THE CONTROVERSY BEHIND "MERRILL'S MARAUDERS" (1962)

"Merrill's Marauders" (1962)- Stars Jeff Chandler, Pancho Magalona, Luz Valdez, Ty Hardin, Peter Brown, Will Hutchins, Andre Duggan, Claude Akins/ Directed by Samuel Fuller

Set in World War II Burma, Merrill’s Marauders is the true story of the fighting 5307th Composite Unit led by Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill (Jeff Chandler) and manned by Stock (Ty Hardin),Chowhound (Will Hutchins), Kolowicz (Claude Akins), Taggy (Pancho Magalona) and other young dogfaces who after a few weeks of basic training had the fate of the world loaded on their backs. Their mission was to drive a fatal wedge between an enemy link-up.

The movie became the subject of controversy in 1962. The cause: Filipino star Pancho Magalona was billed way down below the cast, and his voice was dubbed in a voice, diction and accent not his. However, when the movie was released locally, Pancho's name was billed next to the lead star and even Luz Valdez's name who only had a brief non-speaking role in the movie was way up. I'm pretty sure that Pancho's voice in the dvd version was his. See the film clips below---

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Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ 1962




Courtesy of Warner Bros.

"GILDA" (1955-56) AND "PASAN KO ANG DAIGDIG" (1987): KOMIKS SERIALS AND MOVIE ADAPTATIONS

Left- "Gilda" (1956)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rosa Mia, Maria Cristina, Eddie Garcia, Zeny Zabala/ Diected by Armando Garces

Right- "Pasan Ko ang Daigdig" (1987)- Stars Sharon Cuneta, Tonton Gutierrez, Mark Gil, Rey 'PJ' Abellana, Mario Montenegra, Princess Punzalan & Loretta Marquez/ Directed by Lino Brocka

When Pasan Ko ang Daigdig (starring Sharon Cuneta as Lupe) was shown in 1987, many thought it was a remake of the 1956 movie, Gilda (starring Lolita Rodriguez in the title role). Both were written by prolific writer Pablo S. Gomez. Though it differed in many ways, the two novels use the basic rag-to-riches plot and the only striking similarity is that the daughter (Gilda or Lupe), living in abject poverty, carries her crippled mother (aling Andang- played by Maria Cristina or aling Metring- Loretta Marquez) on her back as they beg for alms. Gilda was serialized in Pilipino Komiks in 1955-56 while Pasan ko ang Daigdig appeared on the pages of Aliwan Komiks in the 80s.

Here's the first installment of the komiks novel of "Gilda" and the opening film clip of the movie, "Pasan..."

Pilipino Komiks/ 1955-56/
Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez/
Guhit ni Nestor Redondo

Unang Labas
(click images to enlarge)

Courtesy of Viva Films

EFREN REYES SR. IN CARAVANA'S "KAPITAN BERONG" (1952-53): KOMIKS SERIAL & MOVIE ADAPTATION

"Kapitan Berong" (1953)- Stars Efren Reyes, Rosita Noble, Carol Varga, Oscar Keesee, Amado Cortes/ Directed by Nemesio E. Caravana

"First in Spectacle!...in Thrills!... and in Romance!, says the blurb of the 1953 action-adventure movie, “Kapitan Berong.” It thrilled fans and went on to shatter box-office records when it was shown that year. I have seen the movie countless times in the 60s when it was shown on TV and as a young kid I was impressed and overwhelmed. Set during the Spanish period, the story revolves around a young man named Berong (Efren Reyes) who was born with a saber and a horse who can talk, sing and fly. Based on the novel penned by Nemesio E. Caravana, “Kapitan Berong” was serialized in Liwayway Magasin in 1952. Here's the first three installments of the popular komiks novel drawn by Ben Alcantara---

click images to enlarge

click images to enlarge

komiks materials courtesy
of Steve Santos of Unang Labas blog

GERRY DE LEON'S " SI EVA AT SI ADAN" (1954)

"Si Eva at si Adan" (1954)- Stars Edna Luna, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Carol Varga, Vicente Liwanag, Nello Nayo/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon

Popular 50s stars Edna Luna and Juan "Johnny" Monteiro (both starred together in "Paladin") changed sex identities in the 1954 Gerry de Leon's controversial movie, "Si Eva at si Adan." The movie made an uproar when it ran problems and raised a furor with the Board of Censors because of its very hot and sensitive issues on homosexuality. Manong Gerry was way ahead of its time when he tackled such controversial themes and it takes guts on his part to do that. I also can't imagine seeing Johnny Monteiro portraying the role of a gay. Monteiro, known for his breathtaking fencing skills, appeared in countless action and adventure movies pitting him mostly with another popular action star, Efren Reyes.

REMEMBERING JOHNNY DELGADO THROUGH HIS FILMS #3: "SALOME" (1981)

"Salome" (1981)- Stars Gina Alajar, Johnny Delgado and Dennis Roldan/ Directed by Laurice Guillen

My short tribute to honor the late actor Johnny Delgado, whom I considered as one of the finest actors in the movie industry, ends with Salome. Salome was one of the early successful collaboration efforts of husband-and-wife tandem of actor Johnny Delgado and director Laurice Guillen. It was hailed by critics and fans as one of the best movies of the decade. The movie went on to win the Urian Best Picture for that year including Best Director (Laurice Guillen); Best Actress (Gina Alajar); Best Editing (Efren Jarlego) and Best Screenplay (Ricky Lee). Johnny Delgado was nominated for both in the Famas and Urian Best Actor.

Salome is about the titular barrio girl (played with much versatility by a young Gina Alajar) who is married to a domineering man named Macario (Johnny Delgado). The film starts quite wonderfully with a pleasant montage of an early morning in a rural town, with roosters crowing, the bright sun glaring, and the waves steadily blanketing the glistening beach. Then comes Salome, dressed in white stained with red blood, running and screeching for help, finally saying that he has killed a man. The man (Dennis Roldan) is a mining engineer from Manila who finds himself drawn to Salome. Guillen and her screenwriter Ricardo Lee basically unravels Salome's story through a series of flashbacks of the man's murder. Some have claimed that Salome is a Filipino version of Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon and they are probably right as Guillen and Lee follows the same style. Yet while Kurosawa was interested in the multi-faceted aspect of truth, Guillen is more interested in the powerplay of the genders. (Source: : Oggs Cruz (oggsmoggs@yahoo.com) and visit his site here)

Here's a short film clip of Delgado's riveting and forceful portrayal as the oppressive and dominant husband of Salome.

Courtesy of Bancom Audiovision

REMEMBERING JOHNNY DELGADO THROUGH HIS FILMS #2: "MGA UOD AT ROSAS" (1982)

"Mga Uod at Rosas" (1982)- Stars Nora Aunor, Lorna Tolentino and Johnny Delgado/ Directed by Romy Suzara

An ambitious painter, Ding (Johnny Delgado), dreams of conquering the art world with his creations. Socorro (Nora Aunor) is a woman whose world is built around Ding--- his needs, his desires and his art. But all his time and attention are for Nina (Lorna Tolentino), a stunning advertising model who loves his money.

Whom must Ding choose: the woman he loves or the woman who loves him?

The movie, from the story and screenplay by Edgardo Reyes, was directed by Romy Suzara

Delgado in another restrained yet powerful performance as seen in this short movie clip---

Courtesy of Ian Films

ACTOR BERNARD "PALOS" BONNIN DIES AT 71

The local entertainment industry has lost yet another of its veteran actors in Bernard Bonnin who passed away Saturday, Nov. 21. He was 71. Bonnin, whose death came two days after Johnny Delgado’s demise on Nov. 19, died of multiple organ failure due to diabetes. A week prior, Bonnin was confined due to a stroke.Concerns about the health of the former LVN star hit the headlines a few years back when he suffered a stroke that required him to use a wheel chair thereafter.

Bonnin, the half-Spanish father of beauty queen Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach and actor Richard Bonnin, catapulted to fame via the movie “Alyas Palos." The 1961 popular komiks serial of Virgilio and Nestor Redondo was serialized eight times with only Bonnin playing the lead character. ABS-CBN remade “Palos” into a TV series in 2008 starring Jake Cuenca and with Bonnin in a support role.

Dubbed the “Pretty Boy of the 60s,” Bonnin starred in over 170 movies in a career that spanned four decades. Some of these films were Bakas ng Gagamba, Sa Ilalim ng Bandila, Magnum, Pedrong Hunyango, Target: Captain Karate, and his first film, Ay Pepita.

Bonnin has a son with former love team Lourdes Medel, and two more with non-showbiz wife, Digna, whom he was living with at the time of his death. The actor’s remains lie at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

More on Bernard Bonnin:
See: Bernard "Alyas Palos"Bonnin: Action Star of the 60s
See: Bernard Bonnin: The Original "Palos"
See: Bernard Bonnin As "Gagamba": The First Spiderman
See: Bernard Bonnin as Captain Karate
See: Gagamba at si Scorpio

Left- "Sparring Partner" (1959)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Marita Zobel, Chona Sandoval, Bernard Bonnin, Oscar Obligacion, Lourdes Medel/ Directed by Artemio Marquez

Right- "Unos sa Laot" (1960)- Stars Nestor de Villa, Charito Solis, Bernard Bonnin, Lourdes Medel/ Directed by Susana C. de Guzman

Left- "Walang Pangalan" (1960)- Stars Lilia Dizon, Bernard Bonnin, Lourdes Medel, Hector Reyes, Robert Campos/ Directed by Fred Daluz

Right- "Tanglaw sa Dilim" (1961)- Stars Marita Zobel, Bernard Bonnin, Luz Valdez, Robert Campos/ Directed by Susana C. de Guzman

"Patsamba-tsamba" (1964)- Stars Nida Blanca, Mina Aragon and Bernard Bonnin/ Directed by Nemesio E. Caravana

"Simbangis ng Tigre" (1964)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Bernard Bonninm Van de Leon, Carol Varga, Chichay, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Apeng Daldal/ Directed by Tony Cayado


"Pedrong Hunyango" (1965)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Lourdes Medel, Vic Silayan, Rosalinda, Jose Vergara and Malony Antonio/ Directed by Tony Santos

"Karate sa Karate" (1965)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Alberto Alonzo, Lyn D'Amour, Bessie Barredo and Vic Silayan/ Directed by George Rowe


"Duwende sa Kampanaryo" (1965)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Bernard Bonnin, Lauro Delgado, Jose Garcia/ Directed by Nemesio E. Caravana

REMEMBERING JOHNNY DELGADO THROUGH HIS FILMS #1: "MISTERYO SA TUWA" (1984)

A small plane carrying a large sum of money crashed right in the middle of a poor village. The tragic event resulted into a series of human conflicts as villagers and the authorities were in the hunt for the missing money. Three friends, Ponsoy (Tony Santos Sr.), Mesiong (Johnny Delgado) and Jamin (Ronnie Lazaro) were able to recover the money and decided to hide it until the tension cools off. Their families were all excited of the fortunes they got and at last their dreams and ambitions will soon be realized and fulfilled. But not for long--- greed creeps as Castro (Lito Anzures), a resident who happened to be on the crash site was suspicious of the three. He divulged the information to the corrupt mayor and both devised a wicked plan.

A very memorable and noteworthy performances by the whole cast led by Tony Santos Sr. and Johnny Delgado.

The movie won the Gawad Urian award for Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap) and Best Production Design (Rodell Cruz and Don Escudero).

Read: Ang Misteryo sa Likod ng Tuwa,
a movie review by Jojo DeVera

"Misteryo sa Tuwa" (1984)- Stars Tony Santos Sr., Johnny Delgado, Ronnie Lazaro, Alicia Alonzo, Lito Anzures, Amable Quiambao, Maia Montes/ Directed by Abbo Q. dela Cruz

The three friends were in a very precarious dilemma and tried to discuss their next move--- watch the exciting film clip---

Courtesy of Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP)

DINA BONNEVIE: THE ORIGINAL "KATORSE" (1980)

Celebrity Magazine/ August 31, 1980
(click images to enlarge)

It was actor Alfie Anido who led Dina Bonnevie into the movies. They met in a pictorial for a magazine which paired them off for a cover story. Alfie was already in the movies the. He was just taking time out from the set of Nympha, a Regal movie which reestablished Alma Moreno’s reign as the country’s top sex symbol, a title which, as per publicity, she is about to lose to Dina. After the pictorial, Alfie invited Dina to the set where Alma was in shooting. “I like Alma because I’ve always found her sexy. I’ve always wanted to see her in person,” Dina explains.

At the set, Alfie introduced Dina to (Director) Joey Gosiengfiao who was directing the movie. And what do you know, the man who is known only for discovering beauty in men (Orestes Ojeda, Al Tantay and Alfie Anido were is “discoveries”) was bowled over by Dina’s pulchritude. He gave her a screen test, showed Lily Monteverde (better known as Mother Lily) the results, and even Mother Lily had probably wished at that time that Dina was her daughter. From then on, Dina became another Joey Gosiengfiao protégée, just like Alfie. (Source: Celebrity Magazine/ August 31, 1980)

Dina (b.1961) was already 18, when she starred as a young and innocent ‘provinciana’ in Katorse in 1980. This was her breakout movie after two successful movie stints in Temptation Island (1980)and Underage (1980).