RIP Stefan Gossler

 

German voice actor Stafan Gossler died on January 19^th. He was 70. Gossler was born in 1955 in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Gossler was best known for his voice work with Japanese cartoons and video games but also worked on Spaghetti western films, TV series and DVD releases. After finishing school, he took acting lessons with Else Bongers. In 1979 he had his first theater engagement at the Grips-Theater in Berlin. He also played main roles at the Hansa-Theater. In 1983 he discovered his satirical talent at the "Institut für Lebensmut" with 'Zukunft warum denn?' by Volker Ludwig and Detlef Michel and displayed it in 1987-89 at the Stachelschweine cabaret theater. Stefan Gossler is well-known from various film and TV roles, and he works as dubbing and radio play speaker. Since 2000 he is a permanent member of the Jedermann-production ensemble under the direction of Brigitte Grothum. He lives with his Danish wife and two daughters as a free actor in Berlin and Denmark.

Gossler voiced seven Spaghetti westerns:

The New Adventured of Zorro (TV)- 1990 [German voice of Nicholas Guest]

Gunmen of the Rio Bravo – 1964 [1999 DVD German voice of Guy Madison]

800 Bullets – 2002 [German voice of Enrique Martinez]

Lucky Luke (TV) – 2002 [German voice of Jolly Jumper]

Shango – 1970 [2005 DVD German voice of Maurice Poli]

Twilight Avenger – 1970 [2005 DVD German voice of Sheriff Wilson]

Blackthorn – 2011 [German voice of Stephen Rea]

Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ José Negri

[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.]

Jose Maria Negri Roca was born in Argentina on November 24, 1947. He’s appeared in some sixty-eight films and television programs between 1990 and 2024. He’s best known today for his extensive work in Latin American dubbing, voicing characters like Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) in ‘NCIS’, Mr. Sullivan in “Chucky”, and Leo Wong in ‘Futurama’.

Using the stage name José Negri he’s appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Les aventures galantes de Zorro” (Red Hot Zorro) in 1972 and as Padre Pablo in 2004’s “Bandidas”.

De NEGRI, Jose (Jose Maria Negri Roca) [11/24/1947, Argentina -     ] – director, assistant director, theater, film, TV, voice actor.

Red Hot Zorro – 1972

Bandidas – 2004 (Padre Pablo)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director – Rafael Baledon

Mexican producer, director, writer, actor Rafael Baledón Cardenas was born in Campeche, Mexico on November 25, 1919. He was active during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Rafael worked in both film and television.

He originally wanted to be a doctor, but he couldn't take the professional exam due to financial reasons. So, he chose acting. He made his debut as an actor in cinema in the late 1930s, working as an extra. It wasn't until 1942 that he had his first leading role, in the movie “María Eugenia”. The following year, he married actress Lilia Michel (Lilia Larios Fernández) [1926–2011] and had five children: Rafael, Leonor, Ana Laura, Lourdes and Lilia.

On May 6, 1994, he died of a heart attack in Mexico City. He was 74..

Baledon directed one Euro-western: “El caballo blanco” (The White Horse) in 1961.

BALEDON, Rafael (aka Rafael Baledón, Rafael Baledón Cárdenas, Rafael Baledón padre) (Rafael Baledón Cardenas) [11/25/1919, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico – 5/6/1994, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (heart attack)] – producer, director, writer, actor, married to Lilia Michel (Lilia Larios Fernández) [1926–2011] (1946-1994) father of Leonarda Baledón [1955-1955, producer, production manager, assistant director, director, writer, film editor, actor Rafael Baledón Jr. [1965-    ],  singer Lourdes Baledón [1966-    ], actress Ana Laura Baledón, Leonor Baledón, Lilia Baledón.

The White Horse – 1961

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter -Amerigo Anton

Camillo Tanio Boccia was born in Potenza, Basilicata, Italy on June 15, 1911. He started as a dancer and choreographer in Rome in the 1930s, later moving on to act in regional, dialectal stage plays. He had a small role in “Variety Lights” (1951) by Alberto Lattuada and Federico Fellini, his first and sole performance as a film actor. Boccia directed 20 low-budget films in his career. He is best known for his work in the adventure film genre, particularly peplum, in the early 1960s with films such as “Caesar the Conqueror” (1962), “Samson Against the Pirates” (1963) and “Hercules of the Desert” (1964). In 1965 he directed the spy adventure “Agente X 1-7 operación Océano”.

His films, generally rated as B or Z movies, always meeting negative reception and Boccia was often mocked in the Cinecittà environment, earning the nickname of the "Italian Ed Wood" after his death. However, he has been re-evaluated in recent years, since his works, albeit rather poor, are considered "not at all the kind of cinematic disasters", and appreciated for his creativity in order to solve complicated situations, due to the low budget he had to work with. He was also labeled as the "Italian Roger Corman" for his ability to make a movie in a short time with low financial resources.

Camillo Boccia died in Rome on August 1, 1982, at the age of 71.

Boccia was regularly credited as Amerigo Anton and wrote two Spaghetti western screenplays using that alias: “Sapevano solo uccidere” (Saguaro) in 1968 with Mario Moroni and “La lunga cavalcata della vendetta” (The Long Ride of Revenge) in 1970.

ANTON, Amerigo (aka Amerifo Anton, Amerigo Antón) (Camillo Tanio Boccia) 6/15/1911, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy – 8/1/1982, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, writer, film editor, dancer, theater, film actor.

Saguaro – 1968 (co)

The Long Ride of Revenge – 1970

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer – Armando Barberi

Armando Barberi is an accomplished Italian cinematographer and key figure in the camera and electrical departments of major Italian film and television productions. He was born in Rome on May 23, 1969, and studied there at Studied at Economia e Commercio “La Sapienza”. His career spans several decades, marked by collaborations across a variety of genres, from large-scale international action films like "Cutthroat Island" to intimate Italian dramas and television series. Barberi's versatility and technical expertise have established him as a valuable asset behind the camera, contributing to both mainstream cinema and more niche projects within the Italian film industry.

Barberi’s filmography is distinguished by both his technical roles and his creative influence as director of photography. Notable early credits include his work in the camera and electrical department on the action-adventure film "Cutthroat Island," produced in 1995. Barberi has lent his craft to a range of films and television series. He served as cinematographer for the TV series "Distretto di polizia" (2007–2012). He has also contributed to feature films such as "Dagli Occhi dell'Amore" (2019) and short films like "Black Town" (2022), the latter of which was presented at the Rome Independent Film Festival, highlighting his presence in Italy’s independent film scene. He is credited as cinematographer on "W Muozzart!" (2025), "Coccinelle sul soffitto" (2024), and "Il racconto di Ester" (2024), among others. His recent work includes cinematography for "Il silenzio prima del giorno" (2023), which has garnered critical praise for its visual storytelling. Barberi’s portfolio is not limited to feature-length projects. He has been instrumental in crafting the visual identity of a number of short films and television movies, such as "Din Don – Un paese in due" (2022), which further demonstrates his versatility and commitment to the craft of cinematography.

Armando was the cinematographer on four recent Euro-westerns: “Oro e Piombo” (The Dutchman) in 2017, “Black Town” in 2022, “Oltre il confine” in 2024 and “Tex McKenzie” in 2025.

BARBERI, Armando [5/23/1969, Rome, Lazio, Italy -     ] – cinematographer, cameraman.

The Dutchman – 2017 (co)

Black Town – 2022

Oltre il confine – 2024

Tex McKenzie - 2025

THE GOLD OF THE AZTECS

1920, Italy

Aka… L'oro degli Azteki

T: 4923meters / 180m

Pc: Itala Film [Carlo Rossi and William Remmert] (Tur)

Dist: UCI-Unione Cinematografica Italiana (11/20, It)

D: Umberto Mozzato & Emilio Vardannes; P: Carlo Rossi and William Remmert

Ph: Raoul Comte

C: Armando Cammarano, Valentina Frascaroli, Umberto Mozzato, Anna Poggi, Emilio Vardannes, Felice Minotti

Syn: Mexico.

     Comm: Western elements and Mexico. Probable. Both directors Umberto Mozzato & Emilio Vardannes are amongst the cast.  Mozzato a decade before making THE GOLD OF THE AZTECS had starred in several films as the character ‘Ravioli’ (all 1910). While Vardannes had made similar comedies as ‘Toto’ (1910) and ‘Bonifacio’ (1911-12). A few years later he co-starred in THE WOMAN EXECUTIONER IN THE LAND OF GOLD aka La Donna Carnefice nel Paese dell'Oro (02/26). 

     Actress Valentina Frascaroli had just married actor/director André Deed [Henri André Augustin Chapais], better known as ‘Cretinetti’.  (1918-40, his death). One of his films was FOOLSHEAD’S LAST ROUNDUP. Actor Felice Minotti worked up until 1963 (his death) and appeared in BUFFALO BILL IN ROME (1950).

See… FOOLSHEAD’S LAST ROUNDUP

 

Submitted by Michael Ferguson

Tony Anthony is The Stranger: Outrageous Action, Adventure all with a rousing soundtrack

Medium

By Chris Nersinger

December 25, 2025

Above- Any image especially posters for any of the Stranger-Tony Anthony films from the ’60s are rare and hard to come by. Photo by Diabolik Diabolik Tumblr 

Tony Anthony, a Horse Named Pussy & a Pink Umbrella are about to let loose in an insane & outrageous Euro Western tale……

**Disclaimer- any & all links in this article have no direct relation to or are in anyway sponsored or affiliated with myself or Medium. Furthermore, nor are the reason for the creation of this article. And when it pertains-personal opinions and views noted.

Tony Anthony migrated from the US market to the international film market back in the ’60s. Becoming to coin a phrase the “poor man’s” Clint Eastwood or the instead of the “man with no name’ the stranger. These films which I say really consisted of three early ventures and then took a break until the mid ’70s with Get Mean. We are talking Euro or “spaghetti” westerns.

It was in Stranger in Town and The Stranger Returns that he solidified this persona of a scoundrel- possible bounty hunter where he rides into town on a horse, of…

Special Birthdays

Earnest Trimingham (actor) would have been 145 today but died in 1942.

Nando Cicero (director) would have been 95 today but died in 1995.

Mircea Breazu (actor) is 80 today.

Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Carmen Dene

[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.]

Gloria Carnencita Dias was born on December 19, 1944, in Liverpool England. She was a British actress using the stage name Carmen Dene. She was known for various supporting roles in the 1960s, including an uncredited appearance as a Mexican Girl in the 1965 “Carry On Cowboy”, alongside other films like “The Trygon Factor” and TV shows like ‘The Avengers’. While she wasn't a main "Carry On" star like some others, she was part of that iconic British film era, often playing minor roles or "girl" characters.

Other than her screen roles, not much is known about her life and career. She played a lot of uncredited roles. She was in the James Bond movie "Goldfinger" and in two of the "Carry on" films. In 1970 she played the role of a native girl on ‘The  Benny Hill Show in a Jacques Cousteau spoof.

Dene is/was married to John Evans in 1969. Whether they are still together is unknown as is the whereabouts of Ms. Dene.

As mentioned above, her only Euro-western role was in “Carry on Cowboy” in 1965 as a Mexican girl.

DENE, Carmen (aka Carmel Dene, Carmen Dias) (Gloria Carnencita Dias) [12/19/1944, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. -    ] – film, TV actress, married to John Evans (1969-19??).

Carry on Cowboy – 1965 (Mexican girl)

 

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director – Richard Balducci

Armando Pellegrino Ido Balducci was born in Paris, France on February 10, 1922. As a World War II correspondent until the Liberation, he joined Pierre Benard at France-Soir where Pierre Lazareff assigned him to the Shows section. He then became the press officer of the Olympia for ten years.

He was an actor in Jean-Luc Godard's “Breathless”. Then press officer again. He collaborated with many directors such as Luis Buñuel, Roger Vadim, Christian-Jaque, Luchino Visconti, Jean-Pierre Melville, Claude Lelouch, Terence Young, Jean-Luc Godard, Julien Duvivier, Jacques Demy, Agnès Varda, Philippe de Broca, François Truffaut, Jacques Deray, Claude Chabrol, Max Ophüls, Jacques Becker, André Cayatte, etc.

He owes his fame mainly to the creation of the film series “Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez” (1964-1982) with Louis de Funès, for which he had the original idea.

He moved on to directing under the alias Richard Balducci at the end of the 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, he made a series of comedy films with often evocative titles. His last film dates from 1986. He then devoted himself to writing novels.

Balducci married the ski champion turned actress Gisèle Sandré on January 17, 1963, in Paris, in the presence of Johnny Hallyday, Dalida and Charles Aznavour. On July 15, 1969, he married the actress and former Miss France Karin Meier in Neuilly, France.

Balducci died on December 8, 2015, in Créteil, France at the age of 93.

Balducci’s only Spaghetti western was “Dans la poussière du soleil” (In the Dust of the Sun) in 1971.

BALDUCCI, Richard (aka Bruno Baldwin) (Armando Pellegrino Ido Balducci) [2/10/1922, Paris, ‘Île-de-France, France - 12/8/2015, Créteil, Val-De-Marne, France] – journalist, director, writer, married to actress Gisèle Sandré (Gisèle Simone Sandré) [1941-    ] (1963-196?), married to actress Karin Meier (1969-????).

In the Dust of the Sun – 1971

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter – Tony Anthony

Tony Anthony was born Anthony Pettito on October 16, 1937. He is an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. Anthony worked for several years in Spaghetti Westerns (some with the co-production company Lupo-Anthony-Quintano Productions) appearing in 6 Euro-westerns. He produced and starred in two 3-Dimensional movies, both of which enjoyed a modest theatrical release. After making these two films, Anthony effectively retired from the movie industry (except for the occasional production work and authoring several books

As a screenwriter Anthony was involved with two of his Spaghetti westerns: “Lo straniero di silenzio” (The Silent Stranger) in 1968 with Vincenzo Cerami, Giancarlo Ferrando and Lloyd Battista, “Il pistolero cieco” (Blindman) in 1971 with Piero Anchisi, Lloyd Battista, Vincenzo Cerami and Ferdinando Baldi.

ANTHONY, Tony (aka Frank Pettito, Tony Pettito) (Anthony Petitto) [10/16/1937, Clarksburg, West Virginia, U.S.A. -     ] – producer, director, writer, songwriter, film actor, singer, brother of actor David Dreyer (David Emmett Petitto) [1942-2014].

The Silent Stranger – 1968 (co)

Blindman – 1971 (co)

Come Together - 1971 [western stuntman footage]

The Return of Blindman (1972-1975) [film was never made.]

Scratch - 1973 [unfinished film]

Stranger in the Middle Kingdon (1973 [unfinished film]

Riders on the Storm – 1989 (co) [Film was never made.]

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer – Michael Ballhaus

Michael Ballhaus was born in Berlin, Germany on August 5, 1935. He was one of the world’s most important cinematographers. Before spending 25 years working primarily in the U.S.A., he established his reputation in Germany where he worked with, among others, auteur Rainer Werner Fassbinder, helping “Young German Cinema” achieve new artistic freedom. At the lens alongside great American directors such as Martin Scorsese, he had a decisive effect on the lighting and look of U.S. moviemaking.

His body of work comprises some 130 films for theaters and television, including 15 films with Fassbinder and seven with Scorsese alone, alongside many other legendary directors, including Peter Lilienthal, Wolfgang Petersen, Volker Schlöndorff, John Sayles, Robert Redford, James L. Brooks, Paul Newman, Mike Nichols, and Francis Ford Coppola.

Michael Ballhaus died in Berlin on April 12, 2017, at the age of 81.

Ballhaus was the cinematographer on two Euro-westerns: “Whity” in 1971 and “Tschetan” (Chetan, Indian Boy) in 1972.

BALLHAUS, Michael (aka Michael Alexander) [8/5/1935, Berlin, Berlin, Germany - 4/12/2017, Berlin, Berlin, Germany] – producer, director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, film editor, actor, married to producer, actress Helga Ballhaus (Helga Maria Betten) [1935-2006] (1958-2006) father of producer, assistant director, cameraman, Jan Sebastian Ballhaus, cinematographer, cameraman Florian Ballhaus [1965-    ], married to production designer, director, assistant director, writer, Sherry Hormann [1960-    ] (2011-2017)

Whity - 1971

Chetan, Indian Boy – 1972

“FOOLSHEAD AMONG THE INDIANS”

 FOOLSHEAD AMONG THE INDIANS

1910, Italy

Aka… Cretinetti fra gli Indiani / ‘Cretinetti Among the Indians’ / ‘Foolshead Among the Indians’ (It)

Ex… ‘Boireau Parmi les Indiens’ / ‘Gribouille Parmi les Indiens’ ([?], Fr) 

Pc: Itala Film (Turin)

P: Carlo Rossi & William Remmert

Dist: Itala Film (It)

D: André Deed [Henri André Augustin Chapais]

C: André Deed [Henri André Augustin Chapais] (Cretinetti)

Syn: America [?]

     Comm: Western elements. Most likely. ‘Cretinetti’ translates as ‘Foolish’ and his American persona ‘Foolshead’ is more appropriate to be used here as a header. Deed was known as both ‘Gribouille’ and ‘Boireau’ in France, but no mention of FOOLSHEAD AMONG THE INDIANS being exhibited there has turned up.

     As the word ‘Apache’ isn’t used in the title it is doubtful that FOOLSHEAD AMONG THE INDIANS deals with ‘Apache Dancing’. Other sources are bolder and list the plot as ‘featuring his slapstick antics in a comedic portrayal of encounters with Native Americans’.                      Next up FOOLSHEAD’S LAST ROUNDUP.

 

By Michael Ferguson

Who Are Those Guys? ~ Jaime Fernandez

 

Nicolás Jaime Fernández Reyes was born in Monterey, Mexico on December 6, 1927. His half-brother Emilio "El Indio" Fernandez [1904-1986] was Mexico's greatest native-born movie director, as well as a great movie star himself, while his brother Fernando Fernández [1916-1999] was a famous singer and movie actor.

Under the stage name of Jaime Fernandez, he began acting when he was 10 years old, making his credited screen debut in director Fernando de Fuentes's “Allá en el Rancho Grande” (1949). His second credited role, in “La malquerida” (1949), was directed by his brother, Emilio Fernández. Jaime worked with the great El Indio on seven other films and won the Ariel Award (the Mexican equivalent of the Oscar) for Best Actor in a Minor Role under his brother's direction for “The Rebellion of the Hanged” (1954). Jamie had won his first Ariel award for Best Young Actor (Mejor Actuación Juvenil) for “El rebozo de Soledad” (1952) and would win a third as Best Supporting Actor playing Friday in 'Luis Bunuel' 's English-language “Las Aventuras de Robinson Crusoe) (1954).

In all he appeared in over 200 films and served as the general secretary of the National Association of Actors (ANDA) for 11 years.

Fernández was married to twice and had four children and died from a heart attack in Mexico City on April 15, 2005, at the age of 77.

Jaime appeared in three Spaghetti westerns: “A Bullet for the General” as General Elias, “The Warriors of Pancho Villa” as Colonel Gutiérrez both in 1966 and as Golden Lance in 1967’s “Guns for San Sebastian”.

FERNANDEZ, Jaime (aka Jamie Fernandez) (Nicolás Jaime Fernández Reyes) [12/6/1927, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico – 4/15/2005, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (heart attack)] – director, film, TV actor, brother of director, writer, actor, singer Fernando Fernández [1916-1999], half-brother of producer, director, assistant director, writer, author, actor Emilio Fernandez (Emilio Fernández Romo) [1904-1986], married to Corrine Brandy Chanon [1929-1987] (19??-19??), married to Glenda Fernández (19??-2005) father of Héctor Fernández, Jaime Fernández, Glenda Fernández, Corín Fernández.

A Bullet for the General – 1966 (General Elias)

The Warriors of Pancho Villa – 1966 (Colonel Gutiérrez)

Guns for San Sebastian – 1967 (‘Golden Lance’)

Special Birthdays

Miguel Arbo [composer] would have been 110 today but died in 1996.

Steve Reeves (writer, actor) would have been 100 today but died in 2000.

Vladimir Malik (cinematographer) would have been 95 today but died in 2022.

Csurka László [voice actor] would have been 90 today but died in 2020.

Lucio Rosato (actor) is 85 today.

 

Krista Nell (actress) would have been 80 today but died in 1975.

Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Tina De Mola

[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.]

Born Ernesta De Mola in Milan, Italy on October 28, 1923. Tina De Mola (stage name) was the daughter of a barber. After winning a contest for new voices in 1941, she started her career as singer-actress with several avanspettacolo companies. In 1942, she met Renato Rascel, and soon became his wife and the Primadonna in his revue company. That same year she made her film debut, in Giacomo Gentilomo's “Pazzo d'amore”. In 1946, De Mola participated to the Miss Italia beauty contest, getting the title of "Miss Sorriso D'Italia". After working on stage with the companies led by Erminio Macario, Ugo Tognazzi and Mario Carotenuto, she successfully toured South America with a program of Italian music. From 1955 onwards, she became a central figure in early Italian television, as a hostess and soubrette in a number of variety shows. De Mola and Rascel obtained the Roman Rota's annulment of marriage in 1963, and De Mola supposedly remarried in 1971but I can find no mention of her second husband.

Tina De Mola died in Rome on April 12, 2012 at the age of 88

Tina appeared in one Spaghetti western “La sceriffa” (The Sheriff) in 1959 as Dolly.

De MOLA, Tina (Ernesta De Mola) [10/28/1923, Milan, Lombardy Italy – 4/18/2012, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, writer, composer, songwriter, theater, film, TV actor, singer, married to Renato Rascel (Renato Ranucci) [1912-1991] (1943-1958), married ? (1971-????).

The Sheriff – 1959 (Dolly)

 

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director – Alexander Baldreich

Alexander Baldreichwas born on September 11, 1990, in Krems an der Donau, Austria. He’s been actively interested in the movie world since 2004.

In the beginning he produced his first amateur short movies. After more than two years, in 2009, his first amateur feature film “Deadly Friendships” was completed, which was funded by the program “Cash for Culture”.

In 2012 he graduated in directing and production from the Film School Zlín in Czech Republic.

In 2013 he started a Production internship at Constantin Entertainment in Munich. He also worked as a lighting technician for “Znamení koně” - also a TV series – in Czech Republic.

In July 2018 he completed his master’s degree in film, TV and Media Creation and Distribution at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences.

In the years that followed, Alexander Baldreich produced several short movies, most of them received the support from the states of Lower Austria, Carinthia and Upper Austria.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, he worked on his first independent western movie with sci-fi elements “Stolen Time".

Alexander has directed two Euro-westerns: “John Parker and the Madman” in 2020 and “Silent Time” in 2025.

BALDREICH, Alexander [9/11/1990, Krems an der Donau, Austria -     ] – producer, director, writer, photographer.

John Parker and the Madman – 2020

Stolen Time - 2025

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter – Marie-Ange Anies

Marie-Ange Aniès was born in Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, France on July 6, 1942. She is a writer and actress known for her work in French cinema, particularly in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with such credits as the film “The Champagne Murders” (1967). While she also worked as an actress, her writing contributions are noted for films such as “Les pétroleuses” (The Legend of Frenchie King)), where she co-wrote the story and appeared in the film as Constance.

Her only Spaghetti western writing credit is for “Les pétroleuses” (The Legend of Frenchie King” with Jean Nemours, in 1971 with Jean Nemours.

ANIES, Marie-Ange (aka Marie Ange Anies) (Marie-Ange Aniès) [7/6/1942, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, France -     ] – writer, actress.

The Legend of Frenchie King – 1971 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer – Antonio Ballesteros

Antonio Lopez Ballesteros was one of the best known of the Spanish cinematographers. Born in Madrid, Spain on February 8, 1910, he worked on over 90 films and television programs between 1950 and 1982. Some of his most well-known films are “The Last Days of Pompeii “(1959) “The Colossus of Rhodes” in 1961 and the “Son of Captain Blood” in 1962.

He is the father of cinematographer, cameraman, father of Antonio Ballesteros Jr. [1935-2021].

Although there is no published account of his death, I’m sure by now he has passed away.

Antonio was the cinematographer of three Spaghetti westerns: “El Puro” with Edoardo Mulargia in 1969, “Los fabulosos de Trinidad” (The Fabulous Trinity) with Antonio Lopez Ballesteros Jr. and “Ninguno de los tres se llamaba Trinidad” (The Fat Brothers of Trinity) both in 1972

BALLESTEROS, Antonio L. (Antonio Lopez Ballesteros) [2/8/1910, Madrid, Madrid, Spain –     ] – cinematographer, cameraman, father of Antonio Ballesteros Jr. [1935-2021].

El Puro – 1969 (co)

The Fabulous Trinity – 1972 (co)

The Fat Brothers of Trinity – 1972

A new Spanish, German western film release “Who Was John Lloyd?”

 

Who was John Lloyd

 

¿Quién era John Lloyd? – Spanish title

Who was John Lloyd – English title

 

A 2025 Spanish, German short film co-production [D.E.D. Independent, Sweetwater Tabernas (Almeria)]

Producers: Janine Hutchins, John Hutchins, Dirk Roche, Didier Methivier (Raoul

     Akrassay)

Directors: Dirk Roche, John Hutchins, Didier Methivier (Raoul Akrassay)

Story: Dirk Roche, John Hutchins

Screenplay: Dirk Roche, John Hutchins, Didier Methivier (Raoul Akrassay)

Cinematography: Didier Methivier (Raoul Akrassay) [black & white, sepia tone]

Music: Kevin Macleod

Running time: 18 minutes

 

Cast:

John Lloyd - John Hutchins

With: Dirk Roche Didier Methivier (Raoul Akrassay), Janine Hutchins

A narrator tells us his true short story about the forgotten silent film actor John Lloyd and shows us the last surviving and most successful silent film by John Lloyd, "Sheriff LoneStar John", which was found 4 months ago in the attic of an old house in Chicago.

The film contains public domain footage.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hqe1MttdJU

New Austrian western ~ “Stolen Time”

 

Stolen Time – International title

 

A 2025 Austrian film production [Fuel Vision (Vienna)]

Producer: Alexander Baldreich

Director: Alexander Baldreich

Story: Alexander Baldreich, Teresa Provin

Screenplay: Alexander Baldreich, Teresa Provin

Cinematography: Yuriy Chubenko [color]

Music: Daniel Stadler

Running time: 84 minutes

 

Cast:

Aiona - Nadine Grosinger

John Parker - Gabriel Holzer

Jack der Verrückte – David Ketter

Janna - Stephanie Lexer

Pete Parker - Johannes Weikl

Playing with time has consequences. Grief and revenge clash in Stolen Time, a time-travel Western blending drama and sci-fi. John Parker mourns his brother Pete's tragic loss, only to discover that Pete may still be alive trapped by the vengeful Jack the Madman. Armed with a mysterious pocket watch that can alter time, John must face his own grief and confront Jack in a race against time. As their battle spans past, present, and future, secrets unravel, and the power of two pocket watches threatens to alter fate itself. Will John succeed in saving his brother, or will time ultimately claim them both?

This is a sequel to director, writer Alexander Baldreich’s 2020 western John Parker and the Madman with the same actors reprising their roles.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msEfYM7ko2k

Special Birthdays

Alex Nicol (actor) would have been 110 today but died in 2001.

Eddie Karnil (actor) would have been 90 today but died in 2008.

Gildo di Marco (actor) is 80 today.

Martin Luther King Day 2026

 

Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Fernando di Miragaya

[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.]

Fernando di Miragaya is/was a Spanish character actor. He was billed also as F. de Miragaya and Fernando De Miragaia. 

His five year film career consisted of only five films and all were Spaghetti westerns: “Veinte pasos para le Muerte” (Twenty Paces to Death) in1969 as a Kimberly henchman “La diligencia de los condenados” (Stagecoach of the Condemned) in 1970 as a cowboy, “I corvi ti scaveranno la fossa” (The Buzzards and Crows Will Dig Your Grave) in as Garcia, “Un colt por 4 cirios” (4 Candles for My Colt) as an Oswald henchman both in 1971 and  as Wiseman in 1974’s “Tres forajidos y un pistolero” (The Spikes Gang).

I can find no biographical information on him.

de MIRAGAYA, Fernando (aka Fernando De Miragaia) [Spanish] – film actor.

Twenty Paces to Death – 1969 (Kimberly henchman)

Stagecoach of the Condemned – 1970 (cowboy)

The Buzzards and Crows Will Dig Your Grave – 1971 (Garcia) [as Fernando De Miragaia]

4 Candles for My Colt – 1971 (Oswald henchman) [as]

Spikes Gang – 1974 (Wiseman)

19 Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director – Ferdinando Baldi

Ferdinando Baldi was born in Cava De' Tirreni, Campania, Italy on October 18, 1927. Baldi was born in Cava de' Tirreni, Salerno, on 19 May 1927. He was employed as a teacher after getting a degree in literature, but he got involved in cinema thanks to his acquaintance with Italian producer Tiziano Longo and he produced his first movie, “Il Prezzo dell'onore” in 1952.

After making his first film, he abandoned teaching. He ranged from spaghetti westerns to musicals, not forgetting mythological films or comedies. He had the opportunity to direct actors such as Orson Welles in “David and Goliath” (1960) and “The Tartars” (1961), Alan Ladd in “Horatii and Curiazi” (1961), Ben Gazzara in “Afyon” (1972), the ex-Beatles Ringo Starr in “Blindman” (1971) and Serena Grandi in “The Traveling Companion” (1980). He often collaborated with the screenwriters Franco Rossetti and Vincenzo Cerami

Throughout his career he used a number of pseudonyms, including Ted Kaplan, Ferdy Baldwin and Sam Livingstone.

A dependable director he directed ten Spaghetti westerns: “Texas, addio” (The Avenger) in 1966, “Little Rita nel West” (Little Rita of the West) in 1967, “Odia il prossimo tuo!” (Hate Your Neighbor) in 1968, “Preparati la bara!” (Viva Django!) in 1968, “Il pistolero dell’Ave Maria” (The Forgotten Pistolero) in 1969, “Il pistolero cieco” (Blindman) in 1971 “Carambola” in 1973 “Carambola filotto…tutti in buca” (The Crazy Adventures of Len and Coby) in 1974 “Get Mean” in 1975 and “Yendo hacia ti” (Comin’ at Ya!) in 1980.

BALDI, Ferdinando (aka Ferdy Baldwin, Free Baldwin, Ferdy Baldwyn, Ted Kaplan, Sam Livingstone) [10/18/1927, Cava De' Tirreni, Campania, Italy – 11/11/2007, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, production manager, director, assistant director, writer, actor, married to Rosetta Giarnieri father of Marina Baldi, Alessandra Baldi.

The Avenger – 1966 [as Fernando Baldi]

Little Rita of the West - 1967

Hate Your Neighbor – 1968

Viva Django! – 1968

The Forgotten Pistolero – 1969 [as Sam Livingston]

Blindman – 1971

Carambola – 1973

Scratch – 1973, 1992 [Film was never made.]

The Crazy Adventures of Len and Coby – 1974

Stranger in the Middle Kingdom – 1974 [film was never made.]

Get Mean - 1975

Comin' at Ya! – 1980

Escape from Beyond – 1982 [film was never made.]

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter – Luigi Angelo

Luigi Angelo Giunta is/was an Italian writer who wrote stories and screenplays for twenty films between 1955 and 1980.

Luigi co-wrote screenplays for four Spaghetti westerns and the dialogue for one other. “Lola Colt” (Black Tigress) in 1967 with Lamberto Antonelli, Siro Marcellini, “Odia il prossimo tuo!” (Hate Your Neighbor) in 1968, “Black Killer” with Carlo Croccolo and “Le juge Roy Bean” (Judge Roy Bean) in 1971 with Federico Chentrens, Oscar De Mans.

I can find no biographical information about him.

ANGELO, Luigi (Luigi Angelo Giunta) [Italian] – writer.

Black Tigress – 1967 (co)

Hate Your Neighbor – 1968 (co)

The 4 Gunmen of the Holy Trinity – 1970 [dialogue]

Black Killer – 1971 (co)

Judge Roy Bean – 1971 (co)

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer – Angelo Baistrocchi

Angelo Baistrocchi is/was an Italian cinematographer and cameraman who was a cinematographer on twenty-four films between 1953 and 1977. He worked as a cameraman on seven films between1941 and 1968.

From his credits he must have been born some time in 1910s and most likely has passed on by now.

Angelo was the cinematographer on four Spaghetti westerns:“Uccideva a freddo” (The Cold Killer) in 1966, “Giurò... e li uccise ad unon ad uno” (Gun Shy Piluk) and “Una forca per un Bastardo” both in 1968 and “Un uomo chiamato Dakota” (A Gunman Called Dakota) in 1971 with Mario Capriotti.

BAISTROCCHI, Angelo [Italian] – cinematographer, cameraman.

The Cold Killer - 1966

Gun Shy Piluk – 1968

Una forca per un bastardo – 1968

A Gunman Called Dakota – 1971 (co)

Spaghetti Western locations Then and Now – “A Pistol for Ringo”

In this photo we see Ringo leaving the scene of his killing of four bounty hunters in the beginning of the film. The scene was filmed in Pozo de Los Frailes, Almería, Spain.

Here’s a photo of the same location taken in 2025.

European Western Comic Books – Collana Argento (Lone Ranger - I moschettieri del re - Cisco Kid - Ispettore Wade - Charlie Chan - Cino e Franco - Vari)

 

Comic Book Compilation Series (Lone Ranger - The Three Musketeers - Cisco Kid - Inspector Wade - Charlie Chan - Cino and Franco - Various)

This is a series of comic books, started in 1971 by the Club Nostalgia, founded by the brothers C. and O. Voltolina. Over the years, it published a series of chronologies of important Italian and international comic book characters such as Capitan Furia (CF), Capitan Mistero L’inafferrabile, Gordon Fife, Lone Ranger (LR), Radio Pattuglia (#101/104), Lesley Shane (#115), Hopalong Cassidy (HC) (#97 and #113),L’ispettore Wade (IW), Will Sparrow (WS), Cisco Kid (CK), Randall (RA), Charlie Chan (CC) Cino e Franco (CF), to which should be added Ayesha la Donna Eterna (#111 and #112), I Moschettieri del re (#44/50), Michele Strogoff (#27), The Three Musketeers (#7), The Jungle Book (#18), The Last of the Mohicans (#33 and #34), all by Jose Luis Salinas, and other characters such as The Golden Arrow (#1), Three Thrillers for Audax (AU) (#4), The Mysterious Planet (#21), The Mystery of the Phantom Bear (#9), Lands Without Peace (#13 and #14), The Secret of Yuma (#32), The Scarlet Pimpernal (#52). In the Bowels of the Earth (#38), The Red Idol (#116). For some characters, such as Lone Ranger, it also presents previously unpublished material. The fortieth title in the series is entitled Almanacco Argento and publishes some previously unpublished episodes of the characters already featured in the monographic volumes.

This compilation was published in 1971 byr CNO with issue #1 being released in January and ended with issue #147 at an end known date.

Known Titles

001 (00.00.71) - "La freccia d'oro" (The Golden Arrow)

002 (00.00.00) - "La minaccia" (LR) (The Threat)

003 (00.00.72) - "Lo sparviero dell'Atlantico", "Il mistero dell'abisso" (WS) (The Atlantic

                            Hawk", "The Mystery of the Abyss)

004 (00.00.72) - "Tre thrilling per Audax" (AU) (Three Thrillers for Audax)

005 (00.00.72) - "La casa del terrore" (LR) (The House of Terror)

006 (00.00.72) - "La banda degli incappucciati" (LR) (The Hooded Gang)

007 (00.05.72) - "I tre moschettieri" (The Three Musketeers)

008 (00.00.00) - "Deac Holt" (LR) (Deac Holt)

011 (00.00.00) - "L'esplosione al pozzo di petrolio" (LR) (The Oil Well Explosion)

012 (00.00.00) - "Mistero a Pine River" (LR) (Mystery in Pine River)

014 (00.00.00) - "Nelle gole del Colorado" ("Terra senza pace II") (

015 (00.00.00) - "Hernan il corsaro" (Hernan the Corsair)

016 (00.00.00) - "Butch il ricattatore" (LR) (Butch the Blackmailer)

017 (00.00.00) - "Lo spirito malefico" (LR) (The Evil Spirit)

018 (10.04.73) - "Il libro della giungla" (The Jungle Book)

019 (00.00.73) - "La fattoria Martini" (LR) (The Martini Farm)

020 (00.00.73) - "Assalto al treno" (LR) (Train Robbery)

021 (10.07.73) - "Il pianeta misterioso" (The Mysterious Planet)

022 (00.00.00) - "Mendoza lo spietato" (LR) (Mendoza the Ruthless)

023 (00.00.00) - "L'agguato" (LR) (The Ambush)

024 (00.00.00) - "Il vendicatore" (CF) (The Avenger)

025 (00.00.00) - "I ricatti del sindacato Slavin" (LR) (The Slavin Syndicate's Blackmail)

026 (00.00.00) - "Il mistero del totem" (LR) (The Mystery of the Totem)

027 (00.00.00) - "Michele Strogoff" (Michael Strogoff)

028 (00.00.00) - "L'attacco alla carovana" (LR) (he Attack on the Caravan)

030 (00.00.00) - "La banda del veleno" (LR) (The Poison Gang)

031 (00.00.00) - "Il rinnegato" (LR) (The Renegade)

032 (00.00.00) - "Il segreto di Yuma" (The Secret of Yuma)

035 (00.00.00) - "Il tesoro nascosto" (LR) (The Hidden Treasure)

036 (00.00.00) - "Il lago dorato" (WS) (The Golden Lake)

037 (00.00.82) - "Phantom Valley" (RA) (Phantom Valley)

038 (00.00.00) - "Nelle viscere della Terra" (In the Bowels of the Earth)

039 (00.00.00) - "La miniera Eldorado" (LR) (The Eldorado Mine)

040 (00.00.00) - "Almanacco Argento" (Silver Almanac)

041 (00.00.00) - "Capitan Mistero" (CM) (Captain Mystery)

042 (00.00.00) - "Carmody" (LR) (Carmody)

044 (00.00.00) - "L'uomo di Meung" (MR) (The man from Meung)

049 (00.00.00) - "La Maschera di Ferro" (MR) (The Iron Mask)

051 (00.00.00) - "Cisco Kid Prima avventura" (CK) (The Cisco Kid’s First Adventure)

052 (00.00.00) - "La Primula Rossa" (The Scarlet Pimpernel)

054 (00.00.00) - "Cisco Kid Seconda avventura" (CK) (The Cisco Kid’s Second

                            Adventure)

055 (00.00.00) - "Cisco Kid Terza avventura" (CK) (The Cisco Kid’s Third Adventure)

056 (00.00.00) - "La diga della discordia" (LR) (The Damn of Discord)

057 (00.00.00) - "Cisco Kid Quarta avventura" (CK) (Cisco Kid’s Fourth Adventure)

058 (00.00.00) - "La regina di Tanit", "La tigre sacra" (CM) (“The Queen of Tanit", "The

                             Sacred Tiger”

060 (00.00.00) - "La trappola" (LR) (The Trap)

061 (00.00.00) - "Il bandito gentiluomo" (CK) (The Gentleman Bandit)

062 (00.00.00) - "Il matrimonio di Pancho" (CK) (Pancho’s Wedding)

063 (00.00.00) - "Lo Scarabeo Giallo" XXII^ avventura (IW) (The Yellow Beetle" XXII

                             Adventure)

065 (00.00.83) - "Il caso dei cani di Sierra" (CC) (The Case of the Sierra Dogs)

066 (00.00.83) - "La storia di Poppy" (CC) (The Story of Poppy)

068 (00.00.83) - "La Tigre della Gestapo" (CC) (The Gestapo Tiger)

069 (00.00.83) - "Tragico epilogo" (CC) (Tragic Epilogue)

070 (00.00.83) - "Mistero a Hispaniola" (CC) (Mystery in Hispaniola)

071 (00.00.00) - "L'assassino suonava un'armonica" (CK) (he Killer Played a Harmonica)

072 (00.00.00) - "Il caso del serpente piumato" ??? avventura (IW) (The Case of the

                             Feathered Serpent)

073 (00.00.00) - "La cotta araldica" XXIV^ avventura (IW) (The Heraldic Crush)

074 (00.00.00) - "Ringer" XXI^ avventura (IW) (Ringer)

075 (00.00.00) - "La scolta della morte" XXVI^ avventura" (IW) (The Death Watch)

076 (00.00.00) - "La caverna maledetta" (LR) (The Cursed Cave)

080 (00.00.00) - "Il circo indiano" (CK) (The Indian Circus)

081 (00.00.00) - "Priscilla" (CK) (Priscilla)

082 (00.00.00) - "Trappola mortale" (LR) (Deadly Trap)

086 (00.00.00) - "Lion il tiranno" (CK) (Lion the Tyrant)

087 (00.00.00) - "L'eredità contesa" (CK) (The Contested Legacy)

091 (00.00.00) - "Big Banyon" (CK) (Big Banyon)

092 (00.00.00) - "Smith il superstizioso" (CK) (Smith the Superstitious)

097 (00.00.00) - "Lo sceriffo nero", "La falsa accusa" (HC) (The Black Sheriff)

111 (00.00.00) - "Ayesha la donna eterna Primo episodio" (Ayesha, the eternal woman –

                             Episode one

133 (00.00.00) - "Missione a Rungu Ruins" (CF) (Mission to Rungu Ruins)

134 (00.00.00) - "L'imprendibile Okapi" (CF) (The Uncatchable Okapi)

135 (00.00.00) - "La fortezza nel deserto" (CF) (The Fortress in the Desert)

136 (00.00.00) - "La palude degli agguati" (CF) (The Swamp of Ambushes)

139 (00.00.00) - "Il temerario muscoloso" (CF) (The Daring Muscleman)

140 (00.00.00) - "Mister Mamba" (CF) (Mister Mamba)

141 (00.00.00) - "Il fantasma di Fire Hill" (CF) (The Ghost of Fire Hill)

142 (00.00.00) - "Missione a Bakseka" (CF) ("Mission to Bakseka)

147 (00.00.00) - "Il Caso Tricky Trawler" (CF) (The Tricky Trawler Case)