FilmIndia (1939)

ROUND TL TOWN NADI KIN ARE (On The River). Produced by Ranjit Movietone Story by: J. P. Adwani Direction: Manibhai Vyas Dialogues: R. S. Rammyae Music: Jnan Dutt Cinematography: Dronacharya Audiography: Thakorbhai Patel Cast: Kumar, Sitara, Indubala Sunita, Charlie, Ghory, Sushila, Ram Marathe etc. Released at Pathe Cinema, Bombay. Date of Release: 10th November 1939. With this picture, Ranjit reverts to the "Toofan Mail" type of pictures — with one difference ! They have tried to graft the serious psychological aspects of pictures like "Devdas" on to a sheer farce and given the picture a tragic ending and the result is a tragedy of misconceived ideas and lack of dramatic unity. A director cannot have it both ways. Either he is to tell the public: "Here is a sheer nonsensical but enjoyable farce. Don't look for realism or logic in it. It is only meant to make you laugh", or if he pretends to treat a serious problem in a serious way, confronting his audience with a tragic ending, then he must bear the scrutiny of critical intelligence and answer for his lapses into incredible orgies of 'farcialities'. Mr. J. P. Adwani is supposed to be the author of this photoplay. He is to be congratulated on giving us in a single picture the pick of the humorous situations from atleasi three foreign pictures — "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife", "Rage of Paris" and "King And The Chorus Girls". Or has he never heard of these pictures ? The Story: A drunkard Prince Anand (Kumar) is to be married, according to the decision of his Council, to Princess Sarita (Sunita Devi) of a neighbouring state. Then he falls in love with Nama (Sitara), a Gipsy girl. She is brought to the Palace disguised as a Princess to exercise a healthy influence on the Prince and cure him of the drink habit. Having lost her memory in an accident, she really believes herself to be a Princess (though it is remarkable that not once does she want to go back to her 'royal' family!) The Prince gives up drink ing under the influence of his love for Nama. Then there are a series of misunderstandings, as Nama was already engaged to be married to a man from her own tribe. When her memory returns she finds herself suspected of treachery by both her lovers the Prince as well as the Gypsy. And, then, just as we are expecting the clouds to roll by and the Prince and his beloved recon Maya — appears as the leading lady of Circo's "Laxmi". ciled, the Gypsy girl for no rhyme or reason goes and drowns herself in the river, and for once the hero cannot save the heroine ! Production: Technically Ranjit pictures, even in the B Class, are showing considerable improvement. The Director, however, has failed t-> make the best use of the cinematographer and the audiographer. For more than half the picture the slapstick technique is used to good effect scoring many laugh-hits but after that 'psychology' comes upon the scene and all the characters who were hitherto fooling about develop a heart and conscience and start running after one another to the background song of Indubala ! No wonder the credit titles don't mention the name of the scenario-writer! Performances: Kumar is not meant to play such frivolous roles. But still he does his best in the circumstances and towards the end gives a really good performance as the remorseful lover. Sitara is vivacious and full of pep and gives a spicy portrayal of the gypsy girl. Charlie and Ghory, as usual, make a good comedy pair — in the old slapstick tradition. Kantilal sings some excellent songs but better still is the nameless actor who sings "Nadi Pukare, Ao Sajan, Nadi Kinare." Those who want to make a comparative study of directorial ability ought to see Ram Marathe in "Admi"' and then see him in "Nadi Kinare." Points of Appeal: As a comedy, spiced with a number of song-hits, this picture ought to do well. But if it is to be enjoyed it should not bo taken too seriously. KAHAN HAI MANZIL TERI Produced by: Wadia Movietone Story, Dialogues and Songs: Wahid Qureshi Direction: S. M. Yousuf Music: Madhavlal Master Cinematography: M. A. Rehman Audiography: Behram Bharucha Cast: Ila Devi, Radha Rani, Urmila, Nazira, Harishchandra. Shah Nawaz, Master Chhotu etc. Released at : Lamington Talkies, Bombay Date of Release 9th November 1939. The release of this picture marks an important landmark in the life of the enterprising Wadia Movietone who had hitherto restricted themselves to the production of stunt pictures and 'thrillers', some of which had, indeed, made box-office history. "Kahan Hai Manzil Teri?" (There is no reason to be frightened by the title) is a lavish and ambitious production which deserves credit more for its enterprise than for its achievement ! The Story: At the opening of the story, we are shown a Santhal tribe preparing for the annual sacrifice of a virgin at the altar of the local 'god'. Actually, the unscrupulous and wily High Priest Balraj (Shah Nawaz) has arranged to keep the 'sacrificed' virgins in a hidden chamber, to be the unwilling victims of his lustful passions. Paras (Harishchandra), a spirited youth, protests against the sacrifice of his sister and thus earns the ire 49