.Westerns...All'Italiana!

From the WAI! vault

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Aristide Catoni

[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.]

Aristide Catoni was an Italian actor known for his prolific work in supporting and bit roles in Italian and international films from the 1940s to the 1960s. Born on January 20, 1893, in Rome, Italy, he appeared in numerous productions, contributing to both neorealist classics and Hollywood productions, often in uncredited or minor parts that added depth to ensemble casts. His notable appearances include roles in “Bitter Rice” (1949), “General Della Rovere” (1959), “Ben-Hur” (1959), “The Pink Panther” (1963), and “The Taming of the Shrew” (1967), among many others across Italian cinema and English-language films.

In all Aristide appeared in 86 films and television appearances from 1937 to 1967 before his death at age 85 on March 1, 1978, at the age of 85.

Catoni appeared in one Euro-western, “Io sono il capataz” (The Return of Pancho Villa) as a captured government soldier in 1950.

CATONI, Aristide (aka Aristide Catani) [1/20/1893, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 3/1/1978, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – film, TV actor.

The Return of Pancho Villa – 1950 (captured government soldier)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ William First

William First was an alias used by Guido Celano an Italian actor and director known for his extensive career in cinema spanning nearly six decades, during which he appeared in over 120 films from 1931 to 1988. He also worked as a voice actor and occasionally contributed as a screenwriter and producer, establishing himself as a versatile figure in Italian film, particularly in genre cinema including spaghetti Westerns.

Born on April 19, 1904, in Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy, Celano began his acting career in the late 1920s and became a recognizable character actor in both Italian and international productions. He directed two spaghetti Westerns, “Cold Killer” (1967) and “Gun Shy Piluk), showcasing his behind-the-camera talents in addition to his on-screen work.

He provided the Italian dubbing voice for the character Luca Brasi in “The Godfather” (1972).

Celano's filmography reflects his longevity in the industry, with roles ranging from period dramas and adventure films to Westerns and exploitation pictures, making him a staple supporting player in mid-20th-century European cinema until his final work in 1988. He died on March 7, 1988, in Rome, Italy from peritonitis at the age of 83.

As mentioned above William First Celano directed two Spaghetti westerns” “Uccideva a freddo” (Cold Killer) in 1966 and “Giurò... e li uccise ad unon ad uno” (Gun Shy Piluk) in 1968.

FIRST, William (aka Celano, Guy W. Ceylon) (Guido Celano) [4/19/1904, Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy – 3/7/1988, Rome, Lazio, Italy (peritonitis)] – producer, director, writer, theater, film, TV, voice actor, married to Tina Xeo (Ernesta Cucchiarelli) [1902-1992] (1934-1988) father of Virginia Celano, Ruggero Celano [1942-1976], stepfather of Amalia Gargiulo, Luciana Gargiulo, Claudio Gargiulo, awarded the Premio Medaglie d'oro [1974].

The Cold Killer – 1966

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Arturo Ruiz Castillo

Arturo Ruiz-Castillo y Basala was a Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer whose career bridged major historical periods in 20th-century Spain, including the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, and the democratic transition. Born in Madrid on December 9, 1910, he was raised in intellectual circles influenced by the "Edad de Plata" and educated according to the principles of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza, fostering a deep cultural inquisitiveness that shaped his multifaceted artistic pursuits. Over his lifetime, Ruiz-Castillo created approximately 18 feature films, 50 short films, and numerous television productions, contributing to the aesthetic evolution of Spanish cinema amid political constraints.

Ruiz-Castillo began his cinematic endeavors in the 1930s, producing works for pro-democracy organizations during the Spanish Civil War, which reflected experimental and republican-aligned aesthetics. Under Franco's regime, his output shifted to adapt to censorship, yet he maintained a commitment to narrative innovation; notable examples include the literary adaptation “Las inquietudes de Shanti Andía” (1947), a Basque coastal drama, and the propagandistic war film “El santuario no se rinde” (1949), which aligned with regime strategies during the early Cold War. Other significant directorial efforts encompassed “La laguna Negra” (1952), a thriller, and “Culpables” (1960), exploring moral dilemmas.

In the later stages of his career, Ruiz-Castillo transitioned to television during Spain's democratic opening, producing content that reflected evolving cultural landscapes. Despite his prolific output, his work was largely overlooked for decades due to the irregular nature of his filmography and the overshadowing political context, though recent scholarly interest has begun to reevaluate his role in Spanish audiovisual history. He received recognition such as a trophy from the Círculo Mercantil at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in 1972.

Arturo Ruiz Castillo co-wrote the screenplay for one Spaghetti western, “El secreto del captain O’Hara” (The Secret of Captain O’Hara) with Manuel Martinez Remis and José Maria Elorrieta in 1964/

CASTILLO, Arturo Ruiz (aka Arturo Ruiz) (Arturo Ruiz-Castillo y Basala) [12/9/1910, Madrid, Madrid, Spain – 6/18/1994, Madrid, Madrid, Spain (cerebral hemorrhage)] – director, writer, cinematographer, film editor son of publisher José Ruiz-Castillo Franco [1875-1945], married to mathematics teacher Rosa Bernis Madrazo [1909-1999] (19??-1994).

The Secret of Captain O’Hara – 1964 (co)

Gun Shy Piluk – 1968

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Gerald Hirtschfield

Born on April 25, 1921, in New York City, Gerald Jospeh Hirschfeld was an avid moviegoer as a boy and developed an interest in photography. Self-taught, he began to learn his craft. “There were no film schools in those days, so I was always looking for new [photography] books, new information,” he told American Cinematographer in 2007. “By going to the movies, I gradually learned the styles of all the top Hollywood cameramen.”

Hirschfeld joined the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Serving at the Signal Corps Photographic Center during World War II, he was an assistant and operator for established Hollywood cinematographers including ASC members Leo Tover and Stanley Cortez. He later shot numerous training films, also doing process photography. After he was discharged, Tover became his mentor and helped him become established as a freelance cinematographer.

In 1949, Hirschfeld shot his first feature film, the crime picture “C-Man” — shot in just 11 days. After a few other feature and TV projects, he began to focus on shooting TV commercials, working at the NYC production house MPO Videotronics. Hirschfeld soon became the busiest cameraman in New York City, and MPO made him a vice president in the rapidly growing company. While he continued to work at MPO on high-end commercials, Hirschfeld would go on to shoot some 40 feature films, including “The Incident” (1967), “Goodbye Columbus” (1969), “Cotton Comes to Harlem” (1970), “Diary of a Mad Housewife” (1970), “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Two Minute Warning” (1976), “The World’s Greatest Lover” (1977), “Neighbors” (1981), “My Favorite Year” (1982) and “To Be or Not to Be” (1986).

Hirschfield died in Ashland, Oregon on February 13, 2017 at the age of 95.

Gerald Histschfield was a cinematographer on one Spaghetti Western, “Doc” in 1970.

HIRSCHFIELD, Gerald (aka Jerry Hirschfeld) (Gerald Joseph Hirschfield) [4/25/1921, New York City, New York, U.S.A. - 2/13/2017, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.] – director, cinematographer, cameraman, author, married to actress Sarnell Ogus[1927-2024], married to continuity, script supervisor Julia W. Tucker [1933- ] (1982-2017) father of Marc Hirschfield, Eric Hirschfield, Burt Hirschfield, director, cinematographer, cameraman Alec Hirschfeld.

Doc – 1970

Rancho Leone is back on sale

Sergio Leone's mythical western town in Almeria is back on sale with a big discount

The historic Western Leone in Almeria, built for Until His Time Came, is promoted again years later with a lower price and a new campaign focused on its tourist and audiovisual potential

Diario de Almeria

By Rafael Espino

May 20, 2026

Between arid mountains and dirt roads in the desert of Tabernas, in Almeria, one of the most recognizable scenes of European western cinema still stands. This is Western Leone, a western town built at the end of the sixties for the filming of Until His Time Came, the legendary film by Sergio Leone, and which is now once again promoting itself in the real estate market with a new commercial impulse.

The listing is not new. The village officially hit the market back in 2022 with an asking price of around €2.5 to €2.8 million; however, it has now reappeared with a listed price of €1.6 million—a significant reduction compared to its initial offering. The current listing is being handled by a real estate agency based in Almería, which is marketing the property as an opportunity linked to the film industry, tourism, and special events.

The promotional campaign has even extended to social media. In a recently released video, the messaging plays on the idea that the site is not merely a "film set," but rather a space brimming with future potential. "It’s not a set; it’s an authentic Wild West village from the 1960s, and today, it’s for sale," the video states, emphasizing that the venue’s true appeal lies not just in its past, but "in what it can still become."

The set that Sergio Leone built in Tabernas

Western Leone occupies a unique place in the cinematic history of Almería. The site was built expressly for “C’era una volta il West”, (Once Upon a Time in the West) the epic Western that Sergio Leone filmed in 1968 with actors such as Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jason Robards. Part of the set recreated the fictional town of Sweetwater, one of the film's central settings.

The film is considered one of the most influential works of the genre and forms part of the legacy that transformed the Tabernas Desert into a global benchmark for the Spaghetti Western. Amidst these landscapes, some of the most renowned sets in European Western cinema were erected—such as Mini Hollywood, Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood, and Western Leone itself—which remain active today for tours and audiovisual productions.

Over the decades, the site has not remained frozen in time. In addition to attracting visitors, it has hosted shoots for commercials, music videos, and other audiovisual projects. Among these is the music video *Boum Boum Boum* by the singer Mika, as well as advertising campaigns and themed photo shoots related to the Western genre.

A Western Town with New Business Concepts

The new real estate development places its focus precisely on the future of the site. The listing describes a venue designed to host film shoots, themed tourism, immersive experiences, weddings, corporate events, concerts, and cultural activities, arguing that it already possesses a recognizable identity and a history upon which to build new projects.```

The real estate agency marketing the property insists that the complex should not be viewed merely as a movie set, but rather as a space capable of generating activity year-round. The concept is clear: to capitalize on the symbolic weight of the Western genre in Almería—and the visual power of a location that, more than half a century after its construction, continues to evoke the cinema of Sergio Leone amidst the reddish soil of Tabernas.

Spaghetti Western Locations for “Companeros”.

We continue the search for filming locations for 1970s “Companeros”. After confronting Vasco, Yodlaf enters the hotel’s cantina and asks the proprietor where he can find General Mongo. He’s told the general is very busy fighting a revolution. Yodlaf asks for a room and a hot bath but is told they only have one room and it’s been taken pointing to one of Mongo’s officers who’s busy stuffing his face with food. His name is Pepito Tigrero. Yodlaf then walks over tor the guest registry and crosses off Tigrero’s name and tells the proprietor the room is now unoccupied to please prepare his bath. The hotelier asks, “Where will Pepito go?” and Yodlaf replies, “To the hospital.”

This scene was filmed on a Madrid soundstage.

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/