CRAZY WORLD OF THE YOUNG

The Spy Boom in the 1960s spawned a world of copycat movies made on shoestring budgets hoping to cash in on the Bond-wagon. Toward the end of the wave came this interesting curiosity: The Crazy World of the Young (El mundo loco de los jóvenes/1967). Written and directed by Jose Maria Fernandez Unsain, the film was produced in Mexico and centered around a spy who used a rock band as a cover. I love this premise, of course. What better way to celebrate the impact of cultural elements such as the Cold War and the pop music scene! Music fans will spot the obligatory Hofner and Rickenbacker guitars popularized by The Beatles. And as we've seen in spy films that took place in the world of fashion and photography, the traveling life of the musician made for a great plot device. The movie starred Mexican band Los Dug Dug's, who had come to Mexico City in 1966 to seek their fortune. After stints playing clubs like 2+2 and Hullaballoo, their career began to take off with some recording contracts and songs for television. The coolest aspect of the movie trailer, though, is the playful depiction of TV studios, clubs and dancers- not to mention these great cat costumes! Popular dance TV shows like Shindig and Hullabaloo may have ended in 1966, but The Crazy World of the Young showed that the world was not yet ready to leave those Mod hoofers behind. Below: movie trailer and cat-costume image from the film. I've also included images and a comic promoting 5 de Fresca y 1 de Chocolate (1967), starring Los Dug Dug's and Angelica Maria. Note Angelica Maria's hooded outfit is quite similar to a fashion design I created a few years ago for the star of my upcoming spy novel, Miki Zero. Thanks to Agent K and Jhalal Drut for putting these movies on my radar. Enjoy! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, 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, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, 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, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

MCCALLUM HULLABALOO

During the Spy Boom, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. stars Robert Vaughn and David McCallum were in high demand to make appearances on other shows. Both actors took turns hosting the musical series Hullabaloo, and their clips offer a great time capsule of the mid-1960s fascination with spies, pop music, and the British Invasion. In this episode, first aired on September 27th, 1965, David McCallum donned his popular Illya attire (dark suite with turtleneck) in a series of fun espionage-themed skits and he introduced performances by great acts such as Peter and Gordon, The Animals, and the Beau Brummels. Listen for instrumental arrangements of The Beatles and spy tunes, as well as another U.N.C.L.E. cameo. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, 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, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, 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, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

GO GO LUNCHBOX

Here's a little something for the budding Go Go Dancer on your holiday list. The Go-Go Brunch Bag was produced by Alladin in 1966-1967 and featured both bag and box variations with thermos- all sporting a design with trendy white boots, slim slacks, sweater, and short skirt. The design arrived during the run of the popular Hullabaloo (1965-1966) and Shindig (1964-1966) variety shows, and almost a year after the Hollywood A Go-Go program left the air. The culture was gaga for Go Go, tuning in regularly to see the Shin-diggers (featuring a young Teri Garr), the Hullabaloo Dancers, the Gazzarri Dancers, and to catch numbers by choreographers David Winters (Viva Las Vegas, The Monkees)) and Toni Basil (Talking Heads, David Bowie, Bette Midler). Even a peanut butter sandwich would have seemed groovy cradled inside these cool lunch accessories. Enjoy! Related posts: Gazzarri Dancers, Bo Diddley A Go Go. 

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Road to Hong Kong, Inside Gerry Anderson, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, SPECTRE Announced, Popular Skullture, New Gerry Anderson Sets, New SECRET AGENT set, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Modesty Monday, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Designer: Gene Winfield, 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, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

CULT DVD SALE

The Video Beat! has extended their holiday discount sale. Check out their line of hard to find DVDs that cover cult and retro genres like Rock n Roll, Jazz, beatniks, bikers, spies, monsters, surf, cars, Mods, fashion, commercials, and more! Here are the deals and sale codes: Buy 2, get 25% off (code: save25), but 3, get 30% off (code: save30), buy 4, get 35% (code: save35), buy 10, get 40% off (code: save40), buy 15, get 45% off (code: save45), buy 20, get 50% off (code: save50). See recent posts for video clips.

ATTACK OF THE ZOMBIES

Look out for The Zombies! In this clip, the group performs "She's Not There" on Hullabaloo (1965). Rather than the Go Go dancers of old, this next wave of the British Invasion included a minimal set- dressed with models draped over Victorian furniture and classic antiques! Apart from the ironic glance from the keyboardist, the band plays it pretty straight. The visuals point to the kind of 1960s isolation aesthetics seen in Antonioni's films (Blow Up/1966 and L'avventura/1960).

HULLABALOO: YARDBIRDS

Pop music and new dance steps were big business in the early-mid 1960s. To compete with ABC's Shindig!, NBC launched Hullabaloo (1965-1966). Hullabaloo featured performances by major artists and, important to our current theme, lots of Go Go dancing action! Spy Vibers got a sneak peek at the show's set yesterday with the Miracles' Going to A Go Go. The Yardbirds provide the music today with I'm a Man. Though the band included Jeff Beck on guitar, they didn't quite have the moxie that Muddy Waters or Bo Diddley had for the tune. But... the dancers! In addition to the caged Go Go's, the stage fills up with people dressed in fab, mid-60s Mod stripes. Shake it up baby, now!