For a Few Dollars Less (1966)

Lando Buzzanca plays Bill, second assistant teller at the Silver City Bank, where Augustus Black prides himself on an efficient, theft-proof operation.

He never keeps the bank’s money in the safe, moving it from one hiding place to another to keep bandits guessing. And to keep tellers in line, he has them sent to prison for shortages of as little as $12.

When Bill’s accounts come up $100 short, he knows he’s in trouble. He tries to borrow the money from cousin Frank (Raimondo Vianello), only to discover that his investments in mines and railroads have gone bust.

But Frank has a plan. If Bill commits a couple of easy crimes, a price will be put on his head. Frank will pretend to capture him, haul him off to the sheriff, collect the reward, then break him out of jail.

Of course, it doesn’t go quite as simply as that, partly because Bill has no knack for thievery. But he does find himself in jail alongside a Mexican bandit (Elio Pandolfi).

And, lo and behold, that Mexican bandit has always wanted to rob the bank in Silver City. Now he has a new friend in Bill who can get inside information on where the money is hidden.

Ah, but the Mexican and Frank aren’t friends. In fact, Frank remembers that face from days gone by. He just might have an old score to settle with Bill’s new acquaintance.

Review:

This spoof of Sergio Leone’s Dollar films starts off promisingly enough. A rider approaches in the distance. Someone takes aim at him with a pistol. And misses. Then a rifle. And misses. Then a cannon. And still misses!

Before long, we’re introduced to Bill, wearing duds identical to Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, and Frank, nicknamed “General,” in garb identical to Lee Van Cleef’s Col. Mortimer.

Bill escapes his boss and Silver City dragging a coffin. Frank’s long black coat carries a lifetme supply of cigars, pipe and booze.

Unfortunately, the laughs slow down considerably after the first few moments and we wind up with an occasionally funny, but mostly tiresome film. One of the biggest problems: Buzzanca’s effeminate performance in the lead role is downright annoying.

Directed by:
Mario Mattoli

Cast:
Lando Buzzanca … Bill
Raimondo Vianello … Frank
Elio Pandolfi … Mexican
Gloria Paul … Juanita
Valeria Ciangottini … Jane
Lucia Modungo … Sally
Tony Renis … Little Joe
Angela Luce … Katherine, ranch woman
Luigi Pavese … Padre
Carlo Pisacane … Calamity John
Calisto Calisti … Sheriff
Pietro Tordi … Augustus Black
Adalberto Rossetti … Bandit
Franco Cobianchi D’Este … Toro

Runtime: 95 min.

aka …
Per qualche dollaro in meno

Score: Marcello Giombini

Memorable lines:

Bank guard to Bill as he tries to sneak out of town dressed like The Man with No Name: “Stop right there, stranger. Who are you?”
Bill: “Good question.”
Guard: “And what to you have in that coffin.”
Bill: “My first aid kit.”

Frank: “You know, the costume couldn’t be better.”
Bill: “Well, I’m afraid the pancho doesn’t suit my figure and the material’s not too good, still …”
Frank: “It’s perfect for what I have in mind.”

Frank: “You can start by stealing those horses.”
Bill: “Horses? But they’re too big. Why don’t you let me start out with something smaller like the chickens?”

Frank to Bill: “You know what we need? A touch of carnage.”

Sheriff to Bill: “You’re going to be hanged in the morning. But at least you’ll get a regular trial.”

Trivia:

* The story for this film was written by brothers Bruno and Sergio Corbucci.

* Valeria Ciangottini plays Jane, the girlfriend of Bill. This marked her only Spaghetti outing. She made her film debut at age 14 as Paola in Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita.”

* Lucia Modugno plays Sally, the saloon girl with designs on Frank. You might remember her better as the saloon girl who’s wounded in the opening scene of “Navajo Joe.”

* Gloria Paul plays Juanita, the Mexican bandit’s senorita. She also had roles in a pair of Franco and Ciccio Spaghettu comedies, “Two Sons of Ringo” and “2 RRRingos of Texas.”