GBU book project -updated website-

[stanton]

I'm going through the chapter where Hanley compares the film to what was in the original Italian script (he doesn't mention a translator. Did he translate it himself?) The most interesting thing so far: In the Betterville sequence, in the original, Angel Eyes didn't know Blondie and Tuco nor they him. They meet for the first time at the camp (thus, there are no earlier missing scenes). However, as AE explains to Tuco, he knows Tuco isn't Carson because AE came across Carson's dead body soon after Tuco and Blondie did. He noticed that the dead Carson was no longer wearing his uniform, so now he figures the uniform Tuco's got on must be Carson's. Maybe Tuco talked to Carson before he died and found out about the gold? Well, it's worth administering a beating to find out. Interestingly, in this version AE gives the beating, not Wallace (Wallace is outside with the musicians). The scene as it plays out seems potentially funny: Tuco keeps insisting for the longest time he's Carson, and every time he does he gets a blow . . .

I wonder why they changed the relationship between AE and Tuco/Blondie? It isn't necessary to the plot that they had known one another before. Hmmmm.

But as is is in the finished film it is easier to explain why AE knows that Tuco is not Carson. And Leone has there paths crossed already once in the film, which is a good idea. And the scene with AE and the dead Carson would have made the already long film longer.

[Cusser]

Back to Hanley's book: I received my copy yesterday !  It weighs a ton.

Photo of my fireplace mantle with the new book in position, with my "rock" from the arch from Once Upon a Time in the West.  GBU coffee mug - I bought a few a decade ago as one of a kind gifts.

[Le Bon]

Looks great. Is that a photo or artwork from Butch Cassidy just showing above the books 

[Clinton]

Hanley's book is excellent, but one thing sorely lacking is an outline of the film's production history. Even Frayling is rather vague about the chronology. I know location scouting was done in March of 1966. I know that the English dub was prepared in Oct/Nov. 1967. I know the shoot lasted 13 weeks. But which 13 weeks? Can anybody point me toward the info?

You're quite right. It was very, very hard getting any sort of details about the film, and production details would have been very nice, e.g. dates etc, as you pointed out. I would have liked to get some production documentation, such as copies of each day-to-day work schedule ("programma di lavoro") or work contracts etc. One potential source was Serena Canevari (script girl), who passed away before I started work on the book. I was also unable to locate/contact her sons etc - her work diary, if it still exists, would have been very helpful. Another good possibility was Alberto Grimaldi Productions S.A. I got in contact with Alberto Grimaldi, now 91, a long time ago and he agreed both to an interview and to write a foreword for the book. A couple of years later, I was unable to contact him again. I'm sure that he and his production company have files about the production of the GBU. Alberto Grimaldi has, according to Google, a son, Maurizio, but the Dr Maurizio Grimaldi I tracked down, who graduated at a medical school in Naples and is currently working in the USA, was not the correct Maurizio Grimaldi. Carlo Leva, assistant art director, may have some documentation about pre-production and production, but he turned out to be quite difficult in terms of cooperation (a long frustrating story). I got some help from the family of Carlo Simi, but the material was quite limited. I never came across a treasure trove of information, which would have made things much easier. Sergio Leone Production (offices at the residence of Carla Leone) provided some photocopies of some documents, but these were unhelpful. Getting documentation of production ("chronology" etc) was certainly on my wish list.

[dave jenkins]

Thanks for your response. I hadn't realized the issue was so vexed. Who would have thought it? Well, it's clear you've done your "due diligence." Now it would be nice if we could find more answers.

[dave jenkins]

Hanley's book is excellent, but one thing sorely lacking is an outline of the film's production history. Even Frayling is rather vague about the chronology.

Frayling does say that the shooting period ran mid-April to mid-July. Obviously that includes the Spanish locations, followed by the studio work in Rome. It would be handy to know what the proportion of each was to the whole. Also, what were the first/last scenes shot.

[Dirty Rat]

I love the way that Le Bon can tell that the photo above the books is from the final shot of butch cassidy and the sundance kid - what an observation.

I have to say though, out of all the inhabitants of the mantelpiece - that mug is sheer tat! 

[Novecento]

I love the way that Le Bon can tell that the photo above the books is from the final shot of butch cassidy and the sundance kid - what an observation.

Ha ha true - it's that classic shot:

[drinkanddestroy]

I think my favorite pic in the book is the one that shows how they filmed the POV shot of Tuco stopping the horses in the runaway carriage. You never actually see the carriage in the shot. As you see in the pic, It was actually filmed from the sunroof of a car; the reins (and presumably horses, though you can see them in the pic) were being held by someone standing with his head out the sunroof of a car; the cameraman and Leone also had to squeeze out the same sunroof.

The book is not in front of me at the moment, but I believe the pic I am referring to is on page 206.

I also like the pic of the full cantero Moderni - 6 male and 6 female singers; but I don't think any female voices were used for GBU. Of course, Edda del'Orso in Ecstacy of Gold. But in the songs that use a choir, I don't think there are any female voices.

Another of my favorite pics is the one taken behind the Langstonbe Bridge, so you can actually see the walkway of teh bridge; most shots we've seen of the bridge are on the side.

[Jordan Krug]

Book now available on Amazon.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind---scenes-Sergio-Leones-Good/dp/3000404767/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465063088&sr=1-3&keywords=good+bad+ugly

I now have my copy and I concur, it's simply amazing.

[Cusser]

Is that a photo or artwork from Butch Cassidy just showing above the books 

It's an "arty" line rendering of that final scene from that film, with the tag line "You never met a pair like Butch and the Kid".  I actually pulled it out of somebody's trash about 35 years ago, and made the frame for it from a kit (I screwed up one miter, sawed it by hand).

[cigar joe]

A Johnny come lately, I ordered it today   

[Le Bon]

One of the stills in the book seems to show another trimmed scene. On page 13. It shows Tuco flanked by two deputies on horseback at the second hanging scene. It was obviously decided to cut it at a later stage. Its not mentioned in the original script chapter.

[drinkanddestroy]

The UK pound is dropping cuz of uncertaintly over Brexit vote. So, for those of you who haven't yet bought the book, I imagine the UK Amazon site will be a good place to buy it or anything else now; you'll probably get a favorable exchange rate if you time it properly 

[dave jenkins]

Drink, thanks, great point. Even though I already have a copy I have friends with summer birthdays coming up. What would make better presents than copies of this fabulous book? Did I mention that there's a contest on? He who buys the most copies before Christmas wins!