FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

OUR REVIEW "ilhoola" R Terrific Box-Off ice Hit! Rshok Kumar's Sparkling Performance Beautiful Lyrics Sustain Interest! This is the conventional story which the Bcmbay Talkies has been giving since the beginning. The screenplay, however, is interestingly prepared balancing the dramatic values cleverly throughout the picture. Incidentally, this is the fourth successive triumph for producer Mukerjee, who seems to have acquired the rare knack of giving box-office hits. There is, as usual, a Zamindar and a good boy and a bad boy with a girl around whom the entire incidents keep moving. It is the usual triangle with not a single angle straining anyone's imagination at any stage in the picture and to that extent the picture becomes a very patent entertainment popular with the masses. It is high time that the Bombay Talkies who are to-day at the tcp of the ladder in popularity in all the provinces, should use their mighty draw to give to the country some progressive pictures which would help our people to solve their numerous problems from day to day. It is admitted that the film is the most powerful medium of propaganda in the country to-day. After realising this truth, the responsibility of the Bombay Talkies, because of their immense popularity, becomes all the greater to harness this power of propaganda for the greater good of the country rather than use it merely for individual profits. J H O O L A Producers: Bombay Talkies Ltd. Screenplay: Gyan Mukerji and Santoshi Dialogues: Santoshi and Latif Lyrics: Pradeep Photography: R. D. Pareenja Audiography: S. B. Vacha Music: Sarasvati Devi Cast: Ashok Kumar, Leela Chitnis, V. H. Desai, Mumtaz Ali. Karuna Devi, Shahzadi, etc. Released At: Roxy Cinema. Bombay. Date of Release: 27th Dec. 1941 Director: GYAN MUKERJI Poet Pradeep whose lilting lyrics often become the nation's popular songs. THE CONVENTIONAL STORY This is a storv of Geeta. a Postmaster's daughter. Ramesh and Mahesh, two well-to-do boys with money. Mahesh inherits his father's money and picks up a quarrel with Ramesh because Ramesh also gets a part cf it. Ramesh, however, renounces his claim and goes away to the village. He comes to the village where Geeta lives and there they meet through the good graces of Rehman, a postman. Geeta and Ramesh become friends and continue their love gambols through many a situation. Several of these situations are unccnvincing, nevertheless, they entertain. The romantic interest in the story practically ends at the interval with Mr. Gyan Mukherjee, the director of "Jhoola". the hero and the heroine confessing to each other their love. It does become unconvincing after the interval to see Mahesh suddenly developing a very active interest in Geeta, but the film story has to be chewed long like the gum to give the people some entertainment for two and a half hours. The opposition of Mahesh takes the shape of the usual screen thrills such as kidnappings, escapades, attempted rape etc. This element of entertainment has recently come into the Bombay Talkies' pictures and it certainly does not add to their dignity and charm. However, Mahesh makes it hot for Geeta for sometime and Ramesn comes to know of the exploit of Mahesh and like a traditional hero runs to the rescue of the damsel in distress till it all solves itself by becoming a happy reunion of lovers and brothers. OUTSTANDING MUSIC The most outstanding feature 01 the picture is its music. A couple of snappy tunes become very popular and therefore guarantee repeataudiences. Poet Pradeep's lyrical compositions are a treat by themselves and (Con. on page 73) 67