Elsa Oria, famed singing sweetheart of the Philippines concludes her movie career. This is in accordance with her voluntary decision to retire from screen work following an over five years' period of interesting cinematic adventure — one which has distinguished her among her colleagues as well as won her the reputation of one of the foremost actresses m the Philippines.
"Alitaptap," which is based on the original story bv Fausto Gonzales and directed by Lamberto Avellana, features the outgoing singing star in the No. 1 stellar role. Paired in a co-starring assignment is Leopoldo Salcedo, with Gregorio Ticman, Natl Rubi, Pacita del Rio, Letty Perez, Jaime C. Castellvi, and that popular comedy team, Pugo and Togo prominently featured in the supporting cast.
Rife with drama, romance, comedy and all other entertaining categories, "Alitaptap" is a surpassing screen fare, which the recently organized Waling Waling Pictures prides in presenting to local flicker enthusiasts. Topping all that is its dominant musical fervor, giving to this film a definite classification of one of our best this year.
Elsa Oria, strutting for the last time, does her part in a give-away manner, singing her way deep in the hearts of her countless admirers. Her song repertoire includes kundiman tunes composed by Francisco Buencamino, Sr. and Jr. and airs from famous operas. An outstanding musical highlight is the full-length operetta, entitled "Carnaval de Venecia" in which Miss Oria brilliantly
manifests her high grade, vocal talent.
Usually, local film vehicles wherein music plays a "vital part are deficient in plot values. "Alitaptap" is decidedly an exception. To wit, there's in it the story of a music-loving young lady who cleverly dares the dirty schemes of her mercenary guardian, unknowingly wheedles a young man out of his previous love engagement, and triumphs with flying colors in the end.
Elsa Oria is cast as the daring young woman, with Leopoldo Salcedo as the lover whose departure from his previous love through incidentally makes a luckier and happier man of him. Nati Rubi as the guardian of Elsa and Jaime G. Castellvi match talents in the role of a pair of covetous lovebirds who get what's coming to them which of course serves them right. It's hilarious comedy on the loose when that laughable pair of punks, Togo and Pugo, come to the fore. They play important roles too, otherwise they have no business whatever for being included in the cast. In a film play, it's the director who knows best. And in "Alitaptap," it's Director Avellana... and you believe us, he gives plenty of what he knows in this picture.
(The Tribune, November 21, 1940)
"Alitaptap" (1940)
Waling Waling Pictures
Release Date November 21, 1940/ Grand Theater
Story Fausto Gonzales
Music Prof. Francisco Buencamino, Sr. and Jr.
Direction Lamberto V. Avellana
Cast Elsa Oria, Leopoldo Salcedo, with Nati Rubi, Gregorio Tic,an, Pacita del Rio, Pogo & Togo, Letty Perez, Jaime Castellvi, Fidel de Castro, Jose Luz Bernando, Guillermo E. Carls
No comments:
Post a Comment