Event alert: Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. Spy Vibers might be interested in seeing the new documentary film, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. The movie was produced in-part by American Masters Pictures, so it might also run eventually on PBS (?). I was able to see an early theatrical screening of it recently and really enjoyed it. Miles is one of those few artists in my orbit that I always follow and I find his musical ideas, and his story, endlessly fascinating. Much time has passed since the Miles Davis Story doc was made in 2001, and although some of the key people were still around to contribute to Birth of the Cool, I did find the earlier film went deeper and had many more interviews with folks who were intimately involved with the music and with home life. The new doc did have fantastic footage and an interview with Miles' girlfriend, Juliette Gréco, as well as input from some of his childhood pals.Birth of the Cool suffered a bit from fast editing, particularly in chapter-break montages of still images (some of which even repeated), and I found myself actually get dizzy at one point (not a Be-bop reference). I was relieved to see these moments grow less frequent as the movie progressed, however, so stick with it if you have a similar reaction. I did enjoy Birth of the Cool overall and it's definitely worth seeing for some rare footage and new interviews. The limited run is scheduled through the first week of October, I think, so don't delay! Spy Vibers in TX even have a chance to see a screening today (!) with the director and members of Miles' family. More info at the film's website. Screening schedule link here. From the press release: "Miles Davis: Horn player, bandleader, innovator. Elegant, intellectual, vain. Callous, conflicted, controversial. Magnificent, mercurial. Genius. The very embodiment of cool. The man with a sound so beautiful it could break your heart. The central theme of Miles Davis's life was his restless determination to break boundaries and live life on his own terms. It made him a star—it also made him incredibly difficult to live with, for the people who loved him most. Again and again, in music and in life, Miles broke with convention—and when he thought his work came to represent a new convention, he changed it again. Miles's bold disregard for tradition, his clarity of vision, his relentless drive, and constant thirst for new experiences made him an inspiring collaborator to fellow musicians and a cultural icon to generations of listeners. It made him an innovator in music—from bebop to “cool jazz,” modern quintets, orchestral music, jazz fusion, rock ‘n’ roll, and even hip-hop. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, studio outtakes, and rare photos, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool tells the story of a truly singular talent and unpacks the man behind the horn." Enjoy! Some related posts: Miles Davis Scores, Miles Day.
Event alert: Spy Vibers, don't forget the upcoming Thunderbirds Day '19 on September 30th for a rare chance to see new Gerry Anderson documentaries and recent Thunderbirds episodes created with members of the original cast/crew streaming on-line. Details at Century 21 Films. Enjoy! Related posts: Thunderbirds Are Pop!, License to Kill Puppets!.
Ray Charles was born on this day in 1930. In addition to his powerful and genre-jumping contributions to music, Ray's style and presence also made him a fantastic subject for filmmakers and photographers. Spy Vibers might enjoy seeing some of his live appearances on Shindig! on-line. Ray also starred in the 1965 British film, Ballad in Blue, directed and written by Paul Henreid (Victor Lazlo from Casablanca), whose directing credits also included TV episodes of Alfred Hitchcock, The Third Man, and various westerns. In Ballad in Blue Ray plays himself in a musical drama where he attempts to help a hard-luck family with a blind son. Co-stars included Mary Peach (Doctor Who, The Saint), Dawn Addams (Vampire Lovers, Department S, The Saint, Danger Man, 1,000 Eyes of Dr,. Mabuse, The Third Man), Betty McDowall (The Prisoner, The Liquidator, The Saint, Z Cars). Cinematography was by Robert Huge (You Only Live Twice). UK distributor Network released Blu-ray and DVD editions a few years back. From the press release: "Making his only major film appearance, legendary soul singer, musician and composer Ray Charles helps transform the lives of a blind boy and his widowed mother in this poignant, uplifting film drama set in mid-1960s London. Presented in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements showing the maximum filmed picture area, Ballad in Blue sees Charles – who had lost his sight completely by the age of eight – performing some of his best-loved songs, including I Got a Woman, Hit the Road, Jack and Busted. During a performance for blind children, global star Ray Charles befriends David, a young boy who has recently lost his sight, and tries to help him come to terms with his condition. Then, during a world tour, Charles finds himself in Paris, where a surgeon is pioneering a radical procedure that could restore David's sight; he sets out not only to convince David's over-protective mother to allow her son to undergo the surgery, but also to reconcile her with her boyfriend, a struggling composer who seeks solace in alcohol." More info at Amazon. Movie clip below. Enjoy!
This week marks a special anniversary in the world of Spy Vibe: the cult-classic TV series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) made its debut 50 years ago on September 21st, 1969! This unique show was created by Dennis Spooner (The Avengers, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Doctor Who, Thunderbirds, The Baron, Man in a Suitcase, The Champions, Department S, UFO, The New Avengers) and produced by Monty Berman (The Saint, The Baron, The Champions, Department S), who together took ITC adventure into wonderful new territory by mixing elements of crime drama, action, humor, fantasy, and the paranormal. UK distributor Network has posted a special celebration, stating "In the 1960s, no other TV company did crime drama like ITC. In fact, few British series of the time boasted the Hollywood-like gleam and ambition of Man In A Suitcase, The Saint, The Champions, The Baron or Department S. But whatever the cultural wallop of those shows, it’s another, one that this year marks its 50th anniversary, that has perhaps endured more than any of them. Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), which debuted on ITV on 21st September 1969, was markedly different to its ITC stablemates. Not only was it proudly fantastical, it was also killingly funny, and where most of ITC’s other shows aimed for a seductive fantasy of transatlantic sophistication, Randall & Hopkirk presented a scuzzier and more recognisably real world. Key to Randall & Hopkirk’suniqueness in the ITC canon, was the casting of Mike Pratt. He may have only been 37 when he played Jeff Randall, but he already had the deep-grooved face lines of someone 20 years older. Randall seemed to be someone more at home in the grungier, fag-stained world of Public Eye than a series about a private dick partnered up with a crime-solving ghost. More ABC than ITC.?" More info (and Blu-ray Discs) at Network. Spy Vibers can explore the series even further at Randall and Hopkirk (Declassified), where you can learn about the making of the show, its cast, crew, and even a detailed study into the filming locations.
