135. Revisiting the First Golden Age of Philippine Cinema: A Collection of Vintage Movie Flyers (1930s-1940s)

Philippine Movie Flyers - Libingang Bakal, Inang Mahal, Cadena de Amor, Datu Talim,
Kalapating Puti, Gabay ng Magulang, Kahapon Lamang, Dalaga, and Ang Itinapon

In 2019, we will be commemorating the 100 Years of Philippine Cinema Industry. To mark this special occasion, I would like to share my collection of vintage movie flyers from the American era. This is my way of paying homage to the pioneering individuals who played a crucial role in shaping the Philippine film industry into what it is today.

The First Golden Age of Philippine Cinema took place in the 1930s and 1940s and saw the rise of numerous talented actors, directors, writers, musicians, and producers. These filmmakers created memorable films that are still celebrated today. Promoting these films were simple yet eye-catching movie flyers and posters that featured illustrations, images of the stars, and the film title.

The industry's growth began with the release of the first Filipino feature film, "Dalagang Bukid" (Country Maiden), in 1919, which was produced by José Nepomuceno and starred Atang de la Rama and Marceliano. In the 1920s, the black and white silent film "El Hijo Disobediente" (The Disobedient Son), produced by Filipino-Visayan filmmakers, was one of the earliest films produced in the Southern Philippines.

With the advent of talking pictures in 1929, the film industry continued to grow, and movie studios such as Sampaguita Pictures, Excelsior, LVN, Big X’Otic Films, Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Inc., and Filippine Films emerged during this time.

Palaris, Mahal Pa Rin Kita, Panibugho, Madaling Araw, Lagablab ng Kabataan,
Lakambini, Magpakailan Man, Ligaw na Bituin, and Luksabg Bituin

Some of the biggest and brightest stars of the era 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 Tita Duran. 

Notable directors included Carlos Vander Tolosa, Manuel Silos, 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, Jose Nepomuceno, Tor Villano, Carmen Concha, and Eddie Romero.

The musical compositions of Constancio de Guzman, Francisco Buencamino, Miguel Velrade Jr., and Josefino Cenizal elevated the films of the era, providing the theme songs and background music that helped to set the mood and bring audiences further into the story. 

These vintage movie flyers and posters serve as a nostalgic reminder of the golden age of Philippine cinema.

Sources:
Philippine Star, June 2017 by RKC

Wikipedia

DALAGA (1940) / Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa / Cast: Norma Blancaflor, Ely Ramos & Nati Rubi / Filippine Films

DATU TALIM (1940) / Director: Eduardo De Castro / Cast: Mona Lisa, Fernando Poe Sr. & Luningning /
XOTIC Films

DAHONG LAGAS (1938) / Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa  / Cast: Yolanda Marquez, Ely Ramos, 
Naty Rubi, Andres Centenera / Sampaguita Pictures

DALAGANG FILIPINA (1940) / Director: Eduardo de Castro / Cast: Fernando Poe, Lucita Goyena, Manuel Eloriaga,
Cecilio Joaquin / XOTIC Films

ANG ITINAPON (1936) / Director: Octavio Silos / Cast: Leopoldo Salcedo / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

INANG MAHAL (1939) / Director: Octavio Silos / Cast: Rosario Moreno, Rogelio de la Rosa, Soledad Aquino /
Sampaguita Pictures

KALAPATING PUTI (1938) / Director: Guillermo J. Icasiano / Cast: Florentino Ballecer, Guillermo Carls,
Rosa Del Rosario / Filippine Productions

ANG KUMPISALAN AT ANG BATAS (1937) / Director: Rod Avlas / Cast: Rosa Del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo,
Angel Esmeralda, Gregorio Fernandez   / Filippine Films

KUWINTAS NA GINTO (1939) / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Arsenia Francisco, Ernesto La Guardia, Pugo & Togo,
Nati Rubi,  Paco Zamora / Excelsior Films

LAGABLAB NG KABATAAN (1936) / Director: Manuel Silos / Cast: Rogelio de la Rosa, Sylvia Rosales,
Juanito Carriedo, Rosa May,  Lou Salvador,  Paquito Villa / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

Sampaguita Walang Bango, Gantimpala, Tampuhan, Sinsing na Pangkasal, Sa Paanan ng Krus,
Walang Tahanan, Paraiso, Puting Dambana, Sa Duyan ng Pagmamahal

LAGOT NA KUWINTAS (1939) / Director: Carlos Padilla Sr./ Cast: Rosario Moreno, Rogelio de la Rosa,
Sylvia Rosales, Ernesto La Guardia, Miguel Anzures, Nati Rubi   / Sampaguita Pictures

LAKAMBINI (1938) / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Purita Sta. Maria, Armando Rosal, Dely Atay-atayan,
Andoy Balun-Balunan, Ricardo Brillantes / Cervatina Filipina

LIBINGANG BAKAL (1940) / Director: Guillermo Icasiano / Cast: Rosario Moreno, Leopoldo Salcedo,
Fernando Royo, Dely Atay-atayan, Pugo & Togo / Filippine Films

LIGAW NA BITUIN (1938) / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Rosa del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo,
Cecilio Joaquin / Filippine Films

LUKSANG BITUIN (1941) / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Lucita Goyena, Serafin Garcia, Armando Cris,
Mona Lisa, Canuplin  / XOTIC Films

MADALING ARAW (1938) / Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa / Cast:  Elsa Oria, Ely Ramos, Yolanda Marquez,
Teddy Benavidez, Quiel Segovia, Nati Rubi / Sampaguita Pictures

MAGPAKAILAN MAN (1940) / Director: Carlos Padilla Sr. / Cast: , Rosario Moreno, Jose Padilla Jr., Pedro Faustino

Fernando Royo,  Quiel Segovia / Excelsior Films

MAHAL PA RIN KITA (1940) /  Director: Jesus Carreon / Cast: Rosario Moreno, Ernesto La Guardia, Nati Rubi,
Rudy Concepcion Pedro Faustino, Joaquin Gavino, Mercedes de Gavino, Consuelo Menendez / Excelsior Films

PALARIS (1941) / Director: Antonio G. Verches / Cast: Fernando Poe, Paraluman, Monang Carvajal,
Mona Lisa / X’OTIC Films

PANIBUGHO (1941) / Director: Lorenzo P. Tuells / Cast: Corazon Noble, Jose Padilla Jr., Pacita Del Rio,  
Monang Carvajal, Jose Cris Soto  / Sampaguita Pictures

PARAISO (1941) / Director: Ramon Estella / Cast:  Rosa Del Rosario,  Jose Luz Bernardo, Rodolfo Ruiz,
Tita Duran, Guillermo Carls, Fidel De Castro, Pedro Faustino, Arsenia Francisco,  / Excelsior Films

PUTING DAMBANA (1941) / Cast: Fernando Poe, Paraluman, Mona Lisa, Amanding Montes, / X'OTIC Films

SA DUYAN NG PAGMAMAHAL / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Lucita Goyena, Serafin Garcia / X'OTIC Films

SA PAANAN NG KRUS (1936) / Soledad Aquino, Tito Arevalo, Armando Cris Tita Duran, Angel Esmeralda. Carlos
Padilla Sr, Cecilio Joaquin, Rosario Moreno, Antonia Santos, Mari Velez / H Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Inc.

SAMPAGUITANG WALANG BANGO (1937) / Director: Fermin Barba / Cast: Leopoldo Salcedo,
Angelita Rumba Rey, Miguel Anzures / Filippine Productions

SAWING GANTINGPALA (1940) / Director: Manuel Conde / Cast: Ely Ramos, Mila del Sol, Dina Valle,
Tita Duran, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin, Amelita Sol, Maneng Eloriaga, Alberto Lazaro / LVN Pictures

SINGSING NA PANGKASAL (1941) / Director: Jose Nepomuceno /Cast: Serafin Garcia, Violeta Hermosa,
Maria Miranda / AZ Productions  

TAWAG NG BAYAN (1939) / Director: Julian Manansala / Cast: Ricardo Brillantes, Arsenia Francisco, Roman Reyes
/ Pan Oriental Films

TINIG NG PAG-IBIG (1940) / Director: Ted Del Rio / Cast: Fernando Poe, Norma Blancaflor, Rico Romero,
Jose Luz Bernardo, Ester Magalona, Canuplin / Joaquin Film Company

ANG ITINAPON (1936) / Director: Octavio Silos / Cast: Leopoldo Salcedo / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

DUGONG HINUGASAN (1938) / Director: Tor Villano / Cast: Corazon Noble, Fidel De Castro, Alma Bella,
Ricardo De Soto, Tor Villano, Pedro Faustino / Filippine Films

GABAY NG MAGULANG (1939) / Director: Octavio Silos / Cast: Yolanda Marquez, Rosa Aguirre,
Rudy Concepcion, Precioso Palma, Miguel Anzures / Sampaguita Films

KAHAPON LAMANG (1940) / Director: Manuel Silos  / Cast: Jaime de la Rosa, Corazon Noble, Lilia Vizconde,
Angel Esmeralda, Patricia Mijares / Sampaguita Pictures

TAMPUHAN (1941) /Director: Lorenzo P. Tuells / Cast: Carmen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, Pacita Del Rio,
Teddy Benavidez, Pedro Tembong Cruz, Rosa Aguirre, Precioso Palma, Engracio Ibarra, Amelita Sol,
Paco Zamora, Cruz-Franco Garcia / Sampaguita Films

WALANG TAHANAN (1939) / Director: Carlos Padilla Sr. / Cast: Rosa Aguirre, Armando Villa, 
Billy Surot Viscarra, Rudy Concepcion, Yolanda Marquez, Carlos Padilla Sr., Sylvia Rosales
Sampaguita Pictures

LIHIM NG INA (1937) /Director: Eduardo De Castro / Cast: Leopoldo Salcedo, Patria Rosal / Filippine Films

CADENA DE AMOR (1940) / Directed By: Tor Villano / Cast:  Rosa Del Rosario,  Angel Esmeralda,
Jaime de la Rosa, Pugo & Togo / Sanggumay Pictures

Ruben, Mga Tinik ng Isang Bulaklak, Ruisenor, Dilim at Liwanag, Ang Pagbabalik,
Diwata ng Karagatan, Hali, Dalagang Luksa, and Bituing Marikit

BAHAY KUBO (1938) / Director: Gerardo de Leon / Cast: Josefino Cenizal,
Mona Lisa,  Fely Vallejo / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

BITUING MARIKIT (1937) /   Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa / Cast: Elsa Oria, Rogelio de la Rosa, Ely Ramos,
Sylvia Rosales, Teddy Benavidez, Nati Rubi, Billy Vizcarra / Sampaguita Pictures

DALAGANG LUKSA (1938) /  Director: Consuelo Ruiz / Cast: Armando Cris, Reynaldo Dante,
Maria Clara Ruiz / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

ANG PAGBABALIK (1937) /  Director: Carlos Padilla Sr. / Cast: Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon,
Angel Esmeralda, Lucita Goyena, Mona Lisa, Yolanda Marquez, Quiel Segovia, Gregorio Ticman,
Mary Walter / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

DILIM AT LIWANAG (1940) /  Director: Eduardo de Castro /  Cast: Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe, Ben Rubio,
Mona Lisa, Jovita Fuentes  / X’OTIC Films

DIWATA NG KARAGATAN (1936) /  Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa / Mari Velez,  Rogelio Dela Rosa,
Manuel De Lardo / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

HALI (1940) / Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa /Cast: Mila del Sol, Ely Ramos, Maria Miranda,
Aniceito Robredo, Monang Carvajal / LVN Pictures

RUBEN (1938) / Director: Mar I. Esmeralda / Cast: Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon, Angel Esmeralda,
Purita Sta. Maria / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

MGA TINIK NG ISANG BULAKLAK / Director: Eduardo De Castro / Lucita Goyena, Reynaldo Dante,
Eduardo De Castro, Angelito Nepumuceno, Tita Dura, T. De Lara, Pedro Faustino,
Luningning / X’OTIC Films

HULING PAGLUHA (1940) / Director: Arthur Gottlein / Cast: Carlos Padilla Sr.,
Rosita Rivera, Baby Jane, Pugo & Togo, Angelita Rey / Minerva Pictures

KATAKSILAN (1939) / Director: Eliseo Carvajal / Cast: Alfonso Carvajal, Armando Cris,
Virginia Salcedo / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

Walang Pangalan, Hiram na Ligaya, Bahay Kibo, Nasaan ka Irog, Manikang putik and Paruparong Bukid

LERON-LERON SINTA (1939) / Director: Eduardo De Carstro under
Jose Nepumuceno / Stars: Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe,
Angelito Nepumuceno / X’OTIC Films

NASAAN KA IROG (1937) / Director: Carlos Vander Tolosa / Stars: Elsa Oria, Angel Esmeralda, Tito Arevalo,  
Prima Vera, Nati Rubi, Billy Surot Viscarra,  Mila del Sol / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

MANIKANG PUTIK / Director: Carlos Padilla / Maria Clara Ruiz, Armando Cris, Gregorio Ticman,
Antonia Santos, Josefino Cenizal. / Parlatone Hispano Filipino

PARUPARONG BUKID (1938) /  Director: Octavio Silos /  Cast: Elsa Oria, Rudy Concepcion, Teddy Benavidez ,
Nati Rubi, Soledad Aquino, Jose Gonzales / Sampaguita Pictures

WALANG PANGALAN (1938) / Director: Carlos Padilla Sr. / Cast: Rudy Concepcion, Armando Cris,
Mona Lisa, Gregorio Ticman /  Parlatone Hispano Filipino

HIRAM NA LIGAYA (1937) / Director: Manuel Silos / Cast: Rosario Moreno, Carlos Padilla Sr.
Parlatone Hispano Filipino

BAYAN AT PAG-IBIG (1938) / Director: Ramon Estella / Stars: Esterella Del Rio, Bert LeRoy,
Bayani Casimiro, Luningning / Excelsior Pictures