In the tradition of Clark Kent/Superman, Robert Woods plays both the seemingly gawky and cowardly Johnny Black and the black-masked avenger Starblack, who resembles such 1940s serial heroes as Batman or The Phantom, but in a Western context. The film alternates between the gruff stoicism associated with Italian westerns and a cartoonish feel that was no doubt a homage to the old-time serials that the director/writer/star had enjoyed as children. Somehow it all works and produces a Eurowestern that is both exciting and fun. Woods, who is usually very convincing as a tough, violent character, here plays the (outwardly) bumbling and weak-willed Johnny Black very convincingly, like a cross between Will Hutchins and Tony Perkins! Overall, STARBLACK is a very entertaining film that should appeal to a broad audience and is a choice role for star Robert Woods (who also wrote and sings the title theme on and off throughout the film!).
Review of Johnny Colt
