Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

 Spaghetti Western Director ~ Otto Lins Morstadt

Otto Lins-Morstadt'' iwas a German silent film director, actor, and screenwriter known for his contributions to German cinema during the late 1910s and early 1920s. Born on 28 May 1889 in Iserlohn, Germany, Lins-Morstadt was active primarily in the silent film era before transitioning to work as an author after his filmmaking career ended.

He entered the film industry in 1916 with an acting role in John Rool and made his directorial debut the following year with “Totenkopfreiter”, in which he also acted and wrote the screenplay.

Frequently taking on multiple roles in his productions, he directed, wrote, and appeared in films such as “Das Mysterium des Kleinods” (1918), “Um hunderttausend Mark” (1919), and “Die Geier der Goldgruben” (1921).

He was married to actresses including Magda Elgen (Editha Camphausen) and Ethel Schwimmer. Lins-Morstadt died on 15 September 1962 in Asunción, Paraguay at the age of 73.

Otto Lins Morstadt directed one silent Euro-western, “Die Geier der Goldgruben” in 1920.

LINS-MORSTADT, Otto (Rudolf Wilhelm Otto Adolf Theo Lins-Morstadt) [5/28/1889, Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany – 9/15/1962, Asunción, Paraguay] – director, writer, author, actor, married to actress Ethel Schwimmer (1914-1915), Magda Elgen (Johanna Edith Camphausen) [1890-1945] (1916-1922), married to producer Charlotte Lentz (Charlotte Recke) [1895–1974] (1927-19??) father of painter Juan Joaquin Lins-Morstadt [1929-2015], founded Mercedes Film GmbH (1917-1927).

Die Geier der Goldgruben – 1920

 

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Don Vicente Escrivá

Vicente Escrivá Soriano was a Spanish film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his prolific and versatile career in Spanish cinema and television, spanning more than fifty years from the late 1940s to the 1990s.

Born on 1 June 1913 in Valencia, he transitioned from literary pursuits, including a National Literature Prize in 1947 for his biographical work on Miguel de Cervantes, to becoming a key figure in post-Civil War Spanish film production.

Escrivá began his film career as a screenwriter in the late 1940s, contributing to notable productions such as “La mies es mucha” and collaborating with directors like José Luis Sáenz de Heredia and Juan de Orduña. In 1950, he co-founded Aspa Films, initially focusing on religious and Christian-themed cinema supported by official and ecclesiastical institutions, producing titles such as “Balarrasa” and “La señora de Fátima”. He made his directorial debut with “El hombre de la isla” in 1959 and subsequently helmed a wide range of films, from the critically recognized “Dulcinea” (1962) to popular comedies, singer vehicles starring Raphael like “El golfo” and “El ángel”, and the erotic “destape” films characteristic of 1970s Spanish cinema, such as “La lozana andaluza” and “Zorrita Martínez”.

In his later years, Escrivá shifted toward television, where he directed highly popular sitcoms including ‘Lleno, por favor’, ‘Este es mi barrio’, and ‘Manos a la obra’, as well as the historical miniseries ‘Réquiem por Granada’. His adaptable approach across genres and media, from politically aligned early works to commercial successes during Spain's democratic transition, marked him as one of the most enduring professionals in Spanish audiovisual history.

Vicente Escrivá died on April 18, 1999, at the age of 85 in his home in Madrid, Spain.

Vicente Escrivá co-wrote the screenplay for one Spaghetti western, “Amore, piombo e furore” (China 9, Liberty 37) with Ennio De Concini, Jerry Harvey and Douglas Venturelli in 1978. Escriva was also a writer and producer of the semi-western “Vente a ligar al Oeste” in 1972 and a production manager on the 1990-1993 television series “The New Zorro” starring Duncan Regehr.

ESCRIVA, Don Vicente (aka Vicente Escriba, Vicente Escriva, Don Vicente Escrivá, Antonio Vies) (Vicente Escrivá Soriano) [6/1/1913, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain – 4/18/1999, Madrid, Madrid, Spain] – producer, production manager, director, writer, songwriter, married to producer Teresa Almirón (19??-19??)., founded Aspa Films [1950].

Vente a ligar al Oeste – 1972 [producer, writer]

China 9, Liberty 37 – 1978 (co)

Zorro (TV) – 1990-1993 [production manager]

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Aldo Ricci

Italian Aldo Ricci worked in several capacities in the world of film, He was a producer on five films from 1966 to 1988, a cameraman on eleven films between 1957 and 1972 but was known as a cinematographer on a dozen films between 1965 and 1992. He even appeared on screen in two roles one being in “For a Few Dollars More” in 1965 in an uncredited role.

I can find no biographical information on him.

Aldo Ricci was a cinematographer on three Spaghetti westerns: “I morti non si contano” (Dead Men Don’t Count) with Franco Delli Colli in 1968, “Garringo” in 1969 and “Arriva Sabata!” (Sabata the Killer) in 1970.

RICCI, Aldo [Italian] – producer, cinematographer, cameraman.

For a Few Dollars More – 1965 [actor, cameraman]