Hugo Fregonese (April 8, 1908, Mendoza — January 17, 1987, Buenos Aires) was an Argentine film director who worked both in Hollywood and Argentina.He made his directorial debut in 1943. In 1949, he directed Apenas un delincuente. Most of Fregonese's American films were Westerns and crime melodramas, like Man in the Attic (1953) and Black Tuesday (1954).
Descendant from an Italian family from Treviso, who emigrated to Argentina around the turn of the 20th century. Hugo attended Buenos Aires University, but failed to finish his studies in economics. He briefly worked as editor of All Sports magazine. Hardly able to speak any English upon his arrival in New York in 1935. Enrolled at Columbia University, studying there until 1938. Then became technical advisor on latino themes at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, beginning with 'Way of a Gaucho'. Returned to Argentina, 1939-45, working at Pampa Studios as assistant editor and, later, assistant director. Back in Hollywood for a second spell from 1949, under contract at Universal from 1950 to 1952. Spent the rest of the decade in Europe directing Euro-westerns and potboilers, before finishing his career back in the country of his birth.
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Had a reputation for being unsettled, never establishing roots anywhere for very long. Hence, he spent his directing career variously in Argentina, Italy, Spain, England, Germany and the U.S.A.. He was noted for his ability to effectively conveying atmosphere and for his strong visual sense of colour, light and picturesque landscape.
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Children with Faith Domergue: Diana Maria (born 1 January 1949) and John Anthony (born 1951).
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Más allá del sol
1975
La mala vida
1973
Assignment Terror
1970
uncredited
Savage Pampas
1966
Old Shatterhand
1964
The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse
1964
Marco Polo
1962/I
US version
Harry Black and the Tiger
1958
The Beasts of Marseilles
1957
La spada imbattibile
1957
I girovaghi
1956
The Three Musketeers
1956
TV Series 1 episode
The King's Thief
1955
original director - uncredited
Black Tuesday
1954
The Raid
1954
Man in the Attic
1953
Blowing Wild
1953
Decameron Nights
1953
Untamed Frontier
1952
My Six Convicts
1952
The Mark of the Renegade
1951
Apache Drums
1951
Saddle Tramp
1950
One Way Street
1950
Apenas un delincuente
1949
De hombre a hombre
1949
Where Words Fail
1946
Pampa bárbara
1945
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Más allá del sol
1975
La mala vida
1973
story
Find a Place to Die
1968
screenplay / story
Savage Pampas
1966
screenplay
Apenas un delincuente
1949
writer
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Vení conmigo
1973
Il vuoto
1964
Assistant Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
La guerra gaucha
1942
assistant director
El viejo Hucha
1942
assistant director
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Find a Place to Die
1968
producer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Last Plane to Baalbek
1964
supervising director
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hollywood in Spanien
1966
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1953
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
$1.7 Million
