Manuel Conde’s Juan Tamad series is popular among moviegoers of yesteryear. It’s a satire on the social foibles of Filipinos in and out of government, of society and politics in general.
But chances are, they are not too familiar with another cinematic Juan, namely Juan Daldal (Anak ni Juan Tamad). It was shot in 1947 and shown January 1948.
Juan Daldal was billed, ‘The most talkative human phonograph before and after women were invented!’
Conde, who was belatedly named National Artist a few years back, topbilled, wrote and directed the Juan Tamad series. He also produced most of the series under his own studio.
He had two leading ladies in Juan Daldal, Elvira Reyes and Lirio del Valle, with no less than Simplicio Suarez as musical director.
Needless to say, Conde directed other outstanding films, among them: Genghis Khan, Ikaw Kasi, Siete Infantes de Lara, Krus na Kawayan, Molave, Orasang Ginto, Bayanihan. — RKC