RIP Harry Harrison

So, another link to my past goes. Harry's "Stainless Steel Rat" series of novies were a HUGE influence on me growing up, along with a myraid of his other novels, mixing pulp SF, epic SF and a massive amount of humour in there too. His imagination was unlimited and i was glad to get a peek in to his worlds when i did.

Mary Tamm RIP

Very, very shocked to hear today of the passing of Mary Tamm. Its a bit churlish to say now, but i was planning on featuring her in my "Crushes" list. Seems silly and pointless now. Mary WAS Romana and it seems a lovely person as well. Feel sure, if she'd been given better scenes and more respect, she would've gone on to be one of the Doctor's most beloved and most respected companions - up there with Elizabeth Sladen.

My Bat-project

Can i point you in the direction of my Bat-Blog, where i've started a project of asking to come up with their take on THE American comic cover from my childhood - Batman 186. http://outofthebatcave.blogspot.co.uk/

Scaring the crap out of a Sprog - part 5

A TWO YEAR gap between posts?????? REAL sorry to anyone who's been popping back in that time looking for an update. Must say, i've got so many Blogs now that this one has moved over on to page 2 of the list of them - and i didn't know there was a page 2, so quite forgot all about this one. So i'm indebted to artist Staz Johnson, who's reminded me that it actually exists, and also gave me a good topic to come back with - public service films. Odd little mini-info slots, usually on just before the programme you've been sat there waiting for, often bizarre, often surreal, and many times quite horrifiying in a "they put this on in kids hour?????" kind of way. Just about the best example of "scare the crap out of the little buggers so they won't do it" was provided by Staz - and it still is creepy as heck isn't it?

Randall & Hopkirk

Sorry i've been away for such a long time but life, work, hobbies and me other Blogs have kept me away from you.
Anyway, been thinking what should i feature this time round and decided to go with something that made a HUGE impact on me back when i were a nipper.
Like so many things on telly back around the turn of the 60's into the 70's, they were just THERE for me. We never had a newspaper nor the Radio Times, so it was a case of chanel hopping (easy when there was only three) until you found something.
And seem to remember this was on a lot. Now, my Mum loved the ITC output - but only as long as it was a spy series. Anything with a wiff of fantasy she's turn off. So i must owe it to my big sisters having it on while my Mum was work.
As i say, like so many TV programmes, they were just there, with no idea of the background to the show, nor who made it, nor often what the heck was going on.
So i'd just watch it and let it wash over me. But this show affected me more than any other of that time or since and the thing i remember most of all about it is such a strong sense of sadness.
And i watch it now and its just the same. The plot might be serious, action packed, funny or just plain silly, things might be going right for Jeff(for once) or Marty's happy with Jeanie's life, it still doesn't detract from the fact the guy's desperately in love with his wife and just wants her to know he's there. But never can.
I found that incredibly moving even as a 9-year old and, now married with children, i feel it even more.
Of course, full credit goes to Kenneth Cope, who created a wonderfully funny, quirky character who, even when larking about, could give off an air of pathos without having to resort to clumsy dramatics.
The genius idea of the white suit helps immeasurably - but not as much as the opening titles. Forget Twin Peaks, or any other pretenders to the throne, these are still THE most haunting credits ever.

Happy Birthday Tony Curtis.

85 today.
Right after Captain Scarlet, he was who i wanted to be when i grew up. So much that it hurt. Especially if i had a dueling scar too.
Can't remember what order i saw his films in - it could've been "The Vikings", could have been "Spartacus". But i'm thinking it might've been "The Great Race" - a hugely over-looked gem of a film with Tony sending up the hero role something rotten. Can see that now but, like the Batman TV series of the same time, to a child its dead serious and thrilling and excitement and, boy, i SO wanted his all white suit.
Only as an adult can i appreciate what he was doing there.
Or that he took on the sidekick role in "Spartacus" 'cause he was mates with Kirk Douglas.
Or his brilliant Cary Grant take in "Some Like It Hot"
Or how he tore up the rule book by insisting his co-star in "The Defiant One's" by non-white.
Or his hint at greatness in "The Boston Strangler"
He's one of the very few Hollywood stars from back when they were true stars and, while i'm delighted he's still going, i fear the mark he made won't be recognised until he's gone. Tarantino - revitilize him quick.
I'm putting up a clip of "The Great Race" but the thing i now always think of when i think of him is being asked if he's worried that being married to a woman so many, many years younger than him would be bad for the heart, replied: "hey, if she dies, she dies".
Tony, you're a true giant.

Clackers

One of many examples of "grown-ups" letting us kids back then be trusted with toys that wouldn't even get beyond the drawing board today.
Now, folk'd be up in arms that two VERY solid plastic bolas could be put to all sorts of mischief but can't rememeber a single instance of anyone i knew being hurt by them - and they were EVERYWHERE for a while.