FILMING THE PRISONER

The word among fans is that it was fifty years ago today in 1966 that Patrick McGoohan began filming the opening shots in London for The Prisoner. In one of the most iconic sequences in television history, the shots functioned as the perfect introduction to the series and provided context and a springboard into each episode. Take a step behind the scenes with this collection of rare photographs of McGoohan on location at the prisoner's Buckingham Place flat and driving this Lotus Super 7 Series II (thanks to Anthony Rooney!). This is where it all began, Spy Vibers. To celebrate the anniversary, I'm also including three photographs from my recent visit to the location. Note the address on the door- who is number one?! Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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 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.

MOD JAPAN

Happy Saturday, Spy Vibers! My students arrived back from summer holidays this week and we're already busy with the start of a new school year. One of the highlights from the week was a community viewing of a new documentary called Screenagers, which looks at the changing role and effects of technology on relationships, health, and the brain. Like many issues, our discussions came down to the notion of balance. Check the film out if you get a chance. Today I wanted to share these great catalog pages from 1960s Japan, where it appears young Mods could walk in the footsteps of Pierre Cardin. Which outfit would you choose? By the way, I'm still going through the photographs from my summer travels in the UK. There is a lot to edit. Just to give you an idea: during my stay in Portmeirion, for example, I took almost 1,000 images! I will start sharing some of the gems soon. Have a great weekend! Related posts: Japan Ads, Tokyo Beat 1964, Nihon Surf, Johnny Sokko & His Flying Robot, Ian Fleming's Japan, Japanese 007 Editions, Japanese UNCLE Editions, Mods to Moongirls, Peeling Off the Trench Coats, Mad For Mondrian. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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 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.

DIABOLIKA BOOK

New release: Roberto Curti and Midnight Marquee Press just published a new book this summer that will certainly appeal to Spy Vibers. Diabolika: Supercriminals, Superheroes and the Comic Book Universe in Italian Cinema: "Since their heyday, comics (or fumetti as they are called in Italy) had a vital part in Italy’s culture and morality, even helping break boundaries. That was the case with the so-called “fumetti neri,” such as DIABOLIK, KRIMINAL, SATANIK, and many others that created a sensation in the early-to-mid-1960s. Similarly, in the late 1960s the adults-only comics paved the way for a more explicit depiction of eroticism. The 1980s saw the commercial exploitation of underground comics as well as popular genre titles such as DYLAN DOG. DIABOLIKA lists the Italian films and TV series based on (or inspired by) comics, graphic novels and photonovels, as well as movies not directly adapted from comic books sport a distinct comics feel in style, characters and plot. Included are the 1960s adaptations of the lurid “fumetti neri” such as DANGER: DIABOLIK, the two KRIMINAL movies, AVENGER X and SATANIK. And we couldn’t forget the comic-inspired superheroes SUPERARGO, FLASHMAN, THE THREE FANTASTIC SUPERMEN as well as films based on erotic and adults-only comics including MS. STILETTO. DIABOLIKA also provides listings for adaptations of popular comic characters such as VALENTINA, TEX and DYLAN DOG and many, many more. Also included is an essay on Turkish films inspired by Italian comics written by Turkish film scholar Kaya Özkaracalar. The book is lavishly illustrated in color with many rare set stills, lobby cards, poster art and comic book panels." More info at Amazon. I'm excited to check this out, especially as I'm in the middle of working on a Spy Vibe non-fiction book. Thanks to my pal, Stephen Bissette, for making sure this crossed my radar. You all may remember Steve from his contributions to the excellent bonus features on the Danger Diabolik DVD and to Spy Vibe's set countdown. As a long-time fan of Diabolik and the genre, he said this new release is "almost as exquisite as Eva!" Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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 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.