Friday, July 31, 2015

FLIGHT OF THE SPARROW (Tindalo Films, 1966)

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FLIGHT OF THE SPARROW
Release Date:  Gala Premiere April 13, 1966 / Rizal Theater 
Production:  Tindalo Films
Stars:  Ronald Remy, Tita Munoz, Conrad Parham, Henry Duval
Direction:  Rolf Bayer




See link:


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Thursday, July 30, 2015

DUGO NG BAYAN (Palaris Films, 1947)

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DUGO NG BAYAN (I REMEMBER BATAAN)
Release Date:  May 31, 1947
Production:  Palaris Films
Stars:  Fernando Poe
Patricia Mijares, Guillermo Chaves, Zony Quizon
Oscar del Rosario, Rosa Mia, Oscar Keesee, Maria Lao, Tony Gosalvez,
Tony Mogueis, Abraham Cruz, Sotero de Guzman, Roger Nite
Direction:  Fernando Poe





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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

BOOM BANG-A-BANG (Lea Productions, 1969)

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BOOM! BANG-A-BANG!
Release Date:  September 21, 1969 / Globe Theater
Production:  Lea Productions
Stars:  Jeanne Young, Roger Calvin, Boots Anson-Roa, Ed Finlan
Caridad Sanchez, Vivian Lorrain, Loretta Rocco, Veronica Palileo
Pepe Pimentel, German Moreno, Georgie Quizon, Raul Aragon
Direction:  Mitos Villareal

Roger Calvin and Jeanne Young



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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

BOOGALOO (Lea Productions, 1967)

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BOOGALOO
Release Date:  July 23-August 1, 1967 / Dalisay Theater
Production:  Lea Productions
Stars:  Helen Gamboa, Vilma Valera, Chichay, Vivian Lorrain
Bobby Gonzales, Roger Calvin, Dante Rivero, Tony Moreno, Ike Lozada
Norma Balagtas, Norma Ledesma, Merci Molina
Direction:  Jose "Pepe" Wenceslao





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Monday, July 27, 2015

DOLPHY AND PANCHITO: DURABLE COMIC DUO (The Weekly Nation, June 24, 1968)

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DOLPHY AND PANCHITO:  DURABLE COMIC DUO
by Ricardo F. Lo
(Published in The Weekly Nation, June 24, 1968)

CASTOR and Pollux, the twins in Greek mythology who were hatched from a single egg by Leda, Zeus's mistress who could transform herself into a goose at her will, have their counterparts in local show business -- Dolphy and Panchito.

     Dolphy and Panchito are the most durable comedy team hereabouts.  They have been splitting people's sides for the last two decades.

     The duo has introduced a new type of comedy with the songs with which they open their weekly tv and radio shows.  Panchito dishes out the lyrics of a song in English and Dolphy translates them precariously into the vernacular.  Their murdered song versions never fail to bring down the house in a pandemonium of laughter.  To this, and the fresh humor they themselves cook up each week, could be credited the enormous popularity of their tv show, Buhay-Artista, which was filmed last year by Dolphy's own movie company, RVQ Productions.  The initials RVQ stand for Dolphy's real monicker, Rodolfo Vera Quizon.

     For nearly two decades now the funny pair has been blithely deflecting people away from their cares and worries.  Their popularity is continously on the rise.  In fact, they are the only comedians who have managed to stay secured on top and endure and survive the test of time and changing tastes.

     What is the secret of their durability?  The knack for making people laugh, which can be a herculean task considering the fact that provoking laughter isn't just anybody's meat.

     Dolphy and Panchito click together and complement each other so well physically and in other aspects.  They are masters at sundry kinds of humor -- high or low.

     They poke fun at sacred cows as well as any likely target, and they do so in good taste because of an air of innocence that defines their jokes.  They even rib each other on their phusical defects, thus Panchito comes to be known as "B____y" because of his chubbiness and Dolphy, "Hika," because of his frail appearance.

     "Being family men we closely adhere to clean fun.  We would never permit ourselves to dabble in dirty, malignant jokes," the duo explains their type of fun.

     The tandem came into existence purely by accident, or more aptly by trial and error.

     Sometime in the early 1950's, Sampaguita Pictures made Larry Alcala's popular comic serial, Kalabog En Bosyo, into a movie.  At the outset, Dolphy was decided upon to portray the ominous-scheming Kalabog.  But a problem with regards to assigning the role of Bosyo cropped up since no fat comedian was around at that time.  So, from the ranks of the Gilmore Studio's character actors one was picked out to essay the role:  Panchito.

     The humorous film was a big hit.  And to dispel doubts that its enormous boxoffice success wasn't just a fluke, the Sampaguita bigwigs cast the newly discovered hee-haw team in a succession of films:  Kandidatong Pulpol, Si Lucio At Si Miguel, etc.  Again, all their pictures together got the same enthusiastic and warm response.

     So Panchito bade goodbye to serious acting.  This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Panchito since it was really in comic portrayals that his star gained enviable luster.  As a character actor, Panchito earned a FAMAS nomination for the Best Supporting Actor for his sensitive interpretation of a lonely soldier in Korea.

     On the other hand, Dolphy started his show business career as a dancer on the stage.  Pancho Magalona introduced him to Doc Perez, who immediately gave him a big break in Jack En Jill.  Dolphy was then typecast in biniboy roles.  He has had his taste of serious acting only lately, in Like Father, Like Son.

     Before their teamup, every now and then, Dolphy's and Panchito's paths would cross.  In one picture, Panchito played the role of a cranky Don while Dolphy was an erring houseboy in his employ.  In another, Pakiusap, Dolphy portrayed a country bumpkin who was forever getting in Panchito's way thus thwarting the latter's desire to press his suit on his "crush" (Amalia Fuentes) who happens to be Dolphy's senorita.

More Than Friendship  

     The camaraderie binding the two transcends more than friendly and business relationship; they are like real brothers in private life.  So, when Dolphy ventured into production he never failed to include Panchito in his pictures.  The latter, in turn, first consults the former whenever offers from independent companies come his way.  It goes without saying that RVQ has priority over Panchito's services.

      Dolphy's movie outfit, barely two years old, is fast becoming famous and prestigious.  Well-acquainted with the ins and outs of production due to years of experience, Dolphy is meticulous about choosing the cast, the crew, the story for his productions.  All of RVQ's output have been veritable top grossers as a result.

     There is a great challenge in being a producer, says Dolphy.  "For one thing, you really do your best to put up a good show to deserve the confidence the public has reposed on you.  And besides, you also take into consideration the time and effort, not to mention finance, that go into every picture."

     Incidentally, the sturdy popularity of Dolphy and Panchito is attributed by many to the fact that not only do the two know how to make people laugh, they likewise are expert in fancy footwork and singing.

     Laughter is an integral part of life and Dolphy and Panchito, a healthy source of it, are here to stay.

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BILIS AT TAPANG (Esmeralda Productions, 1969)

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BILIS AT TAPANG
Release Date:  1969
Production:  Esmeralda Productions
Stars:  Bernard Belleza, Divina Valencia, Johnny Delgado
Direction:  Ben Feleo




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Sunday, July 26, 2015

BATMAN FIGHTS DRACULA (Lea Productions/Fidelis Productions, 1967)

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(Courtesy of Simon Santos/Video 48)


BATMAN FIGHTS DRACULA
Release Date:  June 3, 1967 / Dalisay Theater
Productions:  Lea Productions/Fidelis Productions
Stars:  Jing Abalos, Dante Rivero, Vivian Lorrain, Ramon D'Salva
Rolan Robles, Nort Nepomuceno
Direction:  Leody M. Diaz


(Top, clockwise:  Jing Abalos as Batman and Dante Rivero as Dracula; Jing Abalos as Batman; Nort Nepomuceno is after a victim; Batman (Jing Abalos) and Ruben (Rolan Robles).


BATMAN IS PITTED AGAINST DRACULA
 Published in The Manila Chronicle Entertainment Guide
May 27, 1965 


BATMAN Fights Dracula which will be shown at the Dalisay Theatre starting today, June 3, is Fidelis Productions' initial film presentation in full eastman color directed by Leody M. Diaz.

The story is about a mad scientist Doctor Zorba (Ramon D'Salva) who is at his wit's end because of the interference of Batman (Jing Abalos) in his smuggle tries.

Together with his mad fanatic follower Turko (Nort Nepomuceno), they hatch a plan to bring Dracula (Dante Rivero) back to life by means of electronic knowhow which makes him different in that he can be controlled and is not afraid of the Cross.

In a hidden laboratory in a cemetery mausoleum, they perpetuate their evil deed by getting fresh blood from their victims.  Dracula comes to life.  Marina Banzon (Vivian Lorrain), the daughter of another scientist helps Batman solve the mystery of his powerful foe Dracula for which she is held captive.

Learning the secret of the ultra-ray sunglasses worn by Dr. Zorba and his men, Batman raids their secret hideout and saves his lady fair.  Too, he turns Dracula to kill the very men who created him.

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Bakit kaya nakangiting lahat ang mga star na ito ng Fidelis Productions na sina Jing Abalos, Vivian Lorrain, Dante Rivero at Rolan Robles?  Ang pelikula ay Pinoy Batman Fights Dracula.
 Nasukol nina Batman (Jing Abalos) at Ruben (Rolan Robles) ang nakatatakot na si Dracula (Dante Rivero) sa hideout ng huli sa isang sementeryo.  Isang makapigil-hiningang eksena ng pelikulang Pinoy Batman Fights Dracula ng LEA Productions at Fidelis Productions.  Kinulayan ng Eastmancolor, ang nagdirihe sa pelikulang ito ay si Leody M. Diaz.
 Nasukol ni Dracula at ng mga tauhan ng sindikato sina Batman at Ruben sa eksenang ito ng Pinoy Batman Fights Dracula ng Lea Productions. 

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Saturday, July 25, 2015

BAKASIN MO SA GUNITA (Lea Productions, 1968)

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BAKASIN MO SA GUNITA
Release Date:   February 18, 1968 / Globe & New Dalisay Theaters
Production:  Lea Productions
Stars:  Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Eddie Garcia
Yolanda Guevarra, Arnold Mendoza, Anita Linda, Nello Nayo, Fred Param
Direction:  Armando de Guzman

























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