.Westerns...All'Italiana!

Monday, May 18, 2026

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Frank Diogene

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Concetto Franco Diogene was born on October 20, 1947, in Catania, Sicily was an Italian actor and comedian renowned for his prolific screen career, appearing in around 60 films from 1966 until his death, often in memorable character roles as bumbling bureaucrats, henchmen, or jovial figures in low-budget Italian comedies, crime thrillers, and gialli. He relocated to Genoa as a child and began performing in school plays at age six, laying the foundation for a versatile career that spanned theater, cabaret, film, and television. His distinctive chubby, sweaty on-screen persona drew comparisons to fellow Italian character actor Gianni Rizzo, making him instantly recognizable in the vibrant landscape of 1970s and 1980s Italian cinema.

Diogene's professional breakthrough came in 1972 upon graduating and joining the prestigious Teatro Stabile di Genoa under directors Ivo Chiesa and Luigi Squarzina, where he honed his craft in prose and dialect theater. He began his film career in 1966 and gained prominence with an early role in “Teresa la ladra” (1973), starring Monica Vitti, quickly becoming a staple in genre productions directed by filmmakers like Mario Landi, Gianni Martucci, and Michele Massimo Tarantini, contributing to titles such as “Il viziaccio” (1975), “Blazing Flowers” (1978), and “La poliziotta della squadra del buon costume” (1981). Beyond Italian fare, his fluency in English enabled roles in international projects, including a part in the Oscar-winning “Midnight Express” (1978), where he delivered his lines in his own voice, and the historical mystery “The Name of the Rose” (1986) alongside Sean Connery. Diogene also cherished appearances in films like “The House of Spirits” (1993), “Innamorato pazzo” (1981), “7 chili in 7 giorni” (1986), and “Piccolo Grande Amore” (1993), which he highlighted as career standouts in interviews.

In addition to acting, Diogene was a multifaceted performer who wrote and starred in cabaret shows, frequently collaborating with Turi Ferro, and served as a presenter for fashion events, singing competitions, and other entertainment formats into the 2000s. He emphasized the importance of foundational training in parish theater and dialects for aspiring actors, reflecting his own journey from Sicily to Genoa's stages and eventually Rome and Milan. Diogene passed away from a heart attack in Genoa at age 57 in Genoa, Italy on May 28, 2005, leaving a legacy as a reliable and engaging presence in Italian popular culture

As Fran Diogene he appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Arizona violenta” (Arizona Road) as Sheriff Baker in 1990 and “Esercizi di stile” in 1996

DIOGENE, Frank (aka Franco Diogene) (Concetto Francesco Diogene) [10/20/1947, Catania, Sicily, Italy – 5/28/2005, Genoa, Liguria, Italy (heart attack)] – comedian, film, TV actor, married to Mariella Denari (1975-2005) father of Giusy Diogene.

Arizona Road – 1990 (Sheriff Baker)

Esercizi di stile – 1996

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ George Erschbamer

George Erschbamer is a Canadian film director, producer, and writer known for his work in the horror and action genres, particularly through low-budget and direct-to-video films in the 1990s and 2000s. He is best recognized for directing the supernatural horror sequels ''Prom Night III: The Last Kiss'' (1990) and ''Prom Night IV: Deliver Us from Evil'' (1991), which extended the ''Prom Night'' franchise with elements of dark humor and gore.

His filmography includes other genre entries such as the women-in-prison sequel ''Chained Heat II'' (1993), the action thriller ''Crackerjack'' (1994), and the bounty hunter action film ''Bounty Hunters'' (1996). Erschbamer often served in multiple roles on his projects, including producing and writing, and his work primarily targeted home video markets during a period when direct-to-video horror and action films thrived. He remains associated with Canadian independent cinema, though detailed personal biographical information is limited in public sources.

George Erschbamer directed on Euro-western, “Aliens in the Wild Wild West” in 1999 and a co-director on the Euro-western TV series “Bordertown” in 1989.

ERSCHBAMER, George (George Peter Erschbamer) [1954, U.S.A. - ] – director, assistant director, writer, cameraman, SFX.

Bordertown (TV) – 1989 (co)

Aliens in the Wild Wild West – 1999

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Giuliano Carnimeo

Giuliano Carnimeo was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his extensive work in Italian genre cinema, particularly spaghetti Westerns, sex comedies, gialli, and exploitation films from the late 1960s through the 1980s. Born on July 4, 1932 in Bari, Puglia, Italy, Carnimeo began his career in the early 1960s as an assistant director on various peplum, comedy, and adventure productions before transitioning to directing. He made his directorial debut co-directing with the spaghetti Western “The Two Sons of Ringo” and subsequently helmed over thirty low-budget features, frequently under pseudonyms such as Anthony Ascott, Arthur Pitt, and Jules Harrison. His notable films include “Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin” (aka Have a Nice Funeral My Friend) (1970), “The Case of the Bloody Iris” (1972), “Convoy Buddies” (1975), “The Exterminators of the Year 3000” (1983), and “Rat Man” (1988), reflecting his versatility across Westerns, horror, science fiction, and erotic comedies typical of the Italian B-movie industry during that era.

Giuliano Carnimeo died on September 10, 2016 in Rome, Lazio, Italy, at the age of 84.

“Joe! Cercati un posto per morire” (Find a Place to Die) with Ralph Grave (Leonardo Benvenuti), Hugo Fregonese in 1968, “Uomo avvisato mezzo ammazzato…parola di Spirito Santo” (Blazing Guns) with Tito Carpi, Federico De Urrutia in 1971 and “Testa t’ammazzo, croce... sei morto... Mi chimavano Alleluja” (Guns for Dollars) with Tito Carpi in 1971,

CARNIMEO, Giuliano (aka A. Ascot, Anthony Ascot, Anthony Ascott, Jules Harrison, Arthur Pitt) [7/4/1932, Bari, Puglia, Italy - 9/10/2016, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, actor, married to ? father of Lorenzo Carnimeo.

Find a Place to Die – 1968 (co) [as A. Ascot]

Blazing Guns – 1971 (co)

Guns for Dollars – 1971 (co) [as Anthony Ascott]

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ David Gurfinkel

David Gurfinkel is an Israeli cinematographer known for his prolific and influential career in Israeli cinema, where he has shaped the visual language of numerous landmark films over more than five decades. Born in Tel Aviv on December 12, 1938, he is widely regarded as one of Israel's most important cinematographers, celebrated for capturing the essence of life in Israel and creating some of the rarest and most magical cinematic moments in the nation's film history.

After serving in the IDF Spokesperson Unit’s film division during his military service, Gurfinkel began his professional career as a newsreel director of photography with Geva Films. His feature film debut came in 1965 with Uri Zohar’s “Hole in the Moon”, marking the start of a significant collaboration that helped establish the "New Sensibility" in Israeli arthouse cinema, combining European stylistic influences with Israel’s distinctive natural light. He went on to serve as cinematographer on many acclaimed Israeli films, including “Three Days and a Child” (1967), “The Policeman” (1971), “Kazablan” (1973), “Aviya’s Summer” (1988), “Under the Domim Tree” (1994), and “Nina’s Tragedies” (2003), earning four Ophir Awards for Best Cinematography. In 2015, he received the Israel Prize for his contributions to cinema

Gurfinkel has also worked on international productions such as “Enter the Ninja” (1981) and has screenwriting credits on select projects. He is the father of film directors Yoav Gurfinkel and Jonathan Gurfinkel. His body of work continues to be honored for its role in facilitating Israel’s golden age of cinema and leaving a lasting impact on the country’s cinematic landscape

David Garfunkel was the cinematographer on on Spaghetti western, “L’uomo di Santa Cruz” (Kid Vengeance) in 1976.

GURFINKEL, David [12/12/1938, Tel Aviv, Israel - ] – cinematographer, married to ? father of director, cinematographer Yoav Gurfinkel [1968- ], director, actor Johnathan Gurfinkel [1976- ], one other son.

Kid Vengeance – 1976

New British box set “Clint Eastwood the Dollar Trilogy”

Clint Eastwood the Dollar Trilogy

(1964-1966)

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Gian Maria Volonte, Lee Van Cleef

Country. U.K.

Label: Arrow Video

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Running time: 10 hours, 56 minutes

8-disc 4K-UltraHD BluRay limited edition (all three films on UHD plus Sad Hill Unearthed and extras on BluRay) trilogy slipcase featuring newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella

Three double-sided fold-out posters featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella, perfect-bound booklet featuring writing by Henry Blyth, Bilge Ebiri, Priscilla Page, Glenn Kenny, Howard Hughes and James Flower (compared to the individual releases, when buying this box you are missing booklet texts by Pasquale Iannone, Eloise Ross, Ariel Schudson, Amy Taylor, Abbey Bender, Anton Bitel and Tambay Obenson)

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GTFX258X

Available” June 18, 2026

Spaghetti Western locations Then and Now ~ “Savage Guns”

In this scene from 1962 “Savage Guns” we see soldiers patrolling a village. This shot in the Spanish village of Turrillas, Almeria, Spain.

Here’s the same street in Turrillas as seen in 2026.

European Western Comics ~ Eroi del West

Heroes of the West

This comic book was a small-format strip-style booklet of medium length (80–96 pages). The series primarily bears the masthead Bill West and reprints Bill West (reproduced from Lone Ranger film stories), Roger Falco by Svan, Guida, and Carretti (Gui-Car), Gordon Short by Annibale Casabianca, Buffaletto Bill by Giovanni Benvenuti, Jim West by Vincenzo Chiomenti, and Zeffirino by Enver Bongrani. Issues #2, #3, #5, #6, and #7 feature standalone stories by Casabianca, originally drawn from the Albi Condor series (Cecchini, 1955).

There also exists a special series with soft covers, which reprints Roger Falco by Svan and Carretti and Buffaletto Bill by Buzzelli; these were produced using the printing plates from the *Eroi dell/Avventura series (Flaminia, 1962).

This comic book series was published in 1963 and ended in 1965. It was published by OMG in Milan, Italy. Each issue contained 80-96 black and white pages with color covers.

Titles

01 - "Bill West" (tit. int.: "Bill West in Evasione") (Bill West: The Escape)

02 - "Colt 45"

03 - "FW-57 chiama Jungla" (tit. int. "Missione senza ritorno") (Mission of No Return)

04 - "Bill West" (tit. int.: "Roger Falco - Il ratto di Marion") (Roger Falco: The

Abduction of Marion)

05 - "Furore al Messico" (Fury in Mexico)

06 - "La confraternita dei dannati" (The Brotherhood of the Damned)

07 - "La valle della morte" (The Valley of Death)

08 - "Bill West" (tit. int.: "Roger Falco 1° episodio - Il seme dell'odio") (Roger Falco:

Episode 1 – The Seed of Hatred)

09 - "Bill West" (tit. int.: "Roger Falco - La maschera del traditore") (Roger Falco: The