More Naschy

 

 (imdb)

THE DEVIL'S POSSESSED-1974-Baron Gilles de Lancre (Paul Naschy) hires Simon (Eduardo Calvo) the alchemist to teach him how to make gold from glass. At first Gilles is reluctant to help the alchemist because it requires a human sacrifice. However, with some urging from his consort Georgelle (Norma Sebre), he overcomes his misgivings, and a local cutie is killed. Later Gaston Malebranche (Guillermo Bredeston) returns from the war and has a fight with some hooligans in a bar. The Baron uses murder and torture to keep everyone in check while searching for the philosopher's stone. His Georgella says the devil will talk to him through a severed head, so he has a local boy decapitated. The head does talk to him and tells him to sacrifice some virgins but the voice is actually that of the alchemist who is obviously in cahoots with Georgelle. 

Later Gaston, who once saved the Baron's life, is more than welcomed in the Baron's castle but Georgelle doesn't like him and says he should be killed. When an assassination fails, Gaston joins the underground peasants who oppose the Baron. After losing a jousting match to Gaston and killing the alchemist because he failed to produce the philosopher's stone, the Baron and his army go on a killing spree. Later he thinks he's invulnerable, but his enemies prove him wrong. 

This great historical bloody horror film was written by star Naschy under his real name Jacinto Molina as he once again teamed the director Leon Klimovsky (THE WEREWOLF VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMAN, DR. JEKYLL VS. THE WEREWOLF). The story is loosely an adaptation of the life of Gilles de Rais, a 15-century notorious French serial killer who had serves under Joan of Arc. Read about him here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_de_Rais

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Daminsky!

 

THE WEREWOLF VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMAN-1971-Two college students Elvira (Gaby Fuchs) and Genevieve (Barbara Capell) are looking for the grave of a blood drinking countess. They stumble upon the home of writer Vladimir Daminsky (Paul Naschy) who seems very hospitable until they mention the countess. He invites them to stay over and at night a strange woman tries to strangle Elvira. It turns out to be Daminsky's "mentally disturbed" sister Elizabeth (Yelena Samarina). The next day she attacks Genevieve. 

With Daminsky's help the women find the countess' tomb and open her coffin. Genevieve cuts herself and her blood drips on the corpse. Then Elvira is attacked by a skeletal faced figure dressed like a monk (some say this brief character may have influenced "The Blind Dead" series, the first of which was made several months later). At night Genevieve falls under the spell of the countess (Paty Shepard). Somehow Elvira and Daminsky fall in love. The countess kills Elizabeth and Daminsky explains it will soon be Walpurgis night when the devil rules and vampires take over. At night while Elvira is in the village with the dumb handyman, Daminsky finally turns into a scary werewolf. Elvira has a weird dream and the next day she learns her lover boy's secret. Genevieve bites Elvira but when Vlad kills her, Elivra gets better. The countess seems to disappear into the catacombs. 

Elvira chains up Vlad but the handyman tries to kidnap Elvira. Daminsky escapes and kills him. Elvira's boyfriend Marcello shows up to cause more trouble but he and Elvira are made prisoners by the countess. Vlad saves them just before the devil (director Carlos Aured) arrives and transforms into a wolf and kills the countess. Elvira stabs her wolfman with a cross and "frees him" (until the next movie). 

Leon Klimovsky directed from a screenplay by Naschy (under his real name Jacinto Molina) and the two would later team up for a few more horror outings. This fifth installment was a huge hit in Europe.

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Naschy Returns!

VENGEANCE OF THE ZOMBIES-1973-A grave robbing married couple are killed when the corpse they planned to loot comes to life. After this an unseen figure performs a ritual. In London a Indian mystic/guru/cult leader Krishna (Paul Naschy) puts himself in a trace and is stab by an assistant but feels no pain. Elvira (Rommy) is one his followers and his friend author Dr. Radcliffe (Vic Winner) is doing research. Radcliffe warns Elvira not too go too far with Krishna's stuff. Later she's terrorized by a pale faced zombie woman and an ugly guy in a top hat who puts an ax in a caretaker's head and hangs her father. After the funeral Elvira goes to visit Krishna. While waiting in the train station, the stationmaster tells her the village is evil and that house Krishna rented is called "The Devil's House" because years before a family called The Whatleys performed blood sacrifices there until the townspeople killed them all. She's finally met by scarred driver Ti Zachery (Pierre Bisari) who takes her to Krishna who seems to be under the weather. Kala (Mirta Miller) is his second in command. When Elvira goes to bed she has a dream Ti and the stationmaster kidnap her and take her to a chamber where some pale faced women stand around and satyr like horned demon (who resembles Krishna) slashes her throat and drinks her blood. After she and Krishna have a chat the next day the scene changes to a meat packing company where the accountant is having an affair with his boss's wife Olivia (Aurora de Alba; FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR). Someone in a top hat, cape and clown mask kills them and drains the blood out of the guy. Then two pale faced women kill a morgue attendant and a figure in a top hat and ghoul mask sets fire to a small figure. Scotland Yard calls in Radcliffe for advice and he tells them that someone is creating zombies using voodoo. Then Krishna buys a knife and walks through a graveyard while some jazzy music plays. After that, the stationmaster is forced to cut his own throat. Gala says Elvira has to leave but Krishna says he needs her help. A maid warns Elvira not to fall in love with Krishna. The maid wants to show something to Elvira in the basement but all she finds is the maid with her head chopped off. Ti appears with a bloody scythe but Krishna shows up and overpowers him. "This is a nightmare! Inexplicable and frightening!". When Elvira wants to call the police Krishna is against it and they have sex instead. Meantime the masked guy makes the zombie women rise and they kill two cops (one is impaled with a cross). After a lot of talk it seems Krishna is the unwilling slave of his occult loving revenge seeking disfigured brother Tantaka and his female zombies. 

This isn't nearly as entertaining as some other screenwriter Paul Naschy/ director Leon Klimlovsky combos (like THE WEREWOLF VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN) but it has some fire, nudity and death by soda can with Naschy suitably demented as the crazed Tantaka!

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Paul Naschy-1934-2009

Romero and Naschy

HANGING WOMAN-United American Video-1973-This is a weird one. It’s a horror story with lots of talk and features Paul Naschy as Igor, a necrophilic caretaker. Characters seem to die and then come back from the dead. After a lot of false scares the film turns into something like NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD with a scientist reviving corpses through a strange invention. In this dubbed version all the credits are anglicized and the great horror star Naschy is called Paul Nash! It’s original title is LA ORGIA DE LOS MUERTOS but it’s had numerous re-titled re-releases and is clearly edited.

The stars are Gerald Tichy, Aurora De Alba, Maria Pia Conte, Carlos Quiney and Stelvio Rosi.

Director/ Co-Writer Jose Luis Merino made SCREAM OF THE DEMON LOVER (1970) and films featuring Zorro, Robin Hood and Tarzan! Co-writer Enrico Colombo wrote Jesus Franco’s NIGHT OF THE BLOOD MONSTER (1969). Bernard Woolner is also mentioned as producer on this version.



BRUISER-Lions Gate Films-2001-This was George Romero’s first feature after his disappointing THE DARK SIDE (based on Stephen King’s novel) in 1993. It’s a little different but I expected more.

Nice guy/loser/yuppie Henry (Jason Flemyng) is the proverbial doormat. His obnoxious boss (Peter Stormage) treats him like shit. His best friend and lawyer (Andrew Tarbet) cheats him out of money. His unfaithful wife belittles, and eventually leaves him. He fantasizes about doing in various pushy people.

But when he puts on a faceless mask he changes completely. He literally becomes a man without a face bent on violent revenge. But somehow this movie just doesn’t make it. Although Henry gets to turn the tables there’s a lot of talk and for the most part the story will leave you feeling a little unsatisfied.

At one point after this, Romero had been involved with a “Resident Evil” project but his script was rejected because it focused too much on zombies!!!

Flemyng later played Dr. Jekyll in the flop LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN. Romero finally returned with CITY OF THE DEAD.

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Did Anyone Expect This?

INQUISITION-1976 -For his debut as director Paul Naschy choose a story set during the time of the Inquisition. But according to the star while researching the project (which he also wrote) he discovered that more women were burned as witches in France than in his homeland of Spain.

He plays a witch hunting priest named Bernard de Flossy traveling the plague infested French countryside. Naturally, this premise provides Naschy with another excuse for showing topless women being tortured (one has her nipple torn off; an effect he’d use again in a future movie). After much grandstanding, accusations and lectures de Flossy becomes obsessed with Catherine (Daniela Giordano). Naturally, this leads the sanctimonious priest to question his beliefs and go against his own conscious and teachings. More tragedy follows cumulating in a double burning.

INQUISTION is a well-made period piece with a seemingly decent budget and great cinematography and music. In fact, without the torture scenes this could pass as a mainstream costume drama!

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The Mark of Naschy!

Paul Naschy was Spain's first horror star. A former wrestler and weight lifter, he started out as an extra in American movies made in Spain (like KING OF KINGS). He's also in an episode of TV's I SPY ("The Plains of Spain") in which Boris Karloff guest stars. He made many bloody and atmospheric horror films (most which he wrote under his real name) and played several different monsters. His most famous was the tortured werewolf character Vladamir Daninsky. Most of these films made it to the US in one form or another. Yet, he was almost totally unrecognized in his native country! He told of his ups and downs in the film industry in his autobiography "Memoirs of a Wolfman".

DRACULA’S GREAT LOVE-1972-This is Spanish horror king Paul Naschy’s only vampire film (original title: El Gran Amor Del Conde Dracula). As usual he wrote the rather sadistic story (under his real name Jacinto Molina) and tried for a new slant on the old legend. It’s a period piece but exactly in what period it takes place is undetermined. Four women and one lucky guy (Victor Acalzar/Vic Winner; also in HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB; see below) are traveling in the mountains near the castle of the original Dracula. When their wagon breaks a wheel and their coachman is conked on the head by a horse the group are forced to seek shelter from Dr. Marlowe (a suave and friendly Naschy). Turns out of course that Marlowe is actually the infamous count who needs the blood of a virgin to resurrect his daughter, the countess. Unfortunately, for the first time in his long career (?) he falls in love with his intended victim!

DGL features much bloodletting, nudity and a bloody three-way vampire lesbian scene. Also usual for Naschy’s films at the time a woman is whipped and tortured for no apparent reason (although a convoluted explanation is given). Naschy may seem an odd chance to play the king of vampires but he pulls it off fairly well (some might contend he’s a little wimpy) but the women are fantastic. Rosana Yanni (in her second Naschy film) is an unsung scream queen if there ever was one! Earlier she appeared in the laughable WHITE COMANCHE (1968) with William Shatner and Joseph Cotton.

Director Javier Acquirre (who co-wrote the screenplay with Naschy and Alberto S. Insua) provides tons of atmosphere and eroticism. He would direct Naschy, Yanni and Winner again in THE HUNCHBACK OF THE MORGUE (which Insua co-wrote) the next year. A dubbed but uncut version is available from The Incredibly Strange Filmworks, Inc.



HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB-1972- Made soon after the above opus HORROR is a wild ride in the Naschy tradition that borrows from several other features, most notably THE THING THAT WOULDN’T DIE and features a beheading and topless nudity even before the credits roll!

Naschy plays Ulric Du Marnac, an evil blood drinking, flesh eating, devil-worshiping sorcerer with an equally bloodthirsty companion, Mabille (Helga Line). His severed head is buried apart from his body. Just before the topless Mabille is hoisted upside down and burned she throws curses on everyone. In the present we meet his modern ancestor Hugo (also Naschy). After he and his friends have a séance and the old medium talks in Ulric’s voice Hugo decides to search for the head. His painter friend (Victor Alcazar) comes under Ulric’s evil power. With the help of some now possessed female friends, Ulric’s body is reunited with his head. He brings Mabille back to life too and they roam around ripping out hearts and eating them for nourishment. They also bring back some dead victims who terrorize Hugo and his girlfriend (Emma Cohen).

Director Carlos Aured packs this film with decadent atmosphere, ample gore and nice nudity to make it one of Naschy’s best. As usual he wrote the screenplay under his real name Jacinto Molina.

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