Küß mich, Monster (1969)

User Rating:

3.7/10   

Director:

Jesus Franco

Writers:

Karl Heinz Mannchen (story)
Jesus Franco (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

March 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

How to Create an Army of Young Lovers

Plot Keywords:

Whipping | Nude Wearing Glasses | Nudity | Striptease | Female Detective

Cast

Janine Reynaud	...	Diana
Rosanna Yanni	...	Regina (as Rossana Yanni)
Adrian Hoven	...	Eric Vicas
Chris Howland	...	Francis McClune
Michel Lemoine	...	Jacques Maurier
Ana Casares	...	Linda
Manuel Velasco	...	Andy
Marta Reves	...	Irina
Barta Barri	...	Inspektor Kramer
Manolo Otero	...	Dimitri
María Antonia Redondo	...	Bulumba
Jesus Franco	...	Abilene's Contact Man
Dorit Dom	...	Anita (as Maria Dom)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fernando de Rojas
Carlos Mendy
Gregorio de Mora	...	Andros
Nélida Quiroga
Caroline Rivière

Directed by
Jesus Franco

Writing credits
Karl Heinz Mannchen		(story)
Jesus Franco		(screenplay)
Luis Revenga		uncredited

Produced by
Pier A. Caminnecci	....	associate producer
Adrian Hoven	....	producer
José López Moreno	....	producer

Original Music by
Jerry van Rooyen

Cinematography by
Jorge Herrero
Franz Hofer

Film Editing by
Francisco García Velázquez
María Luisa Soriano		(as Maruja Soriano)

Art Direction by
Graf Pilati

Set Decoration by
Carlos Viudes

Production Management
Karl Heinz Mannchen	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Francisco Lara Polop	....	assistant director

Music Department
Daniel White	....	composer: additional music (uncredited in German version)

Production Companies

• Aquila Film Enterprises
• Films Montana

Distributors

• Joseph Green Pictures (1975) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Blue Underground (2006) (USA) (DVD) (on "Red Lips Double Feature")
• Distribuidora Cinematográfica del Centro (DISCENTRO) (Spain)
• Ismael González Díaz (Spain)

Also Known As:

Bésame monstruo (Spain)
Castle of the Doomed
Kiss Me, Monster (USA)

Runtime:

Spain:87 min | USA:75 min

Country:

Spain | West Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M (1995 VHS release) | USA:R | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2005)

Filming Locations:

Archena, Murcia, Spain

Company:

Aquila Film Enterprises

Movie Connections:

Follows Rote Lippen, Sadisterotica (1969)

lesbian spies, a mad scientist make for 60's Euro-sleaze

When one of the first scene of a film contains the line, "Well, let me tell you the story about what happened," you know that you're in for a classic. This is that kind of classic. KISS ME MONSTER is a short, sometimes dull, and always sleazy film that makes you wish there were still drive-ins. How else could this have made it into theaters, except for maybe a few grindhouses.

KISS ME MONSTER is a hodge-podge of cliches, lots of red herrings, and a plot that is practically indescribable. In fact, I'm not sure if there really is a plot, just a series of scenes that are excuses to show the two female leads in different stages of undress. The dialogue is ridiculous (to be fair, this may be the fault of the below-par dubbing), and the characters are mostly unlikable.

But, in its own cynical yet silly way, the film has its charms. The blonde lead is very attractive, and she gives karate-chops, too. Plus, Jesus Franco, as cheap a director as he is, usually accomplishes come good photography. Plus, some of the jazz on the soundtrack is pretty good.

I liked KISS ME MONSTER, but for all the wrong reasons. I laughed out-loud so many times, I kept wondering if it was supposed to be funny. Alas, I don't think so. If anyone can explain how the plot leads to the island with the mad scientist, please let me know. Because I was scratching my head the whole time...