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Rajan (Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair) marries a sex worker(Omallur Chellamma). He intend give her a life and make free her family from insult. The attempts at social reform bring them in direct conflict with vested interests keen to preserve the old order.

Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair, acting in only his first movie, is visibly at sea. His inexperience is in contrast with Omallur Chellamma, who's assured as ever. She looks every bit the star of that era. The surprise package however, is Vaikom P. M Mani as the villainous Madhu. Despite the stagy dialogue delivery, he's supremely convincing as the scheming, vicious assistant to the reactionary zamindar.

What is remarkable is the manner in which the patriotism undertones have been concealed. The dialogue and lyrics writer Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair did an amazing job of slipping in perfectly innocuous sounding words carrying patriotic undertones beneath the surface. Frankly, I gave two extra marks just for Thikkurishi's brilliant play with words.

The acting is typically stagy and the dialogue delivery stilted and unnatural- as is the case with early talkies pretty much anywhere in the world. The dialogue delivery frequently grates, distracting from the other merits of the movie. Sthree is best seen as a piece of cinematic history. It was perhaps the first ever psychological movie in the history of Malayalam cinema.

The history of Indian cinema starts with the silent movie 'Raja Harishchandra' (1913) produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. The legend of the King of Ayodhya, Raja Harishchandra, might be the most repeated Hindu mythological episode adapted for Indian cinema. It was repeated seven times during the Silent Era and more than 25 times in various languages later. The Malayalam film 'Harishchandra,' was the first mythological produced under the banner of 'Neela Productions' and perhaps the first successful Malayalam film in this genre. Anyone who watches this film closely is sure to find that it is a carbon copy of two other South Indian films which told the same story, 'Satya Harishchandra' (Kannada-1943), which was successfully dubbed into Tamil, and another original Tamil version of the same story, 'Harishchandra,' released in 1944. The Kannada versionis considered to be the most successful film on this story. The Tamil dubbing is believed to be the first dubbed film in South India. The Malayalam film copied scenes from both the Tamil and Kannada versions. The sets, costumes, song sequences and even the dialogues, in some of the scenes were exactly the same. Though both the Kannada and the two Tamil versions had long runs in the state, the Malayalam film was also a runaway success. Clever camera tricks by N.S.Mani and directorial skills of Antony Mithradas gave life to the magical scenes. At a time when technology was not developed, with limited resources at their disposal, they did an appreciable job. Scenes of natural calamities, wild animals attacking the villages etc. were filmed using camera tricks and included effectively in the film. Based on a popular Mahabharatha legend, the film is about King Harsishchandra's devotion to truth. The wager between the two sages, Viswamithra and Vasishta brings hardships to Harishchandra. Sent to exile by Viswamithra for profaning his 'yaga' Harishchandra is separated from his wife Chandramathi and son Lohithaksha. Chandramathi and Lohithaksha become slaves to the landlord Kalakanta. Harishchandra is reduced to becoming an attendant in a cremation ground and given the charge to execute Chandramathi. Moved by the king's sacrifice, honesty and devotion to truth, the Gods descend and brings the morality play to a happy conclusion. Thikkurissi as Harishchandra, Miss Kumari as Chandramathi, G. K. Pillai as Viswamithra, Master Hari as Lohithaksha and Jose Prakash in the minor role of Harishchandra's minister Satyakeerthi performed their roles well. S. P. Pillai as Kalakanta and Adoor Pankajam as his wife did well in what were different from their usual comedy roles. The film had 15 songs penned by Thirunainar Kurichi and tuned by Brother Lakshmanan. This film is considered as the first Malayalam film of playback singer P. B. Sreenivas though there is some difference of opinion on this point. The song 'Mahal thyagame mahithame...' sung by him became a hit. 'Atmavidyalayame...' sung by Kamukara Purushothaman remains one of the best by the singer and one of the best in the language. The lyrics and the sequence seems to have been inspired by the famous Grave Diggers scene in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. Another song 'Aarundu chollan...' (P.Leela-Kamukara), though an imitation of the Tamil film song 'Vettunda kaikaley...' by P. A. Perianayaki from the film 'Jnanasoundari' (1948) also became a huge hit. Will be remembered: As the first successful mythological film in Malayalam. For the song 'Atmavidyalayame...' and also as the Malayalam debut of singer P.B.Sreenivas.

Most of the social movies of the 1950s had unusual twists and turns. Malayalam film producers and directors also followed this trend that was popular in the Tamil and Telugu films of the day. Manasakshi, released on August 20, 1954, was a compilation of sequences from such social films. Produced by Akhileshwar under the banner of Ishwar Productions, the story was developed by the 'story department' of the production company. Dr. P.S. Nair and actor- lyricist-writer Vaanakkutti (real name Raman Pillai) wrote the dialogues for the film. Directed by G. Vishwanath, the film was shot at Central Studios, Coimbatore. The story of Ammaye Kaanaan (1963) closely resembled this film.

Cinematography was by K.Gopal, editing by the director himself, and music by a new composer SGK Pillai, but the songs were imitations of popular Hindi tunes.

Prem Nazir, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, P. A. Thomas, S.P. Pillai, played significant roles in the film. Popular Tamil actress and dancer Rajasulochana was introduced to Malayalam cinema in this film. This was also the debut Malayalam film of playback singer T.R. Gajalakshmi.

Nanu Panicker (Pallom Joseph) who worked in an estate in Ooty entrusted his savings to his brother Pachu Panicker (P.A. Thomas) a document writer in his native village. Pachu Panicker swindled this money forcing Nanu Panicker to work as a ferryman for his livelihood. Lakshmi (Rajasulochana), the only daughter of Nanu Panicker, falls in love with Soman (Prem Nazir), whose father Sreedharan Kartha (Jose Prakash) was indebted to Pachu Panicker. Pachu Panicker wanted to marry his daughter Sarala (T.R. Omana) to Soman.

Soman gets selected for Civil Service and leaves for Delhi. Lakshmi becomes pregnant and out of shame, Nanu Panicker attempts suicide. He is arrested and sent to jail. Lakshmi joins an arts troupe 'Kalalayam,' owned by Kuttan Pillai (S.P. Pillai) of which Rajasekharan (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair) is a member.

The arts troupe produces a film with Lakshmi as the heroine. Lakshmi becomes a popular actress and adopts the screen name Madhuri. She gives birth to a son, but the baby is sent to an orphanage by Kuttan Pillai who does this without Lakshmi's knowledge.

Pachu Panicker's daughter Sarala who is a teacher in the orphanage school brings up Lakshmi's child without knowing the truth. Sreedharan Kartha calls Soman back intending to unite him with Lakshmi. But they could not find her. Soman is appointed as magistrate. Pachu Panicker decides to file a suit against Kartha to recover his dues. Sarala hides the debt document given by Kartha and Pachu Panicker fails to file the complaint. In desperation, Pachu Panicker attempts to murder Kartha and is arrested.

Rajasekharan attempts to molest Lakshmi and in the ensuing scuffle he is stabbed to death. Lakshmi is arrested for murder. The case comes before Soman. He recognises Lakshmi and refers the case to the Sessions Court.

Soman resigns as magistrate and appears in the Sessions Court to defend Lakshmi. He is able to prove that the killing was in self-defence. Soman, Lakshmi and their lost child reunite.

Prem Nazir and Rajasulochana impressed and formed a popular romantic screen pair. They became a hit pair in Tamil films right from Prem Nazir's first Tamil film Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum.

Ten songs written by Abhayadev were set to tune by SGK Pillai. Enthinaay virinjidam...(T.R. Gajalakshmi), though a direct copy of the C. Ramachandra composition Ye zindagi usee ki hai ....(Lata Mangeshkar) in the Hindi film Anarkali (1953), and the folk number Neeli penne Neeli penne...(Jose Prakash-Thomas Pallom) became hits. The other popular songs from the film were Maala korkoo Radhey..., Pooja cheyvoo njaan sada...(both duets by LPR Varma-Gajalakshmi) and Pratheekshakal naale niravedidaam... (Varma).

Will be remembered: As the debut Malayalam film of Rajasulochana, singer T.R. Gajalakshmi, and as composer SGK Pillai's first film.

'Ponkathir' released in 1953 was one of the two successful films released during the year, the other one being 'Ashadeepam.' Produced by P. Subramaniam and directed by E. R. Cooper under the banner of Neela Productions the film was a marital melodrama. It told the tale of the ideal woman, the long suffering and self sacrificing wife. The story and script by K. P. Kottarakkara was in line with such tear jerking Tamil socials of the time and proved successful at the box office.

This was the second film produced by Neela. It was technically perfect when compared to earlier Malayalam films. Sound recording by Krishna Elamon and cinematography by V. Ramamoorthy was worth mentioning. The top stars of that era, Prem Nazir and Lalitha added star value to the film. Playback singer Kamukara Purushothaman and stage actor C. I. Parameswaran Pillai made their film debut through this film. T. R. Omana who had appeared in some dance scenes in earlier films, acted in a minor role in this film.

A rich industrialist Prabhu (C. I. Parameswaran Pillai) runs a factory. His son Ravi (Prem Nazir) assists him in all his business projects. Madhu (K. P. Kottarakkara ), the manager of the factory is loyal to his master and the business flourishes. Vikraman (Thikkurissi), the crooked nephew of Prabhu is an employee of the factory. Vikraman tries to manipulate the assets of Prabhu.

Ravi is in love with Radha (Lalitha), daughter of a poor farmer and friend of Prabhu. Vikraman also loves Radha and tries to win her love by all crooked means, but in vain. Prabhu brings home Radha when her father dies. Vikraman and his wicked friends Mathu Pillai (Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai) and Pappan (S. P. Pillai) play nasty tricks and try to turn Prabhu against Ravi's love for Radha. But to their dismay, Prabhu conducts the marriage of his son Ravi with Radha. Prabhu come to know about the nasty tricks of Vikraman and terminates him from the factory.

Now Vikraman and his aides try to defame Radha and Prabhu. They spread scandals about the relations between the father-in-law and daughter-in-law, Prabhu and Radha. Suspicion springs up in Ravi also. Sarala (Bharathi Menon), the lady love of Vikraman is engaged to trap Ravi and turn him against Prabhu and Radha. Ravi expels a pregnant Radha from the house. Madhu's mother (Aranmula Ponnamma) and sister Thulasi (T. R. Omana ) console Radha. Prabhu bring home Radha and he assigns all his wealth in Radha's name. Sarala who was after the wealth of Ravi, now betrays him.

Vikraman forces Ravi to take revenge on Prabhu and Sarala. Madhu intervenes and saves their lives. Vikraman and his group are arrested by the police. All misunderstandings is cleared, and a reformed Ravi rejoins the family.

Lalitha and Prem Nazir excelled in their roles. Bharathi Menon as the vamp also did well in the negative role. The success of this role paved way for similar roles for her later. The comic scenes by S. P. Pillai and Adoor Pankajam helped defuse the tense situations in the film, though they were repetitions from the films of the past. The music of the film was just average. The 13 songs penned by Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair were tuned by Brother Lakshmanan followed the trend of imitating tuhes of other language film songs. The prayer song, 'Anjana Sreedhara charumoorthey Krishna...' sung by Ganabhooshanam Lalitha in the traditional style became very popular and is considered as one of the best devotional songs in Malayalam. All the songs, except the solo by Jikki, 'Paadoo manasamey padoo...' which was a direct copy of the Latha number from the Hindi film 'Daag' (1952) 'Laage unse nain laage....' (Shanker-Jaikishan) faded out from the memory within a short time. Kamukara sung his first film song, a verse filmed on the climax scene, 'Ashanka thimiram...' to make a winning debut.

Will be Remembered: The film be remembered as the debut film of playback singer Kamukara Purushothaman, actor C. I. Parameswaran Pillai, and was the first character role of T. R. Omana.

Sisters Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, popular as the Travancore Sisters, enriched Indian cinema with their dances and acting. It was usual to include their dances in films and they often turned out to be the highpoints of the films. Producer and director Sreeramulu Naidu introduced the Travancore Sisters to Malayalam cinema through Prasanna, released on August 17, 1950. The film was a huge hit.

The film also introduced an array of artistes to Malayalam cinema like Kandiyoor Parameswarankutty, P. A. Thomas, Pappukutty Bhagavathar etc. This was also the debut Malayalam film of T. S. Baliah and T. S. Durairaj; playback singers M. L. Vasantha Kumari, P.A. Periyanayaki and Radha-Jayalakshmi. This was also the first Malayalam film of music composer Gnanamani and producer-director Sreeramulu Naidu. The script and dialogues were by the renowned playwright Munshi Paramu Pillai.

Following the success of this film producer-director N. S. Krishnan made the Tamil film Manamakal (1951) based on the stage play Suprabha, written by Munshi Paramu Pillai. Krishnan cast T. S. Baliah, Lalitha and Padmini in his film. With powerful dialogues written by M. Karunanidhi, Manamakal became an all time hit.

Pankan Thampi (Kandiyoor Parameswarankutty), a doctor, lives with his sister Prasanna (Lalitha) in a village. Ayyappan (T. S. Baliah) son of Thampi's old servant and Prasanna study in the same college. Ayyappan is in love with Prasanna but does not express his feelings. Thampi's friend Radhakrishna Menon (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair), who lives in Trichy, has two sisters Madanika (Padmini) and Radha (Radhamani). Thampi and Menon decide to strengthen their relations. Thampi decides to marry Madanika and Menon decides to marry Prasanna. Ayyappan is shocked by the marriage plan attempts suicide. Prasanna sympathises with the desperate lover and marries Ayyappan against the wishes of her brother.

Ayyappan leaves the village with Prasanna and reaches Trichy. Ayyappan's friend Pappu Pillai (T. S. Durairaj) and his wife Kalyani (Kanchana) also accompany them. Ayyappan and Pappu Pillai are arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in a petty case. They are freed by the kind Inspector (P. A. Thomas). Kalyani takes up a job as a maid in the Inspector's house. Prasanna gets employed as a maid in Radhakrishna Menon's house. Menon does not know that his servant is Thampi's sister with whom his marriage was fixed. Menon takes a liking for her. But Prasanna, faithful to her husband, rejects his advances. Ayyappan becomes suspicious of his wife and hits the bottle. Kalyani and Prasanna talk to Menon who now regards Prasanna as his own sister. But Ayyappan remains suspicious. Menon's sister Radha informs Thampi about Prasanna's miserable family life. Thampi reaches Trichy and his shocked by his sister's miserable plight. Thampi and Ayyappan get into a brawl. Menon intervenes. Reconciliation takes place and misunderstanding cleared.

A musical hit, most of the songs written by Abhayadev and tuned by Gnanamani, became super hits. For the first time in Malayalam cinema a song, Jaathi vairam neethi rahidhamee... (M. L. Vasantha Kumari) was composed in Western style. Other hits include Klanikathe Keralamathe...(Kaviyoor Revamma), Dhavala roopa Saraswathi....(Radha-

Jayalakshmi), Ganamohana Hare Gopala...(Vasantha Kumari), and Sneham thookum maathey....(P. A. Periyanayaki).

Will be remembered: As the début Malayalam film of the Travancore Sisters, Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini. As the debut film of actors Kandiyoor Parameshwarankutty, P. A. Thomas, Pappukkutty Bhagavathar, debut Malayalam film of Sreeramulu Naidu, playback singers M. L. Vasantha Kumari, P. A. Periyanayiki and Radha-Jayalakshmi.