Happy International Cat Day, Spy Vibers! Spy Vibe recommends leather for your active week ahead. Let's face it, it's frustrating when your outfit rips every time you have to dodge bullets on the back of your scooter or when you give a few Judo throws in a dark alley. And don't even mention those midnight strolls over the rooftops! Leather catsuits, especially made for our heroines, are a time-proven solution for your well-dressed adventures. Before this style became hyper-sexualized with exaggerated physicality and shiny latex, it was the original design for cool athletic lady detectives, jewel thieves, and spies. From a time when women in pop culture could be powerful by being independent and skilled, characters didn't have to always play the card of availability- as Gloria Steinem has pointed out: often the only game in town for women to claim power. Figures like Irma Vepp (Les Vampires/1915), Miss Fury (1940s), Cathy Gale (The Avengers/1964), Mrs Peel (The Avengers/1965), Honey West (1965), Marianne Faithful (Girl On a Motorcycle/1968)), and Catwoman (1966) below show us a far more nuanced possibility. Lady Spy Vibers never settle for less! Related posts: Kinky Boots, Peeling Off the Trenchcoats, Mods to Moongirls. Check out my spring sale on eBay here. Love the fashion? I've included a promo collage below. Enjoy!
And let's give a little room for some other cool cats! Below: T.H.E. Cat, Bettie Page, Diana Rigg, Sean Connery, and John Lennon. Enjoy! Have you heard my new episode of Cocktail Nation Radio? Spy Vibe is featured in a podcast segment every month, where I introduce cool films/series and share recordings from the Cold War. This month I introduce Get Smart. For more radio action, go to 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), and Episode #7 (The Ipcress File), Episode #8 (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.), Spy Vibe Radio: UFO, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, and Spy Vibe Radio: Flint.
I also want to let Spy Vibers know that my new book is available for pre-order on Amazon.Talking Mort Walker: A Life in Comics chronicles the 83-year career of the creator of Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois with rare interviews, articles, unseen photos and cartoons, and tributes from the comic community. More info at Amazonand Amazon UK. Check other Amazon sites for your region. From the press release: Talking Mort Walker: A Life in Comics is a major accomplishment." -Brian Walker (from the Foreword). Besides syndicating nine comic strips, including Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois, Mort Walker devoted his life to creating, collecting, curating, and chatting about his one true love- the funnies! Talking Mort Walker: A Life in Comics takes readers on a journey for the first time through Walker's career between 1935-2018, where rare interviews, articles, letters, unpublished photographs, and drawings reveal insights about the child prodigy who grew up to become the Dean of American cartooning.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, ITC Elstree Event, 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, 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.
One of my favorite posters in my collection is this quad edition of Girl on a Motorcycle (1968). The film was directed by Jack Cardiff (The Liquidator) and starred two iconic figures who helped to define sensuality and individualism in the mid-late 1960s, Marianne Faithfull and Alain Delon. The movie was later released as Naked Under Leather with the tag line: "The title tells a lot, but there's a lot more to see." The poster below came out the same year that Diana Rigg left The Avengers. Although there is no direct connection, I can't help but to see an Emma Peel quality in the slim figure, leather jumpsuit/catsuit, over-sized Mod zipper tag, belt, and hands that express a readiness for action. To learn more about Girl on a Motorcycle, grab a copy of Cinema Retro's excellent issue #14 before they are all gone. Back issues available on their site here. Spy Vibers should also check out Jack Cardiff's historic work as cinematographer in Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, and African Queen. Check out Spy Vibe's poster-panel question and tell us your BBC James Bond name here.
