.Westerns...All'Italiana!

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

American theater, film and television actor Stacy Keach died from heart disease and heart failure at his home in Magdalenka, Poland on November 10^th, he was 85. Born Walter Keach, Jr. in Savannah, Georgia on June 2, 1941, the son of producer, director, actor Stacy Krach Sr. [1914-2003], and brother of producer, director, writer, actor James Keach [1947- ] and uncle of producer actor Kalen Keach [1977.During his six-decade career, Keach earned recognition for his standout character roles, portraying a wide range of gruff, hard-nosed authority figures, troubled antiheroes, and morally complex men. Among his most famous roles are aging boxer Billy Tully in 1972’s “Fat City”, rookie cop Roy Fehler in 1972’s “The New Centurions”, bumbling narcotics officer Sergeant. Stedenko in 1978’s “Up in Smoke”, white supremacist leader Cameron Alexander in 1998’s “American History X”, and small-town bully Ed Pegram in 2013’s “Nebraska”. Keach appeared in one Spaghetti western ‘Doc’ as Doctor John Henry ‘Doc’ Holliday in 1970.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Mary Carmen Encalado

[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.]

Mary Carmen Encalado is/was a Spanish bailaora (flamenco dancer). Little if anything is known beyond that and I can find no biographical information on her.

Mary Carmen Encalado appeared in one Spaghetti western, “Il segno di Coyote” as Rocio in 1963.

ENCALADO, Mary Carmen (Maria Carmen Encalada) [Spanish] – film actress.

The Sign of the Coyote – 1963 (Rocio)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Aristide Massaccesi

Joe D'Amato born Aristide Massaccesi was a prolific Italian film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and producer renowned for his extensive output in exploitation cinema, encompassing genres such as horror, erotic thrillers, and hardcore pornography. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he directed approximately 200 films, often working under numerous pseudonyms to navigate the Italian film industry's constraints and to appeal to international markets. His work frequently blurred boundaries between mainstream genre filmmaking and extreme content, including adaptations of popular series like the “Black Emanuelle” films and original horror entries such as “Anthropophagous” (1980).

Born in Rome on December 15, 1936, to a father employed as an electrician in the Italian film industry, Massaccesi entered the field at age 14, starting with menial tasks before advancing to roles as a still photographer and camera operator in the 1950s.2 By the late 1960s, he had established himself as a director of photography on notable genre productions. He made his directorial debut in 1972 with the spaghetti Western “Stay Away from Trinity When He Comes to Eldorado”, initially using pseudonyms to protect his cinematography reputation.

D'Amato's breakthrough came in the mid-1970s when he adopted his most famous alias for “Emanuelle in America” (1977), the third entry in the Black Emanuelle series, which mixed adventure with explicit eroticism and propelled him into international notoriety. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he diversified into gothic horror with films like “Beyond the Darkness” (1979) and “Death Smiles on a Murderer” (1973), often eroticizing themes of decay and violence, while also producing post-apocalyptic sci-fi and fantasy series such as the Ator films, low-budget riffs on “Conan the Barbarian”. In 1980, he founded the production company Filmirage, which enabled him to control distribution and create multiple versions of his films, ranging from softcore to hardcore, to suit varying censorship standards.

In the 1980s and 1990s, D'Amato increasingly focused on hardcore pornography, directing titles like “Porno Holocaust” (1980) and “Erotic Nights of the Living Dead” (1979), which combined adult content with horror elements, solidifying his reputation in cult and underground cinema. His final film, “Showgirl” (1999), was another adult feature, released shortly before his death from a heart attack in Rome at age 62. Despite critical disdain for much of his output, D'Amato's versatility and sheer productivity have earned him a lasting place in discussions of Italian B-movies and exploitation genres.2

Aristide Massaccesi directed six Spaghetti and Euro-westerns: “Scansati... a Trinità arriva Eldorado” (Stay Away from Trinity When He Comes to Eldorado) and “Un bounty killer a Trinità” (A Bounty Killer for Trinity) with Oskar Santaniello 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, Mel Rose,Joan Russel, 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, Dick Spitfire, 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, cinematogra”pher, cameraman Daniele Massaccesi, Francesca Massaccesi, founded Filmirage Productions, founded Kristal Productions.

Stay Away from Trinity When He Comes to Eldorado – 1972 [as Dick Spitfire]

A Bounty Killer for Trinity – 1972 (co) [as Oscar Faradine]

Red Coat – 1974 [as Joe D’Amato]

Outlaws Parts 1 & 2 – 1997 [as Joe D’Amato]

2020 Texas Gladiators – 1982 (co) [as Kevin Mancuso]

Calamity Jane 1 & 2 – 1999 [as Joe D’Amato]

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Paul Flon

Paul Nicolas Flon is a Belgian cinematographer and director known for his contributions to Belgian cinema, beginning his career in 1914 and working through the silent and sound eras up to the 1970s. Born on October 6, 1898, in Brussels, Belgium., Flon started as a cinematographer before directing silent films and propaganda features in the 1920s, later focusing primarily on cinematography while sporadically directing.

He began his film career in 1914 as cinematographer on “Maudite soit la guerre” (War Is Hell), directed by Alfred Machin. He gained recognition for directing films that highlighted technical proficiency and patriotic themes, including the propaganda feature “Belgique” (1920), which was praised for its quality in acting, photography, and overall production values comparable to leading foreign works. Among his most notable directorial efforts is “Dans Bruges-la-morte” (1924), an adaptation set in Bruges and filmed with Belgian actors such as Francis Martin and Suzanne Christy. He also directed “In the Way of Zorro” (1926) and later returned to directing with “Fête de quartier” (1955) and several documentary shorts in the 1970s.

Throughout his career, Flon worked extensively as a cinematographer on Belgian productions spanning from 1914 to the late 1950s, notably as chief cinematographer for Gaston Schoukens from 1926 to 1959, contributing to films such as “Bossemans et Coppenolle” (1938), “Naissance d'une cite” (1944), and “Scandale à la Belgique Joyeuse” (1959). His multifaceted involvement in both directing and cinematography helped bridge the silent and sound eras in Belgian film history.

Paul Flon remained active in the film industry until at least the late 1950s for cinematography credits, with directing continuing into the 1970s. His last known cinematography credit was on “Scandale à la Belgique Joyeuse” (1959).

Flon died on August 10, 1981, in Jette, Belgium at the age of 82.

Paul Flon was a screenwriter on one Silent Euo-western which he also directed. “À la manière de Zorro” (In the Way of Zorro) in 1926

FLON, Paul [10/6/1898, Brussels, Belgium – 8/10/1981, Jette, Belgium] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman,

In the Way of Zorro – 1926

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Ferd Sebastian

Ferdinand ‘Ferd’ Sebastian was a self-described “redneck” and photographer-by-trade, Ferd, as with George Romero of Night of the Living Dead fame before him, transitioned from photography to directing television commercials. In a 2018 interview with VideoScope, Ferd recalled casting one of those early spots, for the National Bank of Austin, with a University of Texas friend of his cousin Scott: an aspiring model named Farrah Fawcett.

It began when a 19-year-old Ferdinand Sebastian met an 18-year-old Beverly Cawthorne at a Houston, Texas, roller skating rink in 1952; they ran away to get married a mere ten-days after they met and remained married for the next seven decades.

Ferdinand Sebastian as Fred Schulman was a cinematographer on one Euro-western, “Les chevauchées amoureuses de zorro” (The Erotic Adventures of Zorro) in 1972. The couple made some of the best grindhouse flicks of the 1970s. Their film “Gator Bait” (1974) is possibly the signature appearance by B-movie legend Claudia Jennings. The tragic starlet (she died in a car crash in 1979 aged just 29) also appeared in the couple's proto-slasher “The Single Girls” (also 1974). With a canny eye always on a trend, The Sebastians also rode the success of the early 80s slasher with the rock-themed “Rocktober Blood” (1984).

Ferd Sebastian died in Homosassa, Florida from a stroke on March 27, 2022 at the age of 88. Beverly died the same year at age 89.

Ferdinand Sebastian was a cinematographer on one Euro-western, “Les Chevauchées amoureuses de Zorro! (The Erotic Adventures of Zorro) in 1972.

SEBASTIAN, Ferd (aka Ferdinand Sebastien) (Ferdinand Sebastian Jr.) [7/25/1933, Travis County, Texas, U.S.A. - 3/27/2022, Homosassa, Florida, U.S.A. (stroke)] – producer, director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, composer, film editor, actor, married to producer, director, writer, cinematographer, film editor, actress Beverly Sebastian [1933-2022] (1953-2022) father of producer, writer, SFX, stuntman, actor Ben Sebastian [1957- ], actor Tracy L. Sebastian [1961- ], founded Sebastian International Pictures,

The Erotic Adventures of Zorro – 1972

ONÉSIME ON THE WAR PATH

1913, France

Aka… Onésime Sur le Sentier de la Guerre / ‘Onésime On the War Path’ (Fr), Onésime Peau-Rouge / ‘Onésime the Indian’ / Onésime Correspondant de Guerre / ‘Onésime War Correspondent’ (alt Fr)

Running time: 335mt (Fr)

Production Company: Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont [Léon Gaumont]

Distributor: Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont [Léon Gaumont] (03/13, Fr)

Director: Jean Durand; P: Léon Gaumont

Cast: C: Onésime [Ernest Bourbon] (Onésime), Gaston Modot (Perno Gomez) & Berthe Dagmar [Albertine-Marie Hamon] (Carmencita Olavacca), Léon Pollos & Alphonse Fouché (Indians)

Comments: ONÉSIME ON THE WAR PATH was the second of two westerns that starred Ernest Bourbon as ‘Onésime’. The other was ONÉSIME HAS A COWBOY-STYLE DUEL (1912, Fr). Bourbon appeared in dozens of 'Onésime' films. Gaumont took an ad out for 'Onésime Sur le Sentier de la Guerre' in the French Ciné-Journal on March 8, 1913, with the tagline ‘Aventures iresistiblement comiques du legendaire héros chez les Indiens’ / ‘The legendary heroes adventures among the Indians’.

Miss Dagmar and director Jean Durand were married.

Just for the record the name ‘Onésime’ is of Greek origin meaning "useful" or "beneficial” person.

[submitted by Michael Ferguson]

Who Are Those Gals ~ Dada Gallotti

Dada Gallotti was born Aldina Piera Gallotti, on April 8, 1935, in Milan, Italy. She is an Italian actress known for her prolific career as a character actress in Italian genre cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. She became one of the most active supporting performers in European popular films, appearing in a wide range of genres including spaghetti westerns, crime thrillers, giallo films, historical epics, and erotic dramas. She frequently performed under alternative stage names such as Diana Garson for international releases and was noted for her strong screen presence in supporting and character roles.

Gallotti began her screen career in the early 1960s and collaborated with directors such as Lucio Fulci and Gianfranco Parolini on projects including “Adiós, Sabata” and “The Psychic”. Her work contributed significantly to the stylistic identity of Italian commercial cinema in the post-neorealist era, and she remained active into the early 1990s. Her extensive filmography continues to attract interest among enthusiasts of cult and exploitation films.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Dada Gallotti established herself as one of the most prolific supporting actresses in Italian popular cinema, appearing in dozens of films across various genres and contributing to the era's prolific output of commercial genre pictures.

Her activity was especially dense from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s, with frequent supporting turns that capitalized on her ability to portray diverse character types including bourgeois ladies, adventuresses, and helpful friends or authority figures.

After a hiatus of several years, she made a single return to acting with a television role in 1992, appearing as Giornalista in six episodes of the Italian comedy series ‘Un inviato molto speciale’. This marked her last known credit, after which she retired permanently from the profession.

GALLOTTI, Dada (aka Dada Galloti, Dada Galore, Dada Galotti, Diana Garson, Diana Garsón) (Aldina Piera Gallotti) [4/8/1935, Milan, Lombardy, Italy - ] – film, TV actress, married to entrepreneur Otto Lughin (198?- ).

Lost Treasure of the Aztecs – 1964 (Ilona)

Epitaph for a Fast Gun – 1965 (Nora Kenton) [as Diana Garsón]

Johnny West – 1965 (Ginger) [as Diana Garsón]

Johnny Yuma – 1966 (Susan)

Pour un dollar amour – 1966 (sheriff’s daughter) [as Dada Galloti]

Lola Colt – 1967 (Virginia Blake)

Hate for Hate – 1967 (Mrs. Driscoll) [as Alba Gallotti]

Shotgun - 1967 (Mary Mulligan)

$10,000 Blood Money – 1967 (Scarface/Bobo’s woman)

Vengeance is Mine – 1967 (saloon singer)

Heads or Tails – 1968 (Lilly)

Saguaro – 1968 (Julie/Giulia)