Jess Franco (1930-2013)

[snyprrr]

Well, THAT just happened!?!?

Surely some have noticed that I've been in a Latin Horror frame-of-mind lately, and lo!, today I run across this, and I thought he belonged to the Ernest Borgnine Club (where you thought they died a long time ago).

I wouldn't be surprised if you are all too embarrassed to Post here, but hey!, I know most of you cut your... well, I KNOW you've seen something by him, haha!

Forever he will be remembered for... let's see, what?... Vampyros Lesbos?...Justine (DeSade 70; precious Jack Palance)?... Count Dracula (with Christopher Lee)?... Venus in Furs?...

Yes, I left out The Prisoner of Frankenstein and the rest. Here, you decide:

http://mooninthegutter.blogspot.com/2013/04/we-have-lost-jesus-franco-manera.html

I couldn't find the Jess Franco site. Where?

[snyprrr]

Well, ok, I'll admit that after I looked over the Filmography, there is a brief spot between 1965-1972... he peaked very early... the rest is just sadness, but, I certainly will give him the standard few Midnight Classics.

Then there Antonio Margheretti(sic), who went by Anthony Dawson. I'm always getting Franco and Dawson mixed-up, though, now I see that Dawson has the more...

well, maybe not, but...

ok folks, sorry I brought it up!

[Wakefield]

Rest in peace, Uncle Jess.

He was one of the greatest erotomaniacs of the film industry, together with guys like Russ Meyer, Tinto Brass and, at some extent, Bigas Luna.

Just yesterday I learned too that his second and last muse (Lina Romay) died on February 2012; a late, but equally sad news. 

[snyprrr]

Rest in peace, Uncle Jess.

He was one of the greatest erotomaniacs of the film industry, together with guys like Russ Meyer, Tinto Brass and, at some extent, Bigas Luna.

Just yesterday I learned too that his second and last muse (Lina Romay) died on February 2012; a late, but equally sad news. 

I find God's 'humor' in calling Franco and Ebert so close together delicious! Perhaps they had something in common? Z Man? Dr. Z?

[snyprrr]

I watched a bit of Count Dracula on YT. WOW! the DVD has really done wonders to this perennial Saturday afternoon kiddie treat from the '70s. Anyone who remembers how murky this one was will be delighted with the remaster, very very atmospheric!... and crisp!

[Wakefield]

I guess won't be too much useful because are written in Spanish, but these two articles about the "Uncle" Jess are mandatory for anyone interested in Jesús Franco:

http://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2013/04/02/4bdc3329f186b9c42cf095485e626d2b.pdf

http://javiermariasblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/jess-el-estupendo.pdf

They were written by one of the greatest Spanish writers today, his nephew Javier Marías (Franco).

[snyprrr]

I guess won't be too much useful because are written in Spanish, but these two articles about the "Uncle" Jess are mandatory for anyone interested in Jesús Franco:

http://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2013/04/02/4bdc3329f186b9c42cf095485e626d2b.pdf

http://javiermariasblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/jess-el-estupendo.pdf

They were written by one of the greatest Spanish writers today, his nephew Javier Marías (Franco).

very nice

[Wakefield]

Rest in peace, Uncle Jess.

He was one of the greatest erotomaniacs of the film industry, together with guys like Russ Meyer, Tinto Brass and, at some extent, Bigas Luna.

Just yesterday I learned too that his second and last muse (Lina Romay) died on February 2012; a late, but equally sad news. 

Well, for some strange coincidence, exactly the same day when I wrote those words, Bigas Luna died of leukemia, while working on the film adaptation of Manuel de Pedrolo's novel Mecanoscrit del segon origen. He was well known for his 1992 movie Ham, Ham, with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz.

[vandermolen]

Sadly I don't think he directed 'Scars of Dracula' which I enjoyed watching a few nights ago - but I'm sure that he would have approved of the film. 

[snyprrr]

Sadly I don't think he directed 'Scars of Dracula' which I enjoyed watching a few nights ago - but I'm sure that he would have approved of the film. 

Yea, that's 'Citizen Kane' by comparison, ha! Though, Franco's 'Count Dracula' (from the next year) is a very decent outing, much better than 'Scars'. See the DVD on YT.

'Scars' also gets pegged as the least of the Hammer-Dracula Series. It's probably the one most on TV back in the day. I guess I resented them not showing the two updated ones, always showing this one. It's a bit nastier than the rest too. 1969... what a year!

How about 'Taste the Blood of Dracula'? I think that's the underrated classic.

[vandermolen]

Yea, that's 'Citizen Kane' by comparison, ha! Though, Franco's 'Count Dracula' (from the next year) is a very decent outing, much better than 'Scars'. See the DVD on YT.

'Scars' also gets pegged as the least of the Hammer-Dracula Series. It's probably the one most on TV back in the day. I guess I resented them not showing the two updated ones, always showing this one. It's a bit nastier than the rest too. 1969... what a year!

How about 'Taste the Blood of Dracula'? I think that's the underrated classic.

Your'Citizen Kane' comment made me laugh. I used to love those Hammer films as well as the original Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein/Dracula films. Always had a soft spot for Christopher Lee as he was very kind to me when I spoke to him at a charity event when I was about twelve.

[snyprrr]

DOH! Just Deleted my thoughtful reply. Anyhow, here's Franco's wonderful The Bare-Breasted Countess, also known as 'The Swallowers'!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9INr3nq7K20

Don't enjoy too much, haha!!

[vandermolen]

DOH! Just Deleted my thoughtful reply. Anyhow, here's Franco's wonderful The Bare-Breasted Countess, also known as 'The Swallowers'!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9INr3nq7K20

Don't enjoy too much, haha!!

Looks like a great classic from the title sequence  Can't wait to get on to 'Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun' RIP.