Tag Archives: Paul Naschy

DtH Episode 111 – Paul Naschy

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Count Dracula’s Great Love (1973), Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973), Panic Beats (1983)

We’re finally back to discuss the wonderful cinematic world of Paul Naschy! Back in episode 21, we covered three different entries in Naschy’s werewolf films. So, this time out, we are covering three of his NON-werewolf titles. This is to show newer fans that while he was known for his Waldemar Daninsky werewolf films, but that he had made plenty of other films, incorporating a bunch of different kind of monsters. And if you are familiar with more of his work, then what better time to revisit some of them, right?

Making over a hundred titles in his career that spanned decades, Paul Naschy loved the horror genre and made the kind of films that he wanted to, giving fans a wide variety of well-known beasties, as well as ones we’d never seen before. While some might say they vary in quality, Naschy’s passion never did, and always put his heart and soul into each one of them. 

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Muchas Gracias Señor Lobo Updated

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Being a collector of horror memorabilia, it’s always nice to be able to see the wide variety of different posters, lobby cards, and other such promotional materials that were made and distributed to promote different features. Seeing the different artwork from different countries, sometimes very similar, other times being dramatically different, but always interesting to see. And depending on how much you tend to indulge in those collecting habits, sometimes just seeing the images is cool enough. Or at least it gives you something to search for!

Back in 2012, Thorsten Benzel and the fine folks from Creepy Images put out the massive volume Muchas Gracias Señor Lobo which was this huge hardcover book filled with images of different posters, lobby cards, and other promo items from different Paul Naschy films, including illustrations from Naschy himself. This volume had just under 400 pages that had over 1400 images within, showing the glorious film work of Naschy. All in color! That book had sold out, becoming out-of-print years ago, going for big bucks on the secondary market.

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Cinema Wasteland – 25 Years Later

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“After several days of rest, we have finally recuperated from the Cinema Wasteland convention. Those of you who didn’t make it, you simply missed one hell of a show. As I’m sure everybody knew, the show was put on and run by Ken & Pam of Video Wasteland. These two have been dealers since the beginning of time, and have seen all the mistakes, screw-ups, and everything that can go wrong at a convention (and that was just at one Fangoria show). So, when doing this show, they wanted to make sure that it would be great for the dealers as well as the people spending their hard-earned cash at the show. And they did just that and more.”

That was the first paragraph of my review I posted on my website of the very first Cinema Wasteland show, back in September of 2000. The funny thing is that I could use that exact same quote for the show that I was just at over the weekend. And the one before that. And before that one. I don’t know of another show that has remained true to way they started from the very beginning. Ken Kish wanted to put on a show that wasn’t like the rest of the shows going on, and he has kept it that way. It’s small, especially compared to these huge shows where it takes hours just to get in the door, not to mention having to mortgage your house to meet a few celebrities. That is the charm to Wasteland. At Wasteland, you have a roomful of dedicated cinephiles that are more interested in the films themselves, and who made them, rather than the latest Funko Pop figure. I know that sounds a little mean-spirited, but it is the truth.

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Sam Sherman – Rest in Peace

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This is definitely an end of an era, with the news of the passing of Sam Sherman. He was mainly known as a producer, one half of Independent International, working with Al Adamson, but his contributions to the horror genre is just massive. From his work with Jim Warren and Famous Monsters of Filmland, to working with Hemisphere Pictures, especially in their promotion department, then moving on to work with Adamson. While he was a very multi-talented man, it is his work in PR is what I loved about him. He knew how to sell a film and came up with some of the most beautiful and crazy advertising. Of course, Sherman was the man responsible for bringing Paul Naschy to the states, picking up the rights and releasing Naschy’s first picture, Mark of the Wolfman, though changing it to Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror, yet again with some really great ad campaign for it! Sure, there’s no Dr. Frankenstein or Frankenstein creature in the film, but we do get a WOLF-STEIN!!!

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Naschy in 3D Is Almost HERE!

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I know we posted about September, but with these things, you never know if it is actually going to happen. Especially with something been anxiously waiting over 30 years to happen! But now, it is almost here since Kino Lober has announced the release date and is even taking pre-orders!

For those of you out there that might be unfamiliar with the work of Paul Naschy, which probably means you’re relatively new to this site since I tend to mention him a bit . . . BUT Paul Naschy was a Spanish actor/director/writer and all-around lover of the horror genre. He was inspired as a young boy after seeing Universal’s Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), mainly the plight of the tragic Lawrence Talbot, the Wolf Man. He would eventually work his way into filmmaking, first appearing in bit parts, before writing a screenplay called La marca del Hombre Lobo. After they couldn’t find a suitable actor to take on the lead role of Waldemar Daninsky, who would acquire the curse of lycanthrope, Naschy was given the chance. And after over a dozen films with him playing the same character (well, in name), not to mention appearing in over 100 films in his career that spanned five decades, his mark on the genre is quite impressive.

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Tony Isbert – Rest in Peace

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I missed this when it was announced by a few people online but wanted to make sure I mention it here, because while he might not be a famous name amongst some of fans, he appeared in a ton of great films, so it needs to be mentioned and remembered. Tony Isbert was a Spanish actor who appeared in close to 100 films, shorts, and TV appearances in his career that spanned almost 50 years. He passed away on Feb. 19th, at the age of 75.

His first appearance, though uncredited, was in an episode of Narciso Ibáñez Serrador’ TV anthology series, Historias para no dormir in 1966. But he would also go on to appear in Riccardo Freda’s Tragic Ceremony (1972), the Spanish giallo No One Heard the Scream (1973), León Klimovsky’s The Dracula Saga (1973), John Gilling’s Cross of the Devil (1975), and even worked with Paul Naschy in Secuestro (1976) and Inquisition (1977). Later in he would appear in José Ramón Larraz’s Rest in Pieces (1987) and Juan Piquer Simón’s The Rift (1990). So, while you might not recognize the name, I’m sure you know at least some of these films.

As I always say, because of the films that he did appear in, many of which have been released on wonderful Blu-rays, we will always be able to remember this fine talented man and the work that he put out. Never to be forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.

2024 Year in Review: The Highlights Part 1

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This is going to be a tough year to review when, as I’m starting to write this, I’m still dealing with Covid!*** Or maybe this is the perfect time because in the midst of being miserable, it does show me all the positive things that happened this year. That is one thing I’ve definitely learned in my old age, especially in the last few years, that there are great things going on all the time that need to be acknowledged, just as much, if not more, as any negative or problems that arise. Honestly, even just the “good” things need to be acknowledged. Because yes, they are all there. It just depends on what and how much time you want to focus on one and not the other. It might just be the cough medicine talking, but I do think if we all started to focus on the good, as well as spreading that around to others, I do think we can make a difference. I’m not saying ignore the bad things, because they will continue. But don’t forget to realize that is not all that is out there.

Don’t get me wrong, these next few years are going to be tough. But if we give into the negativity, we all lose. Doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing, but if we are polite and kind to others, even giving a little bit of praise to those that are working hard, little things like could have a huge impact on someone who might be struggling at the moment. And it really doesn’t take much of an effort, does it? Okay, enough preaching.

This year was once again filled with some incredible adventures and plenty of memories. These are the things that make me realize how great it is to be a film fan. 2024 was an incredible year for the horror genre, with a ton of releases coming out, some of them being just amazing.

***Also, as I am now ready to post this, I am thankfully covid free and feeling a hell of a lot better than when I started this!

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Turkey Day 2024 Report

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Another very successful Turkey Day in the books. As usual, we got through 7 features, some hitting the low point, many hitting some high points, and one hitting so far off the grid that it would be tough to explain! But we managed through, because we are, after all, professional lovers of cinema! And if you can’t find enjoyment in some of the strangest films out there, you’re just looking too hard at them. These films are the ones that you just sit back and bask in the wonderment, that someone thought that not only was the story good enough to proceed, but that they actually found backers willing to put up the money!

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Naschy in 3D!!!

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I know, you’re probably amazed that it has taken me this long to post something about this amazing news. But it’s here at last. Over the weekend, Kino Lober had announced that they would be releasing Paul Naschy’s debut Waldemar Daninsky film, Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror (1968) not only a 4K scan of the 35mm composite internegative, but there apparently it will be in 3D! Now there is no details on if there will be 2 separate versions on the release or what, but I would guess that is what they will do.

For those that don’t know the whole story, this film was originally made and released in 1968, under the title La marca del Hombre Lobo, and it was filmed in 3D. Here in the states, producer Sam Sherman needed a Frankenstein picture to fulfill a contract he had, so he acquired this Naschy film, created an animated prologue that told the story of a Wolf-Stein, and called it Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror. Therefore, it could fit in with a Frankenstein release that he had promised. Even though it had 2 vampires, and 2 werewolves, but not 1 Frankenstein creature! But no matter what, it did bring Naschy here to the states. And while Sherman wanted to release it in the 3D format, it was just too costly to try and make it work, so they pulled the 3D print after a few screenings and just distributed the “flat” version.

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Severin Drops Danza Macabra Vol. 3

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Fans of Spanish horror are going to love this latest box set from Severin Films. They still just blow me away with the titles they are releasing. This set has 2 films that I’ve never even heard of, and that is coming from a huge fan of Spanish horror! Not to mention the fact that they’ve never been released over here in the states. In fact, 3 out of the 4 titles have never legitimately been released over here! Plus, as usual with Severin’s releases, these are just packed full of extras, from commentaries to interviews, and much more.

PLUS, 3 of the titles are scanned in 4K from original negatives, while the last one is scanned in 2K from the negative. Keep in mind, the last time I saw Cross of the Devil was from about a 10 generation VHS tape. This was a rare title that was written by Paul Naschy and directed by John Gilling. So going from that to a 4K print!?!?! What a time to be alive!

Here’s a breakdown of the films and what extras each of them has:

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