[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Hi everyone,

With the sad news of the passing of Luciano Martino last week, Shameless have sent us this fitting tribute to one of the most prolific producer/writers of Italian cinema...

Spare a thought because the world has lost one of the most important maker of Giallo films - albeit one who was active behind the scene, writing and especially producing some of the most iconic films of Italian exploitation cinema.

Luciano Martino, the brother of Sergio, has been one of the most prolific producers of popular cinema in Italy, with a career spanning a half century and all genres, providing canvas and means of going that step further to the Who's who of Italian Exploitation, to his brother Sergio, of course, but others like Bava, Deodato, Lenzi ...

Though he did not actually direct Giallos himself, he wrote many and was a rounded accomplished filmmaker having also directed. If all this sounds like the obligatory embellishments of an obituary, then know that Luciano may well have been THAT extraordinary man, as witness the fact that he - also - was the companion of Edwige Fenech ... Yes. Pause. THAT Edwige Fenech. Dream.

Luciano Martino grabbed those dreams and had them crafted into pulse-quickening stories which have thrilled generations of audiences the world over. Cinema would be a lesser, and definitely less daring, fun and flamboyant place without him. It would be less Giallo! Less yellow. We at Shameless salute Luciano Martino with admiration, a touch of awe and a grateful yet sorrowful nod as he passes into film history.

Luciano Martino produced among others:
ALMOST HUMAN dir Umberto Lenzi
STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH dir Sergio Martino

- Shameless Films

What are some of your favourite movies the late great Luciano Martino worked on? Share your thoughts and tributes below.