ICYMI: You Can Watch More than 60 Classic Films on Mike De Leon’s Vimeo Account

October 21, 2020

John Lester Rimorin

The year was 1950, and you were watching an afternoon black and white movie on your bulky television while sipping your favorite drink to freshen your body from the intense heat caused by the summer sun. After more than two hours of watching, you found yourself lying on a sofa, sleepy while waiting for your mom to call you for dinner.

Of course, most of us could only imagine what it feels like to be in that era. It would be nice if we could go back to the past, but the invention of the time machine is too far from reality. But wait, do not lose hope! With the release of more than 60 classic films from different classic film studios, we can finally experience what it feels like living in the 40s or 50s that only our lolos and lolas had experienced.

The set of classic films were uploaded on Vimeo by master director Mike De Leon under an account named Citizen Jake–his last film. Most of the films were from the legendary LVN studio owned by De Leon’s family. The studio was responsible for the creation of some notable films such as Orasang Ginto (1946), the first Filipino post-World War II movie; Batalyon XIII (1949), Prinsipe Amante (1950), Waray-Waray (1954), starring Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa, studio’s famous loveteam that time; and Tunay na Ina (1939).

The list also features some of the Philippine cinema’s esteemed directors, including Susana C. de Guzman, Manuel Conde, Manuel Silos, and National Artist for Theater and Film Lamberto V. Avellana.

Whether you were born in the ‘60s or just fond of watching classic films, it would be an excellent opportunity for you to watch them all while they are still available for streaming.

Here is the long list of legendary films ranging from 1939 up to 1997:

Tunay na Ina (1939) by Octavio Silos

Giliw Ko (1939) by Carlos Vander Tolosa, LVN Pictures’ first production starring Mila del Sol and Fernando Poe, Sr.

Ibong Adarna (1941) by Vicente Salumbides and Manuel Conde, one of the precious films of pre-war cinema era.

Fred Cortez playing the role Don Juan in 1941’s Ibong Adarna. Image from ABS-CBN.

Dawn of Freedom (1944) by Yutaka Abe and Gerardo de Leon

Victory Joe (1946) by Manuel Silos

Sarung Banggi (Isang Gabi) (1947) by Susana C. de Guzman

Magkaibang Lahi (1947) by Ramon A. Estella

Miss Philippines (1947) by Gregorio Fernandez

Huling Dalangin (1948) by Susana C. de Guzman

Sumpaan (1948) by Susana C. de Guzman

Pista sa Nayon (1948) by Manuel Silos

Kaaway ng Babae (1948) by Nemesio E. Caravana

Sierra Madre (1948) by Leopoldo Salcedo

Manugang At Biyenan (1948) by Manuel Silos

Lupang Pangako (1949) by Susana C. de Guzman

Parola (1949) by Jose Climaco

Capas (1949) by Gregorio Fernandez

Virginia (1949) by Nemesio E. Caravana

Ibigin Mo Ako (Lalaking Matapang) (1949) by Manuel Silos

Milyonaria (1949) by Susana C. de Guzman

Camelia (1949) by Susana C. de Guzman

Biglang Yaman (1949) by Joe Climaco, one of the remaining films of Pugo (Mariano Contreras) and Togo (Andres Solomon), the comedy kings of the 40s.

Kandidato (1949) by Joe Climaco

Hantik (1950) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Sohrab at Rustum (1950) by Nemesio E. Caravana

Kontrabando (1950) by Gregorio Fernandez

In Despair (1950) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Tininti Del Baryo (1950) by Susana C. de Guzman

Mutya Ng Pasig (1950) by Richard Abelardo

Florante at Laura (1950) by Vicente Salumbides

Haring Kobra (1951) by Richard Abelardo, a costume epic film in which the production and costume design was headed by none other than the National Artist for Painting Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco.

Nasaan Ka Giliw (1951) by Joe Climaco

Pagasa (1951) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Sa Paanan ng Nazareno (1952) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Correccional (1952) by Susana C. de Guzman

Aklat ng Buhay (1952) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Kambal Tuko (1952) by F.H. Constantino

Batangueña (1953) and Darling Ko (1955) by F. H. Constantino

Tumbalik na Daigdig (1953) by Tony Arnaldo

Huk Sa Bagong Pamumuhay (1953) by Lamberto V. Avellana, which won Best Pictures and Best Director for Avellana among some in the newly formed FAMAS Awards in 1953.

Squatters (1953) by Gregorio Fernandez

Hawayana (1953) by Manuel Silos

Kuwentong Bahay-Bahayan (1953) by Manuel Silos

Waray Waray (1954) by F.H. Constantino

Prinsipe Teñoso (1954) by Gregorio Fernandez

Talusaling (1955) Directed by F. H. Constantino

Pilipino Kostum No Touch (1955) by Manuel Conde

Sonny Boy (1955) by Susana C. de Guzman, an adaptation of the director’s novel in Liwayway which won two major FAMAS awards in 1956: Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Rosa Rosal.

Niña Bonita (1955) by F. H. Constantino

Banal o Makasalanan? (1955) by Susana C. de Guzman

Higit Sa Lahat (1955) by Gregorio Fernandez

Lapu-Lapu (1955) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Charito, I Love You (1956) by F.H. Constantino

Dama Juana Gang (1956) by Tony Santos

Luksang Tagumpay (1956) by Gregorio Fernandez

Big Shot(1956) by Richard Abelardo

Puppy Love (1956) by Manuel Silos

Anak Dalita (1956) by Lamberto V. Avellana, the first Filipino film to win the Grand Prix for Best Picture in the Southeast Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong.

10,000 Pisong Pag-ibig (1957) by Gregorio Fernandez

Kalyehera (1957) by Fred Daluz

Hukom Roldan (1957) by Gregorio Fernandez

El Robo (1957) by Manuel Conde

Badjao (1957) by Lamberto V. Avellana, one of the most prominent films of the ’50s and won for Avellana the Best Director award at the 1957 Asian Film Festival.

Anak ni Waray (1958) by F. H. Constantino

Tuloy ang Ligaya (1958) by Manuel Silos

Faithful (1958) by Lamberto V. Avellana

Combo Festival (1958) by Manuel Silos

Malvarosa (1958) by Gregorio Fernandez

Venganza (1959) by Manuel Conde

Private Maturan (1959) by Natoy Catindig

Biyaya ng Lupa (1959) by Manuel Silos

Kundiman ng Lahi (The Song of the Race) (1959) by Lamberto V. Avellana