Actor Gary Owens passed away last week at the age of 80. Starting out as a newscaster, Owens became the quintessential newsman voice on programs like The Green Hornet, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, and Sesame Street. Spy Vibers may remember him as the voice of Space Ghost and an early contributing writer and voice actor on Jay Ward's Rocky & Bullwinkle and Fractured Flickers. Other career highlights include "Cy" in Galatica 1980 and appearances in The Last of the Secret Agents?, The Munsters, Batman, Dr. Phibes Rides Again, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Garfield, Spy Hard, That 70s Show, Buzz Lightyear, Dexter's Laboratory, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Learn more: New York Times, interview at Classic Showbiz. Related Spy Vibe post: Saturday Morning Cartoons: Birdman.
Bond is back! The first glimpse of the new James Bond film was released today. Director Sam Mendez and his stellar crew are currently shooting in Austria, where they are working on one of the major action set-pieces in SPECTRE. In a spoiler-free video, fans were treated to footage showing 007 back in the first snowy adventure in many years. I've often wondered if the return of the Spectre organization will mean a nod to On Her Majesty's Secret Service- a story filled with winter themes. Regardless, I'm thrilled to see the series back in the snow! In the first promo still below, actor Daniel Craig strikes quite a classic Bond image outfitted in lean, black winter gear, sunglasses, and pistol. Can't you just hear the theme music? Can't wait!
Dov Kelemer and Jo Marks at DKE Toys created an interesting group exhibit about ten years ago. Choosing Darth Vader as a theme for a platform show, they procured 100 prop replicas of the Dark Lord's helmet and invited artists from around the world to contribute their customized designs- including this cool homage to SPY Vs SPY by Peter Kooper! The group of creators included a number of heroes from the Pop Surrealist/Lowbrow movement, like Josh Agle (Shag), Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Ron English, Paul Frank, Jesse Hernandez, Sun-MinKim, David Horvath, Joe Ledbetter, Tokidoki, Ragnar, Secret Base, and Amanda Visell. The helmets traveled to eight exhibitions between 2007 and 2010. A full-color catalog is available at the project website. Learn more: The Vader Project, LA Weekly, Wired. Enjoy!
New Release: The classic Man From U.N.C.L.E. car kit from AMT will be reissued this month! Now labeled the "Piranha Super Spy Car" from their original art series line, fans have noted the kit now comes in dark blue (original pieces were white) and includes a collectible print and a full-color booklet with historical images of the classic car designed by Gene Winfield. See new and original box designs below for comparison. More info at culttvman. Related Spy Vibe posts: Designer Gene Winfield, Model Secret Agents, Model Spy Gear, 007 Aston Martin Kit.
Eurospy Alert: fans can now find the first two movies in the Monocle series starring Paul Meurisse in new Blu-ray/DVD editions from France (links below). Notable for his work in Diabolique and Army of Shadows, Meurisse appeared in three spy comedies as Theobald Dromard (aka The Monocle): The Black Monocle (1961), The Eye of the Monocle (1962), andThe Monocle (1964). If Spy Vibers in the States haven't yet invested in a multi-region player, you can see the third movie in the series on Amazon streaming and DVDr. Blu-ray covers and selected vintage poster images below. Special thanks to The Man From Brussels at Guys, Guns, Girls, and Danger for putting the Blu-ray editions on my radar. Enjoy!
If your vibe is groovy spy soundtracks from the 1960s, then get ready to dust off your record player! Network UK continues their music line with the upcoming release of The Prisoner and Gideon's Way (Edwin Astley) pressed on 180gram "virgin" vinyl. The soundtracks are being transferred from the original analog tape elements at AIR Studios by John Weber and Ray Staff (Muse, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin). Collectors take note! The Prisoner will be available in two editions: black vinyl in gatefold sleeve (1,000 copies) and white vinyl presented in an overprinted transparent sleeve (500 copies). More info at Network. In addition, Network is celebrating the new releases by running a huge sale on soundtrack LPs and CD box sets (up to 55% off!). Titles include Man in a Suitcase, Randall and Hopkird (Deceased), The Champions, Danger Man, Department S, Jason King, The Prisoner, The Protectors, The Saint, and more! Sale ends March 2nd. Item list here. Enjoy! Spy Vibe's 2013 announcement of Network's LP line here.
