MAUD RUSSELL MOTTISFONT

New release: A Constant Heart: The War Diaries of Maud Russell 1938-1945 explores the wartime experiences of Maud Russell and her inner circle of friends, which included James Bond author Ian Fleming. From the press release: "The publication of Maud Russell’s diaries is of considerable importance. Few diaries covering the Second World War remain unpublished, even less weave together so many strands; politics, art, high society, wartime life on a country estate, the unfolding drama of the war itself – the last brought into even sharper focus by Maud’s struggle to help her Jewish relatives flee Nazi Germany. Together with her husband Gilbert, Maud’s principal home was Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, described by John Julius Norwich in his foreword as ‘the most desirable house in England’, and which she later gave to the National Trust. The daughter of German immigrants, Maud was an outsider who owed her place in society to her wealth and marriage. To many she was an enigma, but the diaries reveal a woman of strong emotion with an immense appetite for life. The opening entries alone hint at the riches that lie ahead. There is a meeting in Paris with Matisse (who painted her), an anxious visit to Cologne, the commissioning of Rex Whistler to decorate the ‘big room’ at Mottisfont, and a deepening intimacy with Ian Fleming, almost certainly her lover – as in due course was the Russian mosaic artist Boris Anrep, whom she shared with his common-law wife. Yet despite Maud’s determination to forge a new life after Gilbert’s death in 1942, she was steadfast in her commitments, blessed with an unswerving sense of right and wrong, and loyal to her friends. And the list of those friends is to call the roll on British political and artistic life in the mid-twentieth century, many of whom are brought vividly to life in diaries which, until now, have remained private and unpublished." I visited Mottisfont Abbey last year with my friend and colleague Tom Cull from Artistic License Renewed. The rooms were a stunning time capsule to another era and one got the feeling that Maud and Ian might walk through the door at any moment. In fact, there was still a place setting for him at the table. I had a profound "if these walls could talk" sensation and my imagination was ignited with thoughts of historic visits and discussions about culture and the war effort. One could almost see the characters strolling the halls and grounds like ghosts. I was able to photograph many of the interiors and I tried to capture some clues of daily social life around the table, at the fireplaces, by the radio, card table, and ashtrays. You can even see one of Ian's cigarette cases next to a copy of Casino Royale on display. See my photographs below. A Constant Heart was published by Dovecote Press. More info at Ian Fleming Publications and Amazon. The book was edited by Maud's granddaughter Emily Russell, who was interviewed in April on Artistic License Renewed. Spy Vibers, have you heard my segments on the Cocktail Nation radio show? Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint). Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 4, 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

NETWORK EXTENDED

Deal Alert: UK distributor Network has extended their giant sale until the end of this week! Network is the Criterion Collection of cool British films and TV series and their titles are packed with rare content and special features. And now you order most titles for 45% off! They carry many classic 1960s ITC spy/adventure and Gerry Anderson shows. Some favorites from their catalog: The Prisoner Blu-ray (out of print in the States), Danger Man, Secret Agent, The Saint, The Champions, Department S, Jason King, The Baron, HG Welles' Invisible Man, Hell Drivers, All Night Long, Strange Report, Strange World of Gurney Slade, Corridor People, Supercar, Space 1999, Deadlier Than the Male, The Ipcress File, The Persuaders, The Protectors, The Secret Service, Captain Scarlet, Filmed in Supermarionation, The Saint Steps in... to Television, Return of the Sain, The Man Who Haunted Himself, League of Gentlemen, UFO, Robin Hood, William Tell, Lancelot, Mister Jerico. If that's not enough, you can also find comprehensive soundtrack CD box sets for many of these great shows, as well as soundtracks on vinyl! Get the picture? They carry everything you need for a Spy Vibe library. Note: you will need an all-region player to play UK DVDs and Blu-ray. The shipping to the States can sometimes add up if the weight is heavy (box sets!), so I actually save money by spreading my orders out to keep weight down. Sale ENDS June 30th at 3PM (UK). More info at Network. In other news, my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show are now live: Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint). And tune in to Cocktail Nation -the number on lounge music radio show- every week for cool soundtracks, swingin' jazz, news and more. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 4, 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

ROGER VIVIER

French fashion designer Roger Vivier (1903-1998) is best remembered as a great innovator who specialized in shoes. His most famous design was the stiletto heel, which may be one of the most enduring concepts in the field. He designed for the likes of Marlene Dietrich, The Beatles, and Queen Elizabeth II. One of his earliest ideas (in 1945) had a distinctively 1960s vibe: clear plastic ankle boots! Vivier worked for Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent when the fashion houses launched their footwear divisions. His most memorable 60s works was with YSL, which included the 1965 Pilgrim Pump (featured prominently by actress Catherine Deneuve's in Luis Buñuel's  Belle de Jour in 1967 and with the Mondrian dress on the cover of Vogue/photo David Bailey), and the return of the  transparent boots in 1966. My favorite of their collaborations, however, was this outfit from 1963, which featured long boots (apologies to the crocodiles), leather or tweed square smock with high collar, and visored helmet. The ensemble suggests Honor Blackman and Patrick Macnee's record, Kinky Boots, which reflected in 1964 how the style had caught on like wildfire: "It's a manly kind of fashion that you borrowed from the brutes." South-African born model Enid Boulting looks like she could have been Emma Peel's co-Avenger, or perhaps "filling out a ticket in her little black book." Speaking of Beatles references, Enid was married to director Roy Boulting, who made The Family Way (1966) with score by Paul McCartney. In other news, my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show are now live: Episode #1(Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint). Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 4, 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

M SPYMASTER

Event alert: Go behind the scenes and learn more about the man reputed to be one of the inspirations for Ian Fleming's "M". Author Henry Hemming will be doing a presentation at the British Library in London on July 11th called M, Maxwell Knight, MI5's Greatest Spymaster. From the press release: "Maxwell Knight was a paradox. A jazz obsessive and a nature enthusiast, he is also seen today as one of MI5's greatest spymasters, a man who did more than any other to break up British fascism during the Second World War. He was known to his agents and colleagues simply as M, and was rumoured to be part of the inspiration for the character M in the James Bond series. Knight became a legendary spymaster despite an almost total lack of qualifications. What set him apart from his peers was a mercurial ability to transform almost anyone into a fearless secret agent. Drawing on declassified documents, private family archives and interviews with retired MI5 officers as well as the families of MI5 agents, Henry Hemming reveals not just the shadowy world of espionage but a brilliant, enigmatic man at its centre, who was the first in MI5 to grasp the potential of training female agents. Henry Hemming tells the gripping story of M, as well as providing a taste of what it was like to work for this great spymaster." Henry Hemming is the author of Churchill's Iceman (published in the US as The Ingenious Mr. Pyke), Misadventure in the Middle East, and In Search of the English Eccentric. He has written for the Economist, The Sunday Times, FT Magazine and the Washington Post, among many others. More details here. In other news, my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show are now live: Episode #1(Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint). And tune in to Cocktail Nation -the number on lounge music radio show- every week for cool soundtracks, swingin' jazz, news and more. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 4, 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

NETWORK SALE

Deal Alert: UK distributor Network is having their giant sale! Network is the Criterion Collection of cool British films and TV series and their titles are packed with rare content and special features. And now you order most titles for 45% off! They carry many classic 1960s ITC spy/adventure and Gerry Anderson shows. Some favorites from their catalog: The Prisoner Blu-ray (out of print in the States), Danger Man, Secret Agent, The Saint, The Champions, Department S, Jason King, The Baron, HG Welles' Invisible Man, Hell Drivers, All Night Long, Strange Report, Strange World of Gurney Slade, Corridor People, Supercar, Space 1999, Deadlier Than the Male, The Ipcress File, The Persuaders, The Protectors, The Secret Service, Captain Scarlet, Filmed in Supermarionation, The Saint Steps in... to Television, Return of the Sain, The Man Who Haunted Himself, League of Gentlemen, UFO, Robin Hood, William Tell, Lancelot, Mister Jerico. If that's not enough, you can also find comprehensive soundtrack CD box sets for many of these great shows, as well as soundtracks on vinyl! The new Blu-ray editions of Randall and Hopkirk and Department S are apparently outstanding. Get the picture? They carry everything you need for a Spy Vibe library. Note: you will need an all-region player to play UK DVDs and Blu-ray. The shipping to the States can sometimes add up if the weight is heavy (box sets!), so I actually save money by spreading my orders out to keep weight down. Sale ENDS June 30th at 3PM (UK). More info at Network. In other news, my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show are now live: Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint). And tune in to Cocktail Nation -the number on lounge music radio show- every week for cool soundtracks, swingin' jazz, news and more. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 4, 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

SPY VIBE RADIO 4

Spy Vibe's collaboration with Cocktail Nation continues this weekend with Episode 4- now live and streaming! Spy Vibe is featured in a segment every month, where I present a film, series, or personality and share a record or unusual recording from the Cold War era. This month I celebrate our recently fallen hero, Sir Roger Moore, and spin a rare Saint-related tune. Cocktail Nation radio link here (click PodBean link to listen). You can read my tribute to Roger Moore on Spy Vibe here. For more radio action, go to Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service). And tune in to Cocktail Nation -the number on lounge music radio show- every week for cool soundtracks, swingin' jazz, news and more. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

DICK TRACY CASES

New release: The Sunday Press continues its mission to archive and celebrate our comic strip heritage with classic titles gloriously archived at their original print size. For their new edition they have turned to Chester Gould's detective strip, Dick Tracy! Tracy's world is filled with fast-pace action, grit, gadgets, and the most colorful rogue's gallery of villains. From the press release: "In the early 1930s, Chester Gould dramatically altered the comics landscape with a new style of gritty realism torn from Chicago's headlines. With this new kind of storytelling came a new way of coloring comics, a style as bold and vibrant as the stories themselves. Now for the first time, Sunday Press presents Dick Tracy in the original colors and full tabloid size-and just in time for Tracy's 85th birthday. This collection of Sunday newspaper comics from 1931 to 1939 features Gould's most infamous villains of the decade in four complete stories, plus forty more fabulous Sunday pages. Experience the adventures of the world's most famous comic strip detective just as they appeared more than three-quarters of a century ago." Oversized HC. More info at Amazon and Sunday Press. If you like Dick Tracy, check out the contemporary graphic novels by the maestro of macabre mystery, Richard Sala, at Fantagraphics Books (see our interviews and spotlight links below). In other news, my next episode on Cocktail Nation is coming up! In the meantime, you can hear Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service). In each segment I do a short introduction to a film or TV series and share some classic (often rare) music. Don't miss the James Bond caption contest from Ian Fleming Publications (ends June 18th)! Related posts: Ralph Byrd is Dick Tracy, Dan Dunn, Violent Girls, Super-Enigmatix Interview, In a Glass Grotesquely, Adventures of Richard Sala Interview, Rogue's Galleries, Invisible Hands, The Hidden, Richard Sala Comics. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 1960s Pop Models, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.