Heritage lost?

Do Re Mi (Malay, 1966)
By mid 1960s, P Ramlee's popularity waned rock bottom. Introduction of colour and big budget into production of Hindi films drew most Malayan viewers away from local cinema scene. All the good life and rich food had a toll on his appearance. P Ramlee had ballooned out. His concaved cheeks and carved torso had puffed up. His hairline was receding.
Do Re Mi was his comeback attempt. It was quite successful that over the next years, a few sequels were offered, 'Laksamana Do Re M'i being the last before his demise.
A full length comedy with sometimes nonsensical joke with a hint of subtly jabbing the lifestyle of the Malays of that era. No matter how many times I watch it, I am sure to laugh at a P Ramlee comedy. Hence, my kids decided to get a copy of 'Do Re Mi' for my last birthday.
A movie from a bygone where Malayans were more liberal with their dressing and behaviour. Gone are the body hugging contour enhancing baju kebaya and slim waist with elaborate beehive hair-do as well as the gyrating at nightclubs and dance halls.
Knowing well that P. Ramlee films always gives a smile even after umpteenth times watching it, my kids decided to present me with a DVD of P. Ramlee's 'Do Re Mi'.

The creditors at Do's house

It starts with the story of the respective stories of Do (P Ramlee), Re (AR Tompel) and Mi (Din Ibrahim) and how they came to meet each other. Do is a loafer who rather spend his time playing checkers than bringing home some money. When creditors turn up at his doorstep, he and wife device an elaborate scheme to fake their death and deceiving some money from the wife's parent. The hilarious plan backfires and Do leaves his wife in pursuit of happiness.
Re is a henpecked husband who is cruelly bullied by his nightclub going young wife. One day, a burglar broke into their house and took her life savings. Re is falsely accused of stealing the cash and is chased out from the house.
Mi is another 'stylish but penniless' youngster who is jobless and depends on handouts from a neighbour girl whom he has set both his eyes on.
Do, Re and Mi meet at a crowded Labour office for a job. They helped to apprehend a snatch thief and became friends. They decide to venture into business together. They become road side singing paddler selling their own preparation of concoction of charcoal, kerosene and mud!
After a hilarious rib tickling foolhardy, they get running helter skelter when their antic is discovered. They get running, promising to return with a sequel....
People who grew up with P Ramlee movies will enjoy watching them forever even though the background music score never changes. The music score for suspense, comedy and anger is stereotype in most Malay films of that era.
His movies tickle ourselves to laugh at ourselves. Simple scene of Mi grooming himself in front of the mirror illustrates this. Mi is singing and whistling merrily combing his greased hair down. He is admiring his nice batik shirt but scorns at his ragged worn out comb with hardly any teeth! Then there is a mask near the mirror that he scolds for eating up the teeth. He comes out of a dilapidated shack called house and catcalls his neighbour girlfriend. After a few teasing and showing faces by the lady, he approaches her for 2 ringgit. He wanted bus fare money to go to the Labour office to apply for a job! Classic scene when you see it yourself!