Ep# 55 - Mexican Horror Films in the 60s
The Scapular (1968)
By the beginning of the ‘60s, Mexican Horror had developed its own distinct tropes, evolved from old Universal monster movies to create formulaic crowd pleasers with plenty of gothic atmosphere and vengeful supernatural creatures. But by the end of the ‘60s, they were already expanding into more original films that thoughtfully approached terror and dread in a way that’s reminiscent of modern horror techniques. In this episode, Bart and Jenna make good on their promise brave the unknown, peeking through their fingers at vampires, werewolves, ghosts and murderers – all of whom speak Spanish! With luchadors and lycars to protect them, they discover that there’s much more to love about this genre than these scaredy cats expected.
Not least among the pleasures of investigating the world of Mexican Horror is the surprising variety of what it has to offer. Along with the fun of old-fashioned-style horror films that can sometimes border on schlockiness, we’ve got at least one beloved classic of Mexican cinema and another that’s based one of Mexico’s most famous novels - not to mention a lost treasure that more people need to discover and a fair number of genuine scares. So take a listen and don’t worry – this frightening trip is punctuated with moments of comedy and romance (and endless bouts of wrestling) along the way to provide your pounding hearts some relief.
The following films are discussed:
• Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (1960)
El esqueleto de la señora Morales
Directed by Rogelio A. González
Starring Arturo de Córdova, Amparo Rivelles, Elda Peralta
• Santo vs. the Vampire Women (1962)
Santo vs. las mujeres vampiro
Directed by Alfonso Corona Blake
Starring Santo, Lorena Velázquez, María Duval
• La Loba (1965)
Directed by Rafael Baledón
Starring Kitty de Hoyos, Joaquín Cordero, Columba Domínguez
• Pedro Páramo (1967)
Directed by Carlos Velo
Starring John Gavin, Ignacio López Tarso, Pilar Pellicer
• The Scapular (1968)
El escapulario
Directed by Servando González
Starring Enrique Lizalde, Enrique Aguilar, Carlos Cardán
• The Book of Stone (1969)
El libro de piedra
Directed by Carlos Enrique Taboada
Starring Marga López, Joaquín Cordero, Norma Lazareno
Also mentioned:
• Macario (1960)
Directed by Roberto Gavaldón
Starring Ignacio López Tarso, Pina Pellicer, Enrique Lucero
• The Ship of Monsters (1960)
La nave de los monstruos
Directed by Rogelio A. González
Starring Eulalio González, Ana Bertha Lepe, Lorena Velázquez
• The World of the Vampires (1961)
El mundo de los vampiros
Directed by Alfonso Corona Blake
Starring Guillermo Murray, Silvia Fournier, Mauricio Garcés
• The Brainiac (1962)
El barón del terror
Directed by Chano Urueta
Starring Abel Salazar, Ariadne Welter, David Silva
• The Witch's Mirror (1962)
El espejo de la bruja
Directed by Chano Urueta
Starring Rosita Arenas, Armando Calvo, Isabela Corona
• The Curse of the Crying Woman (1963)
La maldición de la Llorona
Directed by Rafael Baledón
Starring Rosita Arenas, Abel Salazar, Rita Macedo
• Even the Wind Is Afraid (1968)
Hasta el viento tiene miedo
Directed by Carlos Enrique Taboada
Starring Marga López, Maricruz Olivier, Alicia Bonet
• Night of the Bloody Apes (1969)
La horripilante bestia humana
Directed by René Cardona
Starring José Elías Moreno, Carlos López Moctezuma, Armando Silvestre
