Spaghetti Western Director ~ Eduardo G. Maroto
Eduardo García Maroto was a Spanish film director,
editor, screenwriter, and producer known for his innovative comedy shorts and
features in the 1930s that helped renew Spanish cinema, as well as his
extensive work as a production manager on major Hollywood films shot in Spain
during the 1950s and 1960s.
Born on December 14, 1903, in Jaén, Spain, García Maroto
entered the film industry in the 1920s as a laboratory assistant at Madrid Film
and later worked as a camera assistant and occasional actor in small roles
during the silent era. In the early 1930s, he served as a newsreel operator,
capturing key events such as the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic,
and rose to become head editor at the production company C.E.A., where he
edited notable films including Currito de la Cruz and Nobleza baturra. His
reputation as an editor led to significant assignments, including the montage
of Raza and temporarily stepping in as director during production.
In the 1930s, he debuted as a director with a series of
parody shorts co-written with Miguel Mihura, including “Una de fieras”, “Una de
miedo”, and “Y ahora... ¡una de ladrones!”, which were praised for creating a
fresh comedic genre in Spanish cinema. His first feature film, “La hija del
penal” (1936), achieved both commercial and critical success.
The Spanish Civil
War disrupted his career trajectory, and post-war censorship limited his
opportunities to pursue the satirical style he favored, leading him to direct
commissioned projects such as “Los cuatro robinsones” (1939), “Canelita en rama”
(1943), and “Tres eran tres” (1954).
From the 1950s onward, García Maroto specialized in
production management and liaison roles for American productions filmed in
Spain, contributing to films including “The Pride and the Passion” (1957), “Solomon
and Sheba” (1959), and “Patton” (1970).
His work helped
build trust between Spanish professionals and Hollywood studios, paving the way
for greater international collaboration. He retired in 1971 and received later
recognition for his contributions, including honors from the San Sebastián
International Film Festival. He died on November 26, 1989, in Madrid, and is
regarded as one of the underappreciated figures in Spanish film history.
Eduardo G. Maroto directed two Euro-westerns: “Oro vil”
(Dirty Gold) and “Tres eran tres” (Three Were Three) in 1954.
MAROTO, Eduardo G. (aka Eduardo Garcia, Eduardo Maroto) (Eduardo
García Maroto) [12/14/1903, Jaén,
Spain – 11/26/1989, Madrid, Spain] – production manager, director, assistant
director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, film editor, actor.
Dirty Gold - 1941
Three Were Three –
1954
Spaghetti Western
Screenwriter ~ Jose Mallorqui Figuerola
Jose Mallorqui
Figuerola was born in Barcelona on February 12, 1913. He was an author,
scriptwriter, and translator who was active from 1936 to 1972.
He authored hundreds
of novellas across western, suspense, and adventure genres, most notably the
192-book El Coyote series.
While he did not
direct films, his work was adapted for the screen and he served as a writer or
credited source for movies such as “Killer Goodbye” (1968), “Perseo
l'invincibile” (1963), and “The Sign of the Coyote” (1963).
Jose committed
suicide in Madrid, Spain on November 7, 1972, at the age of 59.
Jose Mallorqui
Figuerola wrote screenplays for nine Spaghetti westerns: “El Coyote” (The
Coyote) with Pedro Chamorro, Jesus Franco, Antonio Abad Ojuel, Joaquin and
Romero Marchent in 1954, “Cabalgando hacia la Muerte” (Shadow of Zorro) with Joaquín
Romero Marchent, Jesus Franco, “Due contro tutti” (The Terrible Sheriff) with Mario
Guerra, Ruggero Maccari, Giulio Scarnicci, Ettore Scola and Vittorio Vighi both
in 1962, “Cuatro balazos” (4 Bullets for Joe) with Fernando Galiana, Julio
Porter, Vittorio Vighi and Mario Guerra, “Tres hombres buenos” (The Implacable
Three) with Mario Ciaino, Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent, “Gli eroi del West”
(Heroes of the West) with Sandro Continenza, Mario Guerra, Steno, Vittorio
Vighi, and Renzo Tarabusi, “Il segno di Coyote” (The Sign of the Coyote) all in
1963, “Winchester, uno entre mil” (Killer Adios) with Mario Amendola, Primo
Zeglio in 1968 and “La morte sull alta’collina” (Death on High Mountain) with Eduardo
Manzanos Brochero in 1969.
FIGUEROLA, Jose Mallorqui (aka José Luis
Mallorquí Figueroa, José Mallorquí Figueroa, J. Mallorquí Figuerola, Jose
Mallorqui, Carter Mulford) [2/12/1913, Barcelona, Cataluna, Spain – 11/7/1972,
Madrid, Madrid, Spain (suicide)] – uthor, writer, married to Leonor del Corral
[19??-1971] (1936-1971) father of writer Eduardo Mallorquí [1940-2001].
The Coyote - 1954
(co) [as Jose Mallorqui]
Shadow of Zorro –
1962 (co) [as Jose Mallorqui]
The Terrible Sheriff
– 1962 (co) [as Jose Mallorqui]
4 Bullets for Joe –
1963 (co) [as José Mallorquí]
The Implacable Three
– 1963 (co) [as José Mallorquí]
Heroes of the West –
1963 (co) [as José Mallorquí]
The Sign of the
Coyote – 1963 [as
José
Mallorqui]
Killer, Adios – 1968
(co) [as José Mallorquí]
Death on High
Mountain – 1969 (co)
Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Dante Santoni
Dante Santoni
was an Italian producer, cameraman and cinematographer. He co-founded with
Filoteo Alberini Italy’s first film studio Alberini & Santoni Productions
in 1905. This later became known a Cines in 1906.
It’s unknown
how many films Santoni was involved in but we do know he was part of two silent
Euro-westerns: “Amore di Apache” (An Adventurers Love) with Filoteo Alberini as
cameramen and also as a producer with Alberini on “L'arrivo di Buffalo Bill a
Roma” (Buffalo Bill Arrives in Rome) both in 1906.
SANTONI, Dante [Italian] –
producer, cinematographer, cameraman, co-founded Alberini & Santoni
Productions [1905], Cines [1906].
An Adventurers Love
– 1906 (co)
L'arrivo di Buffalo
Bill a Roma - 1906
[photo provided by Michael Ferguson]
