Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Italian
premier of “When Satan Grips the Colt” often referred to as “Awkward Hands” to
distinguish it from a another film with the same title it stars Peter Lee
Lawrence and Alberto de Mendoza and was directed by Rafael Romero Marchent. The
story tells of the nightmare of a gunfighter, who killed his father, is always
present in the dreams of young Peter who now works as a servant on a
"ranch" that owes its existence because of a stream of water whose
course is determined by a wealthy neighbor, Johnny. Peter loves Dorothy, the
daughter of his master, which instead has been promised to Johnny. As the two
young people do not want to continue a life of subterfuge, they get married,
but are discovered by the girl's parents and separated. After being flogged
Peter is taken and abandoned in the desert where he is saved up by Latimore, a
bounty hunter who takes him to an old Chinese, Chang, who shelters and cares
for him teaching Peter the art of the gun. Ready for revenge, Peter returns to
the farm and one by one kills his opponents until he meets Dorothy who has been
reduced to working as a prostitute in the saloon. Peter runs away with her to a
quiet place: here they are found by Latimore after the reward on Peter’s head.
In the duel, Peter and Latimore kill each other.
Manos torpes – Spanish title
Quando Satana impugno la Colt – Italian title
Quando um Bravo Empunhou o Colt – Brazilian title
Quand Satana empoigne le Colt – French title
Anoixte tafous gia ta katharmata – Greek title
Matar, fugir ou morrer – Portuguese title
Clumsy Hands – U.K. title
Awkward Hands – English title
Prey of Vultures – English title
When Satan Grips the Colt – English title
A 1969 Spanish, Italian co-production [Aitor Films (Madrid), Emat
Cinematografica
(Rome)]
Producer: Ricardo Sanz
Director: Ralph R. Marchent (Rafael Romero Marhcent)
Story: Santiago
Moncada, Romeo Erna (Rafael Romero Marchent)
Screenplay: Santiago
Moncada (Moncado Mercadal), Romeo Erna (Rafael Romero
Marchent
Cinematography: Mike Milet (Miguel Mila) [Eastmancolor,
widescreen]
Music: Antón García Abril
Running time: 94 minutes
Cast:
Peter Bushmich – Peter Lee Lawrence (Karl Hirenbach)
Latimore – Alberto de Mendoza
Dorothy Warren – Pilar Velazquez
Charley – Luis Induni (Luigi Radici)
Mark Warren – Antonio Casas (Antonio Barros)
Johnny – Manuel de Blas (Emanuel de Blas)
Ted – Anthony Pix (Antonio Pica)
Mary Warren – Elena Samarina (Yelena Samarina)
El Pantera – Aldo Sambrell (Alfredo Brell)
Howard – Vid Molin (Mariano Molina)
Frank – Anthony Mulligan (Antonio Molino Rojo)
Outlaw – Frank Braz (Frank Brana)
Johnny’s ranch hand – Saturnino Cerra (Saturnino Pendás)
Warren’s
ranch hand – Lorenzo Robledo
Preacher – Ben Deter (Beni
Deus)
Chang – Gene Reyes
With: Dina Loy, Josefina Serratosa (Josefina Pereira),
Alfredo Ulecia, Enrique Vazquez, Anthony Warren, Mario Dardanelli
I plan on remaking this film under the title, "The Devil's Gun". It will tell the story of three people. Peter, who has never touched a gun before and works on a ranch. Johnny, who is a gunfighter trying to settle down to a much more peaceful life. And Chang, a Chinese-American who was born in Brooklyn but was educated in San Francisco, Hong Kong, London, and Rome, and now knows how to handle a gun. They are torn between love and friendship. All three are in love with the same woman. They are friends with an old man, Benito, who runs a goat farm. One day, Benito is killed and the girl, who turns out to be Benito's daughter, is kidnapped. Before rescuing her, Johnny and Chang take time to teach Peter how to use a gun. Pretty soon he kills his first man. Along the way, they run into Comanche Indians, share a cabin with a witch, and even join a circus. At the end of the film, Johnny, Chang, and Peter get into the ultimate showdown and all three are killed. but not before they take a few cowards with them. And that's how the movie will end. Wish me luck.
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