RIP Franky J. Cuadrrón

Farewell to Doc Franky, a much-loved face in the countryman of the Almeria western

Film extra, lover of the Western genre and a regular presence in the towns of Tabernas

La Voz de Almeria

By Evarista Martinez

June 2, 2023

 

Mourning among the many fans of the western in Almeria for the loss of Doc Franky, extra, passionate about the genre of the West and a very beloved face in Tabernas, where it was usual to see him in the towns of the West and participating in recreations and events such as the Almeria Western Film Festival (AWFF).

His stage name was Franky J. Cuadrrón, although he responded to the nickname of Doc Franky because he always used to dress like a doctor of the old West: mushroom hat, briefcase, jacket and vest, pocket watch and small round glasses under which a tender look appeared.

The AWFF itself echoed this Friday on its Facebook profile the sad news: "Franky J. Cuadrrón, film extra, lover of western, a stalwart of our festival. You will always be with us! We convey our condolences to his family and friends, especially to the western associations of Almeria."

One of these groups, Almería Western Club, created by the film researcher José Enrique Martínez Moya, also conveyed his condolences to the family and expressed his pain for the loss of one of his most veteran partners: "The world of Almeria western loses a great person and passionate about this hobby," they have published in networks.

Doc Franky's universe revolved around the western. Hence, it was a recurring presence in shorts and films shot under the sky of Tabernas by fans of cowboy stories, such as 'Sombra. Death comes at dawn', filmed at Oasys-MiniHollywood, 'The Devil's March', a production by Martínez Moya that had to stop due to the pandemic, and 'A bastard, a city and the dead' and 'A man, a city and a Hail Mary', both by Dick Roche.

"It was a pleasure to meet you and work with you in this hobby and love for this genre that today is in mourning," said Manuel Olaya, who has filmed in short Almeria landscapes such as 'Two bullets for the devil', 'Misfortune' and 'Arizona 1878'.

Those who knew him say that cinema was his passion. An archaeologist by profession and reserved, he was a great lover of animals: he had a cat named Django and a mare that he used to ride to relieve his back problems. "He was a very sensitive man, he loved to kick the desert and was a born collaborator with any initiative that had to do with cinema, especially with western," says Martínez Moya.

That close and committed character is something that comes out in the different testimonies collected: his friends describe him as a good person, always willing to help in whatever they need from him, as 'El Indaliano' points out.

CUADRRON, Franky J.

Born: 19??, Spain

Died: 6/1/2023, Almeria, Spain

 

Franky J. Cuadrrón’s westerns – actor:

Sombra (La muerte llega al amanecer) – 2014 (doctor)

Old Wolves of Autumn – 2016 (doctor)

Botas de Sangre – 2017 [as Frank Cuadrron]

A Man, a City and a Hail Mary – 2019 

A Bastard, a City and the Dead – 2019 (The Major)

Recompensa - 2022 -