Star Black

In the tradition of Clark Kent/Superman, Robert Woods plays both the seemingly gawky and cowardly Johnny Black and the black-masked avenger Starblack, who resembles such 1940s serial heroes as Batman or The Phantom, but in a Western context. The film alternates between the gruff stoicism associated with Italian westerns and a cartoonish feel that was no doubt a homage to the old-time serials that the director/writer/star had enjoyed as children. Somehow it all works and produces a Eurowestern that is both exciting and fun. Woods, who is usually very convincing as a tough, violent character, here plays the (outwardly) bumbling and weak-willed Johnny Black very convincingly, like a cross between Will Hutchins and Tony Perkins! Overall, STARBLACK is a very entertaining film that should appeal to a broad audience and is a choice role for star Robert Woods (who also wrote and sings the title theme on and off throughout the film!).

A hero wearing a black sheriff's star and in a mask that brings to mind the one worn by the killer in Blood and Black Lace fights for justice against the brutal banker Curry and his gang of killers.

This entertaining Italian western in very much in the mold of the Spanish Zorro movies being made in the late Fifties and early Sixties by Joaquin Marchent, among others. Other early Spaghetti Westerns, like The Last Gun (1964), have a similar plot as these movies were one of the early inspirations for the genre. The western town in Fistful of Dollars was originally built for one of Marchent's Zorro movies. Starblack has the same plot of masked hero v. oppressor and the same goofy exuberance. It is essentially just a series of escalating episodes that consist of Starblack escaping a trap laid for him by Curry (played by Franco Lantieri, who really hams it up). This, of cource, leads to a more elaborate trap and more unlikely escape in typical comic strip or serial style. Later Spaghetti Westerns like the Sabata and Sartana films or God Forgive . . . I Kill Them (1967) have a very similar plot construction which suggests that they belong in the same lineage. Zorro films would continue to be made in Spain and Italy through the Mid-Seventies.

Director Giovanni Grimaldi wrote and directed a number of Franco and Ciccio films, as well as some Toto films, which partially explain the comic tone of Starblack (Sergio Corbucci and Bruno also had similar roots in comedy). He also had a hand in scripting a number of peplum and early horror movies, including Danse Macabre (1964). His only other SW was the good In A Colt's Shadow (All'ombra di una colt) directed earlier the same year. Both movies have the same naïve, 1950s American B-western look to them, though In A Colt's Shadow is by far the more interesting visually.

Robert Woods was one of the stars of the genre, though after the success of My Name Is Pecos, he would usually play darker roles including the memorable performances in cult classics like Blackjack (1968 ) and El Puro (1969) . Having seen these films before Starblack it was strange seeing him play a grinning, lanky, and guitar-playing cowboy. He sang the theme song, which is almost as memorable as Lee Van Cleef's solo for Captain Apache (1971).

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Saturday matinee serials, Italian style. Goofy exuberance seasoned with some traditional spaghetti western violence, Starblack displays a certain nostalgia for the Zorro or Lone Ranger masked hero, who always appears at the perfect moment to right wrongs. It's a frankly bizarre concoction of violent and tongue-in-cheek parody elements, even featuring an elongated sequence of the titular hero singing his own theme song. Essentially, the film consists of a series of escalating episodes in which Starblack escapes a trap laid for him. This, in turn, leads to an even more elaborate trap and an even more unlikely escape, in a typical comic strip or serial style. The direction by Giovanni Grimaldi is pretty competent, even if it does feel a bit standard, while his action sequences are very well executed, lively and eventful. At times, the violence in Starblack rivals that of the cruellest spaghetti western as he goes around killing more people in 90 minutes than the Lone Ranger did in his entire career. The scene in which the masked avenger saves a woman from being raped and then offers her a gun so that she can take revenge, remains one of the most unsettling moments of the entire genre. Backed by a decent cast and a wonderfully moody but horrifically cheesy score by Benedetto Ghiglia, Starblack feels like it should be a cult favourite; however average it may be, it's also phenomenal entertainment.

Johnny 'Colt' Blyth / Starblack (Robert Woods) is a hero who arrives in a little town to seek vengeance for killing his father . The town is ruled by the nasty Curry (Franco Lantieri) who governs the place tyrannically . Accompanied by his deaf mute pal (Howard Ross) Johnny learns his daddy is dead and his mother remarried to his uncle , the respected Judge Thomas King (Harald Wolff) . Meanwhile , Johnny escaping a criminal ambush and other traps laid for him from Curry . But Johnny Colt is really the masked Starblack wielding on his shirt a black star, which he always leaves at the scene of his vengeful missions , as a symbol of justice.

The film displays attractive characters , shootouts , thrills , Western action and being entertaining enough . It is a thrilling Italian western that contains a story full of violence , good dramatic pace , long crossfire with high body-count and slick direction . Agreeable Spaghetti Western ; being proceeded in ¨The Zorro¨ style including close-ups , zooms , and choreographic duels . All in all, this is an amusing and fun film that will appeal to ordinary Spaghetti oater fans . It's a moving western with spectacular scenes and breathtaking confrontation among protagonist Robert Woods and heartless enemies as well as a dubious sheriff and other nasty gunfighters . It's a middle-budget film with ordinary actors , professional technicians , adequate production values , packing some decent photography throughout and resulting in pleasing results . As lighthearted as can be, it is very reminiscent of the bygone American western feature from the golden era of Saturday matinees with a twist of the "Euro" filmmaking style . If you've seen even one vintage B-Cowboy picture, you've probably figured out the whole ending . Charismatic performance for the main and support casting . "Starblack 1966" is well starred by Robert Woods as a revenger who seeks vendetta for his father's death under mysterious and shady circumstances , and he dresses in black and his face is covered by a black scarf . Robert was a regular presence in the Spaghettis in the 60s and 70s , because of his height, he did most of my own stunts, only once, doing a lead in Hong Kong on a film called "Savage in the City" with Victor Buono , he was seriously injured . Woods starred several Tortilla/Ravioli Western as "Five Thousand Dollars on One Ace" ,"4 Dollars of Revenge" , "Seven Guns for the MacGregors" , ¨Black Jack¨, ¨El Puro¨, "Gatling Gun" , among others. Robert is supported by a familar cast usual in Peplum and Western such as : Elga Andersen , Franco Lantieri , Andrea Scotti and Howard Ross as the sympathetic deaf mute sidekick .

.There are many fine technicians , nice assistant direction and appropriate set design , creating an evocative scenario . While the print used contains its share of imperfections , mostly minor , the overall presentation of the film is average . Charming as well as energetic musical score by composer Benedetto Ghiglia in Ennio Morricone style , including catching leitmotif and a few enjoyable musical queues , adding attractive songs . Atmospheric and evocative cinematography by Guglielmo Mancori . The motion picture was well written and directed by Giovanni Grimaldi . Giovanni managed to make a fluid ,witty and agreeable SW . He proved his experience in Western such as ¨Starblack¨ , ¨ Il Bello, Il Brutto, Il Cretino' and as screenwriter ¨Four dollars for vengeance¨ , among others . And his first and best movie : a Spaghetti title All'Ombra Di colt (65)' by Gianni Grimaldi starred Conrado San Martin and Stephen Forsyth. Rating : 5.5/10 , acceptable and passsable .

Zorro is famous for the Z and the mask he was wearing ... well I doubt the mask our "hero" is wearing here will make it ... it's just kind of ridiculous ... even if it somewhat keeps the mystery up. Well for the characters in the movie. I'd reckon that almost everyone watching this knows what is what and who is who.

But it is not so much about the mystery of the masked man (literally!), it is about the fun one can have watching the movie. There are many other influences you can detect here too ... all from vigilantes, fighting off evil to protect the poor and the ones who can't defend themselves. The story is quite simple and not worthy rehashing ... but the fun factor is so high, you probably shouldn't mind ... I was just surprised I have never seen this before. All the gun and brawl sound effects of the era ... if you don't mind them - or rather cherish them like I do.