The word among fans is that it was fifty years ago today in 1966 that Patrick McGoohan began filming the opening shots in London for The Prisoner. In one of the most iconic sequences in television history, the shots functioned as the perfect introduction to the series and provided context and a springboard into each episode. Take a step behind the scenes with this collection of rare photographs of McGoohan on location at the prisoner's Buckingham Place flat and driving this Lotus Super 7 Series II (thanks to Anthony Rooney!). This is where it all began, Spy Vibers. To celebrate the anniversary, I'm also including three photographs from my recent visit to the location. Note the address on the door- who is number one?! 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.
Another busy week here at the Spy Vibe lair. It was a mad dash to get all of my art students ready for their annual exhibit before everyone left for a week-long experiential learning course and spring break. I spent weeks planning a trip with students to visit major literary sites in the UK. We were going to sty with host families in Stratford Upon Avon and soak in some Shakespeare, followed by London exhibits to study old faves such as Sherlock Holmes, Alice, and Dickens. Amazingly I got sick the day before our departure and another teacher went in my place. So sad to miss the adventure and getting through a virus is no fun, but I've been passing the last few days with Poirot mysteries and getting reacquainted with some of the 1960s classics that really walk the line between spy/espionage, crime, and science fiction. One film that brought a smile to my face once again was Fantastic Argoman. This Italian production was released in 1967 and drew heavily from the costumed hero/anti-hero traditions in Europe, which included Superargo, The Three Fantastic Supermen, and Diabolik. Argoman is one of those rich playboy types with a butler and modernist lair, who has the reputation of the rogue/thief, but works (sort of) on the side of the law to thwart other criminals. It seems Argoman always demands payment for his services, so he comes across as quite the mercenary, enjoying his own private collection of rare art and antiquities (like the Mono Lisa!). Argoman also uses his superpowers of suggestion and telekinesis to get women (yikes!), though he loses his powers for six hours after "being" with them. Despite this kind of cringeworthy attitude from the period, the old thriller conventions in the film are playful and fun and, as you can see from these graphics, the sets and costumes were steeped in the visual language of science fiction and cliffhanger serials. The set designers literally elevated the notion that the character is above- above the law, above normal men, a fantasy, a carefree bachelor- by suspending all of his furniture on ropes (the results are pretty silly). You can also see psychedelic elements creeping in with organic patterns replacing the Op-influence so prevalent between 1965-1967. Argoman's costume is nothing to write home about, but the femme fatale does get to don a green hat that resembles Cardin's 1966 Space helmet design. Music by movie maestro Piero Umiliani and costumes by Gaia Romanini (Operation Kid Brother, Special Mission Lady Chaplin). Below: German Lobby cards and French poster. Spy Vibers can read a great review of the movie at our sister site, Double O Section. If you enjoy costumed crime/sci-fi characters from the 1960s, check out They Call Me Superseven, a fun homage to the period by stuntman/writer/director Robert Griffith (also on DVD). Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.
As I mentioned yesterday, things are super busy right now at the Spy Vibe lair. My days are spent helping my art students finish up the school year, while I cram to complete the annual senior movie. Some cool designs crossed my radar today from the Fantomas films from the mid-1960s, primarily from Fantomas Unleashed (Fantoms Gegen Interpol). Released in that magic year 1965, the film made use of futuristic mod sets with bold color schemes and geometric shapes complimenting the mod costumes (with occasional racing stripes!). The production stills below illustrate beautiful flow around the frame between the main design elements. You might see the pathways more clearly if you squint your eyes and try to connect the dots, as it were. And I think the original iMacs owed a little to those sleek metal monitors. The sets were designed by Max Douy (OSS117 Mission to Tokyo/1966), and costumes were by Mireille Leydet (Fantomas series, OSS117 Mission to Tokyo/1966). Fantomas Unleashed was helmed by series director Andre Hunebelle, perhaps familiar to Eurospy fans for directing OSS117 is Unleashed (1963), OSS117 Panic in Bangkok (1964), OSS117 Mission for a Killer (1965), and OSS117 Double Agent (1968). If you're remodeling your secret base, get some tips from diabolical mastermind, Fantomas! Recent Fantomas posts: Flying Citroen DS, Fantomas comics 1, Fantomas comics 2, Fantomas Kindle Collection, Diabolikal Villain Archive. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, 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, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 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, 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, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
