FilmIndia (1946)

May, 1946 FILMINDI A Is Sushila Rani giving an assurance to Trilok in "Gvalan", a picture directed by Baburao Patel? he displays his affection for foreign films to be shown in Great Britain. He has recently completed arrangements whereby he will be showing French and Russian films in London. All this love, for the foreigner however, is not so altruistic as it looks because in their characteristic, blunt and honest manner, the French and Russian producers once blurted out: "If you want to show British films in our country, then you must give us a break in your cinemas." As an international sportsman of business, Arthur Rank unders'ands this Franco-Russian language belter than the other British producers. Why can't the Indians speak the same words to the Yankees and the Bu!l Dogs overseas if they want their Ram Rajyas and Bharat Milaps to be shown in London and New York: WE COUNT OUR DEAD Dr. George Gallup, the counting wonder of Yankee land who can tell you how many grey hair American women have in their wigged tops, tells us that 66,000,000 paid full admission prices at the Nations Theatres every week according to a recent assessment. That is an increase of 22% over 1940. We can tell you, without the help of Dr. Gallup 35,00,000 died of starvation within 4 months in Bengal. In India polls are taken in the crematoriums and graveyards. PASSING OF A PIONEER Mr. Shamji Kalidas We regret to announce the sudden death of Mr. Shamji Kalidas on 1 8th April '46 at Rajkot from heart failure at the age of 58. Popularly known as the "Film King of Africa", the late Shamji Seth was a real trade pioneer in every sense of the word. At the young age of 16 when he crossed the seas in searcb of fortune, he had not a copper to his name in the wide world. For years he struggled in a strange and nonetoo-sympathetic country and if success is to be measured with the yardstick of money. Shamji Seth ended h:s career as a multi-millionaire. Though the late Shamji Seth's principle business was piecegoods, he took great pioneering interest in the Indian film industry and took the Indian films to the different Africas for the first time. At the time of his death he controlled the biggest theatre chain for Indian pictures in the face of severe White opposition. Born in the same town as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajkot, this tough son of Kaihiawar fought many a year with the White competition to introduce and establish the Indian films. Today, the Indian producers look upon the African income as a substantial contribution to their production plans. Thanks to the late Shamji Seth. But Shamji Seth's activities on behalf of the Indian did not restrict themselves to the exhibition of films in the different Africas. He generously financed many a struggling film production company in India and at the time of his death over 50 lakhs of rupees were engaged on the production side of the industry. With the others in the film industry we mourn the death of a great pioneer and pray for peace to his soul in heaven. ONCE AGAIN Even at forty, Miriam Hopkins believes in keeping her bed warm. News comes to us that she was recently married to Raymond B. Brock, eight years younger War Correspond ent and Lecturer. And with this marriage she inherits a ready-made child from Brock's first marriage. This is Miriam's fourth adventure and little Raymon's second. HIS LAST ACT Lionel Atwill, the well-known Hollywood actor, is no more. He died of pneumonia at his Hollywood home on the night of April 22nd. He had been ill for sometime.