Out now: Original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" soundtrack by Carmen Dragon

A new one from the folks at La La Land Records:
La-La Land Records, Paramount Pictures and The Carmen Dragon Music Library present the world premiere release of composer Carmen Dragon’s (COVER GIRL, WHEN IN ROME, KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE) original motion picture score to the classic 1956 sci-fi chiller INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter and Larry Gates, and directed by Don Siegel.
Renowned composer/conductor/arranger Carmen Dragon creates an astoundingly complex and groundbreaking work, (his inventive use of low, staccato piano notes for suspense would inspire many composers to do the same) that perfectly emboldens the film’s sci-fi terror and paranoia, while never neglecting the story’s human emotions or its psychological and sociological underpinnings.
Produced for La-La Land Records by Carmen Dragon’s son-in-law, Richard “Rick” Henn and Neil S. Bulk, and restored and mastered by Stephen Marsh and Fernando Lee, this limited edition release of 2,000 units includes source music bonus tracks and features exclusive, in-depth liner notes by film music Jeff Bond, with a special note from album co-producer Henn. Dan Goldwasser’s sharp art design completes a must-have score release that will take over your entire being.

Cool! Batman "to the Batcave!" set from Mattel

A new set from Mattel provides a Batman figure (with Bruce Wayne head) and cool props inspired by the 1960s TV show, such as the Bat Computer, Bat Phone, Shakespeare bust and more.





Comic Art: Batman turns the page


Pop Focus: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.


With a new "Man from U.N.C.L.E." film opening this week, we take a look back at the 1960s TV series that inspired it all.

Starring Robert Vaughn as American spy Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as his Soviet counterpart Ilya Kuryakin, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." ran on NBC from 1964 and 1968 and, along with the James Bond films, spearheaded the mid-Sixties spymania phenomenon.

Numerous imitators followed in the show's wake, and, along with the "Batman" TV series running on ABC around the same time, "U.N.C.L.E." spawned hundreds of merchandising tie-ins, from a comic book series and toys to lunch boxes, paperback novels, board games and more.

U.N.C.L.E. stood for United Network Command for Law Enforcement, an international group formed to take on the larger threat of T.H.R.U.S.H., a criminal group bent on taking over the world.

While often considered a James Bond knock-off, it's interesting to note that 007 author Ian Fleming was involved in U.N.C.L.E.'s creation and came up with the character and name of Solo.

Here is a selection of pics from the program and associated products. More U.N.C.L.E. here next week.