A pair of rare, out-of-print cult movies are making their way to Blu-ray this summer: Remo Williams and Elio Petri's early Mastroianni classic, The Assassin! Two more reasons to pick up an all-region player (both editions are PAL format from England). Details below.
Remo Williams (1985) starring Fred Ward and Joel Grey (directed by 007 alum Guy Hamilton!), will be released on July 7th. From AmazonUK: "First they faked his death and gave him a new identity. Now
a top secret organisation is training a former New York cop to combat corrupt
forces operating outside of the law. His mentor, Chiun, is an ageing Korean
master of the martial arts who can run on water and dodge speeding bullets. Born on the pages of Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir s The
Destroyer series of men s adventure novels, Remo Williams was placed in the
capable hands of Bond director Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, The Man with the
Golden Gun) for his big-screen outing. Fred Ward (Tremors) plays the trainee
assassin, with Academy Award-winner Joel Grey (Cabaret) occupying the role of
Chiun. With its classic set-piece atop the Statue of Liberty,
much-loved score by Craig Safan and a healthy sense of its own silliness, Remo
Williams: The Adventure Begins... offers up a cracking slice of mid-eighties
action. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS: High definition digital transfer. Newly created and exclusive content including interviews with
cast and crew! Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned
artwork by The Red Dress. Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film and
more!
The Assassin (1961) starring Marcello Mastroianni and directed by Elio Petri (The 10th Victim, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion) will be released on June 21st. From AmazonUK: "Released within months of Fellini s La Dolce Vita and Antonioni
s La Notte, Elio Petri s dazzling first feature L Assassino also stars Marcello
Mastroianni, this time as dandyish thirtysomething antiques dealer Alfredo
Martelli, arrested on suspicion of murdering his older, far wealthier lover
Adalgisa (Micheline Presle). But as the increasingly Kafkaesque police
investigation proceeds, it becomes less and less important whether Martelli
actually committed the crime as his entire lifestyle is effectively put on
trial. Best known for Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
and The Tenth Victim, Petri was one of the finest and yet most underrated
Italian directors of the 1960s and 70s. Highly acclaimed on its original UK
release but unjustly neglected since, L Assassino is a remarkably assured debut
from one of the cinema s sharpest chroniclers of Italian social and political
realities. Petri said that he wanted to reflect the changes wrought by the
early sixties, and to examine a new generation of upstarts who lacked any kind
of moral scruple. Arrow Academy is proud to present the first ever UK video
release of L Assassino in a gorgeous high-definition restoration created by the
Cineteca di Bologna. SPECIAL FEATURES: New 2K digital restoration from the Cineteca di Bologna. Uncompressed Mono 2.0 PCM Audio. Elio Petri and L Assassino, an introduction by Italian
cinema expert Pasquale Iannone. Tonino Guerra: A Poet in the Movies: Nicola Tranquillino s
documentary about the great Italian screenwriter. Theatrical Trailer. Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned
artwork by Jay Shaw. Booklet featuring new writing on the film by Elio Petri
expert Camilla Zamboni, plus a selection of contemporary reviews.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
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The new Young Bond novel was unveiled yesterday. Continuing the series established by Charlie Higson, writer Steve Cole will release Shoot To Kill next fall. The cover sports an exciting urban design in black and silver, which includes a Walther P38 motif around the title and a silhouette of Bond leaping from a Zeppelin. Although the logo seems slightly large and out of balance, the cover is quite elegant and promises a thrilling ride! The UK hardcover edition hits shops on November 6th. No US release date has been announced yet. Press release and video trailer from Ian Fleming Publications below.
From IFP: "Lights, Camera, Murder…James Bond hits Hollywood. Young Bond
is set to return on the 6th November 2014, in SHOOT TO KILL,
a new adventure by Steve Cole which will take James to the glittering lights
and seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Steve Cole comments ‘I am both honoured
and hugely excited to be taking on Young Bond from Charlie. I am having a
fantastic time shaping a new era in the life of a truly iconic character
– readers can expect many firsts, surprises and dangers to come
as James´s life develops.’" I generally prefer european and asian locations, but I expect this will prove to be a great addition to the series.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
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Ian Fleming was born on this day in 1908. After serving as assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in the Admiralty during WWII, Fleming became the manager of foreign correspondents for Kelmsley newspapers, owners of the Sunday Times and other papers. His job offered him three months off a year to spend time at his Goldeneye retreat in Jamaica. In 1952, he sat down and created the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale (published in April, 1953). Where some writers aim to tug at the heart or stimulate the brain, Fleming confessed that the target of his books lay "somewhere between the solar plexus and the upper thigh." Fleming has been a great inspiration, both for his genius invention and as a role model as a writer. He established a disciplined routine that he later described in an essay called How to Write a Thriller: He wrote for three hours in the morning, then for one hour between six and seven at night. He would not edit or revise as he went, allowing the words to flow naturally. By the end of six weeks, producing four hours per day, he would complete a solid draft of each new novel. Fleming eventually published fourteen 007 books, as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Diamond Smugglers, and Thrilling Cities before his death in 1964. Celebrate Ian Fleming today by picking up one of his books, now available in print and eBook editions through Amazon. Or better yet, spend the morning writing, followed by an afternoon of snorkeling around your own private tropical cove- That's how he would have wanted to spend the day!
It was Fleming's gift of language and talent as a writer that has allowed his work to endure. Here is a passage from my favorite short story in For Your Eyes Only, From a View to a Kill, photographed below from my first edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1960. Click image for larger view. Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive on Pinterest here. Our recent acquisition of a rare photograph sheds light on his trip to Japan here. Ian Fleming Publications here.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
Happy Birthday to writer Dashiell Hammett. Born on this day in 1894, Hammett is best remembered for his hard-boiled fiction and screenplays. Many enduring characters sprang from his fertile imagination, including Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), The Continental Op (Red Harvest), and Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man series). He also teamed with artist Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) to create the comic strip Secret Agent X9 in 1934. The author's life was loosely depicted in the films Julia (1977) and Hammett (1982).
Here are some groovy images from a Mexican edition of the Secret Agent X9 comic book, which collects strips by artist Bob Lubbers (who signed his work as Bob Lewis for King Features). The strip was created by Dashiell Hammett (Maltese Falcon) and Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) in 1934, and the character made appearances in the newspaper strips until 2001. Reminiscent of 1960s spy films, this 1963 strip is energized by modern architecture- including the Eero Saarinen TWA building, which opened the previous year in 1962 (see 5th image below/airport scene). From the Spy Vibe collection. Enjoy!
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
Happy Birthday to Christopher Lee! Lee has played most of the greatest villains and monsters in cinema, including Fu Manchu, Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, Saruman, and one of my fave 007 baddies, the assassin Francisco Scaramanga (who had great taste in secret lairs, by the way!) in The Man With the Golden Gun (1974). Lee also has a family connection to James Bond- his cousin was Ian Fleming! Celebrate his birthday with some cool performances on Netflix: The Wicker Man (1973), Horror of Dracula (1958), Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Gormenghast (2000), The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968), The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969), and The Avengers TV episodes Never Say Die (season 5 disc 4) and The Interrogators (season 6 disc 5). You can also sit with Lee and hear about his career in The Many Faces of Christopher Lee (1996). Amazingly, Lee's co-star in many Hammer Horror productions Peter Cushing was born one day earlier on May 26! Check out their spooky history together at Hammer Films. Visit Spy Vibe's Diabolikal image archive at Pinterest here.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
