Friday, April 4, 2008

THE DASHING JOHNNY MONTEIRO: MASTER SWORDSMAN OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA


Johnny Monteiro, dubbed as Douglas Fairbanks of the Philippines, was the recognized Master Swordsman of Philippine Movies in the 50s. Johnny was a popular action star in his time and likened to some of Hollywood’s top swordsmen like Errol Flynn, Fairbanks, Tyrone Power or even Burt Lancaster. In his many movie adventures, Monteiro thrilled his fans by leaping over parapets, rescuing exotic princess with one hand and affectively foiling the opposition with adept thrusts of the sword.

Using the initial screen name of Juan Monteiro, he appeared in Manuel Conde’s epic movies--- Siete Infantes de Lara (1950), Genghis Khan (1950) and Sigfredo (1951). He reached full stardom in 1954 with his first starring role in the movie Paladin opposite Edna Luna. This was followed by Guerrero, Eskrimador and Simaron, all released in 1955. He was the favorite leading man of then 50s Action Queen of Philippine Movies, Celia Fuentes, starring in such movies as Simaron (1955), Babaeng Mandarambong (1956), Princesa ng Kagubatan (1956), Don Cobarde (1957), among others. He was also best remembered in several sword duels with another popular actor and fencer Efren Reyes.



Two of Johnny Monteiro's early films--- Siete Infantes de Lara (1950) and Sigfredo (1951), both topbilled by Manuel Conde


Paladin (1954)- Stars Juan (Johnny) Monteiro in his first starring role and Edna Luna

Guerrero (1955)- Stars Arsenia Francisco, Eduardo Del Mar, Edna Luna and Juan Monteiro/ with Ramon D' Salva, Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Teodorico C. Santos


Eskrimador (1955)- Stars Edfren Reyes, Edna Luna, Juan Monteiro, Corazon Rivas, Lauro Delgado/ Directed by Teodorico C. Santos


Simaron (1955)- Stars Lilia Dizon, Johnny Monteiro, Celia Fuentes/ Directed by Gerry De Leon


Babaeng Mandarambong (1956)- Stars Johnny Monteiro, Celia Fuentes, Fernando Poe, Jr., Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus


Prinsesa ng Kagubatan (1956)- Stars Johnny Monteiro, Celia Fuentes, Teddy Belarmino, Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus


Haring Tulisan (1956)- Stars Anita Linda, Johnny Monteiro, Teddy Belarmino, Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus


Himagsik (1956)- Stars Johnny Monteiro, Tony Cruz,Jr.,Ruben Rustia, Teresa Mendez/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus


Don Cobarde (1957)- Stars Johnny Monteiro and Celia Fuentes/ Direction by Ding M. De Jesus


Pusang Itim (1958)- Stars Johnny Monteiro, Cynthia Zamora, Lauro Delgado, Carol Varga/ Directed by Cirio H. Santiago


San Ngalan ng Espada (1958)- Stars Efren Reyes, Johnny Monteiro, Cynthia Zamora, Ramon D' Salva/ Directed by Efren Reyes


Apat na Anino 91959)- Stars Johnny Monteiro, Cesar Ramirez, Bob Soler, Lauro Delgado, Cynthia Zamora, Leonor Vergara/ Directed by Danilo H. Santiago


Apat na Agimat (1962)- Stars Efren Reyes, Cesar Ramirez, Johnny Monteiro, Eddie Fernandez, Miriam Jurado/ Directed by Efren Reyes
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11 comments:

  1. Dennis VillegasApril 5, 2008 at 2:01 PM

    I see many of these movies were really culled from Tagalog Komiks. Guerrero, Siete Infantes de Lara, Don Cobarde, etc.
    You have an excellent collection of these rare posters. Like you, I also collect Tagalog movie posters coming mostly from the ads in the defunct Literary Song-Movie magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. James DRApril 10, 2008 at 1:18 PM

    Simon, thanks for the movie ads of Conde's Sigfredo and 7 Infantes de Lara. Do you have other movie ads of Conde like Genghis Khan, Apat Na Alas, Satur, Bayanihan, El Robo, Basta Ikaw, Nabasag Ang Banga?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for all movie ads that you have post. How do you preserve all of these?

    I also shared some of these in facebook and i even invited my friends to visit you blog.

    Salamat at mabuhay ka Simon....

    ReplyDelete
  4. yusufDecember 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    Bravo....
    salamat uli!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 12:09 AM

      Thanks for the comments about the classic Filipino films & television in popular culture from the Philippines. Thanks! From:Wayne waynemoises@gmail.com

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMarch 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM

    Did you know Johnny Monteiro? I have two pictures of him. I only wish I would have known him.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mary EscanoNovember 27, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    I'm quite curious about 50's movies and the artistas. I think I saw some Johnny Monteiro movies when there was a TV program would show some Sampaguita Pictures movie (I think it was broadcasted every afternoon). I'd like to know what happened to Johnny Monteiro. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 12:02 AM

      He is the veteran actor of the 1950's era dubbed the Douglas Fairbanks of the Philippines in several films
      who portrayed as hero & villain in Philippine entertainment history died in San Francisco CA in 1981 since he left the Philippines after his film career. Thanks!
      From:Wayne waynemoises@gmail.com

      Delete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2014 at 5:56 PM

    Johnny monteiro was my movie hero in the 1950s. I was in high school then. Can anyone who knew Johnny post his biography?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 12:05 AM

      I am the big fan of Filipino films & television is my favorite show during my childhood years in the Philippines. Thanks!
      From:Wayne waynemoises@gmail.com

      Delete
  8. UnknownMarch 29, 2020 at 10:14 AM

    Ilike to watch Johnny Monteiros movies, even before h was still known as Juan.Monteiro. Enjoy so much to watch him as 'escrimador' in the movies.

    ReplyDelete