Indicator Scores Again!

July 26, 2024 by Jon Kitley in Misc. Ramblings and tagged Abel Salazar, Air Hawks, Behind the Mask, Black Moon, Boris Karloff, Columbia Horror, Cry of the Werewolf, El ataud del vampire, El Vampiro, German Robles, Indicator, Island of Doomed Men, Peter Lorre, The Soul of a Monster, The Vampire, The Vampire's Coffin | Leave a comment

Yet another reason why we are so lucky right now. Last year, Indicator released their Mexico Macabre box set which featured 4 incredible titles from the Mexican horror output from the late ’50s and early ’60s, which was a much-needed release for fans who had missed out on the old Casa Nega DVDs. But there were 2 titles missing from that collection that were a must for any fan of this sub-genre. But have no fear because Indicator has announced this amazing double feature that will contain the film that started it all, El Vampiro aka The Vampire (1957), and it’s sequel, El ataúd del vampire aka The Vampire’s Coffin (1958), both starring Germán Robles in the title role, and Abel Salazar as the stand-in for Van Helsing! Both are filled with so much atmosphere you can cut it with a knife. Two perfect examples of the amazing work they were creating back then.

This set will include audio commentaries by star Germán Robles from 2007, as well as interviews with Claudia & Rosa Salazar Arenas about their father, actor and producer Abel Salazar, as well as other interviews with people involved in film fests, horror scholars, and film historians on the Spanish horror genre. The set also comes with a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with new essays Jesús Palacios and David Wilt, archival essays by Eduardo de la Vega Alfaro and Carmen A Serrano, cast interviews, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits

Continue reading →

Discover the Horror Podcast: Episode 44 – Classic Mexican Gothics

May 31, 2023 by Jon Kitley in Discover the Horror Podcast and tagged Abel Salazar, Black Pit of Dr. M, Curse of the Crying Woman, El Vampiro, Mexican Horror | Leave a comment

El Vampiro (1957), The Black Pit of Dr. M (1959), and The Curse of the Crying Woman (1963). Any horror fan worth their weight in blood knows their fair share about the classic monster films from Universal from the 30s and 40s before they died a slow death. But do you know that in the late 50s and early 60s, there was a bunch of classical looking horror films made in Mexico? Looking a lot like their Universal brethren, these Mexican films cranked up the atmosphere (and the fog machines) to 11, using some of the traditional monsters, as well as developing some from their own heritage.

Mexican horror films from this era don’t seem to get the credit and notoriety that they should. We’re hoping to help change that by covering 3 that we think are pretty damn good. So, buckle up, get your pen and notepad ready and get ready to start down a very foggy path into a highly underrated sub-genre.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Continue reading →

Horror History: Abel Salazar

February 18, 2020 by Jon Kitley in Horror History and tagged Abel Salazar, Black Pit of Dr. M, Curse of the Crying Woman, El Vampiro, La maldición de la Llorona | Leave a comment

abelsalazar Abel Salazar
Born: Sept. 24th, 1917 Died: Oct. 21st, 1995

In the world of the Mexican horror genre, Salazar was the equivalent to someone like Peter Cushing or Vincent Price. Okay, maybe he didn’t have the same acting chops as Cushing and Price, but he loved these films and not only appearing in quite a few of them, he also was the producer of many of them.

In the late ’50s and ’60s, he appeared in films like El vampiro (aka The Vampire, 1957), El ataúd del Vampiro (aka The Vampire’s Coffin, 1958), Misterios de ultratumba (aka The Black Pit of Dr. M, 1958), and my personal favorite, La maldición de la Llorona (aka The Curse of the Crying Woman, 1963). One of the most famous titles, though usually because it is laughed at, is El barón del terror (aka The Brainiac, 1962), which he starred as the title creature!

While some may consider these films a little silly, especially The Brainiac, most are filled with so much atmosphere and creepy sets, that if you’re a fan of the old Universal classics, I think you’ll love these as well.

Horror History: Germán Robles

January 9, 2020 by Jon Kitley in Horror History and tagged Abel Salazar, Braniac, El Vampiro, German Robles, Vampire's Coffin | Leave a comment

robles Germán Robles
Born March 20th, 1929 – Died Nov. 21st, 2015

Robles became a star after appearing as the Count Duval, in his first feature film, El Vampiro, in 1957. And that was even a last minute decision. Back in the ’50s, producer Abel Salazar was all set to start his new vampire film with another actor already cast as the Count, one that had already an established name. But when he thought back to the Universal pictures, like Dracula and Frankenstein, where both featured a monster played by a relatively unknown name, he decided to follow that same route. So he went to see a play and found Robles on stage and thought he would make a great vampire and hired him on the spot. Robles would go on to play Count Duval in the sequel El ataúd del Vampiro, aka The Vampire’s Coffin, in 1958.

While he would appear in a few other Mexican horror films, like the cult classic The Brainiac (1962) and the Nostradamus series, he continued to work in film and on the stage. But it is because of his performance in these early Mexican horror films, that had such amazing atmosphere and style back then, that he needs to be remembered. While we all know Lugosi and Lee, Robles’ name should be up there as well, since he gives us a splendid performance as the Count. Lucky for us, these movies are both available, so do yourself a favor and seek them out.

Movie Review: El Vampiro

July 6, 2017 by Jon Kitley in Reviews: Movies and tagged Abel Salazar, El Vampiro, Fernando Méndez, German Robles | 1 Comment

vampirobanner

El Vampiro (1957)
Directed by Fernando Méndez
Starring Abel Salazar, Ariadna Welter, Carmen Montejo, José Luis Jiménez, Mercedes Soler, Germán Robles

One of the things that I am always trying to promote here on the Krypt is to Discover the Horror, meaning always seeking out films that might be outside of your vision. Whether its older films or ones made in different parts of the world, you never know when you’re going to come across a great piece of cinema, no matter when and where it was made. And one of the reasons I’m always waving that flag is that I want people to learn from my mistakes. I wasn’t always like that, but would be happier to stay inside my little comfort zone. So many years ago, when I was a younger and dumber horror fan, I resisted any other horror sub-genre. My reasoning back then was that there was already too many of the regular titles that I hadn’t seen, so I didn’t want to add to that ever growing list. Thankfully a friend of mine, went against my wishes and sent me a few tapes with some of the Mexican horror movies from the 50’s, such as The Bloody Vampire and Curse of the Crying Woman. And after watching them, not only was I hooked, but I also started to see the errors of my way. Thanks Monster Mark! With so much great stuff out there, from all different countries, you really don’t want to limit yourself. You will miss a lot. Trust me.

Continue reading →

Germán Robles – Rest in Peace

November 21, 2015 by Jon Kitley in Rest in Peace and tagged El Vampiro, German Robles, Mexican Horror Films | 3 Comments

GermanRobles-rip The horror genre has lost another legend, even though most fans probably don’t know who Germán Robles ever was. But in fact, he was one the very first movie vampire to ever bare his fangs on screen! That’s right, folks, right before Hammer’s Horror of Dracula was released, a black and white film from Mexico called El Vampiro came out, which featured Robles as the dreaded Count Duval.

Continue reading →