Joseph Fryd Movies
Producer and film distributor Joseph Fryd is best-known for having produced several entries in the Italian-made Hercules series for MGM in Hollywood during the '50s and '60s. Fryd moved to Italy in the mid-'40s and remained there until his death from a stroke in May of 1994. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1971
- R
This curious Italian drama is the medium for bringing to light the soul-searching conversations of an erotomaniac woman and a troubled priest. The woman is desperate to have some sort of real relationship with someone. She decides the priest is an appropriate person. He, in turn, needs to confide his philosophical and spiritual questionings to someone and unburden himself of his own doubt about his moral fitness to fulfill his role. Each represents an adequate temptation for the other. This film boasts one of the better musical scores by Ennio Morricone. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Dashing Austrian actor Robert Hoffmann stars as Luciano Luthring, a small-time hood who rises quickly to to the ranks of ruthless professional criminal, only to be betrayed by his beautiful moll (Lisa Gastoni). This fact-based crime thriller, directed by veteran Carlo Lizzani, also contains a fine supporting performance by Gian Maria Volonte as the cunning inspector who psychologically manipulates Gastoni into turning on her lover by playing on her guilty conscience. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Hoffman, Lisa Gastoni, (more)
- 1966
Those fun-loving Borgia's are back in yet another chronicle of their 16th century political and sexual shenanigans in this bizarre Italian exploitation film. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Gastoni, Edmund Purdom, (more)
- 1966
Not originally a "Ringo" entry, this exciting spaghetti western was redubbed to exploit the series' popular success. Mark Damon plays Ringo (Johnny in the original), a bounty-hunter who is hired to nab outlaw leader Franco Derosa, but ends up taking on Derosa's entire gang and demolishing half of Coldstone City with dynamite before the situation is resolved. Skillfully directed by Sergio Corbucci, this action-packed film features a stirring Carlo Savina soundtrack and numerous explosions, as well as an engaging performance by Damon, star of Roger Corman's The Fall of the House of Usher. Corbucci went on to direct the immensely popular Django. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Scientists discover that a maverick asteroid is hurtling towards Earth and if they cannot stop it, it will destroy our planet in this special-effects laden Italian sci-fi thriller that is also known as Planet on the Prowl. Their task isn't easy, for as the little planet draws near it upsets the Earth's gravity and causes all kinds of natural disasters. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Also known as Snow Devils and Devil Men From Space, this Italian melodrama is a muddled mixture of two popular film genres. Part of the story is given over to a search for the destroyers of a Himalyan weather station. When the search party reaches their destination, they are captured by what seems to be a tribe of abominable snowmen. We soon learn that the blue-tinted beasties are actually the vanguard of an invading army of extraterrestrials. Heading the cast of Snow Demons are Jack Stuart (also known as Giacomo Rossi Stuart) and Amber Collins (aka Ombretta Coli); the director was Anthony Dawson (aka Antonio Margheriti; do we detect a pattern here?) The film was originally released as I Diavolo della Spazzio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this campy Italian sci-fi adventure wicked aliens from outer space abduct and miniaturize Earth's leaders to make it easier to destroy the planet until a courageous hero appears to fight against him and his legion of skintight leather-clad robot women. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Russell, Lisa Gastoni, (more)
- 1964
Though a slave, Lacer (Jeffrey Hunter) is well respected as a talented architect. After falling for Pennelope (Mylene Demongeot), the amorous slave of proconsul Maximus (Massimo Girotti), Lacer runs into trouble. He is soon sent off on search for gold, but finds that his orders are intended to get rid of him. He must think fast if he is to stay alive. Arnold Perl adapted this sword and sandal feature from Florence A. Seward's novel. Perl would go on to write the screenplay for Spike Lee's 1992 drama, Malcom X. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Hunter, Mylène Demongeot, (more)
Four writers are to credit for this unsuccessful sword-and-sandal feature starring Richard Harrison. Set in the 1st century A.D., Sparta is under the tyranny of the Roman Empire. With the help of six other gladiators, Spartan Darius (Harrison) is determined to make a small contribution to the welfare of mankind by engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the local brutes. The dubbing is uneven in this historical actioner that follows the same pattern as many of the low-budget features of this genre. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Harrison, Loredana Nusciak, (more)
- 1963
In this fantasy, Hercules and Ulysses end up marooned on an island when they lose a battle with a sea monster. On the island Hercules kills a lion with his hands and winds up being mistaken for Samson. To prove that he is really Hercules, he must battle with the real Samson. They grunt, groan, and draw some blood before the fight is called a draw. Later the three team up and defeat the Philistines. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Morris, Richard Lloyd, (more)
- 1963
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In this swashbuckling tale of action and adventure, a dashing, muscle-bound sultan's son struggles to single-handedly stave off Queen Victoria's army of invaders and thereby save his father from kidnappers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Reeves, Jacqueline Sassard, (more)
