| A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Damiano Damiani |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Giuseppe Ruzzolini[1] |
| Edited by | Nino Baragli[1] |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone[1] |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Titanus |
Release date |
|
Running time | 117 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
|
| Language | English |
A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe (Italian:Un genio, due compari, un pollo) is a 1975Spaghetti Westerncomedy film directed byDamiano Damiani. It was co-written and produced bySergio Leone, who also directed the opening scene.[2][3]
Joe Thanks (Terence Hill) is a genius conman. He conducts various schemes with his two friends: Creole 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 film climaxes with a stagecoach chase and a gigantic explosion.
The second film produced bySergio Leone followingMy Name Is Nobody, it was originally intended as a remake ofBertrand Blier'sGoing Places in a western setting, but during the screenwriting process it moved towards something different, closer toThe Sting.[2] Leone choseDamiano Damiani to direct it, partly for his appreciation of Damiani's westernA Bullet for the General, and partly for his recent box officehits, notablyConfessions of a Police Captain.[2]Giuliano Montaldo served assecond unit director, while Leone himself directed the opening scene.[2] Parts of the film were shot at theSan Juan River andMonument Valley inUtah.[5]
The original negative of the film was stolen and never recovered, as Leone refused to pay the ransom. The film was eventually completed printing a new negative from the positive of some sequences and using alternative takes.[2]
A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe was released in Italy on 16 December 1975.[6] It was released the same day in West Germany asNobody ist der Größte ("Nobody is the greatest").[1]
The film's box office was disappointing, stopping at 790 million lire in Italy.[2] Leone later claimed to have made "a big mistake" choosing Damiani as director, as Damiani was excellent for drama but lacked humour.[2]