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Released to theatres in 1957, "La Maldicion de la momia azteca" is the second film in the Rafael Portillo-directed Aztec mummy trilogy. The Mexico City native entered the film industry in 1935 when he worked in the laboratory as a negative cutter. He was promoted to film editor seven years later, at which time he also began writing scripts. He directed his first feature film in 1952. Throughout the course of his career, Portillo directed nearly forty feature films and received writing credits in over sixty. In addition, he edited over three dozen films. Though he is best known for his Aztec mummy trilogy, which he shot back-to-back in 1957, Portillo also made comedies, westerns, melodramas, and musicals. The busy filmmaker was often employed on Hollywood movies that were shot in Mexico. After a fulfilling career, Portillo retired to California in the eighties.
Rafael Portillo cast Jorge Mondragon to play the role of Dr. Sepulveda in "The Curse of the Aztec Mummy". A former member of the Virginia Fabregas Stage Company, Mondragon appeared in more than 2000 plays, 200 films, and many television and radio shows. In addition, he served as a production manager in some Calderon films throughout the fifties.
Angel Di Stefani was cast to play the role of the mummy, Popoca. Though the Italy native was active in Mexican films, it was mainly as a stuntman rather than an actor. He received his big break when he was given the part of Popoca in the Aztec mummy trilogy. Sadly, Di Stefani’s face is masked by layers of make-up, so it is nearly impossible to recognize the actor. Though he is unrecognizable in the mummy films, the handsome actor can be recognized in small roles that he played in other films.
