Pinoy James Bonds: Cobra

1966 – Cobra (Virgo Films)

[Release date 9th August 1966]

Director Nilo Saez Story/Screenplay Luis Enriquez Based on the radio serial by Eddie Naval Music Carlos Rodriguez

Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Cobra), Willie Sotelo, Renato Robles, Martin Marfil, Eddie Torrente, Roberto Gonzalez, Vince Juarez, Vera Vargas, Bernardo Belleza, Cecilia Lopez, Jose Vergara, Ramon Yulo, Joe Sison

1967 – Cobra Challenges The Jokers (Virgo Films)

[Release date 17th January 1967]

Director Nilo Saez Story/Screenplay Luis Enriquez Based on the radio serial by Eddie Naval Music Carlos Rodriguez

Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Cobra), Willie Sotelo, Renato Robles, Ramon Yulo, Marilou Ver, Vince Juarez, Rene Roque, Abelardo Dacer, Darmo Orbase, Mario Barry Jr, Roland Gonzalez, Vic Salayan, Vic Andaya, Ruben Ramos, Sancho Tesalona, Jess Espiritu, Ben Gallarpes, Akido Boys, Joe Sison

1967 - The Kingpin (Virgo Film Productions)

[Release date 18th June 1967]

Director Nilo Saez Story/Screenplay Luis Enriquez Based on the radio serial by Eddie Naval Music Carlos Enriquez

Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Cobra), Imelda Ilanan, Renato Robles, Manolo Robles, Nort Nepomuceno, Suzanne Machelle, Ramon Yulo, Abelardo Dacer, Darmo Orbase, Mandy Bustamante, Jose Vergara, Ric Bustamante, Jun Esguerra, Sancho Tesalona, Romy Nario, Romy Villa, Art Veloso, Jess Espiritu, Tom Pacheco, Juanito de Guzman, Johnny Revilla, Joe Modronio, Gorgonio “Dagul” Se, Ben Peralta, The Jokers, Paul Edwards (The Kingpin), Willie Sotelo

1969 – Kamandag Sa Leeg! (Virgo Films)

[Release date unknown]

Director Nilo Saez Story Luis Enriquez Screenplay Ding M. de Jesus Based on the radio serial by Eddie Naval Music Tony Maiquez

Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Cobra), Daisy Romualdez, Renato Robles, Carlos Padilla Jr, Vivian Lorraine, Rocco Montalban, Protacio Dee, Fao Ying, Jun Santos, Jun Esguerra, Romy Nario, Joe Sison (El Cubano), Lauro Delgado, SOS Daredevils

1969 – Baron Gustavo (Lea Productions)

[Release date 14th December 1969]

Director/Story Nilo Saez Screenplay Nilo Saez, Jose F. Sibal Based on the radio serial by Eddie Naval Music Demet Velasquez Cinematography Conrado Baltazar

Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Cobra), Liza Lorena, Eddie Garcia (Baron Gustavo), Marissa Delgado, Rodolfo “Boy” Garcia, Eva Marie, Nello Nayo, Larry Silva, Jose Garcia, Prospero Luna, Joy del Sol, Fred Param, Evelyn Bonifacio, Maya Fuentes, Lt Ernesto Rivera, Luis Benedicto, Sancho Tesalona, Jun Esguerra, Romy Nario, Jing Abalos, SOS Daredevils

They Call Him Chop-Suey (1975)

1975 - They Call Him Chop Suey (RJR Films International Ltd)

[also released as Bruce Lee Die Große Kampfmaschine (West Germany), Die Große Kampfmaschine - Bruce Lee War Sein Vorbild (German DVD), Chop Suey, La Huella De Bruce Lee (unconfirmed Spanish title)]

Director “June”/Jun Gallardo Producer/Story Bobby A. Suarez Script Nestor Torre? (Torres?) Cameraman Arnold Alvaro Editor Fu Lu Tsing [Sung] In charge of production Bonnie Esguerro? Assistant Director Jey (Jett?) Espiritu Set Director Anselmo B....? Layouts Eddie Domer Stills Salanga Studios Setting Gregg Blas Wardrobe Nita Soundman Mer Angulla Special Effects Pier Aguilla Technical Adviser Dick Koo Assistant Cameraman Amado de Guzman Production Manager Manny Esguerez?

Cast Ramon Zamora (Chop-suey), Romeo Rivera, Jennifer Kaur, Eva Linda, Pugak, Patria Plata, Bayani Cassimiro, Ivory Wright, Nick Romano, Arnold Mendoza, Mark Le Buse

The Quick Brown Fox (1980)

4. The Quick Brown Fox (1980)

RVQ Productions (first screened November 6, 1980)

Director Jett C. Espiritu Screenplay Vic J. Poblete Executive Producer Rodolfo V. Quizon [Dolphy] Cinematographer Claro Gonzalez Editor Efren Jarlego

Cast Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Jing Abalos, Paquito Bautista, Nonong de Andres, Teroy de Guzman, Paquito Diaz, Lea Dominguez, Fred Esplana, Jim Gaines (Assassin), Jay Grama, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Remy Mack, Carmi Martin, Panchito, Panchito Jr, Boy Pineda, Er Salazar, Tsing Tong Tsai, Conde Ubaldo, Max Vera, Weng Weng

A real coup for the Search For Weng Weng documentary was meeting Dolphy, real name Rodolfo V. Quizon: the undisputed king of Philippines comedy since the 1950s, and certainly the most prolific, with over 200 film appearances to his credit. At 80 he’s hinting at retiring the crown soon, with a rash of pretenders (Vic Sotto, Vhong Navarro) waiting behind the curtains to claim the throne, yet he still tapes a hugely popular TV sitcom each week, and is planning a feature with Sotto later this year. Aside from sentimental family-centric comedy, his main forte are parodies of pop culture, both Western and Filipino, and he’s been Tarzan, the Lone Ranger, Dracula, an effeminate Darna, and in the 1966 James Batman, both James Bond AND Batman – and sometimes in the same shot!

Before talking to Dolphy I headed for the ABS-CBN Archives to view a key film in unlocking the Weng Weng mystery. Dolphy’s Angels (1980), directed by kung fu specialist Luis San Juan for Dolphy’s RVQ Productions, is a freewheeling martial arts parody featuring Dolphy as a private investigator and introducing four models who, thanks to Dolphy, would become the most glamorous Filipina actresses of the early 80s: Anna Marie Gutierrez (later the lead in Peque Gallaga’s Scorpio Nights), Carmi Martin, Yehlen Catral, and Liz Alindogan. Considering Peter Caballes was such good friends with Dolphy, it’s little wonder the first three ended up in guest roles in For Y'ur Height Only the following year; the Caballes’ also poached composer Pablo Vergara, whose idiosyncratic, proto-Bondian score for Dolphy’s Angels is almost identical to FYHO. Classic bad guy Max Alvarado (FYHO’s villain in the tartan suit) also makes a guest appearance in a bright yellow fright wig as “Bertong Maize”.

Dolphy remembers working with Weng Weng well, and it was his relationship with Peter Caballes that launched Weng Weng’s film career. Then comes the bombshell: Da Best In Da West (1984) wasn’t his only film with Weng Weng. “Oh no. We made a film together in 1980 called The Quick Brown Fox. I play a spy, and Weng is my sidekick who can crawl into small places.” Silence. “He is captured by the bad guys and ends up crucified.” And THAT was Weng Weng’s first film???? “No, he did a small part in a film for Luis San Juan.” Do you remember the title of THAT film? “No, sorry…”

I headed straight to the ABC-CBN archives the next day and inserted the ancient pneumatic tape from RVQ Productions into the machine. And there was Weng Weng in the credits, along with Carmi Martin and Anna Marie Gutierrez. Dolphy plays a thief and secret agent, employed by Carmi Martin (who’s also, unbeknownst to him, a secret agent) to steal from classic bad guy Paquito Diaz (brother of Romy Diaz, also in Da Best In Da West). Dolphy’s partner is his on-screen wife from his long-running John And Marsha series, Nida Blanco; Weng is his tiny sidekick, looking even more baby-faced than ever, and without a screen persona as such, he’s a little awkward during his squeaky dialogue (all in Tagalog, of course, with no subtitles). Paquito’s goons corner Weng at Dolphy’s pad and he fights back like a little kung fu dynamo, grabbing one by the arm and swinging backwards to kick him in the head! Classic Agent OO moves, of course, and then…..

The picture disintegrates into a snowstorm. RVQ’s pneumatic tape shits oxide all over the machine’s heads, and no matter how many times I run the tape through the machine on fast forward, there’s sound and nothing else. A very apologetic Mary del Pilar from Archives tells me the only copy of The Quick Brown Fox in existence (!!!!) needs surgery, and if beyond resurrection, is gone forever.

I then rang Jim Gaines from a coffee shop. “Hey man, I’ve just seen another Dolphy film with Weng Weng in it.”

“Oh wow, dude. Congratulations.”

“Jim, you’re in the movie too.”

“I am? God. Really? Oh yeah, I was….”

I laugh out loud. “Jim, we’ve been talking about Weng Weng for eight months, and you FORGOT you were in a film with him?”

He laughs too. “Jeez man, I plain forgot. Oh wow…”

Vengeance Squad (1987)

1987 - Vengeance Squad (company unknown)

Director Jett C. Espiritu Producer Teejay Executive Producers Lita Buenaseda, Baby, Ann & Thet Cinematography Arnold Alvaro Music Carlos Rodriguez Editor Oscar Dugtong Assistant Director Russel Castillo Assistant Editors Joe Ramirez, Joe Buenconsejo Props & Special Effects Boy Sto. Domingo Layout Bing P. Santos Titles Angle B. Corros Special Live Effects Francisco Espinosa Sound Supervision Gabby Castellano Fight Instructors Fred Esplana, Rey Solo Secretary Erlinda Tolentino Sales Manager Mario Cajucom General Manager Hildo Jose

Cast Jimmy Santos, Ronnie Valle, Gil Guerrero, Robert Talby, Robert Miller, Danny Riel, Charlie Blackspoon, Ronnie Patterson, James Gaines, Kristine Erlandson, David Light, Robert Marius, Fahed Rupp, Fred Esplana, Rey Solo, Tony Lao, Boy Ibaites, Boy Castellano, Tony Tacorda, Joel Dinero, Jay Grama, Amor Villa, Ramon Zamora, Franco Rivero, Liza Riosa

Vengeance Squad: proof that some Tagalog action films should STAY in Tagalog... (review by Andrew Leavold)

Competing groups of Filipino “rebels” and foreign mercenaries are hired by kewpie heiress “Mrs Robertson” (played with supreme indifference by Scandinavian expat Kristine Erlandson) to track down her husband’s killer. Told via flashback, the holidaying couple are kidnapped by so-called rebel Gamorr; she is ravaged, he is tortured and shot. She mistakes her captor for his half-brother Godiss, a former cohort in the revolution who’s since seen the light and returned to the side of goodness and order (read: the Marcos regime. Poorly disguised propeganda, or is the Philippines meant to be another miscellaneous South American poo-hole?). Rodrigo now heads Gamorr’s former Goons, who had teamed up with the now-dead rebel Alexander and are now in league with the foreign devils led by balding soldier of fortune Blackwell...

And here lies one of the film’s fatal flaws. Rogrigo? Alexander? Blackwell? Gamorr? There’s way too many Goons competing for screen dominance, it’s painful to keep up with who’s who, let alone care - you cut off one head and another five appear. And yet each of those heads are infinitely more compelling than our bland, uninspiring hero Godiss: a relentlessly wordy and maudlin would-be-philosopher and Christ figure (God? Godiss?) with a not-so-subtle white cross painted on the back of his jacket.

Once Godiss is captured, Mrs Robertson settles on a Human Hunt, and offers $25,000 of her dwindling inheritence to the one who brings back his head. Not the smartest idea, pitting one group of relentless opportunists against each other, but it does give the narrative focus and and some poorly needed screen time for Blackwell’s out of control chimp gang, described somewhere buried in the script as the “scums of the earth”. They’re native English speakers, yet they spit out strained dialogue in staccato pigeon English like a constantly jamming rifle. Bobby Suarez regulars Robert Marius (Searchers Of The Voodoo Mountain) and Jim Gaines (from countless Kinavesa titles) help put the “cheese” in “macheesmo” with their few enjoyably D-grade tough guy lines, like “let’s give them some shit!”

Here’s another flaw: there’s just not enough cheese to go around. I don’t expect much in life, but I DO want more from dumb action films - shameless, consistent, mindblowingly entertaining dumbness. And some genuinely clever camerawork from another Suarez veteran, Arnold Alvaro, can’t disguise the fact that Vengeance Squad just isn’t stoopid enough.

Jim Gaines on Vengeance Squad: Its a typical local film plot with a hoard of chopsuey cast. (Thats why Jett Espirito's mind was in a limbo, rewriting lines and script by trying to give everybody as much screen time possible). Producers and director just did not have enough sense that most of the cast are virtually unknown out side P.I. Well they tried anyways.

War Camp (1988)

1988 - War Camp (Davian International Ltd/Atlas Entertainment Corp)

[released on US VHS as “POW Deathcamp”]

Director Jett C. Espiritu Screenplay Jeffrey Woods, Bonnie Paradez Cinematography Andy G. Goodall

Cast Rey Malonzo (Aviles), Bill Baldridge, Charles Black (Jun), Urs Hardegger, George Estregan, Vilma Vitug, Ronnie Valle, Merilyn Bautista, Jimmy Santos

Fred Adelman’s review on the Critcon Online website:

This Filipino war action film opens up with an on-screen crawl informing us that, in 1966, the U.S. Government planned on ending the Vietnam War by dropping an atom bomb on Hanoi. When the person in charge of that mission, Captain James Brooks, is captured by the enemy, a band of mercenaries, led by Aviles (Rey Malonzo of CLASSIFIED OPERATION - 1985), are hired to rescue Capt. Brooks. They fight the enemy in the jungle while trying to avoid spiked booby traps (one of Aviles' men steps on a tripwire and gets spiked through his leg) and being massively outnumbered. They save a village girl after she is bitten by a cobra, only they end up being captured by the enemy and sent to a P.O.W. camp. Aviles and his men are tied-up and forced to watch as the sadistic camp warden forces two prisoners to arm wrestle each other, the loser getting shot in the stomach when his opponent's hand touches a lever that pulls the gun's trigger. As the deaths pile up, thanks to the arm wrestling contest and an unsuccessful escape attempt by four American soldiers (who are all shot and killed), Aviles and his men must come up with an escape plan before they are killed. Aviles' second-in-command, Jun (Charles Black), narrowly misses being killed in the arm wrestling contest when he beats the ten-time champion, which leads to Aviles and Jun escaping. They begin to systematically kill the camp guards, eventually freeing all the prisoners. The sadistic camp warden gathers his remaining men and hunts down Aviles and the P.O.Ws. Easier said than done, as Aviles and his men are experts in jungle warfare. The rest of the film is nothing but a series of gun battles and fistfights, ending with a massacre on the banks of a river, where everyone, including the snake-bitten girl from the beginning of the film, loses their lives in a hail of bullets. Isn't war wonderful?

This film proves that not all Filipino action films can be winners. Director Jett C. Espirito (VENGENCE SQUAD - 1987), working with a minimal script supplied by Jeffrey Woods or Bonnie Paradez (since the opening credits lists Woods and the closing credits list Paradez as the screenwriter), doesn't have much to work with here, just a basic premise (that's immediately dropped) followed by lots of shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Ignore the synopsis on the back of the video box, as whoever wrote it obviously didn't watch the film. The only part of the synopsis that's even partly true is that Capt. James Brooks (called "Captain Steiner" on the box) is at the P.O.W. camp that Aviles (called "Lt. Comez" on the box) and his men are sent to. Problem is, he's not alive, as the camp warden reveals Brooks body to his new captives. It's a skeleton wearing Brooks' uniform! All the other character names listed on the back of the box are also false. The middle section of the film, when everyone is at the P.O.W. camp, is filmed at night and most of the time it is too dark to make out what is going on. For a war film, it's not very bloody, just a few bloody bullet squibs and a couple of booby trap impalements (and they both look to have been edited to delete the gore, even though this tape doesn't carry a rating). I was kind of excited to watch this when I found a copy on eBay since I never heard of it before, but once I got about twenty minutes into it, I knew that I wasn't in for anything special. It lacked craziness that makes a lot of other Filipino actioners so memorable. Oh, well. They can't all be winners. Also starring George Estregan, Urs Hardegger, Vilma Vitug, Ronnie Valle, Merilyn Bautista, Jimmy Santos and Bill Balbridge. Originally filmed as WARCAMP. An Atlas Entertainment Corporation Release.