MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ALMA BELLA, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, WITH NELA ALVAREZ, TAITA SARI, PERLA GARCIA IN "MAGKAPATID" (1937)

"Another contemporary classic in the vernacular comes to the screen with the filming of Jose Esperanza Cruz hit of the year novel "Magkapatid" by Filippine Films, under the same title that has made it so popular all over the Islands.

"Magkapatid," depicting the struggle for happiness of a detested half-sister, dramatically portrayed by its author has been faithfully brought to the screen with all its emotional richness, with an exceptionally strong cast headed by Alma Bella, Rogelio de la Rosa, Leopoldo Salcedo, Nela Alvarez, Taita Sari and supported by such well-known feature players as Perla Garcia, Patring Carvajal, Juanita Angeles, Salvador Zaragoza and Manuel Barbeyto." (The Tribune, August 1937)

The movie, directed by Fermin Barva,  was released and shown at Fox Theater, August 9, 1937

"Magkapatid" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date August 9, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Jose Esperanza Cruz

Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Alma Bella, Rogelio de la Rosa, Leopoldo Salcedo/ with Nela Alvarez, Taita Sari, Perla Garcia, Patring Carvajal, Juanita Angeles, Salvador Zaragoza, Manuel Barbeyto

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, ANGEL ESMERALDA, TEDDY BENAVIDES, TITA DURAN, FEDERICO QUERY, CASIMIRO PADILLA IN "MILAGRO NG NAZARENO SA QUIAPO (THE MIRACLE)" (1937)

"Revealing the most unusual story of miracle, love and faith..." says the ad in this 1937 movie, "Milagro ng Nazareno sa Quiapo (The Miracle)." The movie, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, starred Yolanda Marquez, Angel Esmeralda, Teddy Benavides, Tita Duran, Federico Query, Casimiro Padilla and others.

It was released and shown at Fox Theater, July 26, 1937.

"Milagro ng Nazareno sa Quiapo (The Miracle)" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date July 26, 1937/ Fox Theater

Written and Adapted by Luis F. Nolasco and Carlos Vander Tolosa

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Yolanda Marquez, Angel Esmeralda, Teddy Benavides, Tita Duran, Federico Query, Casimiro Padilla and others

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, FLORENTINO BALLECER, PATRING CARVAJAL, JUANITA ANGELES IN " ANG KUMPISALAN AT ANG BATAS" (1937)/ UPDATED

"Ang Kumpisalan at ang Batas" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date July 1, 1937/ Fox

Story Lola Basiang

Direction Rod Avlas

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo, Gregorio Fernandez, Florebtino Ballecer, Patring Carvajal, Juanita Angeles

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: LUCITA GOYENA, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, ANDRES CENTENERA, SILVIA ROSALES, PRECIOSO PALMA, H. ILAGAN, TEDDY BENAVIDES IN "TENIENTE ROSARIO" (1937)/ UPDATED

"A story of daring courage and deathless love in the midst of Philippines bitter struggle for freedom in 1896. A picture of war and love blasted from the living ashes of the past," says the flyer in this 1937 movie, "Teniente Rosario."

The movie, directed by Octavio Silos, starred Lucita Goyena, Rogelio de la Rosa, Andres Centenera, Silvia Rosales, Precioso Palma, H. Ilagan, Manuel Soler, Teddy Benavides. 

 "Teniente Rosario" (1937) 

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc. 

Release Date June 17, 1939/ Fox & Savoy 

Story Gregorio Coching

Musical Score Jose Silos & Juan Silos, Sr.

Direction Octavio Silos 

Cast Lucita Goyena, Rogelio de la Rosa, Andres Centenera, Silvia Rosales, Precioso Palma, H. Ilagan, Teddy Benavides 

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: CARLOS PADILLA, ANGELITA REY, MARIA CLARA RUIZ, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, ALFREDO JAVIER, TEDDY BENAVIDEZ IN "GAGAMBA" (1937)/ UPDATED

Carlos Padilla, already a popular name among Filipino moviegoers, adds to his artistic achievements with his notable portrayal of a devoted husband in "Gagamba." In the film, his character is drawn into ruin when he falls under the sway of a corrupt and manipulative woman.

Also included in the cast are Angelita Rey, Maria Clara Ruiz, Exequiel Segovia, Teddy Benavidez and many others. 

Produced by Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc., the movie was based form the story by Gregorio Coching and was directed by Mr. I. Esmeralda.

The movie was released and shown at Fox Theater, May 31, 1937.

“Gagamba” (1937)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date May 31, 1937/ Fox

Story Gregorio C. Coching

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Carlos Padilla, Maria Clara Ruiz, Angelita Rey, Exequiel Segovia, Alfredo Javier, Teddy Benavidez

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MARI VELEZ, FERNANDO POE, ANA SERRANO, CECILIO JOAQUIN, MIGUEL ANZURES, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, GREGORIO TICMAN IN "BAKAS NG KALANSAY" (1937)

Regarded as one of the most elaborate productions in Philippine cinema at the time, "Bakas ng Kalansay" was released by Filippine Films with a simultaneous premiere at the Savoy and Fox Theaters—the first local film to receive such a debut. Directed by Eduardo de Castro, the picture was adapted from Teodoro Virrey’s Liwayway short story of love and adventure. The film starred Mari Velez and Fernando Poe, whose performances were praised and led to their being cast again in subsequent productions.

"Bakas ng Kalansay" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date May 28, 1937/ Savoy and Fox Theaters

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Mari Velez, Fernando Poe, Ana Serrano, Cecilio Joaquin, Miguel Anzures, Salvador Zaragoza, Gregorio Ticman

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ALMA BELLA, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, NELA ALVAREZ, DOMINGO PRINCIPE, FRANCISCO BALLECER, JUANITA ANGELES, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA IN "UMARAW SA HATING-GABI" (1937)

Popular movie star Alma Bella returns to the screen after an absence of several months to play opposite Leopoldo Salcedo in Filippine Films' "Umaraw sa Hating-Gabi." The movie was based from a prize winning novel by Francisco M. Vasquez and was directed by Fermin Barva. It also starred Nela Alvarez, Domingo Principe, Francisco Ballecer,  Juanita Angeles, Salvador Zaragoza.

It was released and shown at Fox Theater, April 27, 1937.

"Umaraw sa Hating-gabi" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date April 27, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Francisco M. Vasquez

Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Alma Bella, Leopoldo Salcedo, Nela Alvarez, Domingo Principe, Francisco Ballecer,  Juanita Angeles, Salvador Zaragoza

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, DOMINGO PRINCIPE, RITA RICA, JUANITA ANGELES, ANTONIA SANTOS, ALIPIO SILVERIO, ANDRES GUEVARA IN "NANG MAGULO ANG MAYNILA" (1937)

"An Amazing Picture! It's Unusual! It's Different!," says the blurb in this 1937 movie, "Nang Magulo ang Maynila." Adapted from a prize-winning novel by Venacio Aznar, the picture starred Rosa del Rosario, Domingo Principe, Rita Rica, Juanita Angeles, Antonia Santos, Alipio Silverio, Andres Guevara and under the direction of Cecilio Joaquin. 

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, April 15, 1937.

'Nang Magulo ang Maynila" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date April 15, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Venancio Aznar

Direction Cecilio Joaquin

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Domingo Principe, Rita Rica, Juanita Angeles, Antonia Santos, Alipio Silverio, Andres Guevara

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, PATRIA ROSAL, SALVADOR ZARAGOSA, JUANITA ANGELES, FAUSTINO MAURAT, SALVADOR TINSAY IN "LIHIM NG INA" (1937)

Leopoldo Salcedo teamed up with Patria Rosal, Filippine Film's newest discovery in "Lihim ng Ina'" which depicts the struggles of an unhappy mother. The movie, which was directed by Eduardo de Castro, also starred Salvador Zaragosa, Juanita Angeles, Faustino Maurat, Salvador Tinsay.

It was shown at Fox Theater, March 24, 1937.

"Lihim ng Ina" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date March 24, 1937/ Fox Theater

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Patria Rosal, Salvador Zaragosa, Juanita Angeles, Faustino Maurat, Salvador Tinsay

(Image above- courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA, ANGEL ESMERALDA, TITO AREVALO, PRIMA VERA IN "NASAAN KA IROG" (1937)/ UPDATED

"Elsa Oria, most popular among the feminine stars of the local screen, outshines her previous artistic triumphs in the grand musical production "Nasaan Ka Irog" of the Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc. In this picture, she plays the leading role to which she imparts all her acting and singing ability.

Never before than now has Elsa Oria revealed her artistic prowess. From the most difficult scenes to the minutest detail, she has demonstrated her dominion over the art. The young actors, Angel Esmeralda and Toto Arevalo, and the new 'find,' Prima Vera, a popular KZRM songstress who was contracted by the Parlatone, are prominently featured in the cast together with Ding Yalong, the SSS Trio, the DZRM Jaxxtocrats, the string orchestra Moonlight Troubadours, etc.

Elsa Oria sings in this picture the tuneful kundiman 'Nasaan Ka Irog' of the late Nicanor Abelardo, accompanied by a symphony orchestra of eighty master musicians." 

(The Tribune, March 1937)

=======================================

It is a pity that no movies or even short clips of pre-war star Elsa Oria ever existed where we can watch her act, dance and sing. Ms. Oria, dubbed as the singing sweetheart of the Philippines, was a box-office queen during her time and most of her movies were sensational hits. She was also known as the "Jeanette McDonald" of Philippine movies and best remembered in musical hit movies like Nasaan Ka Irog, Bituing Marikit and Madaling Araw.

"Nasaan Ka Irog" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Inc.
Release Date: March 11, 1937/ Fox Theater

Music the late Nicanor Abelardo, Miguel Velarde, Jr., Leon Ignacio, Juan Silos, Jr., and Benito Trapaga
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Elsa Oria, Angel Esmeralda, Tito Arevalo, Prima Vera and the SSS Trio, Bimbo, Moonlight Troubadours, Parlatone Symphony Orchestra, etc.

Elsa Oria

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, WITH GREGORIO TICMAN, FLORENTINO BALLECER, JUANITA ANGELES, PATRING CARVAJAL IN "GAMUGAMONG NAGING LAWIN" (1937)

After the remarkable success of "Birheng Walang Dambana," Filippine Films produced another adaptation from Liwayway magazine, "Gamugamong Naging Lawin." Written by Teodoro Virrey, the film was directed by Fermin Barva and headlined by Rosa del Rosario. The male lead was portrayed by Leopoldo Salcedo, then regarded as one of the most promising young actors in the Philippines.

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, February 28, 1937

"Gamugamong Naging Lawin" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 28, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo, Gregorio Ticman, Florentino Ballecer, Juanita Angeles, Patring Carvajal

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARLOS PADILLA, ROSARIO MORENO, LINA VIOLETA, TOMASA ALVAREZ, JUANITO MARTINEZ IN "HIRAM NA LIGAYA" (1937)

"Hiram na Ligaya," a romantic drama directed by Octavio Silos, was adapted from the 1936 prize-winning story by Remigio Mat. Castro, first published in Liwayway magazine. Marketed as a delightful drama involving three individuals entangled in a love affair, it featured performances by Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Tomas Alvarez, and Juanito Martinez.

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, February 18, 1937.

"Hiram na Ligaya" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano- Filipino Production

Release Date February 18, 1937

Story Remigio Mat. Castro

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Tomas Alvarez, Juanito Martinez

(Image, courtesy of Casa Grande)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, ARMANDO VILLA, NATY BERNARDO, FERNANDO POE, MARY WALTER, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, RITA RICA, FLORENTINO BALLECER IN "ANG BIRHENG WALANG DAMBANA" (1937)

The film Ang Birheng Walang Dambana was based on the prize-winning novel of Dr. Fausto J. Galauran, originally serialized in Liwayway Magazine. Produced by Filippine Films, it presents a timeless and poignant tale centered on a mother’s love.

Under the direction of Eduardo de Castro, the cast featured Rosa del Rosario, Armando Villa, Naty Bernardo, Fernando Poe, Mary Walter, Gregorio Fernandez, Rita Rica, and Florentino Ballecer.

It premiered at the Savoy Theater on February 9, 1937.

"Ang Birheng Walang Dambana" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 9, 1937/ Savoy Theater

Story Fausto J. Galauran

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Armando Villa, Naty Bernardo, Fernando Poe, Mary Walter, Gregorio Fernandez, Rita Rica, Florentino Ballecer

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ROSARIO MORENO, ANGEL ESMERALDA, LINA VIOLETA, TEDDY BENAVIDES IN "MGA PUSONG DAKILA (NOBLE HEARTS)" (1937)

"The intriguing story of a man who helps his rival win the girl he loves..." says the blurb in this 1936 movie, "Mga Pusong Dakila (Noble Hearts)"

"To be accused of a crime he did not commit and to be nearly sentenced to a very severe penalty by the court of justice, just because he kept a secret whose divulgence would give bitter pangs to the life of his benefactor's son who was at the same time his rival in the game of love, is the interesting and original theme that surrounds the picture, "Mga Pusong Dakila" of the Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc." (The Tribune, January 29, 1937)

The movie, written and directed by Vicente Salumbides, starred Jose Padilla, Jr., Rosario Moreno, Angel Esmeralda, Lina Violeta, Teddy Benavides.

It was shown at Fox Theater, January 26, 1937.

"Mga Pusong Dakila (Noble Hearts)" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc.

Release Date January 29, 1936/ Fox Theater

Story and Direction Vicente Salumbides

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Rosario Moreno, Angel Esmeralda, Lina Violeta, Teddy Benavides

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARLOS PADILLA, CAROLINA SERRANO, VICENTE SALUMBIDES, ROSARIO MORENO, NATI RUBI, LINA VIOLETA, ROSA LUZ IN "ANG KAMBAL" (1937)

"It's another picture of stars... filled with electrifying and heart-gripping tension!", says the ad in this 1937 movie, "Ang Kambal," a sequel to "Hampas Lupa."

The movie, directed by Mar I. Esmeralda, starred Carlos Padilla, Carolina Serrano, Vicente Salumbides, Rosario Moreno, Nati Rubi, Lina Violeta, Rosa Luz.

Produced by Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc, it was shown at Fox Theater, January 2, 1937.

"Ang Kambal" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date January 2, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Carlos Padilla, Carolina Serrano, Vicente Salumbides, Rosario Moreno, Nati Rubi, Lina Violeta, Rosa Luz

(Images, courtesy of Casa Grande)