2013

From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Yasin Ali T�rkeri
Sent: 17 December, 2013
Subject: About 'Aci Aci Buka Pintu' and P. Ramlee

Hi Yasin,
P Ramlee recorded the song 'Achi Achi Buka Pintu' for his film, 'Nasib Si Labu Labi' (1963). It has local Indian theme in the particular musical scene.

P Ramlee is well known to recycle a few bars of old melody for his new music composition. And, he is master in chords arrangement who is capable of producing a fresh great melody. But I have no idea the origin of that song.

Yasin wrote:

> My name is Yasin Ali Turkeri and I'm a documentary filmmaker from Istanbul, Turkey. I'm a admirer of P. Ramlee and his works.
>
>I'm researching a song called 'Ada Sahillerinde Bekliyorum' in Turkish. It is also known as 'Qadukka Al Mayyas' in Arabic, as 'Ta Vasana Mou Herome' in Greek and as ' Ben Nehar Prat' in Hebrew. I think the song Aci Aci Buka Pintu has the same melody.
>
>www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJYn_ewxJg
>
>www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yvWre83fMA
>
>www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzMX4WhGL9A
>
>I would like to know what do you think the origins of this song? Can you suggest me any sources about this?
>
>Best Regards,
>Yasin Ali Turkeri

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Andreas Huber
Sent: 2 March, 2013
Subject: Malay film Classic

Hi Andreas,
'Sitora Harimau Jadian' / 'The Tigerman' (1964) is said to be lost. But I think the original reel is kept under the dust at some place unlike the original 'Pontianak' movies which were literally thrown into the Klang river in Kuala Lumpur. Interesting to note that Music Valley original catalogue of VCDs has 'Sitora Harimau Jadian' (1964), 'Orang Lichin' (1958) and a few other obscure films but never got released in the market till now. The list has over 200 titles which is less than 100% of Malay classic films in official record. Certainly, the company didn't pick up these titles from the air. I hope.

Andreas wrote:

> I read on your website about the film "Sitora harimau jadian" ("The Tigerman"). Is it true this film is completely lost (like the original "Pontianak" movie)?
>
>Regards,
>Andreas

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Frank Bren
Sent: 8 February, 2013
Subject: Pre-war Malay films (Shaw Brothers). Australian inquiry.

Hi Frank,
According to Shaw Organisation's official website, *By 1937, the Shaws began establishing the basic infrastructure to make Malay films in Singapore*. The website also stated *'Topeng Hitam' (Black Mask), 'Mutiara' (Pearl), 'Gagak Hitam' (Black Crow), 'Bermadu' (The Rival), 'Hanchor Hati' (Broken Heart), 'Ibu Tiri' (Stepmother), 'Topeng Shaitan' (Devil's Mask), 'Mata Hantu' (Ghost Eyes), 'Kekasih Tiga' (Three Lovers) and 'Terang Bulan Di Malaya' (Full Moon In Malaya) were among the first made-in-Singapore movies*.

Most contemporary local resources stated only 8 of the 10 films listed above, with name of the film stars attached.

Just a bit of my input for your PDF document:

pg. 2: During postwar period, Shaw Bros in Singapore hired a long list of Indian directors to helm their new film projects. A few of them having cultural background in the Malay land. Unlike earlier Chinese films which are somewhat dry, the Indian cinematic influences are its melodrama theme with lots of songs and dance troupes which resembled Malay stage theater before the coming of cinema. In fact, P Ramlee became successful because he had full of that to offer the local cinema goers. Later on, the Jalan Ampas studio hired three top Filipino film directors. Target market then was the homogenous natives of so-called Nusantara region comprising Malaya, Indonesia, North Borneo, Southern Thailand and The Philippines.

It was towards the end of 1960s Shaw Bros trying to bring back Chinese touch in the Malay films. For starter, P Ramlee was invited to guest star in a Mandarin film ('Love Parade' 1963) in Hong Kong. P Ramlee was offered to make a major Malay film ('Seniwati' 1963) in cinema color at Shaw's Hong Kong Studio. Jins Shamsudin, who led the film workers union in opposing the plan, unashamedly became the sole Malay actor in a few last Malay films ('Bayangan Ajal' 1968 and 'Jurang Bahaya' 1968) which were "Made in Hong Kong". Chinese martial arts were also injected into the Shaw's final film at Merdeka studio ('Locheng Maut' 1976). In retrospective, Shaw Bros started to look for new market for Malay films when it was too late. The same speaks for Cathay Keris that used multi-racial actors in later Malay films.

< deleted >

Frank wrote:

> I am very glad to hear from you and appreciate the response. The whole career of the extremely talented Mr. Ramlee was quite a revelation - he was just a footnote name to me until reading your site.
>
>< deleted >
>
>Sincerely,
>Frank

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Frank Bren
Sent: 6 February, 2013
Subject: Pre-war Malay films (Shaw Brothers). Australian inquiry.

Hi Frank,
I just checked Raphael Millet's book - Singapore Cinema (2006) published by Editions Didier Millet Pte Ltd and would confirm that all three films 'Toping Shaitan', 'Tiga Kekasih' and 'Mata Hantu' were completed and released between 1938-1941. My earlier resource might be incorrect. I will update our Shaw Bros page accordingly.

Frank wrote:

>My name is Frank Bren and I am a Melbourne based film writer and historian.
>You can find a Wikipedia entry on me via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Bren.
>
>I just discovered www.p-ramlee.com, your excellent tribute site honouring the legendary filmmaker and performing artist, P. RAMLEE, and there found a brief history of the Shaw Brothers� 8 Malay films at http://www.p-ramlee.com/p-ramlee/shaw.htm,
>
>It seems I disagree on one of your points: �production of 'Topeng Shaitan' was interrupted because of World War II�.
>
>The films that really are missing � that is, I found no evidence of their theatrical release anywhere in Singapore � are
>Tiga Kekasih / Tiga Kekaseh
>Mata Hantu
>
>< deleted >
>
>Sincerely yours
>Frank

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Eerik Dickinson
Sent: 5 February, 2013
Subject: Malay Horror Classic

Hi Eerik,
Most of the Malay horror classic films are out of stock. The company that releases these VCDs has stopped selling many titles to concentrate on fast moving items. However, I will let you know if I find any in the market.

Eerik wrote:

>I would like to purchase all of the Malay Horror Classic VCDs shown on your site. Are they still available? I am in USA.
>
>Best wishes
>Eerik Dickinson