Okay, Halloween is past. It’s All Saints’ Day. Not only that, but it also happens to be the start of Spagvemberfest!
What’s that, you say? Why, it’s a month-long challenge to view a spaghetti western a day.
What exactly is a “spaghetti western?” It’s a term bestowed by American film critics on Italian-produced oaters. Characteristically, they are filmed by Italians, often in Spain, sometimes in the American southwest. They likely feature an international cast, with a recognizable rising or fading star as their lead or leads. All the voices are dubbed in post-production, often to humorous effect. The characters are motivated by revenge or a lust for gold. In terms of morality, only a few degrees tend to separate the hero and the villain. Often there is an adherence to the conventions of the American western, however with the intent of deflating the western myth. There is certainly a preponderance of stylized violence. And if it’s worth watching, it probably features Somerville, New Jersey’s own Lee Van Cleef (pictured).
Admittedly, the genre is an acquired taste. I don’t know about you, but I’m really going to need this, as we begin the inexorable slide toward the holidays.
Wholly by coincidence, I’ll be doing my part by presenting a heaping helping of spaghetti western scores for the birthday of composer Ennio Morricone on my radio show, “Picture Perfect,” on Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m. EDT.
You can listen to it here:
And just in case you don’t get the “Hey, amigos” reference in the ad…