Bronson's star was rising even in 1965, 1965 ???

What a difference a couple of years and a few dollars can make. 

When one thinks of the rise of Charles Bronson's name one thinks of "Death Wish" (July 1974). From that film he was proclaimed an overnight success. Before that Bronson had toiled for over a decade as a up-and-coming support. Then in the late 1960's he was cast for a number of westerns that were shot in Spain. Such films as "Villa Rides" (May 1968) and "Once Upon a Time in the West (December 1968), allowed his name to increase in stature. But a couple of years earlier in Europe he had started to get top billing, over established stars, in re-releases of films that he barely received support billing on. One such film was Samuel Fuller's "Run of the Arrow". Why this film struck a chord with local industry bigwigs, and others didn't, is anyone's guess.

The "Run of the Arrow" had originally played Italy (October 1957) shortly after it premiered in the US (July 1957). At the time Charles Bronson's name appeared often in the advertising in the States. A fitting start for an emerging actor. A few months later when the film washed up on the shores of Italy his name was omitted entirely. Not surprising really. The local RKO office downplayed his appearance entirely, in favor of promoting the true leads Rod Steiger & Spanish born Sarita Montiel.

A couple of years later the Italians took notice of the rising bronzed actor and he was suddenly catapulted to top billing on the Italo reissue of "Run of the Arrow" (April 1965). At the time the local Spaghetti westerns were just getting a foothold on the Continent. The first one of any merit "A Fistful of Dollars" had been released barely a year earlier. Legend has it Bronson had turned the film down when his salary for "Fistful" was deemed to paltry.

The following year everyone in Italy was rushing westerns into production. The demand was so strong that even TV episodes of older shows ("Bonanza", "Rawhide" and "Branded") were being cobbled together and presented as feature films across Europe.

To compete, the aforementioned "Run of the Arrow" was dusted off, and its newly discovered star Charles Bronson not only got top billing but virtually dominated the new artwork. Three years later on the strength of his newfound box-office status he started toplining newer and bigger films, not just westerns.

Bronson soon returned home a bonafide Hollywood star.

By Micheal Ferguson