Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Giovanni Dolfini

[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.]

Giovanni Dolfini was an Italian stage, film, and television actor and director, active primarily from the silent era through the mid-20th century. Born in Venice, Italy on January 8, 1885, he built a career spanning over five decades, appearing in more than 38 productions, often in supporting or character roles that highlighted his versatility in Italian cinema and early television. His work frequently featured in adaptations of classic literature, contributing to the post-war revival of Italian film and broadcast media.

Dolfini's directorial debut came with the 1920 silent film Dopo, where he also starred, marking an early highlight in his multifaceted involvement in the industry. Notable acting credits include portrayals in television miniseries such as ‘Les Misérables’ (1964) as Mabeuf and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (1966) as an elderly gentleman, alongside films like “Sleeping Beauty” (1942) and “Torna!” (1954). His career reflected the evolution of Italian entertainment, from mute cinema to sound films and TV, often collaborating with prominent directors in the neorealist and classical traditions. Dolfini passed away in Rome at the age of 83 on December 9, 1968, leaving a legacy of steady contributions to Italy's cultural output.

Giovanni Dolfini appeared in thirty-eight films and television appearances from 1911 to 1966. He also directed one film “Dopo” in 1920.

Giovanni Dolfini appeared in one Spaghetti western, “Il sogno di Zorro” (The Dream of Zorro) as Don Alonso in 1951

DOLFINI, Giovanni (G. Dolfini) [1/8/1885, Venice, Veneto, Italy – 12/9/1968, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, theater film, TV actor.

The Dream of Zorro – 1951 (Don Alonzo)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Mario Gariazzo

Mario Gariazzo was an Italian film director, screenwriter, producer, and editor renowned for his contributions to low-budget exploitation cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.

Born in Biella, Piedmont, Italy on June 4, 1930, Gariazzo began his career in the Italian film industry in the early 1960s, directing his debut feature “Lasciapassare per il morto” (Passport for a Corpse) in 1962, a crime thriller co-written with others. Over the next three decades, he helmed at least 18 films and contributed screenplays to over 20 projects, often working in genres including horror, science fiction, erotic drama, adventure, and poliziotteschi (crime-action films), with frequent international co-productions involving Spain and the United States. His style emphasized sensational and erotic elements, aligning with Italy's boom in genre and exploitation filmmaking, though his works received mixed critical reception, typically earning average ratings on platforms like MYmovies.it.

Among his most notable directorial efforts are the horror film “L'ossessa” (The Possessed, 1974), a tale of demonic possession starring Stella Carnacina; the science fiction thriller “Occhi dalle stelle” (Eyes Behind the Stars, 1978), featuring Robert Hoffmann and involving alien invasion themes; and the erotic mystery “Play Motel” (1979), which starred Ray Lovelock and Anna Maria Rizzoli and explored themes of voyeurism and murder. Gariazzo also directed westerns like “Acquasanta Joe” (Holy Water Joe, 1971) and adventure films such as “Schiave bianche: Violenza in Amazzonia” (White Slaves of the Amazon, 1985), often under pseudonyms like Ray Garrett for international releases. Later in his career, he shifted toward more explicit erotic content, with titles like “Sapore di donna” (Taste of a Woman, 1991) marking his final directorial works before his death in Rome on March 18, 2002 at age 71. Despite not achieving mainstream acclaim, Gariazzo's output reflects the vibrant, if niche, landscape of Italian B-movies during a transformative era for European genre cinema.

Mario Gariazzo directed three Spaghetti westerns: “Dio perdoni la mia pistola” (God Will Forgive My Pistol) with Leopoldo Savona in 1969, “Acquasanta Joe” (Holy Water Joe) in 1971 and “Il giorno del giudizio” (Drummer of Vengeance) in 1971.

GARIAZZO, Mario (aka Gariazzo, Roy Garret, Roy Garrett, Robert Paget, John Walker) [6/4/1930, Biella, Piedmont, Italy – 3/18/2002, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, writer, film editor.

God Will Forgive My Pistol – 1966, 1969 (co)

Holy Water Joe - 1971

Drummer of Vengeance – 1971 [as Robert Paget]

The Most Dangerous Man in the West – 1972 [film was never made]

Spaghetti Western Screenplay ~ Marcello Ciorciolini

Marcello Ciorciolini was an Italian screenwriter, film director, playwright, lyricist, and author for radio and television.

Born in Rome on March 7, 1922, Ciorciolini began his professional career in the late 1940s by writing sketches and scripts for Italian radio broadcasts, before entering the film industry in the early 1950s as an assistant director and screenwriter on projects such as Silvio Laurenti “Rosa's La folla” (1951). Over the next three decades, he contributed to more than 50 films, specializing in popular genres like comedy, western, adventure, and parody, with frequent collaborations alongside director Giorgio Simonelli and the iconic comedy duo Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia. His screenwriting credits include notable titles such as “Robin Hood e i pirati” (1960), “La vendetta di Ursus” (1961), and “Due mafiosi contro Al Capone” (1966), often blending humor with lighthearted action.

Ciorciolini transitioned to directing in 1965 with the comedy “Con rispetto parlando”, starring Scilla Gabel, and went on to helm around 10 features, many featuring Franco and Ciccio, including “I nipoti di Zorro” (1968), “Ciccio perdona... io no!” (1968), and “Meo Patacca” (1972), a Roman dialect comedy that highlighted his versatility in regional storytelling. Beyond cinema, he worked as a playwright and authored content for television, contributing to the vibrant post-war Italian entertainment scene. As a lyricist affiliated with SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori), he penned the original Italian words for "Ti guarderò nel cuore" from the 1962 documentary Mondo cane, composed by Riz Ortolani and Nino Oliviero; the song achieved global fame through its English adaptation "More," earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Ciorciolini's work exemplified the prolific, genre-blending spirit of mid-20th-century Italian popular culture, though he remained best known domestically for his contributions to comedic cinema.

Marcello Ciorciolini was a co-screenwriter on five Spaghetti westerns: “Due Mafiosi nel Far West” (Two Mafiamen in the Far West) with Giorgio Simonelli, Leonardo Martin Mendez in 1964, “I due sergenti del generale Custer” (The Two Sergeants of General Custer) with Giorgio Simonelli, Amedeo Sollazzo and Alfonso Balcazar Granda in 1965, “I due figli di Ringo” (Two Sons of Ringo” with Roberto Gianviti, Amedeo Sollazzo, Dino Verde in 1966, “Ciccio perdona…io no!” (Ciccio Forgives…I Don’t!) with Amedeo Sollazzo and “I nipoti di Zorro” (The Nephews of Zorro) with Roberto Gianvitti, Vittorio Metz and Dino Verde in both in 1968

CIORCIOLINI, Marcello (aka M. Ciorciolini, James Harris, Frank Red, Frank Reed) [3/7/1922, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 9/5/2011, Rome Lazio, Italy] – director, assistant director, writer, songwriter.

Two Mafiamen in the Far West – 1964 (co)

The Two Sergeants of General Custer – 1965 (co)

The Two Sons of Ringo – 1966 (co)

Ciccio Forgives…I Don’t! – 1968 (co)

The Nephews of Zorro – 1968 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Jan Karpas

Jan Karpas is a Czech animator, director, and screenwriter known for his contributions to stop-motion animation in Czechoslovak cinema during the 20th century. Born on October 8, 1913, in Červený Kostelec, Austria-Hungary, he developed a distinctive style that incorporated creative substitutions and everyday objects in his animated shorts. His work emerged within the vibrant tradition of Czech animation, alongside contemporaries in puppet and stop-motion filmmaking.

Karpas directed and wrote several notable animated films, including “Liška a vlk” (Fox and Wolf) and “Fikmik” (1959), the latter celebrated for its inventive use of food items and pebbles as substitutes for objects in stop-motion sequences. He also contributed to other projects such as “Three Gifts” (1974). His career spanned several decades until his death on May 26, 1984, in Brandýs nad Labem, Czechoslovakia, leaving a legacy in experimental and short-form animation

Jan Jarpas was a co-animator on one Euro-western “Arie Prerie” (Song of the Prairie) with Břetislav Pojar, Bohuslav Šrámek, Zdeněk Hrabě, and Stanislav Látal in 1949.

KARPAS, Jan (Jan Karpaš) [10/8/1913, Červený Kostelec, Austria-Hungary – 5/26/1984, Brandýs nad Labem, Czechoslovakia] – director, writer, animator.

Song of the Prairie – 1949 (co)

New Italian Blu-ray, DVD release of “Sole Rosso”

 

“Sole Rosso”

(Red Sun)

 

Director: Terence Young

Starring: Charles Bronson, Alain Delon, Ursula Andress, Toshirô Mifune, Capucine

 

Country: Italy

Label: Eagle Pictures / RAI

Region: B

2K Blu-ray

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Language: Italian

Subtitles: none

Running time: 112 minutes

ASIN: ‎B0GXG16M2X

Special Birthdays

Percy Moran (actor) would have been 140 today but died in 1958.

Marco Mariani (actor) would have been 100 today but died in 1970

Jerry Ludwig (writer) would have been 85 today but died in 2021.

RIP Jenny Atkins

 

I’ve received word from Jenny Atkins’ granddaughter that Jenny passed away sometime in late May. She was 83. Jenny was supposedly born Jenny P. Riva in England 1943. Jenny moved to the United States and met actor Ty Hardin. They appeared together in an episode of TV’s ‘Riptide’ which Ty was starring in. They became a couple and appeared together in the Spaghetti western “You’re Jinxed Friend, You’ve Met Sacramento” in 1970 where Jenny played Ty’s daughter Maggie Thompson. They married after the film and appeared together again in the following year in “Drummer of Vengeance” where Jenny played a circus girl. Jenny and Ty divorced in 1974 and Jenny married Dr. Steven Zax a surgeon [1938-2017] in 1978 and they divorced in 1982. She then married George R. Brachmanski. The couple lived in Queensland, Australia.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Bretislav Dolejsi

[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.]

Břetislav Dolejší was a Czechoslovak football goalkeeper whose career was from 1952 to 1958. He played for such teams as Dukla Prague and Slavia Prague. In 1958 he played for Czechoslovakia in the 1958 FIFA World Cup.

Born in Bretislav Hrochuv Tynec, Czechoslovakia on September 26, 1928, he was recruited as a brawler for his only film which was also his only Euro-western, “Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera” (Lemonade Joe) as a brawler in 1964.

After this film he emigrated to Chicago, Illinois in the U.S.A. in 1967 and became a naturalized citizen in 1973. Dolejsi was employed by the Bechtel Power Corporation. He died in Los Angeles, California from cancer on October 28,2010 at the age of 82.

DOLEJSI, Bretislav [9/26/1928, Hrochuv Tynec, Czechoslovakia – 10/28/2010, San Gabriel, California, U.S.A. (cancer)] – soccer player [goalie], film actor, played for the Czechoslovakian team in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, played for Dukla Prague [1952-1956], Slavia Prague [1957-1960], married to Donna Dolejsi (1975-2010) father of Bret Dolejsi.

Lemonade Joe – 1964 (brawler)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ James Gardener

James Gardener was an alias used by Adolf Marius Lesoeur who was a French film producer and writer known for his extensive work in low-budget European exploitation, horror, and erotic cinema, particularly from the 1970s through the 1980s. As the owner of the production and distribution company Eurociné starting in 1957, he played a central role in financing and overseeing numerous genre films, often collaborating on projects that blended sensational elements with modest budgets. He also founded Studios Mobiles de France and Paris-Nice Productions, contributing to the infrastructure of independent French filmmaking during a period of prolific output in these niches.

Born in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France on January 7, 1910, Lesoeur built a career that spanned producing, writing, and occasional directing or acting roles in his own productions. His credits include notable genre titles such as “Female Vampire” (1973), “A Virgin Among the Living Dead” (1973), “Exorcism” (1975), “The Sadist of Notre Dame” (1979), and “Angel of Death” (1985). These works frequently drew from horror, zombie, and erotic thriller tropes, reflecting the commercial trends of European B-movies during the era. Lesoeur's prolific involvement helped sustain a segment of the industry focused on international co-productions and direct-to-market releases. He died in Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France on May 16, 2003.

As James Gardener he co-directed one Spaghetti western, “La marque de Zorro” (The Mark of Zorro) with Jess Franco and Alain Payet. He also produced five Spaghetti westerns “Bienvenido, padre Murray” (Welcome Padre Murray) in 1962, “Les aventures galantes de Zorro” (Red Hot Zorro) in 1972, “Convoi de femmes” (Convoy of Women) in 1974 and “Les filles du Golden Saloon” (The Girls of the Golden Saloon) in 1975.

GARDENER, James (aka A.M. Frank, James Gartner, Marius Lefrère, M. Lesoeur, Mario Lesoeur, A. L. Mariaux, A.L. Mariaux, H.L. Rostaine, Dan Simon) (Adolf Marius Lesoeur) [1/7/1910, Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France – 5/16/2003, Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France] – producer, production manager, director, writer, actor, married to ? father of producer Daniel Lesoeur [1942-    ], grandfather of actress Anouchka (Anouchka Lesoeur), founded Studios Mobiles de France.

Bienvenido, padre Murray – 1962 [producer]

Rebels in Canada – 1965 [producer]

Red Hot Zorro – 1972 [producer]

Convoy of Women – 1974 [producer]

The Mark of Zorro – 1974 (co-director)

The Girls of the Golden Saloon – 1975 [producer]

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Sergio Ciani

Sergio Ciani was an Italian actor and bodybuilder known for his starring roles in 1960s sword-and-sandal (peplum) films under the stage name Alan Steel. One of the few native Italians to headline the genre—typically dominated by imported American bodybuilders—he portrayed iconic muscle heroes such as Hercules, Samson, Maciste, and Ursus in numerous low-budget Italian productions.

Born in Rome on September 7, 1935, Ciani entered the film industry as a stunt performer and body double for Steve Reeves in “Hercules Unchained” (1959) and “The Giant of Marathon” (1959). He quickly rose to leading man status, starring in films including “Hercules Against the Moon Men” (1964), “Hercules and the Black Pirate” (1964), “Hercules Against Rome” (1964), and “Samson and the Mighty Challenge” (1964). Following the peplum genre's decline in the mid-1960s, he continued acting in spaghetti westerns, thrillers, and other Italian films through the 1970s, with his final known role in “Baby Love” (1979). Ciani died on September 5, 2015, in Rome, two days before his 80th birthday.

Ciani co-wrote the screenplay for one Spaghetti western which he also starred in “Mano rápida” (Fast-Hand is Still My Name) with Vittorio Salerno, Alberto Cardone and Eduardo M. Brochero in 1973.

CIANI, Sergio (aka Alan Steel) [9/7/1935, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 9/5/2015, Ostia, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – writer, film actor.

Fast-Hand is Still My Name – 1973 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Janez Kalisnik

Janez Kališnik was a Slovenian cinematographer and photographer known for his influential work as a director of photography in Yugoslav and Slovenian cinema during the mid-20th century, as well as his later contributions to architectural photography that captured transitional spaces and urban landscapes.

Born on March 2, 1921, in Drenov Grič near Ljubljana, Kališnik developed his craft in film, serving as cinematographer on notable titles such as “Ples v dežju” (Dancing in the Rain, 1961), “Sonce v mreži” (The Sunny Whirlpool, 1968), and other productions that marked important moments in Slovenian filmmaking. After retiring from film, he turned to photography, where his images of architecture and everyday scenes earned exhibitions and recognition for their ability to document the evolving cultural and built environment of late-20th-century Slovenia. He died in 2004, in Ljubljana. His career bridged the cinematic innovations of the postwar period and the reflective documentation of Slovenia's post-independence era, leaving a legacy in both moving and still imagery. Janez died in Ljubljana, Slovenia in January 0f 2004 at the age of 82

Janez Kalisnik was a cinematographer on one Euro-western, “Duell vor Sonnenuntergang” (Duel at Sundown) in 1965.

KALISNIK, Janez [3/2/1921, Drenov Grič, Kingdom of Yugoslavia – 2004, Ljubljana, Slovenia] – cinematographer.

Duel at Sundown – 1965