Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ William First

William First was an alias used by Guido Celano an Italian actor and director known for his extensive career in cinema spanning nearly six decades, during which he appeared in over 120 films from 1931 to 1988. He also worked as a voice actor and occasionally contributed as a screenwriter and producer, establishing himself as a versatile figure in Italian film, particularly in genre cinema including spaghetti Westerns.

Born on April 19, 1904, in Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy, Celano began his acting career in the late 1920s and became a recognizable character actor in both Italian and international productions. He directed two spaghetti Westerns, “Cold Killer” (1967) and “Gun Shy Piluk), showcasing his behind-the-camera talents in addition to his on-screen work.

He provided the Italian dubbing voice for the character Luca Brasi in “The Godfather” (1972).

Celano's filmography reflects his longevity in the industry, with roles ranging from period dramas and adventure films to Westerns and exploitation pictures, making him a staple supporting player in mid-20th-century European cinema until his final work in 1988. He died on March 7, 1988, in Rome, Italy from peritonitis at the age of 83.

As mentioned above William First Celano directed two Spaghetti westerns” “Uccideva a freddo” (Cold Killer) in 1966 and “Giurò... e li uccise ad unon ad uno” (Gun Shy Piluk) in 1968.

FIRST, William (aka Celano, Guy W. Ceylon) (Guido Celano) [4/19/1904, Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy – 3/7/1988, Rome, Lazio, Italy (peritonitis)] – producer, director, writer, theater, film, TV, voice actor, married to Tina Xeo (Ernesta Cucchiarelli) [1902-1992] (1934-1988) father of Virginia Celano, Ruggero Celano [1942-1976], stepfather of Amalia Gargiulo, Luciana Gargiulo, Claudio Gargiulo, awarded the Premio Medaglie d'oro [1974].

The Cold Killer – 1966

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Arturo Ruiz Castillo

Arturo Ruiz-Castillo y Basala was a Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer whose career bridged major historical periods in 20th-century Spain, including the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, and the democratic transition. Born in Madrid on December 9, 1910, he was raised in intellectual circles influenced by the "Edad de Plata" and educated according to the principles of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza, fostering a deep cultural inquisitiveness that shaped his multifaceted artistic pursuits. Over his lifetime, Ruiz-Castillo created approximately 18 feature films, 50 short films, and numerous television productions, contributing to the aesthetic evolution of Spanish cinema amid political constraints.

Ruiz-Castillo began his cinematic endeavors in the 1930s, producing works for pro-democracy organizations during the Spanish Civil War, which reflected experimental and republican-aligned aesthetics. Under Franco's regime, his output shifted to adapt to censorship, yet he maintained a commitment to narrative innovation; notable examples include the literary adaptation “Las inquietudes de Shanti Andía” (1947), a Basque coastal drama, and the propagandistic war film “El santuario no se rinde” (1949), which aligned with regime strategies during the early Cold War. Other significant directorial efforts encompassed “La laguna Negra” (1952), a thriller, and “Culpables” (1960), exploring moral dilemmas.

In the later stages of his career, Ruiz-Castillo transitioned to television during Spain's democratic opening, producing content that reflected evolving cultural landscapes. Despite his prolific output, his work was largely overlooked for decades due to the irregular nature of his filmography and the overshadowing political context, though recent scholarly interest has begun to reevaluate his role in Spanish audiovisual history. He received recognition such as a trophy from the Círculo Mercantil at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in 1972.

Arturo Ruiz Castillo co-wrote the screenplay for one Spaghetti western, “El secreto del captain O’Hara” (The Secret of Captain O’Hara) with Manuel Martinez Remis and José Maria Elorrieta in 1964/

CASTILLO, Arturo Ruiz (aka Arturo Ruiz) (Arturo Ruiz-Castillo y Basala) [12/9/1910, Madrid, Madrid, Spain – 6/18/1994, Madrid, Madrid, Spain (cerebral hemorrhage)] – director, writer, cinematographer, film editor son of publisher José Ruiz-Castillo Franco [1875-1945], married to mathematics teacher Rosa Bernis Madrazo [1909-1999] (19??-1994).

The Secret of Captain O’Hara – 1964 (co) 

Gun Shy Piluk – 1968

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Gerald Hirtschfield

Born on April 25, 1921, in New York City, Gerald Jospeh Hirschfeld was an avid moviegoer as a boy and developed an interest in photography. Self-taught, he began to learn his craft. “There were no film schools in those days, so I was always looking for new [photography] books, new information,” he told American Cinematographer in 2007. “By going to the movies, I gradually learned the styles of all the top Hollywood cameramen.”

Hirschfeld joined the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Serving at the Signal Corps Photographic Center during World War II, he was an assistant and operator for established Hollywood cinematographers including ASC members Leo Tover and Stanley Cortez. He later shot numerous training films, also doing process photography. After he was discharged, Tover became his mentor and helped him become established as a freelance cinematographer.

In 1949, Hirschfeld shot his first feature film, the crime picture “C-Man” — shot in just 11 days. After a few other feature and TV projects, he began to focus on shooting TV commercials, working at the NYC production house MPO Videotronics. Hirschfeld soon became the busiest cameraman in New York City, and MPO made him a vice president in the rapidly growing company. While he continued to work at MPO on high-end commercials, Hirschfeld would go on to shoot some 40 feature films, including “The Incident” (1967), “Goodbye Columbus” (1969), “Cotton Comes to Harlem” (1970), “Diary of a Mad Housewife” (1970), “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Two Minute Warning” (1976), “The World’s Greatest Lover” (1977), “Neighbors” (1981), “My Favorite Year” (1982) and “To Be or Not to Be” (1986).

Hirschfield died in Ashland, Oregon on February 13, 2017 at the age of 95.

Gerald Histschfield was a cinematographer on one Spaghetti Western, “Doc” in 1970.

HIRSCHFIELD, Gerald (aka Jerry Hirschfeld) (Gerald Joseph Hirschfield) [4/25/1921, New York City, New York, U.S.A. - 2/13/2017, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.] – director, cinematographer, cameraman, author, married to actress Sarnell Ogus[1927-2024], married to continuity, script supervisor Julia W. Tucker [1933-    ] (1982-2017) father of Marc Hirschfield, Eric Hirschfield, Burt Hirschfield, director, cinematographer, cameraman Alec Hirschfeld.

Doc – 1970