Sunday, April 30, 2023

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Dale Anderson

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

A company called K-Tel (Kives Telecommunications) was an American slick Canadian company who was known for their distribution of compilation LP records by mail. The company would cram 10-12 tracks on one side of an LP. Some tracks were edited to fit the pressing and the quality was poor. They then got into video distribution. They also sold products like the Veg-e-Matic Pocket Fisherman. In 1970 the company briefly began distributing foreign films in the United States and two Spaghetti westerns they released were “Una Ragione Per Vivere E Una Per Morire” released as (Massacre at Fort Holman) and “Spara, Gringo, spara” released as (The Longest Hunt). "Sonny and Jed" and "The Legend of Frenchie King" K-Tel messed with the credits on both of these releases, Americanizing the names of the actors and crews. Some were easy to identify but other names were just made up.K-Tel International filed for bankruptcy in 1984.

I’ve said all that to say that there is no record of an actor named Dale Anderson and most likely this nameis either a K-Tel created pseudonym or a made up credit.

ANDERSON, Dale – film actor.

The Longest Hunt – 1968 (soldier)

One of the protagonists of "The Long and Hard Road" [archived newspaper article]

 

November 14, 1974 Eco de Canarias

THE ACTOR JIM BROWN HAS ARRIVED

THE FILM IS GOING TO BEGIN SHOOTING IN THE AGUILA CANYON

Only fourteen days have passed since we announced the arrival of the great North American actor Lee Van Cleef, who will be one of the protagonists of the film "The Long and Hard Road" (Take a Hard Ride), a Western that will be filmed entirely in the Canary Islands Now another great actor has arrived on our island. This is Jim Brown, who together with Van Cleef, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly, will be the main actors who will star in this new Western film, which is a Hispanic-American co-production. Specifically, from “Contel S.A.” and “Cocaco Service Co.” and that later it will be distributed by the famous “Twentieth Century Fox”.

 

[Submitted by Michael Ferguson.]

Who Are Those Singers & Musicians? ~ Rena Filippini

 

Rina Fedora Filippini was born in Genoa, Italy on September 9, 1917. Rina was a soprano opera singer who studied in Milan with Giannina Russ and won the competition of the Rome Opera House in 1937. She was soon performing widely (under her artist's name Fedora Solveni) in such roles as Musetta and Lola. Early engagements included Rome and Covent Garden. In 1941 she married the tenor Mario Del Monaco [1915-1982]. They had a son stage director Giancarlo Del Monaco [1943- ]. In later years she was active as a teacher, and her pupils included Fabio Armilato among others.

Rina can be heard on the soundtrack for Cameron Mitchell’s 1964 Spaghetti western “The Last Gun” singing “Amor Mexicano”.

FILIPPINI, Rena (aka Fedora Solveni) (Rina Fedora Filippini) [9/9/1917, Genoa, Liguria, Italy – 7/12/1991, Pesaro, Province of Pesaro and Urbino, Marche, Italy] – singer, married to singer Mario Del Monaco [1915-1982] (1941-    ), mother of stage director Giancarlo Del Monaco [1943-    ].

The Last Gun - 1964 [Sings: “Amor Mexicano”]

Special Birthdays

 Pasquale Fasciano (actor) would have been 105 today but died in 1974.








Peter Carsten (producer, actor) would have been 90 today but died in 2012.







Radha Delamarter (actess) is 75 today.



Saturday, April 29, 2023

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Axel Anderson

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Axel Levy was born in Berlin, Germany on December 11, 1929. Being a Jewish family they escaped the Holocaust in 1936 by emigrating to Paraguay. Due to political instability in Paraguay, Anderson's family soon moved to Argentina. Anderson started acting as a teenager, working at the Teatro Alemán Independiente, a small theater troupe mainly composed of German expatriates who performed in German.

During the 1950s, Anderson moved his young family to Bogotá, Colombia where he worked in theater. The family later moved to the Dominican Republic. During his time in the Dominican Republic, Anderson reportedly clashed with the politics of the Rafael Trujillo regime, being forced to emigrate one more time. He and his family settled in Puerto Rico where they have remained ever since.

As Axel Anderson he made his debut in Puerto Rican television with a sitcom named ‘Qué Pareja’, a local version of ‘I Love Lucy’. He also performed in theater and other television productions. The actor quickly established himself as a leading man, landing several leading roles in local novelas or soap operas. Early in his career, he starred in a novela titled ‘Cuando los hijos condenan’ in which Anderson and co-star Marta Romero shared the first on-screen kiss in the history of Puerto Rican television.

Anderson also starred in one of the first major motion pictures produced in Puerto Rico, “Maruja”. His film career continued with roles in Spanish and U.S. films, including “Battle of the Bulge” (1965) and “Bananas” (1971). He also participated in the Spanish dubs of several Hollywood films of the 1940s and 1950s as well as of many American TV shows.

In his last 20 years, Anderson remained one of the leading actors in Puerto Rico and continually acted in major local and international productions, including a small role as the bank director in the Sylvester Stallone thriller “Assassins".

Anderson (lyrics) and Tony Croatto (music) co-wrote Agüeybaná, a song dedicated to the memory of the most important Taino "Cacique" of the pre-colonial Puerto Rico, recorded by Nelly y Tony and later by Haciendo Punto En Otro Son, which became a major hit in the 1970s.

Axel’s only Euro-western was as McNamara in 1965’s “Finger on the Trigger” starring Rory Calhoun and James Philbrook.

Axel Anderson died on December 16, 2012, in San Juan, Puerto Rico one week after his 83rd birthday.

ANDERSON, Axel (Axel Levy) [12/11/1929, Berlin, Berlin, Germany - 12/16/2012, San Juan, Puerto Rico (cancer)] – producer, lyricist, theater, film, TV, voice actor.

Finger on the Trigger - 1965 (McNamara)

Bud Spencer Bratwurst

 

Bud Spencer Rostbratwurst "Bacon-Cheese" & Ham-Krakauer "Tex-Mex" - Two for the grill and pan!

Bud Spencer Freisteller Bud Spencer was celebrated for great film successes worldwide and enjoys absolute cult status, especially in Germany.

In his many hit roles in the comedic spaghetti westerns, Bud Spencer struck mercilessly - also in culinary terms, such as in the famous sausage-eating contest in the cult film "Watch Out, We’re Mad.

In line with this tradition, we are delivering two new Bud Spencer promotional items in strong flavors for the 2023 barbecue season: while beans, corn and jalapeños give the "Tex-Mex" ham and Krakauer a resounding taste, the grilled sausage makes a difference with the heavenly combination of bacon and cheese for a jubilant hallelujah!

As with all Metten Grill items, it also applies here that they are handmade without added flavor enhancers and colorings, lactose-free (except for the cheese variant) and gluten-free and in natural casings.

                                     "We'll let beer and sausages decide!"


We continue our search for locations for “Bad Man’s River”

 The Mexican army arrives on the shoreline, but the Ariel is sailing away down the Rio Grande. The Mexican General Duarte sends the bandit Canales to follow the boat from both sides of the river and tells him if he is caught on the American side, he will disown him and his men.

This scene was filmed in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain and the Manzanares River.


For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm and Captain Douglas Film Locations http://www.western-locations-spain.com/


Special Birthdays

 Michael Herbig (producer, director, screenwriter, actor) is 55 today.



Friday, April 28, 2023

Spaghetti Western Trivia ~ Guy Calloway and Tuco

 

In the 1969 Spaghetti western “Bullets Over Dallas” starring Carlos Quiney there’s a scene in the jail and on the wall, you can clearly see a wanted poster for Guy Calloway (Jose Terron), the famous outlaw that Colonel Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) goes after in Tucumcari. The poster in “Bullets Over Dallas” shows a picture of Tuco (Eli Wallach) in 1966’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.


[Thanks to Michael Ferguson for the “Bullets Over Dallas” screen capture.]


Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Kurt Andersen

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Kurt Anderson, sometimes billed as Andy Andersen was born in Denmark on January 23, 1924. "Bakkens Andy" with the bourgeois name Kurt Andersen was trained as a stucco artist as a young man and produced friezes, sculptures, paintings and posters. He also worked for periods as a bicycle smith and printing worker. After first having a dance school, he and Bent Stoltzer formed the duo Ben & Andy, who in the 1950s as comedy artists traveled the world with crazy comedy of an international class. In the late 1950s, they were engaged to Stefansen's variety show Montmartre at Dyrehavsbakken as musical clowns and comedians. Andy performed in many places at Bakken, including "The White Horse", "Showboat" and "Bakkens Købmand". He had a versatile career as both clown and actor and was often used in films as a stuntman. Together with his wife Jytte he bought and ran "De 4 Ege" at Dyrehavsbakken, where he clowned with his original comedy routines for guests every evening. He could also perform with festive attire, and both played and sang. Among other things, he mimed to tapes of the great opera stars and especially with "Figaro, Figaro". "De 4 Ege" became the gathering place for people who really wanted to have fun at Bakken. Andy took over the management of the holiday parties after Professor Tribini 1972-1975 - in the first two seasons together with actor Louis Miehe-Renard. For health reasons, he had to sell "De 4 Ege" a few years before his death. In 1980 he was awarded the Bakken Honorary Award.

Kurt Andersen died in Klampenborg, Denmark on December 29, 1989, at the age of 65.

ANDERSEN, Kurt (aka Andy) [1/23/1924, Denmark - 12/29/1989, Klampenborg, Denmark] – clown, comedian, dancer, singer, stuntman, film actor, married to Jytte Andersen half of the comedy team of Bena and Andy with Bent Stoltzer owned the “De 4 Ege” entertainment club, awarded Bakken Honorary Award [1980].

Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1971 (line dancer)

Rome Remembers Ciccio Ingrassia

 

On the twentieth anniversary of the death of Ciccio Ingrassia, the IV municipality dedicates two days to the memory of the Sicilian actor who lived and died in Rome, in the area of Monti Tiburtini

On 28 and 29 April 2023 Municipio IV of Rome remembers Ciccio Ingrassia the Sicilian actor, who lived and died in Rome in 2003, with events dedicated to him.

The two days fall on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the death of the Parlemitan actor who lived several years in the territory of the fourth municipality. The events dedicated to Ingrassia will be attended by the son of the actor Giampiero Ingrassia.

Below is the program of initiatives:

Friday, April 28 at 11:00 am in via dei Monti Tiburtini 509, home of the actor, there will be the posting of a commemorative plaque.

Saturday, April 29 instead at 18:00 at the Falconi room (via Edoardo d'Onofrio 60) will be held the screening of the film: "Così inguaiammo il cinema Italiano" - The true story of Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia.

For the realization of the two initiatives together with the municipality IV have collaborated the Association "L'isola che non c'è" and the A.I.C.

Excavation of Golden City

 

On May 3-6 and again on May 10-13 an archaeological excavation of the Golden City movie set will be conducted. the archaeological excavation works begin in the abandoned film set "Golden City" in Hoyo de Manzanares (Madrid).

This setting featured mostly "western" films, some as well known as "For a Fistful of Dollars" (Sergio Leone, 1964). It was Madrid's first stable set built in 1962 and active, at least, until 1973, although it was not demolished until much later.

More than 10 years of intense filming and more than 60 years of history we'll dig up in order to question and strain the temporary dimension in archeology.

You are all invited to come, watch and participate as you please.

 Anyone interested can make contact via e-mail j.martinalonso@uva.nl for more information.

Best of luck.

New Japanese DVD/BluRay release “The Tramplers”

 









荒野の渡り者”

(The Tramplers)

(1965)

 

Director: Sergio Corbucci

Starring: Gordon Scott, Joseph Cotton, James Mitchum

 

Country: Japan

BluRay/DVD combo

Label: Eizō bunka-sha / ORUSTAKSOFT

Region A

Aspect ratio: 16:9 Letter box

Audio: English DTS-HDMA 2.0 / English Dolby Digital 2.0

Subtitles: Japanese

Running time: 97 minutes

Release date: April 28, 2023

New German DVD/BluRay “In einem Sattel mit dem Tod”

 








“In einem Sattel mit dem Tod”

(Hannie Caulder)

(1971)

 

Director: Burt Kennedy

Starring: Raquel Welch, Robert Culp, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam, Christopher Lee

 

Country: Germany

Region: B

Label: Mediacs / Leonine

Limited mediabook edition (three covers), DVD/BluRay combo

Aspect5 ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p

Audio: DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono German, English

Subtitles: ?

Running time: 85 minutes

Extras: Booklet

ASIN: ‎ B0BTG9R1BY

Release Date: April 28, 2023

Special Birthdays

 Edmund Heuberger (actor) would have been 140 today but died in 1962.

Luisa Della Noce (actress) would have been 100 today but died in 2008.







Lydia Alfonsi (actress) would have been 95 today but died in 2022.







Jürgen Frohriep (actor) would have been 95 today but died in 1993.






Gerlinde Locker (actress) is 85 today.








Rita di Lernia (actress) is 80 today.







Beba Loncar (actress) is 80 today.



Thursday, April 27, 2023

RIP Ramiro Oliveros

 


Spanish actor Ramiro Oliveros died in Pozuelo Alarcón, Madrid, Spain of multi-organ failure on April 26, 2023. He was 82. Born Ramiro Oliveras Fernández on March 13, 1941 he dropped out of medical school to pursue acting, so he enrolled in drama at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Later he moved to Paris and Frankfurt, where he dared to direct a Spanish theater group. In 1972 television fell in love with him and did not let go. He had a very gallant physique. He debuted in several chapters of ‘Hora’ once and four years later he intervened in the popular ‘La saga de los Rius’. He also did a lot of theater on the small screen, his last appearance being in ‘¿Se puede?’ (2004). The cinema also knocked on his door where the films “El asesino está en los trece” (1973) and “Memorias de Leticia Valle” (1980) stand out. He retired from the theatre completely in 2001. He had married Consuelo Buenader (1976-1982), with whom he had two sons, Ramiro and Hugo Samuel. He then married actress Concha Márquez Piquer [1945-2021] in 1982 and they had a daughter singer Iris Amor [1988- ]. Oliveros appeared in one Spaghetti western as Tortuga in 1984’s “Yellow Hair and the Fortress of Gold”.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Piero Giovanni Anchisi

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Piero Giovanni Anchisi was born in Gattinara, Piedmont, Italy on June 29, 1928. He was involved in the Italian film industry as an actor beginning in 1965 and then a screenwriter in 1968. He appeared in thirty-four films and television appearances until 2006. Piero co-wrote screenplays for thirteen films including three Spaghetti westerns: “The Forgotten Pistolero” (1969); “Hate Is My God” 1969 credited as Pietro Anchisi and “Blindman” (1971). His only appearance in front of the camera in a Spaghetti western was as the journalist Oliver in the film he co-scripted “Hate is My God” in 1969.

Piero Anchisi died in Rome, Italy on September 15, 2012. He was 84 years old.

ANCHISI, Piero Giovanni (aka Piergiovanni Anchisi, Pietro Anchisi, Piero Anghisi, Piero Archisi) [6/29/1928, Gattinara, Piedmont, Italy – 9/15/2012, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – writer, film, TV actor.

Hate is My God – 1969 (Oliver)

 

New German BluRay release “Ennio”

 








“Ennio”

(2022)

 

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Starring: Ennio Morricone

 

Country: Germany

Label: Plaion Pictures

Version 1: BluRay only

Version 2: 4-disc Mediabook edition (4K UltraHD, Soundtrack CD, concert BluRay, BluRay of the film) with 100-page booklet

Version 3: DVD only

Language Italian with German overdub audio

Subtitles: German

Extras: Ennio - Democracy of sounds; Ennio according to Tornatore; Backstage; trailers.

Release date: April 27, 2023

Voices of the Spaghetti Western – “Massacre at Marble City”

 As we know most of the Euro-westerns were co-productions from Italy, Spain, Germany and France which incorporated British and American actors to gain a worldwide audience. The films were shot silent and then dubbed into the various languages where they were sold for distribution. That means Italian, Spanish, German, French and English voice actors were hired to dub the films. Even actors from the countries where the film was to be shown were often dubbed by voice actors for various reasons such as the actors were already busy making another film, they wanted to be paid additional salaries for dubbing their voices, the actor’s voice didn’t fit the character they were playing, accidents to the actors and in some cases even death before the film could be dubbed.

I’ll list a Euro-western and the (I) Italian, (S) Spanish, (G) German and (F) French, (E) English voices that I can find and once in a while a bio on a specific voice actor as in Europe these actors are as well-known as the actors they voiced.








Today we’ll cover “Massacre at Marble City”

[(I) Italian, (S) Spanish, (G) German, (F) French, (E) English]

Phil Stone – Brad Harris (G) Heinz Engelmann, (S) José Guardiola

Dan McCormick – Horst Frank (G) Helmo Kindermann, (S) Joaquín Escola

Tim Fletcher – Ralf Wolter (G) Gerd Vespermann, (S) Manuel Torremocha

Matt Ellis – Mario Adorf (G) Rainer Brandt, (S) Benjamín Domingo

Mary Brendel – Schoberová (G) Marianne Mosa, (S) María Del Puy









Joaquín Escola  (19?? – 1993)

Joaquín Escola was a Spanish voice dubber who had a long career in dubbing non-Spanish speaking films into Spanish. He was based in Madrid and was known for characteristic deep voice that was magnificent for men of a certain age. He was also an excellent supporting actor, always convincing, serious and with great versatility that allowed him to move perfectly in any genre and also in cartoons.

Escola was married to voice actress María Antonia Piedra and the father of actress and voice dubber Paloma Escola Piedra [1948-    ]. He died in 1993.


Special Birthdays

 Toma Dimitru (actor)would have been 115 today but died in 1984.








Marin Ercegovic (actor) would have been 75 today but died in 2007.

Vivian Alivizache (actress) would have been 70 today but died in 2022



Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Georg Anaya

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Georg Anaya’s only credited film appearance was as Mario Vallejos in the 1972 Euro-western “The New Land”. I can find no other reference to him on the Internet.

ANAYA, Georg – film actor.

The New Land – 1972 (Mario Vallejos)

New French Blu-ray release “Brimstone”

 








“Brimstone”

(2016)

 

Director: Martin Koolhoven

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Emilia Jones, Kit Harrington, Carice van Houten

 

Country France

Label: The Jokers

Discs: 2

4K UltraHD BluRay and Bluray

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1, UHD HDR10

Audio: 5.1 and 2.0 English, French

Subtitles: French

Extras: deleted scenes; trailer; interviews with the actors; Junkie XL: secrets of the composition; photo gallery

ASIN: B0BGN8PX9Y

Release date: April 26, 2023

 

Antonio Danesi was born in Rome, Italy in 1926. He is the son of horse trainer, stuntman, actor Alfredo Danesi and the brother of actor Roberto Danesi who was often billed as Robert Dannish.

Antonio was one of the great supporting and character actors of the Spaghetti western genre. Working around horses since childhood his skills were used and put to work by producers and directors usually as a stagecoach driver, hearse, wagon driver or cowboy. He was an expert stuntman, and you can often see him as a saloon brawler.  

Seldom does he have any speaking parts but shows up as henchmen and soldiers. He appeared in at least 41credited Euro-westerns.

DANESI, Antonio (aka Tonino Danes) [1926, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 19??, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – stuntman, film actor, son of horse trainer, stuntman, actor Alfredo Danesi, brother of actor Roberto Danesi, cousin of Severio Danesi.

Bullets and the Flesh - 1964 [as Tonino Danes]

The Last Gun – 1964 (stagecoach driver)

Lost Treasure of the Aztecs – 1964 (stagecoach driver)

The Colt is My Law – 1965 (stagecoach driver)

7 Guns for the Macgregors – 1965 (brawler)

Death at Owell Rock – 1966 (stagecoach driver)

Ringo and His Golden Pistol – 1966 (wagon driver)

Seven Dollars to Kill – 1966 (stagecoach driver/cowboy)

Day of Anger – 1967 (stagecoach driver)

The Great Silence – 1967 (stagecoach driver)

Pray to God and Dig Your Grave – 1967 (Don Enrique henchman)

7 Pistols for a Massacre – 1967 (stagecoach driver)

Shotgun – 1967 (stagecoach driver)

The Stranger Returns – 1967 (Jess)

Bury Them Deep – 1968 (Gunn’s lieutenant)

Ciccio Forgives…I Don’t! – 1968 (hearse driver)

Drop Them or I’ll Shoot – 1968 (stagecoach driver)

Gun Shy Piluk – 1968 (stagecoach driver)

The Longest Hunt – 1968 (Doneghan wagon driver)

The Nephews of Zorro – 1968 (soldier)

A Pistol for 100 Coffins – 1968

The Silent Stranger– 1968 [stunts]

Viva Django! – 1968 (stagecoach driver)

El Puro – 1969 (stagecoach driver)

Hate is My God – 1969 (Field coachman)

Night of the Serpent – 1969 (Hernandez soldier)

Quintana – 1969 (soldier)

Ballad of Death Valley – 1970 (cantina troublemaker)

The Beast – 1970 (Charly)

Fistful of Lead – 1970 (Mantas henchman)

Sartana’s Here… Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin – 1970 (Mantas’ henchman)

Black Killer – 1971 (Ryan O’Hara) [as Robert Danish]

Companeros – 1971 (Carson)

A Fistful of Death – 1971 (Carson)

His Name Was King – 1971 (soldier)

Trinity Is STILL My Name! – 1971 (stagecoach driver)

A Bounty Killer for Trinity – 1972 (Navajero henchman)

Man of the East – 1972 (stagecoach driver)

Blood River – 1973 (Webster cowboy)         

The Son of Zorro – 1973

Macho Killers – 1977 (stagecoach shotgun rider)

Special Birthdays

 Nino Benvenuti is 85 today.







Radu Banzaru (actor) is 55 today.



Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Per Amvik

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Per Amvik is/was a Norwegian actor who’s only credit is also his only Euro-western role as François in 1972’s “Call of the Wild” starring Charlton Heston and Raimund Harmstorf.

AMVIK, Per [Norwegian] – film actor.

The Call of the Wild – 1972 (François)

The Young and the Restless star Eric Braeden reveals cancer diagnosis

 


The actor has portrayed Victor Newman on the soap for more than 40 years.

ENTERTAINMENT

By Justine Browning

April 22, 2023


Eric Braeden, who stars as Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, has revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer.

The actor shared his story in a Facebook post Friday, explaining that as he was recovering from knee surgery, he "began to have problems" with his prostate. In his message to fans, he also cautioned them to be conscious of their health.

"I hate to be so personal, but I think this may be good for some older guys who may or may not listen to this," the 82-year-old soap star said. "It'll happen to them."

The issue sent him to the hospital, where he was treated for frequent urination. After consulting with several doctors, he discovered he had cancer.

"Needless to say, I was taken aback, but I was determined to deal with it," Braeden said.

After undergoing surgery to remove the cancer, he is receiving treatments that stimulate his immune system to fight the high-grade cancer cells. The routine causes flu-like symptoms and is part of a six-week plan.

Braeden concluded with a hopeful note, saying he is learning to be on top of his health needs as he recuperates. "So that's where I am right now. I'm a little under the weather, but not really much," he said. "I've learned now to listen to my body more and not go all out. I'm gonna get it. And I'll be in top form again soon."

Near the end of the 13-minute video, the actor grew emotional as he thanked fans for their support and expressed his gratitude for his long-running role on the CBS soap, which he's starred on since 1980.

"I still am happy to be able to go work," he said. "It distracts me. I love acting. I love knowing that I entertain people. And, yeah, I love your support. It means a lot."

Braeden first posted about his health in late March, saying he had a "malignant tumor" removed from his bladder.

Eric Braeden’s real name is Hans Gudegast and he appeared as the German military advisor Von Klemmein in 1969’s “100 Rifles” starring Raquel Welch, Jim Brown and Burt Reynolds.

 

New Italian DVD release “Black Town”

 








“Black Town”

(2022)

 

Director: Emiliano Ferrera

Starring: Emiliano Ferrera, Stefano Jacurti, Luce Cardinale, Yassmin Pucci

 

Country: Italy

Label: Independent

PAL 2

Language: DD2 Italian

Running time: 31 minutes

Available by mail order at emilianoferrera@libero.it

Jack Palance: A Good Bad Man [archived newspaper article]

The Post profiled actor Jack Palance in 1954, where he explained his obsession for playing the darker side of villainy on the screen.

The Saturday Evening Post

“Hollywood’s Frightening Lover”

by Richard G. Hubler

November 13, 1954

“I learned how to hate when I was a kid,” says Walter Jack Palance. “In the hard-coal mines.” As a villain in nearly 90 percent of his roles, he has never forgotten the elementary tutoring of his childhood rough-and-tumble in a Northeastern Pennsylvania coal town. He has changed from an arrogant, stiff-necked youngster to a mild-spoken, thoughtful family man. But he can still summon up at will the turbulent emotions that he once experienced. This ability, together with his unusual face, makes him the foremost portrayer of “heavy roles” in Hollywood.

The deadliness of his deep-set stare, the shine of his high cheekbones and the honest witness of his dipsy–doodled nose, his tousled, lusterless black hair and belligerent muscular stance give him the edge on virtually all movie villains. Palance adds to this a voice that is almost suave in its gentility.

[Brief case: Though on-screen for less than 13 of Shane’s 118 minutes, Palance’s performance drew an Oscar nomination (Entertainment Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo)]

He wryly claims that even his four-year-old daughter, Holly Kathleen, is impressed. “Say something, Daddy,” she urged him one night. “Every person says you have a nice soft voice, anyway.”

He thinks that his so-called obsession for playing the darker side of villainy on the screen is easily explainable: “In any dramatic scene, the central figure is always the villain, not the hero. He has the most interest for the audience. The actor who inspires a healthy hatred will make more money than any other.” No actor who has made an outstandingly knavish screen portrayal has ever missed stardom. Palance knows; in his fourth picture he got star billing — about twice as fast as it usually happens.

To get “reality” for his villains, Palance sometimes goes to extremes. For his part in Shane, he trained the way he used to prepare for his professional fights. He actually got his draw and fire — without any particular aim — down to three-fifths of a second. The writer of the book complained that no one could fire a .44 with gloves on. Palance gently pointed out that he was already doing it.


Special Birthdays

 Manuel Berenguer (cinematographer) would have been 110 today but died in 1999.







Teresa Rossi Passante (actress) would have been 110 today but died in ?.







Giovanni Fago (director) is 90 today.







Piergiorgio Farina (singer) would have been 90 today but died in 2008.







André Albrecht (actor) is 40 today.

Monday, April 24, 2023

RIP Karin Gregorek

 


German theater, film, radio, TV and voice actress Karin Gregorek died in Berlin, Germany on April 22, 2023. She was 81. Born in Wendorf, Germany on September 26, 1941, she was best known to Germans for her television role as the nun Felicitas Meier from the ARD ratings hit “For Heaven’s Sake” (2002-2021). Bu her biggest hit with the public, with more than seven million viewers at times, was the long-running hit “Um Himmels Willen”, in which Gregorek has been involved since 2002. Felicitas Meier, the deputy superior of the Magdalen Order, was popular with various weaknesses: among other things, for tobacco, computer games, chocolate and poker. Karin appeared in one Euro-western: “Trini” aka “Death for Zapata” in 1979 playing the role of Frau Carlota.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Gabi Amrani

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Gabi Amrani-Gur was born in Nachlaot, Jerusalem, Israel on October 22, 1934. Upon his release from the army, he moved to Kibbutz Yakum and started working with the national kibbutz band. Later he moved to Kibbutz Zorea and staged a show during his stay there that was successful throughout the country. In 1957, after moving to Tel Aviv, he joined the “Bezal Yerok” band, which was mostly made up of the Nahal band members. In 1962 he went to study at an acting school in New York. “I went there with my first wife, we both studied acting there and lived there for four years, it was an unforgettable experience,” he says. “It was one of the most beautiful periods of my life. In 1966, upon his return to Israel, he won his first film role in the film “Fortuna”, and from there he became one of the most successful film actors in Israel in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. 

Gabi’s only Euro-western was as Angel in 1970’s “Madron” with Richard Boone and Leslie Caron. Richard Boone claimed at the time, that a Yemenite actor named Gabi Amrani, who plays a Mexican bandit chief in “Madron” would become an instant favorite in the United States. “He’s stealing the picture, but the only trouble,” Boone says, “is that he will probably be type-cast as a Mexican.” [Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 2, 1970]

AMRANI, Gabi (aka Gaby Amrani) (Gabi Amrani-Gur) [10/22/1934, Nachlaot, Jerusalem, Israel -     ] – theater, film, TV actor, singer, married to ?, married to ?, received the Ophir Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2000.

Madron – 1970 (Angel)

European Western Comic Books – ALBO TRIS (Mowgli - Panter Blak)

 








ALBO TRIS (Mowgli – Blac Panther)

A comic book with two regular characters: Mowgli (MO) (texts by Roberto Renzi, drawings by Augusto Pedrazza) and Black Panther (PB) (texts by Antonio Chiomenti, drawings by Vincenzo Chiomenti), and various free-themed stories (texts and drawings by Pini Segna). The stories “Anacleto” (#1/#8) are published in the appendix; “The Adventures of Pedrito” (#1/#8 and #12) and “Marcellino” (#9/#11). The comic was published on a weekly basis in 1955 with issue #1 released on February 9 and finishing with #12 on November 18th. It was published by MTO under the direction of Marino Tomasina. Each issue contained 32 black and white pages with color covers.

Titles

01 (02.09.55) - “La grande pioggia” (MO), “Il cacciatore di indiani” (PB), “A sud di Pala-Moa” ("The Big Rain" (MO), "The Indian Hunter" (PB), "South of Pala-Moa")

02 (09.09.55) - “Il cucciolo d’uomo” (MO), “La prigioniera dei Sioux” (PB), “Il Principe ribelle” ("The Man Cub" (MO), "The Prisoner of the Sioux" (PB), "The Rebel Prince")

03 (16.09.55) - “Il Re dei lupi” (MO), “Nel campo di Lunga Piuma” (PB), “I tre desperados” (- "The King of Wolves" (MO), "In the Field of Long Feather" (PB), "The Three Desperados")

04 (23.09.55) - “Nel covo dei ladri” (MO), “Il lago nero” (PB), “L'ultimo messaggio” ("In the Den of Thieves" (MO), "The Black Lake" (PB), "The Last Message")

05 (30.09.55) - “La figlia del mercante” (MO), “La valanga d’acqua” (PB), “I predoni dello Sciffa” ("The Merchant's Daughter" (MO), "The Avalanche of Water" (PB), "The Raiders of Sciffa")

06 (07.10.55) - “Verso la città” (MO), “L’inseguimento” (PB), “I due squali” ("Towards the City" (MO), "The Pursuit" (PB), "The Two Sharks")

07 (14.10.55) - “Il ratto di Maya” (MO), “Senza scampo” (PB), “Carica nella valle” ("The Rape of Maya" (MO), "Without Escape" (PB), "Charge in the Valley")

08 (21.10.55) - “Il prigioniero” (MO), “Segnale di fumo” (PB), “Incubo sull’isola” ("The Prisoner" (MO), "Smoke Signal" (PB), "Nightmare on the Island")

09 (28.10.55) - “Difficile impresa” (MO), “Battaglia nella valle” (PB), “La jena rossa” ("Difficult Enterprise" (MO), "Battle in the Valley" (PB), "The Red jena")

10 (04.11.55) - “La collina rossa” (MO), “Pioggia mortale” (PB), “Il Sergente Dan” ("Red Hill" (MO), "Deadly Rain" (PB), "Sergeant Dan")

11 (11.11.55) - “La prigioniera della grotta” (MO), “Notte di fuoco” (PB), “Fiamme nella jungla” ("The Prisoner of the Cave" (MO), "Night of Fire" (PB), "Flames in the Jungle")

12 (18.11.55) - “Inseguimento drammatico” (MO), “Ultima battaglia” (PB), “Allarme in città” (“Dramatic Pursuit” (MO), “Last Battle” (PB), “Alarm in the City”)