Each episode focuses
on a different aspect of the James Bond universe, from characters to locations
and music to action. Daniel Craig also discusses landing the iconic role, and
the release of his final outing as the world’s favourite secret agent.
Podcast listeners
will get an exclusive first listen to some of the No Time To Die score from
Hans Zimmer by Decca Records.
No Time To Die: The
Official James Bond Podcast is produced by Somethin’ Else in association with
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, Universal Pictures International, United Artists
Releasing and EON Productions.
It's going to be Double-0-Heaven for James Bond films with announcements coming fast and furious in the lead-up to the release of "No Time to Die". Here is the latest announcement:
Leica Announces Bond Partnership
007
Edition camera and exhibition to celebrate new film
Leica Camera has
announced a new Leica Q2 ‘007 Edition’ to celebrate the release of No Time
To Die. Limited to 250 pieces only, the special edition Leica Q2 features
the iconic 007 logo on the top plate and the famous Bond gun barrel design on
the lens cap. Each limited-edition camera will be individually numbered and
comes in a customised and handcrafted case designed by the British luxury
suitcase brand Globe-Trotter.
The concept of a
Leica x 007 partnership began with producer Michael G. Wilson. Wilson is a
leading expert on 19th century photography and founded The Wilson Centre for
Photography, his passion for photography provided the natural spark for the
collaboration. In No Time To Die, Leica worked with the 007 production
team to display Leica cameras on the sets of Bond’s Jamaican home, and
fittingly the ‘Leica Q2’ in Q’s home in London. Off-screen, Michael G. Wilson
has curated an exclusive photography exhibition featuring behind-the-scenes
photographs shot on Leica cameras by Michael G. Wilson, Daniel Craig, and No
Time To Die photographers Nicola Dove and Greg Williams.
The Leica Q2 ‘007
Edition’ will launch on September 9, 2021 at the official opening of Leica
Gallery London’s exhibition: No Time To Die – Behind the Scenes.
The Leica Q2 ‘007
Edition’ will be available to purchase online and in-store.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release regarding the opening of the "Bond in Motion" automotive exhibition, which will be opening on September 25 and running through October 22, 2022 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles:
Produced in
collaboration with EON Productions and The Ian Fleming(TM) Foundation, Bond in
Motion is the first official exhibition in the United States to feature
original vehicles from one of the world’s most iconic film franchises, James
Bond. This exhibit celebrates the 60th anniversary of the franchise since the
release of Dr. No (1962).
With the publication
of his first spy novel, Casino Royale (1953), author and former naval
intelligence officer Ian Fleming introduced the world to the enchanting
exploits of James Bond, a British officer in the Secret Intelligence Service,
also known as MI6. In all, Fleming would produce twelve novels and two short
stories, laying the foundation for what would become a global literary and
cinematic legacy.
Beginning in 1962,
with the movie adaptation of Fleming’s sixth title, Dr. No, the exciting
and dangerous world of James Bond was translated to screen, setting the tone
for Bond films to come. Much like the novels on which they are based, Bond
films combine the adventure of exotic locations and scheming villains with the
action of death-defying stunts, and heart-pounding chases in nearly every type
of vehicle imaginable. Often modified by quartermaster “Q,†these vehicles,
much like Bond himself, conceal their true nature until their weapons and
gadgetry become important plot devices.
The Bond in Motion
exhibit offers visitors a rare up-close experience of the most iconic vehicles
associated with the world’s most famous secret agent, 007.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
Being James Bond, from
Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), will be exclusively available to stream on
the Apple TV app as a free rental ahead of the theatrical release of the
upcoming 25th film in the James Bond franchise, No Time To Die.* In
this special 45-minute retrospective, Daniel Craig candidly reflects on
his 15-year adventure as James Bond. Customers in over 30 countries and
regions around the globe can rent the film for free
and stream it exclusively on the Apple TV app from September 7 to
October 7.
Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die,
Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers,
Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, in the lead up to his final
performance as James Bond.
“A lot of people here have worked on five pictures with me,†Craig noted during the conversation with the films’ producers in Being James Bond. “I've
loved every single second of these movies, and especially this one
because I've got up every morning and I've had the chance to work with
you guys, and that has been one of the greatest honours of my life.â€
Said
Broccoli in the film: “Daniel has just taken this, the character, the
series, the whole thing, to a place that is so…extraordinary. And so
emotionally satisfying.â€
“It's also emotionally tough being Daniel's last one. It's tough on Barbara, it's tough on me,†added Wilson.
The
Apple TV app brings together all the ways to watch shows and movies
into one app and is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch,
Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others,
Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, and
PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Customers can visit https://apple.co/-beingjamesbondon iPhone, iPad, and Mac now to add Being James Bond to Up Next on the Apple TV app and be alerted when the film is available to watch.
The
Apple TV app also features Apple TV+, Apple’s video subscription
service offering original shows, movies, and documentaries from the
world’s most creative storytellers, as well as Apple TV channels,
personalized and curated recommendations, and movies and TV shows to buy
or rent.
Being James Bond was directed by Baillie Walsh (Flashbacks of a Fool) and produced by Charlie Thomas, Carla Poole and Special Treats Productions. Colin Burrows served as executive producer.
The 25th film in the James Bond franchise, No Time To Die, will be released intheatersbeginning
September 30 in the UK through Universal Pictures International and in
the US on October 8 through MGM via their United Artists Releasing
banner.
In this clip from the 1964 classic "Goldfinger", Desmond Llewelyn as "Q" introduces Sean Connery's James Bond to the soon-to-be-iconic Aston Martin DB5. The vehicle would become a star in its own right and continues to appear in contemporary Bond films. Cinema Retro co-publisher Dave Worrall wrote the history of the vehicle in his book "The Most Famous Car in the World", a designation that still remains valid today.
The head-spinning release schedule of the oft-delayed "No Time to Die" has taken another turn. The film is now scheduled to open internationally on September 30 of this year. However, American Bond fans will have to sulk for a week, as the U.S. opening won't occur until October 8. For more, click here.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
In
2017, after ten years of service, MI6 Confidential introduced a new special
format: a limited-run 100-page perfect bound issue of the magazine taking a
deep dive into one particular facet of the franchise. The fourth release hands
the microphone to long-serving Bond director, John Glen taking a look back at
his favourite film as helmsman, Octopussy.
The idea for this
issue came together as we were finishing work on Peter Lamont's Live And Let
Die portfolio. We approached someone who had a equally profound effect on
the trajectory of modern Bond. John readily agreed to work with us and we gave
him free choice of the film he wished to profile. He chose Octopussy -
the colourful, adventurous, flamboyant and darn-right-lucky 13th Bond outing.
With help from editor Bill Koenig, John walks us through pre-production,
scripting, casting and then narrates the film for us, in his famous
conversational style.
In This Special Issue
100 page special magazine;
professionally printed; perfect bound
John's memories of Sir Roger
Moore, Maud Adams, Kabir Bedi, Louis Jordan, and more
Rarely-seen concept art from
pre-production
Dozens of behind the scenes stills
The casting of Octopussy,
including the girls who were considered for the titular role
John's personal memories from the
taxing multi-continental shoot
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, James Bond fans will surely love "No Time to Die" The release date of the much-delayed, highly anticipated 007 film has been pushed back again, this time to October 8 due to factors concerning Covid-19, which is still wreaking havoc around the globe. The film was originally slated to open in March, 2020, then was pushed back to November of last year. That, too, was canceled with a new opening date of April, 2021 announced. Now, it has been announced that the new opening is anticipated to be October 8, but depending upon the virus situation, we would not be surprised if this, too, turns out to be tentative. Click here for more.
They say that politics makes for strange bedfellows. Apparently, that adage also applies to the espionage trade as well. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that James Bond will be inducted into Spectre by his arch nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the forthcoming comic book series "James Bond: Agent of Spectre", which will be released by Dynamite Entertainment in March. The series will be written by Marvel writer Christos Gage and illustrated by Luca Casalanguida, with covers created by Steve Epting. For more, click here.
Mike Fleming of the Deadline website adds some context to a recent report from Bloomberg News that the next James Bond film, "No Time to Die", might "premiere" on a major streaming service. Deadline says that although some discussions and consideration were given to this option, Bond producers have decided to hold out for a theatrical premiere in April, 2021. The report goes into the financial stakes that effect the film and the franchise in general. If recent history is any indication, "No Time to Die" could gross over a billion dollars from international theatrical exhibition. The movie was originally slated to premiere in London last March but considerations of the virus led producers to announce it would be delayed until this November. With the world still reeling from the effects of the virus, Eon Productions announced that April, 2021 would be the new target date. However, much will depend on world conditions at that time. As experts predicted, the world is still grappling with the virus and a new surge is expected to get only worse with the arrival of colder weather. While great progress is being made in the development of vaccines, the earliest one might be approved seems to be late this year. By the time it could begin to be administered to general populations worldwide, experts cite next spring or summer as the most likely timetable. This calls into question whether the marketplace would be any more favorable to release a major movie. "No Time to Die" is said to have cost about $250 million. The producers have acknowledged they want to premiere the film in theaters. However, the only thing anyone knows for sure regarding the effect of the virus is that no one knows anything for sure. For more click here.
Actress Margaret Nolan has passed away at age 76. She was best known for her association with the 1964 James Bond blockbuster "Goldfinger", in which she appeared in a small role as the character of Dink, who is lavishing her attentions on Sean Connery's 007 at the Fontainebleau Hotel pool in Miami Beach. It was her work behind the scenes on the film that made her a fan favorite. While Shirley Eaton played the character who was famously gilded to death in gold paint, it was Nolan who appeared in the film's iconic opening credits sequence in which scenes from the movie were projected on her body. This was sensational and provocative stuff in 1964 and Nolan's attachment to the film saw her appearing at Bond fan events in front of appreciative audiences for decades to come. For more about her life and career, click here.
The release of the eagerly-awaited James Bond film "No Time to Die" has been delayed once again. Producers announced the November release has been scrubbed and the film is now anticipated to open next April. Originally, the movie was to have opened last March but the emergence of the virus caused MGM and Eon Productions to postpone release, making the film the first movie to have its premiere pushed back due to the epidemic. Producers were criticized at the time but they proved to be prescient, given how rapidly the virus spread. There had been speculation that Eon would push the film back to next year but a new round of marketing seemed to indicate that "No Time to Die" would indeed open in November. However, it became clear that the boxoffice would suffer, given the fact that theaters are still either closed or operating under limited capacity rules in key international territories, even as the virus is now worsening once again. The film's title reflects the current philosophy of movie-goers who have proven to be reluctant to patronize movie theaters, which are still considered by health experts to be high risk environments. For more, click here.
Universal and Eon Productions have just released the new trailer for "No Time to Die" starring Daniel Craig. The film opens internationally in November.
A new poster design for the next James Bond movie, "No Time to Die" starring Daniel Craig has been released. It seems to reaffirm that the producers are sticking with their plans to release the film internationally in November, after having postponed its original March premiere due to the Coronavirus. The studio is obviously gambling that the worldwide movie-going situation will continue to improve by the time the movie is released. Some other high profile films have either been postponed until 2021 or gone direct to streaming. "No Time to Die" will mark Daniel Craig's final Bond film, as he has vowed to retire from the series after this entry.
Hard to believe but Sir Sean Connery turns 90 years old today. The Great Scot is honored in this rather superficial tribute segment that mucks up a few facts. (i.e Connery's early roles in TV shows can not be construed as "blockbusters".) However, the segment does include some tantalizing and rare James Bond-related footage from the 1960s.
The April Chinese premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time to Die" has been cancelled by the studio and Eon Productions due to the severity of the coronavirus, which has taken its most devastating toll in China. The nation is scrambling to contain and control the outbreak, which has infected tens of thousands of people worldwide, though most of the affected patients are in China. To date, over 1600 deaths have been attributed to the virus. With no way of knowing when the virus will be under control, China has taken draconian measures to minimize the number of infections. As of this date, virtually all of China's movie theaters and many other places for public gatherings have been closed. The economic impact is starting to be felt worldwide. With millions of Chinese workers restricted to their homes, manufacturing has been severely reduced, thus affecting the distribution of goods internationally. The entertainment industry is also starting to feel the pain. Bond films are very popular in China and the cancelling of the premiere, along with the postponement of a high profile, all-star promotional tour by the cast, director and producers, will have an impact even if theaters reopen in April. For more, click here.
In 1967, prominent lawyer F. Lee Bailey had a short-lived 30-minute interview program, "Good Company", on ABC-TV in America in which he would interview prominent people. In this episode, he went to the London home of Sean Connery and got the 36 year-old actor to discuss the James Bond films in-depth. In fact, it's probably the most extensive interview about 007 Connery ever gave. By this point, he was eager to move on and informed Bailey that the recently-released "You Only Live Twice" would be his last Bond film. (As we all know, he did return for two more films between 1971 and 1983.) The interview takes place in Connery's billiard room but, amusingly, he obviously had purchased the billiard table from a local establishment and it requires inserting coins to play for a twenty-minute session. Connery speaks candidly about the pluses and minuses of the films, his satisfaction with making "The Hill" and "A Fine Madness" and his frustration with film producers in general. It must be pointed out that Connery and Bond producer Cubby Broccoli would later reconcile shortly before Broccoli's death in 1996, when the two engaged in a sentimental phone conversation. Broccoli had always said that the only thing he had "done" to Sean Connery was make him a very wealthy man. Nevertheless, it's clear from the interview that in 1967, Connery was not pleased with the contract he had for the Bond films.
It should be noted that the footage seen here, presented the Historic Films web site, is from a raw cut of the interview. It involves two sessions with Connery responding to essentially the same questions twice, though his answers vary quite a bit in some instances.
Once again, Heineken is among the sponsors of a James Bond movie, in this case the forthcoming "No Time to Die". The company has released a very clever extended promotional ad in which a frustrated Daniel Craig has to cope with fans who can't distinguish between his real life persona and his reel life persona.
Heineken has returned as one of the leading sponsors of a James Bond film: "No Time to Die", which will mark Daniel Craig's final appearance in the legendary franchise. Heineken has released a very clever, big budget TV commercial spoofing Craig's attempts to distance himself in real life from the image of agent 007.
Although Bond and Jill
Masterson famously quaffed Dom Perignon in Goldfinger (right before she
met her “glittering endâ€), Bollinger has been Bond’s go-to on screen champagne
since the early Roger Moore era.
Over the decades since, the
vintner has been canny enough to celebrate their cinematic tie-in by releasing
a number of limited edition 007-themed bottles over the years, usually
coinciding with each new film.
To celebrate the 25th
Bond movie, No Time to Die, Bollinger really went all out, releasing two
special editions – one within the reach of most Bond fans and one for the more,
um, rarified collector…
Champagne Bollinger has
made numerous appearances in the films (as in the pre-credits sequence of The
Living Daylights when Bond drops in on a woman luxuriating on the deck of a
yacht and sipping a glass of Bollinger) so it’s as much a part of the Bond
legend as the tuxedo or Walther PPK.If
you’re interested in snagging a bottle for your cellar… or in-home Bond
display, hurry, they are selling out – although more are on the way, timed to
hit stores right around No Time to Die’s release.
Variety reports that Hans Zimmer, the 11-time Oscar nominee, will be the composer for the new James Bond film "No Time to Die". Neither Zimmer or Eon Productions, producers of the Bond series, have confirmed the report but Variety cites "multiple sources" in its report. The film's original composer, Dan Romer, was fired from the production last month, according to Variety, due to "creative differences" with the producers. If Zimmer is on board, he'll have a substantial challenge, as the movie is set for release in early April. Additionally, scores for the Bond movie franchise have finally been getting some due respect in recent years, with the last two films, "Skyfall" and "Spectre", receiving Oscars for their title songs. For more, click here.
French model-turned actress Claudine Auger has passed away at age 78. Auger was France's entry in the Miss World contest at age 17 in 1958. She later entered the movie profession and caught the eye of James Bond producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman when they were casting the female lead for the fourth 007 blockbuster "Thunderball" starring Sean Connery in 1965. Auger wasn't their first choice, as Faye Dunaway, Julie Christie and Raquel Welch had been considered, but for different reasons, did not end up playing the pivotal role. In the film, Auger played Domino, the mistress of Spectre villain Emilio Largo, played by Adolfo Celi. Domino seems content with the life of luxury afforded her by Largo but upon being seduced by James Bond, she courageously risks her life to help him thwart Spectre's nuclear threat to Miami Beach. Although Auger could speak fluent English, like several of the early Bond film actresses, she was dubbed in the final cut of the film. Despite the phenomenal worldwide success of "Thunderball", major stardom did not follow for Auger, although she continued to appear in films and television, mostly in Europe. In 1966, "Thunderball" director Terence Young cast her in a major Hollywood film, the WWII spy thriller "Triple Cross" starring Christopher Plummer and Yul Brynner. She also appeared in the 1971 Italian cult hit "The Black Belly of the Tarantula" with Giancarlo Giannini, who she would later star with in the comedy "Lovers and Liars". Auger continued to act until the late 1990s. Married twice, she is survived by a daughter with her late husband Peter Brent, who passed away in 2008. Auger tended to avoid the spotlight and did not participate in most of the retrospective James Bond events and documentaries made over the years since the release of "Thunderball". For more, click here.
MGM and Eon Productions have released the trailer for "No Time to Die" starring Daniel Craig. The trailer emphasizes action with the classic Aston Martin DB5 seen prominently throughout. Bond is brought out of retirement and has to adjust to a learning curveb in terms of working within a newly revitalized MI6, which had been left in shambles at the end of the last Bond film "Spectre". There is a bit of Christoph Waltz's welcome return as Blofeld and a tantalizing glimpse of Rami Malek as the new villain, Safin. The women in Bond's life also feature prominently including Lea Seydoux, his love interest from "Spectre", Ana de Armas as a new character, Paloma and Lashana Lynch as a female MI6 agent who seems to resent Bond's return from retirement.
A very brief promo has been released for the next James Bond movie, "No Time to Die" starring Daniel Craig in what he says will be his last appearance as 007. What makes this a bit unique is that the promo serves as a teaser trailer to announce the unveiling of the official teaser trailer this Wednesday...Got that?
In 1981, ITV screened a celebration of the premiere of For
Your Eyes Only from the Odeon Leicester Square. I vividly recall my exclamation
of surprise at spotting a familiar face in a shot of the crowded foyer –
“That’s Harry Saltzman!†Yet as the programme continued and no mention was made
of his presence I began to doubt myself. After all, he and his Bond movie
co-producer Albert “Cubby†Broccoli had fallen out some years earlier, so it
would be unlikely he’d be there; I must have been mistaken. It was some time
later that I learned it had indeed been Harry, invited by Cubby upon the
suggestion by one of the film’s stars, Chaim Topol, that he extend an olive
branch to his old partner. It would be fair to say that the working
relationship between the two men was a tempestuous one. Theirs was a
partnership born out of necessity: Harry had purchased the film rights to Ian
Fleming’s James Bond novels but couldn’t raise finance for them – “I’ve got a
gold mine but I can’t dig it upâ€, he’s said to have opined – and the
enterprising Cubby desperately wanted to get his hands on those rights.
“When Harry Met Cubbyâ€, the new book from film historian
Robert Sellers, tells the enthralling story of their business marriage, a chalk
and cheese alliance that birthed a cinematic series still thriving 57 years
later. Assembling anecdotes from a variety of sources, much of the text will be
familiar to diehards, but there’s sufficient new material – some of it drawn
from the author’s own interviews – to gift it freshness, and for a wider
readership the level of unrest that went on behind the scenes will be a
revelation.
The book opens with substantial chapters detailing each
man’s individual background – both endured a tough upbringing – and their
hard-earned rise within a dog-eat-dog industry. The fast-paced chapters that
follow examine the production of each of their films: the nine Bonds they made
together (1962’s Dr No through to 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun) and their
single collaborative non-Bond (the Bob Hope romp Call Me Bwana). Also covered
are the solo projects. For Harry there were several, among them the Harry
Palmer trilogy and Battle of Britain, while for Cubby it was just one, Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang. Of particular interest to me was the chapter on the Val
Guest-directed oddity Toomorrow. It was one of Harry’s most significant
misfires, and all but unseen for 40 years, the troubled production bore dismal
results in almost every respect, yet I confess when I saw it I actually found
it quirkily entertaining.
The fissures in the cement began to appear surprisingly
early on, worsening as the two men dealt differently with the rollercoaster
success of Bond. While Cubby was content to keep a keen focus on the golden
goose – a focus which gave the 007 films longevity far beyond what many
believed would be a short sell-by date – Harry had a restless nature and an
insatiable urge to expand into other areas. It would ultimately be his undoing.
Cubby was a hugely admired figure, both within the film
industry at large and among his employees. On the whole he was diplomatic,
good-natured and approachable. In complete contrast, Harry was foul-tempered
and impulsive and displayed an alarming lack of good judgement; he thought the
title song for Goldfinger was awful, he nixed a chance to make a film starring
new pop sensation The Beatles, and further along the line he turned down the
opportunity to produce Woman in Black for the West End stage, believing it to
be a dud. These are but a few examples of his folly. Although Sellers’ book is
far kinder to Cubby than it is to Harry – probably deservedly so – the author
gratifyingly reveals the other side of the latter; a devoted, loving husband
and given to spontaneous acts of the most wonderful generosity.
Nevertheless, as one reads through the book it becomes increasingly clear why
one man was so loved and the other was not. Memories of Cubby are mostly
affectionate, those of Harry are largely disdainful. Actor Earl Cameron, who
appeared in Thunderball, summed it up succinctly. Of those occasions the
producers visited the set he remarked: “If they said, Cubby’s coming tomorrow,
it was – oh great. If they said, Harry’s coming tomorrow, it was – oh shit.
That was the attitude of the crew. They didn’t like him at all.â€
It’s a miracle really that the men with the golden touch
remained partners for as long as they did, and that their house of cards only
came tumbling down due to the disastrous financial corner into which Harry
finally painted himself. Following details of their acrimonious parting of ways
at the end of 1975, a final short chapter is devoted to the two men’s
post-partnership projects. For Cubby, that was the unbridled continued success
of James Bond. For Harry, between then and his passing in 1994, it was
tantamount to almost nothing. For Harry the grass was always greener on the
other side of the street and although his downfall was entirely of his own
making, as one reaches the end of Sellers’ indispensable book, one can’t help
but feel sad about the way it all ended for him. How different an experience
for everyone involved in those films it might have been had the relationship
between the two titans of film entertainment been more amicable, and their dealings
with those they relied upon more equitable. I was privileged to meet
Cubby once. We exchanged just a few words, but I’ll not forget how warmly he
shook my hand – me, a nobody. Although it’s probable Harry would have been less
gracious, I do so wish I’d met him too.
Complete with an eight-page insert of black and white
photos, “When Harry Met Cubby†is an essential read, particularly for fans of
007. I read it through in one virtually uninterrupted sitting; it’s something I
seldom ever do, but it’s so wholly engrossing I literally couldn’t put it down.
Without hesitation, I’d cite it as my favourite non-fiction read of 2019 thus
far.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
Prop
Store
– one of the world’s leading film and TV memorabilia companies has today announced
it is to hold its fourth cinema poster live auction this November, with the James
Bond poster collection on offer expected to fetch in excess of
£250,000.
The auction is to be held at Prop Store’s UK headquarters in Rickmansworth.
Over 460
rare and sought-after James Bond posters and memorabilia will be sold during Prop Store’s Cinema PosterLive
Auction on Tuesday 5th November
2019.
Items will be available to
view by appointment at Prop Store in the run up to the auction from Monday 7th
October. The auction will be live-streamed online for fans to track the bidding
on auction day.
Top
items to be sold at Prop Store’s Cinema Poster auction (with estimated sale
prices) include:
1.Dr. No
Quad Poster (1962) £8,000
- £10,000 ($10k-12.5k)
2.Goldfinger
US Subway Poster (1964) £6,000 - £8,000 ($7.5k-10k)
3.Thunderball
US Door Panels (1965) £25,000-30,000($31.5-37.5k)
4.Casino
Royale US Door Panels (1967) £5,000-8,000
($6k-10k)
5.Thunderball
UK Quad Advance Poster (1965) £10,000-12,000 ($12.5k-15k)
Stephen Lane, Prop Store CEO,
commented on the upcoming auction: “Prop Store’s cinema poster auctions go from
strength-to-strength and we are delighted now to be able to offer the
Carter-Jones James Bond Poster Collection. The auction of this world-renowned
collection represents the largest ever offering of James Bond posters in the
auction market. This is a fantastic opportunity for all serious Bond collectorsâ€
Mike Bloomfield, Prop Store’s
poster expert said: “This
auction includes some posters which have either never been seen before in the
auction market or appear only once every 10-15 years. There is a staggering
choice of Bond posters from around the world and at prices to suit all pockets.
We expect global interest in this unique auctionâ€.
Sunday, 29 September saw the BFI in London celebrating "Bond Day", the annual worldwide homage to agent 007. This year marks the 50th anniversary of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" as well as the 40th anniversary of "Moonraker" and the 20th for "The World is Not Enough". I'd been with Cinema Retro's cover guy for our latest issue, actor John Richardson, and we’d been looking at shots from when he’d auditioned for the role of
Bond in "OHMSS" back in 1969. As John himself said “I wasn’t right for the role.
I wasn’t the right build and the guy who did do it was far more suited to the
role than meâ€. That “other fella†that John was referring to was George Lazenby
who attended a post-screening Q&A of "OHMSS" with David Walliams. This event
was worth the ticket price alone as it resulted in what the BFI called “The bluest
interview†on its stage ever. The reason it was unforgettable were the stories
that George shared from the filming of his first and only appearance as 007
(bar "Return of The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and a couple of ads and guest spots in which he played a thinly-veiled 007-like character). Probably
the most memorable was when George told of his first day on set when the crew
had taped a German Sausage to his inside leg under his kilt in order to get a
reaction from the girl who put her hand there up there in the film to write her
room number on his inner thigh. George and the crew were expecting screams of
fright but actress Angela Scoular was merely nonplussed and just asked “Aren’t
you wearing underwear� I think this says more for her long-time boyfriend
Lesley Phillips than anything else!
George also discussed his time with Bruce
Lee, as it was George who Bruce was dining with on the night he died. In a
scene very similar to the one in Quentin Tarantino’s recent "Once Upon a Time In
Hollywood", George regaled us with stories of his time with Bruce. He said the
reason they became friends is that Bruce, just like in the Tarantino film, was always surrounded
by groups of people and was discussing how long it would take to dispatch those standing
around him at the time. He went round each person, from actors to stunt men to
bodyguards with answers like “10 seconds, 30 seconds, one minute†until he got
to George. He looked at Lazenby and said “I’m not sure how long it would take
me to get you down, George. How long do you think� George said he just looked
at Bruce and said “As long as it takes you to catch meâ€.From that moment he and Bruce were friends. This
memorable screening was followed by "Moonraker", which was just as well-received.
The Q&A after this screening (which was a rare big screen showcase for
Derek Meddings amazing special effects) included Martine Beswick, Carole Ashby, composer
David Arnold, David Walliams and director John Glen. Again, some of the stories
were quite ear-opening yet just as informative (and as blue!) as George’s had
been. Humor has always been an important component of Bond, and I’m hoping there will be some of it on display in Daniel Craig’s last outing "No
Time to Die" which wrapped that day too, making September 29th, 2019 a Bond-tastic one
for all fans of Agent 007.
(Photos copyright Mark Mawston. All rights reserved.)
Here is some rare (but sadly silent) film footage of the 1967 London premiere of the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice" at the Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square. The performance was the first Bond film premiere to be attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Star Sean Connery had already given his notice that he was quitting the role of 007. He is seen sporting a mustache that he intended to be seen with in his new Western "Shalako" before producer Euan Lloyd convinced him to shave it off. There are other celebs to be spotted including Laurence Harvey, Jerry Lewis, Tony Bennett, Phil Silvers and Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes, who were filming "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" for Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli at the time.
Eon Productions have announced that the official title of the next James Bond film will be "No Time to Die". Daniel Craig returns for what is said to be his final appearance as 007. The film is scheduled to open in April, 2020. Here is the official press release:
LOS ANGELES – August 20, 2019 – James Bond Producers, Michael G.
Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today released the official title of the 25th
James Bond adventure,No Time To Die. The film, from Albert R.
Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM), and Universal
Pictures International is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation,
True Detective) and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth
film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (Spectre,
Skyfall), Cary Joji Fukunaga, Scott Z. Burns (Contagion,The Bourne Ultimatum) and Phoebe
Waller-Bridge (Killing Eve, Fleabag) No Time To Dieis currently
in production. The film will be released globally from April 3, 2020 in the
U.K. through Universal Pictures International and in the U.S on April 8, from
MGM via
their United Artists Releasing banner.
In No Time To Die,Bond has left
active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is
short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for
help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more
treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed
with dangerous new technology.
Other members of the creative team are; Composer Dan Romer,
Director of Photography Linus Sandgren, Editors Tom Cross and Elliot
Graham, Production Designer Mark Tildesley, Costume Designer Suttirat
Larlarb, Hair and Make-up Designer Daniel Phillips, Supervising Stunt
Coordinator Olivier Schneider, Stunt Coordinator Lee Morrison and Visual
Effects Supervisor Charlie Noble. Returning members to the team are;
2nd Unit Director Alexander Witt, Special Effects and Action Vehicles
Supervisor Chris Corbould and Casting Director Debbie McWilliams.
Casino
Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre have
grossed more than $3.1 billion in worldwide box office collectively. Skyfall ($1.1
billion) and Spectre ($880 million) are the two
highest-grossing films in the franchise.
If you’re
wondering whether the original Aston Martin DB5 from “Goldfingerâ€
is as beautiful in person as it is on screen, wonder no more:it is a pristine specimen, a preserved and
likely restored testament to not only the greatest franchise in film history,
but a metaphor for ingenuity and quality living.
Displayed
prominently recently at New York’s Sotheby’s Auction House on Manhattan’s Upper
East Side, I took pictures through the plate glass window, over the course of a
few days, once to see the car with the bullet-proof plate raised over the trunk
of the car, only to find it lowered back into the car the next day (I assumed
that any shooting had stopped) and found the spike protruding from the hub of
the rear wheels, which was designed to shred a pursuing car’s tires.
Now if you ask me
what it was like to drive what is arguably the most famous car in world history
(with the possible exception of the 1966 Batmobile, which I had the privilege
of driving), I cannot help you.When I went
back for a private media event and asked if it were possible to drive the car,
I was politely dismissed by the event’s host and eyed carefully by a powerfully
built security guard whose eyes send me a clear message:if I touched the car I would be both shaken
and stirred.
The car, one of
four James Bond 007 DB5 models built for the two films, of which only three
survive, is schedule to be auctioned off this week, August 15, at the Monterey
Conference Center in Monterrey, California.Estimate pre-sale for the auction is between four and six million
dollars.According to the sleek auction
catalog: “Both car and gadgetry have been fully restored by Roos Engineering in
Switzerland, ensuring all gadgetry functions as Q intended.â€
I am a few weeks
away from my 20th anniversary as a film and entertainment journalist
and of the hundreds of articles and reviews that I have written, the most often
quoted back to me is the following:
“Mounted
on the dashboard of my black convertible are two plastic switches,
"Grenade Launcher" and "Ejector Seat." They amuse friends
and concern wary parking lot attendants. I own high tech gadgets ranging from a
big screen television that can do virtually everything except fly, an IBM
laptop with a Celeron processor (I do not know what that is either), to the
George Foreman Grill, on which I can broil a steak in eight minutes. But I have never disarmed a thermonuclear
device with seven seconds left to detonation, and I have never killed or
otherwise disabled a dozen enemy agents while skiing backwards down the Swiss
Alps. I have never devised a creative escape from a windowless room as the two
opposite, spike-laden walls were closing in on me, and I have never had an arch
enemy with plans for world conquest. But
not unlike most men, regardless of race, religion, or age, I cannot look at
myself in a mirror in a tuxedo without smiling wryly and thinking: "Bond,
James Bond."
007 survived the Cold War, eleven sitting presidents, and
after almost 60 years, still amasses millions of new fans each year, who watch
the same movies over and over, and who quote dialogue like gospel. Bond has
become the most enduring movie franchise in history. The signature theme
punctuated by the four note riff that plays at the beginning of every Bond entry,
where 007 walks to the center of the gun barrel, turns and shoots, is arguably
the most recognizable movie theme and opening in history.
To anyone growing up in the 1960s and 70s, it was hard to
escape the cultural influence and lure of James Bond and his imitators and
progeny, ranging from Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, The Men from U.N.C.L.E
to Maxell Smart and Agent 99 from “Get Smart†to Jay Bondrock from “The
Flintstones†and “The Beverly Hillbilliesâ€â€™ Jethro Bodine, who after seeing
“Goldfingerâ€, decided he was going to be a “double-naught spy.†At least once a
year for the last 20 years I ask my still good friend and now editor, Lee
Pfeiffer to walk the streets of Upper East Side near the United Nations in
search of Del Florias’s Tailor Shop, where pulling the hook in the fitting room
opens the secret entrance to U.N.C.L.E headquarters, New York.. While he politely declines each year,
I remain hopeful despite the fact I realize the tailor shop was located on
MGM’s back lot.
Bond is still a powerful archetype–a blend of escapism
and the need to put order to an otherwise disorderly world. The real enemies in
Bond's world are boredom, frustration, and complacency. Bond was and is the
rebel within the system: he “gets the job done.†He is a “closer.†In his world
there are no complicated decisions or murky choices, no mortgage payments, or
unavailable baby sitters. Megalomaniacs are not the people you want to work for,
as they get sucked out of airplanes at 30,000 feet or get tossed off their own
space platforms. Someone who cuts you off on the highway can be dispatched with
a wing machine gun or a laser beam activated from a control panel concealed
beneath the armrest and bad dates (despite the fact that they carry guns and
scalpels) get killed by hulking silent adversaries with no necks or get dropped
into tanks filled with piranha.
Bond was created and nurtured in the hopeful era when it
was believed that one intelligent, passionate, and resourceful person could
change the world for the better. President John F. Kennedy said “I wish I had
James Bond on my staff.â€
Ian Fleming created Bond as "an interesting man to
whom extraordinary things happen." He appropriated the name "James
Bond" from the author of Birds of the West Indies (which he pulled off his
shelf) because he felt the name suitably "dull" and
"anonymous." The prescient Fleming’s early insight about
globalization was that it would be non-states and stateless organizations, not
other countries, that would become villains and antagonists in an increasingly
globalized world. In a way, Fleming predicted Google and Facebook having the
influence they have today.
The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 represents the enduring
legacy of 007 not only as quality entertainment but also as an iconic character
of hope and progress. To borrow from another classic icon, “The Maltese
Falconâ€, “it is the stuff that dreams are made of.â€
Cinema Retro contributor Eddy Friedfeld
teaches film classes at NYU and Yale, including the history of James Bond
(For additional information about the Aston Martin that is up for auction, click here.)
Michael Coate of the Digital Bits web site has once again assembled an on-line round table of James Bond scholars including Cinema Retro's own Lee Pfeiffer to reflect on the 1979 James Bond film "Moonraker", which recently marked its 40th anniversary. Although a financial success, the film remains controversial among 007 fans due to its excessive use of over-the-top humor. Click here to read what the panel participants now think of the film 40 years on.
The James Bond film "Licence to Kill" opened in the summer of 1989. Although it was a hit worldwide, American grosses were anemic- at least by James Bond standards. The film marked Timothy Dalton's second and final appearance as 007 as the movie opened against a number of blockbuster films that saw it wither by comparison in terms of boxoffice. Critics were also largely unimpressed with the new, realistic tone of a revenge plot and a grim James Bond in a fairly humorless story. But some of us knew we were seeing something exciting an innovative here. Roger Moore had a very successful run over a twelve year period but even he admitted he went a film too far, bowing out after the goofy "A View to a Kill" in 1985. Dalton took over the reigns with "The Living Daylights" in 1987. Fans and critics seemed relieved to have a more realistic portrayal of Bond on the big screen. "Licence to Kill" dared to upset the formula completely, paving the way for Daniel Craig's somber version of Bond that premiered to wide acclaim in 2006. "Licence" is the Rodney Dangerfield of Bond movies: it don't get no respect. Many Bond fans loathe it but perhaps a critical reassessment is underway. The film is far from perfect and there are some loose ends that could have been improved, but Dalton is terrific, as is Robert Davi as his nemesis, Sanchez. It's also director John Glen's most assured achievement in the Bond canon. Writing in the Hollywood Reporter, Phil Pirrello provides a thoughtful and positive article about the film's ultimate impact on the franchise, albeit it the innovations were deemed to be unacceptable at the time. Click here to read.
The latest, still untitled James Bond film, has certainly endured a run of bad luck since it went into production but a much-needed shot in the arm came with the visit by Prince Charles to the set of the movie earlier today. In footage provided by the Royal Family's YouTube channel, Charles is seen chatting with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, then getting an overview of Bond's vintage Aston Martins from 007 himself, Daniel Craig (who despite a recent injury, looks fit-as-a-fiddle). Charles then meets the crew members and takes a tour of "M"'s office. It's no secret the Prince of Wales is a long-time Bond fan, along the other members of the Royal Family. He has attended Bond premieres in the past, as has Princes William and Harry and, occasionally, Her Majesty as well.
James Bond double features used to be so popular that they would routinely out-gross many new films. The first double feature took place in 1965 with a team-up of Dr. No and From Russia With Love. By 1980, the double features were starting to fade but United Artists did put together this combo of two Roger Moore blockbusters: Moonraker and The Spy Who Loved Me. Cinema Retro's Hank Reineke kindly provided this rare newspaper advertisement from a long-defunct New Jersey drive-in theater that presented the double bill in 1980.
Here's a rare one from the archives: Roger Moore horsing around in New Orleans in 1972 as filming began on "Live and Let Die", Moore's first James Bond movie. The film ushered in a new era in the franchise following Sean Connery and George Lazenby in the role. Concerns that Moore might not "click" with audiences were quickly forgotten when the boxoffice returns indicated moviegoers were very happy with Moore. He would make six more Bond films before retiring as 007 after "A View to a Kill" in 1985.
The James Bond producers assembled Daniel Craig and some of the main cast members at Ian Fleming's legendary home in Jamaica for a press event officially announcing the next 007 film. The title is still unknown but Rami Malek, Oscar-winning star of Bohemian Rhapsody, appeared by video to confirm he will be playing a villain. The program begins at around 1:47.
Joe Dante's "Trailers from Hell" is bottled in Bond again with director Brian Trenchard-Smith analyzing the second 007 blockbuster, "From Russia with Love" and providing some interesting anecdotes within a very abbreviated time frame. By the way, are we the only ones who ever noticed a major curiosity about the "FRWL" trailer? Every major participant is credited by name on screen except for the film's star, Sean Connery. That wasn't the only blooper associated with the film: actress Martine Beswick was a victim of a careless mistake in the opening credits and was listed as "Martin Beswick". Director Terence Young felt badly about the error and made it up to Beswick by providing her with a far bigger role in the fourth Bond film, "Thunderball".
Joe Dante's "Trailers from Hell" web site presents contemporary film editor Mark Goldblatt's tribute to the 1969 James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Goldblatt provides an insightful and very appreciative analysis of the film and correctly points out that, contrary to popular belief, George Lazenby's only Bond film was indeed a boxoffice success.
Ian Fleming’s rise from newspaper journalist to worldwide
best-selling author was not all jet-setting glamor. In the early 1960s,
with the Bond literary series well underway, Fleming was involved in a grueling
legal battle regarding his novel, Thunderball – which later became the
record-breaking 1965 EON film. The strain of the trial may well have
contributed to Fleming’s death the following year at the relatively young age
of 56…
Now the daughter of the original screenwriter, Jack Whittingham, has compiled a
unique chronology of the entire episode titled, appropriately enough, "The Thunderball Story". Sylvan Mason, an accomplished
writer and photographer in her own right, has produced a spiral-bound, limited
edition booklet of the behind-the-scenes battle that played out in British
courts in 1963 and gave producer Kevin McClory the right to remake the story,
eventually resulting in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.
Ms. Mason’s book reproduces a number of key documents and photographs,
including letters, a UK premiere ticket and headlines from newspapers of the
day. There is also a highly detailed timeline from 1959 to 2003,
encompassing all facets of the Thunderball story. All in all, it is a fascinating
look at one of the more obscure, but important aspects of the James Bond
Phenomenon – and given its limited edition status, once they’re gone, they’re
gone!
If you are a Bond collector, you can order a copy here:
Director Guy Hamilton accepting the Cinema Retro Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008.
(Photo copyright Mark Mawston, all rights reserved.)
In this BBC article from February, 2017, director Guy Hamilton's suspense-packed adventures in WWII are recounted, though the late filmmaker was loathe to discuss his wartime experiences. Hamilton, who died in April, 2016, was in the Royal Navy, landed some secret agents on a beach in occupied France, only to find that his escape route had vanished when the ship that brought them departed suddenly. Hamilton joined the agents in evading German troops and managed to make contact with members of the Resistance, who housed the men at risk to their own lives. The amazing story rivals anything seen in the four James Bond films that Hamilton would go on to direct.
Originally published in paperback back in 1973 to promote
Roger Moore’s first appearance as 007, this is a most-welcome updated edition
that includes a foreword by Sir Roger’s good friend and occasional co-star
David Hedison as well as an afterword by his PA and sometimes co-author, Cinema
Retro’s own Gareth Owen. In reading the book for the first time since its
initial publication, I was Impressed that Eon Productions allowed such candor
from its new star. Moore traces the trials-and tribulations he faced behind the
scenes from stunt mishaps to stomach disorders, strains in personal
relationships and weather-related problems, all of it related in his trademark
style of humor that includes plenty of self-deprecating barbs. The production company must contend with ghastly filming conditions, health issues and racial tensions when black stuntmen are sometimes passed over to employ white men who are then "blacked up" to play African-American characters. Moore also chronicles some occasional tensions with producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli.The book emerges
as a wonderful time capsule not only in Bondian history but also in terms of
relating a warts-and-all, candid look at the making of a major film production.
It’s a pity that Moore didn’t write any other diaries relating to his 007 films
but this one probably bruised a few egos and thus it remained the only such
experiment.(The book contains a photo insert section that includes some shots that will probably be new to even the most ardent Bond fans.)
Customers
at London’s Bond in Motion exhibit could be forgiven for wondering about the
steady stream of distinguished-looking people heading through the vehicle
displays towards a private area – but they were witnessing a bit of James Bond
history in the making. On on Thursday, October 11th, the Ian Fleming
Foundation, EON Productions, IFF founder Doug Redenius and this writer hosted a
remarkable book signing for Charles “Jerry†Juroe, the executive who ran
publicity on 14 Bond movies, from Dr. No
right up to the dawn of the Pierce Brosnan era. His memoir, Bond, The Beatles and My Year with Marilyn is just out from McFarland
Press.(Shameless Plug:Doug and I “line produced†it and the book is
a fascinating read, not just for Bond fans but for anyone interested in movie
history.)For 50 years, Jerry knew, worked
with or encountered “Anyone who was anyoneâ€. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig,
Mary Pickford to John Wayne, William Holden, Alfred Hitchcock and, yes, the Fab
Four.Jerry even crossed paths with the
legendary Howard Hughes.Bond was only
part of Juroe’s remarkable career – he served as Marilyn Monroe’s publicist
(not an easy gig!) when she was making The
Prince And the Showgirlwith
Laurence Olivier in England. Jerry was an executive at United Artists, Paramount
and other major studios. Movies aside, Jerry is also a World War II veteran who
took part in one of the most significant military actions in modern history –
the D Day Invasion.
Credit: Danny Gibbons.
The
event’s guest list included many prominent alumni from the Bond series – director John Glen, line
producer Anthony Waye, Oscar-winning production designer Peter Lamont, talent such as
Carole Ashby, Valerie Leon, Jenny Hanley, Margaret Nolan, Caron Gardner,
Sylvana Henriques and Terry Mountain, Roger Moore’s daughter Deborah, Harry
Saltzman’s son Steven, former EON marketing executives Anne Bennett and John
Parkinson, along with a number of staff members from EON, who graciously
provided all manner of support for the event.(The signing was preceded by a private lunch for Jerry arranged and
attended by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson) American actor
Billy Zane was on hand – meeting up with Peter Lamont who created the stunning
sets for the “little†film they made together in 1997, Titanic.The Bond community
was well represented with Cinema Retro’s Dave Worrall, From Sweden with Love’s
Anders Frejdh, Some Kind of Hero authors
Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field, Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan
author Mark O’Connell and French Bond Club co-founder and Bond historian,
Laurent Perriot in the crowd.Designer
Mark Witherspoon was a photographer.
Above: Actor Billy Zane and director John Glen.Credit: Mark Cerulli.
The Robb Report focuses on nine airplanes that were associated with famous films or stars and what has become of them over the decades. From a personal jet owned by Elvis Presley to a Spitfire from "Battle of Britain" to James Bond's microjet to a biplane that flew Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, the stories behind these unusual aircraft make for good reading. Click here to read.
Indiewire chronicles the often torturous road of bringing Daniel Craig's last few James Bond films to the screen including an early plot suggestion for "Skyfall" (then titled "Once Upon a Spy") by screenwriter Peter Morgan in which Bond kills "M", which probably explains why Morgan was released from the film. With the departure of director Danny Boyle prior to production starting on what will be Craig's final appearance as 007, the producers scrambled to find another suitable director to helm the project. Cary Fukunaga got the nod, though the changeover in directors will bump back the planned release date of the film to February 2020. It is now reported by Indiewire that Craig is determined to make his final appearance as Bond be his most memorable and is looking back on the early days of the series, citing the classic 1963 film "From Russia with Love" as his inspiration. Recent political headlines involving Russia under President Putin have brought the quasi-Cold War status between that country and the USA and UK to a boiling point not seen for many years and it seems clear that Russian intrigue will play a major role in the script. Craig even paid a visit to the CIA to get first-hand experience on real-life counter-intelligence methods. For more click here.
Cary Fukunaga, acclaimed for his direction of the "True Detective" TV series, has been named as the director the next James Bond film which will mark Daniel Craig's final screen appearance as 007. Fukunaga, whose anticipated "Maniac" series is debuting on Netflix on September 21, is the first American chosen to direct a Bond film. He replaces Oscar winner Danny Boyle who dropped out of directing the next Bond film after having "artistic differences" with the producers over the script. The search for a new director has meant that the film's premiere will be moved back from October 2019 to February 2020. For more click here.
