A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe
Encyclopedia
A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe is a 1975 spaghetti western
comedy film
directed by Damiano Damiani and, in the opening scene, Sergio Leone
. It is notable for being the last western that Leone worked on.
) is a genius conman. He conducts various schemes with his two friends: Half-breed Steam Engine Bill (Robert Charlebois
) and his girlfriend Lucy (Miou-Miou
). Lucy loves both men, and they in turn both vie for her affection.
Joe formulates an extremely elaborate plan to steal $300,000 from Major Cabot (Patrick McGoohan
), an Indian-hating cavalry man, and in doing so save the Indian land he is trying to steal. Every time the plan seems to be failing, Joe has another trick up his sleeve. The movie climaxes with a stagecoach chase and a gigantic explosion.
. His work here is very similar to his score for My Name is Nobody
, with an upbeat pop tune serving as the main theme, an adaptation of a classical song (in this case Für Elise
) combined with the wailing from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
used for the stagecoach chase, and a sentimental, lyrical theme for the three protagonists.
Although not nearly as popular as his music for My Name is Nobody
or many of his other westerns, Morricone's score has received positive notices.
These feelings extended to those who made the movie as well. Though Leone had co-directed, produced, and come up with the idea, he was disappointed in the final outcome and chose to remain uncredited.
Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Damiano Damiani and, in the opening scene, Sergio Leone
Sergio Leone
Sergio Leone was an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter most associated with the "Spaghetti Western" genre.Leone's film-making style includes juxtaposing extreme close-up shots with lengthy long shots...
. It is notable for being the last western that Leone worked on.
Plot
Joe Thanks (Terence HillTerence Hill
Terence Hill is an Italian actor. He is best known for starring in multiple action and western films together with his longtime filmpartner Bud Spencer.-Biography:...
) is a genius conman. He conducts various schemes with his two friends: Half-breed Steam Engine Bill (Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
) and his girlfriend Lucy (Miou-Miou
Miou-Miou
Miou-Miou is a French actress. In her career she has worked with a number of international directors, including Michel Gondry, Bertrand Blier, Yves Boisset, Claude Berri, Jacques Deray, Michel Deville, Diane Kurys, Radu Mihăileanu, Patrice Leconte, Joseph Losey and Louis Malle.-Career:She was born...
). Lucy loves both men, and they in turn both vie for her affection.
Joe formulates an extremely elaborate plan to steal $300,000 from Major Cabot (Patrick McGoohan
Patrick McGoohan
Patrick Joseph McGoohan was an American-born actor, raised in Ireland and England, with an extensive stage and film career, most notably in the 1960s television series Danger Man , and The Prisoner, which he co-created...
), an Indian-hating cavalry man, and in doing so save the Indian land he is trying to steal. Every time the plan seems to be failing, Joe has another trick up his sleeve. The movie climaxes with a stagecoach chase and a gigantic explosion.
Cast
- Terence HillTerence HillTerence Hill is an Italian actor. He is best known for starring in multiple action and western films together with his longtime filmpartner Bud Spencer.-Biography:...
- Joe Thanks - Miou-MiouMiou-MiouMiou-Miou is a French actress. In her career she has worked with a number of international directors, including Michel Gondry, Bertrand Blier, Yves Boisset, Claude Berri, Jacques Deray, Michel Deville, Diane Kurys, Radu Mihăileanu, Patrice Leconte, Joseph Losey and Louis Malle.-Career:She was born...
- Lucy/Lilla - Patrick McGoohanPatrick McGoohanPatrick Joseph McGoohan was an American-born actor, raised in Ireland and England, with an extensive stage and film career, most notably in the 1960s television series Danger Man , and The Prisoner, which he co-created...
- Major Cabot/Harris - Robert CharleboisRobert CharleboisRobert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
- Steam Engine Bill/Paul Lambet - Klaus KinskiKlaus KinskiKlaus Kinski, born Klaus Günter Karl Nakszynski , was a German actor. He appeared in more than 130 films, and is perhaps best-remembered as a leading role actor in Werner Herzog films: Aguirre, the Wrath of God , Nosferatu the Vampyre , Woyzeck , Fitzcarraldo and Cobra Verde .-Early...
- Doc Foster - Jean MartinJean MartinJean Martin was a French actor of stage and screen. Martin served in the French Resistance during World War II and later fought with the French paratroopers in Indochina. Theatrically, he is perhaps best-known for originating two roles in Samuel Beckett's most famous plays: Lucky in Waiting for...
- Colonel Pembroke - Miriam Mahler - Colonel Pembroke's daughter
- Raimund HarmstorfRaimund HarmstorfRaimund Harmstorf was a German actor. He became famous as the protagonist of a German TV mini series after Jack London's the Sea-Wolf and starred later on successfully in another German TV series after Jules Verne's Michael Strogoff.- Life :Harmstorf was the son of a medic from Hamburg...
- Sergeant Milton - Benito StefanelliBenito StefanelliBenito Stefanelli was an Italian film actor and stuntman who made over 60 appearances in film between 1955 and 1991....
- Mortimer - Pietro Vida - Jerry/Jelly Roll
- Roy Bosier - Jeremy
- Frederick Ledebur - Don Felipe
- Renato Baldini - Sheriff
- Mario BregaMario BregaMario Brega was an Italian actor. His heavy build meant that he regularly portrayed a thug in his films particularly earlier in his career in westerns. Later in his career however, he featured in numerous Italian comedy films. Brega stood at and well over at his heaviest but after the 1960s...
- Krutscher - Lina Franchi - Mary Gomez
- Mario Valgoi - Thomas
- Rik BattagliaRik BattagliaRik Battaglia is a retired Italian film actor. He was born at Corbola, near Rovigo, Veneto....
- Captain - Pietro Torrisi - Mortimer henchman
- Gerard Boucaron - Town idiot
- Elio Angelucci - brothel man
- Furio Meniconi, Clara Colissimo, Fernando Cerulli, Carla Casola, Vittorio Fancfoni, Armando Bottin, Bonnie Miles
Music
The music was composed by Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone
Ennio Morricone, Grand Officer OMRI, , is an Italian composer and conductor, who wrote music to more than 500 motion pictures and television series, in a career lasting over 50 years. His scores have been included in over 20 award-winning films as well as several symphonic and choral pieces...
. His work here is very similar to his score for My Name is Nobody
My Name Is Nobody
My Name is Nobody is a 1973 Spaghetti Western comedy film. The film was directed by Tonino Valerii and, in some scenes, by Sergio Leone. It was written by Leone, Fulvio Morsella and Ernesto Gastaldi. Leone was also the uncredited executive producer...
, with an upbeat pop tune serving as the main theme, an adaptation of a classical song (in this case Für Elise
Für Elise
Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor for solo piano, commonly known as "Für Elise" , is one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most popular compositions. It is usually classified as a bagatelle, but it is also sometimes referred to as an Albumblatt.- History :The score was not published until 1867, 40 years after...
) combined with the wailing from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (soundtrack)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released in 1966 alongside the western film, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, directed by Sergio Leone. The score is composed by frequent Leone collaborator Ennio Morricone, whose distinctive original compositions, containing...
used for the stagecoach chase, and a sentimental, lyrical theme for the three protagonists.
Although not nearly as popular as his music for My Name is Nobody
My Name Is Nobody
My Name is Nobody is a 1973 Spaghetti Western comedy film. The film was directed by Tonino Valerii and, in some scenes, by Sergio Leone. It was written by Leone, Fulvio Morsella and Ernesto Gastaldi. Leone was also the uncredited executive producer...
or many of his other westerns, Morricone's score has received positive notices.
Reception
Thanks to the popularity of Terence Hill, the film was quite successful at the European box office. However, it was very negatively received by critics, and has not gained a higher reputation over time.These feelings extended to those who made the movie as well. Though Leone had co-directed, produced, and come up with the idea, he was disappointed in the final outcome and chose to remain uncredited.