Jesús Franco
Personal Info
Known for
Directing
Gender
Male
Birthday
1930-05-12
Day of Death
2013-04-02 (82 years old)
Place of Birth
Madrid, Spain
Jesús Franco
Biography
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
Acting
(2024)
Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada 'S'
as Self - Archive footage
(2021)
Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess
as Self (archive footage)
(2019)
Wild Session
as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
(2017)
Drácula Barcelona
as Himself
(2015)
Soledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert
as Himself (archive footage)
(2014)
Falks Frauen
as (archive footage)
(2014)
Call Me Jess Redux
as Himself
(2014)
Queridos monstruos
as Self
(2014)
Clawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
(2013)
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
as The Director
(2013)
(2013)
The Rhythm of Jess
as Self
(2013)
(2013)
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
as Himself
(2012)
(2012)
Debris Documentar
as Himself
(2012)
Tío Jess
as Self
(2010)
Macumba sexual: Voodoo Jess
as Self
(2009)
Take-Away Spirit
as J.W. Radek
(2009)
(2009)
Coffins of Light
as himself
(2009)
Por la gracia de Luis
as Himself
(2008)
(2008)
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler
as Padre del Dr. Weissman
(2007)
(2007)
Jesús Franco, manera de vivir
as Himself
(2007)
Bloody Jess
as Self
(2007)
Beloved Count
as Self
(2005)
(2005)
Ban the Sadist Videos!
as Self
(2005)
Jesús in Furs
as Himself
(2005)
Jess' Women
as self
(2004)
(2003)
Death Karate in Torremolinos
as Miyagi
(2003)
On the Threshold to Another World
as Himself
(2003)
Red Venice
as Jess Franco
(2002)
(2002)
Perversion Stories
as Self
(2001)
Journey into Perversion
as Himself
(2000)
(2000)
Call Him Jess
as Himself
(1999)
Vampire Blues
as The Merchant
(1999)
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
as Dr. James Wong
(1992)
(1989)
Esmeralda Bay
as Boat Captain
(1988)
Flesh Eating Mothers
as Policeman
(1988)
(1986)
Girl with the Red Lips
as Professor Karame
(1985)
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
as Dr. Wong
(1984)
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
as Manolo
(1984)
A Crack for Two
as Tom
(1984)
Night Has a Thousand Desires
as Psychiatrist (uncredited)
(1984)
Camino solitario
as Doctor Callman
(1984)
Bahia Blanca
as The Miseries (uncredited)
(1984)
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
as Bernardo
(1983)
Macumba Sexual
as Recepcionist
(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)
The Night Of Open Sex
as Count
(1983)
Black Boots, Leather Whip
as Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
(1983)
(1981)
Jailhouse Wardress
as Uncle Jess
(1981)
Sex Is Crazy
as Film Director
(1981)
Sadomania
as Lucas
(1981)
Bloody Moon
as Doctor (uncredited)
(1980)
White Cannibal Queen
as Mr. Martin
(1980)
What a Honeymoon
as Dying Man (uncredited)
(1979)
The Sadist of Notre Dame
as Mathis Vogel
(1979)
Justine and the Whip
as Strange Guy
(1977)
Kiss Me Killer
as Marcel
(1977)
Slaves
as Radeck's Assistant
(1977)
Greta, the Mad Butcher
as Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
(1976)
Barbed Wire Dolls
as Maria's Father (uncredited)
(1976)
Midnight Party
as Janos Radeck
(1976)
(1976)
Shining Sex
as Dr. Seward
(1976)
(1976)
White Skin Black Thighs
as Graf Anastasio
(1975)
Downtown
as Al Pereira
(1975)
Women Behind Bars
as Bill
(1975)
Exorcism
as Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue
(1975)
The Hot Nights of Linda
as Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
(1975)
(1974)
Night of the Skull
as Andy
(1974)
Celestine
as Sleeping Man
(1973)
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
as Morpho
(1973)
Eugenie de Sade
as Attila Tanner
(1973)
Female Vampire
as Dr. Roberts
(1973)
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
as Inspecteur Hernandez
(1973)
(1973)
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
as Lord Comfort (uncredited)
(1973)
(1973)
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
as Basilio
(1972)
The Corpse Packs His Bags
as Gonzales
(1972)
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
as Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
(1972)
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
as Director
(1972)
Vampir Cuadecuc
as Self
(1972)
Daughter of Dracula
as Cyril Jefferson
(1971)
The Devil Came from Akasava
as Tino Celli
(1971)
She Killed in Ecstasy
as Dr. Donen
(1971)
Vampyros Lesbos
as Memmet
(1971)
X312 - Flight to Hell
as Man at John Somers'
(1970)
Count Dracula
as Van Helsing's servant (uncredited)
(1970)
Eugenie
as Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
(1969)
The Castle of Fu Manchu
as Insp. Ahmet
(1969)
Venus in Furs
as Jazz Musician (uncredited)
(1969)
The Girl from Rio
as Guitar Player
(1969)
(1969)
Kiss Me Monster
as Abilene's Contact Man
(1969)
(1969)
Two Undercover Angels
as Napoleon Bolivard
(1969)
99 Women
as Official (uncredited)
(1968)
Succubus
as Writer
(1968)
(1967)
Lucky, the Inscrutable
as Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista
(1966)
The Diabolical Dr. Z
as Inspector Tanner
(1966)
Attack of the Robots
as Piano Player
(1966)
Attack of the Robots
as Pianist (uncredited)
(1966)
Residence for Spies
as Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
(1964)
Dr. Orloff's Monster
as Piano Player
(1964)
Strange Voyage
as Don Venancio
(1964)
Death Whistles the Blues
as Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited)
(1962)
The Awful Dr. Orlof
as Pianist (uncredited)
(1958)
Anna Said Yes
as Pianista (uncredited)
(1956)
Around the World in Eighty Days
as Extra (uncredited)
Crew
(2013)
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Director, Writer, Music, Editor, Producer
(2013)
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Writer, Director
(2012)
La cripta de las condenadas
Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, Original Music Composer
(2012)
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Director, Producer, Writer, Editor
(2010)
Paula-Paula
Director, Special Effects, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Dialogue, Editor
(2009)
Take-Away Spirit
Additional Dialogue
(2008)
A Bad Day at the Cemetery
Screenplay, Director
(2008)
Vampyros Lesbos
Story
(2007)
Lascivia
Director
(2006)
Montes de Venus
Director
(2005)
Jess Franco's Perversion
Writer, Director
(2005)
Jess Franco's Passion
Director, Writer
(2005)
Snakewoman
Writer, Original Music Composer, Director
(2002)
Incubus
Director, Writer
(2002)
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula
Director, Story, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
(2001)
Vampire Junction
Original Music Composer, Director, Writer
(2000)
Blind Target
Director, Original Music Composer
(2000)
Helter Skelter
Director, Original Music Composer, Writer
(1999)
Vampire Blues
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1999)
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Original Music Composer, Director, Writer
(1999)
Broken Dolls
Director, Writer
(1999)
Red Silk
Screenplay, Director
(1998)
Lust for Frankenstein
Producer, Director, Screenplay, Music
(1998)
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Producer, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1997)
Tender Flesh
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
(1996)
Vampire Killer Barbys
Director, Writer
(1994)
Downtown Heat
Director, Producer, Screenplay
(1993)
Jungle of Fear
Director, Executive Producer
(1992)
Don Quixote
Editor, Supervising Film Editor, Dialogue
(1992)
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Director, Editor, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
(1991)
In Pursuit of Barbara
Director
(1989)
Night of the Eagles
Screenplay, Director, Editor, Art Direction
(1989)
Esmeralda Bay
Producer, Director, Writer
(1988)
Faceless
Director, Writer
(1988)
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Producer, Editor, Director, Writer
(1987)
Falo Crest
Cinematography, Writer, Director
(1987)
Thong Girls
Writer, Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1987)
Phollastía
Story, Director, Director of Photography
(1987)
Slave of Crime
Original Music Composer, Editor, Director, Screenplay
(1987)
¡Biba la banda!
Costumer
(1986)
Alone Against Terror
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1986)
Golden Temple Amazons
Producer, Director
(1986)
Lulu's Talking Ass
Director, Screenplay, Story, Original Music Composer
(1986)
Bragueta historia
Director
(1986)
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Director, Writer
(1986)
The Last from Philippines
Producer, Director, Editor, Director of Photography, Story
(1986)
Girl with the Red Lips
Original Music Composer, Director, Director of Photography, Screenplay
(1986)
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Story
(1986)
Entre pitos anda el juego
Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
(1986)
Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Director, Screenplay, Editor
(1986)
Orgasmo perverso
Director, Director of Photography, Writer, Original Music Composer
(1985)
Angel of Death
Director, Screenplay
(1985)
White Jungle Slave
Director, Music
(1985)
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
(1985)
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Director, Producer
(1985)
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director, Editor
(1985)
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Director, Screenplay, Producer, Music
(1985)
Un pito para tres
Screenplay, Story, Editor, Director
(1984)
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Director, Music, Screenplay
(1984)
The Sexual Story of O
Screenplay, Editor, Producer, Director
(1984)
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Director, Screenplay, Editor
(1984)
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Director, Writer, Music, Director of Photography
(1984)
Bahia Blanca
Writer, Story, Producer, Screenplay, Director
(1984)
A Crack for Two
Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
(1984)
Camino solitario
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
(1984)
How Much for a Spy?
Director, Writer, Producer
(1983)
Revenge in the House of Usher
Producer, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1983)
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Editor, Director, Music, Writer
(1983)
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Producer, Original Music Composer
(1983)
Cries of Pleasure
Editor, Director, Art Direction, Writer
(1983)
Macumba Sexual
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Story, Music
(1983)
Cecilia
Director, Writer, Producer
(1983)
Blood on My Shoes
Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
(1983)
Voces de muerte
Director, Screenplay
(1983)
The Blues of Pop Street
Original Music Composer, Screenplay, Director, Director of Photography
(1983)
En busca del dragón dorado
Original Music Composer, Screenplay, Director, Editor
(1983)
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Director, Editor, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
(1983)
The House of Lost Women
Screenplay, Director, Editor
(1983)
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Director, Music
(1983)
The Night Of Open Sex
Novel, Adaptation, Director, Director of Photography, Music
(1982)
El lago de las vírgenes
Original Music Composer, Director, Editor, Writer
(1982)
Mansion of the Living Dead
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Editor, Novel
(1982)
Emmanuelle Exposed
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1982)
Oasis of the Zombies
Director, Screenplay, Editor, Original Music Composer
(1982)
El huésped de la niebla
Director, Director of Photography, Original Music Composer
(1981)
Zombie Lake
Writer
(1981)
Jailhouse Wardress
Director
(1981)
Sex Is Crazy
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1981)
Bloody Moon
Director
(1981)
The Story of Linda
Director
(1981)
Sadomania
Director, Screenplay, Music, Editor
(1981)
The Girls of the Copacabana
Screenplay, Story, Director
(1981)
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Writer, Music, Director
(1981)
Pick-Up Girls
Screenplay, Editor, Original Music Composer, Director
(1980)
Erotic Symphony
Director, Writer
(1980)
Devil Hunter
Director, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
(1980)
White Cannibal Queen
Director, Writer
(1980)
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Director, Screenplay, Story, Original Music Composer
(1980)
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Writer, Director
(1980)
Cannibal Terror
Writer
(1980)
What a Honeymoon
Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
(1979)
They Do Everything
Director, Writer
(1979)
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Director, Writer
(1979)
Burning Up Inside
Writer, Director
(1979)
Justine and the Whip
Director, Writer, Cinematography
(1978)
Obscene Desire
Music
(1978)
Women Without Innocence
Director, Writer
(1978)
Women in Cellblock 9
Screenplay, Director
(1978)
Convoy of Girls
Writer, Director
(1978)
Cocktail spécial
Director
(1977)
Kiss Me Killer
Director, Writer
(1977)
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Writer, Director
(1977)
Call of the Blonde Goddess
Director, Writer
(1977)
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun
Director
(1977)
Love Camp
Director
(1977)
Blue Rita
Director, Writer
(1977)
Sexy Sisters
Director
(1977)
Slaves
Director
(1977)
Around the World in 80 Beds
Director
(1976)
Barbed Wire Dolls
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
(1976)
Jack the Ripper
Screenplay, Director
(1976)
Midnight Party
Director, Writer
(1976)
Doriana Gray
Director, Writer
(1976)
Silence of the Grave
Director, Producer, Screenplay
(1976)
Girls in the Night Traffic
Director
(1976)
White Skin Black Thighs
Screenplay, Director of Photography, Director
(1976)
Golden Jail
Director
(1976)
Les emmerdeuses
Director, Screenplay
(1976)
Shining Sex
Director, Story
(1975)
Sexy Erotic Job
Director
(1975)
Downtown
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
(1975)
Women Behind Bars
Director, Editor, Director of Photography
(1975)
Exorcism
Director, Screenplay
(1975)
The Perverse Countess
Writer, Director
(1975)
The Hot Nights of Linda
Screenplay, Director, Story
(1975)
Les chatouilleuses
Story, Director
(1975)
Demoniac
Director, Writer
(1974)
Night of the Skull
Director, Writer
(1974)
Les Gloutonnes
Director, Screenplay
(1974)
Lorna, the Exorcist
Writer, Director
(1974)
How to Seduce a Virgin
Director, Writer
(1974)
Celestine
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
(1974)
The House of the Lost Dolls
Screenplay
(1974)
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Director, Writer, Music
(1974)
The Lustful Amazons
Screenplay, Director
(1973)
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Director, Screenplay, Story
(1973)
Eugenie de Sade
Writer, Director
(1973)
Female Vampire
Writer, Editor, Director, Director of Photography
(1973)
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Director, Writer
(1973)
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Director, Screenplay
(1973)
The Demons
Writer, Director
(1973)
Lovers of Devil's Island
Director, Story, Screenplay
(1973)
The Other Side of the Mirror
Screenplay, Director
(1973)
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Director, Scenario Writer
(1973)
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Director, Writer
(1973)
Dolls for Sale
Director
(1973)
El misterio del castillo rojo
Director
(1972)
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
Screenplay, Story, Director
(1972)
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Screenplay, Director
(1972)
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Director, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
(1972)
Virgin Report
Director
(1972)
Daughter of Dracula
Director, Writer
(1972)
(1972)
Sex Charade
Director, Screenplay
(1971)
The Devil Came from Akasava
Director
(1971)
She Killed in Ecstasy
Writer, Director
(1971)
Vampyros Lesbos
Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Special Effects Makeup Artist
(1971)
X312 - Flight to Hell
Director, Screenplay
(1970)
Count Dracula
Director, Screenplay
(1970)
The Bloody Judge
Director, Adaptation
(1970)
Eugenie
Director
(1970)
Nightmares Come at Night
Director, Writer
(1970)
Juliette
Director
(1970)
Cuadrilátero
Music
(1969)
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Director
(1969)
99 Women
Story, Director, Screenplay
(1969)
Venus in Furs
Writer, Director, Story
(1969)
The Girl from Rio
Director
(1969)
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Director
(1969)
Two Undercover Angels
Screenplay, Director
(1969)
Kiss Me Monster
Idea, Director, Screenplay
(1968)
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Director, Story, Screenplay
(1968)
Succubus
Director
(1968)
(1968)
A Man, Eight Girls
Director
(1967)
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Director, Screenplay
(1966)
Attack of the Robots
Director, Screenplay
(1966)
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Screenplay, Director
(1966)
Residence for Spies
Director, Writer
(1965)
Chimes at Midnight
Second Unit Director, Second Unit
(1964)
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Director, Dialogue, Screenplay
(1964)
Death Whistles the Blues
Director, Screenplay
(1964)
Rififi in the City
Director, Writer
(1963)
Jaguar
Director, Story
(1963)
55 Days at Peking
Assistant Production Manager
(1962)
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Director, Story, Screenplay
(1962)
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Director, Screenplay, Story
(1962)
Vampiresas 1930
Director, Screenplay
(1962)
Zorro the Avenger
Story, Screenplay
(1960)
Queen of the Tabarin Club
Director, Dialogue
(1960)
Red Lips
Screenplay, Director
(1960)
(1960)
El destierro del Cid
Director
(1960)
Ama Rosa
Writer
(1959)
We Are 18 Years Old
Director, Writer, Original Music Composer
(1959)
Oro español
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
(1959)
Las playas vacías
Director, Screenplay
(1959)
Llegaron los franceses
Writer
(1958)
Anna Said Yes
Delegated Producer
(1958)
Historias de Madrid
Assistant Director, Music
(1957)
Fulano y Mengano
Screenplay, Assistant Director
(1957)
The Tree from Spain
Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
(1957)
El hombre que viajaba despacito
Music, Assistant Director
(1956)
The Coyote's Justice
Screenstory, Lyricist, Screenplay, Dialogue, Adaptation, Assistant Director
(1955)
The Coyote
Adaptation, Dialogue, Lyricist, Screenplay, Assistant Director
(1955)
Death of a Cyclist
Assistant Director
(1954)
Comedians
Music, Script Supervisor
(1954)
Merry Christmas
Assistant Director