POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 58: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, TONY ARNALDO, ROSA ROSAL, ALFONSO CARVAJAL IN "SUMPAAN" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Sumpaan"
LVN Pictures
Release Date May 24- June 2, 1948/Dalisay
Direction Susana C. de Guzman

Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Tony Arnaldo, Rosa Rosal, Alfonso Carvajal

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 72: CARMEN ROSALES, ELY RAMOS , LILLIAN LEONARDO, WITH ROBERTO ROSALES, ROSIE LORENZANA, VICENTE LIWANAG IN "ANG SELOSA" (1948)

"Ang Selosa"
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: April 8- 13, 1948/ Center 

Story Inigo Ed. Regalado
Music Tito Arevalo 

Direction Eddie Romero

Cast Carmen Rosales, Ely Ramos, Lillian Leonardo, Roberto Rosales, Rosie Lorenzana, Vicente Liwanag, Oscar Frazenda, Arsenio Almonte, Ely Nakpil, Ramon Toledo Jr., Dick Tuazon, Liberty Ilagan

POST-WAR ERA TAGALOG MOVIES # 14: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS, TITA DURAN, WITH FRED MONTILLA, JOHNNIE ARVILLE, CRIS DE VERA, MARIA CRISTINA IN "MAYNILA" (1946)

"Maynila" (1946)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date December 14- 26, 1946/ Bataan Theater
Writer/Director Lorenzo P. Tuells
Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos, Tita Duran, Fred Montilla, Johnnie Arville, Cris de Vera, Maria Cristina

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): CARMEN ROSALES, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, LIWAYWAY ARCEO, WITH FERNANDO POE, ELY RAMOS, JOSE PADILLA, JR., PRECIOSO PALMA, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "TATLONG MARIA" (1944)

After the reported success of "The Dawn of Freedom," the Japanese decided it was time for Filipinos to produce an alternative cinema---other than that of Hollywood that has been the model for most Filipino films. Tsutumo Sawamura was tasked by the Japanese commission with uplifting the status of local movies. Sawamura wrote an adaptation of the Jose Esperanza Cruz novel, "Tatlong Maria." Gerardo de Leon was chosen to direct the film which starred Carmen Rosales, Norma Blancaflor, Liwayway Arceo, Fernando Poe, Sr., Ely Ramos and Jose Padilla, Jr. The movie extolled the virtues of living in the province and featured grand musical numbers staged at the Manila Hotel and the Jai Alai.

"Tatlong Maria" was shown simultaneously in five theaters on October 12, 1944. It was much ballyhooed all throughout its shooting. The New Philippines News, a newsreel team assembled by the Japanese, covered the shooting, showing three hundred girls preparing for musical numbers in the Winter Garden of the Jai-Alai and in the Manila Hotel. While it was successful, the film was released at a time when the Allies were moving to Manila. Martial law was declared and a curfew was imposed. Screening hours were shortened and evening shows were cancelled.

(Source: “War and its Aftermath in Philippine Cinema by Agustin Sotto)

"Tatlong Maria" (1944)

A Tatlong Maria Productions

Released thru Eiga Haikyusha

Release Date October 12, 1944/ Ideal, State, Times, Daitoa (formerly Capitol)

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Carmen Rosales, Norma Blancaflor, Liwayway Arceo, with Fernando Poe, Ely Ramos, Jose Padilla, Jr., Precioso Palma, Pedro Faustino

The movie was advertised daily, for a week prior to the film's showing. 

(The Tribune, October 7, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 8, 1944)

Synopsis--- The film centers on three sisters—Maria Fe, Maria Esperanza, and Maria Caridad—raised without favoritism despite having different mothers. On the eve of Maria Caridad’s wedding to Andres Diwa, her two elder sisters disrupt the ceremony over inheritance issues and lure her to Manila, where she resists an unwanted suitor. After returning to the province to fulfill her dying mother’s wish, Caridad marries Andres, but the couple later loses their home and struggles in Manila before drawing inspiration to rebuild their lives on a modest inheritance. Years later, the fortunes of the two elder sisters collapse, leading them into poverty. Moved by compassion, Andres rescues them and brings them back to the province, where the family is reunited in a joyful celebration

(The Tribune, October 10, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 11, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 12, 1944)

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS IN "BALATKAYO" (1941)

"Balatkayo" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date November 14, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos

(Image, from internet source, 

no movie ad available)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ELY RAMOS, WITH PACITA DEL RIO, TEDDY BENAVIDEZ, CARIDAD GESLER, ROSARIO ONG, ENGRACIO IBARRA, JUANITA ANGELES, JOSE LUZ BERNARDO, TONY ARNALDO, FRANCO GARCIA, NARDO VERCUDIA, LILLIAN LEONARDO IN "SA IYONG KANDUNGAN" (1941)

''Sa Iyong Kandungan" is a delicate and poignant love story of a slick city boy and a lovely barrio belle, portrayed with convincing reality by Corazon Noble. Ely Ramos, as the dashing man-about-town meets Cora in a most unusual way, and falls in love with her. From there on follow sequences after sequences of laughter and comedy, tears and heartbreaks, so deftly blended to give you everything you've longed for by way of screen entertainment

Directed by one of the Islands' leading directors, Guillermo J. Icasiano, "Sa Iyong Kandungan"also presents Teddy Benavides, Pacita del Rio, and Caridad Gesler, a newcomer who before long

will be among the topflight movie actresses in the country.

Filmed against the breaktakingly beautiful landscapes of one of the Philippines' most famous

resorts, Tagaytay, "Sa Iyong Kandungan" is unsurpassed in the splendor of its local color, rustic

atmosphere and magnificent portrayal of provincial life.

Aside from the fact that "Sa Iyong Kandungan" brings Corazon Noble and Ely Ramos together for the first time, this motion picture becomes one of the best ever projected upon the silver sheet because of its scintillating music and its simple but dramatic story, the climax of which will undoubtedly hold you speechless and spellbound.

See "Sa Iyong Kandungan" by all means at the Dalisay Theatre today. It's a photoplay you would want to see over and over again. (The Tribune, August 28, 1941)

"Sa Iyong Kandungan" (1941)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date August 28, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Guillermo Icasiano

Cast Corazon Noble, Ely Ramos, with Pacita del Rio, Teddy Benavidez, Caridad Gesler, Engracio Ibarra, Juanita Angeles, Jose Luz Bernardo, Tony Bernardo,Franco Gracia, Nardo Vercudia, Lillian Leonardo

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, NARDING ANZURES, LILIAN VELEZ, NATI RUBI, PUGO & TOGO WITH FLORENTINO BALLECER, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, PERLA GARCIA, LETTY PEREZ, ADRIANO CATOT IN "BINIBIRO LAMANG KITA" (1941)/ UPDATED

"Binibiro Lamang Kita (1941)"

Filippine Films

Release Date July 5, 1941/ Dalisay Theater

Musical Direction Serafin Payawal

Direction Carlos Vander Tololosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Narding Anzures, Lilian Velez, Nati Rubi/ Featuring Pugo and Togo/ with Florentino Ballecer, Exequiel Segovia, Perla Garcia, Letty Perez, Adriano Catot

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, PUGO & TOGO, WITH FLORENTINO BALLECER, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, PATRING CARVAJAL, ROSARIO LAM IN "BINIBINI NG PALENGKE" (1941)/ UPDATED

Romance, music and comedy cleverly join forces and make a hundred per cent go of it in the new Carlos Vander Tolosa production for Filippine Films, "Binibini N g Palengke," which starts its first-run exhibition at the Dalisay theatre today.

Featuring Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor in their biggest co-starring triumph, this excellent movie opus is everything sure to give the cine public here, there and everywhere a full load of wholesome entertainment. What with its powerful dramatic set-to, its goodly sprinkling of comedy with Togo and Pugo, side-busting laugh-team, dishing out fun as you like it and finally its fine song flavoring — all these plus its smooth dialogue, steady continuity, expert camerawork and careful editing, put "Binibini Ng Palengke" in a class all its own. Surely, a high one at that. 

Ely Ramos impressively plays the role of a rich man's son who goes gaga about an attractive small-town market vendor. Norma Blancaflor, doing the part of the eye-filling market beauty, is amusingly realistic. Interesting is the word for the main complication in the plot wherein Ely Ramos, set to love but not to lose, disguises himself as a lowly farmer's son and makes love to Norma. It's quite the way of country ladies to prefer suitors of their own kind and co-authors C. V. Tolosa and Narciso Asistio did "punish" Ely Ramos who all his life never had a taste of farm life but who nevertheless honest-to-goodness complied with all the callings of his role.

If you're not hep to romance and drama and music, well, you can't miss Togo and Pugo, comedy maniacs who've brought many a house down with their laugh sounders. They're cast as Ely Ramos' loose-brained stooges — a couple of idiots all right — who do a lot of monkey business at your funny bone's expense. Laugh all you may but don't let it be from ear to ear.  

“Binibini Ng Palengke" is a remarkable celluloid stuff, and ithen all is seen and heard, surely you'd want to pat on the back Carlos Vander Tolosa, Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Togo and Pugo and the rest in the cast or if you're not the complimenting kind, you'll keep your seat for a second sitting or a third. Whatever you choose to do, don't say we didn't tip you.

(The Tribune, April 19, 1941)

"Binibini ng Palengke" (1941)

Filippine Films
Release Date April 19-28, 1941/ Dalisay Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Music Ariston Avelino
Story Carlos Vander Tolosa and Narciso Asistio
Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Pugo & Togo, Florentino Ballecer, Exequiel Segovia, Patring Carvajal, Rosario Lam

"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: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR IN "HATING GABI" (1940)

"Hating Gabi" (1940)

Filippine Films

Release Date 1940

Music Mike Velarde, Jr.

Direction H. Atienza

Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, WITH MINA DE GRACIA, ANGELITA (RHUMBA) REY, PRECIOSO PALMA, NATI RUBI IN "DALAGA (ISANG NGITI LAMANG!)" (1940)

Now it can be told that the Filipino motion picture enterprise has deservedly reached a level of comparative perfection with Carlos Vander Tolosa's inspired creation, "Dalaga— Isang Ngiti Lamang," a Filippine Films production. This P100, 000.00 production which marks the crowning achievement of Carlos Vander Tolosa as the country's foremost director has the magnificence of a truly unforgettable screenplay. "Dalaga" starts its regular showing at the Grand theatre today.

Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor, supported by a distinguished cast composed of Mina de Gracia, Angel ita (Rhunaba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi, Juanita Angeles, Vicente Ocampo and hundreds of extras, reap their biggest actingtriumph. Under the knowing guidance of Carlos Vander Tolosa who wrote and directed the screenplay, these two notable films personalities easily surpass all their previous performances and emerge dominantly fluent in their respective portrayal of the leading characters.

"Dalaga" as the glorification of Filipino films productions teems with drama, romance, music, comedy, pageantry and all other highly entertaining aspects in a style and manners that outranks all those vehicles locally produced before. It starts the trend of local films towards lavishness and artistry. Such embodiments as a complete Moro operetta and fashion shows forecast the future trend of the Filipina dress are only two of the highlighting phases of this ambitious Filippine Films productions. Musical direction was under the expert handling of Ariston Avelino, with the assistance of Alejo Valdez and Julio Esteban Anguita.

Fifteen gigantic sets varying from a typical Moro village to the whole deck of a ship were built at the Filippine Films studios at great expense. These sets were used in shooting the many big scenes which greatly enhance the glory of this production.

(The Tribune, December 15, 1940)

"Dalaga (Isang Ngiti Lamang!)" (1940)

Filippine Films

Release Date December 15, 1940/ Grand Theater

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, with Mina de Gracia, Angelita (Rhumba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi

(Image, courtesy of  Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, MILA DEL SOL, TITA DURAN, WITH DINA VALLE, PRECIOSO PALMA, CECILIO JOAQUIN, AMELITA SOL, MANUEL ELORIAGA, ALBERTO LAZARO, NENTA SARMIENTO, PURITA DE LA ROSA, FRED CORTES IN "SAWING GANTINGPALA" (1940)/ UPDATED

National Artist for film Manuel Conde directed his first movie in 1940 via LVN Pictures' Sawing Gantingpala. The movie starring Mila del Sol and Ely Ramos which opened on July 25, 1940 packed crowds at the Grand Theater everyday during its entire exhibition.

Synopsis: 

Two girls, Dolores and Maria Corazon, are left orphans when their mother dies. Dolores, the elder, promised their mother that she will always care for her younger sister. From the orphanage, Hospicio de San Jose, they are adopted by different people. Maria Corazon goes to live in the province. Corazon (Dina Valle) blooms into a young woman and falls in love with Dr. Benjamin Raceles (Ely Ramos), who does not return the feeling. Summoned to the province by a former teacher, Raceles meets Dolores (Mila del Sol) and falls in love with her. Maria Corazon folows him to the province and tells Dolores how much she loves him. Dolores, at great personal sacrifice, gives him up. He goes back to Manila and ask Maria Corazon to marry him on the rebound. 

(Source: Tribune, July 25, 1940)

"Sawing Gantingpala" (1940)

LVN Pictures
Release Date: July 25-31, 1940/ Grand Theater
Director Manuel Conde
Screenplay Susana C. de Guzman
Cinematography Remigio Young
Music Juan Silos, Jr.
Lyrics Dona Aurora Quezon
Cast Ely Ramos, Mila Del Sol, Tita Duran, Dina Valle, Salvacion Ortega, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin, Amelita Sol, Manuel Eloriaga, Alberto Lazaro, Nenita Sarmiento, Purita dela Rosa, Fred Cortes

Dina Valle, Ely Ramos and Mila del Sol

Source: The Cinema of Manuel Conde by Nicanor Tiongson

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, MILA DEL SOL, MARIA MIRANDA, ANICETO ROBLEDO IN "HALI" (1940)

"Hali" (1940)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 11, 1940/ Grand Theater

Story Manolo Rosado

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Mila del Sol, Maria Miranda, Aniceto Robledo

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, FERNANDO POE, MILA DEL SOL, FLEUR DE LIS, PRECIOSO PALMA, BEN RUBIO, CECILIO JOAQUIN IN "GILIW KO" (1939): LVN PICTURES' FIRST MOVIE/ UPDATED

LVN Pictures was established in 1939 by three friends--- Doña Narcisa "Sisang" Buencamino de Leon, Carmen Villongco and Eleuterio Navoa, whose initials spelled the name of the company. Their first movie, Giliw Ko, a musical starring Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Sr., Mila del Sol and Fleur de Lis (later renamed Mona Lisa) was a sensational box-office hit. However, its succeeding films did not fare well at the tills and in order to save the company, Doña Sisang had to buy out the other stockholders.

Giliw Ko, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, is one of the five existing pre-war movies available.

The movie was released and shown at Grand Theater, July 29, 1939.

"Giliw Ko" (1939)

LVN Pictures
Release Date: July 29, 1939/ Metropolitan Theater
and August 1-10, 1939/ Grand Theater

Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Mila del Sol, Fleur de Lis, Ben Rubio, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, ELY RAMOS, WITH ANDRES CENTENERA, NATY RUBI, MIGUEL ANZURES, SOLEDAD AQUINO, PRECIOSO PALMA, BILLY VIZCARRA, LITA ZABALA IN "DAHONG LAGAS" (1938)

Overflowing with heartfelt emotion and gripping suspense, Sampaguita Pictures presents its latest contribution to Philippine cinema—“Dahong Lagas,” opening today at the Grand Theater. Hailed by film critics as one of the most exceptional love stories ever brought to the screen, this splendid production promises powerful entertainment that will surely captivate audiences.

 Heading the cast are Yolanda Marquez, the radiant star of numerous screen triumphs, and Ely Ramos, the matinee idol who gained fame as the dashing Romeo in Sampaguita’s “Madaling Araw.” Their performances, especially in the romantic sequences, vividly capture the passion of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, charged with intense emotion.

 They are supported by an impressive ensemble featuring Andres Centenera, the heroic father of “Alipin ng Palad”; Naty Rubi, noted for her outstanding villainous portrayals; Miguel Anzures, one of the screen’s leading character actors; Soledad Aquino, the moving mother of “Inang Mahal”; Precioso Palma, the patriotic father from “Madaling Araw”, Billy “Surot” Vizcarra, the beloved comic and Lita Zabala.

 Enhancing the production’s appeal are three delightful songs composed by Miguel Velarde Jr. — “Maligayang Awit,” a lively native tune, “Dahong Lagas,” a tango sung by Yolanda Marquez and “Dinggin Mo, Irog,” a romantic danza performed by Ely Ramos.

 This touching and musically rich motion picture was written and directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

(The Tribune, December 30, 1938)

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, December 30, 1938.

"Dahong Lagas" (1938)

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: December 30, 1938- January 6, 1939/ Grand Theater

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.
Story and Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Yolanda Marquez, Ely Ramos, Andres Cetenera, Naty Rubi, Miguel Anzures, Soledad Aquino, Precioso Palma, Billy Vizcarra, Lita Zabala

"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."