RIP José Yepes

Spanish actor José Yepes Cardo, a familiar name in Spanish film history from the 1960s, died October 30, 2012 at age 70 in a hospital in Sagunto, Valencia, Spain, where he was admitted for pneumonia, it was announced today the Company Management Performers (AISGE), to which he belonged. Yepes was born in Sagunto on April 9, 1942 and came into contact with the world of acting as "meritorious" at Teatro Maria Guerrero, although over the years he made ​​the leap to the big screen, where he made over fifty works. One of his first films was " Hay que educar a papá " with Paco Martinez Soria, in 1971, which was followed by many others in which he was supporting actor. "Los días del pasado" (1978), Mario Camus, "Carmen" (1983), by Carlos Saura, "La guerra de los locos" (1989), Antonio del Real, and "La guerra de los locos" (1987), under the direction of Manolo Matji are some of them. In the eighties Yepes worked in television, with interventions into such telefilms as "El caso de Carmen Broto" or the series "Turno de oficio" (1996), among others. In 1999 Yepes suffered a stroke that left him with some difficulties but nevertheless allowed him to perform dubbing work in the Drama Centre Valenciano, AISGE recalls. José appeared in five Euro-westerns including “Any Gun Can Play” (1967), “The Man Called Blade” (1977), “Red Harvest” (1978), “The Black Wolf” (1980) and “Here Comes Condemor (The Sinner of the Plains) (1996). He also appeared in a guest appearances on the French, U.S.A TV series “The New Zorro” (1990-1992) in episode “Deceptive Heart”. Yepes also provided the Spanish voice of Taylor in “Face to Face” (1967).

RIP Gonzalo Cañas

Spanish actor and puppeteer Gonzalo Cañas Olmeda, a familiar face in Spanish popular cinema of the 1960s, died October 29, 2012 at the Hospital de Guadarrama in Madrid from kidney failure, as reported by the Management Company Performers (AISGE), to which he belonged. Born in Cuenca on July 7, 1937, Cañas shared the screen with such actors as Lina Morgan, Rafaela Aparicio or Tony Leblanc. After making his debut with a small role in " Cerca de las estrellas" in 1962, his popularity soared the following year thanks to " Confidencias de un marido", in which he appeared with Rafaela Aparicio and Enriqueta Carballeira. "La frontera de Dios" (1965) with Julia Gutiérrez Caba and Concha Velasco and "Soltera y madre en la vida" (1969), with Lina Morgan, were other films that followed. Cañas appeared in only one Euro-western “Montana Trap” (aka “Potato Fritz”) (1975) with Stpehen Boyd and Hardy Kruger. But his great passion was for puppets and in 2001 began what would be his great dream project when he acquired the "Theater of Automata" the oldest and best preserved in Spain, and then restored it. Gonzalo regained its 35 characters and managed to bring this mechanical theater on a tour of Spain and other countries such as France, Belgium, Italy and the Czech Republic. The last will of Gonzalo Cañas was the donation of this almost century-old puppet theatre to the Madrid City Council as indicated by AISGE.

RIP José Bastida

The Spanish Actors Union announced today that actor José Bastida died on August 4^th 2012. Bastida was 76. Born in 1936 in Tetouan, Morocco he worked as a supporting and character actor, especially in the 1960s and 1970s and was highlighted in mainstream films. José’s first film was “La mano de un hombre muerto” (1962) and he would go on to appear in over 25 films before his final appearance in “Serpiente de mar” (1984). During his 20 year career he appeared in five Euro-westerns: “Rebels in Canada” (1965), “A Fistful of Songs” (1966), “Kitosch, the Man Who Came from the North”, “Kill the Wicked” (both 1967) and “White Comanche” (1968). Where he died was not reported.  

Who Are Those Guys - Mila Beran

Miloslav ‘Mila’ Beran was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia on June 1, 1904. He became a stage actor and then went into radio before his first film appearance in “Vlčie diery” (1948). He would go on to appear in over 15 films and TV appearances. His last appearance was in the 1976 TV film “Červené vino”. Always a supporting and character actor, Beran appeared in two Euro-westerns “Cosi Sia” (aka “A Man Called Amen) and “They Still Call Me Amen” both made in 1973. The only photograph I could find of him was in this montage from “A Man Called Amen” by this time Beran was 69 years-old and was playing old coggers. He’s shown here in the second row on the left along with child actor Renato Cestiè. Beran died three years later on October 25, 1976 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.

BERAN, Míla (Miloslov Beran) [6/1/1904, Prague, Czechoslovakia - 10/25/1976, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia] - stage, radio, TV actor.

A Man Called Amen – 1973 (old man)

They Still Call Me Amen - 1973 (old man)

 

Happy 85th Birthday Clara Bindi

Clara Bindi was born on November 1, 1927 in Naples, Campania, Italy. In 1947 she joined the theatrical company of Eduardo De Filippo where she remained for many years. In 1948 she made her debut in the world of cinema in the film “La macchina ammazzacattivi”. In films she worked with many Italian artists, among others Giacomo Furia, Mario Mattioli, Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Peppino De Filippo and Marcello Mastroianni. Bindi also worked with some international celebrities and in 1969 had the opportunity to appear with John Cassavetes. In the decades since her brilliant career developed even more. Clara appeared in one Euro-western 1984’s “Arrapaho”. Despite being known as a film actress, she also had the opportunity to work in television. In later years she often played the role of mothers or grandmothers. She most recently appeared in the role of Rosalia Solimene in “Filumena Marturano” (2010) and the role of Donna Adelaide in “Naples Millionaire!” (2011), two comedies by Eduardo De Filippo which aired on RAI 1. Clara has been married to actor Aldo Bufi Landi [1923- ] since 1948. Today we celebrate Clara Bindi’s 85^th birthday.

Halloween 2012