Mr. & Mrs. '55

Without giving away any of the surprises of this landmark Hindi film, this movie was clearly ahead of its time in its social commentary and its subtle satirical approach of the transitioning East Indian society post independence from the British Raj. It has a delightful blend of the effects of British influence upon Indian society and traditional Indian cultural & social values. This was very well balanced by Guru Dutt. Guruji proved his versatility in handling comedy as articulately as he did melodrama. With the assistance of the ensemble of Hindi cinema greats like Abrar Alvi, O. P. Nayyar, Majrooh Sultanpuri, etc., this movie is a another gem of the golden age of Hindi cinema.

Madhubala (real name Mumtaz Jehan Dehlavi), whose screen presence begs description, delivers a performance which captures all the emotions that could ever be desired in a film heroine. After Veena (1926-2004), Madhubala was the most beautiful actress ever to grace the silver screen of Hindi cinema. She was one of 2 of the all time greatest heroines in the history of Hindi cinema: The other was Meena Kumari (real name Mahjabeen Bano).

Almost as beautiful as Madhubala, is the Guru Dutt protégé Yasmin (born Vinita Bhatt in Lahore). Breathtakingly beautiful, it is incredible that Yasmin's screen career never took off. She reportedly married film technician, Englishman Jimmy Vinning. Yasmin appeared in a famous song sequence in RUSTOM SOHRAB (1963) starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Suraiya, Premnath, and Mumtaz.

As terrific a natural actor Guru Dutt was, he was better off behind the camera rather than in front of it. Guru Dutt was incomparable as a character actor which he proved in his own film SAHIB, BIBI, AUR GHULAM. With all due respect to his cinematic genius, Guruji should have cast either Dilip Kumar or Dev Anand in the role of Preetam. As for the comic sidekick, instead of Johny Walker, Shammi Kapoor should have been cast to match the beauty of Yasmin. It almost chokes the viewer to see breathtakingly gorgeous ladies like Madhubala and Yasmin paired off with fellows like Guru Dutt and Johny Walker. JW is inimitable as a comic sidekick, but in this particular film, Guruji should have gone with a 5 star casting: Madhubala, Dilip Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Yasmin. Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor were a long overdue screen pairing which proved spectacular in VIDHAATA (1982).

The incomparable Lalita Pawar has to be mentioned. A truly stunning beauty in her youth, this veteran actress of Hindi cinema had a screen presence which elevated any film in which she appeared. And of course there is the inimitable comedienne Tun Tun. Last but not least, there is the special guest appearance by the dashing Hindi film hero Al Nasir parodying a tennis superstar.

Having already been cited in other reviews of this film, the title of this movie could have been different. Overall, this is a timeless classic from the cinematic genius of Guru Dutt.

I have been looking at IMDb list www.imdb.com/list/ls077349643/ and seeking out movies. Many are on YouTube, but only some have English subs This happens to be one of them. The first thing i noticed about the film is the photography. If this were a Hollywood movie, i would expect to see it in a Gothic movie, perhaps directed by Orson Welles, and photographed by Greg Toland. So imagine if you will a Gothic musical, at least in appearance. But this isn't a depressing movie. Although I did wonder if it might turn out that way. The songs are terrific. The lead actor has a suavity about him , that had elements of people of Ronald Colman, or William Powell. My favorite character was the large lady.

The acting of Madhubala, Lalita Pawar and Johnny Walker is outstanding. The songs are nice, though not evergreen. The movie gives a big dose of comedy thanks to Walker and cute romance. Lalita Pawar really lives her character as a feminist. Considering this movie came in the 50's, the society's views at that time, I would say this was a really bold movie with a thinking of decades ahead and I'm very happy they pulled it off!

This is a very enjoyable movie. It is about an unlikely pair, a poor sad-looking Guru Dutt, and a rich chirpy Madhubala. What you take away from this out-and-out comedy is ten O.P. Nayyar-helmed songs that you will always cherish. What I took away is one particular scene. Keep in mind, I was a school kid then. There is this serious monologue by Gurudutt. He speaks of the sad fate of people and that they don't have roti to eat. Madhubala listens too all this and then adds her two cents - If people don't have roti to eat, why don't they eat bread. I laughed and laughed.

I always thought "Mr & Mrs '55" was a terrible title and surely there were better possibilities – it makes it sound pretty ordinary. Whereas it was a nice little romantic musical comedy and better than most of its contemporaries with some memorable upbeat music from O.P.Nayaar.

Anita, played by the gorgeous Madhubala, is forced to marry Preetam played by dashing Guru Dutt purely on her aunts orders but falls in love with him - much to her aunts disgust and opposition. It's engrossing enough a story but the jaunty yet earnest songs sung by Rafi and Geeta Dutt are the thing, especially Thandi Hawa (my all-time favourite Madhubala moment at the lido), Johnny Walker's infuriatingly catchy Jaane Kahan Mera, and the Rafi/Dutt duet Chal Diya Banda Nawaaz - beautifully sung beautiful lyrics always make me wish it had gone on another 10 minutes. Favourite bit; the amazingly heartrending scene where Anita realises how much in love she is, just before Udhar Tum. As a counterpoint to the overall optimism of this film it's sad to remember 9 years afterwards Dutt committed suicide at 39 and in 1969 Madhubala died of heart disease at only 36.

Overall, great stuff, wish I had a cleaner copy, and don't let the title put you off.