Reviews
Burlesk Queen (1977)
Drama.A film by Celso ad castillo for Ian films
A film by Celso ad Castillo. Vilma Santos...as Chato Rolly Quizon...as Jessie Rosemarie Gil..as Virgie Nite Leopoldo salcedo..asMang Roque Joonie Gamboa.....as Louie
Chato a simple girl,earns a living by serving as a utilily girl for a burlesque star Virgie Nite.She is supporting a paralytic father. Virgie's lover leaves her for another girl,she becomes so frustrated that she drinks herself out on the night of her scheduled performance.Just every stage hand in Inday theater is frantic to bring back Virgie back to her senses, a mysterious girl appears on stage performing typical dance:chato obviously,she has been learning the trade from Virgie,she pitches in for Virgie ,only to appease furious crowd but the crowd loves her act,and Chato becomes an instant sensation.Mang Roque Chato's father learns about the incident and declares that he will sell his soul to the devil but never her daugther's body.Chato however is exceedingly enthused by her acceptance of the theater audience she presents herself to louie the theatre manager and christens her Tzarina,the young goddess.Chato carries a young romance w/ Jessie a typical rebellious youth,ignores his parents and elope w/ chato.their romance leads into a brief happy life and when his mother traces the couple makes him choose between Chato and the parents,He chooses the parents.Chato returns to the theater w/all the frustrations behind her,she succumbs into louie's invocations of arts in order to make her dance again but she is a few months on the family way, when she makes the grand performance,it becomes also her last.
Kampanerang kuba (1974)
Fantasy,love story.Produced by Tagalog Ilang Ilang Production.
An early Vilma Santos movie in which she portrays Andang,an ugly and weird hunch back, a female and Filipino version of Fiction's Quasimodo.Like the classic french character,Andang is the town object of derisio,for her hideous appearance,and she lives in the parish church bell tower, kind and honest,she is devoted to St. Martin de Porres whom she talks to everyday.a moving and highly-entertaining picture. Kampanerang Kuba also stars Edgar mortiz,Celia Rodriguez,Dindo Fernando,Rpssana Marquez,Perla Bautista,Tony Santos jr,Ernie Garcia,and Max Alvarado.Directed by Nilo saez for Taga log ilang ilang Production,
Darna vs. the Planet Women (1975)
Fantasy/adventure.Produced by Tagalog Ilang Ilang production.
Vilma Santos 3rd Darna movie.another thrilling episode in highly-popular Darna series.Narda(Vilma Santos)is a pretty,provincial lass whose only desire in life is peace and brotherhood for all humanity.Narda's prayers are answered when she recieves a gift of of supernatural powers. as the super woman( Darna).Darna has a motley crew of beauteous female alliens for nemesis.The girls have come to planet earth to literaly suck in the minds of brilliant scientists. their ultimate goal is to use this knowledge,along w/ their own,to produce amaster race capable of ruling the entire universe.Stars Rosanna Ortiz as (Elektra),Zandro Zamora as (Ramon),Bentot jr as( Ding)Lita Vasquez,Eva linda Liza Zobel as The planet women.Directed by Armando Garces.
Pagputi ng uwak... Pag-itim ng tagak (1978)
Drama,love story.
Celso Ad Castillo's epic masterpiece of romantic love, family relationships,class struggle and political rebellion ,Vilma Santos star as Julie Monserrat,a music-loving provincial lass raised by her two prudish, wealthy spinsters aunt (Adul De Leon and Angie Ferro)Julie falls in love w/ Dido Ventura (Bembol Rocco)the poor son of embittered woman (Mona Lisa)who holds grudge againts the Monserrats for wrong doing several years earlier. Other memorable characters populate this beautifully-photographed drama ,among them Maestro Roque(joonee Gamboa)a composer-violinist and huk kumander salome(Lito anzures),Dido's freedom-fighting uncle. rich in texture and full color,,charm love and joy,tenderness,violence and despair and hope.The movie won critics awards.also stars Yolanda Luna,Marvin Samson,Mario Escudero,Olivia O' Hara and Robert Talabis.Cinematograhy by Romy Vitug. Produced by VS film.
Darna at Ding (1980)
D'Wonder Films.Directed by Cloyd Robinson and J. Erastheo Navoa
Vima Santos 4th and last Darna Movie.Vilma is in Good company with the child superstar Nino Mulach as her brother side kick "Ding".The super team zoom in out of the screen with bravura. Humor is mixed with fantasy and magic. The dou's thrilling encounter with ingenious villains who wants to rule the world. Among their wicked adversaries is Marissa delgado as the evil german scientist who summons cadavers from their graves to carry out her grisly plans. An impressive roster of big name stars in cameo roles completes the cast.Stars Celia Rodrigues as lei ming the evil witch, Veronica Jones as the halk woman,Max alvarado as the giant.
Darna and the Giants (1973)
Adventure. Tagalog ilang ilang production.
Vilma santos 2nd Darna movie.Vilma Santos as "Darna" the Filipino Wonder Woman whose amazing powers include extra ordinary strength and ability to fly to rescue people in distress. Cast of characters Helen Gamboa As X3X Divina Valencia as the Giants Kathy de la cruz As the Grandmother Ike Lozada,Max AlvaradoAs the Giants Also Starring Don don Nakar As Ding(Darna's side kick) Screenplay and Directed by Maning Borlaza for Tagalog ilang ilang production. Released on video.
Lipad, Darna, lipad! (1973)
Trilogy. Cine filipino,released march 1973
Lipad Darna Lipa.Vilma Santos as "Darna" Gloria Romero As Miss Luna The "manananggal" Celia Rodrigues as "Valentina" a Fashion Model/Snake woman. Liza Lorena as Babaing Lawin. This movie was produced by Cine Filipino In march 1973,this movie was a monumental hit.Vilma santos first Darna movie. Unfortunately this movie was never released on video the original print is missing somewhere in indonisia. I am still trying to find a copy.