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| country = [[India]]
| country = [[India]]
| language = Tamil
| language = Tamil
| budget =
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'''''Miss Malini''''' is a 1947 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] [[satire|satirical]] film directed by [[Kothamangalam Subbu]], written by [[R. K. Narayan]] and produced by [[Gemini Studios]]. The film featured [[Pushpavalli]], Subbu, [[M. S. Sundari Bai]], [[Javar Seetharaman]] and [[Gemini Ganesan]] (in his acting debut). It included aspects of life in Madras (now known as [[Chennai]]) during the [[World War II]] period (1939-1945) when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and includes depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral dilemmas its characters face pursuing business and personal interests. No [[release print|print]] of the film is known to survive, making it a [[lost film]].
'''''Miss Malini''''' is a 1947 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] [[satire|satirical]] film directed by [[Kothamangalam Subbu]], written by [[R. K. Narayan]] and produced by [[Gemini Studios]]. The film featured [[Pushpavalli]], Subbu, [[M. S. Sundari Bai]], [[Javar Seetharaman]] and [[Gemini Ganesan]] (in his acting debut). The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now [[Chennai]]) during the [[World War II]] period (1939-1945). Released on 26 September 1947, it was praised by intellectuals, but did not succeed commercially due to the lack of regular ingredients of Indian films. No [[release print|print]] of the film is known to survive, making it a [[lost film]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 34: Line 33:


==Production==
==Production==
''Miss Malini'' was an original script written by novelist [[R. K. Narayan]], not based on any of his past works.<ref name="flood">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/26/stories/13261282.htm | title=A flood of fond memories | work=The Hindu | date=26 July 2001 | accessdate=4 April 2017 | last=Guy | first=Randor | archiveurl=https://archive.is/DUYqz | archivedate=4 April 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> Produced by Ramnath under [[Gemini Studios]],<ref name="Anandan" /> the film featured [[Pushpavalli]] in the title role and [[M. S. Sundari Bai]] as Malini's friend. [[Kothamangalam Subbu]], besides directing the film, starred as Sampath, the swindler.<ref name="blast" /> Narayan's brother R. K. Ramachandran, who did some editing on the film (marking his cinematic debut), believes that the character was inspired by Sathashivayya, a real life man in [[Mysore]] who "exploited young women singers and artistes under the guise of promoting them".<ref name="flood"/> The cast also included N. Sitaraman, who later became known as [[Javar Seetharaman]], and a debut by Ramaswamy Ganesan who was working in Gemini Studios casting department before going on to "blossom as one of the top stars of [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]] — [[Gemini Ganesan]]".<ref name="blast"/> M. Natarajan worked as cinematographer, N. K. Gopal as the main editor and the art director was A. K. Shekar.<ref name="Anandan" /> The final length of the film was {{convert|13924|feet|metres}}.<ref name="Anandan" />
''Miss Malini'' was an original script written by novelist [[R. K. Narayan]], not based on any of his past works.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=vJ5KAQAAIAAJ&dq=miss+malini+1947&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=miss+malini | title=Frontline | year=1996 | volume=13 | issue=13-20}}</ref><ref name="flood">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/26/stories/13261282.htm | title=A flood of fond memories | work=The Hindu | date=26 July 2001 | accessdate=4 April 2017 | last=Guy | first=Randor | archiveurl=https://archive.is/DUYqz | archivedate=4 April 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> Produced by Ramnath under [[Gemini Studios]],<ref name="Anandan" /> the film featured [[Pushpavalli]] in the title role and [[M. S. Sundari Bai]] as Malini's friend. [[Kothamangalam Subbu]], besides directing the film, starred as Sampath, the swindler.<ref name="blast" /> Narayan's brother R. K. Ramachandran, who did some editing on the film (marking his cinematic debut), believes that the character was inspired by Sathashivayya, a real life man in [[Mysore]] who "exploited young women singers and artistes under the guise of promoting them".<ref name="flood"/> The cast also included N. Sitaraman, who later became known as [[Javar Seetharaman]], and a debut by Ramaswamy Ganesan who was working in Gemini Studios casting department before going on to "blossom as one of the top stars of [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]] — [[Gemini Ganesan]]".<ref name="blast"/> M. Natarajan worked as cinematographer, N. K. Gopal as the main editor and the art director was A. K. Shekar.<ref name="Anandan" /> The final length of the film was {{convert|13924|feet|metres}}.<ref name="Anandan" />


== Themes ==
== Themes ==
The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now [[Chennai]]) during the [[World War II]] period (1939-1945) when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and includes depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral dilemmas its characters face pursuing business and personal interests.<ref name="blast" />
The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now [[Chennai]]) during the [[World War II]] period (1939-1945) when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and included depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral dilemmas its characters face pursuing business and personal interests.<ref name="blast" />


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
Line 43: Line 42:


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Miss Malini'' was released on 26 September 1947.<ref name="Anandan">{{cite book | url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1947-cinedetails23.asp | title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru | trans_title=Tamil film history and its achievements | publisher=Sivagami Publishers | last=Film News Anandan | authorlink=Film News Anandan | year=2004 | location=Chennai | language=Tamil | archiveurl=https://archive.is/cokJE | archivedate=24 March 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> A 10-minute cartoon developed by cartoonist Thanu, titled ''Cinema Kadhambam'', was screened after the [[Intermission|interval]] of the film.<ref name="Anandan" /> Although ''Miss Malini'' was well-received by intellectuals, it was not successful at the box-office. Film historian [[Randor Guy]] attributed the film's failure to it's lack of "love, sex and action" that would have helped it reach out to filmgoers.<ref name="blast" /> He described ''Miss Malini'' as "one of the finest social satires to have been made in South Indian cinema" and noted that it "did not receive the appreciation it so richly deserved" because it was ahead of its time. He however described Subbu's performance as "one of the finest portrayals of suave villainy ever seen in South Indian cinema" and concluded that the film would be "remembered for its music, Gemini Ganesan’s debut and as a film that appealed to the intellectuals in South India."<ref name="blast">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/miss-malini-1947/article3023159.ece | title=Miss Malini 1947 | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=25 July 2008 | accessdate=21 April 2012 | last=Guy | first=Randor | authorlink=Randor Guy | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728124200/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/25/stories/2008072550391600.htm | archivedate=28 July 2008 | deadurl=no}}</ref> No print of the film is known to survive, making it a [[lost film]].<ref name="blast" />
''Miss Malini'' was released on 26 September 1947.<ref name="Anandan">{{cite book | url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1947-cinedetails23.asp | title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru | trans_title=Tamil film history and its achievements | publisher=Sivagami Publishers | last=Film News Anandan | authorlink=Film News Anandan | year=2004 | location=Chennai | language=Tamil | archiveurl=https://archive.is/cokJE | archivedate=24 March 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> A 10-minute cartoon developed by cartoonist Thanu, titled ''Cinema Kadhambam'', was screened after the [[Intermission|interval]] of the film.<ref name="Anandan" /> Although ''Miss Malini'' was well-received by intellectuals, it was not successful at the box-office. In 2008, film historian [[Randor Guy]] attributed the film's failure to it's lack of "love, sex and action" that would have helped it reach out to filmgoers.<ref name="blast" /> He described ''Miss Malini'' as "one of the finest social satires to have been made in South Indian cinema" and noted that it "did not receive the appreciation it so richly deserved" because it was ahead of its time. He however described Subbu's performance as "one of the finest portrayals of suave villainy ever seen in South Indian cinema" and concluded that the film would be "remembered for its music, Gemini Ganesan’s debut and as a film that appealed to the intellectuals in South India."<ref name="blast">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/miss-malini-1947/article3023159.ece | title=Miss Malini 1947 | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=25 July 2008 | accessdate=21 April 2012 | last=Guy | first=Randor | authorlink=Randor Guy | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728124200/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/25/stories/2008072550391600.htm | archivedate=28 July 2008 | deadurl=no}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Subbu, whose character Sampath is known by the nickname "Bit Notice", became popularly known by the same nickname after the film's release.<ref name="flood" /> A dialogue from the film, "Be wise, advertise" also attained popularity.{{Sfn|Pillai|2015|p=173}} No print of the ''Miss Malini'' is known to survive, making it a [[lost film]].<ref name="blast" />

== See also ==
* ''[[Mr. Sampat]]''


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book | url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=HreICwAAQBAJ&dq=miss+malini+1947&source=gbs_navlinks_s | title=Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema | publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] | last=Pillai | first=Swarnavel Eswaran | year=2015 | location=India | isbn=978-93-515-0121-3 | ref=harv}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 15:04, 4 April 2017

Miss Malini
File:Miss Malini.jpg
A still from the film
Directed byKothamangalam Subbu
Written byR. K. Narayan
Produced byRamnath
StarringPushpavalli
Kothamangalam Subbu
M. S. Sundari Bai
Javar Seetharaman
Gemini Ganesan
CinematographyM. Natarajan
Edited byN. K. Gopal
Music byS. Rajeswara Rao
Parur S. Anantharaman
Production
company
Release date
26 September 1947
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Miss Malini is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language satirical film directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, written by R. K. Narayan and produced by Gemini Studios. The film featured Pushpavalli, Subbu, M. S. Sundari Bai, Javar Seetharaman and Gemini Ganesan (in his acting debut). The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now Chennai) during the World War II period (1939-1945). Released on 26 September 1947, it was praised by intellectuals, but did not succeed commercially due to the lack of regular ingredients of Indian films. No print of the film is known to survive, making it a lost film.

Plot

Malini, an impoverished woman with an ailing father, leads a miserable life. She reluctantly accepts stage actor-friend Sundari’s suggestion to go on stage, and joins her theatre group, Kala Mandhiram. Success smiles on her and she soon becomes popular with the masses. Sampath, a swindler, befriends Malini and takes control of her life. He persuades her to start her own theatre company. Malini, who has become a puppet in Sampath's hands, severs ties with those who had previously helped her, including Sundari. Soon she is in debt and back at the bottom of the ladder. Sampath abandons her. After Sundari and others come to her rescue, Malini goes back to Kala Mandhiram and begins her life anew, sadder but wiser.[1]

Cast

Production

Miss Malini was an original script written by novelist R. K. Narayan, not based on any of his past works.[3][4] Produced by Ramnath under Gemini Studios,[5] the film featured Pushpavalli in the title role and M. S. Sundari Bai as Malini's friend. Kothamangalam Subbu, besides directing the film, starred as Sampath, the swindler.[1] Narayan's brother R. K. Ramachandran, who did some editing on the film (marking his cinematic debut), believes that the character was inspired by Sathashivayya, a real life man in Mysore who "exploited young women singers and artistes under the guise of promoting them".[4] The cast also included N. Sitaraman, who later became known as Javar Seetharaman, and a debut by Ramaswamy Ganesan who was working in Gemini Studios casting department before going on to "blossom as one of the top stars of South Indian cinema — Gemini Ganesan".[1] M. Natarajan worked as cinematographer, N. K. Gopal as the main editor and the art director was A. K. Shekar.[5] The final length of the film was 13,924 feet (4,244 m).[5]

Themes

The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now Chennai) during the World War II period (1939-1945) when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and included depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral dilemmas its characters face pursuing business and personal interests.[1]

Soundtrack

S. Rajeswara Rao and Carnatic musician Parur S. Anantharaman composed the film's score, while Subbu and Surabhi were lyricists.[1] The songs featured in the film included "Jegame Oru Chiththira Salai", "Kulikkanum Kalikkanum", "Mylapore Vakkeelathu", "Paadum Radio", "Senthamizh Nadu Sezhiththidave" and "Sree Saraswadhae".[6]

Reception

Miss Malini was released on 26 September 1947.[5] A 10-minute cartoon developed by cartoonist Thanu, titled Cinema Kadhambam, was screened after the interval of the film.[5] Although Miss Malini was well-received by intellectuals, it was not successful at the box-office. In 2008, film historian Randor Guy attributed the film's failure to it's lack of "love, sex and action" that would have helped it reach out to filmgoers.[1] He described Miss Malini as "one of the finest social satires to have been made in South Indian cinema" and noted that it "did not receive the appreciation it so richly deserved" because it was ahead of its time. He however described Subbu's performance as "one of the finest portrayals of suave villainy ever seen in South Indian cinema" and concluded that the film would be "remembered for its music, Gemini Ganesan’s debut and as a film that appealed to the intellectuals in South India."[1]

Legacy

Subbu, whose character Sampath is known by the nickname "Bit Notice", became popularly known by the same nickname after the film's release.[4] A dialogue from the film, "Be wise, advertise" also attained popularity.[7] No print of the Miss Malini is known to survive, making it a lost film.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Guy, Randor (25 July 2008). "Miss Malini 1947". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Guy, Randor (2008). "Round the City's old studios with Randor Guy". Madras Musings. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Frontline". 13 (13–20). 1996. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b c Guy, Randor (26 July 2001). "A flood of fond memories". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Miss Malini (மிஸ் மாலினி)". Inbaminge.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Pillai 2015, p. 173.

Bibliography

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