ODELL, Albert
Singapore Film Industry,
Accession Number 002640
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- Ghalpanah Thangaraju
Interviewer
- 02:31:05
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Overview : Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2001
Recording Date
- 00:29:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Born in Hongkong in 1924. Family background. Schooled in Hongkong up to Senior Cambridge at CBS (Central British School). Was still schooling when the Japanese came. Was smuggled out of Hongkong to China during the Occupation. Was working for a company called RKO Radio Pictures while he was in China. Later left to join the American OWI (Office of War Information) in China. In 1946, he returned to Hongkong.
How he came to get a job with Frieder Films. Details about Frieder. Came to Singapore to open a office for Frieder in 1948. First impression of Singapore. Office for Frieder was located at Oldham Lane. Was with Frieder until he joined Cathay in 1951. Responsibilities at Frieder. Every film that came to Singapore had to be censored. Censorship at that time. Frieder would buy the films and he would approach the 2 main film exhibitors - Shaw and Cathay.
Ho Ah Loke knew the film business well and was associated with the Shaw brothers before the war. Ho had a circuit of cinemas in Malaysia. Loke Wan Tho had a lot of capital. Loke did not know much of the cinema business. Difference between Cathay and Shaw. Cathay did not have a film distribution of its own. At Frieder he only dealt with Cathay's Ho Ah Loke and eventually got drawn into Cathay.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2001
Recording Date
- 00:27:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Impression of Ho Ah Loke. Ho associated with both Shaw and Cathay. Went to Hongkong to set up a new studio for Cathay. But later came unhappy and left Cathay to join Shaw. Shaw and Cathay had an arrangement not to steal each other's senior personnel so he was placed in an office in Robinson's Road. Details about Cathay owned International Film Distribution Company. Partners at the company were Ho Ah Loke, Loke Wan Tho, himself and John Ede. Shaw and Cathay had an agreement not to let any third operator or competitor come in.
Impressions of Loke Wan Tho. Description of how he was sent to Hongkong to manage Yung Hwa studios. Comparison between working for Shaw and Cathay. Ho Ah Loke's management style. How he learnt the ins and outs of the film distribution business. Example of films that he distributed when he was with Frieder. Other Chinese film distributors in Tank Road.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2001
Recording Date
- 00:30:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Started work for Cathay in 1951. Cathay was a greenhorn compared to Shaw and did not even have a film distribution arm of its own until he started working for Cathay. Was sent to Hongkong to take over Yung Hwa Studios from 1954-1956. Yung Hwa Studios owed money to Loke Wan Tho and was therefore taken over by Cathay. Reasons why he was chosen to go to Hongkong. Played golf with Loke Wan Tho. Ho Ah Loke had several cinemas in Malaya and he formed a partnership with Loke Wan Tho to form a cicuit of theatres in Malaya and Singapore called Loke Theatres.
Difference between working at International Films Distribution Agency and Frieder. Office was located in the Cathay building. Ho Ah Loke knew a lot of the cinema business and had actually started out with Shaw. Open air cinemas were to be found in Pasir Panjang and Katong. Dealings with the censorship authorities back then. Joined Shaw from 1957-1960. Later joined Disney's office in Singapore in 1965-1971. Changes in censorship in Singapore over the years. Further details about his work at Yung Hwa studios, which was eventually, renamed Cathay Studios. Elaboration of film production for the Chinese market.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2001
Recording Date
- 00:31:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Reasons for leaving Cathay to Shaw. Signed a contract with Shaw for three years from 1957 to 1960. Elaboration of his working life whilst at Shaw. Possible reasons for Shaw wanting to 'steal' him away from Cathay. Shaw helped him to initiate a lawsuit against Loke Wan Tho over the losses that International Films Distribution had made. Details of his lawsuit. Shaw got Lee Kuan Yew to present his case. Later his case was turned over to Edwin Barker at the same law firm because Lee was too busy with his political activities. After he left Shaw in 1960, Loke started a counter suit against him. Eventually lost the case and had to pay back Loke. Relationship between Shaw and Cathay at that time.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2001
Recording Date
- 00:29:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Elaboration of his stint at Shaw. His impression of the Shaw brothers, especially Runme Shaw. Changes in job description when he joined Shaw from Cathay. Comparisons between Shaw and Cathay in terms of salary benefits. Elaboration of what he did after he left Shaw in 1960. Singapore had no independent distribution company at that time. Film distribution was a closed market at that time. Brief elaboration of his stint at Disney. Left Disney in 1971. Later started his own video store. Currently had his store in Tanglin Shopping Centre. All videos coming into Singapore had to be censored.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Apr 2002
Recording Date
- 00:03:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
Synopsis
Was only an acquaintance of Tom Hodge of Cathay. His memories of the Maria Hertogh riot.
Remarks
Interview was done in his video store and was therefore subject to a lot of disruptions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
