Considered the first of the popular ‘atomic mutation gone wild’ genre, Tuko sa Madre Kakaw caught the fancy and imagination of Pinoy viewers at the time it was shown in the late 50s. Shown in 1959, the same year, another movie, Anak ng Bulkan (about a monster bird in a rampage of destruction) was released.
Character actor Vic Diaz played the role of a mad biologist who plotted to conquer the world and destroy mankind by formulating a serum or formula that could increase the size of animals a hundred times. He tested it on a ‘tuko’ or gecko which turned into a giant menacing reptile.
Diaz reminded me of another bald-headed actor, Albert Dekker, the lead star in Dr. Cylcops (1940). Dekker, like Diaz also essayed the role of a mad scientist. Dekker, this time, shrinked human beings to a tiny size or a fraction of their normal size.
"Tuko sa Madre Kakaw" (1959)
LVN Pictures
Release Date February 24-March 5, 1959/ Dalisay
Story Clodualdo del Mundo
Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks
Music Lt. Col A. Buenaventura
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Nita Javier, Willie Sotelo, Hector Reyes, Luz Valdez, Oscar Obligacion and Vic Diaz/ with Elena Balmori, Caridad Sanchez, Priscilla Ramirez, Jose Troni, Mrs. Bagabaldo
"Tuko sa Madre Kakaw"
Nobela ni Clodualdo del Mundo
Guhit nina Fred Carillo at Teny Henson
Inilathala sa Hiwaga Komiks / 1958
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