Sergio Ciani

One of a load of ab-normal muscular men who stood on the Neopolitan pectoral pedestal during the sword-and-sandal craze of the early 1960s, 'Sergio Ciani' (qv) was born in Italy and went by the aptly-named stage moniker "Alan Steel" while in the meat of his film career. Playing assorted mythological demigods in cheaply-made but highly popular spectacles of the early 1960s, the actor also occasionally went by his birth name. Riding on a cinematic tidal wave ignited by Montana-born bodybuilder and one-time "Mr Universe" 'Steve Reeves' (qv) in the cult hit _Hercules (1958)_ (qv) [aka Hercules], Steel was actually one of the very few native Italians to play these colossal he-men as most were transported from America or England.Steel started off his beefcake run off as a body double for Reeves in both the "Hercules" sequel _Hercules Unchained (1959)_ (qv) [Hercules Unchained] and in _The Giant of Marathon (1959)_ (qv) [Giant of Marathon], in which he also had bit roles. Within a couple of years Steel was posing front-and-center as Herk himself in _Samson (1961)_ (qv) [Samson] opposite another physique-minded American import, 'Brad Harris' (qv) in the title role. On numerous occasions Steel was asked to play the legendary Greek hero, as well as the equally well-built demigods Samson and Ursus, even though the film titles often fused (or confused) them in their titles. Steel starred as Hercules in _Hercules Against Rome (1964)_ (qv) [Hercules Against Rome], _Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964)_ (qv) [Hercules Against the Moon Men], _Samson gegen die Korsaren des Teufels (1964)_ (qv) [Hercules and the Black Pirate], and _Lost Treasure of the Incas (1964)_ (qv) [Hercules and the Treasure of the Incas], the second movie mentioned being one of the only spectacles to actually incorporate science fiction into the genre. In contrast, his Hercules serves as a mere sidekick in the Zorro-like spectacle _Hercules and the Masked Rider (1963)_ (qv) [Hercules and the Masked Rider] starring 'Ettore Manni' (qv).It was not surprising to find Steel cast as a heavy during his prime as well -- menacing the very heroes he was prone to playing -- such as his crazed emperor Commodus in _Rebel Gladiators (1962)_ (qv) [Ursus, the Rebel Gladiator] opposite 'Dan Vadis' (qv). He also played the supporting role of Kaldos in _The Fury of Hercules (1962)_ (qv) [The Fury of Hercules] when it was 'Brad Harris' (qv)' turn to play the title role.By mid-decade the Herculean phase had faded away and Steel went on, unlike others peplum stars, to other film styles -- dramas, thrillers, horror, oaters, even comedies. In the late 1960s he and fellow movie musclemen 'Kirk Morris' (qv) and 'Gordon Mitchell' (qv) served up a "spaghetti western" entitled _Mein Leben für die Rache (1968)_ (qv) [Saguaro]. In 1976 Steel starred in and co-wrote a Robin Hood movie, and in 1979 ended his on-camera appearances with the Italian comedy _Baby Love (1979)_ (qv).As a footnote, in 1993 Australian filmmakers took Alan's film _Samson and the Mighty Challenge (1964)_ (qv) [Samson and the Mighty Challenge] and did a total re-edit to create a brand new feature (an action comedy), with original scenes, Aussie actors and a new soundtrack. The film was entitled _Hercules Returns (1993)_ (qv).::Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net