FilmIndia (1940)

Our Review "llliisafir" Draws Crowds Rt Opera House Chaturbhuj Doshi Scores Again Light Entertainment With A Nodding Theme For sheer entertainment, "Musafir" the latest Ran jit release, is hard to beat. It has a sad theme underlying it, but nowhere has the theme been allowed to spread its natural atmosphere, so well has comedy been sprinkled over it. The germ of the idea that runs through the picture is provocative in its philosophy and the unknown writer could have turned it into a pathetic melodrama, but he didn't. Instead he draped it in parody and satire and giving it the spice of comedy has made it into a topping entertainment with a subtly suggestive instruction. And the slapstick portions actually become slants when viewed this way. "Musafir" therefore becomes a clever picture in presentation though at first sight one might think it to be all silly and nonsensical. But humour has its own school of Charlie— the Prince, King and Emperor of comedy and at times the princess etc., too gives you severe jerks in "Musaflr" a Ranjit picture. nonsense and though it often doesn't appeal to the intellectual snobs who are obsessed with themes and theories, it still has a popular following. I would therefore commend "Musafir" for an evening's light entertainment to those people who enjoy seeing foreign pictures like: "My favourite Wife", "Too Many Husbands", and "Bachelor Mother." A RIOT OF FUN The story is simple, though it has its roots embedded in the grim realities of life. A prince returns home to his state after foreign education and finds his little kingdom in a chaos of intrigues and designs • MUSAFIR J Story: Source Unknown j Dialogues & j Songs: D. N. Madhok j Cinematography: L. N. Varma j Audiography: K. V. Shah J Music: Jnan Dutt } Cast: Charlie, Vasanti. Khv.Tsheed, Ishwarlal. J Released At: Royal Opera I House j Uat2 of Release: 17th August j 1940. t I Director: — CHATURBHUJ DOSHI. The red tape and hide-bound traditions soon get on his nerves and he goes adventuring among the poor to find a little sincere love and a little less hypocrisy. He comes across a village maiden who soon falls in love with him for his own sake and many a thrill they meet together to make the drama a colourful riot of fun and laughter. Chaturbhuj Doshi, the Director, seems to have found his forte in comedy work, seeing that his last good success was "The Secretary" another clever comedy. In "Musafir" he has again distinguished himself by giving the picture some deft touches which for their subtlety of <4 Mr. Chaturbhuj Doshi intelligence are commendable. A theme that threatened to become a serious melodrama at every stage, the director has succeeded in cleverly keeping within the confines of the slapstick school of humour, which probably was the predetermined design of the story. Producing a picture to meet a precise and predefined demand is a difficult job and more so when a director is called upon to hold together the different threads of the story in a comedy grip. Chaturbhuj Doshi has superbly succeeded in doing this and incidentally making the comedy aspect an effective box-office element. THE INIMITABLE CHARLIE Charlie — that word is an institution— that name is an affection while that man is perhaps the most lovable freak the Indian screen has ever known. His versatile talent with its numerous facets is a treat to watch. In "Musafir" he makes the picture a big playground for his tricks and stalks through with the air of a "monarch of all I survey." Vasanti, beautiful and pathetic, — Khursheed, charming and seductive— Ishwarlal, polished and sincere — all three give their usual best. "Musafir's" music can be described in one word "popular". It is sweet to hear and pleasant to remember. I only wish the songs had been better composed, with a little more sense in the words. Well, see "Musafir". It is a good relief after a day's hard work. 26