In 1961, the World War II movie Merrill’s Marauders shot on location in the Philippines (Clark Field in Pampanga) with Jeff Chandler in the lead role as Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill. In the cast were two Filipino actors, Pancho Magalona and Luz Valdez. Even before the film could be shown, Chandler died of heart attack in the US.
Pancho recalled with much fondness the Hollywood actor in an interview with Helen C. Yoingco for Kislap-Graphic magazine.
At the start of the shoot, Pancho kept his distance as he felt ‘Jeff wasn’t the type to be palsy-walsy with anybody just like that.’ He wasn’t really snobbish as he smiled and signed autographs and yet the actor wore ‘that almost sad expression on his face.’
But when Pancho got to know Chandler, he turned out to be a great guy, ‘He sang, crackled jokes, laughed uproariously at tall tales, and relaxed completely.’ Humble, friendly, considerate and helpful.
Pancho and co-stars and co-workers were aware he suffered excruciating pain because of an slipped disc, but not once did he complain, joking, ‘How can I be sick with all these muscles.’
At a despedida party, Chandler promised Pancho and his wife Tita (Duran) that he’d come no matter how late as he had a commitment in Clark Field. True enough, Chandler came shortly before midnight and stayed until the wee hours of the morning. He profusely apologized to Pancho and Tita and ‘sang two songs to sort of make up for being late.’
He requested Pancho to sing Dahil sa Iyo and, of course he obliged.
Pancho played one of the marauders, although he and Luz were not billed in the poster. But they were credited onscreen. Luz, who had no speaking lines, played a village girl saved by Chandler.
During the shoot of Merrill’s Marauders, Sampaguita stars visited the set in Clark Field as the studio’s technicians, led by cinematographer Hegiño Fallorina, worked on the Hollywood movie.
While Chandler’s death saddened Pancho, he’d rather remember him in a happy vein. ‘Jeff would have wanted it that way.’ — RKC