New release: Big Finish has tapped another outstanding show from the 1960s for a new range of audio dramas! Hot on the heels of their great work to produce stories set in the worlds of Doctor Who, The Avengers, The Prisoner, Callan, Captain Scarlet, and Dark Shadows, Big Finish recently got a chance to develop a new series of audio dramas based on the mid-1960s BBC classic, Adam Adamant Lives!. The original program, which ran between June '66 and March '67, was developed as a late replacement for what had been intended to be a show based on the Sexton Blake novels. Head of television drama at the BBC, Sydney Newman (Doctor Who, The Avengers) reunited with Who producer, Verity Lambert, and together with writers Donald Cotton (Doctor Who), Richard Harris (The Avengers, The Saint), and Tony Williamson (The Avengers, The Champions, Secret Agent, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk Deceased), they fleshed out a new series about an adventurer from the cusp of Victorian and Edwardian times, who was frozen by his nemesis, The Face, only to reawaken in 1966 Swinging London to battle crime once again. Newman stated in interviews that the concept was also, in part, an answer to pressures on the entertainment industry from conservative activist, Mary Whitehouse. Focusing on a morally upstanding champion from simpler times and showing his reactions to modern society was a convenient way to package action entertainment with social commentary. I would hasten to add that such commentary folded well into the structure of the show and I never found it to be preachy. Like many creations from the 1960s, it merely reflected a culture steeped in tradition and innovation simultaneously. The series also demonstrated the period fascination with Art Nouveau, Victorian and Edwardian fashion, literature, and music, as evidenced in Adamant Lives!, The Avengers, Doctor Who, the V&A exhibit by Aubrey Beardsley (May-Sept '66), the resurgence of Lewis Carroll, and part of the imaginative fabric of The Beatles, The Temperance Seven, The Alberts, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and The Pink Floyd. The main cast featured Gerald Harper as Adamant, Juliet Harmer as his dollybird companion, and Jack May as Adamant's manservant. Cut from a similar cloth as ABC's The Avengers, Adam Adamant Lives! was a brilliant show that featured some wonderful pulp-like conventions: The hero entered his private lair through a secret panel in a parking garage, drove a Mini, and ran fiendish villains through with a sword cane with often ruthless flair. And because of the whole frozen-in-time conceit, scripts also included moments of dreamlike delirium and disorientation. Which brings us to Big Finish! Director and script editor Nick Briggs partnered with writer Guy Adams, who apparently worked with great enthusiasm to rework the series into their new audio range. Reading through an article in Big Finish's Vortex magazine, I discovered that Adams was interested in some of the more surreal aspects of the original and found ways to use the show to touch on the subject of mental health (see Vortex #130). Apparently, that choice gets darker than I would have expected, so be prepared. The new stories star Blake Ritson (RocknRolla) and Milly Thomas. As with Briggs' The Prisoner, the range will be a re-working of the original and will feature new stories, as well as some plots based on classic scripts. If you register on Big Finish, you can download a free sample from the first episode, as well as Vortex. I've really enjoyed listening to it so far! As with The Prisoner, they did a great job creating a dynamic audio experience that drops us right into the action. Big Finish is still catching up with back orders, but they are shipping! Volume One: A Vintage Year For Scoundrels was released in January of this year. A second volume of stories is scheduled for release in August 2020. Both are available as CD box sets and digital downloads. More info at Big Finish. Big Fnish is also running a sale on many titles through June 17, 2020; use Code: RETRO. Related posts: Spy Vibe ran extensive reviews by Alan Hayes (Hidden Tiger books) of The Prisoner by Big Finish: Prisoner Audio Review and The Prisoner Vol 2. The original Adam Adamant Lives! TV series can be difficult to find, especially in the States. There was a great UK set released in 2006 (5 discs of the episodes that remain- many were wiped by the BBC- and an in-depth book by my friend, Andrew Pixley). It can be pretty pricey, but I do encourage Spy Vibers (with all-region DVD players) to check it out. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio: Raumpatrouille, Remembering Richard Sala, Crime & Spy Jazz books, Soviet Space Graphics, Numan is FAB, Bruce Lee Blu, John Barry Event, RSD Vinyl Spies, James Bond's DB5, UFO CD Set, Spy Vibe radio: Phantom Agents, Steranko is Revolutionary!, Interview: The Saint I Ain't, Diabolik Interview, New 007 Song, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, New Year Cosmonauts, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, 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, 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.
Greetings Spy Vibers! I've just returned from the UK, where I spent a month traveling with friends to see special events, classic filming locations, and exhibits. Some highlights included chatting with Bond screenwriter Robert Wade, stuntmen Paul Weston and Ray Austin, and with pop culture scholars Andrew Pixley, Mike Richardson, and Alan Hayes. I have much to share with you! My teaching schedule picks up in a couple of weeks, but I will make sure to start posting photographs and observations from my mission. One image that crossed my radar today really resonated with something I've been thinking about for quite a while. I've always found it interesting to see how Victorian and Edwardian styles became a major ingredient to mid-1960s pop culture. The popularity of Art Nouveau posters, Edwardian fashions, stories based on early-century ideas like Fantomas, Judex, and London's The Assassination Bureau (starring Diana Rigg), the continued interest in Jules Verne and H.G. Welles, and the costume designs for John Steed (The Avengers), Adam Adamant (Adam Adamant Lives!), and Doctor Who are just a few examples. We also saw many adaptations of Lewis Carroll (at least 6 filmed versions of Alice during the decade) and a direct influence of his Wonderland stories on the works of John Lennon and the new surrealists. The Wind in the Willows also impacted new artists, most notably Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd). Just as society seemed fixated on the Space Race and ultra-modernism, it is interesting to note how people looked back often enough for this revival to gain traction in the culture. One event of note that captured the zeitgeist of this wave was the opening of a major exhibition of Aubrey Beardsley at the V&A museum in 1966. And through exploring that exhibit, I found this image to share with you today. Designer Paul Christodoulou created a pastiche of Beardsley imagery in this 1966 advertisement for "Alice Boots" by T. Elliot & Sons, London. According to the V&A, the piece included "elements from Beardsley's illustrations to 'The Wonderful History of Vergilius the the Sorcerer', 'Salome' including 'The Stomach Dance', 'The Woman in the Moon', 'Enter Herodias', 'The Eyes of Herod', 'The Toilette', and the title-page; 'Lysistrata haranguing the Athenian Women', 'Messalina returning from the Bath', 'Neophyte, and... the Black Art', 'The Kiss of Judas', 'Sganarelle and the Beggar'; The Pall Mall Magazine, cover designs for 'The Yellow Book', Vols I and IV and a self portrait." I love how the poster wraps up 1960s fashion and Art Nouveau-chic into one stylish time capsule. More info here. Enjoy! Related posts: Edward Gorey's 1960s, Satire/Surrealism Boom, The Prisoner Fallout & Surrealism, Peter Sellers to John Lennon.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.
Location report: Sherlock Holmes. Coming back one evening
from the BBC and John Steed's flat on Duchess Muse, a familiar tube
stop rolled into view through my train window- Baker Street. I had avoided the
tourist spots for weeks, but I couldn't pass up a chance to see the historic
site of one of my favorite literary characters. I was already keen to get home,
but a quick decision was made and I dashed out onto the platform. It was an
easy walk up to the street and around the corner onto Baker Street. "We
met next day as he had arranged, and inspected the rooms at No. 221B, Baker
Street, of which he had spoken at our meeting. They consisted of a couple of
comfortable bed-rooms and a single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully
furnished, and illuminated by two broad windows." (Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887).
In fact, addresses during Doyle's time did not go as high as 221, perhaps the
author's attempt to keep his creation in the realm of fiction. Even after hours, I found the site of the Sherlock Holmes Museum busy with kids taking portraits in front of the famous door to 221B. Apparently
the address was officially granted to the museum in 1990 by the city of
Westminster. I waited my turn and enjoyed imagining what the area might have
looked like during Victorian times. I thought of myself at fifteen, doing a self-directed exploration of Holmes and detective fiction from The Strand as an end-of-term project. And I thought of Jeremy Brett, an actor who
portrayed the great detective in an excellent BBC series from 1984-1994. Brett
passed away from heart failure in 1995, and his obit in the New York Times summed
up some of my own thoughts about why he was perhaps the best Holmes to date.
"Mr. Brett was regarded as the quintessential Holmes: breathtakingly
analytical, given to outrageous disguises and the blackest moods and relentless
in his enthusiasm for solving the most intricate crimes." When my turn
came to study the front of 221B, I snapped these images in hopes of
interpreting what a traveler might have seen on their way to a
consultation. The address. The doorknocker. And if Dr. Watson or Mr.
Hudson were returning from an errand, perhaps a quick glance at the locks.
On the way back to the station I paused briefly to capture Sherlock's
presence in a number of shop windows, as well as the large statue
that forever contemplates with pipe in hand in front of the station. What
deductions might he make of us now? I dipped back into the tube
to continue the journey toward my lodgings on the northern line and
a cup of tea, glad for the opportunity to see another cultural site that looms large here on Spy Vibe. Stay tuned for more location reports! Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: 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.
