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HUNTING NASCHY RARITIES |
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We're using this page to list the most elusive and hard-to-find (some would say impossible to find) Naschy films. If you find any of these, contact us immediately! Listed in order of desirability. |
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LA NOCHES DEL HOMBRE LOBO/THE NIGHTS OF THE WOLF MAN Made in 1968 as a follow-up to Naschy's first werewolf film, this Spanish/French co-production has never been seen. Apparently the film was impounded after the death of its director, Rene Govar. Naschy himself has been unable to locate it. Not to be confused with NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF, a retitling of EL RETORNO DEL HOMBRE LOBO (US video version: THE CRAVING)
LA MARCA DEL HOMBRE LOBO/THE MARK OF THE WOLF MAN (70mm, 3D version) This is a historic film. Made in 1968, it marked (no pun intended) the first appearance of Naschy's werewolf character, Waldemar Daninsky. The international success of LA MARCA initiated the Spanish horror film cycle, as well as the horror career of Paul Naschy. While there are various versions of the film around on video (including the altered American version, FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR), not one is presented in the correct aspect ratio and in 3D. Indeed, the technology is still not there to offer this version of the film in a popular video format that would do it full justice. Hopefully someone is preserving the complete 70mm, 3D version (some reconstruction may have to be done using other prints). At the very least, this version should be in housed safely in a film storage vault to await its triumphant presentation on a future home entertainment system that can handle its elements. Even better would be a theatrical presentation in all the major cities of the world. Incidentally, Sam Sherman, who brought the film over to the US and struck a 3D print of FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOOD TERROR for his Independent-International Pictures Corporation, claims the 3D element, which doesn't fool around with typical cheap tricks like knives coming at the audience, is "just beautiful."
LA VENGANZA DE LA MOMIA/THE VENGEANCE OF THE MUMMY (the "hard" version) During the 1960s and 70s many of Naschy's films were made in two versions--one meant for domestic consumption (the "soft" version), and the other for foreign export (the "hard" version). Apparently the Franco regime could stand violence but not nudity, so the domestic cuts of Naschy's films had ample bloodletting but no naked ladies, while the foreign-geared prints contained scenes of gratuitous sex and nudity, along with all the violence. To make matters worse, certain countries (including the US), chose to use the "soft" versions at times. We don't have to tell you which versions are now sought after. No one has seen LA VENGANZA DE LA MOMIA in the "hard" version, but it did/does exist, and if you've ever seen the "soft" version of this film, you know all the good stuff that you're missing.
EL AULLIDO DEL DIABLO/THE HOWL OF THE DEVIL (English-language version) Naschy took great pains to make this 1988 film in English, even learning to phonetically speak a language he doesn't know. So, what happens? The film turns up in a Spanish-dubbed version. Another film that, due to legal hassles, has been relatively elusive.
JACK EL DESTRIPADOR DE LONDRES/JACK THE RIPPER OF LONDON (English-dubbed version) This 1971 thriller was dubbed into English, but so far only other language prints have been available.
LE VIOL ET L'ENFER DES "X"/CRIMSON (American video title) This is the French alternate version of LOS RATAS NO DUERMEN DE NOCHE, otherwise known as CRIMSON here in the US, courtesy a Wizard video release. The French alternate version contains much sex and nudity, and, according to Naschy, borders on the pornographic. Naschy was unaware of this part of the shoot. Year made: 1973.
PEPLUM FILM--TITLE UNKNOWN Naschy had a bit role in a Peplum (that's a Sword & Sandal film) very early in his career. He's forgot the title for a long time and Peplum experts were likewise stumped. Recently Naschy pitched LA LEGIONES DE CLEOPATRA as the possible mystery film. The English title was LEGIONS OF THE NILE, and starred Linda Cristal as Cleopatra. The IMDB lists the year of production as 1959. We are going to acquire a copy to see if a young Jacinto Molina is indeed in the film. So this mystery may be solved ... or not. LA FURA DE JOHNNY KID Those who have seen one version of this film, still not available from any source, claim that Naschy's part was cut. It would be nice to find an uncut print of Naschy's only role in a Western thus far.
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