Friday, September 30, 2011

Guess Who I Am


I was an Italian child actor born in Rome in 1962. Guess who I am.

I’m related to three Italian cinematographers who all were involved in Euro-westerns. Guess who I am.

My most famous role was in an Anthony Steffen Euro-western. Guess who I am.

Congratulations on a hard one. Il dottore correctly guessed this weeks photo as that of David Mancori.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE COLT

In nome del padre, del figlio e della Colt - Italian tile
Per un brevario dollari - Italian title
Justicia enmascarada - Spanish title
La mascara de cuero - Spanish title
Au nom du pere du fils et du colt - French title
The Masked Thief - English title
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Colt - English title

A 1971 Italian, Spanish co-production [New Films (Rome), Aldebaran Films S.A., Copercines (Madrid)
Producers: John Wyler (Silvio Battistini), Eduardo Manzanos
Director: Frank Bronston (Mario Montero)
Story: Arpad DeRiso, Mario Gariazzo
Screenplay: Arpad DeRiso, Mario Gariazzo
Cinematography: Emilio Foriscot [Eastmancolor]
Music: Piero Piccioni (Gian Piccioni)
Running time: 77 minutes

Cast:
Sheriff Bill/Jeff Nolan/Mace Cassidy - Craig Hill (Craig Fowler)
Mrs. Clarissa Nola - Nuccia Cardinali
Judge Finley - Frank Braña (Francisco Pérez)
Antonieta - Ágata Lys (Margarita Sansegundo)
Pick - Paco Sanz (Francisco Sanz)
Halloween party guests - Dolores Calo, Vezio Natilli, Romano Milani, Attilio Pelegatti
barman - Franz Colangeli
Deputy Grant - Lorenzo Piani
with: Gil Roland (Gilberto Galimberti), Jesús Tordesillas, Giuseppe Scarcella, Ernesto Vañes, María Vico, Antonio Padilla, Alfonso Sarlo, Liliana Chiari, Marisa Bertoni, Silvia Klein, Giuseppe Pandolfi


The plot revolves around twin brothers, Mace Cassidy a rapist and dangerous bandit, the other Bill/Jeff Nolan is the sheriff. The sheriff is investigating a series of murders during Halloween festivities, carried on by hooded killer wearing a mask. The sheriff in turn is arrested and accused by a father and daughter, of rape and as the leader of a gang of thieves. In reality it turns out to be his evil twin brother Mace Cassidy. In the end the real murderer is unmasked and the twins meet for a final showdown.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

"Comin' At Ya!" will be coming to theaters (again)



Austin, Texas
September 29, 2011
PRNewswire

Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema announced the acquistion of North American rights to "Comin' At Ya! 3D" following the premiere of its stunning new restoration at Fantastic Fest 2011. In 1981, armed with exclusively developed, cutting-edge 3D technology co-writer/producer/star Tony Anthony enlisted Italian genre veteran Fernando Baldi to realize the first-ever 3D spaghetti western - a grindhouse-fueled tale of a vengeful gunslinger. Breaking indie box office records, "Comin' At Ya! 3D" is credited with igniting a resurgence of studio-prduced 3D films. Thirty years later, Anthony and producer Tom Stern of STERNCO 3D have broken new frontiers again with the first fully restored classic 3D film in high-definition, utilizing contemporary state-of-art RealD 3D technology. A limited re-release tour is planned for 2012.

"We felt that Drafthouse Films, with their young and aggressive leadership, combined with a new model for 3D distribution, gave us the best chance to reach both longtime fans of the film and new audiences." says Tony Anthony.

"In a barrage of flying arrows, snakes and old-school 3D thrills "Comin' At Ya!" certainly delivers." Drafthouse Films director Evan Husney says. "and matching quintessential 80s style 3D with cutting-edge contemporary technology is going to make for the ultimate 3D experience for movie-goers."

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSt81bcYTmk

Who are Those Guys? - Barta Barri

Bernabé Barta Barri was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary on August 16, 1911. Before entering films Barta was a dancer and circus performer. During a tour with the circus he fell in love with Spain and decided to settle there. He quickly found work in films as a character actor usually billed as Barta Barri or Barta Barry and once as New Fuzzy. He appeared in over 100 film and TV appearances starting in 1949 with "La familia Vila" and his resume included such films as "Brigada Criminal" (1950), "The Pride and the Passion" (1957), "Las Chicas de la Cruz Roja" (1958), "The Son of Captain Blood" (1962), "Estambul 65" (1965), "The Lost Command" (1966), "Nicholas and Alexandra" (1971), "The Three Musketeers" (1973) and "Serpiente de Mar" (1984). He appeared in 24 Euro-westerns. Usually playing supporting roles from town bosses to henchmen. Barry’s probably best remembered as the outlaw who discovers it’s Jonathan Corbett he and his companions have thought was another outlaw Gulick they are to meet in "The Big Gundown" (1967). Barta’s last appearance was in 1986's "Las tribulaciones de un Buda Bizco". Barri passed away on December 7, 2003 in Madrid, Spain. Today we remember Barta Barri on what would have been his 100th birthday.

BARRI, Bernabé Barta (aka B. Barri, Barta Barri, B. Barry, Bart Barry, Barta Barry, Berta Barry, Barta Berry, New Fuzzy) [8/16/1911, Budapest, Austria-Hungary - 12/7/2003, Madrid, Madrid, Spain] - dancer, circus performer, TV actor.La montaña sin ley - 1953
Whom God Forgives - 1957
Gunfight at Red Sands - 1963 (Lou Steadman) [as Barta Barry]
Cavalry Charge - 1964
Johnny West - 1965
Son of a Gunfighter - 1965 (Esteban)
The Big Gundown - 1966 (outlaws [as Barta Barri]
Dynamite Joe - 1966 (Cigno/Swan) [as New Fuzzy]
A Few Bullets More - 1967 (Mexican vaquero) [as Barta Barri]
Custer of the West - 1967
Dead Men Don’t Count - 1968 (Frank Forrest) [as Barta Barry]
White Comanche - 1968 (Mayor Bolker) [as Barta Barri]
I Want Him Dead - 1968 (Confederate officer) [as Barta Barry]
Garringo - 1969 (Wilson) [as Barta Barri]
A Man Called Sledge - 1970 [as Barta Barry]
Cannon for Cordoba - 1970 [as Bernabe Barta Barri]
Red Sun - 1971 (Paco) [as Barta Barry]
Bad Man’s River - 1972 [as Barta Barry]
Pancho Villa - 1972 (Alfonso) [as Barta Barri]
The Man Called Noon - 1973 (Mexican) [as Barta Barri]
Three Supermen of the West - 1973 (saloon owner) [as Barta Barri]
The Stranger and the Gunfighter - 1974 (sheriff) [as Barta Barri
Whisky and Ghosts - 1976 [as Barta Barri]
The Black Wolf - 1980 (Geronimo) [as Barta Barri]
Revenge of the Black Wolf - 1980 (Geronimo) [as Barta Barri]

Happy 80th Birthday Anita Ekberg

Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg was born on September 29, 1931 in Malmö, Sweden. She was the sixth of eight children and worked as a fashion model. In 1950 at her mother’s urging Kerstin entered a local beauty contest and became Miss Malmö, Miss Sweden and then went to the U.S.A. to compete in the Miss Universe competition. Although she did not win Miss Universe she did sign a movie contract with Universal Studios where she appeared in 1953's "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" and was taken under the wing of Howard Hughes. Now known as Anita Ekberg she skipped most of her acting lessons to go horseback riding in the Hollywood Hills. She became a pin-up girl in the 1950s and she was offered films from other studios including Paramount where she was cast in "Artists and Models" (1955) "Hollywood or Bust" (1956) both starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. She toured with Bob Hope to entertain American troops stationed overseas which led to a contract with John Wayne’s Batjac Productions. Wayne cast her in "Blood Alley" (1955). In 1956 she went to Rome and appeared in "War and Peace". In 1960 Ekberg had her biggest role in Federico Fellini’s "La Dolce Vita", then "Boccaccio ‘70". Now at the height of her career she was married to British actor Anthony Steel from 1956-1959 then married actor Rik Van Nutter (1963-1975). Anita appeared in two Euro-westerns, "Deadly Trackers" (1972) with Richard Harrison, and also "Valley of the Dancing Widows" (1975) but her scenes were deleted from this films final cut.. Ekberg is now retired and living in Rome she appeared on an Italian radio show called Sommar in 2005. Today we celebrate Anita Ekberg’s 80th birthday.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

"Almería en corto" Short Film Festival December 5-9, 2011


The X International Short Film Festival "Almería en corto" will take place in Almeria on Monday December 5 to Friday December 9, 2011. The Festival is organized by the Diputación Provincial de Almería.
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

Was admitted to the competition all the short films of national and international production, shot on film (35 mm formats, 16 mm) or videotaped in high definition. Its duration should not exceed 30 minutes (including credits).
The production date must be after January 1, 2010.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER

I quattro del Pater Noster - Italian title
Il temerario - Italian title
In the Name of the Father - English title

A 1969 Italian production [S.P.E.D. (Rome)]
Producers: Franco Cittadini, Stenio Fiorentini
Director: Ruggero Deodato
Story: Augusto Finocchi, Luciano Ferri
Screenplay: Augusto Finocchi, Luciano Ferri, Maurizio Costanzo
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini (Rafel de Usa) [Eastmancolor]
Music: Luis Enriquez Bacalov
Song: "I quattro del pater noster" sung by ?
Running time: 98 minutes

Cast:
Eddy - Paolo Villagio
Paul - Lino Toffolo
Mambo - Oreste Lionello
Lazzaro - Enrico Montesano
Miss Barxter - Rosemarie Dexter
Margaret - Mariangela Giordana (Maria Giordana)
Jackson brothers - Sal Borgese (Salvatore Borgese), Gaetano Scala, Paolo Magalotti
with: Silvia Donati, Enzo Fiermonte (Vincenzo Fiermonte), Fortunato Arena, Gaetano Imbro, Mimmo Poli (Domenico Poli)


Three drifting adventurers in the Wild West come into possession of an outlaw's gold. They soon find themselves blamed for the robbery and are imprisoned. When they are sprung from their jail cell by a fourth member they are tracked down by the Jackson brothers, the real thieves, wanting to reclaim the gold. They also run into a band of Mexican revolutionaries and a bunch of casino gamblers who also want the gold.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New CD Release

I senza Dio / ...e intorno a lui fu morte
(Thunder Over El Paso (1972) / Death Knows No Time (1969))
Directors: Roberto Bianchi Montero / Leon Klimovsky
Starring: Antonio Sabato, Chris Avram / William Bogart, Wayde Preston
Composer: Carlo Savina
Label: DigitMovies #CDDM196
Tracks 22
Total listening time: 49:05
Available October 17, 2011

Track Listing
01. I SENZA DIO-seq.1 2:10
02. I SENZA DIO-seq.2 2:10
03. I SENZA DIO-seq.3 2:27
04. I SENZA DIO-seq.4 1:55
05. I SENZA DIO-seq.5 3:13
06. I SENZA DIO-seq.6 3:27
07. I SENZA DIO-seq.7 1:53
08. I SENZA DIO-seq.8 1:09
09. I SENZA DIO-seq.9 1:25
10. I SENZA DIO-seq.10 2:22
11. I SENZA DIO-seq.11 1:06
12. I SENZA DIO-seq.12 1:44
13. I SENZA DIO-seq.13 2:47
14. I SENZA DIO-seq.14 2:38
15. I SENZA DIO-seq.15 2:20
16. I SENZA DIO-seq.16 1:56
17. I SENZA DIO-seq.17 2:02

18. …E INTORNO A LUI FU LA MORTE-seq.1 1:5819. …E INTORNO A LUI FU LA MORTE-seq.2 2:46
20. …E INTORNO A LUI FU LA MORTE-seq.3 1:48
21. …E INTORNO A LUI FU LA MORTE-seq.4 2:24
22. …E INTORNO A LUI FU LA MORTE-seq.5 3:25

Happy 75th Birthday Sancho Gracia

Félix Ángel Sancho Gracia was born on September 27, 1936 in Madrid, Spain. He grew up in Uruguay and went to the Municipal School of Drama. Sancho returned to Spain in 1962 and appeared on stage in of "Caligula" which went on tour. He made his first film appearance in 1962's "The Gold Diggers of 1930", followed by "The Other Woman" starring Annie Girardot. He then started a long career in Euro-westerns starting with "Murrieta" (1965) starring Jeffrey Hunter. Gracia appeared in twelve Euro-westerns where he did all of his own stunts so he was perfect for the role of Julián in 2002 "800 Bullets". Gracia had an encounter with Raquel Welch on the film "100 Rifles" and was fired. She claims he tried to rape her. During his film career Gracia continued to appear on stage and make TV appearances. He became a producer, director and screenwriter and is the father of actor Rodolfo Sancho [1975- ]. Today we celebrate Sancho Gracia’s 75th birthday.

Monday, September 26, 2011

RIP Sergio Bonelli

Sergio Bonelli, historic publisher of Dylan Dog, Tex Willer and tens of other characters of the Italian comic strip, has died after a short illness. Sergio was born on December 12, 1932 in Milan and was the son of Gian Luigi Bonelli [1908-2001] creator of Tex Willer and founder of the publishing company Sergio Bonelli Editore S.p.A.. His first publishing activities go back to 1955, under the feminine pseudonym of Guido Nolitta, with the cartoon of ‘Un ragazzo nel Far West’ (A Boy in the Far West), illustrated by Franco Bignotti. After his father’s death he continued writing the Tex Willer comics. In the 1957 Bonelli it then assumes the direction of the publishing house called Arlado Editions, in order to give life in 1961 to ‘Zagor’. Bonelli also Il Giudice Bean' (Judge Roy Bean), a six adventure mini-series which Robert Hossein starred in the film (1971).  In 1975 he created ‘Mr. No’. In 2008 he was awarded the Ambrogino d’oro by the city of Milan. In August of 2011 he was stricken by a sudden illness and was admitted to San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Lombardy, Italy where he passed away this morning. Sergio was a screenwriter on "Tex Willer and the Lord of the Deep" (1985) starring Giuliana Gemma.


IN THE DUST OF THE SUN

Dans la poussière du soleil - French title
Westens varme vind - Danish title
Kuoleman kuuma tuuli - Finnish title
I polis ton katharmaton - Greek title
Il sole nella polvere - Italian title
Dödens heta vind - Swedish title
At kadin ve silah - Turkish title
Dust in the Sun - English title
In the Dust of the Sun - U.S.A. title

A 1971 French production [IMF Pictures, Kerfrance Production (Paris)]
Producer: J. Ch. Carlus
Director: Richard Balducci
Story: "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
Screenplay: Richard Balducci, Félix Fernández
Cinematography: Tadasu G. Suzuki [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Francis Lai
Song: "Sur notre etoile" sung by Francis Lai
Running time: 80 minutes

Cast:
Gertie Bradford - Maria Schell
Joe Bradford - Bob Cunningham (Robert Cunningham)
Hawk Bradford - Daniel Beretta
Maria Edwards - Karin Meier
The Great Goldoni - Pepe Calvo (José Salgado)
Madame Goldoni - Pilar Vela (Maria Llorente)
saloon owner - Perla Cristal (Perla Lijtik)
Swan - Lorenzo Robledo
Sheriff Edwards - Colin Drake
priest - Ángel Del Pozo (Ángel Merino)
Flops - Fernando Bilbao
Monky - André Thévenet
Crack - Jerome Jeffreys (Gerome Jeffrys)
Flynt - Jack Anton (Jacques Anton)
Ken - Manuel Otero (Manolo Otero)
banker - Santiago Ontañón (Santiago Fernandez)
country woman - Odile Astie
townsman - Amarilla (Florencio Amarilla)
with: Marisa Porcel (María Porcel), Henry Bydon (Henri Bidon), K. Quesada


In a, small, dusty western town called San Angelo, landowner Joe Bradford kills his brother and then marries his brother's widow, Gertie. Gertie's son, Hawk, who seems a bit autistic and a simple boy decides that something is not right and decides to correct the situation and takes action. Joe, in reality, wants his brothers ranch. It seems all the girls in town want to be Hawks girl, especially the sheriff’s daughter Maria. When Maria goes riding with Hawk and then decides to take a bath and show off her body to Hawk he wants nothing to do with her and takes her nude body back to town over his saddle. The sheriff is insulted and goes after Hawk who is pretty hand with a pistol and defends himself, killing the sheriff. Now Maria’s gunslinger brother arrives to try and even the score. Maria and Hawk fall in love which turns their two families against each other in a final showdown.

Happy 70th Birthday Martine Beswick

Martine Beswick was born on September 26, 1941 in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Her parents were English and after her schooling she pursued a career in modeling. As often erroneously recorded Martine was not a Miss Jamaica winner. Beswick gained fame as a Bond girl, appearing in "Dr. No" (1962) and "From Russia With Love" (1963). She would go on to appear opposite Raquel Welch in "One Million Years BC" (1966) and "Dr. Jekyyl and Sister Hyde" (1971). Martine appeared in two Euro-westerns, "A Bullet for the General" (1966) and "John the Bastard" (1967). Her career continued well into the 1990s in films and TV. Still active today she participates in documentaries and is often a guest at film conventions. Beswick never married dispelling another myth was that she was married to actor John Richardson. Today we celebrate Martine Beswick’s 70th birthday.

Happy 70th Birthday Karin Gregorek

Karin Gregorek was born on September 26, 1941 in Wendorf, Mecklenberg, Germany. After attending the The Academy of Dramatic Arts "Ernst Busch" Berlin from 1961-1963 she apeared on stage in Dessau and Erfert, Germany. From 1976 - 1993 she appeared in many productions in Berlin’s Maxim Gorky Theatre. Karin also appeared in over 90 films and television programs in secondary supporting roles. Her first film appearance was in "Christine" (1963) and she continues making films, TV series and appearing on stage. Karin has made only one Euro-western "Death for Zapata" (1976) as Carlota. Today we celebrate Karin Gregorek’s 70th birthday.

Remembering Clair Huffaker

Clair Huffaker was born on September 26, 1926 in Magna, Utah. Huffaker was a writer who penned western novels and screenplays. His sreenplays included such films as "Flaming Star" (1960), "The Commancheros" (1961), "Rio Conchos" (1964), and "The War Wagon" (1967). His TV scripts showed up on "The Virginian", "Lawman" and "Bonanza". Clair wrote screenplays for 3 Euro-westerns, "100 Rifles" (1969), "The Deserter" (1971), "Chino" (1973) and was thanked along with Sergio Corbucci in the 1995 film "Jonathan of the Bears" (1995). He is the father of novelist and actress Samantha C. Kirkeby. Huffaker died of an aneurysm on April 3, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. Today we remember Claif Huffaker on what would have been his 85th birthday.

Remembering Ángel Álvarez


Ángel Álvarez Fernández was born on September 26, 1906 in Madrid, Spain. A prolific character actor who appeared in over 200 films and television appearances. Ángel made his screen debut in 1945's "Cinco lobitos" and continued appearing in films until his final appearance in 1982's "National III". The short, plump actor and sometimes screenwriter appeared in 15 Euro-westerns beginning with "The Coyote" in 1954 and ending with "Yankee Dudler" in 1973. He’s probably best remembered as Nathaniel the saloon owner in "Django" (1965) and as bank owner Oliver Blackwood in "Navajo Joe" (1966). Today we remember Ángel Álvarez on what would have been his 105th birthday.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Spaghetti Western Locations


Continuing our tour of locations for "Duck You Sucker". After Juan and his family have dumped the stagecoach passengers in the pig wallow a clap of thunder is thought to be heard in the distance. Then another until a cloud of smoke appears to show that it was an explosion of some type. This rambla can also be seen from this same location.



For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi ‘Garringo’ Yasuda’s excellent website: http://y-yasuda.net/

Saturday, September 24, 2011

IN A COLT'S SHADOW

All’ombra di una colt - Italian title
Plazo para morir - Spanish title
A sombra de uma arma - Brazilian title
Coltin varjossa - Finnish title
Un mercenaire resta a teur - French title
Pistoleros - German title
Ypografo me to pistoli mou - Greek title
La sombra de un pistolero - Mexican title
Desordem na Terra Dos Gringos - Portuguese title
In umbra coltului - Romanian title
I skuggan av en Colt - Swedish title
I Coltens Skugga - Swedish title
In a Colt’s Shadow - U.S.A. title

A 1966 Italian, Spanish co-production [Hercules Cinematografica (Rome), Hispamer Films P.C. (Madrid)]
Producer: Vincenzo Genesi
Director: Gianni Grimaldi (Giovanni Grimaldi)
Story: Aldo Barni, Aldo Luxardo
Screenplay: Giovanni Grimaldi, María del Carmen Martínez Román
Cinematography: Stelvio Massi, Julio Ortas (Julio Plaza) [Eastmancolor, Cromoscope]
Music: Nico Fidenco (Domenico Colarossi)
Song: "Finche il mondo Sara" sung by I Cantori Moderni
Song: "I Can’t, Cause I Gotta Kill" sung by Richard McNamara
Running time: 82 minutes

Cast:
Steve Blaine - Stephen Forsyth
Susan Buchanan - Anne Sherman (Anna Maria Polani)
Duke Buchanan - Conrado Sanmartin (Conrado Prieto)
Fabienne - Helga Liné (Lisa Stern)
Harold Jackson - Frank Ressel (Domenico Orobona)
Jim - Gino Cassani
Burns - Frankie Liston (Franco Lauteri)
Buck - Graham Sooty (Virgilio Gazzolo)
sheriff - Pepe Calvo (José Selgado)
Oliver - Andrew Scott (Andrea Scotti)
Ramirez - Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell)
bartender - Tito Garcia (Pablo Gonzalez)
judge - Rufino Inglés
with: José Marco (José Rosello), Xan de Bolas (Tomas Pena), Xavier de Rivera (Javier de Rivera), Rafael Albaicín (Ignacio Escudero), Hugo Blanco (Hugo Galiasso), Sancho Gracia (Felix Gracia), Hugo Ricardo, Álvaro de Luna (Álvaro Blanco), Hilario Flores, Rafael Ibáñez, Guillermo Méndez, Juan Antonio Peral, Hugo Riccardo


After rescuing a Mexican village from a gang of harassing outlaws harassment, professional gunmen Steve and Duke separate. Duke, the older of the two, knows that Steve is in love with his daughter Susan, and because the girl does not want to live the life of a wanderer in constant danger, he asks Steve not to see her again, or he will have to kill him. Steve does not believe the threats of his friend, and says he will give up the gun and, together for the girl he loves, he changes his life and decides to become an honest farmer. Steve and Susan come to Providence, where the young man decides to buy a farm of which, two powerful and unscrupulous individuals, Jackson and Walsh have long been eyeing. When the two realize that Steve is winning the game against their henchmen sent to drive him away, and using by a lover rejected by Steve, they call on Duke. But Duke does not take long to realize that Jackson and Walsh have decide to kill the survivor of the battle. Steve then gives Duke a hand in killing all the assassins and their devious bosses. After the battle is finished the two are again reunited in friendship.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd3BiMUWCto&feature=related

Remembering Frtiz Links

Fritz Links was born on September 24, 1896. Trained by Albert Heine he begins his artistic career in 1919 at the New La Scala Theatre in Vienna, Austria, where he also was a director. before becoming a character actor at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. Links was prosecuted by the Nazis during World War II and this experience helped him convey certain roles to his audience in the years to come. He would then go on to appear radio, film and television. His most remembered film appearance was in the DEFA film "Das Tal der sieben Monde". He usually had small roles such as janitors, parking attendants and gravediggers. He even rides a horse in his only Euro-western "Tecumseh" (1972) before switching. to a more convenient carriage. Links passed away on April 18, 1976 in East Berlin, East Germany. Today we remember Fritz Links on what would have been his 115th birthday.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Guess Who I Am


I’m an Italian actor born in Rome in 1940. Guess who I am.

I appeared in 10 Euro-westerns as a supporting actor and stuntman. Guess who I am.

I used an Americanized alias in several of my westerns. Guess who I am.

No one guessed this weeks photo. It is Mario Novelli who often was credited as Anthony Freeman.

RIP Paulette Dubost

French film star, Paulette Dubost passed away on September 21, 2011 at the age of 100. appeared in more than 150 films during her 81 year career. She was a witty, naughty and clever comedienne in many French comedies of the 1930's. She also proved to be good in dramatic roles, such as Ginette in "Hotel du Nord" (1938) and Lisette in "La règle du jeu" (1939). Paulette Dubost was born Paulette Marie Emma Deplanque in Paris, France, on Ocotber 8, 1910. Her father was a petroleum engineer and her mother a singer at the Opéra Comique. Paulette began her career at the age of 7 at the Opéra de Paris. At 17, she switched to operetta and played for two years in "Les Aventures du roi Pausole" (The Adventures of King Pausole) at the Bouffes Parisiens with Simone Simon, Edwige Feuillère and Viviane Romance. Her naughty look and her voice were quickly noticed by film makers, and from 1930 on she played roles in films by Jacques Tourneur, Jean Renoir, Andre Cayatte, Gilles Grangier and Max Ophuls. In "Le Roi de Champs Elysses" (1935, Max Nosseck) she appeared opposite the famous silent film star Buster Keaton in a dual role. She played a supporting part in "Hotel du Nord" (1936), the second in Marcel Carne's trio of 'fatalistic romantic melodramas' starring Annabella and Jean-Pierre Aumont. Her most famous film from this period is Jean Renoir's "La Règle du jeu" (1939). Though it's now regarded as one of the great classics of the French film, it was not warmly received on its original release in 1939

After the war Dubost co-starred with Danielle Darrieux in "Au Petit Bonheur" (1946, Marcel L'Herbier), derived from a stage play, written by Marc Gilbert Sauvajon. She appeared in the interesting Swiss post-war drama "Four in a Jeep" (1951, Leopold Lindtberg) starring Viveca Lindfors and Ralph Meeker. Max Ophüls then gave Paulette Dubost parts in Le plaisir/Pleasure (1951), based on three short stories by of Guy de Maupassant, and Lola Montes (1955) starring Martine Carol. In 1992, she published a memoir entitled C'est court la vie (It's a short life). Even in old age she continued to perform in films. Her last film appearance was in the short film Curriculum (2007, Alexander Moix). Paulette Dubost is currently 99 years old. She was married to Andre Ostertag from 1936 till 1944. They have a daughter, born in 1942. Paulette appeared in one Euro-western "Viva Maria!" (1965) as Madame Diogène with Brigite Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. - By Bob Holland

First Day of Autumn 2011

Who Are Those Gals? - Liz Barrett

Luisa Pasqualotto Baratto is an Italian actress who often used the pseudonyms Liz Barrat, Liz Barret, Luise Barret, Louis Barrett and Liz Barrtee. Although to the Italian film industry she was just another pretty face that flooded the film world in the 1960s she found stardom for a brief period in the mid to late part of that decade. Appearing in only 11 films she’s remembered for her roles in 1965's "Bloody Pit of Horror" with Mickey Hargitay and her roles in five Euro-westerns. Her last film was "Colpo de stato" in 1969. As far as I know she left the industry and her whereabouts are unknown.

BARRETT, Liz (aka Liz Barrat, Liz Barret, Louise Barret, Louise Barrett, Liz Barrtee) (Luisa Pasqualotto Baratto) [Italian]Kill and Pray - 1967 (Lo)
Killer Kid - 1967 (Mercedes Hernandez) [as Liz Barret]
Payment in Blood - 1967 (Manuela) [as Louise Barrett]
The Long Day of the Massacre - 1968 (Lara) [as Liz Barret]
Two Pistols and a Coward - 1968 [as Liz Barrat]

Thursday, September 22, 2011

RIP Nico Minardos

Actor Nico Minardos, who appeared in films and television during a three-decade career and was the subject of a 2010 documentary, died of natural causes on August 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. He was 81. Minardos was a contract player at 20th Century Fox, making his first (uncredited) film appearance in 1952's "Monkey Business" with Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant. Film credits also include "Istanbul," with Errol Flynn; 1960's "Twelve Hours to Kill," in which he starred opposite Barbara Eden; "It Happened in Athens," with Jayne Mansfield; and 1977's "Assault on Agathon," which he produced and starred in with Marianne Faithfull and John Woodvine. Minardos also made appearances on dozens of TV shows starting in 1956. Credits included "Maverick," "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," "The Flying Nun," "Mod Squad," "Mission: Impossible," "Ironside," "Alias Smith and Jones" and "The A-Team." He was also the subject of Owen Prell's 2010 feature documentary "Finding Nico." Born February 15, 1930 in Athens, Greece, Minardos attended the Sorbonne in Paris and graduated from UCLA. He was briefly married to Deborah Jean Smith, who later married Tyrone Power. Minardos is survived by his second wife, Julie Minardos; son George Minardos; daughter Nina Aloni, who is married to CAA agent Dan Aloni; and three grandchildren. Minardos appeared in one Euro-western "Cannon for Cordoba" (1970) as Peter Andros.

Costner bails on "Django Unchained"


Due to "scheduling conflicts" Kevin Costner has had to pass on "Django Unchained. Costner was in talks to play a rare villainous role as Ace Woody, a sadistically brutal bastard who mercilessly oversees a gladiatorial operation that pits male slaves against one another for the entertainment of white landowners. Theses matches-to-the-death are but one component of Candyland, a plantation owned by Calvin Candie that also specializes in prostituting female slaves. Django, a recently liberated slave, arrives at Candyland in order to free his captive wife, Broomhilda, and exact a little violent revenge on Candie.

Jamie Foxx is all set to play the lead role of Django, while breakout Inglourious Basterds star Christoph Waltz will play the German dentist-turned-bounty hunter who equips Django with the necessary skills to take on those slave-owning sons of bitches. Leonardo DiCaprio is diving headfirst into the waters of despicable villainy as Candie, while Samuel L. Jackson will lend support of Candie's unfailingly loyal and deviously manipulative personal valet.

THE IMPLACABLE THREE

Tres hombres buenos - Spanish title
I tre implacabili - Italian title
Tre uomini buoni - Italian title
Trois cavaliers noirs - French title
Le solitaire et les 3 cavaliers - French title
Die drei unerbittlichen - German title
Oi 3 akatavlitoi - Greek title
Uc kabaday inin intikami - Turkish title
The Magnificent Three - U.K. title
The Implacable Three - U.S.A. title

A 1963 Spanish, Italian production [Copercines (Madrid), PEA (Rome)]
Producers: Eduardo Manzanos Brochero, Alberto Grimaldi
Director: J.L. Marchent (Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent)
Story: José Mallorquí (José Figuerola)
Screenplay: José Mallorquí (José Fuguerola), Mario Ciaino, Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent
Cinematography: Rafael Pacheco (Rafael de Usa) [Eastmancolor, Totalscope]
Music: Manuel Parada, Francesco De Masi
Song: "Alone" sung by ?
Running time: 86 minutes

Cast:
Don César Guzmán - Geoffrey Horne (Michael Horne)
Kid McCoy - Robert Hundar (Claudio Undari)
Joao Silveira - Paul Piaget
Lupe - Turia Nelson
Ana - Rosa del Rio
Hopkins - Massimo Carocci
Diego Abriles - Ferando Sancho (Fernando Les)
Marisol/Lola - Cristina Gaioni (Maria Gaioni)
Hopkins’ henchman - Raf Baldassare (Raffaele Baldassarre)
Bannon - John MacDouglas (Giuseppe Addobbati)
Bannon henchman - Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell), Miguel de la Riva, Antonio Padilla, Pedro
Rodríguez de Quevedo, Emilio Rodríguez
Mayor Hopkins - Antonio Gradoli
undertaker - Jesús Guzmán
Sanders - Rufino Inglés
sheriff - Fernando Montes
prisoner - Juan Antonio Peral
Don Julio Benavente - Santiago Rivero
Ray Logan - Lorenzo Robledo
Cartero - Xan das Bolas
Marisol/Lola’s friend - Charo del Río
with: José Jaspe (José Rivas), Donatella Marrosu, Jesús Tordesillas (Jesús Fernandez), Simon Arriaga, Fernando Montes, Simón Arriaga, Gonzalo Esquiroz, Enrique Navarro, Emilio Berrio, Faustino Cornejo, José Farber, Donatella Marrosu, Francisco Montalvo, Antonio Sanabria


A rancher leaves his wife at their hacienda and rides off to herd his cattle. Seven gunslingers invade the house and are stealing him blind when his wife awakens and confronts them. The leader of the gang strangles her to death, but before she dies, she tears a stick pin off his lapel. When he finds his wife dead, Don César Guzmán sets out on the revenge trail and eventually picks up two like-minded individuals. After the mysterious killer strangled his wife, he blew up Guzmán's safe to steal his money. He blasted the safe because he knew the combination and one of his accomplices suggested that he blow the safe so that Don César would not know that the thief knew him. Don César rides into town and promptly finds himself in the middle of a gunfight in a saloon where he kills three of the gunslingers that struck at his hacienda.
A gunfighter, Joao Silveira, strings along with Don César and they ride the country for two years searching for the murderer. Eventually, they return to the hacienda and Don César finds that things have changed in town. The mayor is a conniving villain and wants Don César dead. The next big event is the arrival of a two-gun Mexican gunslinger, Diego Abriles. He aligns himself with Don César and his friend. The three eventually pin Mayor Hopkins to the murders as the ring leader of the gang. A final fiery gun battle takes place in the saloon and justice is served.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6_WTkeH8U

Remembering Hans Albers

Hans Philipp August Albers was born in Hamburg, Germany on September 22, 1891. He was the single biggest male movie star in Germany between 1930 and 1945 and one of the most popular German actors of the twentieth century. He studied acting before being called to service in World War I. After the war he moved to Berlin where he found work as a comedic actor in several theaters. Hans then appeared in silent films of which he made over 100. Albers appeared in the first talking German film "Die Nacht gehört uns" (1929). He became famous the following year in 1930 with his appearance "Der Greifer". When the Nazis came to power Albers and his Jewish girlfriend Hansi Burg moved to Bavaria. She then fled the Switzerland and eventually England in 1939 before being reunited after the war. In 1943 Albers appeared in one of his biggest German hits "Münchhausen" followed by another hit "Große Freiheit Nr. 7". After the war it became more difficult to find and he began to take father-figure roles. By the 1950s his age began to show and he began to drink heavily. During his heyday he also embarked on a singing career with many of his songs about drunken, womanizing sailors on shore-leave with his most famous song being "Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins". Albers appeared in two Euro-westerns, "Water for Canitoga" (1939) and "Jonny Saves Nebrador" (1953). Albers died in Stamburg, Germany on July 24, 1960. Today we remember one of the great German actors Hans Albers on what would have been his 120th birthday.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Happy 75th Birthday Teresa Gimpera

Teresa Gimpera Flaquer was born on September 21, 1936 in Iqualada, Catalonia, Spain. She was a model whose popularity led to her film career. She was the 1969 winner of the Miss European Lady contest. Teresa appeared in over 100 films and TV appearances including four Euro-westerns: ""Wanted" (1967), "$20,000 for Seven" (1969) "The Legend of Frenchie King" (1970) and "Those Dirty Dogs" (1974), before marrying American actor Craig Hill [1926- ] in 1990 and starting her own modeling school. Teresa recently appeared with her husband Craig Hill at the 2011 Almeria Western Film Festival earlier this month. Today we celebrate Teresa Gimpera’s 75th birthday.

Happy 85th Birthday Carla Calo

Carla Calò was born on September 21, 1926 in Palermo, Italy After appearing on stage for several years she made her film debut in 1949's "Il falco rosso". She then became a member of actor Toto’s stock company appearing in many of his films. Since then she has devoted her career to films. Most of her films were ‘B’ entries where she sometimes had the lead role. Carla has made appearances in over 100 films and on television. She appeared in six Euro-westerns sometimes using the alias Carol Brown and Carrol Brown from "Zorro in the Court of Spain" (1962) to "A Taste of Vengeance" (1969). She’s probably best remembered by Spaghetti western fans for her role as Rhonda Liston the mother of the Anthony Steffen and Gianni Garko characters in "Blood at Sundown" (1966). Carla’s last documented appearance was in an Italian/Polish TV co-production of "Inferno Below" (2003). Today we celebrate Carla Calò’s 85th birthday.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Saturno Cerra profile

The First Almeria Western International Film Festival a week ago was held in Tabernas and served to honor the work of Saturno Cerra and a few other supporting actors who helped to strengthen the roots of the province’s western movies. Actors and the big stars appeared in numerous spaghetti westerns filmed in the deserts of Almeria. A natural setting for the return of Saturno Cerra forty years after his first trip. It was in 1965 when, newly arrived from Brazil to see his mother in Sebreñu, he was told what was happening in Almeria. "I traveled to get there and was hired to work on my first western," he recalled. That film was called "7 guns for the Mac Gregors".. His role was that of Johnny MacGregor, "a cowboy who was studying theology but who also knew how to draw his revolver."

That first script only had fifteen minutes of film time, but in the sequel, "Up the MacGregors" I worked from start to finish. This is work that he is most proud of, but he also appeared in major films such as "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"and "Once upon a time the West". In the latter film he appeared alongside Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson. "I was in make-up every day with Claudia Cardinale, although she arrived in her limo and we were in the car of the production company," recalls the Cerra. Still, the role of which he has the best memory of is Johnny MacGregor, "with his blond hair, wide-brimmed Sombrero, gun and Bible in hand."

Saturno Cerra is considered a western addict because this was the genre that opened the doors of the cinema in Spain. He had previously worked on numerous films in Brazil, but his dream was to "wear pistols, put on my hat and ride on a horse." He did so in countless movies. Many were shown only in Spain, but others were sold by the Italians to foreign countries. "In fact, during the festival I met a Japanese guy who traveled to Almería specifically to participate in this event and brought a photograph that he showed me and asked me to autograph it. It was wonderful," he said. There, on the set of Fort Bravo also found a stuntman, "the grandson of Juan el Gitano (John the Gypsy)."

However, the reunion of those who would remember best was saved for his former castmates: Frank Braña fellow Spaniard, Antonio Pica Andalusian, Italian heartthrob Fabio Testi, Nicoletta Machiavelli also Italian, Craig Hill and Dan Van Husen, among others. Also attending were two directors with whom he had the chance to work, Eugenio Martin and Rafael Romero Marchent. All participated in a discussion forum and recorded several interviews for several documentaries. As a final touch, a plaque of remembrance was given to all of them. Saturno Cerra returned Sunday to his home filled with joy and his batteries recharged. A memory came to him of those long days of filming in the desert of Almeria working on up to three movies at one time. "I moved from one to another. I just stayed with the makeup, the rest I would change as needed," he said.

Saturno Cerra also took the opportunity to clarify a detail. It is true that he died in all of the films he spoke of, "but not as many as many claim". "They say I was shot in more films then I lived through," he added. That will take away the legend! Satuno does not lose any sleep over it at his home in Sebreñu and is satisfied with the work he has done. Now if you had to choose between the role of the good, the bad and the ugly, always stay with the latter "because a movie with a good bad guy is less bad and the more the better, because the villain is always remembered," he added.




I'm the Sheriff

I’m the Sheriff - International title

A 1998-2001 French production [Creation 3D, Patrick Zanoli (Paris)]
Producers: Jean-Pascal Vial, Languedoc-Roussilon
Director: Lydie Jean-dit-Pannel
Story: ‘Le monstre des Hawkilne" by Richard Brautigab
Screenplay: Lydie Jean-dit-Pannel
Cinematography: Jean-Luc Fauquier
Music: Roger Maddox, Joseph Guigui
Running time: 7 minutes

Cast:
Sheriff - Jean Pierre de Tugny
Cameron - Max Benoit
Greer - Roger Maddox
Marie Oriental - Solene Derouard
hanged man Patrick Laffont
with: Majorettes D’Ales, Cavalier Voltigeurs de France


Greer and Cameron, two petty confident cowboys are chasing the sheriff in order to shoot him down for the hanging of their friend.

YouTube link: http://www.exquise.org/video.php?id=2117

Monday, September 19, 2011

New CD Release

Sartana non perdona (aka Sonora)
1968
Composer: Francesco DeMasi
Director: Aqlfonso Balcazar
Starring: George Martin, Gilbert Roland, Jack Elam
BEAT CDCR93
Tracks: 26
8 page booklet
Limited edition 500 copies
Available: 9/26/2011
Total Time: 54:30

Track listing:
1 Maybe somewhere, maybe somebody * 2'13‘' [vocal Franco Morselli]
2 Non potro' domenticare 1'15''
3 Un giorno ti pentirai 1'23''
4 Tramonto a Sonora 1'42''
5 Passaggio nel mistero 2'02''
6 Sogni ed ombre nell'incubo 2'34''
7 Un giorno ti pentirai 2'14''
8 Non potro' dimenticare 2'39''
9 Triste e sospeso 2'03''
10 Un giorno ti pentirai 1'42''
11 Seguendo un orma 1'40''
12 Un giorno ti pentirai 2'13''
13 Cavalcando verso Sonora 4'18''
14 Sogni ed ombre 1'24''
15 Ecce homo 1'20''16 Senza sosta 2'55''
17 Un giorno ti pentirai 1'51''
18 Incubo di un ricordo 2'25''
19 Sogni ed ombre 2'41''
20 La pista nella sabbia 1'09''
21 Incubo di un ricordo 1'14''
22 Nella sabbia del deserto 1'26''
23 Sogni ed ombre nell'incubo 2'14''
24 La grotta misteriosa 3'05''
25 Sogni ed ombre ** 2'37'' [vocal Vania]
26 Un giorno ti pentirai *** 3'11'' [vocal Franco Morselli]

Remembering Nini Rosso

Raffaele Celeste Rosso was born on September 19, 1926 in San Michele Mondovi, Italy. At first a jazz performer with several bands and orchestras including Cynic Angelini. He decided to launch a solo career and signed a recording contract with Titanus and recorded on the Durium label. His first album The Ballad of the Trumpet found success when launched in 1961 and in 1963 he appeared on Piero Umiliani’s soundtrack for "L’amore difficile" in 1963 on the track "Love Lane 43". His big break came when he recorded "Il Silenzio" a version of TAPS. His version was recorded at a concert at Palaeur in Rome in front of a military audience and the reception was explosive. The recording sold 10 million copies and was most popular in Northern Europe and Japan where he made several tours. Rosso plays "Il Silenzio" in the Euro-western "A Fistful of Songs" (1966). He became a much requested soloist for composers especially during the Spaghetti western era. He appears as one of the battling trumpets on Morricone’s "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966) main theme as well as "Little Rita of the West" (1967) where he also appears as an actor serenading Django as he rides into town. Along with Michel Lacarenza, Rosso was considered one of the best trumpet players in all of Italy. He passed away from lung cancer on October 5, 1994 in Rome. Today we remember the legendary trumpet player Nini Rosso on what would have been his 85th birthday.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az94E3RPB8w

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Happy 65th Birthday Vincenzo Tempera

Vincenzo Tempera was born on September 18, 1946 in Milan, Italy. Vince is a keyboardist and arranger. He’s best remembered by Euro-western fans as one-third of the composing trio Bixio, Frizzi and Tempera with co-composers Fabio Frizzi [1951- ] and Franco Bixio [194?- ] He began his career in 1966 playing with the Italian band ‘The New Era’. He would play barefoot and jump on the piano ala Jerry Lee Lewis. In 1970 he joined ‘The Pleasure Machine’ and did their arrangements. In 1974 along with guitarists Mario Lavezzi and Albert Radius, with bass player Bob Callero and drummer John Dall’Aglio they formed the group ‘The Flight’. At the same time under the pseudonym Andre Carr he released several 45 and 33 rpm records for Harmony Records. During the late 1970's he worked with Frank Sinatra at his live concerts. In 1978 he receive a gold record for "Atlas Ufo Robot". Still active today we celebrate Vince Tempera’s 65th birthday.

Remembering Enrico Maria Salerno

Enrico Maria Salerno was born on September 18, 1926 in Milan, Italy and is remembered for his work in Italian theater and film as an actor, director and voice dubber. He was the Italian voice of Clint Eastwood in the Sergio Leone ‘Dollar’ series and the voice of Christ in "The Gospel According ro St. Matthew" by Pier Paolo Pasolini. In 1960 Enrico founded the stage company Nuova Compagnia degli Associati. He appeared in four Euro-westerns: "Death Walks in Laredo" (1966), "Bandidos" (1967), "Death Sentence" and "A Train for Durango" (both 1968). In 1970 he made his film debut as a director with "Anonimo Veneziano" which won the Italian Academy Award. Salerno passed away on February 28, 1994 in Rome, Italy. Today we remember Enrico Maria Salerno on what would have been his 85th birthday.

Remembering Rossano Brazzi

Rossano Brazzi was born on September 18, 1916 in Bologna, Italy and is usually remembered as the star of such American film classics as "South Pacific", "Summertime" and "Three Coins In The Fountain". What we fail to realize is just how truly international and extensive his career was. He was a hugely popular stage and screen actor in his native Italy for well over a decade before his first American film, considered at a very early age to be one of the best and brightest young stars of the Italian theater. He then astonished critics and public alike, at the age of twenty-four, with his electric film portrayal of a middle aged Edmund Kean in Dumas' "Kean", and delivered a critically acclaimed and award-winning performance in the Italian film classic "Noi Vivi/Addio Kira" ("We The Living/ Goodbye Kira") two years later. He starred in at least twenty-eight films before arriving in the United States in 1939 to do "Little Women". Among his films were "Tosca", as Mario Cavaradossi," I due Foscari" as the young Jacopo Foscari, "Una donna dell'ovest" ("Girl of the Golden West"), which many consider the first Italian western, and the enormously popular "Aquila nera" ("Black Eagle") series. He made films in France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Great Britain. Brazzi starred in several popular telenovelas and TV movies in Italy and at least two European (and one American) television series. In his 55-year career, he acted in and/or directed over 230 films, as well as maintaining a presence in Italy as an accomplished stage actor. Beside’s his appearance in "Girl of the Golden West" (1942) he also appeared in 1971's "Drummer of Vengeance". Brazzi died from a neural virus the day before Christmas in 1994. Today we remember Rossano Brazzi on what would have been his 95th birthday.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Un sueno de pelicula


Un sueño de pelicula - Spanish title

A 2011 Spanish production [2 Plano (Almeria)]
Producer: Paco Barrilado (Francisco Barrilado)
Director: Paco Barrilado (Francisco Barrilado)
Story: Francisco Barrilado
Screenplay: Francisco Barrilado
Cinematography: David Aquirre [color]
Music: Curro Savoy
Running time: 30 minutes

Story: A young boy dreams of adventures in the Old West.

Cast:
Nube Azul - Alejandro Sanchéz López Barrilado, Jr.
Mexican - Diego García (Diego Pascual)
stranger -  Fran Barry (Francisco Barrilado)
El Loco -  Francis García (Francisco García)
sheriff -  José Novo (José Novo Arellano)
Kevin - Rafael Aparicio (Rafael García)
with: Rafael Talaverón González, Diego Jiménez Flores


A short film about a young boy who dreams of adventures in the Old West.

"Paco Barrilado has been working very hard in recent months on the development of this film which he hopes helps his grandson make his first steps in film. The film premiers tonight at the Maestro Padilla Auditorium in Almeria, Spain at 10 p.m.."

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3plRvnq4bY