One of the things that made the Mexiluchahero flick Los Campeones
Justicieros a.k.a The Champions of Justice such over the top fun are the
midget minions of the movies mad scientist villain. The most memorable
scene in the movie remains when he charges them with a ray that gives
them super - strength. And they use it to toss the muscular heroes like a
salad. There are midget (actually dwarf ) protagonists in all three of
the Champion of Justice movies. Los Campeones Justicieros , Vuelven Los
Campeones Justicieros and Triunfo De Los Campeones Justicieros. Watching
the trilogy this past weekend made me realize how much I miss "midget
wrestling". I guess it's something that's not considered politically
correct.
Also watching these three flicks got
me to thinking about Cecil B. De Mille's epic spectacle Samson &
Delilah (1949). Just before the movie's climax, where Samson
literally brings down the house, the blinded strong man is tormented by
the "Spider People". A group of pygmy warriors armed with spears and
tridents. Thank goodness their skin wasn't darkened. In a previous De
Mille spectacular The Sign Of The Cross (1932) the director had
Nordic Amazons fighting African pygmies in the Colosseum. In this case
white actors in blackface and wearing afro wigs. Cringe. It's probably
why my favorite scene in the arena is the one where legendary fan dancer
Sally Rand (uncredited) is bound to a post and threatened by a wild
gorilla. Sorry to say there was no strength hero like Ursus or Maciste
to save her.
There have been Tarzan and Jungle
Jim movies featuring pygmy warriors. But none with Tarzan taking on a
dozen of them at one time. And in several sinew & sandal flicks
Hercules has a dwarf sidekick. But he doesn't fight an army of them. Too
bad. It would have made for a striking visual. Just like the Mr.
Incognito comic book cover below by Vance Capley.
Super cool t-shirt (and other merch) designs available at:
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