They Called Him Amen (1972)

Luc Merenda is Horatio, a bandit looking to get even with a partner who cheated him out of his share of the loot from a job they pulled.

He finds the Rev. Smith (Alfio Caltabiano as Alf Thunder) in a small town. Seems Smith came across a dying priest during his getaway and decided to take the man’s place. He’s even spent part of the stolen money to build a church.

Well, Horatio demands part of the stolen money. And he’s prepared to sell the church to new owners who want to turn it into a saloon.

Then he’s thrown in jail for stealing Smith’s horse. And winds up in jail cell next to The Professor (Dante Maggio), who knows all about the town’s impenetrable bank, the one that holds $500,000.

But it’s going to take a master safe cracker to pull the job. So Horatio mends fences with the reverend and they hatch a scheme to pull off the job with the help of Grampa, his young nephew and a barman/painter with a desire for a more exciting life.

Review:

A comedy Western that starts promisingly, with Horatio roaming the desert dressed like a peon and peeking at those he meets through a whole in his oversized sombrero (which makes for some unique camera shots).

But the film completely loses momentum following the bank job in a flurry of fight scenes, karate kicks and counterfeit money, culminating in one of the most ludicrous, overlong and unfunny barroom brawls you’re ever likely to endure.

Sydne Rome adds eye appeal as a school teacher whose lessons take place in a converted stable. She dreams of a real schoolhouse. She also takes one look at handsome Horatio with his Elvis haircut and decides she’d like to teach him a thing or two.

Tano Cimaroa is Chaco, a dim-witted bandit forever being outsmarted by Horatio.

And, nope, there’s no one named Amen, at least not in the English version. Though every time Horatio gets the drop on Chaco and his band of idiots, they, for some reason, same amen and drop their pants.

Directed by:
Alfio Caltabiano
as Alf Thunder

Cast:
Luc Merenda … Horatio
Sydne Rome … Dorothy
Alfio Caltabiano …Rev. Smith
as Alf Thunder
Tano Cimaroa … Chaco
Mila Beran … Grampa
Renato Cestie … Young nephew
Pasquale Nigro … hotel barman
as Pat Nigro
Dante Maggio … Professor
as Dan May
Edda Ferronao … Adelaide, stage passenger
Mimmo Poli … Bell ringer
Artemio Antonini … Chaco bandit
Fortunato Arena … Shotgun guard on stage
Furio Meniconi … First sheriff
Angelo Suani … Bank guard
Remo Capitani … Second sheriff

Runtime: 95 min.

aka:
Così Sia
They Call Him Amen
Therefore It Is

Music: Daniele Patucchi

Memorable lines:

Old man: “Mister, I want you to stop squintin’ at me through that hole. And tell me what your name is.”
Horatio: “Ma read lots of classics. It’s a friend of Hamlet.”

The nephew, trying to make a sale: “How about some lady’s underwear? Got some real fine, high-class lacy stuff.”
Horatio: “Your grandmom run a whorehouse?”
The nephew: “Nah. It’s just that granddad visits one.”

Rev. Smith: “Look, junior, you’re the one who got me into this mess.”
Horatio: “I think the mess is in your britches.”

Dorothy: “That’s a strange name. Why do they call you Horatio?”
Horatio: “Because he outlived princes and fools.”

Trivia:

A sequel to this film, “They Still Call Me Amen,” was released the next year (1973) with Luc Merenda, Alfio Caltabiano and Tano Cimarosa all back in their original roles. Sydne Rome, however, did not return.

Luc Merenda played the supporting role of Chato in the 1971 film “Red Sun,” starring Charles Bronson and Ursula Andress.

Sydne Rome’s only other Spaghetti role was in another comedy, 1969’s “Alive or Preferrably Dead,” starring Giuliano Gemma.