Mexican wrestling, vampires, and the iconic Santo, El Enmascarado de Plata, are the topic for this episode. Jeff has selected SANTO VS THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO), just one of the 50+ Santo movies. While this series may be a niche within a niche, this film is campy fun with excellent cinematography and a whole coven of vampires for Santo to battle. Seriously, it is a blast. And, if you have never experienced a Santo movie SANTO VS THE VAMPIRE WOMEN is the perfect entry point into the iconic legend of Santo and the three decades of films in which he appeared. Give it a shot, you will be entertained.

SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO)
Episode 239 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Quote: "I will return you and the others to nothingness." – Zorina, queen of the vampires

Synopsis: A professor recruits a professional wrestler to protect his daughter from vampires intent on kidnapping her and marrying her to the devil.

• Director: Alfonso Corona Blake
• Writers: (Story by) Antonio Orellana & Fernando Osés and Rafael García Travesi; Rafael García Travesi (adaption); Alfonso Corona Blake (scenario consultant)
• Producer: Alberto López
• Composer: Raúl Lavista
• Cinematographer: José Ortiz Ramos
• Special Effects: Juan Muñoz Ravelo
• Selected Cast:
  • Santo as El Enmascarado de Plata
  • Lorena Velázquez as Zorina, queen of the vampires
  • María Duval as Diana Orlof
  • Jaime Fernández as Insp. Carlos
  • Augusto Benedico as Prof. Orlof
  • Xavier Loyá as Jorge – Diana's fiance (credited as Javier Loya)
  • Ofelia Montesco as Tundra, vampire priestess
  • Fernando Osés as Igor
  • Guillermo Hernández as Marcus
  • Nathanael León as Taras (credited as Leon Moreno)
  • Ricardo Adalid as Detective at Party
  • Cavernario Galindo as Cavernario
  • Ray Mendoza as El Indio
  • Alejandro Cruz as Black Shadow
  • Bobby Bonales as Self
  • Eduardo Bonada as Self
  • Alfredo Wally Barrón as Santo's 'Second' (uncredited)
  • Evelia Esquivel as Vampira (uncredited)

Every 2 weeks, we'll focus on a specific film released between 1920 and 1969. Next up, chosen by the crew for our Halloween episode, is the first Universal Monster Rally, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)! We're excited, and we hope you are too!

he Grue-Crew steps into the theater for STAGEFRIGHT (1987, Deliria), directed by Michele Soavi (The Church, The Sect, Cemetery Man). Part Friday the 13th, part Argento Giallo, all Slasher, Stagefright features an escaped madman donning the Owl Man costume from a stage play to slash and slay the entire cast and crew. What fun! The cinematography looks amazing, the gore is brilliantly executed, and the cast is better than anticipated. The Grue-Crew discuss the cast, the first-time director's path, and the death count. Do not miss this one.

STAGEFRIGHT (1987)
Episode 320 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Quote: "He's enjoying himself! Do you realize he's enjoying himself!" – Peter

Synopsis: The cast and crew of an upcoming show find themselves trapped in a theater with a murderous escaped psychopath.

• Director: Michele Soavi (credited as Michael Soavi)
• Writers: George Eastman (Luigi Montefiori, credited as Lew Cooper); Sheila Goldberg (dialogue)
• Producers: Joe D'Amato (credited as Aristide Massaccesi); Donatella Donati
• Selected Cast:
  • Ulrike Schwerk as Betty
  • Loredana Parrella as Corinne (credited as Lori Parrel)
  • Piero Vida as Ferrari
  • Martin Philips as Mark
  • Giovanni Lombardo Radice as Brett (credited as John Morghen)
  • Jo Ann Smith as Sybil (credited as Jo Anne Smith)
  • Robert Gligorov as Danny
  • David Brandon as Peter
  • Wanja Mary Sellers as Laurel (credited as Mary Sellers
  • Barbara Cupisti as Alicia
  • James Edward Sampson as Willy (credited as James E.R. Sampson)

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1970s. In two weeks, the next '80s episode, chosen by Crystal, is Spontaneous Combustion (1989).

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

The Grue-Crew (Jeff, Gregory, and Bill) gather to discuss Mario Bava's film RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI). The movie, filmed under its original title "L'uomo e il bambino", was shelved before it was finished when the financers died leaving it buried under bankruptcy for decades. From there, its strange road to a DVD release and a subsequent reedit by Bava's son Lamberto Bava continued. Bill, being a massive Bava fan, leads Jeff and Gregory to discuss this strange inclusion in a master director's filmography. Enjoy!

RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI)
Episode 277 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Quote: "You'd be surprised how long people keep fighting after they've been stabbed. That goes for adults and... for kids too. Especially for kids, in fact. Kids are very resistant. They've got nice thick blood. Want to see?" - Blade

Synopsis: Following a bungled robbery, three violent criminals take a young woman, a middle-aged man, and a child hostage and force them to drive them outside Rome to help them make a clean escape.

Director: Mario Bava
Writer: Alessandro Parenzo
Selected Cast:
Riccardo Cucciolla as Riccardo
Don Backy as Bisturi/Blade (credited as Aldo Caponi)
Lea Lander as Maria
Maurice Poli as Dottore/Doc
George Eastman as Trentadue/32 (credited as Luigi Montefiori)
Erika Dario as Marisa
Marisa Fabbri as Maria Sbravati

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next '70s episode, chosen by Bill is The Devil's Wedding Night (1973).

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) is B-Movie gold, perfect for 1950s drive-in nonsense. The Grue-Crew discuss the film's goofy yet gory monster, the mastery of tempered scene chewing that is Whit Bissell, and the extreme lack of teenagers in this teenage monster movie. Is it a good movie? Nah, not really. But that doesn't mean it isn't a brilliantly fun movie of its time. There's plenty to enjoy. And, as Bill noted, somehow when viewing I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN now, it is both better and worse than remembered. Check this review out and enjoy.

I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957)
Episode 238 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Quote: "Speak. I know you have a civil tongue in your head because I sewed it back myself." - Professor Frankenstein

Synopsis: Professor Frankenstein, a university lecturer with an alligator pit under his house, steals body parts of dead athletes from the wreckage of a crashed airplane. He builds a hunky male monster with a hideously disfigured face, which goes on a killing spree.

Director: Herbert L. Strock
Writers: Herman Cohen (as Kenneth Langtry), Aben Kandel (as Kenneth Langtry)
Selected Cast:
Whit Bissell as Prof. Frankenstein
Phyllis Coates as Margaret
Robert Burton as Dr. Karlton
Gary Conway as Bob/Teenage Monster
George Lynn as Sgt. Burns
John Cliff as Sgt. McAffee

Every 2 weeks we'll be focusing on a specific film released between 1920 and 1969. Next up, chosen by Jeff, is Santo vs. Vampire Women (1962).

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For episode 276, Bill picks the early '70s ABC Movie of the Week, THE CAT CREATURE (1973). The TV Horror Movie is directed by Curtis Harrington and features Meredith Baxter, David Hedison, Gale Sondergaard, John Caradine, Stuart Whitman, Keye Luke, and Kent Smith. Written by Robert Bloch, the plot involves a stolen amulet removed from an Egyptian mummy, a deadly black cat, and 40s horror movie homages. What will the Grue-Crew think of this 1970s supernatural throwback? Ah! Check out the podcast to find out. Enjoy!

THE CAT CREATURE (1973)
Episode 276 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Quote: "One thing more, Lieutenant! The bodies of the two victims were almost completely drained of blood!" - The Deputy Coroner

Synopsis: A deceased rich man's collection is the key to solving a string of murder committed by a mysterious black cat.

Director: Curtis Harrington
Writer: Robert Bloch
Selected Cast:
Meredith Baxter as Rena Carter
David Hedison as Prof. Roger Edmonds
Gale Sondergaard as Hester Black
John Carradine as The Hotel Clerk
Renne Jarrett as Sherry Hastings
Keye Luke as The Thief - Joe Sung
Kent Smith as Frank Lucas
Stuart Whitman as Police Lt. Marco
Milton Parsons as The Deputy Coroner
Peter Lorre Jr. as The Pawnbroker (credited as Peter Baron)
John Abbott as Dr. Reinhart

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next '70s episode, chosen by Jeff is Rabid Dogs (1974) from director Mario Bava.

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

The Grue-Crew go mythical to revisit and review JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) battling bronze giants, harrowing harpies, a horrifying hydra, and an army of skeletons. He who loves all things stop-motion, Bill Mulligan, steps up with his selection and results are amazing. The film still delivers awe and action all these years later and Ray Harryhausen's mastery is in top form. As you can imagine, the discussion goes extra long diving into the cast of characters, the creatures, the stop-motion, and Greek legend. Join us for this episode, it is worth every minute. Thank you, Bill, great choice! Enjoy!

JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963)
Episode 237 – Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Quote: "Rise up, you dead, slain of the hydra. Rise from your graves and avenge us. Those who steal the Golden Fleece must die." – King Aeetes

Synopsis: The legendary Greek hero leads a team of intrepid adventurers in a perilous quest for the legendary Golden Fleece.

Director: Don Chaffey
Writers: Jan Read & Beverley Cross (screenplay); Apollonios Rhodios (poem "The Argonautica")
Visuals Effects: Ray Harryhausen

Selected Cast:
Todd Armstrong as Jason
Nancy Kovack as Medea
Gary Raymond as Acastus
Laurence Naismith as Argos
Niall MacGinnis as Zeus
Michael Gwynn as Hermes/Priest
Douglas Wilmer as Pelias
Jack Gwillim as King Aeetes
Honor Blackman as Hera
John Cairney as Hylas
Patrick Troughton as Phineas
Andrew Faulds as Phalerus
Nigel Green as Hercules

Every 2 weeks, we'll focus on a specific film released between 1920 and 1969. Next up, chosen by Doc, is I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957).

For this episode of DOH80s, Doc has chosen THE LAST SHARK (1981, L'ultimo squalo) which is also known as GREAT WHITE and THE LAST JAWS. Yeah, if the last name there makes you wonder how Universal let that slide. Well, they didn't! This is one of the most notorious accounts of cinematic plagiarism in film history. Universal Studios did sue and won which resulted in THE LAST SHARK being immediately removed from theaters and becoming unavailable in the States for decades. Is the film any good? Hell no, it's a mess. However, it is so bad it's good. James Franciscus and Vic Morrow lead the cast. This one has to be seen to be believed. It is hilarious for all the wrong reasons. Check out what the Grue-Crew have to say. Enjoy.

THE LAST SHARK (1981)
Episode 319 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Quote: "I've never seen anything like it in my whole life, and I've hunted shark all over the world. So put that in your paper." – Hamer

Synopsis: A man tries to save hundreds of swimmers in a coastal resort after a Great White Shark starts terrorizing the area.

Director: Enzo G. Castellari
Writers: Vincenzo Mannino (screenplay), Marc Princi, Ugo Tucci (story)
Cast:
James Franciscus as Peter Benton
Vic Morrow as Ron Hamer
Micaela Pignatelli as Gloria Benton
Joshua Sinclair as Mayor William Wells

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1970s. In two weeks, the next '80s episode, chosen by Bill is StageFright (1987).

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

The Grue-Crew head to France (actually Spain) to meet up with Waldemar Daninsky and Countess Wandesa to revisit THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971, La Noche de Walpurgis). After decades of watching this classic Spanish wolfman film, seeing the restored 4k version is a revelation. Sure, it's a B-Movie, but it's a fantastic B-Movie. Now it is easy to see why this is Paul Naschy's most successful film, it clearly deserves that honor. If you've never seen THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN, seek out a 4K version or a streaming version of it online, stay away from the graining, overly dark copies on many sites. Naschy's love of the Universal Monster Movies is on display with many nods to those classics. Join the Crew for a deep dive discussion about the film. Enjoy!

THE WEREWOLF VERSUS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971)
Episode 275 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Quote: "Everyone believes that he is a werewolf, right? If we believe the legend, by removing the bullets that caused his death, he can come back to life. Let's see." - Dr. Hartwig - Coroner

Synopsis: Elvira and her friend Genevieve travel through the French countryside in search of the lost grave of a medieval vampire, Countess Wandesa.

Director: León Klimovsky
Writer: Paul Naschy (credited as Jacinto Molina, James Molin) and Hans Munkel (credited as Hank Munkel)
Selected Cast:
Paul Naschy as Waldemar Daninsky
Gaby Fuchs as Elvira
Barbara Capell as Genevieve Bennett (credited as Bárbara Capell)
Andrés Resino as Inspector Marcel (credited as Andre Reese)
Yelena Samarina as Elizabeth Daninsky (credited as Helena Samarin)
José Marco as Pierre (credited as Jose Marco)

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next '70s episode, chosen by Bill is The Cat Creature (1973).

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.