NEW 007 SONG

The theme for the new James Bond movie by artist Billie Eilish has been released (see video below). I wasn't familiar with her, but one of my art students recently chose to draw a portrait of Eilish for my portrait unit on heroes. So I was especially interested to hear what she sounded like around something I do have lots of experience with- James Bond. My first impression is that she has a cool voice and that there is some similarity in tone to Adele's Skyfall and Sam Smith's Writing's On the Wall. In fact, I'd say overall that these three Bond songs have become a trilogy around 'hurt" -or at least that's what the aesthetic choices of the recordings seem to express. In the case of Skyfall, I admit I was all in. The film, to me, felt like a powerful deepening of the character and of his roots. Spy Vibers can see my review here. I'm reluctant to speculate about No Time to Die (I have my guesses), but this new song does seem to suggest more hurt is on the way. As a writer, I was always interested in seeing an emotional, human Bond on the screen. But I've found these last ten years or so that the kid in me really longs for that wonderful Bondian blend of espionage action and fantasy. Will Daniel Craig's films be remembered as the era of Sad James? Time will tell. In the meantime, here's Billie Eilish with No Time to Die.

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, New Year Cosmonauts, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, 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.

KEN ADAM R.I.P.

James Bond Designer Ken Adam passed away today. Adam had fled to England from Germany as a thirteen-year-old and devoted his young life to the study of architecture. He designed bomb shelters in the early days of WWII and later became one of only three German-born pilots for the RAF during wartime. He first lent his artistic talents to the movie industry in the late 1940s and went on to hone his craft on projects such as Around the World in 80 Days, Ben-Hur, and Night of the Demon. Adam was hired to design the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962), where his unique vision- in my opinion- added the crucial ingredient that brought success to adapting 007 to the screen. Admittedly there were a number of important elements, from casting, script, and score, but it was the dark, futuristic environments of Adam's designs that made Bond a dynamic and timely hit. In many ways, Hitchcock and Fritz Lang had pioneered placing movie thrillers in unusual settings. But Adam's designs brought a larger-than-life quality to the Bond franchise and set Fleming's secret agent firmly in the world of the Space Age and science fiction. His rooms seemed to draw from his bomb-shelter roots  and expressionist films, and Adam was the master of blending the industrial with traditional elegance. His worlds were a wonderful cocktail of opposites: DR. No's futuristic lair with its ornate, pompous furniture; the stainless steel and gunmetal mixed with wood and paper, the hand-crafted Aston DB5 with its lethal gadgets, and an ever-occuring dance of asymmetrical ceilings, circles, and triangles. I believe his contribution can be best observed in the moment in Dr. No when the baddie is brought to a small asymmetrical room to retrieve a poisonous spider in a cage. Adam was busily designing the sets while the crew was out in Jamaica shooting and he sometimes later expressed his anxiety about whether his ideas would work for the producers. But it was exactly his ideas which pitched the audience out of the ordinary world and created the Bond universe that has captivated us for so many years now. Below: Ken Adam with his wife in the 1960s, followed by some of his most notable designs from Dr. No, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, and Dr. Strangelove. I love looking at his marker drawings especially because he had such a flair for lighting and rendering surfaces. His concepts provided so much narrative atmosphere and he established a convention where our modern-day agents forever battle it out in a futuristic Caligari-world. Ken Adam was 95. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.

FLEMING CONTEST WINNERS

Thank you to the many Spy Vibers from around the world who entered our contest to win a signed copy of The Man With the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters by Fergus Fleming. One of the highlights of the summer was spending time with Fergus and hearing about this new anthology of his uncle's James Bond-related letters. The Man With the Golden Typewriter contains numerous unpublished letters by Ian Fleming, which have been sourced from the Fleming Archive, the Cape Archive and private collections from around the world. I've been waiting eagerly for his book for many years and am so excited to see Fergus has completed the task. Spy Vibe had three signed copies to give away curtesy of Bloomsbury and I'm now pleased to announce the winners selected in a random drawing. I wish a had a hundred copies to send to everyone! The lucky Spy Vibers to win The Man With the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters signed by Fergus Fleming are: David Foster from Australia, Mike Huie from North Carolina, and Brian McKaig from Northern Ireland. Congratulations! The contest asked for a favorite Fleming quote, so I have listed some of them below. I urge everyone to order this book and enjoy unparalleled access to the world of Ian Fleming. Available in hardcover and kindle editions from AmazonUK and Amazon. Stay tuned! Up next on SPY VIBE: UK author Mike Richardson discusses his new book about the making of the 1960s Casino Royale film! Selection of related Spy Vibe posts: Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Ian Fleming Memorial, Rare Fleming Short, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, David Tennant Reads Chitty, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming archive on Pinterst.

Ian Fleming quotes from a selection of Spy Vibe contest entries (for eagle eyes, quotes are still unedited and unchecked): I have included my literary favorite, the opening to From a View To a Kill, at the top. Enjoy!

"The eyes behind the wide black rubber goggles were cold as flint. In the howling speed-turmoil of a BSA M20 doing seventy, they were the only quiet things in the hurtling flesh and metal. Protected by the glass of the goggles, they stared fixedly ahead from just above the centre of the handlebars, and their dark unwavering focus was that of gun muzzles." 

"The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning."

“You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face.”

“Never say 'No' to adventure.  Always say 'Yes', otherwise you'll lead a very dull life.”

"She had a gay, to-hell-with-you face that, Bond thought, would become animal in passion.  In bed she would fight and bite and then suddenly melt into hot surrender.  He could almost see the proud, sensual mouth bare away from the even white teeth in a snarl of desire and then, afterwards, soften into a half-pout of loving slavery."

"Mr Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: 'Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action'."

"I will not spend my days in trying to prolong them.  I will use my time."

"You are linked to the ground mechanic's careless fingers in Nassau just as you are linked to the weak head of the little man in the family saloon who mistakes the red light for the green and meets you head-on, for the first and last time, as you are motoring quietly home from some private sin."

"I write for warm-blooded heterosexuals in railway trains, aeroplanes, and beds."

"It is better to travel hopefully... than to arrive."

“But I am greedy for life. I do too much of everything all the time. Suddenly one day my heart will fail. The Iron Crab will get me as it got my father. But I am not afraid of The Crab. At least I shall have died from an honourable disease. Perhaps they will put on my tombstone. 'This Man Died from Living Too Much'.”

"They had got off before nine and it was still cool as they crossed the mountains that run along Jamaica's back like the central ridges of a crocodile's armour. The road wound down towards the northern plains through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the tropical vegetation changing with the altitude. The green flanks of the uplands, all feathered with bamboo interspersed with the dark, glinting green of the breadfruit and the sudden Bengal fire of Flame of the Forest, gave way to the lower forests of ebony, mahogany, mahoe and logwood. And when they reached the plains of Agualta Vale the green sea of sugar-cane and bananas stretched away to where the distant fringe of glittering shrapnel bursts marked the palm groves along the north coast."

"History is moving pretty quickly these days, and the heroes and villains keep on changing parts."

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