Original Hong Kong Movie Poster
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29650656
Bruce Lee's movie produced in 1972 - The Way of the Dragon - was Lee's debut into movie directing. It was a big deal in Singapore. It was shown simultaneously, midnight on Saturday, November 11, in only THREE cinemas - Odeon, Cathay and Orchard (Currently Orchard Cineleisure). (1) The movie was shown later in the open air Jurong Drive-in. (2)
Tickets were all sold out on its premiere night and the movie was so popular that the government had to warn the public against buying movie tickets from touts (3) All these happened even before its launch. But still, you can't stop the desire of the public. The public stood in line for hours but unfortunately, many could not get hold of the tickets. The tickets at the box office were sold at S$1, S$2 and S$3 and each member of the public was only allowed the purchase of 4 tickets.(4)
"Touts sold the movie tickets at DOUBLE the price and people were still buying off them", shared my father.
This martial arts movie reached out to people of all ages, gender and races and was shown in the cinemas for about two months.
References
1. The Straits Times. November 9, 1972. World premiere of new Bruce Lee film in S'pore. P15.
2. New Nation. December 19, 1972. Miscellaneous Column 2. P2.
3. The Straits Times. November 11, 1972. Bruce Lee Film Tickets Warning. P20.
4. New Nation. November 10, 1972. Advertisements Column 2. P15.
Thursday, 31 December 1964. New Year's Eve. Singapore had joined Malaya for about a year but things were tense. Racial riots broke out in July and it marred the tranquility of Singapore. (1) But music calms the savage beast. It was the year that the Beatles song "I want to hold your hands" topped the music charts both the young and the young at heart sang to the tunes to cast aside their worries. (2)
So what was the people's sentiments and feeling like on New Year's Eve 50 years ago. I'll put myself up as The Straits Times reader and let's see what stories in the newspaper that catch my attention and how it would all pan out in my mind.
What is Indonesia doing? Why are they making hell for us? They and their Konfrontasi. Luckily the Malaysian Federal government was quick enough to apprehend these crooks before they landed in Perak. If not, lives would have been lost and they even make their way down to Singapore. Sigh.
This new tax by the Federal Government - The Turnover and Payroll Tax - Will affect us, the commoners. Wondering what percentage are they planning to tax us? Aiya. What to do? This is beyond our control.
In other news, there're also mentions about the war in Vietnam and the capture of communists in India. Wah, why does it look like the whole world is at war? This is so saddening.
The Magnolia advertisement is so enticing. But it's still more expensive than my roadside ice cream stall. Need to look for coins so that I can buy myself an ice ball later. Haahaa. Ok, back to serious news.
This is craziness!!! They Congo rebels really ate the flesh of their captives? Horrendous! Seriously, I'm not even into Page three and the newspaper is just filled with all these blood and gore!
More sensational story - Sunny Ang. He got re-arrested one hour after the judge had given him a discharge not amounting to acquittal. This guy was alleged to have deliberately caused his girlfriend to drown off the water of Sister's island. He had bought large amount of insurance under her name and had wanted to claim the insurance money. Failed commercial pilot, Race car driver, part-time law student; Such a waste of talent. (3)
Ok, let's see what movies we can catch on New Year's Day. There's this "My Fair Lady" voted Best Picture of the Year. Think the music's great! It will cost me $4 if I take a circle seat, or $2.50 if I take the stalls seat. Never mind lah, I'll ask my friends what they'll like to watch and we can decide again. Just that we have to get in queue early tomorrow morning.(4)
Oh my goodness! Elaine Delmar is performing here? What a great end to the year just to hear her sing. This will be held at Goodwood's Arundel Room. Wonder what's the cover charge like to hear her perform. (5)
The listing of aircraft arriving and
departing to and from Paya Lebar Airport. Arriving aircraft include
BOAC, Qantas, Pan-American, Air Ceylon, Japan Air Lines, Malayan
Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and British Eagle Airways. The Departing
aircraft include most of those listed in the arrival plus Royal Air
Cambodge. Not many visitors to Singapore huh?
Wah lau eh! Government earning money again. Radio and TV licences will be raised by another $12 per year. They really makan duit (Money) man!
Oh man, I really think this car is cool. Look at the seats and also the new front grille! The ride is rather expensive though but at least the government has not thrown in all those crazy taxes ala tv and radio! (6)
Last page of the newspaper. I tell you, the Malaysian government and Singapore just cannot get along with each other. The Malaysian government is asking to close Bank of China because its deemed as a Communist supporter. But Singapore said that this would be hypocritical as Malaysia is still trading with other Communist countries, such as Russia. Ya loh. How is the Malaysian Finance Minister going to justify closing Bank of China?
Hai ya. I just wish the New Year will be a better year than this year. Ditto!
References
1. Days of rage. 1964 race riots. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/tv/tvshows/daysofrage/64-race-riots/977062.html
2. The Beatles. I want to hold your hand. Retrieved on December 30, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46_yYR6tGOI
3. The Sunny Ang murder case. The Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved on December 31, 2014. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1789_2011-09-26.html
4. My Fair Lady (1964). Retrieved on December 31, 1964. http://youtu.be/WHrgSXPxr9w
5. Elaine Dalmar. Alone Again. Retrieved on December 31, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKXG10xwXkU
6. 1965 122S Wagon. Retrieved on December 31, 2014. http://youtu.be/AZDWkPtSh_8
7. The Straits Times. December 31, 1964. NewspaperSG. Retrieved on December 31, 2014.
