June 1, 2018

THE INVADERS

New release: The Invaders. Invasion tales have been a convention of genre fiction ever since storytellers began to weave anxiety about dodgy neighbors into their narratives. And a historical heyday for such yarns was during Victorian and Edwardian times, when political intrigue and paranoia ran high. Creators returned to the theme again and again, perhaps most notably for Spy Vibers, during the boom in Red Scare science fiction films in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was no surprise then to see Quinn Martin reintroduce the theme to audiences in 1967-1968 with The Invaders (pre-dating Gerry Anderson's UFO by three years). That point in the decade was beginning to be steeped in the counterculture, violence, protest, and unrest. Writers began to tap darker themes for shows like The Prisoner and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. In The Invaders, Roy Thinnes starred as David Vincent, an architect who goes on the lamb after discovering aliens have infiltrated our society. In a kind of hybrid of The Fugitive and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, each episode was a quest for Vincent to find allies and expose the baddies. Series creator Larry Cohen mentioned in commentary that the theme was intentionally trying to expose the paranoia seen in the States during the early Cold War and McCarthy era. But for classic TV fans, the series remains an old fave of 1960s sci-fi intrigue and fun. Look out for famous guest stars! It was also enough of a hit in many countries to warrant the licensing of books, comics, and other merchandise. Neat trivia: music from The Invaders was originally used in The Unknown, a 1964 story that was dual-filmed as a possible series but was aired as an episode ("The Forms of Things Unknown") of The Outer Limits, and starred David McCallum (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.), Vera Miles (The Wrong Man, Psycho, One of Our Spies is Missing), and Sir Cedric Hardwicke (Invisible Agent). The Invaders has been brought back in print (after a 10-year gap) by Paramount, who has repackaged all the content from their original DVDs into a complete set. Check it out on Amazon. This will be great news for Spy Vibers who didn't purchase the 2008/9 editions and have been waiting for an affordable option. Enjoy!


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfMata Hair ExhibitJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.