The Belle Starr Story

The Belle Starr Story/Il mio corpo per un poker is a 1968 Italian made episodic Bonnie and Clyde type Spaghetti Western co-written and co-directed by Lina Wertmüller and starring Elsa Martinelli who also sings the title song. It is the only Spaghetti Western directed by a woman and one of the few which stars a woman in the title role. Wertmüller replaced after a few days Piero Cristofani, who was at his directorial debut. Cast Elsa Martinelli - Belle Starr Robert Woods - Cole Harvey George Eastman - Larry Blackie Francesca Righini - Jessica Bruno Piergentili/Dan Harrison - Pedro Bruno Corazzari - Pinkerton Man Vladimir Medar - John Shelley Eugene Walter - Velvet Fingers Remo De Angelis - Gang Member Plot A successful gambling woman named Belle Starr (Elsa Martinelli with red hair, freckles, and chain smoking Tiparillos) attracts the interest of fellow gambler Larry Blackie (George Eastman) who proceeds to win all her money, and her ring. Larry suggests that they play for one night with her against the pot. She throws three queens of four – and loses. At the hotel room he asks why she has thrown the queens and tells that he has seen her cards. He ducks for her shot and draws the rug under her. They hit each other and fight in bed, and then kiss. Afterwards she tells him that no one has touched her before – now they introduce themselves. He says that she is just a one-night whore to him and warns her to gamble in his territory again. She replies that he has not heard the last. Belle looks for him in a saloon and kills four of his men in a duel. Later we see her sing a ballad of love in a saloon. He confronts her for another game. She shoots off his hat and the bells on his boots. He walks towards her and kiss her, and she lowers her gun.