Thursday, October 29, 2026

RIP Elke Sommer

 


Golden Globe winner and international sex symbol Elke Sommer, who was known for her on-screen affair with Jacques Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” franchise, died of heart failure died on October 28th at her Bel Air, California home, one week before her 86th birthday. Her death comes three months after her husband of 32 years Wolf Walther lost his battle with cancer. Born Elke Schletz in Berlin, Germany on November 5, 1940. Originally, she wanted to become an interpreter and could speak six languages by the time she was in her teens. However, her acting break would come after she won the Italian beauty contest Miss Viareggio age 17 while she was on vacation in the Mediterranean country in 1958. She was spotted by the Italian director Vittorio De Sica before starring in Italian comedies, one of which was entitled “Men and Noblemen.” Sommer starred in several Italian and German movies in the early 1960s before landing a role in the Mark Robson-directed movie “The Prize” – which starred Paul Newman and Edward G. Robinson. She received a Golden Globe in 1964 where she was named Most Promising Newcomer. But one of the actress’ most recognizable acting roles came in the 1964 comedy flick “A Shot in the Dark”, the second installment of the “Pink Panther” film franchise. Sommer was also known for her roles in the Russell Rouse-directed movie “The Oscar” and the 1968 movie “The Wrecking Crew” – the latter featuring the “King of Cool” Dean Martin. Away from the screen she was an accomplished artist. Sommer was married twice. She tied the knot to famed Hollywood columnist Joe Hyams in 1964, before they divorced in 1981. She met Wolf Walther, who would later become her husband of 32 years, in 1989 while she was being cast for the play “Tamara.” Sommer appeared in one Euro-western “Unter Geiern” (Frontier Hellcat) as Annie Dillman in 1964.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Humberto Elizondo

[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.]

Humberto Elizondo Kauffman is a Mexican actor celebrated for his extensive contributions to film and television, particularly in telenovelas where he frequently portrayed complex antagonist characters.

With a career spanning over seven decades, he has appeared in more than 150 films and over 20 telenovelas, establishing himself as a versatile performer in Mexican entertainment.

Born in Mexico City on July 19, 1947, to actress Fanny Kaufman, known professionally as "Vitola," and diplomat Humberto Elizondo Alardine, Elizondo entered the industry as a child actor.

He made his screen debut at age six in the 1953 comedy “Vivillos desde chiquillos”, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to acting that included early influences from his mother's career in Golden Age Mexican cinema. Despite persistent rumors linking him to singer-actor Jorge Negrete as a possible father, fueled by physical resemblances, Elizondo has consistently affirmed his parentage and dismissed the speculation.

Elizondo's breakthrough came in television during the 1980s and 1990s, with iconic villain roles such as Inspector Norberto Suárez in the thriller miniseries ‘Cuna de lobos’ (1986) and Paulino Zavala in ‘Los parientes pobres’ (1993), which solidified his reputation for intense, memorable performances.

His film work extended to Hollywood productions, including the role of Don Julio in “The Mask of Zorro” (1998) alongside Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and a brief appearance as the hotel assistant manager in the James Bond film “Licence to Kill” (1989). Later projects, such as “Por siempre mi amor” (2013) and “Un refugio para el amor” (2012), showcased his enduring presence in telenovelas, while health challenges including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (EPOC) in recent years have not deterred his return to acting

Humberto Elizondo has appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Krasnye kolokola, film pervyy - Meksika v ogne” (Mexico in Flames) as Amador in 1981 and “Bandidas” as the Governor in 2006.

ELIZONDO, Humberto (Humberto Elizondo Kaufman) [7/19/1947, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico -     ] – film, TV actor, son of actress, comedian Famie Kaufman (Fannie Kauffman) [1924-2009], diplomat Humberto Elizondo Alardine.

Mexico in Flames – 1981 (Amador)

Bandidas – 2006 (governor)

29 Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Gino Mangini

Luigi ‘Gino’ Mangini was born in Rome, Italy on August 14, 1921, and was a director, assistant director and writer. He was an assistant director on four films between 1958 and 1969, directed four films between 1963 and 1974, but for most of his time in the Italian film industry he was a writer composing stories and screenplays for twenty-one films between 1955 and 1988. He was sometimes under the alia Henry Wilson.

He was a cousin of actress Maria Luisa Mangini, aka Dorian Gray, who directed her in her last film "The Criminals of the Metropolis" (1965).

He began his career as an assistant to directors including Carlo Campogalliani and Giuseppe Colizzi, and later established himself as a screenwriter for films such as: "The Terror of the Barbarians", "Maciste in the Land of the Cyclops" and "The Legend of Aeneas". After making a few documentaries, in 1964 he directed his first film as a director, "La jena di Londra" and specialized in dramatic films, sometimes directed without being credited. Occasionally he has also worked as a film producer. He died in Rome on his birthday in 1991 at the age of 70.

Gino Mangini directed one Spaghetti western, “Bastardo…vamos a matar” (Bastard, Go and Kill) in 1971.

MANGINI, Gino (aka Mangini, Henry Wilson) (Luigi Mangini) [8/14/1921, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 8/14/1991, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, cousin of actress Dorian Gray (Maria Luisa Mangini) [1931-2011].

Bastard, Go and Kill – 1971

Nevada Kid – 1973 [film was never made.]

 

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Emiliano Ferrera

Emiliano Ferrera was born in Rome on December 10, 1974. He is a film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and editor. In his work, he focuses exclusively on the western and its diverse genre combinations. In the westerns that he directs, He often creates the main roles, and in the external stylization of the heroes, often refers to the characters of the American actor Clint Eastwood in Sergio's films Leone. Emiliano is not only a successor and current representative of the Italian Western in its long-standing cultural tradition, but also a creator who revives this popular genre for today's audiences.

Emiliano Ferrera wrote and co-wrote screenplays for eight Euro-westerns: “Las Cruces: Silver Starr” (Shuna) with Igor Maltagliati, Alezzandro Parello, David Tettoni in 2009/2011, “Mesa Verde” in 2012, “Golden Pass” in 2016, “Oro e Piombo” (The Dutchman) with Yassmin Pucci, Tiziano Carnevale and “Resurrection” with Giovanni Bufalini both in 2017, “Redemption” in 2021, “Black Town” in 2022, “Oltre il confine” (Beyond the Border) in 2023 and “Topeka” in 2025 and one euro-western television film, “Blood from Hell” in 2016.

FERRERA, Emiliano [12/10/1974, Rome, Lazio, Italy -     ] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, actor, married to ? father of Sofia Ferrera.

Shuna – 2009/2011 (co)

Mesa Verde – 2012

Blood from Hell (TV) – 2016

Golden Pass - 2016

The Dutchman – 2017 (co)

Resurrection – 2017 (co)

Redemption – 2021

Black Town – 2022

Oltre il confine - 2023

Topeka – 2025

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Billy Salzmann

Willy P.A. ‘Billy’ Salzmann was a German silent film art director, cameraman and cinematographer. As with most silent film people very little is known about the, records were seldom kept and so credits are incomplete and biographies are almost nonexistent. So is the case with Billy Salzman.

Billy Salzmann was a cinematographer on three silent Euro-westerns: “Bull Arizona – the Desert Eagle” and “Bull Arizona, the Legacy of the Prairie” both in 1919 and “Der kampf um den Goldfund” in1920

SALZMANN, Billy (Willy P.A. Salzmann) – art director, cinematographer, cameraman.

Bull Arizona – the Desert Eagle – 1919

Bull Arizona, the Legacy of the Prairie – 1919

Der kampf um den Goldfund - 1920

“Master Stroke” aka “The Great Diamond Robbery”

Review by B2's Movie Cave

Richard Harrison (in one of the most ironic roles ever) plays an actor in Spaghetti Westerns who is one day approached by a group of men offering him an acting job. He agrees to listen and discovers that this is no ordinary role. It seems that the actor bears a remarkable resemblance to Arthur Land, a top executive at the diamond exchange. These men want him to pose as Lang and help them steal a fortune in diamonds. “Master Stroke” features one of the most clever plots imaginable. There are more twists and turns, more red herrings, and more slight of hand than you'll see in a dozen other movies combined. Every time you think you've got things figured out, the plot throws you another curve. It's really an amazing piece of writing.

Beyond the plot, the cast is another big highlight. Richard Harrison was never better. I've seen him in Spaghetti Westerns, peplums, and other genre films, but I don't remember enjoying a performance from him as much as this one. Harrison is joined by a wonderful cast that includes genre regulars Adolfo Celi and Margaret Lee. Both are also excellent in their roles. Most of the rest of the cast, with the notable exception of Luciano Pigozzi, weren't as familiar to me, but all were very good. I have no complaints with the acting in The Great Diamond Robbery.

 


 

Colpo maestro al servizio di Sua Maestà Britannica – Italian title

The Great Diamond Robbery – English title

Master Stroke – English title

 

A 1967 Italian film production [Atlanta Films, Fida Cinematografica (Rome)]

Producers: Maurizio Amati, Edmondo Amati

Director: Michele Lupo

Story: José Luis Martínez Mollá, Sandro Continenza, Roberto Gianviti

Screenplay: Sandro Continenza, Ettore Giannini, Roberto Gianviti, José Luis Martínez Mollá

Dialogue: Lewis E. Ciannelli, Ettore Giannini, John Davis Hart

Cinematography: Francisco Sánchez [Technicolor]

Music: Francesco De Masi

Running time: 111 minutes

 

Cast:

Arthur Lang/Owen – Richard Harrison (Richard Harrison Jr)

Mr. Bernard – Adolfo Celi

Evelyn – Margaret Lee (Margaret Box)

Max - Gérard Tichy (Gerhard Wondzinski)

Colonel Jenkins – Antonio Casas (Antonio Barros)

Mr. Ferrington – Eduardo Fajardo

Mr. Van Doren – Andrea Bosic

Miguel - Charlie Lawrence (Livio Lorenzon)

Doctor – Ennio Balbo (Enrico Balbo)

Goldsmith - Jacques Herlin (Jacques De Jouette)

Billy - Alan Collins (Luciano Pigozzi)

Dorothy - Mary Arden

Western actors - George Eastman (Luigi Montefiori), Angelo Boscariol, Claudio Ruffini,

     Goffredo Unger

Mr. Maxwell - Tom Felleghy (Tamás Fellegi)

Van Doren assistant – Dom Moor

Security men - Vito Fasano, Gilberto Galimberti

With: Robert Stevenson (Roberto Dell'Acqua)

Ferrington henchman - Artemio Antonini, Bruno Ariè, Massimo Ciprari

Movie producer - John Bartha (János Barta)

Stunts: Gianni Siragusa, Artemio Antonini, Bruno Ariè, Vito Fasano, Gilberto Galimberti, Mario Ghignone, Claudio Ruffini, Claudio Scarchilli


 

Special Birthdays

Sonny Trinidad (actor) would have been 115 today but died in 2003.









Jess Hahn (actor) would have been 105 today but died in 1998.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Fausto Tozzi (actor) would have been 105 today but died in 1978.








Franco Interlenghi (actor) would have been 95 today but died in 2015.