Sunday, August 31, 2014

Remembering Susana Campos

Susana Campos Ovalle was born on August 31, 1934 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From a young age he showed a talent for acting. She had her first opportunity, by some accounts in Tres millones... y el amor directed by Luis Bayon Herrera in 1946. Other researchers state that her career began in 1947 when she was selected along with other girls, including Analia Gade , in a contest to accompany Maria Duval in “La serpiente de cascabel” Rattlesnake, directed by Carlos Schlieper and others place the young Actress in a previous film,Mi novia es un fantasma” directed by Mugica Francisco.
 
She received other roles and travelled to Spain, where he shot several films. The actress used to appear in these films with dyed blonde, which director José Luis Borau did not like, who admired her clean and serene beauty as much as for her talent. He chose her to star inCrimen de doble” (1964) and managed to convince her to change her hair to its natural color, something he was proud of. Other memorable performances were in “Del brazo y por la calle” (1966), “Los muchachos de antes no usaban gomina” (1969), “El día que me quieras” (1969), with Hugo del Carril, “Los chicos crecen” (1974) and “Los viernes de la eternidad” (1980). Susana appeared in only one Euro-western under the pseudonym Evelin Therens, “Django Does Not Forgive” (1966) in the role of Helen Patterson.
 
She also appeared on stage in such plays as “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller and “Guilty by Narciso Ibáñez Menta. Her stage and film career ran simultaneously until her death.
 
Her last film was “Cómo pasan las horas” in 2004 directed by Inés de Oliveira Cézar.
 
She was stricken by a brain tumor in 1999 which she had removed but it returned and she died on October 16, 2004 in her hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the age of 70.
 
Today we remember Susana Campos on what would have been her 80th birthday.

Happy 100th Birthday Alfredo Vorelli

Alfredo Varelli was born Alfredo Ciavarella on August 31, 1914 in Saracinesco, Rome, Italy. He began very young in the movies (1934). Varelli emerged during the Fascist era, but most of his work was post-Second World War. He played a leading role in the 1942 historical drama “La cena delle beffe” but appeared almost exclusively in minor roles in adventure and costume films, except for the 1945 film directed by Pino MercantiAll'ombra della Gloria”, in which he starred in the title role. Since 1961 his appearances became less and less and working in small productions. His last major role was the 1987 film of a Peter Greenaway, “The Belly of an Architect”, in which he plays Julio.
 
Alfredo appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Seven Dollars to Kill” (1966) as the sheriff using the pseudonym Fred Warrel and in “30 Winchesters for El Diablo” in 1969.
 
Today we celebrate Alfredo Varelli’s 100th birthday.

Remembering Richard Basehart

John Richard Basehart was born on August 31, 1914 in Zanesville, Ohio. He entered film by way of Broadway in 1947, making his mark in the gritty "He Walked by Night" (1948) and proving his versatility in several international productions, notably Federico Fellini's poignant masterpiece "La Strada" (1954). He garnered secondary fame as the star of the Irwin Allen-produced "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (ABC, 1964-1968), playing a submarine captain. Basehart's second wife was actress Valentina Cortese [1925- ] (1951-1960), their daughter is actress Jackie Basehart [1951- ].
 
Basehart appeared in two Euro-westerns: “The Savage Guns” (1961) as Steve Fallon and again in 1971’s “Chato’s Land” as Nye Buell.
 
Richard died as the result of a stroke he received one month after was the announcer for the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He died on September 17, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.
 
Today we remember Richard Basehart on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue our search for film locations for “Texas Adios” (aka The Avenger). We now see Burt, escorted by Miguel the Alcalde and his henchmen, arriving at the Rio Grande river and the border between Mexico and the United States. Suddenly the men are attacked by Hernandez, the lawyer from town and a band of freedom fighters. All but Miguel and Burt are killed. Miguel is saved because he once was one of them but Cisco Delgado had killed his wife and child and taken the fight out of him. Burt also refuses to join the band as he has only one thing on his mind, rescuing Jim. Hernandez and his men ride away and Burt takes Miguel’s gun and rides back towards Delgado’s hacienda.
 

 This location is at Aldea del Fresno. This same river area has been seen in many Euro-westerns including “Fistful of Dollars”, “Hellbenders”, “Up the MacGregors”, “Minnesota Clay”, “The Spikes Gang” and “Bandidos” among many others.
 
For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm
 

Vengeance indienne

Vengeance indienne – French title
(Indian Vengeance – translated English title
 
A 1908 French production [Pathé Frères (Paris)]
Producers: Charles Pathé, Émile Pathé, Théophile Pathé, Jacques Pathé
Director: ?
Story: ?
Screenplay: ?
Cinematography: ? [black & white]
Running time: 135 meters
 
Cast: ?
 
Two cowboys shoot an unfortunate young Indian boy because he drank from one of their canteens. Before dying, the Indian boy tells his tribe about the shooting and they vow to avenge him. The Redskins begin to hunt for the two cowboys and thanks to their wonderful qualities of patience and determination they discover the murderers hiding in a cave in the rocks. They are smoked out, and given a horrible punishment, but not as cruel, however, as the murder of the poor Indian child.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Dark Delicacies Book Signing

In-person appearance by Character Kings 2 author Scott Voisin and well-known actors from TV and film
 
BURBANK, CA: Scott Voisin, author of the book Character Kings: Hollywood’s Familiar Faces Discuss The Art & Business Of Acting (BearManor Media, 2009), will appear with some of the actors featured in his new sequel, Character Kings 2 (BearManor Media, 2014), at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 2pm. In celebration of its release, interviewees from both Character Kings books will attend and autograph purchased copies.
 
Scheduled to appear are: 
Mike Starr (Goodfellas, Dumb and Dumber, Ed Wood)
Peter Jason (Deadwood, The Karate Kid, 48 HRS.)
Raymond J. Barry (Justified, Born on the Fourth of July, The X-Files)
Art LaFleur (The Blob, Field of Dreams, The Santa Clause 2)
James Karen (Return of the Living Dead, Poltergeist, Wall Street),
Jon Polito (The Crow, Miller’s Crossing, Highlander)
Duane Whitaker (Pulp Fiction, Feast, Eddie Presley)
Tim Ferrante (Drive in Madness, Flesh Eaters from Outer Space, Raiders of the Living Dead, Gameroom, Westerns...All'Italiana! [founder])
Jacqueline Ferrante (Gameroom)
 
More character kings will be present if their working schedules permit.
 
About the Character King books
Character Kings is Scott Voisin’s ongoing book series featuring exclusive interviews with today's most recognizable working actors. The insightful and entertaining conversations are filled with candid behind-the-scenes anecdotes and secrets for building and sustaining a successful career in Hollywood. Tim Lucas, editor of the award-winning Video Watchdog magazine, says, “Character actors are a prized species, and Scott Voisin selects the cream of today’s crop. The actors regale us with some marvelous stories of blood, sweat and fate.”
 
Contact
Scott Voisin/Character Kings books: scott@scottvoisin.com / www.characterkingsbook.com  
Dark Delicacies: 3512 W. Magnolia, Burbank, CA 91505 www.darkdel.com
BearManor Media: Tel. (682) 703-2676 www.bearmanormedia.com
 
Book cover images can be obtained at: www.characterkingsbook.com

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Vengeance at Camargue

Vendetta at Camargue – French title
Vendetta Rusticana – French title
Bloedwraak in Camargue – Dutch title
Steppenrache – German title
Vendetta Rusticana – Italian title
Miss Cowboy – English title
Vengeance at Camargue – English title
 
A 1949 French production [Societe des Films Neptune (Paris)]
Producer: ?
Director: Jean-Devaivre
Story: Jean Devaivre, Rene Mejean
Screenplay: Jean Devaivre, Rene Mejean
Cinematography: Lucien Joulin [black & white]
Music: Joseph Kosma
Running time: 88 minutes
 
Cast:
Huguette – Brigitte Auber (Brigitte Labzuc)
Conchita – Rosy Varte (Nevarte Manouelian)
Frede – Jean Paqui (Jean de Thonel)
Krebs – Thomy Bourdelle (Thonmy Bourdel)
Zacramir – Jacques Dufilho
Hurchart – Jean Tissier
Madame Huchart – Mady Berry (Madeleine Van Blitz)
Daniel Tiersot – Daniel Sorano
With: Rene Baranger, Emile Billiau, Louis Devaivre, Morello, Denis Thibaud, Marlene Ranger
 

Huguette, a young woman, faces a difficult job when her after her parents death she inherits their bull breeding ranch. Cattle are being stolen by a gang of thieves and the ranch hands are furious at being ordered about by a girl. Huguette is up to the task and with her courage, tenacity and the help of her neighbor Frede she is able to overcome the obstacles and even finds out here own foreman is the leader of the cattle thieves.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

50th Anniversary of FISTFUL OF DOLLARS Release

On seeing Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo," Sergio Leone thought it would make a great western. "Yojimbo" was inspired by Dashiell Hammett's novel "Red Harvest" and also by Hollywood westerns like "Shane." As Leone said, "It would be wonderful to take it back to where it originally came from." So in 1964 the western was reinvented in Italy as a low budget film originally called "Il Magnifico Straniero" (The Magnificent Stranger). The title was changed to "A Fistful of Dollars."
 
Though not the first Italian western, Leone's approach was truly unique. It became a huge success in Italy and made a movie star of Clint Eastwood. Thus the "spaghetti western" was born. The prototype for the cynical, ultra-cool action hero (or antihero) had now been established. Also integral to the film was maestro Ennio Morricone's score using the pseudonym Dan Savio while Leone billed himself as Bob Robertson in homage to his father’s alias Roberto Roberti. Gian Volonte was billed as John Wells, Marianna Kock was Marianne Kock, Benito Stefanelli was Benny Reeves. It was hoped the film would be accepted as an American film.
 
The first screening of the film was in Florence, Italy on August 27, 1964. It was a stifling hot day and releasing a film in August in Italy in those days was the kiss of death. The cinema was ancient with fixtures and fittings dating to 1908 and was located in an alleyway. The producers, discouraged by comments in the Italian film industry had not invested a single lira in publicity. The film was listed only in the local daily newspapers.
 
As expected the film did little box office on Friday and Saturday and Leone had returned home to Rome very discouraged. When he called the manager late Monday he was told the receipts had doubled Sundays. By Tuesday and Wednesday people were being turned away. By word of mouth the film became a hit and was later released throughout Italy and became not only the biggest film of the year it was highest grossing western ever released in Italy.
 
Today we look back and celebrate not only the launching of a new type of western but a new style of filmmaking and the creation of the antihero. 50 years later we are still feeling the effects this film created and the way films are made today.

Who Are Those Gals? - Renate Blume


Renate Blume was born in Bad Wildunger, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Germany on May 3, 1944. Renate grew up in East Germany in Dresden and initially wanted to become a doctor, however, studied she ended up at the State Drama School in Berlin-Schöneberg. While still a student in 1964 she appeared alongside Eberhard Esche in a major role in the internationally successful DEFA film “Der geteilte Himmel”, based on the book by Christa Wolf. After graduating in 1965 she became a member of the Dresden State Theatre until 1970. From 1970 she was a member of the Actors Ensemble of television of the GDR and starred in numerous television movies, feature films and television series, including “Barfuß ins Bett” (1988).
 
In 1990 she worked as a drama teacher. From 1992 she renewed her commitment to the acting and appeared in Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf, Oybin and other places, in cinema and TV films and TV series. In 2001, she was together with Alexander Reed, her son, on the stage of Störtebeker Festival in Ralswiek. Since 2003, she has appeared in several roles at the Berliner Kriminal Theater. In 2005, Renate Blume joined the ensemble of the ZDF television seriesFünf Sterne’. In 2011 she played together with Wolfgang Winkler as Alfred Ill "The Lady" in Dürrenmatt's "The Visit of the Old Lady".
 
From 1969 to 1974 Renate Blume was married to director Frank Beyer. From 1974 to 1976 she lived with the actor Gojko Mitic. From 1981 until his death in 1986, she was married to the East German/American actor and singer Dean Reed. Her son from her marriage to Beyer, Alexander, was adopted by Reed.
 
 
BLUME, Renate (aka Renate Blume-Reed) [5/3/1944, Bad Wildunger, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Germany -    ] - stage, TV, voice actress, married to director Frank Beyer [1932-2006] (1969-1974), director, actor, singer Dean Reed [1938-1986] (1981-1986), mother of actor Alexander Reed [1969-    ].
Apaches – 1973
Ulzana – 1973 (Leona)
Kit & Co. – 1974 (Joy Gastell)
Bloody Heart - 1986 (Jane Gonzales) [as Renate Bloom-Reed] [Never completed do to Dean
Reed’s death.]

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

VENGEANCE

Joko invoca Dio… e muori – Italian title
Fünf blutige Stricke – German title
Django’s blutige Stricke – German title
Ousadia – Brazilian title
Roko’s Revenge – Canadian tile
Roko invoca a Dios… y mata – Chilean title
Kostaja – Finnish title
Avec Django, la mort est là – French title
Paixe, kane ton stavro sou kai pethane – Greek title
Duelo entre gigantes – Portuguese title
Venganza, Joko invoca a Dios y muere – Spanish title
Venganza – Spanish title
With Django Death is Certain – English title
Vengeance – U.S.A. title
 
A 1967 Italian, West German co-production [Super International Pictures (Rome), Top Film(Munich)]
Producer: Alfredo Leone
Director: Anthony Dawson (Antonio Margheriti)
Story: Renato Savino
Screenplay: Renato Savino, Antonio Margheriti
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini [Eastmancolor, Cromoscope]
Music: Carlo Savina
Song: “Vengeance” sung by Don Powell
Running time: 98 minutes
 
Cast:
Joko/Rocco Barrett/Django – Richard Harrison
Mendoza – Claudio Camaso (Claudio Volonte)
Jane – Sheyla Rosin (Spela Rosin)
Choctaw Kid – Werner Pochat (Werner Pochlatko)
Domingo – Alan Collins (Luciano Pigozzi)
Pinkerton Detective Lester – Paul Lino (Paolo Gozlino)
Richie/Ricky Barrett – Alberto Dell’Acqua
Laredo – Pedro Sanchez (Ignazio Spalla)
Rosita – Marian Dana (Mariangelo Giordano)
Yuma – Freddy Unger (Goffredo Unger)
Milton Becker – Albert Carl (Aldo De Carellis)
Manolo – Ivan G. Scrat (Giovanni Scratuglia)
Jimmy – Larry Bona (Luciano Bonanni)
Mendoza prisoner – Louis Santis (Lucio De Santis)
Sanco – Aysanoa Runachagua
Posse member – Claudio Ruffini
With: Lee Burton (Guido Lollogrigida), Alberto Naova (Albes des Novas), Louis Zarini (Lucio Zarini), Alexander Allerson
 

Rocco, Mendoza, Richie and Domingo have hatched a plot against some bandits that have taken over a precious cargo of gold. But Domingo betrays his friends and Mendoza disappears in the collapse of an underground mine while trying to cover the escape of the others. Richie, escapes with the gold, but is captured by five outlaws and killed because he refuses to reveal the place where he was to meet with Rocco. Rocco goes on the trail of the killers of Richie killing four and thus avenging the death of his companion. One of them before he dies, reveals that the fifth man is none other than Mendoza, who did not die in the collapse of the underground mine, but was actually their leader and created the deception, Rocco chases Mendoza who pays with his life for his betrayal while the gold will eventually be recovered by a Pinkerton agent.
 
YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rYou9dvcwI

Monday, August 25, 2014

Happy 50th Birthday Blair Underwood

Blair Underwood was born on August 25, 1964 in Tacoma, Washington. the son of Marilyn Ann Scales, an interior decorator, and Frank Eugene Underwood, Sr., a United States Army colonel. Because of his father's military career, Underwood lived on bases and Army Posts in the United States and Stuttgart, Germany, during his childhood. Blair attended Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia. He went on to attend the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is an honorary member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
 
Trained in musical theater at Carnegie-Mellon, he moved to New York and got his first break on his second day there, by winning a part on the ‘The Cosby Show’ (1984). He made his film debut at age 21 in “Krush Groove” (1985) and appeared in a regular daytime role that same year on ‘One Life to Live’ (1968), before scoring two years later in the charismatic role of attorney Jonathan Rollins in the hit dramatic series, ‘L.A. Law’ (1986). He copped a Golden Globe nomination during its lengthy seven-year run. A TV commodity, he appeared ready to fill the bill as a rising small-screen Sidney Poitier. Blair went on to appear in a number of prestigious TV dramas, such as ‘Murder in Mississippi’ (1990), ‘Heat Wave’ (1990) and ‘Mama Flora's Family’ (1998), which was based on Alex Haley's final book. He received NAACP Image Awards for both performances. He also top-lined as baseball legend Jackie Robinson in HBO's ‘Soul of the Game (1996)’.
 
Blair has appeared in only one Euro-western, 1992’s “Posse” in the role of Carver.
 
Today we celebrate Blair Underwood’s 50th birthday.

Happy 65th Birthday John Savage

John Smeallie Savage was born On August 25, 1949 in Old Bethpage, Long Island, New York. The son of Muriel, a housewife, and Floyd Youngs, an insurance salesman who served on Guadalcanal during World War II with the Marine Corps. His sisters are Boston-based radio and television personality Robin Young [1951- ] and actress Gail Youngs [1953- ]. His brother is actor Jim Youngs [1956- ].
 
John’s first major film role was as Steven in the 1978 film, “The Deer Hunter”. He also had a lead role in 1979's “The Onion Field”. One of his most famous roles was as Claude Bukowski in Milos Forman's 1979 film “Hair”. He had a brief role in Terrence Malick's war film, “The Thin Red Line”. In the late 1970s, he also appeared on Broadway in David Mamet's play, "American Buffalo" with Robert Duvall.
 
In more recent years he has been seen on the small as well as the big screen. He was the recurring character of Donald Lydecker in the first and second seasons of ‘Dark Angel’ and portrayed Captain Ransom in the two part episode Equinox from ‘Star Trek: Voyager’.
 
Savage appeared in his only Euro-western in 1991 as Wintrop in “Buck at the Edge of Heaven” along with his daughter Jennifer Youngs [1969- ].
 
Another recurring role found him as Henry Scudder in the HBO-produced television series ‘Carnivàle’. In 2005, he appeared on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. He lent his voice to a monologue on the title track of the album, “This Town”, by Steve Smith of Dirty Vegas. In September 2009, he appeared in the second episode of Season 2 of the Fox network drama ‘Fringe’.
 
He most recently starred in the western thriller "The Sorrow" with Kirk Harris, newcomer Ryan Ballance and Michael Madsen for director Vernon Mortensen. Savage also recently played a supporting role in the dark romantic comedy “Hit List”.
 
Today we celebrate John Savage’s 65th birthday.

Remembering Allen Edwall

Johan Allan Edwall was born on August 25, 1924 in Rödön, Jämtlands län, Sweden. Born into a working class home, his father was a trade-union man and a communist. From 1949-52 he attended Stockholm's Royal Daramatic Theatre School. During his acting career he appeared in more than 400 stage, film, radio and television series. Allan was also a director, an author, a composer and a singer. On records he sang his own songs where he attacked the injustices in our society. From 1986, and for the remaining years he ran his own theater 'Brunnsgatan 4' in Stockholm, where he did everything himself, from acting to selling tickets.
 
Edwall appeared in only one Euro-western “The New Land” (1972) as Danjel.
 
Allan died in Stockholm Sweden on February 7, 1997.
 
Today we remember Allan Edwall on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Remembering Sergio Bergonzelli

Sergio Giovanni Romolo Bergonzelli was born on August 25, 1924 in Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. He graduated in Philosophy from the university and debuted in 1952 as an actor, initially using the pseudonym Siro Carme. That year he would appear in four films.
 
1953 would see Bergonzelli intensify his acting career with his appearance in six films.
 
1954 opens with his participation in the dramatic movieIl prigioniero del re” an Italian-French collaboration with Giorgio Rivalta and Richard Pottier, the same year he appeared in another film entitledAddio, mia bella signora!” by Fernando Cerchio.
 
After two years of absence from the films we see him again in 1957 with his last two film appearances as an actor, “Il momento più bellothe” directed by Luciano Emmer where he plays the role of Mr. Mancini and “Giovanni dalle Bande Nere” a historical film by Sergio Grieco.
 
The year 1957 marks his definitive end of being an actor, but opens the door to Bergonzelli’s directing career, in fact in 1960 he made ​​his first film as both director and as a writer (a role he held in many other productions) with the film “Gli avventurieri dei tropici”.
 
In 1964 Bergonzelli directed another film, “The Last Gun” a Euro-western with Cameron Mitchell, described by critics as one of the first Spaghetti Westerns, even prior to the masterpiece of Sergio Leone's “A Fistful of Dollars”.
 
Again in 1965 as director and screenwriter (participation on the screenplay of Bitto Albertini ) with “A Stranger in Sacramento”, another Euro-western with Mickey Hargitay. In the same year, the actor-director makes another film, “MMM 83 - Missione morte molo”, completely changing genres.
 
In 1966 returns to the western genre with the creation of “El Cisco”, starring William Berger , also in this case Bergonzelli personally takes care of the script. In the period between 1965 and 1975 the film world will see a spread of the western genre, Bergonzelli is no exception to the trend and directs still another Euro-western: “A Colt in the Hand of the Devil”.
 
In 1968 he scores with “Silvia e l'amore” a debut in the erotic genre which he will participate in for most of the rest of his career. The same year he produced another erotic film directed as a pseudo-documentary called “The 10 Wonders of Love”.
 
In 1969 he directed the adventure film “I disperati di Cuba”, the following year instead he directs a mediocre-erotic thriller entitledNelle pieghe della carne”.
 
In 1971 the drama (with many erotic scenes) “Io cristiana studentessa degli scandali” is directed and written by Sergio. The following year he directs and writes his final Euro-western “Raise Your Hands, Dead Man, You’re Under Arrest”.
 
1973 still fins him making erotic B-movies this time interspersed with religious themes, unprejudiced by the combination of the issues but at the same moralistic, Cristiana monaca indemoniata”. After finishing this film Bergonzelli leaves the scene for about two years, he returned in 1975 with the erotic comedy “L cognatina”. In 1976 he directs the erotic filmTaxi Love, servizio per signora”. Thus he resumes his career, the same year directing “La sposina”, and “Il compromesso... erotico”. His last film “Malizia oggi” (1990) where porn star Valentine Demy appears.
 
Bergonzelli died in Rome, Italy on September 24, 2001.
 
Today we remember Sergio Bergonzelli on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

RIP Richard Attenborough

British actor and film director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90. He died at lunchtime on Sunday August 24th, his son told BBC News. Lord Attenborough was one of Britain's leading actors, before becoming a highly successful director. In a career that spanned six decades, he appeared in films including Brighton Rock, World War Two prisoner of war thriller The Great Escape and later in dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park. As a director he was perhaps best known for Gandhi, which won two Oscars. He also directed the modern day Euro-western Grey Owl (1999) starring Pierce Brosnan. Lord Attenborough had been in a nursing home with his wife for a number of years
.

RIP Florian Flicker

German filmmaker Florian Flicker died in Vienna, Austria two days after his 49th birthday on August 22, 2014, from cancer. Born on August 21, 1965 in Salzburg, Germnay, Flicker best known for his film “The Raid” (2000) also was the director and wrote the script for the 2006 documentary “No Name City” on the Western theme park in Wöllersdorf, Austria. The film concerns itself with the Western theme park near Vienna and a handful of 'residents' (the people who work there) who are living on the small line between reality and fiction”. Yearning to live "outside of the fence," they chase their dreams and hoped to catch individualistic freedom, a life between fiction and reality. Together the inhabitants of No Name City try desperately to keep the five year old city and their dreams, alive, despite the constantly changing owners and lack of income from tourists and visitors.

La vendetta del llanero

La vendetta del llanero – Italian title
 
A 19?? Italian production
Producer:
Director:
Story: Roberto Gianviti, Alfonso Brescia
Screenplay: Roberto Gianviti, Alfonso Brescia
Cinematography:
Music:
Running time:
 
Cast:
 
[film was never made]

Happy 45th Birthday Pierfranco Favino

Pierfrancesco Favino was born on August 24, 1969 in Rome, Lazio, Italy. He has appeared in more than forty European films and television series' since the early 1990s, including Gabriele Muccino's “The Last Kiss”, Gianni Amelio's “The Keys to the House”, Giuseppe Tornatore's “The Unknown Woman” and Ferzan Özpetek's “Saturn in Opposition”. In 1999 he starred in the HBO film ‘Excellent Cadavers’, adaptation of Alexander Stille's novel of the same name. He received the David di Donatello award - Italian equivalent of the Oscar - in 2006 for his role in the crime film “Romanzo Criminale”, directed by Michele Placido.
 
In 2006 he also portrayed Christopher Columbus in Twentieth Century Fox's “Night at the Museum”. In 2008 he played General Glozelle, the leader of Miraz's Telmarine troops in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”. He has worked with American director Ron Howard twice: in the 2009 film “Angels & Demons”, adaptation of the novel of the same name by Dan Brown, in which he played the role of Inspector Ernesto Olivetti, and in the 2013 film “Rush”, in which he played the role of Formula One racing car driver Clay Regazzoni.
 
Other significant roles include the partisan leader Peppi Grotta in Spike Lee's “Miracle at St. Anna” in 2008, the sadistic riot control force policeman Cobra in Stefano Sollima's “ACAB – All Cops Are Bastards” in 2012, the anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli in Marco Tullio Giordana's “Piazza Fontana”, and the W.H.O. doctor in Marc Forster's apocalyptic-horror “World War Z” (2013).
 
Favino has appeared in only one Euro-western short “B.B.K. (Baby Bounty Killer)” (1996).
 
Today we celebrate Pierfrancesco Favino’s 45th birthday.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue our search for film locations for “Texas Adios” (aka The Avenger). While Burt is being escorted to the border by the Alcalde Miguel, Jim is being held captive at Delgado’s. Jim gets in a fight with his guard but is unable to escape. Cisco enters the room he’s being held in and shows him a picture of Jim’s mother and tells him that he is his father. Jim flies into a rage and collapses.
 
The scene was filmed once again at a Cinecitta soundstage in Rome.
 
 
For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm

 

Remembering Jimm Gardener

Edward Charles James ‘Jimmy’ Gardner was born on August 24, 1924 in Newmarket, Suffolk, England. During World War II, Gardner served in the Royal Air Force as an air gunner with #10 Squadron. He completed 30 missions as a Halifax rear gunner and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
 
His first film appearance was in “The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb” released during 1964. Thereafter he appeared in over 30 films and also made extensive TV and theatre appearances. Some of his best known Shakespearean roles such as “Adam in As You Like It”, and as the gravedigger in “Hamlet” were performed under the direction of Terry Hands.
 
He played Knight Bus driver Ernie Prang in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, the third film in the Harry Potter film series.
 
Gardener appeared in only one Euro-western: “Gunslinger’s Revenge” (1998) as Sam Comet.
 
Jimmy died on May 3, 2010 in London at the age of 86.
 
Today we remember Jimmy Gardener on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Guess Who I Am


I’m an American actor born in New York City in 1932.
 
I’ve appeared in over 90 films and TV appearances.
 
My only Euro-western was in 1971.
 
I was known for my role in TV’s Hill Street Blues.
 
Guess who I am.
 
Breccio correctly identified Jon Cypher as this week's photo.
 
 

VENDETTA AT DAWN

Quel maledetto giorno della resa dei conti – Italian title
Sabata regle ses comtes – French title
Django – Der Tag der Abrechnung – German title
Ta colt ton paranomon – Greek title
Venganza – Spanish title
Terrible Day of the Big Gundown – English title
Vendetta at Dawn – English title
 
A 1971 Italian production [Pentagono Cinematografica, Mancori Film (Rome)]
Producer: Alvaro Mancori, Felice Zappulla
Director: Willy S. Regan (Sergio Garrone)
Story: Gino Mangini (Luigi Mangini)
Screenplay: Sergio Garrone, Gino Mangini (Luigi Mangini)
Cinematography: Guglielmo Mancori [Kodakcolor, widescreen]
Music: Francesco De Masi
Song: “Walk by My Side” sung by Raoul (Ettore Lovecchio)
Running time: 94 minutes
 
Cast:
Jonathan Benton – Ty Hardin (Orison Hungerford, Jr.)
Doctor George Benton/Sabata – George Eastman (Luigi Montefiori)
Jane – Anita Saxe
Gregory – Steffen Zacharias
Rod Fargas – Bruno Corazzari
Peter Fargas – Rick Boyd (Federico Boido)
Carl Fargas – Dominic Barto
Lorry Baxter Benson – Constanza Spada (Laura Troschel)
Sheriff Jed – Lee Burton (Guido Lollobrigida)
Hannah Benton – Lucia Catullo
Johnny Benton - Leo Widmark (Roberto Dell’Acqua)
Wal – Jean Louis
Ralph Barry – Nello Pazzafini (Giovanni Pazzafini)
Joe – Bernard Faber (Bernard Farber)
outlaw – Piero Nistri
Sam – Manfred Freyberger
Mexican – Sandro Scarchilli
Townsman – Elio Angelucci
With: Claudio Trionfi, Angelo Pieri, Vittorio Fanfoni, Franco Ukmar
 
 
After graduating from medical school in San Francisco, the young George Benton returns home to the farm of his brother Jonatham to marry Lorry, his girlfriend of five years. Sometime later the brothers Fargas, disappointed gold miners, attack the farm to rob and kill all the family members of George (only a brother and a nephew survive). Assuming that the criminals responsible for the attack are Ralph Barry and his two accomplices, George is determined to avenge the deaths and pursues the three alleged killers of which only Ralph escapes. Having discovered that one of the surviving Bentons knows who the real culprits are, the Fargas brothers force Barry to join them and attack the farm to eliminate the dangerous witness. George, now aware of the truth (being informed by a prostitute), rejects their assault, killing both Ralph and Fargas. The third, Rod, flees, but is captured by George who turns him over to the sheriff to face justice.