FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

Studio Close * Ups BOMBAY BOMBAY TALKIES: "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-offices. Devika Rani has once again outwitted the Gods that defy boxoffice successes. Bombay Talkies have produced another successful picture if the crowds are any criterion of success. KAN JIT MOVIETONE: With a stunning new idea of 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 and history. With 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. 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 be a glorious year for Raniit. SAGAR MOVIETONE: After the first few weeks "We Three" gradually weakened at the Rexy. "Gramaphone Singer" Is billed to be released at the Imperial Cinema immediately "Baghban" 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. Harindranath Chattopadhaya s English unit is missing from the studio and even after a long search we have not yet found them. We are afraid Seth Chimanlal must have missed his money too. MINERVA MOVIETONE: "The Jailor" locked the audiences up in the Krishna Talkies and 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. IMPERIAL FILM CO.: The doors are still closed and the silence in the studio is eloquent of the times gone by. KRISHIN MOVIETONE: "Zamana", a sensational social picture which is 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. GENERAL FILMS: 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, 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 "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 No. 1". "Poornima" is getting finishing touches. WADIA MOVIETONE: "Rangilla Mazdoor" is reported to be running well at different stations in the country. In the studio Raja Yagnik has completed several indoor shootings of "Vijay Kumar". "Punjab Mail", a 'diamond thriller' as the Wadia's put. it, is being shot very 'fast with Nadia in the lead. Three newdirectors are also working in the 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 first story is a gipsy subject with plenty of pathos and entertainment. It is named "Sitara". We wish Mr. Mir a splendid success 53