THE TOP BAD GUY IS A GOOD GUY, MAX ALVARADO AS "MAX DIAMOND" (1967)/ UPDATED AND REPOSTED

One of the rare times local filmdom's top bad guy, Max Alvarado starred as a good guy in a movie. He is "Max Diamond," as the blurb says, "a good man who seeks the identity of the bad man with his face" in this 1967 movie. More on him as a good guy in this link.

"Max Diamond" (1967)

Gemini Pictures

Story and Direction Ben Feleo

Cast Max Alvarado, Perla Bautista, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Alicja Basili, Larry Silva, Joaquin Fajardo, Rocco Montalban, Norma Ledesma and Marissa Delgado

THE SIXTIES # 467: BEN PEREZ, GLORIA SEVILLA, REY RUIZ, MARTIN MARFIL AND AIDA ROXAS (IN HER FIRST STARRING ROLE) IN "GAHAMAN" (1964)

 

"Gahaman" (1964)

Pauline's Productions

Release Date January 21, 1964/ Boulevard

Story and Screenplay Reynaldo Paulino

Direction Ricky Villanueva

Cast Ben Perez, Gloria Sevilla, Rey Ruiz, Martin Marfil and Aida Roxas (in her first starring Role)/ Also Starring Bruno Punzalan, Ely nakpil, Ding Tello, Flor Bien, Blackie Francisco, Bino Garcia, Jess Montalban, Tony Blade, Chito Reyes and Bert Olivar with Nora Nunez, Cynthia Villamor, Conrado Gumen, Rudy Suarez and Bicho and Buche

(Movie Ad- Courtesy of James dela Rosa/ Baul ni Juan)

THE SIXTIES # 466: FERNANDO POE, JR., AMALIA FUENTES, TONY FERRER, REBECCA, MAX ALVARADO, ALBERTO ALONZO AND JESS LAPID IN "WALANG HANGGAN !" (1964)

"Walang Hanggan !" (1964)

Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions

Release Date January 21, 1964/ Globe

Music Tony Maiquez

Story and Direction Alex M. Sunga

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Amalia Fuentes/ Also Starring Tony Ferrer, Rebecca, Max Alvarado and Jess Lapid/ Co-starring Rosario del Pilar, Arnold Mendoza, Mila Montanez, Alberto Alonzo, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles/ Co-Starring Mary Walter, Nello Nayo, Justina David, Pedro Faustino, Naty Alcaraz, Sammy Sarmiento, Nort Nepomuceno, Greg Lansang, Rudy Dominguez, Steve Alcarado, Sander Flores, Chito Ledesma, Elena Razon, Ruben Tizon/ Featuring Dencio Padilla, Tony Cruz/ with a cast of thousands

1964: "ANG MGA MEDALYA NI JESS LAPID" NI MILA A. PARAWAN/ LITERARY SONG-MOVIE MAGAZINE

Ang mga medalya ni Jess Lapid ay hindi ang sagisag ng katapangan sa pakikidigma, kundi ang kanyang mga pilat ng sugat na tinamo sa mga siyuting ng pelikulang nilalabasan sa hangaring maging makatotohanan at makasining ang tagpo.

Si Jess Lapid ay hinirang at tinaguriang isa sa mga hari ng bakbakan sa Pelikulang Pilipino noong dekada 60.

ANG MGA MEDALYA NI JESS LAPID 

Sinulat ni Mila A. Parawan
Literary Song-Movie Magazine
Oktubre 1, 1964

Sa isang kawal ang medalya ay sagisag ng katapangan. At si Jess Lapid, sumisikat na bagong bituin ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang, bagama't hindi kawal, ay may mga medalyang matatawag. Mga medalyang sagisag din ng katapangan. Mga medalyang nakaukit sa kanyang katawan, sapagka’t iyon ay mga pilat ng mga sugat na nakuha niya sa mga shooting ng pelikula.

"Kim" (1957)

Katulad nang ginagawa nila ang pelikulang “Kim” sa Saigon. Sa isang eksena ruon ay nagpanghamok sila ni Efren Reyes, ang pangunahing tauhan ng kasaysayan sa isang dalampasigan. Sa isang suntok ni Efren ay kailangang mapasubsob si Jess sa buhanginan. Hindi nila napansin ang kabibing nakaumang sa babagsakan ni Jess. Dulo tuloy, nahagip niyon ang kaliwang kilay ni Jess. Ang akala ni Jess ay mabubulag na siya noon din. Awa naman ng Diyos ay hindi napinsala ang kanyang mata.  At nang gumaling ay nag-iwan iyon ng isang pilat sa kaliwang kilay ni Jess.

"Hongkong Honeymoon" (1960)

Ang pilat naman ni Jess sa may noo ay nakuha niya sa pelikulang “Hong Kong Honeymoon" na pinagtambalan nina Shirley Gorospe at Zaldy Zshornack. Sa isang eksenang suntukan ay napalaban si Jess at sa pag-ilag niya sa isang dram ng langis na kanyang mabubunggo  ay nakayod siya tuloy sa may noo ng isang nakausling pako ng bakod.

"Bisaya Man" 1960)

Nang magsiyuting naman sila sa Cebu City ng pelikulang “Bisaya Man" na pinagtambalan nina Zaldy Zshomack at Edita Clomera, si Jess ay napabilang na naman sa mga isinama ng pangkat. Isang araw ay nagkaruon sila ng shooting sa isang bar doon. Upang di tumawag ng pansin ng publiko ay ikinubli ng mga tauhan ang kamera. Ang may-ari lamang ng bar ang nakaaalam at mga tauhan nito. Kasalukuyang umiikot ang kamera nang may pumasok na isang barkadang siga sa pook na iyon. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, nainis ang barkada kay Zaldy at nagkaruon ng mainit na palitan ng salita. Ang kanilang direktor naman, sa kagustuhahg maging natural ang eksenang kukunan nila na ganoon ang tagpo ay binayaan na iyon at pinaikot ang kamera. Nguni’t nabigla sila nang makita nilang nagbunot ng de beinte-nuebe ang isang katalo ni Zaldy at sumugod iyon ng saksak. Si Jess na katabi lamang ni Zaldy ay nagging maagap sa paghadlang upang iligtas si Zaldy nguni’t nahagip din siya ng patalim sa kanang braso Nasugatan siya at nang maghilom iyon ay nagkaruon si Jess ng pilat na tatlong pulgada ang haba sa kalamnan ng kanyang kaliwang braso. Akala ng mga nanood ng pelikulang “Bisaya Man" ay kunwari lang ang dugong umagos sa braso ni Jess, hindi nila nalamang totoong dugo na iyon. Ang eksena ay hindi na binago, naging lubhang natural iyon.

Matagal  ding nanatili si Jess bilang isang “bit-player” sa bakuran ng  Premiere Production. Huling pelikula niya ang "Huwag mo Akong Limutin" bilang  bit-player sa Premiere at sa panahong ito ay lalong nadagdagan ang mga medalyang iniingatan ni Jess sa iba't ibang bahagi ng kanyang katawan.

"Dead or Alive" (1960)

Dumating  ang magandang pagkakataon nang bigyan siya ng  isang supporting role sa pelikulang “Dead or Alive" ni Direktor Alex Sunga. Nguni’t si Ronnie Poe ang masasabing nagbigay sa kanya ng pagkakataon upang gumanap bilang isang kontrabida sa pelikulang “Pasong Diablo”. 

"Pasong Diablo" (1961)

"Mga Tigreng Taga-Bukid" (1962)

At, nang itatag  ang samahang Tagalog Ilang-Ilang, ay isa si Jess sa mga kaunaunahang tanhan ng samahang naturan. Sa ilalim ng bandila ng Taga1og Ilang-Ilang nakilala si Jess bilang isang kontrabida. Sabihin pa, lalong nalantad ang katawan ni Jess sa panganib. Akala nga ni Jess noong una ay ligtas na siya sa mga disgrasya dahil sa pangalawa na siya sa bida, nguni’t nagkamali siya. Ang pelikulang “Mga Tigreng Taga-bukid” ay nag-iwan din ng isang pilat kay Jess sa may likod niya. At sa isang eksena sa pelikulang “Suicide Commando," si Jess ay nagkaruon din ng medalya sa kanang binti.

"Suicide Commandoes" (1962)

Palibhasa’y dating stuntman, nang kinakailangang tumalon si Jess sa isang mataas na bahagi ng isang paltok na siyang kailangan sa eksena, ay wala siyang pasubaling sumunod sa hinihingi ng eksena. At nangyari ang hindi inaasahan. Nasabit ang kanyang pantalong nawakwak at nakayod ang kanan niyang binti. Dalawa’t kalahating pulgada, ang iniwang pilat niyon. Buti na lang at inaka pantalon siya ng patig, kung hindi, ay malamang na mas mahaba at malalim ang naging pilat niya sa aksidenting iyon.

"Sierra Madre" (1963)

Habang nararagdagan ang mga pilat na ito ni Jess Lapid sa katawan ay lumalawak naman ang kanyang kaalaman sa larangan ng pelikula. Ang kaalamang ito ang naghatid ng magandang kapalaran sa kanya. Unti-unti siyang naihanay sa mga tigasing kontrabida hanggang sa di nagtagal ay binigyan siya ng pagka-kataon ni Ronnie upang maging ganap na bituin sa pelikulang "Sierra Madre". Inakala na naman ni Jess na sapagka’t bida na siyang maituturing ay simula na upang hindi na siya magkaruon pa ng pilat sapagka't bida na nga siya. Alam ni Jess na para hindi mabinbin ang pelikula kung sila'y nadidisgrasya ay kailangan nilang magkaruon ng double. Nguni't nagkamali na naman siya sapagka't kailan lamang ay nadagdagan na naman ang mga "medalya" niya. 

"Ito ang Lalake" (1964)

Sa shooting ng "Ito ang Lalaki” 'ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang, si Jess ay nabalian naman ng tuhod nang sa isang eksena ay kailangan niyang talunin ang may 36 na talampakang taas ng isang tulay upang makaiwas sa isang dumarating na tren. Kung sabagay, masasabing kasalanan na rin ni Jess ang pangyayaring iyon sapagka't katulad ng dati ay ayaw ni Jess ang may double kaya't bunga ng aksidenting iyon ay naospital siya ng isang linggo at nai-cast tuloy ang kanyang kaliwang binti upang maisauli  ang nalinsad na buto nito. May naiwan ding pilat ang nasabing aksidenting iyon sa kanyang tuhod. Dulo tuloy nito ay nabinbin ang shooting ng “Ito ang Lalaki” at ang pelikulang “Deadly Brothers" na kapwa pinangungunahan ni Jess Lapid.

"Deadly Brothers" (1964)

see: Jess Lapid vs. Jun Aristorenas: Kidlat vs. Tigre
see: July 13, 1968: Jess Lapid Slain in Q.C.

THE SIXTIES # 465: JOSE PADILLA, JR., OLIVIA CENIZAL, CAROL VARGA, RAMON D'SALVA, ARURAY AND VILMA SANTOS AS MARS RAVELO'S "GING" (1963): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

"Ging" (1964)
People's Pictures, Inc.
Release Date January 20, 1964/ Dalisay
Story Mars Ravelo
Serialized in Liwayway Magazines
Screenplay Teodorico C. Santos
Music Tony Maiquez
Direction Cirio H. Santiago and Teodorico C. Santos
Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Olivia Cenizal, Carol Varga, Ramon D' Salva, Aruray and Vilma Santos (in the title role)/ Also Starring Etang Discher, George Quizon, Ponga, Jose Garcia, Paquito Salcedo/ Featuring Eva Montes, Marvin Molina, Pol Todd (as Dinky)

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In 1963, prolific komiks writer Mars Ravelo came up with a beautiful novel titled, Ging, a poignant story of a poor gifted girl, trying to make both ends meet by singing and dancing in crowded streets and cafeterias. It was one of the popular komiks serial that time that eventually landed into the big screen in 1964 with nine or ten-year old Vilma Santos in the lead role. It was a terrific follow-up to her highly successful debut film, Trudis Liit in 1963.


Here’s a glimpse of that well-read and closely followed novel as it appeared on the pages of Liwayway Magazine with artist Elpidio Torres illustrating.

 click images to enlarge

Liwayway/ June 10, 1963

THE SIXTIES # 464: JOSEPH ESTRADA, PERLA BAUTISTA, JOHNNY MONTEIRO, VIC DIAZ AND JOSE PADILLA, JR. IN "BERDUGO NG MGA MATON" (1964)

"Berdugo ng ga Maton" (1964)

Lea Productions

Release Date January 19, 1964/ Center

True Facts: From the files of the M.P.D. (Manila Finest)

Story and Screenplay Augusto Buenaventura

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Joseph Estrada, Perla Bautista, Johnny Monteiro, Vic Diaz and Jose Padilla, Jr./ Also Starring Joe Garcia, Anel Confiado, Poleng Mendoza

POE-VERGARA ROMANCE/ ON THE YOUNG POE: "THEY CALL HIM 'MR. TROUBLE' BUT... RONNIE HAS CHANGED!"/ 1959

1959--- Fernando Poe, Jr. and Leonor Vergara, both young and in their late teens, were romantically linked during the early part of their movie career. As contract stars of Premiere Productions, the two were often paired and eventually fell in love. Leonor was greatly responsible for Poe's transformation, changing the actor gradually for the better. There were rumors then that the two will be getting married in a year or two.

Kislap-Graphic Magazine

May 13, 1959

They call him "Mr. Trouble" but... Ronnie Has Changed 
by Rudy Azanza  
Kislap-Graphic / May 13, 1959

No one in the local movies has taken a more severe beating from scandal writers and radio commentators than Fernando Poe Jr. whom they tried to picture before the public as an undisciplined and temperamental character. Whenever he got mixed up in any untoward incident, they were quick to point him out as the cause of the trouble.

Ronnie, as Fernando Poe Jr. is popularly known at Premiere studio, is glad that all the criticisms hurled at him did not destroy him at the box-office. The adverse publicity drove friends away, although all he wanted with them was nice clean fun. There were times too when his mother watched him closely against mischief.

Today, Ronnie has caused a lot of eye-raising at his home studio. Unpredictable before, he is now a very affable individual. He no longer frequents his former haunts and, if he goes there at all, he is always in the company of older people.

A former heavy drinker, Ronnie now satisfies himself with two bottles of beer at the studio canteen every Friday when he goes to collect his pay. When not working, he stays home and plays basketball with neighborhood chums or sweats it out in a gym to improve his well-built physique. Instead of going out with teenagers, Ronnie now goes to movies alone. He tries to be inconspicuous when he goes downtown.

Premiere studio executives and directors are glad about the change in Ronnie. To them he is one of their most consistent box-office attractions along with Zaldy Zshornack and Eddie Mesa.

Over this change no one is happy than Ronnie himself. He finds living like a normal teenager good for his career. He now has enough hours to study his scripts. Even people who remember him as a natural troublemaker have changed their opinion of him.

Actually, Ronnie has never been one to look for trouble. He severely did not like being pushed around. Always frank, he calls a spade a spade, and a jerk, a jerk. Because of this, many who did not like him tried to get back at him by provoking him into fights. They wanted to wreck his career. Many envied him for his achievements and popularity and they heckled or sneered at him. He replied with his fists.

Ronnie is not aware that had he been more diplomatic before, he would not have been assailed by his critics as bitterly as they did. He was too young to understand that to get along with people one must give way to others once in a while.

When his father was alive, Ronnie was never allowed to mingle with actors and actresses. His father wanted him to concentrate on his school work. Fernando Poe Sr. seldom discussed movie life in Ronnie’s presence, but before he died of hydrophobia in 1951, he told Ronnie, 11 at the time, to carry on his work.

When Ronnie first appeared in the movies in 1955 as a swashbuckling hero in Anak in Palaris, he little knew that he would someday take his father’s place. But Ronnie’s rise to prominence did not make him conscious of his father’s way. He chose to be himself. To make up for what he failed to do in his four years as a movie actor, Ronnie is now doing his best to develop tolerance, diplomacy, tact and temperance. His father was loved by people in the movie industry for those qualities.

There is also a girl who wields a tremendous influence on Ronnie. This girl has advised him to stop drinking and going around with former buddies who had dragged him into trouble before. So strong is this girl’s influence on Ronnie that he even selects his clothes according to her taste.

Ronnie Poe and Leonor Vergara

Ronnie would not reveal the name of his loved one. But judging from his attentions upon Leonor Vergara, another Premiere star, with whom he had been romantically linked for several months now, it seems that she might be it. Since they got acquainted, Ronnie has changed gradually for the better. The only thing which Ronnie admits about Leonor is that “she is thoughtful, conservative and would make a good wife for the right man.”

Premierites do not know which is the stronger influence on Ronnie. The memory of his father or the girl he adores. Whichever it is, however, is nothing to think about. What matters is it will make him more popular and provide him a more fruitful career in the future. If Ronnie duplicates or surpasses his father’s achievements later, it can be no surprise. He has the talents and determination to do it.

Poe and Vergara appeared together in 8 movies---

"Kamay ni Cain" (1957)

"H-Line Gang" (1957)

"Pepeng Kaliwete" (1958)

"May Pasikat Ba Sa Kano" (1958)

"Laban sa Lahat" (1958)

Fernando Poe, Jr. and Leonor Vergara in "Laban sa Lahat-" (1958)

 "Bon Voyage" (1958)

"Rolling Rockers" (1959)

"Pitong Gatang" (1959)

Trivia: 1960--- Leonor Vergara's sudden marriage to Danny Zialcita jolted everyone. Leonor was romantically linked to Fernando Poe, Jr., while Danny was reported to be the former boyfriend of Charito Solis. Ms. Solis later on, became the girlfriend of Poe.

Kislap Movies/ October 1960 

THE SIXTIES # 463: JOSEPH ESTRADA, MAGGIE DE LA RIVA, EDDIE GARCIA, MAX ALVARADO AND PAQUITO DIAZ IN "ENCUENTRO" (1964)

"Encuentro" (1964)

JE Productions, Inc.

Release Date January 12, 1964/ Boulevard

Story and Screenplay Fred Navarro

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Joseph Estrada, Maggie de la Riva, Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado and Paquito Diaz/ with Oscar Keesee (in a very special role), Tony Cruz, Jr., Naty Bernardo, Bebong Osorio, Ben 'Boyet' Mercado, Avel Morado, Nita Carmona, Nort Nepomuceno, Ruben Ramos,/ Introducing Lorna Lorenzana

YOUR FAVORITE LEADING MEN AND LEADING LADIES/ YEAR 1965

Some of  your favorite  leading men and leading ladies of Philippine Movies  that hugged the limelight in the 60s. Who is your favorite actor and actress?

THE SIXTIES # 462: BERNARD BONNIN, LOURDES MEDEL, ROBERT CAMPOS, JOSE VERGARA, ROD NAVARRO IN "KILABOT MAGHIGANTI" (1964)

"Kilabot Maghiganti" (1964)

Dalisay Pictures, Inc.

Release Date January 10, 1964/ Dalisay

Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine

Screenplay Bert Mendoza

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Story and Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Bernard Bonnin, Lourdes Medel, Robert Campos/ Also Starring Jose Vergara, Rod Navarro, Caridad Sanchez, Lucita Soriano and Malony Antonio/ Guest star- Miguel Anzures

THE SIXTIES # 461: RONALD REMY, HELEN GAMBOA, SAMMY BARRETTO, EVA DARREN AND GLORIA SEVILLA IN "NAGNGANGALIT NA DAMDAMIN" (1964)

"Nagngangalit na Damdamin" (1964)

Larry Santiago Productions, Inc.

Release Date January  9-17, 1964/ Center

A DZXL Radio Serial

Music Tito Arevalo

Story and Direction Jose Miranda Cruz

Cast Ronald Remy, Helen Gamboa, Sammy Barretto, Eva Darren and Gloria Sevilla/ Co-Starring Mary Walter, Lolita Lopez, Francisco Cruz, Dely Villanueva/ Guest Stars- Oscar Keesee, Jose Vergara, Vic Andaya, Rolando Liwanag

MARLENE DAUDEN: ONE OF THE PHILIPPINE CINEMA'S DRAMA ICONS/ 1965

1965: Marlene Dauden is one of the hottest star materials in town today. She has been appearing in one box-office hit after another. After her contract expired with Sampaguita Pictures years ago, she sort of “hibernated” while doing her own productions--- three darling daughters. 

But the call of show business in her blood was too strong to deny so she guested in some pictures like The Reycard Duet Story and Tatlong Siga. Then, in succession---  Sapagka’t kami’y Tao Lamang, Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso, Iginuhit  sa Buhangin, and Milarosa. She is presently busy working on two assignments, Sa Oras ng Kadiliman and Ang Bukas ay Akin. 

Marlene is the rare and perfect combination of a successful career woman and a dutiful and happy housewife. What more can you ask for?

(Source: Spotlight on Show Business/ 1965)

"Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang" (1963)

"Sa Bawa't Pintig ng Puso " (1964)

"Iginuhit sa Buhangin" (1965)

"Milarosa" (1965)

 "Sa Oras ng Kadiliman" (1965)

see: Marlene Dauden: 50s and 60s Drama Icon

see: The Troika of Eddie, Lolita and Marlene