THE FIFTIES # 669: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, ELVIRA REYES, CAROL VARGA, FERNANDO ROYO, BEN RUBIO, JUAN MONTEIRO AND JENNINGS STURGEON IN "KALBARYO NI HESUS" (1952)/UPDATED

I grew up watching Kalbaryo ni Hesus in the 60s. I've seen it countless times and I still recalled Fernando Royo playing the role of Judas, Norma Blancaflor as the Blessed Mother Mary, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro as Simon Bilibit and a foreign actor named Jennings Sturgeon as Jesus Christ. The movie, released in 1952, was an all-star cast that included among others, Carol Varga, Rita Rivera, Elvira Reyes, Ben Rubio, Teddy Benavides, Ramon D' Salva. The production design was done by National Artist Carlos 'Botong' Francisco and ably directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

"Kalbaryo ni Hesus" (1952)
Lebran Productions
Release Date March 26- April 4, 1952
Production Design Carlos V. Francisco
Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita
In Charge of Production Carlos R. Garcia
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
An All-Star Cast - Norma Blancaflor, Elvira Reyes, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo, Ben Rubio, Juan (Johnny) Monteiro, Teddy Benavides, Africa dela Rosa, Lupe Velasco, Sweet Williams, Andres Centenera, Cecilio Joaquin, Ramon D' Salva, Rita Rivera, Gracita Dominguez, Fred Penalosa, Bert Olivar, Don Dano, Manuel Barbeyto, Oscar Keese, Ric Bustamante and Jennings Sturgeon (as Jesus Christ) and many others

Reissued in 1954

THE FIFTIES # 119: PANCHO MAGALONA, LINDA ESTRELLA, RUDY FRANCISCO IN "LIHIM NG KUMPISALAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

When I first saw this ad, I thought the movie was based from Hitchcock's "I Confess." I was wrong, the movie, shown in 1952 was one year ahead of Hitchcock's which was released in 1953. The two movies, probably based on a 1902 French play by Paul Anthelme titled Nos Deux Consciences, had similar plot, that of a killer confessing to a crime in the confessional and instead the priest became the primary suspect. Because of the seal and secrecy of the confessional, the priest is bound not to disclose anything to the authorities. What if his life is at stake?

"Lihim ng Kumpisalan" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date March 21-30, 1952/ Dalisay

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Pancho Magalona, Linda Estrella, Rudy Francisco

THE FIFTIES # 671: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, BEN RUBIO IN "IRISAN" (`1952)/ UPDATED

"Irisan" (1952)

RDR Productions

Released thru LVN Pictures

Release Date March 16-26, 1952/ Life

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Ben Rubio

THE FIFTIES # 670: ERNESTO BOHOL, PACITA FRANCISCO, WITH TEODORO KALAW KATIGBAK, LILLIAN LAING, FIDEL SICAM, JOSEFINA LEANO, VICKY CASTILLO, RUBEN LACSAMANA IN "ANG LIMPIA BOTA (THE BOOTBLACK)" (1952)/ UPDATED

The movie, "Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" told with great realism, was the first Filipino Educational Picture. It was based on the true-to-life story of a bootblack, Ernesto Bohol (who played as himself in this film), who worked his way up to become a college president. National Artist for Music, Lucio D. San Pedro did the musical scoring. 

"Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" (1952)

Far East Films

Released by Lebran Inc.

Release Date March 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay

(In English and Tagalog Dialogue)

Story Ernesto Bohol

Musical Score Lucio D. San Pedro

Direction T. D. Agcaoli

Cast Ernesto Bohol , Pacita Francisco/ Also Starring Teodoro Kalaw Katigbak, Lillian laing, Fidel Sicam, Josefina Leano, Vicky Castillo, Ruben Lacsamana, Mike Melo, Neonora Ruiz, Ric Valdez/ Guest players- Judge Bienvenido Tan, Gov. Lino Castillejo, Fiscal Nicanor Nicolas, Prf. Vicente Quimbo

THE FIFTIES # 118: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH LILA LUNA, NIDA BLANCA, FRANK GORDON, ROSA AGUIRRE, AMADO CORTEZ, ARTURO MORAN, ETANG DISCHER IN "TIA LOLENG" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Tia Loleng" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date February 20-29, 1952/ Dalisay

Music Quin Velasco

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Lila Luna, Nida Blanca, Frank Gordon, Rosa Aguirre, Amado Cortez, Arturo Moran, Etang Discher, Miguel Lopez, Tony Dantes, J. Rodriguez

Did you know that movie actor Armando Goyena, a popular matinee idol during his time, a society boy and a dashing hero of countless romance and adventure films, had to play a woman in the '50s before he could become a star? The part was the title role in the 1952 comedy "Tia Loleng," also Goyena's favorite movie,  where he was made to dress up as a lady so he could be close to the woman he loved and adored. The woman was played by his perennial screen partner, Tessie Quintana (they made 15 movies together). The movie was filmed at least three decades before Dustin Hoffman made "Tootsie" and Robin Williams played "Mrs. Doubtfire." "They imitated us," Goyena chuckles in one of his interview. "The movie became a big hit, and that's how I made some money to marry." Goyena, now in his 80s, was married to the late Francisca Roses, also called Paquita, the first Camay soap model, with whom he had seven daughters and a son. Two of these daughters first became movie stars themselves-Maritess Revilla, who was also a soap model, and Tina Revilla, who later became a television host.

  

Tessie Quintana and Armando Goyena

THE FIFTIES # 98: ALICIA VERGEL, CESAR RAMIREZ, GLORIA ROMERO, WITH CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, TONY CAYADO, JOSE DE VILLA, PEDRO FAUSTINO, ARING BAUTISTA, PERCY ORTEGA IN "MADAM X" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Madam X"
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date February 10-19, 1952/ Dalisay
Writer Dr. Fausto J. Galauran

Direction Artemio Tecson

Cast Alicia Vergel, Cesar Ramirez, Gloria Romero, Chichay, Tolindoy, Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Pedro Faustino, Aring Bautista, Precy Ortega

THE FIFTIES # 133: ARMANDO GOYENA, DELIA RAZON, WITH LILA LUNA, ENRIQUE JARLEGO, JR., NATY BERNARDO, MARIA CRISTINA, EUSEBIO GOMEZ IN "HARANA SA KARAGATAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Harana sa Karagatan" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date February 5- 14, 1952/ Life

Music Juan Silos, Jr.

Direction Joe Climaco

Cast Armando Goyena, Delia Razon, Lila Luna, Enrique 'Ike' Jarlego, Jr., Naty Bernardo, Maria Cristina, Eusebio Gomez, Armando Garces, Armando Cortes, Joe Climaco, Mario Roldan, Miniong Alvares

THE FIFTIES # 97: NENA CARDENAS, EDUARDO DEL MAR, LOPITO, OSCAR KEESE, WITH ARTURO LERMA, RUBEN RUSTIA, ROSITA NOBLE, AMELITA SOL IN "MALULOS" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Malulos"
Premiere Productions
Release Date January 31- February 9, 1952/ Dalisay

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Nena Cardenas, Eduardo 'Eddie' del Mar, Lopito, Oscar Keese, Arturo Lerma, Ruben Rustia, Rosita Noble, Amelita Sol, Dolly Garcia, Luis San juan, Nello Nayo, Francisco Cruz, Lito Anzures



THE FIFTIES # 667: PANCHO MAGALONA, TITA DURAN, TESSIE MARTINEZ, WITH BERT OLIVAR, TONY CAYADO, JOSE DE VILLA, CHICHAY, PEDRO FAUSTINO, TOTOY TORRENTE, MARTIN MARFIL IN FRANCISCO V. COCHING'S "BARBARO" (1952)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

  Barbaro is an adventure komiks novel about Sabas, a man who was driven by cruelty and oppression to become the sworn enemy of the colonial government. Barbaro was Coching’s first epic tackling the theme of Filipinos revolting against their Spanish colonial masters and it became one of his most popular works. The komiks serial spawned a sequel entitled El Indio featuring Sabas’ son. (Komiklopedia)

It was adapted into the movies in 1952 and emerged as one of the top ten box-office hits that year. Playing Barbaro was Pancho Magalona with reel-and-real partner Tita Duran as his love interest. The movie was directed by Enrique Moreno, later to be known as Eddie Romero.

"Barbaro" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date January 25- February 4, 1952/ Life

Serialized in Pilipino Komiks

Story Francisco V. Coching

Direction Enrique Moreno (or Eddie Romero)

Cast Pancho Magalona, Tita Duran, Tessie Martinez/ Also Starring Bert Olivar, Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Chichay, Pedro Faustino, Totoy Torrente, Martin Marfil/ Guest- Olive La Torre

"Ang Barbaro" 

Katha't Guhit ni Francisco V. Coching

Inilathala sa Pilipino Komiks/ 1951

--- to read, click images to enlarge---

THE FIFTIES # 104: LANI PADILLA, ROBERTO RICO, PURA FLOR IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "MGA BITUIN NG KINABUKASAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

 "Mga Bitiin ng Kinabukasan" (1952)

Nepomuceno Productions

Release Date January 21- 30, 1952/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Lani Padilla, Roberto Rico, Pura Flor

THE FIFTIES # 668: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, ROSA ROSAL, ALFONSO CARVAJAL IN "DIMAS: THE SAINTED ROBBER" (1952): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

Dimas: The Sainted Robber was adapted from a serialized Liwayway novel by Caravana, del Mundo and Laudico and starred Rogelio dela Rosa in the title role. It is the story of Dimas who vows vengeance when his father was imprisoned and killed by Centurion Magnus.

"Dimas: The Sainted Robber" (1952)
LVN Pictures
Release Date January 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay
Serialized in Liwayway
Story Nemesio E. Caravana and Clodualdo del Mundo
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Rosal, Alfonso Carvajal/ Also Starring Nestor de Villa, Jose Corazon de Jesus

Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon and Jose Vergara in a scene from the movie, "Dimas."

Liwayway Magazine/ 1951

---to read, click images to enlarge---

From the private collection of Steve Santos
(Unang Labas Blog)

THE FIFTIES # 102: TESSIE AGANA (IN THE TITLE ROLE), TESSIE MARTINEZ, VAN DE LEON, ROSA MIA, BELLA FLORES, BOY ALANO, ETANG DISCHER, GLORIA ROMERO AND CHICHAY & TOLINDOY IN MARS RAVELO'S "REBECCA" (1952)/ UPDATED

 

“Rebecca” (1952)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date January 1- 12, 1952/ Rialto

Serialized in Tagalog Klasiks
Story Mars Ravelo
Direction Olive de la Torre
Cast Tessie Agana, Tessie Martinez, Van de Leon, Rosa Mia, Bella Flores, Boy Alano, Etang Discher, Gloria Romero and Chichay & Tolindoy

 

THE FIFTIES # 90: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, TEODY BELARMINO, WITH CRISTINA ARAGON, PACO ZAMORA, NATI RUBI, ANTONIO ROLDAN, ZONY QUIZON IN "SINGSING NA SINULID" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Singsing na Sinulid"
Royal Productions

Release Date December 23, 1951 to January 1, 1952/ Clover
Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine
Story Jose L. Santos

Music Constancio C. de Guzman

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Rosario del Rosario, Teody Belarmino Also Starring Cristina Aragon, Antonio Roldan, Zony Quizon, Paco Zamora, Naty Rubi/ Co-starring Pancho Pelagio, Luis San Juan, Ding Tello, Nello Nayo, Francisco Cruz, Conchita Vizconde

THE FIFTIES # 58: JAIME DE LA ROSA, TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH ROSA ROSAL, TONY SANTOS, NIDA BLANCA IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "AMOR MIO" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Amor Mio"(1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date December 27, 1951- January 5, 1952/ Life
Music Carlos Aguilar
Direction Lamberto V. Avellana
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos, Nida Blanca

THE FIFTIES # 64: OSCAR MORENO, ERLINDA CORTES, WITH JUAN MONTEIRO, FERNANDO ROYO, ANDRES CENTENERA, AFRICA DE LA ROSA, GIL DE LEON, NATI RUBI, JOSE VILLAFRANCA, CECILIO JOAQUIN, OSCAR OBLIGACION IN "ROMEO AT JULIETA" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Romeo at Julieta"
Lebran Productions
Release Date December 14-16, 1951 and January 6- 15, 1952/ Life
Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita
Production Design Carlos V. Francisco
Direction Ralph Brambles, Jr. & Prudencio B. Mariano
Cast Oscar Moreno, Erlinda Cortes, Juan Monteiro, Fernando Royo, Andres Centenera, Africa de la Rosa, Gil de Leon, Nati Rubi, Jose Villafranca, Cecilio Joaquin, Oscar Obligacion