FilmIndia (Feb-Dec 1949)

lay, 1949 FILM1IND1 A won freedom, or a part of the icy of inflation ?" GPUR. Gangwani R. Lai. INDEED : 1 saw an R.K.O. picture at a mor 2 show in the local "Ganesha Talwhich is a newly-built theatre hout the least notion of acoustics of shutting out light. The pertting light all round made the ;en dim and whatever sound ema•d got lost in all directions leavnothing to reach the ears of the Ber film fans. It was more like Bilent picture and that too with a h v screen. It «a> a picture fea■ing Ginger Rogers and I came 0 a> if I had eaten raw ginger. 1 thi not robbing the hard-earned n nr\ of us poor film fans?" ■TSORE. A. N. Narayana Rao. AND YET ! Your esteemed magazine was peris the only paper which launched igorous campaign against the conation of cinema houses and luxubuildings in these difficult days n thousands of people are passthe bitter winter nights without roof over their heads. Housing these teeming millions who have ii cruel 1) and wantonly chased of their hearth and home b) litical gangsters is the prime need the present day. it is gratifying to note that your :spoken but candid pleadings did not go in vain. A few days ago Prime Minister. Pandit Nehru clearlv stated in the Dominion Parliament that the Central and Provincial Governments would follow the policy of discouraging the indiscriminate use of cement and other materials for cinema 'palaces and luxury buildings." KASGANJ (U.P. I 8. M. Chakraverty. MAKING HAY ! "I read with interest your article in March 1949 issue of "filmindia" under the caption "Suraiya. a risky packet". I think this should serve as an eye opener to our young and greed v film stars who for a few pieces of gold are not only becoming cheaper with the masses but are also losing the appeal of their art. 'Surelv no one can portray different roles successfully in a number of pictures at the same time. Don't vou think it's high time we should also introduce some system of star rationing on the lines of Hollywood ?" NEW DELHI. 1/. P. Bhatia. NOT MONE1 BUT ART? it was with great expectations nid a joy absolutely new that I went to see 'Vellinakshatram' (Malayalami. the maiden production of Messrs. Ldaya Studios. Alleppey. but rearet to say thai I was rewarded with no Ithore Niihu presents his goods in a row in "Sawao V>;i Re". Here llie> U Ramola, Sofia and llic streamlined Mohana. thing but sheer boredom and disappointment. "It is really a pity that the picture produced in our own studio, in our own tongue and played by our own people could not reach the standard of even the second-rate Tamil pictures ! "Strangely enough the picture is directed by a German ! The producers have apparently failed in the selection of the artistes. They are trying to reap a big profit with a small in\ estment. "Kerala lacks nothing that is needed for film production. Nevertheless, her film industry is not going to flourish until and unless monied people come in and do something w orthw hile." KOTTAYAM. P. E. Jacob. IT IS ! >lIn many theatres in Madras and other towns at the end of the picture when the National flag is flashed on the screen for a few seconds most of the spectators in the upper classes w ho are the so-called educated gentlemen get out of the hall, without standing in attention as a mark of respect. Is it not disrespectful on their part to do so?" K AKIN ADA. 0. \t. Venkatraman. PUBLICITY, EH? "Can't something be done to check the uncivilized way of throwing money on the screen during an attractive song or dance? It is bevond any shadow of doubt that this is all pre-arranged by those interested in giving more publicity to the pictures. They depute their agents inside the cinema halls particularly in nine anna class for this purpose with the sole object of whipping up enthusiasm for the picture among the general public. Rut those concerned are living in a fool s paradise if they think that (he public is more attracted by such tactics. On the other hand a large number of people becomes disgusted as the songs cannot be enjoyed fully with such interruptions. ''The owners of the cinemas in which such exhibitions are given also owe some responsibility in the matter as without their consent such things can never happen. They should turn out such persons from the auditorium immediately." NEW DELHI. Jai Parkas/L 67