WHAT IF: MOORE SPECTRE

Mars VFX posted a cool video back in 2015 that has made a comeback in the wake of Roger Moore's passing. The premise of the piece is: what if Roger Moore had starred in Spectre instead of Daniel Craig? It's a pretty interesting experience to watch. Although some Bond fans are reminded of Moore's ultra-light (and often silly) approach to the character, I found myself settling into the trailer like a favorite sweater. It helped that the editors did not include any over-the-top jokes or slapstick. Instead, we are left with a cool juxtaposition between the visceral action and danger of the Craig era and Moore's undeniable charisma and charm on the screen. He was not Fleming's Bond, to be sure, but he had a star quality and sophistication that carried us through the adventures in style. Maybe I return often to his best scenes in The Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, and For Your Eyes Only because of their tiniest examples of edginess. I like that contrast. See what you think, Spy Vibers. Enjoy! Related post: Roger Moore R.I.P.. By the way, have you heard my new radio show with Cocktail Nation? Episode #4 is coming up. Here are info links for Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service).

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, 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.

NEW BEATLES FILM

An exciting new Beatles movie trailer dropped today! Fans have known about a comprehensive documentary by Ron Howard in the works for some time that will focus on The Beatles live performances. After quite a long silence, the band officially released their first trailer for the movie this morning. Die-hard followers like me have hoped the project would yield an archival collection of every Fab concert, but marketing logic must have won out and it appears the film will hold together (as a film) by telling the story of the group's journey from bar band to success to the final show. The trailer takes a familiar approach seen these days with: "The band you know. The story you don't." And what a story it is! Still, I'm hoping for massive bonus concerts on the Blu-ray! We want to see rare and unseen clips. I can't wait to learn more about this new movie, titled Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years. I wonder if they will include interviews with some of the fans who appear in the vintage footage? When you look at The Beatles schedule during the 1960s, you can see just how hard they worked from the early days straight through the decade. As the crowds grew louder and less interested in hearing the music, the group said goodbye to live appearances and concentrated on recording in the studio. They envisioned taking the music even further. During the long wait for the next album after Revolver the press wondered if The Beatles had dried up. "Just you wait," reflected Paul McCartney during the Anthology series. They were about to unleash Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band on the world. John Lennon said their best time as a live band was in the early 1960s in Hamburg, but there is little documentation of that era unfortunately. Perhaps they will make some use of the 1962 audio recordings from Hamburg's Star Club made by Kingsize Taylor and Adrian Barber? The group put an official clamp on the tapes at one point, so it's hard to know. I imagine Ron Howard will just keep his attention on any live film footage that survives. Check out the trailer and stay tuned! The movie will be released in on September 16th. If you're interested in this era and the transition from the stage to the studio, check out some related posts: Notes Behind the Curtain 1, Notes Behind the Curtain 2, Notes Behind the Curtain 4, Notes Behind the Curtain 3, Ivan Vaughn and The Beatles, Experimental Beatles, George Martin R.I.P., Tony Sheridan R.I.P., Satire: Sellers to Lennon, Paul at 74. Top photo below: The Beatles at Shea Stadium. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.

THE PRISONER AUDIO DRAMA

Celebrating the 48th anniversary of The Prisoner today, Big Finish has released their trailer for an upcoming series of audio dramas based on the original cult TV series. As with any new iteration of a old favorite, the brief clip has been the topic of much discussion over the last few hours as fans try to enjoy familiar elements and reconcile the differences. I suppose it's rather like hearing a song all your life in a particular key and then suddenly hearing it "off pitch" with a different singer. Nicholas Briggs at Big Finish posted a great press release (below), which, if nothing else, captures his excitement and enthusiasm for the project. Spy Vibe is a great fan of Big Finish, a company that has resurrected lost episodes of The Avengers and Doctor Who, and who are delivering new experiences with many favorite characters from the 1960s. Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner was a mysterious pop art masterpiece that drew from espionage thriller and science fiction conventions. Much of the success rested on McGoohan, who's intensity cracked like a whip across TV screens to champion the message of individuality, privacy, and person freedom. I enjoy hearing this new clip from Big Finish. Although the actor doesn't seem to capture the sharp urgency of the original (will he be so committed?), it is great fun to hear the world of The Prisoner again in a new format. I really look forward to hearing the stories! Below: The Prisoner trailer followed by today's press release from Big Finish. Related posts: Jason at Portmeirion, The Prisoner and Captain Scarlet, The Prisoner Fallout and 1960s Surrealism, UK Satire/Surrealism, Emma Peel Audio Dramas, DC Fontana Video, McGoohan Tribute, Enjoy!

"This is the first glimpse of what we've been up to with The Prisoner. As I write this, all four episodes have been recorded. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am and how grateful I am to ITV for trusting us with this magnificent series. I think they may have spotted the enthusiasm of a young Nicholas Briggs when I attended the first meeting. The Prisoner was a series that captivated the entire nation and I was right in the middle of it. Just this week readers of the Radio Times have voted it the fifth greatest ITV series of all time. Today, we’re being as cryptic as the original series. We’re not announcing the casting, but we’re giving you the opportunity to hear some of them and to see them in this great bit of artwork by Tom Webster. We're re-imagining the original 1967 TV series. It isn't a continuation. We've ‘recreated’ it from the very beginning (and, hopefully, one day, until the end). It’s different, but it’s very much in the spirit of the original. So, it’s something old and something new. Our aim is to make you fall in love with this tremendous series all over again. Be seeing you, Nicholas Briggs.

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, Spectre Advanced Poster, 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.

SPECTRE OHMSS CONNECTION

Possible spoiler: A new trailer for the upcoming James Bond film, SPECTRE, features an old favorite! I must say that I was very optimistic about the new movie when I saw the first trailer, which seemed to focus on character and atmosphere. The return of the Skyfall team seemed to promise another deeper, more literary Bond. I'm slightly less optimistic now that I've finally caught up and seen the new trailer (below), which seems to have pushed our attention into the action-corner of the 007 universe. Hopefully Mendes will remember his priority from the last project to not let action take over for its own sake and move the audience away from the emotional journey of the characters. “If you’re not engaged with the characters, the action is meaningless, however good it is,” Mendes said in his commentary. “To me, you have to put the characters in a credible and believable situation – you have to make it almost impossible for them to survive – and then show how they survive. That’s the challenge.” Tone-wise, I thought Skyfall was a great return to On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the 1969 classic that was voted best Bond film of all time. I easily put OHMSS and Skyfall at the top of my list. Why? Because both stories do a great job eliciting empathy. We care about Bond. And in terms of literary archetype, both films do a better job tracking both internal and external journeys. So, what interested me about this new SPECTRE trailer? Listen at 1:12 and 1:44 and you'll hear phrases from John Barry's great theme from OHMSS -my favorite Bond music. Barry's work seemed to capture that film's themes of courage, vulnerability, longing, and loss. And since Skyfall included a musical nod to the Goldfinger score, perhaps we are seeing a new trend to create more continuity within the franchise. I've been wondering if the new film will echo any narrative elements from OHMSS, or perhaps set them up for the following movie, but I've purposely stayed away from spoilers and speculation. We'll just have to see in November. And I can't wait! Bonus: listen to the trailer at :18 and you'll also catch the opening strains of Thunderball. Addition: Thanks to agent Chris Bentley for pointing out the descending bass line from OHMSS (now in brass) starting around 1:12 in the trailer. See my review of Skyfall here. Ian Fleming's original Spectre trilogy will be re-released on October 1st. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe posts: 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, 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, Bond vs Modernism, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, 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.