RIP Francesco Massaro

 

Italian director and writer Francesco Massaro died in Rome on July 20^th. He was 90, Born in Padua on August 23, 1935, Massaro started his career as assistant director of Luchino Visconti's “The Leopard”. In the 1960s, he began to collaborate with eminent directors such as Pietro Germi, Dino Risi and Lucio Fulci. He made his debut as a director in 1972, with the comedy “Il generale dorme in piedi”, then directed a number of successful comedy films and TV series with good success. Massaro was an assistant director on 1968’s “A Stranger in Paso Bravo” directed by Salvatore Rossi and starring Anthony Steffen.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Ion Dorutiu

[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.]

Ion Doruțiu is/was a Romanian actor and production manager best known for his roles in classic 1970s and 1980s Romanian cinema. His prominent filmography includes appearances in epics and thrillers such as “Mihai Viteazul” (1970), “Nemuritorii” (1974), and “Dacii” (1967).Beyond these historical epics, his acting credits also include the international Western production “Sing, Cowboy, Sing” (1981). His work extends behind the camera as well, where he has served as a production manager on projects like “Viraj periculos” (1983). In all Ion was involved in eleven films as a production manager between 1973 and 2003, a production assistant on four films during this period and acted in nine films between 1966 and 1996.

Ion Dorutiu was in one Euro-western, “Sing, Cowboy, Sing as the deputy sheriff in 1980 and the Euro-western “Lockruf des Goldes” (Burning Daylight) as Big Bill in 1975.

DORUTIU, Ion (aka Ioan Dorutiu) [Romanian] – production manager, film, TV actor.

Burning Daylight (TV) – 1975 (Big Bill)

Sing, Cowboy, Sing – 1980 (deputy sheriff)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Richard Harrison

Richard Harrison is an American actor, writer, director, and producer best known for his prolific work in low-budget European films, including peplum adventures, Eurospy thrillers, and spaghetti westerns, during the 1960s and 1970s. With over 100 film credits spanning four decades, Harrison capitalized on his muscular physique and rugged good looks to become a staple in Italian B-movies after limited success in Hollywood. His career highlights include starring roles in sword-and-sandal epics like “The Invincible Gladiator” (1961) and “Gladiators 7” (1962), as well as leading 17 spaghetti westerns such as “Vengeance” (1968) and “Between God, the Devil and a Winchester” (1968).

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 26, 1935, Harrison relocated to Southern California in his late teens, where he pursued bodybuilding and physique modeling in the 1950s. He made his film debut as an extra and in small roles in Hollywood productions, including uncredited work in “South Pacific” (1958) and a supporting part in the science-fiction film “Kronos” (1957). By 1961, seeking greater opportunities, he moved to Rome, Italy, where he quickly gained prominence in the peplum genre, portraying heroic figures in films like “Medusa vs. the Son of Hercules” (1962).

Harrison's European phase expanded into spy films, such as “Secret Agent Fireball” (1965), before he fully embraced the spaghetti western boom, often playing tough, vengeful protagonists. He also ventured into writing, directing, and producing, notably under the pseudonym James London for “Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity” (1972). Returning to the United States in the 1970s, his roles shifted to exploitation and action cinema, including martial arts features filmed in the Philippines like “Ninja Terminator” (1985). His final credited film appearance was in “Jerks” (2000), after which he retired from acting.

In later years, Harrison settled in Palm Springs, California, with his second wife, Francesca, and received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars for his contributions to film. He unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Palm Springs in 1995 and 1999, reflecting his interest in local politics.

As mentioned above Richard Harrison co-directed one Spaghetti western, “Jesse e Lester: due fratelli in un posto chiamoto Trinita” (Jesse and Lester, Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity) with Renzo Genta in 1972.

HARRISON, Richard (aka Richard Harrison II, Richard Harrisson) (Richard S. Harrison Jr.) [5/26/1935, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. -     ] – producer, director, writer, film, TV actor, married to actress Loretta Vee Nicholson [1943-    ] (1961–1970) father of Richard Elmer Harrison II, actor Robert Harrison, actor Sebastian Stewart Harrison [1965-    ], married to production manager, actress Daria Norman (Maria Francesca Pomentale) (1978-    ) father of a daughter, uncle of actress Joi Holmes [1961-    ].

Jesse and Lester, Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity – 1972 (co)

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Armando Crispino

Armando Crispino was an Italian film director and screenwriter, best known for his contributions to the giallo and horror genres during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Biella, Piedmont, Italy on October 18, 1924, he began his career as an assistant director before helming his first feature, “Le piacevoli notti” (1966), a comedic adaptation of Boccaccio's tales. Over the next decade, Crispino directed nine films, blending elements of suspense, supernatural themes, and social commentary, often collaborating with prominent Italian actors and writers.

Crispino's notable works include the war drama “Commandos” (1968), starring Lee Van Cleef and Jack Kelly, which depicted a fictional Allied commando mission in North Africa during World War II. He gained further recognition in the thriller genre with “The Dead Are Alive” (1972), a supernatural mystery involving Etruscan artifacts and ancient curses, featuring John Marley and Samantha Eggar. His most acclaimed film, “Autopsy” (1975), is a gritty giallo starring Mimsy Farmer as a coroner unraveling a series of bizarre murders linked to a religious sect; it exemplifies his style of psychological tension and macabre imagery. Later projects included the horror-comedy “Frankenstein: Italian Style” (1975) and the TV movie ‘Due donne’ (1981), after which he largely retired from directing.

Throughout his career, Crispino was married to producer Franca Lumachi from 1963 until his death, and they had two children, including director Francesco Crispino. He passed away in Rome at age 78 from an undisclosed cause, leaving a legacy of genre films that influenced Italian cinema's exploitation wave.

Armando Crispino wrote screenplays for two Spaghetti westerns: “John il Bastardo” (John the Bastard) with Lucio Manlio Battistrada and “Requiescant” (Kill and Pray) with Lucio Battistrada and Adriano Bolzoni both in 1967.

CRISPINO, Armando (Armando Raffaele Enrico Giuseppe Pio Crispino) [10/18/1924, Biella, Piedmont, Italy – 10/6/2003, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – production manager, director, assistant director, writer, married to actress Franca Lumachi [1932-2024] (1963-2003) father of producer, director, writer Francesco Crispino [1967-    ], actress Gilberta Crispino [1971-    ].

John the Bastard – 1967 (co)

Kill and Pray – 1967 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Mario Mancini

Mario Mancini is an Italian director, writer, cameraman and cinematographer. Born in Rome in 1935 Mancini using the alias Robert Oliver directed a film in 1972 and again in 1974. He was a cameraman on twenty-four films between 1955 and 1966. His main film career was spent working as a cinematographer on twenty-one films between 1968 and 1974.

I can find nothing about him passing away so today he’d be 91.

Mario Mancini was a cinematographer on seven Spaghetti westerns: “La vendetta è il mio perdono” (Shotgun) with Franco Delli Colli, “Chiedi perdono a Dio... non a me” (God May Forgive You, Not Me) in 1968, “Arriva Durango, paga o muori” (Durango is Coming, Pay or Die) and “Wanted Sabata) both in 1970, “...E lo chiamarono Spirito Santo” (He was Called the Holy Ghost) and “Il suo nome era Pot” (His Name Was Pot... They Called Him Allegria) both in 1971. He was best known for his work on “Frankenstein '80” (1972), “Blood and Black Lace” (1964) and “Kong Island” (1968) and “Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks” (1974).

MANCINI, Mario (aka Robert Oliver) [1935, Rome, Lazio, Italy -     ] – director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman.

Shotgun – 1967 (co)

God May Forgive You, Not Me - 1968

Durango is Coming, Pay or Die – 1970

Wanted Sabata - 1970

Django…Adios! - 1971

He was Called the Holy Ghost – 1971

His Name Was Pot... They Called Him Allegria – 1971

New U.S.A. CD release “Dead Souls

 

Dead Souls

(2026)

 

Composer: Dan Wool

Label: Bandcamp

Tracks: 17

Total Listening time: 33:43 minutes

Available: June 30, 2026

 

Track listing:

1) Out of the Desert 01:42

2)Check-In / Counting Sleep 01:44

3)First Wagon 00:50

4)Tree of Woe 02:06

5)Coyote Silhouette 01:09

6)That Be Macbeth 02:29

7)Street Sherrif 00:31

8)Dead Souls Dual 01:44

9)Streets of Laredo (feat. Sarah Vista - live on-set vocal) 02:00

10)Turtle Graves 01:06

11)Benefactress 01:16

12)Strindler's Tale 02:00

13)I Am Strindler! 06:37

14)[BONUS: From Alex Cox's short film EVENTOS EN EL CAMPO] Desert Walker 01:22

15)[BONUS: From Alex Cox's short film EVENTOS EN EL CAMPO] No-Show Down 02:50

16)[BONUS: DEAD SOULS Demo] Chinese Tree 01:59

17)[BONUS: DEAD SOULS Demo] Hamlet? 02:18

Voices of the Spaghetti Westerns – “Long Days of Hate”

As we know most of the Euro-westerns were co-productions from Italy, Spain, Germany and France which incorporated British and American actors to gain a worldwide audience. The films were shot silent and then dubbed into the various languages where they were sold for distribution. That means Italian, Spanish, German, French and English voice actors were hired to dub the films. Even actors from the countries where the film was to be shown were often dubbed by voice actors for various reasons such as the actors were already busy making another film, they wanted to be paid additional salaries for dubbing their voices, the actor’s voice didn’t fit the character they were playing, accidents to the actors and in some cases even death before the film could be dubbed.

I’ll list a Euro-western and the (I) Italian, (S) Spanish, (G) German and (F) French, (E) English voices that I can find and once in a while a bio on a specific voice actor as in Europe.

Today we’ll cover “Long Days of Hate”

[(I) Italian, (S) Spanish, (G) German, (F) French, (E) English

Martin Benson – Guy Madison (I) ?, (G) Horst Naumann

Vic Graham – Rik Battaglia (I) ?, (G) Manfred Schott

Tony Guy – Peter Martell (I) ?, (G) Manfred Seipold

Daniel Benson – Alberto Dell’Acqua (I) ?, (G) Michael Ande

Melina – Rosalba Neri (I) Rita Savagnone, (G) Helga Trümper

Susy Benson - Lucienne Bridou (I) ?, (G) Heidi Treutler

Manfred Schott  (1936 – 1982)

Manfred Schott was born in Munich, Germany on February 1, 1936, he first worked as a theater actor in Lübeck, among other places. Since 1967, he has also been extensively active in dubbing and has become an extremely sought-after and busy speaker. He lent his distinctive voice to Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine, Adriano Celentano, Bradford Dillman, Terence Hill, Burt Reynolds, George Segal and Peter Sellers.

He was particularly popular as the German voice of the ship's doctor Dr. Leonard "Pille" McCoy (originally "Bones"; DeForest Kelley) in the 39 episodes of the television series ‘Starship Enterprise’ dubbed by ZDF as well as in “Star Trek: The Film” from 1979. For the science fiction series “Moonbase Alpha 1”, he dubbed the lead role of Commander John Koenig (Martin Landau). In 1982, one of his last works was the part of Alan Napier in the American feature film “The Uncanny Guest”.

On April 7, 1982, Manfred Schott had a fatal accident at the age of 46 on the Föhringer Ring in Munich when a gravel truck skidded and collided with the actor's oncoming Audi. Schott was 46.

Special Birthdays

Gastone Pescucci (actor) would have been 100 today but died in 1999.

Sonja Jeannine (actress) is 70 today.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Brandon Dorssom, Steve Dorssom

[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.]

Brandon Dorssom is an Arizona-based actor, tour manager, and lighting/production technician. He is best known for his work in independent westerna and holiday short films such as “Strong Arm of the Law”, “Disclosed Minds”, and “A Country Christmas”, as well as the family film “The Amazing Wizard of Paws”.

Brandon has appeared in nine films from 2012 to 2017, three being Euro-westerns along with his father: “Strong Arm of the Law” as the son in 2013, “Vengeance Is the Lord's” as Seth Wallacae as a boy in 2016.

DORSSOM, Brandon (Brandon Quinn Dorssom) [2001, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. -    ] – film actor. son of producer, director, writer, stuntman, film actor, musician Steve Dorssom (Steven Douglas Dorssom) [1970-    ].

Strong Arm of the Law – 2013 (son)

Vengeance Is the Lord's – 2016 (Seth Wallace as a boy)

Steve Dorssom founded and operates Dorssom Entertainment Studios in Phoenix, Arizona. He's appeared in three Euro-westerns all with his son Brandon from.2012 to 2017, three being Euro-westerns along with his father: “Strong Arm of the Law” in 2013, “Vengeance Is the Lord's” in 2016. Heplayed Brandon's father in all three. 

DORSSOM, Steve (Steven Douglas Dorssom) [1/23/1970, Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S.A. -     ]– producer, director, writer, stuntman, film actor, musician, married to Patricia Ann Granillo [1965-    ] father of actor Brandon Dorssom (Brandon Quinn Dorssom) [2001-    ], drummer for “Ripsaw” [2014] “Images of Eden” [2018-2022], founded Dorssom Entertainment Studios.

Strong Arm of the Law – 2013 (Pa)

Vengeance Is the Lord's – 2016 (Pa)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ William Hanna

William Denby Hanna was born in Melrose, New Mexico on July 14, 1910, and was an American animator, voice actor, and musician. Hanna and Joseph Barbera co-created Tom and Jerry and founded the animation studio and production company Hanna-Barbera, with Hanna providing the vocal effects for Tom and Jerry's title characters.

Hanna joined the Harman and Ising animation studio in 1930 and steadily gained skill and prominence while working on cartoons such as Captain and the Kids. In 1937, while working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Hanna met Barbera and formed a working relationship. In 1957, they co-founded Hanna-Barbera, which became the most successful television animation studio in the business, creating or producing programs such as ‘The Flintstones’, ‘The Huckleberry Hound Show’, ‘The Jetsons’, ‘Scooby-Doo’, ‘The Smurfs’, and ‘Yogi Bear’. In 1967, Hanna-Barbera was sold to Taft Broadcasting for $12 million but Hanna and Barbera remained heads of the company until 1991. At that time, the studio was sold to Turner Broadcasting System, which in turn was merged with Time Warner in 1996; Hanna and Barbera stayed on as advisors.

William Hanna died in North Hollywood, California on March 22, 2001. He was 90.

William Hanna co-directed one animated Euro-western, “Les Dalton en cavale” (Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Run) with Morris, Joe Barbera and Ray Patterson in 1982 and the 1983-1984, 1991 European western television series ‘Lucky Luke’ with Joseph Barbera, Philippe Landrot and Morris.

HANNA, William (aka Bill Hanna) (William Denby Hanna) [7/14/1910, Melrose, New Mexico, U.S.A. – 3/22/2001, North Hollywood, California, U.S.A. (esophageal cancer)] – producer, director, writer, animator, composer, songwriter, actor, singer, married to Violet Blanch Wogatzke [1913-2014] (1936-2001) father of David William Hanna [1939-    ], Bonnie Jean Hanna [1942-2000], co-founded Hanna-Barbera Studios [1957], inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame [1994].

Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Run – 1982 (co) [as Bill Hanna]

Lucky Luke (TV) – 1983-1984, 1991 (co)

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Gianni Crea

Gianni Crea was an Italian director, assistant director, writer and actor. He was born in Siderno Calabria, Italy on January 4, 1938. He was an assistant director on one film in 1965, wrote seven screenplays between 1969 and 2006 but was best known as a director. He directed ten films between 1969 and 2000. His reputation comes from the five Spaghetti westerns he directed in the 1960s and 1970s.

Gianni Crea wrote three Spaghetti western screenplays: “Legge della violenza – tutti o nessuno” (The Law of Violence) with Alfonso Balcazar and Dean Craig in 1969, “Il magnifico west” (The Magnificent West), and “I sette del gruppo Selvaggio” (7 Devils on Horseback) both in 1972.

CREA, Gianni (aka Perry Dell) [1/4/1938, Siderno, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy - 2010, Italy] – director, assistant director, writer, actor.

The Law of Violence – 1969 (co)

Fill My Grave with Gold – 1971 [as Perry Dell] [film was never completed]

The Magnificent West – 1972

7 Devils on Horseback – 1972

 

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Vladimir Malik

Vladimir Malik born in Horní Berkovice, Czechoslovakia on January 21, 1931, was a film director, artist, animator and executive producer. In 1982, he graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, but from the age of seventeen he devoted himself to animated films. He is the director of the animated films “Automata” (1985), “Great Cleaning” (1986), the animated television series ‘Why...’ (1994-2000), ‘Tales of King Fiškus’ (1995-1996). In the years 1987-1992, he made a series of co-produced animated films about babies – “Baby in the Amusement Park” (1987), “Baby in the Bank”, “Baby in the Candy Store” (1988), “Baby in the Factory”, “Baby in the Cosmodrome” (1990), “Baby in the Mountains” (1992). He received a number of awards for his work and participated with them in film and television festivals at home and abroad. In 1994, Vladimír Malík founded a private production company - Studio Domček. He worked as a teacher in the Studio of Animated Creation at the Faculty of Film and Television of the VŠMU in Bratislava. He died in Prague on February 24, 2022, at the age of 91.

Vladimir Malik was a cinematographer on one Euro-western, “Úkryt cerného Billa” in 1964.

MALIK, Vladimír (aka V.  Malík, Vladimir Malik) [1/21/1931, Horní Berkovice, Czechoslovakia – 2/24/2022, Prague, Czech Republic] – director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, animator, film editor, founded Studio Domček Productions.

Úkryt cerného Billa – 1964

Spaghetti Western locations Then & Now – “The Good the Bad and the Ugly”

Although the exterior scene of Mission San Antonio in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” was Cortijo del Fraile the interior shots were filmed at San Pedro de Arlanza Monastery which also was a real monastery in disrepair and located near Burgos down the road from the Langston Bridge site.

The San Pedro de Arlanza Monastery today.

European Western Comics - COLLANA GRANDE CANYON

 

Grand Canyon Stories

This comic book series presents reprints of Western stories taken from Albi del Secolo by Giuseppe Vita from 1962 and Praterie Selvagge (Edizioni Vita, 1964). Covers were by Eros Kara and Pini Segna (#2).

The series was published in 1970 by Edizioni Edital (EBU) in Milan, Italy under director E. Buzzacchi. Issue #1 was released in January of 1970 and ended with issue #6 in June of that year. Each issue contained 128 black & white pages with cololr covers.

 

Titles:

01 (00.01.70) - “All’ombra della forca!” (In the Shadow of the Gallows!)

02 (00.02.70) - "Sparagli in faccia!” (Shoot Him in the Face!)

03 (00.03.70) - "Furia implacabile” (Relentless Fury)

04 (00.04.70) - "La storia di Jess Carter” (The Story of Jess Parker)

05 (00.05.70) - "Rick il fuorilegge” (Rick the Outlaw)

06 (00.06.70) - “L’ultima minaccia” (The Final Threat)

Special Birthdays

Ilija Ivezic (actor) would have been 100 today but died in 2016.

Christian Rode [actor, voice actor] would have been 90 today but died in 2018.

Kurt Raab (actor) would have been 85 today but died in 1988.

Vittorio Richelmy (actor) is 85 today. 

 

Fritz Sperberg (actor) is 75 today.

Roland Siedler (actor) is 75 today.

 

From the WAI! vault

 

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Ann Collin

[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.]

Ann Collin was born Ann Reid on February 9, 1943, in Batavia, New York. She was an American singer, composer, and actress known for her contributions to Italian Spaghetti Western film soundtracks during the 1960s and 1970s. She provided vocals and sometimes compositions to notable soundtracks in the genre.

Collin's career extended beyond film into music performance, composition, and education, including teaching at Genesee Community College from 1996 to 2013 and receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activity in 2004, demonstrating versatility across stage, screen, and academia.

Collin died on October 20, 2016, in Buffalo, New York she was 73.

Ann Collin appeared in one Spaghetti western, “Si può fare... amigo” (It Can be Done... Amigo!) as the Sonny’s saloon girl in green dress in 1972.

COLLIN, Ann (aka Ann Reid Collin) (Ann M. Reid) [2/9/1943, Batavia, New York, U.S.A. –10/20/2016, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. (leukemia)] composer, songwriter, singer, musician (keyboards), actress, married to intelligence officer, author Richard Oliver Collin (1962-19??) mother of engineer Oliver Richard Collin [1963-    ].

It Can be Done... Amigo! – 1972 (saloon girl in green dress)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Joë Hamman

Joë Hamman was the grandson of the Belgian painter Edouard Hamman (1819-1888), his Belgian-Dutch father is one of the best experts in paintings and his grandmother was a maid of Empress Eugenie's company. He rubs shoulders in his childhood with many writers (Dumas son, Maupassant, Feydeau). He studied in London and Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. It is thus that he will become a remarkable watercolor artist illustrating including Balzac, Perrault, Edgar Poe, The Satyricon, The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights ...

At 21, on a business trip with his father to the United States, he meets his idol William Frederic “Buffalo Bill” Cody. He rides with him in the plains of Nebraska and meets the Indians and cowboys who will exert a boundless fascination on him. He began riding on a Montana ranch and during this long stay, young Joe entered the Pine Ridge Sioux Game Reserve in Dakota and met the Indian leader Red Cloud. Back in France, he started writing scripts and drawing the characters. He becomes a director, screenwriter, actor, and stuntman.

Few people know that westerns were shot in France at the same time as the Americans, in the 1910s in the Camargue, and Joe Hamman was the protagonist. He started in 1906 with a short movie, “Cowboy”, which was a huge public success. The company Eclipse then ordered the series “Arizona Bill”. With Jean Durand, Gaston Roudès and others. It met such great success that he will shoot an impressive number of films (nearly 200) on for companies such as Lux, Eclipse, Eclair, Pathé.

In 1921, he created "The Films Joe Hamman". His film career will continue with Henri Fescourt, Jean de Baroncelli, (Mireille), the Ciné-Romans series (Rouletabille), etc. These drawings by Joe Hamman will complete a background already rich in the career of this great filmmaker. In fact, in 1946, Henri Langlois and Musidora agreed with the Cinémathèque française in the framework of the Commission for Historical Research to collect his memories. His testimony is preciously preserved in the archives as well as posters, a cowboy costume, a manuscript script and many films including “Hanging at Jefferson City” (1911), “Calino Wants to be Cowboy” (1911) and “The Monts en flamme” (1931).

In 1962, he publishes his memories in a book prefaced by Jean Cocteau, From Far West to Montmartre, edited by the French Publishers.

Hamman died in Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France on June 30, 1974 at the age of 90.

Joë Hamman directed eleven Euro-westerns: “Cow-boy” (Cowboy in 1907, “Un cow-boy a Paris” (A Cowboy in Paris) in 1908, “Les aventures de Buffalo Bill” (The Adventures of Buffalo Bill) and “Un drame au Far West” (A Drama in the Far West) both in 1909, “Les aventures d’Arizona Bill” (The Adventures of Buffalo Bill) with Jean Durand and Gaston Roudès 1911-1913, “Les diables rouges” (The Red Devils) and “L’oiseau de proie” both in 1911, “Les mystere de la banquet d’el city” (The Mystery of the Elk City Bank) and “La ville souterraine” (The Subterranean City), “210 contre 213” (210 vs 213) all in 1913 and “Le coeur d’un pere” in 1914.

HAMMAN, Joë (Jean Paul Arthur Hamman) [10/26/1883, Paris, Île-de-France, France – 6/30/1974, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France] – production manager, director, assistant director, writer, stuntman, film actor, grandson of the Belgian painter Edouard Hamman [1819-1888], married to actress Vesta Harold (19??-19??).

Cowboy – 1907

A Cowboy in Paris - 1908

The Adventures of Buffalo Bill – 1909

A Drama in the Far West – 1909

Les aventures d’Arizona Bill – 1911-1913 (co)

Les diables rouges – 1911

L’oiseau de proie – 1911

Les mystere de la banquet d’el city - 1913

The Subterranean City – 1913

210 contre 213 - 1913

Le coeur d’un pere -1914

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Alex Cox

Alexander B. H. Cox was born in Bebington, Merseyside, England, a on December 15, 1954, and is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor, non-fiction author, and broadcaster, best known for his early cult classics “Repo Man” (1984) and “Sid and Nancy” (1986).

Cox's films are characterized by an anarchic punk aesthetic, anti-authoritarian themes, and a rejection of conventional Hollywood narratives, often blending satire, genre elements, and historical revisionism. After initial commercial success with “Repo Man”—a punk-infused sci-fi comedy that won the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival—and the biopic “Sid and Nancy”, which earned Gary Oldman a BAFTA nomination for portraying Sid Vicious, Cox's career pivoted following the critical but box-office flop “Walker” (1987), an anti-imperialist take on the 19th-century filibuster William Walker that alienated studios and prompted his self-exile to independent and international productions.

Subsequent works like “Highway Patrolman” (1991), filmed in Mexico and praised for its gritty portrayal of corruption, reflect Cox's shift to low-budget filmmaking outside the U.S., where he has directed, written, and acted in projects emphasizing outsider perspectives and critiques of power structures. Despite mainstream marginalization—attributed by Cox himself to his uncompromising style and refusal to conform—his influence endures in indie cinema, with recent reflections underscoring a deliberate farewell to Hollywood's commercial constraints.

Cox is married to Tod Davies, an American writer, producer, publisher, and founder of Exterminating Angel Press. The couple has collaborated professionally on several projects, including script revisions for films such as “Three Businessmen” (1998), where Davies contributed uncredited work alongside Cox. They reside in Colestin, Oregon, a rural area near the California border, where they have lived for over several decades.

Alex Cox wrote screenplays for four Euro-westerns: “The Black Hills” in 1976, “Once Upon a Time...” in 2005, “Eventos en el campo” in 2022 and “Dead Souls” with Gianni Garko in 2024.

COX, Alex (Alexander B.H. Cox) [12/15/1954, Bebington, Merseyside, England, U.K. -     ] – producer, director, assistant director, author, writer, songwriter, cameraman, film editor, married to producer, actress Tod Davies [1955-    ] (2000-    ).

The Black Hills - 1976

Once Upon a Time... – 2005

Eventos en el campo – 2022

Dead Souls – 2024 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Charles Magnusson

Charles Magnusson was a Swedish film producer and studio executive known for his leadership in shaping the Golden Age of Swedish silent cinema during the early 20th century. Widely regarded as the "grand old man" of Swedish film production, he played a central role in elevating Swedish cinema to international prominence through strategic vision and key artistic decisions.

Born on January 26, 1878, in Gothenburg, Sweden, Magnusson initially worked as a professional photographer and newsreel cameraman starting in the early 1900s, capturing significant events and operating cinemas before transitioning to film production. In 1908, he became managing director of AB Svenska Biografteatern (Svenska Bio), where he relocated the company to Stockholm in 1911, constructed studios on Lidingö, and recruited exceptional talents including cinematographer Julius Jaenzon and directors Victor Sjöström and Mauritz Stiller, whose works became cornerstones of Swedish film history.

Under his guidance, Svenska Bio produced acclaimed silent films such as “A Man There Was” (1917), “The Outlaw and His Wife” (1918), “Sons of Ingmar” (1919), and “The Phantom Carriage” (1921). In 1919, he orchestrated the merger of Svenska Bio with Skandia to form Svensk Filmindustri (SF), expanding production facilities and establishing international offices. He continued in his executive role until 1928, leaving a lasting legacy on Swedish cinema through his administrative skill, artistic intuition, and forward-thinking approach.

He also served as cinematographer and producer on early short films and actualities, including “Resa Stockholm-Göteborg genom Göta och Trollhätte kanaler” (1908), “Göta elf-katastrofen” (1908), “Krigsbilder från Bohuslän” (1907), and “Bilder från Fryksdalen” (Gösta Berlings land) (1907).

Magnusson died on January 18, 1948, in Stockholm week prior to turning 70.

Charles Magnusson was a cinematographer on two Euro-westerns: “Cowboy John dans le Rôle du Garçon de Course de la Modiste” and “Cowboy John Postule pour un emploi à l'émission de Variétés” both in 1912.

MAGNUSSON, Charles (Charles Fredrik Magnusson) [1/26/1878, Gothenburg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden – 1/18/1948, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden] – producer, director, writer, co-founded Svenska Biografteatern AB [1906-1919].

Cowboy John dans le Rôle du Garçon de Course de la Modiste – 1912

Cowboy John Postule pour un emploi à l'émission de Variétés - 1912

Who Are Those Singers & Musicians? ~ Tony Wendall

Tony Wendell is/was a professional singer and session vocalist who frequently collaborated with the legendary Italian composer and jazz musician Piero Umiliani. They worked together extensively on Piero Umiliani's 1960s and 1970s film soundtracks and lounge music projects, helping to blur the lines between European jazz and pop music.

Wendell provided smooth, lounge-style vocals on a variety of Piero Umiliani's projects, perfectly capturing the mid-century European cinematic and easy-listening aesthetic.

His origin and any other information remain a mystery.

WENDALL, Tony – singer.

The Road to Fort Alamo - 1964 [Sings: “The Road to Fort Alamo”]

You Tube link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Tony+Wendall+The+Road+to+Fort+Alamo&sca_esv=d7a897ae2fa4bc83&sxsrf=APpeQntdQfkiAC1YpxCek2WyTFBn5DdxGg%3A1783436523355&ei=6xRNasqpFbqrur8P19KPwAE&biw=1912&bih=922&ved=0ahUKEwiKy9Dj6sCVAxW6le4BHVfpAxgQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=Tony+Wendall+The+Road+to+Fort+Alamo&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiI1RvbnkgV2VuZGFsbCBUaGUgUm9hZCB0byBGb3J0IEFsYW1vMggQABiABBiiBDIFEAAY7wUyBRAAGO8FMgUQABjvBTIFEAAY7wVIqSZQgQtYmSFwAXgAkAEAmAGxB6AB3guqAQU3LjYtMbgBA8gBAPgBAvgBAZgCBqAC8wnCAhcQLhjcBhi4BhjaBhjYAhjIAxiwA9gBAcICBxAhGAoYoAHCAgcQIRirAhgKwgIEECEYCpgDAIgGAZAGBroGBAgBGBmSBwU1LjYtMaAHuiKyBwU0LjYtMbgH8AnCBwMyLjTIBwiACAE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:635d3e62,vid:BXkv8o19w2s,st:0

Special Birthdays

Robert Woods (singer, actor) is 90 today.

Hedy Sontag (actress) would have been 85 but died in 2023.

RIP Brenda Fricker

 

Irish actress Brenda Fricker, who became the first Irish actress to win an Oscar for her turn opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in 1989’s “My Left Foot” and captured hearts as the Pigeon Lady in 1992’s “Home Alone 2,” died on Thursday in Dublin. She was 81. Born in Dublin, Ireland on February 17, 1945, to language teacher Bina Murphy and Desmond Frederick Fricker, a journalist for the Irish Times. Before becoming an actor, she initially wanted to be a journalist, and worked for the Irish Times as an assistant to the paper’s art editor. Her first film appearance was when she was 19, in a small uncredited part in the 1964 drama “Of Human Bondage.” She also had a minor appearance in the Irish soap opera “Tolka Row” that year. In addition to her film work, Fricker also had a long career on stage, acting in productions for the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse. Fricker appeared in one Euro-western “Painted Angels” as Annie Ryan in 1998.

From the WAI! vault

 

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Judith Dornys

[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.]

Judith Dornys was a Hungarian actress and dancer known for her roles in German-language films during the 1960s. Born in Budapest, Hungary on February 21, 1941, Dornys took dance and ballet lessons from an early age in Budapest. She danced at numerous events during the late 1950s. In 1959, she became the youngest prima ballerina at the Städtische Oper Berlin (now known as the Deutsche Oper Berlin). That same year, she received the Berlin Critics' Prize for her achievements in dance as the young and most prominent member of the ballet ensemble. At age 18, she became the youngest prima ballerina at the Städtische Oper Berlin in 1959, following early dance and ballet training.

After achieving success as a ballet dancer, Judith Dornys transitioned to acting in the early 1960s. Dornys remained active as an actress from 1960 to 1969, appearing in German-language productions during a period when West German popular cinema flourished through genre films and European co-productions. She appeared often in supporting or "good girl" roles within adventure, comedy, and mystery genres. Notable films include “The Curse of the Hidden Vault” (1964), “Susanne, die Wirtin von der Lahn” (1967), and “Sexy Susan Sins Again” (1968). Her screen career was relatively brief, concluding by the end of the 1960s, after which she stepped away from public performance. Dornys died in Paris, France, at the age of 48.

Judith Dornys appeared in one Euro-western, “Heiß weht der Wind” (Legend of a Gunfighter) as Meg Bradley in 1964.

DORNYS, Judith (aka Judith Dornis, Fru Jørgen Hempel) [2/21/1941, Budapest, Budapest, Hungary – 4/26/1989, Paris, Île-de-France, France] – ballet dancer, film, TV actress, married to industrialist Jørgen Hempel (1959-1989).

Legend of a Gunfighter – 1964 (Meg Bradley)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Roberto E. Guzmán

Roberto Eugenio Guzmán was a Mexican actor and director. He debuted as an actor in Ángel Ernesto Álvarez's first film, “El secreto de un pecado” in 1923. He left for Hollywood where he joined the American film industry, as one of the most outstanding actors and technicians of Hispanic cinema. In 1929, Roberto Guzmán appeared in the film “The Desert Song” by Ray de Ruth. In “Monsieur Le Fox” (Men of the North) by Hal Roach, he is responsible for the Spanish adaptation and direction of dialogue. In 1930 he continued as a actor in “Del mismo barro” (Common Clay) by David Howard. In 1931 he was cast in “The Impostor” (Scotland Yard) by Lewis Seiler.

In Mexico, Roberto Guzmán appeared in “Juárez and Maximiliano” by Miguel Contreras Torres 1933, and participated in the 1934 American production: “Un capitán de cosacos” by John Reinhardt.

He returned to Mexico and directed two films: Alma norteña/1938, a melodrama that he produced, wrote and adapted, about a married couple who owned a ranch in the Chihuahuan desert where some artists arrived who suffered a plane crash; a meeting that leads to a romance between the ranch boss and singer Laura. With Anita Campillo, Víctor Manuel Mendoza, Irma Allende, Rafael Burgoa and Gilberto González, among others. It was filmed from September 16, 1938 in the studios of the Cinematographic University and premiered on June 24, 1939 at the Imperial, Universal and Cartagena cinemas, where it remained for a week.

“About Northern Soul]” Thus, the pioneering spirit is located in an environment close to the western, where the North fights against the Center at the same time as virtue against vice, shaving against natural beauty, entrepreneurial work against showbiz apathy and the director of the film with his complete ignorance of what cinema is: Almost the entire film takes place in a distant shot that makes the reactions of the characters imperceptible.

Roberto E. Guzmán died in Mexico City from a heart attack on February 7, 1967. He was 68.

Roberto E. Guzmán directed two Euro-westerns: “El hombre malo” with William C. McGann and “Monsieur Le Fox” with Hal Roach both in 1930.

GUZMAN, Roberto E. (Roberto Eugenio Guzmán) [1/30/1899, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico – 2/7/1967, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (heart attack)] – director, writer, singer, actor, married to María Cristina Caso Marshall (1918-1965).

El hombre malo – 1930 (co)

Monsieur Le Fox (Men of the North) – 1930 (co)

 

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Maurizio Costanzo

Maurizio Costanzo was an Italian journalist, television host, screenwriter, and director who pioneered the modern talk show format in Italy. Born in Rome on August 28, 1938, as the only child of a transportation ministry employee and a homemaker, he entered journalism at age 18 by contributing to the newspaper Paese Sera.

Costanzo's television career, beginning in the 1960s with radio and progressing to screenwriting for films like “A Special Day” (1977), culminated in hosting ‘The Maurizio Costanzo Show’ from 1982 onward, a program that aired over 4,000 episodes and featured in-depth interviews with politicians, celebrities, and public figures, reshaping Italian broadcast entertainment. He also directed films and wrote screenplays, earning a Nastri d'Argento award for best screenplay in 1978. Costanzo survived a Mafia car bomb attack in 1993 near Rome's Teatro Parioli, an assassination attempt linked to his on-air campaigns against organized crime in Sicily, which injured him and his then-wife but underscored his role in public advocacy against corruption. Earlier, in 1980, he interviewed Licio Gelli, the controversial head of the Propaganda Due Masonic lodge implicated in political scandals, drawing criticism amid investigations into the group's influence. In his personal life, Costanzo was married four times, including to television producer Maria De Filippi from 1995 until his death from complications following surgery, and they collaborated professionally. He died in Rome on February 24, 2023, at age 84.

Maurizio Costanzo co-wrote one Spaghetti western, “I quattro del Pater Noster” (In the Name of the Father) with Augusto Finocchi, Luciano Ferri in 1969.

COSTANZO, Maurizio [8/28/1938, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 2/24/2023, Parioli, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, writer, songwriter, married to photographer Lori Sammartino [1924-1972] (1963-19??), married to writer Flaminia Morandi [1947-    ] (1973-1984) father of director, assistant director, writer, Camilla Costanzo [1973-    ], director, writer, cinematographer, cameraman, actor Saverio Costanzo [1975-    ], married to television presenter Marta Flavi [1951-    ] (1989-1995), married to TV producer Maria De Filippi [1951-    ] (1995-2023) adoptive father of Gabriele Costanzo [1992-     ].

In the Name of the Father – 1969 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Jiří Macháně

Jiří Macháně was born in Nové Mesto nad Metují, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia on December 27, 1940 and was a Czech cinematographer. Macháně graduated in cinematography at FAMU in 1964 and started working as a cameraman with the Czechoslovak Army Film production company. He made his debut as a cinematographer in 1969, in Jan Schmidt's Czech-Soviet co-production “The Lanfier Colony”.

Macháně's filmography consists of over 50 films and a number of television series. He is best known for his association with director Juraj Herz, with whom he worked in 15 films. His last work was the mystery-horror film “T.M.A.”, released in 2009. n 2015, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Czech Cinematographers.  Macháně died on January 20, 2023, at the age of 82.

Jiří Macháně was a cinematographer on two Euro-westerns: “Claim na Hluchém potoku” (The Claim at Deaf Creek) in 1971 and “Poslední výstrel Davida Sandela” (David Sandel’s Last Shot) in 1972.

MACHANE, Jiří (aka J. Macháně) (Jiří Macháně) [12/27/1940, Nové Mesto nad Metují, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia – 1/20/2023, Prague, Czech Republic] – cinematographer, cameraman, actor, awarded Lifetime Achievement Awar [2015].

The Claim at Deaf Creek – 1971

David Sandel’s Last Shot – 1972