SpyVibe

July 19, 2015

INVISIBLE AGENT

Research for my upcoming book about the Spy Boom and history of the genre continues to provide fun discoveries each day. It's always exciting when titles appear on my radar screen, even if they've been hiding in plain sight within the mainstream culture. I had a chance to meet up with old friend Stephen Bissette (Swamp Thing, Tyrant, Heavy Metal) last week over breakfast in Vermont. As usual, our conversation was a stimulating journey down the rabbit holes of our curiosity and the various threads and connections we've discovered doing media research. I was excited to talk about UK writer/director/producer Ralph Smart, who had worked on The Adventures of Robin Hood and HG Wells' Invisible Man before starting Danger Man with Patrick McGoohan. While I was intrigued by the apparent 1950s choice to make the Invisible Man an agent in the series, Steve pointed out Universal had already made that leap back in 1942 with Invisible Agent. I always loved the Claude Rains original, but had never explored the rest of the series. It figured the studio would channel their properties into the war effort. It was common for movies during the lead-up and early years of WWII to feature spies and saboteurs. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes was brought into the contemporary world and drafted into service in Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942), Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942), and Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943). Even Tarzan battled the Axis powers in Tarzan Triumphs (1943). With his powers of invisibility, the Invisible Man was indeed a natural choice for espionage work. Apparently the 1942 version went on missions in the buff? He was so under cover, he didn't need covers. It's too bad Ralph Smart chose to give his 1958-1960 protagonist invisible lab clothes to wear under his disguises, otherwise it really would have been a Cold War! Universal's film centered around the grandson of the original scientist, who is prompted by Pearl Harbor to use the family recipe to spy on Nazi Germany, make fools of the enemy, and to woo a double-agent dish. Unfortunately The Invisible Agent is not celebrated as a great classic, but the concept was timely. I think the studio images on their own, featuring the "invisible" hero fighting Nazis, stand as interesting artifacts of this period in spy/thriller history. 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.

July 17, 2015

SHERLOCK AT 221B

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!

July 16, 2015

HITCHCOCK EVENT

Event alert: Hitchcock. The Castro Theater in San Francisco will present two early espionage classics from the Master of Suspense this Sunday! This is my favorite Hitchcock era, when the director was still rooted in England and spun tales that often echoed the tradition of invasion-paranoia stories. Like Lang's films (but funnier!), the movies were populated with mysterious characters and secret agents. The Lady Vanishes (3:30, 7:00) is a great cocktail of comedy and suspense on the rails, where playgirl Margaret Lockwood uncovers a conspiracy involving the disappearance of an elderly passenger. Michael Redgrave, in his first major role, plays her only ally in the web of intrigue. (1938, 96 min, 35mm)." And in The 39 Steps (5:20, 8:50), Robert Donat plays the quintessential Hitchcockian innocent drawn into a deadly plot involving secret plans and foreign operatives. This classic thriller was one of Hitchcock’s first major international successes and introduced a number of his future hallmark elements. (1935, 86 min, 35mm). Spy Vibers in the Bay area should catch these gems of the big screen- projected in 35mm and with proper presentation of the original aspect ratio. Enjoy!

July 14, 2015

BOND CONCERT

Event Alert: James Bond concert. The San Francisco Symphony is performing an evening of 007 theme songs with a little help from Sheena Easton (For Your Eyes Only) on Thursday July 23rd. Although Davies Symphony Hall often presents cool movie-related events that feature live accompaniment to screenings, this program will focus entirely on music (no film clips). From the press release: "Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig. There’s only one more thing more challenging than picking a favorite Bond; picking a favorite Bond song. From Paul McCartney to Adele, Gladys Knight to Duran Duran, Bond title songs have been topping the Billboard charts for decades, beginning with Shirley Bassey’s brassy Goldfinger, peaking at number eight in 1964. Sexy, stylish, and thrilling, Bond films have long demonstrated that the key to getting an audience in the mood is the perfect song. Turning time and again to the most celebrated contemporary performers — from Louis Armstrong to Madonna to Johnny Cash (whose version of Thunderball was ultimately turned down in favor of the Tom Jones hit) — Bond soundtracks feature an unparalleled variety of hits, as well as a who’s-who of the hottest musical talents from the last 50 years. They also make for one heck of a set list. In celebration of more than 50 years of Academy and Grammy Award-winning Bond songs, the San Francisco Symphony presents a concert devoted to music from famous Bond films and spy themes. Special guest Sheena Easton — singer of the sultry, chart-topping For Your Eyes Only and the first title song artist to appear on screen in a Bond film — joins the Symphony for performances of bold Bond numbers like Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, and Skyfall. But Bond isn’t the only spy in town — you’ll also hear memorable themes from other spy movies, including “Austin Powers,” “Mission Impossible,” and more. It’s a night that sure to leave you shaken, stirred, and dying for more." Tickets start at $20. More info at the SF Symphony here. Below: from the FYEO title sequence designed by Maurice Binder.

July 13, 2015

VILLAGE GREETINGS

Where am I? ...In the Village. Greetings Spy Vibers! I had to fly under the radar during the past month, but I've finally returned to active duty. My return flight arrived last night from a mission to the UK, where I toured many filming locations from The Avengers, The Saint, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Champions, Poirot, and many other classic British series. One of the highlights was a trip to Portmeirion, where Patrick McGoohan filmed The Prisoner. Fellow fans may understand the surreal feeling I had being in "the Village", given that the location was shrouded in so much mystery within the show's storyline. I have much to report and many images to share, not to mention my appreciation for an amazing network of fellow spy writers and fans who made the whole operation possible. Stay tuned! My portrait below by Peter Lorenz of Illustrated 007.