GREAT INTROS: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

Page 1 The Dark Knight returns

Miller/Janson/Varley

The opening of Frank Miller's Seminal Dark Knight Returns comic book. Setting the tone for a genre changing classic

Musings

Friendships are strong but can also be fragile. Emotions can get the best of the most staunch of us and when they do that fragility can shatter things, Family relationships are given without choice, partnerships are genuinely initially based on attraction  and can grow into m ore, but friendships are free of all that; they are strictly chosen and as such are of great value. There is randomness to their nature, a roll of the dice that brings friendships together. I’m fortunate enough to have not lost any friends to the Grim Reaper and I count myself lucky in this regard.

This weekend I think I may have lost one (no not to the Reaper thank god), by which I mean a conversation hampered by alcohol, emotion and circumstances escalated into a situation that leaves me feeling saddened.

What it makes me feel is that communication really is the gift that we too often take for granted. That fact was reinforced for me at the weekend, when things got heated and my friend exited the building. I wonder to myself, as I tend often to do, if I have made any errors, misjudged things, basically put my foot in it; who knows?

What I do know, and feel, is that perhaps this friendship really is kaput. And if that’s the case it saddens me.

The point of all this rambling? Well dear reader I say value your friendships, keep them watered and communicate. Don’t take them for granted.

GREAT INTROS: WATCHMEN

The title sequence of the Movie version of Alan Moore's Watchmen is pretty much perfect in capturing the passage of time and showing how we got to the point at which our story begins. Aided and abetted by Bob Dylan's The times they are a changing

http://youtu.be/v34hQQz7GvY

CURIOSITY CORNER-THE SAPPORO PEEL OFF LID BEER CAN

It's the middle of the Eighties and Club land is peaking, so Sapporo produce a new way of packaging there ware. The Sapporo with peel off lid thus creating your very own pint of Japanese beer. Refreshing and a must on the London Club scene during those glory days.

And now with everything being reduced in size Sapporo now comes in a mini can.

CURIOSITY CORNER-DEATH CIGARETTES

Yes they were a real brand and were available in newsagents. The advertising campaign knowingly contentious. The brand was launched at the start of the self proclaimed ironic Nineties and discontinued in 1995. A case of a product doing exactly what it said on the tin. They even made a low tar version Death Light.

"The Grim Reaper don't come cheaper"

COVERS#6 BLUR

BLONDIE

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KUBRICK

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2001
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QUEEN
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Fridgeezoo
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Clip Art
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TULA

Caroline Cossey aka Tula. Bond girl, page 3 girl, Playboy model yet born a man. back in the eighties Tula was seen on many an advertising billboard, pages of national newspapers, TV shows and movies. Born Barry Kenneth Cossey in 31st August 1954 in England, Tula is pretty much the standard bearer for transexuals making careers out there in the open. Her book is an interesting and uplifting read. Her face is synonymous with those hedonistic days and her success caused a bit of an about face within the broad entertainment industry. Leading the way must have been tough but fair play she made a career despite attitudes. 

                                           

  http://youtu.be/rgYqIvnPvqQ

Tula in Some like it hot-power station

BOGART BACALL MONROE

BEING FABULOUS MADE EASY

GREAT INTROS: MAGPIE

http://youtu.be/R37LYpB4fb0

The Spencer Davis Group sang the theme!

Instant journey back to childhood just after coming home from School. The Cool kids watched Magpie the rest Blue Peter. Obvious what I was 'trying' to be

One for sorrow

Two for joy

Three for a girl

Four for a boy

Five for silver

Six for gold

Seven for a secret never to be told

THE ONE PIECE-making a comeback

Apparently One pieces are making a comeback; they call them 'onesies' I've heard.

Anyone thinking of jumping on that particular bandwagon should look at this advert and take heed.

HAMMER GLAMOUR

http://youtu.be/XR4KnfcgLm0

Kate Bush's tribute

Hammer films, quintessentially British film company responsible for putting the oomph into Horror. Their Gothic tales were laced with rich ruby red blood and many a bodice rendered. The Hammer girl, much like the Bond girl (and many of them were both) has a a rich tradition of lithe beauties and amazonian goddesses.  The company also had forays into non Horror material and a TV series.

http://youtu.be/1mipkrEsE8Y

montage

A New book Hammer Glamour-Titan Books captures some of these images from Hammer's rich archive and stir many a childhood memory. The sublime Caroline Munro, Madeline Smith, Margaret Nolan, Lovely Valerie Leon and the inimitable Barbra Shelley they were all Hammer girls as were bigger names like Raquel Welch, Stephanie Beecham and Joanna Lumley. Sit back reach for the garlic and enjoy.

to find out more:

http://images.titanpublishing.com/promotions/hammer-glamour/

http://youtu.be/gN9UW07V3iY

girls

Hammer were also responsible for a string of ITV sitcoms turned movies in the seventies so it wasn't all about the horror but they did throw in a bit of Hammer glamour-seventies style.

GREAT INTROS: CHARADE

http://youtu.be/ltnH36_yKQ0

Charade. Not a Hitchcock movie but a twisty turny one all the same. Henry Mancini and Maurice Binder combine for this beautiful title sequence