It is with great and sincere sadness that I must report the passing of a horror legend. Naschy.com and other sites have broken the news this morning that Jacinto Molina, better known to his legions of fans as Paul Naschy, has passed away at the age of 75.
I'm really having a hard time expressing the weight with which this news has hit me, and find myself not in a state of mind right now to fully process it, let alone give the great man the kind of remembrance he so richly deserves. I am not at all joking or exaggerating when I tell you, my loyal readers, I'm sitting at my computer with tears in my eyes this morning.
The Duke and I started this blog because of our giddy shared discovery of the joys of Paul Naschy's films, and his passing leaves an unfillable void in our hearts. Expect a more fitting tribute after a period of mourning, and please check out our previous reviews of Naschy's work to relive some of the joy he's given us. Better yet, get yourself some of his movies, pour yourself a Sangria, and remember him as he'd have wanted: on screen, in a world of magic and monsters.
The Vicar
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
PAUL NASCHY: 1934-2009
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15 comments:
R.I.P.
R.I.P. indeed
Dearest Paul. You brought us such joy, and gave us a reason to love movies that others might consider "bad". The Vicar and I owe you a considerable debt.
You will be missed, mi amigo.
the "HIDEOUS WOLF-MONSTER!" will never die!...
This is awful news. Naschy was one of the last of the "horror men" (Christopher Lee still survives!) and I don't know if cinema will see his like again. I pay my respects here because I know what Naschy meant to Your Eminences. Now he belongs to the ages.
I don't know what to say. Seriously. I'm at a total loss of words.
Damn, this is going to put a big damper on my day. R.I.P. Paul.
Maybe I'll get a usable copy of your more recent films now...
"The tell-tale heart":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHTpREbCH6c
What a sad day, and a considerable loss to horror cinema worldwide.
I came to know the great man because of this blog. I'd heard of him for years, but didn't make the effort to check out his films until reading your enthusiastic reviews. I'm sure many others can say the same.
What impresses me most about Mr. Naschy is his conviction. The lighting might've been weak, the settings not quite convincing, or the effects a bit obvious, but Paul was always committed. He never wavered, never played it for camp, never gave a half-hearted performance. The man was always in the moment.
It was his brand of Madness.
So take heart, Sirs Duke and Vicar; I'm sure you have his eternal gratitude for your part in constructing his legacy.
There's a great deal to mourn today, but a great deal to celebrate forever.
RIP Paul Naschy - I like to think he made films for horror fans because at when you get right down to it he was one of us.
(I hope that made sense...)
Very sad to hear this, Duke and Vicar. One of my earliest memories was of a friend in first grade coming to class and bragging that he had just seen "Frankenstein's Bloody Terror." Having been the premiere monster kid in school, I had to seek out this film which didn't star Boris Karloff or Peter Cushing. I wasn't disappointed (just a bit non-plussed) when this Iberian werewolf/vampire film showed up on Chiller Theatre. I've been a fan ever since. Jacinto, you will be dearly missed by all us grown-up horror kids.
Goodbye Paul. You have no idea how much I love you and your films. But maybe now in heaven you can see.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and well-wishes. It means a lot.
@Geo--your comment gave me a sorely needed uplift; thank you. If the Duke and I have done some small thing to further the cause of Naschyvangelism and help others discover the joy he brings, then our work here has not been in vain. And I mean that sincerely.
@Al Bruno III--your comment makes total sense. On any set or at any premiere of any of Naschy's films, I can guarantee the biggest horror fan in attendance was always Paul.
As I posted on the excellent Tomb of the Headless Werewolf (http://tinyurl.com/y9uttrv) I watched BLUE EYES OF THE BROKEN DOLL last night, and was expecting to be all sad and depressed; but once Naschy was onscreen, it was all joy and smiles from me. That's the magic he had. That's what he's given to us all--his joy, his enthusiasm, his heart. Though I never had the chance to shake the man's hand...I still considered him an important person in my life.
Rest in Peace, my dear, dear friend.
I'm just starting to enjoy his films. He was on the same level as any of the classic British or American horror stars.
This is the first I've heard of this tragic news. I had only become acquainted with Mr. Naschy's work during the last 2 years. Those 2 years left an impression on me that will last forever. I fully understand why you shed tears on this sad news.
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