Santo in the Wax Museum (1963)

As its title would quite naturally tend to suggest Santo in the Wax Museum (Santo en el museo de cera), released in 1963, sees the famous wrestler/crimefighter Santo involved in a series of disappearances that seem to be connected with Dr Karol’s wax museum.

The Santo movies, of which there were many, were a staple of the Mexican film industry for many years and they have since become very popular cult favourites. And deservedly so.

The idea of adding classic horror movie themes to a Santo movie was clearly an extremely good idea.

The wax museum, like all good horror movie was museums, has its chamber of horrors but rather than real-life murderers it comprises various fictional monsters such as Frankenstein’s monster, the Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. In the foyer are the three great figures of 20th century history - Gary Cooper, Ghandi and Stalin!

When a beautiful young female press photographer disappears after visiting the wax museum Dr Karol believes it’s all part of a plot to discredit him. His friend Professor Galván suggests that Santo may be able to help him. Professor Galván has a special radio televisual phone gadget that allows him  to make contact with Santo wherever he is.

In between wrestling bouts Santo pursues the case, but is Dr Karol really who he says he is? What is the link between the various disappearances?

This is only my second Santo film and it’s a bit darker and less crazy than Santo vs the Martian Invasion.

Santo himself is of course a legend and it’s impossible not to like the character. In this movie there aren’t really any science fictional or supernatural elements, just a straight murder in the wax museum story but with the craziness you expect in a Santo film.

Since Santo is a wrestler we naturally get treated to some wrestling - in fact no less than three wrestling bouts! Santo is clearly the crowd’s popular favourite. They presumably know about his reputation as a crimefighter.

It’s impossible to say anything about Santo’s acting. Santo is just Santo. Claudio Nrook makes a fine melodramatic villain.

It builds to a typical wax museum horror movie climax and there’s lots of fun along the way. Highly entertaining silliness and thoroughly recommended.

Yume Pictures’ DVD presents Santo in the Wax Museum in the original Spanish with English subtitles and in a fairly decent fullframe print, but without extras.