The Diabolical Axe (1965)

This B&W adventure isn't quite as enjoyably goofy as most of the other Santo titles recently brought to DVD, but true fans of El Enmascarado de Plata will definitely want to check it out. In EL HACHA DIABOLICA ("The Diabolical Axe"), the wrestling superhero not only faces a most unusual villain but has his origin explained as well. Finally, the question "Where did Santo come from?" (at least the luchadore's movie incarnation) is answered. Turns out he's the Mexican version of America's purple-suited crimefighter The Phantom, inheriting the superhero mantle down through the ages. And did you know that Santo's wrestling costume has magical properties? These revelations occur in the shoddiest-looking cave set in film history - it's just badly painted plywood and a little stucco. (Yes, even the caves in EEGAH! and DEATH CURSE OF TARTU were better.) The rubber bats used here make the critters in SCARS OF DRACULA look like CGI.