[Release date 5th December 1973]
Director/Story/Screenplay Romeo N. Galang Producer Pacifico D. Laxa Cinematography Justo Paulino Music Ernani Cuenco
Cast Victor Wood (Batman), Gloria Romero, Rosemarie Gil, Eva Linda, Rosanna Marquez, Nick Romano, Romy Diaz, Ike Lozada, German Moreno, Danny Rojo, Robert Talabis, Arnold Mendoza, Lotis Key (Cat Woman), Rod Navarro (The Joker), Pinky [Montilla] (Bat Girl), Roderick Paulate (Robin), Manolo Noble, Joaquin Fajardo, Greg Lozano, Franco Guerrero [as Chito 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
Proposed Cast* Victor Wood (Batman), Roderick Paulate (Robin), Pinky [Montilla] (Bat Girl), Rod Navarro (The Joker), Lotis Key (Cat Woman), Gloria Romero (Planet Girl), Liza Lorena (Lota), Rosanna Marquez (The Temptress), Eddie Garcia (Satan), Max Alvarado (Maxie), Romy Diaz (Romulus), Nick Romano (Detective), Manolo Noble (Police Commissioner), Ike Lozada (Club Manager), German Moreno (Joker's Assistant), Eva Linda (Lucifera), Roberto Talabis (Planet Man), "Five Unanos" (Joker's Jesters)
SCIENCE FICTION/COSTUMED SUPERHERO
*from the treatment submitted to the Board of Censors
NOTE by Andrew Leavold: Not the first Filipino Batman rip-off - at last count it was Number Seven! - and certainly not the last, unseen since the Seventies, and until now one of the most mysterious due to a complete lack of information on its story and characters. Finally, from the treatment Pacific Films lodged with the Board of Censors in 1973, all can be revealed - and it sounds completely insane! Fight...'s alliterative title alludes to the massive hit from just months before, Lipad Darna Lipad, and naturally, in true Pinoy style, copies its multi-part structure; it's not just a direct theft from the American TV show, stringing four episodes together. Exactly how much changed between the treatment and the actual shooting, we can only imagine. But if the film is only half as wild as its outline, the Philippines has indeed lost a camp masterpiece.
THE PICTURE IN BRIEF: The setting is a fictional (only in comic books) City of Gotham. The time is the present. It might even be in the future.
Gotham City is a modern and peaceful metropolis - like Manila today. Except when the Joker and his menagerie of mayhem-makers attempt to disturb the peace. But there are always the two masked and caped super sleuths - Batman and Robin - to check their misdeeds and protect the rights of the citizens.
The film is composed of four interrelated stories. The first one is the Joker's plot to eliminate Batman and Robin through Cat Woman and her hoods. A trap is set for the masked heroes at the Navotas Fish Market. The duo escapes the trap. After a long car chase along the city streets, the Cat Woman and her men are captured and securely tucked in jail.
The second story is about the secret landing on earth of five creatures - they all look human - from the planet Venus. Their mission: recruit men and women to repopulate their dying planet. The Joker sees a money-making venture on the mission. He agrees to supply the Venusians with their needs provided they do something for him. The Joker uses the Venusians' powerful ray gun to blackmail the city into paying him P10 million. Batman and Robin foil the plan and destroy the invaders from Venus at the same time.
In the third episode, Batman and Robin are pitted against a huge mechanical robot controlled by Lota and his boys via remote control. The robot could break into banks and jewelry stores unchecked by security men. Half of the loot goes to Joker. Again, as expected, the masked marvels are able to turn the robot against its master. Lota and her boys are captured and jailed. The Joker narrowly escapes.
In the final story, the Joker makes a bargain with Satan (not the original from Hell but similarly attired and made up). The plan is to lure Batman and Robin into a big costume ball where guests will wear expensive jewelry. The possibility of a heist is imminent. Our heroes attend the party. Satan, the Temptress and cohorts gang up on the caped crusaders. The Joker is there to pitch in. It is a riot of a party. After the fight, Satan and his advocates are neatly tied in a bunch for the police to pick up.
Batman and Robin trail the Joker to his hideout. A chase on foot follows. The race ends in a country brook where dozens of lavenderas are washing the day's laundry. They recognize the Joker (out of a bar soap ad on TV?) and hit him with bars of soap. A soaking-wet but well laundered Joker is captured and jailed.
Batman assumes his other role - owner and singer of a supper club in the city. Robin is back in business: parking attendant and cigarette vendor.
The City of Gotham can again sleep peacefully. Justice always triumphs in the end.
THEATRICAL
Images courtesy of Simon Santos' Video 48 blog
PHILIPPINES - released 23rd December 1973
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