According to Celso’s research, Premiere Productions, Inc. was founded in the mid-’40s by Dr. Ciriaco Santiago, with Probinsyana as its maiden offering, starring Carmen Rosales, Jose Padilla Jr. and Tony Arnaldo, written and directed by Susana de Guzman, and shown at the defunct Dalisay Theater (on Avenida Rizal) on Aug. 13, 1946.
Premiere won the first and second (the last) Maria Clara Best Picture trophies for Kamay ni Satanas (1950) and Sisa (1951). The company scored another "first" when it was elevated to the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1977 for winning five Best Picture Awards (for Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo in 1952, Salabusab in 1954, Kalibre .45 in 1957, Huwag Mo Akong Limutin in 1960 and Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo in 1976).
At least dozen of Premiere’s acclaimed films were directed by the great Gerardo de Leon who was named Best Director for Ifugao (1954) at the 1955 Asian Film Festival held in Singapore. Manong Gerry was also elevated to the FAMAS Best Director Hall of Fame after winning seven Best Director trophies, and was later named National Artist.
In 1952 when Premiere was bugged by labor problems, a sister company called People’s Pictures, Inc. was put up. Premiere stopped producing for five years. From the early ’70s, Santiago’s daughter, Digna, took over the helm of PPI which produced award-winning and blockbuster movies like Ang Uliran (Best Drama Film, 1971 Manila Filmfest), and Nora Aunor starrers like Lollipops and Roses (1971, with Cocoy Laurel and Don Johnson who became a big Hollywood star); Impossible Dream (1973); Fe, Esperanza, Caridad (1974); Carnival Song (1974); Lollipops and Roses at Burong Talangka (1975); Magandang Gabi sa Inyong Lahat (1976); Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976); Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979); Lorelei (1974, starring Miss Finland and 1974 Miss Universe runner-up Johanna Raunio); and Postcards from China (1975, entry to the first Metro Manila Filmfest).
Here’s a gallery of 20 Premiere stars and some of their memorable movies:
• Nena Cardenas – first Maria Clara Awards Best Actress, for Doble Cara (1950) and Habang Buhay (1953).
• Anita Linda – second Maria Clara Awards Best Actress for Sisa (1951); introduced in Sekretang Hong Kong (1947); and Suwail, Naglaro ang Ligaya (1949).
• Virginia Montes – Hiram na Pangalan (1948); Hamak na Dakila (1948); 48 Oras (1950); and Larawang Buhay (1952).
• Rosita Noble – Labis na Pagtitipid (1951) and Solitaryo (1953).
• Edna Luna – Dyesebel (1953); Pitong Maria (1954) and Anak ni Dyesebel (1964).
• Gloria Sevilla – introduced in Banga ni Zimadar (1953) and promoted to stardom in Salabusab (1954).
• Carol Varga – 1954 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress for Guwapo (1954); Milagrosang Kamay (1961); and 12 Kuba (1962).
• Corazon Rivas – Ginto sa Lusak (1954); Santa Lucia (1956); and Nakausap Ko ang Diyos (1960).
• Olivia Cenizal – introduced in Palahamak (1955, using Gloria Cenizal as screen name); first title role in Minera (1955), Pandanggo ni Neneng (1955); Viuda de Oro (1960); and Wala Kang Kapantay (1962).
• Cielito Legaspi – Huling Mandirigma (1956) and Water Lily (1958).
• Shirley Gorospe – Hong Kong Honeymoon (1960); Fil-American Girl (1963); and Shirley, My Darling (1958).
• Celia Rodriguez – 1964 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress for Kulay Dugo ang Gabi; introduced in Shirley, My Darling (1958).
• Rosemarie Gil – introduced in Duke de Borgonia (1960) and Santa Rita de Casia.
• Efren Reyes Sr. – Ifugao (1954); 1960 FAMAS Best Actor for Kadenang Putik; Kumander Sundang (1949); Dugo ng Katipunan (1949); Haring Espada (1956); Desperado (1956); Kalibre .45 (1957); and Korona at Pag-ibig (1958).
• Fernando Poe Jr. – Lalo Kitang Mahal (1956); Bakasyon Grande (1957); Laban sa Lahat (1958); Bon Voyage (1958); Anak ng Bulkan (1959); Pitong Gatang (1959); Sakristan Mayor (1961); and Apollo Robles (1961).
• Carlos Padilla Jr. – Wala na Ang Luha (1948) and Umaalong Ginto (1956).
• Johnny Monteiro – Prinsipe Villariba (1956); Eskrimador (1955); and Guerrero (1955).
• Jose Romulo – DI-13 (1955); Ex-Zur (1956); and Barumbado (1957).
• Zaldy Zshornack – Pagsikat ng Araw (1959); Kalawang sa Bakal (1960); and Cristo Zapata (1962).
• Eddie Fernandez – Leon Marahas (1962) and Kulay Dugo ang Gabi (1964).