Santo vs. the Evil Brain (Santo contra cerebro del mal)

Co-presented with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at New York University and the Mexican Studies Institute at The City University of New York.

Dir. Joselito Rodríguez. Mexico. 1961, 70 mins. DCP. In Spanish with English subtitles. With Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta “El Santo,” Joaquín Cordero, Norma Suárez, Enrique J. Zambrano, Alberto Inzúa, Fernando Osés. Shot in Cuba in 1958—shortly before Fidel Castro entered Havana and the filmmakers were forced to flee prematurely (with the unprocessed 35mm negative smuggled inside a coffin)—Santo vs. the Evil Brain marks the cinematic debut of El Santo (Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta), the most famous and iconic of all Mexican luchadores. The silver-masked hero foils the plot of a mad scientist, who aims to create a zombie army by zapping his innocent victims with electric shocks. Santo vs. the Evil Brain sparked a series of 52 films in which El Santo fights supernatural creatures, evil scientists, and various criminals. New digital restoration!

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for MoMI members ($11 Classic members). Order online. Please pick up tickets at the admission desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.