FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

Out Cinemas *Dont Help To Znteltain Nor Da The Films, Nor The Artistes I dcn't like going to see an Indian film. I dislike everything about it. from the ghastly posters advertising it, to the badly sprung seats upon which I have to sit in order to see the film. I am not an ardent film fan. I like to see good Hollywood films, but I don't cry or gnash mv teeth if I don't go to the pictures at least once a weeK. When I do go to the pictures I like to feel, "Ah, now I can relax and allow myself to be amused". When I go to see an Indian film I can never relax and I'm definitely never amused. But let me explain more clearly the reason for my dislikes. As I am after all just another member of the gullible public, I am easily impressed by attractive posters. When I see a colourful and artistic poster I think to myself "That film must be good. They've taken so much trouble over the poster". I go to the film expecting it to be good and though the film may be disappointing I am not as displeased with it as I would have been had I been discouraged by a poor poster. Posters advertising Indian films are becoming more and more elaborate and also more and more confused and weird. A poster must not only attract the* attention of the public, but be so clear and simple that its message can be absorbed immediately. People don't collect in little groups to gloat over posters, they just glance at them as they pass by. Too many colours are used in Indian posters. The hero's face is painted mauve, the heroine's green and the villains red. In between the coloured faces are slogans advertising the film and these again are painted in various colours. It is easier to abso-rb a map of this city than to take in all thai is drawn and written on an Indian film poster. AND OUR CINEMAS Next, I have fault to find with Indian cinemas. They definitely do not make picturesque blobs on the face of the city. Most of them are old buildings and those which are new stay new-looking just long enough to celebrate their first anniversary and then they begin to look like tenements for poor people. Why can't they be painted more often? Why can't the man in the street remember that walls are made to keep a cinema together and not to be spat upon? Some people can't sit through a film without getting hungry. Indian films are so long we can hardly blame them for feeling empty inside. Surely refreshments can be provided for these people at a good Our posters are becoming more and more confused and weird. distance from the cinema? But no, panwallas. chennawallas and chaiwallas clutter up the aisles of cinemas adding to the pandemonium and making them filthier than before. How can any girl get a thrill out of seeing her favourite star in a romantic situation when the man sitting near her is noisily drinking tea out of a saucer? Ugh! If I ever get really friendly with a cinema manager I'm going to ask him to keep a little clear place in his cinema so that I can take along my own comfortab'e chair. Honestly though, have you ever sat on anything mere uncomfortable than a cinema seat? No answers to this question are expected! Then why can't something be done to control the pushing scrambling crowds who fight to get into the cinema? When I eventually get to my seat, I feel exhausted, and by the time I've managed to struggle out of the building when the picture is over. I feel and look a wreck. Why doesn't some bright opportunist start selling knuckle-dusters outside cinemas0