The first Golden Age of Philippine cinema
Rosa del Rosario and Fernando Poe Sr. in Zamboanga, one of three vintage films still extant. The other two are Tunay na Ina and Giliw Ko.
The ’30s and the early ’40s — the First Golden Age of Philippine cinema. It saw the emergence of great films, stars, directors, writers, musicians, producers and other filmmakers.
Those were glorious years... if somewhat ‘overlooked’ by some film historians. Modesty aside, this columnist from way back mounted a photo exhibit on July 20 featuring the movies ads of the ’30s and early ’40s, billed the First Golden Years, Alitaptap Kikilapkilap. The exhibit was in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya.
In 1937, Sampaguita Pictures was founded. And then Excelsior and LVN in 1938 and 1939, respectively. The other movie studios were Big X’Otic Films, Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Inc. and Filippine Films.
The biggest and brightest stars of the first Golden Year included Rosa del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo, Carmen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, Elsa Oria, Ely Ramos, Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe Sr., Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion, Jose Padilla, Norma Blancaflor, Yolanda Marquez, Angel Esmeralda, Corazon Noble, Mila del Sol, Fely Vallejo and the young Tita Duran.
The noted directors were Carlos Vander Tolosa, Manuel Silos and brother Octavio, Eduardo de Castro, Fernando Poe Sr., Ramon Estella, Consuello Osorio, Gregorio Fernandez, Jose Icasiano, Luis Nolasco, Gerardo de Leon, Manuel Conde, Vicente Salumbides, Lamberto Avellana, Gerardo de Leon, Jose Nepomuceno, Tor Villano, Carmen Concha, Eddie Romero.
The compositions of Constancio de Guzman, Francisco Buencamino, Miguel Velrade Jr. and Josefino Cenizal were the theme songs and background music of the films of the ’30s and early ’40s.
The ’50s and early ’60s and ’70s and early ’80s are generally considered the second and third Golden Years of Philippine movies. But oftentimes, the movies of the ’30s and early ’40s were overlooked. In the words of cinema authority Nestor Torre, ‘Some film people, logically start counting annual film output after World War II, because feature film productions forcibly stopped for some years and recovered only during the post-war period.’
But as this piece and photos show, the ’30s and early ’40s were truly the first Golden Years of local movies.
The 2000 and beyond belong to indie cinema, winning awards in international events, including the very prestigious Cannes, Berlin and Venice filmfests. Truly the fourth Golden Age of Philippine cinema. — RKC
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