Jesús Franco
DirectingJesús "Jess" Franco was a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England. Though he had some American box office success with Necronomicon, his first women-in-prison film Ninety-Nine Women, and his two Christopher Lee films, The Bloody Judge and Count Dracula, he never achieved wide commercial success. Franco moved from Spain to France in 1970 so that he could make more violent and sexual films, and it was at this point that his career began to go downhill commercially, as he turned to low-budget filmmaking with a heavier accent on adult-oriented films. Although he produced a few well-received, low budget horror films in the early 70's, many people in the industry considered him a porn director due to the huge number of X-rated adult films he began churning out. Franco returned to low-budget horror in a brief comeback period from 1980-1983, but after 1983, his career took a second downturn. With the exception of Faceless and Killer Barbies, his films after 1984 are quite disliked and obscure due to their incredibly low budgets. Franco has nevertheless retained a large cult following through the years with his sexually-charged horror films, some of which are regarded as masterpieces by his avid followers.
Known For
Around the World in 80 Days
Extra (uncredited)
Bahia Blanca
The Miseries (uncredited)
Vampyros Lesbos
Memmet
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Eugenie
Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
Celestine
Sleeping Man
White Cannibal Queen
Mr. Martin
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
Barbed Wire Dolls
Maria's Father (uncredited)
Eugenie de Sade
Attila Tanner
Filmography — Acting
Around the World in 80 Days
Extra (uncredited)
Bahia Blanca
The Miseries (uncredited)
Vampyros Lesbos
Memmet
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Eugenie
Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
Celestine
Sleeping Man
White Cannibal Queen
Mr. Martin
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
Barbed Wire Dolls
Maria's Father (uncredited)
Eugenie de Sade
Attila Tanner
Sadomania
Lucas
Female Vampire
Dr. Roberts
99 Women
Official (uncredited)
The Hot Nights of Linda
Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Inspecteur Hernandez
Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess
Self (archive footage)
She Killed in Ecstasy
Dr. Donen
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Basilio
Count Dracula
Van Helsing's servant (uncredited)
The Girl from Rio
Guitar Player
Lorna, the Exorcist
Doctor (uncredited)
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Insp. Ahmet
Venus in Furs
Jazz Musician (uncredited)
Bloody Moon
Doctor (uncredited)
Midnight Party
Janos Radeck
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Director
Women Behind Bars
Bill
The Blues of Pop Street
Sam Chesterfield
Wild Session
Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada “S”
Self - Archive footage
Downtown
Al Pereira
Debris Documentar
Himself
Your Caresses
Daughter of Dracula
Cyril Jefferson
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Mathis Vogel
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Morpho
The Night Of Open Sex
Count
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
Strange Voyage
Don Venancio
The Devil Came from Akasava
Tino Celli
Slaves
Radeck's Assistant
Jailhouse Wardress
Uncle Jess
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Gonzales
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista
X312 - Flight to Hell
Man at John Somers'
Exorcism
Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue
Succubus
Writer
Clawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Vampir Cuadecuc
Self
Kiss Me Killer
Marcel
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Psychiatrist (uncredited)
Macumba Sexual
Recepcionist
Drácula Barcelona
Himself
Two Undercover Angels
Napoleon Bolivard
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Lord Comfort (uncredited)
Night of the Skull
Andy
Death Karate in Torremolinos
Miyagi
Kiss Me Monster
Abilene's Contact Man (uncredited)
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Rose Hotel's recepcionist (uncredited)
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
The Director
What a Honeymoon
Dying Man (uncredited)
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Pianist (uncredited)
Sex Is Crazy
Film Director
Orson Welles in the Land of Don Quixote
Self
Soledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert
Himself (archive footage)
Flesh-Eating Mothers
Policeman
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler
Padre del Dr. Weissman
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Inspector Tanner
Death Whistles the Blues
Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited)
Queridos monstruos
Self
Blood on My Shoes
Abductor
Ban the Sadist Videos!
Self
The Other Side of the Mirror
Roger (uncredited)
Beloved Count
Self
Esmeralda Bay
Boat Captain
Attack of the Robots
Piano Player
Anna Said Yes
Pianista (uncredited)
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Dr. James Wong
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Piano Player
Perversion Stories
Self
Bloody Jess
Self
La última película de Jess Franco
Self
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Manolo
Dolls for Sale
Vampire Blues
The Merchant
Lonely Road
Doctor Callman
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Dr. Wong
The Well
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Ladies House of Pleasure
Los profundos sueños de Jennifer
Voz
Call Him Jess
Himself
On the Threshold to Another World
Himself
Residence for Spies
Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
Por la gracia de Luis
Himself
Coffins of Light
himself
The Troublemakers
Call Me Jess Redux
Himself
The Bizarre World of Jess Franco
Self
Macumba sexual: Voodoo Jess
Self
El misterio del castillo rojo
Antena Criminal: Making a Jess Franco Movie
Himself
Falks Frauen
(archive footage)
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Himself
Sexorcismes
Mathis Vogel
Journey into Perversion
Himself
Jesús in Furs
Himself
See you later Cowabunga: La maldición del cenachero diabólico!
Tío Jess
Self
En busca del dragón dorado
Blind Old Man
La cripta de las condenadas
Esa cosa con plumas
Girl with the Red Lips
Professor Karame
The Rhythm of Jess
Self
Idoru
Take-Away Spirit
J.W. Radek
Jess' Women
self
Jesús Franco, manera de vivir
Himself
A Crack for Two
Tom
Shining Sex
Dr. Seward
Red Venice
Jess Franco
Angel of Death 2: The Prison Island Massacre
Pete
Justine and the Whip
Strange Guy
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Bernardo
White Skin Black Thighs
Graf Anastasio
Filmography — Crew
Devil Hunter
Director
The Story of Linda
Director
Cecilia
Producer
Bahia Blanca
Writer
Vampyros Lesbos
Screenplay
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Director
Sexy Sisters
Director
Eugenie
Director
Women in Cellblock 9
Director
Call of the Blonde Goddess
Director
Celestine
Writer
White Cannibal Queen
Director
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Director
Barbed Wire Dolls
Writer
Eugenie de Sade
Director
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Director
Golden Temple Amazons
Producer
Sadomania
Director
Female Vampire
Director
99 Women
Screenplay
The Hot Nights of Linda
Director
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Director
She Killed in Ecstasy
Director
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Writer
The Bloody Judge
Director
Oasis of the Zombies
Screenplay
The Sexual Story of O
Screenplay
Around the World in 80 Beds
Director
Count Dracula
Director
The Girl from Rio
Director
Lorna, the Exorcist
Director
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Director
Venus in Furs
Writer
Bloody Moon
Director
Countess Perverse
Director
Love Camp
Director
Pick-Up Girls
Screenplay
The Demons
Writer
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Writer
Women Without Innocence
Director
Thong Girls
Director
Midnight Party
Writer
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Director
Mansion of the Living Dead
Screenplay
Burning Up Inside
Writer
Women Behind Bars
Director
The Blues of Pop Street
Screenplay
Erotic Symphony
Director
Faceless
Director
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun
Director
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Director
Blind Target
Director
How to Seduce a Virgin
Director
Downtown
Director
Daughter of Dracula
Director
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Director
Jack the Ripper
Screenplay
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Screenplay
The House of Lost Women
Director
Paula-Paula
Director
The House of the Lost Dolls
Screenplay
Vampire Killer Barbys
Writer
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Director
Cannibal Terror
Writer
Rififi in the City
Director
Revenge in the House of Usher
Producer
Tender Flesh
Screenplay
The Night Of Open Sex
Director
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Director
Silence of the Grave
Director
The Greedy Ones
Director
The Devil Came from Akasava
Director
Slaves
Director
The Ticklish Ones
Director
Virgin Report
Director
Jailhouse Wardress
Director
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Screenplay
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Director
Zorro the Avenger
Screenplay
X312 - Flight to Hell
Director
Sexy Erotic Job
Director
Zombie Lake
Writer
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Director
Exorcism
Director
Succubus
Director
Angel of Death
Director
The Coyote
Screenplay
The Girls of the Copacabana
Director
Vampiresas 1930
Director
Broken Dolls
Director
A Virgin for St. Tropez
Director
Kiss Me Killer
Director
Night of the Eagles
Director
Downtown Heat
Director
Cries of Pleasure
Writer
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Director
Macumba Sexual
Director
Nightmares Come at Night
Director
Ama Rosa
Writer
The Lustful Amazons
Director
In Pursuit of Barbara
Director
Two Undercover Angels
Screenplay
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Director
Night of the Skull
Director
Sex Charade
Screenplay
We Are 18 Years Old
Director
Helter Skelter
Director
Queen of the Tabarin Club
Director
Kiss Me Monster
Director
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Director
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Writer
How Much Does a Spy Make?
Director
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Director
Snakewoman
Director
The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle
Screenplay
Jaguar
Director
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Director
Blue Rita
Director
What a Honeymoon
Director
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Director
Sex Is Crazy
Director
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
Screenplay
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Director
Fulano y Mengano
Screenplay
Lust for Frankenstein
Screenplay
Alone Against Terror
Screenplay
The Last from Philippines
Director
Convoy of Girls
Writer
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Director
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Director
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula
Director
Death Whistles the Blues
Director
El lago de las vírgenes
Writer
Blood on My Shoes
Director
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Director
The Other Side of the Mirror
Director
Esmeralda Bay
Producer
Attack of the Robots
Director
Red Silk
Screenplay
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Director
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Director
The Coyote's Justice
Screenplay
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Screenplay
Jungle of Fear
Director
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Director
Fury in the Tropics
Director
Dolls for Sale
Director
Golden Jail
Director
Vampire Blues
Screenplay
Lonely Road
Director
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Director
Lovers of Devil's Island
Director
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Screenplay
White Jungle Slave
Director
Trapped Women
Director
Red Lips
Director
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Director
Juliette
Director
Residence for Spies
Director
The Troublemakers
Screenplay
Incubus
Director
Oro español
Director
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Director
El misterio del castillo rojo
Director
Slave of Crime
Screenplay
The Tree from Spain
Screenplay
Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Screenplay
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Writer
Sexorcismes
Director
Llegaron los franceses
Writer
Vampire Junction
Director
Lascivia
Director
El destierro del Cid
Director
Voces de muerte
Director
En busca del dragón dorado
Director
A Man, Eight Girls
Director
La cripta de las condenadas
Director
A Bad Day at the Cemetery
Director
The Mysterious Melody AKA Ce soir les souris dansent
Writer
Girl with the Red Lips
Director
El huésped de la niebla
Director
Montes de Venus
Director
Las playas vacías
Screenplay
Estampas guipuzcoanas número 2: Pío Baroja
Director
Lulu's Talking Ass
Screenplay
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Director
Doriana Grey
Director
They Do Everything
Director
Jess Franco's Perversion
Director
Fly Story
Director
Girls in the Night Traffic
Director
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Director
Jess Franco's Passion
Writer
White Skin Black Thighs
Screenplay
Falo Crest
Director
Phollastía
Director
A Crack for Two
Screenplay
Cocktail spécial
Director
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Director
Shining Sex
Director
Entre pitos anda el juego
Director
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Screenplay
Justine and the Whip
Director
Un pito para tres
Screenplay
Claire
Director
Lola 2000
Director
Las chuponas
Director