View Larger Map

Yesterday I posted on the article of the industrial building at 6 Jalan Ampas being successfully enbloc-ed , as well as the anticipated increase in enbloc activity due to the re-zoning to the region. My friend commented if the adjacent site at 8, Jln Ampas which is the former Shaw’s Malay Film Studio would potentially be converted to residential development. It is currently sitting on a site which is already zoned as Residential site with 2.8 plot ratio.

If you are not aware, the above Google photo illustrates the old Malay Film Studio which was once famous in our parents’ age. Below is the extract from the Heritage Trail Singapore:

Set up by the Shaw brothers in 1947, the studio was a logical business decision by the Shaws who started with film distribution and then moved into screening the films as well. With the studio, they could produce Malay shows to cater to the local clientele as it was a relatively untouched market.

They brought in equipment and experienced technicians from Hong Kong and Shanghai while singers and actors came from local Malay opera troupes.In the beginning, most of the directors were Chinese but were later replaced by Indians as the audience enjoyed the plots and directional style of the Indian “Bollywood” style of film production.

 

One of the most famous actors and directors that came out of the Jalan Ampas studios was the legendary Tan Sri P. Ramlee (1929-1973). P. Ramlee started as a playback singer providing vocals for the lead actor in the movie ‘Cinta’ in 1948 when he was only 19 years old. He later went on to become the lead actor on the silver screen. In 1950, he became the first actor to sing in his own voice in the movie ‘Bakti’. His talent and energy enabled him to rise from an actor to become a prolific director, singer and songwriter who created most of his masterpieces in Singapore. For the next 20 years, P. Ramlee went on to win international accolades and multiple awards with over 70 films and 200 songs to his credit.

You might be interested to check out the blog by the son of the director Jamil Sulong @ http://sayaanakwayang.blogspot.com/2009/02/malay-film-studios-jalan-ampas.html and the video showing the old studio.

If you are interested in Balestier’s intriguing history and on-going events, you are welcome to join us at the Facebook.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Industrial building at Jalan Ampas sold for S$27.5m in first enbloc sale this year (keithyip.com)
• The Barber of Balestier (keithyip.com)