P Ramlee at a glance
Ahmad Albab - Sisters Saloma, Mariani Ismail and Mimi Loma played the daughters of Mashood (A R Tompel) in Ahmad Albab (1968). First film acting for Saloma's youngest sister, Mimi Loma who played the role of eldest sister.
Ahmad Nesfu - One of three actors that P Ramlee most admired alongside Hollywood stars, Stewart Granger dan Marlon Brando. Ahmad Nesfu gave a brilliant performance in many P Ramlee films as actor and comedian.
Air Mata Di Kuala Lumpur - The last song written by P Ramlee and recorded by his wife Saloma. 'Air Mata Di Kuala Lumpur' / 'Tears in Kuala Lumpur' was written for a film that did not materialize. The lyrics of the song hinted frustrations about failed ambitions after he moved to Kuala Lumpur.
Akira Kurosawa - Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa was P Ramlee's major inspiration. His favorite films include 'Rashomon' (1951) and 'The Seven Samurai' (1954).
Anjoran Nasib - The film was directed by B S Rajhans. It was given several names before cinema released. Initially was called 'Dosa Ayah', 'Samaran' and finally changed to 'Anjoran Nasib' (1952).
Azizah - The song that made P Ramlee a star. 'Azizah' is about his love interest in Penang that remained a mystery until today. Two song versions: Originally performed with 'Teruna Sekampong' circa 1940s and revised lyrics for his film 'Penarek Becha' / 'Trishaw Man' (1955).
Bintang - Name of entertainment magazine produced by P Ramlee's company registered at 12, Robinson Road, Singapore 1 (later moved to 453, Geylang Road, Singapore 14). The first issue of 'Bintang' / 'Star' dated 10 March 1953 featured Mariam Baharum on cover and P Ramlee with Siput Serawak as inside story. The magazine was a hit with local film fans but was discontinued following mismanagement.
Damaq - Title of a traditional drama by H M Rohaizad. The story adaptation by Zain Mahmood had been aired on local radio. P Ramlee made 'Damaq' into a stage play that he directed at Victoria Theater Singapore in 1962. 'Damaq' also became part of 'Ragam P Ramlee' (1965).
Dr Rushdi - A most controversial film by P Ramlee. P Ramlee's had this reply on sex and nudity in 'Dr Rushdi' (1970) : "... the sex scenes were respectable, not wild and within any normal person's sanity".
Gelanggang Filem - Name of bimonthly entertainment tabloid published by Penerbitan P Ramlee (P Ramlee Production). The company was registered at 307 Race Course Road, Singapore in 1956. It was second time P Ramlee entered publishing in anticipation of backlash over his criticisms of the media.
Hang Tuah - A film based on Malay legendary warrior directed by Indian national Phani Majumdar. 'Hang Tuah' / 'Legend of Hang Tuah' (1956) won Best Music Score for P Ramlee at 3rd Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong. The only P Ramlee film in color. Subsequently, the film studio did not allow P Ramlee to make other color films because of high costs.
Hidayah - A film project which P Ramlee wanted to make in 1961. Pre-production and film poster already completed but shooting was postponed awaiting religious advice on the script. It was never resolved long before P Ramlee died in 1973.
Idil Fitri - Festive day for Moslems after completion of the fasting month of Ramadhan. Teuku Zakaria a.k.a. P Ramlee was born on Idil Fitri morning of 22 March 1929 at his grandmother's house in Penang, Malaya. At the age of 19, he took a train to Singapore on Idil Fitri of 8 August 1948 to join Malay Film Productions of Jalan Ampas.
Jalak Lenteng - A traditional song about Malay legendary warrior recorded by singer Rubiah. P Ramlee would play the song on his gramophone whenever he felt depressed.
Kachep Mas - Title of a traditional drama written by P Ramlee. 'Kachep Mas' was adapted for the Malay Division of Radio Singapore drama on 3 June 1961 by Yusof Latiff. The story about a loving couple sentenced to death for adultery. It created a controversy because the chopping off head using a gigantic nut cutter was not Islamic.
Kwek Chip Jian - Manager of Malay Filem Productions Studio of Jalan Ampas from late 1950s until its closure in 1968. P Ramlee was one time rehearsing a new song and trying out lyrics when his good friend Mr Kwek entered the studio. P Ramlee spontaneously sang a catchy chorus 'kwek kwek kwek kwek kwek kwek kwek kwek mambo ... hei mambo!" The song was called 'Kwek Mambo'.
Madjilee - Name in film credits for lyrics/music. 'Madjilee' or 'Maji Lee' was short for songwriting duo S Sudarmaji and P Ramlee. Interestingly, the word 'Lee' comes after 'Maji' even though P Ramlee was the star attraction. S Sudarmaji was also assistant director to P Ramlee in many films.
Masam Masam Manis - A drama comedy about love-hate relationship between school teacher Sahari (P Ramlee) and cabaret singer Norkiah (Sharifah Hanim). Names of lead characters in 'Masam Masam Manis' / 'Sweet Sour' (1965) were taken from P Ramlee's good friends, married couple Lieutenant Colonel Sahari Sulaiman and Norkiah Ahmad of Singapore.
P - 'P' preceding Ramlee's pen-name stands for 'Puteh', short for his father's name 'Teuku Nyak Puteh'. He first used the initial 'P' in 1947 that would bring him luck later as an artist. Poster for 'Patah Hati' (1952) billed 'P (Pujaan) Ramlee' as the star attraction. 'Pujaan' means idol.
Pancha Delima - The third film directed by P Ramlee. 'Pancha Delima' (1957) was only film made by P Ramlee which he did not act. He introduced then supporting actor Jins Shamsuddin as hero instead.
Pancha Sitara - Vocals group formed by P Ramlee in 1955. Original members of Pancha Sitara were P Ramlee, Normadiah, Kassim Masdor, Ahmad C B and Aziz Jaafar. Saloma and Ahmad Daud later replaced Normadiah and Aziz Jaafar in Pancha Sitara 2. In the 1990s, Aziz Sattar joined Ahmad Daud, Normadiah, Aziz Jaafar and Nasir P Ramlee as Pancha Sitara 3.
Pawagam - Malay word coined by P Ramlee for 'motion picture theater'. 'Pawagam' is short for 'Panggung Wayang Gambar'.
Pawagam P Ramlee - P Ramlee set-up a company called 'Rumpun Melayu Film Sdn Bhd' with H M Shah. Rumpun Melayu owned an old wooden cinema called 'Pawagam P Ramlee' (formerly Queen Cinema) in Chow Kit Road, Kuala Lumpur. These were his attempts at film production and distribution.
Perfima - Name of film company formed by P Ramlee and H M Shah on 31 December 1970. Perfima is short for Perusahaan Filem Malaysia (Malaysia Film Industry). It was later joined by Sarul Bariah Abu Bakar, Jins Shamsuddin, Abdullah Hussain and Jaafar Abdullah in 1972. P Ramlee however never made films with the company.
Ragam P Ramlee - A unique film in the history of Malay films. No other local filmmakers would be too daring to use his name for a film title. 'Ragam P Ramlee' (1965) consisted 3 parts: a musical featuring P Ramlee with wife Saloma, a comedy drama 'Minta Nombor Ekor' and a film adaptation of H M Rohaizad's traditional drama 'Damaq'. 'Minta Nombor Ekor', a humor about local gambling habits was banned by Authority.
Saloma - Popular name for Salmah Ismail. The singer actress was called 'Saloma' after the film 'Salome' which featured Rita Hayworth. She later married P Ramlee in 1961.
Sandera - Title of a Malay novel by Arenawati which P Ramlee wanted to adapt for film in 1972. It was to be first project by Perfima, a film company formed by P Ramlee and few others. P Ramlee was however set aside as film director in favor of co-owner actor Jins Shamsuddin. The project never took off.
Sarimah Ahmad - P Ramlee's introduced newcomer Sarimah Ahmad in 'Ali Baba Bujang Lapok' / 'Ali Baba In Burlesque' (1961). Since then she became P Ramlee's favorite heroin. She acted in eleven P Ramlee films also as guest star.
Sazali - Name of main character in the film 'Anak-ku Sazali' / 'My Son Sazali' (1956). P Ramlee won Best Actor at Asian Film Festival in Tokyo for his dual roles as a caring father and his spoilt son. P Ramlee also had a son named Sazali. Unlike the film, real life Sazali was a humble man employed with a company called 'Syarikat Alam Flora' that collects rubbish in Kuala Lumpur.
Sepak Raga - The traditional game of rattan ball also known as sepak takraw was a P Ramlee's favorite sport. His sepak raga teams were called 'Sangka Buana' (comprising stars of Malay Film Productions), 'Pasukan Bawaen Putra' and 'Sekawan Bintang'. The Sepaktakraw Association of Singapore awarded 'The P Ramlee Cup Challenge Trophy' for its tournaments.
Sergeant Hassan - P Ramlee was army hero fighting against Japanese invasion of Malaya during World War 2 in 'Sergeant Hassan' (1958). He took over when director Lamberto V. Avellana returned to The Philippines before filming completed. The Malay Regiment Army conferred him rank of 'Sergeant Titular' for his film role that boosted the morale of its army.
Shaw Brothers - Duo brothers, Run Run Shaw and Runme Shaw formed Shaw Brothers which owned Malay Filem Productions Studio of Jalan Ampas. They later bought the Merdeka Filem Productions Studio of Ulu Kelang from Ho Ah Loke. The Shaw Organisation owned copyrights of P Ramlee films.
Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang - A stage play directed by P Ramlee and co-written with S Sudarmaji based on old Johor Sultanate. Kasma Booty, Yusof Latiff, Jins Shamsuddin, Ali Fiji, Ahmad Rafi and Kemat Hassan performed in Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang. Due to overwhelming requests from drama associations, the script was published by Penerbitan P Ramlee.
Teruna Sekampong - P Ramlee performed with several groups in Penang, Malaya before he moved to Singapore. He played many original songs with 'Terona Sekampung' among others, 'Azizah', 'Baida', 'Kak Leha', 'Mi Jawa', 'Bunda Yang Ku Chinta', 'Abang Dollah', 'Joget Malaya', 'Malam Thaipusam' and 'Di Padang Kota'.
Teuku Zakaria - P Ramlee's birth name. 'Teuku' is a title for descendants of noble families from Aceh of Sumatra, Indonesia. His father Teuku Nyak Puteh was a sailor from Lho' Seumawe in the province of Aceh.
Yusnor Ef - Real name was M Nor M Yusofe. Loyal fan and friend of P Ramlee. A teacher by profession, he took nightly tutor on scriptwriting at P Ramlee's house. He later became an accomplished songwriter using a pen-name Yusnor Ef as given by P Ramlee and also producer of TV documentaries on the Malay film industry. View his book 'P Ramlee Yang Saya Kenal' / 'P Ramlee That I Know' (2000).
Yusuf B - One of P Ramlee's music mentor when he first joined Malay Film Productions. P Ramlee's songwritings were influenced by Yusuf B's style of music arrangement. Ironically, Yusuf B would later borrowed ideas from P Ramlee in his music composition and songwriting.
Posted at 12:24 am by close-up
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