'Maharlika' was filmed in the Phillippine Islands in 1969, and starred a beautiful American actress named Dovie Beams. 'Maharlika' was supposed to be based on the alleged, heroic World War Two adventures of Ferdinand Marcos who fought against the Japanese occupation of the Phillippines.
In 1969 Marcos was now the democratically elected President of the Phillippine Republic, and would be re-elected in that same year. Dovie Beams had become the mistress of the President, whose cronies had funded the production of 'Maharlika'. The making of 'Maharlika' is the subject of an excellent book "Marcos' Lovey Dovie" (published 1984) by Manila journalist Hermie Rotea.
Rotea does detail how veteran Hollywood actors Paul Burke ('Naked City') and Farley Granger were brought to Manila for the filming of 'Maharlika', but there is absolutely no mention of Broderick Crawford in his book. Crawford was an Academy Award winning film star, whose fame far surpassed that of actors Granger and Burke. If Broderick Crawford had gone to the Phillippines to shoot 'Maharlika', author Hermie Rotea would certainly have highlighted it in his outstanding book. (INCORRECT, PLEASE READ FURTHER BELOW)
Rotea chronicles how the finished film was discovered by the Phillippine First Lady, Imelda Marcos, who ordered that Dovie Beams' star billing be removed, and that her part be cut down to a whisper. 'Maharlika' was never released in either the Phillippine Islands or the United States when the facts surfaced about the relationship between President Marcos and the would-be starlet Ms. Beams. What is interesting is that Dovie Beams predicted that Marcos, who was barred constitutionally from running for a third term, would somehow find a way to remain in power. In 1972, Marcos declared martial law tearing up the Phillippine Constitution, and remaining in power until 1986.
The review above was written by myself in May 2006. I challenged anyone to prove that Broderick Crawford actually appeared in the film. The other person who posted a comment under the name 'KNATLOUIE' for 'Maharlika' has proved me wrong 100%. 'KNATLOUIE' has seen the film under it's alternative title, 'Guerilla Strike Force' and has contacted me with concrete photographic evidence proving once and for all that Broderick Crawford does in fact star in 'Maharlika'!
I have no idea why author Herman Rotea failed to mention Crawford's presence in 'Maharlika' in his otherwise great book of the affair, especially when he highlighted the minor American film stars of the production.
IMDb.COM should restore 'Maharlika' to Broderick Crawford's film credits, and credit him with the role of the Colonel. IMDb.com should also revise the film's release year from 1985 to 1970 when it was finally released after it's 1969 filming. IMDb.com should display it's overseas release title of 'Guerilla Strike Force'.
Thank-You 'KNATLOUIE' from wonderful Copenhagen, Denmark for proving me wrong and discovering a lost film of Broderick Crawford!
