Miss Malini: Difference between revisions
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On 26 September 1947, ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Technical brilliance marks out ''Miss Malini'' as Gemini's most outstanding achievement.....and a film of immense significance for the Indian screen". ''Free Press'' wrote on the same day, "[''Miss''] ''Malini'' with its technical perfection, good photography and high level acting splashed by good music, and untainted by vulgarity will provide good entertainment." The following day, ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "Presenting a sort of skit on modern life, it is fine entertainment." On 3 October, ''[[The Mail (newspaper)|The Mail]]'' wrote, "There is fine acting, splendid music, enchanting pageantry and skillful direction."<ref name="reviews">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19471021&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | title=All about Miss Malini the press acclaims | work=[[The Indian Express]] | date=21 October 1947 | accessdate=11 April 2017 | location=Madras | archiveurl=https://archive.org/details/TheIndianExpress21October1947 | archivedate=11 April 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> |
On 26 September 1947, ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Technical brilliance marks out ''Miss Malini'' as Gemini's most outstanding achievement.....and a film of immense significance for the Indian screen". ''Free Press'' wrote on the same day, "[''Miss''] ''Malini'' with its technical perfection, good photography and high level acting splashed by good music, and untainted by vulgarity will provide good entertainment." The following day, ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "Presenting a sort of skit on modern life, it is fine entertainment." On 3 October, ''[[The Mail (newspaper)|The Mail]]'' wrote, "There is fine acting, splendid music, enchanting pageantry and skillful direction."<ref name="reviews">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19471021&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | title=All about Miss Malini the press acclaims | work=[[The Indian Express]] | date=21 October 1947 | accessdate=11 April 2017 | location=Madras | archiveurl=https://archive.org/details/TheIndianExpress21October1947 | archivedate=11 April 2017 | deadurl=no}}</ref> |
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In 1965, ''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'' described ''Miss Malini'' as "the best film" of it's period.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=5Xs6AQAAIAAJ&dq=%22miss+malini%22+gemini&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22miss+malini%22 | title=The Illustrated Weekly of India, Volume 86, Part 1 | publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Company | year=1965 | pages=31}}</ref> Reviewing the film in 2008, Guy described it 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" /> |
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== Legacy == |
== Legacy == |
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Revision as of 11:25, 11 April 2017
| Miss Malini | |
|---|---|
| File:Miss Malini poster.jpg Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Kothamangalam Subbu |
| Written by | R. K. Narayan |
| Produced by | K. Ramnoth |
| Starring | Pushpavalli Kothamangalam Subbu M. S. Sundari Bai |
| Cinematography | M. Natarajan |
| Edited by | N. K. Gopal |
| Music by | S. Rajeswara Rao Parur S. Anantharaman |
Production company | |
Release date | 26 September 1947 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Miss Malini is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language satirical film directed by Kothamangalam Subbu and produced by K. Ramnoth for Gemini Studios. Subbu co-wrote the screenplay with R. K. Narayan and also starred as the male lead, with Pushpavalli and M. S. Sundari Bai as the female leads. Javar Seetharaman and Gemini Ganesan made their acting debut with this film, portraying supporting roles. The film subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now Chennai) during the World War II period (1939-1945).
Miss Malini was released on 26 September 1947. It was praised by intellectuals, but did not succeed commercially due to the lack of commercial elements of Indian films. However, Subbu's performance received wide praise, and the film gained cult status in Tamil cinema. It was later adapted by Narayan into the 1949 novel Mr. Sampath – The Printer of Malgudi, which in turn was adapted into the Hindi film Mr. Sampat (1952). No print of Miss Malini 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 charlatan, 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
- Pushpavalli as Malini
- Kothamangalam Subbu as "Bit Notice" Sampath
- M. S. Sundari Bai as Sundari
- Javar Seetharaman as the director of Kala Mandhiram
- Gemini Ganesan (credited as "R.G.") as an assistant director
- V. Gopalakrishnan as an office boy
Production
Miss Malini was an original script written by novelist R. K. Narayan, not based on any of his past works.[2][3] K. Ramnoth, then the Controller of Productions at Gemini Studios, produced the film under that banner.[4] M. Natarajan worked as cinematographer, N. K. Gopal as the main editor and the art director was A. K. Shekar.[5] Kothamangalam Subbu, besides directing the film, writing the dialogues and co-writing the screenplay,[5][3] starred in a leading role as Sampath, the charlatan also known as "Bit Notice".[6][7] It was his second directorial venture, after Kannamma En Kadhali (1945), also produced by Gemini Studios.[8] Narayan's brother R. K. Ramachandran, who did some editing on the film (marking his cinematic debut), believed that the character of Sampath was inspired by Sathashivayya, a real life man in Mysore who "exploited young women singers and artistes under the guise of promoting them".[3]
The film featured Pushpavalli in the title role and M. S. Sundari Bai as Malini's friend Sundari.[1] N. Seetharaman, who later became popularly known as Javar Seetharaman, made his acting debut with this film, portraying the director of Kala Mandhiram.[1][9] The film also marked the cinematic debut of Ramaswamy Ganesan, who later became popularly known as Gemini Ganesan. He was then working in Gemini Studios' casting department, and Ramnoth cast him as the assistant director employed under Seetharaman's character.[4] Ganesan was credited onscreen as "R.G.", an initialism for "Ramaswamy Ganesan".[10] V. Gopalakrishnan appeared as an office boy.[11] S. Varalakshmi and Suryaprabha played supporting roles.[5] The final length of the film was 13,924 feet (4,244 m).[5]
Themes
Miss Malini 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 soundtrack, 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 "Sri Saraswathi".[12][13] "Mylapore Vakkeelathu" was written by Subbu, and explores a young woman's ambition to marry a lawyer from Mylapore.[14] Gemini Studios head S. S. Vasan hired D. K. Pattammal to sing "Sri Saraswathi", picturised on Malini. However, it was excluded from the final cut in favour of a version performed by T. V. Rathinam.[13] Vasan later told film historian Randor Guy that the character of Malini was an impoverished woman with no training in music when the song takes place, and could not be expected to sing with the "class, perfection and brilliance" of Pattammal, citing this as the reason he chose "a regular singer" to sing the song.[15] The songs attained popularity,[1] particularly "Mylapore Vakkeelathu" which highlighted the association between Mylapore and lawyers.[16][14]
Release and reception
Miss Malini was released on 26 September 1947.[17] A cartoon of roughly 10 minutes[a] developed by cartoonist N. Thanu, titled Cinema Kadhambam, was screened after the interval of the film.[5][19] The cartoon, starring actors Ranjan and Vasundhara, was regarded by Randor Guy as being the first cartoon film produced in South Indian cinema.[18] Miss Malini was well-received by intellectuals; critics praised Subbu's performance as Sampath.[7] Despite this, it was not successful at the box-office. In 2008, Guy attributed the film's failure to it's lack of commercial elements that would have helped it reach out to filmgoers.[1]
On 26 September 1947, The Hindu wrote, "Technical brilliance marks out Miss Malini as Gemini's most outstanding achievement.....and a film of immense significance for the Indian screen". Free Press wrote on the same day, "[Miss] Malini with its technical perfection, good photography and high level acting splashed by good music, and untainted by vulgarity will provide good entertainment." The following day, The Indian Express wrote, "Presenting a sort of skit on modern life, it is fine entertainment." On 3 October, The Mail wrote, "There is fine acting, splendid music, enchanting pageantry and skillful direction."[20]
In 1965, The Illustrated Weekly of India described Miss Malini as "the best film" of it's period.[21] Reviewing the film in 2008, Guy described it 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
Following the financial failure of Miss Malini, Vasan lamented that "making films for intellectuals would not bring money"; Guy considered this a "lesson" he learnt from making the film.[1] Despite this, it attained cult status in Tamil cinema,[7] and the character of Sampath became iconic.[1] Subbu became popularly known by the nickname "Bit Notice" after the film's release; children around Kapaleeshwarar Temple would scream "Bit Notice" when he passed by that area.[3] A dialogue from the film, "Be wise (and) advertise"[b] also attained popularity.[22] Ganesan's role won acclaim, and soon after, he received more acting offers.[23] Guy noted that he went on to "blossom as one of the top stars of South Indian cinema".[1] The film was later adapted by Narayan into the 1949 novel Mr. Sampath – The Printer of Malgudi,[7] which in turn was adapted into the Hindi film Mr. Sampat (1952).[24][c] No print of Miss Malini is known to survive, making it a lost film.[1]
Notes
- ^ While Randor Guy estimated the cartoon to have run for "5 to 10 minutes",[18] the 1992 book Films Division and the Indian documentary by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says it was 8 minutes long.[19]
- ^ While Randor Guy states the dialogue was "Be wise and advertise!",[27] Swarnavel Easwaran Pillai, author of the 2015 book Madras Studios, states it was "Be wise, advertise". Neither of them mention which character in the film uttered the dialogue.[22]
- ^ While Vasan's son S. S. Balan stated in 2012 that Mr. Sampat was adapted from Miss Malini,[25] a December 1952 article by The Times of India stated that it was "based on a popular story which appeared in serial form in The Illustrated Weekly of India some time ago".[26]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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) - ^ "Frontline". 13 (13–20). 1996.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b c d 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) - ^ a b Guy, Randor (15 August 2003). "Star and a versatile actor". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ 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) - ^ Ganesh 2011, p. 50.
- ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (8 February 2014). "Blast from the Past: Chandra Mohana or Samooga Thondu 1936". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Director". Kothamangalam Subbu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Guy, Randor (14 November 2015). "Aalayamani (1962) TAMIL". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ 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) - ^ Guy, Randor (13 July 2013). "Thulasimaadam (1963)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "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) - ^ a b Guy, Randor (31 July 2009). "Memorable voice, evergreen songs". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Guy, Randor. "Mylapore Lawyer". Mylaporelawyerpichai.org. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Guy 1997, p. 234.
- ^ Ramnarayan, Gowri (15 June 2010). "Memories of Madras: Mystic aura of Mylapore". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Madhavan, Pradeep (14 November 2014). "ஜெமினி கணேசன் பிறந்தநாள்: நவம்பர் 17 - காதல் மன்னன் பிறந்த கதை". The Hindu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Guy, Randor (3 December 2011). "Padma Jyoti 1937". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Narwekar 1992, p. 45.
- ^ "All about Miss Malini the press acclaims". The Indian Express. Madras. 21 October 1947. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ The Illustrated Weekly of India, Volume 86, Part 1. Bennett, Coleman & Company. 1965. p. 31.
- ^ a b Pillai 2015, p. 173.
- ^ Ganesh 2011, pp. 50–51.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 326.
- ^ Ghosh 2013, chpt. Mr. Sampat (1952).
- ^ "Vast crowds welcome Gemini's Mr Sampat". The Times of India. 26 December 1952.
- ^ Guy, Randor (23 May 2003). "With a finger on people's pulse". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
Bibliography
- Ganesh, Narayani (2011). Eternal Romantic: My Father Gemini Ganesan. Lustre Press. ISBN 978-8174365781.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Guy, Randor (1997). Starlight, Starbright: The Early Tamil Cinema. Amra Publishers.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Ghosh, Abhijit (2013). 40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed. Westland. ISBN 978-93-83260-31-7.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Narwekar, Sanjit (1992). Films Division and the Indian documentary. India: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Pillai, Swarnavel Eswaran (2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. India: SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-93-515-0121-3.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. ISBN 019-563579-5.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
