TWO SAMURAI FOR 100 GEISHA
SOUNDTRACK:
This unprecedented OST was written by Nico Fidenco and Luis Bacalov. In 2010, a 6:46 minute long suite was released by GDM Music in the box set "Nico Fidenco My first fifty years." Previously RCA had released a single, RCA (RCA VICTOR PM 45-3136) containing the songs "The Two Samurai" (“I due samurai”) and "Judo twist."
Fidenco and Bacalov wrote a lively main dance score sung by a choir (Tr.1) which is reprised in an alternative version of the single (Tr.14) and changed in Tr.2. Despite the humor in the film, the OST is very orchestral and dramatic as it develops, with a recurring oriental feel (Tr.3, Tr.4). The authors put together a mystical holy melody (Tr.6) which is contrasted with many battle motifs (Tr.5, Tr.9, Tr.11, Tr.12). Franco & Ciccio sing a short piece in a funny Sicilian-Chinese language (Tr.13). The music closes with the "Judo twist" from the fabulous American style orchestra (Tr.15). We used the mono master tapes from the original recording session which allowed us to publish 40:51 minutes of music.
DIRECTOR AND CAST:
Directed in 1962 by Giorgio Simonelli. Starring Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, Mario Carotenuto, Margaret Lee, Moa Tahi, Rossella Como, Gianni Agus, Vittorio Congia, Riccardo Billi, Silvio Bagolini, Gregorio Wu, Takao Okamura, Je Nan, Liam Siah Tong, Tsao Vincent, Chida Tsuyoshi, Sam Hung Hee, Dany Janbert, Pan Jui King, Ho Fu Ling, Chu Lao, Vinh Phai, Osamu Yamazaki, Lola Yong.
PLOT:
Two Sicilian cousins are forced to go to Japan to collect their inheritance. Once they arrive they realize that they must adapt to the local customs. The trip turns into a series of predicaments and the Sicilian cousins must transform into real samurai in order to receive their inheritance.
FRANCO, CICCIO AND THE CHEERFUL WIDOWS
SOUNDTRACK:
Carlo Savina wrote a brilliant OST where he used his talent to create a range of fun melodies. These include the absurd vocal effects of the Cantori Moderni (Tr.17, Tr.19, Tr.21, Tr.26) and wind instruments with dampers alternating with lounge pieces like Bossa (Tr.16), slow (Tr.25) and three fantastic danceable pieces including two wild shakes (Tr.20, Tr.23). We used the mono master tapes from the original recording session to release 32:46 minutes of music.
DIRECTOR AND CAST:
Directed in 1968 by Marino Girolami. Starring Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, Dominique Boschero, Nino Taranto, Raimondo Vianello,Lucio Dalla, Rossella Como, Adriana Facchetti, Giampiero Littera, Margaret Lee, Carlo Pisacane, Mirella Pamphili.
PLOT:
Episode: Our Lady
Franco and Ciccio find themselves married to the same woman and are forced to alternate the days they perform their husbandly duties.
Episode: A Poor Widow
In order to collect her inheritance, a widow is forced to have a child. She will fight in every way to find one…
Episode: The Grandfather’s Widow
The young widow of an elderly Italian-American leaves for Sicily in order to meet her unknown grandson.