SANTO VS. DR. DEATH (1973)

 

PHENOMENALITY: *marvelous*
MYTHICITY: *poor*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *adventure*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *psychological*

Even though the title sounds like this Santo film will be a total throwback to the wacky mad scientist flicks of the sixties, Doctor Death isn't exactly a world-beater. Under his real name of "Doctor Mann," the villain (played by Argentinian actor George Rigaud) aspires to amass a collection of stolen great masterworks of great art, and part of his very involved art-theft scheme involves making a special chemical derived from-- get this-- inducing tumors in the bodies of beautiful women. 

Well, I guess it's more original than the usual "capture beautiful women to steal their glands/faces/et al."

DEATH is a Mexican-Spanish co-production, taking place in Spain and helmed by Spanish director Rafael Marchent, so it's a definite change of pace for the Silver Mask. That said, aside from the Spanish museums in which the thefts take place, there's not a lot of "local color" here, not even when Santo wrestles in a Madrid ring. 

Santo is also totally in "Interpol agent" mode here, though it's still jarring to see him investigating art thefts that don't appear to involve any super-science elements. I don't remember what factors lead the hero to seek out Doctor Mann (and his gorgeous lady sidekick, played by Euro-babe Helga Line). But aside from noting that the doc has lots of comely female models hanging around his castle, Santo isn't able to learn much. So Interpol sends a female agent (Mirta Miller) to infiltrate Mann's castle, and also gives Santo a male partner (played by the director's brother).

After a slow beginning, Doctor Death begins to retaliate against the investigators, sending henchmen to batter Santo and using creepy-crawlies to torment victims. However, the only outstanding scene takes place at the very end. Death is escaping the law via speedboat, presumably trying to reach the coastline. Santo pursues by clinging to a rope ladder hanging from a helicopter, and hoping that the pilot can get him close enough that he can jump into the boat and pound the villain. This is probably the best stunt in the history of Santo movies, and makes up for a lot of shortcomings.