FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

R OUND THE TOWN NANDKUMAR Produced by: Pragati Pictures Ltd., Bangalore. Cast: Master Mahalingam, T. P. Rajalakshmi, T. S. Rajalakshmi, G. S. Sandow, M. R. Krishnamurthy & others. Screen Play: This is the famous episode from Mahabharatha which portrays the incidents of the birth of Lord Krishna and childhood, with his frolics and ultimately the destruction of King Kamsa. The story is woven in the time honoured fashion with several small liberties taken at places which make the picture all Ihe more interesting. The picture is packed with numerous trick scenes of spectacular shots, which at times take your breath away. Language: (Tamil). The dialogues are beautifully written and well spoken. Music: (By Ramaswami). Numerous well sung songs cast in very attractive tunes form the backbone of the picture. The music director has shown rare enterprise by giving Western Indian music in a South Indian strain thereby providing a pleasant novelty to the music lovers of the South. The songs sung by Master Mahalingam are a rare treat, being very melodious and snappy. Photography: (By Mr. Pai). Good throughout with excellent work done with regard to the mob scenes. Recording: (By Y. S. Kothare and Mr. Biggs). Clear and pleasant. Direction: (By Nanasaheb Sarpotdar). Very harmonious and pleasant. Several scenes have been very cleverly directed and the work of Master Mahalingam has been taken with an eye to secure popularity. Performances: Master Mahalingam is, of course, the best. His dynamic little person overwhelms the other artistes and stamps him as an young boy with a big future. His wonderful music is soothing to the ear and to the heart and Mahalingam is bound f Director Nanasaheb Sarpotdar whose excellent direction has made "Nandkumar" (Tamil) a spectacular picture. to be a favourite of all screen fans in a short time. T. P. Rajalakshmi has sung one song marvellously well, while her other music is as good as ever. She acts with a poise and polish generally acquainted with her. T. S. Rajalakshmi is an embodiment of innocence and gives a portrayal which acts as a perfect foil for the frolicsome per formance of Mahalingam. G. S. Sandow is good Krishnamurthy as Narad is an ideal selection. (The reviews published under this section are useful both to the average cine-goer and 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.) Box-office Value: This is perhaps, the best picture of which the South . can be justifiably proud. The story, spectacle and music overlap one another to make this picture a glorious success which it ought to be at all box-offices. TWO WOMEN Produced by: Imperial Film Co. Bombay. Released at: Royal Opera House, Bombay. Date of Release: 18th June 1938. Bombay Circuit Distributors: Supreme Film Distributors, Bombay. Casf: Padmadevi, Rose, Gulam Mahomed, Baba Vyas, Gaznavi. Screen Play: (By Hakim Ahmed Shujaa) It is an ordinary plot with the usual theme of two women falling in love with the same man. One of them happens to be his own wife and the other one is a singing girl. The situations that are developed in this picture are not new but have been seen several times on the screen before in different pictures. A married barrister falls in love with a singing girl and forgets his own home. The singing girl reciprocates this love and discards her own profession. Tra 37