Remembering Heinz Bernard

Heinz Bernard Löwenstein was born on December 22, 1923 in Nuremberg, Bavaira, Germany.  Of Jewish origin, he also lived and worked in Israel from 1971 to 1981. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), graduating in 1951.

 
After graduation he worked in the Peter Allan Theatre, possibly the last group of travelling players to operate in the British Isles, performing every night in different towns and villages in the British countryside. He went on to become the manager of the famous leftist Unity Theatre in London. As manager of Unity Theatre he staged the first professional British production of a Brecht play, the Visions of Simone Marchard. Lionel Bart, who later gained fame as the author of the musical Oliver!, designed the poster.
 
Heinz Bernard also acted and directed in the travelling Century Theatre and taught at RADA, where he was director of admissions.
 
Heinz's name at birth was Heinz Messinger. He was adopted as a baby by a family called Löwenstein. After leaving RADA he worked under the professional name Harry Bernard, eventually dropping the Harry and becoming simply Heinz Bernard.
 
Following the death of his Israeli brother in the late 1960s, Heinz decided to emigrate to Israel. He acted the part of the Rabbi in the West End production of Fiddler on the Roof to raise money for the move. In Israel he became a legend on account of his performances in English teaching television programs, "Neighbours" (written by his wife Nettie) and "Here We Are". Each of the series was broadcast twice a week on the single national TV channel for over fifteen years, making him a familiar face to most Israelis. He appeared in many Israeli films of the seventies, working with Shaike Ophir, Ephraim Kishon and Menachem Golan. Among these films were two Euro-westerns: “God’s Gun” playing Judge Barrett alongside Lee Van Cleef and Jack Palance and “Kid Vengeance” as George again alongside Lee Van Cleef. Both films were made in 1976.
 
After 10 years in Israel, Heinz returned to England where he had to restart his career. He continued to work until his death of a rare blood disease in 1994.
 
Today we remember Heinz Bernard on what would have been his 90^th birthday.

Remembering Gianluigi Bonelli

Gianluigi Bonelli was born on December 22, 1908 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Bonelli was a writer and comic book author and writer.
 
He is best remembered as the co-creator of Tex Willer, together with artist Aurelio Galleppini [1917-1994]. His son Sergio Bonelli [1932-2011] was also a comic book writer, as well as the publisher of Tex Willer series until his own death in 2011.
 
Bonelli made ​​his debut in publishing at the end of the 1920s, writing poems and stories for the
"Corriere dei Piccoli" and articles for the "Illustrated Journal of Travel" published some adventure novels for Sonzogno.
 
Over the next decade, Gianluigi assumed the leadership of various publications of the publishing of Old Milan ("L'Audace", "Jumbo", "Primarosa", "Rin-Tin-Tin"). During this time he wrote his first screenplay, intended to be illustrated by the designers by Walter Molino and Rino Albertarelli.
 
In 1939 he became editor of "L'Audace" by Mondadori. After World War II, together with De Leo, he wrote for  "Il Cow-boy", but then choose to start his own business firm Sergio Bonelli Editore SpA in 1940, creating many memorable characters.
 
Above all stands Tex Willer, created in 1948 in tandem with the designer Aurelio Galleppini
(which , over time, will gradually change to Ferdinando Fusco and Guglielmo Letteri, Vincenzo Monti and John Ticci, Fabio Civitelli and Claudio Villa, to name only a few) which he intended for a lasting success, that still shows no signs of abating. While devoting most of his time to the aforementioned hero, Bonelli returned to the beloved West with remarkable stories and series such as "Yuma Kid", "The Three Bills", "El Kid ", "Davy Crockett", "Hondo" and "Cochise".
 
He appeared in one Euro-western: “Tex and the Lord of the Deep” (1985) playing  the medicine man.
 
Gianluigi Bonelli died in Alexandria, Piedmont, Italy on January 12, 2001.
 
Today we remember Gianluigi Bonelli on what would have been his 105^th birthday.

RIP Charles Ambler

AMBLERCHARLES H. "CHAS", on Dec. 16, 2013, age 65. Beloved husband for 40 years to Maria B. (nee Bense), loving father of Greg C. (Jessie) and Matt H. (his fiancée Kristi) Ambler, cherished grandfather of Evan Ambler and his "grandpuppy" Dunkin. As per Chas' request Funeral Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Chas' memory preferred to Philadelphia Zoo¸3400 W. Girard Ave., Phila., PA. 19104. Family - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?pid=168618824#sthash.AclVKsBX.dpuf

 
Sadly, Wild East Productions has lost one of its most valued contributors. Charles “Chas” Ambler, who wrote liner notes for most of our DVD releases, has passed away at the age of 65. Chas was a dedicated and respected teacher by profession, but had a love for movies, particularly spaghetti westerns, and collected 16mm films. He was always ready at a moment’s notice to research our film releases and provide us with informative liner notes. He was a true pleasure to work with and will be sorely missed. RIP Chas. ~ Eric Mache
 
Charles was a supporter and friend to Westerns…All’Italian! during the fanzine years and it was always a treat to share his enthusiasm for the genre. Many a time I’d receive an envelope from Chas with a copy of a newspaper ad or a review of a video or DVD he had recently seen or purchased. He carried on that passion in writing liner notes for the Wild East DVD releases. He along with Rich Landwehr and Gary Dorst makes three links to WAI! that have passed within the last 12 months. RIP Chas you will be missed.

First Day of Winter 2013

SUNDANCE CASSIDY AND BUTCH THE KID

Vivi preferibilmente, morti – Italian title

Vivos o preferiblemente muertos – Spanish title
Dios la cria, y… Ringo los mata! – Spanish title
Le chevauche vers l’Ouest – French title
Mort ou vif… de preference mort – French title
Preerian rämäpäät – Finnish title
Gentleman Cow Boy – French title
Friß oder stirb – German title
Ein Halleluja fur zwei Pistolen – German title
Verruckte Erbschaft – German title
Sundance Cassidy und Butch the Kid – German title
Auf der Jagd nach den goldenen Vermachtnis – German title
Ein Halleluja für 2 Galgenvögel – German title
Die Erbschaft – German title
Oi kakpooioi – Greek title
Élve, de inkább holtan – Hungarian title
Antes morto que vivo – Portuguese title
Jakten på en handfull dollar – Swedish title
Prariens Vildhjarnor – Swedish title
Jakten efter en hadgul dollar – Swedish title
Maglup olmayanlar – Turkish title
Alive or Preferably Dead – English title
Sundance and the Kid – English title
Sundance Cassidy and Butch the Kid – U.S.A. title
 
A 1969 Italian, Spanish co-production [C.G.F.C./Ultra Film (Rome), Hesperia Film (Madrid)]
Producer: Ennio Flaiano
Director: Arthur Pitt (Amadeo Tessari)
Story: Enni Flaiano
Screenplay: Giorgio Salvioni, Duccio Tessari (Amadeo Tessari)
Cinematography: Cesare Allione, Manuel Rojas (Manuel Hidalgo) [Eastmancolor]
Music: Gianni Ferrio (Giovanni Ferrio)
Song: “Monty and Ted” sung by The Wilder Brothers (John Ireson, Wayne Parham)
Song: “December 24th” sung by I Cantori Moderni
Song: “Yes Sir” sung by Lilian Terry
Running time: 103 minutees
 
Cast:
Monty Mulligan/Sundance Cassidy – John Wade (Giuliano Gemma)
Ted Mulligan/Butch the Kid – Robert Neuman (Nino Benvenuti)
Rosella/Scarlet Scott – Karen Blake (Sydne Rome)
Doctor – Julio Peña (Julio Muñoz)
Barnes – Antonio Casas (Antonio Barros)
James ‘Bad Jim’ Williams – Cris Huerta (Crisanto Brieva)
Mr. Scott – George Rigaud (Pedro Delissetche)
Rangers – Dan van Husen (Daniel van Husen), Luis Barboo
Mayoral candidate henchman – Victor Israel (Josep Vilanova)
Blind cowboy – Juan Olaquivel
Mayoral candidate – Vicente Roca
Photographer – Duccio Tessari (Amadeo Tessari)
With: Brizio Montinaro, Arturo Palladino
Stunts: Miguel Pedregosa

The old Archie, has died, and leaves his two nephews Monty and Ted Mulligan a legacy of three hundred thousand dollars, which they can only collect as long as they live together for six months. Different in character and habits (Monty is a carefree pleasure-seeker while Ted is a rough lumberjack), the two brothers do not get along at all. Both are penniless, so they decide, to form a plan to get the money. They kidnap Scarlett, the young daughter of the banker Mr. Scott, Ted and Monty demand a large sum for the ransom, but to their surprise the girl's father seems little concerned to conclude the deal, rather he’s pleased to be rid of his pervasive daughter. Forced to release the girl, the two brothers attempt to steal a cargo of gold, but the sudden appearance of a band of criminals, who are also after the treasure, causes them to take the side of the law. During the fight with the bandits, Ted falls into a river and is presumed dead, while Monty, mistaken for a selfless defender of the law, is hailed as a hero and the same banker Mr. Scott gives him the hand of his unsolicited daughter. Fortunately for Monty, Ted suddenly shows up safe and sound and helps him to avoid the embarrassing situation.

YouTube trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ssA1Wh8wg

Happy 70th Birthday Dina De Santis

Dina De Santis was born Carlotta Provin on December 21, 1943 in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. Carlotta was the first of four siblings, having won a beauty contest for very young children, she moved to Rome, where she began her career as an actress. Starting as a small child, she began working in theater and advertising. She was noticed by the director Pino Mercanti who changed her name to De Saint because of her angelic looks. Her feature film debut came with a small bit part in the film “Lacrime d'amore” in 1954.

 
The blonde, petite and pretty actress was very active between 1954 and 1967, playing character roles in a large number of films, mostly B-movies. Often she was seen in supporting roles in Federico Fellini films where she was given tasty supporting roles. She appeared in such productions as “8 ½” (1963) and “Juliet of the Spirits” (1965). During this period Dina appeared in three Euro-westerns: “The Return of Clay Stone”, “Three Dollars of Lead” (both 1964) and “Zorro the Rebel” in 1966.
 
After her marriage to actor and producer Lucio De Santis in 1967, she retired from films, working for several years as a production secretary.
 
Today we celebrate Dina De Santis’ 70^th birthday.

Happy 75th Birthday Sandro Dori

Sandro Dori was born Alberto Schiappadori on December 21, 1938 in Ostiglia, Mantua, Lombardy, Italy. Sandro began his film career in the early 1960s alternating his activity as a film actor and as a voice dubber.

 
The role that brought him attention to the general public was that of Dr. Zucconi in “Il medico della mutual” (1968) where he plays one of the treacherous colleagues of Guido Tersilli: he returned to play this role in the sequel “Il prof. dott. Guido Tersilli primario della clinica Villa Celeste convenzionata con le mutue Professor”.
 
During his career he has had the opportunity to work with such directors as Dario Argento, Mario Monicelli, Steno, Charles Vanzinas, Pupi Avati, Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Luigi Zampa, Luciano Salce and Sidney Lumet.
 
Dori has appeared in two Euro-westerns” The Hills Run Red” (1966) and “And for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars” (1968).
 
Today we celebrate Sandro Dori’s 75^th birthday.