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| Saturday, 18 October 2003 |
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Compiled by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Ceylon Theatres - 75 years in projection business : Marking an outstanding contribution towards the local cinema for 75 long years, Ceylon Theatres Ltd will release its latest production "Sakman Maluwa" (The Garden) directed by veteran film maker Sumithra Peries next month.
Among them are outstanding films such as Nidhanaya (The Treasure) and Golu Hadawatha (Silence of the Heart) directed by veteran film maker Lester James Peries and Lasanda by K.A.W. Perera. It is evident that Ceylon Theatres had an impressive record in the local film industry, making a significant contribution to achieve today's heights. Sakman Maluwa, the 26th film by Ceylon Theatres will be released later next month on the CEL Circuit. The film is based on a short story written by Grodfrey Gunathilake. The film stars Sanath Gunathilake, Kanchana Mendis, Iranganie Serasinghe, Vasanthi Chathurani, Daya Tennakoon and Dinidu Jagoda. The script of the film is by Dr. Lester James Peries and dialogue is by Tissa Abeysekera. Music is by Pundit Amaradeva. Ceylon Theatres' first film "Vanaliya" was produced in 1958 and the company marked the 50th anniversary by producing the film "Sasara" in 1978. Among other films are Akkara Paha, Priyanka, Hadisi Vivahaya, Jeevitha Pooja, Sulalitha Sobani, Mangalika etc. The first cinema in then Ceylon was run by Warwick Major who ran the Empire Theatre where the present Regal Theatre stands. The cinema was in a tin shed. Mr. Madan of Madan Theatres Ltd, who was running a large number of cinemas in India came to Ceylon and started showing films in the public hall (now the Empire Theatre) about the same time. He later negotiated the lease of the Elphinstone Theatre in 1925 and the Majestic Theatre in 1936. The New Olympia Theatre prior to the 1925 was run by T.A.J. Noorbhai in competition with the cinema run by Madan Theatres. In 1925 when the lease had expired A.L. Thambiayah obtained the lease of the Olympia Theatre in his favour from the trustees of the Maradana mosque. In 1926, he invited Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner to join him in the business. Ceylon Theatres was formed in 1928 and in 1929, the Clifford Pavilion, Nuwara Eliya presently known as Regal, Nuwara Eliya was built by Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner and A.L. Thambiayah after they had negotiated a lease successfully with the Government. Madan Theatres had to close down their business in Ceylon due to adverse trading conditions and sold their business to Ceylon Theatres Ltd in November 1939. After the outbreak of World War II and the declaration of peace, Ceylon Theatres Ltd started to flourish, rendering a yeoman and an unmatched service to the country's film industry. ################# Wally the macho man is no more The passing away of popular film star Wally Nanayakkara removes from the local cinema a colourful figure who left an indelible mark in the hearts of fans with his magical performances on the silver screen.
It was to Wally and the redoubtable Gamini Fonseka that the credit should go for reversing this trend to forge an acting cult all of their own that helped banish the South Indian influence which had taken hold of local actors at the time. Local fans of a different vintage would readily recall his performance in the blockbuster film "Pick Pocket". The macho image became a trademark with Wally Nanayakkara, who left the adrenaline flowing among the gallery patrons with his rumbustious performances. Among his well known roles, Sarawita, Baduth Ekka Horu, Bicycle Hora, Poojithayo, Senehasa and Abirahasa readily come to mind. Wally also gave sterling performances in the acclaimed films Maha Hene Reeri Yaka and Matara Achchi, where he was cast in a somewhat unfamiliar character role. In addition he also featured the country's long running radio drama Muwanpelessa. In his hey day Wally was also a big draw on the political stage bringing to bear his screen personality into his cutting jibes at these rallies. (RM) ############## A Shrew(d) new take on Shakespeare Indu's new comedy "The Taming of the Modern Shrew", is based on William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". This comedy is scheduled to go on the boards at the Lionel Wendt, on the 18th and 19th of October at 7.15 p.m.
It caters to the male ego where a man dominates a strong willed woman. But some of us feel that Shakespeare really loved his shrew and so do I, says Indu. Times have changed and the modern woman has a different role to play in society. Thus it is "The Taming of the Modern Shrew". Old Gajanayaka has two daughters, Chandani and Ramani. Chandani runs his business and everyone finds her unbearable because of her harsh and arrogant manner, while everyone adores Ramani. Gajanayaka feels that Chandani gives her younger sister a hard time because Ramani has a string of suitors while she has none. He tells Ramani's suitors, Navin and old Sena, to find a match for the elder sister as he won]t allow Ramani to marry until Chandani is married. Enter Prakash, Navin's friend. He claims to see the good in Chandani while others can only see the bad and wants to marry her. In the meantime Ramani falls in love with Lucian, a young architect who is masquerading as a dance instructor to meet her. Chandani finally agrees to marry Prakash. But can the modern shrew be tamed ? Indu plays Prakash while Chanella Fernando plays the hard headed Chandani. Keshanee Gunawardena plays the pretty and gentle Ramani. The two sisters' friend Rushika is played by the versatile Krys Sosa. Old Gajanayaka is played by Michael Holsinger. His friend, Sena Silva, who wants to marry Ramani is played by Jith Pieris. Dayan Dias Abeyegunawardene plays Navin while George Cook plays Lucian. Adonis, Prakash's faithful but knocked about servant is played by Thulitha Piyasena. Bunny the real dance instructor is played by Shohan Chandiram. The rest of the cast comprises Catriona Nicholas, Lehana Peiris, Lakmal Mudalige and others. ################## Men in Black on Majestic galactic mission
The agents uncover an intergalactic plot to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies who happen to reside in New York city. Jay and Kay's mission is to foil the plot by tracking down the terrorist, thereby preventing the Earth from being destroyed. The film which stars Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Vincent D'Onofrio was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The film was also nominated for several academy awards in 1997. |
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Produced by Lake House |
In its outstanding contribution towards the uplift of the local film
industry and providing the best in entertainment, Ceylon Theatres has so
far produced nearly 25 films so far.
Wally entered the film world at a time when most leading men of the
local silver screen were mere caricatures of their Indian counterparts
even to the extent aping the walrus moustache, a trademark feature in the
South Indian cinema.
The 17th Friday show is presented by the Wesley College Parent-Teacher
Association while the 18th Saturday show is presented by the Matale
Science College Past Pupils Association, Colombo Branch. Shakespeare's
"Taming of the Shrew" is regarded by some as a male chauvinistic
piece.
The adventures of J and K, two federal agents aka, the Men in Black,
who are assigned to investigate all alien related phenomena, will be
screened at the Majestic Cinema from October 17 to 30.
