NaschyCast #28 - LICANTROPO (1996)

In this episode we creep very carefully into the 1990s, cross our fingers and hope for the best. LICANTROPO is the only Waldemar Daninsky film produced in that fetid decade and since it is Naschy scripted it has to be covered by your intrepid podcasters. We've heard numerous poor critiques of the film over the years so, although we were quite leery, I think you'll find that there are things that make the film worth seeking out. Without giving too much away I'll just say that the film certainly is an artifact of its times.

We take this opportunity to discuss the qualities that make a 1990s film different from a 1980s film and come to the conclusion that it mainly consists of nudity or the lack thereof. This is a sad thing and casts a pall over the decade (and this film, to a degree) but we can all be happy that we lived through those dark days and naked flesh has returned to the big screen! Now bring on the Naked Female Werewolves! Of course, any Daninsky movie offers the chance to observe how Naschy has decided to recast the pieces, alter the playing field and push the lycanthrope myths into new, hairy shapes. Here he makes some fascinating choices and although the film steps on some of them they still add some fresh color to the long line of werewolf cinema lore. I really need to do some research to see if the 'Vile Odor' thing is lifted from legend or a Naschy original.

After last episode's short Mail-Bag section we have a bumper crop of correspondence this time! Two separate letters from our British buddy Mark and a couple of notes from brand new writers give us a lot to mull over. That we continue to get new information about Naschy from new folks is a source of great joy for both of us. We created this show to bring more attention to Paul Naschy and his body of work and its starting to feel like we are really having some effect. That is a wonderful thing and we want to thank everyone that listens to us babble on. We hope you keep enjoying what we do and that we can encourage others to see more of Senor Molina's movies. They are well worth watching!

Please drop us a line at naschycast@ gmail.com, like us over on the Facebook page and rate us in the iTunes store. Let us know what is on your mind.

NaschyCast #28 LINK  

THE VIKINGS (1958) images

I got into a discussion this past weekend with William Stout about several movies and was disheartened to learn we disagree about this great movie. The last time he watched it was in preparation to work on the CONAN sequel back the early 1980s and he found it to be a terrible movie. He said that he had loved the film as a kid but as an adult it was just awful. I cannot disagree more! I love THE VIKINGS more each time I watch it and I may well upgrade to Blu-Ray if given the opportunity. Its a big, bold comic book of a film and I find it incredibly entertaining. Sorry, Mr. Stout! We agree about MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, though. 

Universal Wolfman/Werewolf poster art

HAVANA WIDOWS (1933)

Last night I caught up with a film I had the DVR grab from TCM a few weeks ago. HAVANA WIDOWS made me press 'record' because of the presence of its two main stars- Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell. Either of these ladies on their own is good enough reason to see a movie but them together just screamed YES. Miss Blondell is the better remembered of the pair having made nearly fifty movies in the 1930s of just about every type. I have only recently seen her star turns in PUBLIC ENEMY (1931) and GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 so I come late to the party but I'm definitely a fan.

Miss Farrell I've been a fan of since 2001 when I saw a 16mm print of her performance in the title role of SMART BLONDE (1937). This was the first of the Torchy Blane movies and it is fantastic. Farrell went on to play the part in six more films and I have loved every one I've seen. If you're a fan of fast, funny and clever mystery tales centered around wise-cracking reporters you would do well to check the series out.

As for HAVANA WIDOWS its a fast, fun comedy that has our two leads running off to Cuba to try to find a quick buck by luring a wealthy married man into a compromising situation. Quaint to think what could be accomplished with a Breach of Promise lawsuit back in the day, huh? The movie is pretty fun and clocking in only a little over an hour it doesn't wear out its welcome either. The oddest thing is that the onscreen plot description displayed by the cable company appears to have been written by someone who never saw the movie! It mentions a 'man of the clothe' that spoils the girl's attempts to gain their fortune but there isn't any such character in the film at all. Strange!

Oh! And this is a Pre-Code film so the ladies all seem to have never met a bra salesman in their lives! And the dancing outfits the chorus girls wear are more than a bit risqué as well. Va-va-va-voom! 

Naschy Trailers

I'm deep into prep for the next NaschyCast and my mind went to the often effective trailers for his movies. Someone should put together a collection of previews for all of his movies - I know I'd like to have it in my collection!

Movies I can not wait to see!

It was good that on the day I read the depressing news that incompetent hack Eli Roth will be directing another horror film I also saw the posters for these two movies. I really cannot wait to see these movies. My excitement  grows each day!

Behind the Scenes footage of THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970)

This is a vintage behind the scenes short made during filming of the often derided seventh Frankenstein film made by Hammer Studios. I have come to like the film but I had to overcome my aversion to the humor of the script and the fact that Peter Cushing isn't playing the part of Baron Frankenstein. This is a nice peek behind the greasepaint that shows Mr. Cushing gracefully handing the role over to the very able Ralph Bates.