...From Down Under, it's almost impossible to know what's going on in the life of my favourite comedic actor. It's not surprising, though, when you consider that I've only ever seen one Terence and Bud movie aired on Australian television in my whole life (now don't shake your head because it's true, sadly, very true). Luckily, it turned out to be the movie that I regard as their funniest: "Watch Out We're Mad". Now "Watch Out We're Mad" wasn't the first movie I'd ever seen starring Terence Hill. The first was "Super Snooper" (aka Superfuzz). And interestingly it was also my first visit ever to the cinema. So I guess my affection for Terence began back then, in the early 80s, in a cinema in George Street, in the heart of Sydney. Back then, I doubt whether the majority of the world even knew where Sydney was although the recent Olympic games has surely changed that.

Towards the late 80s my family purchased a VCR. Talk about excitement! Now, what was the first movie we ever rented from the video store? Well, if you'd guessed "Watch Out We're Mad" you'd be mistaken. "They Call Me Trinity" was the first. I think my father mentioned to me that it was quite funny and that it would be a good choice to rent. Who was I to argue? I never knew such a movie existed. I'd just recognised the picture on the video jacket as Terence Hill from "Super Snooper". I'd never seen it on television. And that was my first venture to a video store. "Ok, dad, let's rent it." I was horrified. "You're telling me that for the majority of my childhood, I've been deprived of Trinity movies because of our television networks not bothering to air them?"

Needless to say, I watched "They Call Me Trinity" over and over and over again. Some weeks later, in the same video shop, I discovered a movie called "Double Trouble". Well, now this was getting ridiculous. "Another Terence and Bud movie?" I wonder just how many are out there? Four, five, maybe six?

It wasn't until fairly recently that I realised how many movies Terence had starred in. It was via the Internet, and namely sites like Barbara's and Victor's that opened my poorly ignorant eyes to the magical world of Terence. Furthermore, it was these two sites, especially Terencehill.com, that brought to my attention the devout following that Terence has within Europe.

"Well, Mr Hill, it ain't just the folk in Europe who think that you're great and love your movies, there's an Aussie fellow who does, too. Even if he is a million miles away." The funny thing is, the sensation of discovering this additional information about Terence's movies and about his life feels some-what familiar. Allow me to reminisce... just like the time I watched my very first movie at the cinema and the first time I'd hired a video and the first time I laughed hysterically at a movie called "Watch Out We're Mad" that also featured a red dune buggy with a yellow top.

Look, I know that hiring your first video or seeing your first movie at the cinema isn't what you'd call a 'significant' happening in one's life, but they're little chapters in my life that I look back on rather fondly. And I'm happy to say (and I think it's quite grand) that Terence Hill has played a part in them all. So Terence, if you ever read this, I just wanted to say thank you for the many appearances you've made in the story of my life, and I dream of making a cameo appearance in yours one day.

Steve May       You can contact Steve at: louisa149@hotmail.com or mays@saatchi.com.au