Bruka Queen Of Horror (1975)

1975 – Bruka (Emperor Films International)

[Philippines release date 18th July 1975; a Hong Kong-Filipino co-production, export title “Bruka Queen Of Evil”]

Director Albert Yu [Yu Chik-Lim*] [local credits also list Felix Villar] Producer Jimmy L. Pascual [Hong Kong Movie Database also credits Jimmy with Screenplay] Dialogue Yuen Shiao Po Cameraman Leung Kwok Kuen [Frank Leung Kwok-Kuen*] Music Chow Fu Liang Editor Lee Yam Hai In Charge of Production Fely Pascual Production Manager Vic Kwong Martial Arts Intructors [not listed in credits but credited on the Hong Kong Movie Database] Brandy Yuen Jan-Yeung, Yuen Bun, Corey Yuen Kwai Assistant Director David Yau [Yau Ming*] Interpreter Teddy Chiu [as Tedmund Chiu] Special Effects Michael Fung Makeup Artist Soledad Mauricio Wardrobe Romana Tablate Setting Maurio Carmona Props Ng Chau Lights Chui Kwok Kuen Electrician Tiburcio Pacia Stills Wong Tit Huang 

Cast Alex Lung [Alex Lung Ji-Fei*] (Hong Pin), Rosemarie Gil (Manda), Etang Discher [as "Etang Ditched"] (Carol Pak, aka Bruka), Sandra de Veyra (Louisa), Yukio Someno (Jungle Fighter), Anthony Lee [Anthony Lee Miu-Hung*] (Hermit?), Michael Kwan [Kwan Wai-Lun*], Charlie Davao (Manda's First Victim), Connie Angeles (Sacrificial Virgin), Darius Razon (Young Man With Guitar), Tintoy (Waiter), Matimtiman Cruz (Bar Owner), Roldan Rodrigo, Bruno Punzalan (Drunk Bald Thug), Greg Lozano, Ramon D’Salva (Monk), Pedro Faustino, Alfonso Carvajal (Mr Tong), Eileen Montinola, Ben Manalo, Michael de Mesa (Restaurant Patron), Rocco Montalban (Mr Tong's Guard), Kristina Kasten, Sancho Tesalona (Bald Restaurant Thug), Eddie Nicart, Jimmy Cruz, Gigi Vellasenor

HORROR/KUNG FU

*alternate spelling on the Hong Kong Movie Database

Review by Andrew Leavold

Back in 1974, a Filipino producer named Jimmy L. Pascual ended his two-year run of Hong Kong-based kung fu productions and brought his film outfit to the Philippines to make a film called Devil Woman. Essentially a chop-sockey cashing in on the kung fu craze like Pascual’s previous films (The Bloody Fists [1972], The Awaken Punch [1973] amongst others), Devil Woman is a rudimentary revenge saga with fantastic elements and snake motif, a familiar ingredient in Asian horror. Despite the regulation atrocious dubbing and wooden dialogue, Rosemarie Gil is positively regal as the snake-haired queen seeking revenge on the townsfolk for burning her parents alive, and the film was a minor hit, even receiving a theatrical run in the US, and has retained a small fanatical cult following thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s regular screenings.

For years, fans of Devil Woman saw posters for a film called Bruka Queen Of Evil featuring Rosemarie Gil’s distinctive coiffure and assumed it was one of Devil Woman’s numerous export titles. When a trailer finally appeared, the Devil Woman herself, Manda the Snakewoman, was indeed in the film – but with entirely different footage of bats, walking trees, and an army of Little People. Was this the Filipino cut of Devil Woman for the local market merely redubbed and resold, or an entirely different film? Alas, no version of Bruka could be found, even amongst the most intrepid of Asian collectors. 

Imagine my surprise, then, to discover a copy of Bruka Queen Of Evil last month [NOTE: I originally wrote this way back in May 2011] in my post box. Ten minutes later, I can confirm Bruka is no Devil Woman. Although made by the same production team and with many of the original’s cast, its immediate sequel Bruka is an entirely different creature. A quantum improvement on Devil Woman, the film throws open Manda’s own personal narrative, giving her both a legacy and a destiny, and adds a new protagonist’s magical quest against a seemingly improbable array of oddities. 

Bruka begins as Devil Woman ends, with Manda engulfed in flames as she falls over a cliff. Miraculously she survives and wakes in a cave next to a white-haired hag and a cadre of predatory and aggressively sexual dwarves. “I’m your grandmother,” the hag Bruka declares, and to prove the point, unfurls her fifteen-foot snake body. She then shows Manda flashbacks to her birth in a crystal ball, revealing Manda’s mother to have chosen a mortal husband over her reptilian heritage. Manda’s so happy at the family reunion, she literally dances for joy! Surrounding her is a brand-new arsenal for her protection: bats, rock creatures, tree-men, and shape-shifting dwarves into snakes. Veteran contrabida Charlie Davao is the test case, a poor villager who sees a figure under a sheet in his yard. It turns out to be a wooden cross covered in reptiles who almost drown him in venom. And with that, the Devil Woman sequel has already shape-shifted itself to the next level of weirdness. 

Grandma Bruka now gives her granddaughter a special gift – a black stone which turns her head full of angry snakes into human hair for as long as she keeps the stone in her mouth. To test the theory, she goes for a jungle stroll and kisses the first unfortunate hippie with a guitar (singer Darius Razon) who stumbles upon her. Spitting out the stone, the snakes pounce. Exssssscellent! In Bruka, Manda is no longer killing simply for revenge, and is instead awakening her true inner evil, and exploiting her outward normalcy to indulge her more primal, destructive instincts. In short: Evil has a new Mestiza and gloriously patrician Queen.

As Bruka unfolds, Manda faces a new antagonist in the shape of poor and intensely angry Chinese Hong Pin (Pascual’s kung fu kicking regular Alex Lung). He loses his bar job after saving a bumbling waiter (comedian Tintoy) from a beating from some brawling thugs (led by an old SOS Daredevil, Sancho Tesalona); desperate to look after his ailing mother and younger sister, he takes on the dangerous task of rescuing Louisa (Sandra de Veyra), the daughter of rich gangster Mr Tong (Alfonso Carvajal), from Manda's clutches. In an eerily effective sequence he walks into a village obliterated by Manda’s snake scourge, bodies strewn everywhere covered in flies and bite marks, and he helps bury the bodies alongside a priest (Ramon D’Salva) and his hunchbacked assistant. The forest is full of peril, warns the hunchback, and Hong Pin must seek a hermit’s help. And as if on cue, Bruka’s dwarves burst into the church, dissolve into snakes and cover the priest and cripple. With the hermit’s favourite rope-belt-turned-into-a-pole trick, Hong Pin makes his way through hostile territory, through all manner of creatures - and those include knocking out Yukio Someno and his mutant pig-man, and kicking a rock monster right in the stones! - to the cave containing Louisa and her virginal companions, all ready to be sacrificed to the Snake Queens’ insidious blood cult. 

As with Devil Woman, where Rosemarie Gil's daughter Cherie makes her first screen appearance as Manda's daughter, her son Michael de Mesa - youngest boy to her rocker husband Eddie Mesa - appears in the restaurant scene trying at first to seduce her, before tucking into a plate of live snakes. Another first is the earliest known screen credit for future director "Teddy Page"/"Irvin Johnson" etc under his real name Tedmund Chiu.  

Pascual’s immediate Philippines output for his Emperor Films International included another starring role for Lung, Dragons Never Die (1974), released in the US on a double bill with Devil Woman, and three Tagalog horror films released in 1975 alone for the local market (Isinumpa, Pagsapit Ng Dilim and Pandemonium: Lupa, Langit At Impiyerno). But if there was ever destined to be Filipino Lords Of The Rings with evil, fondling, River-Dancing hobbits, Batmen with huge bat wings and nasty bat claws, and bleeding trees, this is the one film to rule them all. Those with a snake phobia, BEWARE; those with eyebrows ready to be raised and a keenly-honed appreciation of the absurd, enjoy, and I’ll see you at Ermita’s all-dwarf bar Hobbit House for after-movie rum cocktails.

A rare contemporary newspaper review (and, as predicted, not very complimentary)...

The Grand Rapids Press, 3rd October 1978, p.20

Review from The Bloody Pit Of Horror blog: "While it's occasionally bogged down by the kung fu scenes, the pacing is a lot brisker, it manages to weave the plot threads together in a more streamlined and cohesive manner and it's filled with memorably insane bits and cheap-o monster creations to boggle your mind."

Review from the Cool Ass Cinema blog: "The kung foolery continues in BRUKA, QUEEN OF EVIL, the infinitely entertaining, unjustly obscure HK-Filipino co-pro sequel to DEVIL WOMAN. Doubling up on the snakes and piling up as many demented ideas as its near 100 minutes will allow, BRUKA throws that film's serious tone right in the garbage. In its place is this tale of vengeful Ophidio-females that embraces pure nuttiness with its menagerie of majestically rock-bottom creatures including giant stone monsters; angry midgets; a walking killer tree you could've made in your backyard; and a bat man that looks like a stunt guy in thermal underwear with kites glued to his arms. Yes, staples of the best bad cinema has to offer are all present and accounted for. Fans of wacky Asian cinema will be riveted; all others--especially Ophidiophobics--will be repelled. Fangs for the good time, nonetheless."

Alex Lung (Hong Pin)

Rosemarie Gil (Manda)

Etang Discher (Carol Pak, aka Bruka)

Sandra de Veyra (Louisa)

Yukio Someno (Jungle Fighter)

Anthony Lee (Hermit?)

Michael Kwan 

Charlie Davao (Manda's First Victim)

Connie Angeles (left - Sacrificial Virgin)

Darius Razon (Young Man With Guitar)

Tintoy (Waiter)

Matimtiman Cruz (Bar Owner)

Roldan Rodrigo

Bruno Punzalan (far left - Drunk Bald Thug)

Greg Lozano

Ramon D’Salva (Monk)

Pedro Faustino

Alfonso Carvajal (Mr Tong)

Eileen Montinola

Ben Manalo

Michael de Mesa (Restaurant Patron)

Rocco Montalban (Mr Tong's Guard)

Kristina Kasten

Sancho Tesalona (Bald Restaurant Thug)

Eddie Nicart

Jimmy Cruz

Gigi Vellasenor

THEATRICAL

HONG KONG - released worldwide by producer Jimmy Pasquale's Emperor Films International; Hong Kong release date 18th June 1975 [according to the Hong Kong Movie Database]

USA - screens around the country from July 1976.

HAWAII - premieres at the Hawaii and Kaimuki theatres on 25th August 1976, then screens around the islands as part of kung fu double bills until at least 1981.

GUAM - screened at the Johnston Theatre in Agana from May 1st to 7th 1977.

CAMBODIA - mentioned screening in the countryside as early as February 1975.

- mp4s [feature in Mandarin with English subtitles, trailer dubbed into English]

Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa (1978)

Image courtesy of Simon Santos and his Video 48 blog

1978 - Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa (Liliw Productions)  

[Release date 3rd February 1978; newspaper ads list the film as "Chop Suey Met Big Time Papa", which according to Dante "Boy" Pangilinan is a typographic error]  

Director Dante "Boy" Pangilinan Screenplay Coran Ridon Caballes Producer "Twinkle" [Caballes] Executive Producers Peter M. Caballes, Cora Ridon Caballes Music Anthony Castillano Assistant Director Eddie Nicart Fight Instructors Mando Pangilinan, Oscar "Oca" Reyes 

Cast Ramon Zamora (Chop-Suey), Weng Weng (Big Time Papa), Mike Cohen (Crime Boss)  

KUNG FU/SPY/COMEDY  

THE LOST MOVIE PROJECT: Piecing together the fragments of the Philippines' vanished cinema

Andrew Leavold on Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa, from The Search For Weng Weng book; full Eddie Nicart interviews are HERE, and Dante 'Boy' Pangilinan's interview is HERE

In late 1977, Dante "Boy" Pangilinan presented Weng Weng to Cora Caballes as main foil to Ramon Zamora (They Call Him Chop Suey [1975]). "I have my belief to that small kid to be a big star. So, she read my synopsis and my treatment. 'OK, when do you like to start your filming?' Right then and there. 'OK!' 

"I'm very thankful to my Ninang. 'You're ready? Shoot!' Weng Weng is very happy. 'Direk, can I already make that film as one of the lead roles, with the famous Ramon Zamora?' 'Yes! You already proven that in our first film. That's your testing ground. And this time you have plenty of leading ladies!' 'OK!'" Dante laughed. 

Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa (1978) was Weng Weng's first lead as secret agent "Big Time Papa" roping in hapless martial arts instructor Zamora to bring down an American crime lord (Mike Cohen, aka Professor Von Kohler in For Y'ur Height Only) and his syndicate. Once again, Dante was sketchy on the film details, but did remember the film's contrabida well. "Mike Cohen's a good actor," recalled Dante of the squat, big-browed White Goon from countless local and international productions, Tony Ferrer actioners and Chiquito comedies; a retired Colonel operating a theatre in Malate’s Harrison Plaza while lending out is rotund, officious presence to local and international productions. "He's already well-versed in Filipino [film]making. He already understands more Filipino dialects, and he even talked Tagalog when I directed him!" 

Don Gordon Bell served time as one of Cohen's red-jumpered goons in the Tony Ferrer-starring Sabotage 2 (1979). "Colonel Michael Cohen was a great man. Served in the guerilla forces during World War 2 in several places of Luzon. He had stories that have proven true about the actions of Filipino guerrilla units against the Japanese/Korean troops during the occupation. He was a Captain in the US Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, made honorary Filipino citizen by former President Marcos. Mike was a great friend of the lads during our years in Filipino cinema, working with us as a character actor in a number of films. A Russian Jew, Mike was willing to do anything, even suffered a bite from a poisonous snake during a shoot. He insisted on finishing the scene after treatment!" Sadly, Colonel Cohen died soon after the snake bite.  

"What I most admire about Mr Mike Cohen," said Dante, "as far as compensation is concerned, he understands the budget of the Filipino filmmaking." What kind of budgets are we talking about? "This time Ninang Cora Caballes gave me an even higher film budget, because this film already, one of the lead roles, Ramon Zamora, is already proven as an actor, and box office, during that day." How much exactly? Dante laughed... "During that day, around 300,000 to 400,000 [pesos], it was already a big budget, excluding the publicity. Just for filmmaking, for Chop Suey…." And the previous budget for Sila… was much smaller? "It's already from 100,000 to 250,000. During that day. That was 1976, already a bigger compensation, the value of the peso during that day is very big." 

Eddie Nicart in The Game Of Death! (1974)

Chop Suey… also marked Weng Weng's first association with Eddie Nicart, a person who, after Peter and Cora Caballes, would transform his life beyond recognition. "Eddie Nicart is my assistant director, and Mando Pangilinan, my cousin, is the fight instructor of Eddie Nicart. Because they both belong to SOS Daredevils, they are like brothers in that association of stuntmen. He's very nice, Eddie Nicart is a good man…" 

For Chop Suey…, did Eddie and Mando train Weng Weng to be a stuntman? "Yes. That's when Mando and Eddie Nicart already started Weng Weng training more on the stunts, more on action. So Weng Weng, in this small size, become more effective as an action star."  

Eddie Nicart’s previous stunt and acting work with Johnny C. Pangilinan and son Dante on a number of films - most notably in Dugo At Pag-ibig Sa Kapirasong Lupa (1975), and playing the revolutionary Luis Prang in Gomburza – led to the offer of Assistant Director with Liliw Productions, as well as supervising Weng Weng’s training. “Although not like the other outfits which were big, but they were doing lots of films - even non- Weng Weng. So I sometimes join those films as [fight] instructor, or actor. So when Weng Weng arrived, Ninang Cora knows me. When they did Weng Weng, Boy [Pangilinan] did not have his crew, unlike me, I have a five-man crew, and we can already make movies. It’s all there - the caterer, the crew, we were all working. Even though I’m the director, sometimes, I’m still the caterer, I would be cooking. We all were moving, working. We can do it cheap. So when I say that we can finish a film in one week, we can do it. Fifteen days, seven days…  We can do it. We were intact. We were together. It was teamwork. 

“The first time I saw him,” Eddie told me of his first meeting with Weng Weng, “they said that he was discovered in the streets of Baclaran. When I first saw him in the [Caballes’] house, I told myself that if this kid will be dressed and trained properly, his [career] will fly. Because he can comprehend things. He obeys. And when I [teach] him karate, he has good footwork. And I said that if he will be trained properly, he will have better moves. And that’s what happened. We taught him. We brought him to the gym.”  

Eddie and his assistant directors-cum-fight instructors Mando Pangilinan and Oscar 'Oca' Reyes put Weng Weng through an SOS Daredevils’ version of Boot Camp for several months. By training’s end, Weng Weng was the real deal, a professional stuntman and genuine miniature Goon.  

Everyone says he was already a blackbelt in karate before he started in films? “I do not [believe that]. It was with our trainings that he became a blackbelt. Because when he was with us in the gym, he was made to wear the belts. First, the white belt, and then he was promoted to brown, and then red… because of his abilities. But at first, I did not notice that. When he was still not with Ninang Cora, I did not know how he was. I know that he was just a stand-by in Baclaran. Because nobody was really taking care of him. His brothers did not know that he would turn out like that.” 

Where did you train Weng Weng, I wanted Eddie to answer. "Mostly at SOS, and at the Karate Club of our friends. That’s where we train him karate. And for his stunts, he trains at the SOS gym. That’s where we teach him. Jump off the building, jump off the bridge! It was okay. The kid was obedient, even though he was like that. Because he’ll do whatever you tell him to. When you tell him to jump, he’ll jump. He does not have any fear. Probably because he’s slow in the head, but it was good because he was obedient."  

How long did you have to train him? "Months. A couple of months, I think. Karate, jumps, fight scenes. Most especially the fight scenes. It should not come off awkwardly. And this is because Peter and Cora want to turn him into a leading action star." 

Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa was enough of a minor hit to make money for the Caballes. “As far as I know,” said Dante, “before I started the film, they only renting the one-space apartment. But when I made these films Sila… and Chopsuey…, they already own that place. Why? Because of the outcome of my movies. When I visited them, wow, they already owned that apartment."   

Red Belt Master (1974)

Image courtesy of Simon Santos' Video 48 blog

1974 – Red Belt Master (Gerald Productions)  

[Release date 23rd June 1974]  

Directors Carlos O. Manalastas, Angel Labra Story/Screenplay Jerry O. Tirazona  

Cast Trovador Ramos, Rommel Valdez [as Rommell Valdez], Gina Pareno, Paquito Diaz, Charlie Davao, Perry Baltazar, Max Alvarado, Protacio Dee, Johnny Vicar, Ernie Ortega, Robert Rivera, Ruben Ramos, Sancho Tesalona, Jun Santos, Pong Pong, SOS Daredevils, PMP [Stuntmen], PIS [Stuntmen], Tracma Boys, Pepe Cruz, Rey Javier, Jim de Leon  

Proposed Cast* Trovador Ramos (Cabigat, an Igorot brave whose father was killed by a band of goons), Rommel Valdez (Rommel, top undercover agent of the law who comes to the small Igorot village to get classified information about landgrabbing in the place), Gina Pareno (Lamya, the Igorot maiden), Charlie Davao (Don Manolo, the greedy landlord and miner), Sancho Tesalona (Sancho, one of the Don's trusted men), Johnny Vicar (Johnny, another trusted man of the Don), Jim Delon (Jim, Rommel's detective partner) Don's Henchmen Aldo Cruz, Rey Javier, Larry Silva, Jimmy Javier, Jimmy Evangelista

KUNG FU  

*from the shooting script submitted to the Board of Censors in 1974

THE LOST MOVIE PROJECT: Piecing together the fragments of the Philippines' vanished cinema

NOTE by Andrew Leavold: Yet another Pinoy martial arts film from the initial rush of Bruce Lee-inspired movies. This time Trovador Ramos, head of Filipino-based martial arts organization TRACMA (hence his own stunt team TRACMA Boys) and, so the story goes, the only man to ever beat Bruce Lee in a sparring match, was top-billed along with former stuntman Rommel Valdez. Red Belt Master was entered in the 1974 Manila Film Festival and vanished soon afterwards; other than the newspaper ad, the only evidence we can find of the film is the outline in the shooting script submitted to the Board of Censors in 1974...

SYNOPSIS: Time was during the early part of the 1950s. In the far-flung areas, the rich and the powerful harass and oppress the poor - using their riches and power to amass wealth; and amass more wealth just to maintain their power and stature.

Our story is centered on a group of Igorot tribesfolk somewhere in a sleepy community in the Mountain Province, ruled by their chief, Lakay Bugan. 

A group of armed goons harass the tribe, the purpose is to frighten them into leaving their village. The leader of the goons is a rich landed gentry named Don Manolo - who wanted the place of the Igorots vacated so that his secret in a nearby coal mines will not easily be made vulgar. Actually, he is not just mining coal as what he wants the authorities to believe: He is mining diamonds in a secret compartment inside the coal mines caves, a mining operation which he hides so much from the government and the people around so he won't pay large sums of money in taxes plus the fact that the government may take over the mining operations from him.

In trying to frighten the Igorots, Don Manolo's armed goons hang Lakay Bugan from the branch of a tree. With this, he is successful.

Classified information reaches the office of Colonel Ramos who is head of an intelligence group about several cases wherein those who were said to have gone near the Black Mountain were not able to get back and were believed to be either lost or dead. The Colonel right then and there sends his top-calibre undercover agent to the place to conduct an investigation.

It so happens that a certain man called Cabigat also arrived in the area and finds his way in the wooded area until he comes to the newly-settled Igorot tribe who had fled their former settlement. Actually, Cabigat is the only son of the murdered tribal chieftain. He had left his tribe when he was at the age of 12 when he was brought along to Tokyo by a Japanese soldier just after the last World War. In Tokyo he served under a Japanese karate master and had learned the art himself by which he earned the 13th dan red belt championship honor.

The undercover agent - Rommel Valdez - arrives in the vicinity of the Black Mountain, pretending to be hunting for wild pigs. Goons chance upon him. They shoot him, wounding him on the breast, then maul him and left him for dead. Later that evening, some Igorot braves chance upon him and bring him with them to their new settlement where an Igorot maid named Lamya takes care of him to nourish him back to health.

Cabigat and Rommel come to know each other, the tribe being now under the leadership of the former. Cabigat wants to fit force against Don Manolo and his goons but Rommel convinces him about using peaceful means. But this becomes a vain attempt because the town mayor is in cohorts with the Don.

A series of incidents lead one day to the disguise of Cabigat and Rommel as miners and penetrate the mining camp where they are immediately unmasked. They have no other way but to fight to defend themselves. They discover the secret and are able to kill some of the goons and capture the rest. As for Don Manolo, he is brought by Rommel to justice. 

Visayan Dragon (1974)

1974 - Visayan Dragon (Magnolia Film Productions) 

[Release date unknown] 

Director Sol Gaudite Associate Director/Dialogue Director Tino Yburan 

Cast Philip Gamboa, Geraldine, Yoyoy Villame, Aida Roxas, Elizabeth Ramsey, Riel Ylaya, Joel Muscat, Lyn Madrigal, Roger Varca, Demy Codilla, Romy Ylaya, Yoyo Mirafuentes, Rudy Gamboa, Mike Lapid, Omar Camar, Romeo Blanco, Ruben Obligacion, Santy Hermosa 

VISAYAN/KUNG FU 

NOTES by Andrew Leavold

Yet another Pinoy kung fu feature missing since the Seventies, Visayan Dragon has the distinction of being one of those rarest of creatures alongside Chiquito's Enter Garote (1974), a Visayan martial arts film filmed in and around Cebu. Helmed by Sol Gaudite, director of the majority of Roberto Gonzalez's early karate films, I'm yet to find evidence of any screenings outside the Visayan region. 

The King Plaster (1972)

1972 – The King Plaster (Luis San Juan Productions)  

[Release date 13th July 1972]  

Director/Producer Luis San Juan Story/Screenplay Jun San Juan Cinematography Fermin Pagsisthan Music Pablo Vergara Layout Artist Marvin B. Panganiban

Cast Ramon Zamora, Jane Laurel, Menchie Palma, Tange, Mandy Bustamante, Pancho Pelagio, Menggay, [Don] Pepot, Penggot, Golay, Rudy Evangelista, Val Iglesia, Annie Crisostimo, William Mely, Tony Wang, Art Velasco, Mauricio, Bobby Blason, Leo Curay, Roland Falcis, Jun Velasco, Jay Grama, MM Stuntmen, SOS Daredevils, Louie Florentino, Gilbert Brown, Linda Yu, Rosa Luna, Linda Castro  

KUNG FU/COMEDY  

NOTES by Andrew Leavold

Sadly, Luis San Juan's spoof of the Meng Fei film The King Boxer (also 1972) has been missing since the Seventies. Needless to say, if anyone finds a print, PLEASE let us know!

THEATRICAL

PHILIPPINES - released 13th July 1972

Pinoy Kung Fu Register 1972-1982

Image courtesy of Simon Santos and his Video 48 blog

PINOY KUNG FU REGISTER 1972-1982 

In rough order of release to Philippine theatres [* = digital copy already in the Bamboo Gods Archives]

1972 - Diego Condenado (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Dirty Hari (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Escape From East Berlin (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Mga Mapanganib (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Lagot Kung Lagot/“Cut If Cut” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Jungle Fighters: The Will To Survive (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - The Pig, Boss (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy)

1972 - Ang Kamay Na Bakal/“Hands Of Steel” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Walang Katapat/“Incomparable” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Hari Ng Mga Simaron/“King Of The Cimarons” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - The King Plaster (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy)

1972 - Kahit Saan! Encuentro/“Everywhere! Encounter” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Fish And Fury (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy)

1972 - King Fighter (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - The Iron Fist (Tony Ferrer)

1972 - Fist To Kill (Chiquito, Kung Fu Comedy)

1972 - Battle Of Masters (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Walang Hari Sa Akin!/“I Have No King!” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1972 - Blood Compact (Joseph Estrada)

*1972 - Magihoong Karatista (Roberto Gonzalez)

*1973 - Bamboo Gods And Iron Men/Black Kung Fu (US co-production)

*1973 - The Blood Hero/Bloody Hero/Wizard Of Kung Fu (Hong Kong co-production; Meng Fei)

1973 - Ako, Laban Sa Daigdig/“Me, Against The World” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1973 - Ang Barbaro At Si Genghis Khan/“The Barbarian And Genghis Khan” (Roberto Gonzalez and Ramon Zamora)

1973 - The Radical Boxer Challenges The Big Boss (Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo)

1973 - Tagausig!/“Accuser!” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1973 - The Prodigal Brothers (Fred Galang)

1973 - Karateka Boxer (Tony Ferrer)

1973 - Pasiklab Brothers (Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy)

1973 - Kamay Na Ginto/“Hand Of Gold” (Roberto Gonzalez)

1973 - Logro Diyes (Ramon Zamora)

1973 - San Nicolas (Roberto Gonzalez)

*1973 - Basco Silang: Ang Tagapagtanggol (Roberto Gozalez and Rolando Gonzalez)

*1973 - Buhawi (export title "Revenge Of The Lady Fighter"; Virginia and Rolando Gonzalez)

1973 - Sa Ngalan Ng Batas (Roberto Gonzalez)

1973 - Sikaran Boxer (Jay Ilagan)

1973 - Fist To Face (Roberto Gonzalez, Kung Fu Comedy)

1973 - The Prodigal Sons (Rey Malonzo)

1973 – Digmaan Sa Paraiso/“War In Paradise” (Roberto Gonzalez, Kung Fu War)  

1973 – Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig Ni Pedro Penduko/“The Mystical World Of Pedro Penduko” (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Fantasy Comedy)

1973 – Pugante Numero 3-11/“Fugitive Number 3-11” (Roberto Gonzalez)  

1973 - Landas Ng Hari (Ramon Zamora)

1973 - The Panther (Virginia)

*1973 - Fung Ku (Dolphy, Kung Fu Comedy)

1973 - Kaaway Na Mortal/“Mortal Enemy” (Roberto Gonzalez and Rolando Gonzalez)

1973 - Iking Boxer (Chiquito, Kung Fu Comedy)

1973 - Shadow Of The Dragon (Filipino export; Ramon Zamora)

1973 - Cobra At Lawin (Filipino export, released internationally as "Spirit Of The Dragon"; Vic Vargas and Ramon Zamora)

1973 - Kung Fu Showdown (Hong Kong co-production? Harry So)

1973 - The Eagle's Claw (Virginia)

1974 - Visayan Dragon (Philippines only; Philip Gamboa)

*1974 - Dragons Never Die/Kung Fu 10th Dan/Kung Fu Of 10th Dan/King Of Kung Fu/The Wander Man (Hong Kong co-production; Jimmy L. Pascual)

*1974 - Evidence (Hong Kong co-production)

1974 - Raging Fists (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy)

1974 – Angkan Ni Watari/"Family Of Watari" (Philippines only; Vic Vargas and Dante Varona, Kung Fu Fantasy) 

MARCH 2 - *1974 - The Black Dragon (Hong Kong co-production filmed in Hong Kong; Tony Ferrer)

*1974 - Manila Gold/Murder In The Orient (Filipino export; Leo Fong and Ron Marchini)

*1974 - The Game Of Death! (Filipino export; Ramon Zamora)

1974 – Tagisan Ng Lakas/“Test Of Strength” (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez and Rolando Gonzalez)

1974 - Pinoy Crazy Boys (Philippines only; Jay Ilagan, Kung Fu Comedy) 

*1974 - Devil Woman/Manda (Snakewoman) vs Kung Fu (Hong Kong co-production; Jimmy L. Pascual, Kung Fu Horror)

*1974 - Return Of The Dragon (Filipino export; Ramon Zamora)

*1974 - Twin Fists For Justice/Wild Whirlwind (Hong Kong co-production; Meng Fei and Vilma Santos)

1974 – Virginia Soliman: Manila Girl Special (Philippines only; Virginia) 

*1974 - Chaku Master (Filipino export; Rey Malonzo)

*1974 - T.N.T. Jackson/Dynamite Wong And T.N.T. Jackson (US co-production; Jeanne Bell and Chiquito)

1974 - King Of The Dragon (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez and Rolando Gonzalez)

1974 - Kung Fu Master (Philippines only; Tony Ferrer)

1974 - Red Belt Master (Philippines only; Trovador Ramos)

1974 - 7 Crazy Dragons (Philippines only; Jay Ilagan, Kung Fu Comedy)

1974 – Bagsik At Kamandag Ni Pedro Penduko (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Fantasy Comedy) 

1974 - Kamandag Ng Cobra (Philippines only; Vic Vargas)

1974 – Target…Eva Jones (Philippines only; Eva Reyes) 

*1974 - Cosa Nostra Asia (Hong Kong co-production filmed in Taiwan; Chris Mitchum and Tony Ferrer)

1974 - The Eagle And The Dragon (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez and Virginia)

*1974 - Master Samurai/The Agency/Commander Firefox (Hong Kong co-production; Chris Mitchum)

*1974 - The Black Dragon/Tough Guy/Thunder Blow/Super Dragon (Hong Kong/US co-production; Jason Piao Pao, Kung Fu)

*1974 - Enter Garote (Philippines only; Chiquito, Kung Fu Comedy)

1974 - Dragon Fire (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora)

1974 - Matador (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo)

*1974 - The Pacific Connection/The Stick Fighter (Filipino export; Roland Dantes)

1974 - The Dragon Force Connection (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora)

*1975 - Cover Girl Models (US co-production; Cirio H. Santiago)

*1975 - The Fighting Dragon/Challenge Me Dragon (Hong Kong co-production)

1975 - San Simeon: Rage Of The Dragon (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora)

1975 – Mission: Get The Mastermind (Roberto Gonzalez and Rolando Gonzalez) 

1975 - Sandugo: Fury Of The Blood Brothers (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora and Trovador Ramos)

*1975 - The Golden Triangle (Hong Kong co-production)

1975 - The Magnificent Brute (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora)

1975 - The Magic Fighters (Philippines only; Virginia)

1975 - The Witch (Hong Kong co-production; Kung Fu Horror)

*1975 - Tiger Force/Kill The Tiger (Hong Kong co-production; Chen Xing)

1975 - Sleeping Dragon (Hong Kong co-production)

*1975 - They Call Him Chop Suey (Hong Kong co-production; Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy)

1975 - The Eagle And The Flower (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo)

*1975 - Son Of Fung Ku (Philippines only; Dolphy Jr, Kung Fu Comedy)

*1975 - Bruka Queen Of Evil (Hong Kong co-production; Alex Lung, Kung Fu Horror Fantasy)

*1975 - The Bamboo Trap/The Black Panther Of Shaolin/Mababagsik Na Anghel (Filipino export; Leo Fong and Ron Van Clief) 

1975 - Trouble Shooters (Philippines only; Jun Aristorenas and Ramon Zamora)

1975 - Battle Of The Champions: Labanan Ng Mga Kampion (Philippines only; Fernando Estrada) 

*1975 - Beba The Mermaid (Hong Kong co-production; Charles Heung, Kung Fu Fantasy)

*1975 – The Fantastic Sword/Mahiwagang Kris (Hong Kong/South Korean co-production; Ernie Garcia, Kung Fu Fantasy) 

1975 – Stow-a-way (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo) 

1975 - Subok Na Matatag/“Tested Strength” (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez, Kung Fu Comedy)

*1976 - The Muthers (US co-production)

*1976 - Ebony Ivory And Jade/Call Me Direnzi/She Devils In Chains/Foxforce/American Beauty Hostages (US co-production) 

*1976 - Enforcer From Death Row/The Outside Man/Enforcer/Ninja Assassins/The Ninja Enforcer/Death Row Killer/Ninja Nightmare (US co-production; Leo Fong)

1976 - Kuntao (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo)

*1976 - Blind Rage/The System (US co-production; Leo Fong and Tony Ferrer)

1976 – Ang Bulag, Ang Pipi At Ang Bingi (Philippines only; Chiquito and Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy) 

*1976 - Shaolin Masters/The Shaolin Master (Filipino export; Rey Malonzo and Trovador Ramos)

*1976 - Taho-Ichi (Philippines only; Dolphy, Kung Fu Samurai Comedy)

*1976 - Peter Pandesal (Philippines only; Nino Muhlach and Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Fantasy Comedy)

*1976 - The Interceptors/The Interceptors vs The Bionic Being (Tony Ferrer and Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Science Fiction)

*1977 - The Bionic Boy (Hong Kong co-production; Kung Fu Science Fiction)

1977 - Cortes: Caliber 9.mm (Philippines only; Tony Ferrer and Rey Malonzo) 

*1977 - The Return Of Bruce/Bruce's Return/Dragon Returns/Ninja vs Bruce Lee/Return Of Fists Of Fury (Hong Kong co-production; Bruce Le)

1977 – The Magnificent 3: The Police Story (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo and Philip Gamboa) 

1977 – Leon Montera (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy) 

*1977 - The Enforcer And The Pussycats (Philippines only; Tony Ferrer)  

*1977 - Action Force (Jun Aristorenas and Roberto Gonzalez)

*1977 - The Golden Chaku/Bruce And The Golden Chaku (Filipino export; Rey Malonzo and Ramon Zamora)

1977 - Phandora (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora) 

1977 – Mga Dragon Sa Gubat (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora and Harry So) 

1977 – Revenge Of The Dragon (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora) 

1977 – Games Of Bruce (Philippines only; Rey Malonzo) 

1977 – Karate Kung Fu Shaolin Masters (Philippines only; Roberto Gonzalez and Rey Malonzo) 

*1977 - The Dragon, The Lizard, The Boxer (Hong Kong co-production; Meng Fei and Ramon Zamora)

*1978 - Death Force/Fighting Mad (US co-production)

*1978 - They Call Her... Cleopatra Wong (Hong Kong co-production)

*1978 - Dynamite Johnson: Bionic Boy Part II (Hong Kong co-production) 

*1978 - Tiger Man (US/Taiwanese co-production partly filmed in the Philippines)

1978 - Chop Suey Meets Big Time Papa (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora and Weng Weng, Kung Fu Comedy)

1978 – Cimarron Duplicado (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora and Philip Gamboa) 

*1978 – Kambal Dragon (Philippines only; Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Science Fiction Comedy) 

*1978 – Ang Mabait, Ang Masungit At Ang Pangit/"The Good, The Sour-Faced And The Ugly" (Chiquito, Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo) 

1978 - Shanghai Joe (Rey Malonzo) 

1978 - Ang Dragon Sa Maskarang Bakal (Ramon Zamora) 

1978 – Ang Lawin Ng Sta. Barbara (Ramon Zamora and Philip Gamboa) 

1978 – Cobra, Lawin At Dragon/"Cobra, Hawk And Dragon" (Vic Vargas, Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo) 

*1978 - Wonder Dabiana (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Fantasy Superhero Comedy)

1978 – Ang Hari At Ang Alas/"The King And The Ace" (Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo) 

1978 – Blockbusters (Chiquito and Rommel Valdez, Kung Fu Comedy) 

*1978 - Bruce Liit (Nino Muhlach, Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy)

1978 – Adan Crisologo: Wanted For Murder (Rey Malonzo and Philip Gamboa)

1978 - Crime Fighters (Jun Aristorenas and Ramon Zamora)

1978 - Manila China Town (George Estregan and Rey Malonzo)  

1978 – The Deadly Rookies (Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo) 

1978 – Walang Kasukat (Ramon Zamora) 

1978 – Bruce Volcanic Kicks (Rey Malonzo and Ramon Zamora) 

1978 – The Shadow Of Bruce Lee (Robert Lee) 

*1978 – Ang Agimat Ni Pepe/"The Magic Charm Of Pepe" (Nino Muhlach and Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy)

1978 - The Wild Grease…Wild And Riotous! (Chiquito and Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1978 – Ang Huling Lalaki Ng Baluarte (Rey Malonzo) 

*1979 – Bruce And The Shaolin Bronzemen (Hong Kong co-production; Bruce Le)  

1979 - Zodiac Connection (Chiquito, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1979 – That Man From Shanghai (Ramon Zamora) 

1979 - Born Fighter (Rey Malonzo) 

*1979 – Showdown Of Martial Arts (Rey Malonzo and Trovador Ramos) 

1979 – Ang Tsimay At Ang Tambay (Rey Malonzo) 

1979 – Imposibleng Dalawa/“Impossible Two” (Chiquito and Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1979 – Final Revenge (Robert Lee) 

1979 - Operation Dragon Force (Philippines only; Kung Fu) 

1979 - The Tiger And The Lady (Rey Malonzo) 

1979 - Deadly Games (Ulysses Tzan) 

1979 – Kung-Fu Triangle (Rey Malonzo) 

1979 – Abel At Cain (Jay Ilagan and Rey Malonzo) 

*1979 - The Magic Curse/Nangyari Sa Kagubatan (Hong Kong co-production; Kung Fu Horror) 

1979 – Suspect No 1 (Trovador Ramos) 

*1979 - Dancing Master (Dolphy, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1979 - Twin Fists For The Blackmasters (Philippines only, later edited into IFD's "Ninja Ultimate Challenge"; Rey Malonzo) 

1979 – The Snake-Dragon Connection (Ramon Zamora) 

1979 - Chimikoy (Ramon Zamora, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1979 – Tom Cat (Lito Lapid) 

*1979 – They Call Him Bruce Lee (Filipino export; Rey Malonzo and Philip Gamboa)

1979 - Ahas Sa Pugad Ng Lawin/“Snake In Eagle’s Nest” (Roberto Gonzalez and Ramon Zamora) 

1979 – Tsikiting Master (Rey Malonzo, Kung Fu Comedy) 

1979 – Arnis, Karate, Kung Fu (Ramon Zamora and Robert Lee) 

1979 - Dragon Solo (Nilo Ascero)

1979 – Pag-Ibig At Kagitingan (Ramon Zamora and Dante Varona) 

1979 - Fists For Hire (Roberto Gonzalez and Ramon Zamora) 

*1979 - The Final Showdown (Rey Malonzo and Jack Lee, Kung Fu Comedy)

1979 - Bionic Dragon (Boy Fernandez) 

*1979 - Ang Leon, Ang Tigre At Ang Alamid (Lito Lapid and Rudy Fernandez)

*1979 - Bruce The Super Hero/Super Hero/Dangerous Fists (Hong Kong co-production; Bruce Le and Lito Lapid)

1979 – Dragon At Harabas (Ramon Zamora and Robert Lee) 

1979 – Chopstick Kid (Lito Lapid and Jack Lee) 

*1979 - The Experts (Tony Ferrer, Roberto Gonzalez, Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo) 

1979 - Deadly Fighters (Tony Ferrer, Roberto Gonzalez and Rey Malonzo) 

1979 – Haring Cobra/“King Cobra” (Lito Lapid) 

*1979 – Arnis: The Stick Of Death/Sticks Of Death (US co-production; Roland Dantes) 

*1980 - Revenge Of The Bushido Blade/The Last Reunion (US co-production; Leo Fong)