In nome del padre, del figlio e della Colt - Italian tile
Bernabé Barta Barri was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary on August 16, 1911. Before entering films Barta was a dancer and circus performer. During a tour with the circus he fell in love with Spain and decided to settle there. He quickly found work in films as a character actor usually billed as Barta Barri or Barta Barry and once as New Fuzzy. He appeared in over 100 film and TV appearances starting in 1949 with "La familia Vila" and his resume included such films as "Brigada Criminal" (1950), "The Pride and the Passion" (1957), "Las Chicas de la Cruz Roja" (1958), "The Son of Captain Blood" (1962), "Estambul 65" (1965), "The Lost Command" (1966), "Nicholas and Alexandra" (1971), "The Three Musketeers" (1973) and "Serpiente de Mar" (1984). He appeared in 24 Euro-westerns. Usually playing supporting roles from town bosses to henchmen. Barry’s probably best remembered as the outlaw who discovers it’s Jonathan Corbett he and his companions have thought was another outlaw Gulick they are to meet in "The Big Gundown" (1967). Barta’s last appearance was in 1986's "Las tribulaciones de un Buda Bizco". Barri passed away on December 7, 2003 in Madrid, Spain. Today we remember Barta Barri on what would have been his 100th birthday.
Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg was born on September 29, 1931 in Malmö, Sweden. She was the sixth of eight children and worked as a fashion model. In 1950 at her mother’s urging Kerstin entered a local beauty contest and became Miss Malmö, Miss Sweden and then went to the U.S.A. to compete in the Miss Universe competition. Although she did not win Miss Universe she did sign a movie contract with Universal Studios where she appeared in 1953's "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" and was taken under the wing of Howard Hughes. Now known as Anita Ekberg she skipped most of her acting lessons to go horseback riding in the Hollywood Hills. She became a pin-up girl in the 1950s and she was offered films from other studios including Paramount where she was cast in "Artists and Models" (1955) "Hollywood or Bust" (1956) both starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. She toured with Bob Hope to entertain American troops stationed overseas which led to a contract with John Wayne’s Batjac Productions. Wayne cast her in "Blood Alley" (1955). In 1956 she went to Rome and appeared in "War and Peace". In 1960 Ekberg had her biggest role in Federico Fellini’s "La Dolce Vita", then "Boccaccio ‘70". Now at the height of her career she was married to British actor Anthony Steel from 1956-1959 then married actor Rik Van Nutter (1963-1975). Anita appeared in two Euro-westerns, "Deadly Trackers" (1972) with Richard Harrison, and also "Valley of the Dancing Widows" (1975) but her scenes were deleted from this films final cut.. Ekberg is now retired and living in Rome she appeared on an Italian radio show called Sommar in 2005. Today we celebrate Anita Ekberg’s 80th birthday.
The X International Short Film Festival "Almería en corto" will take place in Almeria on Monday December 5 to Friday December 9, 2011. The Festival is organized by the Diputación Provincial de Almería.
Félix Ángel Sancho Gracia was born on September 27, 1936 in Madrid, Spain. He grew up in Uruguay and went to the Municipal School of Drama. Sancho returned to Spain in 1962 and appeared on stage in of "Caligula" which went on tour. He made his first film appearance in 1962's "The Gold Diggers of 1930", followed by "The Other Woman" starring Annie Girardot. He then started a long career in Euro-westerns starting with "Murrieta" (1965) starring Jeffrey Hunter. Gracia appeared in twelve Euro-westerns where he did all of his own stunts so he was perfect for the role of Julián in 2002 "800 Bullets". Gracia had an encounter with Raquel Welch on the film "100 Rifles" and was fired. She claims he tried to rape her. During his film career Gracia continued to appear on stage and make TV appearances. He became a producer, director and screenwriter and is the father of actor Rodolfo Sancho [1975- ]. Today we celebrate Sancho Gracia’s 75th birthday.
Sergio Bonelli, historic publisher of Dylan Dog, Tex Willer and tens of other characters of the Italian comic strip, has died after a short illness. Sergio was born on December 12, 1932 in Milan and was the son of Gian Luigi Bonelli [1908-2001] creator of Tex Willer and founder of the publishing company Sergio Bonelli Editore S.p.A.. His first publishing activities go back to 1955, under the feminine pseudonym of Guido Nolitta, with the cartoon of ‘Un ragazzo nel Far West’ (A Boy in the Far West), illustrated by Franco Bignotti. After his father’s death he continued writing the Tex Willer comics. In the 1957 Bonelli it then assumes the direction of the publishing house called Arlado Editions, in order to give life in 1961 to ‘Zagor’. Bonelli also Il Giudice Bean' (Judge Roy Bean), a six adventure mini-series which Robert Hossein starred in the film (1971). In 1975 he created ‘Mr. No’. In 2008 he was awarded the Ambrogino d’oro by the city of Milan. In August of 2011 he was stricken by a sudden illness and was admitted to San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Lombardy, Italy where he passed away this morning. Sergio was a screenwriter on "Tex Willer and the Lord of the Deep" (1985) starring Giuliana Gemma.
Dans la poussière du soleil - French title
Martine Beswick was born on September 26, 1941 in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Her parents were English and after her schooling she pursued a career in modeling. As often erroneously recorded Martine was not a Miss Jamaica winner. Beswick gained fame as a Bond girl, appearing in "Dr. No" (1962) and "From Russia With Love" (1963). She would go on to appear opposite Raquel Welch in "One Million Years BC" (1966) and "Dr. Jekyyl and Sister Hyde" (1971). Martine appeared in two Euro-westerns, "A Bullet for the General" (1966) and "John the Bastard" (1967). Her career continued well into the 1990s in films and TV. Still active today she participates in documentaries and is often a guest at film conventions. Beswick never married dispelling another myth was that she was married to actor John Richardson. Today we celebrate Martine Beswick’s 70th birthday.
Karin Gregorek was born on September 26, 1941 in Wendorf, Mecklenberg, Germany. After attending the The Academy of Dramatic Arts "Ernst Busch" Berlin from 1961-1963 she apeared on stage in Dessau and Erfert, Germany. From 1976 - 1993 she appeared in many productions in Berlin’s Maxim Gorky Theatre. Karin also appeared in over 90 films and television programs in secondary supporting roles. Her first film appearance was in "Christine" (1963) and she continues making films, TV series and appearing on stage. Karin has made only one Euro-western "Death for Zapata" (1976) as Carlota. Today we celebrate Karin Gregorek’s 70th birthday.
Clair Huffaker was born on September 26, 1926 in Magna, Utah. Huffaker was a writer who penned western novels and screenplays. His sreenplays included such films as "Flaming Star" (1960), "The Commancheros" (1961), "Rio Conchos" (1964), and "The War Wagon" (1967). His TV scripts showed up on "The Virginian", "Lawman" and "Bonanza". Clair wrote screenplays for 3 Euro-westerns, "100 Rifles" (1969), "The Deserter" (1971), "Chino" (1973) and was thanked along with Sergio Corbucci in the 1995 film "Jonathan of the Bears" (1995). He is the father of novelist and actress Samantha C. Kirkeby. Huffaker died of an aneurysm on April 3, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. Today we remember Claif Huffaker on what would have been his 85th birthday.
Fritz Links was born on September 24, 1896. Trained by Albert Heine he begins his artistic career in 1919 at the New La Scala Theatre in Vienna, Austria, where he also was a director. before becoming a character actor at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. Links was prosecuted by the Nazis during World War II and this experience helped him convey certain roles to his audience in the years to come. He would then go on to appear radio, film and television. His most remembered film appearance was in the DEFA film "Das Tal der sieben Monde". He usually had small roles such as janitors, parking attendants and gravediggers. He even rides a horse in his only Euro-western "Tecumseh" (1972) before switching. to a more convenient carriage. Links passed away on April 18, 1976 in East Berlin, East Germany. Today we remember Fritz Links on what would have been his 115th birthday.
French film star, Paulette Dubost passed away on September 21, 2011 at the age of 100. appeared in more than 150 films during her 81 year career. She was a witty, naughty and clever comedienne in many French comedies of the 1930's. She also proved to be good in dramatic roles, such as Ginette in "Hotel du Nord" (1938) and Lisette in "La règle du jeu" (1939). Paulette Dubost was born Paulette Marie Emma Deplanque in Paris, France, on Ocotber 8, 1910. Her father was a petroleum engineer and her mother a singer at the Opéra Comique. Paulette began her career at the age of 7 at the Opéra de Paris. At 17, she switched to operetta and played for two years in "Les Aventures du roi Pausole" (The Adventures of King Pausole) at the Bouffes Parisiens with Simone Simon, Edwige Feuillère and Viviane Romance. Her naughty look and her voice were quickly noticed by film makers, and from 1930 on she played roles in films by Jacques Tourneur, Jean Renoir, Andre Cayatte, Gilles Grangier and Max Ophuls. In "Le Roi de Champs Elysses" (1935, Max Nosseck) she appeared opposite the famous silent film star Buster Keaton in a dual role. She played a supporting part in "Hotel du Nord" (1936), the second in Marcel Carne's trio of 'fatalistic romantic melodramas' starring Annabella and Jean-Pierre Aumont. Her most famous film from this period is Jean Renoir's "La Règle du jeu" (1939). Though it's now regarded as one of the great classics of the French film, it was not warmly received on its original release in 1939
Luisa Pasqualotto Baratto is an Italian actress who often used the pseudonyms Liz Barrat, Liz Barret, Luise Barret, Louis Barrett and Liz Barrtee. Although to the Italian film industry she was just another pretty face that flooded the film world in the 1960s she found stardom for a brief period in the mid to late part of that decade. Appearing in only 11 films she’s remembered for her roles in 1965's "Bloody Pit of Horror" with Mickey Hargitay and her roles in five Euro-westerns. Her last film was "Colpo de stato" in 1969. As far as I know she left the industry and her whereabouts are unknown.
Actor Nico Minardos, who appeared in films and television during a three-decade career and was the subject of a 2010 documentary, died of natural causes on August 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. He was 81. Minardos was a contract player at 20th Century Fox, making his first (uncredited) film appearance in 1952's "Monkey Business" with Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant. Film credits also include "Istanbul," with Errol Flynn; 1960's "Twelve Hours to Kill," in which he starred opposite Barbara Eden; "It Happened in Athens," with Jayne Mansfield; and 1977's "Assault on Agathon," which he produced and starred in with Marianne Faithfull and John Woodvine. Minardos also made appearances on dozens of TV shows starting in 1956. Credits included "Maverick," "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," "The Flying Nun," "Mod Squad," "Mission: Impossible," "Ironside," "Alias Smith and Jones" and "The A-Team." He was also the subject of Owen Prell's 2010 feature documentary "Finding Nico." Born February 15, 1930 in Athens, Greece, Minardos attended the Sorbonne in Paris and graduated from UCLA. He was briefly married to Deborah Jean Smith, who later married Tyrone Power. Minardos is survived by his second wife, Julie Minardos; son George Minardos; daughter Nina Aloni, who is married to CAA agent Dan Aloni; and three grandchildren. Minardos appeared in one Euro-western "Cannon for Cordoba" (1970) as Peter Andros.
Hans Philipp August Albers was born in Hamburg, Germany on September 22, 1891. He was the single biggest male movie star in Germany between 1930 and 1945 and one of the most popular German actors of the twentieth century. He studied acting before being called to service in World War I. After the war he moved to Berlin where he found work as a comedic actor in several theaters. Hans then appeared in silent films of which he made over 100. Albers appeared in the first talking German film "Die Nacht gehört uns" (1929). He became famous the following year in 1930 with his appearance "Der Greifer". When the Nazis came to power Albers and his Jewish girlfriend Hansi Burg moved to Bavaria. She then fled the Switzerland and eventually England in 1939 before being reunited after the war. In 1943 Albers appeared in one of his biggest German hits "Münchhausen" followed by another hit "Große Freiheit Nr. 7". After the war it became more difficult to find and he began to take father-figure roles. By the 1950s his age began to show and he began to drink heavily. During his heyday he also embarked on a singing career with many of his songs about drunken, womanizing sailors on shore-leave with his most famous song being "Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins". Albers appeared in two Euro-westerns, "Water for Canitoga" (1939) and "Jonny Saves Nebrador" (1953). Albers died in Stamburg, Germany on July 24, 1960. Today we remember one of the great German actors Hans Albers on what would have been his 120th birthday.
Teresa Gimpera Flaquer was born on September 21, 1936 in Iqualada, Catalonia, Spain. She was a model whose popularity led to her film career. She was the 1969 winner of the Miss European Lady contest. Teresa appeared in over 100 films and TV appearances including four Euro-westerns: ""Wanted" (1967), "$20,000 for Seven" (1969) "The Legend of Frenchie King" (1970) and "Those Dirty Dogs" (1974), before marrying American actor Craig Hill [1926- ] in 1990 and starting her own modeling school. Teresa recently appeared with her husband Craig Hill at the 2011 Almeria Western Film Festival earlier this month. Today we celebrate Teresa Gimpera’s 75th birthday.
Carla Calò was born on September 21, 1926 in Palermo, Italy After appearing on stage for several years she made her film debut in 1949's "Il falco rosso". She then became a member of actor Toto’s stock company appearing in many of his films. Since then she has devoted her career to films. Most of her films were ‘B’ entries where she sometimes had the lead role. Carla has made appearances in over 100 films and on television. She appeared in six Euro-westerns sometimes using the alias Carol Brown and Carrol Brown from "Zorro in the Court of Spain" (1962) to "A Taste of Vengeance" (1969). She’s probably best remembered by Spaghetti western fans for her role as Rhonda Liston the mother of the Anthony Steffen and Gianni Garko characters in "Blood at Sundown" (1966). Carla’s last documented appearance was in an Italian/Polish TV co-production of "Inferno Below" (2003). Today we celebrate Carla Calò’s 85th birthday.
The First Almeria Western International Film Festival a week ago was held in Tabernas and served to honor the work of Saturno Cerra and a few other supporting actors who helped to strengthen the roots of the province’s western movies. Actors and the big stars appeared in numerous spaghetti westerns filmed in the deserts of Almeria. A natural setting for the return of Saturno Cerra forty years after his first trip. It was in 1965 when, newly arrived from Brazil to see his mother in Sebreñu, he was told what was happening in Almeria. "I traveled to get there and was hired to work on my first western," he recalled. That film was called "7 guns for the Mac Gregors".. His role was that of Johnny MacGregor, "a cowboy who was studying theology but who also knew how to draw his revolver." 
That first script only had fifteen minutes of film time, but in the sequel, "Up the MacGregors" I worked from start to finish. This is work that he is most proud of, but he also appeared in major films such as "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"and "Once upon a time the West". In the latter film he appeared alongside Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson. "I was in make-up every day with Claudia Cardinale, although she arrived in her limo and we were in the car of the production company," recalls the Cerra. Still, the role of which he has the best memory of is Johnny MacGregor, "with his blond hair, wide-brimmed Sombrero, gun and Bible in hand." 
Saturno Cerra is considered a western addict because this was the genre that opened the doors of the cinema in Spain. He had previously worked on numerous films in Brazil, but his dream was to "wear pistols, put on my hat and ride on a horse." He did so in countless movies. Many were shown only in Spain, but others were sold by the Italians to foreign countries. "In fact, during the festival I met a Japanese guy who traveled to Almería specifically to participate in this event and brought a photograph that he showed me and asked me to autograph it. It was wonderful," he said. There, on the set of Fort Bravo also found a stuntman, "the grandson of Juan el Gitano (John the Gypsy)." 
Sartana non perdona (aka Sonora) 
Raffaele Celeste Rosso was born on September 19, 1926 in San Michele Mondovi, Italy. At first a jazz performer with several bands and orchestras including Cynic Angelini. He decided to launch a solo career and signed a recording contract with Titanus and recorded on the Durium label. His first album The Ballad of the Trumpet found success when launched in 1961 and in 1963 he appeared on Piero Umiliani’s soundtrack for "L’amore difficile" in 1963 on the track "Love Lane 43". His big break came when he recorded "Il Silenzio" a version of TAPS. His version was recorded at a concert at Palaeur in Rome in front of a military audience and the reception was explosive. The recording sold 10 million copies and was most popular in Northern Europe and Japan where he made several tours. Rosso plays "Il Silenzio" in the Euro-western "A Fistful of Songs" (1966). He became a much requested soloist for composers especially during the Spaghetti western era. He appears as one of the battling trumpets on Morricone’s "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966) main theme as well as "Little Rita of the West" (1967) where he also appears as an actor serenading Django as he rides into town. Along with Michel Lacarenza, Rosso was considered one of the best trumpet players in all of Italy. He passed away from lung cancer on October 5, 1994 in Rome. Today we remember the legendary trumpet player Nini Rosso on what would have been his 85th birthday.
Vincenzo Tempera was born on September 18, 1946 in Milan, Italy. Vince is a keyboardist and arranger. He’s best remembered by Euro-western fans as one-third of the composing trio Bixio, Frizzi and Tempera with co-composers Fabio Frizzi [1951- ] and Franco Bixio [194?- ] He began his career in 1966 playing with the Italian band ‘The New Era’. He would play barefoot and jump on the piano ala Jerry Lee Lewis. In 1970 he joined ‘The Pleasure Machine’ and did their arrangements. In 1974 along with guitarists Mario Lavezzi and Albert Radius, with bass player Bob Callero and drummer John Dall’Aglio they formed the group ‘The Flight’. At the same time under the pseudonym Andre Carr he released several 45 and 33 rpm records for Harmony Records. During the late 1970's he worked with Frank Sinatra at his live concerts. In 1978 he receive a gold record for "Atlas Ufo Robot". Still active today we celebrate Vince Tempera’s 65th birthday.
Enrico Maria Salerno was born on September 18, 1926 in Milan, Italy and is remembered for his work in Italian theater and film as an actor, director and voice dubber. He was the Italian voice of Clint Eastwood in the Sergio Leone ‘Dollar’ series and the voice of Christ in "The Gospel According ro St. Matthew" by Pier Paolo Pasolini. In 1960 Enrico founded the stage company Nuova Compagnia degli Associati. He appeared in four Euro-westerns: "Death Walks in Laredo" (1966), "Bandidos" (1967), "Death Sentence" and "A Train for Durango" (both 1968). In 1970 he made his film debut as a director with "Anonimo Veneziano" which won the Italian Academy Award. Salerno passed away on February 28, 1994 in Rome, Italy. Today we remember Enrico Maria Salerno on what would have been his 85th birthday.
Rossano Brazzi was born on September 18, 1916 in Bologna, Italy and is usually remembered as the star of such American film classics as "South Pacific", "Summertime" and "Three Coins In The Fountain". What we fail to realize is just how truly international and extensive his career was. He was a hugely popular stage and screen actor in his native Italy for well over a decade before his first American film, considered at a very early age to be one of the best and brightest young stars of the Italian theater. He then astonished critics and public alike, at the age of twenty-four, with his electric film portrayal of a middle aged Edmund Kean in Dumas' "Kean", and delivered a critically acclaimed and award-winning performance in the Italian film classic "Noi Vivi/Addio Kira" ("We The Living/ Goodbye Kira") two years later. He starred in at least twenty-eight films before arriving in the United States in 1939 to do "Little Women". Among his films were "Tosca", as Mario Cavaradossi," I due Foscari" as the young Jacopo Foscari, "Una donna dell'ovest" ("Girl of the Golden West"), which many consider the first Italian western, and the enormously popular "Aquila nera" ("Black Eagle") series. He made films in France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Great Britain. Brazzi starred in several popular telenovelas and TV movies in Italy and at least two European (and one American) television series. In his 55-year career, he acted in and/or directed over 230 films, as well as maintaining a presence in Italy as an accomplished stage actor. Beside’s his appearance in "Girl of the Golden West" (1942) he also appeared in 1971's "Drummer of Vengeance". Brazzi died from a neural virus the day before Christmas in 1994. Today we remember Rossano Brazzi on what would have been his 95th birthday.
