MOST RECENT SPY
Spy Vibers! Have you discovered or rediscovered any cool classics recently? What is the most recent, retro Spy to ignite your imagination? Tell us all about it on the new MESSAGE BOARD at the SPY VIBE website and enter to win a VINTAGE GOLD KEY spy comic book! Details about this mystery prize coming soon!
STYLE IN ACTION
March 17, 2010
March 15, 2010
GOODNIGHT MR. PHELPS
GOODNIGHT MR. PHELPS
Mission Impossible made its debut in 1966 and established iconic spy conventions that have not only endured, but have forever been linked to the show's leading character, James Phelps. Mr. Phelps, played by actor Peter Graves (1926-2010), took over from Mr. Briggs in the second season in 1967 through the program's run until 1973. Every episode began like a ritual, as viewers accompanied Phelps into some isolated location to find a drop box with orders from above. Maybe an abandoned factory or an instant photo booth? Each week was a variation on the theme and set us up to learn the plot- and the impossible mission- of the episode. Mr. Phelps received his orders via tape recording (I seem to recall an LP record as well), which began with the memorable, "Good morning, Mr. Phelps." After the briefing, and the self-destructing message, Phelps was filmed in his loft-like pad scanning through a portfolio of Impossible Mission Force operatives. Even for Spy Vibers who have not seen many episodes of the original Mission Impossible, I imagine that these conventions ring with familiarity. It was great storytelling, great spy TV, and its success was also a product of the choice to bring Peter Graves in as team leader. Graves brought a sense of fatherly authority to the chemistry of the cast. And with his light hair and tall stature, he added a needed visual contrast that worked for the screen. He will always be remembered for these qualities and for leading us on so many fantastic spy adventures. Goodnight, Mr. Phelps.
Mission Impossible made its debut in 1966 and established iconic spy conventions that have not only endured, but have forever been linked to the show's leading character, James Phelps. Mr. Phelps, played by actor Peter Graves (1926-2010), took over from Mr. Briggs in the second season in 1967 through the program's run until 1973. Every episode began like a ritual, as viewers accompanied Phelps into some isolated location to find a drop box with orders from above. Maybe an abandoned factory or an instant photo booth? Each week was a variation on the theme and set us up to learn the plot- and the impossible mission- of the episode. Mr. Phelps received his orders via tape recording (I seem to recall an LP record as well), which began with the memorable, "Good morning, Mr. Phelps." After the briefing, and the self-destructing message, Phelps was filmed in his loft-like pad scanning through a portfolio of Impossible Mission Force operatives. Even for Spy Vibers who have not seen many episodes of the original Mission Impossible, I imagine that these conventions ring with familiarity. It was great storytelling, great spy TV, and its success was also a product of the choice to bring Peter Graves in as team leader. Graves brought a sense of fatherly authority to the chemistry of the cast. And with his light hair and tall stature, he added a needed visual contrast that worked for the screen. He will always be remembered for these qualities and for leading us on so many fantastic spy adventures. Goodnight, Mr. Phelps.
March 13, 2010
MOST RECENT SPY?
MOST RECENT SPY
Spy Vibers! Have you discovered or rediscovered any cool classics recently? What is the most recent, retro Spy to ignite your imagination? Tell us all about it on the new MESSAGE BOARD at the SPY VIBE website and enter to win a VINTAGE GOLD KEY spy comic book! Details about this mystery prize coming soon!
Spy Vibers! Have you discovered or rediscovered any cool classics recently? What is the most recent, retro Spy to ignite your imagination? Tell us all about it on the new MESSAGE BOARD at the SPY VIBE website and enter to win a VINTAGE GOLD KEY spy comic book! Details about this mystery prize coming soon!
SPY VIBE SPRING
SPY VIBE SPRING
Spy Vibers! What are you wearing this Spring? In the spirit of playful costumes by Giulio Coltellacci for Usula Andress (The 10th Victim/1965) and the Space Girl look from Courreges, consider minimalist white, moon boots, geometric cut-outs, and helmet/visor. Here's a movie-still fashion tip from Ursula! More Spy Vibe Fashion here.
Spy Vibers! What are you wearing this Spring? In the spirit of playful costumes by Giulio Coltellacci for Usula Andress (The 10th Victim/1965) and the Space Girl look from Courreges, consider minimalist white, moon boots, geometric cut-outs, and helmet/visor. Here's a movie-still fashion tip from Ursula! More Spy Vibe Fashion here.
March 12, 2010
LALO SCHIFRIN BOX SET
LALO SCHIFRIN BOX SET
Fans of composer Lalo Schifrin (Mission Impossible, Bullitt) might be interested in a new 5-disc box set coming out in April. A fantastic collection of scores including Rhino! (1964), Once a Thief (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), The Venetian Affair (1967), Sol Madrid (1968) and more!
From Movie Grooves: Discs four and five feature two late-1960s films in which M-G-M tried to build feature careers for the stars from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Robert Vaughn (in 1967's The Venetian Affair) and David McCallum (in 1968's Sol Madrid), by casting them (separately) in unrelated stories of international espionage. Schifrin's scores to both films are excellent: pulsating, moody Cold War intrigue for The Venetian Affair (featuring cymbalom), and diverse, often Latin-flavored pop and jazz for Sol Madrid (alongside more traditional scoring).
Fans of composer Lalo Schifrin (Mission Impossible, Bullitt) might be interested in a new 5-disc box set coming out in April. A fantastic collection of scores including Rhino! (1964), Once a Thief (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), The Venetian Affair (1967), Sol Madrid (1968) and more!
From Movie Grooves: Discs four and five feature two late-1960s films in which M-G-M tried to build feature careers for the stars from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Robert Vaughn (in 1967's The Venetian Affair) and David McCallum (in 1968's Sol Madrid), by casting them (separately) in unrelated stories of international espionage. Schifrin's scores to both films are excellent: pulsating, moody Cold War intrigue for The Venetian Affair (featuring cymbalom), and diverse, often Latin-flavored pop and jazz for Sol Madrid (alongside more traditional scoring).
March 11, 2010
MOST RECENT SPY?
MOST RECENT SPY
Spy Vibers! Have you discovered or rediscovered any cool classics recently? What is the most recent, retro Spy to ignite your imagination? Tell us all about it on the new MESSAGE BOARD at the SPY VIBE website and enter to win a VINTAGE GOLD KEY spy comic book!
Spy Vibers! Have you discovered or rediscovered any cool classics recently? What is the most recent, retro Spy to ignite your imagination? Tell us all about it on the new MESSAGE BOARD at the SPY VIBE website and enter to win a VINTAGE GOLD KEY spy comic book!
AMAZON TV SALE
AMAZON TV SALE
Classic TV shows are on sale right now at Amazon and there some great box sets at bargain prices. I Spy Season One and two are on sale for $11.49 (Season Three is $10.99!). You'll also find deals on Hawaii Five-O, Remington Steele, and other fun classics.
Classic TV shows are on sale right now at Amazon and there some great box sets at bargain prices. I Spy Season One and two are on sale for $11.49 (Season Three is $10.99!). You'll also find deals on Hawaii Five-O, Remington Steele, and other fun classics.
March 9, 2010
LAMBRETTA TWIST
LAMBRETTA TWIST
Rolling out of the week looking at Mod style by Liam Gallagher and the new documentary The Who, The Mods, and the Quadrophenia Connection, I discovered an amusing curiosity for Vespa fans- "The Lambetta Twist" by Quartetto Cetra and a little 1960s, Italian Space-Age style. Not quite Mods and Rockers at Brighton, but definitely a time capsule. Could almost be a moment from the new OSS17 films. To all you scooter-riders around the globe, twist away! And for you Mod fans of The Who looking for something with more edge, the classic documentary, The Kids Are Alright, was released today on Blu-ray!
Rolling out of the week looking at Mod style by Liam Gallagher and the new documentary The Who, The Mods, and the Quadrophenia Connection, I discovered an amusing curiosity for Vespa fans- "The Lambetta Twist" by Quartetto Cetra and a little 1960s, Italian Space-Age style. Not quite Mods and Rockers at Brighton, but definitely a time capsule. Could almost be a moment from the new OSS17 films. To all you scooter-riders around the globe, twist away! And for you Mod fans of The Who looking for something with more edge, the classic documentary, The Kids Are Alright, was released today on Blu-ray!
March 7, 2010
NEW PRISONER RELEASED
NEW PRISONER RELEASED
The recent AMC mini-series based on Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 23rd. Read the review at DoubleOSection here.
From Amazon: The Prisoner miniseries is a reinterpretation of the British 1960s cult hit series that starred and was co-created by Patrick McGoohan. The Premise: A man, known as Six, finds himself inexplicably trapped in The Village with no memory of how he arrived. As he explores his environment, he discovers that his fellow inhabitants are identified by number instead of name, have no memory of any prior existence, and are under constant surveillance. Not knowing whom to trust, Six is driven by the need to discover the truth behind The Village, the reason for his being there, and most importantly -- how he can escape. Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ , The Thin Red Line) plays the role of Six; and two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, The Da Vinci Code) co-stars as Two.
The recent AMC mini-series based on Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 23rd. Read the review at DoubleOSection here.
From Amazon: The Prisoner miniseries is a reinterpretation of the British 1960s cult hit series that starred and was co-created by Patrick McGoohan. The Premise: A man, known as Six, finds himself inexplicably trapped in The Village with no memory of how he arrived. As he explores his environment, he discovers that his fellow inhabitants are identified by number instead of name, have no memory of any prior existence, and are under constant surveillance. Not knowing whom to trust, Six is driven by the need to discover the truth behind The Village, the reason for his being there, and most importantly -- how he can escape. Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ , The Thin Red Line) plays the role of Six; and two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, The Da Vinci Code) co-stars as Two.
March 6, 2010
JEREMY DUNS ON FLEMING'S DIAMOND SMUGGLERS
JEREMY DUNS ON FLEMING'S DIAMOND SMUGGLERS
Our Man Jeremy Duns (Free Agent) has published an interesting article about Ian Fleming's The Diamond Smugglers and the book's near-brush with the big screen. The article is available here at The Times Online.
Our Man Jeremy Duns (Free Agent) has published an interesting article about Ian Fleming's The Diamond Smugglers and the book's near-brush with the big screen. The article is available here at The Times Online.
March 4, 2010
MOD STYLE: PRETTY GREEN
MOD STYLE: PRETTY GREEN
It's been a while since Spy Vibe reported that Liam Gallagher (Oasis) formed a new men's designer clothing line inspired by Mod style. If Spy Vibe is "1960s Style Meets Action", then anyone who has seen Gallagher strut to the edge of the stage and belt out a tune knows that this guy has it in spades. Liam's passions are music and clothes, and his new company, Pretty Green, continues to offer some really cool gear! Spy Vibers will know that Mod culture has been through many waves and incarnations. As discussed in the new documentary, The Who, The Mods, and the Quadrophenia Connection, the 1979 film version of The Who's classic concept album coincided with an upcoming underground Mod subculture (including Jam master, Paul Weller- another rocker-turned limited edition designer). Mainstreaming Mod fashion in the early 1980s seemed to kill the integrity of the movement, perhaps as it originally did in the mid-1960s. Nothing deflates the power of a subculture like success. But despite the mass-packaging of Keith Moon-style RAF target T-shirts and the like, an authentic group of Mods has endured. Perhaps these waves are not so much revivalist as much as they are, for some, sincere updates for each generation that identifies with Mod sensibilities. From what I know of Liam, he'd probably laugh at any analysis and remind us that these clothes are -just plain cool, man! Quoted on Live4Ever, Liam said, "It's more about style than fashion, and Pretty Green won't take any notice of trends. Fashion comes and goes. Style remains." Along with limited edition Mod parkas, boating blazers, and Lennon-inspired caps at Pretty Green, you'll find a number of collarless jackets, scarves, and even a wool coat that references Paul McCartney's "Fool On the Hill" segment in Magical Mystery Tour. It appears that Liam is having fun with this project. As for his music, the last I heard is that Liam is writing new material and planning to record with Gem and Andy. Hopefully Ringo's son, Zak Starkey (The Who), will return as drummer. Pay a visit to Pretty Green and check out the catalog, as well as an archive of videos and interviews. For you iTunes people, here is Spy Vibe's best-of-Liam tracks from Oasis: Songbird, Meaning of Soul, Better Man, Born on a Different Cloud, Love Like a Bomb, Guess God Thinks I'm Abel, I'm Outta Time, and the cover of My Generation by The Who.
It's been a while since Spy Vibe reported that Liam Gallagher (Oasis) formed a new men's designer clothing line inspired by Mod style. If Spy Vibe is "1960s Style Meets Action", then anyone who has seen Gallagher strut to the edge of the stage and belt out a tune knows that this guy has it in spades. Liam's passions are music and clothes, and his new company, Pretty Green, continues to offer some really cool gear! Spy Vibers will know that Mod culture has been through many waves and incarnations. As discussed in the new documentary, The Who, The Mods, and the Quadrophenia Connection, the 1979 film version of The Who's classic concept album coincided with an upcoming underground Mod subculture (including Jam master, Paul Weller- another rocker-turned limited edition designer). Mainstreaming Mod fashion in the early 1980s seemed to kill the integrity of the movement, perhaps as it originally did in the mid-1960s. Nothing deflates the power of a subculture like success. But despite the mass-packaging of Keith Moon-style RAF target T-shirts and the like, an authentic group of Mods has endured. Perhaps these waves are not so much revivalist as much as they are, for some, sincere updates for each generation that identifies with Mod sensibilities. From what I know of Liam, he'd probably laugh at any analysis and remind us that these clothes are -just plain cool, man! Quoted on Live4Ever, Liam said, "It's more about style than fashion, and Pretty Green won't take any notice of trends. Fashion comes and goes. Style remains." Along with limited edition Mod parkas, boating blazers, and Lennon-inspired caps at Pretty Green, you'll find a number of collarless jackets, scarves, and even a wool coat that references Paul McCartney's "Fool On the Hill" segment in Magical Mystery Tour. It appears that Liam is having fun with this project. As for his music, the last I heard is that Liam is writing new material and planning to record with Gem and Andy. Hopefully Ringo's son, Zak Starkey (The Who), will return as drummer. Pay a visit to Pretty Green and check out the catalog, as well as an archive of videos and interviews. For you iTunes people, here is Spy Vibe's best-of-Liam tracks from Oasis: Songbird, Meaning of Soul, Better Man, Born on a Different Cloud, Love Like a Bomb, Guess God Thinks I'm Abel, I'm Outta Time, and the cover of My Generation by The Who.
March 3, 2010
YOJIMBO MEETS DANGER MAN
YOJIMBO MEETS DANGER MAN
Masaru Sato (1928-1999) was an aspiring soundtrack composer who found his great inspiration in Akira Kurosawa's 1950 masterpiece, Rashomon. Sato went on to assist in Kurosawa's 1954 classic, Seven Samurai, and enjoyed a ten-year collaboration with the director on a number of films, including High and Low and Red Beard. But it was his unusual use of Jazz themes, percussion and strings, and harpsichord/keyboard sounds in Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) that brings the composer's work to Spy Vibe- and where Yojimbo meets Danger Man.
There was a quite a creative wave hitting the world in the early-mid 1960s. As Sato was scoring Yojimbo in Japan in 1961, Edwin Astley (1922-1998) was already into his first year composing music for Patrick McGoohan's run as John Drake in TV's Danger Man. Listen to sample tracks from each composer below. The similarities are most acute when hearing Astley's keyboard cues, but even his Danger Man theme illustrates notes of comparison. Sato and Astley were working in different countries, but they found a kindred sound to ignite their dramas. Though one might categorize Yojimbo as a period piece and Danger Man as Espionage/Adventure, I would say that the approach that these works share help to define what we might now term Cold War-era spy music. From Yojimbo and Danger Man, one can hear echoes of future scores from The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and other 60s spy adventures. Two interesting pieces of trivia: Pete Townshend of The Who was married to Edwin Astley's daughter, bringing two Spy Vibe fave worlds together. Kurosawa's Yojimbo, of course, was re-made by Sergio Leone when he launched the Spaghetti Western boom in Italy with Clint Eastwood in Fistful of Dollars (1964).
Masaru Sato's Yojimbo soundtrack is available through Screen Archives Entertainment. Full sets and compilation CDs of Edwin Astley's scores are available through Network. Blu-ray.com review of the upcoming Blu-ray edition of Yojimbo from The Criterion Collection here and at DVDBeaver here.
Masaru Sato (1928-1999) was an aspiring soundtrack composer who found his great inspiration in Akira Kurosawa's 1950 masterpiece, Rashomon. Sato went on to assist in Kurosawa's 1954 classic, Seven Samurai, and enjoyed a ten-year collaboration with the director on a number of films, including High and Low and Red Beard. But it was his unusual use of Jazz themes, percussion and strings, and harpsichord/keyboard sounds in Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) that brings the composer's work to Spy Vibe- and where Yojimbo meets Danger Man.
There was a quite a creative wave hitting the world in the early-mid 1960s. As Sato was scoring Yojimbo in Japan in 1961, Edwin Astley (1922-1998) was already into his first year composing music for Patrick McGoohan's run as John Drake in TV's Danger Man. Listen to sample tracks from each composer below. The similarities are most acute when hearing Astley's keyboard cues, but even his Danger Man theme illustrates notes of comparison. Sato and Astley were working in different countries, but they found a kindred sound to ignite their dramas. Though one might categorize Yojimbo as a period piece and Danger Man as Espionage/Adventure, I would say that the approach that these works share help to define what we might now term Cold War-era spy music. From Yojimbo and Danger Man, one can hear echoes of future scores from The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and other 60s spy adventures. Two interesting pieces of trivia: Pete Townshend of The Who was married to Edwin Astley's daughter, bringing two Spy Vibe fave worlds together. Kurosawa's Yojimbo, of course, was re-made by Sergio Leone when he launched the Spaghetti Western boom in Italy with Clint Eastwood in Fistful of Dollars (1964).
Masaru Sato's Yojimbo soundtrack is available through Screen Archives Entertainment. Full sets and compilation CDs of Edwin Astley's scores are available through Network. Blu-ray.com review of the upcoming Blu-ray edition of Yojimbo from The Criterion Collection here and at DVDBeaver here.
March 1, 2010
IRWIN ALLEN CONTEST WINNER!
IRWIN ALLEN CONTEST WINNER!
Humberto is the winner in the random drawing for The Complete Time Tunnel from Hermes Press! Thank you to all of the Spy Vibers who wrote about their fave Irwin Allen shows. It was awesome to hear about the qualities, both narrative and visual, that interested you. More contests coming up, so please enter for new chances to win Spy Vibe prizes. Visit Hermes Press to check out the full catalog of cool 1960s Gold Key comic reprints.
Humberto is the winner in the random drawing for The Complete Time Tunnel from Hermes Press! Thank you to all of the Spy Vibers who wrote about their fave Irwin Allen shows. It was awesome to hear about the qualities, both narrative and visual, that interested you. More contests coming up, so please enter for new chances to win Spy Vibe prizes. Visit Hermes Press to check out the full catalog of cool 1960s Gold Key comic reprints.
February 27, 2010
LA DOLCE VITA: FELLINI
LA DOLCE VITA: FELLINI
Francis Coppola said that when he was coming up in film in the 1960s there were three giants: Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, and Federico Fellini. I first saw a Fellini film when I was twelve and I was quite baffled by it (Juliet of the Spirits). But my imagination was also ignited by the images I saw. From that moment on, I knew there was an outer border where some creators dare to dwell. Fellini began as a cartoonist (another reason for me to relate to him), and he made an important transition from the Neo-Realist films of post-war Italy to wildly imaginative works that allowed fantasy and dream imagery to collide with narrative. The movie that rests between these two periods is the classic, La Dolce Vita (1960). Famous for its scene between Anita Ekberg and Mastroianni in the Trevi fountain, La Dolce Vita brought the emotional level of his earlier characters into a hip, young setting. Images of Vespas, open-top sports cars, and Mastroianni in his dark suit, thin black tie and sunglasses established what we envision as early-mid 1960s Italian cool. It is a Spy Vibe that has been copied and parodied countless times (anyone see Saturday Night Live's La Dolce Gilda?). The open sexuality and loose morality of the film caused quite a scandal- a scene that was humorously played out in another Mastroianni film a couple of years later, Divorce Italian Style.
A new Fellini book is due from Rizzoli in March. Federico Fellini: The Films. Published on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of La Dolce Vita, this is the most authoritative survey ever of Federico Fellini’s complete oeuvre. This definitive and important contribution on Federico Fellini chronicles the body of work of one of the most influential and revered directors of all time, and one of Italy’s most important modern cultural icons. It features the great director’s own drawings, sketches, storyboards, notes, and commentary along with behind-the-scenes photographs—both on set and off—and covers each film from the entire span of his career. Largely never before published, the material collected in this lavishly illustrated volume is drawn primarily from the archives of the Fellini Foundation and from the Fellini family’s private collection. Incidentally, Rizzoli has a similar book devoted to Kurosawa coming out in early March as well!
Like Teshigahara and Takemitsu, Fellini enjoyed a special collaboration throughout his career with one composer- Nino Rota. Below is the quintessential piece from his soundtrack to La Dolce Vita, a sound that would help define and inspire the resurgence of lounge soundtrack music in the 1990s and a song covered by the band, Combustible Edison.
Francis Coppola said that when he was coming up in film in the 1960s there were three giants: Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, and Federico Fellini. I first saw a Fellini film when I was twelve and I was quite baffled by it (Juliet of the Spirits). But my imagination was also ignited by the images I saw. From that moment on, I knew there was an outer border where some creators dare to dwell. Fellini began as a cartoonist (another reason for me to relate to him), and he made an important transition from the Neo-Realist films of post-war Italy to wildly imaginative works that allowed fantasy and dream imagery to collide with narrative. The movie that rests between these two periods is the classic, La Dolce Vita (1960). Famous for its scene between Anita Ekberg and Mastroianni in the Trevi fountain, La Dolce Vita brought the emotional level of his earlier characters into a hip, young setting. Images of Vespas, open-top sports cars, and Mastroianni in his dark suit, thin black tie and sunglasses established what we envision as early-mid 1960s Italian cool. It is a Spy Vibe that has been copied and parodied countless times (anyone see Saturday Night Live's La Dolce Gilda?). The open sexuality and loose morality of the film caused quite a scandal- a scene that was humorously played out in another Mastroianni film a couple of years later, Divorce Italian Style.
A new Fellini book is due from Rizzoli in March. Federico Fellini: The Films. Published on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of La Dolce Vita, this is the most authoritative survey ever of Federico Fellini’s complete oeuvre. This definitive and important contribution on Federico Fellini chronicles the body of work of one of the most influential and revered directors of all time, and one of Italy’s most important modern cultural icons. It features the great director’s own drawings, sketches, storyboards, notes, and commentary along with behind-the-scenes photographs—both on set and off—and covers each film from the entire span of his career. Largely never before published, the material collected in this lavishly illustrated volume is drawn primarily from the archives of the Fellini Foundation and from the Fellini family’s private collection. Incidentally, Rizzoli has a similar book devoted to Kurosawa coming out in early March as well!
Like Teshigahara and Takemitsu, Fellini enjoyed a special collaboration throughout his career with one composer- Nino Rota. Below is the quintessential piece from his soundtrack to La Dolce Vita, a sound that would help define and inspire the resurgence of lounge soundtrack music in the 1990s and a song covered by the band, Combustible Edison.
February 26, 2010
TATI TIME
TATI TIME
News from The Criterion Collection about a special event this weekend: A boon for Los Angeles Tati fans this weekend: The Magnificent Tati, a new documentary by Michael House that traces the career of the Playtime auteur, premieres at the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre, as part of the series Tati Time. After the screening, the Aero will show rare shorts co-written or directed by Tati, including René Clément’s 1936 Soigne ton gauche and Tati’s 1947 School for Postmen. The usual gems- Mon oncle, M. Hulot’s Holiday- will also be there to delight. Spy Vibe's coverage of the Mid-Century Modern Playtime here.
News from The Criterion Collection about a special event this weekend: A boon for Los Angeles Tati fans this weekend: The Magnificent Tati, a new documentary by Michael House that traces the career of the Playtime auteur, premieres at the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre, as part of the series Tati Time. After the screening, the Aero will show rare shorts co-written or directed by Tati, including René Clément’s 1936 Soigne ton gauche and Tati’s 1947 School for Postmen. The usual gems- Mon oncle, M. Hulot’s Holiday- will also be there to delight. Spy Vibe's coverage of the Mid-Century Modern Playtime here.
February 24, 2010
TIME TUNNEL: CONTEST
TIME TUNNEL: CONTEST
Enter to win a copy of the 1960s Complete Time Tunnel comics by Gold Key. For those who did not see the show, The Time Tunnel was a Sci-Fi series (1966-1967) about two scientists who fall through the tunnel in their lab into a constant flux through history. As their colleagues struggle to figure out how to bring them back to the swinging 1960s, the travelers engage in weekly adventures to survive. A bit of an Irwin Allen take on Doctor Who, with Allen's signature attention to style and entertainment. Just look at the set designs below! The repetition and perspective of the tunnel itself was a fantastic graphic. Translate those stripes to fashion and you have the costumes from Our Man Flint! That's no surprise, as series Art Director Jack Martin Smith also worked on Our Man Flint, In Like Flint, Batman, Green Hornet, Valley of the Dolls, and Allen's Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
For Spy Vibers interested in checking out the show, see One Way to the Moon. In this Cold War-inspired episode, the two men appear on a rocket ship bound for Mars. The astronauts immediately suspect them as foreign spies! And because of their added weight to the craft, the flight commander decides to make a fuel stop on the moon before bringing the mission prematurely back to earth. Of course, our guys aren't spies. But there is a saboteur on-board! And he's got murder and mayhem planned for the crew! Gold Key Comics are well-known among Spy Vibers for their 1960s TV tie-in comics. For samples, see Spy Vibe's coverage of Man From UNCLE end pages and Mister 8's coverage of Secret Agent #1. To win a copy of The Complete Time Tunnel comic collection from Hermes Press, see details here. Contest ends March 1st.
Enter to win a copy of the 1960s Complete Time Tunnel comics by Gold Key. For those who did not see the show, The Time Tunnel was a Sci-Fi series (1966-1967) about two scientists who fall through the tunnel in their lab into a constant flux through history. As their colleagues struggle to figure out how to bring them back to the swinging 1960s, the travelers engage in weekly adventures to survive. A bit of an Irwin Allen take on Doctor Who, with Allen's signature attention to style and entertainment. Just look at the set designs below! The repetition and perspective of the tunnel itself was a fantastic graphic. Translate those stripes to fashion and you have the costumes from Our Man Flint! That's no surprise, as series Art Director Jack Martin Smith also worked on Our Man Flint, In Like Flint, Batman, Green Hornet, Valley of the Dolls, and Allen's Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
For Spy Vibers interested in checking out the show, see One Way to the Moon. In this Cold War-inspired episode, the two men appear on a rocket ship bound for Mars. The astronauts immediately suspect them as foreign spies! And because of their added weight to the craft, the flight commander decides to make a fuel stop on the moon before bringing the mission prematurely back to earth. Of course, our guys aren't spies. But there is a saboteur on-board! And he's got murder and mayhem planned for the crew! Gold Key Comics are well-known among Spy Vibers for their 1960s TV tie-in comics. For samples, see Spy Vibe's coverage of Man From UNCLE end pages and Mister 8's coverage of Secret Agent #1. To win a copy of The Complete Time Tunnel comic collection from Hermes Press, see details here. Contest ends March 1st.
February 23, 2010
WINNER!
WINNER!
Gareth-Micheal Skarka is the winner of James Bond: History of the Illustrated 007! Thank you to everyone who entered. It has been really cool to read about your fave spy art. I may have to track down samples of everything and create a gallery post! Remember that there is a current contest for the complete reprint book of Gold Key's 1960s Time Tunnel comics (based on the TV show by Irwin Allen). The deadline for entry is March 1st. Plus- more prizes coming up, including Vintage! Thanks for being a part of Spy Vibe!
Gareth-Micheal Skarka is the winner of James Bond: History of the Illustrated 007! Thank you to everyone who entered. It has been really cool to read about your fave spy art. I may have to track down samples of everything and create a gallery post! Remember that there is a current contest for the complete reprint book of Gold Key's 1960s Time Tunnel comics (based on the TV show by Irwin Allen). The deadline for entry is March 1st. Plus- more prizes coming up, including Vintage! Thanks for being a part of Spy Vibe!
February 21, 2010
SIGNAL FROM AGENT J
SIGNAL FROM AGENT J
For a chance to win a copy of James Bond: History of the Illustrated 007, remember to have your entry in by tomorrow (Feb 22nd). It's been fantastic to read everyone's entries so far! Details here. And if you are a fan of Irwin Allen's 1960s Sci-Fi adventure shows (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants), or the 60s TV comics from Gold Key, enter for a chance to win the new Complete Time Tunnel book from Hermes Press that reprints all of Gold Key's Time Tunnel stories- plus lots of behind-the-scenes info and images. Details here. VINTAGE prizes coming up as Spy Vibe celebrates Year One!
For a chance to win a copy of James Bond: History of the Illustrated 007, remember to have your entry in by tomorrow (Feb 22nd). It's been fantastic to read everyone's entries so far! Details here. And if you are a fan of Irwin Allen's 1960s Sci-Fi adventure shows (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants), or the 60s TV comics from Gold Key, enter for a chance to win the new Complete Time Tunnel book from Hermes Press that reprints all of Gold Key's Time Tunnel stories- plus lots of behind-the-scenes info and images. Details here. VINTAGE prizes coming up as Spy Vibe celebrates Year One!
February 18, 2010
TESHIGAHARA: FACE OF ANOTHER
TESHIGAHARA: FACE OF ANOTHER
Before taking on the family business of cutting-edge flower arranging, Hiroshi Teshigahara created avant garde films with futuristic elements and haunting, visual poetry. Like the Paris experience of Picasso, Cocteau, and Satie, Teshigara's Japan of the late 1950s/1960s was a fertile hotbed of collaboration with novelist Kobo Abe and composer Toru Takemitsu. Their 1966 film based on Abe's novel, Face of Another, should stand out for Spy Vibers for its Sci-Fi vibe and unforgettable, modern/graphic set designs. Fans of Akira Kurosawa will recognize lead actor Tatsuya Nakadai -often cast as the nemesis to Toshiro Mifune. Here, Nakadai is given a new face and leads us down the rabbit hole of this startling film about identity and trust. Recommended!
February 15, 2010
CONTEST: TIME TUNNEL
CONTEST: TIME TUNNEL
Spy Vibe's birthday celebration continues with its series of prize contests. Prize #2 is a copy of The Complete Time Tunnel from Hermes Press. Hermes has done an excellent job reprinting a number of Gold Key comic series from the 1960s, including Irwin Allen classics The Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (and coming soon- Land of the Giants!). Gold Key comics offered a cool package of TV tie-in adventure and bonus end pages with B&W production stills and extras (see Spy Vibe's coverage of the espionage history illustrations from Gold Key's Man From U.N.C.L.E. comics here). The Hermes Time Tunnel collection offers all of the thrills of these complete comics- and more! The 80 page Time Tunnel edition also packs ten pages of behind-the-scenes production artwork, photographs, and images of vintage collectibles- a treasure for Irwin Allen fans! To enter the random drawing, just add a comment at this post on the Spy Vibe blog (or e-mail me at jason[at]spyvibe.com with "Tunnel" in the subject line) and tell me what your fave Irwin Allen TV show is and why (Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, etc). Which has the best Spy Vibe style? Deadline is March 1st.
From Hermes Press: It's back, the complete reprint of Gold Key comics Time Tunnel comic book series. This is the second volume of Hermes Press's complete reprints of all of the Irwin Allen sci-fi television show tie-in comic books. Now, for the first time in over forty years read both issues, back-to-back, together with documentary material, essays, blue prints from the show and more! Full color and digitally remastered, Time Tunnel: The Complete Series brings these comic books back looking better than when they first hit the stands.
To enter contest #1 for a copy of James Bond: a History of the Illustrated 007 from Hermes Press, see contest details here. Deadline is February 22nd.
Spy Vibe's birthday celebration continues with its series of prize contests. Prize #2 is a copy of The Complete Time Tunnel from Hermes Press. Hermes has done an excellent job reprinting a number of Gold Key comic series from the 1960s, including Irwin Allen classics The Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (and coming soon- Land of the Giants!). Gold Key comics offered a cool package of TV tie-in adventure and bonus end pages with B&W production stills and extras (see Spy Vibe's coverage of the espionage history illustrations from Gold Key's Man From U.N.C.L.E. comics here). The Hermes Time Tunnel collection offers all of the thrills of these complete comics- and more! The 80 page Time Tunnel edition also packs ten pages of behind-the-scenes production artwork, photographs, and images of vintage collectibles- a treasure for Irwin Allen fans! To enter the random drawing, just add a comment at this post on the Spy Vibe blog (or e-mail me at jason[at]spyvibe.com with "Tunnel" in the subject line) and tell me what your fave Irwin Allen TV show is and why (Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, etc). Which has the best Spy Vibe style? Deadline is March 1st.
From Hermes Press: It's back, the complete reprint of Gold Key comics Time Tunnel comic book series. This is the second volume of Hermes Press's complete reprints of all of the Irwin Allen sci-fi television show tie-in comic books. Now, for the first time in over forty years read both issues, back-to-back, together with documentary material, essays, blue prints from the show and more! Full color and digitally remastered, Time Tunnel: The Complete Series brings these comic books back looking better than when they first hit the stands.
To enter contest #1 for a copy of James Bond: a History of the Illustrated 007 from Hermes Press, see contest details here. Deadline is February 22nd.
February 9, 2010
AARNIO BALL CHAIR SALE
AARNIO BALL CHAIR SALE
Spy Vibe received exciting news from the Regency Shop about a number of items currently on sale that will appeal to Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts (isn't that everyone?). The list includes an Eames Lounge Chair, a hanging bubble chair, and for those of us who always wanted to decorate the lair in the style of Number Two from The Prisoner, an Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair (on sale for $455!).
From their website: New Modern Eero Aarnio Ball Globe Ball Chair - Brand New! Retro-Futuristic, sit, turn, stretch, talk, rest, dream. Molded fiberglass shell featuring a polyester seating section and fully padded inner walls.The globe is attached to a reinforced steel lacquered base which also allows the chair to rotate. This is a high-quality redesign of the original while staying true to the original craftsmanship. The main Regency website is here. I have not shopped with them, but I've seen good reviews. If any SpyVibers pick up a futuristic treasure, leave a comment at this post at the Spy Vibe blogsite and tell us about your experience with Regency.
Spy Vibe received exciting news from the Regency Shop about a number of items currently on sale that will appeal to Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts (isn't that everyone?). The list includes an Eames Lounge Chair, a hanging bubble chair, and for those of us who always wanted to decorate the lair in the style of Number Two from The Prisoner, an Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair (on sale for $455!).
From their website: New Modern Eero Aarnio Ball Globe Ball Chair - Brand New! Retro-Futuristic, sit, turn, stretch, talk, rest, dream. Molded fiberglass shell featuring a polyester seating section and fully padded inner walls.The globe is attached to a reinforced steel lacquered base which also allows the chair to rotate. This is a high-quality redesign of the original while staying true to the original craftsmanship. The main Regency website is here. I have not shopped with them, but I've seen good reviews. If any SpyVibers pick up a futuristic treasure, leave a comment at this post at the Spy Vibe blogsite and tell us about your experience with Regency.
February 8, 2010
CONTEST: ILLUSTRATED JAMES BOND
CONTEST: ILLUSTRATED JAMES BOND
Celebrate Spy Vibe's first year with a series of prize contests! Up first, a copy of the fantastic book, James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 by Alan J. Porter. Just post a comment on this announcement at the Spy Vibe blogsite, or e-mail me at jason[at]spyvibe.com with "Illustrated Bond" in the subject line. In your communique, describe your three favorites from the world of spy poster art or illustration. Don't need the book? Tell us about your faves anyway and specify you don't need to be added to the random drawing. Your entries must be made by February 22nd. Good luck!
Details from Hermes Press: Now for the first time, the complete history of the illustrated James Bond is chronicled by pop culture historian Alan J. Porter in James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007. Porter's new book examines James Bond's adventures in newspaper strips and comic books. Before Bond became world famous with his movie series, the character was the subject of successful English newspaper strips and later in comic books. With the explosion of Bond on the screen the character and his exploits become even more popular in comic strip and comic book versions all over the world. James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 examines it all, and covers Bond's newspaper strip and comic book appearances from the 1950s to the present. The release of this all-new history is timed to coincide with James Bond's newest movie appearance and is sure to be a must for all Bond fans. The cover of the book presents a never-before- seen painting by noted artist Bob Peak who made a significant contribution to the Bond canon's movie poster art.
Details from Hermes Press: Now for the first time, the complete history of the illustrated James Bond is chronicled by pop culture historian Alan J. Porter in James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007. Porter's new book examines James Bond's adventures in newspaper strips and comic books. Before Bond became world famous with his movie series, the character was the subject of successful English newspaper strips and later in comic books. With the explosion of Bond on the screen the character and his exploits become even more popular in comic strip and comic book versions all over the world. James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 examines it all, and covers Bond's newspaper strip and comic book appearances from the 1950s to the present. The release of this all-new history is timed to coincide with James Bond's newest movie appearance and is sure to be a must for all Bond fans. The cover of the book presents a never-before- seen painting by noted artist Bob Peak who made a significant contribution to the Bond canon's movie poster art.
January 31, 2010
SPY VIBE BIRTHDAY PRESENTS
SPY VIBE BIRTHDAY PRESENTS
What's a birthday without presents? Spy Vibe celebrates its first year with a series of contest give-away prizes! Need hints? Think... Gold Key, Irwin Allen, James Bond, Secret Agent...
What's a birthday without presents? Spy Vibe celebrates its first year with a series of contest give-away prizes! Need hints? Think... Gold Key, Irwin Allen, James Bond, Secret Agent...
January 24, 2010
THE AVENGERS & MATT HELM: WATCHDOG
THE AVENGERS & MATT HELM: WATCHDOG
Spy Vibers will want to stop by Barnes and Noble this weekend and pick up a copy of issue #154 of Video Watchdog. The front and back cover not only feature beautiful photos of John Steed and Cathy Gale from The Avengers, but also cinema's original international man of mystery, Matt Helm. Much of the issue is devoted to writer Kim Newman's excellent (and thorough!) coverage of surviving episodes of the first season of The Avengers as well as complete coverage of season two episodes in the order they were originally taped. In addition to the meaty, Spy Vibe tasty text, Newman provides a number of fantastic photographs. If that wasn't enough to whet your secret agent appetites, Newman also reviews the Matt Helm Lounge box set of the four Dean Martin classics, The Silencers, Murderers' Row, The Ambushers, and The Wrecking Crew. If you can't find Video Watchdog at your local retailer, you can also order issues directly from them here.
Fellow C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Bish reported recently about another special edition magazine on stands now. Put together by the editors of American History, "100 Greatest Spy Movies" is available at Borders and other retailers. The magazine highlights most of the top espionage thrillers throughout cinema history. Though I did not see Deadlier Than the Male listed (what gives?), I did note the newsworthy mention of Triple Agent by French New Wave auteur, Eric Rohmer, who recently passed away. Titles covered from the 1960s are: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Goldfinger, Manchurian Candidate, Ipcress File, Dr. No, Funeral in Berlin, Looking Glass War, Army of Shadows, The Deadly Affair, From Russia With Love, The War is Over, Torn Curtain, The Counterfeit Traitor, Our Man Flint, Operation Crossbow, Billion Dollar Brain, Guns of Navarone, The Venetian Affair, Modesty Blaise, Ice Station Zebra, and Quiller Memorandum. The films are not listed in order of rank or alphabet, so I'm hoping a Spy Vibe reader will uncover a code. The magazine also features many sidebars about how some of the films relate to real spy cases in history.
Spy Vibers will want to stop by Barnes and Noble this weekend and pick up a copy of issue #154 of Video Watchdog. The front and back cover not only feature beautiful photos of John Steed and Cathy Gale from The Avengers, but also cinema's original international man of mystery, Matt Helm. Much of the issue is devoted to writer Kim Newman's excellent (and thorough!) coverage of surviving episodes of the first season of The Avengers as well as complete coverage of season two episodes in the order they were originally taped. In addition to the meaty, Spy Vibe tasty text, Newman provides a number of fantastic photographs. If that wasn't enough to whet your secret agent appetites, Newman also reviews the Matt Helm Lounge box set of the four Dean Martin classics, The Silencers, Murderers' Row, The Ambushers, and The Wrecking Crew. If you can't find Video Watchdog at your local retailer, you can also order issues directly from them here.
Fellow C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Bish reported recently about another special edition magazine on stands now. Put together by the editors of American History, "100 Greatest Spy Movies" is available at Borders and other retailers. The magazine highlights most of the top espionage thrillers throughout cinema history. Though I did not see Deadlier Than the Male listed (what gives?), I did note the newsworthy mention of Triple Agent by French New Wave auteur, Eric Rohmer, who recently passed away. Titles covered from the 1960s are: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Goldfinger, Manchurian Candidate, Ipcress File, Dr. No, Funeral in Berlin, Looking Glass War, Army of Shadows, The Deadly Affair, From Russia With Love, The War is Over, Torn Curtain, The Counterfeit Traitor, Our Man Flint, Operation Crossbow, Billion Dollar Brain, Guns of Navarone, The Venetian Affair, Modesty Blaise, Ice Station Zebra, and Quiller Memorandum. The films are not listed in order of rank or alphabet, so I'm hoping a Spy Vibe reader will uncover a code. The magazine also features many sidebars about how some of the films relate to real spy cases in history.
January 23, 2010
JASON'S SONG/FILM ON YOUTUBE
JASON'S SONG/FILM ON YOUTUBE
Spy Vibe Jason's winning song/film project with the Plastic Ono Band is now listed on Yoko Ono's YouTube Favorites. The visuals are black and white, experimental scenes of ocean creatures, but I think readers may enjoy the Lounge/Jazz approach of the music. You can read more about the project here. Before creating Spy Vibe, I have been composing music and making films for the international festival circuit. My previous film, I Was A Dancer -filmed in Japan- was short-listed for the Sundance Film Festival and screened around the world. Being a lifetime fan of 1960s revolutionary artists like Ono and The Beatles, I feel thrilled and blessed to have had a chance to collaborate with the Plastic Ono Band and to share the results. Thanks for checking it out!
Spy Vibe Jason's winning song/film project with the Plastic Ono Band is now listed on Yoko Ono's YouTube Favorites. The visuals are black and white, experimental scenes of ocean creatures, but I think readers may enjoy the Lounge/Jazz approach of the music. You can read more about the project here. Before creating Spy Vibe, I have been composing music and making films for the international festival circuit. My previous film, I Was A Dancer -filmed in Japan- was short-listed for the Sundance Film Festival and screened around the world. Being a lifetime fan of 1960s revolutionary artists like Ono and The Beatles, I feel thrilled and blessed to have had a chance to collaborate with the Plastic Ono Band and to share the results. Thanks for checking it out!
January 21, 2010
THE WHO: BLU MOD GROUP
THE WHO: BLU MOD GROUP
Breaking out as The High Numbers, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltry, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle embraced the 1960s Rock and Roll explosion with tunes tailored to Britain's Mod scene. The flip side of their initial single echoed the sub-culture slang, "I'm the Face." To be The Face meant to be popular or cool. With a change in management, the group was reborn as The Who, and embodied the youth generation through Pop Art and Auto-Destructive Art concepts. The use of military insignia (the RAF target) and other icons as fashionable Pop symbols ignited the imagination, and continues to sell T-shorts today! In 1965, the year of the big spy boom and The Beatles' Help, The Who released "Can't Explain" and "My Generation" and rocketed to stardom. As the culture evolved in 1966 and beyond, The Who began to experiment with concept albums and linked song cycles, first in short story/Pop Art form (A Quick One, The Who Sell Out), and then moving into full-blown rock opera (Tommy). Along with The Beatles, perhaps no other band stands today as a reflection of the 1960s as an era of ever-changing narrative and visual revolution. On March 2nd, Universal Music Group will release the excellent documentary, The Kids Are Alright on Blu-ray. Play it loud! Spy Vibers may also want to check out a new (still unseen) documentary called The Who, The Mods, and The Quadrophenia Connection. Looking for Mod clothes? Check out I'm The Face.
Breaking out as The High Numbers, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltry, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle embraced the 1960s Rock and Roll explosion with tunes tailored to Britain's Mod scene. The flip side of their initial single echoed the sub-culture slang, "I'm the Face." To be The Face meant to be popular or cool. With a change in management, the group was reborn as The Who, and embodied the youth generation through Pop Art and Auto-Destructive Art concepts. The use of military insignia (the RAF target) and other icons as fashionable Pop symbols ignited the imagination, and continues to sell T-shorts today! In 1965, the year of the big spy boom and The Beatles' Help, The Who released "Can't Explain" and "My Generation" and rocketed to stardom. As the culture evolved in 1966 and beyond, The Who began to experiment with concept albums and linked song cycles, first in short story/Pop Art form (A Quick One, The Who Sell Out), and then moving into full-blown rock opera (Tommy). Along with The Beatles, perhaps no other band stands today as a reflection of the 1960s as an era of ever-changing narrative and visual revolution. On March 2nd, Universal Music Group will release the excellent documentary, The Kids Are Alright on Blu-ray. Play it loud! Spy Vibers may also want to check out a new (still unseen) documentary called The Who, The Mods, and The Quadrophenia Connection. Looking for Mod clothes? Check out I'm The Face.
MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E: TIM ESTILOZ
MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E: TIM ESTILOZ
A short celebration of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. by reporter/performer Tim Estioloz, originally aired on the Comcast Network.
A short celebration of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. by reporter/performer Tim Estioloz, originally aired on the Comcast Network.
January 17, 2010
007 MAGAZINE IS BACK
007 MAGAZINE IS BACK
After a 3-year sabbatical as an online Internet publication only, 007 MAGAZINE is set to return with not one, but two separate titles. The sister publication will be entitled 007 MAGAZINE ARCHIVE FILES, and the first issue will feature articles and many never-before-seen images from the making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, in the film's 40th anniversary year.
As stated on the official 007 Magazine website, each issue of 007 Magazine Archive Files spotlights various elements of one particular James Bond film featuring rare and never-before-seen imagery coupled with informative and definitive information. 007 Magazine Archive Files #1 examines the filming of the exciting and brutal beach fight that opens the sixth James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) starring one-time Bond George Lazenby, and the filming at The College of Arms in London. Featuring never-before-seen images from a scene cut from the final movie when Bond discovers the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s spy has infiltrated the college and is listening-in to 007’s top secret conversation with Sir Hilary Bray. Bond fans can purchase 007 Magazine Archive Files #1 at the official 007 Magazine website. Check out their list of back issues, too!
007 Magazine first appeared in print in April 1979 and premiered on the World Wide Web during 1997, while its more recent web persona evolved during September 2004. 007 Magazine publications and website feature the definitive work on the subject, covering everything relating to the James Bond phenomenon and spanning six decades from 1952 to the present day. During its 30-year history 007 Magazine & Archive has become the foremost worldwide focal point for countless inquiries relating to Bond, James Bond and provides the ultimate resource for James Bond enthusiasts worldwide, and a unique commercial picture agency & information centre for the world's media.
Thanks to agent Wes Britton for the heads-up and to the 007 Magazine website. Additional information and James Bond news at the excellent community and research site, Commander Bond Network.
After a 3-year sabbatical as an online Internet publication only, 007 MAGAZINE is set to return with not one, but two separate titles. The sister publication will be entitled 007 MAGAZINE ARCHIVE FILES, and the first issue will feature articles and many never-before-seen images from the making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, in the film's 40th anniversary year.
As stated on the official 007 Magazine website, each issue of 007 Magazine Archive Files spotlights various elements of one particular James Bond film featuring rare and never-before-seen imagery coupled with informative and definitive information. 007 Magazine Archive Files #1 examines the filming of the exciting and brutal beach fight that opens the sixth James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) starring one-time Bond George Lazenby, and the filming at The College of Arms in London. Featuring never-before-seen images from a scene cut from the final movie when Bond discovers the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s spy has infiltrated the college and is listening-in to 007’s top secret conversation with Sir Hilary Bray. Bond fans can purchase 007 Magazine Archive Files #1 at the official 007 Magazine website. Check out their list of back issues, too!
007 Magazine first appeared in print in April 1979 and premiered on the World Wide Web during 1997, while its more recent web persona evolved during September 2004. 007 Magazine publications and website feature the definitive work on the subject, covering everything relating to the James Bond phenomenon and spanning six decades from 1952 to the present day. During its 30-year history 007 Magazine & Archive has become the foremost worldwide focal point for countless inquiries relating to Bond, James Bond and provides the ultimate resource for James Bond enthusiasts worldwide, and a unique commercial picture agency & information centre for the world's media.
Thanks to agent Wes Britton for the heads-up and to the 007 Magazine website. Additional information and James Bond news at the excellent community and research site, Commander Bond Network.
January 11, 2010
SPY VIBE: YEAR ONE
SPY VIBE: YEAR ONE
Spy Vibe turns One today! How did it all start? After a number of movie and comic scripts, and a non-fiction book about cartoon art, I was adapting a movie guide book I wrote into a new blog project. It would be a place to discuss how films go together like elements of a fine feast. A little Fellini here, an echo of Woody Allen there- discussions of the great auteurs and genres in cinema history. But then I heard about the passing of actor Patrick McGoohan. I began to reflect on The Prisoner and the other spy-related artifacts from the 1960s that were so much a part of my background. Before I discovered Fellini, Bergman, Kurosawa, etc, my imagination was ignited by images of secret agents in tight suits, the sleek lines of the Jaguar XK-E, and Jazzy-Lounge music of 007, Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Avengers. I remembered the spy-fascination of my childhood: making silencers for cap guns out of painted rolls of paper, making cassette recordings from the TV so I could re-experience stories as radio dramas, and collecting spy memorabilia. An avid James Bond fan, I joined the fanclub and savored issues of the club magazine, Bondage. And I waited patiently each year to catch a broadcast of my fave film of the era, The 10th Victim by Elio Petri. As an adult, I loved to look deeper into these old adventures and relish the cultural significance of their production design, costumes, and stories. The influence of the space race, the sexual revolution, and the baby boom was, and remains, thrilling to explore. Although the movie guide book was a solid project, I could not escape the lure of Swingin' 60s Spy Satisfaction. I began the Spy Vibe blog and website on January 11, 2009 with a tribute to Patrick McGoohan.
Spy Vibe's mission has been to celebrate "1960s Style Meets Action." And what a fun first year! We saw most of the James Bond films and The Prisoner released on Blu-ray. I had a chance to talk with Richard "Jaws" Kiel, David "Felix Leiter" Hedison, and we interviewed artists Richard Sala, Matt Kindt, and Kevin Dart. An amazing community of fellow spy writers found each other and formed a coalition we dubbed The C.O.B.R.A.S., and we've reached out to a larger community that includes artist/historian Steve Bissette and Cinema Retro's Lee Pfeiffer. Spy Vibe readers have come together to discuss agents, fashion, modern design, and childhood heroes. We've celebrated exhibits by Richard Avedon, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Alexander Calder. And readers have brought attention to some incredible classics that had been off our radar. Some highlight discoveries for me: the Shaw Brothers spy films, C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Wesley Brittons' books, Design Within Reach, and the German TV show Raumpatrouille Orion (Modern dance will never look the same again!). Whether it's been a daily check-in with a classic video clip or a full article about aesthetics and 1960s culture, the year has been its own thrilling mission to begin this community place called Spy Vibe.
We've also enjoyed a number of prize competitions. In fact, what's a birthday without presents? As a thank you to all Spy Vibe readers, I've got some Gold Key and 007 comic re-print collections (and more) coming up! Stay tuned for the Spy Vibe: Year One Give-Away!
January 10, 2010
JASON WINS REMIX COMPETITION
JASON WINS REMIX COMPETITION
During the flurry of Beatles and Mod style-related posts in the fall, Spy Vibe announced that Yoko Ono released an exciting and richly artistic album with the Plastic Ono Band. Members included Sean Lennon, Yuka Honda, and Cornelius. The band, now on a US tour, held a remix competition in November for their song, The Sun is Down. Music has always been a big part of my life, including remixing, songwriting, guitar & bass, film scores, and many spy-sampled lounge tunes. I jumped at the chance to collaborate with these guys! Yoko provided a handful of vocal clips. It was up to the remixers/composers to interpret as we wished. I planned a number of solutions, but had a busy fall as Spy Vibers will know. In the end I completed a lounge/jazz song- which was chosen as one of the 20 winners of the competition! When I'm not teaching and writing films, fiction, and comics, I'm busy making short films. With my song on the award list, I made an experimental film to promote the track. See it here on YouTube. Remembering the Japanese meaning of Yoko's name, Ocean Child, I shot black & white footage of dancing sea horses, jelly fish, and a dolphin on my iPhone. The film is dedicated to my brothers-in-film Kousuke Ono, Michele Civetta, and Jack Criddle. No stealthy spies or mini skirts in this one, but I hope Spy Vibers will check it out. More news about Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band at Yoko's website Imagine Peace. Information about Jason's films and projects at jasonwhiton.com.
During the flurry of Beatles and Mod style-related posts in the fall, Spy Vibe announced that Yoko Ono released an exciting and richly artistic album with the Plastic Ono Band. Members included Sean Lennon, Yuka Honda, and Cornelius. The band, now on a US tour, held a remix competition in November for their song, The Sun is Down. Music has always been a big part of my life, including remixing, songwriting, guitar & bass, film scores, and many spy-sampled lounge tunes. I jumped at the chance to collaborate with these guys! Yoko provided a handful of vocal clips. It was up to the remixers/composers to interpret as we wished. I planned a number of solutions, but had a busy fall as Spy Vibers will know. In the end I completed a lounge/jazz song- which was chosen as one of the 20 winners of the competition! When I'm not teaching and writing films, fiction, and comics, I'm busy making short films. With my song on the award list, I made an experimental film to promote the track. See it here on YouTube. Remembering the Japanese meaning of Yoko's name, Ocean Child, I shot black & white footage of dancing sea horses, jelly fish, and a dolphin on my iPhone. The film is dedicated to my brothers-in-film Kousuke Ono, Michele Civetta, and Jack Criddle. No stealthy spies or mini skirts in this one, but I hope Spy Vibers will check it out. More news about Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band at Yoko's website Imagine Peace. Information about Jason's films and projects at jasonwhiton.com.
January 8, 2010
CONE OF SILENCE
CONE OF SILENCE
The genius of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry ensured that Get Smart would be a true original. Defining secret agent, nitwit humor, Max Smart spawned many imitations (including most of the kid's programs recently covered in Spy Vibe's look at trench coats). The "cone of silence", here from the pilot episode, still cracks me up. Happy Friday to all Spy Vibers!
The genius of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry ensured that Get Smart would be a true original. Defining secret agent, nitwit humor, Max Smart spawned many imitations (including most of the kid's programs recently covered in Spy Vibe's look at trench coats). The "cone of silence", here from the pilot episode, still cracks me up. Happy Friday to all Spy Vibers!
January 6, 2010
IT TAKES A THIEF
IT TAKES A THIEF
Spy Vibers of the 1960s-1970s era thumbed through TV Guide each week like explorers looking for rare treasure. Was a station airing The Avengers or Wild West West? Maybe The 10th Victim or On Her Majesty's Secret Service? Because if they weren’t listed, it meant that it could be another week, another month, or even years until those thin black ties and silencers would show up again on the screen. This was a time before streaming video, before Netflix, Blu-ry, DVDs, VHS, Laser Disc and Betamax. Like many kids, I loved any chance to see the likes of The Prisoner, UFO, Man From U.N.C.L.E., and James Bond. Unless shows were in first run, or we're looking at the 80s -when Bond marathons became more regular, we just never knew when they'd be on. But I had a vision of the future. I dreamed of growing up and having a studio with a kind of library, where I could enjoy studying these adventures in depth. One cannot underestimate the power of the technological floodgates that opened and flourished during this past decade. Not only did we make the transition to DVD, Blu-ray and streaming, various studios around the world have also been busy releasing archival editions of virtually every Spy we ever hoped to find. Apart from a few that still have not made it to release, that dream of the library has come true. A few titles that have eluded major digital releases in disc-form have at least found their way to streaming venues like Hulu. Fellow C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Armstrong Sabian recently posted a reminder that some U.N.C.L.E. episodes are available. Hopefully Spy Vibers have the box set collection for the full complete-library experience. Amazon currently has the set on sale. Armstrong's reminder got me thinking again about other titles that are streaming on-line.
It Takes A Thief made a brief comeback in the wake of Austin Powers when Mike Meyers hosted a week of 60s spies. I seem to recall that episodes started airing briefly. It Takes a Thief began in January 1968 and ran for 65 shows until 1970. The premise: Alexander Mundy (Robert Wagner), an infamous cat burglar, is offered a full pardon in return for lending his special talents to his country. Spy Vibers may recall Mundy's SIA controller cajoling, "I'm not asking you to spy. I'm asking you to steal." Sort of a Mod Squad meets The Saint adventure show, It Takes a Thief has not seen a full digital release, but 63 episodes are available for viewing on Hulu! This is not breaking news, but may possibly be off the radar of some readers. The show is a cool classic that is worth checking out. Head over to our favorite magazine, Cinema Retro, for a wonderful past article about It Takes on Thief on-line.
Spy Vibers of the 1960s-1970s era thumbed through TV Guide each week like explorers looking for rare treasure. Was a station airing The Avengers or Wild West West? Maybe The 10th Victim or On Her Majesty's Secret Service? Because if they weren’t listed, it meant that it could be another week, another month, or even years until those thin black ties and silencers would show up again on the screen. This was a time before streaming video, before Netflix, Blu-ry, DVDs, VHS, Laser Disc and Betamax. Like many kids, I loved any chance to see the likes of The Prisoner, UFO, Man From U.N.C.L.E., and James Bond. Unless shows were in first run, or we're looking at the 80s -when Bond marathons became more regular, we just never knew when they'd be on. But I had a vision of the future. I dreamed of growing up and having a studio with a kind of library, where I could enjoy studying these adventures in depth. One cannot underestimate the power of the technological floodgates that opened and flourished during this past decade. Not only did we make the transition to DVD, Blu-ray and streaming, various studios around the world have also been busy releasing archival editions of virtually every Spy we ever hoped to find. Apart from a few that still have not made it to release, that dream of the library has come true. A few titles that have eluded major digital releases in disc-form have at least found their way to streaming venues like Hulu. Fellow C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Armstrong Sabian recently posted a reminder that some U.N.C.L.E. episodes are available. Hopefully Spy Vibers have the box set collection for the full complete-library experience. Amazon currently has the set on sale. Armstrong's reminder got me thinking again about other titles that are streaming on-line.
It Takes A Thief made a brief comeback in the wake of Austin Powers when Mike Meyers hosted a week of 60s spies. I seem to recall that episodes started airing briefly. It Takes a Thief began in January 1968 and ran for 65 shows until 1970. The premise: Alexander Mundy (Robert Wagner), an infamous cat burglar, is offered a full pardon in return for lending his special talents to his country. Spy Vibers may recall Mundy's SIA controller cajoling, "I'm not asking you to spy. I'm asking you to steal." Sort of a Mod Squad meets The Saint adventure show, It Takes a Thief has not seen a full digital release, but 63 episodes are available for viewing on Hulu! This is not breaking news, but may possibly be off the radar of some readers. The show is a cool classic that is worth checking out. Head over to our favorite magazine, Cinema Retro, for a wonderful past article about It Takes on Thief on-line.
January 5, 2010
GERRY ANDERSON UFO MOVIE
GERRY ANDERSON UFO MOVIE
Director Matthew Gratzner is working with producers Avi Haas and Henri Kessler to bring a re-imagination of the sci fi classic, UFO created by Gerry Anderson, to the big screen. Legendary producer Robert Evans is behind the scenes in a collaboration with ITC. The movie website's synopsis seems close to the original: Based in the near future - 2020, where a super secret military organization SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization) becomes operational. Its purpose, to defend Earth from an Alien race, which has been abducting humans from all corners of planet earth for decades. SHADO's cover is a Movie Studio with their main headquarters hidden deep below the surface. SHADO is run by the extremely dedicated "Studio Mogul" and SHADO Commander Ed Straker who has a cadre of crack operatives with an arsenal of cutting edge futuristic weapons systems and hidden bases on earth and beyond.
Forbidden Planet has posted an interview with the director where they address casting, as well as fan concern about how the new version will incorporate essential elements from the original show. I would not want to see a campy or dated revision, but I do count purple hair, miniskirts, Nehru jackets, space-aged sleek cars, and Barry Gray organ lounge music as essential elements. Partial joking aside, Gratzner says in this excellent piece that "My biggest goal for this is firstly to not alienate the fans of the original show. We're not picking up where the series left off - we are starting from the very beginning. We really take the franchise seriously, unlike a film such as Thunderbirds, where they were saying 'here's a franchise that was great and everybody loved it, now let's put a whole new spin on it...'. We're not doing that. There's a reason UFO has a following, there's a reason that Gerry Anderson has a following, and for us to overlook that or take that for granted would be foolish." Sounds like the project is in good hands.
From FP: "What I want to do with UFO is what Christopher Nolan did with the Batman franchise, or Martin Campbell did with Casino Royale." says veteran Hollywood visual effects wizard Matthew Gratzner, now the director/co-producer of a $130 million Hollywood adaptation of Gerry Anderson’s cult 1970 UK TV show. "UFO is not a spoof, or a parody or a kids' movie. It's a pretty dark story, actually…it is not a show for young children." UFO is set for a 2011 release with photography starting early this year. Spy Vibe will be watching for more updates. Fans may also want to check out the UFO Series website and the Gerry Anderson website, Fanderdson.
Director Matthew Gratzner is working with producers Avi Haas and Henri Kessler to bring a re-imagination of the sci fi classic, UFO created by Gerry Anderson, to the big screen. Legendary producer Robert Evans is behind the scenes in a collaboration with ITC. The movie website's synopsis seems close to the original: Based in the near future - 2020, where a super secret military organization SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization) becomes operational. Its purpose, to defend Earth from an Alien race, which has been abducting humans from all corners of planet earth for decades. SHADO's cover is a Movie Studio with their main headquarters hidden deep below the surface. SHADO is run by the extremely dedicated "Studio Mogul" and SHADO Commander Ed Straker who has a cadre of crack operatives with an arsenal of cutting edge futuristic weapons systems and hidden bases on earth and beyond.
Forbidden Planet has posted an interview with the director where they address casting, as well as fan concern about how the new version will incorporate essential elements from the original show. I would not want to see a campy or dated revision, but I do count purple hair, miniskirts, Nehru jackets, space-aged sleek cars, and Barry Gray organ lounge music as essential elements. Partial joking aside, Gratzner says in this excellent piece that "My biggest goal for this is firstly to not alienate the fans of the original show. We're not picking up where the series left off - we are starting from the very beginning. We really take the franchise seriously, unlike a film such as Thunderbirds, where they were saying 'here's a franchise that was great and everybody loved it, now let's put a whole new spin on it...'. We're not doing that. There's a reason UFO has a following, there's a reason that Gerry Anderson has a following, and for us to overlook that or take that for granted would be foolish." Sounds like the project is in good hands.
From FP: "What I want to do with UFO is what Christopher Nolan did with the Batman franchise, or Martin Campbell did with Casino Royale." says veteran Hollywood visual effects wizard Matthew Gratzner, now the director/co-producer of a $130 million Hollywood adaptation of Gerry Anderson’s cult 1970 UK TV show. "UFO is not a spoof, or a parody or a kids' movie. It's a pretty dark story, actually…it is not a show for young children." UFO is set for a 2011 release with photography starting early this year. Spy Vibe will be watching for more updates. Fans may also want to check out the UFO Series website and the Gerry Anderson website, Fanderdson.
GEORGE LAZENBY INTERVIEW TONIGHT
GEORGE LAZENBY INTERVIEW TONIGHT
AGENT Wesley Britton has been busy with some fantastic projects, including a Best of The Decade compilation of essays that I am looking forward to reading. As many Spy Vibers will know, he is also behind many memorable interviews on Dave White Presents. As we leave 2009 and the 40Th anniversary of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, it is fitting that one of the most popular shows in the program was his chat with 007 actor, George Lazenby. For Spy Vibers who missed it, the full interview is being re-broadcast and will be available on-line. More from Dr. Britton's press release:
When DWP debuted in Aug. 2008, many of our interviews were broken up into parts and broadcast over several shows. Without question, the most popular was Wes Britton’s lengthy conversation with former 007 George Lazenby, which first aired on our Dec. 24, 2008 and Jan. 7, 2009 broadcasts. As a New Year’s gift to all our fans, and Bond lovers in particular, our Jan. 5, 2010 show will include that interview in its hour plus entirety from beginning to end. If you missed it the first time around, or would like to hear the conversation without interruption, here’s your chance to hear George’s memories in one go—and listening to George telling his story adds dimensions to the saga not always quite so poignant in printed versions of how On Her Majesty’s Secret Service came to be. It will debut Tuesday night, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, 10:30 EST at KSAV. Wednesday, Jan. 6, the broadcast will be available for 24/7 access at Audio Entertainment. More info at Spy Wise.
AGENT Wesley Britton has been busy with some fantastic projects, including a Best of The Decade compilation of essays that I am looking forward to reading. As many Spy Vibers will know, he is also behind many memorable interviews on Dave White Presents. As we leave 2009 and the 40Th anniversary of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, it is fitting that one of the most popular shows in the program was his chat with 007 actor, George Lazenby. For Spy Vibers who missed it, the full interview is being re-broadcast and will be available on-line. More from Dr. Britton's press release:
When DWP debuted in Aug. 2008, many of our interviews were broken up into parts and broadcast over several shows. Without question, the most popular was Wes Britton’s lengthy conversation with former 007 George Lazenby, which first aired on our Dec. 24, 2008 and Jan. 7, 2009 broadcasts. As a New Year’s gift to all our fans, and Bond lovers in particular, our Jan. 5, 2010 show will include that interview in its hour plus entirety from beginning to end. If you missed it the first time around, or would like to hear the conversation without interruption, here’s your chance to hear George’s memories in one go—and listening to George telling his story adds dimensions to the saga not always quite so poignant in printed versions of how On Her Majesty’s Secret Service came to be. It will debut Tuesday night, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, 10:30 EST at KSAV. Wednesday, Jan. 6, the broadcast will be available for 24/7 access at Audio Entertainment. More info at Spy Wise.
January 4, 2010
SECRET ORIGINS OF JAMES BOND
SECRET ORIGINS OF JAMES BOND
Wesley Britton presents an in-depth article by Spy author and C.O.B.R.A.S. ally agent, JEREMY DUNS. Announced today from Spy Wise: "Duns’ 16 page history and analysis traces the previously unexplored literary influences of novelist Dennis Wheatley on the James Bond books in character descriptions, scenes in the novels, and innovative writing techniques. It’s surprising no one has called attention to all this before- Duns has provided us all with a richly detailed window into what literary wells Ian Fleming drew from, most notably in Thunderball. Jeremy Duns is, of course, the author of the spy sensation of 2009, Free Agent. This article is his expansion and revision of an essay he posted on his 'Spy Novels' list serve. The Secret Origins of 007 is available as a PDF download in the 'James Bond Files' at Spy Wise."
Wesley Britton presents an in-depth article by Spy author and C.O.B.R.A.S. ally agent, JEREMY DUNS. Announced today from Spy Wise: "Duns’ 16 page history and analysis traces the previously unexplored literary influences of novelist Dennis Wheatley on the James Bond books in character descriptions, scenes in the novels, and innovative writing techniques. It’s surprising no one has called attention to all this before- Duns has provided us all with a richly detailed window into what literary wells Ian Fleming drew from, most notably in Thunderball. Jeremy Duns is, of course, the author of the spy sensation of 2009, Free Agent. This article is his expansion and revision of an essay he posted on his 'Spy Novels' list serve. The Secret Origins of 007 is available as a PDF download in the 'James Bond Files' at Spy Wise."
January 3, 2010
FERRARI BY LELOUCH
FERRARI BY LELOUCH
The New Year offers us a chance to pause and consider resolutions and the passing of time- and nothing says "passing of time" like Ferrari! In the driver's seat today is film director Claude Lelouch. Lelouch had been working on documentaries and was just about ready to pack it all in when he created his Academy Award-winning (and career saving) film A Man and a Woman in 1966. Lelouch had a true knack for capturing the poetry of everyday lives and relationships, and it didn't hurt the film that it starred Jean-Louis Trintignant as a race car driver and Anouk Aimee as a script girl. Poetry-in-motion, indeed. Lelouch was a car enthusiast, and years later he made a rather infamous short film called Rendezvous. The concept? During the length of one reel of film mounted to the bumper of his Ferrari 275GTB, a man rushes through the streets of Paris (without stopping for traffic or lights!) to meet with his love on the other side. The camera was set, the film started, gears slammed into place- and the Ferrari blasted off on its uncertain journey. Absolutely exhilarating! Legend has it that Lelouch could not (or did not) get a permit to make the film, leaving the streets open to the public, and that he hired a professional driver to take the wheel. Made in 1976, the classic style and sound of the Ferrari roaring over cobblestones in retro Paris has Spy Vibe written all over it!
The New Year offers us a chance to pause and consider resolutions and the passing of time- and nothing says "passing of time" like Ferrari! In the driver's seat today is film director Claude Lelouch. Lelouch had been working on documentaries and was just about ready to pack it all in when he created his Academy Award-winning (and career saving) film A Man and a Woman in 1966. Lelouch had a true knack for capturing the poetry of everyday lives and relationships, and it didn't hurt the film that it starred Jean-Louis Trintignant as a race car driver and Anouk Aimee as a script girl. Poetry-in-motion, indeed. Lelouch was a car enthusiast, and years later he made a rather infamous short film called Rendezvous. The concept? During the length of one reel of film mounted to the bumper of his Ferrari 275GTB, a man rushes through the streets of Paris (without stopping for traffic or lights!) to meet with his love on the other side. The camera was set, the film started, gears slammed into place- and the Ferrari blasted off on its uncertain journey. Absolutely exhilarating! Legend has it that Lelouch could not (or did not) get a permit to make the film, leaving the streets open to the public, and that he hired a professional driver to take the wheel. Made in 1976, the classic style and sound of the Ferrari roaring over cobblestones in retro Paris has Spy Vibe written all over it!
Claude Lelouch's Rendezvous... from Dat on Vimeo.
January 2, 2010
WELCOME NEW C.O.B.R.A.S.
WELCOME NEW C.O.B.R.A.S.
Busy with missions throughout the fall, I haven't had a chance yet to officially welcome all of our new C.O.B.R.A.S. agents. The HMSS WEBLOG is an editorial based magazine blog that covers James Bond and spy-related news. A current post reminds fans about one of my childhood faves, Lancelot Link Secret Chimp (mentioned in Spy Vibe's Spy Kids: Trench Coat review). Johny Malone's UNA PLAGE DE ESPIAS is a fantastic site that brings fans into the world of spy fiction in Spanish. Phillippe Lombard's QUANTUM OF BOND offers 007 and spy articles in French. This is a cool pad where you will find Spy Vibe faves like OSS 117, comics, spy fiction and more. Spy Vibers may remember that the C.O.B.R.A.S., a collective of blog writers about spies, formed early last year. Like agents responding to chalk marks on park benches, a core group found one another and has continued to grow internationally (check out this cool book cover from Johny Malone below). I'm pleased to welcome our newest members at last and I encourage readers to check in with all of the C.O.B.R.A.S. for your daily dose of espionage culture.
Busy with missions throughout the fall, I haven't had a chance yet to officially welcome all of our new C.O.B.R.A.S. agents. The HMSS WEBLOG is an editorial based magazine blog that covers James Bond and spy-related news. A current post reminds fans about one of my childhood faves, Lancelot Link Secret Chimp (mentioned in Spy Vibe's Spy Kids: Trench Coat review). Johny Malone's UNA PLAGE DE ESPIAS is a fantastic site that brings fans into the world of spy fiction in Spanish. Phillippe Lombard's QUANTUM OF BOND offers 007 and spy articles in French. This is a cool pad where you will find Spy Vibe faves like OSS 117, comics, spy fiction and more. Spy Vibers may remember that the C.O.B.R.A.S., a collective of blog writers about spies, formed early last year. Like agents responding to chalk marks on park benches, a core group found one another and has continued to grow internationally (check out this cool book cover from Johny Malone below). I'm pleased to welcome our newest members at last and I encourage readers to check in with all of the C.O.B.R.A.S. for your daily dose of espionage culture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)