The Coffin Joe movie series is online. Despite the oppressively
nominal budgets and zany, head-turning dialogue, these films are true madness.
Brazilian director, actor, and screenwriter Jose Mojica
Marins created the Coffin Joe character and introduced him back in 1963 in the
film At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul. Coffin Joe is a narcissistic, blood lusting
undertaker who is determined to protect his bloodline by finding the “perfect
woman” and believes that any person allowing their superstitions to undermine
success are weak and unworthy of living. While there is an official Coffin Joe
Trilogy, the character also appeared in other horror films directed by Marins
but as an archetype of hallucinations and evil rather than an actual cast
member.
Notable for his black top hat, black cape, and grotesque
elongated fingernails (which Marins maintains in real life), Coffin Joe enjoyed
native success in Brazil appearing in music, comic books, and television; and
enjoys a rowdy cult following in the United States. Marins recently appeared as a guest at the
2013 inaugural Housecore Horror Festival in Austin, Tx. where there was a
screening of At Midnight…. and a Q&A session with the filmmaker.
For someone unfamiliar with Coffin Joe, curiosity is the
best reason to watch these movies. They do suffer from low budgets and Marins’
trial by fire approach towards directing, but they are a visual treat that I
recommend.
