Remembering Richard Crenna

Richard Donald Crenna was born on November 30, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. He began his career when he was eleven years old, playing the dimmer half of two youngsters called Herman and Sam in the Los Angeles radio show "Boy Scout Jamboree". He stayed with the series on and off for seventeen years, doing hundreds of other radio shows in between and somehow managed to graduate from Belmont High School with letters in track and basketball. He then went on to earn a degree from the University of Southern California. Crenna went on to star in two early television hits, “Our Miss Brooks” (1952) and “The Real McCoys” (1957), but it was his role as the dedicated state legislator in the short-lived “Slattery’s People” (1964), which finally established him both as a dramatic actor and leading man. From that moment on, he was rarely absent from either television or motion pictures. In 1985, Crenna was awarded a TV Emmy for Best Performance by an Actor for “The Rape of Richard Beck” (1985). Crenna appeared in three Euro-westerns “Catlow” and “The Deserter” (both 1971) and “A Man Called Noon” (1973). Richard died on January 17, 2003 in Los Angeles. Today we remember Richard Crenna on what would have been his 85th birthday.

Remembering Eugene Walter

Eugene Walter was born on November 30, 1921 in Mobile, Alabama.  An  Author and Artist, some of his works include “The Socrates Monkey Seen Dancing in Midair”, “Midst Sun, Moon, Stars, and Field Flowers”, “Felix”, “Jenny the Watercress Girl”, “The Pokeweed Alphabet” and “Moments with Eugene” a book of prints of his artwork. Living in Rome during the 1960s and 1970s, Walter was a translator for Federico Fellini. For different film companies, he translated hundreds of scripts. He appeared as an actor in more than 20 feature films, notably as the American journalist in Fellini's “8½” (1963). For Fellini's “Juliet of the Spirits” (1965), he played the role of the Mother Superior and collaborated with Nino Rota on the song, "Go Milk the Moon" (cut from the final version of the film). Rota and Walter teamed again for the song "What Is a Youth" for Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet (1968). He also played the role of the priest in “The House with Laughing Windows” (1976). He appeared in two Euro-westerns “The Belle Starr Story” as Velvet Fingers and “Viva Django” (both 1968). Eugene died of liver cancer on March 29, 1998 in Mobile, Alabama. Today we remember Eugene Walter on what would have been his 90^th birthday.

Remembering Hans Nielsen

Hans Albert  Nielsen was born on November 30, 1911 in Hamburg, Germany. The son of a merchant he takes acting lessons with Albrecht Schoenhals  and make his stage  debut at the Hamburg Kammerspielen. After Kiel, Augsburg and Leipzig, he arrives in Berlin in 1937, after the Second World War he is seen on stage in Munich, Dusseldorf and West Berlin and also makes his film debut . In 1948, he begins making guest appearances in DEFA films. There he starred in the satirical film "Chemistry and Love" (1948), playing the chemist Dr. Michael Alland, who manages to produce from green grass, butter bypassing the cow. In 50 years, Nielsen's girth increased significantly, he then played influential businessmen,  lawyers, clergy, loving fathers, but also fat, sneaky types, even murderers. Then at only 53 year of age he dies of leukemia on October 13, 1965. Nielsen appeared in 7 Euro-westerns from “Bullets Don’t Argue” (1964) as Reverend Alavarez to “A Place Called Glory” (1965) as the mayor. He appeared in 1971’s “Prairie in the City” via the use of archive footage. Today we remember Hans Nielsen on what would have been his 100^th birthday.

KEOMA THE AVENGER

Keoma - Italian title

Mon nom est Keoma - Italian title

Keoma il vendicatore - Italian title

Keoma - Brazilian title

Caramba! - Finnish title

Caramba - paholainen kannoilla - Finnish title

Keoma - Melodie des Sterbens - German title

Keoma Ein Mann wie ein Tornado - German title

Keoma - Das Lied des Todes - German title

Coolman Keoma - German title

Keoma - Greek title

Med Satan i hälarna - Swedish title

Keoma - han kom för att hämnas - Swedish title

Keoma - Turkish title

The Violent Breed - English title

Django Rides Again - English title

Django’s Great Return - U.S.A. title

Desperado - U.S.A. title

Keoma the Avenger - U.S.A. title

A 1975 Italian production [Uranos Cinematografica (Rome)]

Producer: Manolo Bolognini

Director: Enzo G. Castellari (Enzo Girolami)

Story: Luigi Montefiore

Screenplay: Mino Roli (Emminio Pontiroli), Nico Ducci, Luigi Montefiore, Enzo G. Castellari (Enzo Girolami)

Dialogue: Nick Alexander [English]

Cinematography: Aiace Parolin [Eastmancolor, Techniscope]

Music: Guido & Maurizio De Angelis

Songs: “Keoma” sung by Sybl and Guy (Susan Duncan Smith & Cesare De Natale), “In Front of My Desperation” sung by Guy (Cesare De Natale)

Running time: 105 minutes

Cast:

Keoma Shannon - Franco Nero (Francesco Sparanero)

Lisa - Olga Karlatos (Olga Vlassopoulos)

George - Woody Strode (Woodrow Strode)

William Shannon - William Berger (Wilhelm Berger)

Caldwell - Donald O’Brien (Donal O’Brien)

Butch Shannon - Orso Maria Guerrini

Lenny Shannon - Antonio Marsina

Cham/Sam Shannon - John Loffredo

doctor - Leon Lenoir (Leopoldo Scavino)

‘The Witch’ - Gabriella Giacobbe

Confederate soldiers - Wolfgang Soldati, Massimo Vanni

brothel owner - Victoria Zinny

Caldwell henchmen - Ken Wood (Giovanni Cianfriglia), Domenico Cianfriglia, Arnaldo Dell Acqua, Roberto Dell Acqua, Angelo Ragusa, Riccardo Pizzuti

plague victim - Pierangelo Civera

saloon patron - Sergio Ruggeri

with: Alfio Caltabiano

 

Keoma, a half-breed Indian, returns to his native country after having fought in the Civil War. Unfortunately the situation is much changed: the town is in the hands of the evil Caldwell and everyone is against him except his stepfather and an old Negro friend. With the help of both the man tries to return things as they were before his departure, but will have to face-off with his stepbrothers.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGNBytXK4R4

50 Reasons why The Good, the Bad and the Ugly might just be the greatest film of all time

 

Cool article on why "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" just might be the greatest film of all time. Hard to argue against his reasoning.

link: http://whatculture.com/film/50-reasons-why-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-might-just-be-the-greatest-film-of-all-time.php

 

Who Are Those Guys - Hermann Basler

Hermann Siegfried Basler was born in Ludwigshafen, Germany on October 6, 1896. His claim to Euro-western fame was his starring role in the silent film three part series "Bull Arizona". Hermann was also a producer, director and screenwriter and co-wrote one of the Bull Arizona episodes along with his mother Mary and his father Adolf who was an assistant director. By the earlt 1920s his career in front of the camera was over, Hermann passed away on September 17, 1982 at Inning am Ammersee, Bavaria, Germany.

BASLER, Hermann (Hermann Siegfried Basler) [10/6/1896, Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany - 9/17/1982, Inning am Ammersee, Bavaria, Germany] - producer, director, screenwriter, cameraman, son of director Adolf Basler, screenwriter Mary Basler.
Bull Arizona - The Desert Eagle - 1919 (Bull Arizona)
Bull Arizona - Legacy of the Plains - 1919 (Bull Arizona)
Bull Arizona - The Heroine of the Prairie - 1919 (Bull Arizona)

Happy 70th Birthday Laura Antonelli

Laura Antonaz was born on November 28, 1941 in Pola, Istria, Italy. Her family was displaced and Laura finished her schooling in Naples graduating from the local ISPEF school. She moved to Rome where she was a physical education teacher for a short period of time. She began making television commercials for Coca Cola which led to small film roles beginning with "Il magnifico cornuto" in 1964. Now known as Laura Antonelli she received her first substantial part in 1969's "Venus in Furs" directed by Massimo Dallamano. In 1971 she reached international recognition appearing in "Il merlo maschio" with Lando Buzzanca when she won Italy’s Silver Ribbon for best actress. As her celebrity status grew she turned away from comedies and began a career in erotic films. In 1991 her career came to a halt when she was convicted of drug charges and sentenced to 3 ½ years in jail as a drug dealer. The sentence was appealed and she was later acquitted of all charges. In 1991 she starred in "Malice 2000" but it was a box-office flop. During the filming she began taking collagen which resulted in a disfiguration of her face. She sued the director and producer saying they forced her to take the injections. She won a court settlement of 30 million lire. This ruling was later overturned when it was found she had an allergic reaction to the treatment and was not forced to take them but did so of her own free will. Her mental condition had deteriorated because of the ongoing trial and she was admitted to a mental hospital. After several appeals Laura was awarded 108,000 euros in 2007. In 2010 actor Lino Banfir made an appeal to then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Minister of Arts and Culture Sandro Bondi for help as Antonelli no longer had the will to live. Laura appeared in only one Euro-western "A Man Called Sledge" as Maria in 1971 opposite James Garner. Today we celebrate the 70^th birthday of Laura Antonelli.

Spaghetti Western Locations

Continuing locations for "Duck You Sucker". As the train approaches Sean separates himself from Juan and his family by going to the far side of the track. When the train finally passes Juan finds only Sean’s horse with his hat over the horses ears. Sean has stolen a ride on the locomotive and has left the family behind. This location is further along the Hernan Valle line going towards Gaudix.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi ‘Garringo’ Yasuda’s excellent website: thttp://y-yasuda.net/

Kentina

Kentina - U.K. title

A 2010 British production [Damaged Goods Entertainment, Ivory Films (London)]
Producers: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Director: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick)
Story: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Screenplay: Michael J. Berwick (Michael John Berwick), Jon Smith
Cinematography: Jon Smith (color)
Music: Chris Matthews

Running time: 19 minutes

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

Garrett is a desperate man trying to escape his life as an outlaw to return to Emily, the girl he fell in love with, in the hope for a peaceful life. But his brother Red, and fellow bandits are not just going to let him leave the life he chose.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF-ydKbgGto

Remembering Pedro Hebenstreit

Erhart Hebenstreit was born on November 27, 1926 in Meiningen, Germany. He studied ballet and drama in school and made his debut as a dancer and an occasional appearance in the local theater. Later he became the principal dancer at the Leipzig Opera House and the first soloist at the Berlin Deutsche Staatsoper. In the 1960s he appeared in several ballets filmed for East German television. He became an actor in DEFA films and television where he often appeared as Italian, Spaniards, Armenians and Mexicans. He appeared in character roles in four DEFA East German westerns billed as Pedro Hebenstreit, "Apaches" (1973), "Kit & Co." (1974), "Blood Brothers" (1975) "Death for Zapata" (1976) and the 1987 Karl May TV film "Prairie Scout in Mexico". Pedro died on December 11, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Today we remember Perdo Hebenstreit on what would have been his 85^th birthday.

Happy 50th Birthday Raffaella Leone

Raffaella Leone was born in Rome, Italy on November 26, 1961. The daughter of director Sergio Leone [1929-1989] and the sister of actress Francesca Leone [1964- ] and producer Andrea Leone [1967- ] she would become a costume designer and appeared in only one Euro-western, her father’s "Once Upon a Time in the West" as one of the two girls seen at the Flagstone Railroad Station. Today Raffaella works as an executive assistant to the chief executive officer of Eni an Italian energy company. Today we celebrate Raffaella Leone’s 50^th birthday.

Happy 85th Birthday Ralf Wolter

Ralf Wolter was born in Berlin, Germany November 26, 1928. After visiting the Acting Academy in his hometown, he began his career in various theaters in and around Berlin. His penchant for writing and composing led him to the cabaret, which also brought him success in Hamburg. In 1951 his first film role came in the comedy "Die Frauen des Herrn S.". In most of Wolter’s films he was used as comedy relief. He played sappy butlers, etc. his characters were always just a character actr. Even after all these years he’s probably best remember as Sam Hawkens in the Karl May movies. In all he appeared in 13 Euro-westerns.With the end of the Karl May series, the highly successful features of the period his career expired. He appeared in several more films such as "Urlaubsreport" and five of the Roy Black film series. His roles in such films are often embarrassing.Regardless, he delivered in 1970 an outstanding performance in the Heinz Erhardt comedy " Was ist denn bloss mit Willilos?" a significant role as second major Felix Klein.Fortunately for Ralf in 1975 he focused primarily on the rising medium of television. He played roles in the series "Tatort" and "Der Alte". 1979 following his comeback as Sam Hawkens in the TV series filmed in Mexico "My Friend Winnetou" he played alongside Pierre Brice was followed by numerous television roles. He appeared again along side Brice in the Bad Segeberg Karl May Festival of "Winnetoy - The Legacy" in 1991. He then turned to theater work in Berlin and voice work in animated films and cartoons. Today we celebrate Ral Wolter’s 85^th birthday.

Happy 90th Birthday Tom Felleghy

Tamás Fellegi was born on November 26, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary. After studying acting and directing in Budapest he worked mainly in theater productions primarily as a director but once in awhile he would act in a particular role. In 1956 he fled Hungary with his wife, actress Liane Ger [19??-1990] and his friend János Barta (aka John Bartha) and the three ended up in Rome working at Cinecittà. No known at Tom Felleghy, he would go on to appear in over 200 films his parts were usually small supporting parts and even cameo roles. He usually played high ranking military officers, doctors, sheriffs, lawyers and town officials. He appeared in films until 1991 with his last credited film being "Voices from Beyond". During his long career he appeared in 32 westerns but is probably best remember for his role as Dr. Esson in Dario Argento’s "Cat o’Nine Tails" from 1971. Today we celebrate Tom Felleghy’s 90^th birthday.

Guess Who I Am

I’m an Italian actress born in Milan in 1943.

I appeared in 4 Euro-westerns.

Today I’m suffering with acute arthritis and am confined to a wheelchair.

Guess Who I Am.

Rex Lee correctly identified this week's photo as that Annabella Incontrera.

KARATE, FISTS AND BEANS

Storia di karatè, pugni e fagioli - Italian title
La ley del karate en el Oeste - Spanish title
Siete contra todos - Spanish title
Karatê, Murros e Feijão - Brazilian title
Du ka karate mig her og der - Danish title
Karatekauhu lännessä Karate - Finnish title
Fäuste, Bohnen und... Karate! - German title
Karate i vilda västern - Swedish title
Karate, yumruk ve Fasulye hikayesi - Turkish title
The Friendly One - English title
Story of Karate, Fists and Beans - English title
Karate, Fists and Beans - English title

A 1973 Italian, Spanish co-production [National Cinematografica (Rome), P.C. Balcazar (Barcelona)]
Producer: Sergio Borelli
Director: Tonino Ricci
Story: Alfonso Balcazar
Screenplay: Arpad De Riso, Giovanni Scolaro
English dialogue: Ted Rusoff
Cinematography: Jaime Deu Casas [Eastmancolor]
Music: Juniper (Guido & Maurizio De Angelis)
Running time: 92 minutes

Cast:
Sam - Dean Reed
Buddy Piccolo/Small - Cris Huerta (Crisanto Brieva)
Moikako Fujibashi - Iwao Yoshioka (Ivao Yoshika)
Colonel Randolf Quint - Alfredo Mayo (Alfredo Martinez)
Tired Finger - Pino Ferrara (Giuseppe Ferrara)
Ken Goldenhand - Sal Borgese (Salvatore Borgese)
farmer - Dante Cleri
Clint Goldenhand - Ángel Aranda
sheriff - Luis Induni (Luigi Radici)
Morgan - Renato Malavasi
Mexican dancer - Carla Mancini
Espartero - Fernando Sancho (Fermando Les)
‘Baby’ Morgan - Francesca Romana Coluzzi
Johnson - Gustavo Re
Freddy - Freddy Unger (Geoffredo Unger)
Espartero henchman - Franco Ukmar
with: Ivan Torres, Gaspar González, Irene d’Astrea, Claudio Ruffini, Antonio Almorós (Ramón Almorós) Ángel Lombarte

Sam and Buddy Piccolo, two highwaymen, go to a convent to find food, instead they find the golden hand of St. Quirinus missing and chase, Colonel Randolf Quint who is disguised as a guardian and has stolen the hand. They end up becoming allies with him when they find out he is working with the banker Morgan to rescue his kidnapped daughter held by Espartaco and his gang. The hand was going to be given to the kidnappers as ransom. Another plan was to have Tired Finger a forger make and sell fake dollars to Espataco but it does not succeed. The forger’s two sons Kent and Clint as well as a Japanese chef named Moikako join Quint, Sam and Buddy. The band enters the hideout of Espartero, with Sam posing as the famous "Brain" while Moikako proposes to capture the outlaw using his karate skills. Baby Morgan is liberated, by the band and Espartero is captured and imprisoned.

Happy 75th Birthday Matt Clark

Matt Clark was born on November 25, 1936 in Washington, D.C. The family moved to nearby Alexandria, Virginia where Matt was raised. After two years of active service in the U.S. Army he attended George Washington University studying drama with famed drama coach Herbert Berghof. He dropped out of college before graduating and worked numerous jobs including joining a local Washington D.C. theatre group. He later became a member of New York;s Living Theatre company and worked in off-Broadway and community productions during the 1950s. He also worked as a stage manager. His first credited film role was in "Black Like Me" in 1964. Matt would go on to become a highly respected character actor in more than 110 films and TV appearances including 30 westerns among which was one Euro-western "Kid Vengeance" (1977) as Grover. Matt’s last film appearance was in "Killer Diller" (2004). Matt was married to poet, actress and storyteller Erica Lann [1938- ] from 1958-1966. The couple had four children. Today we celebrate Matt Clark’s 75^th birthday.

Remembering Jeffrey Hunter

Henry Herman McKinnies, Jr. was born on November 25, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was an only child and soon the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he grew up. While still in high school, Henry acted on Milwaukee radio station WTMJ; which led to summer stock work and then to Chicago theater activity now using the name Jeffrey Hunter.

Hunter served in the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois 1945-1946. He then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he received a bachelor’s degree from the School of Speech. He continued his stage appearances and was featured in the 1949 film version of  "Julius Caesar", which starred Charlton Heston.

Attending UCLA on a scholarship, Hunter was spotted by Hollywood talent scouts while appearing in a school production of "All My Sons" in May of 1950. He made a screen test at Paramount, but was hired by 20th Century Fox where he made his first "mainstream" film appearance in Fox's "Fourteen Hours", a film which also served as the debut for Grace Kelly.

Over the next two decades, Jeffrey Hunter would show his versatility as an actor by starring or co-starring in a wide variety of movies – dramas, comedies, westerns, science fiction and war films. He often played the handsome decent, wholesome suitor or husband in domestic contemporary dramas and comedies of the period. This included such films as "The Searchers" (1956) with John Wayne, "King of Kings" (1961) where he played a memorable Jesus Christ. When his Hollywood career slowed he went to Europe and appeared in several Italian and international co-productions including four Euro-westerns starting with "Murieta" 1965, "The Christmas Kid" (1966), "Custer of the West" (1967) and "Find a Place to Die" (1968).

In 1969, while filming "Viva America!" in Spain, Jeffrey Hunter was accidentally injured in an explosion on the set. Soon afterward he began complaining of dizziness and headaches. He was briefly hospitalized upon his return to Los Angeles. Shortly afterward, on May 27th, 1969, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while on a stairway in his home. He fell and struck his head. He died during surgery to repair the skull fracture. Jeffrey Hunter was 42 years of age. Today we remember Jeffrey Hunter on what would have been his 85^th birthday.

Thanksgiving 2011

Happy 70th Birthday Pino Donaggio

Giuseppe ‘Pino’ Donaggio was born on November 24, 1941 in Burano, Italy. Coming from a family of musicians he began studying the violin at the age of 10. At the age of 14 he made his solo debut in a Vivaldi concert on Italian radio. His classical career came to an end in 1959 when he discovered rock and roll and made his singing debut with Paul Anka. He then began to write his own songs and became a prominent singer-songwriter. He took part in the 1961 Sanremo Festival with "Come sinfonia" which led to a string of successes including "Il cane di stoffa". His greatest success was with "Io che non vivo" in 1963, which sold 80 million records worldwide and was performed in English as "You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me" sung by Dusty Springfield and Elvis. Pino then began writing scores for films starting with "Don’t Look Now" a British Horror film (1973). He’s continued as a film composer working with Dario Argento and Brian DePalma. Donaggio has scored four Euro-westerns including "China 9, Liberty 37" (1978), "Oblivion" and "Backlash Oblvion 2", "Troublemakers" (all 1994) and "Il mio West" (aka "Gunslinger’ Revenge") (1998). Today we celebrate Pino Donaggio’s 70^th birthday.

Happy 45th Birthday Vincent Cassel

Vincent Cassel was born Vincent Crochon in Paris, France, on November 23, 1966. Born into an acting legacy -- his father was famous French actor Jean-Pierre Cassel, and the half-brother of actress Cécile Cassel [1982- ] Vincent initially hesitated pursuing a career in film and television. Instead, he was seduced by the glitz and glamour of circus school, which he entered at the age of 17. After dibbling in carnival studies for several years, Cassel made his acting debut in the 1991 French film "Les Cls du Paradis" (The Keys of Paradise). Though the role provided little press for the actor, Cassel hit the fast track to international stardom after joining forces with writer/actor/director Mathieu Kassovitz in 1993. The pair's first film, "Mtisse", an urban romantic comedy, featured Cassel as a Jewish boxer and the older sibling of Kassovitz. Quickly after "Mtisse", the two began working on a film that would garner Cassel notoriety, international awards and the title of hottest young actor in France. "Hate" (1995) told the story of three ghetto youths from different cultural backgrounds -- African, Arab and Jewish (Cassel) -- wandering the streets and suburbs of Paris. The film picked up several Caesars, the French equivalent of the Oscars, as well as the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. Vincent has been married to actress Monica Bellucci [1964- ] since 1999. Cassell has become one of France’s biggest stars and has gone on to appear in one Euro-western "Blueberry" (aka "Renegade" U.S.A.) and a small part in the 1994 French, Canadian co-production of TV’s "Blood of the Hunter". Today we celebrate Vincent Cassell’s 45^th birthday.

Happy 70th Birthday Franco Nero

Francesco Sparanero was born on November 23, 1941 in San Prospero, Parma, Italy. Along with Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Giuliano Gemma, Nero would go on to enrich the ranks of the legendary heroes of the spaghetti westerns. Although after "Django" (1965) directed by Sergio Corbucci, Nero proved he was able to pull off other more complex and demanding roles. After graduation he enrolled in accounting at the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, but interrupted his career to follow his preference to become an actor. He attended acting school at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. Later he moved to Rome to become a part of the film industry. Handsome, athletic, dark-haired, blue-eyed, still under his real name, Franco Sparanero, he debuted on the screen next to Annie Girardot and Rossano Brazzi, the protagonists of "La ragazza in prestito" (The Girl on Loan) directed by Alfredo Giannetti, (1964). While "Django" was being shown in Italian theaters, he was chosen by John Huston to play Abel (Cain was Richard Harris) in "The Bible" (1966). A great break that he did not miss, pledging to learn English in ten days. Then appearing in the musical legend of King Arthur, "Lancelot and Guinevere", which marked the 'beginning of his romance with Vanessa Redgrave. \pard plain With her they will have a son, Carlo Gabriel who today is a producer, director and screenwriter. Other films followed until he is one of the biggest stars in Italian cinema. During his ongoing career he has appeared in 17 Euro-westerns among which were; "Texas Addio", "The Brute and the Beast" (both 1966), "The Mercenary" (1967), "Companeros" (1970) "Keoma" (1976) "Django Strikes Again" (1987) and "Jonathan of the Bears" (1994). Nero and Redgrave were married in 2006 and Franco is still involved in films, producing, directing, writing screenplays and acting. Today we celebrate one of the greats of the Euro-western, Franco Nero’s 70^th birthday.

Remembering Giorgio Simonelli

Giorgio C. Simonelli was born on November 23, 1901 in Rome, Italy. After receiving his diploma in business, Simonelli became a journalist and began writing film critics in journals like Gente nostra and Avvenimento while still a young man. In 1928, at the age of 27, he collaborated with Nicola Fausto Neroni in directing "Maratona", and two years later he was among the writers of the first Italian film made with sound, "La canzone dell’amore", directed by G. Righelli. After serving as an assistant to both Righelli and Guido Brignone, by 1934 he was occupied mainly as an editor, working on films for directors like Pasinetti, Alessandrini, Mastrocinque, Gallone and others. In the same period he was appointed by Emilio Cecchi (the director of Cines) to produce the official film magazine of the company, which covered topical events of the previous year. In the 1940s he moved into directing, while still continuing his other activities, specializing in comedies and achieving some success with films starring the likes of Toto, the De Filippo brothers, Taranto, Rascek, Chiari, Tognazzi, Macario, Sordi and Fabrizi. He concluded his career with a series of films starring Franco & Ciccio. During his career he directed and wrote the screenplays for five Euro-westerns including "A Dollar of Fear" (1960), "The Magnificent Three" (1961) and three Franco & Ciccio westerns; "Two Mafiamen in the Far West" (1964), "Two Sergeants of General Custer" and "Ringo’s Two Sons" (both 1966). Simonelli died on October 3, 1966 in Rome, having made over 60 films, many of which were box office successes, and being an important figure in the establishment of the Italian film industry. He was survived by his son Giovanni (who became an extremely prolific screenwriter). Curiously, he also received a credit some 10 years after his death, as co-director of "Amici più di prima", a film made up of archive Franco & Ciccio footage.

RIP Robert Party

Robert Party, who played many supporting roles in film and television, died Sunday in Marseille at the age of 87. He started the theater in 1945 alongside Jean Vilar.

Party in the theater working with Robert Robert Hossein in "Julius Caesar" and "The Affair of the letter from Lyon" in 1985 and 1987. Follow "The Prince of Homburg" with Jacques Mauclair, "Eurydice" by Jean Anouilh, with George Wilson in 1991, "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw Bernard Murat in 1993 and again with Robert Hossein in "Angelique Marquise of the Angels" in 1995.

An actor known for his roles on television, Thierry la Fronde to the Tiger Brigades parallel to the theater, Robert Party has embodied to may for television roles. He played in "Thierry la Fronde" in 1966 and then in "The Adventures of Vidocq" where it is Fouche in 1971.

Roles remain the most emblematic Louis of Evreux in the series "cursed Kings" (1972), the Earl of Rhuys / Poker Ace in the series "Poker Aces" (1973) or his character in "The Brigades of the Tiger "(1978).

In film, his career took off in the 1970s. He toured with Rene Clement in "The Course of the hare through fields" (1971), with Luis Bunuel in "The discreet charm of the bourgeoisie" or Claude Pinoteau in "silent". He also shot four films with his friend Henri Verneuil, including "The Serpent" in 1972, "I like Icarus" in 1979, and "trillion" in 1981).

Party Robert finished his career by dubbing and synchronization of films including "The Lion King." He also lent his voice to the actor Leonard Nimoy in "Star Trek II". Party was the voice of Cesar in the 1994 animated western "Asterix Conquers America".

Who are Those Guys - Pasquale Basile

Italian actor Pasquale Basil first appeared on screen in the 1959 action film "Agi Murad il diavolo bianco" directed by Riccardo Freda. He continued to appear in Sword & Sandal and action films until his first appearance in a Spaghetti western with 1965's "The Two Sergeants of General Custer" starring Franco and Ciccio. During his acting career Pasquale was credited under several pseudonyms including Pasquale Negro and Pat Basil. In the 1970s he added Master of Arms to his resume as well as acting. His last appearance was in 1978's "Stunt Squad". Basile appeared in over 25 films among them ten Euro-westerns all as a supporting actor.

BASILE, Pasquale (aka Pat Basil, Pasquale Basil, Pasquale Negro) [193?, Italy - ] - master of arms.
The Two Sergeants of General Custer - 1965
Yankee - 1966 (Gold Teeth)
Heads or Tails - 1968
The Longest Hunt - 1968
Thompson 1880 - 1968 (Lucky) [as Pat Basil]
God Will Forgive My Gun - 1969
Chapaqua’s Gold - 1970 [as Pat Basile]
Zorro the Rider of Vengeance - 1971
Two Sons of Trinity - 1972 (Requiem)
Where the Bullets Fly - 1972

RIP Eva Monley

Eva Monley, a location scout, assistant director, production manager and, later, producer who brought her expertise on Africa to many films and worked with the likes of John Huston, John Ford, Otto Preminger, David Lean and Steven Spielberg, died at her home in Nanyuki, Kenya, on Nov. 12. She was 88.Born in Berlin, Germany on April 29, 1923, Monley escaped from Nazi Germany with her mother, landing at a farm in Kenya; over time she developed a detailed knowledge of the country and became fluent in Swahili. While working as a secretary in Nairobi, she picked up her first film job, as an assistant and script supervisor on 1950's "King Solomon's Mines," shot in Africa in the Belgian Congo, Kenya and Tanzania. After following that assignment with similar work on Huston's "The African Queen," she was soon frequently employed by American and British film producers shooting in Africa, including Hemingway adaptation "The Snows of Kiliminjaro"; "White Witch Doctor," with Robert Mitchum and Susan Hayward; and John Ford's "Mogambo." Monley also worked on films lensed outside Africa, such as 1955 Lana Turner-Richard Burton starrer "The Rains of Ranchipur" and George Cukor's 1956 "Bhowani Junction," both lensed in India, and on 1957 Hemingway adaptation "A Farewell to Arms," shot in Italy. Monley spent two years working as a location manager on Lean's epic "Lawrence of Arabia." Eva was a production supervisor on "El Condor" 1970 with Lee Van Cleef and Jim Brown.

Morricone in Love!

Greenwich Picture House

Thursday November 24, 2011, 8:30 p.m.

In a fusion of live music and cinema, f’eatre explore the haunting wordless female vocal and the psychedelic lounge trip of Ennio Morricone’s cult Italian ‘Giallo’ genre film scores of 1968-72. Expect a triptastic mix of hypnotic jazz rhythms, bossa beats, soaring soprano and avant garde expressionism – all to a stunning backdrop of the original film visuals. Think Alain Delon wrestling 6ft black eels on the Sicilian Coast, tranced out 60 yr olds in psychedelic orgies, lesbian dream sequences, beautiful women found dead in fridges...Yes, it's all sex and death in the wonderful world of Morricone in Love!

F’eatre are the extraordinarily talented Fiona Staniland (producer, chanteuse), long time collaborator, Nick Ramm (musical arrangements, keyboards), who team up with a superb group of musicians form the London jazz scene: Alex Keen (basses) Jon Scott (drums), Jon Gingell (guitars) and Gerry Hunt (clarinet, flute, sax, trumpet).

www.fionastaniland.com
www.myspace.com/fionastaniland

Prices:
£15 - Adults
£13 - Concessions
£12 - Members
Buy tickets online or on 0871 902 5732 (10p a minute from a landline)

[Thanks to Vicky Millington for giving me the heads-up on this event]

Justice of the Red Skin

Le justice du peau-rouges - French title
Justice of the Red Skin - English title

A 1908 French production [Pathé Frères (Paris)]
Producer: ?
Director: ?
Story: ?
Screenplay: ?
Cinematography: ? [black & white]
Running time: 155 meters

Cast: ?

An Indian and a somewhat corpulent little white girl are in a meadow where he helps her pick flowers. They see a stranger in search of his way. They go with him to an inn. The weary traveler sits down and invites the Indian to have a drink. The server holding that the inn has a lot of foreign money in then slips a drug into their drink and they fall asleep. The server wastes no time searching the pockets of the men, when suddenly the girl appears and gives the alarm. The server grabs her and strangles her to death then hides her body under a pile of straw in a nearby barn The child's parents arrive at the inn in search of their little girl. Seeing the two men asleep, they wake them to see if they have seen the child. The traveler then realizes he’s been robbed and accuses the Indian who protests his innocence and sets out to find the culprit. The traveler catches up and what follows is a fierce battle with the Indian the winner. He brings his prisoner bound hand and foot back to the inn. There he confronts the murderer after finding the victim's body and now a vigilante drags the miserable killer up a precipice and throws him into the stream which he hopes he will not come out alive.