August 9, 2017

WILD WILD WEST MOVIES

New release: The Wild Wild West TV movies have just been released on DVD as a double feature by Paramount. Produced ten years after the original series ended The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979) and More Wild Wild West (1980) were in that short list of nostalgia projects to capture some of the 1960s spy magic- or at least to appeal to fans by bringing back actors to reprise their popular characters. The common premise dealt with spies coming out of retirement to foil arch enemies from their past. It doesn't sound like much, and they weren't, but it sure was great to see those familiar faces again. The Wild Wild West movies did not appear on the series box set, so this standalone DVD release might be just what the doctor ordered. Although Robert Conrad and Ross Martin were on hand, sadly Michael Dunn passed away in 1973, leaving Paul Williams to be cast as "Dr. Loveless, Jr" in the first title. It's likely Richard (Jaws) Kiel was busy making the James Bond film Moonraker with Roger Moore and couldn't return as "Voltaire". Other titles riding this wave at the time were (not including later re-makes of 1960s theatrical releases) Return of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1983), Get Smart The Nude Bomb (1980), Get Smart, Again! (1989), and I Spy Returns (1994). Made in the late Cold War with different sensibilities and style, none of the projects really matched the originals. But these TV movies could be a fun ride down memory lane, and in some cases, true fans did their best to add authenticity (nod to Robert Short and U.N.C.L.E.). More info at Amazon. The bigger news for WWW fans is the new release of a 4 CD set featuring music from the series! Curated by Jon Burlingame, it's definitely something to check out. More info at Screen Archives EntertainmentIn other news, my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show from Australia are now live: Episode #1(Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret ServiceEpisode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint), Episode #5 (The Avengers). Enjoy!


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio 41960s Pop ModelsBatman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseFahrenheit 451 50thInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsTrina Robbins InterviewThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama ReviewDavid McCallum novelAndre Courreges R.I.P.Who's Talking on Spy VibeUFO Blu-rayAvengers Pop Art.

No comments:

Post a Comment