DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER (Jess Franco, 1964) Redemption Films Blu-ray On screen title: LES MAITRESSES DU DR. JEKYLL/1964/B&W/84m/1920X1080p (1.66.1)I noticed some details in this HD upgrade I hadn't noticed over the course of many viewings, in particular the rough textured, cracked, dry skin of Andros mentioned by Tim Lucas in the very informative commentary. The exotic-erotic dance performances in the special features folder are full strength Euro-trashy, more Eurocine than Jess Franco. It fails the Howard Hawks test of a good film--three good scenes, no bad scenes (there are a number of very bad scenes)-- but it's very much worth seeing as a progress report. The main problem I have with the film itself is the beefy Spanish actor who plays Dr. Fisherman/Jekyll, he's just a very bland performer and adds an unwelcome note of unintentional absurdity which breaks the somber mood. A horror film is as good as its villain and this has one of Franco's most uninteresting villains. The Blu-ray presents a rather rough looking, incomplete print, with noticeable scratches and marks throughout, but the enhanced detail, commentary, corrected framing and additional footage make it a worthwhile purchase. Print/transfer/video & audio: C+, Bonus material: C+; Film: B minus. The fact that it is missing an insert seen in some previous releases is the big minus and collectors may want to hold onto the IMAGE DVD release of this title which does contain that footage.*Directed by Jess Franco (Jess Franck) Produced by Marius Lesoeru (Eurocine, Paris; Spain) Cast: Agnes Spaak, Marcelo Arriota- Jauregui, Hugo Blanco, Pastor Serrador, Perla Cristal, Pepe Rubio, Magda Moldonado, Miguel Madrid France/Spain 1964 B&W 84 Min. 1920x1080p (1.66:1) A French soundtrack with optional English subtitles English language soundtrack Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas Eleven minutes of alternate, erotic footage. French, Italian theatrical trailersBelow: alternate scene included in the French version featuring a different actress as the first victim of Andros, who is also portrayed by a body double. This scene is not in EL SECRETO DEL DOCTOR ORLOFF, the Spanish version, where the fully clothed victim is strangled as she sits at a bar in a jazz club and it is not present in the English language export version, DR. ORLOFFS MONSTER, which was distributed as a television version and released on VHS by Something Weird Video. Obviously, this was inserted at the behest of French co-producer Eurocine and likely filmed by Jess Franco himself. An example of spicing up a film for a specific market. Image may contain: one or more people and indoor* It should be noted that there are at least four separate versions of this title, including the Spanish language EL SECRETO DEL DR. ORLOFF which contains footage exclusive to this edit, including an alternate opening credits sequence, with Spanish titles, under which Dr. Fisherman is shown entering and walking through the house of Dr. Orloff as he prepares for their meeting. This footage is not in any other released version. DOCTOR ORLOFF'S MONSTER, the US television cut, opens with a still shot of a footbridge outside of the Orloff mansion over which the credits role (Directed by "John Frank"). It also does not include two "nudie-roughie" style murder sequences added for the French release. The French version just presents the opening credits in French over a graphic background. There are two inserted scenes, shot later by Franco at the request of Eurocine, which feature alternate murder footage not seen in the Spanish or US versions. One of these additional sequences is not included on the Blu-ray, either as part of the film or in the eleven minutes of alternate, more sexually explicit, footage. Some versions, including the one broadcast in Australia by SBS and the IMAGE DVD, have another complete murder sequence where Jess Franco appears playing a piano just before Andros (an obvious double) conducts another home-invasion murder of a woman taking a bath. Why this isn't included on the Blu-ray is anyone's guess, but it may not have been provided by the right's holder. It may be a technical issue. This insert was obviously filmed by Franco since he appears in the scene, he also appears as a different nightclub piano player in another unrelated scene. This HD release is also more accurately framed at 1.66:1 than the IMAGE DVD, which appears to be window-boxed, losing image on all four sides. Reviewed by Robert Monell, 2017

Saw via DVD 7/23/17. One of Franco's best works, in a class with the best of Mario Bava or Dario Argento. The film is his distinctly personal take on the myth of the animated (or re-animated) as homunculus (cf. Caligari, Golem, Frankenstein). The movie achieves strong pathos when the young heiress encounters the monster, a Freudian moment combining the beauty of Agnes Spaak with the terror of a vintage Lon Chaney reveal. The cinematic technique is assured, with especially masterful use of lighting and camera angles. The black and white photography is as visually striking as Franco's Eastmancolor "Vampyros Lesbos" (1971). Anticipates Lynch while looking back at Franju's "Eyes Without A Face"(1959) with maybe some Antonioni thrown in here and there – who knows? As in the other Franco movies I've enjoyed, great soundtrack and music, with the master himself in a keyboard cameo in a jazz dive. Essential film for Francophiles, but maybe also a good starter work for viewers simply wanting a break from Bunuel (yes, they met, according to this website).

The incredibly prolific Spanish Exploitation deity Jess Franco made his greatest films in the early days of his impressive career, and the series of 'Dr. Orloff' films are arguably his most essential creation. My choice for Franco's most brilliant achievements are the 1962 original "Gritos En La Noche" ("The Awful Dr. Orloff") and the 1966 second sequel, "Miss Muerte" ("The Diabolical Dr. Z."). While this first 'Orloff' sequel, "El Segreto Del Dr. Orloff" (aka. "The Secret of Dr. Orloff" / "Dr. Orloff's Monster" / "Dr. Jeckyll's Mistresses") of 1964 isn't nearly as good as the two aforementioned films it is yet another wonderfully atmospheric and macabre mad-science-themed Gothic gem, that no Franco fan could possibly afford to miss. Sadly, this film doesn't star Franco's Nr. 1 leading man Howard Vernon, but the full-bearded Marcelo Arroita-Jáuregui, who also had a role in "Miss Muerte", also does fine in the role of the mad scientist Dr. Conrad Fisherman (credited as Dr. Conrad Jeckyll on IMDb).***SPOILERS!*** "El Segreto Del Dr. Orloff" is set in my home country Austria. The beautiful orphaned girl Melissa (Agnès Spaak) is visiting her scientist uncle Dr. Conrad Jeckyll (Marcelo Arroita-Jáuregui) and his drunk wife Ingrid (Luisa Sala) in their eerie castle over the Christmas holidays. Along with his mentor Dr. Orloff, Dr. Fisherman has been developing a manner of how to control the minds of animals and human beings with the help of sound. What young Melissa does not know, is that her mad uncle keeps her late father (whom he once murdered for having an affair with his, then beautiful, wife) as a zombie slave. Using the mind-control methods developed by Dr. Orloff and himself, the mad scientist forces his late brother to strangle a bunch of strippers, prostitutes and other sexy women... Luckily for Melissa, she isn't quite alone in this dangerous situation since a lovesick fellow student, the Spaniard Juan Manuel (Pepe Rubio), has followed the young beauty to the small village...The eerie castle setting and Franco's wonderfully atmospheric black and white cinematography give "The Secret of Dr. Orloff" a wonderfully uncanny mood. The film is creepy and macabre, and, as the other 'Orloff' films it is a milestone in European Exploitation/Sleaze-Horror. Many of the sexy female cast members get topless and even naked, which was definitely not the standard in the first half of the 60s. As the other "Orloff" films, the film also includes some sadistic perversions, which, again wasn't quite the standard (though it began to be around the time). As fun this film is to watch, one has to say that it isn't entirely flawless. "The Secret of Dr. Orloff" often doesn't make sense. Unlike "The Awful Dr. Orloff" and "The Diabolical Dr. Z", for example, this film doesn't give us a reason why its villain commits his evil deeds. For one reason or another, Dr. Fisherman uses his zombie slave brother to kill seductive beauties. But for what reason? It cannot be for scientific reasons, because they don't keep the bodies. And if it was out of sadistic perversions, wouldn't he want to be present during the killings? These inconsistencies are in no way lessening the fun, however. "El Segreto Del Dr. Orloff" isn't Jess Franco's best film, but it is a nice example for the atmospheric films from his golden age. Recommended to my fellow fans of Eurohorror and Jess Franco in particular.

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.