Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Cesare Canevari

Cesare Canevari was born in Milan, Italy on October 13, 1927. He was an Italian filmmaker who worked as a director, screenwriter, actor, producer, and editor, specializing in low-budget genre films including spaghetti westerns and exploitation cinema. Born and deceased in Milan, he entered the industry in the 1950s initially as an actor in minor roles before directing under pseudonyms such as D. Brownson. Canevari helmed approximately nine feature films, with notable entries including the psychedelic spaghetti western “Mátalo!” (1970), recognized as a cult favorite for its unconventional style and surreal elements amid the genre's conventions, and the Nazisploitation picture “The Gestapo's Last Orgy” (1977), emblematic of his ventures into provocative wartime exploitation themes. His earlier directorial effort, “Die for a Dollar in Tucson” (1965), marked one of his contributions to Euro-westerns, though his overall output remained niche and outside mainstream acclaim

Canevari died in Milan on October 25, 2012, two weeks after turning 85.

Cesare Canevari directed two Spaghetti westerns: “Per un dollaro a Tucson si muore” (Die for a Dollar in Tucson) in 1964 and “Matalo” in 1970.

CANEVARI, Cesare (aka D. Brownson, C. Iravenac) [10/13/1927, Milan, Lombardy, Italy - 10/25/2012, Milan, Lombardy, Italy] - producer, director, screenwriter, film editor, actor.

Die for a Dollar in Tucson – 1964 [as D. Brownson]

Matalo! – 1970

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ John Baxter

John Philip Baxter was born in Foots Cray, Kent, England on December 31, 1896. He worked as a theatrical agent and theater manager, then became an assistant director in 1932. He formed his own production company with his friend John Barter and also acted in several films produced by Lance Comfort.

Baxter played a major role in the foundation of National Film Finance Corporation in 1948. He also directed and produced “Judgment Deferred” (1952) which was the first film of Group 3, a British government backed production venture. John produced, wrote and directed several films. He directed Deborah Kerr in her first leading role in “Love on the Dole” (1941), and was the producer-director for the musical-comedy films of Flanagan and Allen during World War II. He was one of the leading directors for British National Pictures.

His last film as a director and screenwriter was “Ramsbottom Rides Again” (1956) which featured Arthur Askey and was his only Euro-western

John Baxter died in London on February 15, 1975, at the age of 78

As mentioned above Baxter co-wrote the screenplay for one Euro-western: “Ramsbottom Rides Again” with Arthur Askey, Glenn Melvyn, Geofrey Orme and Basil Thomas which he also directed.

BAXTER, John (John Philip Baxter) [12/31/1896, Foots Cray, Kent, England, U.K. – 2/15/1975, London, England, U.K.] – producer, director, assistant director, writer, co-founded ‘Group 3 Productions’

Ramsbottom Rides Again – 1956 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Osvaldo Civirani

Osvaldo Civirani was born in Rome on May 19, 1917. He was an Italian filmmaker, still photographer, producer, cinematographer, screenwriter, and author known for his work in genres such as peplum, spaghetti westerns, and thrillers during the 1960s and 1970s. Civirani began his career in the film industry as a still photographer and camera operator, contributing to over 200 films from 1935 to 1965, including notable films like “Don Camillo e l'on. Peppone” (1955). By 1963, he transitioned into directing, helming around 20 films under his own name and pseudonyms such as Richard Kean and Glenn Eastman, often blending adventure, erotic, and action elements.

Among his most recognized directorial works are “The Devil with Seven Faces” (1971), a psychological thriller starring Rosalba Neri, and “Lucrezia” (1968), an erotic historical drama. He also produced and wrote screenplays for several projects, including “Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun” (1964) and “Il pavone nero” (1975), frequently collaborating with Italian and international talent in low-budget yet genre-defining cinema, and author of two autobiographical books on his career (1995, 2003). Civirani's multifaceted contributions helped shape the vibrant landscape of post-war Italian B-movies, though his output tapered off in the late 1970s.

Osvaldo Civirani died in Rome on February 20, 2008 at the age of 90.

Civirani was a cinematographer on four Spaghetti westerns: “Uno sceriffo tutto d’oro” (A Golden Shaeriff) in 1966, “Ric & Gian alla conquista del West” (Rick and John, Conquerors of the West) and “Il figlio di Django” (The Son of Django) both in 1967 and “T’ammazzo …raccomandati a Dio” (Dead for a Dollar) in 1968.

CIVIRANI, Osvaldo (aka O. Civirani, Glen Eastman, Richard Kean) [5/19/1917, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 2/20/2008, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – producer, director, writer, cameraman, cinematographer, son of photographer Carlo Civirani [1889-19??], married to ? (1943-1948) father of cinematographer Walter Civirani [1943-    ], father of Fabrizio Civirani [1964-    ] with ?, married Flor Civirani [1976-19??].

A Golden Sheriff – 1966 [as Glen Eastman/Eastman]

Rick and John, Conquerors of the West - 1967

The Son of Django - 1967

Dead for a Dollar – 1968