Speaking of Shammi Kapoor, we must mention China Town(1962). Yet another Shakti Samanta film (was there no end to this man’s talent!), it also featured Shakila and Helen. This film has a lightness of touch and constant movement that is exhilarating. It also encapsulates the urban night club life of the early 60s – fashions, hairstyles, mannerisms and interior design in a way that appears to turn the whole movie into a work of art – not a single inch of screen space is wasted in creating the effect. Shammi, of course, overacts outrageously in the usual dual-role (separated twins and so on) and includes a gangster-based plot set in the heart of Calcutta and focusing on the night-club activity of the redlight district. It’s great fun from beginning to end.
