Adios, Lina W. It was the Seventies.

 Met Ms. Lina Wertmuller way back in 1978.

On that cold night she was in Toronto, Ontario promoting A Night Full of Rain (1978) and had

been invited to a party at Edie Yolles at her home in Rosedale. Ms. Yolles, was a film student and invited her

classmates from Ryerson University, and Anthony Currie & I tagged along.

I asked Ms. Wertmuller about Belle Starr, and she told me that she used the name George Brown, on that film & on Little Rita nel West (1967).I asked Ms. Wertmuller about Belle Starr, and she told me that she used the name George Brown, on that film & on Little Rita nel West (1967), "That was me ....and I also was George Brown...". 

On Little Rita she was asked to come in and work with Pavone on her choreography, as they were friends, but didn't want her name on the film. She had already directed a couple of serious films and choose a nom de plume (her words). So, she chose George Brown. A male name to make it more acceptable and to hide behind.Pavone & Wertmuller had previously done TV and two movies together, and Pavone preferred her over the assigned choreographer. Pavone's leading man in her earlier movies (1966-67) was none other than Giancarlo Giannini.

Giannini was also there that night in 1978, and was pleasantly drunk. He graciously signed a still from Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971) for me. Remember this was seventies before promotional materials were readily available. We talked about the movie The Eight Wheel Beast (1974). A very funny movie. He said he'd never work for Sergio Corbucci again, hated him, but of course he did. A few years later they did My Darling, My Dearest (1981) together. Such is business.

 Wertmuller after about an hour left, while Giannini stayed and flirted with the ladies. It was the seventies. This was the start of Corbucci’s final comedy period and the end of his westerns. 

Ciao, Lina.

Michael Ferguson