Forty years ago today, on 13 June 1986, the actor and singer Dean Reed passed away. Born in Denver, the American starred in a number of Spaghetti Westerns, amongst other things, before deciding to move to what was then East Germany. Following his tragic death, he was initially laid to rest in Rauchfangswerder, not far from where I live. Reason enough for a brief visit and a small token of remembrance. I recently watched ‘God Made Them… I Kill Them’ (Dio li crea… io li ammazzo!). In my view, it’s a good B-western that showcases his very charming manner and his skill with horses. Rest in peace, Dean Reed.
I didn’t see any mention of the passing of the singer Bonnie Tyler so I thought I would mention it.
I grew up listening to her unique husky voice.
I believe that she was still performing so she passed unexpectantly.
Sam Neill has passed 
oh no he was the real deal… RIP
R.I.P. Dolly. One of the good ones. 
and now the announcement of Tim Curry’s death today. What an awful year so far, so many fantastic people gone.
RIP Richard Harrison, one of the greats
RIP - he had a good innings!
Man, we’re really losing some goods ones this year: Richard Harrison, Tim Curry, Sam Neil, Bonnie Tyler, etc. RIP to them all
When i was a teen back in the day, the first Euro Western that i saw was ----Gunfight in the Red Sands… RIP, Richard Harrison!!!
Richard Harrison started out in peplum, an italian movie genre in the late 50s and early 60s that were inspired by american films like Ben Hur (1959). Countless of these films were made, and as you know even Sergio Leone did a film in this genre, The Colossus of Rhodes (1961). Harrison had a muscular body and was well suited to play a roman gladiator.
Then he did a string of spaghetti westerns after the peplum genre ended. He also did a few eurospy movies in the 60s, a genre that came about because of the success of the James Bond movies. A couple of Harrison’s spy films were more like heist movies perhaps, films about a sophisticated theft, but nevertheless they’re related to the spy genre.
Le spie uccidono a Beirut (1965)
A 077 sfida ai killers (1966)
Duello nel mondo (1966)
Colpo maestro al servizio di Sua Maestà britannica (1967)
28 minuti per 3 milioni di dollari (1967)
L’uomo del colpo perfetto (1967)
Rafael Molina Perales, film specialist, owner and manager of Fort Bravo-Texas Hollywood passed away yesterday.
Born in Enguera (Valencia) on June 21, 1952, Rafa Molina was involved in the world of cinema from a young age. In the mid-1970s, he began his career as a stuntman and for 25 years worked as a double in films and series such as Curro Jiménez and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
His passion for Westerns and for films shot in the Tabernas Desert led him to take charge of Fort Bravo, a Western town that became the setting for some of the major productions filmed in Almería during the 1960s and 70s and which, under his leadership, continued to be a vibrant space for film and for those who visit this unique corner of our province.
Rafa Molina is part of the history of the Western in Almería. His passion, dedication, and commitment to film and to the Tabernas Desert leave an indelible mark on the entire Almería film community. He will always be with us.
R.I.P. Marjoe Gortner.
B Movie & Cult Icon
He never made a Spaghetti Western but did star in 1974 TV Movie ‘The Gun And The Pulpit’ which was clearly influenced by the genre.
And among many other appearances (including ‘Earthquake’, ‘Bobbie Jo And The Outlaw’, ‘Food Of The Gods’, ‘Mausoleum’, ‘Wild Bill’, etc.) he did star in the infamous 1978 Italian science-fiction cult classic ’ Starcrash’, which is widely celebrated as a Italian-made “Spaghetti Star Wars” rip-off.