Lucha Libre Night: Screening of SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH

3910 Los Feliz Boulevard,Los Angeles CA 90027

28 April, 2023

Description

Lucha Libre Night with author Dan Madigan + Screening of SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH Lucha Libre has had a strong and colorful career in Mexico - the luchadors, the matches, and the history have all transcended the traditional sports aspect and have become an international phenomenon. Lucha Libre (free-style fighting) is entering its eighth decade and the subsequent creation of luchador cinema has only enhanced its mystique and established its worldwide popularity.  The leading star of the lucha libre world was the famed El Santo (Rodolfo Guzman Huerta) who has a filmography that numbers over fifty films that saw El Santo battle vampires, Nazis, zombies, Martians, and all types of assorted villains.  Santo vs Doctor Death is widely considered to be one of the best films in the series. A rare Spanish/Mexican co-production finds “The Man In the Silver Mask”  working as a secret agent, between wrestling matches, trying to uncover a sinister plot involving art forgery, macabre experiments, deadly assassins, and beautiful models.  This 1973 film borrows heavily from the James Bond/super spy craze of the time and places El Santo in perilous situations and life-threatening intrigue.  A favorite for fans of lucha libre, espionage films, and superheroes, Santo vs Doctor Death is experienced best on the big screen with an enthusiastic audience. The Philosophical Research Society is honored to present this film with an illustrated introduction by writer and wrestling promoter Dan Madigan! SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH, 1973, Vinegar Syndrome / AGFA, 95 min. Dir. Rafael Romero Marchent. Famed Mexican wrestler and secret agent, Santo "The Silver Mask" is back in action! This time, Santo is sent to Madrid not only for a big wrestling event, but also to investigate an international case involving counterfeit art. Shortly after arriving in Madrid, Santo is partnered with an Interpol Agent named Paul (aka "Agent 9004") and the two are quickly greeted by a number of trigger-happy assassins sent to keep them from uncovering the truth behind the art forgeries. However, the case becomes even more complicated when Santo and Paul learn that beautiful models have been going missing and that it all may be linked to a sinister art restorationist named Dr. Mann. The three soon uncover Dr. Mann's elaborate plot to use the models as test subjects in a macabre experiment to perfect his art restoration process. SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH has been hailed by many (including Santo himself) as not only one of the best Santo films, but one of the best of the "Lucha libre" genre that was popular during the 60s and 70s. One of the few Mexican-Spanish co-productions in the Santo filmography, this entry benefits not only from a slicker production but also from tightly choreographed fight scenes lead by director Rafael Romero Marchent (SARTANA KILLS THEM ALL) and the addition of Euro actors Mirta Miller (COUNT DRACULA’S GREAT LOVE), Helga Liné (HORROR EXPRESS), and Carlos Romero Marchent (CUT-THROATS NINE) give this film more of a Eurocentric vibe than many of the other offerings in the Santo series. Recently restored in 2K by Vinegar Syndrome from the original 35mm camera negative! In Spanish with English subtitles. Dan Madigan has worked in horror movies, rock & roll, and professional wrestling - everything your parents warn you about. Madigan got his directing chops while working for the WWE as a writer/producer on RAW and Smackdown. Madigan, along with his partners, created their own wrestling promotion, Lucha Otaku, a combination of Mexican Lucha Libre and Japanese Strong Style. Madigan authored the best-seller Mondo Lucha A Go-Go for HarperCollins and wrote the documentary “Viva Lucha Libre”. He created the “See No Evil” franchise for Lionsgate and has been the tour manager for various rock acts including Blood, Sweat and Tears.  A fan of the fantastique, Madigan has been watching horror and sci-fi movies his entire life including Mexican wrestling films and it’s his honor to introduce the 1973 adventure “Santo vs Doctor Death”   We will have limited copies of “Mondo Lucha A Go-Go” for sale in the PRS Bookstore, and author Dan Madigan will be available to sign them after the event! Ticket Price: $15 (In-Person event only) Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions. 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