Acting

Dato' S. Roomai Noor

Born February 22, 1923 · Pahang, Malaysia

Died March 16, 1996 · aged 73

Dato' Haji S. Roomai Noor (born as Muhammad Taib Bin Salleh; 22 February 1923 – 16 March 1996)i is a Malaysian actor,writer and director. He was onced worked as mechanic and as a He made his acting debut in the Shaw Brothers film 'Chinta' (1948). In 1952, he moved to Keris Film Studio (which later became Cathay-Keris Studio). He was the father to the singer Anita Sarawak through his first marriag…

Known For

Poison of the World

Poison of the World · 1950

Poison of the World

Jamal the son of Kamal a woodsman owner is married to Aminah. Their marriage is blessed even more with Mardiana their new born. But their happiness was short lived when Jamal started to mix around with Harun and his bad influenced friends. Harun is an insurance representative who also works for Aishah the stunning beauty. Jamal is attracted to Aishah so much that he starts to abandon his family. Jamal had to spend a lot of his money to accompany Aishah who is used to the lifestyle of a rich person. Will Jamal ever repent and come back to his originally family and be the father figure he has been all these while?

Tiger Ghost

Tiger Ghost · 1959

MovieCrimeHorror

Produced by Cathay-Keris, this omnibus of three stories (with different directors) was adapted from mystery tales featuring Detective Inspector Latiff (S. Roomai Noor), a character created Pelham Groom, a former British officer and genre writer who settled in Singapore. Latiff’s ‘Watson’ is a female Chinese forensic doctor (Mary Lim), and the first story 'Mud on Her Shoes' hinges on the romance between an English expat and a Malay woman. The second story is the titular 'Hantu Rimau'. The third tale ’Double Knock Out’, heralded as the first depiction of a local boxing match, was shot in Happy World (later renamed Gay World), one of the night-life amusement parks known as the ‘Worlds’. 'Mud on Her Shoes' directed by L. Krishnan, 'Hantu Rimau' directed by B.N. Rao, 'Double Knock Out' directed by S. Roomai Noor

Mahsuri

Mahsuri · 1958

Mahsuri is a Malay film produced in Singapore in 1959.It was produced in Black and white. Ti was based on a local Malay folklore.. The script was written by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and was bought by Cathy Keris at RM10,000.

Madu Beracun

Madu Beracun · 1976

This film is about the danger of drug usage.

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah · 1959

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

The fairy tale is about two sisters, Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih. After their father dies, Bawang Merah and her mother, Labu, have to share the house with domineering Kundor and Bawang Putih. Bawang Merah has to endure more hardship when her mother dies. She is bullied, beaten and abused in every way imaginable by Kundor and Bawang Putih. As the tale goes, her mother eventually reappears – as a fish. Bawang Merah becomes happier and this puzzles both Kundor and Bawang Putih. Her ship comes in when a Prince hears her singing in the woods and marries her. Of course, Kundor is terribly unhappy that her brat, Bawang Putih, is married to none, let alone a prince. So she devises an evil scheme to destroy Bawang Merah’s marriage and get the prince to notice Bawang Putih.

Abang

MovieDramaFamily

Fuad Din has been missing for 10 years. One day a telegram arrives stating that he will be returning home soon. His family receive the news with mixed feelings. When he finally returns. Fuad faces every conflict calmly and no one in the family knows that he went abroad to seek medical treatment. Tires of living in pretence, Fuad’s only wish is to be in his beloved country and with his loved ones whom he misses dearly.

The Oily Man

The Oily Man · 1958

MovieHorrorMystery

A village comes alive with fear when a nefarious ‘oily man’ terrorises women in the dead of night. At their wits end, the local police enlist the help of talented police inspector Dasuki to trap and end the oily man’s mischief. Orang Minyak was digitally restored by the Asian Film Archive in 2018 using a 16mm black & white composite release print from its collection.

Setitik Embun

Setitik Embun · 1975

This is a film based on national unity. Hisham, an officer from Kuala Lumpur has travelled to Sabah to build a family but end up having a conflict within the community.

Filmography

Sort

Poison of the World

Poison of the World · 1950

Poison of the World

Jamal the son of Kamal a woodsman owner is married to Aminah. Their marriage is blessed even more with Mardiana their new born. But their happiness was short lived when Jamal started to mix around with Harun and his bad influenced friends. Harun is an insurance representative who also works for Aishah the stunning beauty. Jamal is attracted to Aishah so much that he starts to abandon his family. Jamal had to spend a lot of his money to accompany Aishah who is used to the lifestyle of a rich person. Will Jamal ever repent and come back to his originally family and be the father figure he has been all these while?

Writer

Tiger Ghost

Tiger Ghost · 1959

MovieCrimeHorror

Produced by Cathay-Keris, this omnibus of three stories (with different directors) was adapted from mystery tales featuring Detective Inspector Latiff (S. Roomai Noor), a character created Pelham Groom, a former British officer and genre writer who settled in Singapore. Latiff’s ‘Watson’ is a female Chinese forensic doctor (Mary Lim), and the first story 'Mud on Her Shoes' hinges on the romance between an English expat and a Malay woman. The second story is the titular 'Hantu Rimau'. The third tale ’Double Knock Out’, heralded as the first depiction of a local boxing match, was shot in Happy World (later renamed Gay World), one of the night-life amusement parks known as the ‘Worlds’. 'Mud on Her Shoes' directed by L. Krishnan, 'Hantu Rimau' directed by B.N. Rao, 'Double Knock Out' directed by S. Roomai Noor

Director

Mahsuri

Mahsuri · 1958

Mahsuri is a Malay film produced in Singapore in 1959.It was produced in Black and white. Ti was based on a local Malay folklore.. The script was written by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and was bought by Cathy Keris at RM10,000.

Kelana

Madu Beracun

Madu Beracun · 1976

This film is about the danger of drug usage.

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah · 1959

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

The fairy tale is about two sisters, Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih. After their father dies, Bawang Merah and her mother, Labu, have to share the house with domineering Kundor and Bawang Putih. Bawang Merah has to endure more hardship when her mother dies. She is bullied, beaten and abused in every way imaginable by Kundor and Bawang Putih. As the tale goes, her mother eventually reappears – as a fish. Bawang Merah becomes happier and this puzzles both Kundor and Bawang Putih. Her ship comes in when a Prince hears her singing in the woods and marries her. Of course, Kundor is terribly unhappy that her brat, Bawang Putih, is married to none, let alone a prince. So she devises an evil scheme to destroy Bawang Merah’s marriage and get the prince to notice Bawang Putih.

Director

Abang

MovieDramaFamily

Fuad Din has been missing for 10 years. One day a telegram arrives stating that he will be returning home soon. His family receive the news with mixed feelings. When he finally returns. Fuad faces every conflict calmly and no one in the family knows that he went abroad to seek medical treatment. Tires of living in pretence, Fuad’s only wish is to be in his beloved country and with his loved ones whom he misses dearly.

Dato Din

The Oily Man

The Oily Man · 1958

MovieHorrorMystery

A village comes alive with fear when a nefarious ‘oily man’ terrorises women in the dead of night. At their wits end, the local police enlist the help of talented police inspector Dasuki to trap and end the oily man’s mischief. Orang Minyak was digitally restored by the Asian Film Archive in 2018 using a 16mm black & white composite release print from its collection.

Dasuki

Setitik Embun

Setitik Embun · 1975

This is a film based on national unity. Hisham, an officer from Kuala Lumpur has travelled to Sabah to build a family but end up having a conflict within the community.

Tiada Esok Bagimu

Tiada Esok Bagimu · 1979

Tiada Esok Bagimu

This film exposes the weaknesses found in the high-society consisting of the minister, architects and lawyers. Each has different tastes and desires. As an influential person, the minister used his position to compromise the weak girl. The young lawyer was questioning the good name and status after the girl was betrothed with a tarnished. The young architect ignore Malay art elements. The film also presents a question of love in a family.

Esok Masih Ada

Esok Masih Ada · 1979

MovieActionDrama

Successful police officer ASP Zamri fails to build a happy home. His only child succumbs to leukimia and his life falls apart. Then, he meets Marina daughter of Mr. Cheong, a banker whom he had saved from a robbery cum hostage attempt. In time, Zamri’s frienship with Marina develops into love. Marina is somehow connected to Albert., who in turn is close to Ramon., the leader of the bank robber’s gang. Out of sympathy for ASP Zamri who longs for another child, Mr Cheong convinces Marina to marry the Asp Zamri, but her mother does not bless their marriage. Zamri and Marina are blessed with a son, Jefri, who placed in the care of Faridah, Zamri’s first wife. ASP Zamri spends most of his time with Faridah and Jefri. As a result, Marina starts to feel lonely.

Badang

MovieActionDrama

Badang is a very extraordinary person who is very strong and does many miraculous things with his strength after he has eaten the vomit of the water ghost who at first wanted to kill him. Eventhough he is strong there are certain things that he cant do due to the promise he has made with the water ghost. He can’t marry because he will end a dreadful death. Badan’s strength was known by the Sultan where he was appointed as a warrior of the Sultan. Apart from that he has also won many strength competitions across the country. While in all this fame he has fallen for a girl who has also fallen for him. But due to his promise to the water ghost he cant. So, who does he choose his powerful strength or his true love?

Director

Matinya Seorang Patriot

Matinya Seorang Patriot · 1984

Matinya Seorang Patriot

MovieDramaRomance

Haji Saaban, the chairman of Melati Holdings, dies suddenly. His son Safuan suspects that the death has something to do with Melati Holding’s. He allows his brother, Saiful to avenge the death of their father. Saiful falls in love with the daughter of one of the board of directors and his desire for vengeance dissipates. Safuan feels that Saiful has betrayed the family and challenges him.

Yusof

Rahsia

It tells the story of a family whose recent loss of their daughter make them receptive to the haunting of a murdered child as they move into an old bungalow.

Khalid

Shadows at Dawn

Shadows at Dawn · 1962

Shadows at Dawn

MovieDramaComedy

Revolves around a conflict between two step -siblings Omar and Salim. Salim who lives in the village works on a rubber plantation inherited by their father. While Omar is in the city depending on the money sent by Salim to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Omar

Faithfulness

Faithfulness · 1950

Ibrahim, a rich man, has a spoilt son, Hassan, who is a thief and a liar. When the family adopts nasir, a poor orphan, Hassan does not welcome him. But Sa'adiyah, the daughter of the family, becomes Nasir's devoted friend and ally. After marrying a wife consumed by greed, Hassan turns to thieving to support their lifestyle. He is caught and imprisoned; upon his release, he steals from his adopted brother Nasir. However, Nasir saves him from the arm of the law by informing the police that the stolen items are actually gifts he planned to give Hassan. Hassan is thus released and comes to realise Nasir’s noble heart and kind intentions.

Hassan

Light of Love

Light of Love · 1949

Omar, a music teacher, teaches Rokiah to play the violin. He falls in love with Rokiah’s sister named Zaharah. Their romance goes through various bitter and sweet stories.

Omar

Sinner

This film is about Osman that accuse his wife dishonest with him after been slander by his own cousin. Does he overcome the matter at the end?

Pembalasan

Pembalasan · 1951

This film tell a story about a evil step mother that put a spell at her own children until he become a monkey. The monkey run deep into the woods until he come into a castle.

Gado Gado

Gado Gado · 1961

MovieComedyMusic

Wahid provides a brief account of his life beginning with his move to the city in search for employment after persuasion from his girlfriend, Rahmah. He soon finds himself caught in a host of sticky situations as he navigates towards finding steady employment. Gado Gado is one of the 91 sole-surviving Cathay-Keris Malay Classics film titles made during Singapore’s Golden Cinema era from the 1950s to early 1970s, and preserved by the Asian Film Archive. In 2014, the collection was inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of The World Asia-Pacific Register, a list of endangered library and archive holdings. At 35 minutes long, the film is the only musical variety short from the Cathay-Keris catalogue.

Director

Tunang Pak Dukun

Tunang Pak Dukun · 1960

Tunang Pak Dukun

MovieRomanceComedy

Karim (Abdullah Chik) and Khatijah (Rose Yatimah) are undergraduates at the University of Malaya pursuing degrees in Medicine and History respectively. They are young, progressive in their thinking, and very much in love with each other. On a visit back home, Khatijah discovers that she is arranged to be married, without her knowledge, to the local village 'lebai' (healer), Din, who is a recent widower and father of six. Khatijah is torn between her fledging love for Karim and her adherence to centuries of tradition. Determined to win the hand of Khatijah, Karim sets aside his prejudiced view of the "mystical arts" and travels deep into the wilderness of Malaysia to study under a respected traditional healer, Pak Salleh (Dollah Sarawak).

Director

Sapphire

Sapphire · 1949

The film tells the story of a young Javanese man, Ahmad, who leaves his village with a magic protective dagger given to him by his mother. He takes to the seas, eager to discover the world. He reaches the exotic Arabian coast, and travels all the way to Egypt, encountering belly dancers, harem women, etc. He meets Princess Nilam and falls in love. Nilam's father will allow Ahmad to marry her only if he brings back a blue diamond guarded by monsters at a faraway location.

Ahmad

Fate

MovieRomanceDrama

Kassim is living with his brother and sister-in-law when he finds out he is about to inherit all his family's wealth. Kassim, a young man who prefers to sing and play, is thrown out of his home by his brother and deprived of his wealth. He starts to lead a wandering life with two friends. One day, Kassim discovers pirate treasure. (This film is different from the 1952 film Anjuran Nasib, also directed by B.S. Rajhans).

Kassim