Cult Icons: the BATMAN (1966-68)

ADAM WEST: the ORIGINAL - AND BEST - BATMAN

For a kid of the sixties, there is only one true BATMAN. Long before the character became a miserable, neurotic and boring leather clad nipple fetishist with an attitude problem there was the indominable Adam West with his noble sense of square jawed duty that would put Buzz Lightyear to shame. Dancing along the tightrope that seperated camp corn and grated cheeze, his version of Gothams finest was the comic colour writ large on the small screen for teeny and not so teeny tots. So you can keep your Keaton, Clooney, Kilmer and the dour bugger that's in the hallowed batsuit right now. None of them have given the character the sense of dignity and noblesse oblige that West brought to the role. He was, and still is, the real deal.

Electric Movie Preview: SUPERMAN - Man of Steel (2012)

FIRST IMAGE - HENRY CAVILL AS THE MAN OF STEEL.

Here we go, first shot of the new Superman looking darkly determined doing what he does best. Suit looks interesting in a snake skin scaley sort of way. Better than lycra and those plastic booties anyway. Never was a huge DC fan, but with the Reeve version they pretty much hit it out of the park. Once you remember Reeve stepping out of that phone booth and flying up to rescue Lois Lane from that helicopter hanging off the side of a skyscraper everything else just seems so much more less. Routh was perfectly fine in SUPERMAN RETURNS but his portrayal lacked Reeve's charm and knowing presence. Mr Cavill has a tough act to follow. Further updates as and when they appear..

Electric Snapshot:: Dr WHO "The Doctors Wife"

"HELLO DOCTOR."

I'm a fan of Doctor WHO but I'm not a Doctor WHO fan - if that makes sense. As far back as I can remember the Doctor has always been there in the background of my life. A constant flickering, sometimes noticed, sometimes not, during a Saturday tea time with fizzy pop, apple pies and cream buns. For all of my time on this planet, Doctor WHO has been there on a journey through time and space, written its tall inter-galactic and inter-dimensional tales, discovered its hybrid heritage and regenerated its own fan obsessed mythology. If ever there was something that defined classic longevity then it is the epic story of Doctor WHO.

Electric Snapshot is about frozen moments in time. Timeless moments that stand out amongst the normal static we endure. Doctor WHO has a fair few and I'm sure as time goes on I'll be devoting more posts about those classic moments I remember. For now, this is the first moment I've chosen. From NewWHO Season 6, this is from the episode "The Doctor's Wife" written by fantasy scribe Neil Gaiman and is a quiet moment when the eleventh Doctor comes face to face with his most faithful companion and devoted guardian - the soul of the TARDIS. It's moments like this which elevates this story of a time and space travelling alien above almost everything else on television. A story of someone who's best friend just happens to be the coolest thing ever invented/created in the known universe.

Retro Videogames: Dungeon Master (1985)

ELECTRIC PIX TOP VIDEOGAMES - DUNGEON MASTER

a personal selection of retro favourites.

Dungeon Master by FTL is such a wonderful and seminal game. I bought an ATARI ST just to play it. Some things just feel right when you experience them, and everything about Dungeon Master is pitch perfect right. From the initial selection of your adventurers to the brilliantly atmospheric environment and fear of light giving way to dark doom as you travel deeper into the dungeon, the game is awash with epic and memorable moments.

Anyone who has played it has their own. Mine is entering a huge hall several levels down for the first time, torches flickering their last gasps and suddenly hearing a shriek behind my group. Spinning around we came face to face with a bunch of psychotic Ghosts hell bent on providing a quick death to one and all. The moment further enhanced as the lights finally went out. I don't think I've swore so much, ran so blindly fast, and produced so many "OOoof's!!" as I bounced from wall to wall trying to escape from their north, south, east and west clutches. "Well, ok, now how the hell am I supposed to kill those bastards then?!" Moments make games great and that was a fucking 10/10.

Dungeon Master is perfect in that it knows its limits. One step forward - run like hell a dozen more back to escape. Cool puzzles that required much head scratching back in 1985. The solutions to which were always of the "DOH!!" variety. Pressure pads, hidden buttons, the hunt for food and water, killing everything and eating everything no matter how icky they looked, learning spells, finding badass weapons and hefting armour until your group were the toughest sons of bitches on the planet.That was what Dungeon Master was about. Brilliant, fantastic, superb and utterly addicting.

BLUE OGRES AND WAILING MUMMIES

 YE OLDE ADVENTURERS BACKPACK

For me, Dungeon Masters greatest claim to fame is not the game itself, but more that it was the inspiration for an even greater game to come. That game was called CAPTIVE on the Amiga. More about that another time.

So raise your flaggon of steaming brew to Dungeon Master, a truly classic game from a more imaginative era and a worthy entry into the ELECTRIC PIX Hall of Videogaming Fame.

*

Electric Cinemas: the ODEON - Newcastle Upon Tyne.

MOVIE MAGIC - THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF.

There are places which during the course of one's life come to mean more than any other. These are places which hold special memories that will always be remembered at the end of days. Growing up during the sixties and seventies, the places I loved the most were cinemas. The excitement, anticipation and awe of going to see a movie on the "big screen" will never be matched in my book. Though I lived in a north eastern town that had two picture houses - the Wallaw and Regal, both much loved in their own way, there was nothing like travelling the 20 miles or so to the big city to see a movie at the biggest cinema in the region. 

This cinema was called the ODEON. It was on its 70mm screen that I first saw STAR WARS at its first showing in late 1977 with a packed cinema. An unforgettable experience somehow enhanced by the fact we had to stand in line for a couple of hours just to be able to get in.  I think I earned my Geek First Class badge that day and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

the ODEON circa 1960ish.

The ODEON was a lovely building with the decor done in art deco, with crystal lighting, and hued in deep rich comforting reds. To enter the auditorium you had to climb two flights of stairs which gave the impression that you were going to see something amazing once you'd reached the top. And you did as you can see in the top image. Sadly, the ODEON is no more. As with most things worthwhile it was closed down when a new multiplex was opened on the other side of town - which, as expected, is nothing more than a souless shell of rampant commercialism and spotlight blandness. The old building is now deserted, a mere derelict with the threat of demolition hanging over it. All very sad but I shall cherish the fantastic times and the pleasures it gave me and countless generations who sat spellbound at the moving images projected within its walls.

Retro Toys: Chad Valley Football (1968)

THE TINPLATE FIRST DIVISION LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Other than a spinning top and a plastic duck shooting game, CHAD VALLEY FOOTBALL is the earliest toy I can remember owning. Made out of depressed tin plate, the game was superbly simple in its design. Played with a steel "penka" ballbearing, the players were controlled by triggers on either side of the pitch when the penka was in their slot. The great thing about the game was that the pitch was enclosed so it had a sort of "5-a-side" feel to it - plus you didn't have to run around fetching the ball after your crap centre forward decided to stick it in row zed.  Wonderful memories of doing kitchen table cup draws with teams written on a folded piece of paper and drawn from a crisp packet with the obvious dramatic commentary by yours truly. A fantastic and favourite football game which was way better than Subbuteo or Striker which followed afterwards.

Cult Icons: the Railway Arms Pub.

A LAST DRINK FOR WANDERING SOULS

Even heaven can wait until you've finished your pint.. 

life on mars + ashes to ashes

Electric Movie Preview: the AVENGERS (2012)

21st CENTURY CAPTAIN AMERICA in the AVENGERS

A very cool first high rez shot from Marvel's the AVENGERS due May 2012. Nice detailed close up of Chris Evans as Cap in his new costume. They got his WWII outfit right with the Paratrooper retro vibe and I'm liking this version a lot. After seeing the trailer I'm pretty happy with the overall look and hope Whedon can pull this thing off. I loved the Avengers comic as a kid so this is the major release as far as I'm concerned for next year. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!!!

Retro Future: New York Interstate - August 2095.

ALL ROADS HEAD NORTH VIA NYI 45

 Check out the 1950's retro automotive vibe that was the big deal between the years 2093 to 2099

Retro Babes: Liz White.

LIZ WHITE as ANNIE CARTWRIGHT in LIFE ON MARS

The etheral and eternal Annie. No wonder Sam decided to take that leap of faith to go back to her.

Cult Icons: Gene Hunt's Ford Cortina Mk 111

A REAL CAR FIT FOR ARMED BASTARDS

 Gene Hunt, Sam Tyler and Annie Cartwright - wandering spirits.

Retro Toys: JOE 90 Flying Car.

JOE90 - MAC'S CAR

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the early 1970's Gerry Anderson marionette sci-fi action tv shows was the quality of the craft/ship/automotive design. Though I love the hardware in series like Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray, for me, the best is Mac's flying car from JOE90. Everything about it is aerodynamically wrong but looks so dammed right and cool. 

As a kid, I had the original Dinky boxed version which was labelled as "Joe's Car." and was just a superb replica with retractable wheels and wings. I wish I'd kept the bloody thing and not swapped it for something I can't remember. I sense a theme running here. It's called  "DOH !!!" syndrome...

Retro Babes: Karen Gillan.

SOME WHOVIANS HAVE ALL THE LUCK

Hang on, so what regeneration is this?

Isn't he a little short for a Space and Time Traveller?

 Anyway, behold she of the "legs and fiery mane."

Electric Movie Preview: Prometheus (2012)

First image..

IN SPACE NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU GO "Hmmmmm..."

Not a huge fan of mainstream Ridley Scott, but when he dabbles in electric sci-fi and plays with retro future gizmos and hardware I'll be there first night, front row, and with anticipation set at 11. So this is the first image release from Prometheus, the film set in an ALIEN unverse that's not really about those ALIENS at all. Electric Pix shall be keeping a beady monopitcal on this one..

Electric Snapshot: FRASIER.

GOOD NIGHT, SEATTLE - WE REALLY DID LOVE YOU

This is the greatest tv comedy show ever. I can't put into words how much I loved this show during its eleven season run. This final episode had me near tears for every end to a journey is sad no matter how fantastic the ride. And this was the bestest ride ever. Everything about it was perfect; characters, cast, and the brilliant writing. Can't believe it's been nearly seven years since it finished. It's funny how you sometimes measure the passing of years by comparing it to events during it. I think I'll call my time "since the Frasier days." So many memories of a wonderful series, but my favourite line and moment was the "this dress is so tight I had to take my knickers off to get into it" from Daphne with a pop eyed Niles standing behind her having a silent cardiac arrest at the thought. Good night, Seattle and thanks for the memories..

Lenscap: New York City 1931

REACHING FOR THE SKY - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Helluva way to spend your working day. Amazing photo from 1931.

Retro Comics: Classics Illustrated #133

HG WELLS "the TIME MACHINE."

Am a complete sucker for anything to do with time travel and this is a pulp favourite.

version shown: UK reprint 2010

Classic Movie Posters: Dr Who and the Daleks/Dalek Invasion Earth 2150AD..

 EVERY THING THAT EVER HAPPENED OR EVER WILL - SO WHERE DO YOU WANT TO START?

Two classic retro posters from the movie versions of Dr Who with the dependable Peter Cushing as the Time Traveller from Galifrey. Amazing to think that I actually saw these on the big screen as a Saturday matinee double bill. I loved them as a kid and I always remember thinking that sfx shot of the Dalek ship flying over the English countryside as it came in to land was the most impressive thing ever. It looked so real. Hope you enjoy these fab posters as much as I do..

Dr Who and the Daleks - 1965.

Dalek Invasion Earth 2150AD - 1966.

Retro Videogaming: Crash #1 1984.

CRASH #1 February 1984.

The Bible for rubber key addicts everywhere.

Retro Videogaming: ULTIMATE PLAY THE GAME.

 

THE GREATEST VIDEOGAME COMPANY EVER

The heroes of videogamers today are the likes of Rockstar, Bungie, Bethesda or Epic, but for the original old school gamers who were around to witness the birth of the industry back in the early 80's, the pioneers during those days are remembered with awe and affection. This includes me. 

As far as I'm concerned, the greatest ever videogame company were ULTIMATE PLAY THE GAME. The company was founded by two brothers, Tim and Chris Stamper, in 1982. Both were ex-arcade developers/coders who saw the potential in home gaming with the launch of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K computer here in the UK. Their first release was a simple and addictive shooter called Jetpac which was a huge success due mainly to its arcade quality graphics which were amazing for the time. From there many of their releases became huge hits and all time classics: games like Cookie, Tranz Am, Atic Atac, Lunar Jetman, Sabre Wulf, Underwurlde, Knight Lore, Alien 8 and many more.

 The awesome Atic Attack

What made ULTIMATE special was not the quality of their product but more due to the deliberate air of mystery which surrounded the company. They never courted the media, never attended computer shows and never issued a release schedule. The first thing you saw when a release was upcoming was a single page advert in the videogame magazines and that was it. It all added to the legend that was ULTIMATE. Looking back, I have so many great memories of their games - buying their first, Jetpac, was one. But the one I remember the most is the dual release of Underwurlde and the epic Knight Lore in 3D. Two ULTIMATE games out at the same time was just mindblowing to us Spectrum owners back in '84. Both games, of course, were absolutely brilliant and revolutionary.

As time passed and the Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari St and Amiga era's faded away, ULTIMATE became RARE who began to work with and produce games for the new kids on the block - consoles. The Stampers eventually sold up and left the videogaming scene a few years later. RARE were bought by Microsoft and the heart of the company was lost. 

Those early Spectrum days were fantastic and unforgettable. All thanks to a small group of people that anyone hardly knew anything about...