José Manuel Martín

José Manuel Martín
José Manuel Martín in Lo voglio morto (1968)
Born
José Manuel Martín Pérez

(1924-05-24)24 May 1924
Died12 April 2006(2006-04-12) (aged 81)
NationalitySpanish
Other namesJ. Manuel Martin, Jose M. Martin, Jose Manuel Martin, José M. Martin, José Manuel Martí, J. Manuel Martín, J.M. Martín, Jose M. Martín, José M. Martín, Manuel Martín, J. Manuel Martín Pérez, J.M. Martín Pérez
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Screenwriter
Years active1952–1989

José Manuel Martín Pérez (24 May 1924 – 12 April 2006) was a Spanish film and television actor, radio broadcaster, and screenwriter. He was a popular character actor in Spanish cinema during the 1950s and 60s, best remembered for playing villainous henchmen, appearing in more than 100 film and television productions.

Born in Casavieja, Spain, Martín studied at Madrid's Teatro Español Universitario and the Lope de Rueda, and began working for Radio Nacional de España in 1942, before making his feature film debut in César Fernández Ardavín's 1952 war drama La llamada de África starring Ali Beiba Uld Abidin, Yahadid Ben Ahmed Lehbib and Farachi Ben Emboiric.

Martín was particularly noted for his work in the Spaghetti Western genre, alongside regulars such as Aldo Sambrell and Andrea Scotti, with supporting roles in Savage Guns (1961), Gunfighters of Casa Grande (1964), Minnesota Clay(1964), A Pistol for Ringo (1965), Seven Dollars on the Red (1966), Arizona Colt (1966), A Bullet for the General (1966), Blood River (1967), 100 Rifles (1969), and Cut-Throats Nine (1972). He also had memorable roles in EuroHorror films such as Sax Rohmer's The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969), The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff (1973), Count Dracula's Great Love (1974), and Curse of the Devil (1974).

Early life

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José Manuel Martín Pérez was born on 24 May 1924 in Casavieja, Ávila, Castilla y León, Spain . He initially studied at the Teatro Español Universitario in Madrid with José Luis López Vázquez, María Jesús Valdés and Valeriano Andrés before obtaining a scholarship at the Lope de Rueda. It was there that he started working in professional theater under Alejandro Ulloa. Starting in 1942, he was also employed as a broadcaster for Radio Nacional de España. Martín eventually received a bachelor degree in journalism.

Career

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Martín (left), with co-star José Canalejas, in the Tonino Valerii Spaghetti Western Per il gusto di uccidere (1966)

At age 28, Martín made his feature film debut in the war drama La llamada de África (1952), written and directed by César Fernández Ardavín, and starred Ali Beiba Uld Abidin, Yahadid Ben Ahmed Lehbib and Farachi Ben Emboiric. This was followed by minor roles in Ángel Vilches' adventure film A dos grados del ecuador (1953), the Luis Lucia comedy Aeropuerto (1953), and Rafael Gil's religious-themed historical dramas I Was a Parish Priest (1953) and Judas' Kiss (1954). He received his first supporting role, as Muñoz, in Gil's next film Murió hace quince años (1954) appearing alongside Rafael Rivelles, Francisco Rabal and Lyla Rocco. He made two other films with Gil, La otra vida del capitán Contreras (1955) and El canto del gallo (1955), as well part of the supporting cast in Javier Setó's dramas Duelo de pasiones (1956) and Ha pasado un hombre (1956), Pedro Luis Ramírez's comedy Los ladrones somos gente honrada (1956), and José María Ochoa's La mestiza (1956). He appeared in one more film for Rafael Gil that same year, Miracle of the White Suit (1956), and landed an important supporting roles in Spanish Affair (1957), co-directed by Don Siegel and Luis Marquina, Sergio Corbucci's Ángeles sin cielo (1957),[1] and Luis Buñuel's Viridiana (1961).[2][3] He also started working in television joining the cast of Diego Valor in 1958. Martín continued on in supporting roles for number of other films then being shot in Almería and elsewhere.[4]

Spaghetti Westerns

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Martín as "Cherokee" in the Gino Mangini Spaghetti Western Bastard, Go and Kill (1971).

In the early-1960s, Eurowesterns, which would evolve into the popular Spaghetti Westerns, were being shot in Almería. Martín was among a number of Spanish character actors to find fame in this new genre. His background playing villains made him ideal for being cast as a Mexican bandit or henchman. Martín's prolific appearances made him was one of the most recognizable Spanish actors involved in the genre, rivaling those of fellow Spaghetti Western regulars such as Aldo Sambrell and Andrea Scotti, and is considered one of the best villains of the era.[5]

His first roles were in Savage Guns[6] and Gunfighters of Casa Grande (1964), one of the genre's earliest films, and continued working at its height with memorable performances in Bullets Don't Argue [it] (1964),[6] Minnesota Clay(1964), A Pistol for Ringo (1965),[5][6] Seven Dollars on the Red (1966), Arizona Colt (1966), A Bullet for the General (1966),[5] Blood River (1967),[7][8] I Want Him Dead (1968), 100 Rifles (1969), A Bullet for Sandoval (1969),[2][9] and into the "twilight" Spaghetti Westerns Bastard, Go and Kill (1971), Amigo, Stay Away (1972), and Cut-Throats Nine (1972).[10] His last Italo-Western appearance, Amigo, Stay Away, was an uncredited role as a peddler.

In between Spaghetti Westerns, Martín also had supporting roles in The Ceremony (1963),[2] Operation Atlantis (1965),[11] Fall of the Mohicans (1965),[12] Con el viento solano (1966), and Bewitched Love (1967).

Later career

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In the late-1960s and 70s, Martín starred in Spanish horror films such as Sax Rohmer's The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969), The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff (1973), Count Dracula's Great Love (1974), and Curse of the Devil (1974). An author of numerous poems, he occasionally tried his hand at screenwriting. His first script was for Rafael Romero Marchent's The Student Connection (1974), co-written with Luciano Ercoli, José Luis Navarro, and Marchent.

Martín went into semi-retirement in the late-1970s. He made several guest appearances on the popular action-adventure television series Curro Jiménez, starring Sancho Gracia, in 1977. Other notable performances included supporting roles in Alberto Vázquez Figueroa's Oro rojo (1978), Mariano Ozores' comedy western Al este del oeste (1984), Jaime Camino's Spanish Civil War film Dragón Rapide (1986), and the Peter Lilienthal sports film Der Radfahrer von San Cristóbal (1988). His last regular film was an uncredited role in Montoyas y Tarantos (1989) followed by a final appearance in the crime-drama film Amor propio (1994) directed by Mario Camus. He also wrote two more scripts during the decade: Ángel Martínez Astudillo short film El pisito (1996) and the comedy Maestros (2000), which he co-wrote with director Óscar del Caz.

In the early-2000s, Martín made one-time guest appearances on television series Policías, en el corazón de la calle and Los Serrano. He also had a cameo on Dunia Ayaso and Félix Sabroso's dramady Descongélate! (2003), starring Pepón Nieto, Candela Peña and Loles León.

Personal life and death

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Martín died on 12 April 2006, at the age of 81.[13][14]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Call of Africa Sargento
1953 A dos grados del ecuador Unknown
I Was a Parish Priest Unknown
Airport Unknown Uncredited
1954 Judas' Kiss Joven miserable (as J.M. Martín Pérez)
He Died Fifteen Years Ago Muñoz (as J. Manuel Martín Pérez)
1955 La otra vida del capitán Contreras Dr. Rad
Duelo de pasiones Unknown
The Cock Crow Preso
1956 Ha pasado un hombre Savatierra
We Thieves Are Honourable Antón, El Mayordomo
La mestiza Joe
Miracle of the White Suit Jugador
1957 Spanish Affair Fernando
Ángeles sin cielo Curro
1958 El aprendiz de malo Socio de Bautista
Die Sklavenkarawane Miralei
1959 Luna de verano Unknown
Gayarre Frascuelo
Two Men in Town Unknown
Leap to Fame Enfermo de cólera
Molokai, la isla maldita Unknown (as José M. Martín)
Sonatas Primer centinela
Life Around Us Manolo - gángster
Der Löwe von Babylon Aftab
1960 Juicio final Unknown
Juanito Carras (as José M. Martin)
El hombre de la isla Pescador
Peace Never Comes Karazo
At Five O'Clock in the Afternoon Secretario Uncredited
1961 Conqueror of Maracaibo Patcheye Pirate
Viridiana Beggar
Savage Guns Sequra
1962 Mentirosa Tomás
Cupido contrabandista Walter
Three Fables of Love Aveugle (segment "La mort et le bûcheron")
The Girl from La Mancha Posadero
1963 The Castilian Centinela
Cristo negro Charles
Shéhérazade Abdallah (as J.M. Martín)
Los Tarantos Curro (as J. Manuel Martín)
The Ceremony 2nd Gendarme
Three Ruthless Ones Richard
1964 Weeping for a Bandit "El Tuerto"
Bullets Don't Argue Ramon
Minnesota Clay Ortiz Henchman Uncredited
Rueda de sospechosos Camarero del Manzanilla
Gunfighters of Casa Grande Don Luis Ariola Uncredited
1965 A Pistol for Ringo Pedro
Fall of the Mohicans Cunning Fox
Man from Canyon City Esteban
Operation Atlantis Nailawi
Train d'enfer Jaime
1966 Cuatro dólares de venganza Manuel de Losa
Seven Dollars on the Red El Gringo / Chulo
Kiss Kiss...Bang Bang Jamaica Uncredited
Con el viento solano Zafra (as Manuel Martín)
Per il gusto di uccidere Rodrigo
Arizona Colt Watch Henchman
Fort Yuma Gold Sam
Five for Revenge Ramon
Django Shoots First Ringo Uncredited
1967 A Bullet for the General Raimundo
Bewitched Love Lorenzo
Operation Delilah Joe
Blood River Bud (as José Manuel Martin)
Fifteen Scaffolds for the Killer Benny
Forty Degrees in the Shade Compañero de Evaristo
Pride and Vengeance Juan Uncredited
A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die "El Bailarin" Uncredited
1968 Train for Durango Peons Speaker Uncredited
I Want Him Dead Jack Blood
Day After Tomorrow Espartero
Commando Attack Danny detto Faccia di Morto
1969 100 Rifles Sarita's Father (as Jose Manuel Martin)
Deadly Sanctuary Victor
Sax Rohmer's The Castle of Fu Manchu Omar Pashu (as Jose Manuel Martin)
The Forgotten Pistolero Miguel
A Bullet for Sandoval Guerico
El médico y el curandero Unknown Short
1970 Fortunata and Jacinta Fortunata's Uncle
La larga agonía de los peces fuera del agua Hombre de la pistola
Juan Pedro the Scyther Unknown
Arizona Colt Returns José Gonzalez Moreno
No desearás al vecino del quinto Taxista (as Jose M. Martín)
The Wind's Fierce Garcia
1971 Bastard, Go and Kill Cherokee
El Cristo del Océano Libio
Boulevard du Rhum Un Policier Panaméen Uncredited
La morte cammina con i tacchi alti Smith (as J. Manuel Martin)
Hunt the Man Down Mexican Soldier
1972 Ben and Charlie The Peddler Uncredited
Antony and Cleopatra Guard Uncredited
Cut-Throats Nine John McFarlane
1973 Count Dracula's Great Love Krakos - First Porteador (as Jose Manuel Martin)
El Retorno de Walpurgis Bela (as Jose M. Martin)
Pugni, pirati e karatè Pirate Uncredited
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff Albert Mathews
1974 El último viaje Manolo
1976 La espada negra Unknown
1977 Del amor y de la muerte Unknown
A Dog Called... Vengeance Cuatrero (as Jose Manuel Martin)
1978 Oro rojo Empleador
1980 Adiós, querida mamá David
1984 Al este del oeste Bad Milk (as Jose Manuel Martin)
1986 Dragón Rapide Oficial ayudante del General Franco (as José Manuel Martí)
1988 El Lute II: Tomorrow I'll be Free Emilio
Der Radfahrer von San Cristóbal Camillo
The Brother from Space Unknown Uncredited
1989 Montoyas y Tarantos Unknown Uncredited
1994 Amor propio Quico
2003 Descongélate! Unknown
As a screenwriter
Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Student Connection Co-writer (as José M. Martin)
1996 El pisito Writer Short
2000 Maestros Writer

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1958 Diego Valor Mekong
1965 Estudio 1 Casca Episode: "Julio César"
1974 Los camioneros Rogelio Episode: "Seis toros y uno toreado"
1977 Curro Jiménez Episode: "Carambola a tres bandas"
Episode: "El secuestro"
Episode: "Veinte mil onzas mejicanas"
1983 La comedia Episode: "El baile de los ladrones"
2000 Policías, en el corazón de la calle Episode: "Vivir se ha puesto al rojo vivo"
2004 Los Serrano Episode: "El fluido básico", (final appearance)

References

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  1. ^ Sammons, Eddie. Shakespeare: A Hundred Years On Film. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2004. (pg. 125) ISBN 0-8108-4446-X
  2. ^ a b c Krafsur, Richard P., ed. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films, 1961-1970. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1976. (pg. 131, 161, 412, 439, 708, 847, 1180) ISBN 0-520-20970-2
  3. ^ Schneider, Stephen Jay, ed. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. 5th ed. Happage, New York: Barron's Educational Series, 2008. (pg. 393) ISBN 0-7641-6151-2
  4. ^ Masegosa, Lola Caparrós, Ignacio Fernández Mañas, and Juan Soler Vizcaíno. La producción cinematográfica en Almería, 1951-1975. Almena: Instituto de Estudios Almerienses, 1997. ISBN 84-8108-131-0
  5. ^ a b c Hughes, Howard. Once Upon a Time in the Italian West: The Filmgoers' Guide to Spaghetti Westerns. London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 2006. ISBN 1-85043-896-X
  6. ^ a b c Fridlund, Bert. The Spaghetti Western: A Thematic Analysis. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 2006. (pg. 76) ISBN 0-7864-2507-5
  7. ^ Pym, John, ed. The Time Out Film Guide. London: Penguin Books, 2002. (pg. 122) ISBN 0-14-029395-7
  8. ^ Maltin, Leonard. Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 2004. New York: Signet, 2003. (pg. 538) ISBN 0-451-20940-0
  9. ^ Kinnard, Roy. The Blue and the Gray on the Silver Screen: More than Eighty Years of Civil War Movies. Secaucus, New Jersey: Carol Publishing Group, 1996. (pg. 253) ISBN 1-55972-383-1
  10. ^ Bruckner, Ulrich P., ed. Für ein paar Leichen mehr: der Italo-Western von seinen Anfängen bis heute. Berlin: Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, 2002. ISBN 3-89602-416-7
  11. ^ Parish, James and Michael Pitts. The Great Spy Pictures II. Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow, 1986. (pg. 11) ISBN 0-8108-1913-9
  12. ^ Weisser, Thomas. Spaghetti Westerns: The Good, The Bad, and The Violent: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Filmography of 558 Eurowesterns and Their Personnel, 1961-1977. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 1992. (pg. 187) ISBN 0-89950-688-7
  13. ^ "José Manuel Martín". Ciné Dweller. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  14. ^ "José Manuel Martín (1924–2006)". Biblioteca Nacional de España. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

Further reading

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  • Frayling, Christopher. Spaghetti Westerns: Cowboys and Europeans from Karl May to Sergio Leone. 2nd ed. London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 1998. ISBN 1-86064-200-4
  • Gasca, Luis. Un siglo de cine español. Barcelona: Planeta, 1998. ISBN 84-08-02309-8
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