Welcome to the Tiki Central 2.0 Beta. Read the announcement
Tiki Central logo
Celebrating classic and modern Polynesian Pop

Tiki Central / General Tiki

Spy Tiki

Pages: 1 14 replies

Z Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/623c946e80cc5.jpg?sharp=10&fit=crop&w=96&h=96&s=284e92506d073e18007f12719260de25
ZuluMagoo posted on 01/31/2009

I was in San Diego last week for a few days for a business trip and was able to spend a few hours doing some tiki research in the Central Branch of the San Diego Public Library.

I found this ad for the Bali Hai in a 1963 phonebook.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/49849e92.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=52cd83d1228654adc0d2346321f30068

I love the fact they were playng up the cold war aspect in the current political climate.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/49849eff.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7616d1ef3ce6c5dad912b5cf5902147d

To those unfamilar with the Bali Hai, it is located directly across the channel from the US Naval Air Station at North Island (home to the US Navy Seals). It is quite a sight to see the naval traffic coming and going thru the channel while sipping a Mai Tai at the bar. While I was there, The USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Regan (both nuclear powered air craft carriers) were in port.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/49849fe0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ff301a9b507faa8fc555d5303f597a53

Maybe its time to dispatch Sam Gambino's Secret Tiki Agent 006 on the case.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/4984a038.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=6a7011010ddf138392358c7148d1f679

[ Edited by: ZuluMagoo 2009-01-31 11:06 ]

BPB Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/85f835c4a041ade725da8309a9c4be36?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
Bay Park Buzzy posted on 01/31/2009

On 2009-01-31 11:02, ZuluMagoo wrote:

I love the fact they were playng up the cold war aspect in the current political climate.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/276/49849eff.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7616d1ef3ce6c5dad912b5cf5902147d

It was even more appropriate back then because the Navy used to have its battleship fleet stationed directly across the channel from the Bali Hai. You can see the wrecked and decaying dock pylons where they were kept just off the shore there now. Just a bit up the shore a ways is where they currently store and load the ordinance for the ships. That's what all those small, partially underground bunkers that you can see are for. The docks have special lights on them to signal recreational boaters to stay away while they are loading the bombs. You can see that area from the Bali Hai.

Go Navy!
Buzzy Out!


Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/proxy-image.php?user_id=4531&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tikicentral.com%2Fuploads%2F4531%2F48aae311-t.jpg&w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9a663ccba047c14a3897da0bcd3b51a6Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/proxy-image.php?user_id=4531&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tikicentral.com%2Fuploads%2F4531%2F48fd3a2a-t.jpg&w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1a585d5393201985ad35aaa9bda994a9

[ Edited by: Bay Park Buzzy 2009-01-31 11:31 ]

S Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/d087b8cfe78a0f05ac5543907daf1cca?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
spy-tiki posted on 01/31/2009

You rang?

V Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/90af674b21d8778b0e093d58e340dd21?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
VampiressRN posted on 11/08/2011

Not to mention the sub-flotilla bunked in the crevasses of Point Loma. Back in those days San Diego was one of the best protected harbors in the US. I saw Dr No at the Navy Base theater when it first came out with my cousin who was in the Navy. That theater full of Navy, Marine, Air force, Seal and other service men was such a hoot. Those guys were shouting from start to finish every time Bond won a girl or kicked some butt. I was instantly hooked on the spy genre!!!

I am really looking forward to this Oasis.

S Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/6b666dc3db5941643c43711c7618bf5d?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
socksoff posted on 11/11/2011

On 2009-01-31 12:27, spy-tiki wrote:
You rang?

no i did. what's shaking pal?

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/proxy-image.php?user_id=21633&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi42.tinypic.com%2F2enrfv8.jpg&w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=d90b2894f246524d13ae8934350a95f2

O Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/a15350cf8fd839ad0edc25a4391bf49c?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
Otto posted on 01/09/2012

Of course there are dozens of examples of Spy movies and TV shows that have nominally exotic fare

I was impressed with the amount of Exotica in Our Man Flint
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e42.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=4104f704a0b2ccd6cf87ca5810c7d3d6

He has four girlfriends, one of each nationality (a common motif of Exotica record covers of the late 50s)
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4dea.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a9ac33e1c75ba4b013cdef13c504cfff
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e0e.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=59acc4b46c832d75b29aa3d7c374866e

He has a penthouse apartment full of modern and primitive art
The entryway to his apartment has a large Papau New Guinea painting whose eye opens to reveal a camera
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e81.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=72d66fb30eb44ee4ffaf5353cd35bb35
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e7a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=834e78ae5d1e668a57288b452b6dfacf

If you are a secret agent you go to "Exotic" nightclubs
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4ef9.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=333b33a1531fcb89e21ef88a8f3b6bf5

and you hang out in Shag-like apartments like this
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4f03.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=cd0a6656ada0f2fd2722ebade493bc2d
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e8a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7194f683e71e243b57b05d8cf6ca58d3

You frequent underground beatnik jazz clubs with burlesque dancers
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4eda.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=868ba820818f9fd4844af22e03a2fbe5
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a52f6.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=e1630baf8967d7ec0516c1510cd589dd

The bomb in the nightclub is a topless wahine emerging from a face cream canister labeled "exotica"
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e9a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=04bfafd7b768115cd34fce7c4c790d68
Your female villain trying to kill you might look like this
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4fb7.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9ce98d683bab39fd960edf99bd38d45b

And you disguise yourself as a Don the Beachcomber's waiter
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4f11.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=c53e69b7c57af03e895ae6b0f2738cc3

Then it's off to a secret ultra-exotic tropical island
Where you will be serenaded by a flute/lute/guitar trio while bikini-clad babes wander by
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4ed0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=32db08a9e36fb5e3fc8f3df993374f0d
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a52e8.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a371caa3c98878ed262119fc663649b9

of course there is a swingin 60s go go dance party going on!
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4ec7.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1dab9c4834fcec38fde31b4e2c5a5c53
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4ebe.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=75c091e1ceaeac533ef78d6b97fed3d3

and a garden of earthly delights
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4eb1.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=0c7cd2bbfa931492c8507085a7cbdfe2

and a drive in movie full of MGs that are used as your seats
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a4e94.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=16c1992ea31e3c23cd485e710b908e8f!

Then they escape over Niagra Falls in barrels with the logo: "exotica"
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4f0a5450.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9b281e3ed9805436c577cd2154824e79

check out videos of Tiki Oasis 11 here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tikioasistv?feature=watch

[ Edited by: Otto 2012-05-16 22:29 ]

A Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/9d1c7894fa4dd05b01c2ab99703f5121?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
AquaZombie posted on 01/09/2012

Otto tapped me as his "point man" for this year's theme. I accepted the mission and am ready for any and all assignments.

A Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/9d1c7894fa4dd05b01c2ab99703f5121?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
AquaZombie posted on 01/10/2012

My friend Yvonne Craig was in "Our Man Flint" and had great things to say about her co-star. Unfortunately, she no longer does personal appearances so she won't be at TO12 to tell us about it. She was a special guest at my Parkway/Thrillville screening of "It Happened at the World's Fair" in August 2000, along with Gary "2001" Lockwood. Neither one had ever even seen the movie before. After 20 minutes they got up and went out in the lobby - but only after I got to sit next to Yvonne on a couch, watching Elvis seduce her on a sofa onscreen...
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/1221/4f0bed57.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=fecf449b41ddf55ed07ac2884f09d39dImage Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/1221/4f0bed6a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f7876315ef8f636bca4755b995c0e5f2
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/1221/4f0bed4a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=3b1933801a69aaae5d7c702e26cf5849
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/1221/4f0bed7e.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a53182eb58a7c1c2e0d2fea5d4864831Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/1221/4f0bedd1.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=c2328772641e862363c189ceac0bbd1a

J Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/52588535a73689125d782d3888fb21a7?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
JOHN-O posted on 01/10/2012

Yvonne Craig was certainly one of the more prolific pop culture actresses of the 1960's.

She showed up in almost every well remembered TV series from that era... 77 Sunset Strip, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, McHale's Navy, The Man from UNCLE, My Favorite Martian, The Wild Wild West, (etc. etc.) and of course Batman.

My favorite was when she played an Exotica girl from outer space in an episode of Star Trek...

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/9067/4f0c6d22.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=bfaa23be71480a510e55c4a24e6326b7

Based on the spy fad and the prevalence of Tiki during that time, there's got to be lots more cross pop cultural Spy/Tiki/Exotica pollination examples that can be pointed out.

Like this great post that Sabu did...

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=302&forum=1&vpost=558053

And maybe not Spy Tiki (more like Tiki Spy), Gilligan's Island had several plots that involved secret agents...

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/9067/4f0c7160.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=04a0ffaf9d392c0ed38dc5aba4c11ebb

A Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/9d1c7894fa4dd05b01c2ab99703f5121?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
AquaZombie posted on 01/10/2012

I can ask if she'll come down anyway, since she lives in LA. She might like the "vacation."

S Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/d087b8cfe78a0f05ac5543907daf1cca?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
spy-tiki posted on 01/11/2012

I started going through the archives here at Spy Bop Royale a while back with the idea of selling DigiTiki on a Spy Tiki episode of Quiet Village with less success than you would think. I'm still working on it, but it seems the spies of the 60's kept mostly to South America and the Caribbean for their tropical Holidays. There are more bossa novas than you can count and several tunes that must have been written immediately after the composer listened to one of his Les Baxter albums, but very little that's directly Polynesian or faux Polynesian.

Speaking of Derek Flint, The theme to "Our Man Flint" and "Hypnotique" are practically the same tune. There's a nice medley of the two by The Moonrays on their "Thrills And Chills" CD.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/976/4f0cf66c.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=bfd9c02a61bbe0475431c212fc034930

[ Edited by: spy-tiki 2012-01-10 18:40 ]

CTIT Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/1249f9c092813ba59c2421ea25f4d2da?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
Chuck Tatum is Tiki posted on 01/11/2012

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/66340/4f0cfeab.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=0e95285cf2cc4adf90f9edf3e48ce45e

B Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/eb25c2d253b411234424099865b089d2?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
bigtikidude posted on 01/11/2012

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/proxy-image.php?user_id=2300&url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_-askfMrfHiQ%2FTILF2VOldJI%2FAAAAAAAACdQ%2F9JFrg966PEE%2Fs320%2Fcopertinasecretagentsounds.JPG&w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f49081e5c7a19a057a56438efbfe193c

HJ Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/753ac03dcf49cc7295f3c9d2eda2864c?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
Haole Jim posted on 01/16/2012

One more thread which is so cool, it is off the scale.

Thank you for the Flint and other photos.

O Image Missing: https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/a15350cf8fd839ad0edc25a4391bf49c?d=blank&s=192&fit=fill
Otto posted on 05/17/2012

Come Spy With Me featuring beach party teen heart throb Troy Donahue
is an Exotica Spy B-Movie classic. Here is a scene in a Tiki bar
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4fb48d31.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=611b640eb73dd5ff31d526012bd0c6bd

and detail of the small Tiki sitting on the bar

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/90/4fb48d52.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a1c0ee586616460f9129794be788f7aa

Pages: 1 14 replies