From the WAI! vault

 

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Ana Duato

[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.]

Ana Consuelo Duato Boix was born on June 18, 1968. She is a Spanish actress primarily recognized for her portrayal of Mercedes "Merche" Fernández López in the television series ‘Cuéntame cómo pasó’, which aired from 2001 to 2023 and holds the record as Spain's longest-running prime-time drama.

Duato's career spans television and film, with early roles in series such as ‘Querido maestro’ and films including “El perro del Hortelano” (1995), where she played Marcela, contributing to her establishment as a prominent figure in Spanish entertainment. The enduring success of ‘Cuéntame cómo pasó’, which chronicled a family's life across decades of Spanish history, elevated her to national prominence, earning the series widespread acclaim for its cultural depiction and viewership longevity.

In 2016, Duato faced charges of tax evasion and money laundering related to alleged use of opaque companies to conceal income, alongside co-star Imanol Arias, but in July 2025, Spain's National Court acquitted her of all offenses in the Nummaria case, determining no fraud had occurred despite initial accusations of €1.9 million in unpaid taxes. She has been married to producer Miguel Ángel Bernardeau since 1990, with whom she has two children, and maintains involvement in philanthropy, particularly child rights initiatives.

Duato has appeared in twenty-seven film and television appearances since 1987

Ana Duato appeared in one Spaghetti western, “La vuelta de El Coyote” (The Return of El Coyote) as Joy in 1997 and as the same character in the Eur0western television series “El tribunal del Coyote” in 1997.

DUATO, Ana (Ana Consuelo Duato Boix) [6/18/1968, València, València, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain -     ] – film, TV actress, singer, cousin of dancer and choreographer Nacho Duato [1957-    ], married to producer Miguel Ángel Bernardeau [1960-    ] (1989-    ) mother of Miguel Bernardeau [1996-    ], María [2004-    ].

The Return of El Coyote - 1997 (Joy)

Don César de Echagüe (TV) – 1997 (Joy) [television series never completed]

El tribunal del Coyote (TV) – 1997 (Joy)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Max Hunter

Max Hunter was ana alias used by Massimo Pupillo who was an Italian film director and screenwriter renowned for his contributions to the horror genre during the 1960s, particularly through low-budget Gothic and supernatural films that blended elements of Italian exploitation cinema with international co-productions.

Born Domenico Massimo Pupillo in San Severo, Apulia, Italy on January 7, 1929, he entered the film industry in the early 1960s, initially contributing as a writer to mondo documentaries before transitioning to directing feature films under pseudonyms such as the previously mentioned Max Hunter and Ralph Zucker to appeal to international markets. His most notable works include “Bloody Pit of Horror” (1965), a sadomasochistic thriller starring Mickey Hargitay inspired by the Marquis de Sade, and “Terror-Creatures from the Grave” (1965), a supernatural revenge tale featuring Barbara Steele that explored themes of undead vengeance and occult rituals. Pupillo's directorial style often emphasized atmospheric tension, lurid visuals, and pulp narratives, reflecting the burgeoning Euro-horror wave influenced by directors like Mario Bava.

Throughout his career, Pupillo helmed six feature films, including Westerns like “Django Kills Softly” (1967) and dramas such as “Love: The Great Unknown” (1969), while also serving in roles like assistant director and producer. He was the father of musician Massimo Pupillo, known for his work with the experimental rock band Zu. Pupillo died in Rome on December 12, 1999, leaving a legacy of cult favorites that continue to attract fans of vintage Italian genre cinema.

As Max Hunter Dominico Pupillo directed one Spaghetti western, “Bill il taciturno” (Django Kills Silently) in 1967.

HUNTER, Max (aka D.M. Pupillo, Massimo Pupillo, Ralph Zucker) (Dominico Massimo Pupillo) [1/7/1929, San Severo, Foggia, Italy – 12/12/1999, Rodi Garganico,  Italy (car accident)] – journalist, producer, director, assistant director, writer, married to Paulette Farjon (1958-1999) father of musician Massimo Pupillo [1969-    ].

Django Kills Silently – 1967

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Miguel de Echarri

Miguel de Echarri was a Spanish film producer, screenwriter, and festival administrator best known for serving as director of the San Sebastián International Film Festival from 1967 to 1977 and for his contributions to Spanish genre cinema through producing and writing films in the 1960s and 1970s.

Born in 1911 in Madrid, Spain, Echarri began his career in the film industry with roles such as executive producer on early projects including “Code Name: Jaguar” (1965) and “Place Called Glory City” (1965). He went on to produce and write several notable genre films, including “Hold-Up, instantánea de una corrupción” (1974), “Run, Run, Joe!” (1974), and “Rings of Fear” (1978).

Prior to and during his festival leadership, Echarri held influential positions in the Spanish film sector, including Secretary General of the Sindicato del Espectáculo from 1952 to 1956 and legal adviser to the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). His decade-long tenure at the San Sebastián Festival marked a period of institutional growth and international engagement for one of Europe's premier film events.

He died on 3 July 1978 in Madrid at the age of 67.

Miguel de Echarri was a co-screenwriter on three Spaghetti westerns: “Cipolla Colt” (Spaghetti Western aka Cry Onion) with Sergio Donati and Luciano Vincenzoni, “La dove non batte il sole” (The Stranger and the Gunfighter) with Giovanni Simonelli and Antonio Margheriti and “Whiskey e fantasmi” (Whisky and Ghosts) with Gianni Simonelli and Antonio Margheriti all in 1974.

de ECHARRI, Miguel (Miguel de Echarri Gamundi) [1911, Madrid, Madrid, Spain – 7/3/1978, Madrid, Madrid, Spain] – producer, director.

Spaghetti Western – 1974 (co)

The Stranger and the Gunfighter – 1974 (co)

Whisky and Ghosts – 1974 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Didier Methivier

Didier Methivier is a Spanish based filmmaker. He was born Raoul Akrassay on September 9. 1966, in Orléans, Centre-Val de Loire, France. He held multiple jobs including truck driver and chef before moving to Spain and devoting his career to appearing as an actor, producer, director, writer, cinematographer, musician and singer.

Didier Methivier has been a cinematographer and cameraman on seven Eurowesterns: “Dolares de Sangre” (Bloody Dollars), “Horca o bala” (Gallows or Bullet 2) in 2020, “American Trilogy” with Martin Michiels in 2022, “Le manuscrit du tunnel sacré” (The Sacred Tunnel Manuscript) in 2023, “San Pedro tu ultimo duelo, amigo” with Dirk Roche in 2024, “Alla ricerca di MEI” (Looking For MEI) and “¿Quién era John Lloyd?” (Who Was John Lloyd) both in 2025.

METHIVIER, Didier (Raoul Akrassay) [9/9/1966, Orléans, Centre-Val de Loire, France -     ] – producer, film actor, singer, musician, married to ? father of two children, member of the musical group ‘Oldtime's Brothers’.

Bloody Dollars – 2018

Gallows or Bullet 2 – 2020

American Trilogy – 2022 (co)

The Sacred Tunnel Manuscript – 2023

San Pedro tu ultimo duelo, amigo – 2024 (co)

Looking For MEI – 2025

Who was John Lloyd? - 2025

Spaghetti Western Locations for “Companeros”.

We continue our hunt for filming locations for “Companeros”. Yodlof and Vasco are now seen riding across the Sonoran Desert to Texas. Suddenly they see a Mexican army patrol approaching. The Swede tells the Mexican lieutenant who he is and where he’s going while showing him his passport. When the lieutenant asks who Velasco is he is told he’s the Swede’s servant. The officer tells the Swede he must take their picture it’s required by the government. When the flash ignites Vasco thinks it’s a gun and shoot several of the soldiers. The Swede manages to ride up and Vasco mounts behind him and they ride off leaving Yodlof’s passport on the ground.  

This scene was filmed in Desierto de Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain.

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 and Captain Douglas Film Locations http://www.western-locations-spain.com/

Special Birthdays

Alain Dorval [voice actor] would have been 80 today but died in 2024.

RIP Nils Eklund

 

Swedish theater, film, TV and voice actor Nils Eklund died in Stockholm on August 4the he was 99. Born Nils Ernst Gustaf Eklund in Bromma, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden on January 17, 1927, He had a long and broad acting career. He was in popular TV productions such as "Göta kanal" and in the early 1980s in "Svenska Sesam", where he played the character Pom-Pom. Nils Eklund was engaged at a young age at the city theatres in Helsingborg and Malmö, among other places. He was a member of the Royal Dramatic Theatre's permanent ensemble until his retirement and was awarded the Litteris et Artibus for "outstanding contributions to the arts" in 2010. Eklund appeared in one Euro-western, “Wil Wild West in 1963 as Jonas.

From the WAI! vault