THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS

With a nod to Halloween tomorrow, I recently watched the comedy horror film, The Fearless Vampire Killers from 1969.

I remember watching it as a kid sometime in the Seventies on TV I think. I don't think I've seen it available on the telly since. Is that right?

I always liked the look of it though, the snowscapes, the castle and above all the garish costumes of the dancing vampire assembly.

The acting was superb as well; Alfie Bass as the hilarious innkeeper and Count von Kronach, the boss vampire; the bumbling Professor; Polanski his assistant and the hypnotic Sharon Tate.

One thing that was missing from the film I saw this summer online was an animation I remember being at the start. A sort of swirling cartoon of vampires and the hunters. What's happened to that?

I know the film has a chequered history in terms of names and countries - its also called Dance of the Vampires - but where is the intro cartoon now?

Can anyone find it online?

Oh, and do you like the film?

VINTAGE WHINES

I'm a sucker for a beautiful wail. Currently my two favourite wails, both female, are, one a rock song and two, a single based on a sci-fi movie.

So, the rock song is The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd.  The main vocal is by Richard Wright but the wailing is by Clare Torry and is simply amazing. It always makes my neck hair stand on end. A flawless howl of sheer gorgeousness. She was paid just £30 for it originally.

The single based on a sci-fi film is Man in Black, the first of the movie franchise. The main vocal is by Will Smith but the real action is Coko's wonderful moaning. She sings the chorus and riffs around the song like a bird. Quite fabulous and its a pity she didn't get more time.

There are many more fantastic whines out there and I'm sure you have a favourite. Maybe the Diva in the Fifth Element? Something from the Cocteau Twins? Maybe some other?

MARX LONE RANGER COMING SOON!

 The Lone Ranger and Tonto will ride again. Stay by the campfire readers!

KEVIN'S COPTERS

Hi,

In answer, here are the helicopters I've got.

Chop, chop!

Kevin D

UK

TO THE BAT KEV!

Hi,

Just saw your Batman photo, here you go, took these recently when I was out and about with the Hyde Fundraisers.

Holy fire escape!

Kevin D

UK

UTILITY BELT HELP NEEDED

Currently playing Batman and Robin with Junior. He's got a great imagination. Junior's got a belt string attachment gizmo out of our rubbish drawerand has attached it to his waistband.

This has got me thinking. has anyone made a Batman utility belt? With maybe a torch and a whistle and the like all in black?

Short of spending a fortune on the original IDEAL Batman utility belt from 1966 - which I would have to have for myself [evil laugh], have you any ideas readers?

AMT Mr. Spock Kit

Hi

                From Maxsmodels here is a short history of the Aurora Mr Spock kit, which was also released by AMT. The kit has a rather complicated history due to different companies having the Star Trek rights for different countries, plus AMT only being interested in the spaceship kits, while Aurora was best known for its many figure kits. The video shows various early design ideas, and the production version with the three-headed snake. The kit was later modified to depict Spock as he appeared in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, without the snake, and with a different uniform.

The Aurora Files: The Mr. Spock kit - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

I THINK THEREFORE I BAT

 The Dark Knight!