Mary Walter(September 10, 1912 – February 25, 1993) was a Filipinoactresswhose eight decade-long film acting career saw her transformation from a romantic lead in thesilent filmera into a wizened fixture inhorror moviesin the late 1980s and early 1990s. For her body of work accomplished in an especially long career, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from both theFilipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciencesand theGawad Urian.
Mary Walter Grimalt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mary Diche Walter September 10, 1912[1] |
| Died | February 25, 1993(aged 80)[2] |
| Occupation | Filipino actress |
| Years active | 1927–1948 1959–1993 |
| Spouse | Alfonso Grimalt[2] |
| Children | 3[2] |
| Awards | FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award 1980 Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award 1992 |
Biography
editWalter was born to aGermanfather in what is nowSorsogon City,Sorsogon.As a teen, Walter appeared on the Manilabodabilcircuit as a chorus girl in the stage shows ofKaty de la Cruz.[3]She began her film career as abit player.Walter first came into fame in 1928, when she starred inAng Lumang Simbahan,staged from the popular novel byFlorentino Collantes.[4]Her leading man in that film wasGregorio Fernandez,with whom she would be romantically paired in a succession ofsilent films,constituting perhaps the first "love-team" in Filipino cinema.[5]
After appearing in manysilent films,Walter easily made the transition whensound filmemerged in thePhilippinesin the mid-1930s. In 1939, she appeared in the filmMariposang Berdewith then up and coming actress Malou "Chumams" Nocedo. She was among the stars who appeared in the 1942LVNfilmPrinsipe Teñoso,the only film produced by a Filipinofilm studioduring theJapanese Occupation.[6]
In 1948, after a 21-year film career, Walter retired to her hometown inSorsogon.[6]Ten years later, she was induced to act again, and she appeared inLVN'sKastilaloy.She was cast as a matron or mother in her forties. As she further aged, Walter became one of the most identifiable character actresses in Philippine cinema. Fair, petite and gaunt, she became inalienably identified in grandmother roles. Achain-smoker,her gravelly voice made her ideally cast in villainous roles, most prominently in the 1974Lino BrockafilmTatlo, Dalawa, Isa.By the 1980s, she was a memorable presence in popularhorror filmssuch asShake, Rattle and Roll(1984) andTiyanak(1988).
In 1980, Walter received the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award.[1]A similar award, this time from the Gawad Urian, was given to Walter in 1992.
Contrary to what is published in her IMDb biography, Walter was not the actress engaged in the first kissing scene in Philippine cinema (that distinction belongs toDimples Cooper).[7]Walter never retired again after returning to film in 1958.
Death
editShe died on February 25, 1993, after having a stroke inQuezon City.[2]
Filmography
editNotes
edit- ^abNicanor Tiongson,ed. (1994). "Philippine Film".CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila:Cultural Center of the Philippines.pp. 336–337.ISBN971-8546-31-6.
- ^abcd"Remember When?: Timeless Actress".The Philippine Star.August 12, 2017.RetrievedJune 13,2021.
- ^Ma. Lourdes Maniquis (1994). "Philippine Theater". InNicanor Tiongson(ed.).CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.Vol. V (1st ed.). Manila:Cultural Center of the Philippines.p. 287.ISBN971-8546-30-8.
- ^Garcia, Jessie B. (2004).A Movie Album Quizbook.Iloilo City, Philippines: Erehwon Books & Magazine. p. 202.ISBN971-93297-0-X.
- ^Garcia, p. 270
- ^abGarcia, p. 203
- ^Garcia, p. 127
References
edit- Nicanor Tiongson,ed. (1994). "Philippine Film".CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila:Cultural Center of the Philippines.pp. 336–337.ISBN971-8546-31-6.
- Garcia, Jessie B. (2004).A Movie Album Quizbook.Iloilo City, Philippines: Erehwon Books & Magazine. pp. 202–203.ISBN971-93297-0-X.