The Diabolical Dr. Z

Jesús Franco is a director who doesn’t enjoy a good reputation among accredited critics. Accused of being too prolific, producing unsophisticated work, and churning out repetitive, simplistic plots, he still manages to satisfy even his detractors on those occasions when he successfully avoids banality by imposing a unique stylistic approach.

This is one of those films that transcend their genre, becoming an expression of pure cinematic atmosphere. Although depicting scientists who are more or less mad, laboratories cluttered with improbable and terrifying instruments, characters with deformed faces and disturbed minds, and beguiling women ready to transform into vampires thirsty for sex and death, Franco recognizes the power of suggestion inherent in lighting and set design. In his finest works – as is the case with this film – sets, cinematography and innuendo are more important than the story itself.

Beyond the ubiquitous Howard Vernon (in the role of Dr. Vicas, one of Zimmer’s ardent critics), the cast is notable for: Mabel Karr (stage name of Mabel Campolongo Jaime who was married to Spanish actor Fernando Rey) as Irma, a role originally conceived for actress Ana Castor; French singer/actress Estella Blain (as Nadia/”Miss Death”), who died tragically on New Year’s Day 1982; and Franco himself in the (uncredited) role of Inspector Tanner, a character who also appears in “The Awful Dr. Orloff” (portrayed in that film by Conrado San Martín).