Director Leody M. Diaz Story Quentin de Guia Music Carding Cruz
Cast Tony Ferrer (Tony Falcon, Agent X-44), Rod Navarro, J. Thomas Westmorland, Jimmy Walker, Lauro Delgado, Liza Belmonte, Georgina Fairy, Bess Gramby, Ann Akins, Gina Stuart, Rocco Montalban, Joaquin Fajardo, Ruben Ramos, Leon Pajaron, Steve Alcarado, Alex Flores, Lope Policarpio, Rudy Dominguez, Greg Lansang, Larry Esguerra, Romy Nario, Art Veloso, Joe Andrade, Criz Cruz, Eddie Palomar, Dan Manlapaz, James Polanski, Gil Sison, Romy Luartes, Gaston Garcia, SOS Daredevils, "Jennifer", Arthur Villegas, Joe Cunanan, Protacio Dee
SPY/ACTION
NOTE: This is number 23 in a long-running series of Agent X-44 films starring Tony Ferrer. For a full filmography and detailed article on the X-44 series, click HERE.
THEATRICAL
PHILIPPINES - released 26th October 1969
GUAM - screened at the Johnston in Agana over the Easter Weekend, 30th March to 2nd April 1972
HAWAII - screened at the Waipahu Theatre 12th October 1972 and 1st June 1973; also at the Zamboanga in Honolulu on 29th December 1972
1969 - The Infiltrators (Gilbert Roland Productions/Empress Pictures)
[Release date 7th February 1969]
Director A. Gregorio Story/Screenplay Greg B. Macabenta Cinematography Avelino Peralta Music Carding Cruz Layout Artist Marvin B. Panganiban
Cast Tony Ferrer (Tony Falcon, Agent X-44), Josephine Estrada, Eddie Garcia, Rod Navarro (Martin Savedo), Jack Davis, Manolo Noble, Ronald Remy (Mr Banez), Alicja Basili (Marlene Marquez), Mallory McCraig [McCrae?], Rocco Montalban, Joaquin Fajardo, Leon Pajaron, Steve Alcarado, Alex Flores, Rudy Dominguez, Greg Lansang, Larry Esguerra, Ruben Ramos, Ben Dato, Romy Nario, Joe Cunanan, Art Velaso, Tiva Lava, Eddie Nicart, Sancho Tesalona, Mandy Bustamante, Hosping Pregonero, Amado Gasmin, Oscar Simbulan, Doming Reyes, Joe Andrade, SOS Daredevils, Arthur Villegas, Frank Godinez, Pons de Guzman, Joe Canlas, Sim Jorge, Baby Alvarez
SPY/ACTION
NOTE: This is number 20 in a long-running series of Agent X-44 films starring Tony Ferrer. For a full filmography and detailed article on the X-44 series, click HERE.
Mini-review by Andrew Leavold
[From Leavold's book The Search For Weng Weng (2017)]
One of the few surviving Agent X-44 prints from the Sixties, The Infiltrators (1969) reveals a very knowing spy flick peppered with white faces, delivering half its dialogue in English, and its décor leaning towards a garish Euro Pop-Art cheapie. Scientist Dr Jonathan Goldenberg is determined to put man on the Moon (this IS still 1969, remember); Aryan assassin “Adolf Strauss” is given orders that Dr Goldenberg is not to leave Manila, thereby setting the US thirty years behind the Reds. Strauss sets up a Kennedy style assassination complete with his own decoy. Falcon, however, does a switcheroo on the scientist, but the decoy tries to blackmail crime boss Savedo (Rod Navarro), whose blonde Italian moll Gina Cardinale also doubles as an exotic dancer shaking her tassles in a giant parrot cage, and quickly finds his toes pointing ceiling-wards. The Infiltrators, with its Batman segues, machine gun shoot-outs, car chases, and the iconic Falcon with his unrepentant Pomade-flavoured pompadour and trademark all-white suit, is just fantastic.
Director Ronaldo P. San Juan Producer Ruben “Che” Guevarra Cinematography Rudy Castillo Music Demet Velasquez Editor Jose Solo Associate Director/Layout Artist Marvin B. Panganiban
Cast Ulysses Tzan, Larry Silva, Leon Pajaron, Romy Nario, Mandy Bustamante, Bong Benitez, Mel Arca, Telly Babasa, Robert Miller, Roland Falcis, Rusty Santos, Jess Bonzo, James Gaines Jr, Polo Chi, Val Iglesia, Robert Talby [as Roberty Talvy], Chara Valdez, Barbara Churchill, Jojo Fowler, Nello Nayo, Romy Blanco, Johnny Tillman, Ike Mata, Leo Curry, Willy Naresco, Ricco Tiriman?, Pons de Guzman, SOS Daredevils, D'Vultures Stuntmen, Jun Santos' Team
KUNG FU
NOTES by Andrew Leavold: First starring role for the “Jackie Chan of the Philippines”, Ulysses Tzan. He and the producer of Deadly Games, Saturn Films International’s Ruben “Che” Guevarra, would score an international release with their follow-up film Drigo Asero (1980), released internationally as Mantis Boxer. Deadly Games is currently MIA, so if anyone has access to a digital copy, please let me know!
“Let’s Enter Ulysses Tzan”, Pilipino Express 18/03/79, p.13
We have many action stars. But now, most of them are heading towards uncontrollable old age. The punches are slow, the kicks are weak. In just a short fight scene, he was out of breath and asking for rest.
So we need innovations in this field. And Rudy Fernandez, Bembol Roco, Ace Vergel, Rey Malonzo, Tony Bernal and Lito Lapid entered.
But with the number of movie producers making movies, they are not enough to replace the "tired" and "wrinkled" action stars. Stones are still needed. New people who are good, agile, have a type, have a "face" and are brave in any kind of fight: fighting, karate, shooting and so on.
Because of this, the Saturn Films producer gave a chance to a certain prospect – Ulysses Tzan. From being one of Rey Malonzo's goons, Ulysses is eager to try. He tried to do what no one else had done, to study the things about martial arts that made Jacky Chan and others famous. And many noticed the efforts of Ulysses. Surprised. Impressed. So he was made the star of Deadly Games.
In Saturn Films' Deadly Games, Ulysses revealed the reasons why the production cost him the star. He fought here in the battle of champions against almost all the best karatistas and goons in Tagalog movies. Historically, there was a tournament launched by a wealthy karate player who became invalid in this game. Many countries participated, and Ulysses represented the Filipinos.
Active action can be seen here that has not been seen in any other movie. But there is also romance because Ulysses' love interest here is Jojo Fowler.
Shot in full color, the story and screenplay was written by Marvin B. Panganiban and directed by Ronnie San Juan.
Hard, fast, rock, without vices and with a big eye to serve his countrymen in the world of entertainment. We need someone like him. So we must usher Ulysses Tzan into victory.
CAN ANYONE PLEASE COME UP WITH A BETTER TRANSLATION THAN GOOGLE TRANSLATE? MARAMING SALAMAT!
1987 – James Bone: Agent 001 (Jonrox Films/Larry Santiago Productions)
[Exact release date unknown, possibly around 1st January 1987]
Director/Fight Instructor Ruben Ramos Story Willie Deato Screenplay/Associate Director Ric Acasio Producer “Umo” Line Producer Verseo Octavo Cinematography Rudy Quijano Music Ding Lamano Editor Samuel Domondon Sound Technician Tony Faustino Sound Effects Ben Samson ProductionSupervisor/General Manager Ricky Santiago Production Manager Wilfredo Mendoza ProductionController Simie Dolano Production Consultant Mennen Santiago In Charge of Administration Rosanna Manalaysay Art Designer Nilda Rendaje Effectsman Adis San Pedro Makeup Artist Ester Cayabyas Settingman Mamerto Valerio Assistant Cameraman Rodel Quijano Clapper Jessie Quijano Head Driver Ruben Bitancor Utility Allan Paradero Material Trustee Rex Romero Caterer Esperanza Agang Legman Raul Segarra Dubbing Editors Arceno Collado, Danny Collado Stillman Tony Roxas Layout Artist Eddie Domer Credit Titles Lauro Romero PRO Tino Vellya Sales Manager Ador Baligaya Account Executive Jomar Laurel Advertising Manager Jay Torres Accountant Jun Gahutan Collector Joselito Exito Shipping in Charge Ramon Soriano Shipper Boy Faustino
Cast Palito (James Bone), Melissa Mendez (Sabrina), Charlie Davao (Viller), Joaquin Fajardo (Crooked Finger), Don Pepot (Scientist), Ruben Ramos (Swordsman), Eddie Llaneta (Boy Macho), Clarissa Mojer (Odessa), Jon Jon, Komander Jack Angels Liza Mojica, Fe Timbol, Mary Joy Warren, Femmy Mojica, Rizza Borja, Jessica Fabros, Marte Mojica, Camea Amor, Rona Denaga Goons Romy Nario (Romy, Sabrina’s Henchman), Joe Andrade (Joe, Sabrina’s Henchman), Larry Esguerra, Torling, Roland Falcis [as Rolland Falcis] (Crooked Finger’s Henchman), Jay Grama (Crooked Finger’s Goon), Boy Sta. Ana, Cris Aguilar, Leo Gamboa, Robert Allan, Jess Bonzo, Benny May, Boy Ranai, Tony Roxas, Omay Rivera, Geron Vega, Sir William, George Tormeda, Cesar de Paz, Bobo Cruz, Tonton Kishanni, Dalton de Castro, Boy Bernal, Jun Silda, Peddy May
SPY/ACTION/COMEDY
STOLEN MUSIC ALERT!!! “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys [around 0.50.00], Donna Summer’s “Romeo” [around 0.55.00], and Cycle V’s “Seduce Me Tonight” [originally on the Flashdance soundtrack, and now in a Palito film at around 1.05.00]
"Anatomy Of A Skeletal Goon Comedy Part Two: James Bone" review by Andrew Leavold [Part One: No Blood No Surrender review is HERE]
Barely as soon as No Blood No Surrender’s end credits had faded, its producers Jonrox Films and distributor Larry Santiago Productions commissioned a further Palito starrer, this time as a beanpole secret agent: James Bone, Agent 001 (because he’s thin like a number one…get it? Good, let’s move on...). No Blood…'s writer, bald goon actor Ruben Ramos, was promoted to the director's chair, presiding over a budget even more wretched that the film could've been projected on the wooden slats of a chicken house and still not lose money.
James Bone's talking car. KITT it ain't.
In the opening scene, a crime boss is gunned down by an unseen assassin. As a result, three underworld rivals meet to argue over who will be the next Godfather. The chubby and sweaty Crooked Finger (Joaquin Fajardo) and Boy Macho (Eddie Llaneta) are about to set their goons on each other, when the gorgeous Sabrina (Melissa Mendez) suggests a contest, the winner brings in the Syndicate's biggest headache: James Bone, Secret Agent 001. Debonair in his bone-tight silk suit, James is the country's top crime fighter, a ladies’ man AND karate expert with no need for any visible gadgets other than a talking Datsun (thank you Knight Rider!). Even though he lives with his mother, he manages to bring one wide-eyed young lady back to his boudoir. "You might be hospitalized out of shock with what I've got," he warns her, before taking off his bath robe. "Can you handle this?" Apparently not, as she takes one glance at his naked crotch and passes out on the bed.
Head Goons: Crooked Finger (Joaquin Fajardo) and Boy Macho (Eddie Llaneta)
With Ramos - former stuntman and character actor in over twenty years of action films, at the helm of James Bone, you'll understand just how the term "Goon Comedy" applies to much of the Philippines' comic output: equal amounts of bona fide goon-centric action scenes to comedy, if not more. In James Bone, it translates into one endless fight scene after another, as waves of goons - first Boy Macho's, then Crooked Finger's - are thrown at the hapless, befuddled Bone, giving as much screen time needed for the audience to fully gawp at his unfeasably skinny frame going through its gyrations. Naturally he has some serious body armour to protect his ribs and twig arms, as well as a bag of dirty tricks such as poking one bodybuilder's eyes out, then punching them in the crotch; in another scene, Bone punches a goon, they drop to the floor, and Palito suddenly grabs his broken hand and cries out, "Waaaaaaaah!!!"
Bone puts the squeeze on director Ruben Ramos
Weng Weng fans will remember Ruben Ramos as the bald goon sitting on a bed, complaining to Yehlen Catral how his gang had bungled a hit on Agent OO ("Now you'll get a bullet in your belly, Lola…this is it, kid!"). Ramos naturally puts in appearance waving around a samurai sword in front of Palito in a warehouse punch-up, and Romy Nario, another For Y'ur Height Only baddy ("There's a lot of dough in this dough…the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker!") plays one of Boy Macho's henchmen. Other guest stars also get their ten minutes: top-billed Charlie Davao, ever the convincing kontrabida, fences with the unbleeding Bone, while Don Pepot as a scientist tries to sell Bone a pair of x-ray specs at a beerhouse, and their scene degenerates quickly into two aging vaudevillians snickering over naked people making out.
Comedy Gold? Mould, more like, and the rest of the film is covered in dense matting of it too. You can’t help the feeling that the Philippines’ army of stuntmen and bit-players had already conquered the spy parody with For Y’ur Height Only, and that James Bone is a poverty-stricken and utterly unworthy successor, but that would be unkind. And if you are capable of not only buying into Palito's well-worn schtick, but also peeking past the spectacle into the heart of a sad clown, fragile man and genuinely funny entertainer, then you too will love the sight of an anorexic beating up the ever-rolling Goon Parade as much as I do. Actually, on deeper reflection, it is in fact Gold.
Palito (James Bone)
Melissa Mendez (Sabrina)
Charlie Davao (Viller)
Joaquin Fajardo (Crooked Finger)
Don Pepot (Scientist)
Ruben Ramos (Swordsman)
Eddie Llaneta (Boy Macho)
Clarissa Mojer (Odessa)
Romy Nario (middle, as Romy, Sabrina’s Henchman)
Joe Andrade (Joe, Sabrina’s Henchman)
Roland Falcis [as Rolland Falcis] (Crooked Finger’s Henchman)
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