BUNNY YEAGER: URSULA ANDRESS

Celebrated photographer and pin-up pioneer Bunny Yeager passed away today at age 85. Yeager was a model-turned-shutterbug who came to prominence through her work with Bettie Page. After snapping pics in Florida, some of their early collaborations were published in Playboy in 1955, launching both women into higher profile work. Yeager had a knack for capturing playful sensuality by setting her models in natural settings and with wild animals. Her images of Page and other models with big cats seemed to define the exotica niche of 1950s glamour. Quoted in the Guardian, Yeager said, "'They all wanted to model for me because they knew that I wouldn't take advantage of them,' Yeager told The Associated Press during a 2013 interview. 'And I wouldn't push them to do nude if they didn't want to do nudes. It wasn't a day when nude photography was prevalent.'" She was hired during the production of Dr. No to photograph Ursula Andress and Sean Connery on the beach. Here is a collage of Dr. No portraits and her contact sheet. There were other photographers on-set, but I believe all or most of the images are Yeager's (they appeared in recent auction lots under her name). Looking at the art book cover below, it seems likely her image was also used for the cover of For Bond Lovers Only. And if you're curious about those big cat pictures, here is something from her sessions with Bettie Page. A proto-Honey West concept? Learn more about Bunny Yeager here. 

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.

DANGER MOUSE

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Danger Mouse (1981-1992). Travel back in time to the early 1980s, when spy fans were enjoying the first marathons of classic Bond on TV, and old faves were finally becoming accessible through the growing technology of home video. In 1981 Roger Moore's For Your Eyes Only hit the big screen, and on British television an animated secret agent show called Danger Mouse made its debut. Spy Vibers will of course recognize the playful reference to Danger Man. In the series, which lasted ten seasons, the dapper spy DM and his assistant Penfold raced the globe thwarting the diabolical plots of Baron Silas Greenback. Viewers enjoyed the smart cocktail of cool gadgets, clever puns, and a talented cast of voice actors. Danger Mouse received his orders from Colonel K, styled after M, and voiced by Edward Kelsey (The Tripods, The Saint, The Avengers). The animation was simple but effective, often overlaying cels with photographic source images of the city (ala Yellow Submarine). Bond fever struck hard in 1983 with the release of both Octopussy (Roger Moore) and the return of Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again. By 1984, Nickelodeon was riding the spy-wave importing Danger Mouse to the United States. A complete box set of 89 episodes was released by A&E in 2007 (available through Amazon here). A number of sets have been released in the UK, including a new complete collection in 2011. If Spy Vibers are inclined to hunt for DM collectibles, seven annuals were published in England between 1982 and 1987. The video clip below features an episode, characteristically titled with humorous self-reference to a Patrick McGoohan classic, Ice Station Camel. Enjoy!

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.

THUNDERBALL ITALY

Thunderball Thursday: Here is a cool version of one of Spy Vibe's favorite 007 themes, released by I Bond's Men in Italy on Jaguar Records on December 1st, 1965. Enjoy!

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.

LOST AVENGERS VOL. 2-7

Dr. Keel, we're needed! Long before Avenger John Steed was partnered with Emma Peel and Cathy Gale (played by Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman- both left the series to do James Bond films), he was the shadowy partner of Dr. David Keel (played by Ian Hendry). Although some of those early programs have been released, many remain missing. Fans of Doctor Who may be familiar with the syndrome, as it was once common practice to wipe studio tapes. Much of early television in the UK was shot on video and remains lost forever. If only they knew about the future of syndication, home video release, and streaming content back then. Big Finish Productions has been filling the gaps by producing outstanding audio adaptations of early Doctor Who shows. Recently the company set their sights on lost episodes of The Avengers. The first volume has been a success and the company is now listing a production schedule of six additional volumes to be released over the next three years: Vol. 2- July, Vol. 3- January 2015, Vol. 4- July 2015, Vol. 5- January 2016, Vol. 6- July 2016, and Vol 7- January 2017. Big Finish Avengers page here. Spy Vibers can pre-order Vol. 2 from Amazon for $30.95 here.

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.

FOR YOUR SHELF ONLY: BIG FUN COLUMBUS

One of the highlights of my mission to Pulpfest last summer was making a daily pilgrimage to Big Fun Columbus. Nestled among the restaurants and boutiques of Columbus' Short North arts district, the shop is a must-see destination for fans and collectors. I helped manage a toy store after college, so I could appreciate their effort to organize the space into a kind of Disneyland journey through major toy genres. Large cases, some floor-to-celing in height, focused on go-to items like Star Wars, GI Joe, vehicles, action figures, dolls, comic characters, etc. My Spy-Vibe eye naturally gravitated to gems like vintage Man From Uncle dolls, James Bond figures and cars, Gerry Anderson vehicles, and original Megos. On one of the first days of Pulpfest I brought Win Scott Eckert (Honey West, T.H.E. Cat, Green Hornet) and our group of pals to the store. You could see everyone immediately light up, as the little kids in us came to the surface to search the shelves for treasures. I helped Win score the Man From Uncle board game, and we all ogled over a display of Six Million Dollar Man, Wild Wild West, and Planet of the Apes dolls. Big Fun became a home away from home for me and I look forward to spending more time there in the future. The shop just celebrated its one-year anniversary this week, so I thought it would be a perfect time to introduce it to Spy Vibers and to have a brief chat with the owner (a fellow Jason) about cool toys. Images are from last summer.

Tell us a little about the genesis of Big Fun Columbus. Did your shop evolve from the Cleveland store?

I worked at Big Fun Cleveland for 10 years and had my own place for 2.5 years called Spaceman Floyd's. After I sold my business, I searched for a new home and found the Short North. I proposed a partnership with my old boss, Steve Presser, and we've been doing this for a year now!

Were you a collector growing up? What were some of your favorites?

I was given a stack of Marvel comics when I was five years old- my uncle's old comics. It was all down hill from there! I grew up reading Marvel. I had lots of super-hero toys, GI Joe stuff, Monsters, Godzilla, Apes, and Star Trek.

Do you still collect? Are there treasures you look for now?

I still collect, but I have to be picky. I can't take home everything that comes into the shop. I grab some Planet of the Apes toys, Marvel Legends, Walking Dead, etc. Treasures, personally? It's a zen thing. I bought a 1970s Don Post Fly mask at the last Columbus toy show and a Marx Daniel Boone figure. For the shop, it's a lottery on what comes in. You never know what will come in.

I was really struck by the presentation in your store. Tell us about how it is organized. What are the main categories you try to cover?

Thanks for mentioning organization. I try real hard to keep it orderly. We're always one car-load of toys away from chaos. Well, it's mostly sectionalized: Gags, coffee mugs, lunch-boxes, GI Joes, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Legos, But the structure changes frequently because of toy buys.

Are there certain items in most demand, like vintage Mego or Star Wars? What are the mainstays of the vintage toy business?

Star Wars will have another 10-15 years of shelf-life because of the new movies. It's a nerd renaissance right now with all the movies: Super-heroes, Godzilla, monsters, etc.

I’m sure people contact you looking for rare items. What are some of the common holy grails people ask about?

Rare items folks are looking for? The original Alien figure (12'' from the mid-70s), Jem dolls, Wonder Woman stuff, Megatron, and vintage Godzilla items.

You had some great spy toys during my visit: James Bond, Man From Uncle, Wild Wild West, dolls and figures, diecast cars, games, etc (see above images). What are some of the most common and most rare items you’ve seen from 60s spy lines?

The spy toys we see frequently are the Bond Johnny Lightning vehicles and play sets (the more recent stuff). The coolest vintage piece we've seen so far is the Bond Attache Case from the 1960s. It had all sorts of great attachments.

I really want to find that! I’ve seen some new retro-style Mego dolls that looked cool. Are there re-releases that you are excited about? Any sign of retro-styled spy items?

I don't know if there are retro-styled spy things coming in. Most likely. Toy companies like covering repeated ground these days. I'm excited about Funko's Reaction line, done in the style of the old Star Wars figures. They're doing Goonies, Firefly, Universal Monsters and more.

You also had some awesome Six Million Dollar Man toys, including the Bigfoot doll. What are some of your personal faves from that Era? Tell us a bit about some of the coolest design features.

We've had two Bionic Bigfoots come in. Great toy! I'm a fan of the 1970s Megos. I love the Star Trek figures (and the new versions they've reproduced), the Apes figures, and super-heroes. I also appreciate the large Shogun Warriors from the mid-70s. The Godzilla with the shooting fist, from the Shogun series, is probably one of the coolest pieces. There's a lever in the back of its head to make it's fiery tongue stick out. [original TV ad below].

 

During the week I was in town, you took in some fantastic collections and found cool stuff on buying trips. How do you mainly stock the store?

Well, 50% or so of our stock is vintage, so we're dependent on the items folks bring in. Today, for example, I know there are some 70s toys coming in and some Star Wars Lego sets. Sometimes folks give me a heads up, but not always. I've found myself tracking down Pokémon stuff online. We don't get many Pokémon toys from walk-in sellers and lots of kids ask.

Do you have to worry about counterfeits in the toy world? Are there common signs to watch for?

I'm not worried about counterfeits. There was a guy in Texas reproducing card-backs for vintage Star Wars, GI Joe, Indiana Jones, etc. (advertised as repros) and he had reproductions listed in the descriptions. Occasionally, some collector will try to be tricky. But those examples are in the minority. Most folks are honest.

How do you think toys reflect culture and time period?

Toys, weirdly, do reflect the culture. We may not recognize it at the present moment. Hasbro had to change the original 12'' Joe from a 1960's war toy to a bearded adventure toy in the 1970s. The population was war-weary with Vietnam. Godzilla was originally a subconscious product of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

As a spy collector who grew up mostly on re-runs of westerns, I was always fascinated by the transition from cowboy toys in the 1950s to the secret agents of the 1960s. This may be a generalization, but I believe the westerns reinforced the post-war drive to create a suburban ideal and to enforce our ideology on other countries- much like Matt Dillon making the world a safe place for "decent folks." With the Cold War heating up and writers like Fleming, John le Carre, and Deighton bringing awareness (and movie adaptations) of spy intrigue and technology, it made sense for kids to see the secret agent as the hero of the space age. Interestingly, the spy is a solitary character and doesn't operate, like a Matt Dillon, in public with community support. Maybe this hero-type was riding the same wave as Antonioni's films, capturing the alienation of a changing society. Vintage James Bond toy ad below.

What are some of the rarest items to come through Big Fun?

The rarest item I've seen so far is the closed box, removable cowl Batman Mego. The closed boxes were only around for 6-8 months in the mid-70s. All the kids kept opening them to see the figure. Mego did the clear box  (plastic window) soon after.

There’s a new Godzilla film opening this month. Are you stocking any cool vintage or newly produced kaiju stuff?

Unfortunately, our stock of Godzilla has taken a hit. We have a few newer figures, but nothing vintage. I just bought a lot of Ultraman toys the other day.

If “Toy Story” was real and your shop came to life after the humans went home each night, which toy would you want to be?

My real Toy Story pick would be the Captain America Mego. That was always my favorite character and toy.

Thanks, Jason! I look forward to visiting you guys again sometime.

Thanks for the questions, Jason. Take care.

Spy Vibers, step into this time-machine video compilation of vintage toy ads. You'll see many of the items Jason and I talked about, including Mego, GI Joe, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Enjoy!