1975 – Sleeping Dragon (Sultan Films/Emperor Films International)
[A Filipino-Hong Kong co-production filmed in the Philippines, Philippines release date 24th April 1975]
Directors Ishmael Bernal, Jimmy L. Pascual Story Ophelia San Juan Screenplay Wilfred D. Nolledo Producer Jimmy L. Pascual Cinematography Chris Chang Music L.D. San Pedro
Cast Raymond Lui [Shing-Gung], Lotis Key, Eddie Garcia, Charlie Davao, Chan Ling-Wai, Lee Chiu, Lau Jun-Fai, Danny Chow Yun-Gin
Review from Answers.com: Chinese who lived in the Philippines had many occasions to rebel against the majority rulers, who would often treat them as commercial milk-cows and otherwise oppress them horribly. This historical and martial arts film chronicles such a Chinese rebellion in the Philippines in 1603.
Director Paquito Toledo Based on the Horror Komiks serial by Romy Espiritu, Marcelo Isidro Producer Fernando Poe Jr
Cast Bob Soler (Batman), Lou Salvador Jr (Robin), Nova Villa, Marion Douglas, Oscar Keesee, Nello Nayo, Pablo Virtuoso, Joe Garcia, Mary Walter, Angel Buenaventura, Vic Uematsu, Diego Guerrero
1966 - James Batman (Sampaguita Pictures) DETAILS HERE
1967 - Batman Fights Dracula (Lea Productions/Fidelis Productions) 1967
[Release date 3rd June 1967; also listed as “Baty and Roby Against Crime”]
Director Leody M. Diaz Writer Bert R. Mendoza Music Tony Maiquez
Cast Jing Abalos (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Dante Rivero (Dracula), Vivian Lorrain (Marita Banzon), Rolan Robles (Ruben), Ramon D'Salva (Dr. Zerba), Nort Nepomuceno (Turko), Angel Confiado, Ruben Ramos, Greg Lansang, Tina Lava, Lope Policarpio, Sai Betsadya, Jeanette Gonzalez, Rudy Dominguez, Marcelo Bernardo, Eddie Castro, Buddy de Jesus, [uncredited] Johannes Christof von Heinsburg (Mevik)
1972 - Batwoman And Robin (Juver Productions)
[Release date 12th March 1972]
Director “Junar”/Jun Aristorenas Story/Screenplay Greg Macabenta Producers Jun Aristorenas, Virginia
Cast Robin Aristorenas (Robin), Virginia (Batwoman), Sofia Moran (The Catwoman), Johnny Monteiro (Zandro the Great), Prospero Luna (Fuman-Chao), Pancho Pelagio (The Mad Killer), Venchito Galvez, Romy Nario, Rey Big Boy
1972 - Batwoman And Robin Meet The Queen Of The Vampires(Juver Productions)
[Release date unknown]
Director Tony Cayado Story/Screenplay Greg Macabenta Producers Jun Aristorenas, Virginia
Cast Robin Aristorenas (Robin), Virginia (Batwoman), Angelina Ortiz, Venchito Galvez, Santiago Garcia, Francisco Cruz, Joe Roman, Ric Gaerlan, Ernie David, Joe Estrada, Aldo Cruz
1973 - Johnny Joker(Juver Productions)
[Release date 24th June 1973]
Director “Junar”/Jun Aristorenas Story Greg B. Macabenta Screenplay Bert R. Mendoza Producers Jun Aristorenas, Virginia Music Rodgar
Cast Jun Aristorenas (Johnny Joker), Robin Aristorenas (Robin), Virginia (Batwoman), Merle Fernandez (Catwoman), Freddie Webb (Spider Web), Cesar Ramirez (Hugo Musang), Johnny Monteiro (Shintori), Larry Silva (Brutus), Rey Big Boy and the Seven Dwarfs, Palito (Lastikman), Steve Alcarado, Leon Pajaron, Charlie Mendez, Greg Lansang, Ernie David, Rudy Rolloda
1973 - Fight! Batman, Fight!(Pacific Films)
[Release date 5th December 1973]
Director/Story Romeo N. Galang Cinematography Justo Paulino Music Ernani Cuenco
Cast Victor Wood, Gloria Romero, Rosemarie Gil, Eva Linda, Rosanna Marquez, Nick Romano, Romy Diaz, Ike Lozada, German Moreno, Danny Rojo, Robert Talabis, Arnold Mendoza, Lotis Key (Catwoman), Rod Navarro (Joker), Pinky (Bat Girl), Roderick Paulate (Robin), Manolo Noble, Joaquin Fajardo, Greg Lozano, "Chito"/Franco Guerrero, Royal Dahlen, Ruel Vernal, Edward Torres, Leon Pajaron, Roger Saulog, Romie Medalla, Cris Cruz, Dagul Se, Enrico Villa, Rodin Rodriguez, Tony Aragon, Mar Enriquez, Rey “Big” Boy, Tacio Tangkad, Totoy Laki, Paeng Giant, Pandak, SOS Daredevils, Mona Morena, Carmen Romasanta, Camille
1991 – Alyas Batman En Robin (Regal Films) DETAILS HERE
[Philippines release date 17th May 1974; also released on US VHS as “Revenge Of The Dragon”]
Director/Story Celso Ad. Castillo Screenplay Mike Relon Makiling Executive Producers Felipe G. Ortega, Jose O. Magno Cinematography Luis Chiong Music Tito Sotto Editor Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao Fight Instructor Ramon Zamora Routine Instructor Rod Francisco in collaboration with Celso Ad. Castillo Sound Engineer Luis Reyes Liason Officer Jer Carreon Stills Wilmore Baruelo Makeup Artists Amparo Carolina, Gening Garcia Servicemen Bernardo Icban, Cesar Icban Setting Director Sergio Manalang Wardrobe Bernard Fernandez Property Custodian Dionisio Bueno Special Effects Adiz San Pedro Titles Franz Bejec Sales Manager Danny Icban Office Manager Cristina Rosario Production Manager Renato Villapando 1st Assistant Director Poch Bautista 2nd Assistant Director Jun Romero PRO Amelia Arcega Field Soundman Rudy Teofe Assistant Cameraman Angel Ballarez Assistant Editors Armando Jarlego, Rudy Jarlego Sound Effects Jun Martinez
Cast Ramon Zamora, Lotis Key, Leila Hermosa, Paquito Diaz, Tsing Tong Tsai, Roldan Aquino, Danny Rojo, Ernie Ortega, Michael Murray, Ben Perez, Edna Diaz, Charina Alonzo, Pearly Santos, Rhonna Mercado, Lilian Cruz, Maribel Ortega, Joaquin Fajardo, Gil Guerrero, Ruben Ramos, Joe Cunanan, Sancho Tesalona, Carlos Diaz, Steve Alcarado, Rod Francisco, Leon Pajaron, Dagul Se, Cris “Bhuda” Cruz, Jun Santos, Doming Reyes, Johnny Ramirez, Edgar Garcia, Danny Riel, Groovy Vergara, Mike Jordan, Joe Kelly, Jun Romero, “Mando”/Armando Mangaring, Amado Toledo, Maria Fe Alberto Rita Bernalez, Flor Antonio, Ofelia Solano, Boy Pecate, Tony Uy, Myrna Villarico, Marlene Sison, Romy Audencial, Lida Cruz, Mary Diaz, SOS Daredevils, D’Vultures, Phikaju Boys, Bert Olvar, Fedro Faustino, Paquito Salcedo, Ellen Esguerra, Connie Nubla
1975 - The Black Panther Of Shaolin (Ophelia San Juan Productions/Lyra Ventures)
[Philippines release date 1st August 1975, original title “Mababagsik Na Anghel”; also released internationally as "Bamboo Trap"]
Director/Screenplay Ernesto Ventura Producer Ophelia San Jaun Cinematography Felipe Sacdalan, Higino J. Fallorina Music D'Amarillo
Cast Leo Fong, "Ronnie"/Ron van Clief, George Estregan, Lotis Key, Eddie Garcia, Chanda Romero, Nory Wright, Darnell Garcia, Jun Garcia, Perla Bautista, Cloyd Robinson, Rez Cortez, Abubakar Jalmaani, Joey Abad Santos, Tony Carreon [as Tony Carrion], Bien David, Juano del Gallego, Jose Garcia, Lito Hermosa, Santy Hermosa, Ruel Martinez, David de Martyn, Rene Matias, Ken Metcalfe, Larry Silva, Adoracion Soriano
1976 - The Enforcer From Death Row (Filmmakers/Koinonia Psi West Productions)
[Philippines release date 9th July 1976, original title "The Outside Man"; also released as “Ninja Assassins”, “The Ninja Enforcer” and “Ninja Nightmare”]
Directors Efren C. Pinon, Marshall M. Borden Producer/Writer Leo Fong
Cast Leo Fong (T.L. Young), Darnell Garcia, Lotis Key, Ann Farber, “B.T.”/Booker T. Anderson, George Estregan, Charlie Davao, Cameron Mitchell, [uncredited] John Hammond, Mariwin Roberts
1972 - Black Mama White Mama (Four Associates Ltd/American International Pictures)
[also known as Chained Women, Chains Of Hate, Hot Hard And Mean, Women In Chains]
Director Eddie Romero Story Jonathan Demme Screenplay H.R. Christian Producers John Ashley, Eddie Romero Executive Producer David J. Cohen Music Harry Betts Cinematography Justo Paulino Production Design Robert Formoso
Cast Pam Grier (Lee Daniels), Margaret Markov (Karen Brent), Sid Haig (Ruben), Lynn Borden (Matron Densmore), Zaldy Zshornack (Ernesto), Laurie Burton (Warden Logan), Eddie Garcia (Captain Cruz), Alona Alegre (Juana), Dindo Fernando (Rocco), Vic Diaz (Vic Cheng), Wendy Green (Ronda), Lotis Key (Jeanette), Alfonso Carvajal (Galindo), Bruno Punzalan (Truck driver), Ricardo Herrero (Luis), Jess Ramos (Alfredo), Carpi Asturias (Lupe)
1972 –The Woman Hunt(Four Associates Ltd/New World Pictures)
[also known as Escape (UK), The Highest Bidder]
Director Eddie Romero Screenplay David Hoover Story David Hoover, Jack Hill Producers Eddie Romero, John Ashley Executive Producer David J. Cohen Music Jerry Dadap Editors Ben Barcelon, “Joe”/Joseph Zucchero Cinematography Justo Paulino
Cast John Ashley, Pat Woodell, Sid Haig, “Laurie Rose”/Jennifer Brooks, Charlene Jones, Lisa Todd, Alona Alegre (Sam), Eddie Garcia, Ken Metcalfe, Liza Belmonte, Lotis Key, Alfonso Carvajal, Ruben Rustia, Don Lipman, Tony Gosalvez, Paquito Salcedo
Many thanks to Simon Santos from Quezon City’s VIDEO 48 whose tireless efforts in researching Philippines cinema has unearthed all of the following Filipino ads, and in the process has confirmed the existence of FOUR forgotten Weng Weng films.
1. Silakbo (1975)
Prima Productions (first screened October 17, 1975)
Director/Writer Manuel Songco Cinematography Rudy Quijano Music Demet Velasquez
Cast Eddie Gutierrez, Lotis Key, Dante Varona, Romy Diaz, Odette Khan, Zandro Zamora, Marie Antoinette, Alberta “Peaches” Rainge, Joe Villafranca, Lita Sandoval, Misty Gallardo, Jun Santos, Veen Rosette, Evelyn Shenna, Kiti-Kiti, Henry Pineda, Vivian Betty, Sheba “Mor” Tatad, Freddie Robles, Lilian Fernando, [uncredited] Weng Weng
Miracles keep falling from the sky... Cora Caballes' agent handed me a list of Weng Weng titles while I was at the ABS/CBN film archives in January 2008, and this one (along with a completely unidentifiable one, "Dugo May Umagos") was a mystery. I remember Weng Weng's brother told me his favourite WW film was "the one with Lotis Key".
Digging through the Archives, I found cast and crew details, and we hit gold: confirmation of the earliest known Weng Weng appearance on film, this time released just after his 18th birthday.
Until we find the movie itself, this is all I can glean of the film's details. From appearances it's a standard Tagalog action film with then-popular stars Eddie Gutierrez, Dante Varona (later in Weng Weng's Agent OO), Lotis Key (girlfriend of Dolphy and star of many comedies AND kung fu films) and Romy Diaz (regular Weng Weng villain).
1975 – Kill The Tiger (First Film Organisation [Hong Kong]/Kinavesa Enterprises)
[Philippines release date 30th March 1975, Hong Kong titles “Fei Hu Shen Tan”, “Da Du Xiao” and “Tiger Force”; released in Italy as “La Fuerza De Tigre” and in Spain as “Gángsters PolicÃa y Kárate”]
Directors Joseph Kong [Hung], Danny Ochoa Writer Joseph Kong [Hung] Producer Wong Cheuk Hon Action Director Yuen Woo Ping Presenter Wong Cheuk-Hon
Cast Sing Chen [also listed as Chen Xing], Jeanne Young, Lotis Key, Protacio Dee, Jim Delon, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Mark LeBuse, Chang Lee, Michael Chan Wai Man [also listed as Chan Wei Ming], Maricel Soriano, “Bruce Chen”/Bruce Tong Yim Chan, Jimmy “Lee”/Lung Fong, Cheung Lik, Yukio Someno, Jimmy Lung Fong, Wong Mei, Sham Chin-Bo, Mung Lai Sha, [uncredited] Nick Nicholson (debut)
Nick Nicholson (left) relaxing in style on the set of Kill The Tiger
I must go all the way back to 1973. I had recently been discharged from the Navy and was working for a Fire Protection firm in Manila. One of the fellows I worked with by the name of Tony Luna (A Spanish Mestizo), had an uncle who was a Still Photographer for Motion Pictures and TV Commercials. One day the uncle called Tony and asked if he had any friends that could work as extras for a film being co produced by Chinese from Hong Kong and a local Chinese producer Kimmy Lim. Tony approached me and asked if I would be interested. Who wouldn't? Back in those days I received 15 pesos a day and the extra work was paying 150 pesos.
On the appointed day, Tony and I skipped from work and we headed out on his motorcycle from Quezon City, to Roxas Blvd. in Manila (formerly Dewey Ave named after Admiral Dewey from the early days of American occupation of the Philippines.). Our location was a cocktail lounge in the Aloha Hotel which fronted ManilaBay. We were to play drunken patrons who were abusing a hostess from the lounge, only to be taught a lesson by a Chinese martial arts star by the name of Chen Xing. This was also the era of the Martial Arts genere of films in Hong Kong. Bruce Lee was now an international star and likewise everybody in Hong Kong was climbing on the bandwagon.
We were told to wait inside to the Hotel Lobby, so we hung out there while various movie types arrived. After a while the equipment arrived and the grips, gaffers and set dressers started to set up the Cocktail Lounge.Finally, we were ushered inside by a Chinese AD who couldn’t speak English, but through mime we figured out what he wanted. We all sat down at one table while other extras and actors were blocked for the scene. At another table was a half breed Filipino American girl who was going by the moniker of “Blue Seal” which referred to imported or PX cigarettes back in the old days!
The scene as I mentioned, was that we were to abuse Blue Seal, and in turn a stuntman form SOS was to interfere with our fun. We would then start to beat on him, then Chen Xing would kick everybody’s ass. While waiting for the scene to start, the AD went around the room, handing out packs of Chinese cigarettes to everybody. We were all encouraged to light them up and puff away. A Filipino AD came around and told us they didn’t have a smoke machine so we needed to smoke as much as possible to fill the place with smoke for the ambiance of a Cocktail Lounge. He told us not too worry as there were plenty of cigarettes in case we ran out! Well, this was my first exposure to making a film, and I didn’t know at the time that in future films I would be working on, it would be worse.
(from Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide) Depending on which source you read, Tiger Force is either a Japanese or American production. This is a moot point, since the whole megillah takes place in Manila. The hero is a local cop, who goes undercover to investigate a tricky kidnapping case. The victim has tenuous ties with people on both sides of the law. The detective digs deeper, and discovers that the abduction is linked with the Manila drug trade.