Time To Celebrate Lina Romay Again!
The late Lina Romay was one of exploitation’s biggest stars. She began appearing in Director Jess Franco’s films from the time they met in 1971. They eventually married and she made more than a hundred films, most of them directed by Franco.
The majority of their films together were in the sexploitation category, as well as horror, comedy and action/adventure as well.
Among the most famous of her cult horror movies are “Female Vampire” and “Barbed Wire Dolls.” With more than a hundred films, it can be difficult to find the best ones, but I am here to help!
Kudos To Severin Films!
Because of the dedicated effort of a few great home video companies, some of Romay’s best movies are now available – including this notorious, controversial classic!
The Hot Nights Of Linda!
Jess Franco’s legendary sexploitation classic is finally unearthed, thanks to Severin Films! The Director’s wife, Lina Romay, stars in one of her larger roles for him – and among the most notorious! And the blu-ray release is full of great additional material!
Here is the plot: A young woman is hired to care for an elderly man who lives on an island off the Greek coast. When she arrives there the man warns her that his daughters are evil and dangerous. The woman discovers that one of the daughters is a crazed nymphomaniac who pursues, and seduces, everyone in the house, including her crippled sister.
A Barcelona Bordello Discovery!
According to Severin, the film is restored from a 35mm print discovered in a Barcelona bordello! I don’t care how they found it, I’m just glad they did, as it is loaded with Bonus Features and presented in high definition for the first time ever in America!
Blu-Ray Bonuses!
Look at all of the bonus material included in this release:
Hot Nights – an exclusive Interview with director Jess Franco
Jess and Lina talk LINDA – Exclusive Interview with Director Jess Franco
and Star Lina Romay; Fantasticfest Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation to Jess Franco
NIGHTMARE USA/BEYOND TERROR Author Stephen Thrower on LINDA
Out-takes from the film and of course, the Trailer for the movie…
BUT THERE IS MORE…..
The Notorious “French” Version!
The blu-ray is a three disc effort – the film on blu-ray, on DVD, and a third disc, with the notorious “alternate banana” version of the film – the french cut, which is completely uncensored!
To say the various versions of the film are mind-boggling is true: in face the terrific website DVD Drive-In laid out all of the different versions of the film for Europe, the US and of course, the hardcore banana version….read all about it here:
https://www.dvddrive-in.com/reviews/e-h/hotnightslinda75blu.htm
What you get, as usual from a Franco film, is plenty of nudity from Lina…
In “Hot Nights”, she is joined by Alice Arno, who was in several Franco films as well:
Again, kudos to Severin Films – what a great job! Check out everything Severin has to offer by going to their website:
And, here is some additional information about legendary Sexploitation filmmaker Jess Franco:
Franco’s themes often revolved around lesbian vampires, women in prison, surgical horror, sadomasochism, zombies and sexploitation – and were drenched in blood…
Franco’s films were notorious at the time – and in many cases they were censored or banned – and of course, many starred his wife, Lina Romay.
He managed to write and direct around 160 motion pictures in his lifetime, encompassing a wide swath of different genres, with practically no financial backing available.
Franco and Romay worked together for decades – it is a fascinating story, and includes movies that are notorious, controversial, and wacky beyond belief!
The “Naked” Prey!
His film “Countess Perverse” is one of his best – with Lina nude for much of the film…
“Countess” is basically a “extremely naked” version of “The Naked Prey”, as Lina is hunted down by a nude Alice Arno – with a bow and arrow!
“Countess Perverse” was recently released in a newly cut version called “Sexy Nature” – click here to see what was added, and it was “sexy” indeed!
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Bravo again to Severin Films and Mondo Macabro for keeping cinema like this alive!
Categories: 70's Films, Camp Cult Classics, Cult Classics, Euro-Sleaze, Exploitation Films, Extreme Cinema, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Lina Romay, Nudity, sex kittens, Sexploitation Films, Talent / Celebrites
I know what a fan of Franco and Romay you are, John.
And I have still yet to see any of their films!
Best wishes, Pete.
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PETE! You should try one…he was “unique” in his approach to directing, but he loved the female form and gave his characters lots to do!
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