The Texican

"The Texican" was finally released in 2005 on DVD by Columbia Pictures. It starred Audie Murphy and the lovely Diana Lorys. The original release was in 1966, while I was living in Oklahoma, and was filmed in Spain. There was a VHS release in 1996, but I was hoping for a DVD release full of additional features...not a chance.

This film died an early death rather quickly after it's initial release. It took me by complete surprise as I enjoyed it very much. The only problem I had with it was a fairly lame bad guy played in the role by Broderick Crawford (Highway Patrol 1955 TV Series). I have always been an Audie Murlphy fan and since I was heavily into spaghetti westerns at the time was delighted to see him in this genre. Loved the score even if the composer was ripping off Ennio Morricone. I thought the acting was fine except for Mr. Crawford and I was looking forward to "The Texican II" which was to be called "Maverick Guns" co-starring Cesar Romero. According to the book "The Films Of Audie Murlphy" by Bob Larkins and Boyd Magers, Audie had a drinking problem while filming and the sequel, for unknown reasons, was never filmed. When the film ends, the screen fades to black and to the delight of film music fans the main/end title music continues to play out.

The score was released in Italy in 1996 on the RCA label OST 129. There are 30 tracks in all, but only 11 tracks of "The Texican". The others are from the western films "All' Ombra Di Una Colt", Per Il Gusto Di Uccidere", and "Dinamite Jim"...all by composer Nico Fidenco. The CD itself is titled "4 Western Scores". "The Texican" is a delightful Morricone like score and fits the Audie Murlphy film perfectly. I have been after the score for many years. It was only available on a couple of bootleg LPs from Italy. The highlight of course was the main title which was prominent throughout the film. As for the other scores, Fidenco does a great job especially on "Per Il Gusto Di Uccidere". I would say he went totally wrong on "Dinamite Jim". Three out of four is a winner!

Take A Hard Ride

Film released in 1975, while I was living in Thailand, by 20th Century-Fox starring Lee Van Cleef and Jim Brown. Directed by Antonio Margheriti who worked on the sound effects for the Sergio Leone film "A Fistful Of Dynamite" (Duck You Sucker in the United States) in 1971. I haven't caught this movie in it's entirety so no comment on it here.

What could possibly be better than a Jerry Goldsmith western score, except perhaps an Ennio Morricone or Bruno Nicolai western score. Non-the-less, this is a wonderful score by Mr. Goldsmith. A hard driven melody main title lets you know you are in for an exciting musical and entertaining event. The CD has 19 tracks and a 16 page booklet with a picture disc (not a very good one, but a picture disc all the same). The first part of the booklet examines the film while the second half is loaded with excellent comments on the score by Douglass Fake. Released in February of 2000 on the Film Score Monthly label FSM Vol 3, No. 1. Only 3000 copies were officially printed.

Billy The Kid

This is one of the best books yet on "Billy The Kid". Written by Michael Wallis and published in 2007. This book throws out many legends we grew up on and introduces the real Henry McCarthy (Billy The Kid) and his life from Ireland to the interal and vicious range wars in Lincoln County, New Mexico. A Book that I personally found difficult to put down.

There were many films on the life and legend of Billy The Kid. Some were good and others had nothing to do with Billy The Kid. Still the best by far was Sam Peckinpah's "Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid" released in 1973. The film starred James Coburn (Pat Garrett) and Kris Kristofferson (Billy The Kid) and Bob Dylan as Alias. I'm looking forward to a much needed remake as the film, after reading this book, looks nothing like the individual in the book. Sam makes an appearance in this film.

The music CD was released in 1994 and had music by Bob Dylan. I generally stay away from non-orchestra music in films but have to admit I enjoyed this one. The song that really turned me on to this music was called "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" which I thought made this film. I can't see any Dylan fan not purchasing this CD. Released in Australia in 1994 on COLUMBIA RECORDS CDC BS32098.

Top Ten Ebay Wins May 2007

John Barry

1. Body Heat LP $86.99
2. Dr No US 45/PS $65.00
3. The Wrong Box LP $46,78
4. The Black Hole/Howard The Duck CD $40.00
5. The Black Hole/Howard The Duck CD $40.00
6. The Black Hole/Howard The Duck CD $40.00
7. Eight John Barry CDs $40.00
8. The Deep CD $36.00
9. Ruby Cairo Japan CD $34.69
10. Cappell Mood Music Vol 12 France LP $34.00


Ennio Morricone

1. Uccello Dalle Plume Di Cristallo Italy LP $122.49
2. Teorema Argentina LP $114.49
3. Fatti Di Gente Perbene CD $89.00
4. Maddalena Italy LP $80.00
5. Ennio Morricone Dirigieri 2CD $79.99
6. Un Genio, Due Compari, Un Pollo German 45/PS 74.93
7. Questa Specie D'Amore Italy LP $74.00
8. Mastro (Promo Can) $67.00
9. Tre Nel 1000 Italy LP $62.00
10. Ennio Morricone Dirigieri 2CD $59.99


Jerry Goldsmith

1. Fox Box 6CD $300.00
2. Fox Box 6CD $207.50
3. Star Trek The Motion Picture 2CD $142.21
4. Ten Jerry Goldsmith CDs $139.00
5. Rio Conchos France 45/EP $133.50
6. Fox Box 6CD $117.50
7. Raggedy Man Varese CD $107.50
8. Chinatown Complete CD $107.50
9. Chinatown CD $102.50
10. Bandolero Expanded CD $99.99


Elmer Bernstein

1. The Black Cauldron CD $142.50
2. The Great Escape 2CD $103.50
3. The Black Cauldron CD $102.50
4. Ghostbusters Varese CD $96.50
5. The Black Cauldron CD $96.50
6. Ghostbusters Varese CD $80.00
7. The Great Escape 2CD $75.00
8. The Great Escape 2CD $74.99
9. Divertissement Reel To Reel $70.60
10. The Great Escape 2CD $70.00


James Horner

1. Glory LP (Only 1000 copies made) $105.50
2. Glory LP (Only 1000 copies made) $66.00
3. Batteries Not Included CD $59.00
4. Apollo 13 The Score CD $56.00
5. Apollo 13 The Score CD $52.99
6. Where The River Runs Black CD $49.99
7. Where The River Runs Black CD $48.09
8. Once Upon A Forest CD $47.00
9. Commando CD $45.44
10. Commando Cd $45.44


John Williams

1. Disney LA Concert Tickets (2) $369.99
2. Disney LA Concert Tickets (2) $215.00
3. The Towering Inferno FSM CD $152.50
4. Earthquake CD $102.50
5. How To Steal A Million CD $97.01
6. Yes, Giorgio CD $90.00
7. The Towering Inferno FSM CD $90.00
8. The Poseidon Adventure Johnny Boy CD $85.00
9. Jaws 2 CD $77.00
10. The Fury 2CD $69.95

Sugar Colt

The above are two music releases from the 1966 film starring Hunt Powers. This Italian-Spanish movie was directed by Franco Giraldi who was the creator of the "MacGregors" series. Can't comment on the film as I have never seen it.

The 1st CD was released in 1995 in Japan on the KING label KICP 2592. It contained 25 tracks and came with a 12 page booklet all in Japanese. The CD is now out-of print and is now considered a collector's item.

The 2nd CD was released in 2006 in Italy on the GDM label CD CLUB 7017 (picture disk). It contains 18 tracks and comes with a 4 page booklet of photos from the film.

The music is by Italian composer Luis Bacalov (Bullet For A General, Man Called Noon) and is most famous for his score to "Django" also from 1966. The main title is a nice enough instrumental with a male voice saying Sugar Colt from time to time. A somewhat mellow score for a spaghetti western. A decent listening experience, but far from classic.