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).[2][3]

José Ramón Larraz
Born
José Ramón Larraz Gil

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

Biography

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]

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.

Death

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

Selected filmography

As writer and director
Year Title Notes Ref.
1970 Whirlpool
1971 Deviation
1972 Watch Out Gringo! Sabata Will Return
1973 The House That Vanished Alternate titles: Scream and Die, Don't Go in the Bedroom [8]
1974 Emma, Dark Doors
1974 Symptoms Alternate title: Blood Virgin [9]
1974 Vampyres Alternate titles: Daughters of Dracula, Blood Hunger [10]
1978 The Violation of the Bitch Alternate title: The Coming of Sin [7]
1979 The Golden Lady
1979 El Periscopio
1980 Polvos mágicos Alternate title: Lady Lucifera
1980 Stigma
1981 The National Mummy
1982 Black Candles Alternate title: Sex Rites of the Devil (Spanish: Los ritos sexuales del diablo) [7]
1987 Rest in Pieces
1988 Edge of the Axe [7]
1990 Deadly Manor Alternate title: Savage Lust

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. "Fallece el realizador José Ramón Larraz. - TumbaAbierta.com. El portal del entretenimiento en el género fantástico".
  2. "José R. Larraz". BFI.
  3. "Vampyres (1974) - José Larraz - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. Cooper 2016, pp. 162–163.
  5. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/larraz_jose.htm
  6. "10 great overlooked British horror films of the 1970s". British Film Institute.
  7. Cooper 2016, p. 167.
  8. Craig 2019, pp. 201–202.
  9. Smith 2006, p. 205.
  10. 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.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Craig, Rob (2019). American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-66631-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • 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.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)


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