SpyVibe: citroen

New release: While my fellow James Bond fans and I wait for the US premiere of SPECTRE, and in anticipation of daylight savings time, I'd like to turn back the clock- turn it way back to an important classic that's about to get a hi-def upgrade. Kino has announced an upcoming Blu-ray edition of the great Fantomas cliffhanger serials by Feuillade. Produced about 100 years ago, these films, along with the director's Judex and Les Vampires, established the template for future cinematic diabolical masterminds and crime thrillers. Kino's DVD set from a few years ago looked fantastic. The distributor has since released Les Vampires on Blu-ray and this remastered 5-film edition of Fantomas is a welcome hi-def addition to the collection. From the press release: "Based on the phenomenally popular French pulp novellas, Louis Feuillade's outrageous, ambitious Fantomas series became the gold standard of espionage serials in pre-WWI Europe, and laid the foundation for such immortal works as Feuillade's own Les Vampires and Fritz Lang's Dr. Mabuse films. René Navarre stars as the criminal lord of Paris, the master of disguise, the creeping assassin in black: Fantômas. Over the course of five feature films (which combined to form a 5 1/2-hour epic), Fantômas, along with his accomplices and mistresses, are pursued by the equally resourceful Inspector Juve (Edmund Bréon) and his friend, journalist Jerôme Fandor (Georges Melchior). The upcoming release is derived from Gaumont's 4K restoration, presented in association with Eclair Laboratories and the CNC, as a centennial celebration of Feuillade's timeless thriller. CONTENT: Fantômas in the Shadow of the Guillotine (1913, 54 Min.), Juve vs. Fantômas (1913, 62 Min.), The Murderous Corpse (1913, 90 Min.)
Fantômas vs. Fantômas (1914, 60 Min.), The False Magistrate (1914, 71 Min.). SPECIAL FEATURES: Two audio commentaries by film historian David Kalat, Two rare Feuillade films: The Nativity (1910) and The Dwarf (1912), Louis Feuillade: Master of Many Forms, a ten-minute documentary, Gallery of Fantômas images." Available January 5th. Fantomas was resurrected a number of times through literature, film, and comics. Spy Vibers may best remember the character from the trilogy of French crime comedies in the 1960s starring Jean Marais. Order on Amazon. Related posts: Fantomas Design, Fantomas Comics 1, Fantomas Comics 2, Fantomas Citroen, Richard Sala Interview: Super Enigmatix, Les Vampires Blu-Ray, Adventures of Richard Sala: Interview, Spy Vibe's Diabolikal Pinterst, Spy Vibe's Feuillade Pinterst. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Callan Documentary and Set, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, 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.

Bob Morane Week continues with a look in the toy corner. Henri Vernes' pulp action hero generated over 200 books, comic books, TV shows, animation, games, and memorabilia since his creation in 1953 (the same year the Ian Fleming introduced 007). Check out the Modelstories site to also see some fun kit-bashed (fake) models of Bob Morane, Miss Ylang-Ylang, and the Yellow Shadow.

Fans could pick up a series of tiny paper models featuring a number of cars and other vehicles from the adventures of Bob Morane. While searching these kits, I also stumbled across a paper model of the James Bond Citroen from For Your Eyes Only (included below for fun!). Morane's exploits outside of the spy/crime genre inspired a series of quirky animal figurines, including an elephant, white ape, horse, dinosaur, and a golden crocodile! But the real treasure for Spy Vibers is a number of Corgi-style E-Type Jaguar cars, including a really cool recent edition (released in both grey cabriolet and blue) with resin figures of Morane and his secret service pal, Bill Ballantine. Limited and fine-sculpted, these Jags sell for about $550! If you want to see action figures filmed in dioramas with books (who wouldn't?), check out the videos on Youtube here. Spy Vibe's Bob Morane series: Intro, Comics, Toys, Pilote Magazine, Records, Screen. Enjoy!