John Hough(I)

Talented and versatile director John Hough has had a long and eclectic career that encompasses everything from a sexy "Hammer" horror feature to more wholesome "Disney" family fare. Hough was born on November 21st, 1941 in London, England. Hough began his career in his early twenties, working odd jobs on the sets of various London TV productions. Hough eventually secured himself a steady gig as an assistant director on the immensely popular cult TV series, Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir (1961), and directed his first episode in 1968. Hough made his feature debut as director with the obscure "Robin Hood" item, La Légende de Robin des bois (1973). He followed this picture with the stylish and suspenseful thriller, Les inconnus de Malte (1970), and the fine "Hammer" chiller, Les Sévices de Dracula (1971). Hough maintained his stride with the spooky supernatural shocker, La Maison des damnés (1973), and the exciting drive-in car chase hit, Larry le dingue, Mary la garce (1974). He demonstrated his considerable range and skill with the delightful Disney sci-fi adventure, La montagne ensorcelée (1975), and its equally enjoyable sequel, Les visiteurs d'un autre monde (1978). Alas, Hough's consistently solid track record faltered in the 80s, starting with the uneven, Les yeux de la forêt (1980). Hough bounced back with the creepy Incubus (1981), and the amusing Une affaire de famille (1987), although the tepid Biggles (1986) and the cruddy Hurlements IV (1988) were both lackluster offerings. Hough's last credit as a director to date was the gory "Jack the Ripper" tale, Bad Karma (2001). Outside of his film work, Hough has directed several made-for-TV pictures and episodes of the TV shows Mission casse-cou (1985), Le monde merveilleux de Disney (1997), Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir (1976), Poigne de fer et séduction (1972), The Zoo Gang (1974) and Histoires singulières (1984). His son, Paul Hough, is a writer, director, editor and cinematographer.