Original film title in Malay: Hujan Panas
Literal English translation of film title: Drizzle on a Hot Day

Directed by B. N. Rao
Written by B. N. Rao
Language: Malay
Starring: P. Ramlee, Siput Sarawak, Aini Hayati
Produced by Malay Film Productions (Shaw Bros.)

Film Locations:
Victoria Memorial Hall
Collyer Quay, Clifford Pier
Battery Road
High Street
Singapore’s northern coastline, as seen from Johor Bahru

 

Set in modern 1950s Singapore (as a montage of shots of the colonial city in the film’s introduction shows), Hujan Panas is a melodrama about talented entertainer Amir’s (P. Ramlee) tragic relationship with arrogant star singer Aminah (Siput Sarawak). Initially turned off by Amir’s advances and love songs, Aminah is persuaded enough to marry him and bear him a son. But their four-year marriage is spoiled by Aminah’s affair with her long-time lover Hassan, whom she ultimately decides to run off with. Amir is forced to part ways with his son (at Clifford Pier) and is so devastated that he has to take a temporary “exile” to Johor Bahru. On its coastline at the Johor Straits, he is full of lament for what has transpired in his marriage with Aminah, as he observes from across the divide, Singapore – that regretful place where ambivalent memories persist to haunt him. To Singapore, with Love?

 

 

 

 

Further Reading:
1. Amir Muhammad, 120 Malay Movies (pp. 81-83). Petaling Jaya: Matahari Books, 2010
2. High Street. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, 2004.
3. Clifford Pier. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, 2004.
4. Collyer Quay. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, 2005.
5. Battery Road. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, 2005.

Film Images:
© 1953 Malay Film Productions
© 2002 Music Valley

Digital Map Source:
1. Great Britain. Ordnance Survey, Singapore Island, National Library of Australia, MAP G8040 1941. [http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-vn1900708]
2. Great Britain. Royal Air Force, Singapore photomap, National Library of Australia, MAP G8041.A4 s6 1950. [http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-vn502375]

Photographs:
© 2013, 2014 Toh Hun Ping