Santo the luchador was one of the most prolific monster fighters in cinema history. In addition to solving crimes and wooing bikini-clad babes, Santo found the time to wrestle the Wolfman, Martians, mummies, and the Bermuda Triangle...over 54 movies.
Santo was born Rodolfo Guzman Huerta in 1917. Huerta would go on to be the most famous wrestler in lucha libre. Much of his fame came from his gonzo movie career. Santo starred in 54 films, and in these Z-grade masterpieces, Santo would be called upon to dispatch such supernatural threats as Dracula and Frankenstein. Often Santo would be forced to best his enemies in the wrestling ring. Because, y'know, he was Santo. He was a damn legend. Denying him a wrestling match would be like denying Batman a fistfight.
Santo died in 1984, but you can celebrate his life with these awesome promotional placards. For more information on Santo's masked existence, check out the Rotten Library for a cheeky biography.
Santo contra Cerebro del Mal (1958)
Mundo de los Muertos (1969)
Santo y Blue Demon contra Dracula y el Hombre Lobo (1972)
Santo vs. la Invasion de los Marcianos (1966)
Mision Suicida (1971)
Santo y Blue Demon contra los Monstruos (1969)
Santo contra los Zombies (1961)
Baron Brakola (1965)
Anonimo Mortal (1970)
Misterio en las Bermudas (1977)
Momias de Guanajuato (1970)
Top: A scene from El Santo vs Las Momias de Guanajuato.
[Posters via Santo Street]