JOSEPH 'ERAP' ESTRADA DOES A "DIRTY HARRY"

"Kill the Pushers" (1972)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Pilar Pilapil, Rosemarie Gil, Vic Silayan, Ruben Rustia, Romeo Rivera, Ruel Vernal, Zenaida Amador/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

Joseph Estrada was at his best appearing in ‘tough guy’ roles after striking it big as “Asiong Salonga” in 1961. He was rough and mean in movies like North Harbor (1961), Pulong Diablo (1963), Basagulero (1963); Geron Busabos: Ang Batang Quiapo (1964); Batang Angustia (1965); Batang Iwahig (1966) and many more where he essayed the role of a ‘kanto boy.’ However in the 70s and 80s, Estrada chose to do light-comedy films (remember the Tatay na si Erap series, Erap is my Guy, Mamang Sorbetero, among others) and more of a Dirty Harry type of movies, where he portrayed a determined and dedicated law enforcer. He did quite a number of these movies starting with Kill the Pushers in 1972 and so on with Panic (1973), Ranson (1974), among others.

"Dragnet" (1973)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Eva Reyes, Tsing Tong Tsai, Grace Chua, Vic Silayan, Ruben Rustia, Romy Diaz, Subas Herrero/ Directed by Armando Garces

"Panic!" (1973)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Rosanna Ortiz, Liza Lorena, Dindo Fernando, Sonny Cortez, Ruben Rustia, Cristina Reyes, Romeo Rivera, Zenaida Amador, Subas Herrero and Jun Mariano/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

"Ransom!!" (1974)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Helen Gamboa, Eddie Garcia, Dindo Fernando and Rosanna Ortiz/ with Vic Silayan, Anita Linda/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Left- "The Manila Connection" (1974)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Rosemarie, George Estregan, Anna Gonzales, Paquito Diaz and Leopoldo Salcedo/ with Vic Silayan, Anita Linda, Carlos Padilla, jr., Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Right- "Counter Kill" (1975)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Tara Fonseca/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

Left- "Dateline Chicago: Arrest the Nurse Killer!" (1976)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Pilar Pilapil, Marilyn Herrs, Garret Blake, J.C. Marshall, Debbie Brinson/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Right- "Yakuza Contract" (1978)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Trixia Gomez, Charlie Davao, Martha Sevilla, Maricel Soriano/ Directed byCesar Gallardo

Left- "Warrant of Arrest" (1980)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Boots Anson-Roa, Paquito Diaz, Ernie Zarate, Ruel Vernal, Ruben Rustia, Nello Nayo/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

Right- "Order to Kill" (1985)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Vivian Velez and Eddie Garcia/ with Bomber Moran, Fred Montilla, Suzanne Gonzales, Nona Herrera, Angelo Castro, Jr./ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura