Jesús Franco

Jesús "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

Birth Location Madrid, Spain
Born 1930-05-12
Died 2013-04-02

Movies

2021
Wild Session as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
2019
Drácula Barcelona as Himself
2017
Soledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert as Himself (archive footage)
2015
2014
Call Me Jess Redux as Himself
2014
Clawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2014
Falks Frauen as (archive footage)
2014
2013
Tío Jess as Self
2012
Debris Documentar as Himself
2012
2009
2009
Coffins of Light as himself
2009
Take-Away Spirit as J.W. Radek
2009
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler as Padre del Dr. Weissman
2008
Beloved Count as Self
2007
Bloody Jess as Self
2007
2005
2005
Jesús in Furs as Himself
2005
Red Venice as Jess Franco
2003
2002
2001
Call Him Jess as Himself
2000
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell as Dr. James Wong
1999
Vampire Blues as The Merchant
1999
Esmeralda Bay as Boat Captain
1989
Girl with the Red Lips as Professor Karame
1986
1984
1984
Night Has a Thousand Desires as Psychiatrist (uncredited)
1984
Camino solitario as Doctor Callman
1984
Bahia Blanca as The Miseries (uncredited)
1984
Macumba Sexual as Recepcionist
1983
1983
Black Boots, Leather Whip as Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
1983
En busca del dragón dorado as Blind Old Man
1983
The Blues of Pop Street as Sam Chesterfield
1983
Blood on My Shoes as Abductor
1983
Jailhouse Wardress as Uncle Jess
1981
Sadomania as Lucas
1981
Bloody Moon as Doctor (uncredited)
1981
Sex Is Crazy as Film Director
1981
White Cannibal Queen as Mr. Martin
1980
What a Honeymoon as Dying Man (uncredited)
1980
Justine and the Whip as Strange Guy
1979
The Sadist of Notre Dame as Mathis Vogel
1979
Slaves as Radeck's Assistant
1977
Kiss Me Killer as Marcel
1977
Greta, the Mad Butcher as Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
1977
Shining Sex as Dr. Seward
1976
White Skin Black Thighs as Graf Anastasio
1976
Barbed Wire Dolls as Maria's Father (uncredited)
1976
Midnight Party as Janos Radeck
1976
Downtown as Al Pereira
1975
Exorcism as Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue (as Jess Frank)
1975
The Hot Nights of Linda as Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
1975
1975
Celestine as Sleeping Man
1974
1974
1973
Female Vampire as Dr. Roberts
1973
Eugenie de Sade as Attila Tanner
1973
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff as Lord Comfort (uncredited)
1973
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse as Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
1972
Daughter of Dracula as Cyril Jefferson
1972
1972
Vampir Cuadecuc as Self
1972
She Killed in Ecstasy as Dr. Donen
1971
X312 - Flight to Hell as Man at John Somers'
1971
Vampyros Lesbos as Memmet
1971
1971
Count Dracula as Van Helsing's servant (uncredited)
1970
Eugenie as Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
1970
Venus in Furs as Jazz Musician (uncredited)
1969
The Castle of Fu Manchu as Insp. Ahmet
1969
Kiss Me Monster as Abilene's Contact Man
1969
Two Undercover Angels as Napoleon Bolivard
1969
The Girl from Rio as Guitar Player
1969
99 Women as Official (uncredited)
1969
Succubus as Writer
1968
Lucky, the Inscrutable as Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista
1967
The Diabolical Dr. Z as Inspector Tanner
1966
Attack of the Robots as Pianist (uncredited)
1966
Attack of the Robots as Piano Player
1966
Residence for Spies as Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
1966
Strange Voyage as Don Venancio
1964
Death Whistles the Blues as Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited)
1964
Dr. Orloff's Monster as Piano Player
1964
The Awful Dr. Orlof as Pianist (uncredited)
1962
Anna Said Yes as Pianista (uncredited)
1958
Around the World in Eighty Days as Extra (uncredited)
1956

Movies

La cripta de las condenadas Original Music Composer
2012
Paula-Paula Screenplay
2010
Paula-Paula Dialogue
2010
Paula-Paula Director of Photography
2010
Paula-Paula Editor
2010
Paula-Paula Special Effects
2010
Paula-Paula Director
2010
Take-Away Spirit Additional Dialogue
2009
2008
2008
Lascivia Director
2007
Montes de Venus Director
2006
Snakewoman Original Music Composer
2005
Snakewoman Writer
2005
Snakewoman Director
2005
2005
2005
2005
2002
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula Original Music Composer
2002
Incubus Writer
2002
Incubus Director
2002
2001
Vampire Junction Original Music Composer
2001
Vampire Junction Director
2001
2000
Helter Skelter Original Music Composer
2000
Helter Skelter Director
2000
Blind Target Director
2000
Blind Target Original Music Composer
2000
Broken Dolls Writer
1999
Red Silk Director
1999
Red Silk Screenplay
1999
Broken Dolls Director
1999
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell Original Music Composer
1999
1999
Vampire Blues Original Music Composer
1999
Vampire Blues Director
1999
Vampire Blues Screenplay
1999
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula Original Music Composer
1998
1998
1998
1998
Tender Flesh Screenplay
1997
Tender Flesh Original Music Composer
1997
Tender Flesh Executive Producer
1997
Tender Flesh Director
1997
1996
1996
Downtown Heat Screenplay
1994
Downtown Heat Producer
1994
Downtown Heat Director
1994
Jungle of Fear Executive Producer
1993
Jungle of Fear Director
1993
Don Quixote Editor
1992
Don Quixote Dialogue
1992
Don Quixote Supervising Film Editor
1992
1992
1991
Night of the Eagles Art Direction
1989
Esmeralda Bay Producer
1989
Esmeralda Bay Writer
1989
1989
Night of the Eagles Screenplay
1989
1989
Esmeralda Bay Director
1989
Faceless Writer
1988
Faceless Director
1988
Slave of Crime Screenplay
1987
Slave of Crime Original Music Composer
1987
Slave of Crime Director
1987
1987
Falo Crest Cinematography
1987
Falo Crest Writer
1987
Falo Crest Director
1987
¡Biba la banda! Costumer
1987
Thong Girls Writer
1987
Thong Girls Screenplay
1987
Thong Girls Director
1987
Thong Girls Editor
1987
Phollastía Director of Photography
1987
Phollastía Story
1987
Phollastía Director
1987
1986
1986
Para las nenas, leche calentita Original Music Composer
1986
Alone Against Terror Original Music Composer
1986
1986
1986
Entre pitos anda el juego Original Music Composer
1986
1986
1986
1986
Lulu's Talking Ass Screenplay
1986
Lulu's Talking Ass Original Music Composer
1986
1986
1986
1986
Girl with the Red Lips Director of Photography
1986
1986
Girl with the Red Lips Original Music Composer
1986
1986
The Last from Philippines Director of Photography
1986
Angel of Death Director
1985
Angel of Death Screenplay
1985
1985
1985
Un pito para tres Screenplay
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong Original Music Composer
1985
1985
Bangkok, City of the Dead Original Music Composer
1985
1985
1984
1984
1984
1984
A Crack for Two Original Music Composer
1984
A Crack for Two Screenplay
1984
A Crack for Two Director
1984
1984
1984
1984
1984
Night Has a Thousand Desires Director of Photography
1984
1984
Camino solitario Director of Photography
1984
Camino solitario Director
1984
Bahia Blanca Director
1984
Bahia Blanca Producer
1984
Bahia Blanca Story
1984
Bahia Blanca Screenplay
1984
Bahia Blanca Writer
1984
1983
1983
Macumba Sexual Director of Photography
1983
Macumba Sexual Screenplay
1983
Macumba Sexual Director
1983
The Hotel of Love Affairs Original Music Composer
1983
1983
1983
Cries of Pleasure Art Direction
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro Director of Photography
1983
1983
1983
1983
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro Original Music Composer
1983
Cecilia Writer
1983
Cecilia Producer
1983
Cecilia Director
1983
Fury in the Tropics Screenplay
1983
1983
1983
Revenge in the House of Usher Original Music Composer
1983
The Night Of Open Sex Director of Photography
1983
1983
1983
1983
Voces de muerte Director
1983
The Blues of Pop Street Director of Photography
1983
Blood on My Shoes Original Music Composer
1983
1983
1983
Voces de muerte Screenplay
1983
En busca del dragón dorado Original Music Composer
1983
The Blues of Pop Street Original Music Composer
1983
Blood on My Shoes Screenplay
1983
1983
Mansion of the Living Dead Original Music Composer
1982
Mansion of the Living Dead Director of Photography
1982
1982
Oasis of the Zombies Original Music Composer
1982
1982
1982
1982
El lago de las vírgenes Original Music Composer
1982
1982
El huésped de la niebla Original Music Composer
1982
1982
El huésped de la niebla Director of Photography
1982
Emmanuelle Exposed Screenplay
1982
1982
1982
Pick-Up Girls Screenplay
1981
Pick-Up Girls Director
1981
Pick-Up Girls Editor
1981
Pick-Up Girls Original Music Composer
1981
1981
1981
Zombie Lake Writer
1981
1981
Sadomania Editor
1981
Sadomania Music
1981
Sadomania Screenplay
1981
Sadomania Director
1981
Bloody Moon Director
1981
Sex Is Crazy Screenplay
1981
Sex Is Crazy Original Music Composer
1981
Sex Is Crazy Director
1981
Devil Hunter Original Music Composer
1980
Devil Hunter Screenplay
1980
Devil Hunter Director
1980
1980
1980
1980
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties Original Music Composer
1980
Erotic Symphony Director
1980
1980
What a Honeymoon Original Music Composer
1980
What a Honeymoon Director
1980
What a Honeymoon Screenplay
1980
1979
Justine and the Whip Cinematography
1979
1979
1979
1979
1979
1979
1979
1978
1978
1978
1978
1978
1978
Convoy of Girls Director
1978
Love Camp Director
1977
Sexy Sisters Director
1977
Blue Rita Writer
1977
Blue Rita Director
1977
1977
Slaves Director
1977
Kiss Me Killer Director
1977
1977
1977
1976
1976
1976
Jack the Ripper Screenplay
1976
Jack the Ripper Director
1976
Shining Sex Director
1976
1976
White Skin Black Thighs Director of Photography
1976
1976
Les emmerdeuses Director
1976
Les emmerdeuses Screenplay
1976
Barbed Wire Dolls Director of Photography
1976
1976
1976
Golden Jail Director
1976
Midnight Party Director
1976
1976
Doriana Gray Writer
1976
Doriana Gray Director
1976
1975
1975
Downtown Director of Photography
1975
Downtown Writer
1975
Downtown Director
1975
Exorcism Screenplay
1975
Exorcism Director
1975
1975
1975
1975
1975
Sexy Erotic Job Director
1975
1975
Women Behind Bars Director of Photography
1975
1975
1974
1974
Celestine Director of Photography
1974
Celestine Director
1974
Celestine Writer
1974
1974
1974
1974
1974
1974
1974
The Lustful Amazons Screenplay
1974
Les Gloutonnes Director
1974
Les Gloutonnes Screenplay
1974
Dolls for Sale Director
1973
1973
1973
1973
The Obscene Mirror Screenplay
1973
Female Vampire Director
1973
1973
1973
Female Vampire Director of Photography
1973
Eugenie de Sade Director
1973
1973
The Demons Director
1973
The Demons Writer
1973
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse Original Music Composer
1972
1972
1972
1972
1972
Virgin Report Director
1972
1971
1971
1971
1971
Vampyros Lesbos Special Effects Makeup Artist
1971
Vampyros Lesbos Screenplay
1971
Vampyros Lesbos Director
1971
Vampyros Lesbos Original Music Composer
1971
1970
Juliette Director
1970
1970
Count Dracula Screenplay
1970
Count Dracula Director
1970
Eugenie Director
1970
The Bloody Judge Adaptation
1970
The Bloody Judge Director
1970
Sex Charade Screenplay
1970
Sex Charade Director
1970
1969
Venus in Furs Writer
1969
Venus in Furs Director
1969
1969
1969
Kiss Me Monster Screenplay
1969
1969
Kiss Me Monster Director
1969
1969
1969
1969
99 Women Story
1969
99 Women Director
1969
99 Women Screenplay
1969
1968
1968
1968
Succubus Director
1968
1967
1967
1966
1966
1966
1966
1966
1966
Chimes at Midnight Second Unit Director
1965
Chimes at Midnight Second Unit
1965
1964
1964
1964
1964
1964
1964
1964
55 Days at Peking Assistant Production Manager
1963
Jaguar Story
1963
Jaguar Director
1963
Zorro the Avenger Screenplay
1962
1962
The Awful Dr. Orlof Screenplay
1962
1962
1962
Vampiresas 1930 Screenplay
1962
Vampiresas 1930 Director
1962
Ama Rosa Writer
1960
1960
Red Lips Screenplay
1960
Red Lips Director
1960
1959
We Are 18 Years Old Original Music Composer
1959
1959
Oro español Director
1959
1959
Las playas vacías Screenplay
1959
Oro español Original Music Composer
1959
Oro español Screenplay
1959
Anna Said Yes Delegated Producer
1958
Stories from Madrid Assistant Director
1958
1958
Fulano y Mengano Assistant Director
1957
Fulano y Mengano Screenplay
1957
El hombre que viajaba despacito Assistant Director
1957
The Tree from Spain Original Music Composer
1957
The Tree from Spain Screenplay
1957
1957
The Coyote's Justice Screenstory
1956
1956
1956
1956
1956
The Coyote's Justice Assistant Director
1956
Death of a Cyclist Assistant Director
1955
The Coyote Lyricist
1955
The Coyote Dialogue
1955
The Coyote Adaptation
1955
The Coyote Assistant Director
1955
The Coyote Screenplay
1955
Merry Christmas Assistant Director
1954
Comedians Music
1954
Comedians Script Supervisor
1954
Shining Sex Director
-