FilmIndia (1939)

December 1939 TECHNIQUE— AND HOW The technique used by some of our Directors and tars in self-publicity to get increments in their prinely allowances makes an extremely interesting study. Chiefly, they follow the familiar and popular mehod of "hunting in packs" — the packs having been rained to 'howl' praises of the leader on all possible occasions — even while standing in front of pan shops. The latest and the most ingenious method is to scare the producer into conceding higher salaries by onveniently spreading rumours about bigger offers from rival studios. It usually happens just as the picture in hand is nearing completion. An "unconfirmed report" emalates from "usually reliable sources" to the effect that irector X is receiving offers from such-and-such studio. Now it is quite likely that the proprietor of such-and-such studio has never had the faintest idea of engaging Director X. But one day Director X would motor down to the rival studio, have a chat with some friends among the stars and quite accidentally, of course, a few words with the proprietor also. Within a few hours the news would reach the ears of everyone in Director X's studio. "Do you know" one would say to the other, "Director X was called by the proprietor of such-and-such studio" ? In the evening the Boss would call the Director and on enquiry would receive some such evasive reply, "Yes, Seth, it is true I have received an offer or two. FILMINDIA But, of course, I won't think of leaving you. The only thing is that my expenses have rather gone up these days " Next day the cashier would receive instructions to raise Director's salary by a few hundred rupees ! Clever, isn't it? If only the producers who keep on retrenching the poorly-paid artistes on the plea of economy knew the tricks of some of these Directors ! BORROWED PLUMES Not long ago Mr. Babubhai Mehta's "The Only Way" led us straight to "Seventh Heaven". Now we find Mr. Kallah's "As You Please" serving us with a rehashed edition of "Romance For Three". Poor Motilal has to put on the discarded clothes of Robert Young while Mazhar Khan has to imitate the antics of Frank Morgan. The "borrowed plumes" are not so evident in "On The River", perhaps because the story-writer has been 'inspired' by more than one foreign picture. But still one can smell "King And The Chorus Girl", "Bluebeard's Eight Wife" and bits of "Rage Of Paris". When will this game end? Soon to be expected are an Indian version of "Chu Chin Chow" and two Indian versions of "Captain Fury". May we now expect "Juarez" in the garb of some "Desh Sewak" or "Fida-e-Watan" ? GORRKHdflTH THE GREATEST OF THE NATH SECT FROM A REFRESHING NEW ANGLE IN STORY DIALOGUES DIRECTION: filial Q. Penbliah.kah. THE MAKER OF HITS LIKE S H YAM SUNDER KANOPATRA RAJA GOPICHAND N E T A J I PALKAR GORAKHXATH ARUNA PICTURES' NEW TALKIE PICTURE UNDER PRODUCTION LEELA (LOVELY SONG BIRD OF MAHARASHTRA) B. NANDREKAR (OF "AMAR JYOTI" & "BAG BAN" FAME) VIM AL SARDESAI (OF "MERA HAQ" FAME) PEERLESS PICTURES 116, CHARNI ROAD. BOMBAY No. 4