Guess Who I Am

I’m an Italian actress born in Flori, Italy in 1939.

 
I appeared in over 100 films and TV series from 1955 – 1985.
 
I appeared in 17 Euro-westerns.
 
Guess who I am.

Alvin Brickrock identified this week's photo as Roalba Neri.

Jonny Guitar Screening

In conjunction with Opera North’s American Routes season, Lee Broughton will introduce a screening of Nicholas Ray’s atypical Western Johnny Guitar (1954). 

 
The screening will take place at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds at 7:30pm on Saturday the 1st of February 2014.
 
Lee’s introduction will take the form of a paper titled 'The curious case of Johnny Guitar (1954): female gunslingers and musical cowboys'. 
 
For further information, please see this page: http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/har-johnny-guitar

Announcing Dulaney Film Production

Actor John Dulaney, his wife Jojo, Dave Bruns and Don Gordon Bell have started and new Film Production Company in Manila.

DULANEY FILM PRODUCTION and COORDINATION SERVICES
 
TURNKEY OPERATION with HOLLYWOOD-STYLE QUALITY and RELIABILITY! AMERICAN OWNED AND OPERATED!
COMPLETE PRODUCTION COORDINATION, Unit production manager (UPM), Line producers etc.
 
TOTAL SUPPORT

We support out of town and international producers and production companies when shooting in the Philippines and offer PROFESSIONAL SECURITY for your personal safety!

 
Run by Americans with decades of experience filming around the world we offer:
 
PUNCTUALITY!

RELIABILITY!

ZERO DEFECTS!

ACCURACY!

RESPONSIBILITY!

 
Others cannot provide what we do. We Care that Much!
 
You don't like waiting hours or days for people to show up?

You don't like your simple instructions to be misunderstood and find chaos on your set?

You don't like the local systems of bribes, scams and poor work ethics costing you money, delays and madness?

You are tired of screaming and fed up with frustrations?

 
That is why we were CREATED for YOU!
 
LOGISTICS

Housing and Catering and everything in between across the 7,107 Islands!!

 
PRE-PRODUCTION

Script Breakdowns to Call Sheets, Translations (we speak English,Italian, Spanish, French, German and Tagalog), re-writes Original Screenplays etc.

 
LOCATIONS

We can help with finding and scouting locations, obtaining permits and everything else that you may need for your shoot.

 
RENTALS

We can supply all your filming equipment for your production, studios, and post production suites to facilitate your production away from home.

 
DCP CREATION

We provide full service DCP creation of high quality Digital Cinema Packages, with or without

encryption.

 
CGI Artists!
 
PARTNERS

We have an extensive network of partners in the Philippines and around the world.
 
JPDULANEY@GMAIL.COM +63-905-363-7895 WACK WACK TWIN TOWERS, MANDALUYONG, MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Happy 80th Birthday Véra Valmont

Véra Valmont was born on January 1, 1934 in Argenteuil, Île-de-France, France. Véra began her film career in 1957 when André Hunebelle hired her to appear in “Casino de Paris”. She also appeared in stage roles throughout France, Germany and Italy. At the beginning of her career she participated in comedy films such as “Taxi, Caravan and Corrida” (1958) directed by André Hunebelle starring Louis de Funès. Valmont has appeared in over 20 films from 1957 to 1975. In the 1960s she turned to erotic or pornographic movies and finished her career in 1975. Véra appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Gunfight at OQ Corral” (1974) and “Lucky Lucky and the Daltons” (1974) as Maureen O’Lala.

 
Today we celebrate Véra Valmont’s 80^th birthday.

Remembering James Franciscus

James Grover Franciscus was born in Clayton, Missouri, to Lorraine and John Allen Franciscus, who was killed in action during World War II. In 1957, Franciscus received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and theatre arts from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from which he graduated magna cum laude.

 
His first major role was as Detective Jim Halloran in the half-hour version of ABC's ‘The Naked City’ television series (1958-1959). Franciscus guest starred on such TV series as ‘Whirlybirds’, ‘Father Knows Best’ and ‘The Rifleman’ (all 1959), ‘Wagon Train’, ‘The Deputy’ and Rawhide’ (all 1960), ‘The Americans’ (1961). CBS soon cast him in the lead in the 13-week series ‘The Investigators’ (1961). He played the insurance investigator Russ Andrews, with James Philbrook as a co-star. He appeared in a few feature films and television programs throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
 
Franciscus is best-remembered for his title roles in NBC's ‘Mr. Novak’ (1963–65) and ABC's ‘Longstreet’ (1971–72), and for his vocal performance in the big-screen version of Jonathan ‘Livingston Seagull’ (1973). Along with Lloyd Bridges, he served as host as the syndicated real-life adventure series ‘Waterworld’, which aired from 1972 to 1975. In 1976, he starred in his fifth television series, the short-lived ‘Hunter’ (as a secret agent).
 
His feature films in the 1960s and 1970s included such titles as “Youngblood Hawke” (1964), “Snow Treasure” (1968), “Marooned” (1969), his only Euro-western “The Valley of Gwangi” (1969) “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970) “The Amazing Dobermans” (1976), “The Greek Tycoon”, “City on Fire” (1979) and “When Time Ran Out” (1980).
 
Over the years, Franciscus found film work with Italian cinema. In 1971, he accepted the lead role in Dario Argento's second film, “The Cat o' Nine Tails”. In 1979, he appeared in Antonio Margheriti's “Killer Fish”, and in 1980 he starred in director Enzo G. Castellari's Jaws-inspired “Great White”. When less important roles were offered, Franciscus turned to writing screenplays and producing. In 1991, the year of his death, he worked as an associate producer and screenwriter on the movie 29th Street starring Anthony LaPaglia and Danny Aiello; it was his final project. He died in North Hollywood, California on July 8, 1991.
 
Today we remember James Franciscus on what would have been his 80^th birthday.

RIP Aiché Nanà

Actress and belly dancer Aiché Nanà  died at the Aurelia Hospital in Rome last night January 29^th from complications of a disease from which she suffered for a long time. Turkish, although in biographies claim she was a native of Beirut, Lebanon would have turned 78 in February of this year. She was best known for the noise that was made​​, in 1958 during the  time of dolce vita, when she did an impromptu striptease in a restaurant in Trastevere, Rugantino, attended by several Italian and foreign celebrities of the time. Nanà appeared in four Euro-westerns: The Sheriff Won’t Shoot – 1965 (Desiree Vermont), Thompson 1880 – 1966 (Fanny), Gun Shy Piluk  - (Daisy Sugar Candy) and "A Wreath for the Bandits" (both 1968) 

Texas Jack's Todesritt

Texas Jacks Todesritt – German title
 
A 1920 German production [C.B. Film (Ludwigshafen)
Producer: Carl Becker
Director: ?
Story: ?
Screenplay: ? 
Cinematography: ? [black & white]
Running time: 962 meters
 
Cast:
Texas Jack – Carl Becker

The Texas Jack film series was based very loosely on the life of Jack Burwell "Texas Jack" Omohundro, a friend of Buffalo Bill and member of Buffalo Bill´s (William F. Cody) and Wild Bill´s (James B. Hickok) Wild West Circus. Omohundro died at young age. He was only 33-years old.

Remembering John Ireland

John Benjamin Ireland was born on January 30, 1914 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. he lived in New York City from the age of 18. There he started out in minor stage roles on Broadway. A tall, lean former professional swimmer who once performed in a water carnival, he appeared on Broadway and toured in Shakespeare in the late 1930s and early 1940s before entering film in the mid-1940s.

 
He made his screen-debut as Private Windy in the 1945 war film “A Walk in the Sun”, followed by “Wake Up and Dream” (1946). A supporting actor in several notable Westerns including John Ford's “My Darling Clementine” (1946) and Howard Hawks' 1948 film “Red River”. Having a lead in small noirs like “Railroaded!” (1947), Ireland was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his forceful performance as Jack Burden in “All the King's Men” (1949), making him the first Vancouver-born actor to receive an Academy Award nomination.
 
Occasionally his name was mentioned in tabloids of the times, in connection with much younger starlets, namely Natalie Wood, Barbara Payton, and Sue Lyon. He attracted controversy by dating 16-year-old actress Tuesday Weld when he was 45.
 
From 1960–1962 he starred in the British television series ‘The Cheaters’, playing John Hunter. By the mid-1960s, he was seen as the star of B-movies such as ‘I Saw What You Did’, In 1965, he played role of Jed Colby, a trail scout in ‘Rawhide’. In 1967, he appeared on NBC's ‘Bonanza’. A few years later he appeared on ‘Little House on the Prairie’.
 
Ireland was seen in Italian productions like “The House of the Seven Corpses” (1974), “Salon Kitty” (1976) and “Satan's Cheerleaders” (1977). He also appear in big-budget fare such as “The Adventurers” (1970) and “Farewell, My Lovely” (1975). He was seen in the War of the Worlds episode "Eye for an Eye" in 1988.
 
Ireland regularly returned to the stage throughout his career and co-directed two features in the 1950s: the acclaimed western drama “Hannah Lee” (1953) and the carjacking B-movie “The Fast and the Furious”.
 
Ireland appeared in 13 Euro-westerns from “Hate for Hate” with Antonio Sabato in 1967 to “Garden of Venus” in 1981 with Chuck Connors.
 
John retired and moved to Santa Barbara where he owned a restaurant named Irelands. Here he died on March 21, 1992 of cancer.

Today we remember John Ireland on what would have been his 100^th birthday

Remembering Andres Mejuto

Severino Andrés Mejuto was born on January 30, 1909 in Olivenza, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. At fifteen years-old he makes his debut in the world of theatre, and in 1931 starred for the first time in a work: “Los cuernos de Don Friolera”. He then joined the company La Barraca of Federico García Lorca. At the end of the Spanish Civil War he moved to Argentina, where he joined the Society of Margarita Xirgu. This is the time when appeared in his first films, including in Argentina, “Inspiración” (1946), “El gran amor de Bécquer” (1946), “La copla de la Dolores” (1947) and “La barca sin pescador” (1950).

 
He returned to Spain in 1957, and continued his acting career in film, theater and television.
 
Mejuto appeared in some international titles such as “Chimes at Midnight” (1965), by Orson Welles and such Euro-western: “The Fury of Johnny Kid (1966), directed by Gianni Puccini, “Zorro the Lawman” (1969) directed by Rafael Romero Marchent, “A Bullet for Sandoval” directed by Julio Buchs, “Santana Kills Them All” (1970) directed by Rafael Romero Marchant and  “Those Damned Pounds of Gold” (1973), directed by Rafael Romero Marchent and “The Prey of Vultures” (1973) directed again by Rafael Romero Marchant. As for strictly Spanish films he appeared in “Sor Citroen” (1967), and “La escopeta nacional” (1978), by de Luis García Berlanga, along with other titles that allow you to display his dramatic talent.
 
During these years he also continued his stage career with appearances in “Don Juan Tenorio” (1956), by José Zorrilla, “Tiestes” (1956), by Séneca, “Proceso de Jesús” (1956), by Diego Fabbri, “Una muchachita de Valladolid” (1958), by Joaquín Calvo Sotelo, “Los años del Bachillerato” (1960), by José André Lecour, “El milagro de Anna Sullivan” (1961), by William Gibson, “Delito en la Isla de las Cabras” (1962), by Hugo Betti, “A Electra le sienta bien el luto” (1965), by Eugene O'Neill, “Oficio de tinieblas” (1967), by Alfonso Sastre, “Flor de Santidad” (1973), by Adolfo Marsillach, “1 La doble historia del doctor Valmy” (1976), “Jueces en la noche” (1979) both by Buero Vallejo, “Lisístrata” (1980), by Aristófanes, “El corto vuelo del gallo” (1980), by Jaime Salom, “El pato Silvestre” (1982), by Ibsen, “Tito Andrónico” (1983), by Shakespeare, “La Orestíada” (1990) by Esquilo and “Voces de gesta (1991), by Valle-Inclán, just seventeen days before his death.
 
He was also one of the actors seen in the early years of Spanish TV, with notable performances in dozens of works including ‘Study 1’, ‘Novela’, “Teatro de siempre”, ‘Hora once’ and ‘Los Mitos’.
 
On February 21, 1991 Andrés died from postoperative complications after gallbladder surgery.
 
Today we remember Andrés Mejuto on what would have been his 105^th birthday.

New DVD Release

Mannaja

(A Man Called Blade)

Director:

Starring: Maurizio Merli, John Steiner, Donal O’Brien
 
Label: Mustang Entertainment / CG Home Video
Region 2, PAL
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 (16:9)
Audio: Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 dual mono
Subtitles: Italian
Runtime: ca. 91 min
Extras: None
Available: January 21, 2014

Remembering Stefan Diestelmann

Stefan Diestelmann was born on January 29, 1949 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Stefan was a singer, guitarist, harmonica player, lyricist, composer and film producer. From 1961 to 1984 he lived in East Germany. He had years of practical experience, with intensive study of the forms of expression in the blues and jazz. He performed with such blues musicians as Louisiana Red, Memphis Slim, Alexis Korner and Phil Wiggins which helped make ​​him an accomplished blues musician. He later lived in Ammersee in Bavaria. In the Federal Republic, he was unable to repeat his success in the GDR. In the mid-1990s, he ended his musical career and founded the company Diestel Film, where he produced film presentations and documentaries.

 
Stefan appeared in only one Euro-western: “Sing, Cowboy, Sing” in 1981 with Dean Reed playing a saloon bartender.
 
Diestelmann died in obscurity on March 7, 2007 in Tutzing, Bavaria, Germany. He was only 58. The news was not released until 2012 nearly five years after his passing.
 
Today we remember Stefan Diestelmann on what would have been his 65^th birthday.

Remembering Enrico Simonetti

Enrico Simonetti was born on January 29, 1924 in Alassio, Liguria Italy. He lived in Brazil from 1952 to 1961 before returning to Italy and having his own television show, 'Excelsior', with great success.

 
His masterpiece is undoubtedly the famous music composed for the 1975 TV series ‘Gamma’, directed by Salvatore Nocita, which held the #1 spot on the record charts for many weeks, also in that same year he recorded Blue Frog. A musician of exquisite taste, Simonetti was also a great presenter and a lovable entertainer, able to elicit tenderness in adults and children with more interest in his 'tales' on the piano, which he played masterfully. He’s remember, in this regard, for such successful programs such as ‘Il signore ha suonato?’ (1966), ‘Lei non si preoccupi’ (1967) and ‘Aiuto è vacanza’ (1969) with Isabella Biagini, ‘L'amico della notte’ (1977) and ‘Non tocchiamo quel tasto negli’ in the 1970s. He slso headed the orchestral ensemble in several TV shows such as ‘Senza Rete’ with Ornella Vanoni, Canzonissima 1972 in 1972 and two in 1973 with Loretta Goggi and Alighiero Noschese. Subsequently he conducted the orchestra in the ‘Scuola serale per aspiranti italiani’ conducted in 1977 by Anna Mazzamauro .
 
Simonetti, also appeared as an actor in several films, including “Una ragazza tutta d'oro” in 1967, “Amanti” (1968), “Grazie... nonna” (1975) and in 1978 “Ridendo e scherzando”, which is his latest film and of which he is also the author of the soundtrack. In Euro-western music he appeared in the RAI made for TV movie, “Non cantare, spara” (Don’t Sing, Shoot) in 1968, along with Mina, in the role of a saloon pianist saloon. He scored the Euro-western “Bad Kids of the West” in 1973
 
Enrico died in a Rome clinic, from complications following surgery to remove a tumor in his throat.
 
His son Claudio Simonetti followed in his footsteps with great success, first in the 1970s with the band Goblin, especially when collaborating with Dario Argento for the unforgettable leitmotif of the film “Profondo rosso” (1975), and occasionally appearing with his father, and then as a composer of widely appreciated soundtracks.

Toay we remember Enrico Simonetti on what would have been his 90th birthday.

New DVD Release

Face to Face

Director: Sergio Sollima
Starring: Gian Maria Volonte, Tomas Milian, William Berger
 
Label: Cult Media
Region 2, PAL
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Audio: Italian Dolby Digital
Subtitles: Italian
ASIN: B00GYGUQYO
Available: January 21, 2014

Texas Fred's Brautfahrt

Texas Fred’s Brautfahrt – German title
 
A 1919 German production [Arnold and Richter (ARRI) (Munich)]
Producer: Arnold August, Robert Richter
Director: ?
Story: “Texas Fred” by Fred Stranz
Screenplay: Fred Stranz
Cinematography: August Arnold, Robert Richter [black & white]
Running time: 1112 meters
 
Cast:
Texas Fred – Fred Stranz
Cowboy - Bartani
With: Hanna Lierke, Paul Morgan (Georg Morgenstern), John Walter Lantzsch, Lilly Eisenlohr, Max Schreck, Inge van Heer, Gussy Fritz 

Story unknown. 

Who Are Those Gals? - Lidia Biondi

 

Lidia Biondi was born in Livorno, Tuscany, Italy on May 16, 1942. in Livorno at the age of ten, he began to study classical dance. It’s also in Livorno that she makes her first theater appearance with the "Centro artistico Il Grattacielo." She continues her dance studies at the school of Florence Daria Collins while obtaining a second degree at the art school in Lucca. She then enrolled at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, where she studied stage and costume design, but stops in her third year to begin her career in the theater as a classical dancer. In the 1960s Lidia moved to Rome, where she attended, on scholarship, the Experimental Center of Cinematography. During this period she actively participates in the avant-garde experiments and Roman theater, working with Giancarlo Celli, Simone Carella, Giorgio Marini (Dionysus Theatre), Silvano Bussotti, Domenico Guaccero, Alvin Curran, (New Consonance ) ... etc. . In 1968 she meets Bernhard De Vries, a young leader of the Dutch youth protest movement Dutch (Provos), with whom he has a son.

 
Sometimes credited as Lydia Biondi, she has taken part in more than 45 films since the 1960s. Among them she appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Death at Owell Rock” (1966) with Mark Damon and “Gunman of 100 Crosses” (1971) with Tony Kendall.
 
Biondi studied and worked for a long time with the Swiss mime Roy Bosier and in 1979 founded the first school of mime in Rome, MTM (Mimo Teatro Movimento). With MTM she conducts classes and produces shows in which she is engaged as an actress. In the meantime, she works as an actress and mime with numerous directors in Theatre, Television and Film (G. Cobelli, F. Enriquez, M. Parodi, R. Guicciardini, M. Gagliardo, F. Maestranzi, G. Amelio, F. Fellini, Pietrangeli, Steno, Saliva, Pasolini and Rossellini).
 
In 1981 she leaves Italy being hired by the famous company of Mummenschanz and accompanies them on a long world tour. Back in Italy in 1985, re-joining her association with MTM and Master Bosier  in the STUDIO THEATRE MTM laboratory carrying out an intense activity in the field of Performing Arts and Crafts movement. She also begins a long association directing, as a choreographer of mimic movements in Drama Theatre and Lyric Opera .
 
Meanwhile Lidia resumes her activities as an actress in cinema, television and theater.
 
In recent years she participated in several successful television dramas, among them ‘La Squadra’ (2000-2009), ‘Compagni di banco’ (2005), ‘Il bello delle donne’ (2001-2003), ‘Diritto di difesa’ (2004), ‘L'onore e il rispetto’ (2006), ‘Il Sangue e la Rosa’ (2008) and ‘Aldo Moro - Il presidente’ (2008).
 
In 2010 she had a part in the movie “Letters to Juliet” directed by Gary Winick, starring Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave and “Mangia prega ama” directed by Ryan Murphy, starring Julia Roberts.
 
Her most recent television project is “Un caso di coscienzaa” (2013), directed by Luigi Perelli while the film is “Sole a catinelle” (2013) with Checco Zalone.
 
Today Lydia Biondi lives in Rome, has a son, two grandchildren and three dogs.


BIONDI, Lidia (aka Lydia Biondi) [5/16/1942, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy -     ] - assistant director, dancer, stage, TV actress, founded MIMO [1979], mother of a son.
Death at Owell Rock - 1966
Guman of 100 Crosses - 1971

'Almeria Collection': Crisis in the Desert

Eight stories pay homage to the Eurowestern in 'Almeria Collection'

The film co-production between Spain, France, UK and Germany, will be shot this summer

 
The natural landscapes of Almería and villages of the West, key elements in the construction of the collective imagination of the genre known as euro-western, are the inspiration for ' Almeria Collection', a feature film to be shot in the province during the next summer.
 
Subtitled 'Crisis in the Desert', the film will consist of eight separate stories directed by filmmakers from four countries, similar to titles like 'Paris, je t'aime" and "New York, I love you structure ' ( dedicated to these two cities) and '11 '09 '' 01 ' (on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001) .
 
"There are eight different stories, united by the same stage and Almeria background, but with colors and different genres: from comedy to drama, through a current and fresh to the spaghetti western look", indicated in a press release responsible the project, which they describe as "original and ambitious" and, above all, seeks to pay tribute" to the stage where he invented a new way of making films in the sixties."
 
After ' Almeria Collection' there are five European producers: the Spanish MLK Producciones , the Village Productions 42 and Angevine French, British and German Pistachio Pictures Red Sun Pictures.
 
European heritage
 
The idea of ​​collective feature film, a tribute to some locations "that can be considered part of the History of Cinema and universal, especially, European film heritage," French born Jean -François Guillou, one of the producers and co-director of one of film segments. "I started to love the cinema watching spaghetti western. This way of filming, take your time, setting time and paralyzing situation is truly magical. Those movies gave us the opportunity to discover unexpected talents as Clint Eastwood. About nobodies allowed to cross the Atlantic to reach America to share artistic influences with people around the world. It was also a source of wealth for Spain and particularly Almería" he explains.
 
Guillou also regrets the abandonment of these scenarios when the genre went into decline in the early seventies. "From there I felt the need to refresh the landscapes so carefully filmed directors like Sergio Leone," said in a statement.
 
For his part, José Antonio Hergueta Malaga, MLK Producciones, notes that the filmmakers that will be behind the camera in each of the stories" rediscover those scenarios proposed, even decadence "in a movie" that celebrates the beauty" and is "a tribute to Almeria and its relationship to the film."
 
New values
 
To choose the eight stories that make up 'Almeria Collection', producers valued "both the quality of the proposed scripts" and "originality and variety," and the fact that it is "Europe's young talent about to make the leap to film," the statement said.
 
Among the directors selected three Spaniards: Fabien Oliva (who directed the episode
'Collectors'), Pau Bacardit Gallego (which filmed 'The Waltz') and Daniel Martin Novel (which will do the same with 'Indians'). Rounding out the roster French Lazard Timsit ('Final Witness'), Alexis Chevalier ('Trapped in Paradise'), Jean-François and Vincent Guillou ('9 o'clock pm') and Marc Lahore ('Belle George') and the British Timothy Bricknell ('Once Upon a Time in Almeria').
 
'Almeria Collection' will have a budget of one million Euros and has distribution undertakings (including circuit Europa Cinemas rooms) and some European festivals, which televisions and support of European institutions will be added, some already committed.
 
The premiere is scheduled for January 2015.
 
There will be a casting call for different roles
 
Makers ' Almeria Collection' have opened the receipt of nominations for casting, which will take place this spring. Interpreters for the many roles which include eight stories of the film, with a variety of roles are sought.
 
You can consult the full list of characters that are searched on the web www.mlk - producciones.blogspot.com. Actors of all ages are needed, from babies to men and women around seventy.
 
Applicants should send their CV and photographs by email to proyectos@mlk.es crisesinthedesert1@gmail.com and directions.
 
The deadline for nominations is open until 28 February.

Happy 80th Birthday Jaime Jesus Balcazar

Jaime Jesús Balcazar was born on January 27, 1934 in Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain. The brother of producer, director, screenwriter Alfonso Balcazar [1926-1993]. Less productive than his older brother as far as directing and writing he was in charge of the dubbing end of the family’s production company for eight years. He debuted as a director in 1964 “El filo del miedo”. The first Euro-western he directed was “The Man from Oklahoma” (1964). This was followed by “$4.00 for Revenge” and “Sunscorched” which he co-directed with star Mark Stevens. Blacazar also wrote the screenplays for several Euro-westerns including “Gentleman Killer” and “Professionals for a Massacre” (both 1967), “Sartana Does Not Forgive”, “Thompson 1880” and “Twice a Judas” (all 1968). Jaime then abandoned the western and began to film thrillers such as “El hombre del puño de oro” and then “Occhio per occhio, dente per dente” with Tomas Milian both in 1967. This was followed by “Españolear” (1969). He then turned to the fictional erotic films several which were made in collaboration with the German director Hubert Frank.

 
Jaime ended his career in 1986 with his last film “Il miele del diavolo” for which he was a screenwriter.
 
Today we celebrate Jaime Jesús Balcazar’s 80^th birthday.

Remembering Juan De Landa

Juan Crisóstomo Pisón Pagoaga y Landa was born on January 27, 1894 in Motrico, Gipuzkoa, Spain. He spent his childhood traveling with his family, living in Mutriku, Paraguay and Argentina, which was a clear premonition of his later career as a nomad. His early inclinations led him into the world of music.

 
He gave several concerts in Europe as a tenor in 1929 and went to New York with the intention of singing at the Metropolitan Opera House. He had a letter of recommendation from the painter Zuloaga diva Lucrecia Bori, but the project was unsuccessful. Hollywood at that time were shooting Spanish versions of hits of American cinema and so he went to California in search of fortune. The trip was an ordeal because the aspiring actor had no money and had to cross the country like a vagabond. Once in Hollywood after many hardships, he got a screen test. This time he was lucky and was hired as an actor in American versions of hit movies that were made for the Spanish-speaking market. His first work, was sharing the limelight with actress Conchita Montenegro San Sebastian and the cinematic genius Buster Keaton, with whom Juan de Landa developed a friendship he appeared in “De frente, marchen” (1930) by Edward Sedgwick. His most important role came in “The Presidio” (1930) by Ward Wing. This was a Spanish version of “The Big House” (1930) by George Hill. In principle Juan de Landa he had been assigned a secondary role but he insisted on playing Buck, the role he had done in the original version by Wallace Beery. Cecil B. Mille accepted and Juan de Landa scored a big win in Spain and in South American countries with this film. Even Hollywood Review surrendered to the interpretation of the Basque actor. After working in other movies like “Last Night” (1931) by Chester M. Franklin, “Bitter Fruit” (1931) by Arthur Gregor, “El proceso de Mary Dugan” (1931) by Marcel de Sano. The shooting of Spanish versions were discontinued and Juan de Landa returned victorious to Spain.

After the Spanish Civil War, a harmony developed between the fascist government of Franco and Mussolini that led to, among other things, Spanish-Italian co-productions, Juan de Landa, ever adventurous initiated another phase of his career in Italian cinema. He worked in several films, but his most important role at this stage came with “Ossessione” (1942) a starring role shared with Massimo Girotti and Clara Calamai. This is the first work of the genius Luchino Visconti and one of the precursor films of Italian neorealism. In 1944 he returned to Spanish cinema. He was already established as an extremely popular actor. Yes, physically, plump and portly this presence prevented him from receiving starring roles and relegated him to some extent to secondary characters. He proved to be a character actor of great talent. After participating in several Spanish films he returned in 1950 to Italian cinema. In this second stage of Italian films he came to work with John Houston in “Beat the Devil” (1953). In 1956 he returned to Spain definitely acting in four films. His character of Mephistopheles in “Faustina” (1957 ) by José Luis Sáenz de Heredia was his last performance.

 
Juan appeared in two Euro-westerns, the Spanish language version of “Last of the Vargas” (1930) and “The Dream of Zorro” (1951)/
 
Juan de Landa died in Motrico, Gipuzkoa, Spain on February 18, 1968.
 
Today we remember Juan de Landa on what would have been his 120^th birthday.

TEXAS - DOC SNYDER

Texas - Doc Snyder hält die Welt in Atem – German title

Texas – Doc Snyder – English title
 
A 1993 German production [Royal Film Production (Germnay)]
Producer: Hanno Huth
Director: Heige Schneider, Ralf Huettner
Story: Helge Schneider
Screenplay: Helge Schneider, Schringo van den Berg
Cinematography: Diethard Prengel [color]
Music: Helge Schneider
Song: “Texas” sung by Helge Schneider
Running time: 110 minutes
 
Cast:
Doc Snyder/Commissioner Schneider – Helge Schneider
Doc’s mother – Andreas Kunze
Hank Snyder – Peter Berling
Nasenmann – Peter Thoms
Sheriff – Werner Abrolat
Lieutenant Körschgen – Helmut Körschgen
Buddy Casino – Buddy Casino (Hartmut Grabe)
Buckliger – Michael Habeck
von Zitzewitz – Ludgig Haas
Know-It-All – Ludger Pistor
Dear God – Charly Weiss
Banker – Gerd Lohmeyer
Mayor – Helmut Kleinmann
Noble lady – Mirjam Wiesemann
Storrerer – Rupert Seidl
Geiger – Wayne Bartlett
Saloon band – Schringo van den Berg (Jürgen van den Berg), Sergej Gleitmann
Barkeeper – Herbert Ranft
Gallow workers – Uwe Lyko (Uwe Heinrich), Martin ‘Alf’ Breuer
Undertaker – Reinhard Glöder
Trainee – Matthias Scheele
Bratislav Metulsky – Bratislav Metulsky (Bratislav Metulskie)
Schmeid – Kara Natas
Doc’s horse – Boris (Angelika)

Doc Snyder returns after more than 30 years to his hometown in Texas with a bag full of dirty laundry for his mother to wash. During a raid on a stagecoach he loses the laundry bag. One of the passengers a hangman, an aging gunslinger who was also robbed, is out for revenge.
 
He meets his badly shaven mother and learns his brother Hank is to be hung. A duel with the hangman is inevitable. Doc meets Dear God and two people from another time who he brings into the plot: Commissioner Schneider and his assistant. The film ends with the fact that the Commissioner Doc Snyder runs over to a car, that at time didn’t exist and states Doc Snyder also did not exist.
 
YouTube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orHfgnsJWd4

Happy 50th Birthday Paul Johansson

Paul Joseph Otto Johansson was born on January 26, 1964 in Spokane Washington. The son of ice hockey player Earl Johnson, he was raised in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was an athlete like his father and played for the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team and for the University of British Columbia. After quitting basketball he began writing, which in turn led to acting.

Johansson landed his first role on the popular soap opera Santa Barbara. He played Greg Hughes from 1989 to 1990. Soon he made appearances in other television shows such as ‘Parker Lewis Can't Lose’ (1991-1992) as Nick Comstock, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ (1993-1994) as John Sears and ‘Lonesome Dove’ (1994-1995) as ‘Austin Peale’.
 
He also appeared in commercials, most notably as the delivery man in a Diet Coke commercial. In 2000 he appeared in his only Euro-western “Hooded Angels” as Wes. He has appeared in the films “Soapdish” (1991), “John Q” (2002) and “Alpha Dog” (2006) and had a small role in “The Notebook” (2004). From 1995 to 1996, Johnansson appeared on ‘Days of our Lives in the recurring role of Wyatt St. Clair, the brother of the evil Jude St. Clair. He was subsequently featured in Takashi Miike's 2003 film “Gozu”, appearing as a man with a cow's head. In 2003 Johansson wrote and directed the film “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie”. He has also directed several episodes of ‘One Tree Hill’ (2005-2012). In 2006 he starred in Emily Skopov's Novel Romance, alongside Traci Lords and Sherilyn Fenn. He appeared in the 7th season of ‘The Drew Carey Show’ (2001), playing a sportscaster.
 
He is the director of “Atlas Shrugged: Part I” (2011), the first third of a proposed trilogy based on the

novel by Ayn Rand.

Happy 80th Birthday Pietro Ceccarelli

Piero Lanfranco Ceccarelli was born on January 26, 1934 in Rome, Italy. The older brother of actor Lancranco Ceccarelli The tall and bald actor has numerous roles in both spaghetti western films, and especially in spy movies where he always played the part of a dangerous and violent thug as the henchman of the main criminal. In a film with Anna Magnani, “L'automobile” (1971), he played one of the angry motorists who confront a roadblock caused by Magnani’s car together with other impatient drivers they hurl it to the roadside. Ceccarelli worked as both and actor an stuntman in over 100 Italian films from “Le Notti Bianche” in 1957 to “Stradivari” in 1988. Pietro also worked as production manager and an assistant director and master of arms.

He was sometimes credits as Peter Barclay, Peter Brighton, Peter Caine, Peter Cester, Puccio Cecarelli, Franco Ceccarelli, Lanfranco Ceccarelli, Peter Jacob and Otto Rock.

He appeared in 27 Euro-westerns from “The Sign of Zorro” (1962) to “Scalps” (1986).

Today we celebrate Pietro Ceccarelli’s 80^th birthday.

Happy 90th Birthday Ken Thorne

Kenneth Thorne was born on January 26, 1924 in East Dereham, Norfolk, England. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls. At age 27, Thorne decided to seriously study composition with private tutors at Cambridge and later studied the organ for five years in London.

 
Thorne began composing scores for films in 1948. Ken was considered Richard Lester's composer of choice since their first work together on “Ring-A-Ding Rhythm” (1962) “Help!” (1965).
 
When Henry Mancini was scoring Blake Edwards' “The Party” (1968) with Peter Sellers, Thorne composed the soundtrack to “Inspector Clouseau” (1968). He was hired for Richard Lester's films Superman II (1980) and III (1983) with instructions to reuse the music by John Williams and recompose them for the sequels, also adding some original work. He also did the music score for The Monkees movie “Head”. Since the 1980s, Ken Thorne has mainly focused his work for TV.
 
Thorne scored two Euro-westerns: “A Talent for Loving” (1969) and “Hannie Caulder” (1970).
 
Today we celebrate Ken Thorne’s 90^th birthday.

Scar

Root Studio is the reality of three young people who have decided to collaborate in the production and distribution of comics and literature. Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by a networked society, this study aims to meet the demand of many readers who want new ways of accessing quality content. The main objective is to offer a unique product and easy to explore new forms of marketing.

 
Serialized digital comics, which combines the frames that we all know of the great stories set in the Wild West, with the particular vision of the authors: Thanks to this concern "Scar" is born. The narrative is set in an unreal space, marked by violence, where it explores such universal values ​​as the desire for revenge and the need for forgiveness. The script that gives rise to the story is the work of Daniel M. Parra, with a modest tour in the editorial and audiovisual world. The quality of the drawing is the result of the talent of Michael M. Barber, who has been awarded the first prize in comic competitions on more than one occasion. All this would be in vain without the coordination that has been made by Francisco J. Rojas, who has been able to unite and organize all available resources, obtaining the best possible results.
 
And without further ado, we invite you to discover the first chapter of scar.
http://www.estudioraiz.es/comic/comic-cicatriz/capitulo-1/

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue on our search for filming locations for “Return of the Seven”. The mercenaries split up and remove the guards on top of the surrounding hilltops. This allows Chris to enter the work camp with some protection. 

Again Agost is the location for the hilltop and mountain backdrops which remain little changed from the days of filming.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Captain Douglas’ excellent website: http://www.western-locations-spain.com                             

and Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm              
 
 
[Captain Douglas has dedicated and entire section of his website to “The Return of the Seven” with behind the scenes photos and stories, highly recommended.]

Remembering Hugo Pimentel

Hugo Pimentel was born on January 25, 1919 in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hugo was a brilliant figure on the national scene, comedian, imitator, impersonator, ventriloquist and actor that accompanied the role of gallant figures of the golden age of Argentine cinema of the likes of Susana Campos, Golde Flami, Susana Canales Norma Giménez, Nuri Montsé and Lidia Denis, among many others. He appeared in around 25 films in Argentina. Pimentel also appeared on stage and radio during his 50+ year career.

 
Pimentel formed La Cruzada del Buen Humor and worked with the first comic actors and Pepe Arias and Pepe Marrone, among others. In 1951 he made several vaudeville appearances in Rosario, Santa Fe and was also integrated into various comic trios featuring Los tres mosquiteros y Bertoldo, Bertolino y Cacaseno. Like several Argentine actors he moved to Spain in the mid-1960s and appeared in three Euro-westerns: “Massacre at Fort Grant” as Sergeant Gray and “Two Violent Men” as Commisiioner Golfice (both 1964) and “The Man Called Gringo” (1965) as Dave Walton. Pimentel was sometimes credited as Hugh Pepper, Hug Peppers or Ugo Pimentel.
 
Returning to South America he lived in Venezuela during the last years of his career, where he appeared frequently on TV shows. Hugo died of lung cancer on June 1, 1984 in Caracas Venezuela.
 
Today we remember Hugo Pimentel on what would have been his 95^th birthday.

Guess Who I Am

I’m an Italian actress born in 1949.

 
I acted under a pseudonym in all of my three films.
 
I appeared in only one Euro-western in 1971 with Gianni Garko.
 
Today you can see I own a fashion boutique.
 
Guess who I am.

Antonio Furtado da Rosa correctly named Gely Genka as this week's photo.

RIP Violetta Ferrari

Hungarian stage, screen, TV and voice actress Violetta Ferrari died January 23, 2014 at her home in Budapest. She was 84. Violetta was born on April 25, 1930 to an Italian World War I soldier, and his wife, who stayed in Hungary after the war, she became a stage and film actress in Budapest then fled with her husband to Germany in 1956 after the Russian Riots. She also lived in Austria and Italy before making a second career on stage and film in Germany. She appeared in the 1966 German TV western film “Pioneer Saloon’ as Claire.

RIP Ubaldo Continiello

Italian composer Ubaldo Contniello died January 21st in Rome, Italy from a heart attack. The Master Ubaldo Continiello was one of the most experienced musicians and Italian composers of Italian genre cinema. He was born in Monteverde, in the province of Avellino, in 1941. Continiello worked with directors like Ruggero Deodato, Lamberto Bava, and Mario Bava. He started his film career in 1967 composing the music for the soundtrack for the Euro-western "Black Tigress" starring American singer, dancer Lola Falana. In 1977 he reached the apex of his career with the film "Last Cannibal World", one of the first 'cannibal movies directed by Ruggero Deodato. After writing numerous hit songs including those of Tony Monaco, in 1980 he composed the soundtrack for the film by Lamberto Bava "Macabre." Ubaldo also scored the soundtrack for the Euro-western "The Grandson of Zorro" (1975) starring Franco Franchi.

TEX AND THE LORD OF THE DEEP

Tex e il signore degli abissi - Italian title

Tex Willer e os Senhores do Abismo - Brazilian title
Tex e o Senhor do Abismo – Brazilian title
Tex a pán temnot - Czechoslovakian title
Tex el le seigneur des abysses - French title
Tex und das Geheimnis der Todesgrotten - German title
Tex, o aetos tis Dysis - Greek title
Sto nao ton Aztekon - Greek title
Tex és a mélység ura  - Hungarian title
Tex, o pistoleiro - Portuguese title
Tex y el senor de los abismos - Spanish title
Tex and the Lord of the Deep - English title
 
A 1985 Italian production [RAI Channel3, Cinecitta (Rome)]
Producers: Enzo Porcelli, Gioacchino Marano
Director: Duccio Tessari (Amadeo Tessari)
Story: Giovanni L. Bonelli (Giovanni Luigi Bonelli)
Screenplay: Gianfranco Clerici, Marcello Coscia, Duccio Tessari (Amadeo Tessari), Giorgio
Bonelli (Sergio Bonelli)
Italian Dialogue: Selma Dell’Ollo (Anselmo Dell’Ollo), Gianni Galassi
Cinematography: Pietro Moridelli [Cinecitta Color]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Running time: 104 minutes
 
Cast:
Tex Willer - Giuliano Gemma
Kit Carson - William Berger (Wilhelm Berger)
Tiger Jack - Carlo Mucari
Princess Tulac - Isabel Russinova (Maria Cociani)
El Morisco - Peter Berling
Kansas - Flavio Bucci
El Dorado - Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell)
Dr. Warton - José Luis de Villalonga (José de Vaca)
Quetzal - Pietro Torrisi
Pedro – Riccardo Pizzuti
Jim Bedford - Frank Braña (Francisco Pérez)
Lord of the Deep - Riccardo Petrazzi
Whiskey salesman - Ricardo Palacios
Inidan Shaman - Giovanni L. Bonelli (Giovanni Luigi Bonelli)
Eusebio/Magua – Hugo Blanco (Hugo Galiasso)
Marcos/Pablito - Charly Bravo (Carlos Bravo)
Stunt coordinator: Nazzareno Zamperla

Tex Willer, aided by his friends Kit Carson, an old "Ranger", and Tiger Jack, a young Navajo warrior, identify and defeat a gang of robbers and smugglers who are transporting arms of the U.S. Army to one of the most warlike Indian tribes. Later, however, Tex is forced to see El Morisco, a Mexican scientist and sorcerer, who reveals the terrible nature of the bullets that are circulating in the region are small greenish stones that are shot with a blowgun, and mummify in  seconds everything they hit. And who is in possession of these bullets? The "Yaquis", the Tribe that bought the stolen army guns and they are hidden on top of a mountain. Tex , after convincing his friend, an Indian chief Magua - to gather all the tribes of the mountain area, to avoid a war, with death and ruin for everyone. Magua will take Tex to the location of "Yaquis." Meanwhile, Carson and Tiger are taken prisoner, in order for Kansas, an Indian chief who acts in consultation with the princess Tulac, which is none other than the beautiful daughter of the Lord of the Deep, who is the real leader and master: he lives in a huge underground cavern, where fire is everlasting and it is from there that he extracts the green stone. Tex, boldly rescues his companions, and with great amount of dynamite blows up the weapons depot, and then descends into the heart of the mountain, where he fights with the sorcerer and plunges him into the abyss of fire. Kanas and Tulac perish under a mighty avalanche of rocks, after which Tex, Carson and Tiger will share in new adventures.

 

YouTube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ06f55i45I