SATANIK KRIMINAL OST

New releases: Spy Vibers, fire up the Hi-Fi! Two titles turned up recently for Record Store Day that are definitely worth checking out. If you enjoy groovy Italian spy-fi lounge, this is for you! First up on the record player: the soundtrack to the 1967 film, Santanik. "RSD 2017 release. Stunning jazz soundtrack from the legendary duo of Roberto Pregadio and Romano Mussolini for the 1967 movie based off the Italian cult comic series Satanik. Deluxe complete edition for the first time, in a limited numbered edition of 500 copies in transparent red vinyl." And if that wasn't enough, you can also dive into the macabre, groovy world of Kriminal: "RSD 2017 release. A great blend of '60s mod and Italian jazz composed by the dynamic duo Roberto Pregadio and Romano Mussolini for the 1965 movie based on the mega-cult Italian comic, Kriminal. Complete edition for the first time in a deluxe limited numbered edition of 500 copies in transparent yellow vinyl." Check your local record stores and on-line retailers to see if you can find copies of these cool limited-editions. Learn more about the original 1960s comics and photo novels featuring Satanik, Kriminal, Sadistik (and others!) and purchase special editions here. And check out Spy Vibe's Diabolikal image archive at Pinterest here. Spy Vibers, have you heard my new radio show with Cocktail Nation? Episode #3 is coming up and I'll be talking about On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Here are info links for Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim). Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, 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, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

DIABOLIKA BOOK

New release: Roberto Curti and Midnight Marquee Press just published a new book this summer that will certainly appeal to Spy Vibers. Diabolika: Supercriminals, Superheroes and the Comic Book Universe in Italian Cinema: "Since their heyday, comics (or fumetti as they are called in Italy) had a vital part in Italy’s culture and morality, even helping break boundaries. That was the case with the so-called “fumetti neri,” such as DIABOLIK, KRIMINAL, SATANIK, and many others that created a sensation in the early-to-mid-1960s. Similarly, in the late 1960s the adults-only comics paved the way for a more explicit depiction of eroticism. The 1980s saw the commercial exploitation of underground comics as well as popular genre titles such as DYLAN DOG. DIABOLIKA lists the Italian films and TV series based on (or inspired by) comics, graphic novels and photonovels, as well as movies not directly adapted from comic books sport a distinct comics feel in style, characters and plot. Included are the 1960s adaptations of the lurid “fumetti neri” such as DANGER: DIABOLIK, the two KRIMINAL movies, AVENGER X and SATANIK. And we couldn’t forget the comic-inspired superheroes SUPERARGO, FLASHMAN, THE THREE FANTASTIC SUPERMEN as well as films based on erotic and adults-only comics including MS. STILETTO. DIABOLIKA also provides listings for adaptations of popular comic characters such as VALENTINA, TEX and DYLAN DOG and many, many more. Also included is an essay on Turkish films inspired by Italian comics written by Turkish film scholar Kaya Özkaracalar. The book is lavishly illustrated in color with many rare set stills, lobby cards, poster art and comic book panels." More info at Amazon. I'm excited to check this out, especially as I'm in the middle of working on a Spy Vibe non-fiction book. Thanks to my pal, Stephen Bissette, for making sure this crossed my radar. You all may remember Steve from his contributions to the excellent bonus features on the Danger Diabolik DVD and to Spy Vibe's set countdown. As a long-time fan of Diabolik and the genre, he said this new release is "almost as exquisite as Eva!" Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, 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.

DIABOLIKAL VILLAIN ARCHIVE

Step into the shadows at Spy Vibe's DIABOLIKAL board on Pinterest and face the world's most mysterious and fiendish villains: Fantomas, Mabuse, Kriminal, Diabolik, Santanik, Sadistik, Red Skull, and others too horrible to name!

Check Spy Vibe for recent posts about Mid-Century Modern in Peanuts, Ralph Byrd Dick Tracy, Spy Soundtracks, The Saint, Op Art, Thomas Allen pulp art, The Shadow, Operation Kid Brother (MST3K), 1960s espionage writers, my review of SKYFALL, 007 at the Intnl Spy Museum, and more. Spy Vibe is now on Pinterest! Check out our image archives and follow us here.

Ian Fleming on Spy Vibe: recent posts include Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward,Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, 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, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, and our Ian Fleming image archive link here.

Want to support Spy Vibe? Please make a small donation with our secure Paypal tip-jar link at the top left of the main page. Nothing is too small to help cover the increasing bills for the domain, web-forwarding and other costs to maintain the site. Thank you!

RARE PIERO UMILIANI KRIMINAL SCORE

If your vibe is master criminals in the tradition of Fantomas, Dr Mabuse, and Diabolik, then you probably are familiar with the skeleton-costumed terror, Kriminal. Kriminal appeared in Italian comics and cult films in the 1960s, and like the anti-heroes listed above, offered an exciting cocktail of intrigue, thriller suspense, pop-art violence, and spy-style action. The character was the brainchild of Max Bunker, who faced censorship for his books, Kriminal and Satanik, due to violent content. The maestro of swinging Italian soundtracks, Piero Umiliani, scored Il Marchio Di Kriminal in 1968. The recording was lost and long out of print, but Screen Archives Entertainment discovered the master tapes in March of this year! They plan to release a limited-edition CD next week. Only 500 copies will be made! Read below about SAE's previous efforts to hunt down and restore other Kriminal sound artifacts. Follow the trail of costumed baddies here. Images from Spy Vibe's DIABOLIKAL board on Pinterst.

From SAE: "A very long period of research finally concluded with this release. A chapter that began nearly 50 years ago with the release of the 45 rpm of KRIMINAL (1966) by Roberto Pregadio and Romano Mussolini on the Beat label, featuring music from the score of the first of the two movies dedicated to the popular comic character created by Max Bunker in the ‘60s. The story of the original soundtracks from the movies inspired by the popular comic book author has a very long trail. The first chapter is the 45 rpm of KRIMINAL, much sought-after by both soundtrack and comics collectors (I still remember processions of fans coming to the Beat studio, some just looking for the 45rpm jacket only!!!), followed in March 2006 by the release of the complete score after the unexpected discovery of the original master tapes—for years, they had been hunted everywhere and then, all of the sudden, we found them in our own studio, right under our nose…incredible!!!!

Max Bunker-mania had just exploded, so we began looking for the score for SATANIK (1967)—another film based on a Bunker comic—in which the main character (played by Magda Konopka) is Kriminal’s popular female alter-ego. The score for SATANIK was again composed by Roberto Pregadio and Romano Mussolini. An archived copy popped up in Aberbach’s dusty archives, a society whose master tapes were administered by Beat in the late ‘60s (!!!!!).

And that’s how what survived hidden for so many years finally saw the light in July 2006 after just 4 months: a real one-two punch!
We were only missing the score for IL MARCHIO DI KRIMINAL (1968), directed by Fernando Cerchio and direct sequel to the first KRIMINAL which was directed by Umberto Lenzi. The master tapes? Obviously missing, until the day our eyes fell upon a list of master tapes in the Umiliani estate’s archive—in plain sight on the list was the word “Kriminal.” It was March 2013 when two very well-preserved master tapes emerged from a dusty archive, enabling us to complete the circle with the release of the 3rd and final score dedicated to Max Bunker’s characters.

What else can we say? The Maestro’s score for this spy movie with a somewhat ironic flavor is as usual of the highest quality—a real rejuvenation for the music of the popular Tuscan composer, well deserving of this release and further evidence of the milestone accomplishments of this extraordinary artist.

Thanks to the invaluable assistance of Stefania Baffa and Francesco Argento, it’s with great pleasure that we release the last chapter of a story begun many years ago, one that you absolutely can’t miss and about which we want tell you too much—pleasant surprises await you when you receive your copy!

The CD is released in a jewel case, with mastering by Enrico De Gemini, graphic design by Daniele De Gemini & Alessio Iannuzzi, and liner notes by Francesco Argento on the music, the movie and the Kriminal comic." Spy Vibers might recognize this skeleton/dagger motif from Richard Chopping's 1961 cover illustration for Thunderball by Ian Fleming (below). 

Check Spy Vibe for recent posts about David Bowie's spy/Berlin tune, Mid-Century Modern in Peanuts, Ralph Byrd Dick Tracy, Spy Soundtracks, The Saint, Op Art, Thomas Allen pulp art, The Shadow, Operation Kid Brother (MST3K), 1960s espionage writers, my review of SKYFALL, 007 at the Intnl Spy Museum, and more. Spy Vibe is now on Pinterest! Check out our image archives and follow us here.

Ian Fleming on Spy Vibe: recent posts include Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward,Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, 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, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, and our Ian Fleming image archive link here.

Want to support Spy Vibe? Please make a small donation with our secure Paypal tip-jar link at the top left of the main page. Nothing is too small to help cover the increasing bills for the domain, web-forwarding and other costs to maintain the site. Thank you!