Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) User Reviews

Ahead of its time but not really.

[riddhimaakaritu · 7/10 · 24 August 2020]

Many parts are very-very progressive and really ahead of its time.

But there's no real representation of feminism - 1. It shows pseudo-feminism i.e. men haters. 2. A woman must get educated then marry the right man of 'her choice' & take care of household 'by choice'.

And they strongly encourage the second one by projecting first one as villain and claiming that serving the family is not equal to slavery. Correct. But are these the only options? Where's the idea to make use of that education and be independent? Financially as well as emotionally. Or both partners equally contributing to household and work outside as well? Be equal in every sense. And marriage should not be the criteria to have a fullfilled life.

I guess it is too much to expect from a 1955 film because even today only a few film manage to pass the Bechdel Test or Mako Mori Test.

Wonderful tunes!

[Spondonman · 8/10 · 27 May 2007]

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.

Guru Dutt presents a hilarious comedy

[jmathur_swayamprabha · 8/10 · 23 May 2011]

Guru Dutt is mainly known for his thought-provoking, profound classic movies like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool and Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam. However he had directed one hilarious comedy also prior to them. Since the movie had been made in the year 1955, it was titled as Mr. & Mrs. 55. It's a classic comedy, in fact, a satire on the pseudo-woman-lib movement gaining momentum in India in the post-independence era and represents the hurt (Indian) male-psyche wrapped in comedy.

It's based on a play - 'Modern Marriage' penned by Guru Dutt's close associate, Abrar Alvi. The plot is based on a male-hater stern lady, Seeta Devi (Lalita Pawar) who leads her niece - Anita (Madhubala) to enter into a marriage of convenience with an unemployed and impoverished cartoonist - Preetam (Guru Dutt) so that she can legally occupy the inherited estate left by her father under a condition in the will that she will have to marry. A staunch feminist, Seeta Devi is strictly against the institution of marriage and makes a deal with Preetam to divorce Anita after the purpose of hers becoming the legal heiress of the estate is served and never try to behave like a husband with her during the intermittent period. However the simplicity and ideals of Preetam alongwith a view of the happy wedded life of his sister (Kum Kum) who is a housewife, make Anita fall in love with him. But Seeta Devi tells her that Preetam has married her only for money (to be paid to him under the contract), she gets distanced with him. Finally, the story reaches its happy ending with the union of the married couple on the airport when disheartened Preetam is about to leave Mumbai (then Bombay) forever.

The script of Abrar Alvi is full of laughter-generating sequences and Guru Dutt has directed them so ably that it is hard to believe that the same director later directed movies like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Guru Dutt's sense of humour proves to be just amazing. There is not a single boring moment in the movie and this comedy-cum-satire keeps the audience hooked throughout. The viewer just keeps on flowing with the twists and turns of the story, quite like a rudderless vessel going alongwith the drifting tides. And when the story reaches its happy climax, the viewer gets the feeling of the vessel's touching the shore.

The story and its treatment subtly caters to the Indian male-chauvinism which was dominant those days (no less even today). However the brighter side is that it exposes the hollowness of the so-called woman-lib movement. Woman's liberation does not mean dilution of the importance of man in her life. After all, the world runs through the eternal love of male and female only. Who of these two is complete without the other one ? None, definitely. And the taunting at the half-baked woman-lib philosophy is not at all a direct hit. It is enveloped in a laugh-riot. Guru Dutt has directed the story with so much finesse that nowhere it is felt that it's an attempt to establish the superiority of man over woman. The cartoon made by Preetam showing Seeta Devi clad in a Roman toga and riding a Roman chariot with a whip in her hand, is an example of the height of Guru Dutt's creativity.

O.P. Nayyar's music is a treat to listen for the music lovers. The songs include melodies like Thandi Hawa Kaali Ghata, Jaane Kahaan Mera Jigar Gaya Jee, Chal Diye Banda Nawaaz, Udhar Tum Haseen Ho Idhar Ham Jawaan Hain, Aye Ji Dil Pe Hua Aisa Jadoo and likewise sung by Geeta Dutt, Shamshaad Begum and Mohammed Rafi. My favourite song is a Qawwaali sung by Manna Dey and others - Meri Duniya Lutt Rahi Thi Aur Main Khamosh Tha whose lyric is able to move any sensitive heart. The beautiful words of the songs have been written by Majrooh Sultaanpuri.

V.K. Moorthy's cinematography is great like always. This black and white movie is a visual treat also, showing the life of Bombay of the fifties in a realistic, yet aesthetic way. Editing is also quite good and the production value is definitely according to the prestige of Guru Dutt's banner.

Guru Dutt proves once again that he's not only a director and narrator par excellence but also an outstanding actor. He has infused life into the role of the poor cartoonist who has been in love with the rich heiress without any greed for her wealth. Lalita Pawar's role is definitely tailor-made for her. Johnny Walker was an integral part of Guru Dutt's movies and he has generated sufficient laughters for the audience in collaboration with Yasmen, starring opposite him. However, this is Madhubala's movie by all means. Her transformation from an ultra-modern girl to a traditional Indian girl is heart-warming and she has underscored the fact that other than being one of the most beautiful women of India (in fact, the world), she's a brilliant actress too.

I recommend this movie to one and all because it provides wholesome entertainment. However Guru Dutt's mocking of the woman-lib movement may be felt as offensive by the educated ladies in the contemporary context. This movie had been made (as the name clarifies) more than five and a half decades back. Since then enough water has flown in the river of time. Now we cannot mock woman-lib philosophy in that way (and it's not desirable too).

A very nice movie

[asameersems · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

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!

An endearing little know classic.

[dpunia · 10/10 · 13 November 2004]

One of my favorite films of the black&white era. For its time it starts off in a surprisingly modernistic spirit and tone. It is peppered with lighthearted dry humor and some witty dialogs (unusual for a Hindi movie). Madubala is delightful as ever, portraying naiveté and spiritedness - at the same time. There are all-round excellent performances by all, from the main characters to the supporting actors and sidekicks. The songs are classics in their own right.

It leaves you with a wholesome feeling and you are likely to recommend it to others. A more catchy title would have perhaps made this movie better known that it is.

Excellent film.

[Fatehsher · 10/10 · 19 January 2000]

The chemistry between Guru Dutt and Madhubala is fantastic. Johnny Walker proves once again that he is the best side-kick of all time. The tone of the movie is ambivalent in that it is very depressing and optimistic at the same time.The music is incomparable. Simply put: an excellent all around film.

Timeless comedy-drama from cinematic genius Guru Dutt

[slazenger_7 · 10/10 · 29 August 2016]

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.

A classic gem!

[bobbyr-88-170831 · 10/10 · 24 August 2014]

As an American, there are some parts of the movie that I could not relate to (especially the ending) or appreciate the nuances of some of the songs, but despite those, I would rate this a true classic that is along the lines of Hollywood favorites like "It Happened One Night". The plot line and acting by all the main characters keeps one engrossed and entertained. The hero- Guru Dutt displays the combination of vulnerability and cynicism (a mix of Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart) that is perfect for his character. The heroine- Madhubala is breathtakingly beautiful and carries the role of the spoilt heiress with effortless ease. The lady who plays her aunt is quite convincing and does not go overboard in her histrionics. Overall, a movie that seamlessly combines witty comedy, breezy romance and natural acting. The B&W cinematography is stunning, especially in the duet song where the heroine is upstairs and the hero is in the garden.

Techincally brialliant, funny and light hearted but repressive.

[payalnagpal · 5/10 · 5 July 2020]

The film is quite an entertainment but falls short of morality. Unlike many other Guru Dutt's films, this film is highly repressive. Strangely enough, unlike Pyaasa and Kahaz Ke Phool, This film promotes oppression on women through certain dialogues. For example, In conversation between Anita and Pritam's bhabhi- Anita statement that "it's all right to have 3 children within 4years of marriage" is countered by "the is the real happiness of a women, a woman who think of her children as a burden isn't a real woman" or when Anita asks "Does your husband beat you too?" , the woman replies "Yes, but he loves me too and it's okay if that happens sometimes. Only a married women know the pleasure of it".

The entire film around the idea that divorce is unbecoming of an indian women and the only happiness she must find in her life should come nothing through marriage. In fact, there's one dialogue that says, 'settling in household, for a woman is like fulfilling the purpose of life'.

Apart from this, the film is shot beautifully by VK Murthy as usual. The editing is crisp. Witty and on point dialogs by Abrar Alvi. O P Sharma was magical with his music and stunning performance by all actors. Techinally this film was brilliant.

a delight

[martin-fennell · 9/10 · 4 September 2016]

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.

Probably, the first Hindi movie on contract marriage plot

[sherrvin-1 · 9/10 · 31 December 2018]

An amazing movie based on contract marriage theme. It may sound like Manchali but both are quite different movies and this one is a more catchy & serene.

I was under total control of the movie until it got over. In fact I was simply swept away by the story, innovative screenplay, Abrar Alvi's dialogues especially one liners, Madhubala's stunning beauty and her acting too, alongside great Johny Walker, Gurudutt's direction, Majrooh Sultanpuri's lyrics and O.P.Nayyar's unforgettable music with wonder full songs one after the other; 1) Thandi Hawa Kaali Ghata, 2) Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji, 3) Aeji Dil par Hua Aisa Jadoo, 4) Neele Aasmani, 5) Udhar Tum Haseen Ho Idhar Hum Jawan Hain, 6) Chal Diye Banda Nawaz, 7) Ab To Ji Hone Laga Kiski Surat Ka saamna, 8) Pritam Aan Milo (by Geeta Dutt) and 9) Meri Duniya Lut Rahi Thi Aur main Khamosh Tha. Everything was so perfect. A sheer entertainment, I must say. As long as you don't watch this movie, you are missing something in your life.

A gem like no other !!!

[hguy1 · 8/10 · 5 October 2018]

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.

Light hearted English romance

[hds-24055 · 9/10 · 20 September 2020]

The bacground score, the treatment of the story give you an enjoyable feeling of watching an English romance. Only except you are not. The writing is very good. The shooting is enjoyable. The music lifts up the movie. A must watch.

Would like to see it

[pvinodm-88300 · 10/10 · 8 July 2021]

Guess it's a movie for me released at the same time as munshi( 55 dev anand late nalini jaywant) I met a flight attendant like late nalini jaywant this is also remembering her and her friend Amanda is amanda still in the same airline dont know is the other girl still there that was in 2017 now 2021 who knows where Amanda is know and where the other girl is now. Hello vinita bhatt I haven't flown in airline in which late uncle was working and his love yasmin Have seen yasmin I have flown by air india indigo ect guess will get chance to fly by that airlin( late uncles)also. That yasmin also this both good looking attractive girl hello there ha kaha jigar gaya ji ----

I wish I was born in that era...

[waajastudios · 10/10 · 16 August 2020]

A timeless masterpiece created by the maestro Guru Dutt sahab... What screenplay, what dialogues, what performances, what music, what lyrics...Speechless...