| Director: | Y. R. Swamy |
| Story: | G. D. Mudugulkar |
| Screenplay: | Vempati Sadasivabrahmam Y. R. Swamy |
| Starring: | N. T. Rama Rao Sowcar Janaki Jamuna |
| Music: | T. A. Kalyanam |
| Cinematography: | D. L. Narayana |
| Editing: | M. S. Parthasarathy |
| Studio: | Rohini Pictures |
| Runtime: | 140 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Telugu Tamil |
Vaddante Dabbu [1] is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language screwball comedy film directed by Y. R. Swamy. It was produced by Moola Narayana Swamy and presented by H. M. Reddy on Rohini Pictures banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sowcar Janaki and Jamuna, with music composed by T. A. Kalyanam. It is based on the George Barr McCutcheon novel Brewster's Millions (1902). The film was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Panam Paduthum Padu .[2] Despite originally opening to a mixed response, it attained cult status in Telugu cinema, and was remade in the same language as Babai Abbai (1985).
Ram and Shyam are best friends who are deep in debt and absconding from moneylenders. Saroja, the daughter of multimillionaire Rao Saheb Hemachalapathi, admires Shyam who reciprocates. Aware of it, Rao Saheb gives Shyam a copious amount of ₹1 lakh and asks him to spend it within 30 days, but warns him not to donate or destroy it. Shyam starts the process with the help of Ram in various means, i.e., racing, gambling, drama, constructing a house, etc. Their income increases at every level, which annoys Shyam. Ultimately, he returns Rao Saheb's wealth. Rao Saheb affirms that the task was to study his character and that he should perceive the fruitlessness of treacherous money. The film ends with the marriage of Shyam and Saroja.
Vaddante Dabbu was adapted from George Barr McCutcheon's English-language novel Brewster's Millions (1902), and was among the earliest screwball comedies of Telugu cinema.[3]
Music was composed by T. A. Kalyanam.
| Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Naa Priya" | Devulapalli | Jikki | 3:14 | |
| "Alladi Avatala" | Vempati Sadasivabrahmam | Jikki | 3:05 | |
| "Chadavali" | Vempati Sadasivabrahmam | A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela | ||
| "Evaro Doshulu" | Vempati Sadasivabrahmam | Rohini | ||
| "Endukoyi" | Devulapalli | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | 2:49 | |
| "Thimtalangthom" | Sri Sri | A. V. Saraswathi, Rohini, V. Ramakrishna, S. P. Kodandapani, M. V. Raju | ||
| "Alakinchavoyi" | Devulapalli | Jikki | 3:33 | |
| "Mansaemo Chalinchaneyo" | Sri Sri | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | 2:55 |
| Song | Singer/s | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|
| "Anpanae Aasai Palithidumaa" | Jikki | |
| "Angaeye Arugil Adhuve" | ||
| "Vaadugindra Yezhai...Mannil Veezhndhum'" | ||
| "En Nenjin Premai Geetham" | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela | |
| "Kalagam Yerpada Kaaranam" | Rohini | |
| "Endrum Ilaa Inbam Idhe" | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | |
| "Maname Sugame Perumo" |
Vaddante Dabbu was released on 19 February 1954,[5] and Panam Padathum Padu was released on 4 March 1954.[6] Regarding the Telugu version, a critic from Zamin Ryot wrote that there is no need to be poor with the knowledge of the world, but Shyam is portrayed as a dunce. This flaw in the main character makes the entire film look flawed and concluded that throughout the film, Swamy tickles the audience's funny bone.[7] Despite originally opening to a mixed response, the Telugu version attained cult status, and was remade in the same language as Babai Abbai (1985).