José Luis Merino
Biography
Jose Luis Merino (10 June 1927 – 2 July 2019) was a Spanish film writer and director who developed a cult following among horror film fans. He was born in 1927 in Madrid, Spain, as José Luis Merino Boves, and went on to direct around 30 films during his long and varied career as director and writer (1958–1990), most of them action/adventure films, crime dramas , spaghetti westerns, war movies and costume dramas involving Robin Hood, pirates, Zorro etc. He is known to horror film fans for the two horror movies he directed in the early 1970s: Orgy of the Dead ( aka The Hanging Woman ) and Scream of the Demon Lover (aka Ivanna ), which have both become cult classics over the years. Merino never considered himself a horror film director, he chose rather to favor his many action/adventure films. He died on July 2, 2019, at age 92.
Known For & Full Filmography9 Titles
Movie - 2004, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
This movie doesn't have any coherent plot. It's the portrait of the lives of different people in the hard years of post-war in Spain (the 40's), and how they manage to survive in a country desolated by the war. Like other films: La colmena or Roma (Fellini) it shows us lots of characters and some moments of their lives.
Movie - 1998, 2h 15m • as Camarero casino
After his son dies, an elderly man comes back to Spain from the US and hopes to find out which of his granddaughters is true, and which one is bastard.
Movie - 1981, 2h 15m • as Meri
Private detective Germán Areta el Piojo gets a terminally ill client who wishes to see his long lost, runaway daughter before he dies.
Movie - 1980, 2h 15m • as Camarero
Drama based on the true life of a group of middle class and members of the Communist Party of Spain, who were involved in clandestine political activities during the sixties.
Movie - 1983, 2h 15m • as Meri
Private detective Germán Areta el Piojo investigates the life of a gay man who has apparently abandoned his partner. When they both turn up dead, it seems one killed the other before committing suicide, but Areta is not convinced.
Movie - 1997, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Dr. Molinos, a prestigious cardiologist, and his wife Isabel are going through a serious marital crisis. They live in Oviedo, in the oppressive Spain of the 50s, in the company of two maids: Escolástica and Jovita. His only daughter, Maribel, entered a convent of nuns. The unexpected love felt by Dr. Molinos for Julia, a young doctor who is much younger than him, makes him feel alive again.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
José is a happily married executive, with children, a flat in Madrid and a house in the suburbs. It's Friday and the weekend seems to follow the usual pattern: football match with mates, travel to the mountains and family visit. Nevertheless, José feels no motivated by his routine, he no longer distinguishes leisure from their obligations, all of which result in an unexpected final decision by his attentive wife.
Movie - 1982, 2h 15m • as Niño
The movie tells the story of four beautifull and young girls: María, Pilar, Patricia and Virginia. They all work at the bingo and while they sell bingo cars they fill the room with smiles, happyness and excitement. But not all in their lifes is a game. They have all type of problems and dificult situations at work: the harassment of men, the quirks of the players ... but by the end love will win, as well as the joy of life and optimism.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • as Zachary
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.