When the first James Bond film premiered in 1961 and became a worldwide phenomenon a film franchise was born.
James Bond’s popularity spawned cinema imitators: good and some downright horrible.
TV executives noticed and a plethora of spy TV shows popped up.
One TV show chose to parody the whole spy phenomenon. That show: Get Smart, poked fun at spies, espionage and the entire spy genre.
Created by legendary film maker Mel Brooks, the show centered on a totally inept and bumbling spy Maxwell Smart, his female partner Number 99, their boss The Chief and the super secret spy organization CONTROL.
Over the show’s five year run other memorable characters were introduced such as Hymie the Robot, Agent 8, Agent 13, Agent, Agent Larabee, Admiral Harold Harmon Hargrade, Charlie Watkins/Agent 38, Fang/Agent, K-13 a poorly trained CONTROL dog, Hodgkins, Carlson, Dr. Steele and Harry.
Maxwell Smart, Agent 99 and Control were forever at odds with the evil criminal organization KAOS.
Max and Agent 99 were constantly found themselves in dangerous and ridiculous situations. Max's catchphrases included, “Sorry about that!”, “Missed it by that much!” and “The old (fill-in the blank) in the (fill-in the blank) trick!” and others.
The show spawned several TV movies after its cancellation and two theatrical films. A short TV revival was also launched.
Sideshow Collectibles created two figures from the series: Maxwell Smart and The Chief.
Both are fully articulated figures that look exactly like their real life counterparts. Kudos goes out the sculpting crew at Sideshow.
The Sideshow Collectibles’ sculpted likeness to actor Edward Platt as The Chief is remarkable.
The 12-inch figure captures perfectly his dark eyebrows, whimsical and tolerant expression, receding hairline and white hair, deeply etched cheeks and jaw line and his sharp nose and his slightly smiling lips.
The coloration of the figure’s face is very lifelike and with a slight twinkle in its deep-set eyes makes it look almost alive.
The fully articulated figure is easy to pose and move with no binding or looseness. The clothing lays naturally on the figure and never bunches or strains.
Hand articulation is especially good and the figure easily holds the white Golf Shoe Phone
A base is included with the figure along with a support wire. Depending on the pose, the figure can use the stand or not.
The Chief is dressed in a dark gray, wool sports coat with black buttons, a light blue shirt, red tie, light gray slacks and black shoes.
Stitching is scaled to the figure size. The jacket pockets (two with flaps and one at the breast) that actually open, as does the jacket itself.
Also included with the figure is a clear plastic Portable Cone Of Silence with a connecting rod.
The figure is secured in a form-fitting clear plastic cocoon and a single strap clear strip. The box has a flip open lid for displaying the figure and a Get Smart logo and photo of The Chief and Maxwell Smart on the cover.
The back of the box shows both Max and The Chief in full color with accessories in hand and a smaller color photo of them utilizing the Portable Cone Of silence.
The Maxwell Smart 12-inch figure comes in similar packaging and protective plastic cocoon. It also comes with a base and support wire.
Don Adams played the bumbling Agent 86 and the figure looks remarkably like the late actor.
It’s close-cropped black hair, upswept eyebrows, slightly dim eyes, straight nose and comical grin are all there.
Painted flesh tones make the face look real, pliable and lifelike.
The fully articulated figure fits nicely into its wardrobe.
With his double-breasted dark blue suit, light blue shirt and dark multi-color tie and black dress shoes the figure cuts a handsome pose.
Buttons, pockets and stitching is first-rate, scaled to size and folds and creases in the clothing easily move and retain their shape when the figure is posed.
The clotting falls naturally and offers no resistance when the figure is moved.
Included with the figure is another Portable Cone Of Silence and a connecting rod, a black dress shoe with phone and a snub nose revolver.
It’s a fitting 12-inch tribute to Don Adams and his iconic character Maxwell Smart.
Both figures are part of Sideshow’s TV Land series. Currently the figures go for about $50 each. However like all early Sideshow Collectibles figures the prices are sure to rise. It’s best to purchase them soon before they do so.
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