MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, FERNANDO POE, GLORIA IMPERIAL IN "MINDA MORA" (1939)

"Minda Mora" (1939)

Filippine Films

Release Date October 1939

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Fernando Poe, Gloria Imperial

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: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, WITH MINA DE GRACIA, ANGELITA (RHUMBA) REY, PRECIOSO PALMA, NATI RUBI IN "DALAGA (ISANG NGITI LAMANG!)" (1940)

Now it can be told that the Filipino motion picture enterprise has deservedly reached a level of comparative perfection with Carlos Vander Tolosa's inspired creation, "Dalaga— Isang Ngiti Lamang," a Filippine Films production. This P100, 000.00 production which marks the crowning achievement of Carlos Vander Tolosa as the country's foremost director has the magnificence of a truly unforgettable screenplay. "Dalaga" starts its regular showing at the Grand theatre today.

Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor, supported by a distinguished cast composed of Mina de Gracia, Angel ita (Rhunaba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi, Juanita Angeles, Vicente Ocampo and hundreds of extras, reap their biggest actingtriumph. Under the knowing guidance of Carlos Vander Tolosa who wrote and directed the screenplay, these two notable films personalities easily surpass all their previous performances and emerge dominantly fluent in their respective portrayal of the leading characters.

"Dalaga" as the glorification of Filipino films productions teems with drama, romance, music, comedy, pageantry and all other highly entertaining aspects in a style and manners that outranks all those vehicles locally produced before. It starts the trend of local films towards lavishness and artistry. Such embodiments as a complete Moro operetta and fashion shows forecast the future trend of the Filipina dress are only two of the highlighting phases of this ambitious Filippine Films productions. Musical direction was under the expert handling of Ariston Avelino, with the assistance of Alejo Valdez and Julio Esteban Anguita.

Fifteen gigantic sets varying from a typical Moro village to the whole deck of a ship were built at the Filippine Films studios at great expense. These sets were used in shooting the many big scenes which greatly enhance the glory of this production.

(The Tribune, December 15, 1940)

"Dalaga (Isang Ngiti Lamang!)" (1940)

Filippine Films

Release Date December 15, 1940/ Grand Theater

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, with Mina de Gracia, Angelita (Rhumba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi

(Image, courtesy of  Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FERNANDO POE, LUNINGNING, MONA LISA AND AN ALL-STAR SUPPORTING CAST IN "DATU TALIM" (1940)

"Datu Talim" (1940)

X'Otic Films

Release Date December 5, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Fernando Poe, Luningning, Mona Lisa and all-star supporting cast

"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: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, WITH BERT LE ROY, PRECIOSO PALMA, RITA RICA, TITA DURAN, ROSA AGUIRRE, AFRICA DE LA ROSA, NARDO VERCUDIA, ENGRACIO IBARRA, PATRING GOMEZ, HORACIO MORELOS IN "NANG MAHAWI ANG ULAP" (1940)/ UPDATED

“Nang Mahawi ang Ulap” (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date November 28- December 4, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Lorenzo P. Tuells

Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Lota Delgado, Bert Le Roy, Precioso Palma, Rita Rica, Tita Duran, Rosa Aguirre, Africa de la Rosa, Nardo Vercudia, Engracio Ibarra, Patring Gomez, Horacio Morelos 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, WITH NATI RUBI, GREGORIO TICMAN, PACITA DEL RIO, PUGO & TOGO, LETTY PEREZ, JAIME CASTELLVI, FIDEL DE CASTRO, JOSE LUZ BERNARDO. GUILLERMO E. CARLS IN "ALITAPTAP" (1940)

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

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MILA DEL SOL, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, INTRODUCING FRED CORTES, WITH CECILIO JOAQUIN, VICTOR 'BANAHAW" SEVILLA IN "NAGIISANG SANGLA" (1940)/ UPDATED

"Nag-iisang Sangla," which opens today at the Grand Theatre, has been styled the dramatic triumph of the LVN Pictures, Inc. It is in fact, more than that. It is a crowning triumph of the local movie industry. "Nag-iisang Sangla" is as distinctive, different a picture as only the use of the top-notch talents in the local movie industry and the vast resources of the LVN Pictures, Inc. could make it. When the production plans for the movie were yet under the measuring rods of the LVN executives, just one paramount concern burned: It must surpass whatever achievement had been attained. The results, it is the one picture that rises clear through the stereotype, the mawkish, the ordinary.

 A celebrated Tagalog literary masterpiece, Nag-iisang Sangla," as a story, is as fresh and alive as the next living person. It is a story which might have been yours, mine, or anybody's. It is about a man who demanded more than love and two women who gave more than life. It is the story of every man; of every woman.

 Into this one picture is poured the talents of several of the biggest names in the local show business, which fact fastens its nomination to distinctiveness. Among these are: Tor Villano, the veteran of many a film success who directed it, and Cecilio Joaquin, no mean director and actor himself, who heads an imposing cast that includes Fred Cortes the screen find of the year, Victor (Banahaw) Sevilla, and the highly popular radio personalities, Dely Atayatayan and her friend or stooge, the full-throated Andoy Balunbalunan, cowboy-fiscal-professor (plenipotentiary).

 And clinching that distinctiveness is the love-team of Mila del Sol and Leopoldo Salcedo. It is not simply in the team, to be sure, although it accounts more than just partly for the worth of

the whole. It is in the rendition by the two of one of the finest piece of acting across any screen. As the disillusioned man who forgets himself, everyone and everything else, Lecpoldo Salcedo has gained a height of acting excellence which he may, or may not again catch up to. Great is just the word that can describe him in "Nag-iisang Sangla."

 Mila del Sol, for her part, has set a new peak in the upward trend of her versatility as an actress. In her dual role as the faithful country woman and as the night club singer, is a great performance which most probably can't be equaled in local filmdom for a long, long time. In this dual role, Mila del Sol's personality is quite easy to discern on purpose, thanks to her radiating youthful fullness and the inadequacy of local character make-up, but in her interchanging from one person to another throughout the picture is an entrancing subtlety that draws you to the characters portrayed and makes you forget it is Mila del Sol. A great actress, this young woman, in the great picture, "Nag-iisang Sangla."

(The Tribune, November 12, 1940)

 

"Nagiisang Sangla" (1940)

LVN Pictures
Release Date: November 14-20, 1940/ Grand Theater

Story Catalino V. Flores

Music Francisco Buencamino, Jr.
Director Tor Villano
Cast Mila Del Sol, Leopoldo Salcedo and Introducing Fred Cortes, with Cecilio Joaquin, Victir 'Banahaw' Sevilla, Andoy Balungbalunan, Dely AtayAtayan, Jerry and his Romancers

"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: ROSARIO MORENO, JOSE PADILLA, JR., ERNESTO LA GUARDIA, WITH BILLY VIZCARRA, ROSARIO LAM, PACITA DEL RIO, JOSE NIETO, ANA GARCIA, BABY CITA ROSAL IN "DATING SUMPAAN" (1940)

The year's top rate dramatic film fare, "Dating Sumpaan," opens today at the Grand for its regular exhibition and it's time the cine-goers "must" see it. Featuring three outstanding film personalities in the stellar cast — Rosario Moreno, Jose Padilla, Jr. and Ernesto La Guardia— and bearing a novel theme, this latest Excelsior creation, directed by Carlos Padilla, has an entertainment quality of the highest grade.

Rosario Moreno interprets the novel role of a private nurse who is loved by two men— Jose Padilla, Jr. as one and Ernesto La Guardia as the other. Replete with such stirring complications as Padilla's marrying another woman and his meeting with Rosario Moreno years after.

"Dating Sumpaan" is the kind of photoplay that everybody will go for. What develops after the meeting and what becomes of Ernesto La Guardia — all of which you have to find out for yourself — furnish the powerful climax. The story was jointly written by Excelsior Production Manager Luis F. Nolascco and Fidel de Castro. Musical direction was by Miguel Velarde, Jr.

It's a matter of life and death — but he must live. Rosario Moreno looks apprehensively at Ernesto La Guardia, the attending physician during this crucial moment with her lover's life hanging at a thread's end. Padilla is being operated on for some serious ailment. The above scene, incidentally, is the most suspenseful as well as expensive in "Dating Sumpaan" in that it marks the meeting for the first time in years of  Rosario Moreno and Jose Padilla,Jr. and necessitated no little effort on the part of Excelsior Setting Director Francisco Pineda. The entire studio lot of Excelsior was transformed into an operation room with the cooperation of I.C. Model & Co., a leading firm in Manila dealing in hospital and surgical apparatus and implements. Through special arrangements, hospital implements and apparatus valued approximately at P2.000.00 were lent to Excelsior Picture, Inc. to put over the above scene.

(The Tribune, November 7, 1940)

"Dating Sumpaan" (1940)

Excelsior Pictures, Inc.

Release Date November 7, 1940/ Grand Theater

Story Luis F. Nolasco, Fidel de Castro

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.

In Charge of Production Luis F. Nolasco

Direction Carlos Padilla

Cast Rosario Moreno, Jose Padilla, Jr., Ernesto La Guardia, with Billy Vizcarra, Rosario Lam, Pacita del Rio, Jose Nieto, Ana Garcia, Baby Cita Rosal

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARMEN ROSALES, ROGELIO DFE LA ROSA, WITH LOTA DELGADO, OCTAVO ROMERO, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, PRECIOSO PALMA, JUANITA ANGELES, ENGRACIO IBARRA, NARDO VERCUDIA IN "COLEGIALA" (1940)

All the elements that made "Senorita" the unusual picture that it was are also present, in Sampaguita's musical film sensation, "Colegiala," which is opening today at the Grand Theatre. Carmen Rosales and Rogelio de la Rosa, director Gregorio Fernandez, writer Delfin Ferrer Gamboa, music master Constancio do Guzman—the stars, director, author and musical composer respectively of "Senorita" — have worked together again to produce another screen achievement, "Colegiala," which, according to Director Gregorio Fernandez himself, "is bigger and better than 'Senorita.'

Carmen Rosales and Rogelio de la Rosa, conclusively the most charming sweethearts of the local screen, are out again in "Colegiala" to covet the admiration of fans, to radiate their charm and personality of the silver sheet, to dash off a uniquely tender romance in their own inimitable way, to season its light breezy story with some ingredients to make the audience laugh, love, live and learn with them. The work of both is further enhanced by the skill of their director, Gregorio Fernandez, who carved their names deeper into the hearts of movie fans with his box-office breaker, "Senorita"and by the able support of Lota Delgado and Octavio Romero who supply the other angle of romance to the story, with Gregorio Fernandez, Precioso Palma, Juanita Angeles, Engracio Ibarra and Nardo Vercudia.

By the title alone of the picture, one can surmise the story. It is based on the life of a young vivacious college girl who is stricken with sorrow on the day of her graduation by the tragic mishap that her parents meet on their way to the city to witness a momentous event in her life. As she steps out on to a new thresh-hold of life, she realizes how difficult is her financial station, now that her parents are gone. She relegates her grief to the background, and seeks for solace and comfort in a job as secretary-stenographer of an insurance firm. Here she gets herself entangled in a love affair with the son of the president of the firm. But just as she is wrapped up with joy of having someone to love, she learns that her fiancé is engaged to another woman. The ensuing events involve heartbreaks and many dramatic moments. The excitement promised you when you see actually "Colegiala" would be spoiled if we were to tell you the incidents in detail. Suffice it to say that the heroine meets trouble, romance, intrigues, so much that as the final scene is faded out, you would insist on remaining in your seats to wait for an other screening; you would heave a sigh to vent out the romantic emotions that have come all over you within two solid hours of screen experience with the "Colegiala" you would nod your head in assent that, indeed, Gregorio Fernandez is a megaphone wielder of unsurpassing calibre, and that truly Carmen Rosales and Rogelio de la Rosa are the "most charming sweethearts of the local screen."

The fact that the stars, director, author and musical composer' of "Colegiala" are the same people that made "Senorita" a smashing hit, coupled by the expert photography of Cameraman Higinio J. Fallorina, is enough reason to make us undoubtedly believe that "Colegiala" is another Sampaguita film that will stand out among the year's big hits; that to miss it would, be like not putting sugar in your cup of coffee. If you want real entertainment, go see "Colegiala" at the Grand today. 

(The Tribune, October 29, 1940)

"Colegiala" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date October 29, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Armen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, with Lota Delgado, Octavio Romero, Gregorio Fernandez, Precioso Palma, Juanita Angeles, Engracio Ibarra,Nardo Vercudia

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FERNANDO POE, LUCITA GOYENA AND SUPPORTED BY AN ALL-STAR CAST IN "ALAALANG BANAL" (1940)

"Alaalang Banal" (1940)

X-Otic Films, Inc.

Release Date October 24, 1940/ Grand Theater

Story Jovita Martinez Memije

In Charge of Production Eduardo de Castro

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Fernando Poe, Lucita Goyena and supported by an all-star cast

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, MILA DEL SOL, DINA VALLE , DOMINGO PRINCIPE, WITH PRECIOSO PALMA, PACITA DEL RIO, MANUEL ELORIAGA, AMELITA SOL, ALBERTO LAZARO, FELIX TORRES IN "MAGINOONG TAKAS" (1940)/ UPDATED

"Maginoong Takas" (1940)

LVN Pictures
Release Date: October 17-23, 1940/ Grand Theater
Director Manuel Conde
Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Mila Del Sol, Dina Valle, Domingo Principe, Pacita Del Rio, Precioso Palma, Amelita Del Sol, Manuel Eloriaga, Alberto Lazaro, Juan Rodriguez, Felix Torres 

"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: FLOR DE JASMIN, VICENTE OLIVER, WITH AMPARO AQUINO, OSCAR DEL ROSARIO, NEMESIO CARAVANA, SOCORRO BASILIO, NELLY SUNICO, GUILLERMO E. CARLS IN "KRISANTEMO" (1940)

"The company that gave you "Florante at Laura" and "Angel na Tukso," now proudly offers you a picture with new emotions, different and unforgettable!.." says the ad in this 1940 romantic drama, "Krisantemo."

The movie, directed by Vicente Salumbides, starred Flor de Jasmin, Vicente Oliver, Amparo Aquino, Oscar del Rosario, Nemesio Caravana, Socorro Basilio, Nelly Sunico, Guillermo E. Carls, Dan de Jesus, Tembong and others.

It was released and shown at Fox Theater, October 15, 1940.

"Krisantemo" (1940)

Salumbides Film Corp.

Release Date October 15, 1940/ Fox Theater

Story Jose Esperanza Cruz

Music Constancio de Guzman

Direction Vicente Salumbides

Cast Flor de Jasmin, Vicente Oliver, with Amparo Aquino, Oscar del Rosario, Nemesio Caravana, Socorro Basilio, Nelly Sunico, Guillermo E, Carls, Dan de Jesus, Tembong

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: AMPARO KARAGDAG, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, TESSIE SANTOS, LINA ALVA,MANUEL BARBEYTO, AMELITA SOL, ROMAN REYES, RAFAEL PADILLA IN "CARIÑOSA" (1940)/ UPDATED

"Cariñosa" (1940)

Sanggumay Pictures
Release Date: October 7- 14, 1940/ Fox Theater

Music Constancio de Guzman
Director Carlos Padilla

Cast Amparo Karagdag, Leopoldo Salcedo, Tessie Santos, Lina Alva, Manuel Barbeyto, Amelita Sol, Roman Reyes, Rafael Padilla

(Images, from the collection of Dharyl Jim Jalos/ GMA Cavite)

"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, 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: SERAFIN GARCIA, MONA LISA, WITH AMANDING MONTES, PRIMA VERA, ARMANDO CRIS, SONIA REYES, JUANITO LAZAGA AND PUGO & TOGO IN "TINANGAY NG APOY" (1940)/ UPDATED

"Tinangay ng Apoy" (1940)

X'Otic Films, Inc.

Release Date September 24- 29, 1940/ Grand Theater

Story Hilaria Labog

Direction Tor Villano

Cast Serafin Garcia, Mona Lisa, Amanding Montes, Prima Vera, Armando Cris, Sonia Reyes, Juanito Lazaga, Pugo & Togo