José Ramón Larraz Gil (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.
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. 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.
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. His last few horror films were Spanish-American co-productions. He apparently retired from filmmaking in 1992 at age 63.
Death Larraz died, aged 84, in Málaga on 3 September 2013.
Filmography Year Title Notes 1970 Whirlpool Directorial debut as J R Larrath 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 1974 Emma, puertas oscuras Alternative title: Emma, Dark Doors. Credited as José R Larraz 1974 Symptoms Alternative title: Blood Virgin. Credited as Joseph Larraz 1974 Vampyres Alternative titles: Daughters of Dracula; Blood Hunger; Daughters of Darkness. Credited as Joseph Larraz 1977 El fin de la inocencia 1977 Luto riguroso 1977 El mirón 1978 The Coming of Sin Alternative title: The Violation of the Bitch 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 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 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 novelisation of 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
Sources
External links
Lambiek - info on Larraz career as a comics writer Obituary (Spanish)