Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s - James Bond 007 News

SAM MENDES BACK IN "BONDAGE"

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 05:35:00 -0500

Media reports indicate that Sam Mendes will indeed return to the James Bond franchise to direct not only the next installment but another Bond film after that. The announcement has yet to be formally made by Eon Productions but it is known that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have been lobbying Mendes to stay with the series, given the enormous world-wide success of Skyfall. Mendes initially said he was unable to do the next Bond film due to other committments but he has apparently been made an offer he can't refuse. Click here for more.

SAM MENDES MAY RETURN TO DIRECT THE NEXT JAMES BOND FLICK

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:01:05 -0500

Mendes directing Judi Dench in Skyfall

Despite assertions to the contrary, Sam Mendes may not be able to resist returning to the 007 series in the wake of the enormous success of Skyfall. Mendes initially turned down the producer's offer to direct the entry in the legendary series, but Deadline now reports that Mendes may be having second thoughts. Click here for more

MI6 CONFIDENTIAL MAGAZINE ISSUE 19 ISSUE, VOLUME 7 NOW SHIPPING!

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Mon, 27 May 2013 22:28:59 -0500

The acclaimed British James Bond magazine MI6 Confidential is now shipping! You can now order a full year's run of the magazine. Click here for details

LEGO REMAKE OF "CASINO ROYALE"!

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sun, 26 May 2013 05:04:00 -0500

Ok, James Bond fans...you've probably watched the 2006 version of Casino Royale until you memorized virtually every line of dialogue. (Although you're really a Bond fanatic when you can say the same about the 1967 spoof version of the Ian Fleming novel!) Here's a new spin: Buzzfeed has linked to a brilliant remake of the film's opening sequence- which is done entirely with Legos, accompanied by the original dialogue. They should have titled it "Lego Let Die" Click here to view.

SIR ROGER MOORE LAUNCHES AUTUMN UK SPEAKING TOUR

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:38:00 -0500

Cinema Retro has received the following press release:

Sir Roger Moore, the legendary film star who played the iconic role of James Bond, is to play a series of exclusive dates at theatres around the UK.Following the huge success of his tour last year, Sir Roger will return with ten new dates in Autumn 2013, opening at the Leeds Grand Theatre on Sunday 27 October.

Roger will be discussing his astonishing life and career, with inside stories and exclusive anecdotes ranging from his internationally-renowned TV series The Saint and The Persuaders, through to Hollywood blockbusters and, of course, the 007 films, in which he starred as JamesBond between 1973 and 1985.

Gareth Owen will interview Roger. Gareth is an author of nine books and has worked with Roger Moore on his autobiography My Word Is My Bond and his latest book Bond On Bond. Gareth has interviewed Roger previously at the BFI Southbank, the Barbican Centre and at various UNICEF fundraisers throughout Europe. The show will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Presented by Jeremy Meadow & Suzanna Rosenthal, by arrangement with Pollinger Limited.

For further info, please see www.aneveningwithsirrogermoore.com

2013 Tour Dates:

An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore An Evening with Sir Roger Moore

Sunday 27 October 2.00pm Wednesday 6 November 7.30pm

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM

Box Office: 0844 848 2700 Box Office: 0844 871 3011

An Evening with Sir Roger Moore An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore

Tuesday 29 October 7.30pm Sunday 10 November 3.00pm

G LIVE, GUILDFORD THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW

Box Office: 0844 7701 797 Box Office: 0844 871 7647

An Evening with Sir Roger Moore An Evening with Sir Roger Moore

Wednesday 30 October 8.00pm Monday 11 November 7.30pm

WATFORD COLOSSEUM EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THEATRE

Box Office: 0845 075 3993 Box Office: 0131 529 6000

An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore An Evening with Sir Roger Moore

Sunday 2 November 1.00pm Wednesday 13 November 7.30pm

READING HEXAGON MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

Box Office: 0118 960 6060 Box Office: 0844 871 7652

An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore

Sunday 3 November 2.30pm Sunday 17 November 3.00pm

THE LOWRY, SALFORD QUAYS NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

Box Office: 0843 208 6000 Box Office: 0844 871 7646

SCREENWRITER MICHAEL FRANCE DEAD AT AGE 51; "CLIFFHANGER", "GOLDENEYE" AND "THE HULK" AMONG HIS CREDITS

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:07:32 -0500

Cinema Retro was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of screenwriter Michael France at the age of 51. He died from complications from diabetes. France's big break was writing the screenplay for Sylvester Stallone's 1993 blockbuster Cliffhanger, which he did "on spec", meaning he pitched his idea to the studio and was not commissioned to write it. France also wrote story lines for the 1995 James Bond smash GoldenEye, though he was not credited with the actual screenplay, which was a source of a strained relationship with the Bond producers. Some of his ideas that were developed for GoldenEye were utilized in the 1999 Bond hit The World is Not Enough. In the 1970s, he published the short-lived 007 fan magazine Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. France was a major comic book fan and wrote the screenplays for Ang Lee's 2003 version of The Hulk as well as the super hero flick The Punisher. On a personal note, I had lost contact with him in recent years, but have fond memories of both of us having many laughs at Eon Productions' spectacular London premiere of GoldenEye. The following year, I was a consultant on an official Bond celebration in Jamaica and managed to get an invite for France and his wife as guests. We had plenty of fun in the sun and these memories are quite special to me. My heart goes out to his family on the loss of this personable and very talented screenwriter. - Lee Pfeiffer

JAMES BOND STARS AT FILM FESTIVAL, ALEX THEATRE, GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:08:00 -0500

Sean Connery and Lana Wood in Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Throughout the month of April, the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California will be presenting big screen showings of classic James Bond movies including On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, Octopussy, Licence to Kill and Diamonds Are Forever. Each screening will feature appearances and discussions with a star or stars of a specific film including George Lazenby, Benicio del Toro, David Hedison, Trina Parks, Lana Wood, Kristina Wayborne, Maud Adams and Gloria Hendry. Click here for info and to view original theatrical trailers.

RICHARD KIEL UK PERSONAL APPEARANCES

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:13:00 -0500

Our old pal and Cinema Retro contributor Richard Kiel is crossing "the pond" again for a couple of high profile personal appearances in the UK including one at London's Misty Moon Gallery and another at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, where he will be joined by his Moonraker co-star Blanche Ravalec. Click on each ad below for links to web sites.

JAMES BOND 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:25:42 -0500

April 13 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of “Casino Royale,” and the University of Illinois will recognize the event with a collaborative celebration hosted by the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Spurlock Museum, and the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music. Much of the material featured in “The Birth of Bond” comes from the collection of Michael L. VanBlaricum, the president of the Ian Fleming Foundation and a U. of I. alumnus. | Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

April marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. To celebrate the anniversary, the University of Illinois will be hosting numerous events pertaining to Fleming, the novel and the 007 phenomenon. Titled The Birth of Bond: Ian Fleming's Casino Royale at 60, the exhibition will include a film festival, costumes, props, lectures and rare recordings. The exhibition is being coordinated by Michael VanBlaricum, a well-known Bond scholar and President of the Ian Fleming Foundation. Click here for more info

NEW JAMES BOND NOVEL COMING IN SEPTEMBER

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:21:00 -0600

The estate of James Bond creator Ian Fleming has announced the latest author to try his hand at writing a "one-off" 007 novel. British writer William Boyd will pen the as-yet-untitled novel, due to be published in September. The only clues about the plot is that it will be retro-based and feature a 45 year-old Bond in the year 1969. (Ironically, this was the year that a very young actor, George Lazenby, debuted as Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.) For more click here

SAM MENDES CONFIRMS HE WON'T DIRECT NEXT 007 FILM

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:43:00 -0600

Mendes directing Dame Judi Dench in Skyfall.

Despite the worldwide financial and critical success of Skyfall, Sam Mendes confirmed that he won't be accepting Eon Productions' offer to direct the James Bond movie. Many suspected he would decline the offer because it would be hard to top the international acclaim of Skyfall. However, Mendes cites his regrets at not being able to direct the film and attributes his absence to a full slate of other projects to which he is already committed. For more click here

"SKYFALL" TRAIN FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH RUNNING THROUGH MID-MARCH

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:30:00 -0600

The much-publicized James Bond Skyfall train will run through mid-March from London's King's Cross station to Edinburgh on a daily basis. Aside from having the film poster art adorn the train, the locomotive has been renumbered as "91007". For more click here

JAMES BOND 50 YEARS OSCAR TRIBUTE: THE ALTERNATE VERSION

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:00:38 -0600

Many James Bond fans felt that the much-anticipated James Bond 50th anniversary tribute at the Oscars fell a little short of its potential, despite very impressive appearances by Shirley Bassey and Adele. A fan named Kees van Dijkhuizen Jr. decided to edit together his own version of the how the tribute could have been assembled. Click here to view and to see if you think it beats the "official" version.

JAMES BOND PRODUCERS TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SERIES

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:33:00 -0600

In an interview with Yahoo Movies, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, joined by writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade and actress Naomi Harris, discuss the revitalization of the series with Skyfall and their hopes and plans for future 007 films. They also express hope that some of the Skyfall crew will join them on the next Bond film. For more click here

HOW JAMES BOND'S "THUNDERBALL" ALMOST GOT AN "X" RATING

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:52:00 -0600

The use of a mink glove used at various times by Sean Connery and Molly Peters concerned British censors who saw it as a sexual metaphor.

Newly revealed files show that the sexual content of the 1965 James Bond blockbuster Thunderball so concerned the British censors that they almost slapped the film with an "X" rating. (American films didn't get movie ratings until 1968 and, unlike the British system, the ratings are imposed by the industry, not the government.) In fairness, an "X" rating in those days simply meant adult content, not necessarily sleaze. However, there is no doubt that Eon Productions would have considered it the kiss of death on boxoffice receipts. Nevertheless, the producers stood their ground and cut only one of the the thirty scenes that the censor demanded be removed or amended. The film went on to gross the equivalent of $1 billion in today's currency. The entire censorship scenario seems amusing and quaint by today's standards. Click here to read