Jesús Franco
Directing
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
Directing210
moviePaula-Paula
2010
Director
Lascivia
2007
Director
movieMontes de Venus
2006
Director
movieSnakewoman
2005
Director
movieJess Franco's Passion
2005
Director
movieIncubus
2002
Director
movieVampire Junction
2001
Director
movieBlind Target
2000
Director
movieHelter Skelter
2000
Director
movieVampire Blues
1999
Director
movieDr. Wong's Virtual Hell
1999
Director
movieBroken Dolls
1999
Director
movieRed Silk
1999
Director
movieLust for Frankenstein
1998
Director
movieTender Flesh
1997
Director
movieVampire Killer Barbys
1996
Director
movieDowntown Heat
1994
Director
movieNight of the Eagles
1989
Director
movieEsmeralda Bay
1989
Director
movieFaceless
1988
Director
movieSlave of Crime
1987
Director
movieFalo Crest
1987
Director
movieTrapped Women
1987
Director
movieThong Girls
1987
Director
moviePhollastía
1987
Director
movieGolden Temple Amazons
1986
Director
movieAlone Against Terror
1986
Director
movieLulu's Talking Ass
1986
Director
movieFury in the Tropics
1986
Director
movieFly Story
1986
Director
movieGirl with the Red Lips
1986
Director
movieAngel of Death
1985
Director
movieWhite Jungle Slave
1985
Director
movieThe Sexual Story of O
1984
Director
movieA Crack for Two
1984
Director
movieLonely Road
1984
Director
movieBahia Blanca
1984
Director
movieMacumba Sexual
1983
Director
movieCries of Pleasure
1983
Director
movieThe House of Lost Women
1983
Director
movieCecilia
1983
Director
movieThe Night Of Open Sex
1983
Director
movieBlood on My Shoes
1983
Director
movieThe Blues of Pop Street
1983
Director
movieClaire
1983
Director
movieOasis of the Zombies
1982
Director
movieEl lago de las vírgenes
1982
Director
moviePick-Up Girls
1981
Director
movieJailhouse Wardress
1981
Director
movieLola 2000
1981
Director
movieThe Story of Linda
1981
Director
movieBloody Moon
1981
Director
movieSadomania
1981
Director
movieSex Is Crazy
1981
Director
movieDevil Hunter
1980
Director
movieWhite Cannibal Queen
1980
Director
movieErotic Symphony
1980
Director
movieWhat a Honeymoon
1980
Director
movieJustine and the Whip
1979
Director
movieConvoy of Girls
1979
Director
movieBurning Up Inside
1979
Director
movieThey Do Everything
1979
Director
movieCocktail spécial
1978
Director
movieWomen in Cellblock 9
1978
Director
movieWomen Without Innocence
1978
Director
movieLove Camp
1977
Director
movieSexy Sisters
1977
Director
movieBlue Rita
1977
Director
movieSlaves
1977
Director
movieKiss Me Killer
1977
Director
movieGreta, the Mad Butcher
1977
Director
movieSilence of the Grave
1976
Director
movieJack the Ripper
1976
Director
movieShining Sex
1976
Director
movieWhite Skin Black Thighs
1976
Director
movieThe Troublemakers
1976
Director
movieBarbed Wire Dolls
1976
Director
movieGolden Jail
1976
Director
movieMidnight Party
1976
Director
movieDoriana Grey
1976
Director
movieRolls-Royce Baby
1975
Director
movieCountess Perverse
1975
Director
movieDowntown
1975
Director
movieExorcism
1975
Director
movieThe Ticklish Ones
1975
Director
movieThe Hot Nights of Linda
1975
Director
movieSexy Erotic Job
1975
Director
movieA Virgin for St. Tropez
1975
Director
movieFemale Vampire
1975
Director
movieWomen Behind Bars
1975
Director
movieSexorcismes
1975
Director
movieLorna, the Exorcist
1974
Director
movieCelestine
1974
Director
movieNight of the Skull
1974
Director
movieHow to Seduce a Virgin
1974
Director
movieThe Greedy Ones
1974
Director
movieThe Lustful Amazons
1974
Director
movieDolls for Sale
1973
Director
movieEugenie de Sade
1973
Director
movieThe Demons
1973
Director
movieDaughter of Dracula
1972
Director
movieSex Charade
1972
Director
movieVirgin Report
1972
Director
movieShe Killed in Ecstasy
1971
Director
movieX312 - Flight to Hell
1971
Director
movieVampyros Lesbos
1971
Director
movieCount Dracula
1970
Director
movieEugenie
1970
Director
movieThe Bloody Judge
1970
Director
movieVenus in Furs
1969
Director
movieThe Castle of Fu Manchu
1969
Director
movieTwo Undercover Angels
1969
Director
movieKiss Me Monster
1969
Director
movieThe Girl from Rio
1969
Director
movie99 Women
1969
Director
movieA Man, Eight Girls
1968
Director
movieThe Blood of Fu Manchu
1968
Director
movieSuccubus
1968
Director
movieResidence for Spies
1968
Director
movieLucky, the Inscrutable
1967
Director
movieThe Diabolical Dr. Z
1966
Director
movieAttack of the Robots
1966
Director
movieChimes at Midnight
1965
Second Unit Director
movieDr. Orloff's Monster
1965
Director
movieRififi in the City
1964
Director
movieJaguar
1963
Director
movieThe Awful Dr. Orlof
1962
Director
movieVampiresas 1930
1962
Director
movieRed Lips
1960
Director
Estampas guipuzcoanas número 2: Pío Baroja
1960
Director
movieWe Are 18 Years Old
1959
Director
Oro español
1959
Director
movieHistorias de Madrid
1958
Assistant Director
movieFulano y Mengano
1957
Assistant Director
movieEl hombre que viajaba despacito
1957
Assistant Director
movieThe Tree from Spain
1957
Director
movieThe Coyote's Justice
1956
Assistant Director
movieDeath of a Cyclist
1955
Assistant Director
movieThe Coyote
1955
Assistant Director
movieMerry Christmas
1954
Assistant Director
movieComedians
1954
Script Supervisor
Juliette
Director
movieShining Sex
Director
Writing171
moviePaula-Paula
2010
Screenplay, Dialogue
movieA Bad Day at the Cemetery
2008
Screenplay
movieSnakewoman
2005
Writer
movieKiller Barbys vs. Dracula
2002
Screenplay, Story
movieIncubus
2002
Writer
movieHelter Skelter
2000
Writer
movieVampire Blues
1999
Screenplay
movieRed Silk
1999
Screenplay
movieBroken Dolls
1999
Writer
movieLust for Frankenstein
1998
Screenplay
movieTender Flesh
1997
Screenplay
movieDowntown Heat
1994
Screenplay
movieDon Quixote
1992
Dialogue
movieNight of the Eagles
1989
Screenplay
movieEsmeralda Bay
1989
Writer
movieFaceless
1988
Writer
movieSlave of Crime
1987
Screenplay
movieFalo Crest
1987
Writer
movieTrapped Women
1987
Screenplay
movieThong Girls
1987
Writer, Screenplay
moviePhollastía
1987
Story
moviePara las nenas, leche calentita
1986
Screenplay, Story
movieAlone Against Terror
1986
Screenplay
movieEntre pitos anda el juego
1986
Screenplay
movieLulu's Talking Ass
1986
Story, Screenplay
movieGirl with the Red Lips
1986
Screenplay
movieAngel of Death
1985
Screenplay
Un pito para tres
1985
Screenplay, Story
movieBangkok, City of the Dead
1985
Screenplay
movieThe Sexual Story of O
1984
Screenplay
movieA Crack for Two
1984
Screenplay
movieLilian, the Perverted Virgin
1984
Screenplay
movieThe Sinister Doctor Orloff
1984
Screenplay
movieLonely Road
1984
Writer
movieBahia Blanca
1984
Writer, Screenplay, Story
movieMacumba Sexual
1983
Screenplay, Story
movieThe Hotel of Love Affairs
1983
Screenplay
movieThe House of Lost Women
1983
Screenplay
movieDiamonds of Kilimandjaro
1983
Screenplay
movieCecilia
1983
Writer
movieRevenge in the House of Usher
1983
Screenplay
movieThe Night Of Open Sex
1983
Novel, Adaptation
Voces de muerte
1983
Screenplay
movieBlood on My Shoes
1983
Screenplay
movieThe Blues of Pop Street
1983
Screenplay
movieEn busca del dragón dorado
1983
Screenplay
movieMansion of the Living Dead
1982
Screenplay, Novel
movieOasis of the Zombies
1982
Screenplay
moviePick-Up Girls
1981
Screenplay
movieZombie Lake
1981
Writer
movieThe Girls of the Copacabana
1981
Screenplay, Story
movieSadomania
1981
Screenplay
movieSex Is Crazy
1981
Screenplay
movieDevil Hunter
1980
Screenplay
movieCannibal Terror
1980
Writer
movieTwo Female Spies with Flowered Panties
1980
Screenplay, Story
movieErotic Symphony
1980
Writer
movieWhat a Honeymoon
1980
Screenplay
movieConvoy of Girls
1979
Writer
movieWomen in Cellblock 9
1978
Screenplay
movieBlue Rita
1977
Writer
movieKiss Me Killer
1977
Writer
movieSilence of the Grave
1976
Screenplay
movieJack the Ripper
1976
Screenplay
movieShining Sex
1976
Story
movieWhite Skin Black Thighs
1976
Screenplay
movieThe Troublemakers
1976
Screenplay
movieMidnight Party
1976
Writer
movieDoriana Grey
1976
Writer
movieDowntown
1975
Writer
movieExorcism
1975
Screenplay
movieThe Hot Nights of Linda
1975
Screenplay, Story
movieFemale Vampire
1975
Writer
movieSexorcismes
1975
Adaptation, Dialogue, Writer
movieCelestine
1974
Writer
movieNight of the Skull
1974
Screenplay
movieThe House of the Lost Dolls
1974
Screenplay
movieThe Greedy Ones
1974
Screenplay
movieThe Lustful Amazons
1974
Screenplay
movieLovers of Devil's Island
1973
Screenplay, Story
movieThe Other Side of the Mirror
1973
Screenplay
movieSinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
1973
Scenario Writer
movieThe Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
1973
Screenplay, Story
movieEugenie de Sade
1973
Writer
movieThe Demons
1973
Writer
movieThe Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
1973
Screenplay
movieThe Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
1972
Screenplay
movieDracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
1972
Story, Screenplay
movieThe Corpse Packs His Bags
1972
Screenplay
movieSex Charade
1972
Screenplay
movieX312 - Flight to Hell
1971
Screenplay
movieVampyros Lesbos
1971
Screenplay
movieCount Dracula
1970
Screenplay
movieThe Bloody Judge
1970
Adaptation
movieVenus in Furs
1969
Writer, Story
movieTwo Undercover Angels
1969
Screenplay
movieKiss Me Monster
1969
Idea, Screenplay
movie99 Women
1969
Story, Screenplay
movieThe Blood of Fu Manchu
1968
Story, Screenplay
movieLucky, the Inscrutable
1967
Screenplay
movieThe Diabolical Dr. Z
1966
Screenplay
movieAttack of the Robots
1966
Screenplay
movieDr. Orloff's Monster
1965
Screenplay, Dialogue
movieDeath Whistles the Blues
1964
Screenplay
movieJaguar
1963
Story
movieZorro the Avenger
1962
Screenplay, Story
movieThe Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
1962
Screenplay, Story
movieThe Awful Dr. Orlof
1962
Story, Screenplay
movieVampiresas 1930
1962
Screenplay
movieAma Rosa
1960
Writer
movieRed Lips
1960
Screenplay
Oro español
1959
Screenplay
movieFulano y Mengano
1957
Screenplay
movieThe Tree from Spain
1957
Screenplay
movieThe Coyote's Justice
1956
Screenstory, Screenplay, Dialogue, Adaptation, Lyricist
movieThe Coyote
1955
Adaptation, Dialogue, Lyricist, Screenplay
Acting130
movieExorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada “S”
2024
Self - Archive footage
movieInferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess
2021
Self (archive footage)
movieWild Session
2019
Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
movieDrácula Barcelona
2017
Himself
movieSoledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert
2015
Himself (archive footage)
movieCall Me Jess Redux
2014
Himself
movieClawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror
2014
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Falks Frauen
2014
(archive footage)
movieAl Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
2013
The Director
movieDebris Documentar
2012
Himself
tvMartes de Carnaval
2009
Don Manolito
movieCoffins of Light
2009
himself
movieEllos robaron la picha de Hitler
2008
Padre del Dr. Weissman
movieJesús in Furs
2005
Himself
movieRed Venice
2003
Jess Franco
Antena Criminal: Making a Jess Franco Movie
2002
Himself
movieCall Him Jess
2000
Himself
tvEurotika!
1999
Self
movieVampire Blues
1999
The Merchant
movieDr. Wong's Virtual Hell
1999
Dr. James Wong
movieEsmeralda Bay
1989
Boat Captain
movieFlesh-Eating Mothers
1988
Policeman
movieGirl with the Red Lips
1986
Professor Karame
movieTrip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
1985
Rose Hotel's recepcionist (uncredited)
movieNight Has a Thousand Desires
1984
Psychiatrist (uncredited)
movieLonely Road
1984
Doctor Callman
movieBahia Blanca
1984
The Miseries (uncredited)
movieMacumba Sexual
1983
Recepcionist
movieBlack Boots, Leather Whip
1983
Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
movieBlood on My Shoes
1983
Abductor
movieThe Blues of Pop Street
1983
Sam Chesterfield
movieEn busca del dragón dorado
1983
Blind Old Man
movieJailhouse Wardress
1981
Uncle Jess
movieSadomania
1981
Lucas
movieBloody Moon
1981
Doctor (uncredited)
movieSex Is Crazy
1981
Film Director
movieWhite Cannibal Queen
1980
Mr. Martin
movieWhat a Honeymoon
1980
Dying Man (uncredited)
movieJustine and the Whip
1979
Strange Guy
movieThe Sadist of Notre Dame
1979
Mathis Vogel
movieSlaves
1977
Radeck's Assistant
movieKiss Me Killer
1977
Marcel
movieGreta, the Mad Butcher
1977
Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
movieShining Sex
1976
Dr. Seward
movieWhite Skin Black Thighs
1976
Graf Anastasio
movieBarbed Wire Dolls
1976
Maria's Father (uncredited)
movieMidnight Party
1976
Janos Radeck
movieDowntown
1975
Al Pereira
movieExorcism
1975
Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue
movieThe Hot Nights of Linda
1975
Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
movieFemale Vampire
1975
Dr. Roberts
movieSexorcismes
1975
Mathis Vogel
movieLorna, the Exorcist
1974
Doctor (uncredited)
movieCelestine
1974
Sleeping Man
movieThe Other Side of the Mirror
1973
Roger (uncredited)
movieSinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
1973
Inspecteur Hernandez
movieEugenie de Sade
1973
Attila Tanner
movieThe Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
1973
Lord Comfort (uncredited)
movieThe Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
1972
Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
movieDaughter of Dracula
1972
Cyril Jefferson
movieShe Killed in Ecstasy
1971
Dr. Donen
movieX312 - Flight to Hell
1971
Man at John Somers'
movieVampyros Lesbos
1971
Memmet
movieThe Devil Came from Akasava
1971
Tino Celli
movieCount Dracula
1970
Van Helsing's servant (uncredited)
movieEugenie
1970
Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
movieVenus in Furs
1969
Jazz Musician (uncredited)
movieThe Castle of Fu Manchu
1969
Insp. Ahmet
movieKiss Me Monster
1969
Abilene's Contact Man (uncredited)
movieTwo Undercover Angels
1969
Napoleon Bolivard
movieThe Girl from Rio
1969
Guitar Player
movie99 Women
1969
Official (uncredited)
movieSuccubus
1968
Writer
movieResidence for Spies
1968
Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
movieLucky, the Inscrutable
1967
Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista
movieThe Diabolical Dr. Z
1966
Inspector Tanner
movieAttack of the Robots
1966
Piano Player / Pianist (uncredited)
movieDr. Orloff's Monster
1965
Piano Player
movieStrange Voyage
1964
Don Venancio
movieDeath Whistles the Blues
1964
Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited)
movieThe Awful Dr. Orlof
1962
Pianist (uncredited)
movieAnna Said Yes
1958
Pianista (uncredited)
movieAround the World in 80 Days
1956
Extra (uncredited)
Sound59
movieLa cripta de las condenadas
2012
Original Music Composer
movieSnakewoman
2005
Original Music Composer
movieKiller Barbys vs. Dracula
2002
Original Music Composer
movieVampire Junction
2001
Original Music Composer
movieBlind Target
2000
Original Music Composer
movieHelter Skelter
2000
Original Music Composer
movieVampire Blues
1999
Original Music Composer
movieDr. Wong's Virtual Hell
1999
Original Music Composer
movieMari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
1998
Original Music Composer
movieTender Flesh
1997
Original Music Composer
movieEl abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
1992
Original Music Composer
movieSlave of Crime
1987
Original Music Composer
moviePara las nenas, leche calentita
1986
Original Music Composer
movieAlone Against Terror
1986
Original Music Composer
movieEntre pitos anda el juego
1986
Original Music Composer
movieLulu's Talking Ass
1986
Original Music Composer
movieFury in the Tropics
1986
Original Music Composer
movieGirl with the Red Lips
1986
Original Music Composer
movieBangkok, City of the Dead
1985
Original Music Composer
movieJudoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
1985
Original Music Composer
movieA Crack for Two
1984
Original Music Composer
movieThe Hotel of Love Affairs
1983
Original Music Composer
movieDiamonds of Kilimandjaro
1983
Original Music Composer
movieRevenge in the House of Usher
1983
Original Music Composer
movieBlood on My Shoes
1983
Original Music Composer
movieThe Blues of Pop Street
1983
Original Music Composer
movieEn busca del dragón dorado
1983
Original Music Composer
movieMansion of the Living Dead
1982
Original Music Composer
movieOasis of the Zombies
1982
Original Music Composer
movieEl lago de las vírgenes
1982
Original Music Composer
El huésped de la niebla
1982
Original Music Composer
moviePick-Up Girls
1981
Original Music Composer
movieSadomania
1981
Music
movieSex Is Crazy
1981
Original Music Composer
movieDevil Hunter
1980
Original Music Composer
movieTwo Female Spies with Flowered Panties
1980
Original Music Composer
movieWhat a Honeymoon
1980
Original Music Composer
movieThe Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
1972
Original Music Composer
movieVampyros Lesbos
1971
Original Music Composer
movieWe Are 18 Years Old
1959
Original Music Composer
Oro español
1959
Original Music Composer
movieThe Tree from Spain
1957
Original Music Composer
movieComedians
1954
Original Music Composer
Editing30
moviePaula-Paula
2010
Editor
movieDon Quixote
1992
Editor, Supervising Film Editor
movieSlave of Crime
1987
Editor
movieTrapped Women
1987
Editor
movieThong Girls
1987
Editor
moviePick-Up Girls
1981
Editor
movieSadomania
1981
Editor
movieFemale Vampire
1975
Editor
Production23
movieLust for Frankenstein
1998
Producer
movieTender Flesh
1997
Executive Producer
movieDowntown Heat
1994
Producer
Jungle of Fear
1993
Executive Producer
movieEsmeralda Bay
1989
Producer
movieGolden Temple Amazons
1986
Producer
movieThe Sexual Story of O
1984
Producer
movieBahia Blanca
1984
Producer
movieCecilia
1983
Producer
movieSilence of the Grave
1976
Producer
movie55 Days at Peking
1963
Assistant Production Manager
movieAnna Said Yes
1958
Delegated Producer
Camera20
moviePaula-Paula
2010
Director of Photography
moviePhollastía
1987
Director of Photography
Las chuponas
1986
Director of Photography
movieFury in the Tropics
1986
Director of Photography
movieThe Last from Philippines
1986
Director of Photography
movieGirl with the Red Lips
1986
Director of Photography
movieNight Has a Thousand Desires
1984
Director of Photography
movieLonely Road
1984
Director of Photography
movieMacumba Sexual
1983
Director of Photography
movieDiamonds of Kilimandjaro
1983
Director of Photography
movieThe Night Of Open Sex
1983
Director of Photography
movieThe Blues of Pop Street
1983
Director of Photography
movieMansion of the Living Dead
1982
Director of Photography
El huésped de la niebla
1982
Director of Photography
movieWhite Skin Black Thighs
1976
Director of Photography
movieBarbed Wire Dolls
1976
Director of Photography
movieDowntown
1975
Director of Photography
movieFemale Vampire
1975
Director of Photography
movieWomen Behind Bars
1975
Director of Photography
movieCelestine
1974
Director of Photography
Crew6
moviePaula-Paula
2010
Special Effects
Take-Away Spirit
2009
Additional Dialogue
movieMondo Weirdo
1990
Thanks
movieFalo Crest
1987
Cinematography
movieJustine and the Whip
1979
Cinematography
movieChimes at Midnight
1965
Second Unit
Art2
movieNight of the Eagles
1989
Art Direction
movieCries of Pleasure
1983
Art Direction
Costume & Make-Up2
movie¡Biba la banda!
1987
Costumer
movieVampyros Lesbos
1971
Special Effects Makeup Artist