1966, Car spotting: Antwerp, Frankrijklei

Left to right:

Unidentified van, unidentified car, Volkswagen 1200 (Beetle), Volvo Amazon, Ford Cortina Mk I, Opel Rekord A, unidentified car probably Opel Kadett A, Opel Rekord P2, unidentified small car, Fiat 1300, Citroën 2CV, Ford Anglia Sportsman (123E), Volkswagen 1200 (Beetle), BMW 700, Opel Rekord P2, Citroën 2CV.

1966, Belgian Comics: “Gil Jourdan” ("Guus Slim")

In 1966 the new "Gil Jourdan" ("Guus Slim") album "Le Gant à trois doigts" ("Drie vingers") is published by Dupuis. The story first appeared in Spirou magazine (26 November 1964 - 22 April 1965). The Belgian detective comic "Gil Jourdan" was created by Maurice Tillieux in 1956. The first story appeared in Spirou magazine n° 962. Jourdan was based on Felix, an earlier creation by Tillieux. Main characters are Gil Jourdan a Paris-based detective and a Bachelor of Law, Andre Papignolles alias Libellule (English: "Dragonfly") a former burglar who becomes Jourdan's right-hand, Inspector Jules Annibal Crouton Jourdan's police contact and, Queue-de-Cerise (English: "Cherry Stem") Jourdan's secretary. The Renault Dauphine was Jourdan's choice of vehicle in his early adventures. In later adventures he drove a Fiat Dino Coupé, a Renault 16 or a Renault 17.

"Le Gant à trois doigts"

"Le Gant à trois doigts" ("Drie vingers")

- full colour

- first published in Spirou/Robbedoes (26 November 1964 - 22 April 1965)

- never published in English

- story and drawings by Maurice Tillieux

The main characters are Gil Jourdan, Libellule, Crouton, Ben El Mehmed, Ali head of the police, Ahmed, Mohammed, and Philippe Chardin a French spy.

Gil Jourdan

Libellule and Gil Jourdan

Crouton, Libellule and Gil Jourdan

Ben El Mehmed

Synopsis

When a box loaded with gloves with just three fingers on them is seized by French customs, Jourdan follows up the case to a Middle Eastern emirate. There he is promptly captured and jailed, but escapes leaving a wave of chaos behind him...

Ali head of the police

Ahmed

Mohammed and Gil Jourdan

Philippe Chardin a French spy

Cars

- Buick Super Riviera 1950

- Mercedes-Benz W111 Ambulance

- Mercedes-Benz W111 Sedan

- Mercedes-Benz Unimog 401

- Chevrolet Impala 1964 (2-door hardtop coupé and Convertible)

- Pontiac Bonneville 1964

- Buick LeSabre 1964

- Land Rover IIa Forward Control

Buick Super Riviera 1950

Mercedes-Benz W111 Ambulance

Mercedes-Benz W111 Sedan

Mercedes-Benz Unimog 401

Chevrolet Impala 1964

Pontiac Bonneville 1964

Buick LeSabre 1964

Land Rover IIa Forward Control

1966, Belgian Comics: “Suske en Wiske”

In 1966 a new "Suske en Wiske" (UK: "Bob & Bobette" or "Spike and Suzy", US: "Willy and Wanda") album is published: "Jeromba de Griek" (translation: "Jeromba the Greek"). The series "Suske en Wiske" was created by Willy Vandersteen in 1945.

No 63: "Jeromba de Griek"

- two-coloured

- never published in English

- story and drawings by Willy Vandersteen

- published in French ("Bob et Bobette") as "Jéromba le Grec"

- published in Taiwan ("Dada & Beibei") as "Xilaren ReiHongBa"

- published in German ("Suske und Wiske") as "Jeromba, der Grieche"

- published in Greek in 1985

No 63: "Jeromba de Griek"

The story was pre-published in the newspapers "De Standaard" and "Het Nieuwsblad" from 11 October 1965 until 21 February 1966. The main characters are Suske (Spike), Wiske (Suzy), aunt Sidonia, Lambik (Ambrose), Jerom (Jethro), Kemal, Borus, Stantijn and Lasido. The locations for this story are Istanbul (Basilica Cisterne), Aya Sophia, castle Anadoluhisari. The album was reedited in 1967 as No 72 in the coloured series.

Jerom (Jethro), Wiske (Suzy), Lambik (Ambrose), Suske (Spike) and Professor Barabas

Aunt Sidonia and Lambik (Ambrose)

Jerom (Jethro) and Kemal

Synopsis

Wiske (Suzy) receives from professor Barabas as a birthday present some electronic toys resembling her friends. After some bumbling by Lambik (Ambrose), one of the toys runs outside. Jerom (Jethro) goes out to find the doll. After finding it he meets the Turk Kemal. On the way home he rescues Kemal from a gang of men. In his ship's cabin Kemal asks Jerom to hide a gold scimitar...

Borus

Lasido and aunt Sidonia

Stantijn

Trivia

• title based on the film "Zorba the Greek" (1964) with Anthony Quinn.
• some of the locations and situations are the same as in "From Russia with Love" (1963) with Sean Connery.
• Vietnam War reference (1965 - 1975): Jerom (Jethro), "Tegen crisis van Vietnamblaas.. Kunt gal laten wegnemen!" (translation: "Against the Vietnam bladder crisis.. Let them remove your gal!")
• Zwartberg cole mine closure reference (Limburg, Belgium) (1966): "Dat viel nog mee, want wat is er moeilijker dan een Turk met een Griek verzoenen? Thans? Een mijnwerker met een vakbondsleider samen Sirtaki laten dansen!" (translation: "That wasn't too bad, because what is more difficult than reconciling a Turk with a Greek? Now? Let a coalminer dance the Sirtaki with a union leader!")
• "De Rode Ridder" (translation: "The Red Knight") reference, another comic series by Vandersteen.

Vietnam War reference (1965 - 1975)

Zwartberg cole mine closure reference (Limburg, Belgium) (1966)

"De Rode Ridder" (translation: "The Red Knight") reference

Cars

• Ford Fairlane 500 (1965)
• Ford Taunus 12M (P4)
• Ford Taunus 17M/20M (P5) with the back of a P3
• unidentified coach
• Willys MB Jeep
• Ford Fairlane 500 convertible (1965)
• Simca Beaulieu/Chambord/Présidence/Marly
• three unidentified cars

Ford Fairlane 500 (1965)

Ford Taunus 12M (P4)

Ford Taunus 17M/20M (P5)

unidentified coach

Willys MB Jeep

Ford Fairlane 500 convertible (1965)

Simca Beaulieu/Chambord/Présidence/Marly

three unidentified cars

1966, Television: “The Baron”

On 28 September 1966 the British television series "The Baron" premieres on ITV. The series, produced by ITC (Incorporated Television Company), was based on the books written by John Creasey under the pseudonym Anthony Morton. "The Baron" was created by Monty Berman and Robert S. Baker with theme music written by Edwin Astley. Most stories were written by Dennis Spooner and Terry Nation, some by The Avengers producer/writer Brian Clemens.

Main stars were Steve Forrest as John Mannering aka The Baron, Sue Lloyd as Cordelia Winfield, Colin Gordon as John Alexander Templeton-Green and Paul Ferris as David Marlowe. The Baron's car was a silver Jensen CV-8 Mk II with the registration BAR 1, Cordelia drove a DAF Daffodil.

Steve Forrest as John Mannering

Sue Lloyd as Cordelia Winfield

From 28 September 1966 to 19 April 1967 a total of 30 episodes were broadcast.

Steve Forrest as John Mannering with his Jensen CV-8 Mk II

Patricia Haines with Steve Forrest, Nosher Powell

and Artro Morris in the episode "Epitaph for a Hero"

Synopsis

American John Mannering (Steve Forrest), an antiques dealer and sometimes a undercover agent is working in an informal capacity for the head of the British Diplomatic Intelligence, Templeton-Green (Colin Gordon). He is assisted by Cordelia Winfield (Sue Lloyd) and David Marlowe (Paul Ferris)... 

The Baron Opening Credits

1966, Deaths: Claudette Frady Orbison (25) dies in a motorcycle accident

On 6 June, 1966, Claudette Frady Oribison, wife of the popular American singer Roy Orbison, dies in motorcycle accident in Old Hickory, Tennessee, USA. Claudette Frady was born on September 5 1941 in Odessa, Texas, USA. In 1957 Claudette Frady marries Roy Orbison. Orbison wrote and sold the song "Claudette", about his wife Frady, in 1958 to The Everly Brothers and it appeared on the B-side of their smash hit "All I Have to Do Is Dream".

In 1963 Claudette began having an affair with the contractor who built the Orbison home in Hendersonville, Tennessee , while her husband was touring in Britain. Their friends and relatives attributed it to her youth and that she was unable to withstand being alone and bored. In the same year Roy Orbison was writing with his songwriting partner Bill Dees at his house when he told Dees to get started writing by playing anything that came to mind. Orbison's wife Claudette came in and said she was going to go into town to buy something. Orbison asked if she needed any money, and Dees cracked, "Pretty woman never needs any money." Inspired, Orbison started singing, "Pretty woman walking down the street." Forty minutes later, "Oh, Pretty Woman" was completed. The single sold over seven million copies.

Claudette and Roy Oribison

In November 1964 Claudette and Roy divorced over her infidelities, though they remarried in August 1965. Claudette and Roy shared a love for motorcycles. Claudette grew up around them and Roy claimed Elvis Presley had introduced him to motorcycles.

Roy and Claudette Orbison

On 6 June, 1966, Claudette and Roy were setting off on a motorcycle holiday when a truck driver pulled out in front of her bike. She died in his arms an hour later, at just 25 years old. Roy was devastated to lose his beautiful wife. The tragic lyrics and haunting melody of 'Too Soon To Know', which reached number three in the British charts just two months later, still tug at the heartstrings four decades on.

Two songs dedicated to Claudette Frady-Oribison:

"Claudette" perfomed by The Everly Brothers, written by Roy Orbison (1958)


"Claudette" written en sung by Roy Orbison


"Oh, Pretty Woman" written en sung by Roy Orbison (1963)

1966, Film: “Le Saint prend l'affût”

The French-Italian film "Le Saint prend l'affût" (English: "The Saint Lies in Wait") is released 26 October 1966 in France. The film directed by Christian-Jaque and written by Jean Ferry is based on the character created by Leslie Charteris. Main stars are Jean Marais as Simon Templar alias “Le Saint”, Jess Hahn as Hoppy Uniatz and Danièle Evenou as Sophie Chartier.

Synopsis

Oscar Chartier (Henri Virlojeux) plays a dangerous double game by selling secret plans to the German and American secret services, to ensure a comfortable future for his daughter, Sophie (Danièle Evenou). But the plans are fake and Chartier decides to get help from his good friend Simon Templar (Jean Marais)...

Jean Marais as Simon Templar alias "The Saint"

Henri Virlojeux as Oscar Chartier alias "Oscar le Tortureux"

Jess Hahn as Hoppy Uniatz and Jean Marais as Simon Templar

Danièle Evenou as Sophie Chartier

Dario Moreno as Slimane

Jean Yanne as Mueller-Strasse

Danièle Evenou as Sophie Chartier and Jean Marais as Simon Templar

Jacques Marbeuf and Maria Broverhoff as American secret agents

Trivia

Stunt arranger Gil Delamare, doubling for Jean Marais, was killed during a car stunt with a Renault Caravelle 1100 S.

Gil Delamare at the wheel of the Renault Caravelle 1100 S, moments before the accident

Main cast

• Jean Marais as Simon Templar alias "The Saint"
• Raffaella Carrà as Anita Pavone
• Jess Hahn as Hoppy Uniatz
• Jean Yanne as Mueller-Strasse, German secret agent
• Danièle Evenou as Sophie Chartier
• Henri Virlojeux as Oscar Chartier alias "Oscar le Tortureux"
• Sylvain as Hans, German secret agent
• Dario Moreno as Slimane
• Henri Guégan as German secret agent
• Tiberio Murgia as Tonio Catoni
• Claudio Gora as Joe Colosimo
• Nerio Bernardi as Cesare Pavone, the Commandatore
• Ettore Bevilacqua as Gringo
• Carlo Piscane as Cameleoni
• Hélène Dieudonné as Herminie
• Daniel Crohem as Colonel Wade
• Reinhardt Kolldehoff as Schmutz, German secret agent
• Roger Carel as the professor
• Siegfried Rauch as Johnny K.W. Mest
• Jacques Marbeuf as American secret agent
• Maria Broverhoff as Monica, American secret agent
• Katia Christina as Mary