American stars boosted ‘Spaghetti Westerns in U.S. [archived newspaper article]

 

The Roanoke Times

February 25, 2008

 

     “The term ‘Spaghetti Western’ was first coined by American critics of the Italian Western and was intended to pejorative,” wrote Christopher Frayling in his book “Spaghetti Westerns.”

     “I prefer to use ‘Spaghetti Western’ in a descriptive sense [for movies made in Italy and Spain] – and also [as] a term of endearment.

     Just as Americans make pictures of other cultures – “Camelot” or “Crocodile Dundee II,” for example – Italians started making movies about America’s mythical Wild West. Cowboys, shootouts, bad guys, lawlessness all the good stuff. Something about it got them hooked, and the fever eventually spread back to the U.S.

     There are more than 600 of these “Euro-Westerns, says Thomas Weisser in his book “Spaghetti Westerns: The Good, the Bad and the Violent.” He lists a variety of movies such as “Last of the Mohicans” and Kill Them All and Come Back Alone.”

     American actors such as Clint Eastwood, Jack Palance and even Henry Fonda got involved, giving the movies appeal in the U.S., too. But Italian moviemakers such as director Sergio Leone and composer Ennio Morricone gave the movies something extras that has stood the test of time and placed the best of the Spaghetti Westerns among the very best of all Westerns.

     Morricone, by the way, won an honorary Oscar last year for his career’s work, which includes the legendary whistled refrain from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”