50th Anniversary of the Premiere of “Challenge of the McKennas”, “Shango”.

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the Italian premier of “Challenge of the McKennas” in Rome. Starring John Ireland and Robert Woods it tells the story of Jonas MacKenna, a former priest, becomes embroiled in the drama raging between a Mexican rancher, his unhappy daughter and psychotic son while dealing with his own issues of guilt and a loss of faith. A new relationship with the local brothel keeper seems to offer a fresh start but the rancher and his son are set on making him pay for his interference and his own inner demons are never far away.

La sfida dei MacKenna – Italian title
Un dollaro e una tomba – Italian title
Le defi des MacKenna – French title
Un dólar y una tumba – Spanish title
Vendetta al’Ouest – Spanish title
Ein Dollar ein grab und zwei Ave Maria – German title
Mannen utan förflutet – Swedish title
A Dollar and a Grave – English title
Challenge of the MacKennas – English title
Challenge of McKenna – English title
Badlands Drifter – USA title
Amen – USA title

A 1969 Italian, Spanish co-production [Filmar Compagnia Cinematografica (Rome), Atlántida Film (Madrid)]
Producer: José Frade
Director: León Klimovsky
Story: Antonio Viader
Screenplay: Antonio Viader, Edoardo Mulargia, Pedro Gil Paradela, León Klimovsky
Cinematography: Francisco Sánchez Munoz [Eastmancolor, Techniscope]
Music: Francesco De Masi
Song: “Amen” sung by Carmen
Running time: 101 minutes

Cast:
Jones/Jonas MacKenna/McKenna - John Ireland
Chris - Robert Woods
Barbara - Daniela Giordana
Don Diego - Roberto Camardiel (Roberto Escudero)
Maggie - Pam Stevenson (Annabelle Incontrera)
Ed - Mariano Vidal Molina
Doctor - Sergio Mendizábal (Hermengildo Mendizábal)
with: Ken Wood (Giovanni Cianfriglia), José Antonio López, Nando Poggi (Ferdinando Poggi), Attilio Dottesio, Angelo Dessy (Angelo Desideri), Sergio Colasanti

Also today is the 50^th anniversary of the Rome premier of “Shango” starring Anthony Steffen and directed by Edoardo Mulargia. The Ranger Shango is the prisoner of ex-Confederate Major Droster, and a Mexican bandit, Martinez - who have installed themselves as masters in a village of poor peasants. Unexpectedly he regain his freedom and finds refuge in the home of a peon, Fernandez, who asks for help, for themselves and for the others, against the two oppressors. While the henchmen of the Mexican search for Shango throughout for the entire village, the elusive ranger eliminates them one by one, till Martinez, unable otherwise to get the better of him, decides on a plan to blackmait the peons by threatening to kill their wives unless Shango is turned over to him. Pretending to surrender to Martinez, Shango is lead to the the bandit, but the ranger, quickly pulls a gun, killing both him and the survivors of his gang. Now Droster pretends to want to give up the fight against Shango, which until now has preferred to send his men into the fray with Martinez. He moves away from the village, only to return and by surprise, catching the ranger off guard and disarmed. Protected by the wives of the peons, however, Shango manages to get a gun and kill the major and his men.

Shango, la pistola infallible – Italian title

Shango – Brazilian title
Shango - O Pistoleiro Implacável – Brazilian title
Shango - Vivo ou Morto – Brazilian title
Shangos letzter Kampf – German title
Otan o Satanas kratai pistol – Greek title
Shango o akatanikitos – Greek title
Shango, la pistol infallible – Italian title
Shango – English title

A 1970 Italian production [P.A.C., S.E.P.A.C. (Rome)]
Producer: Pino De Martino
Director: Edward G. Muller (Edoardo Mulargia)
Story: Antonio de Teffè, Edoardo Mulargia
Screenplay: Antonio de Teffe, Edoardo Mulargia
Cinematography: Gino Santini [Eastmancolor, Colorscope]
Music: Gianfranco Di Stefano
Running time: 96 minutes

Cast:
Shango – Anthony Steffen (Antonio de Teffe)
Major Droster – Eduardo Fajardo
Martinez – Maurice Poli
Consuelo – Barbara Nelli
Pedrito – Giusva Fioravanti (Giuseppe Fioravanti)
Fernandez – Attilio D’Ottesio (Attilio Dottesio)
Pamela – Gabriella Giorgelli
Scott – Massimo Carocci
Bragna – Spartaco Conversi
Tana/Peno – Liana Del Bazo (Eliano del Bazo)
Pedro – Angelo Dessi (Angelo Desideri)
Rosalia – Adriana Giuffrè
Manuel – Franco Pesce (Francesco Pesce)
Marisol – Mirella Pompili (Mirella Pamphili)
Salvador – Andrea Scotti
Mexicans – Renzo Pevarello, Pietro Torrisi, Elio Angelucci
With: Angelo Susani, Gilberto Galimberti, Claudio Ruffini, Franco Ukmar [master of arms]