El secreto del Dr. Orloff (1964)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Jesus Franco

Writers:

Jesus Franco (screenplay)
Jesus Franco (story)

Release Date:

1964 (Spain)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

A mad scientist creates a hideous monster to carry out his murderous plans. |

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Mad Scientist | Stripper | Female Nudity | Nudity

Cast

Hugo Blanco	...	Andros (as Hugh White)
Agnès Spaak	...	Melissa
Perla Cristal	...	Rosa
Marcelo Arroita-Jáuregui	...	Dr. Conrad Jekyll
Pepe Rubio	...	Juan Manuel (as José Rubio)
Pastor Serrador	...	Inspector Klein
Marta Reves
Daniel Blumer
Luisa Sala	...	Ingrid Fisherman
Manuel Guitián	...	Ciceron
Mer Casas
Rafael Hernández
José Truchado
Juan Antonio Soler
Javier de Rivera		(as Javier Rivera)

Also Known As:

Brides of Dr. Jekyll
Die Geliebten des Dr. Jekyll (Austria)
Dr. Jekyll's Mistresses (UK)
Dr. Orloff's Monster
El secreto del doctor Orloff
Les maîtresses du Docteur Jekyll (France)
Les maîtresses du Dr. Jekyll
The Mistresses of Dr. Jekyll (USA)
The Secret of Dr. Orloff (USA)

Runtime:

90 min | Spain:99 min

Country:

Spain | Austria | France

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:12 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16

Company:

Eurocineac

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Son of Svengoolie: Dr. Orloff's Monster (1964) (#1.100)" (1981)

Nice gothic horror movie with early touches of Jesus Franco's style

Although made on a shoestring budget and as a sequel to The Awfull Dr. Orloff, this is a very enjoyable flick and a fine example of early Southern European horror. It's actually better than it's predecessor.

The plot is not real important (it contains a zombie-like creature, a castle and a mad scientist). What makes this movie is the mood, the often beautiful camera-angles, the art direction and the hints of later Franco movies.

For example, there's several scenes with women performing, often in erotic scenes, with men watching - which is exactly the kind of voyeuristic cinema Franco would turn to in later years (Vampyros Lesbos, Demoniac).

There's - of course - quite some nudity, which must have been considered quite risque in 1964. And there's a small cameo for the director himself, as a pianist who seems to be blind.....

Also of interest is the use of electronic devices used to make the zombie a murderous weapon, they give a strange effect to the movie and reminded me of early 50's sci-fi B-movies.

All in all, recommended for Franco fans and b/w horrormovie fans. If you've never seen a Franco I suggest starting with Vampyros Lesbos or Female Vampire.