[Philippines release date 23rd July 1981; export version distributed by Cinex Films and F. Puzon Film Enterprises]
Director Leonardo Velasco Uy Story Leonardo Velasco Uy, Jose Mari Avellana Screenplay Jose Mari Avellana Producer Leticia Nocom Executive Producer Johnny H. Chan Cinematography "Temmie"/Artemio Ongleo Music Ernani Cuenco Editor Joe Mendoza Sound Rolly Ruta Underwater Cameraman Pruseso Lazaro Helicopter Pilots Captain Henry F. Ciron, Captain Valentino Prudencio, 1st Lt Joe Masferre, 1st Lt Teddy Termano
Cast Eddie Rodriguez, Christopher de Leon, Ace Vergel, Amalia Fuentes, Lorna Tolentino, Eddie Garcia, Dranreb [Belleza], Angelo Buenaventura, Tino de Lara, Orly Onza, Tirso Mediavillo, Jesse Sapitan
1965 -Paolo Stacatto: RP Secret Agent 077(Virgo Films Productions/Larry Santiago Productions)
[Release date 7th August 1965]
Director Nilo Saez Story Luis Enriquez Screenplay Tony Camonte Music Nestor Robles
Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Paolo Stacatto, RP Secret Agent 077), Miriam Jurado, Renato Robles, Ramon D’Salva, Maria Theresa, Patricia Mijares, Lucien Pan, Rodolfo Cristobal, Eddie Torrente, Arturo Lavidez, Bert [Roberto?] Gonzales, Manding Rino, Rene Roque, Rolan Montes, Lourdes Medel, Ely “Kim” Ramos, Lyn D’Amour, Mila Ocampo, Leni Trinidad, Menggay, Suzzette Speis, Lito Garcia, Gabriel Paile, Joe Sison
1966 – Paolo Stacatto At Ang Gintong Buddha (Virgo Film Productions/Emar Pictures)
[Release date 20th January 1966]
Director Nilo Saez Story/Screenplay Luis Enriquez
Cast Eddie Rodriguez (Paolo Stacatto, RP Secret Agent 077), Liza Moreno, Juliet Pardo, Jose Vergara, Nello Nayo, Eddie Torrente, Roberto Gonzales, Manolo Robles, Abelardo Dacer, Darmo Orbase, Dante Leynes, Bert Dumaran, Cris Cruz, Mike Lozano, Phil de Pano, Joe Sison, Gabby Paile?, Chona Delgado, Seikichi Iha, Roland Gonzales, RG Karate Boys, Commando Self-Defense Karate Boys
Synopsis (from the Filmography of Philippine Films 1959-1989): “Revolves around two law agents assigned to smash an international syndicate whose operations pose a grave threat to the universe.”
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
1988 – Hostage Syndrome(F. Puzon Film Enterprises)
[Export movie filmed in English; released on French VHS
as “Syndrome Otage”]
Director “Dominic Elmo Smith”/Eddie Rodriguez Screenplay David Benton, David Brass Executive Producers Conrad C. Puzon, “Pierre”/Pio C. Lee Cinematography Arnold Alvaro Music Marita A. Manuel Editors Amang Sanchez, Mark Tarnate Production Designer Robert Lee Theme Songs Performed by Jaime Blanch, Susan Reyes Associate Director Joe Towers Assistant Director Jose Aguilar Production Manager Glenn Parlan Casting Director Philip Gordon Art Director Jun Sancha Camera Operators Pablo Bautista, Roy Sangco Script Continuity Millet de la Croix Special Effects Guy Naelgas Set Director Melchor Defensor Set Artist Jun Peregrino Property Master Benjie Lee WardrobeMaster Leonardo Enriquez Wardrobe Mistress Rosemarie Parian Wardrobe Assistant Belen Roranes Makeup Artist Ed Cruz Makeup Assistant Arnold Perez Production Assistant Rodrigo Riyos Gaffers Lito Lapara, Ading Cruz Stunt Coordinators Roland Falcis, Jolly Joqueta Stills Rudy Castillo Schedule Master Jess Aguilar Location Manager Albert Amaranta Transportation Manager Edgar Laguda Sound Mixer Rolly Ruta Field Sound Supervisor Bong Perez Sound Effects Editors Jun Cabrales, Rudy Cabrales Assistant Editors Pat Abad, Ariel Abad Post Production Manager Johnny Leoncio Property Custodian Arthur Amarante Production Comptroller Abraham Edusma Field Cashier Marjorie Camacho Production Secretary Josie P. Almazan Producers’ Secretary Meddy L. Tajonera Bestboys Cinex Boys Titles Boy Quilatan
Cast Brad Zutaut (Grant Vincent), Karen Lundeen (Jean
Kirby), Robert Marius (Vladimir Dmilrievich), David Brass (Averill Hunter),
“Costa Mandyflor”/Costas Mandylor (Andrei Arbitovich) Carolyn Hudson (Joyce
Kirby), Irit Haimov (Jacqueline), Paul Sperry (Trash McCarty), Lars Jorgensen
(Edsel), Michael Schnull (Danny Vincent), Andrew Scott (Mick), Neil Larsen (Dr
Harold Willis), Arthur Smith (Dr Frank Jenkins), Larry Copeland (Dr Marley),
Paul Adams (Edward Slate), Nick Henson (Bodyguard 1), Alex Cohen (Bodyguard 2),
Bernard Will (Mort), Ralph Miles (Guts), Eduard Collins (Banger), Anthony
Miller (Jerk), William Hart (Shades), Ronnie Peters (Coconuts), Robert Lee
(Dick), Harold Anders (Roger), John Douglas (John), Michael Reagan (Flipper),
Don Thomas (Zig Zag), Johanna Griffith (Mrs Willis), Christopher Dalon (Rick
Willis), Lalaine Williams (Mrs Jenkins), Bernadette Fields (Susie Jenkins) SWAT
Team Gregory Reynolds, Richard Taylor, Wilfred Young, Albert Reeds, Arnold
Freeman {uncredited] Nick Nicholson (Barfly Drug Dealer)
Mini-review by Andrew Leavold:
Manila once again doubles for Southern California in
HOSTAGE SYNDROME (dir. “Dominic Elmo Smith”/Eddie Rodriguez, 1988), a slick,
not-terrible export and nearly all-white goonfest from the final glory days of
Cinex Films producers Conrad “Boy” Puzon and Pio C. Lee. German-born Robert
Marius is outstanding as insane would-be Russian Czar Vladimir Dmilrievich,
throwing three scientists and their families into his yacht’s dungeon to work
on a Super Steroid serum to transform his prize fighter Andrei (first film role
for Australian-born Costas Mandylor) into a seemingly unstoppable eye-rolling,
bone-snapping killing machine. FBI agent Hunter (co-writer David Brass, feeding
himself the best lines) and his curvy big-haired assistant Joyce (Carolyn
Hudson) set up a prize fight using troubled ex-cop, crack shot and surfer
lookalike Grant Vincent (Brad Zutaut from Back To School and Hardbodies 2) as
ringbait. Naturally Grant doesn’t care for money or duty, and manages to resist
the charms of Joyce and her petulant sister Jean (Karen Lundeen), until his
coked-up brother is found floating next to Vladimir’s boat. Suggestions of
Rocky IV and Chuck Norris’ Silent Rage abound, with Marius attempting an Ivan
The Terrible but instead ends up channeling Udo Kier in Flesh For Frankenstein,
and no more so than in his exquisitely over-the-top death scene; an uncredited
Nick Nicholson pops up for a memorable moment, as he does in other Cinex projects,
as a barfly drug dealer – “I call you SHIT until you give me some cash!” – and
underscores the fact these Puzon/Lee cheapies really were decent, goofy fun.
Director "Dominic Elmo Smith"/Eddie Rodriguez Writer Bobby A. Suarez Producer Pio [sometimes listed as “Pierre”] C. Lee Executive Producer Conrad C. Puzon Cinematography Jun Pereira
Cast “Rom”/Romano Kristoff (Det. Nick Carpenter), “Jimi B. Jr”/Jimmy Bridges (Detective Pete Logan), Kenneth Peerless (Fatcat), Mel Davidson (Allan), “Michael”/Mike Monty (Chief Caruso), Anthony East (Carter), Ingrid Erlandson (Stella), Frank “Judas”/Juhas (Scar Face), Warren McLean (Lt. Quinn), [uncredited] Eric Hahn (Police officer)
[NOTE: Bobby A. Suarez disowns the script, and claims producer “Boy” Puzon stole it from him]
Haunted by memories of Vietnam, war hero Nick Carpenter now patrols the urban jungle of Miami as a detective working for the law enforcement agency of Miami Special Branch. A survivor of the Vietcong torture camps he now fights to keep the streets clean of drug dealers. Along with his black police partner Pete Logan he still does things his own way to get results, constantly agitating his superior Chief Inspector John Caruso, played by the ubiquitous Mike Monty. Chief Caruso at one stage applicably verbalises to Carpenter ‘‘You’re a natural born killing machine, and a no good social worker’’.
Following tips and hunches Miami’s budget ball breakers Carpenter and Logan are the ‘B’ movie equivalents of Crockett and Tubbs from Miami Vice, with all the attitude of Dirty Harry. They constantly take down other departments jurisdictions against regulation to collar the heavily armed drug dealers. Chief Inspector Caruso has to regularly remind Carpenter that he is no longer in Vietnam and that there are rules to follow !
‘Fat Cat’ is the new big boss garnering a reputation amongst the dealers and street pushers. Whilst he eases out the opposition Carpenter and Logan squeeze his operation and Fat Cat takes note of Carpenter. His men pick up Carpenter and girlfriend Stella, bringing them blindfolded to their big boss who makes Carpenter an offer of great wealth to join him. Nick Carpenter is an honest cop but Fat Cat gives an ultimatum to work for him, or work for no one! Carpenter is given five days to give the drug baron his answer, holding Stella against her will and making it perfectly clear what the implications of refusal will be !
With his professional partner Pete at his side Nick Carpenter hit’s the streets for information as to Fat Cat’s whereabouts, and together the duo really kick into Action. Revving things up in a red Ford Mustang, Carpenter and Logan shake things down at a bar where a moment to talk with a drink soon turns into a brawl. Gang cronies try to call in a debt but do not cater for the Miami detectives calling out the shots, and pretty soon the two clean house well before last orders are taken.
When the governors young son is taken hostage for a $2 million ransom Carpenter and Logan again disregard the chiefs explicit order to stay out of it, and set about closing in on the heavily armed abductors in their own inimitable fashion. Holed up in an abandoned multi storied warehouse the gang of abductors are staked outside by the police but are more than prepared as they strike out with heavy artillery, including machine guns and a rocket launcher. The altercation soon turns into a fire powered frenetic free for all, but amidst the distraction Carpenter and Logan set about taking out the bad guys by surprise from within the warehouse. The Action for value exchange here is very rewarding.
All small crimes and drug dealings connect back to Fat Cat, and when Nick and Pete finally catch a guy with inside information as to the crime lords whereabouts the truly Explosive Action kicks into high gear. Employing a personal interpretation on methods of interrogation, used against himself and fellow soldiers in Vietnam, Carpenter employs a makeshift torture device to assure the lackey gives up the hideaway of Fat Cat. It proves to be a small island just off the coast of Miami. Carpenter and Logan waste no time in preparing themselves to go calling!
Fat Cat, a Caucasian version of Barry White, with a line in suits likely picked out at the time by Ray Charles, revels in his king pin position and surrounds himself with a small army of well armed men. Nick and Pete are helicopter dropped into the waters just off shore of the island, kitted out mercenary style, armed to the hilt readied for Action. Two cops back in Action ‘Nam style, prepared to take the war to the drug war monger Fat Cat!
The two super cool cops soon discover that the island is a huge hording port for drugs and munitions. They set explosives to destroy the lot and set about delivering a personal message to Miami’s underworld. Armed with big guns, big explosives and big sunglasses, they storm the island on a mission intent on taking down Fat Cat and rescuing Stella.
The bullet laden explosive finale is gung ho greatness, and even has time for the odd moment of welcome wry humour. A nod to Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) sees a black clad, sword wielding Ninja, squaring up to Romano Kristoff and a gun. Kristoff’s reaction here, with an immediate response and delivery of dialogue, is classic.
This is Action packed, crowd rousing stuff which delivers entertainment in no small measure. How can you not be thrilled by a film that ends with Romano Kristoff audaciously squaring off against a helicopter ?. It takes a lot of bottle to stop Fat Cat getting the cream!
Beautiful, uncut print of this rare Filipino-produced film shot in the US. Romano Kristoff is Nick Carpenter, a former Vietnam vet who uses brutal methods to fight crime. Along with his black partner (who likes to...meow!- yes, MEOW!) he goes after Fat Cat (the late Kenneth Peerless of PHANTOM RAIDERS), a ruthless drug lord. When the fat guy kidnaps Carpenter's girlfriend, Nick puts on his commando outfit once again and gets ready for some serious action! TOUGH COP cleverly switches from cop film to explosive actioner, having shades of MIAMI VICE, COMMANDO and MISSING IN ACTION! Damn, there is even a brief appearance by a ninja! If you enjoy eastern films that desperately try to look American ending up being ultra-cheesy you must try this! They just don't make them so trashy anymore! From the maker of GET THE TERRORIST.