Movielogr
Santo vs. Evil Brain (1961)
Directed by Joselito Rodríguez
Twitter Facebook Google+Crime | Action | Science Fiction
Most recently watched by sensoria
Overview
In his first film El Santo was still referred to as ‘El Enmascarado’. Rendered compliant by a scientist and his gangsters via a serum and mysterious rays, he is forced for the opening act to be a henchman for the evil forces who want to take over the world. The film has great historic value, due also to its impressive exterior shots of pre-revolutionary Cuba 1959.
Length 72 minutes
Actors
Joaquín Cordero | Norma Suárez | Santo | Fernando Osés | Alberto S. Insúa | Enrique Zambrano | Juanito Tremble | Enrique Almirante | René Socarrás
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/03/2019 | Movie Screen | Digital | Theater | 6 stars |
| (Average) 6 stars |
Viewing Notes
Tonight the Music Box Theater hosted a double feature of the first two Santo films restored by Academy Film Archive and byNWR. This is one of the best events I’ve been to at MBT. Firstly to be able to view any Santo films on the big screen is a pure joy. Secondly to have my friend Raul be the mastermind behind this is tremendous (and to get a first hand account of bringing these films to Chicago was illuminating). Thirdly to have Viviana Garcia Besne from Permanencia Voluntaria Archivo Cinematografico Mexico in the house to present and share the history of these films was perfecto.
These were both 4K restorations and look A-fucking-mazing. Both were filmed entirely in Cuba during the revolution. The film elements were smuggled out of Cuba in a coffin and taken to Mexico for post-production. Apparently Santo was sitting on the toilet when he was approached to be in this movie and agreed to do it. This was his first appearance in a film. Both films use the same footage of certain scenes to pad the runtime to make a feature length film (for example different takes of the same Mariachi Band and different performances of a flamenco performance are used in each).
Santo is not billed as “Santo” in this film. He is simply known as the one in the mask. Both films end with the same scene of the main police detective and his assistant bidding farewell to a departing plane w/the heroes and noting that Santo’s duty knows no borders and is here to help the world (just amazing message that got a huge applause both times).
While neither of these movies is a great movie they are both improved by viewing in a theater with a game crowd cheering and clapping throughout. In this film Santo is taken by a doctor w/a special serum to control him and have him commit crimes. Another masked wrestler Incognito rescues Santo and together they thwart the mad scientist doctor and save the day. This is a very fun movie to introduce Santo and Incognito.
5 years ago
Wish I could have been there for these films! Sounds like an amazing experience!
5 years ago
You would’ve loved it. Really neat stories of how these films came to be and the restoration process. The audience was into the movies (which are better seen with a crowd). They’re already planning another similar event with other restorations of Mexican genre films.