One of the last films directed by Naschy and one of his more personal ones, but that doesn't mean that its one of his best. The movie tries to be an homage to the Universal Monsters, with Naschy transforming into a lot of them (and also into his famous creation Waldemar Daninsky), but the movie is quite cringey and even a pure embarrassment at some points (the preachy wooden dialogues, the performance of his son Sergio Molina, the expected making out with naked youngsters by a 54 Naschy...). It's little more than a curiosity in his filmography.
7 Reviews
Passable Jacinto Molina movie with the unforgettable actor playing several roles
ma-cortes2 June 2020
This film "Howl of the Devil"--El aullido del diablo (1988)--was one of Paul's most personal projects and finest artistic achievements. Paul Naschy plays several characters in this film about a nowhere player who resides at a mansion along with his butler (Howard Vernon) and a beautiful maid (the gorgeous Brit Scream Quen : Caroline Munro) likes to pick up whores and play sex games . His nephew (his actual son Sergio Molina) lives with him , and is lost in a fantasy world of his own .
An acceptable Jacinto Molina show plying a great numer of characters as Hector Doriani / Alex Doriani / Rasputin / Frankenstein's Monster / Mr. Hyde / Phantom of the Opera / Waldemar Daninsky the Werewolf / Quasimodo / The Devil . Continental Europe's biggest horror star again with his classic character Daninsky along with many others and frightening to viewer . Jacinto Molina Aka Paul Naschy , who passed away at 2009 , was actor, screenwriter and director of various films about the personage based on fictitious character, the Polish count Waldemar Daninsky. The first film about Waldemar was ¨The mark of the Wolfman (1968)¨ by Enrique Eguiluz . In fact , in 1967 he wrote the script for La marca del Hombre Lobo (1968) . He was forced, out of necessity, to play the lead role of tormented werewolf Waldermar Daninsky after Lon Chaney Jr. turned it down. He reprised this character in over a dozen subsequent sequels. Naschy's portrayals of the anguished and sympathetic werewolf Daninsky became his signature part and consolidated his enduring cult status as a bona-fide horror icon . Other significant horror figures Paul played were the Mummy, Jack the Ripper, the Hunchback, the Frankenstein Monster, the Phantom of the Opera, and even the Devil. Naschy made his directorial debut with Inquisición (1977). His most important movies were the successful ¨Night of Walpurgis¨ by Leon Klimovsky , ¨Fury of the Wolfman¨ , ¨Doctor Jekill and the Wolfman¨ ,¨The return of the Walpurgis¨, ¨Howl of the devil¨, ¨The beast and the magic sword (1982)¨ that was filmed in Japan and finally ¨Licantropo (1998). After ¨The craving¨ it was such a box office disaster that Jacinto was bankrupt . And his performance as the Prince of Darkness in ¨El gran amor del conde Drácula¨ (1973) was one of his personal favorites . However , he was forced to turn to Japan for making artist documentaries , as he filmed ¨ Madrid Royal Palace and Museum of Prado¨ and he gets financing from Japanese producers for ¨The human beasts¨, the first co-production Spanish-Japan and followed ¨The beast and the magic sword¨ that was lavishly produced for the Paul Naschy standards.
This film ¨El Aullido Del Diablo¨ is a B series entertainment with abundant sensationalistic scenes , twisted style and a Naif-gaudy realization . This exciting terror movie contains thrills , chills , twists , turns , some nudism and lots of blood and gore . The movie has a bit of ridiculous gore with loads of blood similar to tomato and is occasionally an engaging horror movie full of zooms, slashing , impaling and anything else . This time Paul Nashy/Jacinto Molina exhibits little breast but he was a weightlifting champion . The picture is plenty of sadism , ominous criminals , supernatural events , and grisly killings . Pretty slow going, but hang in there for some surprising scenes and thrilling final twist . In the film appears a secondary cast who starred innumerable films of Spaghetti and horror genres during the 60s and 70 as the beautifil British Caroline Munro , Howard Vernon : Jess Frank's regular , Fernando Hilbeck , Mariano Vidal Molina and Cris Huerta . Good and foggy cinematography by Julio Ortas with chillon , strong colors in Maria Bava or Hammer style , though being really necessary a perfect remastering . The motion picture was professionally written/played/directed by Jacinto Molina . The flick will appeal to Paul Naschy fans and terror genre enthusiast . Rating : 6, passable and entertaining .
An acceptable Jacinto Molina show plying a great numer of characters as Hector Doriani / Alex Doriani / Rasputin / Frankenstein's Monster / Mr. Hyde / Phantom of the Opera / Waldemar Daninsky the Werewolf / Quasimodo / The Devil . Continental Europe's biggest horror star again with his classic character Daninsky along with many others and frightening to viewer . Jacinto Molina Aka Paul Naschy , who passed away at 2009 , was actor, screenwriter and director of various films about the personage based on fictitious character, the Polish count Waldemar Daninsky. The first film about Waldemar was ¨The mark of the Wolfman (1968)¨ by Enrique Eguiluz . In fact , in 1967 he wrote the script for La marca del Hombre Lobo (1968) . He was forced, out of necessity, to play the lead role of tormented werewolf Waldermar Daninsky after Lon Chaney Jr. turned it down. He reprised this character in over a dozen subsequent sequels. Naschy's portrayals of the anguished and sympathetic werewolf Daninsky became his signature part and consolidated his enduring cult status as a bona-fide horror icon . Other significant horror figures Paul played were the Mummy, Jack the Ripper, the Hunchback, the Frankenstein Monster, the Phantom of the Opera, and even the Devil. Naschy made his directorial debut with Inquisición (1977). His most important movies were the successful ¨Night of Walpurgis¨ by Leon Klimovsky , ¨Fury of the Wolfman¨ , ¨Doctor Jekill and the Wolfman¨ ,¨The return of the Walpurgis¨, ¨Howl of the devil¨, ¨The beast and the magic sword (1982)¨ that was filmed in Japan and finally ¨Licantropo (1998). After ¨The craving¨ it was such a box office disaster that Jacinto was bankrupt . And his performance as the Prince of Darkness in ¨El gran amor del conde Drácula¨ (1973) was one of his personal favorites . However , he was forced to turn to Japan for making artist documentaries , as he filmed ¨ Madrid Royal Palace and Museum of Prado¨ and he gets financing from Japanese producers for ¨The human beasts¨, the first co-production Spanish-Japan and followed ¨The beast and the magic sword¨ that was lavishly produced for the Paul Naschy standards.
This film ¨El Aullido Del Diablo¨ is a B series entertainment with abundant sensationalistic scenes , twisted style and a Naif-gaudy realization . This exciting terror movie contains thrills , chills , twists , turns , some nudism and lots of blood and gore . The movie has a bit of ridiculous gore with loads of blood similar to tomato and is occasionally an engaging horror movie full of zooms, slashing , impaling and anything else . This time Paul Nashy/Jacinto Molina exhibits little breast but he was a weightlifting champion . The picture is plenty of sadism , ominous criminals , supernatural events , and grisly killings . Pretty slow going, but hang in there for some surprising scenes and thrilling final twist . In the film appears a secondary cast who starred innumerable films of Spaghetti and horror genres during the 60s and 70 as the beautifil British Caroline Munro , Howard Vernon : Jess Frank's regular , Fernando Hilbeck , Mariano Vidal Molina and Cris Huerta . Good and foggy cinematography by Julio Ortas with chillon , strong colors in Maria Bava or Hammer style , though being really necessary a perfect remastering . The motion picture was professionally written/played/directed by Jacinto Molina . The flick will appeal to Paul Naschy fans and terror genre enthusiast . Rating : 6, passable and entertaining .
A Must for Naschy Fans
Michael_Elliott20 March 2017
Howl of the Devil (1987)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Former horror actor Hector Doriani (Paul Naschy) spends most of his time inside his mansion where his butler (Howard Vernon) takes care of his while his maid (Caroline Munro) is constantly turning down his advances. Hector spends most of his time with hookers and before they can get back to town they are murdered by a maniac in black gloves. Hector's nephew (Sergio Molina) has a strange fixation with monsters and soon all of this collides.
HOWL OF THE DEVIL was written and directed by Naschy and for the most part it was a pretty good chance for the actor to pay homage to his career. This film allowed him to star with his son Sergio and it also allowed him to play some of the famous monsters from his past as well as some that he never played in his career. Throughout the film we get to see Naschy return to the role of Waldemar Daninsky but also Frankenstein's monster, The Phantom of the Opera, Quasimodo the hunchback, Mr. Hyde, Rasputin, Fu Manchu and several others.
Obviously the chance of seeing Naschy playing all of these killers and monsters is the main reason to watch the film. It was certainly a lot of fun seeing the actor getting to mix it up as the monsters again even if some of them only appear on the screen for a short amount of time. Frankenstein's monster and Waldemar are seen for very little of the screen time but you can't help but smile when you see Naschy all decked out. It also helps that you have him acting with both Munro and Vernon. As a horror fan you can't help but smile at the three on the screen together.
The film was never released in America, which is somewhat shocking considering the cast as well as the storyline. God knows that all three had much worse films released in America. It's also shocking that this never got released because it contains a slasher like element as well as some Lucio Fulci inspired gore scenes. There's some pretty graphic violence including one scene where a woman has her stomach cut with guts pouring out. Did I mention the nipple scene? And yes, there's a lot of nudity as well so the sleaze factor is quite strong.
What keeps the film from being more entertaining is the rather weak screenplay that doesn't do much to develop the murder mystery that plays out throughout the running time. I'd also argue that we pretty much get the same thing over and over. A woman comes to the house. The former actor beds them. He then talks to them like trash. They leave the house and are murdered. The little boy talks to a monster. Repeat.
With that said, if you're a fan of Naschy then HOWL OF THE DEVIL is very much worth checking out even though the only version out there is a poor looking bootleg.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Former horror actor Hector Doriani (Paul Naschy) spends most of his time inside his mansion where his butler (Howard Vernon) takes care of his while his maid (Caroline Munro) is constantly turning down his advances. Hector spends most of his time with hookers and before they can get back to town they are murdered by a maniac in black gloves. Hector's nephew (Sergio Molina) has a strange fixation with monsters and soon all of this collides.
HOWL OF THE DEVIL was written and directed by Naschy and for the most part it was a pretty good chance for the actor to pay homage to his career. This film allowed him to star with his son Sergio and it also allowed him to play some of the famous monsters from his past as well as some that he never played in his career. Throughout the film we get to see Naschy return to the role of Waldemar Daninsky but also Frankenstein's monster, The Phantom of the Opera, Quasimodo the hunchback, Mr. Hyde, Rasputin, Fu Manchu and several others.
Obviously the chance of seeing Naschy playing all of these killers and monsters is the main reason to watch the film. It was certainly a lot of fun seeing the actor getting to mix it up as the monsters again even if some of them only appear on the screen for a short amount of time. Frankenstein's monster and Waldemar are seen for very little of the screen time but you can't help but smile when you see Naschy all decked out. It also helps that you have him acting with both Munro and Vernon. As a horror fan you can't help but smile at the three on the screen together.
The film was never released in America, which is somewhat shocking considering the cast as well as the storyline. God knows that all three had much worse films released in America. It's also shocking that this never got released because it contains a slasher like element as well as some Lucio Fulci inspired gore scenes. There's some pretty graphic violence including one scene where a woman has her stomach cut with guts pouring out. Did I mention the nipple scene? And yes, there's a lot of nudity as well so the sleaze factor is quite strong.
What keeps the film from being more entertaining is the rather weak screenplay that doesn't do much to develop the murder mystery that plays out throughout the running time. I'd also argue that we pretty much get the same thing over and over. A woman comes to the house. The former actor beds them. He then talks to them like trash. They leave the house and are murdered. The little boy talks to a monster. Repeat.
With that said, if you're a fan of Naschy then HOWL OF THE DEVIL is very much worth checking out even though the only version out there is a poor looking bootleg.
A Naschy monster-mash slasher.
BA_Harrison28 May 2021
On paper, Howl of the Devil looks like it would be a real treat for monster movie fans, with Euro-horror legend Paul Naschy playing loads of different roles, including Frankenstein's monster, The Phantom of the Opera, Quasimodo, My. Hyde and even his own classic character, wolfman Waldemar Daninsky. Throw in several attractive young women willing to bare all for their art, Euro-horror icons Howard Vernon and Caroline Munro, and some bright red gore, and an entertainingly trashy time is surely guaranteed. Except it isn't: the plot for the film is very weak and frustratingly repetitive for the most part, at least until the ending which makes no sense whatsoever. And Munro keeps her clothes on, which is just a tad disappointing.
Naschy stars as Hector Doriani, a failed stage actor whose brother Alex (also Naschy), a horror movie star, supposedly committed suicide. Hector spends his days trying to seduce his gorgeous home-keeper Carmen (Munro), with little success, and bedding pretty waifs and strays picked up by his manservant Eric (Vernon), a necrophiliac who holds seances with his previous master, Alex. Meanwhile, Hector's young nephew Adrian (Sergio Molina) holds conversations with imaginary friends - a range of classic monsters, all played by Naschy - and a mysterious killer slices up Hector's conquests once he has sent them packing. It's sex, murder, monster, repeat, which - as fun as that sounds - actually gets really boring. The monsters are particularly dull, not doing any proper monstery stuff, just chinwagging with the kid.
Check out this film for the gratuitous nudity from the lovely ladies, the gore (the juicy highlight being the evisceration of a female robber), and the totally insane ending, which features a zombie that makes Eric explode, before revealing Adrian to be the Anti-Christ, but don't be surprised if you find yourself struggling to keep your eyelids open.
3/10. Dedicated to the memory of those who made the Universal horror classics so memorable, this is has none of the style or atmosphere of those movies.
Naschy stars as Hector Doriani, a failed stage actor whose brother Alex (also Naschy), a horror movie star, supposedly committed suicide. Hector spends his days trying to seduce his gorgeous home-keeper Carmen (Munro), with little success, and bedding pretty waifs and strays picked up by his manservant Eric (Vernon), a necrophiliac who holds seances with his previous master, Alex. Meanwhile, Hector's young nephew Adrian (Sergio Molina) holds conversations with imaginary friends - a range of classic monsters, all played by Naschy - and a mysterious killer slices up Hector's conquests once he has sent them packing. It's sex, murder, monster, repeat, which - as fun as that sounds - actually gets really boring. The monsters are particularly dull, not doing any proper monstery stuff, just chinwagging with the kid.
Check out this film for the gratuitous nudity from the lovely ladies, the gore (the juicy highlight being the evisceration of a female robber), and the totally insane ending, which features a zombie that makes Eric explode, before revealing Adrian to be the Anti-Christ, but don't be surprised if you find yourself struggling to keep your eyelids open.
3/10. Dedicated to the memory of those who made the Universal horror classics so memorable, this is has none of the style or atmosphere of those movies.
If you love Naschy
BandSAboutMovies25 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Despite being 54 years old and already surviving one heart attack, Paul Naschy took on the heavy burden of playing multiple monsters in this film, as he appears as Frankenstein's Monster, Mr. Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, Quasimodo, The Devil and the humans Hector and Alex Doriani. Oh yes - and Waldemar Daninsky, El Hombre Lobo!
For a long time, this movie was never officially released. Before the death of one of its producers, it was to have a lavish budget. It's better than Naschy usually got, which gives him ample time to get into makeup and play multiple roles. It also got better talent, including Howard Vernon (Dr. Orloff!) and Caroline Munro (Starcrash).
Mostly, Naschy plays Hector, a horror actor devoted to living a carnal life that he compares to de Sade, Gilles de Rais, Vlad Tepes and Jack the Ripper. Each night, Vernon brings him a new prostitute and he dresses up in complicated horror makeup. As you do.
Meanwhile, he's raising his brother's son Alex (or Adrian, depending on the translation, played by Naschy's son Sergio Molina) ever since his sibling killed himself. He may have been helped by the fact that his wife was cheating on him with his own brother. And since he overdosed on heroin, Alex is with Hector, yet lost in his own world of monsters, which is where we get to see Daninsky.
Oh and meanwhile again, there's a priest in love with a servant girl (Munro) who left him in the past. He pays a homeless man to spy on her and bring him back under penalty of her death. And while all that's going on, a giallo-style killer is offing people on the grounds of Hector's estate. And beyond all that - so much is happening! - Alex is trying to bring his father back from the dead.
Imagine Godzilla's Revenge about Universal Monsters but with the budget and insanity of a Naschy movie and you'll see why I loved this so much.
The end of this movie - I don't want to give anything away - somehow has an actor known for Jess Franco movies getting treated like a Lucio Fulci character in an ending that somehow makes this an Omen ripoff by way of The Beyond's running to nowhere conclusion. It is truly the Dagwood sandwich of sleazy horror scum and I - pun intended - wolfed down every bite.
For a long time, this movie was never officially released. Before the death of one of its producers, it was to have a lavish budget. It's better than Naschy usually got, which gives him ample time to get into makeup and play multiple roles. It also got better talent, including Howard Vernon (Dr. Orloff!) and Caroline Munro (Starcrash).
Mostly, Naschy plays Hector, a horror actor devoted to living a carnal life that he compares to de Sade, Gilles de Rais, Vlad Tepes and Jack the Ripper. Each night, Vernon brings him a new prostitute and he dresses up in complicated horror makeup. As you do.
Meanwhile, he's raising his brother's son Alex (or Adrian, depending on the translation, played by Naschy's son Sergio Molina) ever since his sibling killed himself. He may have been helped by the fact that his wife was cheating on him with his own brother. And since he overdosed on heroin, Alex is with Hector, yet lost in his own world of monsters, which is where we get to see Daninsky.
Oh and meanwhile again, there's a priest in love with a servant girl (Munro) who left him in the past. He pays a homeless man to spy on her and bring him back under penalty of her death. And while all that's going on, a giallo-style killer is offing people on the grounds of Hector's estate. And beyond all that - so much is happening! - Alex is trying to bring his father back from the dead.
Imagine Godzilla's Revenge about Universal Monsters but with the budget and insanity of a Naschy movie and you'll see why I loved this so much.
The end of this movie - I don't want to give anything away - somehow has an actor known for Jess Franco movies getting treated like a Lucio Fulci character in an ending that somehow makes this an Omen ripoff by way of The Beyond's running to nowhere conclusion. It is truly the Dagwood sandwich of sleazy horror scum and I - pun intended - wolfed down every bite.
Paul Naschy's most personal horror film.
HumanoidOfFlesh27 January 2011
In "Howl of the Devil" sadly deceased Paul Naschy/Jacinto Molina reviews his own career as the horror movie icon.His son Sergio Molina co-stars with his legendary father.Naschy appears as Mr.Hyde,Rasputin,Quasimodo,Fu Manchu,the Monster of Frankenstein,Waldemar Daninsky and the Phantom of the Opera.The hookers are delivered to famous ex-horror actor Hector Doriani by his butler Howard Vernon.Then the women are viciously killed by a black-gloved slasher.Time has stopped in this household and only terror remained.Very entertaining and slightly ironic horror film with some gory death scenes.There is axe murder,sexual mutilation plus throat slashing and disembowelment.Oh,and there is also extremely stunning Caroline Munro.8 out of 10.A must-see for fans of Spanish horror.
Howard Vernon was 80
christopher-underwood26 May 2022
Clearly most will consider this film not worth watching and I'm not sure it was seen out of Spain but it's really so much fun. Paul Naschy wrote and directed and played most of the legendary horror monsters. He was over 50 and his last years are on the way, this is probably his best part. His son 13 year old, Sergio Molina played an excellent role throughout. Caroline Munro who was almost 40 and is fantastic even though the same year she made a couple including a Maigret TV film and the year before Jess Franco's, Faceless (1987). The last mention must go to Howard Vernon a great part of the film and was 80 at the time and would make another 16 shorts, TV and films even after this. The story might not be so brilliant but it is just so fine to watch the people and the horror parts.
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