THE FIFTIES # 78: TESSIE AGANA AS MARS RAVELO'S "ROBERTA" (1951)

Sampaguita Pictures was established in 1937 and was hit by a huge fire in 1951 with hundreds of film prints destroyed. The movie, Roberta starring Tessie Agana in her first lead role as a battered child, became one of the sensational hits of the year and saved the company from bankruptcy.

The movie made Tessie Agana the studio's biggest draw and box-office champion and hailed as one of the biggest child stars of the decade.

"Roberta"
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date March 2-11, 1951/ Life
Story Mars Ravelo
Direction Olive La Torre
Cast Tessie Agana, Van de Leon, Bella Flores, Maria Cristina, Rosa Mia, Jose de Villa, Aruray/ Introducing Boy ALano, Tony Cayado