The document provides an overview of the Singapore film industry between 1930 and 1990. It is divided into sections for background information, statistics, and analysis. The introduction notes that the industry was largely driven by two major players, Shaw and Cathay-Keris. The film industry flourished in the 1940s-50s but declined when these key players left. Government policies also significantly impacted the rise and fall of the local film scene over this period.

1. the early days 1930-1990 Singapore Film Industry

2. This paper addresses the Singapore film Industry between 1930-1990 and is divided into clear sections for easy viewing. As the sections are hyperlinked, feel free to pick and choose chapters from the content page. An introduction and background information page on the Singapore film industry at the time is included for the benefit of those who wish to know or needs the information to help in their reading. FOREWARD 2

3. In doing this special project research paper, I realised that I have unknowingly read quite a number of Singapore Asian Film readings. Despite this being a special project paper, I thought it would be useful to develop the background information on Singapore abit, which I may continue to update and hopefully help even in revision for the examinations. WRITER’S NOTE 3

4. Contents Section 1: Introduction and Background info Introduction Timeline History of Singapore Cinema Section 2: Statistics and Analysis Number of local films/imported films Box office records Analysis 4

5. Introduction , Timeline, History of Singapore Cinema Introduction & Background INFO 5

6. Number of local films/imported films, Box office records, Analysis Statistics & analysis 6

7. Introduction & Background Info Introduction Timeline History of Singapore Cinema 7

8. Number of local films/imported films Box office records Analysis 8

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11. 11 Between 1952 and 1958, only 3 out of the 25 Cathay Keris films made a profit. ( Which are they?) The Greatest Civil War of Earth (box office hit throughout Chinese speaking Asia) (ASEAN 137)

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15. 15 Statistics: Missing info: Box office records and imported films. Box Office records: Searched through Straits times archives, but still with a lot of missing info. For Local films, I gathered abit on what is successful and what is not on the box office, but that’s about all I’ve got. Imported Films: Best I found was the amount of imported films in terms of metres from the archived books of singapore import and export statistics, which apparently is not very helpful. Not sure of other possible areas to search? I tried searching in many books, and looked for the archival records from The SFC, yearbooks that might have film information, but the information is sparse and the only possible records I could get are possibly only year 1980 and those of recent days.

16. 16 The period of 1930-1990 of Singapore’s film industry marks one with many landmark changes. Interesting to note, the period of 1940s and 1950s is also known as Singapore’s Golden age. Where Singapore’s film industry is one of the most flourishing ones in Asia. However, despite all that, there are a few interesting points of Singapore’s film industry that I cannot help noticing and this research paper will be focusing on exploring these points. As an introduction, the points can be generalised into 1. The Overlap of Singapore and Malaysia, 2. The very business individual driven industry and 3. The very government affected industry

17. 17 Firstly, as the film industry in singapore to speak is undergoing it’s ups and downs, politically, Singapore also went through many milestones. Throughout the days of 1930-1990, Singapore underwent British Colonial rule, Japanese invasion during the WWII, merger and became part of Malaysia for 2 years, then became independent and the Singapore government started harsh industrial growth. The interesting thing is that during this period, where Singapore is still decidedly not a developed nation, it’s film industry is one of the more noticed in the region. This of course is largely contributed to major film industry players Shaw and Cathay-Keris.

18. 18 Introduction of Shaw Introduction of Cathay-Keris.

19. 19 The film industry of singapore during this period greatly contrasts the current one such that back then, it was greatly individuals driven. As we already know the driving forces – Shaw and Cathay-Keris, these are individual based businesses that run the show, the result is some form of monopoly and most of the economic interest generates from these individuals and return to them. The current film situation in singapore is pretty different as currently, from the government perspective, it is seen as a potential economic industry and also an area that is beneficial for the country image culturally. Despite a possible scene of monopoly in film industry players currently, the basis of film industry growth is rather different.

20. 20 3. The very goverment affected industry Points to expand on: The complete hiatus in the film industry The downfall of the film industry the moment the key players leave the scene.