COLD WAR DESIGN EVENT

Event alert: Cold War design curator, Jane Pavitt, scheduled to speak on October 17th. Clear your calendars, Spy Vibers! Jane Pavitt's name rings out as the major scholar in the field of Cold War design and fashion. Her work with the V&A to examine art and design from the era, including the major exhibits and books, Cold War Modern: Design 1945-70 and Fear and Fashion in the Cold War, has been a cornerstone in my own research into how technology, world events, and culture came together to reflect and define the 1960s. She will be speaking at the National Archives in south London on October 17th from 7:30-9:00. From the press release: "In 1946, the Parisian designer Louis Reart named a two-piece swimsuit after a nuclear test site - 'Bikini'. Nearly 20 years later, fashion designers Andre Courreges and Pierre Cardin created a 'space age look' with plastic dresses, silver boots, visors and helmets, The conditions of the Cold War - from nuclear anxiety to technological optimism - infiltrated fashion and design in numerous ways in the period. This talk will explore how Cold War attitudes shaped the body, home and environment. Jane Pavitt is Professor of Design and Architectural History at Kingston University. In 2008 she co-curated the V&A exhibition 'Cold War Modern: Design 1945-70, and co-authored the book at the same time. Jane is also the author of 'Fear and Fashion in the Cold War' (V&A 2008), and has published books on art and design in the post-war world." Don't miss it! Evening events at the Archives are wonderfully organized, with insightful conversation- and access to their great bookshop! Guests can also see the current Cold War exhibit about espionage (I have sone photos to post soon). More info at The National Archives. Enjoy! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, 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, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year from Spy Vibe! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and made it back to your secret lairs and bachelor pads in one piece. Here is an odd image that caught my eye a while back. It has an initial campy vibe that quickly wore off once I noticed how cold these ladies look (not to mention the weird objectification). Still, looks like it was a swingin' party! Spy Vibers, don't try this at home unless you have consent (and very high ceilings!). Thank you to those readers who entered to win Spy Vibe's recent contest. Your prizes were sent out and should arrive soon. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, 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.

DR. GOLDFOOT BLU-RAY

Deal alert: Fans of zany spy yarns from the 1960s that feature bikini-clad fembots have struck gold! Both Blu-ray editions of the Dr. Goldfoot movies starring Vincent Price have reached an all-time low cost of $15.99 each. Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine was released in 1965 and co-starred Frankie Avalon. This first addition to the series was directed by Norman Taurog, best known for making the 1960s musicals with Elvis Presley. Check out the claymation title sequence, complete with catchy theme song by The Supremes, on Youtube here. Movie details from Amazon: "Beware! This band of bikini-clad cuties are licensed to kill... with comedy! Featuring screen icon Vincent Price (The Oblong Box, Dr. Phibes) in his most unusual and amusing role of his career and Frankie Avalon (The Million Eyes of Su-Muru), with cameo appearances by Annette Funicello and Harvey Lembeck, this sex-ational spy spoof is thrill-packed fun. Deranged Dr. Goldfoot (Price) has a dream... of taking over the universe! So the mad scientist invents a machine that builds sultry, bikini-clad sex sirens, whom he programs to seduce the world's wealthiest men into signing over their fortunes. But when Secret Agent Craig Gamble (Avalon) learns of Goldfoot's evil plot, he knows he must destroy these gorgeous gold diggers before losing his heart and quite possibly his life to the hottest assassins ever built! Norman Taurog (Blue Hawaii) directs the fun-filled sci-fi comedy co-starring Susan Hart (War-Gods of the Deep), Dwayne Hickman (Cat Ballou) and Fred Clark (Sunset Blvd.). Special Features: Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker David DeCoteau, Animated "Bikini Bots", Image Gallery, Trailer, Gallery."

Vincent Price returned to make Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs in 1966, this time under the unexpected helm of Italian horror maestro, Mario Bava. Fabian co-starred, along with comedy duo Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia. Details from Amazon: "Horror legend Mario Bava (Black Sabbath) directs this hilarious sequel to Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine featuring international superstar duo of Ciccio and Franco (Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, War Italian Style). The great Vincent Price (Madhouse) is back as Dr. Goldfoot and no man is safe from his army of irresistible bombshell robots... not even N.A.T.O. generals! Goldfoot's gorgeous robots are loaded with lovemaking explosives. Their mission: ignite war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Goldfoot is one general shy of global domination and with the ravishing Rosanna (Laura Antonelli, Malicious) as his secret weapon; it's just a matter of time. Now, it's up to secret agent Bill Dexter (Fabian, Thunder Alley) to keep the general and the world safe from the diabolical Dr. Goldfoot and his sexy robots. Special Features: Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker David DeCoteau, "Black Sabbath: Trailers From Hell" with Mick Garris, "Girl Bombs" Image Gallery, Trailers for Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine, Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs, House of the Long Shadows." Although the Goldfoot films didn't quite reach the level of James Coburn's Flint and other spoofs made during the Spy Boom, they are quite fun and charming- often due to Vincent Price, whose fun performances, along with some cool set designs, keeps me coming back to revisit every few years or so. They are definitely silly, but recommended!

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, 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, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Avengers Season 5 Titles, 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, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, 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, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

DEADLIER THAN THE MALE

New release: The 1967 classic Deadlier Than the Male was released today on Blu-ray! Based on the Bulldog Drummond series, the movie starred Elke Sommer, Sylvie Koscina, and Richard Johnson. Promotional materials for the movie traditionally featured images from the film's unforgettable sequence with girl assassins in bikinis with spearguns (see Japanese poster below), but that was only one of the amazing set-pieces in the film. If you are curious to explore slightly less mainstream 1960s spy movies and/or Eurospy, this is definitely in the top-five and not to be missed. Network's Blu-ray maintains the original 1.66:1 widescreen print and includes standard-def extras like on-set featurettes, theatrical trailer, interviews, image galleries and promo materials. No word yet if Network will follow up with the sequel, Some Girls Do. Spy Vibers outside of the UK will require a multi-region player to play this Region B disc. AmazonUK page here. You can find the 2003 standard NTSC DVD edition on Amazon here. Star Richard Johnson's career included classics like The Haunting (1963), Operation Crossbow (1965), Deadlier Than the Male (1967), Danger Route (1967), and Some Girls Do (1969). Johnson passed away on Saturday at the age of 87. New York Times obituary here.

From Network: "Richard Johnson gives a suave performance as Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond in this cool '60s take on the exploits of H.C. McNeile's famous fictional hero. Giving Bond a run for his money, Deadlier Than the Male sees Drummond involved with daring escapes, murderous plots, femmes fatales and dolly birds by the score! The film is presented here as a High Definition transfer from the original film elements in its original aspect ratio. When insurance underwriter Hugh Drummond learns of the deaths of top oil executives – at the hands of a pair of beautiful but brutal female assassins – he is convinced that it is the work of an international crime syndicate."

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, Avengers Season 5 Titles, 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, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, 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, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

AVENGERS: MINI-KILLERS

Emma Peel returned to DVD yesterday and Spy Vibe is throwing an Avengers party to celebrate. Mini-killers (1969) was another low-budget effort to cash in on Rigg's Emma Peel persona. Made in Spain, this rare short was written and directed by Wolfgang von Chmielewski (sounds like a diabolical mastermind), who had a brief career as production assistant and sometime writer for a German crime series in the late 1970s. Unlike our independent 8mm film yesterday, Diadem, Mini-Killers was a more bonafide production (by Accentfilm/Germany) and does appear on Dame Diana's official filmography. The video quality is quite poor, but Avengers fans do get to see Diana Rigg as a spy. The film also benefits from a host of fun 1960s conventions, like mini-dresses, sports cars, bikinis- and deadly explosive dolls that squirt acid. Enjoy! See Avengers Sing here. John Steed Talks here. Peeling off the Trenchcoats here. Avengers Sets here. Lost Avengers episodes return as Audio Books here. Emma Peel fashion designer John Bates here. Spy Vibe's look at Avengers fashion here. The Avengers are currently featured in a comic book series by Boom! Studios.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, The Prisoner & Captain Scarlet, Peter Asher, Gerry Marsden tour, Elio Petri on Blu-ray, Sophia Loren, new Beatles BBC album, new Hercule Poirot novel, Beatles fall 2013 releases, A Hard Days Night cinematographer dies, Magic Christian on Blu-ray, Early Beatles image archive, Julie Newmar, Erno Goldfinger, Hitchcock tribute

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address