POST-WAR ERA TAGALOG MOVIES # 14: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS, TITA DURAN, WITH FRED MONTILLA, JOHNNIE ARVILLE, CRIS DE VERA, MARIA CRISTINA IN "MAYNILA" (1946)

"Maynila" (1946)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date December 14- 26, 1946/ Bataan Theater
Writer/Director Lorenzo P. Tuells
Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos, Tita Duran, Fred Montilla, Johnnie Arville, Cris de Vera, Maria Cristina

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): THE MANILA MASSACRE OF 1945--- THE NEAR-DEATH AND HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE OF CORAZON NOBLE/ UPDATED

Corazon Noble, a popular pre-war movie star almost got killed during the so-called "Manila Massacre" in 1945. She was mortally wounded, stabbed nine times with a bayonet from a Japanese marine. Her ten-month old baby brutally killed with three stab wounds. Here's her story---
At 10 o’clock in the morning of February 10, 1945, a Saturday, Corazon Noble, 26, Patrocino Abad in real life, arrived at the Red Cross headquarters on Isaac Peral street (now UN Avenue) in Ermita from her Makati residence. She had with her, her 10-month old baby girl, her two brothers and several cousins. At about 5 o’clock in the afternoon, Japanese marines with fixed bayonets approached the main entrance of the building. They were bent on killing everyone--- men, women, children, infants--- in their line of sight. Finding it locked, one of them fired through the wooden panel. A small girl who happened to be right behind the door inside fell, mortally wounded. The Japanese outside continued firing until the lock gave way.

When the Japanese crashed through the door, Noble was in the foyer by the main entrance, her baby in her arms. She stood rooted to the floor and watched in horror as a Japanese marine came in and aimed his rifle at her. She crept behind a nearby medicine cabinet, clutching her baby to her bosom. The medicine cabinet hid her body, but her right elbow stuck out. The Japanese fired, shattering Noble’s elbow. Leaning against the cabinet, she slid slowly to the floor.

The Japanese walked over to Noble, stabbed her nine times with the bayonet. She was hit in the chest, in the abdomen, in the back, a rib was shattered, her legs were slashed, and her arms were pierced. She tried to parry the thrusts, twisting here and there, screaming fearfully. She did not notice that her baby, stabbed three times, was dead in her arms.

Romano Abad, Noble’s brother, was in the backyard of the building when the shooting started. He clambered over the wall into a nearby property. Noble roused herself and crawled out into the backyard. Her brother saw her over the wall and came down to pick her up.
(Source: “Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II” by Alfonso Aluit)

Red Cross building circa 1945
(photo credit: John Tewell)

On November 12, 1945 in a powder blue ballroom of the partly ruined Manila residence once occupied by a US high commissioner, Major General R.B. Reynolds of the American Military Commission sat as the presiding judge to the trial of General Tomoyuki Yamashita --the so-called "Tiger of Malaya."

The first witness was a pretty, 26-year-old Filipina. In her testimony, she recalled that on February of 1945, in what was infamously known as the "Manila Massacre," she had taken refuge with her ten-month-old baby in a Red Cross Emergency Hospital.

At the confines of the hospice, four Japanese sailors had trapped her. One raised his rifle, fired, and wounded her in the elbow. Then, they bayoneted her.

"I was stabbed nine times," she said. "The baby was stabbed three times. When they were gone, I walked out the back door and gave her to my brother. I couldn't stand it any more."

"What happened to your infant child?" asked one of the five US generals in the commission. "She died," was all she said. Forty-two days later, on February 23, 1946 in Los Banos Prison Camp, Yamashita was hanged for his war crimes.

The valiant mother, who sought justice for the death of her child and some 50,000 Filipinos in the 30-day battle for Manila, was Corazon Noble, pre-war movie queen.

Corazon was Patrocinio Decano Abad in real life -- wife to actor Angel Esmeralda, elder sister to former actress Carmencita Abad, and mother to the late actor and heartthrob Jay Ilagan. She was a native of Gapan, Nueva Ecija. (by Gypsy Baldovino)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): CORAZON NOBLE, JOSE PADILLA, JR., ROBERTO ROSALES, WITH VIOLETA HERMOSA, TEDDY BENAVIDES IN "LANDAS NA GUINTO" (1942)

"Landas na Guinto" (1942)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date December 26, 1942/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Guillermo Mariano

Cast Corazon Noble, Jose Padilla, Jr., Roberto Rosales, with Violeta Hermosa, Teddy Benavides

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS IN "BALATKAYO" (1941)

"Balatkayo" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date November 14, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos

(Image, from internet source, 

no movie ad available)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS, WITH PACITA DEL RIO, TEDDY BENAVIDEZ, CARIDAD GESLER, ROSARIO ONG, ENGRACIO IBARRA, JUANITA ANGELES, JOSE LUZ BERNARDO, TONY ARNALDO, FRANCO GARCIA, NARDO VERCUDIA, LILLIAN LEONARDO IN "SA IYONG KANDUNGAN" (1941)

''Sa Iyong Kandungan" is a delicate and poignant love story of a slick city boy and a lovely barrio belle, portrayed with convincing reality by Corazon Noble. Ely Ramos, as the dashing man-about-town meets Cora in a most unusual way, and falls in love with her. From there on follow sequences after sequences of laughter and comedy, tears and heartbreaks, so deftly blended to give you everything you've longed for by way of screen entertainment

Directed by one of the Islands' leading directors, Guillermo J. Icasiano, "Sa Iyong Kandungan"also presents Teddy Benavides, Pacita del Rio, and Caridad Gesler, a newcomer who before long

will be among the topflight movie actresses in the country.

Filmed against the breaktakingly beautiful landscapes of one of the Philippines' most famous

resorts, Tagaytay, "Sa Iyong Kandungan" is unsurpassed in the splendor of its local color, rustic

atmosphere and magnificent portrayal of provincial life.

Aside from the fact that "Sa Iyong Kandungan" brings Corazon Noble and Ely Ramos together for the first time, this motion picture becomes one of the best ever projected upon the silver sheet because of its scintillating music and its simple but dramatic story, the climax of which will undoubtedly hold you speechless and spellbound.

See "Sa Iyong Kandungan" by all means at the Dalisay Theatre today. It's a photoplay you would want to see over and over again. (The Tribune, August 28, 1941)

"Sa Iyong Kandungan" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date August 28, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Guillermo Icasiano

Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos, with Pacita del Rio, Teddy Benavidez, Caridad Gesler, Engracio Ibarra, Juanita Angeles, Jose Luz Bernardo, Tony Bernardo,Franco Gracia, Nardo Vercudia, Lillian Leonardo

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, CORAZON NOBLE, LOTA DELGADO, WITH BERT LE ROY, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, PRECIOSO PALMA, TEDDY BENAVIDEZ, JOSE CRIS SOTO, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, JOSE LUZ BERNARDO IN "TARHATA" (1941)/ UPDATED

"Tarhata" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date June 14- 27, 1941/ Dalisay 

Story Rogelio de la Rosa 

Direction Manuel Silos 

Cast  Rogelio de la Rosa, Corazon Noble, Lota Delgado, Bert LeRoy, Salvador Zaragosa, Precioso Palma, Teddy Benavides, Jose Cris Soto, Eusebio Gomez, Jose Luz Bernardo

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, JOSE PADILLA, JR., WITH PACITA DEL RIO, PRECIOSO PALMA, RITA RICA, PATRING CARVAJAL, JOSE CRIS SOTO, AMELYA SOL, VITANG ESCOBAR IN "PANIBUGHO" (1941)

"The season's outstanding screen drama!... of a nurse healing other's wounds so that she may live to inspire a doctor whose wife puts a curse to their wedded life by her jealousy and hatred! A picture that creates a great conflict of emotion..." says the ad in this 1941 drama, "Panibugho."

The movie, directed by Lorenzo P. Tuells, starred Corazon Noble, Jose Padilla, Jr., Pacita del Rio, Precioso Palma, Rita Rica, Patring Carvajal, Jose Cris Soto, Amelita Sol and Vitang Escobar.

It was released and shown at Dalisay Theater, April 11, 1941.

"Panibugho" (1941)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: April 11-17, 1941/ Dalisay Theater
Director Lorenzo P. Tuells
Cast Corazon Noble, Jose Padilla, Jr., Pacita del Rio, Precioso Palma, Rita Rica, Patring Carvajal, Jose Cris Soto, Amelita Sol, Vitang Escobar

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ANGEL ESMERALDA, ROBERTO ROSALES, WITH VIOLETA DEL CAMPO, PACITA DEL RIO, SANO TULIA, PATRING CARVAJAL, ROSARIO LAM, OLYMPIO LA TORRE IN " MARIPOSA" (1941)

"Mariposa" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date February 20, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Corazon Noble, Angel Esmeralda, Roberto Rosales, with Violeta del Campo, Pacita del Rio, Sano Tulia, Patring Carvajal, Rosario Lam, Olympio La Torre

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, ANGEL ESMERALDA, LILIA VIZCONDE, WITH BERT LE ROY, RITA RICA, JUSTINA DAVID IN "KAHAPON LAMANG" (1940)

With Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Angel Esmeralda, Lilia Vizconde and Bert Le Roy, Rita Rica and Justina David heading a cast of hundred;  with a stirring story that is set to the tempo of heartbeats, songs, fun, dances and romances, "Kahapon Lamang," Sampaguita's last and biggest film achievement for 1940, is opening at the Grand today.

 This picture which is produced on a lavished scale to bring the year to a close is marked with cinematic highlights that the silver screen has never been graced before. It is directed by Manuel Silos, whose recent directorial success was "Diwa ng Awit." Its story which was written by Olympio La Torre, who is, incidentally, the assistant director of the picture, unfolds the lives of four ambitious people, bursting with the freshness of youth, in quest of fame and popularity in the local radio business and, of love and eventual haziness. Rogelio de la Rosa is seen as a radio announcer whose faith in women is lost from the moment he is jilted by the woman who is about to become his life's companion, so much that he has turned his life into one of debauchery and aimless existence. His popularity as a radio announcer wanes as a result. But Corazon Noble comes to regenerate him and, instill in him a love that is greater than any he has experienced before. And life again becomes to him worth living and striving for. But a complication arises when Lilia Vizconde as Corazon's cousin, is found to be also in love with Rogelio. This piece of news rocks the bottom of the heart of Angel Esmeralda, who plays the role of a radio pianist and friend of Rogelio, because from the very beginning, Angel has already reserved a tender spot in his heart for Lilia. How they are able to pull themselves away from all this heart mess provides a series of laughable, gay but sometimes sad moments on the screen.

 "Kahapon Lamang" has magnificence in settings. The biggest and the most beautiful of them all is the reconstruction of a night club which has for its orchestra platform a big clock with a radius of approximately ten feet. This night club setting which serves as a merry background for the New Year celebration sequence of the picture occupied the whole of studio A of Sampaguita.

Professors Constancio de Guzman and Santiago S. Suare joined hands in the contribution of the musical scores. There are seven songs in all which will, undoubtedly, set cinema audience humming and keep them abreast with the spirit of the season. Luis D. Santos is responsible for the pictorial brilliance of "Kahapon Lamang."

(The Tribune, December 26, 1940)

"Kahapon Lamang" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date December 26, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Angel Esmeralda, Lilia Vizconde, with Bert Le Roy, Rita Rica, Justina David

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, ANGEL ESMERALDA, WITH PRECIOSO PALMA, JUANITO MARTINEZ, BENNY MACK, ROMY BRION IN "ESTRELLITA" (1940)

The usual excellence and showmanship that characterize a Sampaguita production predominate in "Estrellita," a musical adventure-romance opening today, at the Grand, which brings to the screen a great stellar cast, composed of piquant Corazon Noble, exciting Rogelio de la Rosa, girlish Lota Delgado and suave Angel Esmeralda. These are the four stars that provide heart-balming interest to the song-studded, swiftly-paced truly delightful story of "Estrellita." These are the four stars that will surely receive the plaudits of the local movie world for their magnificent performances in this Sampaguita unique offering of the month. In addition to the leading players, Precioso Palma, Juanito Martinez, Guillermo Torres, Benny Mack and Romy Brion head the supporting cast.

The story of "Estrellita" has an exciting blend of music, comedy, adventure and romance. Corazon Noble carries the title role as a beautiful Spanish countess born of a Filipina mother, and is a sister of Rogelio de la Rosa. At the termination of the Spanish Civil war, in their castle in Spain, they accidentally find, a secret compartment from which they extract half of an old parchment which they learn from a diary is a chart of an enormous treasure buried by their grandfather somewhere in the suburbs, of Manila. So to the Philippines they came in search of treasure, romance, adventure and thrills. They find love, of course, with Lota Delgado and Angel Esmeralda. 

How they succeed against many odds to get the enormous treasure provides the picture with an ending that is packed with thrills and drama. Based on a story written by Dr. Gerardo de Leon and Bert Covit, the film has been produced under the masterful direction of the authors themselves with Billy Candelaria assisting. "Estrellita' is filled up with melodies what with four prominent composers, namely, Dr. Gerardo de Leon himself, Prof. Constancio de Guzman, Tito Arevalo and Conrado Conde contributing the musical scores. Higino J. Fallorina is responsible for the excellent photography. So it is that you should not fail to miss "Estrellita" a Sampaguita picture at its very best!

(The Tribune, September 28, 1940)

The movie was released and shown at Grand Theater, September 28, 1940.

"Estrellita" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date September 28, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Gerardo de Leon and Bert Covit

Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Angel Esmeralda, with Precioso Palma, Juanito Martinez, Benny Mack, Romy Brion

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROBERTO ROSALES, WITH BERT LE ROY, TITA DURAN, NARDING ANZURES, ISA DELGADO, ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUEL ANZURES, NITA CARMONA, ANGELES TARNATE, EUSEBIO GOMEZ IN "BAHAG-HARI" (1940)

"Bahag-Hari" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date August 8, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Don Danon

Cast Corazon Noble, Roberto Rosales, with Bert Le Roy, Tita Duran, Narding Anzures, Isa Delgado, Rosa AGuirre, Miguel Anzures, Nita Carmon, Angeles Tarnate, Eusebio Gomez

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, OCTAVIO ROMERO, NARDING ANZURES, WITH MIGUEL ANZURES, BERT LE ROY, RITA RICA, ADELINA SOLANO, MANUEL BAUTISTA, JUSTINA DAVID IN "GUNITA" (1940)

“Gunita” is an emotionally charged film directed by Manuel Silos, blending music, love, laughter, sorrow, and tragedy in a story that grips audiences throughout. It marks a milestone in Philippine cinema as the first local film to feature a dual role, masterfully portrayed by Rogelio de la Rosa as both father and son.

The story by Jovita Martinez-Memije follows a once-happy couple torn apart by deceit, their only link a haunting, unfinished song that recalls both love and pain. Corazon Noble delivers a strong performance as the forsaken wife, while Lota Delgado becomes the love interest caught between two brothers unaware of their blood ties. Narding Anzures adds touching depth as the musically gifted son devoted to his mother.

Supported by a talented cast and enhanced by Prof. Santiago S. Suarez’s music and Higino J. Fallorina’s fine cinematography, “Gunita” stands as a landmark production for Sampaguita Pictures.

The movie, directed by Manuel Silos,  was released and shown at Grand Theater, May 16, 1940.

"Gunita" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date May 16, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Octavio Romero, Narding Anzures/ with Miguel Anzures, Bert Le Roy, Rita Rica, Adelina Solan, Manuel Bautista, Justina David

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, OCTAVIO ROMERO, BERT LE ROY, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, JAIME CASTELLVI, GLORIA DEL MUNDO, JUSTINA DAVID IN "MAGBALIK KA HIRANG" (1940)

"Rich with humanity...bold with sincerity... this heart-warming drama told to the melody, of Nicanor Abelardo's "Magbalk Ka Hirang"... of a lovely fishing village girl and a man loving each other by the muffled, thunderous beating of their hearts..." says the ad in this 1940 musical drama, "Magbalik Ka Hirang."

The story centers on Perla (played by Corazon Noble), a charming young woman from a quiet fishing village who captures the hearts of two close friends, Renato and Berto (portrayed by Octavio Romero and Bert Le Roy, respectively). Renato is gentle and reserved, while Berto is bold and outspoken. Renato loves Perla in silence, content to admire her from afar, whereas Berto tries to win her affection through daring and sometimes bothersome persistence.

Perla, however, secretly loves Renato, who lacks the courage to confess his feelings. Their hearts beat as one, yet neither dares to speak of their love. Trouble arises when a wealthy owner of a fishing cannery from Manila enters their simple world. Renato drifts away, but the enduring bond of true love—tested by distance and time—eventually leads him back to Perla once more.

The movie , directed by  Lorenzo Perez Tuells, also starred Rosa Aguirre, Jaime Castellvi, Gloria del Mundo and  Justina David.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, March 14, 1940.

"Magbalik Ka Hirang" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: March 14-18, 1940/ Grand Theater
Director Lorenzo Perez Tuells
Cast Corazon Noble, Octavio Romero, Bert Le Roy, Rosa Aguirre, Jaime Castellvi, Gloria del Mundo, Justina David

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, WITH TITA DURAN, NARDING ANZURES, LOTA DELGADO, BERT LEROY, MIGUEL ANZURES, ROSA AGUIRRE, PRECIOSO PALMA IN "ANG MAGSASAMPAGUITA" (1939)/ UPDATED

"The gripping tale of a woman who lives to find a world of wickedness and sufferings until fate brings her together with a man whose love for her cannot be measured in terms of gold...!" says the ad in this 1939 super musical drama, "Ang Magsasampaguita."

The movie, directed by Gregorio Fernandez, starred Corazon Noble, Rogelio dela Rosa, Tita Duran, Narding Anzures, Lota Delgado, Bert Le Roy, Miguel Anzures, Rosa Aguirre, Precioso Palma, Carmen Martinez, Jose Luna, Juanita Angeles, Jerry Brandy and  Dina Valle.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, November 12, 1939.

"Ang Magsasampaguita" (1939)

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: November 22- 29, 1939/ Grand Theater
Director Gregorio Fernandez
Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio dela Rosa, Tita Duran, Narding Anzures, Lota Delgado, Bert Le Roy, Miguel Anzures, Rosa Aguirre, Precioso Palma, Carmen Martinez, Jose Luna, Juanita Angeles, Jerry Brandy, Dina Valle

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FELY VALLEJO, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, CORAZON NOBLE, WITH ERNESTO LA GUARDIA, PRECIOSO PALMA, NATI RUBI, CITA DELLA, TOMASA ALVAREZ, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA IN "DALISAY" (1939)

"Out of this picture comes the story of a girl who gives vent to her youth's sparkling emotions in vain... dreams of a man who never dreams of her... told in all the loveliness of melody!"  and  "Her love reveals youth's fiery emotions, her voice the sweetness of melody!" says the ads in this 1939 Sampaguita's grandest musical production, "Dalisay."

The movie, directed by Manuel Silos, starred Fely Vallejo, Rogelio de la Rosa, Corazon Noble, with Ernesto La Guardia, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi, Cita Della, Tomasa Alvareza and Exequiel Segovia.

It was released and shown at Grand Theatre, September 1, 1939 and at the newly opened Sylvia Theatre (Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija), September 14, 1939.

"Dalisay" (1939)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date September 1, 1939/ Grand Theater/ September 14/ Sylvia Theater

Story Antonio M. Abad

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Fely Vallejo, Rogelio de la Rosa, Corazon Noble, with Ernesto La Guardia, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi, Cita Della, Tomasa Alvarez, Exequiel Segovia

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA AND CORAZON NOBLE, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, NATY RUBI, JUSTINA DAVID, BILLY VIZCARRA, CARMEN MARTINEZ, SALVADOR TINSAY, FRANCISCO MONROY IN "PASANG KRUS" (1939)/ UPDATED

"Here's the breath-taking confessions of a wife who found that love, alone, is a matchless weapon against the cruel fangs of jealousy!" ("Naito ang nakakalunos na pagtatapat ng isang babaing may asawa na nakasaksing ang pagibig ay di sapat na sandata laban sa kalupitan ng panibugho!")... says the ad in this 1939 drama, "Pasang Krus." 

The movie, directed by Octavio Silos, starred Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Rosa Aguirre, Naty Rubi, Justina David, Billy Vizcarra, Carmen Martinez, Salvador Tinsay and Francisco Monroy.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, May 30, 1939.

"Pasang Krus" (1939)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date May 30- June 12, 1939/ Grand Theater

Story Susana de Guzman and Mateo Cruz Cornelio

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Rosa Aguirre, Naty Rubi, Justina David, Billy Vizcarra, Carmen Martinez, Salvador Tinsay, Francisco Monroy

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: TITA DURAN, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, CORAZON NOBLE IN "ANAK NG HINAGPIS" (1939)

"Anak ng Hinagpis" (1939)

Filippine Films

Release Date March 3, 1939/ Grand Theater

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Tita Duran, Leopoldo Salcedo, Corazon Noble

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ALMA BELLA, RICARDO DE SOTTO, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, CORAZON NOBLE, TOR VILLANO, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "DUGONG HINUGASAN" (1938)

A realistic picturization of human strife, "Dugong Hinugasan" throbs to the rapid pulsation of blood, grips with the naked claws of life, is at once beautiful and ugly, tender and cruel. It is overflowing with the red stuff of life. In order to bring forth all the dramatic elements in the original Teodoro Virrey novel, Filippine Films studded the production with true and tested stars, foremost among them being Alma Bella, Tor Villano. Salvador Zaragoza and Pedro Faustino. Miss Bella, everybody knows, is next only in dramatic capacity to Rosa del Rosario, and easily superior to all other actresses in the local film firmament. 

Tor Villano, the youngest director in the Philippines who gave you "Ilaw ng Langit" and "Ligaw m Bituin." took time out from his directorial duties and gave it to the moulding and shaping of a character that is destined to be the most talked about even after many years will have passed---that of Enchong, scarred face, righteous, cruel and brave gang leader. Salvador Zaragoza, as Diego the good-for-nothing husband of Miss Bella, adds another leaf to his laurel of remarkable screen characterizations.

The story presents a boy who is stolen from his parents during the cradle days, grows up in the midst of plenty and decency, becomes a judge and then meets his father when the latter, who has been living a life of crime all the time, is tried before him and sentenced to die. 

(The Tribune, June 30, 1938)

"Dugong Hinugasan" (1938)

Filippine Films

Release Date July 7, 1938/ Fox Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Cecilio R. Joaquin

Cast Alma Bella, Ricardo de Sotto, Salvador Zaragoza, Corazon Noble, Tor Villano, Pedro Faustino

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ALMA BELLA, MARY WALTER, WITH MIGUEL ANZURES, CRAZON NOBLE, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, NARDING ANZURES, MANUEL BARBEYTO IN "ANG BATANG TULISAN" (1938)

Adapted from Liwayway popular serial created by Gregorio Coching, "Ang Batang Tulisan" starred Jose Padilla, Jr., Alma Bella, Mary Walter, Miguel Anzures, Corazon Noble, Salvador Zaragoza, Narding Anzures and Manuel Barbeyto, and with Rod Avlas at the helm.

The movie was released and shown at Fox and Savoy theaters, February 12- 14, 1938, and unfortunately the exhibition was stopped by the Censors but was reshown 8 months later, on October 10, 1938, under a new title, "Binatang Parang."

The movie the turbulent story of Gabriel (Miguel Anzures), a scientist whose life is destroyed after marrying Atang (Mary Walter), a woman entangled in an illicit affair with Mat (Manuel Barbeyto). Betrayed, Gabriel saves Atang’s child, joins outlaws, and vows revenge. Meanwhile, Atang becomes a poison-wielding murderer. Years later, her daughter Oning falls in love with bandit leader Mausig (Narding Anzures). Identities unravel: Mat reappears disguised as a priest, Atang kills him, and then takes her own life to spare Oning shame. The tale ends in redemption, with Gabriel and the bandit queen, and Mausig and Oning, choosing straight lives after the bandits disband.

"Ang Batang Tulisan" (1938)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 12-14, 1938/ Fox and Savoy Theaters

Story Gergorio C. Coching

Direction Rod Avlas

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Alma Bella, Mary Walter, with Miguel Anzures, Corazon Noble, Salvador Zaragoza, Narding Anzures, Manuel Barbeyto

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "SAWING PALAD" (1932)

"Sawing Palad" (1934)
Release Date September 16- 18, 1934/ Grand Theater
Produced and Directed by Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa