Loosely based on the series of Matt Helm novels by Donald Hamilton, “The Silencers” features Dean Martin as erstwhile counter agent Matt Helm. Not to be confused with the counter agent at Northwest who lost my luggage last week. Helm isn’t a secret agent who spies and stuff, he just causes problems for other spies. Which is good work if you can get it. Helm was formerly with the organization I.C.E. (Intelligence and Counter Espionage).

Released within months of the premiere of his popular long-running TV show, “The Dean Martin Comedy Hour” in 1966, “The Silencers” is the first of four films starring Dean Martin as Matt Helm. Highly successful when released, “The Silencers” was followed the same year by “Murderer’s Row,” in the next year by “The Ambushers,” and two years later in “The Wrecking Crew” from 1969.

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Taking its inspiration from the original Playboy Club, located in downtown Chicago, this DIY built music wall is not only a homage to the electronic entertainment wall that was installed at the Chicago club in 1964 but also takes it one step further by enhancing it with modern technology. The designer was determined to have a room to call his own and used his carpentry skills to create something that would look like going back in time, but keeping all modern conveniences and high fidelity.

The original Playboy club featured bunnies serving cocktails and live performances by legendary names such as Sid Ceasar, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Bob Hope and Mel Tormé. This modern version sadly does not come with any bunnies or with crooners. (Via)

The first memory I have of Jane Fonda is from watching my mother’s copy of Jane Fonda’s 1982 exercise video, aptly titled “Workout,” based on Fonda‘s even more aptly titled LP “Jane Fonda‘s Workout Record.“ Hot off the heels of early ‘80s HBO mainstays “Nine to Five” and “On Golden Pond,” Fonda appeared on the video box in leg warmers and promised music by REO Speedwagon, Billy Ocean, and Boz Scaggs. Based on her dowdy appearance in “Nine to Five” and her whiny semi-autobiographical role in “On Golden Pond,” I hadn’t realized Fonda had been a sex symbol until years later when I rented a copy of Barbarella on VHS.

It is the year 40,000 and Barbarella is hot on the trail of Durand Durand and his missing Positronic Ray. Follow along and I’ll answer such questions as: Can Barbarella rescue Durand Durand before the Black Queen destroys him? Will Barbarella out-pleasure the Excessive Machine? Have STDs been cured 38,000 years from now or does Barbarella just have really low self-esteem?

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Twiggy, born Lesley Hornby, is without a doubt one of the biggest fashion icons to emerge from the 1960′s. Her thin frame and big blue eyes became the envy of fashionistas everywhere. The look of drawn on lashes (anything to make the eyes look bigger) and pale lips became a Twiggy staple as girls copied her look to fit in with Swinging London and everything Mod. The geometric patterns and straight cuts of fabric in 60′s fashion fit the Twiggy’s frame as clothes did in the sketches fashion designers put down on paper–making her the perfect model. In a way, Twiggy and her “twig-like legs” (as you’ll see in the video above) brought designs to life in a way other models hadn’t done before.

Twiggy took her style around the world, landing numerous jobs in Europe, the US and Asia. Her success also came with numerous awards including being named “The Face of 1966,” “Woman of the Year,” and a variety of Vogue covers. While the 90′s ushered in the era of the supermodel, including fellow Brit Kate Moss, I think it’s safe to say Twiggy revolutionized the British modeling and fashion scene and inspired girls across the globe to cut their hair short and challenge their own sense of style.

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The opening begins with an ominous scene. In succession, skiers descend a snowy mountainside under moonlight in what surely represents the director’s vision of the Archangel Lucifer descending into hell. Then the credits announce “Starring Frankie Avalon” as Avalon sings the theme song. Thus begins another entry in American International Pictures’ series of Beach movies.

The film proper leads off with an unbilled Annette Funicello teaching a sex education class. She explains in vain that one can “have fun without sex”. Todd (Frankie Avalon) and Craig (Dwayne Hickman) are two of Annette’s college students, pursuing their carnal desires without success. Todd wants Linda (Deborah Walley) and Craig wants Barbara (Yvonne Craig). Meanwhile, Linda, Barbara, and the rest of the female student body are swarming around Big Man on Campus, Freddie (Aron Kincaid). Todd and Craig discover that the ladies are following Freddie on a ski trip during school break, and the two Casanova wannabes make a plan to score.

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Lets go back 40 years or so to the late 1960s and when traveling in style was possible with airlines such as British state owned airline BOAC – which had its heydays in the 1960s and early 1970s. Jack Parnell and his Orchestra sets the mood. Our destination? Around the world and back again. What do you daydream about today? (Via)