– I just caught the tail end of this 1973 Clint Eastwood film and saw that the “Death Squad” cops were riding ‘67 Triumph T100R Daytona 500cc bikes. Earlier in the movie they rode Moto Guzzi’s Eldorado’s, also in police livery, however the stunt riders preferred the nimble characteristics of the smaller Triumph for haring across the decks of the decrepit aircraft carriers for a final showdown.
– trench coat, Homburg cap and lip-clenched pipe. Oui c’est Jacques Tati. Here the gauche and somewhat inept character on his trusty Solex motorscooter with nephew perched over the rear pannier rack. Today is Tati’s birthday. “Joyeux Anniversaire Jacques!”
– From Rudyard Kipling’s well loved stories The Jungle Book a main antagonist is the bengal tiger who is lord over the animals of the tropical forests. The Disney version has the most feline character in a near Hobbes quality.
– Dame Diana Rigg (1938-2020) played the original action girl opposite Patrick MacNee’s John Steed in the early sixties British TV show. Other notable characters include Countess Teresa di Vicenzo who became 007 James Bond’s wife; and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones. But for everyone she’ll always be the catsuited Emma Peel.
– everyone’s favorite Balkan, Goran Višnjić, celebrates his 47th birthday today. Lookin’ smart on a big adventure Beemer.
– Actor Robert Shaw taking a spin around the fishing village of Meneshma on Martha’s Vineyard which stood in for the salty fictional island location. He’s probably got a couple of bottles of scotch in the handlebar basket for an evening booze session with the locals.
Madeline Smith & Nicky Henson taking a break from filming the 70’s comedic version of the 18th Century Henry Fielding classic novel. I don’t think the Norton motorcycle is period accurate…
– The wonderful felted creations from genius Jim Henson was a regularly watched TV show in the late seventies. Made for kids but written for adults. Gonzo’s antics; Fozzy Bears insecurities; Miss Piggy’s ego; and Kermit’s gregarious verdance.
– The penmanship of Mort Drucker who died yesterday aged 91 filled the magazine MAD with his satirical caricatures. He covered a plethora of icons both real and fictional for five decades. Here is his turn of Easy Rider.
– appropriate after yesterday’s posting, here is a necklace that you can wear to display a fandom of the Happy Days character of cool.
– great image of Arthur Fonzarelli on his TR5 Triumph bobber in Al’s Diner parking lot.
Sadly one of the original action women of the silver screen died today. Honor Blackman who, in my opinion, is the definitive Bond girl. She played opposite Sean Connery in Goldfinger with perfect grace and grit. She started a life on two wheels as a dispatch rider during WW2 in London. She was 94.
– We just finished watching season nine of The Walking Dead. The bad guy you love to hate, Negan, played with a constant Cheshire Cat grin by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is here seen sitting on Daryl’s first Triumph engined chopper from the show.
– with the postponement of James Bond #25 “No Time To Die” until much later in the year here’s a photo from one of the Triumph promotional events with stunt rider taking a Tiger airborne over a burly pick-up trick. Shaken not Stirred.
– television is a suitable pastime in this day of social separation. Cruising the channels I happened upon Jimmy Deans classic film from 1955. “You’re tearing me apart!” .
