CRAZY WORLD OF THE YOUNG

The Spy Boom in the 1960s spawned a world of copycat movies made on shoestring budgets hoping to cash in on the Bond-wagon. Toward the end of the wave came this interesting curiosity: The Crazy World of the Young (El mundo loco de los jóvenes/1967). Written and directed by Jose Maria Fernandez Unsain, the film was produced in Mexico and centered around a spy who used a rock band as a cover. I love this premise, of course. What better way to celebrate the impact of cultural elements such as the Cold War and the pop music scene! Music fans will spot the obligatory Hofner and Rickenbacker guitars popularized by The Beatles. And as we've seen in spy films that took place in the world of fashion and photography, the traveling life of the musician made for a great plot device. The movie starred Mexican band Los Dug Dug's, who had come to Mexico City in 1966 to seek their fortune. After stints playing clubs like 2+2 and Hullaballoo, their career began to take off with some recording contracts and songs for television. The coolest aspect of the movie trailer, though, is the playful depiction of TV studios, clubs and dancers- not to mention these great cat costumes! Popular dance TV shows like Shindig and Hullabaloo may have ended in 1966, but The Crazy World of the Young showed that the world was not yet ready to leave those Mod hoofers behind. Below: movie trailer and cat-costume image from the film. I've also included images and a comic promoting 5 de Fresca y 1 de Chocolate (1967), starring Los Dug Dug's and Angelica Maria. Note Angelica Maria's hooded outfit is quite similar to a fashion design I created a few years ago for the star of my upcoming spy novel, Miki Zero. Thanks to Agent K and Jhalal Drut for putting these movies on my radar. Enjoy! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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 Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, 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, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.