Florence Little Gardner (1911-1997)

We never called her "Grandma" but usually "Mom". She didn't fit the mold of a typical grandmother who dotes but was always outspoken with the discipline inheritied from a father who was a U.S. Army officer. Born in Sulu, Philippines where my great-grandfather, Horace U. Little was stationed in the early part of the American occupation, she later moved to Manila where she married and live much of her life before coming to the U.S.

When she died in January, I found an article among her papers that describes an early chapter in her life as a movie actress working with my grandfather, Marvin "Eduardo de Castro" Gardner, who was a pioneer director of Tagalog movies.

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SINO SILA?

Pitak ni Luciano Uyan

RITA RICA

Bituin ng pelikulang pilipino nuong 1930's. Ang kanyang tunay na pangalan ay Florence Little Gardner, at ang una niyang pelikula ay ang pinagtambalan nila ni Jose Padilla, Jr. nuong early 30's na "Sa Mutya ng Libingan."

Siya'y gumanap sa sunod-sunod na pelikula ng Sampaguita Pictures na dinirek ng kanyang kabiyak na si Eduardo de Castro. Isa rito'y ang "Colegiala" nuong 1940. Naka-bituin niya rito sina Roger de la Rosa, Carmen Rosales at Bert Le Roy, Sr.

Si Rita Rica nuon, kapag wala sa harap ng kamera ay namasukan bilang insurance saleslady, ad solicitor ng prewar Herald at editor ng Women's Page ng El Debate.

Si Rita ay lumaki sa timog ng Pilipinas at ang kanyang ama ay isang Amerikano.

More about the Gardner Family History

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