Memories of movies and movie theatres of yesteryear
By Wan Chwee Seng
Dusk was just beginning to slip into night when a white van rolled onto the playing field. Workers emerged from the van and began to assemble and erect poles to support a white canvas screen.
 |
| The playing field in front of our house. Photo: taken in 2012 |
It was the early 1950s and we were staying in one of the government quarters in the Residential Area, Kuala Pilah. From the front veranda of the house which overlooked the field, young, curious eyes followed their every move.
 |
| The house at 246 B, Residential Area Kuala Pilah. in the 1950s. |
 |
| The house at 246B, Residential Area in 2012 |
Then as the darkness deepened, murky figures began to converge on the field and head towards the white screen, like moths being drawn to the fragrance of a white blossom.
A generator sputtered to life and a projector mounted at the back of the van beamed its bright light on the cinema screen, revealing a picture of a leaping tiger and the words 'Malayan film Unit'.
Realising,the movie was about to start, we scurried across the narrow road to join the fairly large crowd who stood or sat on the grass. A few had come prepared for the show and had brought along mats or small stools with them.
 |
| A crowd watching an open air movie Photo credit: Finasgovt.com |
Oblivious to the throbbing sound of the generator and the blurry and grainy film , the crowd watched, enthralled at the scene unfolding before their eyes. There was no TV then and a movie theatre had still to make its appearance in the small town of Kuala Pilah, so the free movie provided the residents with a welcome break from their mundane existence.
For me and my siblings, it was also our first experience of watching a movie.
A few years later, our school, Tuanku Muhammad School would screen movies like 'Tarzan' and 'The three musketeers' for the pupils during some weekends. I remember after watching 'The three musketeers' my friends and I would venture into the thickets that flanked the dirt track that meandered towards our houses The morning air would soon be filled with shouts and the clash of wooden swords as we assumed the roles of Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
 |
| Tuanku Muhammad School in 1946. |
One evening father came back from work and gave us a few complimentary tickets for the reserved seats which the owner of the newly- built Majestic Theater had given him.
 |
| The Majestic Theatre in Kuala Pilah |
Father had helped the owner when he was a young and struggling businessman. He was grateful for father's assistance. Whenever there was a good movie he would give father some complimentary tickets. I can remember that first visit to the movie theatre. We could feel the sense of excitement as we made our way up the carpeted aisle leading to the balcony and let ourselves sink into the comfort of the soft seat.
One of the earliest and memorable movies I remember watching at the theatre was the 1949 production of 'The Blue Lagoon' starring Jean Simmons and Donald Houston
 |
| The 1949 movie: The Blue Lagoon starring Jean Simmons and Donald Houston Photo Credit: Doctormacro.com |
Then in the mid fifties, after father passed away, we moved back to Batu Berendam, a small village, about four miles from Melaka Town. Unlike Kuala Pilah, there were already a few movie theatres such as Rex, Federal, Cathay, Capitol, Lido and Savoy in Melaka Town. However without the complimentary tickets which we used to get in Kuala Pilah, all we could afford was the Saturday's cheap matinee. Occasionally, we would take a bus for the night show, but we had to make sure it ended early as the last bus to Batu Berendam was at midnight.Once, my friend and I, was so engrossed in a movie that we didn't realise that the movie ended well past midnight. The thought of having to walk four miles back to our homes, made me approach two girls who were standing near their car. I explained to them our predicament and we were pleasantly surprised when they offered to give us a lift home. Although, I have forgotten their names I will always be grateful for their help and kindness.
While most of the youngsters in our kampung preferred the Hollywood movies, the older kampung folks preferred watching Malay or Indian movies ( now known as Bollywood) which were usually screened at the Lido Theatre.
While most of the youngsters in our kampung preferred the Hollywood movies, the older kampung folks preferred watching Malay or Indian movies ( now known as Bollywood) which were usually screened at the Lido Theatre.
I recall, at the end of the month whenever there was an Indian movie, the Lido Theatre would be patronized by the estate workers from the nearby rubber plantations. They came in their best attire, squeezed tightly at the rear of open back lorries.
 |
| The abandoned building of Capitol Theatre |
 |
| Federal Theatre converted into a furniture showroom |
With the advent of televisions, home movie theatres, and cineplex theatres, the movie theatres have disappeared. Most have been demolished and replaced with high-rise buildings while others are left in a state of disrepair. The movie theatres of my childhood days with their bright neon signs; the huge hand-painted billboards with pictures of stars and the prominently displayed words, 'Now Showing', 'Next Change', 'Coming Soon', are now just a memory.
I remember my first movie, or rather, first fifteen minutes of a movie was Planet of the Apes, starring Charlton Heston. I had to be carried out crying. The second or third was the legendary first Star Wars movie, which was a much happier personal experience!
ReplyDelete