New Year's Eve 2010

Who are Those Guys? - Ennio Balbo

Ennio Balbo was born on April 18, 1922 in Naples, Italy. He studied acting at the Sharoff Academy in Rome. After World War II he joined Paola Bourbons acting troop. It was here he met his wife actress Dora Calindri [1911-2002] who was the sister of actor Ernesto Calindri [1909-1999]. Balbo was almost 40 years-old before he began his full-time career as an actor. He would go on to appear in 45 films from 1958 until 1988. Balbo also appeared often on TV and was a film dubber voicing in Italian the voices of Norman Fell, George Kennedy and Sebastian Cabot. He was also heard in cartoons and television series. Ennio appeared in five Euro-westerns: “Day of Anger”, “Two Faces of the Dollar” both in 1967, “Gatling Gun” and “Two Pistols and a Coward” both 1968 and “The Stranger’s Gundown” (aka “Django the Bastard”) in 1969. Ennio Balbo died of a heart attack on June 18, 1989 in Rome. He was 67 years-old.

BALBO,Ennio (aka Enio Balbo Edward Bell, William Bosch) [4/18/1922, Naples, Compania, Italy - 7/18/1989, Rome, Lazio, Italy (hear tattack)] - married to actress Dora Calindri [1911-2002] (195?-1989).
Day of Anger - 1967 (Turner)
Two Faces of the Dollar - 1967 (gunsmith)
Gatling Gun- 1968 (Richard Gatling)
Two Pistols and a Coward - 1968 (townsman) [as Enio Balbo]
The Stranger’s Gundown - 1969 (storekeeper)

FINDER'S KILLERS

Se t’incontro, t’ammazzo - Italian title
Morder pa jagt - Danish title
Se je te recontre, je te tue - French title
Unerbittlich bits in Grab - German title
Hevn til siste kule - Norwegian title
Si te encuentro te mato - Spanish title
Finders Killers - English title

A 1971 Italian production [Minerva Film, Rieti Film (Rome)]
Producer: Fernando Morbis
Director: Gianni Crea
Story: Fabio Piccioni
Screenplay: Fabio Piccioni
Cinematography: Vitaliano Natalucci, Giovanni Variano [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Stelvio Cipriani
Running time: 93 minutes

Cast:
Jack Forrest/Dean - Donald O’Brien (Donal O’Brien)
Chris Forrest/Dean - Gordon Mitchell (Charles Pendleton)
saloon girl - Femi Benussi (Eufemia Benussi)
Grendel/Parker - Mario Brega
Dexter - Dean Stratford (Dino Stano)
Lisa - Pia Giancaro (Maria Giamporcaro)
Olsen - Gennarion Pappagalli (Primo Di Gennaro)
with: Emilio Messina, Alessandro Perella, Lorenzo Fineschi

After his farm is burned, and his parents killed by a gang of outlaws led by Grendel who is working for a man called Dexter. Jack Forrest/Dean goes in search of the murderers. Dexter gets hold of a gold shipment and kills the gang but ends up face to face with Jack who kills him. Continuing his search for Grendel he is almost seduced by the beautiful and charming Lisa who is the niece of a man named Parker who owns a bank with a man named Olsen, which is now in a state of crisis. Parker looks harmless and meek but ends up killing his partner Olsen with a pickaxe and it is revealed he is actually Grendel who now goes crazy to protect the stolen gold cargo. Grendel is finally killed by a mysterious character who turns out to be Jack’s brother Chris.

Happy 70th Birthday Bruno Corazzari

Bruno Corazzari was born on December 30, 1940 in Castellerano, Italy and became one of the most recognized Italian faces in the Spaghetti Western genre. Usually playing villains and henchmen he’s probably best remembered for his role as Hertz, the Austrian, in “Adios, Sabata” (1971) with Yul Brynner and the barman in “Death Rides a Horse” (1968) with Lee Van Cleef. In all he appeared in 17 Euro-westerns from 1967's “Vengeance is Mine” with Gianni Garko to 1983's “Thunder Warrior” with Mark Gregory. He’s still active in films and TV where he rose to starring and supporting roles in the 1970s. Today we celebrate Bruno Corazzari’s 70th birthday.

Whatever Happened to Kelo Henderson

Kelo Henderson - cowboy on screen and in life.

Fast-draw champ, known for TV Westerns calls Ridgecrest home

By SANDY AUBIN

Special to the Ridgecrest News Review
December 8 2010

One hundred years ago this month, after several attempts over a 30-year period to have a statehood bill approved, delegates to the Arizona Territory constitutional convention agreed on a final document and set the stage for Arizona to enter the U.S. as its 48th state.

This might appear to have nothing to do with Ridgecrest (California), but to the contrary, a local resident embodied Arizona’s path to statehood for two years on the TV Western “26 Men”.

Paul “Kelo” Henderson played Ranger Clint Travis from 1957 to 1959 in 78 episodes about the small handful of lawmen who protected the Arizona Territory.

“Once the rest of the country had come under U.S. jurisdiction, ruthless characters drifted toward Mexico and saw Arizona as a good way to get there,” said Henderson. If a ranger died or left they hired a new one. Yet they never went over 26. Our show was based on real history. “Those rangers were paid 50 dollars a month, and they had to provide their own horses, weapons and ammunition.

Now look how Arizona has grown. Today there are condominiums where one [we filmed ‘26 Men’]. The television series established Henderson as an expert gun showman. His skill caused the president of ABC to rework the ‘26 Men’ pilot to showcase Henderson’s agility and fast draw.

At one time, Henderson won the title of Fast Draw and Gun Dexterity Champion of the World. His fast draw was so fast that it was photographed with a missile camera.

His awards include the 2003 Golden Boot Award for his significant contributions to the Western genre of television and movies.

He generously supports the fans of the Old West and has made personal appearances at numeroue rodeos, fairs and film festivals.

As a cowboy, Henderson is the real deal. Born on a ranch in Pueblo, Colorado, ho honed his skills as a rider, a roper and an expert marksman.

Demonstrating his skills got him most jobs, and when he didn’t get roles, he was hired to train the other actors.

He once trained “Sugarfoot” star Will Hutchins on guns and roping.

“It was the heyday of Westerns. We used to joke, if the TV repairman wanted to repair your TV, he’d take the back off and empty out the dead cowboys and Indians.

Henderson’s other credits include “Wells Fargo”, “Cheyenne”, “Sergeant Preston” and numerous European “spaghetti westerns” (Treasure of the Aztecs” and “Pyramid of the Son Gods”).

Henderson, who traveled widely with the Merchant Marines during World War II has had homes in Torrance, Laguna Beach, Palm Springs and finally Ridgecrest, where his mother, father and aunt lived.

In 1962 then Arizona Governor Paul J. Fannin named Kelo Henderson an Honorary Citizen of Arizona. Then in 1963 the Old West Arizona Rangers Historical Society made him an honorary Arizona Ranger.

To catch a glimpse of Henderson and “26 Men” go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWE_Z6-TRi4

FIND A PLACE TO DIE

Joe! Cercati un posto per morire - Italian title
Ringo cherche une place pour mourir - Belgium title
Face a face com o diabo - Brazilian title
Kourallinen kultan - Finnish title
Ringo cherche une place pour mourir - French title
Ringo such Dir einen Platz zum Sterben - German title
Vres enan topo na pethaneis - Greek title
Oeste sin fronteras - Spanish title
Un lugar para morir - Spanish title
Nadji si mesto da umres - Yugoslavian title
Find a Place to Die - English title

A 1968 Italian production [Aico Films, Atlantis Films (Rome)]
Producer: Hugo Fregonese
Director: Anthony Ascott (Giuliano Carnimeo)
Story: Ralph Grave (Leonardo Benvenuti), Hugo Fregonese
Screenplay: Ralph Grave (Leonardo Benvenuti), Hugo Fregonese, Giuliano Carnimeo
Dialogue: Al Hine [English dialogue]
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Songs: “Find a Place to Die”, “Era un cow-boy” sung by Jula de Palma (Iolanda De Palma)
Running time: 89 minutes

Cast:
Joe Collins - Jeffrey Hunter (Henry McKinnies, Jr.)
Lisa/Liza Martin - Pascale Petit (Anna-Marie Petit
Paul Martin - Peter Lull (Giusva Lulli)
Paco - Reza Fazeli (Reza Pars)
Juanita - Daniela Giordana
Reverend Riley - Peter Lastrett (Adolfo Lastretti)
Gomez - Gordon York (Giovanni Pallavicino)
Fernando - Ted Carter (Giovanni Pazzafini)
Chato - Mario Darnell (Mario Dardanelli)
Miguel - Seraphino Profumo
Bobo - Anthony Blond (Anthony Blod)
bandit - Umberto Di Grazia
with: Pietro Ceccarelli

In remake of 1954's “Garden of Evil”. Miners, Lisa and her husband/brother Paul Martin, are attacked at their gold mine, by Chato and his gang. Although they manage to fend them off, Paul has been trapped by some fallen boulders which have crashed following an explosion. Lisa rides to Nido de Aguila in search of help. She obtains help from a group of men including Joe Collins, a drunken former cavalry officer, Gomez and his shady partner who are gun-runners, and are motivated solely by a desire to get their hands on Martin’s gold., Paco a gunslinger, Fernando an athletic individual, and Riley a sinister and slimy person who claims to be a priest. Upon reaching the mine, Joe and the others discover that Martin has been killed and the gold stolen by Chato, who has been working with Gomez. Back at Nido de Aguila, Collins organizes a defense against Chato, who is killed by Gomez, who then openly takes command of the outlaws gang. Fernando and Riley die, Joe, with Lisa, who has helped reformed his drunken ways, faces Gomez in a duel and kills him. The gold is recovered and Joe and Lisa head to California to start a new life together.


YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvuJ20ocB_0

Happy 80th Birthday Benedetto Ghiglia

Italian composer Benedetto Ghiglia was born on December 27, 1930. Little is known about the maestro. He has composed scores for over 30 films starting in 1951 with the documentary film “Delta Padano”. His last score was in 1997 for Galeazzo Ciano una tragedia fascista”. Along the way he composed the scores for five Euro-westerns: “Adios Gringo” (1965), “$4.00 for Vengeance” and “Johnny Colt” (aka “Starblack”) both in 1966 and “El Rojo” and “A Stranger in Town” both in 1967. Today we celebrate Benedetto Ghiglia’s 80th birthday.

Happy 85th Birthday Michel Piccoli

Jacques Daniel Michel Piccoli was born on December 27, 1925 in Paris, France. Both his parents were musicians and his father also appeared in a few films. Known by his stage name Michel Piccoli he trained to be a comedian and has appeared on stage, films and TV. Piccoli has appeared in over 220 films and TV appearances and won a Best Actor Award at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival for his appearance in “A Leap in the Dark”. Michel has appeared in two Euro-westerns: “The Terror of Oklahoma” (1951) and “Don’t Touch the White Woman!” (1974). He was married to actress Eléonore Hirt [1919- ] (1954-19??) with whom he has a daughter Cordelia Anne Piccoli, actress, singer Juliette Greco [1927- ] (1966-1977) and screenwriter Ludivine Clerc since 1980. The couple adopted two children, a girl and a boy, from Poland in the 1980s. Today we celebrate Michel Piccoli’s 85th birthday.

RIP Aldo Berti

Italian actor Aldo Berti died shortly after midnight in Florence, Italy from brain cancer on December 26,2010 . He was 74. Aldo was born on February 29, 1936 in Florence. Aldo appeared in over 40 films from 1956's “Time of Vacation” with Vittorio De Sica until 1972's “Return of the Holy Ghost”. Half of his films were Euro-westerns. Among them were supporting roles in “A Stranger in Sacaramento” and “Why Go On Killing?” both 1965, “The Dirty Outlaws” and “A Stranger in Town” both 1967, “Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968), “El Puro” (1969), “The Ballad of Death Valley” (1970), “Have a Nice Funeral” and “Mallory Must Not Die” both in 1971 and two Spirito Santo films in 1972. Aldo lived a nomadic life traveling all over the world after giving up his film career. Aldo was living life with no cares and a mind like a sponge soaking up everything he could see and hear. He was friends with William Berger, had a romantic relationship with actress Barbara Steele after which he almost committed suicide. Berti was friends with Sarah Churchill, became a poet and wrote a book of poems entitled ‘Canto Finale’. On February 14, 1984 while traveling up the Nile with a load of patients for Juba and the first Doctors Without Borders they were attacked by armed men with machine guns, grenades and burned. Hundreds died and Aldo’s spirit died with them. From that point on he lived a personal life of shame for not dying with them. For many years he lived a simple life in Morocco. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in October of this year and returned to Florence to face death. One of the most recognized Italian character actors has left us. We should best remember Aldo by one of his famous sayings, "To be born is the privilege of all, having lived a privileged few."  Rest in peace amigo.

15 SCAFFOLDS FOR A KILLER

Quindici forche per un assassino - Italian title
Quince horcas para un assesino - Spanish title
15 potences pour un salopard - French title
Die schnutzigen Dreizehn - German title
Dirty Busters - German title
Dekapente aghones gia ena dolofono - Greek title
Dirty Fifteen - English title
15 Scaffolds for a Murderer - English title
15 Scaffolds for a Killer - English title

A 1968 Italian, Spanish co-production [Eos Film (Rome), Centauro Film (Madrid)]
Producer: Luis Vasquez
Director: Nunzio Malasomma
Story: Mario di Nardo
Screenplay: Mario de Nardo, J. Luis Bayonas (José Luis de las Bayonas)
Cinematography: Stelvio Massi [Eastmancolor, Chromoscope]
Music: Francesco De Masi
Song: “Will You be Mine” sung by Raoul (Ettore Lovechio)
Running time: 95 minutes

Cast:
Billy Mack - Craig Hill (Craig Fowler)
Barbara Ferguson - Susy Andersen (Maria Golgi)
Sandy Woods - George Martin (Francisco Celeiro)
Woods henchman - Álvaro de Luna (Álvaro Blanco)
widow Cook - Margherita Lozano (Margarita Jimenez)
Liz Cook - Eleanor Brown (Eleonora Brown)
Pastor Andrew Ferguson - Antonio Casas (Antonio Barros)
Benny - J. Manuel Martin (José Pérez)
Manuel - Tomás Blanco (Tomás Garcia)
Juan - Ricardo Palacios (Ricardo Diez)
Adam - Frank Braña (Francisco Pérez)
Bud Lee - Aldo Sambrell (Alfred Brell)
hangman - José Terrón (José Peñaranda)
with: Andrea Bosic (Ignazio Bo ic), Ivan G. Scratuglia (Ivan Giovanni Scratuglia), Umy Raho (Umberto Raho), L. Durán (Luis Durán), María Montez, Laura Redi (Laura Reder), Howard Ross (Renato Rossini), Aldo Berti, Fernando Sancho (Fernando Les)

Unjustly accused of murdering three women, members of two rival gangs, led by Billy Mack and Cassel, put aside the hatred that divides them and come together to escape a merciless manhunt triggered by Steve Mack, boyfriend of one of the victims, who, with the help of his friend Sandy Woods has raised against them all the men of the town. Without clearing themselves of the strong accusations brought against them and determined not to end up on the gallows for a crime they did not commit, men of both bands are able to save themselves by taking refuge in an abandoned fort, that is surrounded by henchmen of Sandy and Steve . Meanwhile, Steve's girlfriend goes to the farm hoping to find clues that would clear the hunted men. In fact evidence is found that the murderess of the three women is Sandy. When Sandy enters the fort where only Bill and Cassel are the only survivors. They face off in a duel but a cry of alarm by Cassel alerts Bill who shoots and kills Sandy.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6vFp_60XP8

CHRISTMAS 2010

Spaghetti Western Locations

Continuing with locations for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. After Tuco’s escape from Corporal Wallace he finds his way to Aberdeen City which has been evacuated after a shelling by Northern troops. Also appearing on the scene is Blondie forced into being a guide by Angel Eyes and his gang who are in pursuit of the buried treasure. The location of this scene is now a cow pasture next to a Spanish military helicopter base about 1.5 miles north of Colmenar Viejo. The area is fenced but has a pass through gate. You can find a few crumbling walls covered with berry bushes and rubble.

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/

A Cowboy's Christmas Prayer

I ain't much good at prayin', and you may not know me, Lord-
I ain't much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word,
But you may have observed me out here on the lonely plains,
A-looking after cattle, feelin thankful when it rains,
Admirin' Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass,
Aware of thy kind spirit in the way it comes to pass
That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night and know we've got a Friend.

So here's ol' Christmas comin' on, remindin' us again
Of Him whose coming brought good will into the hearts of men
A cowboy ain't no preacher, Lord, but if you'll hear my prayer,
I'll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.
Don't let no hearts be bitter, Lord; don't let no child be cold.
Make easy beds for them that's sick, and them that's weak and old.
Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we're after,
And sorta keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter.

I've seen old cows a-starvin', and it ain't no happy sight;
Please don't leave no one hungry, Lord, on Thy good Christmas Night,
No man, no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet-
I'll aim to do my best to help You find 'em chuck to eat.

I'm just a sinful cowpoke, Lord -ain't got no business prayin' -
But still I hope You'll ketch a word or two what I am sayin'
We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord - I reckon You'll agree
There ain't no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain't free.
So one thing more I'll ask You, Lord, just help us what you can,
To save some seed for freedom for the future sons of man!

S. Omar Barker

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WHO READ MY BLOG!

A FEW DOLLARS FOR DJANGO

Pochi dollari per Django - Italian title
Alambradas de violencia - Spanish title
Django no perdona - Argentinian title
Poucos dolares para Django - Brazilian title
Django vestens skrappeste mand - Danish title
Een paar dollars voor Django - Dutch title
Sankari Montanasta - Finnish title
Quelques dollars pour Django - French title
Bravo Django - French title
Django kennt kein Erbarmen - German title
Django: T'onoma mou einai 'Thanatos' - Greek title
Trypia dolaria sto Far West - Greek title
Poucos Dólares por Django - Portuguese title
Nagra fa dollar for Django - Swedish title
Some Dollars for Django - English title
Django a Bullet for You - U.S.A. title
A Few Dollars for Gypsy - U.S.S. TV title
A Few Dollars for Django - English title

A 1966 Italian, Spanish co-production [Marco Film (Rome), R.M. Films (Madrid)]
Producer: Marino Girolami
Director: León Klimovsky (León Dulfano), Enzo G. Castellari (Enzo Girolami)
Story: Manuel Sebares, Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi)
Screenplay: Manuel Sebares, Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi)
Cinematography: Aldo Penelli [Eastmancolor, Techniscope]
Music: Carlo Savina
Song: “There Will Come a Morning” sung by Don Powell
Running time: 89 minutes

Cast:
Regan/Django - Antony Steffen (Antonio de Teffe)
Sally Norton - Gloria Demme (Gloria Osuna)
Jim Norton - Frank Wolff
Trevor Norton - Frank Wolff
Sam Lister - Thomas Moore (Enio Girolami)
Amos Brandsbury/Brownsberg - Alfonso Rojas (Alfonso González)
Buck Dago - José Luis Lluch
Barkley - Alfonso de la Vega
Graham - Joe Kamel (Giuseppe Frisaldi)
Mayor Fisher - Tomás Zalde (José Zalde)
Smitty - Ángel Ter
farmer - Enzo Castellari (Enzo Girolami)
judge - Sandalio Hernández
Freeman - Joaquin Parra
with: Félix Fernández (Félix Garcia), Gonzalo Esquiroz

Regan/Django, a bounty hunter is hired by the bank to recover loot stolen by the notorious Jim Norton and his gang of bandits. Without much trouble he manages to track down, kill most of the criminals and return the filthy lucre to it's rightful owners. The only slight problem is that he is unable to capture Jim Norton - who has apparently been murdered in a gunfight elsewhere. Not entirely persuaded by this story, he decides to journey to Montana , where the villain's 'twin brother' Trevor happens to live.

Montana , however, is in the grip of an escalating range war between the farmers, who want to erect barbed wire fences around their land, and the ranchers, who want the right for their cattle to roam freely. Matters are especially tense in Miles City , the town where Regan ends up - mistaken as the new sheriff (and equipped with essential diminutive, alcoholic, cackling deputy).

His workload immediately become burdensome. The ranchers are led by a particularly unappealing individual called Bransbury, whose credentials are cemented by the way in which he regularly twists the ends of his moustache in a caddish fashion. The farmers, suffering from his unpleasant habit of burning down their property, have formed a resistance group, led by. Trevor Norton. Trevor, despite appearances, believes in peace and seems to be an essentially good man; only willing to fight when pushed into having no options. He also has a pretty niece, Sally, to whom Regan soon takes a shine.

Adding to the already complicated story is the fact that Bransbury has also hired a couple of killers, Buck Dago and Sam, who were coincidentally members of the original Norton gang. They realize the new identity of their old boss and are determined to find out what exactly has happened to the money that they helped steal. - Matt Blake

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

Who are Those Gals? - Carroll Baker

Karolina Piekarski was born on December 28, 1931 in Johnston, Pennsylvania. Her father was a traveling salesman. She attended community college for a year and then found work as a dancer and a magicians assistant. She won a beauty contest as Miss Florida Fruits and Vegetables in 1959. After a brief marriage to a furrier named Lou Ritterand and had a small part in “Easy to Love” (1953), she then enrolled in the Actors Studio in 1954. She then appeared in a bit part on Broadway and made a few commercials. During her studies at the Actors Studio she met and married director Jack Garfein [1930- ] (1955-1969). From their marriage their daughter, actress Blanche Baker [1956- ] was born. Warner Brothers sensing a future Marilyn Monroe cast her in 1956's “Giant” and “Baby Doll” for which she received an Oscar nomination. She found her greatest success during the 1960s. Appearing in “How the West Was Won” (1962), “The Carpetbaggers” and “Cheyenne Autumn” both in 1964, and as Jean Harlow in “Harlow” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told” both in 1965. She moved to Italy in the late 1960s and appeared in Italian, German, British and Mexican films. Among which was her only Euro-western “Captain Apache” in 1970 opposite Lee Van Cleef. She returned to American films and married actor Donald Burton [1934-2007] (1982-2000). Today Carroll Baker is currently living in London, England.


BAKER, Carrol (aka Carrol Baker) (Karolina Piekarski) [5/28/1931, Johnston, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - ] - writer, stage, TV actress, married to director, screenwriter Jack Garfein [1930- ] (1955-1969), actor Donald Burton [1934-2007] (1982-2007), mother of actress Blanche Baker [1956- ].
Captain Apache - 1970 (Maude)

Remembering Hannes Fischer

Hannes Fischer was born on December 23, 1925, Berlin, Germany. He studied acting at the Deutches Theater in Berlin from 1947-1949. After graduation while still at the Deutches theater he worked as an actor and theater director. He acted at the Mecklenburg State Theater of Schwerin and in major stage productions at the Volksbühne Berlin. During his stage career he also acted in films from 1954 until the mid 1980s. Among his film appearances was one Euro-western “White Wolves” (1969). Fischer died on January 23, 1989 in Dresden, Germany. Today we remember Hannes Fischer on what would have been his 85th birthday.

A FEW BULLETS MORE

El hombre que mató a Billy el Niño - Spanish title
...E divenne il più spietato bandito del sud - Italian title
Minä ammuin Billy the Kidin - Finnish title
L’homme qui a tue billy le kid - French title
Seine Steckbrief ist kein Heiligenbild - German title
Billy, o megalos paranomos - Greek title
O homen que matou Billy the Kid - Portuguese title
Mannen som skot ‘Billy the Kid’ Minä ammuin Billy the Kidin - Swedish title

A 1967 Spanish, Italian co-production [Aitor Film (Madrid), Kinesis Films (Rome)]
Producers: Silvio Pattistini, Ricardo Sanz
Director: J. Buchs (Julio Garcia)
Story: Julio Buchs (Julio Garcia), José Mallorqui, Federico de Urruti
Screenlay: Julio Buchs (Julio Garcia), Federico de Urruti
Cinematography: Miguel F. Mila (Miguel Fernández Mila), Domenico Scala [Eastmancolor
Totalvision]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Running time: 103 minutes

Cast:
Billy Bonney - Peter Lee Lawrence (Karl Hirenbach)
Pat Garrett - Fausto Tozzi
Helen Tunstill - Diane Zura (Dianik Zurakowska)
Mrs. Bonney - Gloria Milland (Maria Fié)
Murphy - Carlos Casaravilla (Carlos Rios)
John Tunstill - Antonio Pica (Antonio Serrano)
MacGregor - Enrique Ávila
Peter MacGregor - Miguel Palenzuela
Heredia - José Canalejas
peddler - Paco Sanz (Francisco Sanz)
Mark Liston - Luis Rivera
vaquero - Barta Barry (Bernabe Barri)
Tunstill foreman - Alfonso Rojas (Alfonso Gonzalez)
Señor Huerte - Luis Prendes (Luis Estrada)
Señora Huerte - Margot Cottens (Margot Costa)
Philip Martin - Antonio Molino Rojo
townsmen - Luis Barboo, Santiago Rivero, Miguel Armario
MacGregor henchman - Emilio Rodriquez
Francisco - Tito Garcia (Pablo Gonzalez)
Garcia - Milo Quesada (Raul Alonso)
gravedigger - Manuel Alexandre (Manuel Abarca)
Sheriff of Lincoln - Tomás Blanco (Tomás Garcia)
Teniente - Miguel de la Riva
Greg - Gonzalo Esquiroz
Hols - Alfonso de la Vega
Mexican - Simón Arriaga
Morris - Luis Induni (Luigi Radici), José Canalejas
Cotilla - María Isbert (María Soriano)
teamster - Frank Braña (Francisco Pérez), Fernando Bilbao, Antonio Cintado, Alvaro de Luna
gamblers - Angel Menendez, Antonio Orengo (Antonio Alonso)
with: Orlando Baralla, Carmen Porcel, Alfredo Santa Cruz (Alfredo Santacruz), Adriano Dominguez, Erasmo Pascual (Erasmo Colmenero), José Orjas (José González), Vicente Roca, Rufino Inglés

Billy Bonney, witnesses an attack on his mother by a criminal. He is forced to intervene, killing the attacker. The danger of vengeance by the powerful brother of the murdered man, leads the boy to leave the country, it also recommended by Pat Garrett, a friend of his father. But one of his victim's brothers follows him and once again Billy has to kill in self-defense. By now, even without meaning to, his fame has spread and when legendary gunman is about to begin a quieter life - made through a happy friendship with John Tunstall, a peaceful farmer, and the love of his daughter. When John is murdered, Billy is forced to become a bandit and when the governor of the state offers all the outlaws of the territory a complete amnesty, provided they abandon their weapons and devote themselves to peaceful occupations, Billy surrenders to Pat Garrett, who has became sheriff, and hands over his weapons. An old enemy assassinate him from a distance. The boy has now paid for the severity of his errors without ever being able to rebuild his life honestly, because of the wickedness of others.

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

First Day of Winter 2010

GALLOWWALKER

GallowWalker - International title

A 2006 U.S.A., U.K. co-production [Sheer Films (London)]
Producers: Jack Bowyer, Hamish Skeggs
Director: Andrew Goth
Story: Andrew Goth
Screenplay: Andrew Goth, Joanne Reay
Cinematography: Henner Hofmann [color]
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Running time: 90 minutes

Cast:
Aman - Wesley Snipes
Fabulos - Riley Smith
Kansa - Kevin Howarth
Angel - Tanit Phoenix
Apollo Jones - Steven Elder (Steven Lawrence)
Marshal Gaza - Patrick Bergin
Scorpius - Dallas Page (Page Falkenberg)
Mistress - Jenny Gago
Sueno - Alyssa Pridham
Forty Bold - Alex Avant
Hool - Hector Hank
Kisscut - Simona Brhlikova
Slip Knot - Jonathan Garcia
Bubis - Jack Bowyer
Red - Arthur Berezin
Mosca - Derek Griffiths
Hool gang members - Joe Zmztsky, Pierre Roos
one legged prisoner officer - Willem Venter
Soprano - Shani Maritz
Poe - Vilo Vilonel
Cunny - Sean Naude
church elders - Derek Soutwork, Wotan Swiegers
Aman’s mother - Vicky Moller-Forbes
young Aman - Frederick Haraseb
pulley driver - Roberto Husselmann
church novice - Martin Strauss

When a nun broke her covenant with God to save the life of Aman, her unborn son, he was cursed for life. As an adult, Aman has killed those who have crossed him, but his curse brings his victims back to life, and as the undead they puruse him endlessly for revenge. Forever suffering this curse, Aman, enlists the help of Fabulos, a young gunman, to fight by his side against the undead victims.


[With Wesley Snipes now serving a three year prison sentence for tax evasion this long awaited film will most likely be released only on DVD. Since it’s been in the production state for four years the film was completed in 2010 but has still not been scheduled for release. I’ve decided to post it before this year is up.]

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5fhixV9c9M

Fernand Cowboy

Fernand cow-boy - French title
El conquistador de Texas - Spanish title
Fernand Cowboy - English title

A 1956 French production [Cinephonic, SGGC, SN Pathé Cinema (Paris)]
Producer: François Chavane
Director: Guy Lefranc
Story: Yvan Audouard, Jean Redon
Screenplay: Yvan Audouard, Jean Redon
Cinematography: Maurice Barry [black & white]
Music: Louiguy (Louis Guglielmi)
Running time: 85 minutes

Cast:
Fernand Mignot - Fernand Raynaud (André Fernand)
Mae Marlane - Dora Doll (Dorothee Feinberg)
Any - Nadine Lhopitalier)
Orissa - Françoise Favier
William/Walter Black - Pierre Dudan
Carson City Sheriff - Noël Roquevert (Noël Bénévent)
Richardson - Jim Gérald (Gérald Cuenod)
Jim Harlan/Mariane - Jess Hahn (Jesse Hahn)
Prudent Beaver - Jean-Roger Caussimon
mayor - Hubert Deschamps
violinist - Marc Taylor
guard - Albert Michel
Jerry/Terry - Bernard Noël
Milk Bar - André Weber
Mario - Raoul Billerey
Tapis Vert - Jean-Marie Amato
baby - Jean Lara (Juan Usnadivaras)
saloon patrons - Jean Franval, Henri Guégan
square dancer - Maurice Magalon
warden - Michel Albert
convict - Felix Miquet
man with fake cigars - Amedee (Philippe de Cherisey)
cowboys - Marcel Bernier, Peter Duncan, Jean Franval, Henri Guégan, Sylvain Levignac, Jean Minisini, Georges Demas, Jo Davray, Jacques Préboist
servant - Paul Faivre
costume merchant - Albert Medina
cowboy with mustache Maurice Gardette
young man - Serge Bento
Maurice Magalon and his square dancers
with: Paul Préboist Pierre Darsay Michel Bonnay, Lucien Guervil, Antonin Baryel, François Nadal

Fernand Mignot, a shy and naive young Frenchman, inherits his uncle’s saloon in America. When he arrives in Carson City, he must confront gold diggers and pretty girls who are very interested in him. He also must restrain himself from the charms of Dora Doll, but lets himself in for trouble by trying to help Annie the saloon’s singer. Fights and chases, punctuate the comedy arbitrated by a stuttering sheriff named Noel Roquevert and a town boss named Walter Black and his henchmen who are in search of a hidden treasure.

Remembering Branko Supek

Branko Supek was born on December 20, 1945 in Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia. He attended and graduated from the High School of Music in Zagreb as a trumpet player. He then attended the Teachers’ Academy (majoring in English and literature) and the Academy of Dramatic Art, from which he graduated in 1971. Branko then worked as an actor at the Zagreb Youth Theater. He became a film actor at the same time and appeared in more that 10 films and 50+ TV and radio programs. Among these was his only Euro-western “Rampage at Apache Wells” (1965) as Jack Campbell. He won three acting awards during his career and was an avid boater sailing in many regattas on the Adriatic Sea. Branko died of cancer on November 5, 2003 in Zagreb, Croatia at the young age of 58. Today we remember him on what would have been his 65th birthday.

Happy 80th Birthday Dominic Barto

Dominic Barto was born on December 20, 1930 in Pennsylvania. Before entering films he was a professional boxer. With his very pronounced facial features, he was an excellent villain in crime and western films. Dominic appeared in six Euro-westerns including "They Call Me Trinity","The Last Rebel", ‘Man of the East" and both the film and TV series "Lucky Luke". He also is remembered for his appearance in "Rocky IV" as a Russian policeman. Thanks to his acting skills he could easily transform from drama to comedy (such as the bounty killer Mortimer in "Trinity" to bums, or William Dalton, in the TV series "Lucky Luke") obtaining an extraordinary comic edge dictated by the paradox of the opposing characteristics. Dominic retired and moved to the Far East. Today we celebrate his 80^th birthday.

RIP Rodica Tapalaga

Romanian actress Rodica Tapalaga died on Saturday December 18, 2010 after a long illness, her family announced. Known and loved for her numerous roles on stage and in movies, Tapalaga was 71. Her body was viewed at the Coltea Sfintii Trei Ierarhi Church in downtown Bucharest on Sunday and colleagues and admirers can pay their respects until the morning of December 21.

"My mother had multiple ailments and a more severe one, collagenosis, for seven years, but she was only hospitalized in the last few months. We tried all treatments but the disease was in an advanced stage and she just braved it, she didn't want to give up the active life style she had, and her condition got worse in the last couple of months. She was in hospital at Floreasca but her condition was not getting any better and in seven days, she died at home. It happened yesterday. Her body was taken to Coltea Church, where her colleagues can come and say goodbye and pay their respects. We didn't announce this earlier because we wanted time to mourn her," the actress's son Barbu Popescu told Realitatea TV.

The actress was awarded with the ACIN Moviemakers' Association Award in 1976 for her role in Tanase Scatiu and in 2001, she got a lifetime achievement award from UNITER. Tapalaga was also awarded at the Bucharest City awards for arts and literature on December 14, 2009, at the Ion Dacian Operetta Theater.

She was married to stage designer Ion Popescu Udriste with whom she had a son, Barbu Popescu, and was the sister of actor Stefan Tapalaga.

Rodica appeared in one Euro-western, "The Actress, the Dollars and the Transylvanians" (1979) she played the role of 'The Actress'.

Albanito

Albanito - International title

A 2010 Italian production [Philips Cinema, Parallel Lines (Foggia)]
Producer: Adarco Mabbo, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Silvio Del Grosso
Director: Adarco Mabbo
Story: Adarco Mabbo, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Silvio Del Grosso
Screenplay: Adarco Mabbo
Cinematographer: Sergio Grillo [color]
Music: Arturo Serafino
Running time: 5 minutes

Cast:
cowboy - Francesco Di Lorenzo
prisoner - Silvio Conte Del Grosso
kidnapper - Leonardo Conte

A kidnapper, his prisoner, a cowboy and a gold nugget.


YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcNW9kD3LNA

Spaghetti Western Locations

Continuing with locations from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. When Tuco and Corporal Wallace are traveling by train to an undisclosed destination Tuco, chained to Wallace, pushes the coroporal out of the boxcar they share and down an embankment. This location is along the same spur line from La Calahorra to the Marquesado mine near Alquife. This spur was used in many of the Spaghetti westerns where trains are seen. “Once Upon a Time in the West”, “For a Few Dollars More”, “Any Gun Can Play” to name a few. The rails and ties have been removed but the bed is still visible.

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/

RIP Derek Browne

Cinematographer, cameraman Derek V. Browne died on December 16, 2010 from Alzheimers disease. Born in 1927 in Middlesex, England he was 83.

Browne worked on over 60 productions, as a camera operator on such films as “Dark Crystal” (1982), “Memphis Belle” (1990), “Hamlet” (1992), “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1989) and ater as a cinematographer on “The Phoenix and the Magic Carpet” (1995). Initially elected to the BSC as an Associate Member in 1976 he was later elevated to Full Membership. He leaves a wife Isabel. Browne was cameraman on one Euro-western “Welcome to Blood City” (1977) with Jack Palance.

Remembering Helmuth Schneider

Helmuth Schneider was born on December 18, 1920 in Munich, Germany. He studied medicine in Munich in 1938 and attended acting school from 1941 to 1943, at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. In 1942 he made his debut in the comedy Sophie Lund. Sein at the Deutschen Theater as the youthful hero. Helmut had to quit acting during World War II where he was wounded in France.


In 1946 he left Germany and stayed for six years in South and North America, where he played in Argentina, Brazil and the U.S. theater. Under the pseudonym Alexander Carlos, he appeared in several films. 1950 found Schneider in the German version of the adventure film “The Goddess of Rio Beni” as the male lead.

Helmut returned to Germany and played at the Deutsches Theater in Göttingen. Schneider took supporting roles in at that time popular family films where he repeated as a friendly hunter, estate manager etc. By the End of the 1950s he appeared in some adventure films including the Karl May Kara Ben Nemsi film “The Lion of Babylon” (1959). In the 1960s, Schneider settled in Rome and appeared in international films. He appeared as Miles Foreman in the TV series “The Leatherstocking Tales” based on the James Fenimore Cooper characters, and his only Euro-western Joe Caldwell in “The Unholy Four” (1970). He also appeared in a number of war films usually playing unsympathetic Nazi officers. Schneider died in Rio de Janeiro in a traffic accident on March 17, 1972. Today we remember Helmuth Schneider today on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Fate

Fate - U.K. title
Das Schicksal - German title
Fate - English title

A 1911 British production [Natural Color Kinematograph (London)]
Producer: Charles Urban
Director: Theo Bouwmeester (Theodorus Frenkel)
Story: ?
Screenplay: ?
Cinematography: ? [Kinemacolor]
Running time: 19 mnutes

Cast: ?

An Englishman becomes the leader of a tribe of renegade Indians

[First color western]

Remembering Jesus Puente

Jesús Puente Alzaga was born in Madrid, Spain on December 18, 1930. He began studying medicine but abandoned because of his talent for acting which he had exhibited since the 4th grade. He began his career in the theater and worked for several theater companies over the years. At the same time he also worked for the National Radio of Spain and then as a voice dubber on numerous American films and was the Spanish voice of Jimmy Stewart among others. In 1957 he made his film debut in “Muchachas de azul” directed by Pedro Lazaga. At the same time he debuted on Spanish television. In 1989 he directed his first television film “Los ochenta son nuestros”. He was married to the actresses María Luisa Rubio and Licia Calderón. He had one daughter named Chusa. During his career he appeared in 13 Euro-westerns among which were “Apache Fury” (1964), “Adios Gringo” (1965) “Behind the Mask of Zorro” (1966), “Bandidos” (1967) and “Ringo the Lone Rider” (1968). Puente died of a heart attack on October 26, 2000 in Madrid, Spain. Today we remember Jesús Puente what would have been his 80th birthday.

Happy 80th Birthday Armin Mueller-Stahl

Armin Mueller-Stahl was born in Tilsit, Germany on December 17, 1930. His father was a banker and his mother a university professor. His family moved to Berlin during World War II while his father fought on the Eastern Front. Mueller-Stahl enrolled in acting school in East Berlin in 1952. He became a successful stage, film and TV actor appearing in such films as “The Third” (1971) and “Jacob the Liar” (1975). He played the lead character on the spy thriller TV series” Das unsichtbare Visier” from 1973-1979. He was blacklisted by the East German government in 1980 and moved to West Berlin. Armin found plenty of roles in such films as “Lola” (1981) “Veronika Voss” (1982) and “Colonel Redl” (1985). He’s probably best remembered in the U.S. for his role as Jessica Lange’s father in “The Music Box” (1989), and for his role in the TV miniseries “Amerika” (1987). He’s won multiple acting awards in the 2000s and is still active today. During his career he appeared in two Euro-westerns the recently posted “Fatal Error” (1969) and “Kit & Co.” (1974). Today we celebrate Armin Mueller-Stahl’s 80th birthday.

New CD Release

Title: La colt e’ la mia legge (The Colt is My Law) 1965

Composer: Carlo Savina
Label: Digitmovies #CDDM177
Country: Italy
Limited edition 500 copies
Tracks: 18

Track Listing
1) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 1 2:14
2) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 2 3:04
3) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 3 1:47
4) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 4 1:56
5) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 5 2:41
6) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 6 1:29
7) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 7 2:07
8) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 8 2:04
9) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 9 0:57
10) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 10 1:38
11) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 11 2:27
12) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 12 2:12
13) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 13 1:41
14) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 14 2:31
15) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 15 1:40
16) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 16 2:04
17) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 17 1:08
18) La colt e’ la mia legge - Sequence 18 1:40

Total duration: 35:20

RIP Gunter Grabbert

German actor Günter Grabbert has died. The 79-year-old stage and voice actor died on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, after a heart attack in the Leipzig University Hospital, his wife said Thursday. The news agency dpa. reported that the former ensemble member of the Leipziger Schauspielhauses theater was admitted on Monday to the intensive care unit. He had a stroke in the spring, from which he had all but recovered, "said his widow. Grabbert played numerous theatrical, film and television roles in the GDR and after reunification. Günter was the German voice of Daniel Michev in the 1970 DEFA Indian film “Osceola”.

FATAL ERROR

Tödlicher Irrtum - German title

Halálos tévedés - Hungarian title
Blago Indiajanskog Reservata - Yugoslavian title
Fatal Error - English title

A 1969 East German production [DEFA (Potsdam-Babelsburg)]
Producer: Bernd Gerwin
Director: Konrad Petzold
Story: Hans Joachim Wallstein
Screenplay: Günter Karl, Rolf Römer
Cinematography: Eberhard Borkmann [Orwocolor, Totalvision]
Music: Wilhelm Neef
Running time: 103 minutes

Cast:
Shaved Head - Gojko Mitic
Chris Howard - Armin Mueller-Stahl
Caroline - Annekathrin Bürger (Annekathrin Rammelt)
Jessebee - Krystyna Mikolajewska
White Leaf - Kati Bus
Allison - Rolf Hoppe
Lee Garrett - Hannjo Hasse
Hank Jackson - Bruno O’Ya (Bruno Oja)
Ben - Gerry Wolff
McLaurin - Bruno Carstens
Ten Eyck - Stefan Lisewski
Kid Kearny - Rolf Erik Ludwig (Alfred Hoffmann)
Mitch Chandler - Hans Klering
Parker - Hartmut Beer
Bull Head - Mario Marathon
Reynolds - Wilhelm Koch-Hooge
Clifford - Horst Kube
Elmer Guinnes - Werner Röwekamp
Small Eagle - Ricardo Blanco
Scott - Sepp Klose (Josef Klose)
Bill Kane - Bodo Schmidt
carriage dealer - Nico Turoff
townsmen - Günter Berger, Harald Moszdorf, Konrad Petzold
saloon girl - Ingrid Föhr
frau - Hildegard Friese
doctor - Marquard Grundig
Schreiber - Alfred Lux
Burness - Rudolf Napp
Schwarzfels - Djordje Popovic
Black Tomahawk - Slobodan Velimorovic
Hawk-Man - Ferdynand Wójcik

At the end of the 19th century, the Wyoming Oil Company has established a location in the vicinity of Wind River City at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, where they have been illegally pumping oil from Indian territory. One of the company's greedy agents, Mike Allison, kicks out both his white partners and the Indians. He has his some of his associates secretly murdered and blames it on the Indians, who are then killed when they get in the way of his plans. Five chiefs with lifelong shares in the Oil Company die mysteriously as a result. The young chief Shave Head asks his a half-blood brother Chris Howard for help. Chris assumes the post of deputy sheriff and tries to expose Allison and the murderers. When a representative of the Oil Company turns up in Wind River City and exposes Allison's plot, the white inhabitants begin to take sides. Allison does his utmost to defend himself and finally has the oil camp set on fire, passing it off as an act of revenge perpetrated by the Indians. The Indians are helpless against this accusation and Howard must pay for it with his life.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ltbRRaA1k

Remembering Paolo Moffa

Paolo Moffa was born on December 16, 1915 and entered films as a script supervisor in 1934. He became a director in directing only seven films between 1943 and 1982, and then finding his true calling as an assistant director and production manager in 1958, founding the production company Ambrosiana Cinematografica. During the ‘60s Moffa was involved in four Euro-westerns “Starblack” (aka “Johnny Colt”) 1966 and starring Robert Woods, “God Will Forgive My Pistol” starring Wayde Preston and Dan Vadis and “Sartana the Gravedigger” starring Gianni Garko with both made in 1969 with Moffa as the producer. As John Byrd he directed one western “Bury Them Deep” with Craig Hill. His last film was as a producer on 1983's “Le déchaînement pervers de Manuela” starring Laura Gemser. Moffa then retired and passed away in 2004 in Nice, France. Today we remember Paolo Moffa on what would have been his 95th birthday.

STRAIGHT TO HELL RETURNS

There was once a version of STRAIGHT TO HELL (1987) which was five or six minutes longer. At the eleventh hour, the producer, the editor and I (Alex Cox) cut out half a dozen scenes, in a misguided flight of cutting room madness, thinking that by making the film shorter we were making it better, by making it go a bit faster we were making it funnier...


We were wrong. Now, fortunately, the UCLA Film and TV Archive has rescued the original Interpositive of the uncut version, the missing scenes are restored, and a new HD master has been created, Dan Wool has recovered the missing audio, Richard Beggs has whipped the picture into aural shape, Tom Richmond and Beau Leon have created a new visual strategy - heavy on the yellows and deep blacks - and Webster Colcord has animated some additional skeletons.

All to be in theaters again in October and November 2010, and on DVD and download on December 14, 2010. This - along with Microcinema's release of Searchers 2.0 - must be the perfect stocking-filler. Oh! And did I mention all the digital violence by Collateral Image, and the dolly tracks, and the new shot of George's shoes?

The 7th

The Seventh - International title

A 2009 British production [Anti Type Films (London)]
Producer: Laurence Campbell, Lyle Jackson, Ruth Whittaker, B. Cook
Director: Laurence Campbell
Story: Laurence Campbell
Screenplay: Laurence Campbell
Cinematography: Lyle Jackson [color]
Music: Fever Blank
Running time: 21 mintes

Cast:
Old Man - Stephen Campbell
Young Man - Laurence Campbell

Deep into the rugged landscape two men fight for survival. One gets the upper hand and the journey begins. The earth and the soul become one as the fever takes hold. Hunted or feared, paranoia and confusion chase both men on their trip through the feral and ungoverned lands. The reality of death in times of no hope is a brutal realisation for the men and as young becomes old, and another cycle is complete, the old must find their new place.

Who Are Those Guys? - Stanley Baker

William Stanley Baker was born on February 8, 1928 in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales. He was a childhood friend of Richard Burton and made his first film appearance as a teenager in 1943's “Undercover”. He served in the Royal Army Service Corps. during World War II. After the war he picked up where he had left off appearing in 1949's “All Over the Moon”. At first Baker was cast in the roles of villains and he appeared in a number of top drawer films such as “Richard III” (1955), “Helen of Troy” (1956), “Hell Drivers” (1957). His most memorable role was as Lieutenant John Chard VC in “Zulu” (1964). Another fine performance was as Charlie in 1970's “Perfect Friday”. He formed his own production company “Diamond Films” in 1964 which produced such films as the afore mentioned “Zulu”, “Robbery” (1967) and “The Italian Job” (1968). Diamond Films was laced in consortium which bought Pinewood Studios. With the stock market crash of 1974 he declared the company bankrupt and went back to making films for television such as “Robinson Crusoe” and “The Changeling”. He was knighted in 1976. Baker appeared in two Euro-westerns “Campbell’s Kingdom” (1957) as Owen Morgan and “Zorro” in 1975 as Col. Huerta opposite Alain Delon, with whom he had one of the greatest sword fights in film history. A lifetime smoker he developed lung cancer and died in Malaga, Spain on June 28, 1976 at the young age of 48. Baker was married to actress Ellen Martin from 1950 until his death. He had three sons and one daughter.

BAKER, Stanley (William Stanley Baker) [2/8/1928, Ferndale, Rhndda Valley, Wales, U.K. - 6/28/1976, Málaga, Andalusia, Spain (lung, cancer, pneumonia)] - producer, director, TV actor, married, producer, director, TV actor, married to actress Ellen Martin (1950-1976), co-founded Cambria Films [1963], founded Diamond Films [1964], co-founded Oakhurst Productions [1968-1976].
Campbell’s Kingdon - 1957 (Owen Morgan)
Zorro - 1975 (Col. Huerta)

THE FAT BROTHERS OF TRINITY

Ninguno de los tres se llamaba Trinidad - Spanish title
Triniti's 3 fede brødre - Danish title
Trinityn hurjat veljet - Finnish title
I magnifici tre di trinità - Italian title
Trinitybrödernas stora kupp - Swedish title
None of the Three Were Called Trinity - English title
The Fat Brothers of Trinity - English title

A 1972 Spanish production [IFISA (Madrid)]
Producer: Ignacio F. Iquino (Ignacio Farres Iquino)
Director: Stan Parker (Pedro Ramirez)
Story: Ignacio F. Iquino (Ignacio Farres Iquino), Jackie Kelly (Juliana de la Fuente)
Screenplay: Ignacio F. Iquino (Ignacio Farres Iquino), Jackie Kelly (Juliana de la Fuente)
Cinematography: Antonio L. Ballesteros [Eastmancolor, Panavision]
Music: Enrique Escobar
Song: “But You Might Fall In Love”, “Can’t You Hear the Music Play” sung by John Campbell
Running time: 85 minutes

Cast:
Bryan/Jim - Danny Martin (Jose Martinez)
Bud Wesley - Christopher Harton (Crisanto Brieva)
Ray Wesley - Dick Castle (Ricardo Diez)
Doc Welsey - Paul Stewart (Pablo González)
Sheila - Margit Kocsis
Lisa - Fanny Grey
sheriff - Gustavo Re
with: Judy Collins, Manuel Barrios, George Brinchoud (Manuel Bronchud), Indio González (Gaspar González), Juan Torres, Miguel Muniesa, Jarque Zurbano (Francisco Zurbano), Jesús Fernández (Jesús Martinez)

Our hero Bryan/Jim Palmer is mistaken for the man who robbed the local bank. He must prove his innocence before he can pursue the real thieves, his three dishonest cousins.

Happy 70th Birthday Klaus-Peter Thiele

Klaus-Peter Thiele was born December 14, 1940 in Meiningen, Germany and is the son of actor Heino Thiele [1891-1964]. Klaus-Peter graduated from high school in Berlin-Tegel and startedappearing in stage engagements in Parchim and Potsdam, before appearing in DEFA films for nearly three decades. His first film role is a resounding, and international success playing the title role in the anti-war film "The Adventures of Werner Holt" (1964). Later we see him in playing many different characters, sometimes as a sympathetic figure, but also as a conceited, haughty and arrogant snob. Gladly, he would go back on this earlier character, when it comes to the Nazi occupation of roles. Thiele played this very often in Polish films, but also in the short TV series by Rudi, such as "Archiv des Todes" and "Front ohneGnade". After the political changes of 1989, the actor with the deep, warm voice appeared on stage in Hamburg and Munich, gaining experience, he also becomes a regular cast member of the Störtebeker Festival in Ralswiek. He remembers findly working with Bud Spencer in the movie "Condor Mission" that is released in the United States. Klaus-Peter Thiele has lived for many years with the painter Marie Rautenberg, the daughter of Valeska Rautenberg, which has also worked on several film and TV productions. His sister, Brigitte Thiele (1936-2006) also worked occasionally as an actress. Thiele appeared in one Euro-western “White Wolves” (1969) . Today we celebrate Klaus-Peter Thiele’s 70th birthday.

Remembering Don Taylor

Don Taylor was born December 13, 1920 in Freeport, Pennsylvania. Don studied law, then speech and drama at Penn State University, where as a freshman he began taking part in college stage productions. Hitchhiking to Hollywood in 1942, Taylor screen-tested at Warner Brothers but was rejected because of his draft status. M-G-M, not as fussy, signed him to a contract and immediately put him to work, assigning him the minuscule role of a soldier in director Clarence Brown’s sentimental slice of Americana, “The Human Comedy” (1943). More minor roles followed before Taylor enlisted in the army, but even there he continued to act: Playwright, screenwriter Moss Hart chose him to play one of the leads in the Army-Air Force production of Hart's play, "Winged Victory". Returning to civilian life, Taylor resumed his work in films with a top role in the trend-setting crime drama “The Naked City” (1948). He’s probably best remembered for his appearance in “Stalag 17" (1953) as Lieutenant Dunbar. Don appeared in one of the earliest Euro-Westerns “The Savage Guns” (1961) as Mike Summers. He also directed “The 5-Man Army (1969) although there is much debate over how much he was actually involved in the film. In later years Taylor became a film and TV director, being nominated for an Emmy for his direction of an episode of “Night Gallery” (1970). Don was married to actress Phyllis Avery [1924- ] from 1944-1955 and met his second wife Hazel Court [1926-2008] when he directed her in a 1958 episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1955). They married in 1964 and remained so until his death from heart failure on December 29, 1998 in Los Angeles, California. Today we remember Don Taylor on what would have been his 90th birthday.