Miss Muerte (1966)

Director:

Jesus Franco

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière (screenplay)
Jean-Claude Carrière (story)

Release Date:

15 February 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Horror

Plot:

Woman seeks to avenge her father's death by using a local dancer, with long poisonous fingernails, to do her bidding. |

Plot Keywords:

Dead Woman Dragged | Hypodermic Needle | Dead Woman Carried | Sequel | Plastic Surgery

Cast

Antonio Jiménez Escribano	...	Dr. Zimmer
Guy Mairesse	...	Hans Bergen
Howard Vernon	...	Dr. Vicas
Mabel Karr	...	Irma Zimmer
Fernando Montes	...	Dr. Phillippe Brighthouse
Estella Blain	...	Nadja / Miss Muerte
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marcelo Arroita-Jáuregui
Alberto Bourbón
Ana Castor	...	Barbara, Dr. Zimmer's Assistant
Alberto Dalbés
Jesus Franco
Cris Huerta
José María Prada
Lucía Prado
Daniel White	...	Inspector Green

Also Known As:

The Diabolical Dr. Z (International: English title) (USA)
Dans les griffes du maniaque (France)
Le diabolique docteur Z (France)
Miss Death
Miss Death and Dr. Z in the Grip of the Maniac

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

Spain | France

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated (DVD rating)

Company:

Ciné-Alliance

Movie Connections:

Edited into Mad Ron's Prevues from Hell (1987) (V)

...and to think I've been hailing 'Vampyros Lesbos' as Franco's best

Jess Franco is easily one of the most prolific directors in all cinema. To date he has 181 film directing credits to his name and almost as many aliases. It's quite obvious to me that when the man gets an idea in his head it's going on film no matter what! Some of these ideas work well and some don't, but regardless they're always shot with a passion and with a style that only Franco can produce.

'The Diabolical Doctor Z' is a rather early film from Franco and was shot in very effective black and white. The story actually doesn't have much to do with the good doctor, but more so instead with his twice as diabolical daughter who has revenge on her mind and is willing to use crazy robotics, poisoned fingernails, and a mind controlled exotic dancer to get it. Nice performances all the way around the board.

I'm no Franco expert, but of all his films that I've seen this is easily his most stylistic and atmospheric. There's one scene midway through where a man is being stalked while walking through a foggy street that's just shot so well and so effectively I'll never ever get it out of my mind (and I'd never want to). Absolutely beautiful! By the way, Mondo Macabre did a fantastic job with the transfer on the DVD. It couldn't look better if it was shot today.

This is a film that no Franco fan or anyone interested in his films should miss. This one has it all and so much more. I highly recommend it!