RIP Manolo Solo

 

Spanish actor and voice dubber Manolo Solo died in Madrid, Spain on July 30^th. The Goya-winning actor shaped Spanish cinema with over 55 films and a unique on-screen presence. Manolo Solo, one of the most distinctive faces in Spanish cinema of the past two decades, died at the age of 62 after a prolonged illness with cancer. Known for his roles in “La isla minima”, “Tarde para la ira”, and “El buen patron”, Solo's passing marks the end of a career that left a significant mark on the industry. His real name, Manuel Jesús Fernández Serrano, rarely appeared in credits, but his stage name became synonymous with complex, layered performances that resonated with audiences and critics alike. Solo voiced several Spaghetti westerns released in Spain such as “Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Run” in 1983 [Spanish voice of Jack Dalton] and voiced multiple characters in the 1996-2003 animated TV series “The Legend of Zorro”.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Diawara Dramane

 [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.]

Diawara Dramane is/was an actor who appeared in East German film and television actor. Most likely he came from North Africa.

He appeared in two films and a TV series in 1970 and 1971.

Diawara Dramane appeared in one Euro-western “Osceola” as a Moore henchman in 1970.

DRAMANE, Diawara – [Yugoslavian] – film, TV actor.

Osceola – 1970 (Moore worker)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Juan Rafael Gómez Heredia

Rafael Gómez Heredia, born n Almeria, Spain on October 12, 1974, is a self-taught gypsy. With an overflowing creative capacity, author of several books, playwright, poet, screenwriter, director, painter, producer, composer, project technician and musician, among other artistic aspects. Working in the world of cinema for more than 50 years. He has recently been awarded the honorary award by the Andalusian Film Academy. 2025. with the documentary "Los Jerraos". The family from which he comes, where through a documentary film, he exposes the biography of Los Jerraos, where this past 2025 they commemorate their 75th anniversary of cinematographic work, working on more than 450 film productions, currently working on international productions of great cinematographic relevance.

Juan Rafael Gómez Heredia directed one Spaghetti western, “The Ghost Band y el intrépido Ralph Lee” (The Incredible Stories of the Intrepid Ralph Lee, The Ghost Band) in 2023. He also directed the documentary “The Jerraos” in 2025.

HEREDIA, Juan Rafael Gómez [8/18/1974, Villajoyosa, Alicante, Andalusia, Spain -     ] – director, writer, married to ?

The Incredible Stories of the Intrepid Ralph Lee, The Ghost Band – 2023

The Jerraos - 2025

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Mario Damiani

Mario Damiani’s main career in films was as a production manager of which he worked on fourteen films between 1953 and 1969. He also produced one film “Fontana di Trevi” in 1960. Mario cowrote two screenplays both for two Spaghetti westerns: “El Zorro de Monterrey” (Zorro the Conqueror) with Enzo Gica and María del Carmen Martínez Román and “Dieci bianchi uccisi da un piccolo indiano” (Blood River) with Gianfranco Baldanello andJuan Antonio Verdugo in 1973.

DAMIANI, Mario [Italian] – producer, production manager, writer.

Zorro the Conqueror – 1971 (co)

Blood River – 1973 (co)

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Aristide Massaccesi

Aristide Massaccesi was born on December 15 1936,. He was an Italian film director, producer, cinematographer, and screenwriter who worked in many genres (westerns, decamerotici, peplum, war films, swashbuckler, comedy, fantasy, postapocalyptic film, and erotic thriller) but is best known for his horror, erotic and adult films.

Aristide worked in the 1950s as electric and set photographer, in the 1960s as camera operator, and from 1969 onwards as cinematographer. Starting in 1972, he directed and co-directed around 200 films under numerous pseudonyms, regularly acting as cinematographer as well, starting in the early 1980s, D'Amato produced many of his own and other directors' genre films through the companies he founded or co-founded, the best-known being Filmirage. From 1979 to 1982 and from 1993 to 1999, D'Amato also produced and directed about 120 adult films.

Aristide Massaccesi died from a heart attack 62 in Rome on January 23, 1999, at the age of

Arisited Massaccesi was a cinematographer on thirteen Spaghetti Westerns: “Los cinco de la venganza” (5 Giants from Texas) with Victor Monreal in 1966, “Passa Sartana… e l'ombra della tua morte” (Shadow of Sartana… Shadow of Death) in 1968 with Franco Villa and “Arrivano Django e Sartana… è la fine” (Django and Sartana are Coming… It’s the End) both in 1970, “Amico, stammi lontano almeno un palmo” (The Ballad of Ben and Charlie) and “Giù la testa… hombre!” IA Fistful of Death) and “Per una bara piena di dollari” (Showdown for a Badman) all in 1971, “Un bounty killer a Trinità” (A Bounty Killer for Trinity), “Scansati... a Trinità arriva Eldorado” (Stay Away from Trinity When He Comes to Eldorado) both in 1972, “Giubbe rosse” (Red Coat) in 1974, “Rocco e i magnifici 7” (Outlaws Parts 1 & 2) in 1997, “Anno 2020 – I gladiatori de futoro” (2020 Texas Gladiators) in 1982 and “Calamity Jane contro tutti” (Calamity Jane 1 & 2) in 1999.

MASSACCESI, Aristide (aka  Joe D' Amato, Donna Aubert, Steven Benson, Anna Bergman, John Bird, Enrico Biribicchi, Jim Black, Alexander Boroscky, Alexandre Borsky, Bernard Brel, James Burke, Jim Burke, David Carson, Lynn Clark, O.J. Clarke, Oliver J. Clarke, Hugo Clevers, Joe De Mato, Joe d'Amato, Raf De Palma, Rad de Palma, Michael Di Caprio, Dario Donati, Robert Duke, Oscar Faradine, Dirk Frey, Romano Gastaldi, John Gelardi, Robert Hall, Richard Haller, David Hills, Igor Horwess, George Hudson, Fred Sloniscko Jr, John Larson, Kevin Mancuso, A. Massaccesi, Aristice Massaccesi, Aristide Massaccessi, Aristede Massacesi, Aristide Massacesi, Arizona Massachuset, Ariston Massachusetts, Andrea Massai, J. Metheus, Peter Newton, Una Pierre, Robert Price-Jones, Zak Roberts, Joan Russel, Mel Rose, Joan Russell, Tom Salima, John Shadow, Fred Sloniscko Jr., Federico Slonisco, Frederick Slonisco, Fédérico Slonisco, Federico Slonisko Jr., Federiko Slonisko Jr., Frederico Slonisko Jr., Dan Slonisko, Federico Slonisko, Federiko Slonisko, Frederico Slonisko, Frederic Slonisko, Frederiko Slonisko, Fred Slonisko, Chana Lee Sun, Chang Lee Sun, Michael Wotruba, Robert Yip, Joe d'Amato, Raf de Palma [12/15/1936, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 1/23/1999, Rome, Lazio, Italy (heart attack)] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, film editor, actor, married to Carmela Massaccesi (19??–1999) father of assistant director, cinematographer, cameraman Daniele Massaccesi, Francesca Massaccesi, founded Filmirage Productions, founded Kristal Productions.

5 Giants from Texas – 1966 (co)

Shadow of Sartana… Shadow of Death – 1968 (co)

Dead Men Don’t Make Shadows – 1970 [as Joe D’Amato]

Django and Sartana are Coming… It’s the End – 1970 [as Joe D’Amato]

The Ballad of Ben and Charlie – 1971

A Fistful of Death – 1971

Showdown for a Badman – 1971 [as Joe D’Amato]

A Bounty Killer for Trinity – 1972 [as Joe D' Amato]

Stay Away from Trinity When He Comes to Eldorado - 1972

Red Coat – 1974 [as Joe D’Amato]

Outlaws Parts 1 & 2 – 1997 [as Fred Slonisko]

2020 Texas Gladiators – 1982 [as John Larson]

Calamity Jane 1 & 2 – 1999 [as Fred Slonisko]

One Thousand Golden Bullets

One Thousand Golden Bullets – International title

 

A 2025 Spanish short film production [Almanzora Video Production (Almeria)]

Producer: José Corral (José Corral Martinez)

Director: José Corral (José Corral Martinez)

Story: José Corral Martinez

Screenplay: José Corral Martinez

Cinematography: Martin Michiels [color]

Music: various

Running time: 12 minutes

 

Story: A gang of outlaws led by a woman rob a bank and try and bury the loot but are discovered and dispensed by a sheriff and his deputy.

 

Cast:

Outlaw leader - Laura Felices

Bartender - Julia Lagoa

With: Manuel López, Juan Guirado, Julio Laso, Juan Marin, Y Bill Carson, Cristóbal López, Jose Mezcua, Atrezzo Leonardo, José Corral (José Corral Martinez), Frederic Bret Garcia, Bob Van Denderen, Harrie Baur, Aad Eikema 

1966 Clint Eastwood Western Beat Out 'Avatar' to Be Named 'Greatest Adventure Movie of All Time'

Men’s Journal

By Rachel Schneider

July 19, 2026

More than half a century after it first hit theaters, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is still setting the standard for adventure films. In IMDb's ranking of the greatest adventure movies of all time, the 1966 Western claimed the No. 1 spot, finishing ahead of modern blockbusters like Avatar and other beloved classics.

'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' Named Greatest Adventure Movie of All-Time

Directed by Sergio Leone, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly stars Clint Eastwood as the mysterious gunslinger Blondie, Lee Van Cleef as ruthless bounty hunter Angel Eyes, and Eli Wallach as the cunning outlaw Tuco. Set during the American Civil War, the three men form an uneasy rivalry as they race to uncover a cache of buried Confederate gold.

Widely regarded as the defining spaghetti Western, the film helped cement Eastwood as one of Hollywood's biggest stars while influencing generations of filmmakers with its sweeping cinematography, tense standoffs, and Ennio Morricone's instantly recognizable score.

IMDb's ranking places The Good, the Bad and the Ugly above several legendary adventure films, including James Cameron's Avatar, along with enduring favorites like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The placement underscores the film's remarkable staying power nearly 60 years after its release.

Initial Reviews for 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' Were Mixed

Although it initially received mixed reviews from some critics in 1966, the film's reputation has only grown with time. Today, it's routinely cited among the greatest Westerns ever made and is considered one of the most influential films in cinema history.

For many fans, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly remains the gold standard for the genre. Its unforgettable performances, masterful direction, and iconic musical score continue to attract new audiences, proving that some classics never lose their impact.

Nearly six decades later, Leone's masterpiece isn't just one of the best western movies ever made, it ranks high in the adventure category too.

 

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Andrea Drahota

[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.]

Andrea Drahota was born in Veszprém, Hungary on July 15, 1941, her mother travelled there from Perkáta in Fejér County to give birth. At that time, her father served at the Don as an officer in the Hungarian 2nd Army. Her mother worked as a sculptor. She had a younger sister, Agnes, who was a doctor. Later, they moved to Abaújszántó, where her father worked as a teacher. Her mother died in tragic circumstances in 1953, committing suicide. Her father remarried and Andrea’s stepmother was a high school teacher of mathematics and physics.

Drahota graduated from the Kossuth Lajos High School in Cegléd and studied industry at the Karl Marx University of Economics between 1959 and 1961. She graduated from the Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 1965.

Andrea has been appearing in films since 1963. She played for a year at the Szigligeti Theatre in Szolnok (1965–1966). Between 1966 and 1991 she was a member of the Thália Theatre and the Arizona Theatre. Between 1991 and 1993 she was a freelance actor. Between 1993 and 2001 she was an actress at the National Theatre and the Hungarian Theatre of Pest. From 2001 she was an artist at the Vörösmarty Theatre and the Vidám Theatre in Székesfehérvár.

Drahota retired from the stage at the age of 70 and since the 2000s, she has been living in Gyermely.

Andrea Drahota was in one Euro-western, “Chingachgook, die große Schlange” (Chingachgook, the Great Snake) Wahtawa in 1967.

DRAHOTA, Andrea [7/15/1941, Veszprém, Hungary -     ] – theater, film, TV, voice actress, married to actor András Kozák [1943-2005] (1964-2005) mother of actress Ágnes Kozák [1965-     ], actor Dénes Kozák [1975-    ], awarded Artist of Merit [1986].

Chingachgook, the Great Snake – 1967 (Wahtawa)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Michael “Bully” Herbig

Michael "Bully" Herbig was born April 29, 1968, in Munich, West Germany. He is a prominent German comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, and voice actor, best known by his childhood nickname "Bully". He rose to fame as the creator, writer, director, and star of the influential late-night sketch comedy television series ‘Bullyparade’ (1997–2002) on ProSieben, where he frequently collaborated with actors Christian Tramitz and Rick Kavanian to parody films, television, and pop culture in over-the-top style.

‘Bullyparade’ spawned highly successful feature film adaptations, most notably the Western parody “Der Schuh des Manitu” (2001), which attracted 11,721,183 admissions in Germany and became one of the country's highest-grossing films ever, followed by the science fiction spoof “(T)Raumschiff Surprise – Periode 1” (2004) with over 9 million viewers. These works cemented Herbig's reputation for blockbuster parody cinema in the German-speaking world.

Herbig began his career in Munich's radio scene, including morning shows, before transitioning to television and film; he also studied photography and is recognized for his multifaceted contributions to German entertainment, including voice acting in animated films and later projects such as the 2025 sequel “Das Kanu des Manitu” and the BAMBI jury's honorary award for his body of work.

Michael “Bully” Herbig directed three Euro-westerns, “Der Schuh des Manitu” (The Shoe of Manitu) in 2000, “Bullyparade der film” in 2017 and “Das Kanu des Manitu” (Manitou's Canoe) in 2024.

HERBIG, Michael ‘Bully’ (aka 'Bully' Herbig, Bully Herbig, Michael 'Bully' Herbig) [4/29/1968, Munich, Bavaria, Germany -     ]- producer, director, writer, songwriter, actor, married to Daniela Herbig (2003-    ) father of Ben Herbig [2012].

The Shoe of Manitu – 2000

Bullyparade der film – 2017

Das Kanu des Manitu – 2024

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Damiano Damiani

Damiano Damiani was born in Pasiano, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine, Italy on July 23, 1922. He was an Italian screenwriter, film director, actor, and writer whose career spanned over five decades, focusing on socially conscious narratives often centered on organized crime and institutional corruption. He began with short films in the late 1940s before directing features like “Arturo's Island” (1962), which earned the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Damiani gained prominence for mafia-themed works, including “Confessions of a Police Captain” (1971) and the long-running television series ‘La Piovra’ (The Octopus, 1984–2001), which depicted systemic mafia influence in Italian society and became a cultural phenomenon for its unflinching portrayal of real-world criminal networks. His films received international recognition, such as a Silver Bear Honorable Mention at the 1985 Berlin International Film Festival for The Sicilian Connection, and multiple David di Donatello Awards in Italy. Damiani's oeuvre emphasized moral ambiguity and critique of power, influencing Italian genre cinema while avoiding sensationalism in favor of structural analysis of societal decay.

Damiani died in Rome on March 7, 2013, at the age of 90.

Damiano Damiani wrote the screenplays for two Spaghetti westerns: “Quién sabe?” (A Bullet for the General) with Salvatore Laurani and Franco Solinas and “Un genio, due compari, un pollo” (The Genius) with Fulvio Morsella and Ernesto Gastaldi in 1975.

DAMIANI, Damiano [7/23/1922, Pasiano, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine, Italy - 3/7/2013, Rome, Lazio, Italy (respiratory failure)] director, screenwriter, actor, married to Rosa Zetti [19??-2008] (1945–2008) father of Cristina Damiani [1951-    ], Sibilla Damiani [1955-    ], Francesco Damiani [1959-    ].

A Bullet for the General – 1966 (co)

The Genius – 1975 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Marcello Masciocchi

Marcello Masciocchi was an Italian cinematographer and cameraman. He worked as a cameraman on fifteen films between 1951 and 1992 and a cinematographer on sixty-one films between 1960 and 1991. He often was credited using such aliases as Marc Lane, Mark March, Mark Marsch, Marcel Mascot. He also worked sporadically as an assistant cameraman, and a production manager.

He’s best known for his work on “Treasure of the Four Crowns” (1982), “Ultimo mondo cannibal” and “La polizia è sconfitta” both in 1977. Birth date unknown but apparently died on July 10, 2022. 

Marcello Masciocchi was a cinematographer on nine Spaghetti westerns: “30 Winchester per El Diablo” (Gold Train), “Uccidete Johnny Ringo” (Kill Johnny Ringo) both in 1965, “Un dollaro tra i denti” (A Stranger in Town) in 1966, “I quattro dell’Ave Maria” (Ace High), “Un uomo, un cavallo, una pistola” (The Stranger Returns) both in 1967, “La collina degli stivali” (Boot Hill) and “El Zorro justiciero” (Zorro the Lawman) both in 1969, “W Django!” (A Man Called Django), “Una Colt in mano del diavolo” (When the Devil Grips a Colt) with Alvaro Lanzo in 1972.

[Thanks to Michael Ferguson for providing me with his presumed date of death.]

MASCIOCCHI, Marcello (aka Marc Lane, Mark March, Mark Marsch, Marcel Mascot) [190? Italy - 7/10/2022, Italy] – cinematographer, cameraman.

Gold Train – 1965 [as Marcel Mascot]

Kill Johnny Ringo – 1965 [as Marc Lane]

A Stranger in Town – 1966

Ace High - 1967

The Stranger Returns - 1967

Boot Hill – 1969

Zorro the Lawman – 1969

A Man Called Django! – 1971

When the Devil Grips a Colt – 1972 (co) [as Marcel Mascot]