Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ José María Elorrieta

José María Elorrieta was a Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his prolific and versatile career in Spanish cinema, spanning multiple popular genres including fantasy comedies, adventure films, international co-productions such as Spaghetti Westerns, and later horror pictures. Born in Madrid on February 1, 1921, he initially studied law under family pressure before entering filmmaking, starting with the self-produced children's puppet film “La ciudad de los muñecos” in 1946 and building a body of work that adapted to evolving commercial trends and censorship constraints.

He directed and wrote numerous films across the 1950s and 1960s, ranging from folkloric dramas and religious stories to light-hearted fantasy comedies like “Mi adorable esclava” (1961) and “Una bruja sin escoba” (1967), the latter a time-travel comedy co-produced with the United States. His international projects included adventure and western titles such as “Los 7 de Pancho Villa” (1967), “El tesoro de Makuba” (1967), and “Apache Fury” (1964), often released under alternative credits like Joe De Lacy.

In the early 1970s, Elorrieta shifted toward more explicit horror, directing key entries in Spanish fantastic-terror cinema such as “Las amantes del diablo” (1971), “La llamada del vampire” (1972), and “El espectro del terror” (1973), contributing to the genre's growth as commercial viability improved. He died suddenly on February 22, 1974, in Madrid at age 53 while shooting the comedy “Las alegres vampiras de Vögel”, which was completed by another director. He was the father of actress Beatriz Elorrieta and director-composer Javier Elorrieta, passing his passion for cinema to the next generation.

José María Elorrieta directed five Spaghetti westerns: “El hombre de la diligencia” (Apache Fury) in 1963, “Fuerte perdido” (Massacte at Fort Grant) in 1964, “Dos mil dolares por Coyote” (Ballad of a Bounty Hunter) with León Klimovsky in 1965, “Los siete de Pancho Villa” (Vengeance of Pancho Villa” in 1967, “Si quieres vivir... dispara” (If You Shoot... You Live) in 1974

ELORRIETA, José María (aka Joe De Lacy, Joseph De Lacy, Joseph de Lacy, J. Douglas, Elorrieta, J.M. Elorrieta, Jose M. Elorrieta, Jose Mª Elorrieta, José Mª Elorriet, José María Elorrieta, J.E. Lacy, Joe Lacy) (José María Elorrieta de Lacy) [2/1/1921, Madrid, Madrid, Spain – 2/22/1974, Madrid, Madrid, Spain] – producer, director, composer, married to ? father of director, writer, composer, actor, Javier Elorrieta (Javier Elorrieta Pérez de Diego) [1950-    ], actress Beatriz Elorrieta, grandfather of actress Bárbara Elorrieta [1978-    ], founded Alesanco Producciones Cinematograficas.

Apache Fury – 1963 [as Joe Lacy/Joseph de Lacy]

Massacre at Fort Grant – 1964 [as J. Douglas]

Ballad of A Bounty Hunter – 1965 (co)

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Luciano B. Carlos

Luciano Balares Carlos was born in Sampaguita, Philippines in 1925. Known by his nickname "Chaning", Carlos began as a writer for Sampaguita Pictures and then ventured into directing. He directed 101 films between 1964 and 1997. He also wrote stories and screenplays for films 127 films between 1954 and 1991. During his film career he also acted and appeared in 9 films between 1954 and 2003.

His works were characterized by strong satirical and cynically humorous tones, which led him to be considered one of the most important exponents of Filipino comedy. Nevertheless, he was also able to be appreciated in several other genres, such as drama.

Carlos died of complications of pneumonia on November 21, 2002, at the age of 77, during a visit to his daughter in Fullerton, California. He was 77.

Lucien B. Carlos co-wrote one Spaghetti western 1970’s “I fratelli di Arizona” {The Arizona Kid) with Lino Brocka.

CARLOS, Luciano B. (aka Chaning Carlos, Luciano Carlos Luciano ‘Channing’ Carlos) (Luciano Balares Carlos) [1925, Sampaguita, Philippines – 11/21/2002, Fullerton, California, U.S.A. (pneumonia)] – director, assistant director, writer, songwriter, actor, married to Chet Carlos father of seven children.

The Arizona Kid – 1970 (co)

Vengeance of Pancho Villa - 1967 [as Joe Lacy]

If You Shoot... You Live – 1974 [as J. Lacy]

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Maurice Guillemin

Maurice Guillemin was an early French filmmaker who was a cameraman on two films produced another but his main career was as a cinematographer where he worked on thirty-three films between 1925-1937

Very little is known about the man and I can find no biographical information on him.

Maurice Guillemin was the cinematographer on one Euro-western, “Construire un feu” (The Origin of Fire) with Henri Barreyre in 1929.

GUILLEMIN, Maurice (aka Guillemin) [French] – producer, cinematographer, cameraman.

The Origin of Fire – 1929 (co)