Latest news with #SpaghettiWesterns
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sholay@50: Copied From West, Re-imagined At Home
In the concluding part of our series celebrating 50 years of Sholay (1975), we dive into the heart of a simmering debate: is Sholay a masterpiece of pure genius or a cinematic dacoit, weaving borrowed threads from Hollywood's Spaghetti Westerns, Japanese classics, and Bollywood's own gems? In the concluding part of our series celebrating 50 years of Sholay (1975), we dive into the heart of a simmering debate: is Sholay a masterpiece of pure genius or a cinematic dacoit, weaving borrowed threads from Hollywood's Spaghetti Westerns, Japanese classics, and Bollywood's own gems? Join our WhatsApp Channel
Pink Villa
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Is Sholay being restored to 4K for its 50th release anniversary? Here's the truth, and it might disappoint you
Sholay, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, hit the big screens on August 15, 1975, and became a milestone in Indian cinema's history. As the movie approaches its 50th anniversary, it is set to receive a 4K restoration, but there's a small hiccup. Sholay's 4K restoration to hit theaters in India? According to a report by News18, the epic adventure movie is slated to premiere in theaters in North America. The Film Heritage Foundation announced that the restored 4K version of Sholay will be screened at the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2025. While audiences in Canada will get to experience the restored version, there has been no official update regarding its re-release in India, leaving fans disappointed. With just days to go before August 15, Indian audiences will have to wait and see if any announcements are made. About Sholay Sholay is one of the most iconic movies ever made in Indian cinema. The epic action-adventure is considered a landmark in films, often described as a 'curry western' genre, taking inspiration from Hollywood's gunslinger flicks. The movie follows the tale of Jai and Veeru, two criminals who are hired by a retired police officer to capture a ruthless dacoit known as Gabbar Singh. Initially, the action-adventure received lukewarm commercial response and mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. However, thanks to strong word-of-mouth, Sholay became a massive success, breaking several records. Regarded as one of the greatest Indian films, Sholay blends the elements of Spaghetti Westerns and Samurai cinema with Indian themes and dacoit culture. Furthermore, the iconic cinematic venture has Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in the leading roles. Apart from them, the ensemble cast included veteran actors like Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, and many more. The film was directed by Ramesh Sippy, based on a screenplay by Salim-Javed. With GP Sippy bankrolling the venture, Sholay had music composed by RD Burman. On a side note, before its 4K restoration, Sholay was once re-released in theaters with a 3D format in January 2014.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Veteran actor Jack Betts, known for his role in ‘Spider-Man', dies at 96
Jack Betts, the seasoned American actor best known for his role in 'Spider-Man' (2002) and numerous 'Spaghetti Westerns', has died at the age of 96. As confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, Betts passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday at his home in Los Osos, California, according to his nephew, Dean Sullivan. Born Jack Fillmore Betts on April 11, 1929 in Jersey City, New Jersey, he often joked that he was distantly related to the 13th U.S. President, Millard Fillmore. Raised in Miami, Betts studied theatre at the University of Miami before moving to New York City. He made his Broadway debut in 1953 with 'Richard III'. His journey took a pivotal turn when he assisted a friend at an audition for the prestigious Actors Studio. The director was so impressed that Betts was awarded a three-year scholarship. It was here that legendary director Elia Kazan cast him in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', followed by 'Sweet Bird of Youth' and a late-1970s revival of 'Dracula', where he served as standby for Raúl Juliá in the title role. Betts' first film credit came in 1959 with 'The Bloody Brood'. In 1966, he took on the lead in Franco Giraldi's 'Sugar Colt', adopting the stage name Hunt Powers. This launched a prolific run in 'Spaghetti Westerns', earning him a cult following through the 1970s. On television, Betts was a familiar face in soap operas such as 'General Hospital', 'All My Children', 'Guiding Light', and 'The Young and the Restless'. He also had guest roles in 'Perry Mason', 'Gunsmoke', 'Friends', 'Seinfeld', 'Frasier', 'The Mentalist', and 'Monk'. A close friend of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Doris Roberts, the two shared a home for nearly three decades until her passing in 2016. Modern audiences will remember Betts for his appearance in 'Spider-Man' (2002) as Oscorp's board chairman Henry Balkan, delivering the line to Norman Osborn: 'You're out, Norman.' Jack Betts in 'Spider-Man', alongside Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborne. Jack Betts' legacy endures through a body of work that reflects the dedication and versatility of a true character actor.
Metro
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Friends and Spider-Man star Jack Betts dies aged 96
Jack Betts, known for starring in Spider-Man, Friends, and several Spaghetti Westerns, has died aged 96. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday. His nephew, Dean Sullivan, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. He had previously shared a home with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts, to whom he was a great friend. She invited him to move from New York into an appartment with her in the Hollywood Hills, where he escorted her to high-profile events from the late 80s until 2016 when she died. After Roberts died, Betts said they were 'best friends to the very end' and praised the 'wonderful times' they shared. Betts, born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, was most famous for appearing as Henry Balkan in the 2002 Spider-Man film alongside Tobey Maguire. His other film roles included a cameo in 1995's Batman Forever, plus one in Batman & Robin two years later. More Trending TV-wise, he appeared in Seinfeld, Frasier, and Power Rangers. Betts also popped up in Friends in 2001, playing Tom in The One with Joey's New Brain. He enjoyed an incredibly successful and varied career, which was kick-started on Broadway in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Richard III. However, things rocketed when he played Hunt Powers across the Italian Spaghetti Western films. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez 'feud' reignited after fans spot social media move MORE: Hee Haw actor Gailard Sartain 'dies aged 78' weeks after co-star MORE: Fat Joe sued for $20,000,000 over claims of underage sex with minors
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Jeymes Samuel Unveils 'Spaghetti Western' – a Bold New Compilation of Soundtracks Celebrating the Iconic Era of Italian Western Cinema
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visionary filmmaker, musician, and creative force Jeymes Samuel proudly unveils Spaghetti Western, an electrifying new compilation of rare and essential tracks from the golden era of Italian Western cinema (1963-1972). Created in partnership with legendary Italian soundtrack label CAM Sugar, the compilation will be available on all digital streaming platforms starting June 20, with Deluxe Boxset, 2LP vinyl and CD editions via CAM Sugar/UMe. Personally overseeing every aspect of the release—from handpicking the 20 tracks from CAM Sugar's archive vault of over 2,000 original scores and designing the official artwork, to producing original compositions and penning liner notes—Jeymes Samuel offers an immersive and intimate perspective on one of cinema's most musically memorable genres. In addition to his musical contributions, Samuel adds a deeply personal visual element to the collection through the hand-painted cover and inside sleeve art, created exclusively for this release. The project blends music and art, uniting timeless Spaghetti Western scores with Samuel's own creative interpretations. Each track was carefully curated to evoke the rugged landscapes and heightened drama of the genre, while the artwork captures what these films ignite in his imagination- a visceral, visual journey into the wild, surreal beauty of Spaghetti Westerns. 'This isn't just a compilation - it's a love letter to the Spaghetti Western and the artists who transformed cinema forever. These soundtracks shaped my creative soul, and with this collection, I've blended timeless scores with my own interpretations to honor the genre's raw beauty and bold spirit. It's music, memory, and homage - an invitation into a world that continues to inspire,' said Jeymes Samuel, creator of Spaghetti Western. The album features compositions by legendary names including Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani, Nico Fidenco, Gianni Ferrio, and Carlo Rustichelli, as well as unforgettable vocal performances by Alessandro Alessandroni, Caterina Caselli, Jula De Palma, and others. Among its treasures are three tracks that have never been released on vinyl before, along with three more that are making their digital debut. Adding a fresh layer to the collection are two entirely new songs written, produced, and sung by Jeymes Samuel. ' The Light ' is a hauntingly modern Spaghetti Western anthem, and ' Unbroken ', which features a moving spoken word performance by Regina King layered over a sample of Daniele Patucchi's ' Lo Ammazzo' come un cane (seq.14). ' 'Collaborating with Jeymes on this project has been a true honor; his work transcends the idea of curation: it is a cultural statement, a poetic homage to Italian composers, and a profoundly human tribute to a genre often misunderstood. "Throughout this journey, we've come to know not only a remarkable creative mind but a rare artistic voice, curious, generous, and boundlessly multidimensional. In Jeymes' hands, a genre once overlooked or reduced to parody is reawakened in all its emotional and cinematic grandeur. His curation restores Spaghetti Western its dignity, reaffirming its rightful place in the cultural legacy of music and film,' said CAM Sugar. The Deluxe Boxset offers a truly immersive experience, including a standard 2LP, exclusive 7' and 10' vinyl editions with the unreleased tracks by Jeymes Samuel, and an exclusive storyboard from The Harder They Fall illustrated by Dwayne Turner. The package also includes a beautifully designed booklet featuring Samuel's liner notes and exclusive interviews with Regina King and David Oyelowo, along with a custom-designed dollar note featuring Samuel's own portrait. Pre-order Jeymes Samuel's Spaghetti Western Collection now: Jeymes Samuel's Spaghetti Western Collection will also be available on all principal Digital Streaming Platforms from June 20 ABOUT CAM SUGAR Founded in Rome, in 1959 and boasting over 2,000 original scores, CAM Sugar is the most extensive and representative catalogue of Italian and French Soundtracks, winner of over 500 international awards, including Oscar winning films like La Dolce Vita, Il Postino, Mondo Cane, 8 1/2 , Amarcord and more. CAM Sugar's archive includes work by some of the greatest Italian and French composers ever like Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Riz Ortolani, Philippe Sarde, Piero Piccioni, Alain Goraguer, Stelvio Cipriani, Piero Umiliani, Armando Trovajoli and many others. CAM Sugar celebrates the heritage of Italian cinema's golden age with a series of remastered releases in digital, vinyl and CD directly from original master tapes. Moreover, CAM Sugar interacts with international and intragenerational audiences by organizing listening sessions, DJ Sets and curations. Major international producers and directors pick and choose from our archive with hundreds of samples and synchronizations from movies to fashion campaigns.
