 The Man From UNCLE, spy thriller history |
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 Dec 20 2007, 07:01 PM
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#1
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Great Dragon  Group: Members Posts: 6,640 Joined: 6-June 04 Member No.: 6,383  |
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 |
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Dec 20 2007, 09:31 PM
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#2
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Creating a god with his own hands Group: Members Posts: 1,405 Joined: 30-September 02 From: 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 Member No.: 3,364 |
Mission Impossible > Man from U.N.C.L.E.
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Dec 20 2007, 10:56 PM
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#3
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 6,640 Joined: 6-June 04 Member No.: 6,383 |
To be fair MI was in the 70s, whereas UNCLE the 60s. |
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Dec 21 2007, 03:21 AM
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#4
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Creating a god with his own hands Group: Members Posts: 1,405 Joined: 30-September 02 From: 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 Member No.: 3,364 |
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Dec 21 2007, 03:29 AM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 861 Joined: 27-November 07 Member No.: 14,397 |
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..."
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Dec 21 2007, 05:41 AM
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#6
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Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
Let's not forget I Spy, The Avengers, The Saint, Danger Man & The Prisoner, Honey West, and 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? |
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Dec 22 2007, 12:35 AM
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#7
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 6,640 Joined: 6-June 04 Member No.: 6,383 |
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. |
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Dec 22 2007, 01:07 AM
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#8
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
That's not necessarily the best indicator, since color was not implemented at the same time for all shows, movies and networks. The Man From U.N.C.L.E first aired in 1964 and ran until 1968, while Mission Impossible hit the television sets in 1966 and continued on till 1973. Of course, then there's the re-runs. |
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Dec 25 2007, 10:49 AM
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#9
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,326 Joined: 15-April 02 Member No.: 2,600 |
For me, 60's spy television shows will always pale in comparison with The Prisoner. Can't help it, it got to me early.
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