I was charmed by this film, even if it wasn’t quite as good as some other 1960s comedies that start with the letter “P” like Padosan or Professor.

( Read more or just browse through my screencaps! )

This Mehmood and Mumtaz number has to go into my list of top 1960s shimmy dances! Look at them go-go!

Again, a proper write-up of Pyar Kiye Ja will have to wait until I have more computer access, but needless to say, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Om Prakash really had the market cornered on pompous older gentlemen a la Mr. Lodge in Archie Comics. And Kishore Kumar could yodel in a bathtub and I'd watch it.

(Also, I can't wait to screen-cap Shashi's many adorable butt wiggles!)

The problem I had making up this list is that I love over-the-top cabaret numbers, especially when they feature Helen and this is not supposed to be a list of 8,000 song picturizations featuring Helen. I also have a soft spot for comedy qawwalis and that delightful 1960s wrists-down shimmy-shake. Don't worry, all are included on the list, but I made room for some quieter, slower song picturizations, too. The Top 10 Laxmi Chhaiya Shimmy-Shakes will have to wait for another day.

And here we go!

#10 "Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa" (Upkar - 1967)

Why? Because Pran is singing a song. Manoj Kumar has his faults, but brilliant casting is not one of the them. If I'm not mistaken, this was one of the turning points in Pran's career from straight-up villain to character actor and future star of Victoria No. 203. Plus, the camera work is very lovely. The part where Pran lurches into the screen and then we see a close-up of his tear-filled eyes is so excellent.

( Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa )

#9 "Bol Radha Bol" (Sangam - 1964)

Why? I have a feeling that this picturization is filed under Vyjayanthimala -- Swimsuit. for many men of a certain age. For me, though, what makes it so charming is Vjayanthimala's playful indigation and the teasing way the camera hugs her curves. Plus, who doesn't want her to succeed in poking Raj Kapoor with a stick at the end of the song to puncture his, um, "bagpipes."

( Bol Radha Bol )

#8 "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" (Teesri Manzil - 1966)

Why? This song is everything about my favorite 1960s cabaret numbers smooshed into one giant picturization. We have Helen in full-on Western babe mode with some wrist-down shimmy-shakes and some flamenco moves and Shammi Kapoor's full-body dancing. Also, the giant letters spelling out R.O.C.K.Y. are excellent, as is Shammi's tour of musical instruments.

( O Hassena Zulfon Wali )


#7 "Bhanwara Bada Nadan Hai" (Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam - 1962)

Why? As fun and exciting as a Helen and Shammi cabaret number is, it's a lot harder to make a compelling picturization for a quiet song. "Bhanwara Bada Nadan Hai" is quite possibly the cutest and sweetest thing I've ever seen. The weight of the song is carried along by the brow raises and pouty lips until a huge gust of wind comes along to scatter all of her pages! A gentle song requires a gentle directorial touch...

( Bhanwara Bada Nadan Hai )


#6 "Khoya Khoya Chand" (Kala Bazar - 1960)

Why? Even though I've never seen Kala Bazar (I fully intend to, though, as described Dev's character reminds me of Aamir Khan in Rangeela - "Dos cartees, dos cartees...") this picturization makes me so happy. Look how drunkenly Dev wanders through the frame. He's high on life! Plus, the song is beautiful - the way Rafi hits those "chands" just makes me shiver.

( Khoya Khoya Chand )

( Top 5 under here! Will your favorite make it? (Probably, if your favorite involves Helen in some way... )

I'm scared to move onto the 1950s as I'm not really an expert in 1950s films, but I'll do my best! I'll take any suggestions for my list - so Raj Kapoor fans send them on!

Gumnaam has so many of the things I love about Bollywood, which I shall detail below, but the number one thing about Gumnaam that really epitomizes Bollywood for me is this: the mystery doesn't matter, what matters is how the characters react to the mystery. For that reason, this review is going to remain spoiler free for those who haven't seen it yet and want to be surprised.




Here is one thing I will spoil for you: Ted Lyons & His Cubs + Laxmi Chhaya = Awesome. When I get my inevitable book deal, I'm going to pitch a coffee table book of photos of item numbers and item girls - giving due to ladies like Laxmi and Padma Khanna! Who wants a copy?

( More screencaps under here! )

The mystery is wrapped up neatly, but it doesn't really matter because that was never the point. It's too bad that the people over at Lost haven't figured this out. That show could have - and did for a bit in the first season - work like Gumnaam. Meaningless clues, red herrings, and Ted Lyons are a lot more fun than overly complicated plots that have to conform to "reality."

Andaz Apna Apna is that special kind of Bollywood comedy which tends to combine mugging for the camera, ethnic stereotypes, costumes, and more plot twists than can reasonably fit in a three hour film.

This one has the advantge of being from 1994, the absolute low point of fashion in the 20th century, so the clothes and hair are extremely, eye damagingly bad in every single shot. SCORE!



(No, really! It's true! Look at Salman's mullet! Also, what is Karishma wearing?! Is it shorts? pants? overalls? Who can tell?)

( My hijinks let me show you them. )