Retro

come up with another shortcut to take. I'm just sayin'. Click on images to see them larger. No idea who the illustrators might be.

Zarzon also known as Satan of Saturn is a 1981 SNK/Taito arcade game that I have not only never played before but never even knew of its existence. Thanks though to Mike Maginnis and Carrington Vanston of the very enjoyable … Continue reading →

I found this advertisement in the back of an old Fangoria magazine and wanted to share. This is from 1980. Note the 9 volt battery pack to make the lights operate. Imagine walking into school with a flashing Star Trek … Continue reading →

Once again, WowHaus has been hunting around for hip houses for sale. That search also brought up a number of retro houses on the market, the pick of which are below. 1950s Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dudley Spencer House in Wilmington, Delaware, USAThe 1956 Dudley Spencer House, also known as Laurel (pictured above), is the only FLW house in this particular state, with a curved design, custom furniture and an authenticity - very little has changed over the years. An icon of design and up for sale. Find out more about the house 1960s architect-designed four-bedroom property in Bolton, LancashireCompared to the FLW house, this is quite mundane. But it is an individual architect design, with lots of original features and plenty of space, not to mention a good location. Affordable cool.Find out more about the house Three-bedroom 1950s midcentury modern property in Los Angeles, California, USABuilt in 1953, this is a post and beam house, high on a hill overlooking the city. Location is something special, that's for sure. The open plan space needs some work, but the originality more than makes up for it.Find out more about the house 1980s Headland House modernist five-bedroom house in Piddinghoe, Newhaven, East SussexAnother mention of Frank Lloyd Wright here. Not that this place is his design, but the architect was influenced by the great man.It dates from 1989 and is another house where views are a key selling point, this time the nearby Ouse river and village, across the valley to the Downs and Seaford Head. Nice interior too.Find out more about the house Three-bedroom 1930s art deco house in Wakefield, West YorkshireArt deco doesn't need to wreak the bank, but this 1930s art deco house in Wakefield, West Yorkshire does need some work to bring it back to its best. On the plus side, it has a lot of originality going for it and if you do the work, you might just see a bump in value too (although that's obviously not guaranteed).Find out more about the house Crathinard 1970s three-bedroom modernist house in Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross, ScotlandDescribed as being the work of a 'cutting edge Glaswegian architect' in 1974, this modernist gem is built around the garden, with views across it from the living space, throwing in a fine timber interior and a feature fireplace. Cheaper than you might think too.Find out more about the house 1950s four-bedroom midcentury-style property in Bergen, HollandIt looks like the kind of place you'd expect to find in a more rural part of the USA, but this place is in Holland, dating back to 1956, although it was sympathetically extended in more recent years.Lots of open space, a forest location and plenty of luxury too. All at a price though.Find out more about the house

Through early morning fog I see visions of the things to be the pains that are withheld for me I realize and I can see...That suicide is painless It brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please.The most amazing thing to me about "Suicide is Painless" (actual title: "Song from M*A*S*H (Suicide is Painless)" is that the hard hitting lyrics were written by a 14 year-old, Mike Altman. A 14 year-old! He's the son of Robert Altman, who directed the movie M*A*S*H. Altman needed the "stupidest song ever written" for the scene in the movie where Walter "Painless Pole" Waldowski fakes his suicide after suffering a lack of performance with a visiting nurse. It's sung by Altman tried his hand at writing the lyrics but didn't think they could be stupid enough, so he handed the job to his 14 year-old son. Johnny Mandel composed the music. The result was anything but moronic: Suicide is Painless is one of my favorite TV/movie themes of all time, not because it's depressing but because it's so damn poetic and beautiful. If I ever get around to practicing my guitar again, this song is on my must-learn list. Since most people are accustomed to hearing the cheerful, instrumental version that was used on the series, I highly recommend checking out a cover where the words are sung. I know I included her in the last song's story post, but I really like Ania Dabrowska's version. One other tidbit about this song to save for your next trivia competition: Robert Altman told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show that his son received over a million dollars in royalties from writing the lyrics, while he received only $70,000 for directing M*A*S*H.

The make isn't clear, but this 1970s space age Italian table lamp really does scream that particular era. The marks on the bottom say 'Siberin Carrono Pert., made in Italy', make of that what you will. But the photos are probably just as much of a selling point, if not more so. They show a red plastic light with swivel lampshade, which can be opened or closed for various light effects. It also has the original switch on the cord.The lamp is described as being in 'good condition' and in 'full working order', with age related marks and scratches plus lighter marks on the top lampshade. If you fancy it, just 99 pence right now.Find out more at the eBay website

Magpie keep churning out great collections of vintage inspired crockery and this Pondlife range by RTG favourite Tom Frost is the latest. We love Magpie's interpretations of British birds and wildlife, and these new designs incorporate geometric retro patterns into the mix. These pondside dwellers, the dragonfly, grebe, heron and duck, have been charmingly rendered in muted mid century tones on plates, espresso cups, cushions and more to add a retro flavour of the countryside to your home. Available from June. You can see the full range here.

Over the years I have had a bunch of requests for some sort of Retroist t-shirt. I have been looking into it for just about as long and I think I am finally going to pull the trigger and get … Continue reading →

I love the film War Games. Their is so much to enjoy on the screen. The arcades scenes, the stuff at NORAD, but the scenes between David and Jennifer where he demonstrates his excellence in his bedroom computer lair are … Continue reading →