Tuesday, June 6, 2017

RIP : José Greci


Every time I take a break, someone from the PEPLUM universe dies. This time it's one of my favourite actresses, José Greci. She died on June 1. She was 76. Her film big break was Mary in BEN-HUR (1959). After that small role José starred in a string of PEPLUM films. She's one of the Queens of the genre. She's also one of the actresses at the "Babes & Beauties" permanent page.

RIP.

BEN-HUR (1959)
José played Mary in this Hollywood epic. Her role was minimal but it was enough to get her career going forward. I recently posted a behind-the-scenes video here heralding the newcomer.

REVENGE OF THE BARBARIANS (1960)
José Greci starred with Daniela Rocca in this overlooked film. Their 'love-hate' relationship in this film is the best thing about it.

DUEL OF THE TITANS (1962)

José along with Virna Lisi and Jacques Sernas. I wished her role was bigger in this but whenever she was on screen she was captivating.



WAR GODS OF BABYLON (1962)
José with Stelio Candela. She had a small supporting role in this

COLOSSUS OF THE ARENA (1962)

José played a queen in this action-packed film. That's Erno Crisa in both screenshots



URSUS - THE REBEL GLADIATOR (1962)


José starred with Gloria Milland, among other stars, including Dan Vadis and Alan Steel




ZORRO AGAINST THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1963)
Gordon Scott was José's love interest in this fun film

GOLIATH & THE SINS OF BABYLON (1963)
José and Mark Forest compete in a chariot race

HERCULES & THE MASKED RIDER (1963)
José in another fun action packed film

HERCULES AGAINST THE MONGOLS (1963)
José co-starred with Mark Forest again and Maria Grazia Spina. One of my favourite PEPs

THE TEN GLADIATORS (1963)

José co-starred with Dan Vadis and Mimmo Palmara (below)



SWORD OF THE EMPIRE (1964)
Enzo Tarascio, as Emperor Commodus, with José in a familiar situation

REVENGE OF THE GLADIATORS (1964)
José was in this Mikey Hargitay vehicle

SEVEN REBEL GLADIATORS (1965)
José's last PEPLUM film was this Michele Lupo over-the-top actioner

4 comments:

Scott Ochiltree said...

Welcome back and thanks very much for your generous tribute to Jose Greci.

Unfortunately your BABES AND BEAUTIES page does not seem to have a caption for Jose, but it is obvious which photos are of her.

Brrrodie the Westie said...

Thanks for the sad news and tribute to Jose!

Finnegan said...

She was a great beauty.

Anthony Crnkovich said...

Just revisited GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON -- one of my favorites with Jose competing in a rousing chariot race.