The Lash of the Penitentes/Fun Facts

• The start of the film's production revealed that it may have been more of a travelogue than an Exploitation film. Roland C. Price, apparently taking a risk on his own, filmed footage of the Penitentes some time before the murder of Carl Taylor, resulting in some of the more serious footage seen in the film, while Revier created a story with its Exploitation theme after. By March, 1936, the film was said to have been ready for its release.

• The murder of Carl Taylor that influenced this moment in Exploitation history was on Feb. 6, 1936 and documented in a Time Magazine article for its Mar. 9 issue (Blood in New Mexico) which mentions his article about the group that was published in Today Magazine. The article describes some of the practices of the group.

• A Spanish version was also released.

• The Penitentes, or Los Hermanos Penitentes, are a religious group with origins in Spain that had a number of followers through Mexico, New Mexico, and reportedly even Colorado while in the film only New Mexico was mentioned. The article describes some of the cult's flagellant-based activities including the Good Friday performance based on Christ's crucifixion, which is a scene in the film highlighted in the trailer. The flagellation in the religion is used to atone for sins. It became formally recognized in the United States in 1947.

• The Hayes office rejected the film at first sight. Some notes were mentioned at the scenes of the practices and their use in the film.

• The heavy editing of the prints even resulted in a 35 Minute version that has no scenes featuring DeForest. This version featuring Joseph Swickard is know to be the version that's mainly available on VHS today.

• The film was given its known title by June, 1937 when it was distributed by Levinson in its feature length version.