Nasib Si Labu Labi

This is the sequel to Labu Labi. I loved the movie because of the antics of the late actors Udo Umar and M. Zain and the songs, especially, "Aci-Aci Buka Pintu". It was nice of P. Ramlee to include cameo appearances of actors like Rosnani, Sarimah, Ahmad Mahmud and Omar Rojik as the judges during the fashion parade scene. However the ending was quite tedious with a very long dream scene, but overall it was a good movie. I've enjoyed the movie and I hope somebody(those that hold the rights to the movie) could come up with the DVD version of the movie in the near future or maybe together with "Labu Labi" in a box set!. However, I've recorded the movie on DVD for my own personal collection when it was shown on local TV.

Nasib Si Labu Labi is the continuation to the other popular film (in the Malay speaking region anyway) Labu & Labi. The film's general theme is the passing away of Haji Bakhil's wife. For those not in the know, this is the heroes' Labu & Labi's boss, lord-and-master, and also father to (secret) love of their lives.

The film is basically sub-divided into two parts. The first part concentrates on the story of the feuding of Labu & Labi after discovering that they have been lusting for none other than the same woman in Manisah, daughter of Haji Bakhil. The feud culminates in the boxing scene between Labu & Labi. Surprisingly they make up after the boxing scene and do not lust after Manisah anymore.

The second part of the film focuses on the now-widower Haji Bakhil undergoing a (all-too common) mid-life crisis and falling in love with a teacher from the local orphan school, Cikgu (i.e. Teacher) Murni.

As with Labu & Labi in the Nightclub modelling scene, the film could have been made shorter by about 15-20 minutes without the unnecessary modelling sketch (again??), but apart from that this is pure P Ramlee comedy.

Mohd Zain again illustrates (as he did in Labu & Labi) the great chemistry with P Ramlee with his over the top style and voice, to counteract P Ramlee's more relaxed nature. The film also would not succeed without Udo Omar's Haji Bakhil, who magically transforms from sad widower losing his wife, to a man (wearing shorts even!) with a new lease of life.

Brilliant cameos from the Bujang Lapok gang of S Shamsuddin and Aziz Sattar, plus the unforgettable scene with Cikgu Murni's father (in Labu's own words) 'Pak Haji Kementot', played by the excellent Ibrahim Pendek. How often have we been in that situation where the elderly just babble on and on without giving us a chance to speak, and out of respect, we have to just remain quiet? A good continuation to Labu & Labi, and a good ending to the Labu & Labi series.

This second instalment sees the plot shift from Labu Labi themselves and more to Haji Bakhil who has just lost his wife and rediscovers love with a younger woman. Whilst the first focused on Haji Bakhil's sheer "cruelty", this second movie shows the humane part of him. He's still very stingy, thus his name, Bakhil (which means 'stingy' in Malay) but we get entertained by his absurd antics. We also see Labu and Labi engage in their relentless tussle for the affections of Manisah who still has no idea how they both feel about her.

It's not as hilarious as the first but is still largely entertaining.