The Legend
I was first introduced to P. Ramlee’s films some 27 years ago and I couldn’t grasp much (as I was still in my nappy) from the films except other people were laughing at the scenes in the square box they were watching. So, I laughed with the crowd following what they were doing. Last night one of the TV channel aired Pendekar Bujang Lapok and I watched the film again for the gazillion times. I can even memorize the lines from the movie (as many of us would) but surprisingly I was never bored watching the film. It was like watching “Pendekar Bujang Lapok” for the first time all over again.
I didn’t watch much of his film and I can only remember films like the Bujang Lapok series, Sarjan Hassan, Penarek Becha (was this the right spelling), Ibu Mertuaku (I almost cried watching this movie but “tahan macho beb”), Antara Dua Darjat, the Do Re Mi series to name a few but putting the knot at the end of all, I realized what a talent he was. After his demise in early 1973 (if I am not mistaken), I can say that none of the artists after him really filled the spot he left. He was a writer, composer, actor and a director (to name a few of his capabilities). But none of that can be compared to his contribution to the Malaysian entertainment industry. He won the Asia Pacific Film Award for the film “Nujum Pa’ Belalang” in the Comedy Category. He composed hundreds of songs and directed hundred of films. He was a Legend. There is a song lyric which sing “Patah tumbuh hilang berganti” but to me, he was never replaced.
If you asked me who is my idol in the Malaysian entertainment industry? My answer will be P. Ramlee. The way he touched our hearts in Ibu Mertuaku and Antara Dua Darjat and the laugh he created in our living room in Seniman Bujang Lapok was never forgotten. We watched his films over and over again but we will never say no when his films were aired. We will always watch his films.
Born as Nyak Ramlee Bin Nyak Puteh in Penang, he started his colorful career in the entertainment industry mostly in Singapore. His name is imprinted in our hearts and to the Legend….. Al-Fatihah…
I didn’t watch much of his film and I can only remember films like the Bujang Lapok series, Sarjan Hassan, Penarek Becha (was this the right spelling), Ibu Mertuaku (I almost cried watching this movie but “tahan macho beb”), Antara Dua Darjat, the Do Re Mi series to name a few but putting the knot at the end of all, I realized what a talent he was. After his demise in early 1973 (if I am not mistaken), I can say that none of the artists after him really filled the spot he left. He was a writer, composer, actor and a director (to name a few of his capabilities). But none of that can be compared to his contribution to the Malaysian entertainment industry. He won the Asia Pacific Film Award for the film “Nujum Pa’ Belalang” in the Comedy Category. He composed hundreds of songs and directed hundred of films. He was a Legend. There is a song lyric which sing “Patah tumbuh hilang berganti” but to me, he was never replaced.
If you asked me who is my idol in the Malaysian entertainment industry? My answer will be P. Ramlee. The way he touched our hearts in Ibu Mertuaku and Antara Dua Darjat and the laugh he created in our living room in Seniman Bujang Lapok was never forgotten. We watched his films over and over again but we will never say no when his films were aired. We will always watch his films.
Born as Nyak Ramlee Bin Nyak Puteh in Penang, he started his colorful career in the entertainment industry mostly in Singapore. His name is imprinted in our hearts and to the Legend….. Al-Fatihah…
posted by Kampong_Boy at
11:36 pm
13 Comments:
Al Fatihah dan Alhamdulillah. Allah gave so many talents in one man to entertain millions to be remembered by generations past and future! Ask any one from any generation who has not heard of P Ramlee?? Everyone can hum and sing a P ramlee song and everyone can remember at least one line from his movies:
Sbarariah!, Siapa itu Kassim Selamat? Majistret? Lawya?"
Ahli musik kak teh...
Hello,Orang Darat...selamat berkenalaan
positron: selamat berkenalan kembali
star: yeah one in a million
But to be honest, P Ramlee himself is not a miracle. I mean he is good but not that stupendous. If you look at the man closely and emotionally detached, P Ramlee was a man ahead of his times. He might be one of the few very well aware of the development and evolution of filmograpphy in the region. He was the first to appreciate and be influenced by the effects of Indian and Hong Kong movies and even Hollywood. During those days slapstick comedy is the in thing. The success of slapstick is based on " foolishness" and " stupidity" and being able to laugh at some ones else expense. So we can conclude he is not really that original.
Regarding his music, admittedly he got a good voice and the ability to sing, but what most people dont appreciate is there are others behind him aiding him in the lime light. A lot of his songs is composed by other ccomposers esp Sumardji.
Its true, his acting is natural and simple and appeals to the masses. The point here where he succeed and others failed is because:
1 P Ramlee is a natural artist and
2 He loves acting.
This is not to be seen in actors following his demise which tend to "overact"
One of the most mystifying points abt P Ramlee is that if we look at his life closely we can two phases:
1) His early years when he is thin and not popular
2) His later years when he is fat and popular
What happen here which most cannot answer is: WHERE AND WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS WATER SHED in the story of this man? I even dare say his popularity even overides great classics like Cgharlie Chaplin. Judged by the frequency of his movies appearing on tv and response by audience of various generations.
In my personal view I do believe his films will last till eternity...how and why this happens...ONLY GOD knows
there are some truth there in your comments. but compard to the film industries now...i think he is still the best... most person is not born with the talent even to think the way he thinks..then...there is a miracle somewhere in his head... sudarmaji is a good writer nevertheless he never uses his talent to the fullest and P. Ramlee saw that in him. P. Ramlee in one way or another brought him to the limelight... but this is just a thought
The discussion on the the classical ever green attraction of P Ramlee films actually open up the 'pandora's box' in the success and failure of malay film industry.
One of the crucial cause of failure in modern malay films is that....too much is scripted and every actor must be bent into memorising the dialogue during shooting of the film but the true sounds of the dialogues are only added during post production stage in the film making.
No matter how good the actor is he will not be able to enter completely with fidelity the emotions of the moment.
This lack of emotion or passion in the voice is similarly felt when you subscribed to films that have been dubbed. Just like Doraemon or Shin chan. It lacks feelings and emotions
During P ramlee's times the script is there as a 'guide' with the actors fully understanding the demand of the script but they are given a free play to modify or adapt it. All the bujang lapok films are like that. There is warmth and sponteinity. This makes the characters become human and alive
If only our modern malay film makers take the trouble to find humility in the steps left by P Ramlee.....hehe No wonder the 50's were considered the golden age of malayfilms...
\
i was born in the 70's but i agree that the 50's is the golden age of malay film... :)
Just to add on with what winnie has said. True, too much scripted dialogues and memorising and plots and sub-plots. And what i find most annoying is that not much importance is given to develop a character, not much emphasis on research work and of course continuity. There is still the attitude that, aaah, the audience don't know any better.
Ooh, we can discuss this till the cows come home.
i don't have cows...can i wait for the cat instead?
By the way have you seen or compare the art of cinematography of malay film industries now and compared with those of P Ramlee's era?
If you study carefully the main difference is not in todays film appearing in colour and previous films in black and white...hehe
Comparatively those days the film equipments are more primitive and limited in their capabilities. Yet they produce damn good fils of quality and artistic values
One of the main difference, in those days, the way the films are shot do not require fast editing. Films those days do not rush for speed but takes time to focus on a particular scene, no fast editings. no complications, out brain have time to absorb and assimilate the joy of the story and the character build up.
Todays films like those in action films like james bond movies depend on fast action fast editing sequences to keep the excitement, killing the boredom...in the end what we get is a dizzying effects as in a state epilepsy after watching stroboscopic effects of lights and rapidly changing images. AND BEST OF ALL WE DO NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING AFTER WATCHING THE FILM COS WE ARE IN A STATE OF HYPNOSIS! HEHE
You dont get such things during pramlees films!
In those days..to create a film is more a sake for the love of art and acting. and not churning pure celluloid rubbish
But i guess I cant blame for wat is happening. It reflects the audience taste. If not yusoff haslam wont be a millionaire
Look at one scene in pendekar bujang lapok when wak mustarjo and one of shariffs dol gangster describe the fighting scene..what a beautiful continuity..a smooth flow of action, from one character to another charater. Its a real skill in film direction!! It is a classic!!
No wonder one do not get fed up watching p ramlees movies again and again as every time you watch the same movie, new undiscovered gems emerges.....
Wah!
No more interested in discussing abt P Ramlee?
I was just abt to discuss in depth abt the use of film studios and sets in making P Ramlee films compared to the lack of use of such facilities in modern malay films
:(
come on winnie,
don't stop, may be you just know a little more than me... keep it coming... ;)
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