PEPLUM X Tuesdays
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
By the Gods!
Trojans prepare for a big fight in HELEN OF TROY
I like these scenes showing armies getting ready. It's an interesting aspect few films bother showing.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
By the Gods!
Hylas (John Cairney) and Hercules (Nigel Green) inside the Talos treasure in JASON & THE ARGONAUTS
Ruh roh! They just woke up Talos.
In Greek mythology, Hylas and Hercules were, hmm, you know...more than friends...of course, this family film didn't show this angle. Aha!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
By the Gods!
Anna Maria Polani and Howard Ross (aka Renato Rossini) in MISSIONE SABBIE ROVENTI
This film was never dubbed in English so there's no official English title. It translates as MISSION HOT SANDS. I haven't seen it yet and it's pretty hard to come by. I believe this is one of the few films in which Howard was leading man (but since I haven't seen it I can't be certain of this).
Behind-the-Scenes
Kirk Douglas is holding Umberto Silvestri and waiting for the cue when making ULYSSES (1954)
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Jacques Sernas, RIP
Jacques and Rossana Podestà in HELEN OF TROY
While I took a month off, PEPLUM star Jacques Sernas died. He was 89 years old. He was star of countless PEPLUM films and was one of the major actors of the genre. He was given an opportunity that most actors of the genre, including Steve Reeves, never got : lead role in a major Hollywood epic which was HELEN OF TROY. Unfortunately that film failed to establish him as a leading man in other Hollywood productions but he became one with European / Italian films. Aside from the 4 films listed here he was also in GODDESS OF LOVE, SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR, GOLIATH AND THE VAMPIRES, SON OF SPARTACUS, QUEEN OF THE TARTARS, DUEL OF CHAMPIONS, THE NIGHTS OF LUCRETIA BORGIA and that's just on the top of my head. He was overlooked compared to other actors and I always enjoyed his presence. All the PEPLUM stars are dying off.
JACQUES in THE LOVES OF SALAMMBO
Jacques costarred along with Steve Reeves and Virna Lisi in DUEL OF THE TITANS
Gianna Maria Canale starred along with Jacques in CONQUEROR OF CORINTH
Monday, July 20, 2015
By the Gods!
Hercules (Steve Reeves) emerges from a river in HERCULES UNCHAINED
Nice shot of Steve in action!
Some blog notes:
I'll be posting irregularly for the time being. I'm currently working on a project which is taking much of my time. I'm not dropping this blog (I have more than one blog). It'll just be more casual, not every day. I'm also trying to change the design of the blog which is pretty much dated. I need to find a good template. You might see changes happening here from time to time as I try to find the right look and design.
Movie Poster Mondays
Italian poster for THE SINNER (aka Desert Desperado). Very rare film, in any language.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Blog note
Blog should be back on July 20th or the end of the month. In the meantime I'm trying to take it easy.
Friday, June 19, 2015
By the Gods!
Sophia Loren, as Honoria, looking resplendent in ATTILA
She apparently hated making this film. Sophia is still with us. Hopefully for another 20 years. Aha!
RIPs : Pierre Brice and Richard Johnson
PIERRE BRICE
PEPLUM genre star Pierre Brice, who appeared in several PEPLUM films, earlier this June. He was 86 years old. Most notably Pierre played Dionysus in THE BACCHANTES, which is one of my favourite PEP films ever. I'm sad. His other films are THE PHARAOHS' WOMAN, THE COSSACKS and another favourite SAMSON AND THE SLAVE QUEEN or ZORRO VS MACISTE. Brice played Zorro. RIP Dionysus.
Pierre in DACII
Pierre was also in WITH FIRE AND SWORD co-starring Jeanne Crain
Also, British actor Richard Johnson died at the age of 87. Though his PEPLUM films are not as extensive as Pierre's, Richard Johnson did leave a mark in the genre with two notable roles, in JULIUS CAESAR (above) and COLUMNA (below).
Oddly enough, both Pierre and Richard died on the same day, June 6. All the PEPLUM stars are dying.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
By the Gods!
Moira Orfei and Gordon Scott in HERO OF BABYLON
Moira, being her campy self, dies again in a violent death. I love Moira for many reasons but maybe because she didn't seem to mind that her characters were often dispatched in the most unceremonious ways. Gordon is an impressive hero in this film!
Behind-the-Scenes
Riccardo Freda directs Gianna Maria Canale and Georges Marchal in THEODORA - SLAVE EMPRESS
Gianna was married to Freda. Interesting photo.
