THE FIFTIES # 290: ALICIA VERGEL, RAMON REVILLA, VAN DE LEON, DOLPHY, WITH MANOLO NOBLE, MARIA CRISTINA, JOSE DE VILLA, PANCHITO ALBA, BERT OLIVAR, MARTIN MARFIL IN "BALISONG" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Balisong" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date June 4- 13, 1955/ Dalisay

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Conrado Conde

Cast Alicia Vergel, Ramon Revilla, Van de Leon, Dolphy, Manolo Noble, Maria Cristina, Jose de Villa, Panchito Alba, Bert Olivar, Martin Marfil, Pablo Raymundo, Totoy Torrente

THE FIFTIES # 289: EFREN REYES, EDNA LUNA, JOHNNY MONTEIRO, CORAZON RIVAS, LAURO DELGADO IN "ESKRIMADOR" (1955): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

Likened to some of Hollywood’s top swordsmen like Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks or even Basil Rathbone, 50s action greats Efren Reyes (Sr.) and Juan ‘Johnny’ Monteiro starred in an action- adventure epic aptly titled Eskrimador. The two popular stars displayed their dashing mantle of swordplay, debonair acrobatics and daring stunts. Their mastery of the sword thrilled their fans and seeing them leaping over parapets, rescuing exotic princess with one hand and effectively foiling the opposition with adept thrusts of the sword.

The movie was based from a komiks serial by Clodualdo del Mundo serialized in Hiwaga Komiks.

"Eskrimador" (1955)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date May 30- June 8, 1955/ Life

Story Clodualdo del Mundo

Direction Teodorico C. Santos

Cast Efren Reyes, Edna Luna, Juan Monteiro, Corazon Rivas, Lauro Delgado

(click images below to enlarge)

Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ May 1955

Hiwaga Komiks/ 1955

click images to enlarge

Komiks materials-
from the private collection of Steve Santos

THE FIFTIES # 686: DELIA RAZON & NESTOR DE VILLA, CARMENCITA ABAD & TONY SANTOS, EMMA ALEGRE & LEROY SALVADOR IN "1-2-3" (1955)/ UPDATED

"1-2-3" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date May 25- June 3, 1955

Music Leopoldo Silos

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Delia Razon & Nestor de Villa, Carmencita Abad & Tony Santos, Emma Alegre & Leroy Salvador/ with Naty Bernardo, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Miguel Lopez

THE FIFTIES # 288: GLORIA ROMERO, RIC RODRIGO, NORMA VALES, RUDY FRANCISCO, ROSA MIA IN MARS RAVELO'S "MARIPOSA" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Mariposa" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date May 20-29, 1955/ Life

Story Mars Ravelo

Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos

Music Pastor de Jesus

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Norma Vales, Rudy Francisco, Rosa Mia, Aruray, Bella Flores, Rebecca del Rio, Herminia Carranza, Jose de Villa, Etang Discher, Panchito Alba

THE FIFTIES # 287: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, GLORIA SEVILLA, ELEANOR MEDINA, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, GREGORIO TICMAN, ROMY BRION IN "DIVISORIA QUIAPO" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Divisoria Quiapo" (1955)

NP Productions

Release Date May 10, 1955/ Dalisay

Direction Luis Calasanz

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Gloria Sevilla, Eleanor Medina,Rosa AGuirre, Gregorio Ticman, Romy Brion, B. Francisco, Ben Cosca, Helen Nazario/ Guests- Ruben Tagalog, Ben & Ading

THE FIFTIES # 286: MARIO MONTENEGRO, CECILIA LOPEZ, MILAGROS NAVAL, BAYANI CASIMIRO, JOSE TRONI, LUDY CARMONA, PRISCILLA RAMIREZ, NELIA ALVAREZ IN "MARIANG SINUKUAN" (1955)/ UPDATED

 

"Mariang Sinukuan" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date May 25- June 3, 1955/ Dalisay

Story Narciso Asistio

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Mario Montenegro, Cecilia Lopez, Milagros Naval, Bayani Casimiro, Jose Troni, Ludy Carmona, Priscilla Ramirez, Nelia Alvarez, Mario Roldan, Tino garcia, Loida Morales, Jerry Reyes, Vic Cabrera/ Introducing Angel Castillo

THE FIFTIES # 285: ROGELIO DELA ROSA, EMMA ALEGRE, WITH IKE JARLEGO, JR., OSCAR KEESEE, JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS, VIC SILAYAN, EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, CYNTHIA GOMEZ IN "HIGIT SA LAHAT" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Higit sa Lahat"(1955)
LVN Pictures
Release Date April 30- May 9, 1955/ Life
Story Mario Mijares Lopez
Music S.S. Suarez
Direction Dr. Gregorio Fernandez
Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Emma Alegre, Ike Jarlego, Jr., Oscar Keese, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Vic Silayan, Eddie Rodriguez, Cynthia Gomez

Stills/ LVN Pictures

Higit sa Lahat tells of a father’s love for his family, making a supreme sacrifice to give them a new lease on life. Directed by Dr. Gregorio Fernandez, the movie won numerous awards--- five Famas awards (best picture, actor, story, editing and sound) and two awards in the 1956 Asian Film Festival (director and actor).
Screen legend Rogelio dela Rosa is Roberto, a principled man and scion to a wealthy family, who inherits nothing when he defies his father’s wishes and marries Rosa (Emma Alegre). Not enough money to support his wife and two kids (Cynthia Gomez and Ike Jarlego, Jr.), Roberto ends up as a hired help in a laboratory factory. An explosion occurs in the factory and Roberto is believed to have perished in it, together with the other workers. Fortunately, at the time of the accident, he is in a province on an errand and learns of the insurance money, a P10,000 death benefit enough for his family to get a better chance at living--- a new home, education for the children, among others. He decides to stay away from his family and assumes a new identity. It’s a supreme sacrifice on his part. But not for long--- the family is first and foremost in his mind. When he read of his wife‘s engagement to another man, he finally comes home. 

Literary Song-Movie Magazine/April 1955

THE FIFTIES # 284: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, GLORIA SEVILLA, REBECCA GONZALES, WITH RAMON D'SALVA, ELEANOR MEDINA, RAFAEL JIMENEZ, ROMY BRION IN "ITO, ANG AMING DAIGDIG (KINI, ANG AMONG KALIBUTAN)" (1955)/ UPDATED

 "Ito, Ang Aming Daigdig (Kini, Ang Among Kalibutan)" (1955)

Fama Pictures

Release Date May 5, 1955/ Dalisay

Story Dominador Ad Castillo

Music Quin Velasco

Direction George Santos

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Gloria Sevilla, Rebecca Gonzales, Ramon D' Salva, Eleanor Medina, Rafael Jimenez, Romy Brion, Ana Maria, Bert Ama, Melita del Sol, Isabelita Alma, Ric Bustamante, Ben Castillo/ featuring child stars, Rey Aviles, Bulaklak 3 Hari, Victor Insa, Baby Annabelle

THE FIFTIES # 283: LINDA ESTRELLA, EDDIE DEL MAR, ANITA LINDA, AMADO CORTEZ, WITH FERNANDO ROYO, LYDIA RESMA, BABY ZOBEL AND INTRODUCING CELIA FUENTES IN "BANDILANG PULA" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Bandilang Pula" (1955)

Bonifer Productions

Release Date May 5- 12, 1955/ Center

Screenplay Tommy Davis

Direction Nardo Vercudia

Cast Linda Estrella, Eddie del Mar, Anita Linda, Amado Cortez, Fernando Royo, Lydia Resma, Baby Zobel,/ Introducing Jaime Vargas, Celia Fuentes

THE FIFTIES # 282: JAIME DE LA ROSA, NIDA BLANCA, NITA JAVIER, TONY SANTOS, ALFONSO CARVAJAL, WITH JOSE DE CORDOVA, OSCAR OBLIGACION IN "SAYDWOK BENDOR" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Saydwok Bendor" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 15- 24, 1955/ Dalisay

Music Juan Silos, Jr.

Direction Lamberto Avellana

Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Nida Blanca, Nita Javier, Manuel 'Sano' Silos, Alfonso Carvajal, Tony Santos, Jose de Cordova, Oscar Obligacion, Priscilla Ramirez, Pamboy

NIDA BLANCA

LVN Pictures' "Saydwok Bendor" (1955)

Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ March 1955

THE FIFTIES # 281: PANCHO MAGALONA, RAMON REVILLA, MYRNA DELGADO, LOLITA RODRIGUEZ IN "S DULO NG LANDAS" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Sa Dulo ng Landas" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 25- May 4, 1955/ Dalisay

Music Nestor Robles

Direction Armando Garces

Cast Pancho Magalona, Ramon Revilla, Myrna Delgado, Lolita Rodriguez, Panchito Alba, Marcela Garcia, Horacio Morelos, Herminia Carranza, Apolonia Aguilar, Elena Adorable, Clara Yumul

THE FIFTIES # 280: JOSE PADILLA, JR., OLIVIA CENIZAL, CORAZON RIVAS, JOSE ROMULO, LOPITO IN " HA CHA CHA" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Ha Cha Cha" (1955)

Premiere Productions, Inc/ People's Picture

Release Date April 20-29, 1955/ Life

Story and Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Olivia Cenizal, Corazon Rivas, Jose Romulo, Lopito, Abraham Cruz

THE FIFTIES # 279: ARMANDO GOYENA, ROSA ROSAL, CARMENCITA ABAD, NENITA VIDAL, IKE JARLEGO, JR. IN "HAGAD" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Hagad" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 15-24, 1955/ Dalisay

Story Amado C. Yasona

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Rino Bermudez

Cast Armando Goyena, Rosa Rosal, Carmencita Abad, Nenita Vidal, Ike Jarlego, Jr.

THE FIFTIES # 278: CARMEN ROSALES, CESAR RAMIREZ, WITH CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, ETANG DISCHER, PRECY ORTEGA, MANOLO NOBLE, HORACIO MORELOS, TONY DUNGAN IN "UHAW NA PAG-IBIG" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Uhaw na Pag-ibig" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 10-19, 1955/ Life

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Carmen Rosales, Cesar Ramirez, Chichay, Tolindoy, Etang Discher, Precy Ortega, Manolo Noble, Horacio Morelos, Tony Dungan, Teroy de Guzman, Elena Adorable

 Carmen Rosales and Cesar Ramirez

Carmen Rosales with comic duo Chichay and Tolindoy 

THE FIFTIES # 277: DELIA RAZON, MARIO MONTENEGRO, WITH JOSE DE CORDOVA, JOSE VERGARA, ARTURO MORAN, VICENTA ADVINCULA, CANDIDA BALDERAMA, EMELITA GITIERREZ AND JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS IN "BANAL O MAKASALANAN?" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Banal O Makasalanan?" (1955)
LVN Pictures
Release Date March 31- April 9, 1955
Music Lt. Col. A. Buenaventura
Story and Direction Susana C. de Guzman
Cast Delia Razon, Mario Montenegro, Jose Cordova, Jose Vergara, Arturo Moran, Vicenta Advincula, Candida Balderama, Emelita Gutierrez and Jose Corazon de Jesus

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Based on a radio serial by Susana C. de Guzman, Banal O Makasalanan (1955) tells of Salome (Delia Razon), a seductive and alluring daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter to King Herod (Joseph de Cordova), who discovers faith and Christianity through her love for a Roman centurion named Cornelius (Mario Montenegro).

A prophet named Juan Bautista (or John the Baptist) denounced Herodias marriage to Herod, her former husband’s brother, as a sin. Herodias bitterly resented Juan’s denunciation and promptly ordered Juan’s arrest and wanted him killed. Herod, fearing that John may be the messiah foretold by prophecy, would not do it. However, Herodias devised a plot and used Herod’s birthday celebration as an opportunity to carry the plan. She let Salome performed a dance that pleased Herod no end. He offered her anything she desired. Encouraged by Herodias, Salome asked Herod for the head of Juan on a platter. Reluctantly, Herod was compelled to obey her desires and ordered Juan to be beheaded (see clip below).

Salome had nightmares and sleepless nights because of that incident and Cornelius was there to comfort her. When news of a new prophet named Jesus gaining ground in the countryside, Cornelius was asked by Salome to investigate. Disguised as an ordinary man, he seek out the Man they called Jesus. Through his own eyes, he witnessed how Jesus performed miracles like using only a few loaves of bread and several fish to feed thousands of men, women and children. Cornelius told Salome about this and asked her to go with him and lead a new life. Salome declined the offer. Salome asked Pontius Pilate’s help, Cornelius being one of Pilate’s men. With the help of Salome, Cornelius was arrested and because of the gravity of his crime he was sentenced to die. This was not what Salome wanted to happen and beg Pilate for mercy and to spare his loved one. Instead, Cornelius was given 20 whip lashes on the face that caused him to get blind. Disabled and incapacitated due to severe punishment, Salome asked Pilate for Cornelius’ freedom which Pilate acceded. She asked for Cornelius forgiveness and promised to take good care of him. The movie ends at Golgota, where Salome with Cornelius, seek Jesus for repentance and atonement. A miracle happened as Cornelius' eyesight was restored (see clip below).