FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

September 1942 FILMINDIA Producers must not encourage these racketeering artistes who wish to exploit their popularity by following pseudo-capitalistic methods. Their high and handscme earnings will provide a bad example to the new comers and even to those who work regularly in our well established studios. The nett result will be an all round demand for big salaries which the producers can ill-afford to pay in these times. If the producers don't learn in time to cut down their production costs, the sky will soon be the limit to the greed of these film artistes. The producers' association must seriously think of this problem which wHl scon become a menace to the producers and to the industry. Another way to meet this menace is to boycott these racketeering artistes and search relentlessly for new talent. There are still many unknown, sighing silently to join the films. We still admire the production methods of Prabhat and Pancholi, who always give a couple of new faces to the screen and who rely the least on old talent. WAKE UP AND SHOUT Ahnost every other day, we receive a complaint from s: me distant station about the shortage of cinema projectors in the country. It seems that hundreds of Baburao Pendharkar gives a classic performance as "Vithu" the untouchable in "Damaji" a New Huns picture to be released through the Silver Screen Exchange. In "Ever Yours'', a Navayug picture, Damuanna Malwankar imposes himself on millions by belonging to everyone. new stations are waiting to open new cinemas but they can not get the necessary machinery nor the license to consume electrical energy. On inquiry at the import end of this cinema machinery we are told that the Government are reluctant about granting import licenses and machinery dealers just can not manage to get any new projectors into the country. This is a really a bad state of affairs, as, not only can't we open new cinemas in the country, thus restricting the natural expansion of an important industry, but, we are told, there is also an alarming shortage in spares and accessories which are badly required for maintaining the present cinema installations in working order. This is too bad and those several associations and societies which have assumed to themselves the role of protecting the interests of cur film industry should really get going and raise a loud wail till the Government is compelled to grant some sort of priority of importing if nt t any new machinery, at least the accessories to keep the old skeletons in condition. Otherwise, the industry will soon see some of the present cinemas closing down. That will mean less money to the industry. ALEX SHAW AGAIN "After six weeks in India it seemed quite obvious that everybody in your country is slightly mad. Some, 1!