José Ramón Larraz

José Ramón Larraz Gil[1] (1929 – 3 September 2013) was a Spanish director of exploitation and horror films such as the erotic and bloody Vampyres (1974), The House that Vanished (1973), Symptoms (1974), Black Candles (1982) and Rest in Pieces (1987) among others.[2][3]

José Ramón Larraz
Born
José Ramón Larraz Gil

1929
Barcelona, Spain
Died (aged 84)
Málaga, Spain
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, Film director and producer
Years active1970–2002

Biography

Early life

Born in Barcelona, Larraz earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree and moved to Paris in 1952, where he started his career as a comics writer for magazines like Pilote and Spirou.[4] His most known creation was the action-comic series "Paul Foran", which he wrote under the name "Gil" and also made some artistic contributions to.[5]

Career

Larraz moved to England, where he began making films, then in 1976 apparently relocated his operations back to Spain. He made many different types of films, but is best known for his horror films. Symptoms was an official British entry at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival.[6] His last few horror films were Spanish-American co-productions.[7] He apparently retired from filmmaking in 1992 at age 63.[8]

Death

Larraz died, aged 84, in Málaga on 3 September 2013.[9]

Filmography
Year Title Notes Ref.
1970 Whirlpool Directorial debut as J R Larrath [10]
1971 Deviation Credited as J R Larrath
1973 La muerte incierta Credited as José R Larraz
1973 The House That Vanished Alternative titles: Scream and Die; Don't Go in the Bedroom. Credited as Joseph Larraz [11]
1974 Emma, puertas oscuras Alternative title: Emma, Dark Doors. Credited as José R Larraz
1974 Symptoms Alternative title: Blood Virgin. Credited as Joseph Larraz [12]
1974 Vampyres Alternative titles: Daughters of Dracula; Blood Hunger; Daughters of Darkness. Credited as Joseph Larraz [13]
1977 El fin de la inocencia
1977 Luto riguroso
1977 El mirón
1978 The Coming of Sin Alternative title: The Violation of the Bitch [7]
1978 La ocasión
1979 El periscopio
1979 Polvos mágicos Alternative title: Lady Lucifera
1979 The Golden Lady
1980 Estigma Alternative title: Stigma
1981 Madame Olga's Pupils Credited as Joseph L Bronstein
1981 La momia nacional Alternative title: The National Mummy
1982 Black Candles Alternative titles: Sex Rites of the Devil; Los ritos sexuales del diablo. Credited as Joseph Braunstein [7]
1983 Juana la loca ... de vez en cuando
1985 Goya TV mini-series in 6 episodes
1987 Rest in Pieces Credited as Joseph Braunstein
1988 Edge of the Axe Credited as Joseph Braunstein [7]
1990 Deadly Manor Alternative title: Savage Lust. Credited as Joseph Larraz
1992 Sevilla Connection
2002 Viento del pueblo TV mini-series in 2 episodes

Further reading
  • The book Immoral Tales: European Sex & Horror Movies 1956-1984 (1994) by Cathal Tohill and Pete Tombs dedicates a chapter to him.
  • The paperback film novelisation Vampyres (FAB Press, 2001) by Tim Greaves.
  • Vampyres: A Tribute to the Ultimate in Erotic Horror Cinema (1996) by Tim Greaves is devoted entirely to the making of the film, filled with interview material, reviews and a treasure trove of photos.

References
  1. DigitalCavalry (3 September 2013). "Fallece el realizador José Ramón Larraz. - TumbaAbierta.com. El portal del entretenimiento en el género fantástico".
  2. "José R. Larraz". BFI. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016.
  3. "Vampyres (1974) - José Larraz - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. Cooper 2016, pp. 162–163.
  5. "José Larraz - Lambiek Comiclopedia".
  6. "10 great overlooked British horror films of the 1970s". British Film Institute.
  7. Cooper 2016, p. 167.
  8. "Sensuality Oozing Through the Walls_ The Domestic Dramas of José Ramón Larraz". Diabolique Magazine.
  9. "R.I.P. José Ramón Larraz 1929-2013". Starburst. 3 September 2013.
  10. Kelly, Kevin (19 September 1970). "Film 'Whirlpool' offers assorted vulgarities". The Boston Globe. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Craig 2019, pp. 201–202.
  12. Smith 2006, p. 205.
  13. Smith 2006, p. 227.

Sources
  • Cooper, Ian (2016). Frightmares: A History of British Horror Cinema. New York City, New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-993-07174-4.
  • Craig, Rob (2019). American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-66631-0.
  • Smith, Gary A. (2006). Uneasy Dreams: The Golden Age of British Horror Films, 1956–1976. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-60530-2.


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