THE FIFTIES # 104: LANI PADILLA, ROBERTO RICO, PURA FLOR IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "MGA BITUIN NG KINABUKASAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

 "Mga Bitiin ng Kinabukasan" (1952)

Nepomuceno Productions

Release Date January 21- 30, 1952/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Lani Padilla, Roberto Rico, Pura Flor

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: SERAFIN GARCIA, VIOLETA HERMOSA, WITH MARIA MIRANDA, MARTINA JIMENES, ROSARIO CORTEZ, ALFREDO JAVIER IN "SINGSING NA PANGKASAL" (1941)/ UPDATED

“Singsing na Pangkasal,” the acclaimed Tagalog novel by Lazaro Francisco, has been adapted into a major motion picture by pioneer filmmaker Jose Nepomuceno for Acuña-Zaldarriaga Productions. The film faithfully brings to life the novel’s beloved characters through an all-star cast led by Serafin Garcia, Violeta Hermosa, and Maria Miranda.

The story centers on a dramatic love triangle: two women deeply in love with the same man—one with gentle devotion and the other with fiery passion. Their conflicting affections divide the man and form the emotional core of the film.

Highly regarded since its publication in Liwayway, the novel won a special prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest and attracted strong interest from film producers. The movie features vigorous drama, romance, action, and beautiful musical numbers composed by Julio Esteban Anguita and arranged by B. Custodio, all produced under Nepomuceno’s technical direction.

The movie was released and shown at Dalisay Theater, March 7, 1941.

"Singsing na Pangkasal" (1941)

AZ (Acuna/Zaldarriaga) Productions
Release Date March 7- 13/ Dalisay Theater

Story Lazaro Francisco

Music Julio Anguita
Director Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Serafin Garcia, Violeta Hermosa, with Maria Miranda, Martina Jimenes, Rosario Cortez, Alfredo Javier

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

(Movie flyer- 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: FERNANDO POE, LUCITA GOYENA, LUNINGNING, SERAFIN GARCIA, WITH PRECIOSO PALMA, BEN RUBIO, CECILIO JOAQUIN, ROLANDO LIWANAG, MARTINA JIMENEZ IN "BIYAK NA BATO" (1939)

"Biyak na Bato" (1939)

X-Otic Films

Release Date Dec. 30, 1939- Jan. 9, 1940/ Metropolitan

Story Dr. Fausto Galauran 

Direction Jose Nepomuceno 

Cast Fernando Poe, Lucita Goyena, Luningning, Serafin Garcia, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin, Rolando Liwanag, Martina Jimenez, Juanito Lazaga, Matty Torres, Pedro Martinez, Andres Cetenero

Images courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor

"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: LUCITA GOYENA, REYNALDO DANTE, AMANDING MONTES, WITH ANDRES CENTENERA, PRECIOSO PALMA, JUANITO LAZAGA IN "KABAN NG TIPAN" (1939)/ UPDATED

Ang Kasaysayan:

Buhat sa katahimikan ng isang monasterio, siya'y tinukso ng daigdig...sinabik ang kanyang mata sa nakasisilaw na liwanag ng araw, kamay ng pag-ibig ang nagbukas ng kanyang puso, at siya'y nangarap... nangarap sa kaligayahang tatamuhin sa labas ng kumbento. Si Dolores ay tumakas! Hindi nilingon ang kanyang sumpa, naging isang mutya ng lipunan, pumagitna sa bilog na hapag upang umawit, magtalik, umindak!

Datapuwa't... pagkatapos ay saka nadilat ang kanyang mata... nagliwanag ang kanyang isip. Ang liwanag pala ng araw ay nawawala at nilalamon ng dilim, at ang kaligayahang kanyang pinapangarap ay isang malaki at matayog palang kastilyo sa himpapawid na niyari sa marupok at maitim na ulap... ang puso niyang malinis at sinugatan ng pag-ibig... tumulo ang kanyang luha, wasak ang dibdib na muling nilingon ang pinanggalingan... at siya'y bumalik! 

"Kaban ng Tipan" (1939)

X-Otic Films
Release Date: November 16, 1939/ Metropolitan Theater
Story Dr. Fausto J. Galauran

Director Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Lucita Goyena, Reynaldo Dante, Andres Centenera, Luningning, Amanding Montes, Precioso Palma, Juanito Lazaga

"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: LUCITA GOYENA, FERNANDO POE, ANGELITO NEPOMUCENO IN "LERON- LERON SINTA" (1939)

Designed for delightful and high-class entertainment, X-otic Flms' musical extravaganza, "Leron Leron Sinta," which opens at the Grand Theatre today, is filled to overflowing with heart-stirring pathos, thrill-packed action, uproarious comedy, entrancing melodies and a superb cast headed by the talented and precocious child star Angelito Nepomuceno, dark-eyed and lovely Lucita Goyena, and tall and handsome Fernando Poe.

Eduardo de Castro, ace-director whose fame has even reached abroad, directed with consummate skill this Teodoro Virrey dramatic story of a vaudeville artist's love affair with the scion of a rich family. Original musical compositions by Prof. Francisco Santiago, together with a modern version of the popular song, "Leron Leron Sinta," provides melodious interludes and background music to this photoplay which is destined to top even the greatest of all hits, "Punit na Bandila."

The story of "Leron Leron Sinta" presents Lucita Goyena as Naty, a vaudeville star, who has captivated the heart of a rich young medical student, Pepe, interpreted dashingly by Fernando Poe. Naturally in love, they do not reckon with the parental objection of Pepe's parents who, in the fashion of most well-to-do people, are prejudiced against actresses, especially vaudeville artists. Wise in intrigue, Pepe's parents, played by Benjamin Racelis and Martina Jimenez, pretend that they like Naty and apparently to show their sincerity, they take the vaudevile actress into the family. However, they convince the young lovers that for the sake of their future, Pepe must go abroad to study medicine. Unsuspectingly they agree. But once Pepe has left, his parents find excuse to send Naty out of their home. This sequence is sure to stir audiences to tears, for very heart-rending it is, and Miss Goyena acts her part with enough restraint to make the sequence realistically convincing. She carries in her bosom the fruit of hers and Pepe's love when she is driven away from Pepe's home. From this time on, her life becomes an endless rosary of tears, and even the consequent birth of Pepe's son does not lighten the situation for she dies a thousand deaths seeing her son help earn their livelihood by selling flowers. This son is skillfully portrayed by Angelito Nepomuceno.

(The Tribune, June 28, 1939)

"Leron-Leron Sinta" (1939)

X-Otic Films

Release Date June 28, 1939/ Grand Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe, Angelito Nepomuceno

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FERNANDO POE, LUCITA GOYENA, AMANDING MONTES, ANDRES CENTENERA, JOSE TRONI, PRECIOSO PALMA IN "PUNIT NA BANDILA" (1939)

The movie, "Punit ng Bandila, "an engrossing drama of military life in Baguio and Moroland," starred Fernando Poe, Lucita Goyena, Amanding Montes, Andres Centenera, Jose Troni and Precioso Palma.

The movie, directed by Jose Nepomuceno, was based from the story by Fausto J. Galauran.

It was released and shown at Metropolitan Theater, February 10, 1939.

"Punit na Bandila" (1939)

X'Otic Films

Release Date February 10, 1939

Story Fausto Galauran

Direction Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Fernando Poe, Lucita Goyena, Amanding Montes, Andres Centenera, Jose Troni, Precioso Palma

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CLARITA RIVERA (IN THE TITLE ROLE) AND TITA DURAN IN "MARIA ALIMANGO" (1938)

Clarita Rivera played the titular role of Maria in "Maria Alimango," the first local film based on a popular Filipino legend. Tita Duran co-starred, under the direction of Mari Lu.

The movie was released and shown at Grand Theater, September 28, 1938.

"Maria Alimango" (1938)

X'Otic Films

Release Date September 28, 1938/ Grand Theater

Under the technical administration of Jose Nepomuceno

Direction Mari Lu

Cast Clarita Rivera (in the title role) and Tita Duran

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CONSUELO SALAZAR, FERNANDO POE, WITH JOSE LUKBAN, FELIX MARKASIAR IN "ANG MAYA" (1938)

 "Great in songs and dances... acting of a higher order... spectacular in settings... truly an epochal Tagalog picture!," says the ad in this 1938 musical fantasy, "Ang Maya." The movie, directed by Jose Nepomuceno, starred Consuelo Salazar and Fernando Poe.

======================================================================

"Ang Maya," a musical hit of Excelsior Pictures, Inc. strikes a new note in entertainment and may be said to mark a turning point in the history of Philippine films. The picture has been showing before capacity crowds at the Grand Theatre.

For its music alone, music composed by Professor Jose Estella whose compositions have received recognition, the film, the first produced by Excelsior, is outstanding. Miss Consuelo Salazar, a coloratura soprano of unusual abilities, who is the star, rises to unheard of heights interpreting this music written for her... she is a new find in musical cinema. For its pageantry of native scenes and native dances, so beloved by the people, in which picturization Jose Nepomuceno, director of long experience, excels. "Ang Maya" is an achievement which will stand for some time.

 

A tender romance, between a poor girl and a rich boy, weaves together all the pieces that make up this entertainment vehicle. A jealous girl and relatives who are not so understanding nearly break this romance but at the end love rings in triumphant note only the mayas can sing. Above all, "Ang Maya" can make a claim to distinction for its high level of acting. All the leading players have interesting background and sufficient experience— all of them have university degrees, the first time such university graduates have been lured to the screen.

Miss Salazar is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music of the University of the Philippines. By her own right, she has given many concerts throughout the Philippines and has sung before the unseen radio audiences. Fernando Poe, the leading man, is another university graduate. He entered films via "Zamboanga" where be appeared with Rosa del Rosario. Jose Lukban, the boy in love, and Felix Markasiar are products of the U. P. Dramatic club which reached unprecedented heights during their time. To top it all, Alberto Cacnio, assistant director, besides being possessed of a degree, was once the president of the UP Dramatic club. He is well-grounded in dramatics. Mrs. Francisca Reyes Tolentino, who appears in the film, is the physical director of the University of the Philippines, while Mrs. Emilia Recio-Cruz is a professor of voice in the Conservatory of Music of the same university. 

(The Tribune, March 19, 1938)

"Ang Maya" (1938)

Excelsior Films

Release Date March 16, 1938/ Grand Theater

Music Prof. Jose Estela

Assistant Director Alberto Cacnio

Direction Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Consuelo Salazar, Fernando Poe, with Jose Lukban, Felix Makasiar

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "SAWING PALAD" (1932)

"Sawing Palad" (1934)
Release Date September 16- 18, 1934/ Grand Theater
Produced and Directed by Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ANA MARIA, CARLOS PADILLA, LORETA ANDRADA AND AQUILINO TUAZON IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "KAMAY NG DIOS" (1934)

"Kamay ng Dios" (1934)
Release Date March 2- 5, 1934/ Cine Tivoli
Story by Severino Reyes
Produced and Directed by Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Ana Maria, Carlos Padilla, Loreta Andrada and Aquilino Tuazon

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: VICENTE ALBO, LORETA ANDRADA, SOLDAD AQUINO, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN "ANG GANID" (1933)

"Ang Ganid"

Release Date December 8- 10, 1933/ Cine Tivoli

Produced and Directed by Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Vicente Albo, Loreta Andrada, Soledad Aquino, Rogelio de la Rosa

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARLOS PADILLA AND ROSITA RIVERA IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "MAKATA AT PARALUMAN" (1933)/ UPDATED

"Here's a picture that's full of thrills...of romance, laughter and tears... full of the promise of a really joyous evening! It is worth more than you pay to see it!" says the ad in this 1933 movie, "Makata at Paraluman (Poet and Maiden)," one of the first 100% talkies in the vernacular.

Produced by Malayan Studio, from the story by Franco Vera Reyes and direction by Jose Nepomuceno, the movie starred Carlos Padilla, Sr. and Rosita Rivera.

"Makata at Paraluman" (1933)

Malayan Studio
Release Date: April 5- 11, 1933

Story Franco Vera Perez

Director Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Carlos Padilla and Rosita Rivera

On August 3, 1929, Radio Theater presented the first talkie: Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanian Syncopation. However, this was achieved by merely synchronizing phonograph records with the film. The audience complained that the sound was faint and muffled in parts. The real sound film, however, was not long in coming. On October 12, 1929, Leon Britton, a British engineer, arrived in Manila with 35 cases of equipment and 35,000 feet of film. The next day, he presented a program of optically recorded sound films at the Lyric Theater: Rainbow Man, Steamboat Bill, The Marionettes at the Opera and A Trip to the London Zoo. Immediately after, a talkie fever swept Manila.

In order to compete with the foreign sound films, Filipino silents were dubbed live by stage actors and advertised as talkies.

Sound equipment was prohibitive by Filipino standards: it would take a few more years to import and master the technology. Despite these limitations, however, Filipino cinema took off and became the country’s most popular entertainment.

On March 4, 1930, Carlos Vander Tolosa presented his first film, Collegian Love. It is the first Filipino film to be synchronized with phonograph records. This proved to be immensely popular. By then, the competition to produce the first optically recorded talkie was underway.

Two years after Tolosa’s film, filmmakers were still grappling with the new technology. Jose Nepomuceno advertised his film, Sa Pinto ng Langit/At Heaven’s Gate, as the first talkie, but this turned out to be a false claim. A visiting Hollywood director, Arthur Thompson, announced he was shooting a sound film with Virginia Spencer, a cousin of Hollywood star Belle Bennett. A Filipino-American, Jessie Matthews, who worked with Cecile B. De Mille in Hollywood, set up Paragon Pictures. However, he only got to finish his first film, Dinukot/Kidnapped, a silent, in 1934.

The first film made in the Philippines to feature optically recorded sound was George Musser’s Ang Aswang/Vampire. In 1932, Musser imported php 50,000 worth of optical sound equipment and turned his house into a studio. He spent a year shooting the film with Charles Miller as his cinematographer and William Smith as his soundman. Despite its Tagalog title, the film was actually recorded in Spanish and English. The film opened to acclaim at the Lyric on January 1, 1933. Unfortunately, according to some observers, the sound was sometimes out of sync and inaudible.

Also in 1933, Leon Britton returned to Manila to shoot a talkie, Children of the Philippines.

In 1933, two Americans, George Harris and Eddie Tait, embarked on a plan to make Manila the film capital of Asia. Using Manila as their base, they envisioned the production of films not only for the Philippines but also for Indonesia, Malaya and China. The initial venture, a partnership with Jose Nepomuceno, was to attach a soundtrack to Nepomuceno’s half-finished film, Punyal na Ginto/The Golden Dagger. This was followed by 100 percent talkies in the vernacular: Makata at Paraluman/Poet and Maiden and Dr. Kuba/Dr. Hunchback.

(Source: The URIAN Anthology/ 1990-1999)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: DON DANON, ROSA DEL ROSARIO IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "DOCTOR KUBA" (1933)

Based from the story by Fausto J. Galauran, "Doctor Kuba," a mystery-thriller, was released in 1933 as one of the first 100% talkies in the vernacular. Produced under Jose Nepomuceno Production, the movie starred Don Danon and Rosa del Rosario. It made its theatrical run at Cine Tivoli, June 9- 13, 1933.

"Doctor Kuba" (1933)

Jose Nepomuceno Production

Release Date June 9- 13, 1933/ Cine Tivoli

Story Fausto J. Galauran

Cast Don Danon, Rosa del Rosario

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, MANUEL BARBEITO, NORMA DEL ROSARIO IN "LANTANG BULAKLAK" (1932)

"She made every effort to conceal her sufferings. But one day her parents found her weeping in front of the altar... One night she disappeared. No one knew what happened to her... until one day...," says this ad in this harrowing drama, "Lantang Bulaklak," a sequel to "Ligaw na Bulaklak." 

The movie starred Rosa del Rosario, Manuel Barbeito, Norma del Rosario. It was shown at Cine Tivoli, November 13- 15, 1932.

"Lantang Bulaklak" (1932)

Jose Nepomuceno Production & Malayan Pictures Corporation

Release Date November 13- 15, 1932/ Cine Tivoli

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Manuel Barbeito, Norma del Rosario

RARE PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIE FLYERS # 33: ROSA DEL ROSARIO AND ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN "TIANAK" (1932)/ UPDATED

"A picture that will thrill you over and over. The first picture of its kind to be filmed," says the blurb in this 1932 silent movie, Jose Nepomuceno's "Tianak." It starred Rosa del Rosario, who appeared later in 1951 as Darna and opposite, a very young Rogelio de la Rosa. The movie was released in September 30, 1932 at Cine Tivoli.

"Tianak" (1932)
Release Date September 30, 1932/ Tivoli
Direction by Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Rosa del Rosario and Rogelio de la Rosa 

Image courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor

"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: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, TINA DEL ROSARIO, PAQUITO VILLA, AZUCENA PERFECTO AND LUBIN NEPOMUCENO IN "LIGAW NA BULAKLAK" (1932)

"A sad story of an orphan school girl... a drama of love---full of intrigue, hate, passion, vengeance...," says the ad in this 1932 silent film, "Ligaw na Bulaklak."

Rogelio de la Rosa, only 15 at that

time, was cast by his uncle, a film director, in a starring role opposite Rosa

del Rosario.

Produced by Malayan Pictures, the movie was

released September 16 at Cine Tivoli.

 

"Ligaw na Bulaklak" (1932)

Malayan Pictures Corporation

Release Date September 16- 18, 1932/ Tivoli

Story Fausto Galauran

Direction Jose Nepomuceno

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Rogelio de la Rosa, Tina del Rosario, Paquito Villa and kids, Azucena Perfecto And Lubin Nepomuceno

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: "PUNYAL NA GINTO" (1933): FIRST TAGALOG ALL-TALKIE FILM

Punyal na Ginto, released and shown in 1933, was the first Tagalog sound movie or completely “all talking” photoplay. Produced by Felix Paterno and Francisco Santamaria, under Malayan Pictures Corporation, the movie starred Alma Bella, Tina del Rosario and Carlos Padilla under Jose Nepomuceno direction. Exhibited at the Lyric Theater on the Escolta, this production was made possible with the importation of American technicians and sound camera equipment by two American businessmen and promoters, George F. Harris and Stewart “Eddie” Tait of the Tait Shows carnival fame.

(Source: A Movie Album Quizbook/ Jessie B. Garcia)

"Punyal na Ginto" (1933)
Malayan Pictures Corporation
Release Date: March 9, 1933/ Lyric Theater
Director Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Alma Bella and Carlos Padilla

THE FIRSTS IN PHILIPPINE CINEMA # 1: DALAGANG BUKID (1919)

Malayan Movies’ Dalagang Bukid, directed by Jose Nepomuceno, was the first Tagalog feature film. Based on dramatist Hermogenes Ilagan’s popular zarzuela, the movie starred Honorata “Atang” De La Rama and Marceliano Ilagan. It started its exhibition run on September 25, 1919 at the Empire Theater.

Honorata 'Atang' De La Rama

in "Dalagang Bukid" Circa 1919

Atang de la Rama (1902-1991), Honorata de la Rama in real life, was born in Manila on January 11, 1902. At an early age, young Atang, raised in a very musical atmosphere, was already starring in zarzuelas such as Mascota, Sueño de un Vals, and Marina. At the age of 15, she starred in the zarszuela Dalagang Bukid, where she became known for the singing the song, Nabasag na Banga.

Dalagang Bukid packed theaters to the rafters wherever it was shown. Director Jose Nepomuceno adapted the stage hit to the silent, black-and-white screen in 1919. The pioneering moviemaker bought the entire show (whole package)--- Hermogenes Ilagan’s libretto, Leon Ignacio’s music (including Nabasag na Banga, the most popular song in the play’s repertoire), male lead Marcelino Ilagan and of course the sensational Atang de la Rama and her balintawak, costume, wooden clogs, banga, prop and all.

The movie premiered on September 12, 1919, a significant date in the history of Filipino moving pictures. And because Nepomuceno’s initial venture was a success, he made a sequel entitled La Venganza de Don Silvestre with both Atang de la Rama and Marcelino Ilagan reunited in the lead roles, which was released the following year, in 1920.

Source- A Movie Album Quizbook by Jessie B. Garcia

Teatro Zorilla in Azcaragga/ December 7, 1919
Image from Adlailara

NEPOMUCENO PRODUCTIONS: TWO GENERATIONS OF FILM MAKING EXCELLENCE

JOSE ZIALCITA NEPOMUCENO (1893-1959) a.k.a. Don Jose — Acknowledged as the Father of Philippine Movies, Jose Nepomuceno established Malayan Movies in 1917. He was the producer, director, cinematographer and scenario writer of the first 100 percent Filipino full-length movie, Dalagang Bukid, shown on Sept. 25, 1919 at the Empire Theater. The movie was based on the zarzuela (the Spanish operetta or musical comedy) of the same title by dramatist Hermogenes Ilagan and Leon Ignacio; with the same cast, Atang de la Rama and Marcellano Ilagan (who later became a film director using the name Mar I.Esmeralda). It was in his 1926 movie, Ang Tatlong Hambog, that the first screen kiss was featured (by vaudeville actress Elizabeth "Dimples" Cooper and sportsman Luis Tuason). Nepomuceno trained young directors like Gregorio Fernandez (the father of Merle and Rudy Fernandez), shared his skills with other budding producers like Vicente Salumbides and Julian Manansala, discovered and honed the talents of early major stars like De la Rama, Fernando Poe Sr., Mary Walter, Leopoldo Salcedo, Rogelio de la Rosa, Carlos Padilla, Naty Bernardo (introduced in Punyal na Ginto, 1933) Maria Elsa Oria (introduced in Awit ng mga Ulila, 1936, with Tita Duran and Angelito Nepomuceno as the orphans) and Patrocinio Abad (whom he christened Corazon Noble in Anak ng Pari, 1937).

Due to budgetary constraints, Nepomuceno served as producer, director, story and script writer, camera and laboratory man, art consultant, editor, distributor and exhibitor of his own pictures. Great setbacks and personal adversities like the fires which gutted his house and studio in 1921 and 1923 did not deter him from pursuing his dreams and career. During those times, his wife, Isabel Acuna, stood by his side serving as talent scout, casting director, costume supervisor and make-up artist, and eight children (Jose Jr., Isabel, Antonio, Lubin, Victor, Angel, Luis and Carlos) ready to volunteer their services.

Nepomuceno died of a stroke in 1959 at the age of 66.

In 1967, his son, Luis formed Nepomuceno Productions with its initial movie venture, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak. It became an instant hit and a box-office drawer during its theater run. Charito Solis, the lead star won the Best Actress award at the 1967 Asian Film Festival. The movie also figured prominently in that year's Famas awards being nominated in all major categories.

The following year, 1968 was the banner year for Nepomuceno Productions. They came up with three good quality movies that year- Luha sa Karimlan, Manila: Open City and the award-winning masterpiece Igorota. Igorota ran away with eight major awards in that year’s Famas awards--- Best Picture, Best Actress (Charito Solis), Best Director (Luis Nepomuceno), Best Supporting Actor (Fred Galang), Best Sound Editing, Best Film Editing, Best Music and Best Color Photography.

From 1967 to 1971, Nepomuceno Productions produced 8 movies, considered as masterpieces, all with contract star Charito Solis--- Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Ang Langit Sa Lupa, Luha Sa Karimlan, Manila Open City, Igorota, Ang Pulubi, Pipo and The Hunted.

Their last production, The Pacific Connection in 1974, was a major setback. The capital which they used to produce the movie was loaned from the Philippine National Bank with their property at Malugay Street, Makati as collateral. The loan amount originally at 4 million pesos went up to 7.5 million pesos. Nepomuceno Productions never recovered from that and eventually folded up. The case was later filed before the court (see PNB vs Nepomuceno Productions).

Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Paraluman, Rod Navarro, Ben Perez, Matimtiman Cruz, Joseph de Cordova, Mary Walter, Pianing Vidal and introducing Liza Lorena/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Ang Langit sa Lupa (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Liza Lorena, Greg Martin, Rod Navarro, Eva Darren, Norma Blancaflor/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Luha sa Karimlan (1968)- Stars Charito Solis/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Manila, Open City (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, James Shigeta, Alex Nicol, John Ashley, Ric Rodrigo, Mario Montenegro, Lauro Delgado/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Igorota (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Fred Galang and Mario Monte/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

The Legend of the Tree of Life {The adult, continental version of Igorota} (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Fred Galang and Mario Monte/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Ang Pulubi (1969)- Strs Charito Solis, Fred Galang and introducing Miguelito Nepomuceno/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Pipo (1970)- Stars Charito Solis, Pancho Magalona, Fred Galang, Rod Webb, Miguelito, Angel Esmeralda, Eddie Garcia, Eva Darren, Yoshinori Mori, Rick Bacher, Teddy Benavidez, Ben Perez, Norma Blancaflor, Mary Walter/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

The Hunted (1970)- Stars Charito Solis, Fred Galang, Alan Martell and Mario Monte(negro)/ Written and Directed by Cesar Amigo

The Pacific Connection (1974)- Stars Roland Dantes, Nancy Kwan, Guy Madison, Alejandro Rey, Gilbert Roland, Dean Stockwell, Hiroshi Tanaka, Elizabeth Oropesa, Fred Galang, Gloria Sevilla, Vic Diaz, Cole Mallard/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno