Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Vance Lewis

Vance Lewis was an alias used by Luigi Vanzi an Italian film director, assistant director, and screenwriter known for his contributions to the Spaghetti Western genre, most notably directing the "Stranger" trilogy starring Tony Anthony in the late 1960s.

Born on June 8, 1924, in Ferrara, Italy, Vanzi entered the film industry in the early 1950s as an assistant director, contributing to productions such as “Love in the City” (1953) and “The Young Girls of San Frediano” (1954). He made his directorial debut with the documentary-style “World by Night” (1960) and subsequently helmed films across various genres, including the peplum “Seven from Thebes” (1964) and the controversial “So This Is God's Country?” (also known as “America paese di Dio”, 1966). His most prominent works remain the Spaghetti Westerns “A Stranger in Town” (1967), “The Stranger Returns” (1967), and “The Silent Stranger” (1968), often credited under the pseudonym Vance Lewis, which formed a loose series centered on a mysterious gunslinger.

Vanzi continued directing into the 1970s with projects such as “East Connection” (1970) and the crime drama “1931: Once Upon a Time in New York” (1972), occasionally using pseudonyms like Roy Ferguson and Gigi Vanzi. He died on January 22, 1992, in Rome, Italy at the age of 67.

Luigi Vanzi as Vance Lewis directed three Spaghetti westerns: “Un dollaro tra i denti” (A Stranger in Town) in 1966, “Un uomo, un cavallo, una pistola” (The Stranger Returns) in 1967 and “Lo straniero di silenzio” (The Silent Stranger) in 1968.

LEWIS, Vance (aka Roy Ferguson, Gigi Vanzi) (Luigi Vanzi) [6/8/1924, Ferrara, Italy – 1/22/1992, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – director, assistant director, writer, married to ? father of actress Alessandra Vanzi [1955-    ].

A Stranger in Town – 1966

The Stranger Returns - 1967

The Silent Stranger – 1968

 Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Jacques Emmanuel

Jacques Emmanuel Welfling was a French screenwriter, actor, and dialogue writer renowned for his contributions to mid-20th-century cinema, particularly in comedy and drama genres. Born in Paris on January 13, 1920, he penned screenplays and adaptations for over 30 films, often collaborating with prominent directors and stars, while also appearing in supporting roles in more than a dozen productions. His work emphasized witty dialogue and character-driven narratives, reflecting the vibrant post-war French film industry. He also worked as a librettist for operas.

Emmanuel's screenwriting career gained prominence in the 1950s with notable credits including the screenplay for “Don Juan” (1956), a lavish adaptation starring Fernandel, and “The Law Is the Law” (1958), a comedy featuring Noël-Noël and Micheline Presle that highlighted his skill in blending humor with social commentary. He continued to write prolifically into the 1960s and beyond, contributing to films like “Trois enfants... dans le désordre” (1966), directed by Léo Joannon and starring Bourvil, where he crafted the screenplay and original story, and “Les gros malins” (1969), an adaptation known for its satirical take on rural life. As an actor, he took on character roles such as the notary in the period comedy “Dames galantes” (1990) and the publisher in “Amazing Monsieur Fabre” (1951), often bringing a subtle, understated presence to the screen.

Throughout his career, Emmanuel worked across various formats, including television episodes for series like ‘Les Globe-trotters’ (1967) and ‘Félix’ (1964), demonstrating versatility in adapting stories for both big and small screens. His collaborations with esteemed figures such as Brigitte Bardot, Fernandel, and Jean Carmet underscored his integral role in French cinematic circles, though he remained more behind-the-scenes than in the spotlight. Emmanuel passed away in Saint-Cloud, France on June 11, 1998, at age 78, leaving a legacy of enduring contributions to French film storytelling.

Jacques Emmanuel co-wrote the screenplay for one Euro-western, “Dynamite Jack, la terreur de l'Arizona” (Dynamite Jack) with Jean Bastia, Jean Manse and Jack Ary.

EMMANUEL, Jacques (aka J. Emmanuel) (Jacques Emmanuel Welfing) [1/13/1920, Paris, Île-de-France, France – 6/11/1998, Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine, France] – writer, actor.

Dynamite Jack – 1960 (co)

Spaghetti Western Animator ~ Vjekoslav Radilovic

Vjekoslav Radilovic was a Czechoslovakian director, writer and animator. He was born in Celje on April 16, 1926. Radilovic directed one film “Inka” in 1992 and wrote for two films in 1992 and 1997. Most of his career was spent as an animator on eight films between 1957 and 1997.

Radilovic died at the age of 70 in Zagreb, Croatia on November 3, 1996.

Was an animator on one animated on one Euro-western, “Dynamite Jimmy” with Berislav Fabek, Leo Fabiani, Vladimir Jutrisa, Vjekoslav Kostanjsek andJosip Peciknk.

RADILOVIC, Vjekoslav [4/16/1926, Celje, Slovenia – 11/3/1996, Zagreb, Croatia] – director, writer, animator.

Cowboy Jimmy – 1970 (co)