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Dumpshock Forums _ General Gaming _ The Man From UNCLE

Posted by: Wounded Ronin Dec 20 2007, 07:01 PM

A number of years ago I tried to run a 1960s type spy campaign using SR3 rules. I had all sorts of silly rules, like there were only light pistols, and that it was not possible to reload them in combat, but instead when your pistol was empty you had to fling it at your opponent in frustration. There was also a James Bond Sexual Harassment rule that was so powerful it imploded the whole campaign.

A big part of my research was watching episodes of "The Man From UNCLE" at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City. It's what gave me the idea for the mandatory pistol-flinging.

A few years ago 60s spy spoofs were really popular due to Austin Powers and we saw a few like-themed games emerge such as No One Lives Forever. My only recommendation if anyone wants to run a spy campaign today set in the 60s is that they must watch a few episodes of "The Man From UNCLE" which are, again, available at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_From_UNCLE

Posted by: Fix-it Dec 20 2007, 09:31 PM

Mission Impossible > Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Posted by: Wounded Ronin Dec 20 2007, 10:56 PM

QUOTE (Fix-it)

Mission Impossible > Man from U.N.C.L.E.

To be fair MI was in the 70s, whereas UNCLE the 60s.

Posted by: Fix-it Dec 21 2007, 03:21 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Impossible

they were aired at the same time in the late 60s.

Posted by: Karaden Dec 21 2007, 03:29 AM

I think throwing your gun at your opponent is a requirement in everything except an action movie. It is also really popular when fighting super heros. "Superman may be able to stop the bullets from this gun... but not the gun itself! Oh... crud..."

Posted by: hyzmarca Dec 21 2007, 05:41 AM

Let's not forget http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Spy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Avengers_%28TV_series%29, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saint_%28TV_series%29, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Man & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prisoner, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_West_%28TV_series%29, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Smart. All are excelent examples of the genre and the era (though Honey West was more of a crime drama).

Ever notice that Superman always ducks the gun instead of just letting it bounce off his face?

Posted by: Wounded Ronin Dec 22 2007, 12:35 AM

QUOTE (Fix-it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Impossible

they were aired at the same time in the late 60s.

But I remember watching episodes from the first season of UNCLE in black and white, which was early 60s, whereas MI was all color. So UNCLE probably *started* earlier.

Posted by: Fortune Dec 22 2007, 01:07 AM

QUOTE (Wounded Ronin @ Dec 22 2007, 10:35 AM)

But I remember watching episodes from the first season of UNCLE in black and white, which was early 60s, whereas MI was all color. So UNCLE probably *started* earlier.

That's not necessarily the best indicator, since color was not implemented at the same time for all shows, movies and networks.

The http://imdb.com/title/tt0057765/ first aired in 1964 and ran until 1968, while http://imdb.com/title/tt0060009/ hit the television sets in 1966 and continued on till 1973. Of course, then there's the re-runs.

Posted by: Mercer Dec 25 2007, 10:49 AM

For me, 60's spy television shows will always pale in comparison with The Prisoner. Can't help it, it got to me early.