UNCLE TURNS 50

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. first aired 50 years ago today! After the series debut, kids in the States traded in their cowboy six-shooters for silencers and followed the new wave of young, slim secret agents into the future. The series, which was developed with some help from Bond author Ian Fleming, had a sense of reality that brought viewers into the action. This was achieved in early episodes  by using cinema verite-style footage, which is, by nature, energetic and dynamic, and by placing relatable civilians into the narrative. And then there was the U.N.C.L.E. gun, which is reported to have received more fan mail at times than the actors! Anyone who hadn't caught the spy bug after tonight was certain to come down with the condition by December of 1964 with the US release of Goldfinger. A new feature film based on the series is currently in production. U.N.C.L.E. stars below (photos credited to Jerry Schatzberg). Related posts: U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Editions, UK Comics, U.N.C.L.E. Gun, Manga, David McCallum Music.

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Harry Palmer Blu, One Million Prizes, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Blu-Ray, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Diana Rigg at 76, Gerry Anderson Doc, Mr. Hulot's Box Set, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mod Fashion Dolls, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.