RIP Jesus Franco

 Jess Franco dies, father of Spanish Series B

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

 The director was hospitalized in Malaga since last Wednesday after suffering a stroke.

 Irreducible to the last breath. Jesus Franco Manera, better known as Jess Franco (Madrid, 1930) has died today at age 82 in Malaga, where he was admitted since last Wednesday after suffering a stroke. The director, actor, writer, composer, producer and editor, considered the father of the Spanish B series, had just released his latest film vs Al Pereira. The Alligator Ladies (2012) in theaters Artistic Metropol Madrid; preestrenada film was the last Festival of Sitges.

 The role of Jess Franco in the Spanish cinema is fundamental: nearly two hundred films directed under about 40 pseudonyms (Clifford Brown, Jess Frank, Wolfgang Frank, Lulu Laverne, Franco Manera, John O'Hara, Dan Simon, etc.) Between 50s of last century to the present filmed in Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and the United States gives a good account of his legacy. Eroticism, uncover, Series B, comic book aesthetic, low-budget fantasy film and flirting with porn are some of the hallmarks of this revered cult filmmaker worldwide.

 Franco studied film at the Royal Conservatory and the Institute for Research and cinematic experiences in Madrid, before going to the French at the Sorbonne University. After working in various productions and perform several short, would the film up and roll up to four films before his first big hit Night Visions (1962), with the legendary Howard Vernon embodying first first Dr. Orloff, one of the characters most iconic filmmaker. Another of his most recognized is Necromicron (Necronomicon / Succubus) (1967), German film production finished participating in the Berlin Film Festival and opened wide the doors of the international market. Since then, would be known collaborations with Christopher Lee (who played great villains like Fu Manchu-The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969) and Dracula, Count Dracula (1970) - under the direction of Franco) and his prolific production in the horror genre series B. Among his classics, include Miss Death (1960), Vampyros Lesbos (1971), The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula Against Frankenstein (1972), Dracula Against Frankenstein (1974), Schoolgirls rape, sexual aberrations of a married woman (1981), The shameful orgies of Emmanuelle (1982), Barbys Killer (1996), women's crypt damned (2008) and Paula-Paula (2010).

In 2008, the exquisite French Cinematheque devoted an extensive cycle comprising the bulk of his work and honoring the work of a director unaccustomed to institutional tributes. The following year, the Spanish Film Academy's Goya would give the honor for his film career. Today, in addition to keep rolling (Al Pereira vs. The Alligator Ladies is his last film), collaborated with the publication Cinemanía.

Franco was married was his principal muse, Lina Romay, who met working for the 70. Both lived in Malaga, where they were married on April 23, 2008. Romay died last year of a cancer victim.

FRANCO, Jesus (Jesus Franco Manera)

Born: 5/12/1930, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Died: 4/2/2013, Malaga, Andalusia, Spain

Jesus Franco's westerns - director, screenwriter, actor:

The Coyote - 1954 (co) [screenwriter]

The Judgment of the Coyote - 1955 (co) [screenwriter]

The Vengeance of Zorro - 1962 [screenwriter]

Zorro the Avenger - 1962 [screenwriter]

The Jaguar - 1963 [director, screenwriter]
Alias Smith & Jones (TV) - 1972 (guard)

The Crazy Nuns - 1974 [director]