Saturday, March 19, 2011

[New post] Doctor Who - Day of the Daleks special edition trailer

Doctor Who - Day of the Daleks special edition trailer

The trailer for this special edition was released last year but somehow escaped my notice until I read a comment on the 3-part Revisitations 2 review over at DVDActive.com. In case it missed the attention of any of my readers, I am posting this.

Day of the Daleks was the triumphant return of the devilish pepper-pots after a four yeare during which Terry Nation failed to sell his creations overseas.

Day of the Daleks is rarely mentioned as a favorite Doctor Who story or even a favorite Dalek story (though I quite like it), causing many to wonder why it is receiving the five star treatment with new special effects and enhanced Dalek voices. One glance at the trailer spotlighting the hard work that 2entertain have accomplished should put those queries to rest. A so-so story now looks magnificent.

watch?v=0Rlss3Krt7g

Day of the Daleks – Special Edition
Starring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor
Day of the Daleks by Guy Leopold is a time travel story in which events from the future are trapped in a loop with the past creating a paradox leading to a dark world where Earth is ruled by the Daleks. This story was produced without Terry Nation's approval as Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts had not thought to ask the writer for his permission and just thought that a series opener with the Daleks would be fun.

(Read my article here)

Extra features
Blasting Past Documentary
Blue Peter
Cheating Memory; Documentary
Nationwide – Win a Dalek
UNIT: Dating Conundrum
View from the Gallery
Teaser

Doctor Who - Day of the Daleks special edition is scheduled for release later in the year, based on the current schedule possibly Summer.

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[New post] Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

As a fan of British TV programming, I'm often searching for new things to watch based on word-of-mouth alone. It was one such search that led me to Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and I was puzzled. The promotional copy described the series as a cult horror program deemed too racy for the public. Banned in the United Kingdom, it only saw the light of day in Peru. The only clip I could find involved a man shooting 'flying dishes' with a shotgun. Being a fan of Doctor Who, I couldn't decide what to make of Darkplace based on this clip alone. Imagine my delight when I learned that it was a tongue-in-cheek parody of high-octane American action TV series such as TJ Hooker, blended with Stephen King's version of Kingdom Hospital.

Created by Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade, Darkplace is one of the most amazing comedies I have ever seen. The Darkplace program on its own is hilarious enough. Set in a hospital constructed directly over a gateway to Hell, the only person standing between the demonic hordes and his patients is Dr. Rick Dagless, MD. Wearing cowboy boots, an action mullet, leather jacket and a sidearm, Dagless answered to Darkplace Hospital Administrator, Thornton Reed (played by Mareghi's publisher and agent, Dean Learner), his best man Sanchez (played by ADR-d actor Todd Rivers) and bearer of the biggest hair ever Madeleine Wool, who is also psychic.

Each episode of Darkplace is preceded by an introduction by Marenghi reading from one of many slasher novels. He speaks in flowery intelligent language made up of archaic and bizarre word choices. Marenghi heaps it on heavily, gearing the viewer up for a truly chilling experience. What follows is an ingeniously shoddy production with bad edits, poor acting, embarrassing special effects and a script that makes no sense, all filmed in Dean Learner's garage.

watch?v=nNfQ0ORwSDM

Viewers may think that all of this sounds far too familiar to the Zucker Brothers projects Airplane and Police Squad but in my opinion this is miles better. The parody is spot on, the self-assuredness of actor/author/director Marenghi is spotless and the result is just magical. It is a program that is as much about TV as it is a comedic piece in itself.

One of the weirdest moments in Darkplace has to be the decision to include a dream/music video sequence in which Todd Rivers laments his passion for Madeleine Wool. Words fail me... just watch...

'One Track Lover'
watch?v=BH4_mZh-bj8

Complimenting the program are intermittent breaks in which the cast members have reunited to provide commentary and behind-the-scenes information, often more entertaining than the program itself. The cast appear to think of Darkplace as a misunderstood masterpiece, the likes of which had never been witnessed on TV before or since.

Actor Todd Rivers gives his two cents on method acting and such while swishing a glass of Scotch that never leaves his hand. An embittered actor, he speaks with such gravity and character that he comes off as a kind of fallen star, a la Doctor Who's Tom Baker. Marenghi and Learner, meanwhile look back with a more philosophical eye toward the fantastic and horrific. There is no mention of Madeleine Wool's life after Darkplace, leaving her history darkly tragic (and possibly marked by the Devil).

The behind-the-scenes portions are just amazing and you get the impression that each actor could just go on forever in character. In fact, the DVD has hours of additional commentary that supports this.

'Deconstructing Darkplace'
watch?v=bnQ1gA-_WLE

Darkplace had a very brief run on Channel 4 but proved to be a cult hit with viewers who demanded more, forming a 'save Darkplace' movement online. A sequel never followed with the exception of a spin-off Man-to-Man With Dean Learner in which Marenghi's agent hosted a variety show from his estate in the vein of Dean Martin.

If you are a fan of the IT Crowd and have not seen Darkplace, you owe it to yourself to seek it out. There really is nothing else like it.

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Keith Haring x Case Scenario 'Save Japan' iPhone 4 case

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 02:31 PM PDT

Haring

Japan is currently suffering from an appalling natural disaster, with many people rushing to help in any way possible. Paris store Colette has joined in the efforts, teaming up with a variety of designers to produce a 'Save Japan' range, with all profits going to help support rescue efforts in the country. This Keith Haring x Case Scenario 'Save Japan' iPhone 4 case is one of the products being sold.

As you can see, it's case for your iPhone in white with a classic '80s Haring design in the back in black and red. It gives your smartphone some old school cool. But more importantly, 100 per cent of profits goes to the Japanese Red Cross.

Grab one online for £17.35. More products will be added to the store's range over the next week, so keep checking back.

Find out more at the Colette website

eBay watch: 1950s wood and formica plant stand

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 12:56 PM PDT

Plant

If you happen to be furnishing your home in a 1950s style, this wood and formica plant stand could be the perfect addition.

The main kidney shaped table is made of wood and finished with a charcoal grey Formica top plus a white grid pattern finish and a gold and black metallic rim. But that's not all - there's also four removable (and angled) wooden feet, two curved wood stems and five wooden platforms with Formica covers. It's an eye-catching thing, that's for sure.

The stand is described as being in 'very good/good' condition, with 'age related scratches, marks and staining' and a loose shelf, that can probably fixed easily. Right now, it's priced at £29.

Find out more at the eBay website

1980s Ellesse Casals Cagoule by Ellesse Heritage

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 12:40 PM PDT

Ellesse

From out of the archives and into your wardrobe comes this 1980s Ellesse Casals Cagoule by Ellesse Heritage.

It's a 1980s style reissued and still good for those April showers. Details include a 'kangaroo' pouch on front, half-zip fastening, two side zip pockets, elasticated cuffs and overall, offering a slim fit.

£59 is the price.

Find out more at the Stuarts of London website

Ken Garland 1960s 'Galy Tots' print reissued by Trunk Records

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 12:27 PM PDT

Galt

If you're after some quirky 1960s art, this Ken Garland Galt Toys print just might fit the bill.

Ken Garland was art editor of Design Magazine, and eventually set up Ken Garland And Associates in 1963, for whom he did work for James Galt And Sons, much of which is highly sought-after by design aficionados.

Amazingly, this is the first time his work has been reprinted, with the work in question being a reprint of imagery used in the 1969 / 70 Galt Toy brochure. Limited to just 25 prints, each print is hand numbered, annotated with 'Galy Tots', 'Galt Toys Catalogue Cover 1969 / 70', 'Ken Garland And Associates' and is hand signed by the man himself. If you want one, it retails for £200.

Find out more at the Trunk Records website

Robin and Lucienne Day: Design and the Modern Interior exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, West Sussex

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 12:15 PM PDT

Pallant

Possibly off the beaten track (for big city dwellers at least), the Pallant House Gallery hosts a very interesting exhibition from next weekend - Robin and Lucienne Day: Design and the Modern Interior.

Running from 26th March - 26th June 2011 in the couple's former hometown, the exhibition draws on the collection of H Kirk Brown III and Jill A Wiltse, which is usually based in Denver, USA. The collection (and exhibition) focuses on the furniture designs of Robin Day and textile designs of wife Lucienne, as well as her ceramics and one or two surprises from both.

The exhibition illustrates the evolution of Lucienne Day's design style chronologically, from the 'playful linearity' of her patterns in the early 1950s to her experimentation with bold visual effects in the late 1950s and early 60s as well as taking in her 'pop' styles of the late 60s and 70s.

In terms of Robin's designs, rare pieces are on loan from Target Gallery, London, as well as key pieces Robin Day created for Hille (right from the very first collection) and for the Festival of Britain, along with other designs including electronics, logos, brochures and of course, Day's functional work including the 'Polyprop' chair - a seat we've probably all sat in at some time or other.

For fans of midcentury design, it sounds like the perfect day out. See the website for opening times and prices.

Find out more at the Pallant House Gallery website

Printed Vinyl Clock by Urban Outfitters

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 11:53 AM PDT

Vinyl

Record lovers might just appreciate this Printed Vinyl Clock by Urban Outfitters.

Yes, designed to look like an old vinyl record (as opposed to being an old vinyl record), the clock even has a record deck arm for telling the time for some added novelty, with power coming from a single battery.

Want one? Grab one online for £35.

Find out more at the Urban Outfitters website

Twentysevenpalms cushions

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:47 AM PDT

27palms
If you like your cushions on the kitsch and colourful side of things, check out the range from Twentysevenpalms cushions.

The cushions are made from fabric sourced from around the world and certainly won't blend quietly into your sofa. The 'glamour girls' collection features, for example, tropical pin-up girls or saucy '50s-style cowgirls. Their punk/tattoo collection is also worth a look if you're after something a little unusual. 

A 45cm square cushion cover will set you back just £12. 

You can find them at London's Portobello or Sunday Up-Market, or you can buy them online

Barton furniture collection by Terence Conran for The Conran Shop

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:20 AM PDT

Barton table
The Conran Shop's new Barton furniture collection has some great British design names behind it: it was designed by Terence Conran and manufactured by Ercol.

The seven piece collection is made up of tables and stylish storage, all made from solid oak. As you might expect from the names involved, it's got a fairly classic look, with a nod to the mid-century, as shown in the coffee table pictured. 

Prices start at £595 for nesting tables and go up to £2995 for an armoire. The table pictured costs £650. 

See the range online

Flying Ducks Rug

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 04:21 AM PDT

Th4111298736809in%20situe 
The website selling the rug inaccurately describes it as being inspired by the Duckworths on Coronation Street, but as all retro interiors fans know, it was in fact Hilda Ogden who famously had these on her wall.

But, putting that aside, the Flying Ducks Rug provides a nice twist on the idea of duck flying across your wall, as here they will fly across your floor. The rug is available in two sizes; small (120cm x 170cm) priced £149.99 or medium (150cm x 230cm) for £239.99, and in a choice of beige or the odder options of sage or lilac.

Buy it online from Click 4 Interiors.

“Sex, Drugstores and Rock & Roll: A History of the Kings Road” at Proud Chelsea

Posted: 18 Mar 2011 04:19 AM PDT

PNK001JBPunks on the Kings Road by Jeanette Beckman  

The next exhibition at Proud Chelsea will be "Sex, Drugstores and Rock & Roll: A History of the Kings Road".

The exhibition will be a photographic celebration of the Kings Road since the 1960s, including its importance in the music scenes of the 60s and 70s. It will feature prints from photographers such as Harold Chapman, Janette Beckman, Bill Zygmant and Barry Lategan and will include photographs of Apple Tailoring which was launched at 161 Kings Road in May 1968.

The exhibition runs from 23 March to 8 May at Proud Chelsea. Further details on the the Proud website.

Don't Be So Quick to Overlook the Maserati Grecale Folgore

If the GranTurismo Folgore is a guide, this Grecale Folgore could be surprisingly competitive. The EV GT was one of the year's best surp...