The Elusive Where Eagles Dare MGM 7” Single

The Elusive Where Eagles Dare MGM 7” Single 

I suppose there are certain things (as a collector) that you almost surrender or yield any hope of actually finding a certain piece to fill that longstanding gap in the collection. When it comes to Eastwood related vinyl singles – there’s always been a few, one immediately thinks of the Japanese Coogan’s Bluff single release of Pigeon-Toed Orange Peel by The Lead is one such peace of vinyl that springs to mind or perhaps the Japanese single release of the Paul Williams song Where do we go from here from the film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is another such rarity. In addition to this list, I would also add the 7” French release of the Where Eagles Dare theme – a damn near impossible piece of vinyl to find – or so it seemed. 

It was a couple of weeks ago when I was checking out a dealer based in France, he certainly had a good collection of film related 7” singles and as a result I spent the good part of a whole evening checking out is inventory. It was a couple of hours later that I suddenly saw this beauty raise its head Yes, the elusive MGM 61 625 – Ron Godwin’s Theme to Quand Les Aigles Attaquent aka Where Eagles Dare. Both sleeve and vinyl were rated as excellent – and luckily at £16 it wasn’t too much of a ball breaker – considering this was the first time I had actually ever seen one for sale, I wasted very little time in adding it to my basket, making contact with the excellent seller and with a few other choice selections, put an order together straight away. 

Well, this seldomly single arrived today, perfect packaged and projected and in really lovely condition. I still have no idea why, but this French release seems to be the only ever 7” release for the theme – not even the superb Japanese market entertained a single – I’ve spent years researching this pressing and never seen any other 7” single release. I actually surprised that England didn’t release a single or even an EP as a Ron Goodwin EP wasn’t an unusual thing in the 60’s in the UK. 

The lovely (paper stock) picture sleeve on this single is the same as the French soundtrack LP release and features the film’s French poster art. 

It’s certainly nice to finally draw a line under this one, it’s taken a while, but proof if it was ever needed that everything eventually comes to those who wait. 

A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More Swedish advertising

A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More Swedish advertising 

When it comes to advertising and the Dollars movies – you can probably find a fair amount on the internet. The films are pretty well covered from Spanish, Italian, British and American. However, mention Swedish advertising and you might well pause for a moment, and question what artwork comes to mind? 

The truth is, Swedish posters are not necessarily the first posters that spring to mind. So when I saw these 2 original Swedish newspaper advertisements, I thought they were very much worth saving and for posting here. They’re just not something you see that often, so my thanks for whoever originally posted these on the web – they certainly hold a great deal of charm. 

You only Live Twice / A Fistful of Dollars

You only Live Twice / A fistful of Dollars 

1971 was a good year in the UK. It might have seemed unusual at the time, but United Artists couldn’t resist the temptation to double up on 2 of their biggest commodities in Bond and Eastwood. The Dollar films were still proving to be popular as was Bond who was about to return to the role in Diamonds are Forever.   

The pairing of a western and a Bond adventure was a little strange. Perhaps even stranger was the fact that the A Fistful of Dollars portion of the double bill was rated 'X' – the Bond film carried it’s usual ‘A’ certificate meaning if any young lad wanted to specifically see the Bond feature – he’d be out of luck. 

The double feature played in cinemas around the country, including a three-week run at the London Pavilion starting in May 1971. With Clint’s Dirty Harry waiting in the wings (it would have a UK release a year later in April 1972) – Clint’s would begin reaching the dizzy hights of superstardom.

The release of You only Live Twice and A fistful of Dollars certainly provided the opportunity for some pretty wonderful publicity. Some of these have been published here on the Archive before, but I thought I’d brig them all together with the use of some unpublished ads new to the Archive for the first time. 

Bond and Clint, together at the Bournemouth Odeon 1971

Below: The Double Bill UK Quad poster, and perhaps the even rarer Double Crown poster

Below: Some rare advertising blocks for the Double Bill

Ryan Reynolds Eyes Remake of Clint Eastwood’s Thunderbolt & Lightfoot

Ryan Reynolds Eyes Remake of Clint Eastwood’s Thunderbolt & Lightfoot

Thanks to our friend Olly Peden for pointing me towards this. It seems that Deadline are reporting on this possible remake of another classic Eastwood movie – why? Is Hollywood really so short on ideas and originality? Don’t get me wrong, I kinda enjoy the work of Ryan Reynolds, hell you can make as many Deadpool films as you wish, but don’t go stepping all over a classic.

Anyway, Deadline’s Anthony D'Alessandro reported:

We can confirm that a remake of the hit 1974 United Artists action-comedy Thunderbolt & Lightfoot is in works at Amazon MGM Studios with Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Ryan Reynolds looking to star and produce under his Maximum Effort banner. 

Below: Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds in R.I.P.D. (2013)

Shane Reid is making his feature directorial debut. Reid was an editor on the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever, Deadpool & Wolverine, which minted $636.7 million domestic and $1.33 billion at the global box office. Reynolds is working on the script with writers Enzo Mileti and Scott Wilson. Mileti and Wilson penned the fourth season of FX anthology series Fargo and wrote and worked as consulting producers on the network’s Snowfall. In addition, they were part of the writing staff for the Frank Grillo MMA series The Kingdom.

The original dark-comedy heist movie was written and directed by the late Michael Cimino in his feature helming debut. The pic follows a bank robber (Eastwood) and his irreverent sidekick (Bridges) who reassemble their old posse for a daring new heist.

Unadjusted for inflation, the movie made $21.7M back in the day. Bridges notched a Supporting Actor Oscar nom for the movie produced by Robert Daley.

Reynolds’ Maximum Effort has a first-look deal at Paramount that was re-upped in February 2024. He will play the bad guy and produce Netflix’s live-action take of children’s book Eloise, which his Maximum Effort is also producing.

Reynolds stars in Legendary and Warner Bros’ hybrid animated movie, Animal Friends, next summer in the role of Pony.

This story prompted a response from an anonymous reader which I think pretty much sums up the general feeling:

‘Bad idea. The movie is a classic it’s perfect just the way it is. Impossible for Ryan to do a role Clint was superb in and Bridges was great in his role they had amazing chemistry.’

I wouldn’t really add anything to that… 

Eastwood and Newman paired again / Misty World Premiere Ad

Eastwood and Newman paired again / Misty World Premiere Ad

It’s fair to say that both Clint and Paul Newman had crossed paths many a time. It was rumoured that Newman actually suggested Clint for the role of Dirty Harry. They joined up for that famous photo shoot in Tucson, Arizona when Newman was making the movie The life and times of Judge Roy Bean, and a few years later ‘Eiger’ became another project of shared interest at Universal. 

I’ve got to say though, I never had no idea of this particular pairing featuring Play Misty for Me and Newman’s Sometimes a great Notion (1971). Both films were made in the same year and both were dramas of sorts. Both were also Universal Pictures. Sometimes a Great Notion starred Newman, Henry Fonda, Michael Sarrazin and Lee Remick. 

I’ve also included here a couple more recently found ads for Play Misty for Me – you may notice one appears to be a ‘world premiere’. Whilst Play Misty for Me premiered in October 1971 at the San Francisco Film Festival. It opened in six cities on October 20, 1971, before expanding in November. However, the film also had a very early premiere in the United States in El Paso, Texas, on August 4th, 1971 – which seems to tie in nicely with this particular ad and justifying perfectly the wording of ‘World premiere’. The premiere was probably held at the Plaza – The Plaza Theatre opened September 12, 1930 for movies and stage shows, it had a seating capacity for 2,298. The theatre’s Atmospheric style beauty is equally matched by its glorious Spanish Colonial decor. A truly stunning movie palace, it is one of a handful of theatres that became part of the Save America’s Treasures program.

After decades as an entertainment venue for the city, the Plaza Theatre was narrowly saved from demolition in 1987 by the El Paso Community Foundation who raised $1 million for the theatre’s restoration. The city later took control of the Plaza Theatre and a renovation and restoration project was underway for several years to reopen the theatre.

Assisted by the Save America’s Treasures program, the Plaza Theatre received the help it needed to complete the renovation and reopened March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), 2006.

I believe the ‘cinema park’ also featured in the ad was a 3-screen Cinema Park Drive-In which was opened on May 7, 1969, it was located on Montana Avenue in El Paso’s east side.

Below: Misty's official premiere when shown at the San Francisco Film Festival in October 1971

VINTAGE BERWICK RAWHIDE GAME 1960

VINTAGE BERWICK RAWHIDE GAME 1960

It was great to finally land one of these vintage Rawhide game produced in 1960 by Berwick. Made in England, it came complete with instructions, play money, markers in the shape of cows and the original tumbling dice and tub. Lid with photo of Clint Eastwood and illustration of Eric Fleming. 

This early children's game based on the long running TV series Rawhide and it accommodated 2-4 players, in a basic roll and move game designed to be a race to be the first to get the cattle to the finish line.

There is an interesting comparison between the English version of the game and the U.S. version (produced by Lowell Corp). The main difference being the box art which only features Eric Fleming as trail boss Gil Favor. Clint’s character of Rowdy Yates is completely omitted. Arguably, Clint’s role was still not strong enough to be featured? On the British box art however, Clint does appear (in photo format) which has been overlaid on the artwork – almost as if it has been added as a late afterthought.  

Anyway, it’s great to finally own one of these. 

Below: The U.S. version of the board game

A Perfect world German A2 Video poster

A Perfect world German A2 Video poster

I wanted to shout out a big thank you to my No2 here on the Archive, Davy Triumph. He often springs a surprise on me – especially if he knows it’s something I’m missing. So last week this beautiful A2 German video poster for A Perfect World (*Perfect World) showed up out of the blue. I really wanted this design, and been after it for a while. Germany really went all out to promote this movie on Video with several different designs emerging over the advertising campagne. This particular one featured a striking profile shot of Clint as Chief "Red" Garnett. Great to finally have a copy in the collection. 

My kind thanks sir.  

Cannes 2008 official festival Programme

Cannes 2008 official festival Programme

It was quite a nice surprise to see this pop up the other night, the Cannes Film Festival 2008 Official Programme - 2008 was of course the year that Clint entered Changeling in an official capacity - Clint was famously there along with Angelina Jolie and with Catherine Deneuve on his arm. Both Clint and Deneuve were awarded a Special Prize for their lifetime achievements at the Cannes Film Festival. They received the honour at the closing ceremony of the 61st annual festival, which was presided over by jury president Sean Penn. It was nice to finally secure this copy.

From the Cannes official website on May 20th 2008:

Competition: “Changeling” by Clint Eastwood

Five years after premiering Mystic River at the Festival de Cannes, Clint Eastwood returns to Competition with Changeling, a thriller which takes place in the late 1920s in a working-class suburb of Los Angeles. Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins, a mother whose son Walter mysteriously disappears one day. After an intensive search effort lasting several months, a nine-year-old boy who says he is Walter is returned to her. Unfortunately, the boy is not her son. Christine, accused of being delusional and irresponsible, allies herself with a minister (played by John Malkovich). Together, they continue investigating the matter, eventually implicating the city’s legal officials.

Based on a true story, the screenplay written by Joe Michael Straczynski immediately grabbed the attention of producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, as well as that of director Clint Eastwood. "I took it with me on a trip to Berlin," recalls Eastwood. "On the way back on the plane, I read it and I liked it a lot. As soon as I got in, I called Brian and Ron and said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do this.’ And they said, ‘Angelina Jolie liked the script and wants to do this.’ I said, ‘She’d be great. I like her work a lot.’ And that’s how it came about – very quick and simple." Clint Eastwood remarked, "Angelina Jolie is unique. She reminds me of a lot of the actresses from the Golden Age of movies in the 40s – Katherine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Susan Hayward, all of them. They were all very distinctive, and they all had a lot of presence. She’s a tremendous actress."

(Left, Catherine Deneuve collecting her award)

Jury President in 1994 and also present in Cannes for the out-of-competition presentation of Absolute Power in 1997; in Competition for Pale Rider in 1985; Bird in 1988 (which won the Commission Supérieure Technique Grand Prize), and White Hunter Black Heart in 1990, Clint Eastwood has a reputation for speed and efficiency on the set. He deliberately cuts down on rehearsal times to preserve the spontaneity and authenticity of the acting, and rarely does several takes. He arrived at this approach from his own preferences as an actor: 

“Everything I do as a director is based upon what I prefer as an actor. It’s all a learning process over the years. No matter how you plan it, things happen that either work for you or against you. So there’s always the excitement of trying to make it work, of taking a little stack of paper and make it into a living thing.”

Below: The 2008 Festival De Cannes Programme

Photo Opportunity #67 Clint in Joe Kidd

Photo Opportunity #67 Clint in Joe Kidd

November already, where does it go? Actually, there isn’t much to say regarding this shot which is a cracker and one I’d never seen before. Here’s Clint on location during the making of his Universal western film, Joe Kidd (1972). Eastwood's character is seen here with a customised, scope-equipped Ross Rifle sporter model M-10 in .280 Ross that he steals from one of the bounty hunters. 

I simply spotted this on the web and as I hadn’t seen it before, I thought why not… That’s it, a no fuss Photo Opportunity for November. 

Behold the light!

Behold the light!

I’d been wondering if I should take a gamble on one of these lights featured on Ebay etc, advertised as Neon (which it’s clearly not) it’s lit by an LED strip at the top over and etched or engraved piece of clear Perspex. There are a number of set designs or alternatively you can submit your own design by choosing from a range of fonts etc. It was £29.99 all in including postage, and it was a fast and efficient service too. It gives out a surprisingly good light too; you can choose colour or (with an app) have it change to all number of colours – I just went for the Archive’s signature colour of green. I put mine in the hall where it makes for a great night light and it is USB powered. Glad I took the plunge, thought I might be taking one for the team here, but on reflection, I like it and not at all disappointed. 

Metallic Silver Finish Dollar Statues from Cave Craft

Metallic Silver Finish Dollar Statues from Cave Craft

A few weeks ago, I crossed paths with David Irwin, a rather talented gentleman who creates and makes some great, iconic figures from film and music. David told me, ‘It started purely as a hobby, creating models for family and friends and suddenly it turned into a rapidly growing business, as more and more people seemed to want them.’ David’s company ‘CaveCraft’ began early in 2025.

David contacted me as he is also a bit of an Eastwood fan. ‘I am slightly bias’, he told me. ‘When deciding on new designs I always go back to Clint. He’s just so iconic. Eastwood has always been one of my favourite actors, from the iconic ‘Dollars’ trilogy to Gran Torino – there’s just so many magical cinematic moments.' 

Dave kindly forwarded the 4 current Eastwood Dollar figures to me, and I have to say, I was very impressed with the detail, the workmanship and the cost of these figures. Each figure is finished off on their own pine base. They really do offer great value for money. 

‘The idea was to create and offer good quality models of people’s favourite idols/icons – but at a reasonable price. Each model goes through a multi stage 3–4-day process and constant quality checks to ensure the customer gets the best possible model’

I was so impressed with these dollar figures, I thought they deserved a bit more exposure here. Dave is currently selling via Ebay, user name CaveCraft or follow this link here. Dave is currently working on a website which is planned to be up and running by early 2026. 

Figures - High Quality Resin- Metallic Silver Finish

Base- Solid wood Pine- Stain Finish (15cm Diameter) 

Height (including Base) Approx 18cm

The Four Eastwood figures currently available are:

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Statue

Clint Eastwood 'The Good' Statue 

Clint Eastwood 'Man with no name' Statue

Clint Eastwood 'A few dollars more' Statue

Excellent work Dave! 

The Man with the Golden Gun MEETS Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

The Man with the Golden Gun MEETS Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

We like a classic pairing here on the Archive – and we’ve seen a great deal over the years, including Mr 007 himself – James Bond who has been paired up with the Dollar films as a result of them both emerging from the United Artists camp.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot has been paired up with another iconic character in the past, most notably Bruce Lee in the classic Kung Fu movie The Way of the Dragon.

However, it was nice to discover (Thanks to Davy Triumph) this rare piece of evidence to show that Clint was again paired up in the 70’s (alongside Bond) for a Big Gun feast including The Man with the Golden Gun / Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

This rare ad, believed to be from November 14th 1975 shows the films running together at the Woods movie theatre on the corner of Randolph and Dearborn Streets in Chicago. 

The Woods live theatre venue converted to show movies in 1932. It later became the flagship venue for Essaness Theatres, which moved its headquarters into the building. Starting in the 1950s, the building featured an unusually large marquee facing Dearborn Street. The facade and its marquee can be seen in the parade scene of the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

(Left, The Woods Theatre in 1970)

In its later years the quality of the venue declined. In 1982, the management had to pay for medical treatments when a patron was bitten by a rat during a show! By 1988, the Woods had become the last of the Chicago Loop movie houses. It closed on January 8, 1989, after a screening of Hellbound: Hellraiser II. 

After being considered for entry in the National Register of Historic Places, it was demolished in 1990.

Rats or no rats – I think I would have paid a couple of bucks to watch these two men of action back together on the Big Screen! God Bless the 70’s!