FilmIndia (1939)

FILMINDIA April 1 He cannot definitely say what he 'thinks' unless he 'sees'. And if he does so, he begins his job with a prejudice that would not speak much for the proverbial sense of British justice and fairplay. Sir Reginald seemed too anxious to give an assurance to the effect that after certain excisions were made, evidently at the instance of the India Office, "Gunga Din" cannot be regarded as offensive to the Indian sentiment. And yet the full Board of Bengal Censors banned the picture. Why? Does Sir Reginald know how R.K.O. Radio Pictures, the producers of "Gunga Din" sell the film? We quote below some of the passages from the news sheets of the producers: "Scenes of Britain's Empire Building" "Several hundred Hindu fanatics — professional assassins worshipping the Goddess Kali whose sole creed and teaching is KILL." "The period of "Gunga Din" is 52 years ago when England was extending the sway of her Empire farther into the scorched hills of North West India". This much, the producers themselves admit and yet Sir Reginald thinks that "Filmindia's" article was exaggerated. The Women's University Club of America with its formidable membership of distinguished women of America must be having good reasons to say: "Gunga Din carries on the tradition of Great Britain's supremacy in India". And yet Sir Reginald "thinks" (of course, without seeing) that "Gunga Din" is not offensive to the Indian sentiment. Since when has the Indian sentiment been wedded to the British imperialism? Jeanette Rex that celebrated English critic thinks loudly enough for the World to hear: "As for the story of 'Gunga Din' it is a moot question whether India will enjoy it". India doesn't enjoy it, but what does Sir 11, ginald care as long as the India Office finds u thing objectionable. And the India Office expert Englishmen who know what is good India, and whose knowledge cannot be questii. > ed. i J "It is A Dirty Film Showing India in a til fl) light" may be the unanimous opinion of Indies in Hollywood. But that shouldn't worry ijg ,-. Hon. Sir Reginald Maxwell. Americans — the friendly Americans urn the 'expert' advice of Sir Robert Erskine Holla: Major Samuel Harris, Capt. Clive Morgan, St geant Major William Briers (all British, course) — are doing "empire-building" for the E tish and an Englishman like Sir Reginald — ti and sporting — cannot possibly be unsportsmanl to come in the way of friendly Americans. ill The fast crumbling imperialism of the i tish in India now needs props from Ameri What a pity! In 'Gunga Din', the Hindus are called 'Thu A British Sergeant kicks a Hindu Thug. Anotl murders a Hindu when the poor man is pray in a temple. At another place, the British Tom enters a Hindu temple in boots and by his riot; behaviour desecrates the temple. British S geants in their drunken state plot to loot a *e pie. There are numerous scenes of carnage i cruelty — all against the Indians. And yet Reginald shamefacedly thinks that 'Filminc gives an exaggerated view of the objectiona nature of the film. Why not be honest and admit that the Y kee hirelings are trying to strengthen British imperialism in India and that the Ind sentiment doesn't count? Assuring Mr. Satyamurti that all precauti are taken to prevent the production of anti-Im films, even in America, Sir Reginald said t "His Majesty's Consul at Los Angeles uses good offices to obtain modification and if ne sary rejection of films offensive to the Indian s timent. The action is usually fruitful and help to prevent the production of films repugn to Indian sentiment."