Thursday, September 30, 2010

Who Are Those Gals? - Silvana Bacci

Silvana Bacci was born in Italy in 1947 but little else is known about this Italian beauty. Her first credited film was in a 1965 German television series called “Gewagtes Spiel”. Her last credit was in 1975's “Il caso Raoul”. Her ten year career included 14 Euro-westerns such as “Django”, “The Big Gundown”, “Ringo and His Golden Pistol”, “Death Sentence”, “The Stranger Returns” and “The Forgotten Pistolero”. Used basically for window dressing and small supporting roles playing Mexican saloon girls and prostitutes, one her most mysterious roles was in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. The bedroom scene with Clint Eastwood was filmed at Elios Studios by Sergio Leone was cut from the finished film due to the films excessive length. Today Silvana is living in Rome, Italy.



BACCI, Silvana [1947, Italy - ] - TV actress.

Django – 1965 (Mexican prostitute)
The Avenger – 1966 (Paquita)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – 1966 (Soccoro prostitute) [deleted scene]
Ringo and His Golden Pistol – 1966 (Manuela Rodriguez)
Seven Dollars to Kill – 1966 (Mexican woman)
7 Magnificent Pistols – 1966
Death Sentence - 1967
Garter Colt – 1967
The Stranger Returns - 1967 (laundress)
The Forgotten Pistolero - 1967 (Maria 'La Bruja')
A Long Ride from Hell - 1968

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

RIP Vincenzo Crocitti

Vincenzo Crocitti, a comedic actor in many Italian films died September 29, 2010 in Rome after being ill for some time. He was 61. Born in Rome on July 16, 1949, Vincenzo played likable characters and with his pronounced nose and a smile on his face is well remembered for his many roles such as the young son of Alberto Sordi in “Un borghese piccolo piccolo”. Crocitti debut as a film comedian but in the '90s turned to television where he became well know in his role as Dr. Mariano on the TV series “Un medico in famiglia” and made several appearances on the Terence Hill series “Don Mateo”. Vincenzo made one Euro-western appearing as the deafman in the 1970 Mario Bava directed film “Roy Colt and Winchester Jack” starring Brett Halsey and Charles Southwood.

DON'T COME KNOCKING

Min xanagyriseis – Greek title
Non bussare alla mia porta – Italian title
Nie wracaj w te strony – Polish title
Estrela Solitária – Portuguese title
Llamando a las puertas del cielo – Spanish title
Don’t Come Knocking – English title

A 2004 German, French U.S.A. co-production [Road Movies Filmproduktion (Berlin),
Arte France Cinéma (Paris), Reverse Angle International (Hollywood)]
Producer: Peter Schwartzkopff, Karsten Brünig, In-Ah Lee, Carsten Lorenz
Director: Wim Wenders (Ernst Wenders)
Story: Sam Shepard (Samuel Rogers), Wim Wenders (Ernst Wenders)
Screenplay: Sam Shepard (Samuel Rogers)
Cinematography: Franz Lustig [color]
Music: T-Bone Burnett (Joseph Burnett)
Running time: 122 minutes

Cast:
Howard Spence Sam Shepard (Samuel Rogers)
Doreen Jessica Lang
Lulu Spence Eva Marie Saint
Sutter Tim Roth (Timothy Smith)
Earl Gabriel Mann
Sky Sarah Polley
Amber Fairuza Balk (Fairuza Feldthouse)
Cliff Ormsby Tom Farrell
old ranch hand James Gammon
Wild-Eye Rodney A. Grant
director George Kennedy
Assistant Director Mickey James Roday (James Rodriguez)
2nd assistant director Jeff Parise (Jeffrey Parise)
producers Tim Matheson (Timothy Matheson), Julia Sweeney
travel trailer twins Majandia Delfino, Marieh Delfino
starlet Marley Shelton
Mr. Daily Kurt Fuller (Curtis Fuller)
Elko waitress Carrie Jones
Charlie Raymond O’Connor
garbageman Rockey Whipkey
waitress Katie Goodman
businessman Mike Butters
desk clerk Emy Coligado
casino bartender Yuri Elvin
boxing game video announcer David Michie
Sky’s mother photo Diane Polley (Diane MacMillan)
patrolman Robin Twogood
Mexican woman Rita Hutchison
cocktail waitress Rachel Amondson
drunken girl Jinny Story
security guard Hugh Aodh O’Brien
maid Kristina Lankford
with; Clea DuVall, Jean Reno (Don Jiminez), Mark Everett


Howard Spence, an aging, hard-living Western movie star, who, disgusted with his life, flees by horse from the set of his latest western filming in the desert outside Moab, Utah. He hits the road looking for refuge in his past, traveling to his hometown of Elko, Nevada and, eventually, to Butte, Montana, looking for a woman he left behind twenty years before when he was filming a movie there. Spence is doggedly pursued by Mr. Sutter, a humorless representative of the company insuring Spence's latest film, whose mission is to return Spence to the set to finish filming the movie. Also converging on Butte is a young woman named Sky, returning her late mother's ashes to her hometown and conducting a search of her own.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoHpEx2btTs

Happy 70th Birthday Nicola Di Bari

Nicola Di Bari was born Michele Scommegna on September 29, 1940 in Fossa, Italy. Since 1961 he's been a popular pop singer in Italy and Latin America. He won the San Remo Festival in 1971 and 1972. He recorded several albums in Spanish which were released in South America where he became very well known. He was born on the feast day of St. Michael and his father said, “This is a lucky day so the boy will be called Michael so he will always be protected by this saint.” During his primary schooling it was decided he would not follow in his family's footsteps as farmers but would continue his education at Istituto Arcivescovile Sacro Cuore in Manfredonia. During a street fair on the anniversary of St. Michael's Day he helped an ice cream vendor who had lost his voice. He felt sorry for the old man and began to yell “Ice Cream” and singing songs. He drew the crowds attention, applause and requests as the vendor sold out of ice cream. In 1958 he moved to Milan and started his recording career. In 1964 he recorded “Amore ritorna a casa” as Nicola Di Bari which became a hit and launched him on a long and successful career. During the '60s he learned guitar and even acted in a few films. Among his recordings were three songs for the 1967 Terence Hill film “Viva Django”, “You'd Better Smile” and “Cosa vale un uomo”. Nicola continued his career into the early part of the 21st Century. Today we celebrate Nicola Di Bari's 70th birthday.

Happy 75th Birthday Mylène Demongeot

Marie-Hélène Demongeot was born in Nice, France on September 29, 1935. She's appeared in over 70 films since 1953. Mylène gained fame for her performance in “The Crucible” (1957) and was nominated for a BAFTA award for Most Promising Newcomer. She went on to appear in such films as “Vengeance of the Three Musketeers” (1961), “Fantômas” (1964). She was nominated for a César Award for Best Supporting Actress in “36 Quai des Orfèvres” in 2004 and again in 2006 for “La Californie”. Demongeot appeared in the Euro-western “The Singer Not the Song” in 1961 and the TV series “The Adventures of Smoke Bellew” in 1995. Mylène was married to director Marc Simenon [1939-1999] from 1968 until his death. Together they formed Kangarou Film Productions. Today we celebrate Mylène Demongeot's 75th birthday.

Remembering Cesare Barbetti

Voice dubber Cesare Barbetti was born on board a ship docked in Palermo, Sicily, Italy on September 29, 1930. He was very active on radio for EIAR and ARI in Rome on a variety of programs for over 70 years. In films he became the official Italian voice of Robert Redford and there-in lies his fame. He was also the Italian voice of such actors as Robert Duvall, Warren Beatty, Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, Jack Nicholson, James Caan, George Peppard, Jon Voight, Roger Moore, Anthony Hopkins, Alain Delon, Paul Newman, Donald Southerland, Michael Caine and Jerry Lewis. He was also the Italian voice of Carl Sagan for the TV series “Cosmos”. Barbetti voiced such Spaghetti western actors as Nazzareno Zamperla in “Blood for a Silver Dollar” (1965), Jordan Christopher in “Return of the Seven” and was the voice of the doctor in “Three Graves for a Winchester” both in 1966, Carlo Gaddi in “The Nephews of Zorro” (1968) and for Gianni Garko in “Bad Man's River” (1972). In 2002 he was awarded the 6th plate Gualtiero De Angelis by the Voices of Dubbing. Cesare died in a car accident on September 13, 2006 in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy at the age of 76. Today we celebrate what would have been Cesare Barbetti's 80th birthday.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

RIP Jean Lara

It's been reported at Legends of the Cinema that French stage, film, TV actor, screenwriter, production manager and director Jean Lara died on September 25, 2010 in France. Lara first appeared in the 1946 film “Mr. Orchid” under the stage name Jean Varas. His last film appearance was in the 1986 film “Paris minuit”. Born Juan Usnadivaras on September 20, 1922 in Dijon, France he shortened his name to Jean Varas and eventually Jean Lara. He appeared in such films as “The Iron Mask” (1962) and headed the French production unit for “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo” (1977). Jean appeared in only one Euro-western as Baby in the 1956 film “Fernand Cowboy” starring Fernand Raynaud and directed by Guy Lefranc.

Happy 45th Birthday Sebastian Harrison

Sebastian Harrison was born in Rome, Italy on September 28 1965. He is the son of actor Richard Harrison. Sebastian passed his adolescence living in Italy and Spain. At 5 his parents divorced and he went with his mother to live in Los Angeles, California. At 15 he returned to Italy to live with his father and began his acting career. At 18 he made his first film “White Apache” as Shining Star a film written by his father and featuring the former Miss Spain 1979 Lola Forner and Cinzia de Ponti Miss Italy 1979. He then turned to television. He played the part of Satomi on the series “Kiss me Licia”. He's continued to work in films with such directors as Manuel De Sica and Lucio Fulci. Sebastian returned and attended and graduated from UCLA in 1995. He currently is married lives in Malibu, California. He owns Cellular Abroad, a company that provides international phone service and products, and has collaborated with National Geographic to launch MVNO. Today we celebrate Sebastian Harrison's 45th Birthday.

Monday, September 27, 2010

La donna carnefice nel paese dell'oro

La donna carnefice nel paese dell'oro – Italian title

A 1925 Italian production [Subalpina Film (Turin)]
Producer: ?
Director: Mario Guaita-Ausonia, Luigi Fiorio
Story: ?
Screenplay: ?
Cinematography: Luigi Fiorio [black & white]
Running time: 2017 meters

Cast:
Giovanni Beltramo, Isa Bluette (Teresea Ferrero), Mario Guaita-Ausonia, Bianca Hübner, Emilio Vardannes (Émile Vardannes), Vittorio Vaser


A colony of Canadians whose goods are destroyed in a fire decide to go to Alaska. They camp by the Yukon River, where they are surrounded by bandits led by a man named Blake and a woman called La Piovra, but eventually the bandits are killed, La Piovra dies from a snakebite.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Spaghetti Western Locations


In “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” we see the owner of a hotel watching Confederate General Sibley and his troops leave town. I always thought this scene was filmed at the location of Aberdeen City set next to the helicopter base near Colmenar Viejo which was used for the shoot-out where Tuco and Blondie face Angel Eyes gang before they find Sad Hill Cemetery, but it is Mini Hollywood. The mountains in the background prove this.



For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi “Garringo” Yasuda’s excellent website: http://garringo.cool.ne.jp/


Saturday, September 25, 2010

DOLLARS FOR A FAST GUN

100.000 dollari per Lassiter – Italian title
La cento mille dollari per Lassiter – Italian title
$100,000 par el Lassiter – Spanish title
La muerte cumple condena – Spanish title
Para Lassiter – Spanish title
100.000 dollars pour Lassiter – French title
100.000 Dollar für einen Colt – German title
Das Letzte Wort Hat Der Colt – German title
Pente sfaires ston stoho – Greek title
$100,000 for Lassiter – U.K. title
Dollars for a Fast Gun – U.S.A. title

A 1965 Spanish, Italian co-production [Centauro Film (Madrid), PEA (Rome)]
Producer: Alberto Grimaldi, Félix Durán Aparicio, Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent
Director: J.R. Marchent (Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent)
Story: Joaquín Romero Hernández (Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent), Sergio Donati
Screenplay: Joaquín Romero Hernández (Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent), Sergio Donati
Cinematography: Fulvio Testi, Rafael Pacheco (Rafael Pacheco de Usa) [Eastmancolor, Totalscope]
Music: Marcello Giombini
Running time: 99 minutes

Cast:
Lassiter - Robert Hundar (Claudio Undari)
Martin – Jose Bodalo
Helen Ray/Sarah - Pamela Tudor
Frank Nolan - Jesús Puente (Jesús Alzaga)
Pat Davis - Carlo Romero Marchent
Helen/Sarah's brother - Roberto Camardiel (Roberto Escudero)
Martin's son - Luis Gaspar (Luis Osorio)
Martin hechman – Luigi Pistilli, Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell), Benito Stefanelli
with; Andrew Ray (Andrea Aurelli), Robert Johnson, Jr., Livio Contardi, Luis Caster, Antonio Ruiz, Ángel Ortiz (Ricardo Ortiz), Francisco Sanz, Dina Loy, Giovanni Petti (Giovanni Petrucci), Fernando Bilbao, Emilio Rodríguez, Guillermo Méndez, Indio Gonzáles (Gaspar González), Fernando Hilbeck (Fernando Gavalda), Jorge Llopis, Rafael Vaquero, Agustin Bescos, Luis Prendes (Luis Estrada)


Two outlaws, Nolan and Martin, have robbed a bank of a large sum of money. Nolan shot and weakend from his wounds is abandoned by Martinbut before he can ride away Nolan gets a shot off and hits Martin in the back. Ten years later we find Martin confined to a wheelchair but in control of the territory. Through his henchmen he collects rent and kills or runs out those who protest. A young widow named Sarah stands up to Martin and his gang. A stranger named Lassiter arrives one day and becomes acquainted with Sarah's brother. He decides to help the family and bribes Martin that he can deliver Frank to him for a large reward. Martin decides to send his son and another of his men to try and capture Frank but they fail. Lassiter has a letter giving Frank's whereabouts and now a game of cat and mouse begins.

Remembering Sergei Bondarchuk


Sergei Fedorovich Bondarchuk was born on September 24, 1920 in Belozerka, Ukrain, USSR. He spent his youth in the cities of Yeisk and Taganrog and graduated from Taganrog School #4 in 1938. Sergei first appeared on stage in 1937 at the Taganrog Theater. Sergei then studied at the Rostov on Don theater school from 1938 until 1942. He then was drafted into the Russian Army during World War II. At 32 he became the youngest Soviet actor to ever be awarded the People's Artist of the U.S.S.R. He married acteess Inna Makarova [1928- ] and they had a daughter. Sergei later married actress Irina Skobtseva [1927- ] in 1959. Sergei became internationally famous for his production of Tolstoy's “War and Peace”. The film took seven years to complete and totaled more than ten hours in length. Released in 1968, Bondarchuk was awarded an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 1969 Sergei starred opposite Yul Brynner and Orson Welles in “The Battle of Neretva”. His first English language film was in 1970's “Waterloo”. In 1970 Sergei was appointed President of the Union of Cinematographers but was dismissed from the post in 1986. Sergei's only Euro-western was his directed “Mexico in Flames” in 1981 starring Franco Nero and Ursula Andress. Sergei died of a heart attack on October 20, 1994 in Moscow, Russia. Today we remember Sergei Bondarchuk on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Guess Who I Am


Although I'm Italian I acted under an Americanized name. Guess who I am.

Breccio correctly identified this weeks photo as that of Roberto Miali who acted in the Spaghett Western genre as Jerry Wilson.

Lee Van Cleef Article


Cinema Retro # 18 features a tribute to western legend Lee Van Cleef written by Howard Hughes, from Van Cleef’s beginnings as a supporting villain in Hollywood westerns, sci-fi and gangster movies, to his European stardom in spaghetti westerns in the 1960s and 1970s. See the Cinema Retro website for subscription details: 

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php
For Lee Van Cleef fans, Hughes also discusses Van Cleef’s films in detail in his Filmgoers’ Guide series. The Big Combo (1955) features in Crime Wave: The Filmgoers’ Guide to the Great Crime Movies

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crime-Wave-Filmgoers-Guide-Movies/dp/1845112199/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284901298&sr=1-1

Van Cleef’s High Noon (1952), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) and Ride Lonesome (1959) are discussed in Stagecoach to Tombstone : The Filmgoers’ Guide to the Great Westerns

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stagecoach-Tombstone-Filmgoers-Guide-Westerns/dp/1845115716/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

Van Cleef’s classic spaghetti westerns For a Few Dollars More (1965), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), The Big Gundown (1967), Death Rides a Horse (1967), Day of Anger (1967) and Sabata (1969) are reviewed at length in Once Upon a Time in the Italian West: The Filmgoers’ Guide to Spaghetti Westerns.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Upon-Time-Italian-West/dp/185043896X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_5


Lee VanCleef, Cinema Retro #18 available on UK ebay:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=Cinema+Retro&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Thursday, September 23, 2010

First Day of Autumn

A DOLLAR OF FEAR

Un dollaro di fifa – Italian title
Dos valientes a la fuerza – Spanish title
A Dollar of Funk – English title
A Dollar of Fear – English title

A 1960 Italian production [Cineproduzione Emo Bistolfi (Rome)]
Producer: Emo Bistolfi
Director: Giorgio Simonelli
Story: Mario Guerra
Screenplay: Guerra (Mario Guerra), Scarnicci (Giulio Scarnicci), Tarabusi (Renzo Tarabusi)
Cinematography: Tino Santoni (Clemente Santoni) [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Song: “Oh Cherie” sung by Tony Renis (Elio Cesare)
Running time: 90 minutes

Cast:
Alamo - Ugo Tognazzi (Ottavio Tognazzi)
Mike - Walter Chiari (Walter Annichiarico)
Hurricane - Renato Mambor
Alice Perkins - Hélène Chanel
Sara Perkins - Leonora Ruffo (Eleanora Ruffo)
Sindaco - Aroldo Tieri
Sherry - Dominique Boschero
Sheriff Cirion - Mario Carotenuto
Spiritual - Nando Angelini (Ferdinando Angelini)
poker player - Ignazio Balsamo
Chancellor - Arturo Dominici
Smile - Renzo Palmer (Renzo Bigatti)
with; Giorgio Cerioni, Gina Mascetti, Nino Musco, Bruno Pagliari, Giovanni Vari, Giorgio Zuccaro, Manlio Salvatori, Mimmo Poli (Domenico Poli), Edy Vessel, Giuseppe Vari


Alamo and Mike, two drifters in the Wild West, join a medicine show. During a show to an Indian tribe our two heroes make the chief's squaw's head disappear, but cannot make it reappear They are then forced to flee to escape the fury of her husband. The two decide to move on to Paradise City, but here, they find the sheriff has been killed by bandits that are dominating the city. The town folk expect the arrival of two more sheriffs to the region, which were requested by the dead sheriff's daughters, Alice and Sarah, who want to have justice and order restored. It so happens that Alamo and Mike, upon reaching Paradise City, are welcomed with enthusiasm by the towns people who believe they are the expected sheriffs. The two would like to clarify the misunderstanding, revealing their true identity, but do not dare to do so, having learned that a fierce bandit is looking for the two wizards who have cheated him by selling an ointment for his hair. After a series of adventures Alamo and Mike are arrested and sentenced to be hanged, but when they are about to hang from the gallows they manage to escape by a trick. After a successful struggle, they resume their wanderings in the company of Alice and Sam.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

New CD release!

10 BIANCHI UCCISI DA UN PICCOLO INDIANO (aka BLOOD RIVER)
Composer: Piero Umiliani
Label: Cometa #CMT10011
Country: Italy
Tracks: 21 tracks
Extras: 7 previously unreleased tracks
Limited edition 500 copies
Available: September 30, 2010

No track listing available
1)Blood River (4:02)
2)2) Grande prateria (3:21)
3)La vendetta (3:40)
4)La bella indiana (4:02)
5)Square Dance (4:21)
6)Sortilegio (1:17)
7)Presagio drammatico (2:04)
8)L'inseguimento (2:04)
9)L'amore (2:10)
10) Il rimorso (2:16)
11) Il ricordo (1:03)
12) Isidra (1:22)
13) La prateria (1:46)
14) Blood River #2 (3:32)
15)L'amore #2 (3:03)
16)La vendetta (0:38)
17) Isidra #2 (0:46)
18) L'amore #3 (1:00
19) La bella indiana #2 (1:49)
20) Isidra #3 (2:07)
21) L'amore #4 (4:40)
Total Duration 50:13

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

DOC

Pistoleros malditos – Spanish title
Duelo a muerte en O.K. Corral – Spanish title
Doc – Italian title
Doc – German title
Doc Holliday – Yugoslavian title
Doc – English title

A 1970 U.S.A., Spanish co-production [Frank Perry Films (Hollywood)]
Producer: Frank Perry
Director: Frank Perry
Story: Peter Hamill
Screenplay: Pete Hamill
Cinematography: Gerald Hirschfeld [Color by DeLuxe]
Music: Jimmy Webb
Running time: 96 minutes

Cast:
Doc Holliday - Stacy Keach (Walter Keach, Jr.)
Katie Elder - Faye Dunaway (Dorothy Dunaway)
Wyatt Earp - Harris Yulin
Ike Clanton - Mike Witney (Michael Witney)
‘The Kid’ - Denver John Collins
John Clum - Dan Greenburg
Bartlett - John Scanlon
Sheriff John Behan - Richard MacKenzie (Richard McKenzie)
Virgil Earp - John Bottoms
Morgan Earp - Phil Shafer
James Earp - Ferdinand Zogbaum
Mattie Earp - Penelope Allen
Allie Earp - Hedy Sontag
Frank McLowery - James Greene (James Nolan)
Concha - Antonia Rey (Antonia Francesch)
Mexican bartender - Marshall Efron
Johnny Ringo - Fred Dennis
Billy Clanton - Bruce M. Fischer
hotel clerk - Gene Collins
whores - Vivian Allen, Sharon Fruitin, Lucy Tiller (Luch Tiller)
Clanton cowboys - Per Barlcay (Eric Altberg), Henry Bidon, Dan van Husen (Daniel van Husen)
Reverend Foster - Mart Hulswit
Wong - Gene Reyes
Dunbar - Jim Galante
with; Luis Barboo


A dirty, dusty stranger arrives at a remote cantina on the edge of the desert, coughing from TB, he introduces himself as the famous Doc Holliday, professional card player and gunman. Inside the cantina are, Ike Clanton, 'The Kid', and the prostitute Kate Elder. Ike and Doc play a hand of poker for the use of Kate. Doc wins and decides to take her to Tombstone where he's traveling to meet his best friend, Marshal Wyatt Earp who had once saved his life. Wyatt has political aspirations in Arizona and would love to become the sheriff of Tombstone, in doing so, he proposes a business proposition to Doc so that he can clean up the city and make lots of money collecting taxes. Thus, while Wyatt would impose the law, his friend Doc would take care of managing the gambling and they would both share the profits. The Clantons do not see Wyatt's bid for sheriff as a good omen for them and try to stop his aspirations. At the same time, a loving relationship blossoms between Doc and Kate. A stagecoach is attacked, looted, and the driver killed. This is a boon for the Earp clan which places suspicion on the Clanton cowboys for robbing the stage. Wyatt and Doc go to the Clanton ranch in order to investigate the matter. Ike, does not accept the suspicion of his men robbing the stage. A fight breaks out between Ike and Wyatt leaving Earp badly beaten. The latter swears to kill Ike to fix this outrage. The two opposing clans gather at the OK Corral to settle the matter.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2veIq5TPJk

Remembering Armando Nannuzzi

Armando Nannuzzi was born on September 21, 1925, in Rome, Italy. Armando became one of the premier camera operators and cinematographers in the Italian film industry. He worked as a camera operator from 1942-1955. He then became a cinematographer until the 1990s. Nannuzzi became a master using contrasts of light and shade. Armando worked on over 100 films during this period including “The Birgand” (1959), “Boccaccio” '70” (1962), “Waterloo” (1970), “La cage aux folles” (1979), “Frankenstein Unbound” (1990). Nannuzzi worked with Stephen King in the 1980s and during the shooting of “Maximum Overdrive” a radio controlled lawnmower hit a block of wood which caused splinters to fly out and as a result Armando lost an eye. A lawsuit was filed by Nannuzzi but it was settled out of court. Armando was the cinematographer on two Euro-westerns “My Name is Nobody” directed by Sergio Leone and starring Terence Hill and Henry Fonda and 1973's “Chino” starring Charles Bronson. Nannuzzi died on May 12, 2001 in Ostia, Rome, Italy. We remember Armando Nannuzzi today on what would have been his 85th birthday.

Monday, September 20, 2010

RIP Irving Ravetch

'Hud' scribe Irving Raveth dies
Oscar-nominated screenwriter also wrote 'Norma Rae'

By SHALINI DORE

"Hud" and "Norma Rae" scribe Irving Ravetch died Sept. 19 in Los Angeles. He was 89 and had been ailing for some time.

Ravetch and his wife, Harriet Frank Jr., were Oscar-nommed for adapted screenplay on both pics.

Together they penned 18 other films between the 1960s and 1980s. Beginning in 1957, the couple collaborated on critically acclaimed screenplays for pics including Paul Newman starrers "Hombre," and "The Long, Hot Summer" besides adapting 1963's "Hud."

Other films the two co-wrote include "Conrack," "The Reivers," "The Sound and the Fury," "Home From the Hill," "The Cowboys," "Murphy's Romance" and "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs."

They were jointly given the Writers Guild of America's Laurel Award for their screenplays.

After graduating from UCLA, Ravetch joined MGM's young writers training program, where he met Frank, whom he married the following year in 1946.

For nearly a decade he mostly penned oaters such as "Vengeance Valley" until he and Frank pitched "The Long, Hot Summer," an adaptation of William Faulkner's "The Hamlet," to producer Jerry Wald.

When Wald asked Ravetch to suggest a director he proposed Martin Ritt, beginning a relationship that led to eight films, kicking off with 1958's "Summer" and including "Hud," "Norma Rae," "The Sound and the Fury," "Murphy's Romance" and "Stanley and Iris."

In an introduction to a New American Library book reprinting three Ravetch/Frank Jr. screenplays, Ritt wrote: "Our whole lives are intertwined in this work, from 'The Long, Hot Summer,' back in the '50s, on. I am proud of the movies we've made together and consider several among them the finest of my career."

Irving Ravetch was the Associate Producer and screenwriter for the 1974 Euro-western "The Spikes Gang" starring Lee Marvin.

Ravetch is survived by his wife, Frank; a sister and a brother.

Who Are Those Guys? - Salvatore Baccaro


Salvatore Baccaro was born on May 6, 1944 in Italy. He was working as a florist near De Paolis Studios when his unusual features were noticed by a director and he was given a part in Damiano Damiani's “La moglie più bella” (“The Most Beautiful Wife”) in 1970. His appearance gave him the opportunity to appear in comedy and horror films as grotesque characters. Salvatore would appear in over 60 films under such aliases as Sal Boris, Boris Lugosi and Boris Ps. It was learned from his brother Armando in an espisode of the TV series Stracult that Baccaro's appearance was from acromegaly, a hormone condition that effects growth of the body tissues. Salvatore appeared in nine Euro-westerns and passed away in 1984 at the age of 40.

BACCARO, Salvatore (aka Sal Boris, Boris Lugosi) [5/6/1944, Italy – 1984, Italy]

Blazing Guns – 1971 (Holy Ghost/Spirito Santo henchman)
He was Called the Holy Ghost – 1971 (slave)
Two Sons of Trinity – 1971 (King Kong)
The Grand Duel – 1972 (bartender)
Gunmen and the Holy Ghost – 1972 (Capraio)
Jesse and Lester, Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity – 1972 (Paco)
Man of the East – 1972 (prisoner)
Where the Bullets Fly – 1972
Court Martial – 1973 (miner)
Seven Nuns in Kansas City - 1973 (Fatty's henchman) [as Sal Boris]

Remembering Rolf Römer

Rolf Specht was born on September 20, 1935 in Konigswinter, Germany. He attended the School of Film and Television in Potsdam and graduated and in 1960 joined the City Theater Senftenberg as a character actor. In 1963 he participated in several films and then became popular as Rolf Römer and a co-star in three DEFA Indian films: “The Sons of Great Bear” (1965), “Chingachgook, the Great Snake” (1967) and “Tecumseh” (1972) all starring Gojko Mitic. He then starred in several comedy films with his wife Annekathrin Burger [1937- ]. Rolf began to object to and protest the East German government especially the police. He authored and directed and acted in a controversial television series entitled “Police 110”. After the series ended so did his contracts with DEFA and GDR television. Since he was blacklisted he turned to making documentaries and became active in Russian social projects. Together with his wife he founded a kids club called The Don. Rolf received severe burns while gardening and died on March 14, 2000 in Berlin, Germany. We remember Rolf Römer on what would have been his 75th birthday.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

RIP Sergio Di Stefano

Italian voice actor Sergio Di Stefano died of a heart attack on Friday September 17, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Sergio was born on July 5, 1939 in Rome, Italy and attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts "Silvio D'Amico" before becoming mainly a stage and television actor. He began his voice dubbing in the early 1970s and became one of Italy's most famous voice actors. He became the Italian voice of such American actors as Kevin Costner, Jeff Bridges, John Malkovich, Christopher Lambert and TV's Hugh Laurie in Dr. House – Medical Division. Di Stefano became a dubbing director for many TV series such as “Star Trek – The Next Generation”. Di Stefano was the Italian voice of Eddie Izzard in the 2004 film “Blueberry” (aka “Renegade”).

DJURADO

Djurado – Italian title
El Djurado – French title
Viva caballeros – Greek title
Jim Golden Poker – Spanish title
El Djurado – Spanish title
Johnny Golden Poker – English title
Djurado – English title

A 1966 Italian, Spanish co-production [Studio 7 (Rome), Astro Film (Madrid)]
Producer: E. Fegarotti, M. Di Rienzo, Ricardo Sanz
Director: John Farrell (Giovanni Narzisi)
Story: William Menzel (William Azzella), Federico De Urrutia, Giovanni Narzisi
Screenplay: William Menzel (William Azzella), Federico De Urrutia, Giovanni Narzisi
Cinematography: Miguel Fernandez Mila [Eastmancolor, Widescreen]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Song: “Solo il vento so la” sung by Gianni Meccia
Running time: 88 minutes

Cast:
Djurado/Jim Golden Poker - Montgomery Clark (Dante Posani)
Barbara Donovan - Scilla Gabel (Scilla Gabellini)
Tucan/Duncan - Luis Induni (Luigi Radici)
Mitzy - Margaret Lee (Margaret Box)
Thomas’ wife - Mary Jordan (Maria Angela Giordano)
sheriff - Isarco Ravaioli
Ricky - Gianni Meccia
Tucan’s woman - Mirella Pamphili
Town drunk - Loris Bazzocchi
Tucan henchman - Rick Boyd (Federico Boido)
with; Peter Adamov, Goyo Lebrero, Lorenzo Fineschi


In the town of Silver Mine a gun slinging professional gambler named Djurado who wins half-ownership of a saloon in a poker game. The other half-owner is named Barbara Donovan. The local town boss Duncan is trying to get control of the saloon because it is built over a gold deposit. Djurado is accused of a hold-up, Mitzy is kidnapped and other despicable acts are perpetrated by Duncan in order to obtain the saloon. While battling with Duncan, our hero wins the heart of Barbara and brings peace back to the town.

Remembering Antonio Margheriti

Antonio Margheriti was born on September 19, 1930 in Rome, Italy. Antonio was a professional soccer player for Verona, Italy before he became more well known as director Anthony Dawson the prolific director of science fiction, horror, Spaghetti Westerns and action films. He was the only Italian director who worked directly with such Hollywood production companies as M-G-M, United Artists, 20th Century Fox, Columbia and others. As well as a director he also worked as a producer, assistant director, screenwriter, and special effects. He is the father of assistant director Edoardo Margheriti [1959- ] and his daughter Special Effects expert Antonella Margheriti [1954- ]. As Anthony Dawson he directed such Euro-westerns as “Dynamite Joe” (1966), “Vengeance” (1967), “And God Said to Cain” (1969), “The Stranger and the Gunfighter” (1974), and “Take a Hard Ride”. He also wrote the screenplays for the last four mentioned films. In “Inglorious Bastards” Quentin Tarantino named Eli Roth's character in homage to Antonio. Margheriti died of a heart attack in Monterosi, Italy on November 4, 2002. Today we celebrate what would have been Antonio Margheriti's 80th birthday.

Remembering Horst Kube

Horst Kube was born on September 19, 1920 in Berlin, Germany. He spent his school days aspiring to be circus director. When reality set in he turned to becoming a naval engineer. He served in the German navy during World War II. After the war Horst devoted himself to acting. He began doing bit parts in theaters and cabarets while taking acting lessons from Harry Berber. Later he would perform in the Fairy Tale Theater in Berlin and in various production in Potsdam and Frankfurt. He joined the DEFA studio in the mid-1950s.. Kurt again worked his way up to supporting roles by acting in bit parts. His break through role was as a police officer who commits a criminal act in the 1956 film “Vergeßt mir meine Traudel nicht”. Kube appeared in five of the DEFA Indian films: “The Sons of Great Bear”, “The Falcon's Trail”, “Fatal Error”, “Tecumseh” and “Apaches” (1973). Later on in his career Horst would appear in satirical short films called 'Stinger Productions' and on DFF television. Horst died on Ocotber 18, 1976 in East Berlin, Germany. Today we remember Horst Kube on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

New DVD Release!

“THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
Label: Cornerstone Media
Format: PAL
Aspect Ratio:
Region: Region 2
Sound: Dolby Digital
Languages : English
Running time: 106 minutes
Subtitles : none
Extras : none
Catalog number: B003ZTE04K
Available: November 22, 2010

[Thanks to Howard Hughes for bringing this DVD release to my attention.]

Remembering Jack Warden

John H. Lebzelter (German for honey-cake baker) was born September 18, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey. His father was an engineer and technician and Jack was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Expelled from school for fighting he took up the sport as a professional under the name Johnny Costello. He became a nightclub bouncer a deckhand on a tugboat and a lifeguard before joining the U.S. Navy in 1938. Jack was stationed in China for three years before joining the U.S. Merchant Marine and then the U.S. Army in 1942 and becoming a paratrooper. He severely broke his leg the night before D-Day during a practice jump. He spent almost a year recovering and at that time read a Clifford Odets play and decided to try acting after participating in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Leaving the army as a sergeant he moved to New York City. Under the G.I Bill he joined the Dallas Alley Theater and acted on stage for five years. He made his TV debut in 1948 on the 'Philco Playhouse' and 'Studio One'. In 1951 he appeared in his first film in an uncredited role in “You're in the Navy Now”. In 1953 he appeared in “From Here to Eternity” and in 1957 “12 Angry Men”. He received an Emmy for his portrayal of George Hallas the owner of the Chicago Bears in “Brian's Song” and twice more for the TV series “Crazy Like a Fox”. Warden was then nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in both “Shampoo” (1975) and “Heaven Can Wait” (1978). Jack would go on to make over 100 films among them his only Euro-western “Billy Two Hats” (1973) with Gregory Peck. Warden married French actress Vanda Dupre in 1958 and they had one son Christopher. Warden died on July 19, 2006 of heart and kidney failure in New York City. Today we remember Jack Warden on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Guess Who I Am


I'm a Spanish actor and voice actor who appeared in 35 Euro-westerns. Guess who I am.

Bill Connolly correctly identified this weeks photo as Eduardo Fajardo.

DJANGO STRIKES AGAIN

Django 2: il grande ritorno – Italian title
Ritorno di Django – Italian title
Il grande ritorno di Django – Italian title
El retorno de Django – Argentinian title
Django – A Volta do Vingador – Brazilian title
Django – teloittajan paluu – Finnish title
Django 2: Le grand retour de Django – French title
Django’s Rückkehr – German title
Powrót zza grobu – Polish title
El retorno del heroe – Spanish title
El regresso de un hero – Spanish title
Fruktad rebell – Swedish title
Cango'nun Dönüsü – Turkish title
Django 2 – English title
Django Rides Again – English title
Django Strikes Again – English title

A 1987 Italian production [National Cinematografica, Dania Films, Films International(Rome), Reteitalia (Milan)]
Producer: Spartaco Pizzi
Director: Ted Archer (Nello Rossati)
Story: Franco Reggiani, Nello Rossati
Screenplay: Franco Reggiani, Nello Rossati
Cinematography: Sandro Mancori (Alessandro Mancori) [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Gianfranco Plenizio
Running time: 99 minutes

Cast:
Django - Franco Nero (Francesco Sparanero)
Gunn - Donald Pleasence
Orlowsky/'El Diablo' - Christopher Connelly
old gunfighters - William Berger (Wilhelm Berger), Bill Moore
boy - Micky (Miguel Carreno)
Marisol - Consuelo Reina
Rosita - Licia Lee Lyon (Liciani Lentini)
with; Alessandro DiChio, Roberto Posse, Rodrigo Obregon


Sometime in the late 1800's Mexico we see two old gunfighters argue over who was the greatest gunfighter before they are killed.

The film then shifts to show Django, who has been living in a monastery in San Domingo preparing to take the vows that will make him a monk. A woman arrives and it is revealed it is Django's dying wife and she implores him to care for their daughter. He accepts and leaves the monastery to locate his daughter. When he arrives in the town where she is supposed to be he finds it deserted and almost everyone is dead.

We the see 'El Diablo', a Hungarian aristocrat who is in command of an armored riverboat. His Austrian crew was in the employ of Emperor Maximilian but after his overthrow they work for 'El Diablo' as pirates, looting and capturing natives to work in a silver mine. Django realizes it is 'El Diablo' who has attacked his daughter's village and now holds her prisoner.

Django locates the boat and asks 'El Diablo' for the return of his daughter. He's laughed at before he's shackled in chains, tortured and then taken to the silver mine.

At the silver mine he meets an entomologist named Gunn whose been enslaved by 'El Diablo' for several years because he failed to find the legendary 'Mariposa Negra' (Black Butterfly). With Gunn's help Django escapes the prison camp.

Django digs up his buried machine gun and and returns to the silver mine along with a fake 'Mariposa Negra' made by his friends the monks at the monastery. With the help of a young native boy who delivers the butterfly along with a note that tells where the insect was captured while Django waits in ambush. 'El Diablo' at first overjoyed discovers it's fake and does not fall into Django's trap. Django then attacks the silver mine with explosives and after the Austrian soldiers are all killed he frees Guinn and his daughter and leaves 'El Diablo' to the prisoners to exact their revenge.


You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHxU3SIP-dU

Happy 70th Birthday Lorella DeLuca

Lorella De Luca was born on September 17, 1940 in Florence, Italy. At 15 she made her first film appearance in 1955's “Il bidone” directed by Federico Fellini followed in 1956 by an appearance in “Poveri ma belli” directed by Dino Risi. She became a symbol of the naive young girl in a series of films “Il medico e lo stregone” (1957), “Domenica è sempre domenica” and “Primo amore” both in 1958. She then appeared with Alessandro Panaro on the popular TV show “Il Musichiere” (1958). In 1965 she assumed the alias Hally Hammond in “A Pistol for Ringo” and “The Return of Ringo” directed by her future husband Duccio Tessari [1926-1994] who she would marry in 1971. With Tessarri she would make a number of films and also worked with him as an assistant director. Lorella would retire from films to raise their daughter Fiorenza Tessari who is also an actress. Lorella returned to films with a 1993 appearance in “Bonus Malus”. Today we celebrate Lorella De Luca's 70th birthday.

Happy 80th Birthday David Huddleston

David William Huddleston was born on September 17, 1930 in Vinton, Virginia. David attended Fork Union Military Academy before entering the U.S. the Air Force during World War II. He then entered the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A character actor, his first major role was in the 1968 film “A Lovely Way to Die”. He was a featured guest star on many TV series during the 1960s and '70s. He was the manager of country and western star Roy Clark of “Hee-Haw” fame. A producer and stage actor, some of his best remembered film roles were in “Santa Claus: The Movie” (1985), “Blazing Saddles” and “McQ” (1974), “Breakhart Pass” (1975), “The Greatest” (1977), “Smokey and the Bandit II” (1980) and “Go For It” (1983). During the 1980s Huddleston was seen in commercials as well as films such as “Family Reunion” (1981) and “Frantic” (1988). After an appearance in 1998's “The Big Lebowski” he returned to television with appearances in “The West Wing”. Huddleston appeared in only one Euro-western “Billy Two Hats” (1973) with Gregory Peck. He also had a guest appearance in Terence Hill's TV series “Luck Luke” (1990) in the episode “Ghost Train”. David has a son Michael who is also an actor and has appeared in several of Terence Hill's TV series and films. Today we celebrate David Huddleston's 80th birthday.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

New CD release!

PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE
Composer: Nico Fidenco
Label: GDM4137
Country: Italy
Tracks: 35 expanded tracks
Extras:
Limited edition: 500 copies
Available: October 5, 2010
Duration: 58:08

Track Listing:
STEREO MIXES
1. THE YANKEE FELLOW 2:08
2. TITOLI 2:15
3. IL CARICO D’ARGENTO 1:07
4. LANKY FELLOW, IL BOUNTY KILLER 1:52
5. TRASPORTO BLINDATO 1:08
6. LA SFIDA 1:51
7. L’ORGOGLIO DI LANKY 1:54
8. OMAHA 1:07
9. ADDIO LANKY FELLOW 1:09
10. LA SFIDA (# 2) 0:46
11. TRASPORTO BLINDATO (# 2) 0:45
12. THE YANKEE FELLOW (# 2 –Alt.take) 2:10
THE FILM SCORE (mono)
13. TITOLI (# 2) 2:17
14. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE 1:26
15. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#2) 1:30
16. IL CARICO D’ARGENTO (# 2) 1:06
17. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#3) 1:57
18. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#4) 1:32
19. LANKY FELLOW, IL BOUNTY KILLER (# 2) 1:53
20. OMAHA (# 2) 1:06
21. L’ORGOGLIO DI LANKY (# 2) 1:53
22. TRASPORTO BLINDATO (#2) 1:07
23. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#5) 1:37
24. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#6) 1:41
25. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#7) 1:18
26. OMAHA (#3) 1:28
27. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#8) 2:08
28. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#9) 2:03
29. LA SFIDA (# 3) 1:46
30. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#10) 1:57
31. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#11) 3:05
32. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#12) 1:53
33. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#13) 1:57
34. PER IL GUSTO DI UCCIDERE (#14) 1:07
35. THE YANKEE FELLOW (# 3) 2:09

Remembering Alberto Cardone

Alberto Cardone was born on September 16, 1920 in Genoa, Italy. He was the brother of cinematographer Ezio Cardone. Moving to Rome in 1942 Alberto became an assistant to director Christian-Jacque and worked as an assistant director until the mid-1960s. Alberto worked mainly on adventure, spy and western films. Using the alias Albert Cardiff he directed seven Euro-westerns including “Black Eagle of Santa Fe” (1965), “Blood at Sundown” (1966) with Anthony Steffen and Gianni Garko, “Seven Dollars to Kill” (1966) again with Steffen, “The Long Day of the Massacre” (1968) for which he also wrote the screenplay and “The Wrath of God” (1968) with Brett Halsey and again wrote the screenplay. Later he turned to directing erotic films and sex comedies. His last film was “Bruna, formosa, cerca superdotato per tango a Milano” (1973). Alberto died at the age of 57 on Ocotber 20, 1977 in Rome, Italy. Today we remember Alberto Cardon on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

New CD release!

CI RISIAMO,VERO PROVVIDENZA?
Composer: Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai
Label: GDM 4136
Country: Italy
Tracks: 15 expanded tracks
Extras:
Limited edition: 750 copies
Available: October 5, 2010
Duration: 40:10

Track Listing:
1. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.1 – titoli) 2:36
2. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.2) 3:46
3. BOCCA A BOCCA 2:21
4. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.3) 2:12
5. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.4) 1:46
6. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.5) 2:41
7. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.6) 2:39
8. BOCCA A BOCCA (Seq.2) 2:32
9. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.7) 2:05
10. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.8) 3:06
11. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.9) 2:14
12. BOCCA A BOCCA (Seq.3) 2:12
13. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.10) 2:04
14. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.11) 5:20
15. CI RISIAMO, VERO PROVVIDENZA? (Seq.12- titoli ripresa) 2:36

DJANGO SHOOTS FIRST

Django spara per primo – Italian title
Django atira primeiro – Brazilian title
Django skyder først – Danish title
Wachn miet Django Schiet – Dutch title
Django ampuu ensin – Finnish title
Django tire le premier – French title
Django Nur der Colt war sein Freund – German title
To Pistoli tou Django den syghorei – Greek title
Django strzela pierwszy – Polish title
Yo soy Trinidad – Spanish title
Django skjuter alltid först – Swedish title
Django Puca Prvi – Yugoslavian title
No Mercy for Django – English title
He Who Shoots First – English title
Django Shoots First – English title

A 1966 Italian production [Fida Cinematografica (Rome)]
Producer: Edmondo Amati
Director: Alberto DeMartino
Story: Massimo Capriccioli (Massimiliano Capriccioli), Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi), Sandro Continenza (Alessandro Continenza), Alberto DeMartino, Vincenzo Flamini, Giovanni Simonelli
Screenplay: Massimiliano Capriccioli, Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi), Sandro Continenza (Alessandro Continenza), Alberto DeMartino, Vincenco Flamini, Giovanni Simonelli
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini [Technicolor, Techniscope]
Music: Bruno Nicolai
Song: “Bolero” sung by Dino (Dino Bardotti)
Running time: 95 minutes

Cast:
Glenn Garvin/Django - Glenn Saxson (Roel Bos)
Gordon Watch - Fernando Sancho (Fernando Les)
Jessica Kluster/Custer - Evelyn Stewart (Ida Galli)
doctor - Alberto Lupo (Alberto Zoboli)
Lucy - Erika Blanc (Enrica Colombatto)
Ken Kluster/Custer - Nando Gazzolo (Ferdinando Gazzolo)
Kluster/Custer henchman - Riccardo Pizzuti, Giulio Maculani, Fotunato Arena
Ringo - José M. Martin (José Manuel Martin Perez)
Jeff Kluster/Custer - George Eastman (Luigi Montefiore)
Ward - Lee Burton (Guido Lollobrigida)
Cooper - Marcello Tusco
sheriff - Valentino Macchi
Lucy’s brother - Antonio Piretti
saloon patrons - Osiride Pevarello, Roberto Antonelli
gunman - Fortunato Arena
Thomas Garvin/Django - John Bartha (János Barta)
with; Diana Lorys (Anna Vega), Lewis E. Ciannelli (Lewis Eduardo Ciannelli), John Hart, Bruno Arié


In the bacground a lone rider is seen approaching a campsite, he is invited by Django to sit down at his campfire. The rider is a bounty killer and his victim is a man called Garvin. The dead man turns out to be Django's father. So Django shoots the bounty killer, takes his father's body into town, and collects the bounty himself! In town he is told by the local busybody Gordon, who likes the smell of money so much he hangs out at the bank all day, that Django has become the co-owner of both the bank and the saloon. It soon becomes clear that Django's father was framed by his business partner Kluster, who now wants to get rid of the son and Django must face a number of obstacles and six-guns to obtain his inheritance.

Happy 80th Birthday Donal O'Brien

Donal O'Brien was born on September 15, 1930 in Pau, France. His father was an Irishman and a member of the U.S. cavalry who fought in the Spanish-American War. After his military service Donal's father moved to France. He married an English girl who was working as a tutor. After Donal's birth the O'Briens moved to northern France and had three more children one who was a pilot in the RAF and killed during World War II. During the war the O'Briens returned to Ireland where Donal finished grammar school. He left school and joined a drama school. He then joined the Dublin Gate Theatre where he had a few minor roles. Dissatisfied with his progress he left and returned to France where he became an office worker for the U.S. Army. His first film credit was in “An Act of Love” (1953). He then appeared in his first Euro-western with a small role in “Dynamite Jack” (1960) starring Fernandel. Donal appeared in a couple of John Frankenheimer films, “The Train” (1963) and “Grand Prix” (1966). O'Brien then moved to Italy where he became a regular in Euro-westerns starting with a lead role in “Run, Man, Run” (1967) with Tomas Milian. He was billed as Donald O'Brien and his credits alternated between Donal and Donald the rest of his career. Some of his best known westerns include “Paid in Blood” (1971), “Jesse and Lester in a Place Called Trinity” (1972), “Challenge to White Fang”, “Four of the Apocalypse” both in 1974. “Keoma the Avenger” (1975), “A Man Called Blade” and “Silver Saddle” both 1977. In 1980 Donal was involved in a terrible accident where he slipped and fell in a Parisian hotel and hit his head leaving him partially paralyzed. He was able to regain partial mobility and continued to act in limited roles. Currently O'Brien lives in Paris, France. Today we remember Donal O'Brien on what would have been his 80th birthday.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

New CD release!

JOHNNY ORO (Ringo and His Golden Pistol)
Composer: Carlo Savina
Label: GDM 4135
Country: Italy
Tracks:
Extras: 1 bonus Karaoke track
Limited edition: 500 copies
Available:Ocotber 5, 2010
Duration: 49:32

Track Listing:
1. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 1 – titoli italian vocal) 2:19
2. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 2) 2:53
3. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 3) 2:21
4. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 4) 2:19
5. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 5) 1:09
6. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 6) 2:09
7. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 7) 2:11
8. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 8) 4:24
9. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 9) 4:13
10. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 10 - titoli instr.) 2:24
11. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 11) 2:02
12. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 12) 1:16
13. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 13) 1:24
14. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 14) 3:53
15. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 15) 2:13
16. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 16) 1:11
17. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 17) 2:41
18. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 18) 2:29
19. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 19) 1:13
20. JOHNNY ORO (seq. 20 – titoli english vocal) 2:24

Rmembering Jack Hawkins


John Edward 'Jack' Hawkins was born on September 14, 1910 in Wood Green, London, England. The youngest of four children of master builder Thomas Hawkins and his wife Phoebe he was educated at Trinity County School and sang in the choir. He then attended Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and made his stage debut in “Where the Rainbow Ends” in 1923. He debuted on Broadway in 1929 in “Journey's End” and continued with stage performances until World War II began. After the fall of France he volunteered for military service and was sent to India in charge of troop entertainment. He rose to the rank of colonel in the ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association). Appearing in several films in the 1930s it was after the war he really began his career in the cinema. He often played stern but sympathetic authority figures in such films as “The Cruel Sea” (1953), “Land of the Pharaohs” (1955) “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957), “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) and “Lord Jim” (1965). A heavy smoker Hawkins began to develop larynx problems as early as 1959 and in 1965 he developed throat cancer. In 1966 his larynx was removed and his voice was dubbed in all future films. During this time he made his only Euro-western “Shalako” (1968) as Sir Charles Daggett. His voice was dubbed by Charles Gray [1928-2000]. After an unsuccessful operation to fit him with an artificial voice box he died on July 18, 1973 in London's St. Stephen's Hospital. His autobiography 'Anything for a Quiet Life' was published after his death. Hawkins was at one time married to actress Jessica Tandy [1909-1994] from 1932-1940. He then married Doreen Mary Atkinson [1920- ] from 1947 until his death. He had four children Susan, Caroline, Nick and Andrew. Today we remember Jack Hawkins on what would have been his 100th birthday.