OMNI PRESENCE

Canadian reader Darth has kindly sent in an online link to a site he's created for one of his favourite old magazine's, OMNI. A little gem. Darth's site that is, the magazine itself was HUGE! Like Darth I loved leafing through it - in my case in the Seventies. I had a pile next to my beloved Undercurrents stack [the Hippy in me!]. I remember OMNI providing great theories, stories and facts to heatedly discuss in the kitchens at countless teenage parties circa 1978! [is that geekish?] I have no idea what happened to all my OMNI's but they'll have wieghed a ton so I imagine they were ditched when I moved abroad. Shame. I just can't visualise the covers anymore except for the huge word OMNI at the top. Still, there's always Darth's secret website! Anyone else like OMNI?

PS. Here's another OMNI tribute site.

Jim's 12 Days of Christmas: The Lion Roared

LION was a popular boys comic in the 1960s and like many offered readers special editions at various holiday times throughout the year. The Summer of 1967 saw the movie special edition of LION in the nation's newsagents. Three real 'must see' movies for the target audience of the publication were covered in depth. YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, BATMAN and of course THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO. Such was the popularity of the Anderson show that it enjoyed the 'LION's share' of coverage. (Ouch!!, sorry!)

The lavish piece featured a little of the background to the movie and featured some lovely imagery included one behind-the-scenes shot of ZERO X as the picture had not been sufficiently cropped so as not to show how the miniature was rigged for flight sequences. Not a hugely expensive magazine when it appears I rarely see it which is surprising but should you do so nab it. You won't be sorry. Jim Lewis

Moondozers From Grif

Dear Paul, as has been observed, concepts in space art tend to get re-used. The origins of  "buldozers on the moon" can probably be traced to Chesley Bonestell, but the  attached pix may well have contributed to the popular acceptance of the idea. The first is by the great Frank Tinsley, from "Interplanetary Flight" by arthur C Clarke, published 1950. The second is from "Worlds in space" by Martin Caidin, published 1954, pix from which I've sent you before, and is by Fred L Wolff. Were these the inspiration for the SWORD Moon Ranger? Per Ardua ad Astra, Grif

A Bok at Bedtime

Some beautiful examples of Hannes Bok artwork

Books of Christmas Past

The soft lights in the darkness of Christmas always put me in reflective mood. It's the top of the Year and looking back comes naturally. I peer over the last twelve months as if looking down a long murky slope. But more than anything I think of long-gone Decembers as the Ghost of Christmas Past sweeps by me. The family may have gone but thier gifts remain intact and are always there to hold like time-capsules of memories. Particularly poignant for me are the books I got as presents from an early age right up to our last Family Christmas together in 1977, a moment in time which now feels both unfathomably distant and fir tree fresh all at once.

Many of my books were bought by my Parents, Brothers and Sisters at Sweetens Book Shop near Winckley Square in Preston opposite Bruciani's coffee lounge. Bruciani's, an icon of Prestonian life for decades, is still brewing strong fresh coffee for it's grateful customers but like those other cornerstones of my youth, Bradies Record Shop and Thomas Mears Toys, Sweetens is no more although it would seem many other people remember it fondly online [ Su, Johnny].

I only have a few of my original childhood books but have managed to re-acquaint myself with most of those missing as they have become important to me. One of my favourites was given to me in my teens by my older brother Steve and has stayed with me ever since, both literally and creatively. The book is Terror! A History of Horror Illustrations From The Pulp Magazines by Peter Haining pictured in its wonderful dust-jacket here.

Amongst it's many black and white treasures is the haunting illustration below by US artist Hans Bok called Pickman's Model, which I have always loved. Bok had a unique style and a searing imagination. His off-centre creatures are instantly recognisable and always sumptuous and thought-provoking. Well worth an online browse if you aren't familiar with his art.

I shall select and post a few more Christmas books over the coming festive season. Maybe Santa will bring me even more this year as I have been rather a good boy!

Paul Starr and the Solarnauts: TV or not TV

Reader Andy B has flagged up two less well-known untransmitted TV pilots on You Tube of interest to Anderson fans but completely unknown to me I'm afraid to say. The first is Paul Starr, a Stingrayesque TV show by ex - Anderson stalwarts Roberta Leigh and Arthur Provis. And yes, the voice of Paul Starr is Ed Bishop! Googling Paul Starr brought me to Shaqui's cool site on the series. The 'Toys' and 'Merchandise' sections are fascinating!

The second pilot is the live action Solarnauts also by Leigh and Provis. It stars a young Derek Fowlds of later Heartbeat fame. Again Shaqui's website provides excellent insights into the series.

What do you think of these shows?

Io Io Io Io Io

Jupiter and her moon Io.

Wondrous!

Jim's 12 Days of Christmas: What's On In London?

Continuing the Christmas specials here we have a copy of the once popular entertainment bible for the capital, WHAT'S ON IN LONDON. During the 1960s the front cover was emblazoned with what the publishers regarded as 'The' event or cinema release of that week. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO was clearly thought of in these terms in this instance. Flicking through the magazine there are a number of interesting pieces for fans of this first big-screen outing for International Rescue.

First off is the prominence in London's West End of Cliff and The Shadows. Not only did they appear in puppet form in THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO but just across at another cinema in Leicester Square they starred in their own offering FINDERS KEEPERS. Meanwhile at the London Palladium, a stone's throw away, they starred in the flesh in the big London Christmas pantomime CINDERELLA. Cliff Richard And The Shadows really were the stars of London's theatre district that Christmas! Another interesting thing to note is the number of popular television shows of the period which had cinematic outings in London at the same time. THE FLINTSTONES appeared in A MAN CALLED FLINSTONE. MUNSTER GO HOME was screening too along with the Adam West BATMAN feature film.

Perhaps if each of these movies had been screened at different times of the year in England, and certainly London, they may have fared better at the box-office than they did. As a child all of these were shows I loved on television but a trip into London would have meant I only saw one of them. Therefore a very similar audience for all the films was spread thinly resulting in none of them making a huge impression in cinema ticket returns whilst still all remaining popular on television. Jim Lewis