SUNDAYS AT THE INDIAN MOVIES

 SUNDAYS AT THE INDIAN MOVIES

Harry Bissoon 6/27/2021

If I were to look back in time to an institution that assumed a life of magnanimous proportions, and became an integral part of Guyanese culture, I would definitely focus on the Cinema. The Cinema in Guyana, especially in the country areas, and in its hay day, touched the lives of most people whom I knew, until it drew its last breath, in the face of competition, rising costs, lack of maintenance, and decaying structures.

In my small town, six movie houses - Palladium, Radio City, Star, Metro, Maya, and Novelty, jostled for an audience which was made up of patrons of all ages. The town came alive on Saturdays and Sundays, but I was mostly impressed, and, at times, amused, by the movie goers on Sundays, who flocked to the Indian movies. All the cinemas programmed their shows for either 4:30 pm, or, 5:00 pm, and minutes before showtime, the ladies of the town filled the streets, decked out in colorful dresses and attire that were a sight for sore eyes. Many walked, while others went by cars, buses, and even bicycles.

But let me take a look at Saturdays before I talk more  about Sundays.

In my youthful days we never had the internet and the web, but that didn't prevent news, and gossip, from spreading like wildfire. Saturdays - in the markets, butcher shops, grocery stores, and stores where ladies' apparel was sold - provided the right logistics for word of the Sunday movies to fill the air, travelling throughout the town, filling all with anticipation and excitement. Even before the PA announcers came out to woo the townspeople to patronize their movie houses, actors, storyline, and songs, were already known.

PA announcers, like Joe Chung and Kennard Rashbeharry( Dankeyman), traversed the streets, on Saturdays and a few times on Sundays, beckoning people to come out to the shows. Nobody could have challenged the versatility of these two, as their voices reached the far corners of the town, embellishing the merits of the movies that were to viewed on the silver screen. 

The movie theater provided the only form of leisurely entertainment for the ladies, in the absence of any other accepted pastime. The men of my town could venture our to the many bars, and seek relaxation and comfort in the company of friends and workmates. Working ladies who were employed, and those who were housewives, cherished the coming of the weekend. Many of those who were single, made dates with, or was invited out by willing lads who eagerly followed the damsels into the theaters that were calling out to them. 

Sundays, in the afternoon, were filled with excitement and a flurry of activity, as ladies hastened to finish their household chores. They decked themselves in fancy dresses, and exquisite hairdos, with an ample application of lipstick, and face powder, to make an appearance that added beauty, jealousy, envy, infatuation, love, and admiration to the town. 

Sunday afternoon movies in my town were moments of joy and celebration, as well as occasions of sadness and tragedy. Many nuptial knots were fabricated and strengthened within the halls of our movie theaters, while many were broken and shattered. The town was deeply saddened when Mary ingested poison, bought from the local pharmacy, when she found her boyfriend with someone else at the movies. On the other hand, they rejoiced when Sattie and Kumar, who were regularly seen at the movies, announced that they were getting married.

Sundays at the Indian movies were an integral part of growing up during my time. It touched the lives of many, and shaped the future of numerous people, in my little town of Corriverton. Sundays at the Indian movies were, indeed, Showtime!