A studio by the sea

Cathay-Keris was formed in 1953, with production facilities along East Coast Road in Siglap. 1 The studio complex at 532D East Coast Road reused former Japanese wartime barracks and added two soundstages, next to the sea. Thousands of visitors toured the studios in the 1960s. 123

Streets with film titles

When the surrounding land was developed into a private housing estate in the early 1960s, its roads were named after the studio’s films. Jalan Buloh Perindu (“yearning bamboo road”) recalls Buloh Perindu, Cathay-Keris’s first production in 1953; Jalan Sedara Ku (“my compatriot road”), Jalan Dondang Sayang, Jalan Selendang Delima and Jalan Puteri Jula Juli are also named after the studio’s 1950s films. 234

The estate doubled as a ready-made film set. Its homes and streets appear in comedies such as Mat Tiga Suku (1964), and the studio grounds stood in for a hospital and other locations in Cathay-Keris productions. 23

The end of the golden era

As television spread and the Indonesian market was lost during Konfrontasi, Malay film production declined. Cathay-Keris ceased production in 1972. 12 The low-rise homes along Keris Drive and Jalan Keris now stand on the former studio site. 2

Sources

  1. Siglap — Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board
  2. Singapore's Hollywood — SG101, Government of Singapore
  3. Dream Factories on the Outskirts — Singapore Film Locations Archive
  4. Mat Sentul’s Neighbourhood in Cathay-Keris Movie Town — SG Film Hunter