HALLELUJAH FOR DJANGO

La più grande rapina del west - Italian title
Aleluia Para Django - Brazilian title
Trois salopards, une poignée d’or - French title
Ein Halleluja fur Django - German title
Den skotonoun pote tin Kyriaki - Greek title
Mia trelli trelli symmoria - Greek title
O maior roubo do oeste - Portuguese title
El mayor atraco frustardo del oeste - Spanish title
El robo más grande del oeste - Spanish title
100.000 dollar för sheriffen från Middletown - Swedish title
The Greatest Kidnapping in the West - English title
The Greatest Robbery in the West - English title
Hallelujah for Django - English title

A 1966 Italian production [Mega Film (Rome)]
Producers: Franco Cittadini, Stenio Fiorentini
Director: Maurizio Lucidi
Story: Augusto Finocchi
Screenplay: Augusto Finocchi, Augusto Caminito
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini [Technicolor, Techniscope]
Music: Luis Enriquez Bacalov
Song: "Title Song" sung by Hunt Powers (Jack Betts)
Running time: 115 minutes  

Cast:
Billy ‘Rum’ Cooney/Django - George Hitlon (Jorge Acosta y Lara)
Key Jarrett/Clay Thomas - Walter Barnes
Padre Santo/David Phaylard - Hunt Powers (Jack Betts)
Mara - Sarah Ross (Sonja Romanoff)
Jenny - Erika Blanc (Enrica Comobatto)
Andreas/Yanaro - Mario Brega
Mark - Glen Fortel (Giovanni Scarciofolo)
Sheriff Martin Cooney - Enzo Fiermonte
Katie O’Brien - Katia Christine
Sheriff Roy Norman - Tom Felleghy (Tamas Fellegi)
Astola - Luciano Rossi
Black Jack - Luciano Catenacci
Asa - Aysanoa Runachunga
Smolie - Umberto Raho
barman - Luigi Casellato
saloon patron - Luciano Bonanni
man with dog - Cesare Matignoni (Cesare Matignon)
banker - Bill Vanders (William Vanders)
Jarrett henchmen - Sal Borgese (Salvatore Borgese), Rick Boyd (Federico Boido), Bruno Corazzari, Paolo Magalotti, Luigi Barbacane, Mauro Bosco (Giuseppe Bosco)
with: Roberto Alessandri, Stefano Alessandrini, Desiderio Raffaele, Valentino Macchi, Marisa Quattrini, Lucia Righi, Lorenzo Sharon

A band of outlaws led by the fierce Jarrett make a daring bank robbery in Middletown. While the sheriff and his men set off in pursuit of the bandits, David, the brains of the gang, goes to the town of Poorlands with the stolen loot. Some time later, his accomplices join him in Poorlands to divide up the stolen money. Sheriff Martin tries to cope with the violence which the outlaws bring, and pays with his life for his courageous stance. Martin’s brother, Billy ‘Rum’ Cooney, decides to avenge his death, in association with David, who intends to steal all of the money: in this way the band of outlaws is completely routed. Bill is thus able to get his revenge, while David sees his dream to take possession of all the stolen money, consisting of golden coins secreted in a religious statue, sail into the air along with Jarrett in the explosion of a dynamite storage warehouse in which they were both hidden.

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

Happy 75th Birthday Tony Musante

Antonio ‘Tony’ Peter Musante, Jr. was born on June 30, 1936 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After attending college he became an actor appearing on stage and in films both in the U.S. and Italy. He found fame on the TV series "Toma" (1973-1974) where he played a detective. The series was a predecessor to "Baretta" starring Robert Blake. Tony also appeared as Joe D’Angelo on the soap opera "As the World Turns" from 2000-2003 and the TV series "Oz" (1997). Semi-active today his last film was in 2007's "We Own the Night". Tony appeared in only one Euro-western as Paco Roman in "The Mercenary" (1968) co-starring Franco Nero and Jack Palance. Today we celebrate Tony Musante’s 75^th birthday.

Remembering Al Mulock

Al Mulock was a stage and film actor who was born in Toronto, Canada on June 30, 1926. His real name wass Alfred Mulock Rogers and he was a descendent of William Mulock, the former Postmaster General of Canada. His parents were Adele Cawthra Mulock and Alfred Rogers of Toronto, Canada. He was married at one time to actress Catharine Ellison. They had no children. The couple purchased the Red Barn Theater in Toronto in 1949. Sometime in the 1950s Catharine and Al divorced and Al moved to England where he became active in British television and film. He married actress Steffi Henderson [1925-1967]. According to Mickey Knox’s book, The Good, the Bad, and the Dolce Vita: The Adventures of an Actor in Hollywood, Paris, and Rome. According to Knox, Al was a drug addict and committed suicide in Gaudix, sometime during the shooting of the opening scenes of "Once Upon a Time in the West." Knox said Al couldn’t get a fix and jumped from his hotel window. Mickey and production manager Claudio Mancini saw him fall past their window. Mancini put Al in his car and drove him to a local hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the fall. Sergio Leone was said to have told Mancini to make sure he "got the costume" back for the shooting of the film as Al apparently jumped wearing his duster and gear. Another possibility was he was still distraught over his wife Steffi's death the year before. Al appeared in five Euro-westerns from an early appearance in "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw" in 1959 to "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968). He also appeared in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966), "Hellbenders" and "Day of Anger" (both 1967). Today we remember Al Mulock on what would have been his 85^th birthday.

Remembering Peter Alexander

Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer was born on June 30, 1926 in Vienna, Austria and was a popular singer, actor and television host. From the 1950s to the 1990s he was one of the most popular entertainers in German speaking countries. His parents wanted him to become a doctor but Peter wanted to become an actor. He graduated from training at the Max-Reinhardt-Seminar with honors in 1948 calling himself Peter Alexander. A huge admirer of Frank Sinatra he taught himself how to sing and play the piano and began his singing career in 1951. Between 1952 and 1972 Peter appeared in 38 films and from 1966 until 1996 he performed on TV with his own series the Peter-Alexander-Show. He also toured with composer Udo Juergens. He was married to actress Hildegarde [1922-2003] from 1952 until her death in 2003, and they had two children. After his wife’s death he withdrew from public life and passed away on February 12, 2011 in Vienna. Peter appeared in only one Euro-western, "Count Bobby, the Terror of the Wild West" (1965) as Count Bobby Pinelski. Today we remember Peter Alexander on what would have been his 85^th birthday.

Who Are Those Guys? - Rafael Bardem

Rafael Bardem Solé was born in Barcelona, Spain on January 10, 1889. He was the brother of actresses Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro [1896-1975] Mercedes Muñoz Sampedro [18??-1979] and Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969. Rafael was married to actress Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969] from 1918 until her death in 1969. He was the father of director, screenwriter, actor Juan Antonio Bardem [1922-2002] and actress Pilar Bardem [1939- ] and grandfather screenwriter, actor Carlos Bardem [1963- ], actress Mónica Bardem [1964- ] and producer, actor Javier Bardem [1969- ]. Rafael began his career in the Spanish theater company of Rosario Pino at the age of 20 and continued for thirty years. He made his film debut in 1941's "Tierra y cielo" directed by Eusebio Fernández Ardavín. He would go on to appear in over 100 films usually in character and supporting roles. He appeared in four Euro-westerns from 1955 until 1966.

BARDEM, Rafael (Rafael Bardem Solé) [1/10/1889, Barcelona, Cataluna, Spain - 11/6/1972, Madrid, Madrid, Spain] - stage actor, brother of actress Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro [1896-1975], Mercedes Muñoz Sampedro [18??-1979], and Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969], married to actressMatilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969] (1918-1969), father of director, screenwriter, actor Juan Antonio Bardem [1922-2002], actress Pilar Bardem [1939- ], grandfather of screenwriter, actor Carlos Bardem [1963- ], actress Mónica Bardem [1964- ], producer, actor Javier Bardem [1969- ].
The Coyote - 1955 (Don Cesar de Echague Sr.)
Judgment of the Coyote - 1955 (Don Cesar de Echague Sr.)
Four Bullets for Joe - 1963 (jury member)
7 Guns for the McGregors - 1966 (Judge Garland)

Happy 65th Birthday Alice Arno

She was born Marie-France Broquet on June 29, 1946 in France, but she’s known to theater goers as Alice Arno. She is the sister of actress Chantal Broquet. Alice was a model in the 1960s and appeared in numerous magazines including ‘Pop’, ‘Men’ and ‘Topfilm’. She started her film career in 1967 appearing in "Les Poneyttes" and in Jess Franco’s 1970 film "Eugénie". Her most famous film was 1971's "Junstine de Sade" directed by Claude Pierson. Alice was a star of adult films until leaving the industry in 1980 after her appearance in "El fontanero, su mujer, y otras cosas de meter..." directed by Carlos Aured. Rumor has it that after she retired she moved to Latin America. During her career Alice appeared in four Euro-westerns: "Red Hot Zorro" (1972), "The Girls of the Golden Saloon" (1973), "Convoy of Women" and "Gunfight at OQ Corral" (both 1974). Today we celebrate Alice Arno’s 65^th birthday.

THE HALF-BREED

Winnetou und das Halbblut Apanatschi - German title
Vinetou i Apanaci - Yugoslavian title
Masser af Guld - Danish title
Winnetou, o atromitos - Greek title
Kultalaakson korppikotkat - Finnish title
Winnetou és a félvér Apanatschi - Hungarian title
Il giorno più lungo di Kansas City - Italian title
Il giorno piu longo de Kansas City - Spanish title
El dia más lungo di Kansas City - Spanish title
Winnetou i Apanaczi - Polish title
O dia mais longo de Kansas City - Portuguese title
Winnetou and the Halbreed Apanatschi - English title
Apanatschi - U.K. title
The Half -Breed - U.S.A. title

A 1966 German, Yugoslavian co-production [Rialto Film Preben-Phlipsen (Berlin), Jadran (Zagreb) ]
Producer: Horst Wendltandt
Director: Haralp Philipp
Story: Karl May
Screenplay: Fred Denger
Cinematography: Heinz Holscher [Eastmancolor, UltraScope]
Music: Martin Böttcher
Running time: 90 minutes

Cast:
Old Shatterhand - Lex Barker (Alexander Barker, Jr.)
Winnetou - Pierre Brice (Pierre de Bris)
Apanatcshi - Ursula Glas (Helga Glas)
Jeff Brown - Götz George
Sam Hawkens - Ralf Walter
Mac Haller - Walter Barnes
Curly Bill - Ilija Dzuvalekovski
judge - Mija Baloh (Mihail Baloh)
Happy - Marinko Cosic
Bessie - Nada Kasapic
Sloan - Petar Dobric
Pinky - Vladimir Leib
Hank - Abduraham Salja
Mine-Yota - Marija Crnobori
Blacky - Sim Jagarinec (Simun Jagarinec)
Bryan - Zvonko Dobrin
Buster - Ivo Kristof (Ivan Kristof)
Sargmacher - Vladimir Rogoz
Smith - Rikard Brzeska
barkeeper - Mile Gatara
Doc - Branco Spoljar (Branko Spoljar)
bandit - Adam Vedernjak
with: Giancarlo Bastianoni

Winnetou rescues a small boy named Happy, when he climbs into an eagle's nest to get a feather for the birthday of his sister Apanatschi and is attacked by the eagle. Apanatschi is the daughter of the farmer Mac Haller and the Apache Indian Mine-Yota, she is a half blood. This is no obstacle for impetuous young Jeff Brown, he wants to marry her.

Mac Haller shows Winnetou and Apanatschi a gold mine and gives it to Apanatschi for her birthday. Apanatschi is not thrilled, because she knows that gold brings only misfortune. And indeed two trappers Pinky and Sloan learn of the gold and Mac Haller is murdered. Happy and Apanatschi escape only because Old Shatterhand arrives in time. The two outlaws are brought to the safety in the railway workers' camp of the Transcontinental Railroad (TCRR), and Old Shatterhand rides on to Rocky Town, where a bandit gang is creating mischief led by Curly Bill.

Sloan and Pinky are henchmen of Curly Bill and learns of Apanatschi gold. He leads his bandits on a raid of the railway camp. They kidnap Apanatschi and Happy and take them to their refuge, a seedy saloon. Jeff manages to sneak in aa "magician" and in a short time gains the trust of the bandits. By a trick he gets the key for the room where Apanatschi and Happy are held, and with the help of the landlady, Bessy, they are able to escape through an underground passage. Apanatschi is now brought to the Kiowa Indian camp and safety.

Old Shatterhand has been mobilized to train workers, and together with Winnetou, attack the bandits in their saloon in Rocky Town. Some of the bandits manage to escape and Curly Bill wants Apanatschi kidnapped again, but is only able to capture Happy. Winnetou offers himself in exchange as a hostage and takes the bandits to the gold mine. Judge, Curly’s right-hand man shoots his boss and makes himself the new leader.

The bandits load their horses with gold and return to Rocky Town. Shatterhand and the railroad workers fill a tunnel under the city with dynamite and, on the arrival of the bandits they blow up everything. Judge in his flight is overtaken by Shatterhand and a locomotive. The rest of the gang are taken care of by the Kiowas under the lead of the Iroquois. Apanatschi gives the remaining residents of Rocky Town her gold for the reconstruction of the town and moves with Jeff into the old log house of her late father.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDnhQf4JSE

Remembering Marquard Bohm

Marquard Bohm was born on June 27, 1941 in Hamburg, Germany. He was the younger brother of actor and director Hark Bohm. Marquard was one of the most famous of the Young German Film actors and became known internationally through his work with Rainer Werner Fassbinder in such films as "The American Soldier" and "Wild Changes". Bohm also worked with his brother Hark as well as Wim Wenders, Rudolf Thome and Helmut Herbst. He spent the years 1986-2000 at the Schauspielhaus Bochum Theatre with director Frank-Patrick Steckel and Leander Haussmann playing a number of bizarre supporting character roles in productions by Jürgen Kruse and Frank Castorf. Bohm appeared in two Euo-westerns, "Deadlock" in 1970 and "Chetan, Indian Boy" (1976). Bohm died from a heart attack on February 3, 2006 in Wetter, Ruhr, Germany, after a long period of health problems. Today we remember Marquard Bohm on what would have been his 70^th birthday.

Wild West at the Düsseldorf Film Museum

Düsseldorf (RP). An exhibition on the myth of the Wild West in Germany can be seen from today in the old town of Düsseldorf. The trip begins and ends with the first settlers in modern computer games. Winnetou and Old Shatterhand are naturally there.

BY KERSTIN ARTZ
26.06.2011

Freedom, success and adventure, friendship and bandits - that's the Wild West. But why does the myth of the American West to cowboys and Indians in Germany is so successful? The exhibition "The Treasure of Silver Lake - Myth of the American West in Germany," traces the development of the Wild West in the perception of the Germans. It also goes to movies, but the organizers Bernd Desinger, director of the Film Museum, and Matthias Knop, curator of the exhibition, a cross-media show have planned. "We want to retrace the footsteps of the film," says Knop.

In the early German immigrants were painted pictures of the Wild West. But they were still inspired by the landscape paintings of the 18th European or 19 Century and were therefore often set a romanticized idyll. "If one compares it with movies that were shot later," says Knop, "we see an incredible resemblance."

For example, in the adventures of the Indian chief Winnetou and his friend Old Shatterhand, a German-born trapper. The movie "The Treasure of the Silver Lake" was filmed in 1962 in the former Yugoslavia and is based on the stories of Karl May, who lived from 1842 to 1912. The books were successful throughout the world, just as the movies. But they were not always implemented realistically. "Winnetou was Apache, and the clothes were much too thick, which he wore in the movie," said Gojko Mitic, who was next to one of the most famous Pierre Brice Indian Actor. Mitic played in three films together with Brice. His breakthrough came in 1965 when he a bigger role in the movie "Under vultures" occupied. He then worked for the East German DEFA and turned more "Indian films".

In contrast to American films, where it goes to the cowboy who discovers the country and is harnessing it in the German films rather about the role of the Indians. "At that time, the Cold War, the East wanted to show that the Americans have done something wrong," says Mitic. "That was a genocide. Pierre and I have always represented the Indians." The German-born immigrants have taken in reality, the mediator knows Desinger.

The exhibition leads up to the present generation of Western: Recent productions such as "True Grit" to attack the motives of the past and continue to be very successful - especially in Germany. "Unlike the Americans," says Desinger, "We hung our German weapons never to quit." Because this country has always been in Western fashion. Also, it had not always deadly serious to go: Back in 1939, Marlene Dietrich played in the Western comedy "Destry Rides Again". More than 60 years on, Michael "Bully" Herbig in "Der Schuh des Manitu" as Winnetouch front of the camera. The parody of the Karl May movies of the 1960s was one of the most successful German movies after the Second World War.

The exhibition of the Film Museum, there are not only the history of the Wild West to look at the screen. The reality of what the Wild West means, is mediated: Three big guns hang in a glass case. The smallest on top, the bottom is the greatest. Some one - rangy - Visitors may be awesome at this sight: The weapons seem too heavy that you could lift it.

Never experienced the visitors not only the fiction of the Wild West as it was portrayed in the films, but also gets an insight into the reality. There are, for example, an information board about the coyote, the prairie dog. With little text and many pictures and posters, the exhibition takes in the past, also of Buffalo Bill's Western Show, but brings one right back into the here and now, where there are computer games for the Wild West. The myth lives on.

　
Treasure of Silver LakeThe exhibition runs until 9th October - at the Film Museum, 4 School Street, telephone 899-3768 0211.

Opening times Tuesday to Sunday, 11-17 Clock, Wednesday to 21 clock. The entrance fee is three euros, reduced 1.50 euros.

GUNSLINGER'S REVENGE

Il mio West - Italian title
Gunfighters Revenge - German title
Vadnyugati bosszúállók - Hungarian title
My West - English title
Gunslinger’s Revenge - U.S.A. title

A 1998 Italian production [Cecchi Gori Group, Tiger Cinematografica (Rome)]
Producers: Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Rita Cecchi Gori (Rita Rusic)
Director: Giovanni Veronesi
Story: "Yodo Cartamilli" by Vincenzo Pardini (Jodo Cartamigli)
Screenplay: Giovanni Veronesi, Leonardo Pieraccioni
Cinematography: José Luis Alcaine [Cinecitta color, widescreen]
Music: Pino Donaggio (Giuseppe Donaggio)
Song: "Everyone Want to Be" sung by Ziggy Marley (David Marley) & The Melody Makers & Wycleff (Wyclef Jean (Neltus Jean))
Running time: 110 minutes

Cast:
Doc Lowen - Leonardo Pieraccioni
Johnny Lowen - Harvey Keitel
Jack Sikora - David Bowe (David Jones)
Pearl - Sandrine Holt (Sandrine Ho)
Mary - Alessia Marcuzzi)
Joshua - Jim van der Woude
Jeremiah - Yudii Mercredi
leather girl - Michelle Gomez
Rasrafarian - Kwame Kwei-Arnah (Ian Roberts)
Albino - Stephen Jenn
Mrs. Willow - Rosalind Knight
Sam Comet - Jimmy Gardener (Edward Gardner)
Mrs. Comet - Jean Heywood (Jean Murray)
lieutenant - Lorenzo Wilde
telegrapher - Sean Baker
paino player - Andrew Dunford
saloon girls - Valentina Carnelutti, Cristina Moglia
Slim - Clive Kneller
Old Grizzly - Chris John Hartz
Basin Field Mayor - Donald Hodson
Truman - James Weedon
Slim’s daughter - Giustina Morganti
Slim’s wife - Jessica James
hunter - Nicholas Hunt
bandits - Danilo Mattei, Bruce Byron
Cayus - Leonard Mountain Chief
Indian grandfather - Jimmy Herman
Indian grandmother - Wilma Pelly
with: Ottaviano Dell’Acqua

In 1860 at Basin Field, a small village situated on the slopes of the great mountains on the border with Canada. In Basin Field live Doc Lowen, the village doctor, married to the Indian Pearl and their son named Jeremiah . After twenty years Doc's father, Johnny Lowen, a famous gunslinge returns..Johnny tells of wanting to rest and to retire. Some time after arriving at the village Jack Sikora, a killer who has been chasing Johnny for years, and two henchmen come to town. Jack is determined to kill Johnny, and does everything to force his rival to accept a duel. Johnny is refuses to accept the duel so Jack kidnaps Doc's son, Mary the madam of the local saloon tries to oppose Jack but is killed by Jack. Now Johnny is more then ready for a duel, but in the end the village idiot shoots and kills Jack.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0mdPQyRy0

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue with locations for "Once Upon a Time in the West". When Harmonica turns down Frank’s offer to buy Sweetwater he leaves the Palace Saloon and is confronted by his henchmen who have been hired out from under him by Mr. Morton. One of the locations harboring a hidden gunman is the unfinished Cosmopolitan Theater. The remains are still visible among the remains of the Flagstone set. Flagstone is located across the tracks from the Estacion La Calahorra-Ferreira.

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 was born in China in 1926. Guess who I am.

Chris Casey correctly guessed this week's photo as that of George Wang.

Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio snag roles in "Django Unchained"

According to news service WME, Jamie Foxx has snagged the lead role in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming spaghetti western, "Django Unchained," Deadline reports, making the Oscar-winner the latest big name addition to the film. This role was previously rumored to have been Will Smith's.

Foxx will be a freed slave who teams with a bounty hunter -- to be played by Christoph Waltz, who won an Oscar in Tarantino's last film, "Inglorious Basterds" -- who sets out to rescue his wife from evil plantation owner Calvin Candie, according to the agency WME.

That role looks like it will go to Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays against type as, according to an earlier story, "a charming but ruthless proprietor of Candyland, a despicable club and plantation in Mississippi where female slaves are exploited as sex objects and males are pitted against each other in 'mandingo' style death matches."

Foxx won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2005 for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the biopic, "Ray," and was nominated the same year for Best Supporting Actor for "Collateral." He's since starred in "Dreamgirls" and "Miami Vice," among other films, and will next be seen in a supporting role in the R-rated comedy, "Horrible Bosses."

I'll keep you posted as best I can on this revolving door of casting. As far as I know Franco Nero has stll not been officially offered a role.

GUNS OF THE REVOLUTION

Miguel Pio - Spanish title
Canones de la revolucion - Mexican title
Keine Zeit zum Sterben - German title
Rain for a Dusty Summer - U.S.A. title
Guns of the Revolution - U.S.A. title

A 1969 U.S.A., Spanish co-production [Do Bar Productions (Hollywood), P.C. Balcazar Studios (Barcelona)]
Producer: G.B. Buscemi
Director: Arthur Lubin
Story: Franklin Lacey
Screenplay: G.B. Buscemi, Julius Evans
Cinematography: Manuel Berenguer (Manuel Serra) [Eastmancolor]
Music: Wade Denning (Wade Denning, Jr.)
Song: "Rain for a Dusty Summer" sung by Gene Merlino
Running time: 93 minutes

Cast:
‘The Genereal’ - Ernest Borgnine (Ermes Borgnino)
Miguel Pio - Padre Humberto (Humberto Almazán)
Humberto Pio - Sancho Gracia (Felix Gracia)
Luis Vilches - Vicente Sangiovanni
Colonel Amadeo Marinos - Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell)
Joe Weiler - Harry Harris
Señora Altera - Maida Severn
Leurela - Gemma Cuervo (Gemma Igartua)
Captain Carlos Larrea - Carlos Casaravilla (Carlos Rios)
Margarita - Marta Flores (Marta de la Paz)
Ana Pro - Tina Sáinz (Tina Rubio)
Nita - Maria Sunción Victoria
Rector - Florencio Calpe
Roberto Pro - Martín Porras
Señora Pro - Nela Conjiu
Armando - Pajarito (Murriz Brandariz)
news vendor - Manuel Bronchud
priest - Ángel Álvarez (Ángel Fernández)
townsman - Moises Rocha

                         [Actual photo of Miguel Pio's execution.]
Based on true events, Miguel Pro is a Mexican padre during the early 20th Century when churches in his homeland of Mexico are being destroyed and the clergy murdered. ‘The General’ who governs this section of the country, orders these purges and Miguel Pro who had actually left the seminary because he preferred entertaining, sees a bishop shot down at the altar which makes him realize that God is in his heart, not the stage.

Father Miguel travels disguised as a peasant, performing on request masses, baptisms and marriages in private homes until he's eventually arrested. Given a chance to live by ceasing all priestly duties, Miguel chooses instead his calling and a death sentence. The beloved priest's firing squad execution brings 30,000 mourners to his funeral.

RIP David Rayfiel

David Rayfiel was, according to Robert Redford, "the unsung hero of almost every picture Sydney Pollack and I have made together." Rayfiel, whose light rewriting touch added much to every Pollack/Redford collaboration, died Wednesday June 22, in Manhattan. He was 87. Rayfiel worked, usually uncredited, on all seven movies Pollack and Redford made together: "This Property Is Condemned," "Three Days of the Condor," "Jeremiah Johnson," "The Way We Were," "The Electric Horseman," "Out of Africa" and "Havana." He also had a hand in Pollack's "The Slender Thread," "Absence of Malice," "The Firm," "Sabrina" and "The Interpreter." David Rayfiel was a co-screenwriter on one Euro-western "Valdez is Coming!" (1971).

New CD Release

Djurado (aka Johnny Golden Poker)

1966
Starring: Montgomery Clark, Scilla Gabel
Director: Giovanni Narzisi
Composer: Gianni Ferrio
Label GDM # GDM GDM4143
Country: Italy
Tracks: 21
Total time: 54:22
Limited edition 500 copies
Available: July 5, 2011

Track Listing
1. GOLDEN POKER KID (titoli ) 2:16
2. DJURADO (seq. 1) 3:07
3. DJURADO (seq. 2) 2:30
4. DJURADO (seq. 3) 1:21
5. DJURADO (seq. 4) 1:18
6. DJURADO (seq. 5) 2:17
7. DJURADO (seq. 6) 1:01
8. DJURADO (seq. 7) 4:21
9. DJURADO (seq. 8) 1:42
10. DJURADO (seq. 9) 3:24
11. DJURADO (seq. 10) 3:18
12. DJURADO (seq. 11) 2:11
13. DJURADO (seq. 12) 1:5614. DJURADO (seq. 13) 3:40
15. DJURADO (seq. 14) 1:18
16. DJURADO (seq. 15) 2:44
17. DJURADO (seq. 16) 3:19
18. DJURADO (seq. 17) 2:37
19. DJURADO (seq. 18) 2:46
20. DJURADO (seq. 19) 5:29
21. GOLDEN POKER KID (finale) 1:47

New Spaghetti Western affiliated book

A new Spanish book has been released on director José María Zabalza. Entitled "José María Zabalza, Cinema, Bohemian Life and Survival". Zabalza started out making neo-realist drama and black comedy. The Basque filmmaker, stage director and playwright found himself heavily in debt most of his life and struggled to remain working in cinema. Along with being an alcoholic he died nearly penniless. Zabalza wrote and directed five Euro-westerns between 1970 and 1983.

GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

La furia de los 7 magníficos - Spanish title
La furia de los siete magníficos - Spanish title
A revolta de sete homens - Argentinian title
A Revolta dos Sete Homens - Brazilian title
Syv mænd rider igen - Danish title
Le pistole dei magnfici 7 - Italian title
7 rohkeaa ratsastaa silâhsör - Finnish title
Les colts des sept marcenaries - French title
Die Rache der glorreichen Sieben - German title
Oi 7 yperohoi epitithentai - Greek title
Syv uovervinnelige samles igjen - Norwegian title
Kolty siedmiu wspanialych - Polish title
Colts Para os Sete Magníficos - Portuguese title
De 7 slår till - Swedish title
Guns of the Magnificent Seven - U.S.A. title

A 1968 U.S.A., Spanish co-production [Mirisch Company (Hollywood)]
Producer: Vincent M. Fennelly
Director: Paul Wendkos
Story: Herman Hoffman
Screenplay: Herman Hoffman
Cinematography: Antonio Macasoli (Antonio Hernandez) [Deluxe Color, Panavision]
Music: Elmer Bernstein
Running time: 106 minutes

Cast:
Chris Adams - George Kennedy
Levi Morgan - James Whitmore
Keno - Monte Markham
Lieutenant Maximiliano ‘Max’ O’Leary - Reni Santoni
Cassie - Bernie Casey (Bernard Casey)
P.J. - Scott Thomas
Slater - Joe Don Baker
Emiliano Zapata - Tony Davis
Colonel Diego - Michael Ansara
Carlos Lobero - Frank Silvera
Tina - Wende Wagner
Miguel - Sancho Gracia (Felix Gracia)
Lieutenant Prensa - Luis Rivera
Gabriel - Jorge Rigaud (Pedro Delissetche)
Quintero - Fernando Rey (Fernando Arambillett)
Manuel - Vicente Sangiovanni
Cesar - Ramon Serrano
farmer - Charles Stalnaker
    

In the late 1800's Mexican Federales capture Quintero, a revolutionary who attempts to rally the many disorganized groups opposing the dictatorship of President Díaz. Before going to prison, Quintero gives his Lieutenant, Maximiliano ‘Max’ O'Leary, money with which to continue the cause. A bandit leader named Carlos Lobero demands that the money be used for guns and ammunition, but Max instead crosses the border in search of Chris Adams: a legendary, but laconic, American gunman. Max finally finds Chris, after witnessing him free a man from a rigged trial: first, using his wits; and finally, the famed artistry of his weapons.

Chris agrees to mount a rescue of Quintero and uses $500 of Max's money to recruit five highly-trained combatants: Keno, a horse thief and hand-to-hand combat expert, Cassie, a brawny but intelligent former slave, who can handle dynamite, the one-armed, sideshow sharp-shooter Slater, a tubercular wrangler called 'P. J.', and Levi Morgan, an aging family man who is doubtful of his worth, despite his incredible knife-throwing skills.

En route to Mexico, the motley band of Americans becomes less mercenary when they observe the brutal treatment of the peasants. And their journey is also marked by encounters with a political prisoner's little boy, Emiliano Zapata, and a pretty peasant girl, Tina, who falls in love with P.J.. When Lobero learns that Max did not buy guns with the $600, he refuses to allow his men to take part in Quintero's rescue. Realizing that he needs support, Chris frees a prison gang that includes Zapata's father and trains them in military tactics.

Despite their superior fighting skills and strategy, Chris's men are outnumbered and their valiant effort to free Quintero appears doomed. But, at the last moment, 50 of Lobero's bandits, having slain their leader for his lack of patriotism, thunder onto the prison grounds and turn the tide of battle. Of the original seven, only Chris, Max and Levi survive. And before riding home, Chris and Levi elect to donate all of the money they had been given to the peasants' cause.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twiDMfsciq4

First Day of Summer 2011

Who Are Those Gals? - Pilar Bardem

Pilar Bardem Muñoz was born in Seville, Andalucia, Spain on March 14, 1939. Her family has deep roots in the entertainment as she is the daughter of director, actor Rafael Bardem [1889-1972] and actress Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969]. She is the sister of director, screenwriter Juan Antonio Bardem [1922-2002] and the niece of actresses Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro [1896-1979], Mercedes Muñoz Sampedro [18??-1979] and Matilde Muñoz Sampedro

[1900-1969]. Her cousin is actress Luchy Soto [1919-1970] and she is the mother of actor Carlo Bardem [1963- ] actress Mónica Bardem [1964 - ] and producer, actor Javier Bardem [1969- ]. Pilar is the aunt of director, screenwriter Miguel Bardem. Pilar began he film career in the mid 1960s in such films as "Y el mundo sigue" (1965), "Buenos dias, condesita" (1967), "La novicia rbelde" (1971) and "Las Ibéricas F. C." (1971). Later in the ‘70s she would appear in "Return of the Mummy" (1973), "I’m Jane Doe" and "La joven casada" (both 1975), "Carne apaleada" and "Soldados" (both 1978). On TV she appeared in the series "Cuentos y leynedas" for Estudio 1 and continues in television through the 1980s. Pilar won a Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1995's "Nobody Will Speak to Us When We’re Dead" starring Victoria Abril and directed by Agustin Diaz Yanes. In 2000 she appeared on stage in "5 mujeres.com"

Her son Javier Bardem dedicated his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2007's "No Country for Old Men" to his mother at the 2008 Academy Awards presentation. Today Pilar Bardem is president of AISGE (Artists, Performers, Society of Management). Pilar appeared in only one Euro-western 1983's "Al este del Oeste" as Martha.


BARDEM, Pilar (Pilar Bardem Muñoz) [3/14/1939, Seville, Seville, Andalucía, Spain - ] - stage, TV actress, daughter of director, actor Rafael Bardem [1889-1972], actress Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969], sister of director, screenwriter, actor Juan Antonio Bardem [1922-2002], niece of actresses Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro [1896-1975], Mercedes Muñoz Sampedro [18??-1979], and Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro [1896-1975], Matilde Muñoz Sampedro [1900-1969] cousin of actress Luchy Soto [1919-1970], mother of screenwriter, actor Carlos Bardem [1963- ], actress Mónica Bardem [1964- ], producer, actor Javier Bardem [1969- ].
Al este del Oeste - 1983 (Martha)

GUNS FOR SAN SEBASTIAN

La bataille de San Sebastian - French title
Les canons de San Sebastian - French title
Los cañones de San Sebastian - Mexican title
I cannoni di San Sebastian - Italian title
Slaget ved San Sebastian - Danish title
San Sebastian tykit - Finnish title
Due Hölle von San Sebastian - German title
San Sebastian - German title
Ta kanonia tou San Sebastian - Greek title
Harc San Sebastianért - Hungarian title
Strzelby dla San Sebastian - Polish title
Os Canhões de San Sebastian - Portuguese title
Kanone vid San Sebastian - Swedish title
San Sebastian’in toplari - Turkish title
San Sebastian - U.K. title
Raging Warrior - U.S.A. title
The Guns of San Sebastian - U.S.A. title
Guns for San Sebastian - U.S.A. title

A 1967 French, Mexican, Italian co-production [Cipra Films (Paris), Ernesto Enriquez (Mexico City), Filmes Cinematografica (Rome)
Producer: Jacques Bar
Director: Henri Verneuil (Achod Malakian)
Story: "A Wall for San Sebastian" by William Barby Faherty
Screenplay: Serge Ganz (Serge Gance), Miguel Morayta (Miguel Martinez), Ennio De Concini
English Dialogue: James R. Webb
Cinematography: Armand Thirard [Metrocolor, Franscope]
Music: Ennio Morricone
Running time: 115 minutes

Cast:
Léon Alastray - Anthony Quinn (Antonio Quinn)
Kinita - Anjanette Comer
Teclo - Charles Bronson (Charles Buchinsky)
Father Joseph - Sam Jaffe (Shalom Jaffe)
Felicia - Silvia Pinal (Silvia Hidalgo)
Felipe Cayetano - Jorge Martínez de Hoyos
Golden Lance - Jaime Fernández
Agueda - Rosa Furman
Vicar General - Leon Askin (Leon Aschkenasy)
Antonito - José Chávez (José Trowe)
Colonel Calleja - Ivan Desny (Ivan Desnitskij)
Governor - Fernand Gravey (Fernand Mertens)
Father Lucas - Pedro Armendáriz, Jr. (Pedro Bohr, Jr.)
Pedro - Jorge Russek
Magdalena - Aurora Clavel
Diego - Julio Aldama (Julio Turrubiates)
Luis - Ferusquilla (José Espinosa)
Kino - Pancho Córdova (Francisco Córdova)
Renaldo - Enrique Lucero    
Miguel - Chano Urueta (Santiago Rodriguez)
Captain Lopez - Noe Murayama
Timoteo - Guillermo Hernández
Bishop - Francisco Reiguera (Francisco Pérez)
Pablo - Carlos Berriochea
Pascual - Armando Acosta
villagers - Guy Fox, Rico López, Emilio Fernández (Emilio Romo), Paul Smith, Jean Paul Moulinot

Mexico, 1743. Pursued by government troops, the bandit Léon Alastray seeks sanctuary in a Franciscan church. When Father Joseph refuses to hand over Alastray to the authorities, he is banished to San Sebastian, a small village situated in Indian territory. Alastray has no choice but to accompany his benefactor, dressed in the habiliments of a monk. The two men are surprised to find the village practically deserted, most of its inhabitants having been killed or driven away by hostile Indians. After Father Joseph is shot dead by an Comanchero, Alastray takes his place and helps the remaining villagers to defend themselves against Indian attacks while also fending off Teclo and his Comancheros who are actually behind the attacks.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5q2ty78qM

Father's Day 2011

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue with locations for "Once Upon a Time in the West". When Cheyenne is captured by Harmonica he takes him to Flagstone and turns him over to the sheriff who is conducting an auction for the Sweetwater ranch. Harmonica foils Franks plans of buying the ranch for next to nothing by offering the $5,000 reward for the ranch. The Palace Hotel used for the auction was also used in Leone’s "My Name is Nobody" for the famous shot glass shooting contest. This building is located in what it left of the Flagstone set and is today boarded and sealed up. It is used as a barn and storage facility for a nearby goat farm. Flagstone is located across the tracks from the Estacion La Calahorra-Ferreira.

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/http://garringo.cool.ne.jp/

GUNS FOR DOLLARS

Testa t’ammazzo, croce... sei morto... Mi chimavano Alleluja - Italian title
Juveljagten - Danish title
Nimeni on Hallelujah - Finnish title
Pile, je te tue face, tu est mort in m’appelle Alleluia - French title
On m’appelle Alleluia - French title
Man nennt mich Hallelujah - German title
Y hora le llaman Aleluya - Spanish title
Me gusta matar - Spanish title
Vende la pistola y comprate la tumba - Spanish title
Juveljakten - Swedish title
Dom kallar mej ‘Halleluja’ - Swedish title
Haleluya - Turkish title
Heads I Kill You... Tails You’re Dead! They Call Me Hallelujah - English title
Heads You Die... Tails I Kill You - English title
They Call Me Hallelujah - U.K. title
Deep West - U.K. title
A Fistful of Lead - U.S.A. title
Guns for Dollars - U.S.A. title

A 1971 Italian production [Coloseo Artistica SRL (Rome)]
Producer: Dario Sabatello
Director: Anthony Ascott (Giuliano Carnimeo)
Story: Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi)
Screenplay: Tito Carpi (Fiorenzo Carpi), Anthony Ascott (Giuliano Carnimeo)
Cinematography: Stelvio Massi [Eastmancolor, Colorscope]
Music: Stelvio Cipriani
Running time: 98 minutes

Cast:
Hallelujah/ Alleluia - George Hilton (Jorge Acosta y Lara)
Alexi Grand Duke Viosarevich Koperkin/Alexi Ivanovich ‘The Bear’ - Charles Southwood
Sister Anna Lee/Lieutenant Donovan - Agata Flori
General Emiliano Ramirez - Roberto Camardiel (Roberto Escudero)
Frank/Duke Slocum - Rick Boyd (Federico Boido)
Fortune - Paolo Gozlino
Ebenezer - Franco Pesce (Francesco Pesci)
Johannes Krantz - Andrea Bosic (Ignazo Bosic)
Gertrude Krantz - Linda Sini (Ermelinda Siniscalchi)
Father Victoriano Pacheco - Aldo Barberito
Yucca Sheriff - Fortunato Arena
Pablito - Ugo Adinolfi
Glock - Furio Meniconi
Butch - Claudio Ruffini
Slim - Freddy Unger (Goffredo Unger)
Krantz henchmen - Paolo Magalotti, Lero Rocco (Rocco Lerro), Sergio Smacchi
Mexican revolutionary - Lina Franchi
dead man - Janos Bartha (Janos Barta)
fake monk - Amerigo Santarelli
blonde outlaw - Luciano Rossi
with: Lino Coletta (Pasquale Coletta), Gaetano Scala, Aldo Berti

In Mexico, during the reign of Maximilian, a gunman named Alleluja is commissioned by the revolutionary general Ramirez to capture a bag of jewelry that the Emperor is sending the United States in exchange for weapons. Hallelujah is prepared to act not so much for the reward, but because he intends to keep the jewels for himself. However, many other competitors: Krantz, a shady arms dealer, a self-styled Russian prince, and a nun, which is actually a secret agent of the United States also want the jewels. Alleluja forms an alliance with the Russian and the nun to defeat the evil Krantz. After a violent confrontation with Krantz’s henchmen, Hallelujah and the Russian split the jewels, while the nun, whose mission was to identify and stop the weapons trafficking and receives a decoration from the U.S. government.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvqDbGKk8EM

Guess Who I Am

I’m an Italian actor who appeared in over 50 films among which were 9 Euro-westerns. Guess who I am.

In my westerns I acted under my real name and a pseudonym. Guess who I am.

I sometimes acted with a partner and we impersonated another famous acting duo. Guess who I am.

Chris Casey guessed this week's photo provided by Daniel Maier as Michael Coby (Antonio Cantafora).

New Winnetou Film in Production

There’s a new Winnetou film in pre-production by Dream Films, with filming to begin sometime this year in both Germany and the U.S.A. in 2012

Karl Mays Adventures: The Blood Brothers

A 2011 German production [Dreamfilms (?)]

Producer: Willi Kamarad, Hardy Laha

Director: ?

Story: ?

Screenplay: ?

Cinematography: Fred Schuler [color]

Music: Chris Weller

Running time: ?

Cast:

Peter Varn - Götz Otto

Mr. Rattler - Martin Semmelragge

with: Chris Howland, Anna Maria Kaufmann, Ralph Steiger, Dan van Husen, Ralf Wolter

Web page under construction - link http://www.winnetoufilm.de/

GUNMEN OF THE RIO GRANDE

Sfida a Rio Bravo - Italian title
Jennie Lee ha una nuova pistola - Italian title
Desafio en Rio Bravo - Spanish title
El sheriff del O.K. Corral - Spanish title
Duel a Rio Bravo French title
Pistoleros de Rio Grande - French title
Schnelle Colt fur Jennie Lee - German title
Duelo no Rio Bravo - Portuguese title
Mannen fran Rio Bravo - Swedish title
Duel at Rio Bravo - English title
Gunmen of the Rio Grande - U.S.A. title

A 1964 Italian, Spanish, French co-production [Flora Film, West Film (Rome), Llama Film (Madrid), SOC Nouvelle Pathe (Paris)]
Producers: Ike Zingarmann (Italo Zingarelli), Natividad ZorroDirector: Tulio Demicheli (Armando Rodruello)
Story: Chen Morrison (Chueen Morrison)
Screenplay: Tulio Demicheli (Armando Rodruello), Lionel Green, Gene Luotto (Eugenio Luotto), Chen Morrison (Chueen Morrison), Giovanni Simonelli, Natividad Zaro, Italo Znigarelli
Cinematography: Mario Capriotti, Guglielmo Mancori [Eastmancolor, Techniscope]
Music: A.F. Lavagnino (Angelo Francesco Lavagnino)
Running time: 100 minutes

Cast:
Wyatt Earp/Laramie - Guy Madison (Robert Moseley)
Jeannie Lee - Madeleine Lebeau (Marie Lebeau)
Clementine Hewitt - Carolyn Davys (Crodin Davis)
Pancho Bogan - Fernando Sancho (Fernando Les)
Zack ‘The Snake’ Williams - Gerard Tichy (Gerard Wondzinski)
Judge - Olivier Hussenot
Sheriff Leonardo ‘Leo’ Wynn - Massimo Serato (Giuseppe Segato)
Burton ‘Burt’ Spencer Carroll - Beni Deus (Venancio Deus)
Williams henchman - Alvaro de Luna (Alvaro Blanco), Roman Ariznavarreta
Mexican peon - Xan das Bolas (Tomas Pena)
Nino - Juan Santiago
with: Juan Majan, E. Maran (Evaristo Maran), Dario Michaels, H. Morrow (Hollis Morrow), Natividad Zaro, Pilar Vela (Maria Lorente), Claudio Scarchilli

Zac Williams will be the undisputed owner of all the mines in the area of Rio Bravo, if young Clementine is forced to sell the silver mine she inherited from her father. Williams can not tolerate the refusal of the girl and to achieve his goal using threats and violence. By means of a band of outlaws led by Mexican Pancho Bogan, he robs loads of silver from the mine, thereby forcing Clementine to borrow more and more. Jeannie Lee, owner of a local saloon, sends for an old friend Laramie, an expert gunslinger. Laramie is actually Wyatt Earp and with the help of the sheriff, who gives up alcohol for the sake of justice and Jeannie Lee, Laramy exterminates the gang of outlaws and before dying Pancho confesses that Zac is the one behind the thefts and killings.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t2ns2l24Is

New DVD release

Death Rides a Horse (1967)

Director: Giulio Petroni
Starring: Lee Van Cleef, John Philip Law
Label: Wild East
Volume 35
Aspect ratio: 2:35 Anamorphic 16x9
Language: English
Extras: U.S. trailer, U.S. TV spots, Interview with John Philip Law
Available June 14, 2011

Happy 85th Birthday Jesús Guzman

Jesús Guzmán was born on June 15, 1926 in Madrid, Spain. He spent his childhood in Barcelona, where all of his family were actors. Naturally Jesús followed in their footsteps and debuted on stage in 1935. He soon joined the Guadalupe Muñoz Sampedro theater group and toured Latin America. Returning to Spain he made his film debut in 1956's "Manolo, guardia Urban" directed by Rafael J. Salvia. Most of his film appearances were in comedies and his characters were always marked with a great deal of comic relief. His popularity reached its zenith in 1972 when he played Braulio the postman in Spanish TV’s "Crónicas de un pueblo" directed by Antonio Mercero. Later in his career he would focus on television and theater work founding his own stage company. Today Guzmán is still active and makes occasional appearances on TV’s "La hora de José Mota" as a little old pensioner. He also appeared in the 2010 film "El gran Vázquez". Guzmán appeared in 11 Euro-westerns among them, "The Implacable Three" (1963), "Up the MacGregors" (1967) "Santana Kills Them All" (1970) and "The Ballad of Ben and Charlie" (1971). He’s probably best remembered for his role in 1965's "For a Few Dollars More" as the traveling peddler who tells Colonel Mortimer, "This train doesn’t stop in Tucumcari." Today we celebrate Jesús Guzmán’s 85 the birthday.

RIP Peter Schamoni

Director Peter Schamoni has died.

Producer, director Peter Schamoni is inextricably linked with the comedy "Zur Sache, Schätzchen!" The film made in 1968 not only made him famous overnight, but also young actress Uschi Glas. Schamoni died today June 14, at the age of 77, in Munich, Germany. Schamoni was born on March 27, 1934, in Berlin, Germany. He had been in a Munich hospital for the past two weeks suffering from pancreatic cancer which was only diagnosed this past Easter. He continued with projects while undergoing treatment. Peter produced and directed more than 30 films and documentaries. He won six Federal Awards and five Bavarian Film Awards, a Silver Bear and an Oscar nomination. On January 16, 2009 he was awarded the Bavarian Film Award of merit for lifetime achievement. Peter is the son of actress
Maria Schamoni (Maria Vormann) [1906–1984], brother of cinematographer, actor Victor Schamoni [1932–1975], producer, director, writer, actor Thomas Schamoni [1936-2014], director screenwriter, actor Ulrich Schamoni [1939-1998]. Schamoni directed, edited and acted in the 1976 Euro-western "Potato Fritz" (aka "Montana Trap").

[Thanks to Dan van Husen for alerting me to Peter's passing.]