New Book Release 'Lee Van Cleef: Best of the Bad'

He had the face of a true villain, chiseled to perfection. Director Sergio Leone, best known for "The Man With No Name" spaghetti western trilogy, once described Van Cleef as having the face of a hawk; actor Eli Wallach called it "wonderfully alive" and full of wickedness. As an actor, Van Cleef portrayed some of the best movie villains of all-time Angel Eyes in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and Frank Talby in Day of Anger. Although more than twenty years have passed since his premature death in 1989, Lee Van Cleef remains a cinematic icon for millions of film fans worldwide, and his legacy as the "Best of the Bad" is set in granite.

Lee Van Cleef: Best of the Bad explores the life and career of this great actor, a man with unbounded talent and a heart of finely-polished gold. Through interviews and numerous sources, Best of the Bad reveals the real Lee Van Cleef and discusses his roles in For A Few Dollars More, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and Day of Anger, along with chapters on mythic archetypes and historical gunfighters and bounty hunters.

Also included is a foreword by Mike Malloy, author of Lee Van Cleef: A Biographical, Film, and Television Reference. $14.95 available from amazon.com

Kentina

Kentina - U.K. title

A 2010 British production [Ivory Films (Eastbourne)]
Producers: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Director: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick)
Story: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Screenplay: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Cinematography: Jon Smith [color]
Music: Chris Matthews
Running time: 19 minutes

Cast:
Outlaw Dutch - Jason Croot
Red - Nigel Casey
Garrett - Spencer Austin
sheriff - Paul Adams
outlaws - Nick Berwick, Martin Pickering
Emily - Hannah Gover
bounty hunter - Tony Adams

 
Garrett is a desperate outlaw trying to escape his old life and return to Emily the girl he loves in hopes of a peaceful life. His brother Red, and fellow bandits have other ideas.


YouTube: http://vimeo.com/groups/29693/videos/10809908

RIP Leslie Nielsen

“Surely you can’t be serious? I am serious and don’t call me Shirley”.

Actor Leslie Nielsen, best known for his film roles in "Airplane" and "The Naked Gun" series, died Sunday, November 28 of complications from pneumonia, his family said. Nielsen, 84, died in a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, surrounded by his wife and friends.

Leslie William Nielsen was born on February 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and grew up 200 miles from the Arctic Circle in Fort Norman where his father was an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He was often beaten by his father and when he turned 17 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After World War II he became a disc jockey then trained at a Toronto radio school operated by Lorne Greene. A scholarship to the Neighborhood Playhouse brought him to New York where he began his career in television. He made over 150 TV appearances. His first film role was in “Forbidden Planet” (1956) and his best dramatic role was as the captain of the ocean liner in “The Poseidan Adventure” (1972), but he’s best remembered for his role in the “Airplane” and “Naked Gun” films. Nielsen appeared in one Euro-western “Four Rode Out” (1970) with Sue Lyons and Pernell Roberts.

EVERYTHING FOR A FRIEND

Amico mio, frega tu... che frego io! - Italian title
No rastro do ouro maldito - Brazilian title
Cuatro ases para perder - Spanish title
Colorado - Zwei Halunken im Goldrausch - German title
Anything for a Friend - U.K. title
Everything for a Friend - English title

A 1972 Italian production [Tarquina Internazionale Cinematografica (Rome)]
Producers: Dennis Ford (Demofilio Fidani)
Director: Miles Deem (Demofilio Fidani)
Story: Demofilio Fidani, Filippo Perrone, Mila Vitelli (Maria Valenza)
Screenplay: Demofilio Fidani, Filippo Perrone, Mila Vitelli (Maria Valenza)
Cinematography: Claudio Maorabito [Eastmancolor, Panavision]
Music: Lallo Gori (Coriolano Gori)
Running time: 95 minutes

Cast:
Jonas Dickinson - Fred ‘Red’ Carter (Ettore Manni)
Mark Tabor/Taylor - Bud Randall (Paolo Rosani)
Muller/Miller/Mulieta - Gordon Mitchell (Charles Pendleton)
Pearl - Simone Blondell (Simonetta Vitelli)
Consuelo - Carla Mancini
Fred - Michele Francia (Michele Branca)
padre - Gualtiero Rispoli
Denver - Sleepy Warren
Muller/Miller/Mulieta henchmen - Custer Gail (Amerigo Leoni), Dennis Colt (Benito Pacifico)
Donna Dolores - Angela Portaluri
with: Rick Boyd (Federico Boido), Paul Crain (Vincenzo Pulcrano), Raimondo Toscano, Lucky McMurray (Luciano Conti), Antonio Basile, Vinicio Raimondi

Two conmen Jonas Dickinson and Mark Tabor discover a gold mine in the Rocky Mountains. They soon learn that Muller has all the townspeople basically slaving away for him. After a day in the mines the miners end up spending their hard earned money and whatever gold they may have mined in his den of vice. Jonas and Mark begin to work on turning the people against Muller and eventually he and his gang flee leaving Dickinson and Tabor proclaimed as heroes by the mayor and his grateful citizens.

Spaghetti Western Locations

Continuing with locations for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” we take another look around what was Betterville prison camp. The mesa has returned to nature but if you look closely you’ll find an occasional brick, a piece of particle board and the corner of a foundation. As you scour the area the buildings will take shape in your mind and you’ll be able to piece together the camp as it looked in the film. You’ll be able to find the latrine ditch, the commander’s office where Tuco was beaten by Corporal Wallace. If you look off into the distance you’ll see another mountain (shown in the photo above) which rises above the area used for Sad Hill cemetery. Look to the right and you’ll see a mountain range and on the other side is where the bridge scene was filmed.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi "Garringo" Yasuda’s excellent website: http://garringo.cool.ne.jp/

Happy 75th Birthday Aldo Maccione

Aldo Maccione was born November 27, 1935 in Turin, Italy. He won a radio contest in the 1960s and was hired by a theater group in Turin. Here he was known for his imitations of famous actors from Jerry Lewis to Clark Gable. Maccione then became a member of the musical comedy group ‘I Brutos’. As a member of ‘I Brutos’ he appeared in his only Euro-western “The Magnificent Brutes of the West” (1964). He then formed another group called “I Tontos” which worked at The Emporium in Barcelona, Spain for six years. Claude Lelouch was impressed with Aldo and gave him his first stand alone film role in “”L’aventure c’est l’aventure” in 1970. He continued to appear in French and Italian films through the 1980s. In the late ‘80s he dropped his comic act and tried to reinvigorate his career as a dramatic actor in films and television appearances. He appeared in the 2005 film “Travaux, on sait quand ça commence” with Carole Bouquet and Jean-Pierre Castaldi. In January 2010 he participated in the TV series “La Ferme Célébrités” but left the show in February do to health problems. Aldo now lives in semi-retirement in St. Paul de Vence, France. Today we celebrate Aldo Maccione’s 75th birthday.

Guess Who I Am

I’m an Italian actor born in 1937 and appeared in four Italian westerns. Guess who I am.

Rex Lee correctly identified this week's photo as that of Adolfo Lastretti.

Turkey Leftovers Day

EVEN DJANGO HAS HIS PRICE

Anche per Django le carogne hanno un prezzo - Italian title
La venganza de Django - Spanish title
Tambien la corona tiene un precio - Spanish title
Django contra 4 irmaos - Brazilian title
Pour Django les salauds on un prix - French title
Même pour Django... les salauds ont un prix - French Canadian title
Auch Djangos Kopf hat seinen Preis - German title
A Pistol for Django - U.K. title
Django’s Cut Rate Corpses - U.S.A title
Even Django has His Price - U.S.A. title

A 1971 Italian production [Constitution Film, Manuelli Italiana Film (Rome)]
Producer: Mario De Riso, Gino Turini
Director: Paolo Solvay (Luigi Batzella)
Story: Luigi Batzella, Mario DeRosa, Gaetano Dell’Era
Screenplay: Luigi Batzella, Mario DeRosa, Gaetano dell’Era
Cinematography: Giorgio Montagnani [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Vasili Kojucharov
Running time: 89 minutes

Cast:
Django - Jeff Cameron (Goffredo Scarciofolo)
Pickwick - John Desmont
Pilar - Esmeralda Barros (Esmerlinda Barros)
Susan Crane - Dominique Badou
Ramon Cortez - Edilio Kim
Ramon’s brothers - William Major, Mario De Rosa, Franco Daddi
Sheriff Fulton - Gengher Gatti
Donna Dolores Ramirez - Angela Portaluri
Pedro Ramirez - Mark Devis (Gianfranco Clerici)
saloon girl - Laila Shed
monk - Marletta Franco (Francesco Marletta)
Ramon’s henchman- Garriba Fabio (Fabio Garriba)
with: El Meteco (L. Metero), Gennaro Masino, Renato Lamperla, Wladimiro Daddi (Wladimir Daddi), Jean-Claude Jabes (Gianclaudio Jabes)

The Cortez brothers and their gang rob the bank of Silver City and kidnap Susan Crane in order to obtain information about a gold mine. The bandits take refuge in Mexico where a number of people pursue them; Sheriff Fulton follows the robbers in pursuit of the stolen gold. Django is in pursuit in order to rescue Susan, who is his fiancee and to collect the bounty on the Cortez brothers heads. Pickwick is in pursuit because his stolen saddle holds the will of his grandfather leaving him a large ranch. Saloon owner Pedro and his wife Dolores also pursue the bandits. This group of people both help and hinder each other and the capture of the gang. Pedro is killed for his greed while the bandits release Susan hoping this will appease Django. Fulton, Pickwick and Django join forces to meet the Cortez brothers in a final duel to the death.

RIP Ingrid Pitt

Ingrid Pitt, a Holocaust survivor and one of England's best-known horror film stars, has died. She was 73. The actress collapsed last week while on the way to a birthday dinner. The Belfast Telegraph reported Wednesday that her daughter Stephanie said Pitt died of "heart trouble."

Hammer horror movie historian Marcus Heam said of the actress: "Underrated as both an actress and a writer, Pitt was a warm but stubbornly enigmatic figure," Reuters reported Wednesday.

Known for her roles in Hammer horror films such as "The Vampire Lovers" and "Countess Dracula," Pitt also had a minor role in 1973's "The Wicker Man."

Born to a mother of Jewish descent, the Polish-born Pitt was sent to a Nazi concentration camp at the age of five. She survived the war and joined the Berliner Ensemble, but on the night of her planned stage debut she made the decision to flee Communist Berlin by diving into the River Spree. She nearly drowned in the incident, but was rescued by a U.S. lieutenant, whom she ended up marrying. After her marriage disintegrated, Pitt moved to Spain, where she starred in her first films. She went on to become a principle figure in British cult horror films.

Pitt was also a writer. She penned two novels set in Peron-era Argentina along with several horror-related pieces of fiction. "It's great meeting the fans," Pitt said on her fansite once, according to AP. "They tell me that I am more beautiful now than when I was making films a quarter of a century ago. All lies, of course, but sweet." "I was in a concentration camp as a child and I don't want to see horror," Pitt said. "I think it's very amazing that I do horror films when I had this awful childhood. But maybe that's why I'm good at it."

Pitt is survived by her husband, daughter, granddaughter, and ex-husband.

Author Tony Williams told me he interviewed Ms. Pitt ovr 30 yers ago and she told him she had appeared in several Spaghetti westerns but did not think any of them were very good and could not remember any of their titles. She once told a FanExpo audience she had appeared in 7 Spaghetti westerns, most with Tomas Milian but again could not remember any of the directors or titles. Obviously she must have gone uncredited or billed with an alias.

Thanksgiving 2010

Remembering Ricardo Montalbán

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino was born on November 25, 1920 in Mexico City, Mexico. He moved to Los Angeles and then New York City with his older brother Carlos [1903-1991], who was also an actor. The two found work as stage actors and film extras. In late 1941 Ricardo found out his mother was dying and returned to Mexico. While there he appeared in a number of Spanish language films. He returned to Los Angeles where the studios wanted to change his name to Ricky Martin. He appeared in many westerns and often portrayed Asians and Indians. His career spanned seven decades and he’s best remembered for his role as Mr. Roarke on the TV series “Fantasy Island” (1977-1984). He then appeared in the original Star Trek series and in the 1982 film “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” He won an Emmy in 1978 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1993. Into his 80s he became a voice actor. He was married to actress Georgiana Young [1923-2007], the sister of actress Loretta Young Montalbán appeared in only one Euro-western “The Deserter” (1971). Montalbán died on January 9, 2009 from congestive heart failure at the age of 88. Today we remember Ricardo Montalbán on what would have been his 90th birthday.

EUCALYPTUS

Eukaliptus - Polish title
Eucalyptus - English title

A 2001 Polish production [L&L Studio Filmowe (Warsaw)]
Producers: Adam Leda, Radoslaw Leda
Director: Marcin Krzysztalowicz
Story: Marcin Krzysztalowicz
Screenplay: Marcin Krzysztalowicz
Cinematography: Adam Sikora [color]
Music: Michal Wozniak
Song: “”Halka” by Stanislaw Moniusko
Running time: 72 minutes

Cast:
Sony Holiday - Leszek Zdybal
Sheila - Dorota Stalinska
Lo - Renata Dancewicz
Sheriff John Grzbiet - Adam Ferency
Billy Rosenkrantz - Kryzysztof Globisz
Ricky Martini - Dariusz Straczewski
Pancino Almodovar - Jerzy Nowak
Sony’s father - Ryszard Kotys
Indians - Tomasz Obara, Dzafar Mezher
doctor - Jan Peszek
pastor - Henryk Kluba
prostitutes - Magda Bieganska, Oliwia Angerstein
bartender - Dariusz Gnatowski
saloon girl - Marta Kielkowicz
Sheila’s client - Maciej Wilewski
prisoner - Julius Krzysztof Warunek
saloon patron - Jaroslaw Stypa
‘The Blonde Man’ - Marek Zukowski
constables - Robert Skulski, Jerzy Pokoj, Ryszard Jaroch
carpenter - Robert Tyszka
drunk - Izydor Zmuda
with: Katarzyna De Belle, Robert Kaczmarek, Jacek Braszczok, Katarzyna Studniak, Adam Lindel, Jaroslaw Kostewicz, Andrezej Putowski, Piotr Mioduszewski, Andrzej Szewczyk, Andrzej Styczynski, Piotr Damian, Piotr Owczarek, Iwona Klinicka, Emilia Kanclerska, Marta Grabowska, Bogdan Andrzejewski, Dominik Czarow, Zdzislaw Stokowski, Jozef Bednarz, Przemyslaw Ruszczynski, Aleksandra Sarzeta, Rafal Mackiewicz, Tadeusz Jozefowicz, Piotr Sobczyk, Pawet Peszek, Jacek Lemonski, Anna Ziemba

Sony Holiday is a gunslinger endowed by nature with two particularly intriguing features: sensitivity and his unusual sexual tool (“bird”). Sony’s sensitivity is expressed in his words and behavior, so different from that which appears in the world around him that can be safely called a real poet. But Holiday also has besides his famous hypersensitive self, his unusual "bird", which some have called a "metaphysical bird." This is what Sony owes him fame, which in the Wild West was higher valued than living and health.

Sony as a male adult and his sexual choices is almost always guided by a practical sense, therefore, most of the time he spends with one and the same bitch Sheila, the oldest in Rio Bravo. Holiday and Sheila are involved in a special intimacy, allowing each of them special jokes and memories. The latter concern, in particular Holiday’s father, who strongly influenced the life of Sheila, educating her with real dedication. Holiday’s father was a hard and determined man. His sexual temperament allowed him intensive contacts with all women, what deserves to be called the true authority in the eyes of all the Rio Bravo.

The relationships between Holiday and Sheila becomes distorted with the appearance of beautiful Lo and Sony, no less replace the old Sheila with the fourteen year-old Lo. This substitution leads to complications. Lo belongs to the biggest thug and degenerate Billy Rosenkrantz. Bill is so bad that, without the slightest embarrassment he live with corpses, which even in a demoralized city as Rio Bravo arouses widespread outrage. Of course, Bill abuses all the rules and ethical standards, because he is one of the fastest gunslingers and is not afraid of anyone. The romance between Sony and Lo, as tradition tells, takes place in absolute secrecy, until one day, Billy, of course, finds out about everything. From the beginning of masculinity Sony believes that like in ancient times losing the use of his "bird" will result in the loss of his masculinity and gunfighting abilities. But when Lo explains that Sony has a special, invisible "bird," he vows revenge against Billy.

Enter Sheriff John Ridge, who has been narrating the story, who despite his age and position, falls in love with Lo and vows that he will not hesitate at anything to make her his own. Therefore a three way confrontation must take place between Sony, Billy and Sheriff Ridge.

[Koszalin Audience Award Best Picture, Eagle, Polish Film Award Best Cinematography]

Remembering Jorge Mistral

Born Modesto Llosas Rosell on November 24, 1920 in Aldaya, Spain, but lived in Puerto Rico until he was 14. Returning to Spain he left a law career when the Civil War began. He sold paper to make a living before and began his career on the stage. He entered the theater and soon began taking leading man roles. He made his film debut in 1944 film “La llamada de la mar” directed by José Gaspar. He signed a contract to act for CIFESA Productions, In 1949 he made his first successful theatrical tour of Latin America where he would spend much of his career as an actor in Mexico. In 1964 he appeared in his only Euro-western “Gunfighters of Casa Grande” in the role of Traveler then he moved back to Puerto Rico and started directing with the films “La fiebre del deseo” and “”La piel desnuda”. He stayed in Puerto Rico making television appearances. He then moved to Mexico where he pursued his career in film, theater, TV and nightclubs. In his later years he fought depression and committed suicide on April 20, 1972. Today we remember Jorge Mistral on what would have been his 90th birthday.

RIP Giuseppe Berardini

Italian camerman and cinematographer Giuseppe Berardini passed away on November 20^th in Rome, Italy. Sometimes billed as Giuseppe Bernardini, and affectionately known as Peppe, he was involved in the film industry since his first work as a camera operator on "Revenge of Hercules" in 1960. Among the more than 35 films he worked on were "The Treasure of San Gennaro" (1966), "Waterloo" (1970) "Ludwig" (1972) and the TV series "Capri" (2006). Along the way he was involved in three Euro-westerns "Chino" and "My Name is Nobody" as a camerman both in 1973 and as cinematographer on "Arrapaho" (1984).

Happy 85th Birthday Tony Russel

Born Antonio Pietro Russon on November 23, 1925, Kenosha, Wisconsin he would participate in plays at St. James parochial school and Kenosha High School. When World War II statted Tony joined the Army Air Corps and became a pilot. After graduation he attended the University of Wisconsin he majored in languages with a minor in drama. He then joined the Pasadena Playhouse and graduated in 1952. His first film was with Vince Edwards in "Hiawatha" (1952). He tried out for the lead in Walt Disney’s new TV series "Zorro" but lost out to Guy Williams. Because of his athletic abilities he was given several roles in the series episodes. He would then appear in "War is Hell" (1962). Leopoldo Savona saw him in this film and offered him the lead in "The Last Charge" (1962). Tony stayed in Italy and starred in such films as "The Secret Seven" (1963) "Sword of Damascus" and Revolt of the Seven" both in 1964. Tony says Sergio Leone offered him the lead in "Fistful of Dollars" but like many others he turned it down. He would continue to make films in Italy for several more years and organized a dubbing production company called ELDA (English Language Dubbers Association) and unionized the actors. He standardized the practice of having one actor dub a stars voice so the actor always sounded the same in his films. Tony told me in an interview he was the English voice of Fernando Sancho in several films. Asked if he was the rumored English voice of Franco Nero in "Django" he emphatically denied that he was. Tony did appear in one Euro-western "Behind the Mask of Zorro" (1965). Returning to the U.S.A. in 1967 he found work on TV and films but turned to dinner theater. Tony is the father of actor Del Russel and now lives in Las Vegas with his wife where the couple play golf several times a week and appear at film conventions from time to time. Today we celebrate Tony Russel’s 85^th birthday.

RIP Rosemary Dexter

I’ve just found out from Matt Blake’s website ‘The Wild Eye’ that Rosemary Dexter passed away this past September 7, 2010. She was only 66. Rosemary was born on July 19, 1944 in Quetta, Pakistan to British parents. She moved to Italy in the late 1950s and decided to become an actress. Her first film was 1963's “Omicron” in 1964 she appeared in “Romeo and Juliet” directed by Riccardo Freda. Rosemary appeared in three Euro-westerns: “For a Few Dollars More” (1964) as Col. Mortimer’s sister seen in the flashback scene with Peter Lee Lawrence and Gian Maria Volonte. In 1967 she appeared as Katy in “The Dirty Outlaws” with Chip Corman (Andrea Giordana) and in 1969 “In the Name of the Father” as Miss Baxter, directed by Ruggero Deodato and starring Paolo Villaggio. In all she appeared in over 30 films as well as in a 1975 Playboy layout. She retired from the film industry in the mid-‘70s. Being a friend of Count Vanni and his family she moved to Via Leopardi in Recanati, Italy. She had been suffering from a long term illness.

Escape from Grumble Gulch

Les Dalton en cavale - French title
Lucky Luke dans les Daltons en cavale - French title
Lucky Luke das große Abenteuer - German title
Dzielny szerfy Lucky Luke - Polish title
Os Dalton al solta - Portuguese title
Lucky Luke broderna Dalton pa rymmen - Swedish title
Lucky Luke and the Escape from Grumble Gulch - U.S.A. title
Escape from Grumble Gulch - U.S.A. title

A 1982 French, U.S.A. co-production [Gaumont Pictures, Dargaud Publishing, FR3 (Paris), Hanna-Barbera Productions Inc. (Hollywood)]
Producer: Philippe Landrot
Directors: Morris (Maurice de Bevere), Bill Hanna (William Hanna), Joe Barbera (Joseph Barbera), Ray Patterson (Raymond Patterson)
Story: Morris (Maurice de Bevere) & Goscinny (Rene Goscinny)
Cinematography: Charles Flekal [Eastmancolor]
Music: Claude Bolling, Shuki Levy, Haim Saban
Running time: 88 minutes

Cast:
Lucky Luke, Joe Dalton, Mathias Bones, Ming Lee Foo, William Dalton, Jack Dalton, Averell Dalton, Bushwack

English voices:
Lucky Luke - Bill Callaway
Jolly Jumper - Bob Ridgeley
Bushwack - Paul Reubens
Ma Dalton - Mitzi McCall
Averell Dalton - Rick Dees
William Dalton - Fred Travalena
Joe Dalton - Frank Welker

The most famous quartet of bandits in the west, the Daltons, have once again escaped from prison, where the four gangsters had been sentenced to hard labor breaking stones. Lucky Luke once again, is asked to track them down and bring them back. Accompanied by his faithful horse Jolly Jumper and dog Bushwack. Our cowboy loner follows the trail of the bandits to Canada. The Dalton’s take refuge in a logging camp, where Lucky Luke captures them. He returns them to prison, where they four brothers receive a visit from their mother, Ma Dalton, who gives them a file by which the infernal quartet manages to escape again. Lucky Luke again embarks on their trail.


YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-TBOgrhjESrE

Spaghetti Wetern Locations

Continuing with location sites for "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". After leaving Mission San Antonio and traveling past the remains of another Civil War battle field Tuco and Blondie are captured and taken to Betterville prison camp. This location is not far from the location for Sad Hill Cemetery and both are located on the same property. The location is a cattle ranch in Carazo. Tuco Tours has now marked the location with a placard. You’ll have to hike counterclockwise from the placard to locate a small opening in the fence. Here you’ll have to hike to the top of the hill to the left of the maintenance shed and yard. Little remains at the location but you will find bits of foundations, wood, particle board, the trench and the iron rings that were used to connect the small bridge where you entered the camp. Walk the area and keep a sharp lookout for material scattered on the ground. Clint, Eli, Lee and Sergio all walked this ground.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi "Garringo" Yasuda’s excellent website: http://garringo.cool.ne.jp/

THE EROTIC ADVENTURES OF ZORRO

Les chevauchées amoureuses de zorro - French title
Zorro und seine lüsternen Mädchen - German title
Zorron salattu seksuaalielämä - Finnish title
Oi erotikes peripeteies tou Zorro - Greek title
Las erotica aventuras de El Zorro - Spanish title
Las aventuras eróticas de El Zorro - Venezuelan title
The Sexcapades of Don Diego - U.K. title
The Erotic Adventures of Zorro - English title

A 1972 U.S.A., French, West German co-production [Entertainment Ventures Inc. (Hollywood), Alpha-France (Paris), Atlas Films (Berlin)]
Producer: William Allen Castleman, David F. Friedman
Director: Colonel Robert Freeman (David F. Friedman), William Allen Castleman
Story: Colonel Robert Freeman (David F. Friedman)
Screenplay: David F. Friedman, Mona Lott, Joy Boxe
Dialogue: Robert W. Creese
Cinematography: Fred Schulman (Ferdinand Sebastian) [Eastmancolor, EVI]
Music: Betty Allen, William Loose
Running time: 102 minutes

Cast:
Don Diego de Vega/Zorro - Douglas Frey
Maria - Robyn Whitting (Jackie Giroux)
Helena - Penny Boran
Esteban - John Alderman
Luis Bonasario - Jude Farese
Sgt. Felipio Latio - Bob Cresse (Robert W. Cresse)
Margarita - Michelle Simon (Starlyn Simon)
Don Alejandro de Vega - Bruce Gibson
Rosita - Lynn Harris (Terry Johnson)
Brother Fred Felipe - Sebastian Gregory
Don Miguel - Mike Peratta
Rodriguez - Ernie Dominy
Commander of the Academy - Allen Bloomfield
Graciola - Becky Perlman (Rebecca Perlman)
Esmeralda - Kathy Hilton (Kathy Avanzino)
Pablo - Gerald Broulard
Manuel - Cory Brandon
disfigured soldier - David Villa
Chico - Fermnin Castillo del Muro
Ortiz - Jesus Valdez
soldier with snake - David F. Friedman

Luis Bonasario is collecting taxes and the villagers are complaining that they don’t have the money. The next thing you know a guy gets killed and Don Alejandro de Vega’s father is lamenting how terrible the living conditions have gotten in Los Angeles and that Bonasario needs to be dealt with

Don Alejandro’s son is in Spain training at a military academy and is the best horse rider and swordsman he knows. A letter is quickly dispatched to Don Diego in Spain and he immediately sets about coming home to help his father and the villagers out, but not before having a going away orgy! That’s the least his buddies could do for him since he’s going to be playing a homosexual once he gets back home!

Don Diego arrives in Los Angeles and is told about the tyrannical rule of Bonasario. Diego immediately comes up with a plan on how to deal with the Alcalde.

He turns himself into a fop, riding a donkey and carrying a white parasol with him wherever he goes. As Zorro he rescues two young women who were taken prisoner on tax day.

Zorro challenges Esteban to a duel the following day by Don Diego shows up instead and Esteban puts two and two together and figures out they are one and the same person. The two have a sword fight ending with Esteban receiving a shoulder wound and saying he’ll never be able to fight again. Zorro tells him he’ll be alright and it’s better to be a lover than a fighter.

Between encounter with Bonasario’s soldiers our fearless hero has several sexual encounters before ridding the pueblo of the evil tyrant and returning it to it’s sleepy village status.

Remembering Marco Tulli

Primo Marcontulli was born on November 20, 1920 in Rome, Italy. He studied economics and business while in school. He debuted in films after World War II in small minor roles where was usually uncredited. During the 1950s he also acted in the T.58 Theater Group with Paola Barbara and Manlio Guardabassi. In the ‘60s he started to make appearances in television episodes and comedies. In all he appeared in over 100 films and television roles. During this career he made only one Euro-western “The Shadow of Zorro” in 1962 with Frank Latimore. His last film appearance was in “ Scusi, lei è normale?” (1979) director by Umberto Lenzi. Tulli died on March 20, 1982 in Rome, Italy. Today we celebrate what would have been Marco Tulli’s 90th birthday.

Guess Who I Am

I was born Emmanuela Rahola but acted under a pseudonym. Guess who I am.

Anonymous guessed todays picture. It's Emma Cohen.

Happy 80th Birthday Renato Lupi

Renato Lupi was born on November 19, 1930 in Rome, Italy. After studying at the University of East Naples, he began courses in drama school and had the ability to begin almost immediately as an actor both in theater and film. In films he became a reliable character actor, but his career is fragmented and rather discontinuous so he becomes just another anonymous face on the screen. Renato also became active in the field of radio and dubbing, as well as playing in a few television series such as “Graziella” (1961), directed by Mario Ferrero, and “Vita di Cavour” (1967) directed by Schivazappa in an episode of the series “Le inchieste del commissario Maigret” (1968) directed by Mario Landi. Lupi appeared in one Euro-western “A Man Called Apocalypse Joe” (1970) as Brother Antonio. Today we celebrate Renato Lupi’s 80th birthday.

Ernest the Rebel

Ernest le rebelle - French title
Ernesto il ribelle - Italian title
Rebellos - Finnish title
Ernestos, o epanastatis - Greek title
Slavhandlarens offer - Swedish title
Ernest the Rebel - English title

A 1938 French production [Sigma (Paris)]
Producer: Jean-Pierre Frogerais
Director: Christian-Jacque (Christian Maudet)
Story: novel by Jacque Perret
Screenplay: Jean Manse
Dialogue: Jacques Prévert
Cinematography: Robert LeFebvre, Raymond Agnel (Just Agnel) [black & white]
Music: Henry Verdun (Maurice Castellain), Oberfelf (Casimir Oberfeld)
Running time: 92 minutes

Cast:
Ernest Pic - Fernandel (Fernand Contandin)
Tonio - Alcover (Pierre Alcover)
Suzanne Gringue - Mona Goya (Simone Marchand)
Governor/President of Mariposa - Robert Le Vigan (Robert Coquillaud)
Rosita - Rosita Montenegro
Admiral - Arthur Devère (Arthur Coquillaud)
Démosthène - Genin (René Génin)
Mr. Hamilton - George Irving
Sam - Raoul Marco (Maurice Mayzaud)
‘Le Negre’ - Montéro
Emmanuel Gringue - Guillaume de Sax (Guilaume Lemoignon)
Ernest’s colleague - Marcel Rouzé

Aboard a cruise ship sailing to South America, Ernest Pic plays the accordion. His facial expressions, caused by seasickness, are mistaken for signs of interest by a wealthy passenger, Suzanne Gringue, He ends up having an altercation with the husband of the lady. On one stop, a beautiful native dancer distracts Ernest and the boat leaves without him. Desperate, he meets a trader named Tonio, who pushes him to commit an evil deed to survive, then enlists him in the Banana Consortium. Poor Ernest finds himself with a group of over-exploited, semi-slave laborers. He confides his troubles to Demosthenes, a fellow ... sucker. Ernest revolts plans on telling his problems to the boss of the plantation, which turns out to be Emmanuel Gringue, Suzanne’s husband. Suzanne intervenes and takes him for a suitor and believes he has come to report the issue of prison abuse. Gringue has a stormy relationship with the governor of the region, a visionary half drunk tyrant, which supplies his army in a curious way, by enlisting the power of the plantation people. Thus Ernest is enlisted in the Navy and learns the art of swimming, again becoming seasick, he can take no more and strikes the admiral: he is sentenced to death after an expedited trial! In his cell, he finds his accordion and draws a nostalgic air which draws the ears of the governor. The latter is moved andhas Ernest brought to him where is asked to sing. Is the musician saved? No, he is returned to the hole but finds the admiral has been shot. Demosthenes comes to visit his friend and, having regained his freedom and helps Ernest escape. Ernest becomes the head of a group of rebels, where he manages to get rid of the governor, Tonio, and Emmanuel Gringue and share a life with Suzanne of freedom and love.

RIP Roberto Risso

Actor Roberto Risso died today November 16, 2010 in Milan, Italy six days short of his 85th birthday. Born Pietro Roberto Strub on November 22, 1925 in Geneva, Switzerland, he studied architecture before turning to acting. He made his film debut in 1950's “Il leone di Amalfi” directed by Pietro Francisci which led to his appearance in “Domani e un altro giorno” directed by Leonide Moguy in 1951 where he played the seducer of Anna Maria Pierangeli. This led to a number of roles as boyfriends and other light weight sentimental roles.

He would gain fame in “Pane, amore e fantasi” (1953) and “Pane, amore e gelisia” (1954) both directed by Luigi Comencini playing a policeman in love with Gina Lollobrigida. His career peaked with his appearance in “Una pelliccia di visione” (1956) directed by Glauco Pellegrini. He also appeared with Gordon Scott in “Zorro and the 3 Musketeers” (1963), but his stereotypical roles convinced him to leave films and he turned to television where he appeared on the RAI TV show “Quelli della domenica” hosted by Paolo Villaggio. He then became a fashion designer and appeared in several soap operas. His last film was his only Euro-western appearing as Duke in “Hate Thy Neighbor” (1968) under the pseudonym Robert Rice.

Remembering Toni Sailer

Anton Engelbert ‘Toni’ Sailer was born on November 17, 1935 in Kitzbuhl, Austria. During his youth he spent much time on the slopes learning to ski. In 1956 when Toni was 20 years-old, the World Championships and the Olympic Games were held together as one competition. Toni won Gold Medals in the downhill, slalom and giant slalom and combined. He was nicknamed the ‘Blitz from Kitz’. He was only the fifth athlete to ever win 3 gold medals in the same Olympic games. and is considered one of the best skiers the sport has ever produced. In the 1958 World Championships he again won the downhill, giant slalom and combined, and finished second in the slalom. Toni retired in 1959 and went on to appear in over 20 films and TV appearances, among them his only Euro-western "The Lost Treasure of the Aztecs" (1964). He also began a singing career recording 18 albums. From 1972-1976 he was the chief trainer of the Austrian Skiing Association. In 1985 he was selected by the International Olympic Committee to the Olympic Order. In 1999 he was named the ‘Austrian Sports Personality of the Century’. In 2008 Toni contracted laryngeal cancer and passed away from the disease on August 24, 2009 in Innsbruck, Austria. Today we remember Toni Sailer on what would have been his 75^th birthday.

EPITAPH FOR A FAST GUN

Un dollaro di fuoco - Italian title
Un dolar de fuego - Spanish title
Pas d’orchidées pour le sheriff - French title
Pour un dollar d’amour - French title
Keinen Dollar für dein Leben - German title
Ena pistoli pio kafto apo ton ilo - Greek title
En dollar av eld - Bloody Killer - Swedish title
A Dollar a Fire - English title
A Death for a Dollar - English title
One Dollar of Fire - English title
One Dollar of Gunfire - English title
Epitaph for a Fast Gun - English title

A 1965 Italian, Spanish co-production [Cineproduzioni Associati (Rome), IFISA (Madrid)]
Producers: Antonio Uzard, Ignacio F. Iquino (Ignacio Ferres Iquino
Director: Nick Nostro (Nicola Nostro), José Luis Madrid (José de la Viña)
Story: Mikky Roberts (Miguel Bada)
Screenplay: Ray Calloway (Mario Colucci), Ignacio F. Iquino (Ignacio Ferres Iquino), Mikky Roberts (Miguel Bada)
Cinematography: Victor Monreal (Victor Sarto), Julian Rosenthal (Julio de Rozas) [Technicolor, Technirama]
Music: Henry Escobar (Enrique Escobar), Francesco De Masi
Running time: 91 minutes

Cast:
Blacky ‘Spider’ Kendall - Michael Rivas/Michael Riva (Miguel de la Riva)
Sheriff Sid Kelly/Brady - Albert Farley (Alberta Quaglini)
Liz Kelly/Brady - Angela Otts (Angelica Ott)
Nora Kendall/Kenton - Diana Garsón (Alda Gallotti)
Sam Dollar - Indio Gonzáles (Gaspar González)
deputy - Jack Rocks (Moisés Rocha)
newspaper editor - Gustavo Re
with: Javier Conn (Javier Conde), Mario Via, Fernando Rubio, Juan M. Simón), Carlos Otero (Carlos Pereira), Joaquin Blanco, César Ojinaga, Eduardo Lizarza (Eduardo Lizarraga), Teresa Giro, Jesús Redondo, Alfonso Castro, Gabriel Giménez, Mary Montal, Miguel Muniesa, María Zaldívar, Roberto Font (Roberto Donis), Mario Maranzana, Diana Sorel (Laura Jimeno), Arana Kendall, Consuelo de Nieva, Alberto Gadea

The town of Fartown is controlled by a gang og outlaws who spread terror at the behest of their elusive leader to prevent the settlers to settle on the local land. The head Senator Dana Harper who has a mysterious lover, the wife of Sheriff Brady, an honest man who has passed his prime who is waiting for support from his superior who is Harper. A young gunman Spider Kendall is in love with Brady’s daughter and when she is kidnapped and killed by the sadistic Sam Dollar, the two join forces to rid the country of the outlaws amid the killing of Senator Harper and Dollar. Law and order returns to Fartown.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpOG3uKEB6o

RIP Roberto Pregadio

Italian composer Roberto Pregadio died this morning November 15, 2010, after a brief illness. Born in Catania, Sicily, December 6, 1928 was a musician, conductor and composer.After graduating from the Conservatorio di Napoli, the pianist became a member of the Light Music Orchestra of the RAI in 1960. He accompanied Claudio Villa in a famous concert at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1961. In radio he worked on various programs, including "Whole Town's Talking" (with Turi Ferro), "Do You Like Radio?", "The Microphone is Yours" (presented by Nunzio Filogamo). In the 80s he formed a sextet swing, “Swing Sextet of Rome” with Franco Chiari vibraphone, Baldo Maestri at the clarinet, Carlo Pes on guitar, Alex on bass and Roberto Zappulla Urso on drums, the group has recorded for Fonit Cetra-album Five Continents. Pregadio was one of better known Spaghetti western composers who scored 9 films such as “Django the Last Killer” (1967), “A Hole in the Forehead” (1968), “Ciccio Forgives I Don’t” (1968), “Paths of War” (1969), “Twice a Judas” (1969), “The Forgotten Pistolero” (1969), “Mallory Must Not Die” (1971), “Four Gunmen of the Holy Trinity” (1971), “Three Supermen of the West” (1974).


YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMS0hbX9_tg

New CD Release

Titles: Kung Fu / Man in the Wilderness
Composer: Johnny Harris / Jim Helms
Label: Film Score Monthly Silver Age FSM1315
Country: U.S.A.
Tracks: 29
Available: November 2010

Kung Fu track listing:
1) Caine’s Theme 3:13
2) (a) The Shaolin Temple, (b) The New Student, (3) Ten Times Ten 4:54
3) The Ancient Warrior/Shawn’s Theme 3:16
4) (a) A Children’s Game, (b) Divine Strength 3:09
5) Aletha/Su Yen 2:45
6) Grasshopper 1:01
7) (a) Power of the Other, (b) The Lotus, (c) One With Nature 3:56
8) Dark Angel (Hymn) 1:57
9) (a) On Evil, (b) The Peaceful Path, (c) Time of the Soul 4:10
10) King of the Mountain/An Eye for an Eye 2:45
11) The Search 1:36
12) Sign of the Dragon 0:11
Total Time 33:25

Man in the Wilderness track listing
1) Main Title (Capt. Henry Theme) 2:53
2) Zach Discovers Water 1:16
3) Shadows of the Reckerys 2:26
4) Zach Makes His Bed 2:0
5) Zach’s Music Box 0:36
6) Zach Bass Theme 1:59
7) Mandam Massacre 1:44
8) Lost Horizons Part One 1:28
9) Lost Horizon Part Two 1:20
10) Henry Meets Redthorn 1:27
11) Henry Continues 1:08
12) Zach Goes Mountain Climbing 1:06
13) Survival Time 4:06
14) Zach Bass Theme 1:58
15) Zach Goes for Henry 3:18
16) Finale (Zach Bass Theme) 1:53
Total Time: 32.12

Total Disc Time: 65:44

Happy 70th Birthday Fabrizio DeAngelis

Fabrizio De Angelis was born on November 15, 1940 in Rome, Italy. Before entering the film industry he was employed as a mailman. Known to most of us by his pseudonym of Larry Ludman he’s been active in the Italian film industry since the early ‘70s, mostly in the acrea of action, adventure films. He’s worked with such directors as Lucio Fulci, Enzo Girolami and Umberto Lenzi. He was a production manager on the George Hilton western “A Fistful of Lead”. He started producing and directing his own films in 1983 in whatever genre was popular at the time. He produced, directed and wrote the Thunder Warrior series of westerns starring Mark Gregory ( based on the modern day adventures of a Native American rebel who stands up against the violence and stealing of Indian lands by corrupt white industrialist and law enforcement officials. These films were also environmental statements against the destruction of Mother Earth. Fabrizio’s films are filled with action and special effects and plenty of gun and fist fights. He quit directing in the late ‘90s and turned his attention to acting so far in the 21st century. Today we celebrate Fabrizio De Angelis’ 70th birthday.

Eli Walllach receives Academy Award Lifetime Achievement Award

Feisty Wallach keeps up the fight
Legendary thesp stands out in wide range of roles

By Bob Verini

Had Eli Wallach accepted the Maggio role in "From Here to Eternity," he might have parlayed his Broadway leading roles into full-fledged Hollywood stardom. (And we'd probably be talking about "Frank Who?") Instead, he merely turned himself into one of the preeminent character actors of our time.

His portraits have run the gamut from Latin American dictators to Cambodian warlords, but the Brooklyn boy has always maintained his affinity for the types of his old neighborhood. Bursting out of the Actors Studio, he explored two facets of Italian machismo as the passionate seducer of "Baby Doll" and a lonely widower in "The Misfits," holding his own with seasoned pros Malden, Gable, Monroe and Clift. A brief role in "The Magnificent Seven" only interested him when he realized how often the bandit chief was talked about by everyone else -- and he rides off with the movie.

Two years later, a playful but sinister index finger "bang" aimed at George Peppard's kids in "How the West Was Won" prompted Sergio Leone's overseas call, offering what would be his signature role.

Tuco Ramirez in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is an irrepressible, unforgettable Sancho Panza gone bad. Whether baiting, torturing or cringing before Clint Eastwood's white knight Blondie, he maintains his snaggletoothed integrity and an unquenchable lust for life. Six shooter hanging from his neck like a Commedia dell'Arte phallus, he's not without exquisite wisdom, as in this exasperated advice to a hesitant enemy he plugs while soaking in a bath: "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don' talk."

Consistently returning to the stage with luminous acting- and life-partner Anne Jackson, his roles large and small generally make audiences say, "Oh, the best thing in it was Eli Wallach" (most recently, the "Wall Street" sequel). In Nancy Meyers' "The Holiday," where he plays a legendary Hollywood scribe, someone asks whether he's always been feisty. Arthur/Eli replies: "I may have slowed down a little, but yes. You gotta fight the fight, kid."

Wallach has never stopped fighting the fight, and American cinema is the richer for it.

YouTube link:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2606733593/

The Emperor of California

Der Kaiser von Kalifornien - German title
L'empereur de Californie - French title
O aftokrator tis Kalifornias - Greek title
L’imperatore della California - Italian title
El emperador della California - Spanish title
Kejsaren av Kalifornien - Swedish title
The Kaiser of California - English title
The Emperor of California - English title

A 1936 German production [Luis Trenker Films (Munich)]
Producer: Luis Trenker (Alois Trenker)
Director: Luis Trenker (Alois Trenker)
Story: Luis Trenker (Alois Trenker)
Screenplay: Luis Trenker (Alois Trenker)
Cinematography: Albert Benitz, Heinz von Haworsky [black & white]
Music: Giuseppe Becce
Running time: 101 minutes

Cast:
Johann August Sutter - Luis Trenker (Alois Trenker)
Anna Sutter - Viktoria von Ballasko
Rudolf Sutter - Werner Kunig
Emil Sutter - Karli Zwingmann
Mrs. Dübol - Elise Aulinger (Elise Sommer)
Amalie - Melanie Horeschovsky
‘The Stranger’ - Bernhard Minetti
Ermattinger - Luis Gerold
Bartender Billy - Paul Verhoeven
Governor Alverado - Hans Zesch-Ballot
Mrs. Alverado - Marcella Albani
Adjutant Castro - Walter Franck
John Marshall - Reginald Pasch (Reinhold Pasch)
Ganove Harper - August Eichhorn
Brown’s fellow - Jim Simmons
Kumpane Harper’s writer - Michael von Newlinski
Chansonette - Berta Drews
Mayor Kewen of San Francisco - Alexander Golling
Thompson - Heinrich Marlow
bankers - Rudolf Kelin-Rogge (Friedrich Klein-Rogge), Otto Stockel (Otto Stoeckel), Bruno Ziener
police counselor - Josef Reithofer (Josef Kiesslich)
policeman - Jakob Sinn
Smith - Erich Dunskus
Harpers Kumpan - Michael von Newlinsky
villager - Josef Eichheim
coachman - Armin Schweizer
Jones - Josef Voggenhauser
goldminers - Walter Albrecht, Peter Busse, Rudolf Preuss
gambling den visitor - Barbara von Annenkoff
saloon girl - Friedel Towae
American envoy - Karl-Helge Hofstadt
Governor’s guest - Alfred Karen
cowboys - Jac Diehl (Jacob Diehl), Erich Meißel
townsmen in San Francisco - Auguste Wanner-Kirsch, Wolfgang Staudte, Peter Bergin, Hendrik Bronsgeest, Willy Brüdjam, Ingeborg Carlsson, Elisabeth Kuhlmann, Karl Leander, Hugo Lehner, Ferdinand Trenker

The Swiss printer Johann August Sutter leaves his Austrian home for political reasons. He contemplates suicide until a mysterious stranger promises him a better future in the New World of America, so in May of 1836 he flees to the United States. He relocates on the Mississippi, then moves further west, to California. At the upper Sacramento River, he founds New Helvetia. Their, he’s able to ship a rich harvest and bring in huge cattle herds. Sutter had left his wife and children behind, which until now have remained in the old country. One of Sutter's men, John Marshall, with a construction crew 40 miles north of Fort Sutter build a sawmill, and in January 1848 discover gold. It is not possible to conceal the discovery for long and it leaks out in San Francisco and the gold rush of 1849 begins. Sutter’s crops are trampled, the cattle die of thirst, the goods spoil in the warehouse and Sutter’s two sons are killed in the gold fields. Sutter seeks to legally gain ownership of the land on which the gold was found, which he had legally acquired from the Mexican authorities. Sutter's enemies believe these agreements were void, after the U.S. purchased California. For the fifteen-year anniversary of San Francisco a huge festival is held. While the celebration is in process, the verdict in the Sutter legal suit is proclaimed, it acknowledges Sutter's right of ownership. Sutter demands immediate removal of all gold mining from his territory. A riot breaks out and Sutter's property goes up in flames. Ten years later, we see an old tired man stepping out of a coach at the Capitol in Washington D.C.. Here Sutter again meets the mysterious stranger who once lured him to America and shows him a vision of modern America.

[1936 winner of the Italian “Mussolini Cup” for best Foreign Film at the Venice Film Festival.]

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nusE7aAr3Wo

Remembering Irving Ravetch

Irving Dover Ravetch was born on November 14, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.. Irving aspired to become a playwright and enrolled at U.C.L.A. in Los Angeles. After he graduated he joined the young writer’s training program at M-G-M. Studios. There he met his future wife and collaborator Harriet Frank, Jr. [1917- ]. The couple was married in 1946. In 1947 he garnered his first film credit with the screenplay for “Living in a Big Way” starring Gene Kelly. During the 1950s Ravetch worked mainly on westerns writing such films as “The Outriders”, “Vengeance Valley”, “The Lone Hand”, “Ten Wanted Men”, “and “Hud”. Irving helped develop William Faulkner’s novel ‘The Hamlet’ for the screen as “The Long, Hot Summer”. Producer Jerry Wald approved the project and asked Irving to suggest a director. He suggested Martin Ritt who he knew from the Actors Studio and the Group Theater. The two would go on to make 8 films together. Ravetch and his wife were nominated for an Academy Award, for “Hud” and received New York Film Critics and Writers Guild of America Awards for the screenplay. Other well known films included “Hombre” (1967) with Paul Newman, “The Reivers” (1969) with Steve McQueen, “Norma Rae” (1979) and “Murphy’s Romance” (1985) both with Sally Field. Irving wrote only one Euro-western screenplay, 1974's the “Spike’s Gang”, which he also co-produced, with Lee Marvin and Ron Howard. Irving Ravetch died from pneumonia earlier this year on September 19th in Los Angeles. Today we celebrate what would have been Irving Ravetch’s 90th birthday.

Spaghetti Western Locations

Continuing with “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” locations. When Blondie and Tuco leave the Mission San Antonio after Blondie’s recovery. The ambulance they drive passes an outcropping of rocks. These rocks were also seen in “For a Few Dollars More” when El Indio’s gang arrives at their hideout in the church. The location is near Castillo de Rodalquilar. Most likely the over head shots looking down on the coach were filmed from the roof of the Castillo which little remains of today. The building and is used for a goat barn. Down the road to the right is the Mediterranean Sea.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi “Garringo” Yasuda’s excellent website: http://garringo.cool.ne.jp/

Guess Who I Am

I’m an American actor who appeared in two Euro-westerns. Guess who I am.

Bill Connolly correctly identified this week's phot as that of Michael J. Pollard.