Spend Cinco de Mayo with Movies from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema
Don’t be that guy on Cinco de Mayo, chugging margaritas and wolfing down tacos. Be that cinema guy and watch some movies to mark the holiday and the country’s achievements in the world of film.
The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema took place from the 1930s through the 1960s and the output was much larger than you’d expect. Many of these movies were made for families, so they incorporated multiple genres in order to appeal to everyone: sci-fi, romance, western, musical, and of course, lucha libre. From mad scientists to singing cowboys to brujas, here’s a short list of options for you to choose from. Salud!
Ladrón de Cadáveres, The Body Snatcher (1957)
One of the seminal films of this period, writer/director Fernando Méndez lovingly borrows from House of Wax, Frankenstein, King Kong, and other classic horror movies. A mad scientist transplants a gorilla’s brain into a wrestler’s body in order to make him stronger and live longer. Does that science check out?
Misterios de Ultratumba, aka The Black Pit of Dr. M (1959)
Also directed by Méndez is this gothic gem which, if you don’t watch on Cinco de Mayo, you should save for October. Set in a remote mental asylum, two doctors are searching for the key to the afterlife. The foggy atmosphere will draw you in and the suspense will keep a firm grip (and may not let you go).
Misterios de la Magia Negra, aka Mysteries of Black Magic (1958)
Part of the supernatural boom of the 1950s, this one features a 600-year-old witch battling with an archeologist over an ancient relic with immense power. Definitely worth a watch for the gorgeous cinematography and a scheme set up by the witch and her henchman that would make the Long Island Medium proud.
Watch on Cave of Forgotten Films
La Nave de los Monstruos, aka The Ship of Monsters (1960)
Venusian women (one of whom turns out to be a vampire) are searching the galaxy for men so they can repopulate their planet. On Earth, they meet up with a singing cowboy who teaches them about love. While waiting for their robot to fix their ship, the captured alien men (including a floating skeleton and a handful of fantastic monster suits) escape and wreak havoc.
There are no words for this movie besides pure joy. If you only watch one of the movies on this list, make it this one.
I’d also highly recommend one of director Rogelio Gonzalez’s other features, The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (1960).
El Espejo de la Bruja, aka The Witch’s Mirror,(1962)
This gothic movie starts off as a pretty straightforward ghost-revenge story, but soon takes multiple turns and adds elements you wouldn’t expect: curses, mad doctors, and grave robbing. Director Chano Urueta is most well-known for The Brainiac (1962), but I think this one is far superior. Another one that would also be great viewing in October.
Erica is the co-host of the Unsung Horrors podcast along with Lance Schibi. When the world is not on fire, you can find them weekly at Austin Alamo Drafthouse’s Terror Tuesdays. In the meantime, you can listen to their reviews of underseen horror movies here.