Book Review: Perverse Titillation

Perverse Titillation: The Exploitation Cinema of Italy, Spain and France, 1960-1980
Published by McFarland, 2011. 346 pages.
By Danny Shipka

“To all those who have received grief for their entertainment choices and who see the study of weird and wacky films as important to understanding popular culture.”

That is the little dedication in the beginning of the book, which I immediately felt a kindred spirit with the author, since, like many fans of cult cinema, have had to try and explain and/or defend their love of this genre. For someone who is new to this type of films, especially from the three countries covered here, this would be a great introduction. This is not an in-depth or critical study or college thesis where the author is trying to come up with some outrageous theory, but an general overview of the films, filmmakers, and what was going on in those countries during this time. As a newcomer to this, you will find quite a few titles to add to your “To-Watch” list, which honestly, is the best thing a reference book can do for the reader, making them want to seek out and watch the films that are discussed. And with that, author Shipka does a great job.

Naschy’s Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror in 3D!!!

Folks in the New York city area, tomorrow you have the chance to see a rare screening of Naschy’s debut of his Waldemar Daninsky character, in the 1968 film Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror (or at least the version that was later released here in the states) in 3D, thanks to the wonderful people at Garagehouse Pictures.

At the Quad Cinema tomorrow at 3:05pm, in part of their special 3-D festival, you’ll get to see this amazing film like very few people have had the opportunity. Sam Sherman, the man really responsible for bringing Naschy’s name to the states when he bought this film for distribution here, will be there for the screening.

Sure, this is a little short notice, but if you’re in that area, I wouldn’t pass up this chance. I mean, Naschy in 3-D??? I’m still hopeful that this print will make it’s way out to the Midwest at some point. But in the meantime, you East-coasters better take advantage of it!

For more information about the screening, just click HERE.

Naschy Tribute in Legend of Hombre Lobo

I’m usually not one for cheap knock-offs or so-called tributes when it really looks like the filmmakers are just ripping off the subject they are supposedly trying to pay homage to. But after viewing the below trailer for The Legend of El Hombre Lobo, I am pretty intrigued about this short film and look forward to seeing it. I mean, when you’re paying tribute to the one and only Paul Naschy, you’re going to get my attention right away. From the look of this trailer below, it looks like they’ve nailed the look and feel of his gothic films. One can only hope!

 

Naschy Werewolf Bust!

Years ago, I used to be into resin and vinyl model kits. I wasn’t the greatest painter, but I enjoyed it and I did okay. But I got out of it quite some time ago because it just was taking too much of my time. I would get a kit and then spend every waking minute on it until it was finished. Several years ago, when we were setting up at Wonderfest in Louisville, it was very hard not to give into the temptation and buy more kits. But I stood my ground and kept myself from getting any. I still have a lot of my kits that I did paint around the Krypt, but haven’t bought a new kit in years.

Until now.

My buddy (and key enabler) Phil, sent me the below pics of a new kit that just came out, knowing that it was going to be very hard for me to pass up. And moments later, I was chatting with the man responsible for putting this kit out, Paul Gill, and ordering one of the kits.

This El Retorno Del Hombre Lobo kit was sculpted and painted by Mark Van Tine. It is 9 1/2″ inches of all Naschy! Obviously if you order one, it does not come assembled or painted. The parts are the bust, hand, base, and black plastic chains. Just making sure that is clear.

The price is $100 plus s&h. Keep in mind, these are made in limited quantities, so if you have any interests, I would contact Paul Gill through Facebook right away to make sure there are some left.

Naschy Figures!!!

While I might dabble occasionally in horror figures here and there, I was smart enough to stay away from that part of horror collecting. Mainly because there are so freaking many different ones out there, had I started, I would have gone broke by now! Sure, they are very cool and usually well done. But I just personally have a problem paying $80 to $120 for a 8″ or 12″ figure. Trust me, I understand they are handmade and only a limited number made. Just hard for me to part with that kind of cash for one.

I will say that I’m thrilled to see Paul Naschy represented in these character figures. Not just once…not twice…but now a third figure has been announced. The first two were from Werewolf vs the Vampire Woman (1971), one an 8″ figure and the other a 12″ figure. This newest one is another 8″ but is from Naschy’s Night of the Werewolf (1981), my personal favorites of his Daninsky films. I believe the 8″ figures were created by Distinctive Dummies, but not sure about the 12″ one. Although, finding information about them and browsing their website isn’t the easies.

Either way, kudos to them for helping keep Naschy’s spirit and films alive with these great figures. Who knows…maybe one of these days I’ll break down and get one. Or two. Or all three….stranger things have happened.

Feliz cumpleaños Jacinto Molina!

Today, Senior Molina, aka Paul Naschy, would have been 84. It’s been almost a decade since we this icon of the horror genre. I am just so grateful that his memory and his work continue to live and breathe, with more and more titles hitting Blu-ray, books written about him, and more collectibles being produced, it shows just how important his work has meant to the fans, and what it will mean to the legion of newer fans that will discover his massive body of work each and every year. Oh, how I am envious of these newer fans that get to watch titles like Horror Rises from the Tomb or Night of the Howling Beast for the very first time.

So while us fans still miss him and continue to mourn the loss of such a talented actor, director, screenwriter, not to mention father and husband to his family, we know that the legend of Paul Naschy, much like his most famous character, Waldemar Daninsky, will never die and will be reborn time and time again.

Thank you, Senior Molina, for all the wonderful memories, both past and future.

Book Review: Human Beasts: The Films of Paul Naschy

Human Beasts: The Films of Paul Naschy
Published by CreateSpace, 2018. 344 pages
By Troy Howarth

Followers of the Krypt might know of my slight fondness for the work of Spanish writer/director/actor and all around horror fan, Jacinto Molina, better known as Paul Naschy. Besides his own autobiography, Memoirs of a Wolfman or Muchas Gracias Senor Lobo that showcases all these amazing posters, lobby cars, and other material from his movies, there hasn’t been a book out, at least that I know of here in the states, that covers the massive filmography of Naschy. Until now.

Let me say right from the start that Howarth is not only a good friend of mine, but that I also have a very small part in this book, in the Naschy legacy section in the back. Also, that I’m a die-hard Naschy fan that is just thrilled to death that there is finally a book about him and his films. But I would ask you to believe that if I had issues with Troy’s writing, or this book in general, that I would be up front and honest about them here. I don’t mix words when it comes to reviewing, especially books, even more so when they are about a subject that I am very passionate about.