Gentleman Killer (1967)

Once upon a time there was a town named Douglas, a town so close to the Mexican-U.S. border that officials from the two countries weren’t sure which nation it should belong to.

While they debated the matter, American residents got nervous, fearing anarchy to the point where they decided to transfer their bank deposits to El Paso.

Their nerves were all the more frayed by the presence of Col. Ferreres (Eduardo Fajardo) and his bandits, by the departure of a troop of U.S. Cavalry with reinforcements no where in sight, and by the knowledge that just one officer, Capt. Reeves, was left to keep the peace.

And then a neatly dressed stranger (Anthony Steffen) rides a carraige into town. What few know: He’s the brother of Capt. Reeves, and more than capable of helping even the score should mischief befall the good folks of Douglas.

It’s a good thing, because Ferreres has his eye on those bank deposits. Not to mention a band of about 30 gunmen willing to do his bidding for a share of the money.

Review:

This is an entertaining Spaghetti that features a rousing score by Bruno Nicolai and Ennio Morricone and an inspired performance by Eduardo Fajardo as the ever-smiling villain who’s more than happy to take over Douglas when it’s pretty much abandoned by the U.S. and Mexican governments.

Once his brother dies, the stranger dons his uniform while he wreaks his vengeance, so that Ferreres and his men think the captain is still alive. In one of the more unusual scenes, he’s kidnapped by Ferreres’ men. But instead of having him killed, Ferreres has his men force liquor down the stranger’s throat, getting him falling down drunk.

Which makes dodging bullets and staying alive a little trickier once the good guy makes his inevitable escape.

That escape is aided by a saloon girl named Vicky, played by Silvia Solar. Once she’s discovered, there’s another memorable scene in which Ferreres, on horseback, stalks her through town while she desperately knocks on doors, pleading for help. He winds up stringing her up by her hands in front of the saloon in an attempt to lure our hero out of hiding.

The supporting cast includes Mr. Morrison, the banker in charge of getting the bank deposits to El Paso; the pretty Mrs. Morrison, who fears for his life; and a hotel helper named Sam, who’s our heroes only other source of help in town. Ferreres top men include familiar faces Benito Stefanelli and Antonio Iranzo; the latter balks about his nickname, “Monkey Face.”

Directed by:
Siorgio Stegani

Cast:
Anthony Steffen … Jo Reeves
(Antonio de Teffe)
Eduardo Fajardo … Col. Ferreres
Silvia Solar … Vicky, saloon girl
Mariano Vidal Molina … Capt. Reeves
as Vidal Molina
Benito Stefanelli … Larry
Antonio Iranzo … “Monkey Face” Bruce
Anna Orso … Mrs. Morrison
Frank Oliveras … Morrison
Joaquin Blanco … Sam
Juan Torres … Fred
Angel Lombarde … Jailed Ferreres henchman

Runtime: 97 min.

aka:
Gentleman Jo … uccidi
Gentelman Jo
Shamango

Score:
Bruno Nicolai and Ennio Morricone

Memorable lines:

Sam: “The hotel is empty. No one comes here because the Americans are afraid of the Mexicans and the Mexicans are afraid of the Americans.”
Jo Reeves: “Well that makes everyone afraid.”
Sam: “That’s why we’re empty.”
Reeves, smiling: “The world of poltiics.”

Vicky, sliding Jo a gun: “Now, if anyone’s mean to you, you just show them that.”
Jo, sliding the gun back to the saloon girl: “I thank you. But you keep it. In case you’ve got anything left to defend.”

Gentleman Joe: “Give me a whiskey.”
Vicky, the saloon girl: “Isn’t that a little strong for you, sonny. What would your mother say? And your daddy might spank you.”
Gentleman Joe: “I wouldn’t worry about my father, little girl.”

Col. Ferreres, after Gentleman Joe has killed Larry, one of his top men: “This hombre deserves a more special way to die.”

Trivia:

Antonio Iranzo has the unfortunate nickname of “Monkey Face” while playing one of Ferreres’ men in this film. Later, he served as the Spanish dubbing voice of Mr. T in the TV hit, “The A Team.”

Benito Stefanelli plays another of Ferreres’ men in this film. His most important contribution to Spaghetti might have come three years earlier, when he was the unofficial English translator on “A Fistful of Dollars,” helping star Clint Eastwood communicate with director Sergio Leone.