It's the Maxi Musical Month of May 2026!

 Yup, due to my previous file host castrating itself, all my comps (and all files) are migrating to Drime. All this month, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we'll spotlight some comps from earlier years, which some of you kind readers might not have encountered.

Today the topic is spies.

MA-01 - The Themes from U.N.C.L.E.

1 First Season Main Title revised Original television score 0:55

2 First Season End Title Original television score 1:14

3 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Roland Shaw and His Orchestra 2:36

4 “The Deadly Decoy Affair” Main Title Original television score 1:13

5 The Man from Thrush Lalo Schifrin 2:55

6 Roulette Rhumba  Lalo Schifrin 2:06

7 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Dick Hyman 2:29

8 To Trap a Spy -  Meet Mr. Solo-End Title Original film score 1:54

9 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Other TV Themes 1:43

10 Illya The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Other TV Themes 2:30

11 Night People The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Other TV Themes 2:37

12 Second Season Main Title (arr Lalo Schifrin) Original television score 0:36

13 Second Season End Title (arr Lalo Schifrin) Original television score 0:48

14 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme New Original TV Themes 3:09

15 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Hugo Montenegro 1:59

16 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Al Caiola 2:00

17 One of Our Spies Is Missing Main Title Original film score 3:07

18 Third Season Main Title (arr Gerald Fried) Original television score 0:30

19 Third Season End Title (arr Gerald Fried) Original television score 0:38

20 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Teddy Randazzo 1:33

21 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme The Challengers 1:38

22 One Spy Too Many  Main Title Original film score 2:49

23 “The Candidate’s Wife Affair” Main Title Original television score 0:28

24 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme The Jazz All-Stars 2:07

25 The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. Main Title Original television score 0:33

26 The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. End Title Original television score 0:39

27 The Spy in the Green Hat Main Title Original film score 2:08

28 “The Five Daughters Affair” Main Title Original television score 0:41

29 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Billy Strange 2:28

30 Fourth Season Main Title Original television score 0:31

31 Fourth Season End Title Original television score 0:36

32 The Karate Killers Main Title Original film score 0:29

33 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Swingin' Themes for Secret Agents 2:21

34 The Helicopter Spies Main Title Original film score 2:02

35 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme The Man from UNCLE Cult TV Classics 2:41

36 Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Main Title Original film score 1:17

37 Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme Man or Astro-Man? 1:31

38 Love Ya Illya Alma Cogan 2:27

39 Man from Uncle Moskow 3:30

MA-53 - More Themes from U.N.C.L.E.

01. TV Classic Themes 25th Anniversary - The Men from U.N.C.L.E. Speak (0:17)

02. Jerry Goldsmith & Studio Orchestra - The U.N.C.L.E. Theme from "Solo" (1:19)

03. Brian Fahey Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:40)

04. Television's Greatest Hits (Tee Vee Toons) - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:24)

05. Cult TV Themes (Hallmark Collection) - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:38)

06. Jerry Goldsmith & Studio Orchestra - Meet Mr Solo (Nat-King-Cole Style) from "Solo" (3:06)

07. The Film Studio Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:10)

08. The Revengers - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:08)

09. The Clee-Shays - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:54)

10. David Lloyd & His London Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:05)

11. Hugo Montenegro - Meet Mr Solo (2:24)

12. Newton Wayland & Houston Symphony - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:18)

13. Groove Machine - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:33)

14. The Montague Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:45)

15. The Revengers - Meet Mr Solo (2:13)

16. Ulterior Motive Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:05)

17. Frank Chacksfield & Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:41)

18. Dick Dia - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:10)

19. Tilsley Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:24)

20. The Agents - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (3:13)

21. The Reg Guest Syndicate - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:46)

22. Jerry Goldsmith & Studio Orchestra - Meet Mr Solo (Samba Style) from "Solo" (2:06)

23. Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:18)

24. Parris Mitchell Strings with Brass - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:32)

25. Wade Denning & The Port Washingtons - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:46)

26. Ray Martin & His Orchestra - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:36)

27. American TV Dramas - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:05)

28. The Kaos Killers - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:51)

29. The Gallants - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:57)

30. Daniel Caine - Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (2:45)

31. The Revengers - The Man from THRUSH (2:44)

32. Jerry Goldsmith & Philharmonia - Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme (1:16)

33. Jerry Goldsmith & Studio Orchestra - Meet Mr Solo and End Credits from "Solo" (2:23)

34. Original TV Soundtrack - U.N.C.L.E. Pen sound (0:14)

35. Original TV Soundtrack - U.N.C.L.E. HQ alarm (0:16)

MA-66 - Spy Craze

01. Special Agent - The Eagles (2:20)

02. The Spy - The Original Checkmates (1:59)

03. Agent Double-O-Soul - Edwin Starr (2:45)

04. Would You Believe - George Kent (2:34)

05. 007 - Stan Kenton (2:26)

06. 99 - Barbara Feldon (2:50)

07. Max - Barbara Feldon (2:23)

08. I Spy for the FBI - Jamo Thomas (2:34)

09. The Last of the Secret Agents - Nancy Sinatra (2:46)

10. L'agent Secret - Petula Clark (2:14)

11. Secret Agents - The Olympics (2:26)

12. The Silencers - Vikki Carr (2:59)

13. Come Spy with Me - Smokey Robinson (2:58)

14. Undercover Man - The Edgar Winter Group (3:50)

15. Secret Agent Man - DEVO (3:36)

16. Love Secret Agent - Lew Kirton (4:19)

17. I Spy - The Dooleys (3:08)

18. Spies in the Night - The Manhattan Transfer (4:03)

19. Goodbye, Mr. Bond - Blotto (5:43)

20. Spy vs Spy - Toto Coelo (3:26)

21. Secret Agent - Robin Gibbs (4:54)

22. Hombre Secreto (Secret Agent Man) - The Plugz (1:48)

23. Get Smart - The Kaos Killers (0:58)

24. Secret Agent - Letters to Cleo (2:54)

25. My Baby Loves the Secret Agent - The Detroit Cobras (2:00)

26. Undercover Agent - The Caroloregians (2:43)

27. I Wish I Was a Spy - Peter Bjorn & John (1:51)

Of course, each comes with liner notes with info about each track.

Tell all your friends, it's a MAXI Musical Month of May on both the Record Round-Up and the super Blog!

  

When Norah Met Sally

On January 16, 2025, we were watching the CBS Evening News, as one does around our house.  Something about Norah O'Donnell's dress intrigued me.

It was the embroidery or stitching or what-you-call-it on her left shoulder.  It reminded me of another raven-haired beauty, this one from the movies.

Yup, it was Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I wonder if anybody else watched the news that night and wondered if Norah could likewise unravel her arm from her body?

See you on Monday for the beginning of a MAXI MUSICAL MONTH OF MAY!

  

The Wonders of Bulldog Clips

Behold the lowly bulldog clip!

To the unimaginative, these critters are only for office use.  But I say ...

Along with a couple of paper clips, use 'em to hang a calendar over a door!

Use as a gather to hold too-long straps out of your way!

Longing for the old days when those metal toothpaste tubes would stay rolled up?  With a bulldog, your toothpaste stays put at the nozzle end!

When your license-plate frame starts to curl up, bulldogs keep it trim and tight!

What uses have YOU found?  See you Thursday for the last entry in this year's APRIL FOOLISHNESS!

  

Misspellings Again Again

Yup, dat ole debbil de English languish kin snake upon ewe!

In this case, we have some spelling or lettering goofs from the comics page.

This Family Circus is from the April 22, 2020 Oklahoman.  Note that the name of the dog Barfy is misspelled "Barly."

However, the Tulsa World's version gets Barfy's name right.

Above is Dilbert, from the July 10, 2019 Oklahoman.  Look in the center panel and notice that "THE" is spelled "T E," with the center letter missing.

That word is correct on Scott Adams's website ...

... and as printed in the Tulsa World.

That Oklahoma City paper has got some gremlins, huh?  See you Monday.

  

Misspellings Again

Here's a phenonomal typo!

It's from a column in the July 30, 2022 Tulsa World.  So let's blame the syndicating service!

This one is from our own dear Blogger!  A screengrab from February 4, 2021, gives a whole new way of spelling "referring."  Ain't it grand?

  

Bathroom Visions #1

Ever since I started working in this building, I noticed something intriguing about the paper towels.  One end has a black cap, presumably for use in the paper-towel dispensers in the bathrooms, while the other end of the cardboard tube is left uncovered and open.

After biding my time, waiting for empties, I made my own optical illusion.  Don't YOU think of the starship Enterprise?

See you Monday.

  

You, Sir, Are NOT Harry Crews' "Car"!

Back around 1973, I read Car, an interesting read by Harry Crews, thanks to the New Arrivals table at the good ole Bartlesville Public Library.

This was more than fifty years ago.  I remember the absurdity of the premise, that, for a stunt, a guy promised to eat (suitably reduced to pieces) an entire car.  I'm sure the book is full of insightful characters and sharp commentary on consumer society, but I remember none of that.

I was amused when trying to recall the book, to come across a wacky image produced by the semi-fallible Google.  You know when you enter a search term, off to the right you would see other supposedly helpful, supposedly related info?

Check out the illustrated "preview" of Harry Crews' Car.  Ummm, I don't think so!

See ya Thursday for more silliness!

  

A SUPER Place to Work!

I work security for the good ole State of Oklahoma, at night when it's supposed to be peaceful.

And it usually is, giving me time to walk the building, watch the cameras, and consider deep thoughts.  For example ....

Doesn't THIS particular parking-lot view yield a painted set of lines that's suspiciously familiar?

I think it looks like Superman's shield!  However, I am sad to inform you that during the daytime there isn't a Super Car parked there.

See you on Monday, fellow Super Seers!

  

Two Canines I Could Understand

But two A-9s?

On the fine day of February 15, 2025, the fine ole Tulsa World did a silly thing.

It printed the SAME PAGE twice, in two different sections!  The above photo is from the first section.

And THIS above photo is from the same page, printed in the SPORTS SECTION.

Who knows what SHOULD have been on page 9 of the Sports, but probably not this.  Zoom in on the first photo to see the grand, mistaken scheme of things.  OOPS!

  

Welcome to April Foolishness - 2026!

One of my zillions of books on the mysteries of life is Peter Costello's  In Search of Lake Monsters.  My copy is the 1974 Grenada printing, seen below.

One critter discussed is known as the Monster of Yakut Lake, or the Labynkyr Devil.

Here is the illustration of the beast in the book. 

Now, I don't know why, but this image has always reminded me of one of our kitchen spoons.

Do you see the resemblance, or am I just crazy?

See you Monday!

  

But What Was He LIKE!?!?!

For all the emotional vampires who love the Sixties vibe, here's your chance to sneak into the Kennedy circus.

The November 1983 Ladies Home Journal clues us in.

If it doesn't say that he was a family man who insulted his family and God with multiple sexual liaisons with not-his-wife; if it doesn't say that this was a vainglorious man who allowed Khrushchev to take credit for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis; if it doesn't say that this apparently young and vigorous man suffered horrible physical pain every day ... Then you didn't learn what he was REALLY like here, either.

See you Thursday on a more lighthearted note with the commencement of 2026's APRIL FOOLISHNESS!

  

It's Art, Man!

This is a 1987 parody of Watchmen by a guy named Dan Burke.

So, misspellings and overcrowded panels aside, you have to admit that Burke did a pretty impressive job of squishing a simulacrum of the whole Watchmen story into 23 pages!

We can only assume, from the names, that some of the characters are satirizing folks who were hangin' about in the comic-book industry around then.

Once again, the evil profiteering corporations have it in for the creatives.  What else is new?  See you Monday.