FilmIndia (1948)

October, 194B much he has contributed to the Mahatma Gandhi Memo-ial Fund. That Keki Modi, our theatre Nizam, opened his Pride of the Post-war Theatre World*' with "Forever Amber", the story of a harlot who changed a lover with everv frock. And Minister Morarji talks of making every theatre an extension of the nation's school-room. That of all people, Ambalal Patel, the man who sells studio lights on Hornby Road, also gave us his version of Gandhiji's life during the Independence Week. The film seemed to be suffering both from diabetes and highblood pressure, the way it jerked about and displayed ulcers of imagination. That Producer Shantaram arrived at Producer Winayak's death anniversary carrying on his rich shoulders two children of the dead man. After this exhibition of love. Winavak must refuse to be reborn. We always thought that Shantaram knew how to nip any competition in the bud. That the two little ones of Winavak were so hungry that thev had to be given something to eat before they could climb to the shoulders of the great man. After all Shantaram must be the Everest of life at least to W inayak's little ones. Wonder, whether the little ones felt frozen up there. That Shantaram couldn't deliver the customary oration there. He was too overcome with the grief of losing his dearlv loved cousin. He wept within himself and swallowed his tears to wet his dry tongue— just as he did in "Dr. Kotnis". And people applauded. After all. what more could a rich cousin do? That Manu Subedar, the magician with Aladdin s Lamp, who built a hotel and a cinema overnight without cement and steel, has now gone to America probably to bring home the plans of the Radio City Music Hall, the world's best theatre. That there are 18 more Manu Magicians discovered in Calcutta and Bengal's Premier Dr. B. C. Roy is searching for their Aladdin lamps. Minister Morarji. of course, does not believe in the lamp legend in spite of Manu's and Modi's cinemas staring him in the face. That those two girls Suraiya and Nargis have been so much multiplied these days that it is difficult to miss a picture with one or the other. People nowadays read the producer's names to judge which picture is more rotten. That the next picture which appears on the screen without these two girls is going to do a silver jubilee all over India. People like to pay for relief. That these two girls are still reported to be charging between 30 and 40 thousand rupees per picture— a pointer to the Income Tax authorities. Producers pay as thev alwavs do. on the age scale— lesser the age. higher the payment. Not for boys though ! That film producers use special silver jubilee mathematics for misguiding the upcountry exhibitors. * Majboor", a Bombay Talkies' picture, recently celebrated a "silver jubilee" in Bombay by adding 18 weeks at one theatre to 7 weeks at another. At this rate one can go up FiLMINDIA to a diamond jubilee. Shantaram once earned honours in these mathematics by adding up theatres after theatres. That Pradeep, who often turns out better bluff than film songs, threatens to produce his own picture these days. The way his partner Gyan Mukherjee is seen sucking his thumb, the first one seems to be going through unusual labours. That way our other song-writer. Pandit Indra, also produced a couple of pictures: "Gharka Chirag" and what not. all, of course, in a magazine advertisement. That some Parsis are cursing Police Commissioner Bharucha and calling him "Parsi names", for stopping smoking in theatres. We sympathize with these fire-worCshippers who couldn't light a cigarette in daylight but could effectively use the twilight of the cinema "auditoriums. That evidently Police Commissioner Bharucha has come under the bad influence of Minister Morarji and given up going to L'dvada even for toddy picnics. At this rate Morarji will compel all the Parsis to migrate once again — this time to Scotland, the land of whisky. That "Rai Bahadur" Chuni Lall looks much younger these days in the belief that "Shaheed" is the best picture of the century. Success is always a better tonic than monkey-glands. That if "Shaheed" does a golden jubilee. "Rai Bahadur" may take to a Gandhi cap and thus upset the market prices of our official helmet which helps our ministers to invent new slogans and excuses. That one of Chandulal s "in-law production units has produced "Jai Hanuman" in 1948 after 33 years of film making to put some monkey glands in the parent concern. And all this after his educational tour of the Continent and the tall talk on return. That Pandit Indra recently visited Rameshwaram and dipped himself in the Indian Ocean for writing "Jai Hanuman". After this penance, the Marwari Brahmin has no intention of returning to Ranjit again unless Chandulal guarantees to pay for another pilgrimage. That in the morality club which Chandulal Shah has suggested for our film folks, no strong drinks will be allowed not even "Nira" for gargling. Chandulal will, however, take classes in rummy, poker, flush, etc. Occasionally the members can indulge in some horse-play with horse betting. That in the morality club, dhotis will be wrapped tight like bandages, so that the Lais and Bhais don't travel upwards scratching absent-mindedly and making old "Rai Bahadur" blush at this age. That Chhotu. the Limping Lama, will be made the president of the morality club to keep it dry and dusted during these days of prohibition. Chandulal Shah is showing a rare sense of humour these days — humour that hurts. That Editor Baburao Patel will be blackballed and refused membership of the morality club, because the mad chap doesn't drink, smoke or even play rummy — the game of multi-millionaires and wears trousers instead of the ever-sliding dhoti. 23