Roberta is a 1951 Filipino drama film based on the Tagalog Klasiks character of the same name by Mars Ravelo. Directed by Olive La Torre, it stars child actress Tessie Agana as the titular character, alongside Van de Leon, Bella Flores, Maria Cristina, Rosa Mia, José de Villa, Aruray, Boy Alano and Tony Cayado. Produced by Sampaguita Pictures on a low budget[1] after a fire destroyed the studio's film library, it was released in 1951, and was an unprecedented box office success.[2] It won two Maria Clara Awards, for Best Supporting Actress (Mia) and Best Cinematography (Higino Fallorina), and has since been credited with propelling the studio's revival in the early 1950s. It is touted as the first-ever blockbuster film of the Philippines.
| Roberta | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Olive La Torre |
| Based on | Roberta by Mars Ravelo |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Higino J. Fallorina |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Tagalog |
Cast
edit- Tessie Agana as Roberta
- Van de Leon as Roberta's father
- Bella Flores as a bar girl[1]
- Maria Cristina
- Rosa Mia
- José de Villa
- Aruray
- Boy Alano
- Tony Cayado
- Candida Valderrama
- Pablo Raymundo
- Ric Flores
- Pablo Naval
- Helen Miraflor
- Batotoy
- Anchita Cajes Reyes as Mean Restaurant Lady
Release
editReleased in theaters in 1951, Roberta achieved unprecedented box office success, becoming the highest-grossing Philippine film of all time and holding the record for nearly ten years.[3] It has been credited with reviving Sampaguita Pictures which at the time was attempting to recover from low finances after a fire destroyed thousands of film reels stored in its library.[4]
A remake was planned in 1990, with Ice Seguerra as Roberta and Bibeth Orteza as screenwriter, though it did not come to fruition.[2]
Accolades
editRosa Mia and Higino J. Fallorina won the Maria Clara Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography respectively.[1][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Volume VIII - Philippine Film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. pp. 38, 278, 317. ISBN 971-8546-23-5. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Fiel, Corito (September 17, 1990). "Comeback of Roberta". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 15. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "The Return of Tessie Agana". Literary Song Movie Magazine. February 16, 1960. p. 29.
The next year she made Roberta which held the box-office record for local films for ten years [sic].
- ^ "Big welcome for Tessie". Literary Song Movie Magazine. March 16, 1960.
Tessie Agana, the child star who years ago made history by breaking the box office record with her gripping performance in 'Roberta,' giving her studio the much needed shot in the arm as finances were low as a result of a disastrous fire...
- ^ Salumbides, Vicente (1952). Motion Pictures in the Philippines. p. 28. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
