New release: Kino Lorber has just released a new 50th anniversary edition of the heist classic, The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), starring Steve McQueen (Great Escape, Magnificent Seven, Bullitt) and Faye Dunaway (Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde, Three Days of the Condor). For Spy Vibers interested in the style of the era, you can't get much better than this film's cool cocktail of fashion, Ferraris, and score by Michel Legrand (Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?, Ice Station Zebra, Le Mans). From the press release: "Brand New 4K Restoration! "Every crime has a personality, something like the mind that planned it," says Vicki Anderson (Faye Dunaway, Network, Chinatown), the sleek insurance investigator trying to figure out the intellect behind a bank robbery so stunning, it has Boston's finest completely baffled. Sophisticated, handsome Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen, The Getaway, Bullitt) has only one worry--what persona he will take on tomorrow. But when the genius rogue pulls off a crime-of-the-century bank heist and finds himself pitted against a nemesis as powerful as he is, his devil-may-care attitude hurls him into an edge-of-your-seat game of intrigue and suspense. The Thomas Crown Affair has all the dazzling personality of the intriguing crime it portrays. The great Norman Jewison (In the Heat of the Night, Rollerball) directed this classic sexy thriller featuring top-notch cinematography by Haskell Wexler (The Conversation) and score by Michel Legrand (Summer of ‘42)." Blu-ray extras: interview with director, interview with title designer, on-set featurette, trailer, and two commentary tracks. Check it out- you'll never look at a chess board the same way again (no spoilers)! More info at Amazon. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, Mata Hair Exhibit, 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.
Jaguar announced this week they are moving toward the production of electric versions of their auto line. The plan is to have full electrification by 2020. In press releases this week, Jaguar also unveiled an especially exciting concept prototype: the E-Type Zero! Based on the classic design from the 1960s, which Enzo Ferrari called "the most beautiful car in the world", the E-Type Zero can go from 0-100 km in 5.5 seconds and has a driving range on 170 miles per charge (6-7 hours to re-charge). The car is currently a one-off, constructed as a conversion project. Jaguar is studying the market and likely hoping to appeal to younger drivers (and Spy Vibers). If total conversion remains the means of production, buyers could be looking at a very high price tag (over $400,000), but hopefully Jag can move toward mass assembly in the future if demand is high. The E-Type Zero is being featured at the JLR Tech Fest in London this weekend. Review at Driving. In other news, check out my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show, where I introduce classic spy films/TV series and play soundtracks and rare cuts: Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint), and Episode #5 (The Avengers). Episode #6 (The Prisoner). Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.
New release: Toby Dammit. Nino Rota's rare score for Fellini's Toby Dammit will be released soon as a limited-edition vinyl LP. Part of the Spirits of the Dead omnibus project and "liberally adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's Never Bet The Devil Your Head, Federico Fellini's Toby Dammit was shot in twenty-six days over the winter of 1967-68, at the experimental film center near Cinecetta in Rome. It is an extraordinary piece of genuine film psychedelia, and rightly regarded to be amongst the director's finest work. The film was originally intended to be part of a Poe homage with contributions also from Ingmar Bergman and Orson Welles. In the event, Fellini's co-directors would be Louis Malle and Roger Vadim. Nino Rota's labyrinthine music is complimented here by Ray Charles performing Ruby (It's You) which is used eloquently in a scene at the awards ceremony."
The film itself is a wonderful time capsule of the period. 1967-1968 saw an interesting transition from the Mod aesthetics of the early-mid decade toward psychedelia and signs of social unrest. Examples of the shift could be seen in projects such as Danger Diabolik, The Prisoner, The Monkees 'Head', Easy Rider, Barbarella, Wonderwall, Casino Royale, Naked Under Leather (Girl On a Motorcycle), The President's Analyst, and Yellow Submarine. In Toby Dammit Terence Stamp portrayed an actor, seemingly pushed over the edge from success -and excess- who was brought to Italy to participate in a ceremony. Fellini's images concocted a feverish nightmare wrapped in vibrant colors and stylish fashion and technology. He had achieved a new level of colorful fantasy in Juliet of the Spirits (1965), and Toby Dammit showed the director at the height of his exploration of cinema as montage of cartoon/distilled graphics. This quality was made even more dramatic in the film by his use of stark textures and minimal set designs. The first third of the film glowed in amber futurism, with images of modern airport architecture and sci-fi globe monitors, and then gave way to a colder color palette as the protagonist sank deeper into his nightmare. It's was really a mini masterpiece. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet! The soundtrack record will be available from the Bella Casa label on Feb 26th in Europe and on March 4th in the US. More info at Amazon and AmazonUK. You can preview the music here. The film is available on DVD from Amazon here. Related posts: The 1968 Exhibit, Set For Adventure, Casino Royale Book, Wonderwall Blu-ray, Barbarella Returns, The Prisoner and Captain Scarlet Anniversary, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Tazio Secchiaroli.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, Fritz Lang Spies, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, 007 SPECTRE Comics, Casino Royale Folio, New James Bond Comic, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, 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.
Is it the FUTURE yet? I think it's time we saw more designs on the road by Darryl Starbird, Raymond Loewy, and Gene Winfield. Real cars have curves! Happy New Year from Spy Vibe! Let's go for a drive in a few of these classic concept creations. Who is that lady in silver driving Paul Foster's car from UFO? Hint: Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Imitation Game) calls her mom! Related posts: Designer Gene Winfield, John Lennon Ferrari, Factory Five, The Sea Lion, David Tennant reads Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Raymond Loewy's Avanti, Mary Quant Mini, Aston inspired by Lelouch, George Harrison's DB5, Jaguar Weekend, new Volvo P1800, Also check out the Auto Universum blog by Agent J Kraus here.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Road to Hong Kong, Inside Gerry Anderson, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, SPECTRE Announced, Popular Skullture, New Gerry Anderson Sets, New SECRET AGENT set, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Modesty Monday, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Designer: Gene Winfield, 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, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
