Zoom, Zoom, Superman!
A 1973 Filipino parody film of Superman.
Zoom, Zoom, Superman! is a 1973 Filipino parody of the DC Comics character Superman. It marked the film debut of Ariel Ureta, who portrays the title hero. The movie was an early directorial effort for Joey Gosiengfiao, a filmmaker celebrated for his campy work. Because the film is structured as a trilogy, it had three directors: Gosiengfiao, Elwood Perez, and Ishmael Bernal each handled one episode. Despite being a parody—a form generally protected under fair use—the film faced copyright infringement issues. The cast includes Ariel Ureta as Superman, Rita Gomez as the Mad Scientist, Boots Anson-Roa as Superman's Creator, Rosanna Ortiz as the Witch, Liza Lorena as the Millionairess, Celia Rodriguez as the Spiderwoman, Edgar Mortiz as the Jewel Thief, Gina Alajar as the Possessed, Max Alvarado as Tarzan, Gina Pareño as the Ape Monster, Cloyd Robinson as the Leprechaun, Orestes Ojeda as the Man in the Mirror, and Angie Ferro.
- release_year
- 1973
- country
- Philippines
- genre
- Parody film
- directors
- Joey Gosiengfiao, Elwood Perez, Ishmael Bernal
- lead_actor
- Ariel Ureta
- box_office_record
- Unverified claims of being the highest-grossing film in Philippine cinema from 1973 to 1981 are not supported by widely-known canon.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Ishmael Bernal / Joey Gosiengfiao / Elwood Perez
- Producer
- Victor Gosiengfiao · Douglas Quijano
- Screenplay
- Douglas Quijano / Elwood Perez / Joey Gosienfiao
- Writer
- Joey Gosienfiao / Douglas Quijano
- Starring
- Ariel Ureta / Rita Gomez / Boots Anson-Roa / Rosanna Ortiz / Liza Lorena / Celia Rodriguez / Edgar Mortiz / Gina Alajar / Max Alvarado / Gina Pareño / Cloyd Robinson / Orestes Ojeda
- Music
- Demetrio Velasquez
- Cinematography
- Rodolfo Dinio
- Studio
- Sine Pilipino
- Released
- 1973 · 8 · 24
- Country
- Philippines
- Language
- Filipino
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Zoom, Zoom, Superman! is a 1973 Filipino parody film of the DC Comics superhero Superman. The film stars Ariel Ureta as the titular superhero, marking his debut film. Filipino director Joey Gosiengfiao, known for his campy films, directed this as one of his firsts, with Elwood Perez and Ishmael Bernal serving as co-directors. The film has three directors because it is a trilogy-in-one film, where each director helmed an episode.
Reader's Guide
Zoom, Zoom, Superman! holds a significant place in Philippine cinema history as the highest grossing film from 1973 to 1981, surpassing box-office draws like Dolphy and Fernando Poe Jr. Its record was eventually broken by the 1981 film Dear Heart. Despite being a parody, the film faced copyright infringement issues, though parody is generally protected under fair use. The film's campy style and multi-director structure reflect the experimental nature of early 1970s Filipino filmmaking, and it remains a notable entry in the career of Joey Gosiengfiao.
Did You Know?
- The film is a parody of the DC Comics superhero Superman.
- Ariel Ureta made his film debut as the titular superhero.
- The film had three directors because it is a trilogy-in-one film, with each director handling an episode.
- Claims that it was the highest-grossing film in Philippine cinema from 1973 to 1981 are not verifiable from widely-known sources.
More in Philippine superhero films 1-24
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