Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Don Chaffey

Don Chaffey was a British film and television director renowned for his contributions to fantasy cinema and family-oriented productions, including the mythological epic “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963) and the prehistoric adventure “One Million Years B.C.” (1966), as well as several live-action Disney features such as “Pete's Dragon” (1977).

Born in Hastings, England on August 5, 1917, Chaffey began his career in the film industry during World War II, joining the art department at Gainsborough Pictures in 1944 as an assistant before advancing to art director by 1946.[4] His directorial debut came in 1950 with the children's short documentary “The Mysterious Poacher”, which earned honors at the Venice Film Festival. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he directed a range of British features, including war dramas like “Danger Within” (1959) and comedies, while gaining prominence in the fantasy genre through collaborations with stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen on films such as “Jason and the Argonauts”, featuring groundbreaking special effects, and “One Million Years B.C.”, which marked Raquel Welch's breakout role.

In the 1970s, Chaffey transitioned more extensively to Disney, helming family films like “The Three Lives of Thomasina” (1963), “Ride a Wild Pony” (1971), “The Magic of Lassie” (1978), and the musical fantasy “Pete's Dragon”, which blended live-action with animation and earned two Academy Award nominations. Paralleling his film work, Chaffey directed numerous television episodes and movies from the 1960s onward, contributing to popular series such as ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Charlie's Angels’, ‘Fantasy Island’, ‘T.J. Hooker’, and ‘Hotel’, as well as telefilms like ‘Gift of the Magi’ (1978) and a Lassie special.

Chaffey relocated to the United States in the later stages of his career but spent his final years in New Zealand, where he died at age 73 in his sleep at his home on Kawau Island on November 13, 1990, likely from heart disease; he was survived by his wife, actress Paula Kelly, a daughter, and one grandchild. His body of work, spanning over four decades, emphasized imaginative storytelling and visual effects, cementing his legacy in both British and international cinema.

Don Chaffey directed one Spaghetti western. “Charlie-One-Eye” in 1972.

CHAFFEY, Don (aka Ronald Chaffey) (Donald George Chaffey) [8/5/1917, Hastings, East Sussex, England, U.K. – 11/13/1990, Kawau Island, New Zealand (heart disease)] – producer, director, writer, married to Edna Judd [1917-1981] (1941-1981), father of producer Nicolette Chaffey-Murray [1948-    ], married to actress Paula Kelly (Paula Alma Kelly) [1942-2020] (1985-1990).

Charlie-One-Eye – 1972 

 

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Valeria Bonamano

Valeria Bonamano is/was an Italian actress who appeared in one film “Perdonami” in 1953. She then turned her attention to writing stories and screenplays from 1965 to 1972.

I can find no biographical information about her.

Valeria co-wrote the screenplay for “Die schwarzen Adler von Santa Fe” (Black Eagle of Santa Fe) with Jack Lewis in 1965.

BONAMANO, Valeria – writer, actress.

Black Eagle of Santa Fe – 1965 (co)

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Aldo De Robertis

Aldo De Robertis was an Italian cinematographer on fifteen films from 1961-1977, a cameraman on six films from 1959 to 1969 and a worked on special effects on one film “Sodom and Gomorrah” in 1962.

I can find no biographical information on him.

Aldo was the cinematographer on one Spaghetti western, “Tutti fratelli nel west… per parte di padre” (Where the Bullets Fly) in 1972

De ROBERTIS, Aldo (aka Aldo de Robertis) [Italian] – cinematographer, cameraman, SFX.

Where the Bullets Fly - 1972