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!

Kishore Kumar is my favorite playback singer of all time. I love his deep baritone, his distinctive yodeling, and the way he trills his r's. He was also a talented comedic actor, even if he loathed acting. Being one of the few singer/actors in Bollywood, it's always fun to watch Kishore picturized on himself.

Mere Bhole Bhalam from Padosan is my favorite of all his songs picturized on himself. I love his bizarre drama troop leader character anyway, but the way he moves so deliberately in this track is especially fun to watch.

Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is another classic. The song takes place right as Madhubala has brought her car to Kishore's garage. It's the middle of the night and pouring rain. She's kind of nervous and Kishore is taking full advantage of the situation by playing with her! (And playing various automotive tools as instruments.)

Aake Seedhi Lagi from Half Ticket features Kishore and Pran dancing to a duet sung by Kishore and Kishore! Hilarious! The story according to the peanut gallery in the youtube comments is that Asha Bhosle was out of town so Kishore just decided to record both parts himself.

Of course, I love Kishore picturized on other people, too. He works well with Amitabh Bachchan, of course. I always though M. Rafi was a better fit for Rishi Kapoor, though.

Here's Kishore picturized on Dev Anand in Jewel Thief in one of my favorite Kishore tracks - Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara. I love the yodeling!

And here is Kishore picturized on that old cradle-robber Rajesh Khanna in another excellent yodeling/travel song Mere Sapnon Ki Rani from Aradhana

I really overslept this morning, but it's okay. Because it's Recess Hours at the library, I can be a little late. I would like to thank my unconcious mind for having me dream about Padosan last night. I wasn't riding bikes around with my lady friends, though.

I wish my hair-do was as awesome as Saira Banu's.

This cute little number is from Padosan. If I hadn't already been a Kishore Kumar fan, this would have sealed it! He is so hilarious here - seducing Sunil Dutt.



Saira Banu, Mrs. Dilip Kumar, is the cutest, most mod girl next door! She rides her bike around with her lady friends and teases the boys like nobody's business. She has the biggest Amy Winehouse bee-hive and a pointy wee bird-face. Her mod outfits are sooooo swinging! Of course, like any good girl, she switches to wearing lurid, spangly saris as soon as she falls in love. Her hair remains high.



The rivals for her affections are simpleton Sunil Dutt - who decides at the age of "26" (he was, in fact, 38 when this was filmed) - to get married because it was so perscribed in his book; Mehmood, playing a not so bright stereotypical South Indian dancing master with a hilarious accent; and oldie Pran, playing Sunil's uncle/father despite the fact that he was only 10 years older than Sunil.

Pran is by far the brightest of the bunch, but that is not saying much since he is prone to wearing hideous red speedo bathing suits and "working out" in his garden.

Kishore Kumar is Sunil's Guru and helps him along in gaining the affections of Miss Saira. He came out of semi-retirement for this movie. According to the biography of him that I'm reading now, Kishore HATED acting. He hated being bossed around by the directors and longed to be just a singer. I'm glad he got his wish even if I love his acting. This movie came out in 1968, as poor Kishore's wife Madhubala was getting more and more ill. She passed away in early 1969.

I had no problems with Sunil gaining Saira's affections through trickery as she, herself, used trickery to get back at Sunil for being obnoxious. They totally deserved each other! I felt kind of sorry for Master-ji at the end and I hope he ended up with Saira's awesome household help girl. The household help girl was so excellent! She was the smartest one in the movie!