Spaghetti Western Director ~ Frank Hall Crane
Frank Hall Crane was an American actor and film
director known for his extensive work in silent cinema during the early 20th
century.
Born on January 1, 1873, in San Francisco, California,
Crane initially pursued a career on the stage before transitioning to film,
making his screen debut in 1909 with the film “Ten Nights in a Barroom”. He
appeared in more than 70 films, typically in supporting roles, and directed
numerous silent features, including “The Stolen Voice” (1915), “The Family
Cupboard” (1915), and “Tons of Money” (1924) [2].
Crane emerged as a prolific director during the silent
film era, with his directing career concentrated between approximately 1915 and
1926. Sources attribute approximately 50–55 directing credits to him in this
period, with variations across filmographies due to incomplete records of
shorts.
He worked with several production companies, including
Thanhouser, Vitagraph, Pathé, Astra, and the British firm Stoll Pictures. His
directing credits also include collaborations with notable performers such as
Irene Castle in films like “Vengeance Is Mine” and “Stranded in Arcady” (both
1917). Crane was married to Irene M. Titus, and he died on September 1, 1948,
in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Frank Hall Crane directed one Euro-western, “Hutch Stirs
‘em Up” in 1923.
CRANE, Frank Hall (aka E. Crane, Frank
Cane, Frank H. Crane, Frank Crayne) [1/1/1873, San Francisco, California,
U.S.A. – 9/1/1948, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.] – director,
writer, actor, married to ? (1899-190?), married to actress Irene Crane (Irene
M. Titus) [1881-19??] (1904-1948).
Hutch Stirs 'em Up –
1923
Spaghetti Western
Screenwriters ~ Lino Brocka
Catalino Ortiz
Brocka, known professionally as Lino Brocka, was a Filipino film director and
activist who directed over 60 feature films, many of which critiqued social
inequalities, urban poverty, and political oppression during the Marcos
dictatorship.
Born in Pilar,
Sorsogon on April 7, 1939, to a poor family, Brocka overcame limited formal
education to become a leading figure in Philippine cinema, starting with his
debut film “Wanted: Perfect Mother” in 1970 and producing works that blended
commercial appeal with realist portrayals of societal ills.
His films, such as “Maynila:
Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” (1975) and “Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim” (1984), earned
acclaim at international festivals including Cannes, where “Jaguar” (1979)
competed for the Palme d'Or, and faced domestic censorship for exposing
corruption and exploitation.
Brocka co-founded
the Concerned Artists of the Philippines in 1983 to oppose martial law,
participated in protests, and championed constitutional freedom of expression
through his advocacy and screen works.
He received the 1985
Ramon Magsaysay Award for employing cinema as a tool for social commentary and
public awareness.
Following his death
in a Quezon City car accident on May 22, 1991, Brocka was posthumously declared
a National Artist of the Philippines for Film by Proclamation No. 1113 in 1997,
recognizing his enduring impact on national culture and critique of
authoritarianism.
Lino Brocka co-wrote
the screenplay for one Spaghetti western “I fratelli di Arizona” (The Arizona
Kid) with Luciano Carlos in 1970.
BROCKA, Lino (aka Lino Brooks) (Catalino Ortiz Brocka) [4/7/1939, Pilar, Sorsogon, Luzon,
Philippines – 5/22/1991, Quezon City, Philippines (car accident)] – director,
writer, actor, uncle of producer, director, writer Q. Allan Brocka (Quenton Allan Brocka) [1972- ], founded The Concerned
Artists of the Philippines [1983], awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award [1985], National
Artist for Film [1997].
The Arizona Kid –
1970 (co)
Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Luigi Fiori
Little to nothing is known about Italian director and
cinematographer Luigi Fiori. He’s listed in the book Italian Film: A Who’s Who”
but only a large filmography is listed. I do know he was born in Italy sometime
in 1891 and I’m sure he’s passed on by now but I can find no specific date or
place of death.
FIORIO, Luigi [1891, Italy – 19??, Italy] – director,
cinematographer, cameraman.
La donna carnefice nel paese dell'oro – 1925
