Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

SCOTT MORGAN AT ART BEATS AND EATS!

Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:06 PM PDT



SET LIST

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU 4 TOPS
FALLEN FOR YA WROTE ABOUT HIS MOM
SHE'S NOT JUST ANOTHER WOMAN 8TH DAY
LUCY MAY
MISSISSIPPI DELTA
BOBBY GENTRY B SIDE TO ODE TO BIL;LIE JOE
DO I MOVE YOU NINA SIMONE

RATIONALS

LOOK WHAT YOU'RE DOIN TO ME BABY
LEAVIN HERE
EDDIE HOLLAND DEMO FOR JACKIE WILSON
RESPECT OTIS REDDING
HOLD ON BABY SAM HAWKINS
NOT LIKE IT IS
ALBERT KING SONG LARRY WMS JOHNNY GUITAR WATKINS
TEMPTATION BOUT TO GET ME
KNIGHT BROTHERS
I NEED YOU
CAROLE KING/JERRY GOFFIN
PART TIME LOVE
LITTLE JOHNNY TAYLOR
GUITAR ARMY
RATIONALS
HIGH JACKIN LOVE
JOHNNY TAYLOR

In honor of this gig is one of the videos I made for Scott...






[New post] Gerry Anderson's UFO

Gerry Anderson's UFO

In the future, a secret organization is the only force standing between the human race and utter annihilation. Aliens from another world have been landing on our world, harvesting organs for their dying race. The year is 1980, and UFOs are not only real, they're coming for us.

Commander Edward Straker (Ed Bishop)

As I have noted in previous articles about Gerry Anderson's various programs, he had never intended to be known for working with puppets. His mind was abuzz with gigantic action sequences, intense situations and emotionally engaging characters, all of which were presented in miniaturized form in his various supermarionation productions. After achieving success with several children's programs such as Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Anderson explored a live action film, Doppelgänger. That success proved that he had what it took to produce a more sophisticated TV series using live actors rather than puppets. The result was ITV's UFO, an incredibly ambitious and experimental TV series that still makes an impact today.

The overall look and design of UFO is absolutely stunning. As a fan of Doctor Who, I am used to seeing science fiction 'on the cheap' with bubble wrap representing an alien and a sheet of tin foil standing in as 'unbreakable metal.' In sharp contrast, the costumes, props and various vehicles seen in UFO pop out of the screen in true retro-future style. Using prop cars built for the feature film Doppelgänger, the future world feels very tangible, a necessity for the themes explored in the series.

watch?v=3diLW5f93rM

In addition to the look of the program, the concept is incredibly adult, treating the threat of alien invasion as very real. Early episodes include civil servants addressing the set up and financial challenges of a global defense service against the possibility of invasion from another planet, lending credence to the action and drama that follows. Ed Bishop stars as Commander Straker (a voice actor from Captain Scarlet), a man who has sacrificed everything in the mission to defend the planet while retaining absolute secrecy.

But before I get to excited about the adult nature of the program, I have to address the absurd elements that make the program so attractive. Housed beneath a movie production studio, SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation) is populated by young sexy ladies in skin tight beige jumpsuits and able-bodied men in uniforms that keep no secrets. If that's not enough, an undersea base is manned by a crew adorned only in fishnets and belts. On the moon, a team of sexy darlings are dressed in purple wigs and hip-hugging silver (look for the late Nick Drake's sister as Lt. Ellis).

Gerry Anderson UFO

Col. Alec E. Freeman (George Sewell) and Lt. Gay Ellis (Gabrielle Drake)

While the plots involved adult situations such as murder and adultery, the program featured vehicles that were immediately made into toys for a no doubt confused child audience. I can only guess at what a kid would make of stories revolving around Straker's doomed marriage or even better a young man seducing his lover into killer husband only to get caught in the middle of a lost alien who ends up taking the bullet for an unsuspecting husband.

After a successful first series, planning began for a second year set entirely on the moon. Unfortunately, the deal fell through but the ideas were represented as Space: 1999. There was some news recently about a feature film adaptation of UFO under movie producer Robert Evans (of Chinatown fame).

I had a lot of resistance to viewing this series, and found the first episode a bit difficult to get through (a second viewing improved the experience greatly), but after a few stories I was hooked. If you are a fan of 1960's science fiction, you need to familiarize yourself with this program.

For more info, I highly recommend the fan site: http://ufoseries.com/

Add a comment to this post



Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://subscribe.wordpress.com

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Oriental Sleeved Dress from Miss Selfridge

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:15 AM PDT

Orientalsleeve

As festival season in the UK draws to a close, the last of the fashion inspired by the original music festivals is still providing great style for retrophiles. This Oriental Sleeved Dress from Miss Selfridge brings a cool early seventies chic, with a classy take on the folk style of the era.

The loose fit of the dress creates a relaxed silhouette, with a button front and shirt collar providing classic detailing. The Eastern influence adds an instant shot of seventies inspiration, while a bold red with muted florals gives an expensive feel.

It's now available from Miss Selfridge for £39.

Find out more from the website

Harri Clutch by Diane von Furstenberg

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Harriclutch

Twenties and thirties inspired fashion is all about clean lines and structure, and the use of art deco inspiration has persisted through many eras to create some classic items. This Harri Clutch by Diane von Furstenberg has an effortless retro style that's timeless enough to pair with a wide variety of looks.

The square clutch provides a stylish and simple base for the graphic lines of deco style, with the dual colours of suede striped at the front. The addition of gold leather piping adds that ever-present decadence of twenties style, while a gold clasp and detachable shoulder chain ensure the practical additions are stylish too.

Get it online from Matches Fashion for £370.

Find out more from the website

Golden Age Sci-Fi Robot Prints by John W Golden

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 09:20 AM PDT


Il_570xN.171624965
Tin toy box design has a distinctive and very attractive style all of it's own. Inspired by the retro futuristic toys of the fifties, artist John W Golden has created his own series of Golden Age Sci-Fi Robot Prints.

These aren't reproductions of real boxes and nor do they relate to actual toys. Golden has given his imagination free rein and created Captain Rex Tybee whose various space adventures have inspired the fictitious products in the Quelstar Toys line.

The prints can be ordered in different sizes; either 8" x 12" or 16" x 20" and cost from £18 - £50 depending on size.

Visit John's Etsy shop here to find out more.

Il_570xN.171625029

eBay watch: Pair of 1950s midcentury-style table lamps

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:56 AM PDT

Mid

Value alert! This isn't an auction for a single lamp, this is a pair of 1950s midcentury-style table lamps, so far going for not a lot of cash.


The designs are great, literally screaming the 1950s (possibly sneaking into the early '60s), but don't have a maker's name or mark. The seller claims they are probably Italian, so you'll have to live with that.

Away from branding, the lamps each have a 'goose' brass neck arm and very and cone lamp shades, with matching bases in that shade of off-white. In terms of condition, on one shade you will find a few fine and slight dents, but the second lampshade is in 'perfect condition', according to the seller. Both are said to be working too.

Right now, the price of the two lamps is £1.22.

Find out more at the eBay website

Bantie Paradis Cushion from Heals

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:47 AM PDT

  923906_m
Fans of Scandinavian design in general and Marimekko in particular will find lots to love about Swedish brand Bantie, whose range of cushions are now being stocked by Heals.

Bantie fabrics are designed and crafted in Sweden and follow very much in that nordic tradition of simple graphical styles that draw their inspiration from the natural world. The Paradis yellow and black cushion features a repeat pattern of geometrically feathered birds on a contrasting bright yellow background. Perfect for adding a stylish splash of colour to your sofa.

The cushion measures 50cm x 50cm and the pad is included in the price, which is £75.

You can buy it online here.

Retro Half Ball Table Clock

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 06:36 AM PDT

41CEi11g01L__SL500_AA300_ 
This Half Ball Table Clock is one of those products that I couldn't definitely place in any one era, but is nonetheless undeniably retro.

A tilted clock face is set within a brightly coloured half ball mould. It is made by Premier Housewares and is available in a range of colours, including orange, white, black, lime, blue and hot pink. It is ideal for cheering up your desk at work (whilst giving you another clock to watch when things are dull).

Buy it from Amazon priced £8.99

Go Ask Alice Wallpaper

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 06:28 AM PDT

12237-Go-Ask-Alice-Wallpaper 
There aren't enough products named after Jefferson Airplane lyrics as far as I'm concerned. This Go Ask Alice Wallpaper is probably the one I've ever come across.

The pattern was inspired by a piece of material found in a Californian thrift store and is a retro floral design with a somewhat psychedelic look to it as befits something referencing White Rabbit. The paper is available in two colours: this striking mustard colour or a more subdued powder blue. It costs £45 for a roll measuring 52cm x 10m.

Buy it online at Rose and Grey.

New Liverpool People Will Always Need Plates editions from Utility

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 03:34 AM PDT

Liverpool met cathedral

The People Will Always Need Plates team seem to have been extra busy lately, what with their new book, bags and notebooks. Here's some more designs produced from up their busy sleeves, an exclusive range featuring some of Liverpool's landmarks for Utility

The two have worked together previously - you may remember the designs featuring Liverpool's Radio City Tower from a few years back. This time three further twentieth century buildings are selected, each available on a plate, a mug and a card. Pictured above is the Frederick Gibberd designed 1960s Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The city's Anglican Cathedral also gets the treatment, with the final building in the range being the Royal Liver Building, which was completed in 1911. 

The plates cost £26.50 each while the mugs will set you back £11. Or you could just buy the cards for £2.50 each. 

See the range online

Native Heath fabric from St Judes and Old Town

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 03:34 AM PDT

Native heath
Native Heath is another attractive retro-influenced fabric design from St Judes, in collaboration with Old Town

Old Town are best known for their traditional workwear but this is the second time they've worked with St Judes on a fabric (cast your mind back and you may remember their Kensal Rising design). This design features a simplified, child-like design of a landscape, which looks like it has taken its influence from illustrations of the 1920s and 30s. It's available in two colourways: the berry/birch combination pictured above, or a mushroom/peat alternative. 

The fabric costs £38 a metre, or you can buy ready-made cushion covers for £32 each. 

Buy it online

Vintage Home Cathrineholm print by Yumalum

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 03:33 AM PDT

Cathrineholm
Yumalum have paid tribute to iconic Norwegian enamel kitchware with this Vintage Home Cathrineholm print.

Grete Prytz Kittelsen's Scandinavian mid-century designs, particularly kitchenware, are adored by enthusiasts the world over and have become highly sought after. The print encapsulates some of her greatest pieces that came from her studio in Cathrineholm in Norway. The leaf print is particularly evocative of the simplistic, stylised patterns she utilised in her post war work. An ideal way to bring a mid-century feel into any kitchen.

The print is $29 from the Yumalum Etsy store.

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...