gone wrong with the arrangements
and the picture will now be shown
at the Imperial Cinema sometime
in the month of December.

at

Bombay

and seems to have been appreciated by the intellectuals in the city.

At the studio, Mr. Sohrab Mody
has started two pictures namely,
"Pukar" and "Talaq". The cast in
ambitious
these pictures is very
Sohrab Mody,
Mr.
seeing that

is a talented
photographer. Some of his beautiful photographs appear in this

Chandulal K. Joshi

issue

and are worth studying.

The high pressure publicity

that has been given to "Poornima" has made the picture acceptWritten by a
able to the public.
great author, this picture happens
to be the first classic produced by
Prakash. At the studio, they are
all busy with "Hero No. 1", directed by Khosla. In between the
shootings of this picture, the Ta"Toofan Queen" is
mil picture
getting the finishing touches.

WADIA MOVIETONE:
The

others in the supporting cast. The

picture which has now been completed is expected to be a great
Some of those
box-office draw.
who have been fortunate to see
the preliminary trial expect this
picture to be a great hit of the
season.

KRISHIN MOVIETONE:
Director Ram Daryani has completed "Zamana" which was sche-

news say that there

between Homi
Wadia's 'Diamond Thriller' "Punjab Mail" and Nariman Ghadiali's
is

studio

a great

race

"Jungle King". We think the horse

was not
"Punjab-ka-Beta", who
keeping well has gone alright by
now. Pramilla the new comer to
the Wadia Studio is reported to
have given excellent expressions
and work and the studio expects
her to be a box-office attraction
very soon.
55

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November

1938

EVEREST PICTURES:

Desai and Mr. Vyas.

In-

been written by Anant Kanekar, a

Ezra Mir has started the shooting of his gypsy story "Sitara" at
the Film City. Already several interior settings have been completed and the rushes seem to give a
splendid assurance of the picture

by Padmadevi
and Navinchandra, the picture is
expected to be released by the 15th
cf this month in the town.

local journalist.
The shooting of
this picture is likely to begin in
the middie of this month and Mr.

becoming

Ardeshir
Irani
has requisitioned the services of
Director Nandlal, who had
to
leave his business in Madras and

really good.

BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS:
By the time

is in print, Mr.
have given us anpicture
called
"Double

Bhavnani
other

this

will

Cross". It is a stunt thriller and

Mr. Bhavnani has taken particular care to make it a box office at-

fluential

JVOTI &

cast

With an

led

CO.:

ary.

Khan Bahadur

come down to Bombay. The paper

work of the new picture is already
well on way and the shooting is
likely to begin on the auspicious
occasion of the Diwali day.

POONA

"Banke Savaria"
where

complete

SARASWATI CINETONL:
The

work

of
shooting
"It's
going
at a full speed.
This great social story by Director Chowdhary is steadily taking
a definite shape and every one at
the studio is enthusiastic about
the expected great reception it is
going to get.

True"

is

CO.:

is drawing well
especially at stalight pictures of this

in the country,

tions

to

the picture by the middle of Janu-

traction.

PARAMOUNT FILM

Shantaram intends

nature are liked. In

the studio
Midnight Man", "Golden Gang"
and "Madhu Bansari" are receiving finishing touches.

J1YABHARAT MOVIETONE:
Director Govind Sethi is shooting the final sequences of "Shareef
Dakoo." a stunt picture which is
being supervised by Mr. B:<pubhai

PRABHAT FILM

CO.:

Director Narayan Kale has given

the final finishing touches to his
social picture "My Son",
starring
Mrs.
Shanta'oai
Hublikar
and
others. The picture is expected to
be on the screen in the first or second week in Bombay at the Central Talkies.

Director Shantaram has finished his paper work for his new picture, the dialogues of which have

the matcostumes, settings

and the artistic presentation is
being attended to with care
The picture is expected to be completed by the end of November and
is likely to be on the screen somelime in the second week of December. In the cast we find big
names like Rose. Motilal and
others and little doubts are entertained about the possible
popularity of the picture.
Ever,- small

detail in

ter of dresses,

In "The Secretary" a Ranjit picture directed by Mr. Chaturbhuj Dnshi, Madhuri

performance.

gives

sparkling

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November

FILM INDIA

1938

In the meanwhile Dada Torney

busy giving subtle touches to
story "Bhagwa
his new Marathi
Zenda".
is

KOLHAPUR

In the future programme, the

studio is reported
to
have contracted to
produce one picture
with Director Bhal G. Pendharkar
whose recent
directorial
effort

Mullick

"Raja Gopichand" was talked

ture.

of

so nicely.

HUNS PICTURES:
"Brahmachari" to the pleasant
to
surprise of thousands proved
rage of the town. For
weeks on end, the motley crowd of
be the

intellectuals carried the picture to

success which this company

never tasted before.

had

The remarkable takings

at the
naturally
put
more life into the activities of the
proprietors and the studio is humbox-office

have

ming with new tunes

"Devata", a classic story written

expect

it

to be a great box-office

of the season,

than "Brahmachari".

changing his producers

become a producer
himself. Let us see how he sticks
this time.
He has selected Netaji
Palker, a historical
subject, and
we are sure that he will give us
something "dashing" in his dialogues for which he is well known
for

last

in the line!

of success.

by that famous Maratha novelist

and author Mr. Khandekar is fast
nearing completion, under the suMr. Winayak.
of
perb direction
After a long time we shall be seeing Mr. Baburao Pendharkar that
superb atriste of the screen in the
lead in the picture. Great as the
story is, the picture is expected to
be greater. The studio authorities
hit

learn that Mr.

Bhal G. Pendharkar who is well

known

even

greater

the inte-

In studio No. 2, Director Devaki

Bose is shooting with Prithviraj
and Rathin Bannerjee, a new pic-

FILM CORPORATION OF INDIA:

ARUNA PICTURES
We are pleased to
has at

now shooting

is

rior scenes.

CALCUTTA

NEW THEATRES:
"Adhikar" should be in town by
the time this is in print at the
Roxy Talkies in Bombay. "Street
Singer" will
follow
immesuit
diately and will be released sometime in the month of December.
At the studios. "Dushman" with
Saigal and Nurjehan in the lead
is being steadily shot.
"Bar Didi"
in Hindi and Bengali has progressed rather well and Director Amar

At

"Asha"

ready.
Till
defer our opiwas released at the Royal Opera House on the 15th October 1938.
last

we

see it,
nion.
It

is

we would

SOUTH INDIA

ANDHRA CINETONE,
(Vizagapatam)
Director Hiren Bose
has completed "Bhakta Jayadev" and the
p.cture has now gone
into
the
editing room. Mr. Hiren Bose acts
as the hero in the Hindi version,
and people expect it to be a huge
success.

Mr. Ramashesham
has started
shooting
"Kiratha
Arjun"
for
Venus Pictures and the picture is
progressing well.

PREMIER CINETONE,
(Coimbatore)
"Eknath" must be on the screen before this issue is in
your hands.
"Lucky Star" proudced by Dwar-

Ponnambalam

Pictures'

Sagar's Stupendous

TAMIL TALKIE

Youth League
Dealing with a problem that

is

current in the hearts of millions

of young persons
especially

in

all

over India

South India.

ou th L eague
constituted under the

SAGAR MOVITONE BANNER

with the purpose of
Modifying ihe present Modes of Marriage

By

Madirimangalam NATESA IYER,

Baby Rukmini, M. Lakshmanan,
K.

S.

Gcpalakrishnan, T.

S.

Subhadra,

Lakshmi, Kokilam, Brahadamal

& others

Directed by.
A.

TO BE

N. Kalyan Sundaram, M. A.

RELEASED ALL OVER SOUTH INDIA SHORTLY.

SAGAR MOVITONE COMPANY,

68,

Nepeansea Road,

BOMBAY

6.

FILMINDIA

November 1938
kanath Productions

will have been

completed by the time this is in
print.
The next picture to go into production will be a mythological story from Mahabharata.

ORR'S

RAJENDRA FILMS,

"Vishnu Leela" is reported to

have done poor business. The picture is being re-touched and improvements are being made and it

(Madras):

Mahalakshmi Studios,
Madras.
The future programme of this
company is not yet known.

is

Talkies

MOHAN MOVIETONE,
Director

Tandon

"Yayathi" at the

is

Film

him

(Madura):

all

luck.

SHYAMALA PICTURES,

shooting
Corpora-

JAYA FILMS,

(Madras)

tion of India Studios in Calcutta.

SARATHI FILMS,

(Madras)
Mr. Subramaniyam has started
shooting "Thyaga Bhoomi"
with
Miss S. D. Subbalakshmi
and
Baby Saroja in the lead. People
expect this picture to
be
more
gorgeous than that wonderful Tamil hit "Bala
Yogini", as
Miss
Subbalakshmi is coming to the
screen after a long time.

"Bhaktha Meera" did not come

up to the expectation of the producers.
Director Y. V. Rao has
started on his new picture called
"Society Sinners" with M. R. Santhanalakshmi in the lead. We wish

running well at
in
Madras.
"Rambha's Love" will have been
released by the end of this month.
Gaiety

be released in the city very

UNITED ARTISTS CORPN,,

(Madras)
(Coimbatore)

"Tukaram"

will

shortly.

CHINTAMANI PICTURES,

CENTRAL STUDIOS,

the

TALKIES, (Madras):

Director Y. V. Rao has finished

shooting "Swarnalata"
and the
picture is
being
distributed
by

"Bhagya Lakshmi" by Premier

Cinetone has gone into shooting
and with Ramkumar, the man
with a thousand
faces,
in
the
lead, the picture should be an outstanding success.

GRAMAPHONE &

production will be "The Battle of

Palnad".

Their maiden picture "Balan" in

Malayalam was appreciated by

(Madras):

"Vimochan" produced by Jaya

and Hindusthan films jointly is being steadily shot and the
films

the populace when it ran at the

Crown Talkies in Madras.
It
should prove a paying proposition
the Western
to the producers in
part of the country.

"Mala Pilla," a social story with

an elevating theme is reported to
bt: doing good business in the mofussil.
The next one to go into

(Madras):

next picture to go into production

be "Kalidas".
"Krishna Jarasanda" is running pretty well in
Madras.
will

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Books of the Month

"MOTION PICTURE SOUND
ENGINEERING"
(Published by: D. Van Nostrand
Publishing Co., 250, Fourth Avenue, New York. Pages 547 Price

6/-.)

This
worth

is

which

book
weight

is

gold
to
the
serious
professional.
The Research Council of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences is behind the book
and one can well imagine the
authoritative nature
of
its conits

Arranged

tents.

in

in

two

parts,

some of the thirty-nine chapters

are headed as follows: Basis
of
Motion Picture Sound, The Nature

of Sound, Noise Reduction, Micro-

phones, Headphones and

Loud
Speakers, Phase Distortion, General Network Theory, Amplifier Cir-

Power and EnerGeneration and Motors, VacuTubes etc.

Electrical

cuits,

gy,

um

The book is a wonderful monument of the sincerity of all those

who helped
to create

it.

Written in an unrestrained colloquial style, the author has

provided many thrilling incidents,
which grip the attention of the
reader and take him from page to
page inspite of himself. Cruel in
parts and tender at times, the life
of Frank O'Reilly
principal
the
figure in the story, presents several aspects of psychological
importance to the student of human
nature.
A good book for a long
railway journey.

sub-headings,
this
useful
little
book is written with an authority
that commands respect. It will
interest all students of the film industry, as the book provides plenty
of thought provoking material..

"FILM & SCHOOL"

This is a book that divulges all

the possibilities of a cameraman
becoming a creative artist. Written by a famous cameraman the
book treats film photography as a

silver.

directly

or indirectly
Incidentally it is an

&

Helen Rand

(By:
Lewis.

Richard

Published by: D. Appleton

Century

Co.,

Inc.,

Bedford

34,

Strand, London, W.C.

Pages 182. Price sh. 4/6).

2.

In six interesting chapters:

1.

Street,

Moving

Pictures,

Educational Force,

and

Social

How Moving

2.

The
Interpret Life, 3.
Pictures
people who make moving Pictures,
4. Rating Scales, Reviews and CriPicture Clubs,
ticisms, 5. Moving
6.

More

to be

done and numerous

important milestone marking the

present progress of an all important phase of the film industry.

ker

Pitman

Street,

Pages

&

Sons
Kingsway,

Price

15sh.)

creative
art
and discusses
points out numerous methods

approach and composition

and
of

which

make

the pictures actually live in

the lives of the people. The book
should be read by every conscientious amateur and professional in
India.

DIALOGUE-WRITERS OR
STREET PEDLARS ?
human

emotions

is

art.

Those producers who think that

any Hindi or Urdu knowing man
can write the dialogues for our

ParLondon,

Ltd.,

pictures are living in a fool's paradise.

Good dialogue writing Is a
reward of years of patient work In
this direction.
Any young man

Written by an experienced man,

is a good book to give the layman a nodding acquaintance with
the present day film industry. The
book is a short outline of the va-

coming from the North and claiming lineage with

Iqbal or Premchand can't become a dialogue

rious technicalities of movie-making.

It is in addition a history of
the progress of how the movies are
made, the arrival of sound, the

writer in a day.

Dialogue writing is an expert's

It is a profession that needs
severe
preliminary training and
the producers and the directors
job.

etc.

Quite

advanced

"BOOM TOWN"
Jack O'Connor, Published
Constable Co., Ltd.,
10-12,
Orange Street, London, W.C. 2.
Pages 314. Price 7/6).
A rough and ripping yarn of the
times when a part of the world
was still young and men staked
(By:
S.

UnparalM Quality

on prospecting.
The
piece-de-resistance of this tale is

Note the Striking Bargain

Rs.

Size H yds. x 47 1/2"

lO

Special Divali Concession for one month only.

Musi of Ihi" Ladies in India and abroad, are wearing
fast
latest style
guaranteed unshrinkable and
coloured Georgette Beautiful Saris, in appcarence
- at
worth Rs
amazing low price, lovely new
dis count U>
I p.c.
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packing fieu to a
students. Postage and
lady
purchaser oi .i saris at a time.
Apply sharp to
.">(!

'

Co ot India
Dept F. I.
Post Box No. f 79 Bombay.

Indian Georgette Saris Macfg

i

their lives

pages.

interpreting

this

by

Vladimir Nilsen. Publish-

George Newnes Ltd., Southampton St., London, W.C. 2, 227

an

132, Price 2sh.)

development of cinemas
a good book
for
the
amateur.

(By:

ed by:

(Continued from page 45)

"FILMS IN THE MAKING"

(By Robb Lawson. Published by:
Sir Issac

"THE CINEMA AS A GRAPHIC

ART"

must respect this profession more

than they have been doing hitherto.
Good dialogues add a soul to
the theme and give a gilt to
a
picture.
And they can only result
when the writer and those who
demand the writing sign a compact
of
mutual understanding
and achieve harmony.
Our producers must learn to
know their dialogue-writers more
in future,

63

jfovn

reelings

^J^)\va\\

JRoAMNlKXAL Mi

Go.

Enjoy This Year's Best Productions

NOW RUXKIXG AT

Mohan

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

(From

15th Oct

Sat.

1938)

Pictures

Super stunt

thriller

VEER BALA
Director. A. R.

Direction:

Parry-Davis

Featuring

(A Film Corporation Picture*

The

first

Indurani, Shiraz, Kabuli, Sher Ali,

ndian aeronautic picture

Starring

Kabuli

Vidyadevi, Haroon and others.

KAMLESH KUMARI
Shott ing at

(New Theatres Fame)

Vijay Kumar, Tulsi Lahiri, Aruna

Puma

Chovvdhry, Kapoor, Deo Bala

and many

Ready

(1)

for

MOHAN PICTURES'

Midnight Mail
K.

(2)
(3)

AMARNATH

TAI_riE

BOMBAY

others.

Booking

Director.

6LCCE

Gommg

Supei Attraction?.

Lady Chavalier
Ran Sangram
Director. A.

M.

KHAN.

Starring
Yasmin, Nazir,

S. Nazir,

Indurani,

Varne, Mishra and others.

For bookings write to

Sadiq,

(4)

Cycle wali
Featuring: Miss

ROMILLA

IRdamnikxal Mom: am la l & Cc

Khetwadi Main Road, Bombay No. 4

Notes and
THE GIRL FROM INDIA
Even though Merle Oberon will
average $220,000 a year in earnings, she will net in only $7,000 for
The rest of her income
herself.
will be taken away in taxes by
two Governments: U.S., British
and two States: California and
New York, not to mention 10Tc for
her agent.

The motion

picture industry will

be represented in the 1939 New

York World's

Fair.

to

is

showmanship.

producers

10,000,000 in productions

pay anyone to abuse India and

foreign producers should now rea-

self.

this.

lize

will

succeed

ents.

afford

When

THE HERO'S
Ronald

OWN HEROINE

Colman,

that

famous

actor married
the London-born
actress Benita Hume
on the 1st
October 1938 at Santa Barbara,
California.

The M.G.M. studios are going

through trouble with their neighthe studio
bours. Until recently
paid these neighbours a big price

Komilla, the heroine of "Chabukwal " was given a reception at

Ahmedabad and Baroda, but on
J

keeping quiet during the shooting of scenes, but when the "hush"'
money was stopped the neighbours
began "noise" again. There is
now a deafening roar of hammering, radio and phonograph playing
whenever the studios start shooting.
Now M.G.M. is looking up to
for

return

to

work met with a bad

motor cycle accident while shooting

her

new picture "Cyclewali"

(Mohan Pictures).

India should have an Actors'

Guild to check the frolics of some
fascist producers.

law.

A PATRIOTIC GESTURE

known

Ernst

has decided not to purchase

director

or distribute "Tiger of Eschnapur"

that German film which slanders
of
India.
This patriotic gesture

Mr. Billimoria should provide

an

Lubitsch,

made

his

the
first

BOOK OF GOLD
of the MoSciences have

The Research Council

tion Picture Arts

&

published a wonderful book under

the title "Motion Picture
Sound
Engineering". On another page
we have published a review of this
book.
If our
sound "engineers"
only study this book,
we won't
have any bad sound on the screen
in future. Studios should buy this
careful
book and insist on its
study.

THE VERSATILE LUBITSCH

distribu-

well

Mr. M. B. Billimoria, the Hon.

Treasurer of the Motion Picture

October 1938. People have always

gone to Bangalore for rest and variety.
Several of
them however,
return overworked and with rings
below the eyes. We hope our film
magnates enjoyed their recreation
from work.

the eleventh.

A MONEY MAKING RUSE

tor

Some

During the month gone by Bangalore was lucky to see them all
together, giving a surprise visit to
the city. We refer to Mr. Mahomed Akbar Fazalbhoy (Film City),
Mr. Chandulal Shah (Ranjit), and
Mr. Chimanlal Desai (Sagar) who
were given receptions and addresses by the local trade during the
week beginning from the 1st ol

and

cost

only

BANGALORE

The latest language in

which the dialogues are being dubbed is Danish. Incidentally it is
the tenth language and Japanese

Society

flop,

FILM MAGNATES IN

our
will
even half that

Walt Disney's "Snow White &

Dwarfs" has become
popular world enterthe most

make

The Seven

will

That

ELEVEN LANGUAGES

tainer

his career as a film

all

he has made one

"The Merry Widow" which
500,000
and brought in

Ro-

as President of
James
the Screen Actors' Guild.

amount?

IN

In

bert

major

Each

has

director,

200.000 to
its
producers.
figures, aren't they?

THE NEW PRESIDENT

Ralph Morgan
Montgomery

and

earned a tenth of that for him-

contribute $35,000

for a colossal joint exhibit.

is

object lesson to other Indian disIn future, it will never

tributors.

Cagney and Joan Crawford have

been nominated as Vice-Presid-

NEW YORK FAIR

company

News

famous
picture

"Bluetwenty-three years ago.

beard" which cost 250,000 is his
They say that Lusixty seventh.
bitsch has so far spent nearly

MUSSOLINI'S
II

Duce

is

WAY
creating an

Italian

Hollywood, at Cinecitta in Italy.

10
Already he has spent over
crores of rupees to build a number

65

The Telegram Speaks

INDIAN HOSTS AINU TELEURAt'HS

DEPARTMENT

7* NOTICE

Z2

Cli&rgea to pay

The "Royal" Release Jewel "B rahmachari""

or "The Bachelor" is breaking box-office
records at Bombay, Poona, Sholapur, Baroda
and Belgaum too and everywhere it runs
!

D.I.

S...

3i

A GOLD-MINE

'

//fH

f,r

/2 -.33

Si

WORLD'S RIGHT
Controlled Exclusively

By

ROYAL FILM CIRCUIT,

Bombay-4.
II indi by:

Si or;/ by:

PANDIT INDRA

Principal P. K.

HUNS PICTURE

I I

U V<

VI
WORLD'S

FIRST PICTURE

Al

(Hiirarli

.MiiirnlLil

o rs Dims

ON "NATIONAL CELIBACY"

Charlie Chaplin's
Created

ATRE

"MODERN TIMES"

World- Sensation -But

"KRISHIN MOVIETONE'S"

Latest Screen-Hit

ZAMANA (Times)
Directed by:
Will

Make Proud

K.VM

History

in

I)

\KY

India's

With

\.\I

Cine World.

IFS TECHNIQUE WILL STARTLE YOU

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FILM INDIA

November 1938
of studios, which are working day
and night and producing pictures.

To help the industry Mussolini

has raised the quota

and now

percentage

"Construction of National Waterof

the
Hungarian
ways", "Life
Soldiers", "Schools
and National
Culture" etc.

every two

for

outside
productions, one
Italian
picture
will be shown.
Nearly 500 foreign
shown in Italy every
films are
year, which means that Italy must
produce nearly 2C3 films of her
own to maintain the quota sup-

To

give

an opportunity

to

the

villagers to see these films special

arrangements

of release will
be
organising touring cinemas. Every aspect of national life
will be recorded on the celluloid.

made by

ply-

When

foreign films with the Italanguage dubbed come into

the country, they have to pay over
250 per film as tax,, even making
it compulsory to get the dubbing
lian

voice of

Italian

nationals

only,

thus providing the Italians

with

jobs.

For the film "Scipione L'Africano", Government lent 12,000 regular soldiers and 4000 horses.
In
addition
Government compelled
the circuses to give hundreds
oi
elephants.

A hundred Roman

galleys were

required for a certain scene.

A
Government
officer
supervised
their construction.

The

Italian film industry is unof the

Director
General of Cinematographs, an

der the control

body under the Propaganda Ministry. The State owns two

official

companies.

The

National Institute Luce mainly doing propaganda and educational production

work and the other E.N.I.C. which
is a corporate
financial
combine
which helps independent producers.

Our petty
late this

who

dictators should

emu-

WALKING TICKET?
It is

lony of

whispered in the local coGermans that Mr. A. Von

Leyden who began

life as an asand later on

became the General Manager of
Agfa Photo Co., has been relieved

sistant

in

India

cf his job by his erstwhile principals in Berlin.

Mr. Leyden will

ljrobably settle

down

in India

and

take up the printing line or help

his brother who is
a commercial
artist.

The news of Mr. Leyden's severance of connection with this well

known firm will come as a big
surprise to every one in the local
film industry as people could not
have forgotten several instances of
Mr. Leyden overbubbling enthusiasm in the promotion of business

Vakil,

B.A.,

Mangalbhoy

Sole Monopolists

&

Gevaert
Photo Production of Antwerp, has
Co.,

for

returned to India by s.s. Conte

Rcsso on the 17th inst. after undergoing complete training in all
the departments of photo mate-

and cinema films and special

X-ray films at the
Gevaert factory which is the largest factory in Europe and one of
rials

training in

the best manufacturers of photo-

for Agfa.

The Germans seem

mysterious methods

Mr. J;]nakbhoy C.
M.R.P.S., of Messrs.

graphic materials, X-ray films and

to believe In

business
seeing that only a couple of years
back.
Mr. Rege their influential
Sales Manager was suddenly asked to leave a business which he
had so assiduously built up. Mr.
Rege's departure made Mr. Leyden

Cinema

He

films.

of

dian to be

is

the

first

In-

by

the

requisitioned

and

factory for such training

also the first Indian to

training in

the

Films

British

is

have had

laboratories

Productions

of
Ltd.,

London.

example of the Big One

known

thoroughness.
soon become a
major industry in Italy with her
dictator in this frame of mind.
is

Film industry

for

will

the cock of the walk, but it is obvious that Mr. Leyden could not
enjoy for long the position which

he had spared no pains to

THE HUNGARIAN VVA1

The Hungarian Cabinet has decided to use the film for national
propaganda. The films which the
Government intends to use for
this purpose
are already
under

production and some of them will

have country wide release in winter.
Some of the subjects are

get.

CREATOR OF 'POPEYE' DEAD

The death occurred

of Mr. F. C.

Segar, at his home in Santa Monica (California) at the age of 44.

He was the creator of the famous
film
cartoon character, 'Popeye
the Sailor-Man'.

COOL
EFFICIENT
SIMPLE
11-31
have
the
are

Studio Lights

been

accepted

world's
in

best

use

for

uptodate studios

in

to

lights

the

Ofr*

tke

worJs

for

Advart'ges cf

B-M

be
and

Bard well

&

McAllister, Inc.
ft

Uniform

actinic

ft

No

rings.

most

Hollywood

Studio Lights

spill

ft Delivers more

Quick Focussing

value over wider field.

light.

ft

Improved construction.

ft

Wider Range

of

Focus.

Keg
Lites
Keg

Lite-

2000 watt

The

O"or

juriliev

foarUculars

icrxle

Unity

Keg Lite .100 watt

lo=

Sole Agents:

MOVIE CAMERA COMPANY

WALKER HOUSE, LAMINGTON ROAD, EOMBAY-4-

PAGODAS

By: Dr.

Along the Coromandel Coast

where the blue waves of the Bay
of Bengal end in ripples and foam
cn white sands that fringe the
south eastern part of the Indian
Peninsula, thirty miles south
of
modern
Madras,
a
lighthouse
warns passing ships of submerged
ruins of rock temples.

mile or

away

from this lighthouse

s.ands the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram. For twelve
centuries its rock walls have withstood
so

the fury of the

restless breakers
that dash against them night and
day.

A powerful line of kings the

Pallavas ruled in Southern India
between the third and eighth cenTheir capital was at Kanchi, otherwise known as Conjeevaram. During the period of their
glory the Pallavas raised exquisite
turies.

rock-hewn temples,
of

Vincent A.

in the

words

Smith, "imperish-

able monuments which constitute

remembrance.
their best claim to
Many of these can still be seen in
some parts of the Madras Presidency; but some of the best and
in
earliest known specimens are
and around the town of Mahabalipuram also known as Seven Pagodas.

Small wonder that on finishing

newsreel coverage of the Juggernaut Festival at Kanchi I headed straight for Seven Pagodas ac-

my

PATHY.
companied by my two assistants
and with all my cine equipment.

Up

Pakshitirtam 'the
holy
sacred birds' where hundreds of
pilgrims
flock
almost
every day to the temple on the
hill to see the two 'sacred' kites
fed from the hands of a Brahmin
priests
our question of transport
was solved by the local bus service,
but from here we hired two jutkas,
horse carts on two wheels common in the South, to get to Macity

to

of

habalipuram.
On the road we passed an old
man running with a spear in one
hand and a mail bag in the other.
The Indian 'dak'! We jumped
out of our jutkas and filmed in
both 'long-shots' and 'close-ups'
this aged village courier.
In photographic parlance he was a 'typeshot'.
I sometimes
wonder what
excuse the courier gave to the village folk for
their mail!

An hour
the

the

later

late

we

arrival

of

ferried across

Buckingham Canal which dithe

Mahabalipuram from

vides

mainland.

On landing we went straight to

the monolithic 'rathas' (chariots)
which according to archaeological
of
authorities are the only ones
Amidst pines
their kind in India.
this
that swayed in
the breeze,
group of five temples, each one exquisitely hewn out of a single rock.

The "Butter Ball"

of

Krishna

solitary boulder.

very picturesque
a
scene.
A composite 'shot' of the
five rathas, medium 'shots' of each
one of them, silhouette 'shots' of

presented

their tapering towers against the

South Indian skies. .. .more

blue

than two hundred

feet of film

was

exposed.
The colossal stone elephant, the lion, and Nandi, the
bull, that stand close by the raths,
each one of them cut from a single rock
the footage indicator on the camera read three hun-

dred

feet.

Our next monument was quite

some distance from the raths as
we had to walk over a mile before
we reached the 'bas relief in a
huge boulder.
This bas relief represents the penance of Arjuna.
all that has been writhesitatingly confess that

In spite of
ten on
I
it.

it,

was not very much impressed by

The rock-hewn cave temple

nearby kept

me

gazing for quite a

was the

first one I ever

the carvings on
its walls, in short, a whole gallery
of artistic work hewn out of a single rock!
No wonder the Pallava
style in architecture
has earned
the
admiration of
well-known

while.

saw.

It

The

pillars,

?rchaeologists.

Again the motor

hummed,

A rock-hewn temple

an

of

my Eyemo

footage
indicator
passed the mark of four hundred
exquisite

specimen of Pallava Temple.

the

feet.

71

FILMINDIA

November
(tapered tower/ was missing, and
few houses surrounding the
shrine, that is all there is to-day
a

Mahabalipuram.
was impressive in

The hamlet

of

its

meagreness.

sign-post of much later origin

than the ruined temple read: 'To
the Shore Temple'. We passed by
a lovely tank with stone steps.
A
few kids were making the best use
of their time in that ever popular
pastime, swimming.
We continued in the direction of the road to
the shore.

The monotonous moaning of the

we were near

sea indicated that

our destination.

The late lunch, walking with

equipment since the morning, and
filming all the time, we were pretty
tired as we approached the shore.

We

noticed the pyramidical tower

temple. Time
was
precious as it was evening. So we
set to work at once.
An 'extreme
long shot' with the wide angle lens,
a quick change to the
two-inch
and we had scenes of the shrine
with the sea in the background.
We carried the cameras to the temple yard and in less than half an
hour a hundred foot spool of film
was exposed. A few minutes was
lost in charging a new magazine.
Some more 'shots' of the tower
and other details on the walls surrounding the yard and a huge
cloud intercepted the
late afternoon sunlight. I switched to 'off'
of a solitary

This Elephant in stone is

15 centuries old.

nearly

Lunch was the next item on the

programme.
We got to the point where the
lighthouse stands.
The few residential bungalows nearby indicated that the maintenance of the
lighthouse meant a job which called for several men.
The Superintendent took us up the tower.
"You have seen the 'raths', the bas
relief and the cave-temples, now
do not miss the
Shore Temple"
was the kindly advice we got from

my camera-motor and
"Let's call it a day".
sistants wondered if

we could
the intei
We entered the shrine. It wa:
dark for photography. A ma
charge conducted us to the
]
cipal part of the shrine. He b
some camphor and the light
vealed an idol eleven feet Ion
Vishnu recumbent, the palm o
hand raised as if to say
'This
lord
commands that
waves shall not proceed any
ther than his shrine' explained
caretaker.
I do not know if
interpretation of the idol has
authenticity even in tradition
the fact remains
that the i
walls of the
Shore Temple
sent back the dashing waves
twelve centuries.
get

some scenes

On

way we

our

idols

As we emerged from insidi

was peering thrc
The Shore Temple
the deep blue sea in
the b:
ground looked very solitary
setting sun
the clouds.

The grey
soon merged into the

rock v
grey s
behind, we could barely see
outline of tower but we still hi
the waves dashing on the wal

**Months later I received a rej

from Universal Pictures Inc.,
the films were
held
for 'Gi
I

Places.."

fifty

feet

of

tecture.

more

Super

negative registered
some impressions of the Butter Ball.
A few photographs, and we hurried towards the hamlet of Mahabalipuram en route for the Shore

Temple.
An ancient temple, a huge tower in front of it, massive walls
that were meant to
be the entrance to the temple, but perhaps
never completed as the 'gopuram'

72

The next time

g<

Seven Pagodas I hope it will

for documentary on Pallava ar

cave temples. 'The Butter Ball of

Krishna' our guide remarked and
we screamed with laughter on
seeing
a huge
boulder
almost
round standing on the slope of a
hillock.
'Nothing has moved it
for centuries' continued our guide.
It was really a surprise that this
solitary boulder did not roll down.

Another

'

impressive.

passed several

and some

of

'

him.
sculptures,

rema
But m5

Stone Rathas

icks and Kisses

The reason some

girls keep as
because they're alalongside some
guy's

as a fiddle

fit

up

ways

is

cnin.
*

Some men
kissed by

been

I've

y,
"

ex-

boasted the girl to her new

To which, the boyfriend

iend.

"No wonder you're an old

Only amateurs marry the
*

And

the boy replied: "Nonsense.

I'm a taxicab driver. The busier
I am, the more I learn about love!"

are never

And

the dizzier a girl Is, the

more fellows there are who want
to give her a whirl.
*

your husband pet you as

now before you were maraninquired one wife of
I
Whereupon, the other adI used to
d, "Goodness, no.

When

gold digging is a religion

she'll prey.

with a

You can get a girl to eat out of

your hand, if you have plenty of
sugar in it.

>es

satisfied

Even when they get the toast of

the town, they usually want a little honey on the side.
*

girl,

Some
new

anything In
boyfriend, until
he turns
girls can't see

a
out the lights.

if

to be the berries,
she expects to be picked.
*

That artist hired me to

him between midnight

;an:

for

three a.m. this morning.

What can

y:

some

know

one out.
you, girls like you
in
out the animal

warn

bring

never give a
she wants.

hasn't the jack can

the kind of deal

girl

for

the

tip.

I'll

Don't

kiss

me

nabbed by bluecoats.

you up.
*

in

Kisses used to speak volumes,

but nowadays, with all these darn
volumes speas
scandals,
diary
kisses.

gal
married,
a
all the answers; after marshe knows all the questions.
she's

ire

fellow

wants to spend an
like a fish, he

Money
talks,

have at least a couple of

him.

girl

sy to

filthy

is

but

many

said to a boy: "You're

know what love is."

them

girls,

you have to

high.
*

Many a fellow starts a puppy

love affair, only to wind up a few
months later tied down in the dog
house.

heavenly
Strange as it seems,
bodies are best on dark nights.

When

man

to get a

tries

gal

play ball, he usually has base

*

it

a girl will listen

to bring
alright for a girl
out the beast in a man, as long
as she's cagey.
It's

Keep away from

girls

as a fiddle, because
to buy a Stradivarius.

fit

and

lucre

it is

who

are

cheaper
*

A girl needs a pretty map,

she's to go places.
*

People who get too high usually

low afterward.

feel
*

if

to dirt.

drinking

get

who has

intentions.

and

from some

kiss

When

so hard,

wake up the neighbours.

I'm
more interested
g

old maid, is a girl

a miss of things.

to

the screen guys go out to

paint the town red, they often get

mouse-trap.

ie

figure.

An
made

highball or a cocf:-

"Thanks

has her

tail."

price,

woman

a treat."

"Oh, swell!

his

petter

wild.

ev^ry

matrimony.
*

girl

Everyman has

*
*

tame

Before you can get a heavenly

"Kiss me, honey, and you'll get

a boy has lost his head

it was stuck on a girl's

A man who

ing alimony is like throwing

n the furnace after the fire

"I

evening of drinking
After an
like a fish, girls have been known
of
to find themselves in the sea

the right peep*

modern

body.

ossip columnist to be success-

as to

Many

who's hungry for love,

wants a hot dish.

drives the

'ellow
ly

girls

because

love

enough, a

of
language
speak to every-

the

are

kisses

Oddly

body.

The town.

;an:

If

that artist paint

ungodly hour?

te

A woman has

I secretary."

With some

girls,

sowing

oats goes against the grain.

"I'm thinking of

wild

getting

mar-

ried."

"Better

think twice, honey."

"Heck, no, that

would

be

gamy!"
73

bi-

FILMINDI

November 1938

Playing the
numbers costs a
dough, especially blonde
of
numbers, brunette numbers and
lot

Some people cut off their nose

to spite their face, while others go
to plastic surgeons.

red-headed numbers.
*

"When you

"No,

but we can lose until

we have

left

is

The

best

way

his knees is to
from yours.

man

him

to

away

Good

and she

inch,

chorus
girl can get a millionaire to help
feather her nest, she has to show

him the
*

The apple

of a

have nothing to

limbs.

Speaking of flowers, we

all

man's eye, should

do with a worm.

know

girl

likes

spots

before

first.

When

around, you

some

There are two kinds

daisies won't tell but tu-lips will.

If a girl wants to clean a rich

guy, she's got to get the dirt on

fellow

know

her

and secluded

horsing

starts

he's racing after

girl.
*

fire

;**
*

and
*

"

In most cases before

few

are

A wife needs a sharp tongue to

cut her husband's words short.

it may seem, a girl

the candle at both ends
will seldom
wind up being the
light of a man's life.

<*

kisses

him
*

between.

Strange as

woman an

eyes were all right in her day, but

to-day, a clasp is a girl's undoing.

who burns

thinks she's the ruler.

About the only thing modern

girls can cook like mother used to
cook is some man's goose.

Give a

keep

call

mind

Grandmother says the hooks and

to bring a

who

are willing to play

the game on account of darkness.

ball,

all

a smile."
*

girls

never

The

play strip poker,

can you lose with a smile?"
girls

doesn't

girl

The modern

lemon, if he has plenty of sugar

on him.

of spots a
eyes,

spots.

ten-

A smart-co-ed

feathers her nest

in the tree of knowledge.

Harrison's Reports
NEW YORK

Reports '. New York, the only paper of its kind which is famous for impartial
{These are important excerpts from "Harrison's
film advertising. It is ably edited by Mr. P. S. Harrison, the best known
the
influence
of
from
criticism due to its being free
American
filn indurtry. Some of the pictures reviewed here are still to be released
the
in
things
and
men
on
America
critic of
do from the world known critic, their advance publication* will be useful to the
on our side, but the reviews coming as they
EDITOR.)
exhibitors all over India in booking the sai I pictures. =

THE

"SECRETS OF AN ACTRESS" with Kay FranGeorge Brent, and Ian Hunter.

(First National

(1938-39) September 10; time 69i min.)

trite
Just a fair program picture. The story is
And it is developed in so
d lacks fast action.
what is goutine a manner, that one knows just
it will end; for this reason
how
and
happen
to
l
There is not
e loses interest in the outcome.
mateach that the performers can do with the
mope.
to
made
are
they
b for almost throughout

unsuitable

nothing morally
the picture it is hardly the type of entertainment
Therefore class B.
r children.

Although there

is

"ROAD TO RENO" with Randolph

impton and Helen Broderick.

Scott.

Hope

program

comedy.

As

for

Not quite suitable for children.

August

(Paramount; 1938-39

19;

Bob

time 76 mitt.)

moderately entertaining slapstick comeA few of the situations provoke hearty laughdy.
ter; the action is, however, for the most part, so silly
that it tends to bore instead of amuse the spectator. Martha Raye and Bob Hope work hard, but they
are handicapped by trite material and an obvious
plot.
The occasional musical outbursts are not of
Just a

help.

Suitability, Class A.

Miss

to the screen, this reviewer fears

of her becoming poputhe fact that operatic stars whose

before the public constantly have
much success in pictures, it is doubtful
>t had
lether Miss Hampton, who has not appeared on
e screen or in public in general for many years,
the masses. Nor is the story of much
11 attract
most part pretty silly, and at
lp; it is for the
The actions of the characnes slightly risque.
awaken the spectator's
such as to
rs are not

much hope

tnpathy.

Not suitable for children.

Class B.

"FOUR'S A
Russell, Olivia

"MARIE ANTOINETTE"

with

Norma Shearer

d Tyrone Power.

(M.G.M. 1938-39 August

CROWD" with Errol Flynn, Rosalind

DeHavilland and Patric Knowles.

(Warner Bros-; 1938-39 September

3;

time 90 min.)

The story itself

A fairly good
not particularly novel; it is in the different situaperformances that it
tions and in the individual
Towards the end, it goes comderives its comedy.
pletely wild, and ends up with an extremely amusing scene, where two couples are married by Hugh
Herbert, an annoyed Justice of the Peace. Nothing
in the story is taken seriously; because of this it
farcial

comedy.

is

lacks
tions

human
is

appeal.

The comedy

forced, thereby slowing

in

up the

a few situa-

Where

action.

nonsensical comedies are liked, this should go over.

Suitability, Class A.

26; time 157 ruin.)

Excellent! It is a magnificent
spectacle,
proced with extreme lavishness;
the direction
and
iing are brilliant.
But, for all its "bigness", it is
;
personal drama of the Queen's life that holds
spectator's
interest
throughout. Played with
istry by Norma Shearer, the queen is a pathetic
lire, one for whom the spectator feels sympathy
Id in the end deep pity
.'he closing scenes show1 her bewilderment during the Revolution and her
Isery at being separated from her children are so
Bverful that one cannot hold back the tears. Of
lerest, too, is the picture of court life, with its
rigue and extravagance. The Revoultion itself is
played up; the story is concerned only with the
;

Class B.

"GrVE ME A SAILOR' with Martha Raye,

Hope and Betty Grable.

much

{Universal; 1938-39 September 30; time 68 min.)

Just a light
ampton's return
at there is not
Considering
r.
imes have been

personal effect it had on the queen, her husband and

her children. The romance in the Queen's life is
handled with good taste, but it is of minor importAlthough consistently interesting, the picance.
ture is a little too long for general release.

"CONVICTED"

with Charles Quigley and

Rita

Hayworth.
(Central Films-Columbia; 193S-39 August 18; time 54 min

The picture does not look as

were
produced in Hollywood, for the players, aside from
as the backgrounds,
the two leading ones, as well
Poor.

if

it

cheap, the
are unfamiliar. The production looks
story is trite, and the acting does not help matters
much. It hasn't one redeeming feature even the
dialogue is stupid, and in some spots rough.
And
it fails to hold the spectator's attention, for it
is
quite obvious just how the plot will develop and end.

Suitability,

Class B.

75

Given
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Of cHohL

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BABURAO PATEL

DECEMBER

Pol. 4

Ltd.,

No. 8

1938

STOP THIS SLANDER OF INDIA

tish

"The Drum" provoked the nation. The Briin producing this picture made an abortive

attempt to endorse their imperialism as enforced

in the Frontier districts at the expense of the

brave and chivalrous

men

of the Frontiers.

an intensive agitation, "filmduty towards the country and to

launching

In

india" did its

say that only 83 persons objected to what

over

40,000 endorsed, as has been broadcast by an hired

editor of an Anglo-Indian film magazine, is to

give perversity

men who wield the pen lack the remoral courage and patriotism to protest

the nation

observe

and

is

silence,

golden by those
tige

play.

those

If

quisite

when

its full

insulted, they should at least

which would be considered

who

actually sacrifice their pres-

services.

up cudgels for the foreigner and

support this dirty insinuating propaganda by trying to justify the production of pictures like "The

But

Drum"

to take

is like

trading in the soul to secure a crust

of bread for the day.

In the present days of the national transition

of our country, journalists should

ponsible about

what they

write.

As

be more resthe principal

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Bo MBAY
litis

section

likes

and about

is

not necessarily

the

LLING

monopoly of

things which
ours,

but

he

still

written by a

"JUDAS"
likes.

they

TJie

carry

and he writes what he

views expressed here are
weight

man who knows

because

they

TELL US ANOTHER MR. GOGTAY!

Do

into India.

For the benefit of the layman, we may straightaway state that the expression "exposed films" means
che foreign
pictures that come into India from
month to month and drain away our millions.

all

these theatres

show the foreign pictures?

even i/3rd of the number must be coming

the way of a single producing company. Isn't it
therefore wrong to work the average on this basis?

Even in carrying on subsidized propaganda, facts

and figures which have to be quoted should be truthBut this prinful and correct, to carry conviction.
ciple does not seem to have been observed by Mr. Ram
L. Gogtay, the editor of "The Motion Picture Magazine", when he tried to make out a case in the November issue of his magazine, for the decrease in
valuation and taxation of the exposed films imported

doubt

are

his job.

if

And this painful arithmetical stunt is worked

out with an idea to confuse the issue with silly and
fictitious world figures twisted to suit the present
argument for decreasing the duty on the foreign films.
If the gross returns on the best Indian pictures,
which have not yet exceeded 15 lakhs of rupees,
were to be subjected to this Gogtay's law of averages,
the Indian film industry would show a terrible loss
and would easily justify an argument for the Government to give its entire revenue as a subsidy to

the indigenous film industry.

painful to observe that Mr. Gogtay, who is

Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association, a responsible national body, and
who now occupies the editorial chair of this Anglo[ndian magazine with the kind tolerance of the said
Association, should, while occupying one position of
.rust, betray the interests of the indigenous industry
ind become an instrument of propaganda for the
It is

;he paid Secretary of the

"oreign interests.

That the Indian producers should allow this paradoxical state of affairs to continue does not speak
nuch for their business acumen and nationalism.

What one should

That a man should work in two opposite camps

the same time, get acquainted with the secrets of
)Dth the parties and then try to "serve" the interests
)f both simultaneously, is a ridiculous position in any
mrsuit of life.

And

yet, this is what is happening to-day due

none too praiseworthy tolerance of an overExecutive Committee of the
Indian Motion

o the
:ind

Picture Producers' Association.

Coming

the point of present discussion, Mr.

that an average non-Indian (foreign)
icture grosses about Rs. 10,634 in two years.
This
idiculous estimate of the average is arrived at by
aking the annual world gross returns of a foreign

iiogtay

to

says,

-roducer, approximately

amounting

spread

all

is

by what remark-

We had

always credited Gogtay with some brains,

perforce revise our opinion.

now we must

Mr. Gogtay says that an average foreign film colabout Rs. 10,634 in two years.

lects

You will be surprised to know that "Marie Waleweska" starring Greta Garbo grossed over Rs.
28,000.
in 7 days at the Metro Cinema in Bombay.
In the 2nd
week the picture Is reported to have collected another
Rs. 20.000

This single instance can prove the immense

popularity of the foreign pictures that come
to India.

An average foreign film, inspite of the competition of the Indian films, still collects a
gross of Rs
40,000 per picture and a good picture easily
exceeds
twice that figure.

to Rs. 80.406.796.

n the assumption that the said producer turned out

0 pictures a year and then dividing
the same by
7,344 theatres

know

Haven't these films any Independent value

In
India? And is the Government under an obligation
to consider the huge overseas responsibilities of the
foreign producers before taxing their films?

but
it

like to

able stretch of reasoning or imagination does

Mr.
Gogtay require the authorities to take into consideration this painfully arrived at world average, to
assess the value of films in India and to fix their
taxation

over the world.

what Mr. Gogtay says is true, why don't the

foreign producers publish audited figures
of
their
takings all over India in support of Mr.
Gogtay's
If


FILM INDIA
ST.

December

XAVIER'S COLLEGE.

ABDULLA FAZALBHOY
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
BOMBAY

1.

2.

Radio Service Course

Wireless Telegraphy Course.

3.

Projectionist Course.

4.

Photography Course.

1.

Courses of this Institute opens on the 3rd January

The Courses

1939.

from

six

months

of admission is

argument? Let us have figures of pictures like "Adventures of Marco Polo", "Hurricane",
"You Can't
Take It With You," "Marie Waleweska", "Goldwyn
Follies", etc., etc.

And if what Mr. Gogtay says that hardly Rs.

3000 per picture is got by these producers after paying all the taxes is to be believed, we would like
to
know how these producers can afford to maintain
several big and overstaffed offices in different
cities
of India, maintaining a monthly expenditure of nearly
Rs. 25,000.
If the business in India does not pay the foreign
producers, why do they carry on the pretence of running it? India does not feel obliged to the foreigners
for providing an entertainment which is more often
vulgar than otherwise.

Winter Session of the Radio and Cinema

\e

And inspite of this imaginary loss to those good

hearted foreign producers, the footage of foreign importations into the country has been steadily on the
increase during the last ten years, as is obvious from
the custom figures given below:

of study are of short duration

to

FOREIGN FILMS INTO INDIA

one year; the least standard

knowledge

the

English and

of

Year

Tctal footage

Imported

Science corresponding to the Matriculation stand-

Assessed value
films in

rupees

af

Value

dmy

of Irrport

n rupees.

ard, the matriculation certificate itself is not es-

1927-28

10,372,288

20,28,975

with

1928- 29

10,792,341

19,81,911

1929- 30

10,247,051

19,06,341

1930- 31

10,179,699

19,60,495

1931-32

8,979,862

17,10,000

in

1932-33

9,501,023

19,10,051

6,76,192

practice

1933-34

10,826,366

27,79,462

9,16,571

met

1934-35

9,026,731

24,88,818

8,80,483

1935-36

8,820,808

25,80,421

9,65,926

1936-37

9,407,888

24,89,887

9,24,498

1937-38

22,278,338

38,14,738

10,22,931

Candidates

sential.

such as I.Sc, B.Sc, B.E.,

The courses

Classes.

higher

qualifications

can join the Senior

etc.,

aim

of study

at developing

primarily the practical ability of the pupils

extensive

laboratory

closely approximating

Institute is

workshop

and

working

with in later professional

The

open

conditions

life.

to

students from

all

parts of India and from neighbouring countries,

the admission

is

however by regional quota and

takes into account the

preference to the
particular area.

appointment by

demand

number

of the trade

of applicants

from a

Candidates should avoid

applying

early

and

in

"Detailed prospectus for

all

reserving

courses on appli-

cation."
|

Write the name, the address and the Province

and ensure a prompt reply.

Figures from 1927

to 1931 not available separately.)
5,29,165

These figures show that the business of importing

foreign pictures into India has been paying the foreigners rather too well, to enable them to increase
their activities from year to year.
Surely, no
one

would call these hard boiled foreign businessmen fools

to run and increase a business that didn't pay
them.

dis-

admission in the prescribed manner.

clearly

1938

And yet Mr. Gogtay would have us believe that

foreigners were running a losing show for the health
of our people. Tell us another Mr. Gogtay!

QUOTA ACT?
Mr. S. Satyamurti, M.L.A. (Central) has been asking some pertinent and important questions to the
Hon. Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, the Commerce
Member of the Government of India, with regard to
the Indian film industry.

FILMINDIA

December 1938

We

reproduce below the questions and replies in

the matter primarily rests with

Mr.

the Provincial

Governments.

toto:

Satyamurti: Will the Honourable the Commerce

be pleased to state:

S.

Member

(a) whether in respect of the sanction of cinema

films for exhibition. Government have considered,

or propose to consider, the question of imposing

a quota to Indian films being exhibited:
(b)

this

whether Government have been addressed on

matter by the industry coneerned; and

whether Government have come to any deci-

c)

sion;

if so,

what

it is?

Mr.

S. Satyamurti: Will the Central Government address the Provincial Governments in view of the
all-India imfact that this is a matter of an
portance I am not saying that it is Federal or
Central and in view of the necessity of developing on proper and sound lines the Indian film industry.

Mr. N. M. Joshi:

Do

it

in your seven provinces.

Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan:

I have
no doubt that the Honourable Member's question
will come to the notice of the Provincial Gov-

The Hon.

ernments.

The Honourable Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan:

Government have considered this question.
(b)

(a)

Yes.

Yes.
(c)
The matter primarily rests with
Provincial Governments.

the

Mr. K. Santhanam: With reference to part (a)

of
the question, may I know whether the Provincial
Governments have got the power to restrict the
importation or exhibition of foreign films?
Sir
Muhammad Zafru'lah Khan:
a constitutional question, but so far as the
Government of India are concerned, the Honourable Member will infer from the reply to part (c)
of the question
that Provincial Governments
have got power to deal with this matter.

The Honourable
This

Mr.

S. Satyamurti: So far as the Government of India are concerned, since they have considered the

matter and they have come to

may

know what the

some

decision,

decision is?

The Hon. Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan: That Is

what I have said in answer to part (c).
They
have come to a decision and the decision is that

There
taken

is

"Do it in your seven provinces" said Mr. N. M.

Joshi the non-Congressman. Was that a challenge
to our Congressmen?

tide in the affairs of men which

at the flood Leads on to Fortune:
is a

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hear the Record of the famous Imitator Shri. Ghodke

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Crore of Rupees Dissipate

Foreign Pictures Mu
7C LAKHS SENT OUT EVE,
By:

ne good thing about rumour is

it gives new impetus to life

that

and

sets

people

thinking.

One

such rumour which persists in repeating itself is that the Government of India recently thought of
increasing the
assessment value
and the import duty on the foreign
films

coming into India.

Following the
time honoured
routine the Central Government is
reported to have sent the case for
this proposed taxation to the Collector of Customs, Bombay, who in
turn called upon the local distribuforeign films to
submit
their objections to the increase of

tors of

the assessment value and the import duty.

And again rumour

goes on
to
confirm that some of these distributors managed to convince the
local Collector, of course by manipulation and strange arithmetic of
figures, that
the distributors of
foreign pictures do not actually
make any profits on their business
in India.

The Collector of Customs, who is

not expected to be conversant with
the technical aspect of this business of film distribution, does not
seem to have needed much persuasion to report to the Central Government that for a year at least,
things should be as they are at
present

rumour, but it assumes a

semblance of being a fact, when
one reads the painful attempt
which is being made by the Editor
of the "Motion Picture Magazine"
to confuse the issue by presenting
fictitious figures in support of the
This

is

argument that the foreign distributors are hardly making any profits on their activities in India
"The Motion Picture Magazine."
on its own confession is a subsidized instrument of propaganda,
maintained by the leading foreign

And when

producers.

a subsidizel

paper makes a laboured attempt to

distort

facts,

affairs look

suspici-

ous.

Neither the people nor the Govto be con

vinced by the propaganda, prima
rily based on a fictitious data and
necessarily broadcast with a design, because it comes from a oaper
the existence of which is dependent on the goodwill of the interests

ernment are expected

month on
these

the

BABURAO

maintenance

of

Which means that a

company spends over 3 lakhs

offices.

single
of rupees per year

on

office

main-

Therefore amongst nine

companies, they must spend over
Rs. 27 lakhs per year in managing
tenance.

it

represents.

While these people seem to have

temporarily succeeded in choking
oil the proposed taxation by marmisleading figures, we
hardly think that matters should

shalling

a strong case
from all view points, economic,
commercial and national to justify an increase in the assessment
of value and in the import duty,
at all there

is

this

one certainly

is.

The

Gov-

India should not be

one-sided eyesatisfied with the
wash v/hich the foreign distributors have for the present served.

ernment

Out

of these 27 lakhs: -Nearly 30

foreigners, (Americans,

and

Englishmen

take approximately 12
lakhs of rupees per year,
an
average of Rs. 40.000 a year per
head nearly 45 per cent of the
total expenditure. Nearly 12 lakhs
are paid in rent, taxes, conveyance
and other expenses while an approximate halance of 3 lakhs of
rupees is distributed amongst 500
works
employees which
Indian
out at Rs. 600 a head per year i.e.
Rs. 50 a month per man.
others')

rest there.
If

their establishments.

of

It is hardly necessary to menof these

tion that the efficiency
entirely
is
foreign organizations

due to the Indian staff. Not only

that, but their huge returns are
all secured by the Indian employees on the staff.

LAKHS A YEAR IN
ORGANIZING

SINECURE JOBS
Some of these

The other side of the picture is

the real and truthful one. Let us
get to the facts:
Nine major companies operate In

grace the gilded chairs which return between Rs. 40,000 to Rs.
60,000 a year, with free transpor-

27

namely, Metro - GoldwynMayer, Paramount Pictures, UniArtists,

United
Pictures,
versal
Warner Brothers, 20th Century
Columbia Pictures. R.K.O.
Fox,
Radio Pictures and Humayun PicIndia,

tures.

their own offices at the following 8 centres In

India: Bombay, Calcutta, Madras,
Lahore, Delhi, Karachi, Rangoon
All of

them have

and Colombo.
Every one of them spends betRs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per

ween

foreigners

who

or
tation both ways to America
England with a six months' leave

after a tiresome spell of three years

and
with the "damned natives"
in that "bloody hole", and a substantial floating insurance against
death, injury or mosquito bite, to
say nothing of the free residential

quarters in the
quarters of the
cure posts.

most fashionable
occupy sine-

city,

If you meet some of these men

with their stupid glassy stare rolling about in expensive motor cars
and drinking like seasoned topers

PA

Entertainment

Foreign

Taxed Heavily

AR AS NETT PROFITS
in expensive restaurants and clubs,
you will be convinced of the remark

that

Dame

Fortune

is

Blind

Stone

Blind.

Add

guaranteed income
by way of

to this

another 25

per cent

from

bribes

from the
stealthy

exhibitors,

staff

presents

and income from

exhibitions

of

special

shows to our "native" state princes

and you will get correctly the life
and income of some of the foreign
foreign

"bosses" of the
tion offices.

distribu-

has spent and/or caused to

be
spent for any picture shown in his
theatre during the past 12 months,
and in instances of Road Show Attractions a
sum equal to double
that amount".
once again the "damned
natives" spend their hard earned
money to float the foreign pictures
and very often a part of this Indian money contributes to the

And

publicity

Drum,"

pictures

of

"Bengal

"Clive of India"

nothing better

like

Lancers"

Baburao Patel
nett per year to their principals in

America and England.

The following table shows a

nearest estimate of remittances
sent within a single year by the
different

companies:

"The
and

which pictures do
than slander our

In Lakhs of Rs.
per year.
1.

20th Century Fox

14

12
8
9
10

natives"

slave to keep the Union

Jack and the Stars and Stripes

That is a misfortune of being an

Exhibitor of foreign films.

4.
5.

Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer
Paramount
R.K.O. Radio
Warner Brothers

flying aloft.

GIVE US THIS "LOSING" GAME

6.

United Artists

THEY BLEED THE EXHIBITORS!

According to the "Motion Picture Magazine"

the foreign distributors are playing a "losing"
game, perhaps for the benefit of
India. And yet
these charitable
people have not restricted their
activities from year to year. Here
is a table showing
their imports
into our country for the last 5

7.

Columbia

8.

Humayun

9.

Universal

Total

70

All

this

when

These foreign

the

"damned

companies

spend

over Rs. 13 lakhs a year in publicorrect:

cause to be
city to be
spent, for, in their agreement with
the local exhibitor which agreement, by the way, is called a license
granted by the Distributor to the
Exhibitor a pertinent clause reads
as follows:

"The Exhibitor,

in order to en-

sure the Distributor proper exposition and advertisement of the programmes to be delivered hereinunder for Exhibition in the Exhitor's theatre agrees to spend a minimum average per programme for
newspaper, bill board, handbills,
in
special display advertisements
each separate prorelation to
gramme and in instances of Super
Road Show Productions to spend a
minimum average of at least twice
the usual sum for each picture for
the said purpose. If no sum has
been specified in this clause at the
time of signing of this agreement
it is understood that the Exhibitor
first-named
shall spend
for the
profor each
aforesaid purpose
gramme the highest sum which he

2.

country.

3.

years and the duty paid by them

Number of Foreign Films Imported
into India and Import Duty Paid:
Year.

Features.

Shorls

Import Duly

a n (1

paid on these
in rupees.

These figures may be wrong as

annas and pies are not quoted in
the usual fashion of an auditor's
report, but if the foreign distributors think that these figures
are

misleading,

do

is

all

to get the

that they have to

Government Audiand pub-

tor to certify their books

lish

the correct figures.

9,16,571

Perhaps the
audited
might exceed the figures

1470

8,80,843

above.

397

1416

9,65,926

1936

399

1425

9,24,498

1937

395

1181

10,22,931

news

reels.

1933

449

1491

1934

417

1935

figures

quoted

There never was a better case of

a more flourishing business for
fresh taxation.

These figures show a firm and

steady tone,
and prove beyond
doubt that these people are doing
well, indeed too well.

The Government of India must

not only increase the Import Duty
on these foreign films but must
also increase the assessment value.

NET PROFITS OF
PER YEAR!

REVISE THE ASSESSMENT

VALUE!
The present assessment value

And

70

LAKHS

huge
maintenance,
publicity, taxation, etc., these nine
companies still remit over 70 lakhs
after meeting all this

expenditure in

office

annas per foot

Is

for the purposes

of levying the import duty.

(Continued on page 48)

Does

AA
PICTURE OF THE SEASON
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hammers home

in the sketch above no less than Rs. 25,000 must be won in this Offer
have the opportunity of swelling your bank balance with a Five Figure cheque, or, failing
Thus once again you
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Which, you will agree, furnishes several very excellent
awards supplemented by unlimited attractive Extra Prizes.
reasons why you should get busy without delay on the Practice Square below

As our

artist

will

fills ACROSS
solving the Clues of this puzzle
carefully you may well secure this
place in the prize list

6.

9.

10.

12.
13.

15.

16.

Slang term for a cigarette

Frozen water
Stone or gem in which the design is
hollowed out
To vex
South American beast of the camel
family
Most lovers ultimately find that even
the most attractive and fond
female has these !
Undiscerning people are apt to form
a hasty opinion of a man's ability

from

his

21.

23.

The young and romantic often

19.

it

N.B.

agonising

to

this

badly

Alas we often fail to appreciate the

value of this when we are young
and headstrong

2.

To read

3.

Being frequently

Entry Fee in this Competition is Re. 1

per entry and Entry Squares will be published
in the issues of

iiRft

November

20th and 27th.

26.

27.
29.
30.

WIS

Single in kind

5.

Girl

36.

Often

type of youth
6.

Defect

7.

Intentions

8.

not until a man gets this

that he begins to realise how
serious a thing is life

Open space

14.

Often the

ONLY ENTRY SQUARES

CUT OUT FROM
THE ILLUSTRATED

WEEKLY

OF INDIA"
of

November 20th or

usually obvious when this has

been carelessly made up

Fixed

his

in a forest

man who

has

many

these

own worst enemy

15.

Threats or abuse achieve little effect

on person who is by nature this

16.

Those who do

18.

Many

20.

it is

38

Portuguese India

11.

is

salads

It is

who has wide choice of admirers

seldom strongly attracted to this

this with patience and

intelligence usually achieve their

goal

cause to regret being this

Male sheep
Strong pull

37.

imposed on by

is

4.

is

Beverage akin to beer

Attractive young women unintentionally provoke many a spiteful one
Henpecked husbands have frequent

35.

33.

attentively

apt to make the most

generous person this

find
in

Impressionable young men are apt

to be easily exploit* J by a cunning one
In favour of
This red fruit is commonly used in

32.

someone

love
24.

DOWN

1.

The

One's outlook on life is very largely

governed by one's ...
Sheltered side of a ship
Debts are, until repaid

17.

CLUES

CLOSING DATE DECEMBER 9th

L By

COPMES

Iff.A MILE

will

be accepted

27th

a self-confident youth in his

early "twenties" feels he is too

"
" advice from elders
old to
Committing a thoughtless blunder is
apt to make an earnest young man
feel this

22.

Indian plants which have narcotic

properties

23.

28.

scarcity of food
of the limbs by which we walk
Children love this conserve of boiled
fruit
Tiny particle

31.

Noisy squabble

25.
26.

33.
34.

Extreme

One

Enemy
In order to ensnare him a woman
will often pretend that she doesn't
" for an ardent
care a "

admirer

FM103M

ALL NEWS AVEXTS

The Editors Mail

Benders " when you are worried

in

serving you.

heard that "Tulsidas" was once produced as a

and one Mr. Joshi had worked in it.
is Mr. Joshi and what is he doing now?

talking- picture

You

have heard correctly. Digveer Cinetone,

under the management of Mr. Narayan Devare,
had produced "Sant Tulsidas" with Mr. G. N.
Joshi in the lead. Mr. Joshi is a law graduate,
but does not practice as such, music being his
He is now associated with the Grafirst passion.
maphone Company, and if you like his songs,
why not purchase some H.M.V. records?

From:

J.

N. Jagcthi (Sitapur).

You seem to be sweet on Devika Rani. But what

do you think of Kanan Bala as seen in "Vidyapati"?
Don't you think she excels your Devika as an artiste
in this picture?

always said that Kanan Bala had given a wonThere were

derful performance in "Vidyapati".

two reasons for this. One being an exceedingly

sympathetic role, and the second being excellent
In a similar

role,

Devika,

perhaps,

would have given an equally good performance

under the same conditions. But Kanan had another strong point in her musical talent.
Comparisons are not always happy, still, I think
Devika is likely to prove a better artiste from a
versatile angle than Kanan. This is because, we
have not seen much of Kanan still.

From: Miss Sushila Devi (Calcutta).

Where is Raja Nene who worked in the "Unexpected"?

He

is

now on

the shelf in the Prabhat Studio.

Remembering Shanta Apte's caning exhibits in

and in life, I think she has more vigour and

pictures

strength than

is

found

in the

women

of our country.

You have forgotten courage. It needs courage as

well to do what Shanta
Apte ha? done, apart
from the fact that conviction may have urged
It is a sign of the good times that
so.
are coming to our country, that our women should
shatter the shackles of eternal bondage to men.
On my side, Shanta Apte's action has not left
behind any bitterness, as I have always admired
courage in any form or shape, either in men or
women.
her to do

The Editor.

beat

while
J

Who

is

superior in singing?

Saigal or Sanyal?

In actual singing Saigal is more melodious.

exact music, Sanyal is better.

Which

is

In

the better picture, "Jeevan Prabhat" or

"Nirmala"?

From
was

a pictorial point of view, "Jeevan Prabhat"

But as a theme, "Nirmala" had a

better.

better story.

From: Zaffer Alii (Bandra).

Can you possibly tell me why Devika Rani has
not sent me her photograph inspite of my request?
The other day, my friend received Devika's photo
without having asked for it. And this unsolicited
photo created trouble in his peaceful home his wife
having become wild with him?

seems that your friend has misguided you in

you that the photo was unsolicited. Besides, how was Devika to know that your friend
was a married man. As regards yourself, I suggest
that you write to her again, but tell her in clear
words whether you are married and if so, say that
your wife is not a jealous lady. If you give her
It

direction.

my

From: V. Ramaswami (Erode).

From: K. Kutumba Rao (Masulipatam).

Who

I will do

Serious matters will be treated seriously,

flippant letters will receive like replies.

" write to me.

telling

this assurance, she will feel herself protected.

From: Nuruddin Sultan Aly (Poona).

Why

are the Indian films so long?

Can't

we

get

some short features with some news-reels?

Yes, you will get what you want in time

to come.
At present, the producers are compelled to meet a
demand which has been created by the early chaos
which is natural in a budding industry. The general idea is, providing a programme for 2i- hours
and not telling the story or delivering a message.
When producers realise the exact mission of their
life, they will give pictures which the people want.

Name

the best Indian

picture

which

is

recently

produced.
I liked much as an intelligent spectator
called "Adhikar" and is produced by N.T. Your
opinion may be different, nevertheless, don't miss
this picture as an intellectual.

The cne
is

From:

S. J.

Tanna (Pretoria

South

Africa).

In the "Picture Show", an English cinema paper,

I read that Ramon Novarro has become a Yogi.
Is it
true?

In America any one can become a Yogi. It is a

pastime of the rich, which provides good publicity.
17

FILMINDIA

December

Don't be surprised

become a

you learn next that Sabu has

if

Saint.

read in your paper that Prithviraj is a better

If that is so, why don't the New
Theatres pay him more than Saigal?

FroM: L. Venkatrow (Rajahmundry).

Is Vithal alive or dead. Has he given up

1938

film act-

ing?

actor than Saigal.

Baburao Pendharkar, whom you call the best chamust be earning a lot. Can you
me what he earns per month?
Since he has become a producer, all that he has

racter actor in India,

earned is a debt. He used to do pretty

he took up this new role.

well, before

natural poses.

they are unnatural when

they pose for photos in the studio? Besides. I
don't know their private addresses and I have no

Do you presume that

to.

From: L. M. Karulkar (Bombay).

Is it true

wood

that Shanta Apte intends going to Holly-

after 1940?

Till

she goes, what

is

wrong

lilt

Kanan becomes

in believing so?

a close second.

Which company

New

Whether
or

for

New

and quality?

Can any him

villain better

star in the world act the part of a

than Boris Karloff?

Villany in life or in the pictures has many facets.

Boris Karloff is not at all a big actor according to

my

conception of acting. Nature seems to have

prepared him for horror roles. He adds very little
to that by any acting.

From: V. N. Kak (Ajmer ).

What has happened to Raja Sandow?
Indeed! what has happened to him? I don't think
anything can happen to Raja the way I know him.
I know something happens to those who meet him.

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GIFTS
17 r>
1?
JJa li IV

Uma

Shanta Apte displays cultivated talent.

The other two are not known for their music.
to hear.

from the view point

From: Swadesh Kumar (Meerut).

of Ashok Kumar,
I want the private addresses
Prithviraj and Leela Desai. I need their photos in

need

Because Saigal has a gold mine in his throat.

tell

He is alive. Now he lives and does not act.

.Who gives the best melodious music from the following: Shanta Apte. Uma, Kanan, Devika Rani, Ratnaprabha and Bibbo?
For sheer music, Ratnaprabha leads the way. In

Artistically

Carved Ivory Elephant.

FILM INDIA

December 1938
Rate the talents of the following actors: Baburao
Pendharkar, Barua and Keshavrao Datey.

You have done

From:

so yourself.

K. Rao (Parvatipur).

J.

the Andhras know why the editor of "filmindia" never speaks a word about the Andhra stars in

May

his

mag?

When

the Andhras themselves do not proclaim

their existence, why should, I, of all people, go and
Why don't the Andhra producers
wake them up?
Even a thief
tell the world that they have stars?
would not rob one if the possessor didn't let the
world know that he has gold in his house.

Have you ever thought of publishing the reports

Bombay Board of Film Censors?
Why should I, when I can use the same space for
more interesting material.

of the

Is there any film actor, who apart from his professional work, takes a keen interest in political affairs?
If

you mean national politics, none. But in studio

most of them do plenty of wire pulling.

'polities',

From: T. M. Hamsa (Madras).

am

You
From: R.

Who

Mudaliar (Madura),
the girl whose photo we find

Merchant and

Why?

are becoming a yogi.

S.

is

Bombay Telephone

tisement of the

Co.?

in the adverIs she a film

star?

From: A. Purushottam Rao, (Ponnur).

What do you
I am an admirer of Nalini Tarkhud.
think of her?

the new Wadia starlet and known to

the screen as Pramilla. Previously, Pramilla was
working with the Imperial Film Co.
Yes, she

is

From: M. V. Krishnayya (Nellore).

What

are the present whereabouts of

Chandramo-

han and Vasanti?

Chandramohan

is

working in "Pukar" which

is

being produced by Minerva Movietone, while Vasanti will be seen in "Sant Tulsidas" and "Achoot"
both under production at the Ranjit studios.

Who
Jal

in deep silence about Mr. Jal

Miss Zubeida.

more handsome

looks

of the

two?

Kumar

differ.

I like

Kumar.

If I edit a cinema magazine, and if I write something about Shanta Apte, will she travel from Poona
to Ponnur with a stick in her hand and accompanied
by her brother and sister to see me?

That

will all

depend on what you write. However,

is worth trying, if you don't lack

the experiment
courage.

From: T. N. Srivastava (Jhansi).

or

Merchant?
Tastes

with your admiration and why do you

worry about what I think of her?

Go ahead

'

I think Kumar to be the greatest actor of the Indian screen? Do you agree?

No!

From: L. Ashoke (Poona).

Has Mrs. Shantabai Hublikar, Prabhat's new
done any screen work before?
To the

star,

From: G.

S.

Saxena (Lucknow).

you rate the acting and singing talents of

the following: Vasanti, Bimla Kumari and Prabha?
ing.

is

easily the best both in acting

and

sing-

Bimla comes second.

From the
Mahalingam,

acts better:

Nawab

or

Kumar?

whom
is

do you

like

From: V. Srinivasan (Madura).

Which is the best and biggest studio in India? The
best and the youngest director, the best and the youngest cameraman, the best and the biggest distributor,
the best and the youngest actor, the fattest and the
leanest actor, the best and the youngest actress, the
best singer and the best baby star.
You have forgotten one item. Ask me which is
the best film magazine?

child stars, Parsuram,

Mahalingam

who

Nawab.

How do

Vasanti

villain,

my

knowledge, she has done a small

role in Kolhapur Cinetone once.
Thereafter, she
has given a bit of her music in "Sathi" produced
by Nataraj Films.
best of

As a

Ram

Marathe and

most?

easily the best.

From: Shanti Shah (Dacca).

I

love Padmadevi's film acting?

Ask

From: A. S. P. Bhimji (Dar Es-Salaam).

Can you judge the ability of an actor when he has
appeared on the screen only once?

me

Do you?

another.

Will you please print your photo?

did it once and I didn't get any proposals.

don't think it is worth risking once again.
I

performance is good, I can also foretell his future.

Not that I am an astrologer, but
because I have seen too many pictures which experience helps me to size up the talents of a bud-

From: Tehmul D. Elavia (Deolali).

Please let me know who will act in the

ding actor.

"Daughter of India" which the foreigners are going

Yes.

If his

picture

FILMINDIA

December

produced in
to produce; and will the picture be
lish or Hindusthani?

Eng-

decided by the Brithis

tish National Movietone, who intend producing
is the director
who
Corfield
John
Mr.
One
picture.
of the concern recently paid a short visit to India
to
for a reconnoitering tour to find talent and
complete preliminary arrangements. But he had
to return suddenly leaving that work half done.
The picture will be in English and the producers
intend to employ Indian artistes as far as possi-

At present nothing definite

is

1938

From: A. Balaji (Kandukur).

Suppose

send some sweet

impressed on

kisses

them?

chocolates to film stars, will they relish

Why

should they?, when they can buy chocolates

without such cheap kisses? And besides, where is
the guarantee that there won't be any germs of
disease on the chocolates sent by you.

Dani (Godhra).
Bombay producers engage music
like Pankaj Mullick and R. C. Boral?

From: D.

Why

S.

don't the

directors

ble.

From: S. K. Moorthy (Shimoga).

What are the qualifications of Shantaram, Devaki
Bose and Bama?
Intelligence, opportunity and luck.

Just because, they don't get

these two directors.

From:

However, one can never be sure, as

being the agent of Prabhat can enjoy
Pai
Baburao
the privilege of disowning friendship if circumstances so demand. From my side, however,
Baburao Pai, is of course, the right type for a good
life long hand shake as a friend.

Arumugam

of the calibre of

(Madras).

Shantaram
Mr. Barua?

Will Mr.
like

From: N. K. Sharma (Vizagapatam).

Are Baburao Patel and Baburao Pai related?
Not the way you think, but having known each
other for a number of years, we should be related

P.

men

direct

philosophical

pictures

Shantaram being
would not refuse

The

director

question, however,

ple like

by

profession, he

to direct philosophical pictures.

you would

like

is

whether discerning peoas much as you like

them

Barua's pictures.

as friends.

Why

should not Miss Padmadevi act in some good

pictures?

you mean big pictures, don't you think that one

should get a chance to do so. Chances like this
need more luck than talent. If you mean a good
picture, see "Zamana" produced by Krishin Movietone and tell me what you think of her histrionic
If

ability.

Why

is

Kanan Bala

called

Kanan Devi

Sounds like a promotion in respectability, doesn't

it?
But Devi strikes one as a bit older than Bala.
Don't you think that there is more romance in the
word 'Bala'?

From: K. Sambasivam (Kumbakonam).

Prabhat is still some way behind N.T. and Bombay
mounting, production

methods and general presentation.

really think so? Don't you see that with
every picture they are fast improving?

Do you

From: K. Koteswar Rao (Masulipatam).

From the technical point of view which is the bet"Tukaram" and
ter picture from the following: (a)
"Gopalkrishna" and "Dharati
"President",
(b)
Mata"?
Purely from the technical point of view, "President" and "Dharati Mata" are certainly better pictures.

22

don't gather

it.

create

it.

S. Umapati (Madras).
At present who is the highest paid star in India.
What is she paid and why?

From: P.

Sabita Devi claims this distinction.

nearly Rs. 3000 a month and I don't

She

is

paid

know why?

very often,
I am in the habit of seeing pictures
with the result that my eyesight has become defective.
Will you please suggest some method of seeing films
without spoiling my eyesight?

you are a married man ask your wife to see the

pictures and report the same to you. She will
certainly add colour to any black and white talkie.
In the alternative, sit far behind in an expensive
seat, in a corner to the right of the screen and see
the films turning your head slightly to the left.
This method will lessen the strain.
If

after her

appearance in "Mukti"?

Talkies, in point of technique,

From: V. Umamaheshwarudu (Cuddappah).

How do you gather news for "filmindia"

From: A. Manikaraj (Bangalore).

Why

does Prabhat prefer mythological and histoNew Theatres care only for social pic-

rical plays while

tures?

from History and mythology are

comparison with social pictures which deal with a theme and have to be given
a soul. However, Prabhat is nowadays showing

Costume

stories

easier to produce in

considerable enterprise in the field of social pictures.

From: B. K.
I

Buddha"
I

Rama Rao

hear that Prabhat

is

(Mysore).
going

in the English version"?

have also heard

so.

to

produce "Lord

PILMINDIA

December 1938

From:

From: Shanti Devi Pandey (Dacca).

I am anxious to write stories for the screen.
you kindly suggest some books on this subject?

Will

E. V.

You always

couple of recent books, namely, "How to write

a Movie" by A. L. Gale and "How to write and sell
film stories" by F. Marien, would help you a lot.
I suggest that you order the books from the New
Book Co., Hornby Road, Fort. Bombay. These are
good books and they will tell you exactly how film
writing is done.

give the photos of film stars in triof girls?

Why? Are you fond

colour.

Mahamood (Cannanore).

You seem to forget that I am a man. Any way,

didn't I make up for it by giving you the tri-colour
of Saigal in the last issue?

Why is there a cry for society girls to join the film

industry? Can you deny that some of the present
stars without being well born act very well in the
films?

From:

R. Rao (Masulipatam).

S.

Who

is

Enakshi

Rama Rau? What

Who
is

your opinion

about her?
In private life she is Mrs. Bhavnani. She is a devotee of art and has worked a lot on the screen as
an artiste. She has also taken part in amateur
theatricals. As a lady of culture and education. I
have immense respect for her efforts to serve art.
Is it

true that Shanta Apte dislikes you very

much?

denies the histrionic talent of some of the

you mean? Don't you think that an educated
society girl would have perhaps done better with
the same talent in the same role, owing to a better
understanding of the character? Besides, society
girls, would give our industry a status which it so
girls

badly needs at present.

Is

there any book dealing with the technical side

which will be useful to the layman?

of the film

suggest your reading "Films in the Making" by

Robb Lawson, a review of which appeared in the
November issue of "filmindia".
I

am

learning to think so nowadays.

Does Shanta Apte come from the renowned family

who are known to be great scholars of Sans-

of Aptes.

From: K. L. Narasimhalu (Masulipatam).

krit?

She comes from a good Brahmin family and

her father was a station master.
No.

What was Barua

before he joined the N.T.?

a prince amongst men, to-day he

the prince amongst directors. To-morrow he
might be the prince amongst producers. Don't
you know that he is the son and heir of the Raja

Till yesterday,
is

What

is

her hobb>?

Considering her numerous activities, at present,

is a difficult question to answer.

An

it

of

Gouripur?

interesting situation from "Ladies Only" a Sagar picture directed by Mr. Sarvottam Badami.

23

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25

FILMINDIA

December 1938

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diaphragm

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26

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JETPUR

KANAN
In "Vidyapati" she became a star of stars overnight.
Her lilting, melodious music
captured a million fans for her.
And now she will be seen once again in "Street
Singer" a N. T. picture.

BRAHMACHARI
Whistling of Brahmchari,

Songs

Honoured by Congress Mayor.

Unprecedented Honour

Four very notable events occurred

in

Bombay

&

Poona

in connection

the 'Royal' Jewel 'Brahmachari' of

tures,

where

it is

now running

Huns

last

with
Pic-

into the 13th

week.

The

first

Brahmach

As was expected, people began

Bombay, 28th November.

week

to

of these notable events was:

Public Debate on "Brahmachari" under

the local 'Anti-literary Autocracy League' on
Thursday the 24th inst. at 9 a.m. at the Majestic Cinema under the chairmanship of
Prof. Gajendragadker of the Elphinstone
College. Mrs. Shantabai Kashalkar, Lady
Superintendent of Municipal Schools; Prof.
R. D. Karve; Mr. Sitaram Sharma, Editor of
"Prajamitra Kesari" and Advocate Sushil
Kavalekar were the judges. As many as 48
speakers had registered their names as debators.
Four cash Prizes of the total value of
Rs. 50 were to be given to the first best Speakers.
The prizes were: Rs. 25 for the 1st
winner; Rs. 10 for the 2nd winner; Rs. 5 for
the 3rd winner; and one special prize of Rs.
10 for Lady-speakers who were also allowed
to try for the first three prizes. Principal P.
K. Atre, the author of "Brahmachari" or
Master Vinayak, the Director-hero of the
picture were to reply to the debate.
Also
these two gentlemen along with Meenakshee,
the heroine of the picture, were to attend the
debate.

This was the detailed programme of the

Debate, and seeing that there would be terrific rush for the Debate, the management of
the Majestic Cinema thought it wise to fix up
a nominal admission fee, as a means to lessen the crowd. The proceeds were announced to be given away in charity.

coil

to the theatre from as early as 7 in the nl

By 9 the crowd was so great thai
ing.
theatre management had to close the d
and nearly 4000 people had gathered id

The rush w,
and jul
President
terrific that even the
and
of the debate found it impossible to ge
entry in the theatre. Tram-bus-motor fcd
in the locality was held up for nearl'l
hour. Even the police party that arrivi

compound

of the theatre.

the theatre, on receipt of the news of

rush, found it difficult to control the crti

with the result that Mr. Vasantrao

Man

President of the organisers of the debate

at last to announce to the crowd that
debate was cancelled for the day. Still

crowd would not decrease.

Vinayak and Meenaj
arrived at the theatre. The crowd of
thousands took advantage of this and fol
their entry into the compound, some juml
over the compound aid some trying to b;f

At

this stage

the gates.

Vinayak and Meenakshi thanked!

crowd in a few words and requested J
crowd to disperse.

Vinayak and Meenakshi then foun(

impossible to have an exit from the the;
The crowd thereon carried Vinayak on t
shoulder- as they do to the captain of
winning team of cricketers or to the hig
&corer and Meenakshi had to be escortei

the organizers.

the first event of its kind in

It shows the
history of Indian films.
mense popularity of the picture "Brah
chari" and of the hero and heroine of I

This

film.

is

,akes
; Vinayak

&

Screen

Meenakshi feted by Thousands

same day at a night show Vinayak and

were publicly honoured at the
Cinema by the
Royal
Film
estic
who have purchased the pic;uit,

jnakshi

Vasantrao
Mr.
Marathe,
on beFilm
Circuit,
Royal
presentVinayak and Meenakshi with a silver tea
and Lunch-Box respectively, to which
The theatre was
j suitably responded.
vded at this function and hundreds were
ting outside to have a glimpse of their
ved stars.
of

The Function at Poona took place on

day the 27th inst. at the Prabhat Talkies
nducted by the Prabhat Film Co.) where
ahmachari" is being exhibited for the
13 weeks.
The

item of this function was the

Competition.
The competitors
whistle
two
songs
required
to
first

istling
e

"Brahmachari"
which
are
now
ig
in
almost
every
sung
house,
re were 44 entries for the competition.
Vinayakrao Patwardhan, the famous sinProf. Manohar Barve; Mr. Ghiasas, a
mophone-dealer were judges. Cash prizes
le value of Rs. 50 were given by the Royal
ti Circuit to the first three winners in the
n

being won by a
prodigy of only 12 named Sane. The se-

History
Bombay debate postponed on
Account of

Terrific

Rush.

Mr. Shitole, Poona Mayor presented to Mr.

Atre, Vinayak and Meenakshi with a silver
writing-set, silver-Gong and a silver Coffeeset respectively.
Whereupon Mr. Atre, Vinayak and Meenakshi made short speeches
and thanked the Royal Film Circuit for the
honour done to them. Even though it was a
thirteenth Sunday, the audience was as big
as on the opening day of the picture, which
means that the picture, as at Bombay, is ex-

pected to run yet for many weeks more at

Poona. As at Bombay, hundreds were standing for hours together outside the theatre to
see Vinayak and Meenakshi.

The chief judges and Press were entertained to light refreshments after the prizepresent-distribution.

At night Mr. V. R. Mehta on behalf of

Royal Film Circuit gave a rich dinner at the
Guest House in honour of Mr. Shitole, Poona
Mayor, Mr. Atre, Vinayak and Meenakshi,
judges of the competition were

invited

to

the dinner.

The dinner

nearly an hour
be very interesting
as it enabled the diners to have a free exchange of views on the film industry.
lasted

and a half and proved

for

to

ipetition, the first prize

prize

was won by the famous

ballad-

the function.

ger Afale.

The

prize-distribution

ceremony

took

ce during the interval at the matinee-show

same day under the presidency o F Mr.

the newly elected Mayor of Poona.

Atre, Vinayak, and Meenakshi attended
function.
On behalf of the Royal Film
cuit, Mr. Vasantrao Marathe made a short
ech and on behalf of Roval Film Circuit

itole,
.

Mr. V. R. Mehta, of the Royal Film Circuit, had specially gone to Poona to attend

The debate and competition have created the greatest possible sensation in the two
cities about "Brahmachari".

No other picture, (than "Brahmachari")

and no other stars (than Vinayak and Meenakshi) have been yet fortunate to be thus
honoured and to deserve the honour.
Advt.

MADHURI
This talented Ranjit Star gives another sparkling performance in "The Secretary"
now running at the West End Talkies, Bombay.

Blazing

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Notes and
"THE DRUM" ECHO!

News
How

"The Drum" has been muffled.

The Government of Bombay in
response to "filmindia's" agitation
has excised a total of 1300 feet of
the offensive portions and thus
deadened the rattle and noise of
anti-Indian picture.
That
this
should teach Alexander Korda and
producers a lesson
other foreign
and they ought to think twice before producing another anti-Indian

easy

this

film

is

to

produce such

Let us wait and see, what comes

next!

"GUNGA DIN"
Mr. K. A. Abbas of the "Bombay
Chronicle" writing
from Hollywood is wondering, "why a friendly people like the Americans should
go out of their way to represent In-

Government
picture. The Bengal
has banned the picture straightaway. The Government of Madras
has followed in the footsteps of
Bombay.

it

pictures at the expense of India?

WEDDING BELLS!

critic

when he

discovers

Suraj-ul-Dowlah has thrown

dungeon with 145 others. He
rescues her and there is a great
battle, which the English win easiAfter the battle there

is

show down and Suraj-ud-Dowlah's

Re: The Relief
head is cut off".
of Lucknow: "Sir Colin Campbell
Imagine
loves Jessie MacDonald.
his feelings

when he

discovers that

she has been besieged

by mutinous natives.
before the battle Sir
trates the native lines
the natives' cartridges

Lucknow
The night

in

Colin peneand greases

with Cow's

a great battle which

the English win easily. After the
show down and
battle there is a
the native leader's head is cut off."

fat.

There

is

The film department of the ItaGovernment propose to purchase and handle all films in Italy,
including foreign films. Such films

lian

would be bought at a

flat rate, ir-

in

an

The department now awaits the

cinema van given as
by the Carnegie Corporation.
The van is complete with the latest
a

two

that
her

the

arrival of a

Mr. Homi C. Naterwalla, a partner

of Evergreen Pictures was married
to Miss Katy Kapadia on Saturday
the 12th November at the Albless
Baug. A large gathering of distinguished guests graced the occasion.

in a

ly.

compromise is reached with

Italian Government.

in Ceylon schools.

comments

pictures as follows: "Re: The Black

Hole of Calcutta" Robert Clive is
in love with the daughter of the
Governor of Calcutta. Imagine his
feelings

additional means of instruction. A

proposal to this effect is now being considered by the educational
authorities
in
Ceylon. In the
event of the proposition being taken up, the Director of Education
Will make the
necessary recommendations to the teachers as to
the best type of films to be used

But foreigners learn their lessons

Hollywood has set about
producing some more anti -Indian
to
India is good news
pictures.
foreigners
and anti-Indian
the
themes promise good returns. Some
of the pictures under production
are as follows: "The Rains Came"
an anti-Indian book written by
Louis Bromfield, "The Black Hole
and "The Relief or
of Calcutta"
a
Russell Ferguson,
Lucknow".
stories of the last

Paramount are closing down their

offices and studios in Italy on December 31, unless a last minute

Films will probably be used

Ceylon schools before long as

slowly.

foremost English

AMERICANS?

CEYLON SHOWS THE WAY!

is

SOME MORE PICTURES!

on the film

vs.

Four big American film companies M.G.M., Fox., Warners,

and

respective of the actual cost

of
production. The American produtheir
cers would not like to lose
profits and they are closing down.

The original footage of

was 9079 feet, and the

revised version after the excision

only 7455 feet.

ITALIANS

O'ift

projector and wireless sets.

With
the
introduction
of
films
in
schools, the Education Department
will establish a film
library and
films will be either lent or hired
out.

Don't you think that India needs

something like this in our schools'.'
It is a job for our provincial Educational authorities.

dians in an outrageous fashion on

the screen. I think I know the
reason why. The technical direca scandaltor, on "Gunga Din"
ously anti-Indian picture, which I
saw under production, Is a retired

Army

"recommended" by
at WashingA little American boy who
ton.
thought 1 was a fakir and have
Officer

the British Embassy

seven wives has been educated into such beliefs by the subtle propaganda of British Imperialism".
So,

Din"

now you know what "Gunga

is

going to be.

27085

PROJECTORS IN SCHOOLS!

According to the latest report of

the Federal Department for Visual
Instruction, Germany, during
the
last four years ending 30th
June
projectors have
1938, 27085, 16
been supplied to the schools, viz..
26753 projectors to primary, junior,
high and trade schools: 250 to vaincluding training
rious colleges
colleges for the teachers and 82 to
the German schools in foreign
countries. During the same period
1,61,570 educational films with
a

mm

33

FILM INDIA

December 1938

footage of 6,00,03,76,750 have been

placed at the disposal of the edu-

well as insuring the preservation

of the films themselves.
It also

cational institutions for exhibition.

According to the latest official census about 50 per cent educational
institutions are equipped with projectors during a short period of 4
Which means that 50 per
years.
cent more can still be equipped.

marks the

And now you know why Germans

and why Hitler threat-

love Hitler

realisation of the great

international importance of the
film as a record of contemporary

A GIFT OF 5,000

times.

The following

To meet the cost of establishing

a central film library in Glasgow,
Scotland, the Carnegie Trust has
offered the sum of 5,000 to the
British Film Institute. The
grant
will be spread over three years and
the activities of the new library
will cover the whole of Scotland.

bearers have
been elected for the 1st year:
office

John

President:

Abbot (New

E.

York)

ens the world.

Frank

Vice-President:

Our Education Ministers should

study these figures and blush.

One would like to know what are

the national guardians doing about
it, if they cannot save us from this
foreign invasion?

Hensel

(Berlin)

Treasurer: Miss Olwen

Vaughan

FROM HINDI INTO ANY

(London)

AN INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTION ..
A new international

Franju

organisation
International Federation of Film Archives has been
formed in England under the auspices of the following institutions:
The National Film Library of the
called the

British Film

Institute,

London;

The Reichsfilm Archive, Berlin;

The Museum of Modern Art Film
Library, New York, and the Cinematheque Francaise, Paris.

The

first

New York

congress will be held in

August 1939.
The
need for such an organisation was
felt with an idea
to co-ordinate
and facilitate the work being carried on by the individual bodies in
their own countries and the Fedein

ration came into

existence now
that they have decided to co-operate with one another.

The central offices of the Federation will be in the Palais Royal

in Paris.
This central office will
act as a clearing house between
the members and will serve as a
source of information for any other
film archives not yet members of
the Federation.
This International Federation of
Archives marks the
first
great step forward in the task of
preserving the important films of
the world. As a result of this close
co-operation between the existing
organisations, the work of preserving for posterity this valuable new
type of social and historical documents will be greatly facilitated.
It will make possible the easier exchange of books, printed matter,
still photographs,
scenarios
and
other material pertinent to the kliicma throughout the world, as

Film

54

LANGUAGE!

Executive Secretary: M. Georges

Mr. K. H. Frank who has synchronised

"The
Cheat"
from
French into English is a phonetics
and technical expert and promises
to turn any good foreign film into
English with perfect confidence,

(Paris).

When will India become a member of this Federation? Not till we

have a dictator a real one. mind
you!

for its success.

MENACE SLOW BUT

SURE!

He has evolved a new method of

own and in consequence has

Foreigners have built another

splendid theatre in Calcutta (India). It is called the "Lighthouse"
and is owned by Humayun Associated Theatres Ltd.
The
cinema
has seating capacity of 1500 and
typifies everything that is modern
and progressive in theatre architecture and equipment.

his

synchronised from almost every

European language
into
every
other, including Hungarian,
Rumanian, Czechoslovakian, Danish,
Polish, French, German and English.

The method now known as Unity

Films' synchronisation system, does
not need a knowledge of the lan-

With the two Metros, at Bombay

and at Calcutta, "The Lighthouse"
becomes the third big theatre own-

but an intera study of phonetics and

lip reading and real actors to take
the spoken parts.
The speaker
must play the part all over again,
but he must do it in time with the

guage concerned,
preter,

ed by foreigners.
In addition to
persists in the

this, a
rumour
town that the Me-

film

tros will soon be

securing the
"Eros" in the city and this will incidentally be the first step to se-

cure a chain of 300 theatres all

over India to fortify foreign interests in our country.

* GOD

creates

itself.

The language which Mr. Frank

must now add to his collection is
Hindi, provided some enterprising
producer on our side takes the

MEN
We make them GENTLEMEN

For your next

We

guarantee

Largest Stochisis of

Pay

>o give

all

us a

ini-

tiative.

tailorirg

you complete
and you

will

to us.

satisfaction,

kinds of Silks, Cottons,

visit,

come

and a perfect FIT.

Palm Peach and Woolen Coeds.

always

COME TO

US.

DCHBAY CLOTH AGENCY LIMITED.

High
5,

Class

Tailors

and

Outfitters

Pathar Building. Near Jackeria Musjid, Bo-nbay-3

Phone No.

25973

THE ULTIMATE CHOICE OF THE DISCRIMINATING PEOPLE

FILMINDIA

December 1938

EXHIBITION FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS!

The Photographic Society

Society.

of In-

which is affiliated to the Royal

Photographic Society of Great Briheadquarters
tain, and having its
PheSir
at Meherwan Building,
rozesha Mehta Road. Fort, Bombay, proposes to hold in the near
future an Exhibition of photographs open to professionals only

dia,

in

Bombay.

With an idea

to

Bombay,

give

splendid

promise of an early advent of films

make

successful as
as
a
possible, the Society has issued
pertinent circular to all asking for
their ideas of making the exhibirepresentative.
thoroughly
tion

this exhibition

With Mr. Sultan Chinoy the popular Mayor of Bombay as the Preit is hardly
necessary to mention that the proposed exhibition is going to be a

sident of the Society

big success.

VISUAL EDUCATION SOCIETY!

At the instance of the Visual
Education Society, Bombay, a resolution was passed at the Bombay
Teachers'
Secondary
Presidency
Conference, held on the 17th October at Surat, requesting the Government to give special and adequate grants to recognised schoois
to enable them to purchase visual
instruction apparatus. A committee
composed of Prof. D. R. Gadgil,
N. G. Naralkar and Mr. S.
Shukla with powers to co-opt
was authorised to evolve a practiol
cal and comprehensive scheme
visual instruction and to make a
representation to the Prime Minister and Minister of Education of
the Bombay Government.

in education.

MOTION PICTURE SOCIET1

on a film employment agency to

Mr. Syed Razal Shah an Indian silk
merchant in London on the ground
that Mr. Shah was an unsuitable
person to hold

OF INDIA:
The Society

Two London

it.

Police Courts decid-

Shah but the

Indian was not to be beaten so
easily and he filed an appeal.

looking out for a

to grace its
chair of the President. The men
in discussion are: Sir Cowasji Jehangir. Bart., Sir Chimanlal Setalvad, Kt., and Sir Rahimtullah Chinoy Kt.

ed against Mr. Fazal

At a meeting of the Executive

Committee, Rai Saheb Chuni Lall
pointed out an injustice done by
the Bombay Board of Film Censors
to the film trade representatives on
the Board by denying to them the
sitting
on the subprivilege of
committees appointed for the purThe
pose of re-examining films.

license.

Society decided to bring this matter to the notice of the Home Minister to the Government of Bombay.

With effect from the 18th October 1938, the Government of Madras
has
appointed
the
following
members on the Madras Board of Film Censors.
1.
The Commissioner of Police (exofficio); 2. The Station Staff Officer, Fort St.
George (ex-officio)
3. Mr. S. E. Ranganathan, 4. Mrs.
M. N. ClubwaUa, 5. Mr. J. Nuttal,
6. Mr. B. Pocker. 7.
Mr. P. Sambanda Mudaliar. 8. Srimathi V. M.

is

prominent personality

At another meeting, the Society

decided to drop the idea of celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the
Indian film industry, which is rather unfortunate.

AN INDIAN WINS AN APPEAL!

The London County Council refused to grant a license to carry

The

result

was that the Magis-

trate in appeal allowed the appeal

London

and directed the

County

Council to grant Mr. Fazal Shah a

One would

like

to

know

what

exactly actuated the London County Council to refuse the license to

Mr. Shah! Was it due to his colour and nationality?

NEW CENSOR BOARD FOR

MADRAS

Kothanayaki Ammal,

Mr.

9.

K.

Prof.
C.

At the conference, the Visual

Education Society displayed various magazines and distributed useful literature dealing with the im-

SPECIAL OFFER
To Cinema Houses and
Studios without any middleman's profit.

MYSORE
LAMPS

Write to us giving your

approximate annual requirement.

By return mail
get

portance of films in education and

exhibited several foreign films produced for educational purposes.

Concluding a very

will

&

AGRICULTURAL

ENGINEERING CO.
NO.

Let us not degene-

rate into mere "Visual Entertainment", instead, try to raise it to

the status of "Visual Learning".

you

surprise.

THE INDUSTRIAL

illuminating

presidential address on visual insNaralkar said "I

truction Prof.
may offer one note of caution.
Please remember the words "Visual

Education".

insisron

GJ

MYSORE
*N

TE :D

for

1,000

better light

9.

FORBES STREET. FORT.

BOMBAY.

2>W:

|HOUR5'

AVERAGE USEFUL

LIFE

25740.

ALSO AT

BANGALORE,

HYDERABAD

AND

CAWNPORE

It is a pleasure to note that the

activities of the Visual Education

35

-N

Srinivasan.

Khan,

11.

10.

December -1938

Mr. Abdul

Hameed

Dr. U. Krishna Rao,

12.

Mr. U. Ramappa, 13. Mr. M. Krishna Menon. 14. Mr. C. Sambaslva

Narayanamurthi
Rao, 15. Mr. N.
and 16. Mr. S. A. Shaffee Muha-

med.

AMATEUR CINE SOCIETY OF

ed several stitches.

INDIA!

Under the excellent guidance of

Mr. S. Jepson, the Amateur Cine
Society is keeping the city amateurs on the tip toes of interested
expectation from month to month.
The month's meetings held at the

showrooms once again

proved popular and the crowds enjoyed the talks and discussion on
the taking and projection of colour
B.E.S.T.

films provided

by

Messrs.

A car driven by John Cavas,

hero of the film "Jungle King" and
carrying Pramilla,
Mr.
Ghadiali
and another suddenly hit a tree
and overturned. The occupants
were thrown out and badly shaken.
Miss Pramilla's nose was badly injured, while
Mr. Ghadiali's wrist
was broken. John Cavas has earning.

Kodak

Ltd.

On

the 16th November Mr. Ezra

famous director and producer gave a very interesting lec"Some Production Proture on
Mr. Mir's lecture proved
blems".
one continuous entertainment in
addition to its being a medium of
Mir, the

useful instruction.

While wishing the injured a

speedy recovery, we hope people
will learn to be more careful
in
future.
If some one dies in such
accidents, the responsibility of the
producers is great under the Fatal
Accidents Act.

Novembaa?>m Bombay, it was decided to convene a Motion Picture

Congress to celebrate the Silver
Jubilee of the Indian Film Industry.

A Reception Committee of prominent

film
personalities
was
formed with Mr. Chandulal J. Shah
as the Chairman.
The Indian Motion Picture Con-

NOW AN AMERICAN!
Luise Rainer, the Austrian born
who won twice the Academy
medal for her excellent work In
"Ziegfeld Follies" and "The Good
Earth" has been admitted to the
citizenship of the United States.
star

gress

is

expected to be held in the

week of March at Bombay

and an influential Executive Committee of the following persons was
2nd

appointed to prepare the plans of

the celebrations: 1. Mr. Chandulal
Shah (Chairman); 2. Mr. M. A. Fazalbhoy; 3. Mr. Chimanlal Desai;
4. Mr. J. B. H. Wadia; 5. Mr. Y. A.
Fazalbhoy; 6. Mr. Baburao Pai; 7.
Rai Saheb Chuni Lall; 8. Mr. Kevalchand Mehta (Hon. Treasurer)
9. Mr. K. S. Hirlekar (Jt. Hon. Secretary); 10. Mr. Baburao Patel (Jt.

Hon. Secretary).

INDIAN MOTION PICTURE

CONGRESS!
At a largely attended meeting of
on the 20th

local film personalities

The meeting decided to invite

the Hon. Mr. S. Satyamurti, M.L.A.
(Central) to preside over thr Congress.

HIS LAST LAUGH!

Film comedy, is the poorer by
the passing of Robert Woolsey who
was for years the partner of Bert
Wheeler. He died at Malibu Beach,
California on November 1st.

SABITA IN MOURNING!
Mr. Percy Osborne Gasper,

fa-

ther of the famous film star Sabita Devi, died at 9 p.m. on 29th
October 1938 at Bombay. The late
Mr. Gasper was ailing for a long
time, nevertheless
his
sudden
death came as a great shock to
the numerous friends of the family.
Our heart goes out in deep
sympathy to Sabita Devi and her
dear mother in their irreparable
loss.

PR AMI LL A IN ACCIDENT!
An accident which fortunately
did not leave tragedy behind took
place on the 13th November 1938.
A shooting unit of Wadia Movietone under the
direction of Mr.

Ghadiali

was

Ghodbunder

returning

from

after the day's shoot-

On

Miss Jamuna.

the 7th November Mr. Barua and

autographed

for

famous screen

an exclusive photo, specially

"filmindia", when they landed at Bombay.

celebrities returned to India.

Here

is

"Round the town

J
|

learns that

Producers:

New Theatres

Ltd.; Di-

ther's

Radha

when

illegitimate

is

|
j

maintaining, at the

Indira

j
J

and

rection: P. C. Barua; Photography:

Atul
Yusuf Mulji; Recording:
Chatterjee; Dialogues: A. H. Shore;

in consequence Indira forfeits her

entire property to
Radha.
The
acquisition
of
wealth
leaves

Songs: Arju and Raschid; Music:

Timir Baran; Cast: Jamuna; Menaka, Barua, Pahari, Pankaj Mullick, Jagdish Sethi etc. Released at

Radha

Roxy Cinema,

Bombay.

Date of

Release: 21st October 1938.

It is a page from life.
Imagination and melodrama make it
convincing.
An unusually high
conception of the subject makes
the picture unintelligible at places
for the common folks.
Something
on the level with the mentality of
the masses was badly required to
secure the popular vote. Even the
music is not popular as is usual
in the pictures of New Theatres.

The

Story: Nikhilesh

and Indira

are rich.
Brought up in the lap
of luxury, they
have been close
playmates under the watchful eye
of Ambikaprasad the solicitor who
takes up the responsibility from
their dead parents. Both love each
other and they
are soon to
bp
married. Far from the luxury of
the aristocrats and in the slums
of the city lives Radha, an orphan,
who yearns for luxury and riches.
She has friends in Behari
and
Ratan. Behari is a radio artiste
while Ratan is a poor clerk in the

Ambikaprasad.
Events
move fast and Radha meets Inof

office

when Radha claims half of

Indira's wealth claiming herself to
be the sister of Indira. Preposterdira,

ous though the claim is considered, Indira chooses to give Radha

a chance to prove her
statement
and Radha is soon installed in
luxury and riches. And now begins the drama the theme which
the writer wants to tell the world.
The slum child makes things difEvery minute
ficult for everyone.
there is a compromise between Nikhilesh and Indira and their lovo
goes through an acid test. Radha's
Nipassionate advances towards

This opens her

eyes, and once again Radha and
Ratan meet to express a love which
was born in silence and poverty.
Indira finds
Nikhilesh still
the
same ardent lover.
Acting: Jamuna as Indira gives
marvellous performance.
Her
poise is admirable, while her dialogue deserve the highest praise.
Menaka as the slum girl convinces
and succeeds in irritating the
audience, the effect that is intended. Barua as Nikhilesh is his usual
best.
Pahari as Ratan tried well,
but he is becoming too fat for tha

He sang well, but his music

lacked a thrill.
Pankaj
Mullick
as the radio artiste sang well, but
looked awful and nervous to shoot
him in close-ups is a sad mistake.
Jagdish as the solicitor was superb,
though at places he was used as

slapstick

material.

Production: Beautifully directed,

the picture provides a treat for the
intellectuals.
The dialogues are
beautiful but the composition
or
the songs is not particularly brilliant.
Photography and recording
leave little to be desired. The sets
are suitable and superb. The songs
were not popularly tuned.
The
Bali tune of the song sung by Jamuna is pleasant to hear.

As a contribution to the art of

picture production, the picture is
a pride, but as an
entertainment
the subject is treated from
an
angle not easily understood by the
masses. Barua mustn't forget that
people must see the
picture
to
make it worthwhile for the producers.

khilesh

The

rua's

of the

direction

commands

respect.

both

to

j
\

and

same
}

time,

the

casual

interest

of

readers in general.)

"ASHA"
Producers: Film
Corporation
of
India
Directors:
Parry Davies

and

Ran jit

Sen

Photography:

and Melhotra
Recording: Modhu Sil and Nigam
Dialogues and Songs:
Bhagavati
Charan Varma
Music: Bikram
Chowdhary
Released at Royal
Opera House, Bombay
Date of

P. D. Brierley

Release: 16th October 1938.

screen.

Points of Appeal: The treatment

theme is thought provoking.
Jamuna's work is eloquent while
the technical standard achieved is
worth a careful observation. Ba-

are summarily rejected.

whole story rushes forward to

friendless.

published
are use-

the average
the exhibitor.
Several
technical
aspects which are of importance to the exhibitor
in his bookings have been
treated here
in
short,

truly her fa-

daughter

this section

cine-goer

one grand climax,

reviews

under
ful

"ADHIKAR"

(The

The way the producers boomed

this picture people

thought that
they were going to bring down the
skies.
Plenty of tall talk during
production makes the result more
disappointing.
It is
painful
to
think that big money has
gone
west in producing this
picture
which can only be called utterly
useless from every
point of view
remembering that our people have
been in this
production business
for 25 years.

Story: Mohan
the hero of the
story has aeronautical
ambitions.

His father had died in an air accident and his mother would not allow Mohan to fly. But she is ulti-

mately persuaded to permit him to

work as a ground engineer in a
commercial air service.
Unhealthy competition with another com-

pany of crooks leads to events of

sabotage and Mohan has soon to
resign from his job with a suspicion over his head. Asha the prodaughter while loving Mohan, disbelieves in his guilt. The
traitors are however soon discovered and Mohan once again becomes
a general favourite and of course
the hero.

prietor's

Acting:

Vijayakumar as Mohan
far from satisfactory.
His constantly sad expression makes him
is

39

FILMINDIA

December 1988

look like an unwilling martyr even

in a few romantic interludes between the heroine and himself.
Kamlesh Kumari as Asha looks
The cameramen have
hideous.
not been kind to her. The perhad acquired
sonality which she
at the New Theatres has been entirely

dissipated.

She has

how-

ever tried her best to act well unthe circumstances.

der
Purna
Chowdhury as Jairaj, the pilot is
not bad. Deb Bala as the mother
R. P. Kapoor does
is good.
not
Aruna Devi as Prabha
convince.
the wife of Jairaj is good in parts.
The less said about the rest, the
better.

Production:
amateurish.
puerile.

And
The

The
The

continuity

Is

treatment

is

the

story lacks
a
direction is too poor

motive.
to deserve any mention. Photography and recording are careless and
indifferent.
The music is a farce.
The dialogues are unnecessarily
awkward. The songs are badly
composed. The only relieving features in the whole mess are some
aeroplane sequences.

One would like to know what

were Messrs. Parry-Davies and Brierly brought to India for if
they

Glaring at each other like! Well,

40

didn't

know

their job.

ous that what they

knowing.
ly worth

It is obvi-

know

is

hard-

Even a third
rate Indian director or a cameraman would have given better results.

In 'Hari Kirtan" a supplementary

feature with the main picture, the
producers have again given an exhibition of their mistake in estimating the public demand.
"Hari
Kirtan" sounds like an "AlkaSeltzer"
advertisement
the
of
Almighty.
Points of Appeal:
Those rich
young men who entertain ambitions in film production should see
this picture to know what a mess
money can buy without the requisite practical
training in picture
production. As an entertainment,
the whole affair is disgustingly

amusing.

Sankatha and

others.
Released
Imperial
Cinema, Bombay.
Date of Release: 5th Nov. 1938.
at:

Stretched and slapstick in parts,

this picture is nevertheless a good

entertainment for everyone. The

subject of the story being a bit unusual, it supplies that element of
novelty which contributes to
the

box

office.

Next time you look at a

good looking one
don't forget that even to him roStory:

postman

mance

can't be denied.
Shishir
the only son of a once-rich father
has to take up work as a postman
the necessities of life.
to meet
This he does under persuasion of
his mother and of
a friend, but
not without expressing his burning
desire to possess a motor car of
The motor car
his own someday.
has become the ruling obsession of

Producers: Sagar Movietone

rectors:

Di-

Mahendra

Zia Sarhady

Thakore and
Photography: Raj-

nikant Pandya
Recording: Patil
Story, Dialogue and Songs: Zia
Sarhady
Music: Anil Biswas

Cast:

well,

Kumar, Bibbo, Maya, Yakub,

they are stars!

and even in his rounds as

a postman, any street motor
car
would help him to deliver the letters to the wrong people, till one
his life

"POSTMAN"

day he
letter

loses

and

an expensive insured

finds himself doing

term in jail. And there he meets

Vinod the son of a rich father,
paying off his own debt to society
for kidnapping a girl. With Vinod

Bibbo and Sabita in "Ladies Only" a Sagar picture.

FILMINDIA

December 1938
every other girl except his sister
was a sweet obsession. Possessed
with the idea that all girls should
fall for him he passionately desires
Sushila, a friend of his own sisSushila however hates
ter Uma.
him and loves Harish. In the jail
Vinod and Shishir arrive at a compact to work together when they
go out Shishir to get his motor
car and Vinod to win Sushila. Shishir soon becomes
an innocent
pawn in the hands of the crooked
Vinod and through numerous escapades and revolver shots,
the
drama reaches one grand climax
when inspite of a hundred motor
cars Shishir accepts Uma without
a car. The picture is one continuous fun punctuated at places with
crime and thrills.

Acting:

Kumar

as Shishir
the
postman looks a darling and gives
a popular performance. His expression of innocent stupidity suits
his face well and a few more roles
in this strain may be useful
to
some producer to put over a boxoffice picture. Maya as Uma Is refreshing.
She is lively and dyna-

mic and straightaway wins the sympathy of the audience. Yakub is

at his usual best as the villain of

Sankatha, somehow,
did not please. One can 'see' when
he speaks, the way his mouth helps

the

piece.

assume an ugly face contortion.

His dialogues are however well delivered though in a slightly stagy
manner. His work is sincere. Harish is a disappointment.
Bibbo
and Harish were badly mis-cast.
Bibbo looks more like Harish's mother than his sweetheart, Bibbo's
songs were not pleasing. In fact,
Bibbo and Harish were not at all
necessarv in the picture, the story
could have become better without
them. Sunalini Devi has given
good work, particularly so in the
lunatic asylum.
to

Production: The continuity, esparts, calls

pecially in the early
Several situations
for more care.
cou'd have been made to look more
natural if imagination had been
exercised a bit. The sound recording is not so satisfactory, particularly of songs sung by Bibbo. Pho-

tography

is

tolerably good

though

not up to the usual Sagar standard.

Some of the camera angles

enterprising and
however,
are,
praiseworthy. The tunes were trite
and only one song sung by the
music director himself is pleasing.
The dialogues are pretty good, but
the song composition is common.

cidents

become exciting when Ra-

mila undertakes to

manage

her

And now the

father's business.
father dies suddenly and Anil who
also loves Ramila decides to tame
the shrew in her. Conspiring with
the family solicitor Anil arranges

Considering that the picture Is

mainly designed for light entertainment, several small errors can
be excused. Two juniors have directed this picture and keeping in
mind that this is their first attempt, their work should be considered as promising and painstaking.
They certainly deserve sormmore chances.

to cut the girl with the proverbial

penny, and Ramila finds herself in
exactly a reverse position by be-

Points of Appeal: The motive o*

the subject is fresh and the treatment being light, it entertains and
keeps on doing so till the end. Kumar's stupidly innocent role and
Maya's coy magnetism are features
that attract attention.

plications

coming the personal secretary to

Anil who has apparently inherited
the old man's fortune. And now
through a

riot of

humorous

situa-

travels to
throw
into the arms of Anil.

tions the story

Ramila

There are numerous small com-

"THE SECRETARY
Producers:

Ran jit

Di Pho-

Movietone

Story: Gunvantrai Acharya

rection: Chaturbbuj Doshi

Recording: P. C. Subedar and Thakorbhai

Patel Music: Jnan Dutt DiaRamayye Songs:
logues:
R.
Santoshi Cast: Madhuri, Trilok,

tography: G. G. Gogtay

this

make

teresting.

Acting:

West End Cinema, Bombay. Date

September 1938.

of Release: 22nd

The

picture

is

planned

to provide

light entertainment. Slapstick

and

nonsense, two elements of humour

are cleverly used, to achieve this
end. Had the producers made the

tempo

faster by some drastic editing in the early reels, the picture

would have gathered more

Story:

Ramila

is

interest.

modern Eu-

rope returned product of a doting

fashioned rich father.
The
father has an enterprising secretary in Anil. Some humorous siof
tuations created by the clash
the old order with the new spirit
the
of the West very soon make
old

an interesting proposition.
Ramila falls in love with Anil but

Madhuri
The role

Wahidan
Rajkumari
is

Production:

The

direction,

though not particularly brilliant is

still good enough.
For a second
picture, the effort shows improvement. Gogtay 's photography
has
improved a lot.
The laboratory
work was not happy at places. The
recording is good. Music proves
popular. Dialogues are
common
while the songs are poor stuff in
composition.
The inclusion
of
Anglo-Indian and foreign girls in
dances is to be deplored. To encourage these people is to deny to
our people the chance of earning

however poor. These producers with nationalistic leanings

a

living,

are least

expected to

encourage

this aspect of the industry.

The

slapstick

Charlie

becomes

Points of Appeal:

performance of

a crook by the name of Prince Roy

creates several complications with

tainment;

dog. In-

is

hardly useful as a screen artiste.

immediately popular.

little

Ramila

suits

also sings
beautifully.
Y. Harroll
is well used.

story

the help of Ramila's

as

her very
well.
Charlie creates many
a
laugh. Begg did not impress. His
poise was unnatural and his performance in this picture hardly
gives any promise for the future.
Kalyani sings a song well while
excellent.

S.

Charlie, Begg, Kalyani, Rajkumari.

Wahidan and others. Released at:

woven into the carpet of

screen
romance, but they
the picture all the more in-

is

Good music

another point and there

simple

is

enter-

and harmless

with a capital "E".

41

The All Important

Scissor

By Ezra Mir
He has been a popular director
\[Mr. Ezra Mir hardly needs any introduction.
find some of his outstanding successes like "Zarina" and "Nur Jehan" have
left behind pleasant memories of beautiful technique and superb pictorial art.
To-day Mir is a producer, but not in the sense some others are.
He is still
Mir's next is "Sitara" a Gipsy
the sincere workman on the studio floors.
Mir himself is an artist with the
tale which he is directing and producing.
ll-important scissor and when he talks of editing others must listen. Ed.]

Editing is the basic root and

foundation of film craft. Just as
the heart is to the human body so
Film-editing to the Motion PicIt is the pulse
ture Production.
;at of screen composition. Authors
masterpieces
choose
literary
)f
/ords and situations
character and feeling.

to

The

create
sculp-

moulds his masterpieces from

Ijunks of clay. So the Film Editor
Iwith his thousands of feet of di>r

action in celluloid form,

moulds his composition and by
and
placing his strips of action
dialogue in such a manner in re-

versified

lation to one another that he imparts the breath of life by creat<

feeling to
ing character and
series of photographed actions.

In the hands of a clever Editor

the scissors assume fantastic proportions^ lifting film Artistes
to
fame and glory, hurling others to
their doom.
How many sighs of
deep regret and chagrin, abuses
and epithets of all manner and
description are hurled at that all-

important

scissor.

ed!

The Cameraman groans

"Gosh!

took hours to tlx the light on that

set and it's not there it's cruel!"
The Dialogue Writer sighs "Oh!
where! Oh! where are the results
Nights and
of my brain child?
weeks I have slogged and slaved
to create those beautiful words."
The Story Writer cries "That's not
the story I wrote! Where is that
beautiful prose? Where is the gem
of my literary masterpiece?" The
Setting Master screams "To think
I have taken all
the trouble to
erect that setting It's scandalous!
Only the Film
It's preposterous!"
Editor shakes his head sadly and
says "It'd to be! friends, it had to
be!"

The

editing

thousands of

of
feet

a picture with
of

Forms

of editing vary according

and its treattempo and montage. In

to the type of story

ment,

its

America Film Editing

paid and specialised

by

is

a highly

art

handled

men and sometimes by women

whose long and varied experience

in this phase of the industry has
imbued them with an intuitive
and dramatic sense of balance
and rythm, judgment, and tempo
by clever manipulation of his scissors. The
brains of these
individuals
are
saturated with the principles and
to interpret his art

is known in film
as
'Screen Sense' the
result of years of practical expe-

essentials

language

which

EZRA MIR
charming gentleman of the
film industry is an international
personality,
having worked
in
Hollywood, in England and India.
This

to being a director,
editor and producer, he is also a
story writer.
"Daughter of India"
which will be shortly produced by
the British National Movietone, is

In addition

written by Mr. Ezra Mir.

rience.

Artiste moans "I am ruinMy best scenes are cut off!"

The

action photographed
on celluloid
is like composing a beautiful poem
or a literary master-piece, or like
the sculptor moulding his statue
out of a work of art so does the
Film Editor mould his picture
from the many thousands of picaction
torial
into
a
composite
whole to interpret the story of
the author.

diversified

Many
America

of the leading directors In

risen from
to-day have

the ranks of Film Editors because

these men through years of toil
and practice in editing scores of
pictures in the cutting rooms have
mastered the fundamentals
of
audience, appeal and the continuity of rythm and
balance in
moulding screen dramas.

HE CUTS AND CREATES

To the world at large, the Film
Editor is an unheralded individual
who does not receive the glamour
of his brother
associates in
the
industry. But to those in the industry the Film Editor is one of
the most important individuals
who is really known as the "Silent doctor" of the screen because
in his hands often rests the success of many a weak film. By cle-

ver manipulation of
his
scissors
he can give added life feeling to
his plays and can
create situations, superseded even
by those
written by scenario writer and shot
by the director.

In America, from the day a new

goes into production the Director and the Film Editor become
inseparables.
Because
in
the
hands of the Film Editor rests the
final expression of
the director's
ideas.
Thus it will be seen that
with his own knowledge to back
him, the Film Editor, by working
on so many productions and associating with a variety of directors
and ambuing their ideas and viewpoints has schooled himself to
such a point that when the time
comes for him to take his place as
the director he is fully prepared
film

(Continued on page 48)

45

!!

progiamme Jor One And All

9s

fjere

HEAR
The Heart beats of The City
F

Directed by

SEE

BARUA
who gave you
P. C.

"devdas"

M usic by
TIMIR BARAN
:

Sjt.

Starring

The SONG q{ the SLUM

A WOMAN Fighting Her Way to Life and
IN
MEW THEATRES JLTO.'is Eatessl

till W\\ R
DRAWING CROWDS AT

THE ROXY

* JAMUNA

BARUA
SANYAL

P.
P.

Love

New Queen's Road,

MENAKA
PUNKAJ MULLIK
JAGDEESH etc.,

Released through:

KAPURCHAND

LTD.,

New

BOMBAY

Queen's Road, Bombay

Qffitk ike speed of a ^R.oc/cei!

Lomes INDRA MOVIETONE'S
Thundering Stunt Drama

eer Kesari
"A"

MARTER

With a galaxy of
headed by:

Stars,

BABURAO PAHELWAN, PUSHPA RANI,

SHAH

IN

DHIRAJ
NISSAR

SUNDER

%r

bookings

Lamington

apply

Rd.,

BOMBAY.

JEHAN,

SHAMSHAD.

'

Beadon

L A L

SINGH.

CHANDANMULL INDEAKUMAE
Rd.,

LAHORE.

3,

Synagogue

St.,

L,

AHMED,

CALCUTTA & BANGALORE

reports regarding this picture are

Studio Close- Ups

very encouraging and already the

Provincial rights of the same have
been disposed off.

MINERVA MOVIETONE:
RANJIT MOVIETONE:

the leading role with Meera,

"The Secretary" a light comedy

directed by Mr. Chaturbhuj Doshi
is still running at the West End

and Renuka. The picture is expected on the screen sometime in

The picture

Talkies.

come

that

will

one
is called "Professor Waman M.Sc",
and is directed by Manibhai Vyas,
who is reported to have given very
good directorial, considering that
this

to the screen after this

his very first picture.

is

Director Jayant
Desai is
fast
nearing the end of "Sant Tulsidas", while Mr. Chandulal Shah is
shooting "Achhoot"
whenever he
gets time from the numerous activities.
Director Kardar's
social
picture will take
only a month
more for completion. With Kumar
and Madhuri in the cast, this picture is likely to be
another box-

Mr. Chaturbhuj Doshi

will take up a new subject sometime in the second week of December.
office

hit.

SAGAR MOVIETONE:
The remarkable success which
the "Postman" met with at the
Imperial Cinema when it was released proved to those experts who
always look suspiciously at a picture, that people take to what they
like rather than being served
by
the producers. "The Postman" has
proved a surprising box-office hit
for the Sagar studio.
At

studios Director Mehboob's social picture Is proceeding

fast
towards
conclusion,
while
Director Badami has nearly completed "Ladies Only" while "Service Ltd." by director Luhar is receiving the final touches.

the

New

directors in

picture,

in

very

name

which

P.

Through mishaps and accidents

Director Ghadiali's "Jungle King"
is being steadily shot with an intention to give the people something unusual in the world of
thrilling pictures.
Owing to the
unfortunate accident to Pramilla
and to the hero, the shooting of
this picture has
been suspended
for some days.
However, the picture will be finally completed during the month of December
and
put on the screen
sometime In
January. "Vijay Kumar" directed
by Raja Yagnik is progressing
steadily while Homi Wadia's "Punjab Mail", featuring the fearless
Nadia is speeding up fast for a
Censor certificate.
Director Aspi
Irani has finished his paper work
for "Jai Swadesh".

GENERAL FILMS:
On the 19th November

"Indus-

directed by Mohan
Sinha was released at the Royal
Opera House to a huge crowd. The
picture is expected to go several
trial

India"

weeks in Bombay as it throws a

refreshingly new light on the present day industrial problems.
At the studios "Pati Patni"

as possible.

KRISHIN MOVIETONE:
Director

Ram

Daryani's

"Zama-

na" has been passed by the Censors and is now awaiting a vacancy
at some theatre in the city.
In
the cast we find Padmadevi in the
stellar role and Nazir and others
in the supporting characters. This
picture is likely to set up a new

standard of pictorial treatment

the present day social themes.

of.

PRAKASH PICTURES:
The success of "Poornima" surprised the critics. The picture has
been well received not only in
Bombay but at several places, and
it therefore supplied a much
required urge to the producers
to
porduce social subjects in future in
preference to their usual stunt
thrillers.

At the studios Director Khosla

has made
considerable
progress
with "Hero No. 1", a story with
plenty of fast and slapstick action.

EVEREST PICTURES:
is

receiving finishing touches and is

likely to come on the screen some-

Ezra Mir

been completed and is expected to

come on the screen at the Impe-

BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS:

of the new
Jairaj plays

after the "Postman"

concludes its run. The advance

producers

have

come out with the name of their

next picture which secret they
were guarding
"Bhabi" is the

WADIA MOVIETONE:

jealously.

Zia,

BOMBAY TALKIES:
these

of January.

under

the supervision
of
Mr.
Sohrab
Modi. In "Pukar" Chandramohan
is reported to have given a good
performance as Jehangir and people are already looking forward to
the release of this picture as early

"Prem-ki-Jyot"
their
maiden
picture starring
Miss Sulochana
with D. Billimoria, Jal Merchant
and others supporting her has

Atorthy
busy with
the scripts for the 1939 production
plans.
Director Nandlal will be
taking up a social comedy before
he takes up "Prithvi Vallabh" that
wonderful literary classic.

least

month

"Talaq" and "Pukar" are being"

steadily shot at this studio

in full swing, which

"Sitara" is being shot
with a frenzy and abandon
so
much required for a gipsy story.
From day to day wild and romantic scenes with their unique haunting melody are being shot on the
studio floors of the Film City. Rafique Guznavi, the Music Director
is reported to have excelled himself in giving a wonderful lilt
to
the music, which is expected
to
haunt the ears of the people for
months to come. Ezra Mir as the
Director, is of
course, doing
his
best to make "Sitara" not only a
box-office success but
a standard
of clever technical work.

and Nandlal are kept

At

the

Maya

time in the month

of February.
The Fazalbhoy Bros, contemplate
a huge amalgamation with another
local studio with a view to establish
several production units functioning during the year 1939. We hope
they will do so as our theatres will
require more pictures in 1939, due
to a shortage
which at present

seems inevitable.

RUBY PICTURES:

rial

Cinema

is

means that

By the time this

ble Cross" will be

is

in print

"Dou-

on the screen at
45

FILMINDIA

December 1938

Bimla
the Super Talkies. With
Kumari, Nayampally and others
story this
cast in an interesting
picture of Mr. Bhavnani is likely
to win the appreciation of the cine

pictures

going public.

office.

JAYA BHARAT MOVIETONE:

Director Nanasaheb Sarpotdar is

shooting "Bhagwa Zenda" a historical subject of the
times when
the Marathas
fought for
their
freedom.

"Shareef Dakoo" a stunt picture

directed by G. R. Setty is now
ready for the screen. With Padmadevi and Navinchandra in the
lead, the producers expect a good
reception for it on release.

POONA
SARAS WATI CINETONE:
Under
the
direction of Mr.
Chowdhary,
beautiful
outdoor
scenes have been shot at Benares
of their present social picture under production called "It's True".
As the picture is expected to be
completed by the middle of December advance bookings have
been effected all over the country
and the producers are expected to
release several copies
simultaneously to satisfy this demand. As a
social theme, giving side lights on
untouchability, "It's True" is going to be one of those rare social

which are always remembered by the people for a long

With Motilal and Rose

time.

director
in such

matters

is

already well-

known.

in
re-

the lead, the picture has the

quisite pulling power for the box-

PRABHAT FILM

whose discriminating taste

KOLHAPUR
HUNS PICTURES:
"Devata", a story written by Mr.

Khandekar should have arrived in

Bombay ere long. But things do
go wrong and terribly so in picthe
result
ture production with
that "Devata" will be seen on the
screen in the month of January.
In a wonderfully original plot, Mr.

CO.:

By the time this is in press Director Narayan Kale's second effort "My Son" should be on the

Baburao Pendharkar, has for the

worked as the hero.
first time
There seems to be no limit to the

screen at the Central Talkies. Director Shantaram has at last completed the scenario of his new picture, the story of which has been
written very intelligently by Mr.
A. Bhasker Rao, who is the head
of their Story Department. Shanta
Apte is expected to star in the picture and the shooting will probably
begin sometime in the month of
January after a month of rehear-

versatile

talents

of

this

superb

who takes up any role that

comes his way and gives a psychoartiste

every

portrayal

logically perfect

time. Director Vinayak who is

directing this picture is reported
gone one better than
to have
"Brahmachari" which picture is

now breaking
Maharashtra

records which
previously
could

all

sals.

claim.

Particular congratulations
are
due to Mr. Bhasker Rao for getting
his screen story Ok'd by a famous

ARUNA PICTURES:
Director Bhal G.
finished the paper

Pendharkar has
work of his new

POSTER ADVERTISING PAYS

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::

historical

Rehearsals

subject "Netaji Palkar".

of

wonderfully

this

thrilling episode from the times of

Maratha conqueror
Shiva ji, the
are now on and the picture will
go into shooting sometime by the

middle of December, probably

the Huns studios in Kolhapur.

at

Crown

Ramashesham

for his
new picture "Santhana
Thevan" while Jaya Bharat's "Tha-

is

progressing stea-

"Pasupathasthram" is being
dily.
produced in this studio for Ramgo-

Director Barua's "Adhikar" has

been running in Bombay to the

(Salem):

"Maya Mayavan" was released to

an appreciable audience In the

in

Talkies,
is

likely to stay there

conception

yammannavar"
room very

will

go to the edit-

shortly.

PREMIER CINETONE,
(Coimbatore)

"Eknath" must be on the screen

been complete by now.

CENTRAL STUDIOS:

however, a bit high flown. Peowho complain that the long

lapses between two pictures pecuTheatres, should be
liar to New
that when
learn
to
surprised
"Adhikar" is running at one theatre in the city "Street Singer" has
been released at another,
also
at the Minerva Talkies.
namely,
For the first time, Saigal and Kanan Bala those melodious crooners
of the screen, have been paired together with the result that huge
crowds come out of the theatre
singing in the street, songs from
the "Street Singer".

is

(Coimbatore)

ple

"Musiri" was to a great extent

responsible for the success of their
Tamil Talkie "Tukaram". If reports are to be believed, there is
hardly any entertaining material
in the story except 'Musiri' as "Tu-

"Mala

cords in the days of the silento.

Director Barua who has returned
from his foreign tour, of course,

up

a social subject of
different type.

now

by taking

an

entirely

PICTURES, (Madura):

(Madras):

Pilla,"

RAJENDRA FILMS,

FILM CORPORATION OF INDIA:

(Madras):

Director Rao's "Swarnalata"

is
reported to be doing rather good

"Asha" which was released at

the Royal Opera House proved a
disappointment to several people
who had expected a lot from this
new company. Nothing definite is
Known at present about the new

business.

The

are held by

distribution

Mahalaxmi

rights
Studios,

Madras.

JAYA FILMS.

(Madras):

"Vimochan" is ready and should

be on the screen by the time this
is in print.
"Kalidas" will be their

activities of this studio.

SOUTH INDIA
ANDHRA CINETONE,

next.

MAYURA

(Vizagapatam)
Director Hiren
Bose entertains
high hopes of success of "Bhakta

"Rambha's

celluloid.

a social story advocating untouchability was well

received in the South, inspite
of
protests from the Sanatanists who
must have given the picture plenty
of free publicity.
A lucky coincidence indeed! Their next picture
will be the "Battle of Palnad" and
we hope there will be no bloodshed.

Phani Majumdar has taken up

"Kapalkundala" in Hindi, the subject which broke all box-office re-

will

ready for release.

SARATHI FILMS,

are
being shot steadily, while Director

activity

in

is

Mr. Tandon is at Calcutta, shooting "Yayathi". He has been doing

so for long and
goodness knows
when he is going to finish.

At the studios "Bar Didi" "Dush-

new

karam"
Love"

MOHAN

man" and "Snake Charmer"

rush into

for

Director Sundaram is
sometime.
busy with the selection of artistes

expects this to be roaring success.

'Lucky Star" produced by Dwarkanath productions should have

this
treatment
different in
picture offers a treat to the intellectuals and a retreat to the thinTo the masses in general, it
kers.

and

accompanied by Jamuna

the

by the time this issue is in your

hand. As all directors usually feel,
Mr. Metha who directed this one

delight of the intellectuals in the

High pitched

picture

ing

MODERN THEATRES,

NEW THEATRES:

Madras and

Jayadev" which ought to be on the

screen sometime by the 2nd weeK
"Kiratha Arjun" unof January.
der the capable guidance of Mr.

pal Talkies.

CALCUTTA

city.

FILMINDIA

December 1938

Ratan Bai

in

"Mr.

X"

picture.

a Prakash

FILMS. (Madras):

"Luck" seems to wait for

to be

released in

the

its

city.

turn

The
47

FILM INDIA

December 1938

picture features Miss Chellam. Sur-

Satagopan and
others and the care that was taken
in shooting the picture amply supports its 'luck' as a paying propo-

ya Kumari,

Mr.

The future programme

company is not yet known.

sition.

the

or

METROPOLITAN PICTURES.
(Madras)

"Daksha
of
After the success
boldly
have
producers
Yagna", the
announced

their next

ports from the South go to confirm

the anticipated success of the picture and both of them ought to
prove a regular gold mine to the
producers.

ROYAL TALKIES,

(Madras):

"Sakubai" has been resumed and

Mr. Rao is in charge of the megaphone. With Aswattamma in the
cast, this picture is expected to be
greater than "Chintamani".

production

FAMOUS FILMS,

prospective success.

Mr. Shiraz of Bombay is managing affairs in this concern and the

maiden picture to go into produc-

tion

JYOTI FILMS, (Madras):

"Ramalingaswamigal"

is

pro-

gressing well under the hands of

Director Raghunath and it is expected to be released in the city
early next month.

ORIENTAL FILMS,

(Madras):

Miss T. P. Rajalakshmi is 'misunderstood' for a male in "Saguna

"Misunderstood" in
or
Sarasa"
Tamil. Miss M. S. Vijayal is playing the leading role. Wonderful!
the way South imitates the West.

RAJU FILMS,

(Madras):

"Madurai Veeran" is ready

and we shall soon tell you
how it has fared.

for

release

VEL PICTURES, (Madras)

This studio was going through a
troublesome times during
the last month, and it will not be
the
a surprise if they overcome
same and 'fall in the line' shortly.
bit of

DECCAN CINETONE,

(Madras):
This infant concern promises to
do big things for the future, the
way we find producer Raja Rao
making headway with the construction of a studio and selecting
the artistes; and it will not he
long before we find Rajkumari cast
called '"KulotunIn a live story
ga".

KUBFRA

FILMS, (Nellore)
"Bahkta Markandeya" in Telusu
was received rather well in the
mofussil and ought to run well in
The next to go into
the city.
shooting will be "Mayil Ravana".

is

(Nellore):

VAUHINI PICTURES, (Madras):

This is a new concern with an
They are
ambitious programme.
producing a picture called "Vandemataram" in the Newtone stuon
is well
dios and the picture
way.

(Continued from page 43)

to take up his responsibilities
the greatest advantage.

to

Film Editing is not an art that

can be learned by theory but must
be acquired by actual practice in
the cutting rooms where the attainment of "Filmic Sense" will
later bear fruits.

In India, practically all the directors edit their own pictures. So

I sincerely advise those who asnire
to join the ranks of film directors
surest
in India to start from the

seat of learning the Editing room

the Studios. For remember,
of
and let me stress once again, that
Film Editing is the root of all film

knowledge.

(Madras)
'Tnbasagaran" in Hindi and Tamil is In the finishing stages. Re48

clause in the agreement betand the Distributor reads as follows:

"The Exhibitor shall pay to the

Distributor as ascertained and li.damages annas 12 per
lineal foot as the cost of replace-

quidated

ment

of

each lineal foot of film

To a director cutting sense in

work is a vital essential, in his
mixing of shots and angles in dialogues and movements of his cha-

damaged

destroyed or

any way while the same

is

in

the possession of the Exhibitor or

deemed so to be as aforesaid."

When the Distributors themselves estimate the cost of their films

at 12 annas per foot and recover
the same from the suffering Exhibitors from day to day, why should
the Government be satisfied with
a mere 7 annas per foot unless the
Government intends to back up
the foreign productions?
When 70 lakhs of rupees per
year are going out of India as
sheer net profits, why should the
Government not tax these people
further?
Increasing the assessment value
to even a runee a foot should not
be considered as extravagant seeing the large profits made by these
people every year.
After a
careful study
of the
above figures the Government has
a strong reason to raise the taxation Immediately and this mattpr
should be forthwith taken up before the next Budget Session of the
Central Assembly.

In the near future,

to deal with

prooose

some

of the
dirty
methods practised by some of these
foreign distributors to avo d pacing the full income-tax to the
Government by disbursing the in:

come under

fictitious heads.

h!s

racters the placement of new sewith other

quences intercutting
scenes constituting a harmonious
story into composite whole.

MAHALAKSHMI STUDIOS,

ween the Exhibitor

in

called "Balaji".

13)

far this
price varies with the real one.

lost, stolen,

as

"Maya Machindra". Raja Chandra Sekhar wields the megaphone

and that speaks volumes about its

(Cntinued from page

Government know how

the

Film Editing is a very plastic

each individual Director
or Editor have their own individual
everything,
of
methods but
construccourse, depends on the
tive imagination of the man behind the all-important scissor.

science,

I also promise a complete p repose of the exact relations existing between these Distributors and
our Fxhibitors after wh'ch I shall
leave it to the judgment of the
readers whether to call these dealings a business of mutual benefit
or one big blackmail practised on
our Exhibitors. In the meantime. I
shah willingly accept any detailed
information from our Exhibitors
whicn will help me to make out a
case for the protection of our Ex-

hibitors.

The Picture that broke all the RECORDS at

Bombay, Poona, Belgaum, Nasik, Gwalior and Nagpur.
Drawing Capacity-Houses Everywhere

(THE

BACHELOR)

HINDI VERSION
Directed by:

Hindi Version by:

PANDIT INDRA

"ROYAL"

Starring:

VINAYAK

VINAYAK
MEENAKSHEE

Story by:
Principal P. K.

ATRE

Release

Jewel No. 5.

HUNS' PICTURE

*
World's

First

Picture

on "National Celibacy"

Marathi Version
"

Hindi Version

The Most
Entertaining
Picture
On the Indian

Ran for

Weeks at Baroda

Ran for

Weeks at Gwalior

Running at

Screen

World-Rights with

BOMBAY 14th
PCONA
14th
BELGAUM 8th
KOLHAPUR 4th
NASIK
6th
NAGPUR
4th

Surat 3rd Week

Running at Ahmedabad

BRAHMACHARI
Run nin^ sit

Weeks

"Royal Film Circuit",

"

Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week

Bombay-4

J?m mediatefy
a/ier

* rCfOre

TRUE"
COMES

"IT'S

''

nv.'Sr

* G-handani

w
A
J
C

LD

SARASWATI'S
Heart

Throbbing
Historical

Dkecled by

HOWDHARY

KAPURCHAND

LTD. *oxy Chambers, New

Coming

Soon

THRU

0)irectei) hi)

N.D.

Queen's Rd.

BOMBAY

4.

SIRPOTOAR

PRIZE

Howler of the Month

Mr. Ram L. Gogtay, Editor of

the "Motion Picture Magazine"
the October
writes as follows in
the film
issue of the paper Re:

"The Drum":
"The picture "The Drum"

is

definite contribution to world cul-

does no more than present the Frontier exactly as it is

to-day, of which complete vindication can be found in the communique issued by the Defence Department the other day.
ture.

It

and odd people who paid to see it

Empire and Excelsior in
Bombay and who despite categorical invitation found nothing objectionable in the film; must be
given greater credence than the
fulsome fanatics of the 83 and odd
at the

individuals who allowed themselairing

ves to be misguided
into
their views to the four walls of Hit
Imperial Majesty's house of correction.

"Incidentally

we must congratu-

Commissioner of Police
who lent the whole weight of his

late the

"That it should then be considered, though it does not dogmaand in the protise or criticise
duction of which the military of
India actively participated an antiIndian film is an indication either
perversion or fanatic
of mental
enmity dictated by parties who are
actuated by a motive no better
than that of grinding their own
axe.

"After all the judgment of the

Committee of international jurists
who adjudged "The Drum" as the
award this
picture deserving the

year at the Venice Film Exhibition

of the City of Venice Prize; of the
Bombay
sub-committee of the
which
Board of Film Censors
found the film fit for public exhibition in India; and of the 40,000

Sitara

and Kesari

authority in defence of the film,

without which the puerile picketing would have certainly developed into a roaring riot."

And the man who

direct opposition of

writes this, In

Indian

self

respect and nationalism, is in addit.on the paid

secretary of thi
Indian Motion Picture Producers
Association, itself
an essentially
national body.
of the men who saw the
and found it objectionable
were: The Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, Home Minister to the Government of Bombay, Mr. Sayed Ab-

Some

these gentlemen be accused

mental perversion and fanatic
Were they actuated by a
enmity?
motive no better than that of

Can

of

grinding their

own axe?

In reply to Mr. Jhabvalla, M.L.A.,

The Hon. Mr. Munshi, the Home
Minister said on the floors of the
Legislative Assembly that he had
personally examined the film on
more than one occasion and then
issued orders stopping its further
release.
If the Hon. Mr. Munshi is what
Mr. Gogtay suggests then we must
ask Mr. Munshi to resign and give
his place to Mr. Gogtay.

And by what stretch of imagination, does Gogtay consider "The

Drum" a definite contribution to
world culture, unless it is a special
who
culture of imperialism and
else
but the Military of India
would help to produce a picture
like that?
Did

Gandhi

expect Mahatma
help Alexander Korda

Gogtay
to

produce "The Drum"?

film

to

dullah Brelvi, Editor of the Bombay Chronicle and Sir Currimbhoy

Ebrahim, Baronet.

This man is gone mad and the

will
Producers' Association
soon
become a mad house unless it
Our only
finds a new secretary.
regret is that Gogtay is an Indian,
and as such he wins our sympathy.

in "Professor

Waman

M.Sc." Ranjit's detective thriller.

boss treats me like a dog"

A lap dog?"

"My

Kicks and Kisses

"Yeah?
*

Two and

three make five, but it

takes two and sex to make a lit-

You can have fun with an old

fashioned girl by making a modern girl out of her.
*

"Why

did your girl turn out the

wants

a
a stenographer works for
she's apt to be in
the lap of luxury.
capitalist,

A
man

nudist

for

carrying

concealed weapons.

If

big

brassiere is something a wowears for two obvious rea-

sons.

never

pet

with

Him: "Then let's ride around a

while and get familiar!"

they were any dressings

the nudist camps, they must
cellophane wrappers.
If

Him:

(Kissing

beach) "Haven't

Garters hold a

and a man's

girl's

Her: (Sweetly): "No,

"I'll

She:

be

offer?"

stockings

leg".

Photo Fiend: "All right, but it

will have to be a time-exposure."

you

raise

it's

yond.

A good many

people
go about
with their nose in the air, because
they can't afford handkerchiefs.
*

your

fun out of a kiss

girl

someone

is

get any
to give it to

else.

a girl tells a man to 'hold

everything'
he generally begins
with her leg.

When

Stella: "So you haven't been

out
with the professor since college
ended?

Bella:

"No, during the vacation

time he confines himself to
physical research!"

doesn't mean that a girl

religious just because she has
divine figure.
It

Is

sows her wild oats

on Saturday night and then goes
to church on Sunday to pray for
a

Some girls wear black garters In

memory of those who passed be-

Many

School girls raise their hands to

get attention but chorus girls raise

The only way you can

be

you on the chin!"

She: "I want you to take a picture of the watch I carry on my

may

Love comes as often as a

changes her mind.

interest.

kiss

"Can't

The prodigal son usually returns

empty handed, but when the prodigal daughter comes home it Is

their legs.

her gently
on
met you before

just the situation that's so

familiar!"

He:

advertisement.

usually with armful.

makes one
lean,
lean
against poles and lamp posts.

at

Durham

Bull

Beer

somewhere?"

Her: "But,
strangers!"

fan who falls in love with a

movie star is about as hopeless as
a cow that falls in love with
a

As impossible as

similie:

arresting a

A new

where one

is

Winnie: "Oh, yeah? Well, you

sure don't lose much time searching for it, big boy!"

light the other night?"

"I think she loves me but

to keep it in the dark."

one.

tle

baby, that happiness

finds it."

girl

a girl goes out on too

If

larks, she'll

some

many

probably finish up in

The key

to success isn't a night

key.

bird's nest.

crop failures.
*

When
town
her

red,

own

she usually

The

begins on

Buying a car is just like getting

Once you get the license
you can go as far as you like
married.

lips.

figure

a girl decides to paint the

with a well-rounded
soon cornered.

girl
is

be a wonderful
never replace the
old fashioned key hole.
Television

thing, but

it

will

Her: "I have the

lips are so sweet".

She: "I warn you. Anything you

say may be held against you."

Ve-

"Hmmm,

I'll

come famous
everybody's

be-

kisses really

girl's

they are

soon on

lips.

mm*

Love

is

blind, but the neighbours

are not.

Many

man

mind and

girl

it's

has got a one track

is

called

grapher

"streamlined"

much

re-

price

an unemployed steno-

who

couldn't keep her pooffice. The boss was

legged she fell through his

sition in the

so

bow

lap.

The

We know

a dirty track

because she doesn't offer

sistance.

(during petting seaClarence:

believed,
"I have always
son)
:

form of

will

may

When

look at your art collection

in private sometime.

He: "Your

it's

nus."

Revue Producer:

fun to fight about a kiss,

more fun to just take it
lying down.
It's

but

of clothes is falling,
but brassiers are still holding up.

The best excess rouge remover

an eager boy friend.

is

"The Drum" and "filmindia" in

Bombay Legislative Assembly

the

(The Indian film industry is deeply indebted to Mr. S. H. Jhabwalla, M.L.A., the popular labour leader whose sincere efforts in the promot on of the interests of our film industry command the respect of
all those who desire to give the Indian film industry
a square deal. Mr. Jhabwalla, at the instance of
"filmindia", played a prominent part in "The Drum" agitation by asking the Government some pertinent
questions which we reproduce below. THE EDITOR.)

(Reproduced from Bombay. Legislative Assembly Reports

Third Session 1938)

film distributor to exhibit the original version

foreign
of the said film as produced in the

countries;
(g)

(h)

if

not do they propose to do so now;

whether Government are aware that the said

film

(i>

if

so

stop
(j)

is

also anti-Indian in its character;

what step do they propose

its

to take

to

exhibition in this province;

whether Government have considered the advisability of establishing a rule in this province requiring that the original versions of
foreign films should be seen and examined by
the Bombay Board of Film Censors?

The Honourable Mr. K. M. MUNSHI: (The Home

Minister): (a) A certificate for the exhibition of this
film was granted by the Board on the 15th July 1938,
subject to the deletion of 24 feet in the film.
Mr.

S.

H. Jhabvalla,

Member

of the

Bombay

Legislative Assembly.

ALLEGED EXHIBITION OF ANTI-INDIAN FILMS

*1048. Mr. S. H. Jhabwalla (Railway Unions): Will
the Honourable Minister for Home Department (and
Legal) be pleased to state
(a)

a fact that a portion of about

"Drum" was censored by the Bombay Board of Film Censors;

whether

it

is

24 feet length of the film

(b)

(c)

whether Government are aware that such

censoring has not changed the original antiIndian character of the film;
whether Government are aware that in the
said film the people of the North West Frontier

Province are depicted as being treacher-

ous;
(d) if so,

do Government propose

whether Government are aware that the film

"Tiger of Eschnapur" is being exhibited in

Bombay
(f)

"In view of the widespread agitation against the

exhibition in Bombay of the film entitled "The Drum",
Government decided that the film should be reexamined and that in the meanwhile it should not
be exhibited again in this Province. The film in the
original form has been uncertified under section 7,
sub-section (7) of the Cinematograph Act, 1920.

Government have now re-examined the film and

have ordered the exclusion of all such portions as
in their opinion offended Indian national self-respect.
Government have directed that the films as now
revised may now be certified by the Bombay Board
of Film Censors if presented for
such certificates.
Government take

to stop its ex-

hibition in this province;

(e)

(b), (c) and (d).

In view of the widespread agitation against the exhibition of this film, I personally
examined it on more than one occasion. As a result
of that examination action was taken on the lines
shown in the Press Note dated the 15th October 1938,
which I reproduce below:

City;

whether Government have ever asked the

Bombay Board of Film Censors to require the

this opportunity to

warn the im-

porters of foreign made films that films, parts

of
which offend the Indian sentiment or national selfrespect may not receive in future
the indulgence
which the film "The Drum" has received. In this
case the film had been passed by the Bombay Board
of Film Censors and exhibited to the public
for some
days before the attention of Government was drawn
to

the objectionable features of the film.

Govern53

FILMINDIA

'

December 1938

ment have now

films "Paris

it

Woman"

instructed the Board that hereafter

should submit to Government its report and opinion
on every foreign film depicting Indian life or dealing
with Indian subject matter, wholly or in part, with a
synopsis before it is certified.

Honeymoon" and "The

Devilish

produced by the Paramount Pictures

of Hollywood and described in
the October
{

and to the attitude

the Bulgarian and Spanish Governments

issue of the "filmindia"

of

respectively, towards these incidents;

This film

(e)

is

not being exhibited in

Bombay

City.

(h)

Government have asked the President of the

Bombay Board of Film Censors that in the event of
(f)

this film (which is believed to be of German origin),

being tendered to the Board for certification, particular attention may be paid to it and the Board's report
on it forwarded to Government together with a synopsis of the film and the Board's opinion whether the
film should or should not be cert'fied for public exhiGovernment have not asked the Board to rebition.
quire the distributor to submit the version of the
film as originally produced for examination.
(g)

No.

(h)

and

(i)

As the film has not been tendered for

Government are unable to say whether

They had, however, in
it is anti-Indian in character.
March last seen a report somewhat to that effect in
the press, and had therefore taken the action stated
in the

answer to clause

(f).

Government have not

as yet considered the

advisability of framing a rule to this effect.
(j)

the reply to (g)

is

to

The Honourable Mr. K. M. Munshi

(The

and

(f)

The Government

of

Madras asked

to

be informed of the action taken by the Government

of Bombay in respect of this film. They were informed on the 15th October 1938 that this Government
had declared the film in the form certified by the
Bombay Board of Film Censors to be an uncertified
film in the Province under section 7(7) of the Cinematograph Act, and that instructions had been issued to the Board to grant a fresh certificate for the
film in its revised form.
I have seen the article referred to.
(h) Suitable action, as indicated above, has

(g)

The Film "Drum"

*1202. Mr. S. H. Jhabwalla (Railway Unions): Will
the Honourable Minister for Home Department (and
Legal) be pleased to state
(a)

Whether the attention of Government has

been drawn to the letter of Sir Francis
Younghusband, published in the "London
Times" and reproduced in the October issue
of the "Filmindia" regarding the film "Drum".

(b)

whether the Honourable Minister has personally seen the film "Drum" as was reported
in the press;

(c)

if so,

whether he has been convinced that the

from the Indian point

film is objectionable
of view;
not,

what are

his reasons for the same;

(d)

if

(e)

whether it is a fact that the Government of

Madras has requested the Government of
Bombay to communicate to them their opinion about this film for final action;

(f)

so, what recommendations has

ernment made to the Government

if

for taking action

(g)

As regards "The Charge of the Light Brigade",

the original version measuring 10.017 feet was refused a certificate by the Bombay Board on the 20th
April 1937; but a certificate was subsequently granted by the Board in May 1937 after drastic cuts measuring 3,340 feet had been made. The film as revised
was seen on the 14th May 1937 by certain officials of
this Government and was considered to contain nothing to which serious objection could be taken by
Indians or by Afghanistan. No complaints were received against the film as passed.

The film entitled "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer"

was passed by the Bengal Board of Film Censore
during the first half of 1935. with an endorsement
excising parts of two scenes. When the film came to
Bombay, the Bombay Board made a further small
excision. No obiection against its exhibition was received at that time.

The

about this film;

drawn

was

by the
with some
was shown in this Province under that

film "Cl've of India"

excisions.

to the incidents in the

It

are

also passed

May

Board's certificate, no objection to

ing raised at that time.

whether the attention of the Honourable Minister has been

54

GovMadras

this
of

been

taken against "The Drum".

Bengal Board of Film Censors in

its

1935..

exhibition be-

do not think that the last three films named

being shown in this Province.

now

Home

Minister): (a) Yes.

(b), (c) and (d) I invite the attention of the honourable member to the answer I
have given to clauses (b) to (d) of his question headed "Alleged Exhibition of anti-Indian Films."
(e)

certification,

in the affirmative, do
take some suitable
action against the films
like
the "Drum",
"Charge of the Light Brigade", "Bengal Lancers", "Clive of India" etc. which are offensive to the Indian sentiments and feelings?
if

Government propose

Mohan

Releasing a Special Attraction on

Pictures'

Colossal Stunt Masterpiece

"if

RAMZAN IDD HOLIDAY

^eahtring:

R o m i 1 a,

Benjamin,

Shiraj,

Amina,

A Mohan Production

S.Alam, Harun,
Sadiq, Rafiq

&

Means endless downpour

Ansari

the Box-Office

at

Lireetor. A.

Progressing

M. Khan.
Fast

in

Director.

Main

Units:

Booking:

K.

Yasmin,

>

I'

MOHAN

Indurani,

New-Type

Thriller

Ran Sangram

(2)

Lady Cavalier
Director: A.

Co.,

Stunt

(1)

Etc.

RAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL &

Sandhurst Road

PICTURES'

AMARNATH
Nazeer,

GLOBE TALKIES,

Studios

the

mi ion i a n t

af

of Silver Bullets

Khetwadi

M. KHAN.

Main Road, Bombay No.

4.

COOL COMFORT CAN BE YOURS

regardless of outside

conditions! In

large

theatres as well as in theatre offices, projection rooms,

make up rooms,

dressing

rooms, or in individual rooms in homes,

CARRIER

has an air-conditioning system

to suit the need!

Like the large built-in

systems, the self-contained Carrier Portable

Air Conditioner will give you:

COOL COMFORT

REMOVAL OF
EXCESS HUMIDITY
CLEANLINESS - THE
AIR

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FILTERED

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Write for details to-day

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VOLKART BROTHERS
Carrier Air Conditioning

Graham Road,

Department.

Ballard Estate,

Bombay.

NOISES

PROPER VENTILATION -AUTOMATICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY

!

Given in Prizes to

Rs 1,000 Subscribers only

Rs. 300|-

1st Prize

200|-

150h
100h
50h

2nd
3rd
4th

5th

counter-foils of these

the

lected after

Editor will
at

random.

first prize,

15th

of

10\-

numbers
December

second prize,

all

Sundry purchasers at bookstalls are not

under this scheme.

eligible

All the copies of "filmindia" going to the subscribers for the months of OCTOBER, NOVEM-

and DECEMBER will be numbered in this

panel every month and on this page.

BER

each.
The winning numbers

drawn

copy of "filmindia" complimentary, for completing their

decision

No coirespondence

and

will get the

25

will get the

the 25 prizes are

Editor's

in their serial order

importance will be published in the January 1939

Subscribers having copies
issue of "filmindia".
numbers
can exchange the
with the winning
same for their respective prizes and get an extra

The
numbers

1938.

thus.

The

OPEN TO ALL SUB-

SCRIBERS WHO ARE ON OUR SUBSCRIBERS'

REGISTER ON THE 15TH OF DECEMBER 1938.

will be col-

draw from this collection

The first number drawn
the second number drawn
etc., till

IS

for prizes

And 20 prizes ofRs.

The

THIS UNIQUE OFFER

will

will

be

final

file,

and

from the Proprietors

binding.

legally

be entertained with regard

of "filmindia".

to this

scheme.

Subscriptions will not be accepted for any period less than one year and must
be remitted by M.O. or Postal Order. No V.P.P's will be sent and no cheques
will be accented.
If

you are not a subscriber become one to-day

"

by

Rush the coupon

~"

paying Us. 5

for

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,

To

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FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS, LTD.,

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Dear

am

Date

Sirs,

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I

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"O,

UXDMJIN

<0n

out

liours

(\Jsncerlam,

C0 nvariable

oj

and

coy
as

ease;

tile

hard

to

please;

sliaJle

So said

the

Poel

So sanq

ike

Bard

BHABI
BOMBAY

TALKIES'

SOCIAL SUPER-JEWEL SENSATION

Has a great Romance

to

reveal to you

In the Language of Pictures

There's

RENUKA DEVI
a

ir There's J

*
*
*

*
*
*

There's

There's
There's

There's

and

other

a z

h a

wa

a
i

Shukul

all

Wilh
you ve

USIC

D
R

There's

Mayadevi

M
M

There's

favourites

adored

always

AND DANCES

That will definitely put you into the

most

SINGSATIONAL mood

you've been in for years.

Studios

ROW

clashing

Very

Shortly

on

the

(B. B.

A L A D
& C. I. Rly.)

SCREEN

Offices:

The Bombay
Producers

Talkies, Limited.
of

Quality Pictures.

Readymoney
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Street,

Bombay.

Printed by Carrier Saleh at the New Jack Printing Works, 75, Apollo Street, Fort, and published by
for 'fllmindia Publications Ltd.' from 104, Apollo Street, Fort, Bombay.

him