POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 124: JOSE PADILLA, JR., AMPARO KARAGDAG, WITH VIRGINIA MONTES, FRANKIE GORDON, DING TELLO, ANGEL SUNTAY IN "LIHIM NA BAYANI" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Lihim na Bayani" (1949)

Premiere Productions

Release Date January 1- 10, 1949/ Life

Direction Ramon A. Estella

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Amparo Karagdag, Virginia Montes, Frankie Gordon, Ding Tello, Angel Suntay

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, AMPARO KARAGDAG, WITH PRECIOSO PALMA, JAIME CASTELLVI, VIRAY, BAYANI CASIMIRO AND JOSE CRIS SOTO IN "CABALLERO" (1942)

"Caballero" (1942)

RDR Productions

Release Date Mach 1- 25, 1942/ Life Theater

Story Domingo Raymundo

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Amparo Karagdag/ with Precioso Palma, Jaime Castellvi, Viray, Bayani Casimiro and Jose Cris Soto

Rogelio de la Rosa in "Caballero" (1942)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES:FELY VALLEJO, RODOLFO RUIZ, AMPARO KARAGDAG, ERNESTO LA GUARDIA, WITH FRANCO GARCIA, BILLY VIZCARRA, NATI RUBI, GUILLERMO E. CARLS IN "KUNDIMAN" (1941)/ UPDATED

"Kundiman" (1941)

Excelsior Pictures, Inc

Release Date January 9-15, 1941/ Grand Theater

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.

From Dr. Francisco Santiago's composition

Story and screenplay Luis F. Nolasco

Direction Ramon Estella 

Cast Fely Vallejo, Rodolfo Ruiz, Amparo Karagdag, Ernesto La Guardia, Franco Garcia, Billy Vizcarra, Nati Rubi, Guillermo E. Carls

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: AMPARO KARAGDAG, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, TESSIE SANTOS, LINA ALVA,MANUEL BARBEYTO, AMELITA SOL, ROMAN REYES, RAFAEL PADILLA IN "CARIÑOSA" (1940)/ UPDATED

"Cariñosa" (1940)

Sanggumay Pictures
Release Date: October 7- 14, 1940/ Fox Theater

Music Constancio de Guzman
Director Carlos Padilla

Cast Amparo Karagdag, Leopoldo Salcedo, Tessie Santos, Lina Alva, Manuel Barbeyto, Amelita Sol, Roman Reyes, Rafael Padilla

(Images, from the collection of Dharyl Jim Jalos/ GMA Cavite)

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: AMPARO KARAGDAG, CARLOS PADILLA, WITH DINA VALLE, VILMA VIDES, NEMESIO CARAVANA, VICENTE SALUMBIDES IN "ANGHEL NA TUKSO" (1940)

Philippine movie fans are in for a revelation as Amparo Karagdag, noted Manila socialite, makes her stunning screen debut in “Anghel Na Tukso”—a picture destined to unveil a genuine screen luminary.

From the very beginning, Karagdag captivates audiences—not with sweetness, but with fiery contempt and feminine guile. Yet, as the story unfolds, those same audiences will find themselves moved to tears by the tragic fate that befalls her. Her portrayal reveals not merely talent, but the natural depth and brilliance of a born actress—the inimitable Amparo Karagdag.

Opposite her is Carlos Padilla, who gives a compelling performance as a cold, detached young man—one untouched by earthly passions—until the irresistible allure of the glamorous Corazon Cielo awakens in him a burning desire.

Synopsis:

Not contented with love of her suitor Rodrigo Rubi (Nemesio Caravana), Corazon Cielo (Amparo Karagdag) craves to alienate the affection of Narciso Gloria (Carlos Padilla) lover of Lagrimas Cielo (Dina Valle) her sister. Corazon has made up her mind to win debonair Narciso Gloria at all cost. 

Corazon completes her sinister scheme to plot against her own sister. She lures Narciso into her love-trap blindly. Corazon makes a headway in her infamous plan to win the favor of the lover of her sister. Her tempting, captivating and sweet smiles converted Narciso into a slave of her of passionate infatuation. Corazon finally succeeded in leading Narciso to the altar and say "Yes, I do." 

Later, she had a daughter whom she named Lila Gloria (Vilma Vides). Corazon turned over a new leaf and became a model wife. But, circumstances conspired against her. Rodrigo, her first fiance, came in between her and Narciso. The happiness and peace of their home was crashed to bits as Rodrigo executed his dishonest designs. Corazon was forced by adverse twist of destiny; live with her former suitor, Rodrigo. 

She cannot forget her Lila, her daughter. She loves her dearly. After four years, she discovered that Lila has made a name as a singing actress. Lila will sing at the biggest theatre (Metropolitan) in the city. The performance was a huge success. But, Narciso stopped Corazon's attempt to meet her daughter to offer her a bouquet.

One day, Corazon tried to meet and talk to her daughter. She swore to Narciso that she would not reveal her identity to Lila. She posed as a reporter and requested an interview with the young actress. 

The two (mother and child) talked with each other. Corazon could hardly speak. Her heart throbbed with excessive joy. Lila told the reporter that her mother, died when she was still a baby. She was not even allowed by her father to visit her mother's grave. 

Corazon shot Rodrigo to death when he tried to tear off Lila’s picture. At last, Lila recognized her own mother in a train accident.

(The Tribune, March 17, 1940)

"Anghel na Tukso" (1940)

Salumbides Film Co., Ltd.

Release Date March 17, 1940/ Metropolitan Theater

Story Carlos Padilla, Nemesio Caravana

Direction Nemesio Caravana

Cast Amparo Karagdag, Carlos Padilla, with Dina Valle, Vilma Vides, Nemesio Caravana, Vicente Salumbides and others