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* PRIZE Howler of
the Month
Mr. Ram L. Gogtay, Editor of the "Motion Picture Magazine" writes as follows in the October issue of the paper Re: the film "The Drum":
"The picture "The Drum" is a definite contribution to world culture. It 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.
"That it should then be considered, though it does not dogmatise or criticise and in the production of which the military of India actively participated an antiIndian film is an indication either of mental perversion or fanatic 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 picture deserving the award this year at the Venice Film Exhibition of the City of Venice Prize; of the sub-committee of the Bombay Board of Film Censors which found the film fit for public exhibition in India; and of the 40,000
and odd people who paid to see it at the 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 individuals who allowed themselves to be misguided into airing their views to the four walls of Hit Imperial Majesty's house of correction.
"Incidentally we must congratulate the Commissioner of Police who lent the whole weight of his authority in defence of the film, without which the puerile picketing would have certainly developed into a roaring riot."
And the man who writes this, In direct opposition of Indian self respect and nationalism, is in addit.on the paid secretary of thi Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, itself an essentially national body.
Some of the men who saw the film and found it objectionable were: The Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, Home Minister to the Government of Bombay, Mr. Sayed Abdullah Brelvi, Editor of the Bombay Chronicle and Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim, Baronet.
Can these gentlemen be accused of mental perversion and fanatic enmity? Were they actuated by a motive no better than that 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 culture of imperialism and who else but the Military of India would help to produce a picture like that?
Did Gogtay expect Mahatma Gandhi to help Alexander Korda to produce "The Drum"?
This man is gone mad and the Producers' Association will soon become a mad house unless it finds a new secretary. Our only regret is that Gogtay is an Indian, and as such he wins our sympathy.
Sitara and Kesari in "Professor Waman M.Sc." Ranjit's detective thriller.