July 26, 2018 marked 90 years and a day after the Philippines’ King of Comedy, Dolphy had been born. And it is most fitting that it also be a date for premiere night of a digitally restored and remastered version of the late comedy king’s movie, John en Marsha ’85 Sa Probinsiya, shown at Cinema Centenario.
John en Marsha is the longest-running sitcom television series which run for 17 years from 1973 to 1990 while John en Marsha ’85 Sa Probinsiya was the seventh movie spawned by the series. The movie tells the story of how the Puruntong clan head to the province after John’s (Dolphy) aunt became bed-ridden thus placing a family out of their comfort zone and into the mundane country life.
This special screening was attended by the 3 remaining members of the main cast, namely: Evelyn 'Matutina' Bontogon-Guerrero, Madel de Leon and the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano. Also in attendance are Ronnie Quizon and Eric Quizon.
Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, spoke passionately about their ongoing projects and more so about their intention of restoring 10 more Dolphy movies down the line. He says that the most people have forgotten or don’t know who and why Dolphy is the King of Comedy and by screening this movie would let one remember. He adds further that by restoring old Filipino films could we gain insight into the brilliance and greatness of the writers, producers, directors, and actors of the past.
The movie, John en Marsha ’85 Sa Probinsiya, took 4300 man hours to restore. The quality, according to Katigbak, “…is not as clear as a film that was shot yesterday but for a 30 year old film, the colors are still intact and after watching it, it just made me smile.”
ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project says that their next digitally restored film would be Omeng Satanasia and they are hoping to have it shown on the big screen by October.
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