Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Mariano Laurenti

Mariano Laurenti was an Italian film director known for his prolific output in popular Italian cinema, particularly the commedia sexy all'italiana genre in the 1970s and his collaborations with actors such as Lino Banfi and singer Nino D'Angelo in the 1980s.

Born in Rome on April 15 1929, Laurenti began his career in the 1950s as an assistant director, working alongside prominent filmmakers including Mauro Bolognini, Dino Risi, and Steno. He transitioned to directing in the late 1960s and 1970s, initially with music-centered youth films (musicarelli) and comedies featuring the duo Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia before becoming a key figure in the sexy comedy wave.

Among his most notable works are “Quel gran pezzo dell'Ubalda tutta nuda e tutta calda” (1972), “La liceale nella classe dei ripetenti”, “L'insegnante va in collegio”, and later films with Nino D'Angelo such as “Un jeans e una maglietta” (1983), “La discoteca” (1983), and “Uno scugnizzo a New York” (1984). Laurenti directed more than fifty feature films across various comedic subgenres, establishing himself as one of the most active directors in Italian commercial cinema during the late 20th century.

He died in Gubbio, Umbria, on January 6 2022 at the age of 92.

Mariano Laurenti directed one Spaghetti western, “Il sogno di Zorro”

LAURENTI, Mariano [4/15/1929, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 1/6/2022, Gubbio, Umbria Italy] – production manager, director, assistant director, writer, film editor, actor, married to Maria Pia, father of Andrea Laurenti

The Grandson of Zorro – 1975

 

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Radivoje ‘Lola’ Ðukic

Radivoje 'Lola' Djukic was born on April 3, 1923 in Smederevo, Serbia, Yugoslavia. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts and film directing at the Film School in Belgrade. At first, he worked as an editor of the Children's and Drama Program, as well as the Entertainment Program of Radio Belgrade. He is the founder of the Comedy Theatre (Terazije Theatre), and since its establishment had been working at Television Belgrade as an assistant director for production, editor-in-chief of the cultural and artistic program (until 1963). Most of his work on TV is devoted to the comedy program.

He has directed several feature films. In addition, he made documentaries, teaching and puppet films, as well as writing songs and plays for children. He is the author of numerous comedies: The Golden Maidan, God Died in Vain, The Man with Four Legs, I Must Kill Peter, The Lucky One, One Love and the Five Dead, I Steal, You Steal, and the musical Kill or Kiss.

He was a writer and director, known for “Crni sneg” (1966), “Covek sa cetiri noge” (1983) and “Balada o svirepom...” (1971). He was married to professor of literature Jelena Djukic and actress Vera Ilic-Djukic.

Dukic is the author of humorous memoirs published in the book Sclerotic Memoirs.

He died on September 7, 1995 in Belgrade, Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the age of 72.

Radivoje ‘Lola’ Ðukic wrote one Euro-western screenplay, “Zlatna pracka” (The Golden Sling) in 1967.

DUKIC, Radivoje ‘Lola’ (Radivoje Ðukic) [4/3/1923, Smederevo, Serbia, Yugoslavia – 9/7/1995, Belgrade, Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia] – director, author, writer, actor, married to professor of literature Jelena Jovanović (19??-19??), married to actress Vera Ilic-Djukic [1928-1968] (194?-1968), father of director Andrija Ðukic [1948-2017], founded the Comedy Theatre (Terazije Theatre

The Golden Sling – 1967

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Julio Ortas Plaza

Julio Ortas Plaza was born in Madrid, Spain in 1915. He worked as a cameraman on fifty-seven films between 1944 and 1969 and another forty as a cinematographer from 1961 to 1982.

For having such an extensive career little is known about him other than his filmobgraphy. I can find no biographical information on him.

Julio Ortas Plaza was a cinematographer on fourteen Spaghetti westerns: “Le tre spade di Zorro” (Three Swords of Zorro) with Edmondo Affronti in 1963, “Le pistole non discutono” (Bullets Don’t Argue) with Massimo Dallamano and “Las malditas pistolas de Dallas” (The Return of Clay Stone) with Edmondo Affronti in 1964, “Per un pugno nell’occhio” (Fistful of Knuckles) with Alberto Fusi and “Una bara per lo sceriffo” (A Coffin for the Sheriff) both in 1965, “All’ombra di una colt” (In a Colt’s Shadow) with Stelvio Massi and “Ringo, il volto della vendetta” (Ringo, the Face of Revenge) both in 1966, “Un hombre viene a matar” (Rattler Kid) and “7 pistole per un massacre” (7 Pistols for a Massacre) with Sergio Martino both in 1967, “Killer Adios” in 1968, “La morte sull alta’collina” (Death on High Mountain) in 1969, “Una novola di polvere... un grido di morte... arriva Sartana” (Gunman in Town), “Un uomo chiamato Apocalisse Joe” (A Man Called Apocalypse Joe) and “Matalo!” all in 1970.

PLAZA, Julio Ortas (aka Ortas, J. Ortas. Julio Ortas, Julio Artaz) [1915, Madrid, Madrid, Spain -     ] – assistant director, cinematographer, cameraman, actor.

Three Swords of Zorro – 1963 (co) [as Julio Ortas]

Bullets Don’t Argue – 1964 (co) [as Julio Ortas]

The Return of Clay Stone – 1964 (co) [as Julio Ortas]

Fistful of Knuckles – 1965 (co) [as Julio Ortas]

A Coffin for the Sheriff – 1965

In a Colt’s Shadow – 1966 (co) [as Julio Ortas]

Ringo, the Face of Revenge – 1966 [as Julio Ortas]

Rattler Kid – 1967 [as Julio Ortas]

7 Pistols for a Massacre – 1967 [as Julio Ortas]

Killer, Adios – 1968 [as Julio Ortas]

Death on High Mountain – 1969

Gunman in Town - 1970

A Man Called Apocalypse Joe – 1970 (co)

Matalo! – 1970 [as Julio Ortas]