Cinema Retro
Entries from December 2007
From the
ground-breaking release of Dr No in 1962, to the release of the most successful
James Bond film ever Casino Royale in 2006, the OO7 phenomenon is unsurpassed
in the history of cinema. In 1965 Corgi Toys signed an agreement with Eon
Productions, the makers of the hugely successful James Bond franchise, to
produce diecast model cars from the OO7 films. It was to be the beginning of a
relationship that would continue to this day, and produce the most famous toy
car of all time – The James Bond Aston Martin DB5. Since then, Corgi have
produced an unparalleled catalogue of highly detailed models associated with
all of the movies – the Aston Martin being the most synonymous with agent OO7.
To celebrate this remarkable achievement and partnership, Corgi have just
released four superb gift sets with all the packaging notes and booklet
biographies written by our very own co-publisher Dave Worrall, who has worked as a
consultant for Corgi for over fifteen years, and was the author of the highly
successful (and now out of print) book, ‘The James Bond Diecasts of Corgi’
(1996 Solo Publishing). All sets are limited editions, with
‘limited’ being the key word.
Continue reading "CINEMA RETRO'S DAVE WORRALL "BONDS" WITH CORGI FOR NEW 007 LIMITED EDITIONS"
We know, we know...our website is generally dedicated to news items at least bearing some tangible link to films or personalities of classic TV and cinema. But every now and then, please allow us to fall off the wagon - especially when it comes to the estranged Mrs. Sir Paul McCartney. We don't judge anyone by the mistakes of their past (not when you have the track record of the Cinema Retro staffers!). However, pretentiousness and phoniness is something that just sticks in our craw. Heather Mills always vehemently denied she posed for porn photos. When a book surfaced a hile back that showed her performing a certain act on a male model, she discounted charges she was lying by saying these photos were done for "educational" purposes. Ah, what a slave to public service! Under Mills' definition, Linda Lovelace should have been appointed as head of the Education Department. If you weren't impressed by her devotion to higher learning before, the latest photo dug up by Britain's News of the World tabloid makes it clear that her determination to enlighten the general public about anatomy was not a one-shot passion. In the new photo, Mills comes across as a regular Annie Sullivan of The Miracle Worker-generously giving her all in the name of education. We've chosen not to publish the photo on our site, but if you are as perverted as we are you can see it by clicking here. (Like there was a chance you wouldn't!) If nothing else, it should prove once and for all that the most prominent boobs in the UK are not all members of Parliament. We hope you'll excuse us for bending our policies, but this is still the only entertainment site on the web that remains virtually free of news about Britney, Lindsay, Brad and Angelina - so give us a break. Besides, we can sort of justify the occasional Heather Mills story. After all, she was married to the guy who wrote the song for Live and Let Die and ever since Paint Your Wagon we've had a soft spot for golddiggers. - Lee Pfeiffer
Richard Kiel is a BIG star- literally. A familiar face to anyone who grew up on movies and TV series from the 1960s and 1970s, the Cinema Retro contributor has appeared in countless pop culture hits ranging from The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to The Twilight Zone, The Longest Yard, Silver Streak and of course starring as the mute villain Jaws in the James Bond hits The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. For the last 27 years, Kiel has immersed himself in researching the real Cassius Clay. We're not talking about the early years of Muhammed Ali, but an actual historical figure who the legendary boxer was named after. In the pre-Civil War South, Clay was a plantation owner who went against the grain by freeing the slaves he inherited and paying them a living wage. This larger-than-life character fought slavery decades before the abolition movement motivated Abraham Lincoln to run for president. He also served as ambassador to Russia and was instrumental in the American purchase of Alaska. Topping things off, he was a man of action who killed two would-be muggers when he was 90 years old! Richard Kiel wrote the newly-published biography titled The True Story of Cassius Clay: Kentucky Lion with Pamela Wallace, who co-wrote the screenplay for Witness. To read an interview with Richard Kiel about the creation of this important work, click here. To order the book visit the official web site by clicking here
We recently ran a link to Los Angeles Times columnist Robert Lloyd's rave review for the new Man From U.N.C.L.E. Complete DVD Collection - which is now shipping. The review led to a response from Hilda Rolfe, widow of producer Sam Rolfe who created the show in conjunction with Norman Felton. Rolfe also served as producer during the series' pivotal first season and was subsequently credited as the person who developed the show. Mrs. Rolfe takes odds with Robert Lloyd for not mentioning her husband's contributions to the series, but Lloyd's omission does not seem to be a blooper, merely the consequence of trying to cover the show's merits in a limited space. Still, it's good to see Sam Rolfe get a moment in the sun. Happily, he is well represented on the DVD set through archival interviews. Sam Rolfe was a prolific force in hit TV shows of the 1960s, having also created such hits as Have Gun, Will Travel. To read Mrs. Rolfe's letter click here TO ORDER THE U.N.C.L.E. DVD COLLECTION, CLICK ON THE AD IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN
Cinema Retro staff writers are humanitarians at heart who selflessly sacrifice to put the needs of our readers before their own interests. For example, Dean Brierly had to subject himself to watching hours of Japanese erotica simply to bring you this report. It was a dirty job but someone had to do it. We'll send him your thanks as soon as he emerges from the cold shower. Odd Obsessions by Dean Brierly Thanks to the advent of DVD, Western film fans have become
familiar with such iconic Japanese genre directors as Seijun Suzuki (surreal
gangster satires), Kinji Fukasaku (nihilistic yakuza films) and Teruo Ishii
(erotic-grotesque epics). The director Masaru Konuma, although an equally
gifted visual stylist, has yet to enjoy similar name recognition. That’s understandable
given that he has spent virtually his entire career making roman porno
(romantic pornography) films, beginning in the early 1970s. Pioneered by
Nikkatsu Studios to pump up sagging box office receipts, the roman pornos were
glossier, classier versions of the independent pink films of the previous
decade. If they have been slower to penetrate the American home video market,
it’s because these films explore aspects of sexuality from a darker, distinctly
Japanese perspective that’s often discomfiting to Western critical
sensibilities.
Continue reading "ODD OBSESSIONS: THE BIZARRE WORLD OF JAPANESE EROTICA"
Among the ranks of endless masses of people who have far too much time on their hands, we welcome the creators of Fart Trek. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out the angle here: various clips from episodes of the original Star Trek have been cleverly edited to accomodate the sounds of flatulence - with admittedly amusing results. Don your gas masks and click here. (Thanks to "Graham" for the tip.)
Variety reports that actor/screenwriter/novelist Michael Blodgett has died at age 68. Blodgett had appeared in numerous films in the 1960s and 1970s, most notably the B cult movie Beyond the Valley of the Dolls in which he appeared as "Lance Rocke". His screenplays include Turner and Hooch and Rent-a-Cop. For details, click here
Newsday provides an interesting interview with David McCallum in which the NCIS star recalls the trials and benefits of being a reluctant teen idol in the 1960s. He also reflects on contributing to the new Man From U.N.C.L.E. complete DVD collection. To read click here TO ORDER THE U.N.C.L.E. DVD COLLECTION, CLICK ON THE AD IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN DAVID MCCALLUM'S INTERVIEW COLUMN BEGAN IN CINEMA RETRO ISSUE #7 CONTINUES IN SUBSEQUENT ISSUES
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