Kedok Ketawa

Kedok Ketawa

Kedok Ketawa (Indonesian for The Laughing Mask) is a 1940 action film from the Dutch East Indies. Starring Basoeki Resobowo, Fatimah, and Oedjang, the film follows a young couple who fight off criminals. It was the first film produced by Union Films, one of four new production houses established after the success of Albert Balink’s Terang Boelan.

About Kedok Ketawa in brief

Summary Kedok KetawaKedok Ketawa (Indonesian for The Laughing Mask) is a 1940 action film from the Dutch East Indies. Starring Basoeki Resobowo, Fatimah, and Oedjang, the film follows a young couple who fight off criminals with the help of a masked man. It was the first film produced by Union Films, one of four new production houses established after the success of Albert Balink’s Terang Boelan revived the ailing motion picture industry. The film received positive reviews, particularly for its cinematography. Following the success, Union produced another six works before being shut down in early 1942 during the Japanese occupation.

The movie was shot on location in Cibodas, and featured fighting, comedy, and singing. It may have been influenced by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula through its Hollywood adaptations. The soundtrack for the film consisted of kroncong songs, which were common for contemporary productions. Kedok ketawa was released in Batavia in July 1940, with a press screening on 20 July. By September it was being shown in Surabaya.