Here's a gem from the web site studdblog.blogspot, which specializes in reproducing old newspaper ads of local American theaters from decades past. This one comes from the Sky Vue Drive-in, though we aren't sure where it was located. This particular double-feature combines two Sean Connery films- the latest (at the time in 1971) James Bond blockbuster "Diamonds are Forever" paired with Connery's ill-fated but impressive historical Arctic adventure "The Red Tent". According to the ad, Connery's co-star in the latter film was the legendary "Claudia Capdinale"! (As publishers, we sympathize with anyone who has to deal with typos!) Most impressive was the ticket price: two major films for $1.25. That was a bargain even in 1971!
Here is a wonderful documentary about Roger Moore with comments from his friends and colleagues including Gregory Peck, Maud Adams, Michael Caine, Lewis Gilbert, Tony Curtis and others. The film covers Sir Roger's career as well as his extensive work on behalf of UNICEF.
Joe Dante's "Trailers from Hell" site presents the U.S. trailer for the 1967 007 film "You Only Live Twice" with insightful and amusing commentary by writer/comedian Dana Gould, who admits that while he doesn't believe this is the best Bond movie, it is his personal favorite.
This remarkable collection has been personally curated by Amplifyd founder and CEO Daniel Willis, who is also an expert in the area of James Bond collectibles. Steve Oxenrider's 007 collection is noted among Bond fans as arguably being the most impressive to be found anywhere.
We revisit the climactic bobsled sequence from the 1969 James Bond classic "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with George Lazenby's 007 squaring off against Telly Savalas as Blofeld.
Here is the New York Times review of the 1967 spoof version of "Casino Royale". Bosley Crowther was one of the most revered (and feared) reviewers during this Golden Age of film criticism. He was also notoriously cranky about the movies he reviewed, so it's somewhat surprising that he found at least some merit in this controversial comedy inspired by Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel.
The
following press release was received from The History Press.
“The 007
Diaries: Filming Live and Let Die” (Fine Press Edition) By Sir Roger
Moore KBE
9781803992600
240 pages
4 October 2023, £350
· Will
feature a new foreword from actress Madeline Smith (Agent Caruso in Live and
Let Die) as well as an existing foreword by the late, great David Hedison
(Felix Leiter)
· James
Bond is synonymous with luxury, high-end products, and Bond fans typically seek
these out (see 007store.com for examples)
· Live
and Let Die is a much-loved and iconic Bond film, which lends itself to
this format · Will include some more rare images from the filming of Live
and Let Die
· The book will be individually numbered, beautifully produced, complete
with slipcase
Out of
print for over forty years, The 007 Diaries introduces Roger Moore’s
James Bond Diary to a new generation of fans. To tie in with the release of
his first James Bond film, Live and Let Die, Roger Moore agreed to keep
a day-by-day diary throughout the film’s production, which would be published
just ahead of the premiere in July 1973. From his unveiling as the new 007 in
1972 through to his first scenes on location in New Orleans and his final shot
in New York, Moore describes his whirlwind journey as cinema’s most famous
secret agent. Taking in the sights of Jamaica before returning to Pinewood
Studios, Moore’s razor wit and unique brand of humour is ever present. With
tales from every location, including his encounters with his co-stars and key
crew members, Moore offers the reader an unusually candid, amusing and hugely
insightful behind-the-scenes look into the world’s most successful film
franchise.
AUTHOR
DETAILS
SIR ROGER
MOORE KBE had an extraordinary career that spanned seven decades, from early
television to the golden age of Hollywood and on to international superstardom.
Dashing, handsome and every inch the archetypal English gentleman, he was
unforgettable as the title character in The Saint and as Lord Brett Sinclair in
The Persuaders! But it was as James Bond where he made his mark, playing the
most debonair of the 007s in seven blockbusting films.
The fifth
season of 'Icons Unearthed' will focus on Bond, James Bond.
Directed by
Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us, The Movies That Made Us, Behind the
Attraction), Alyssa Michek (Icons Unearthed), and Ben Frost (Icons Unearthed),
the documentary series features exclusive, candid interviews with the people
that helped make the franchise popular.
Appearances
include George Lazenby, Gloria Hendry (who will also narrate the
series), Caroline Munro, Catherine Schell, Terence Mountain, Andreas
Wisniewski, Trina Parks, Vic Armstrong, John Glen, Jeffrey Caine, Norm
Wanstall, Lee Pfeiffer, Ajay Chowdhury, and Matthew Field.
MI6 can
confirm the following episode titles and premiere dates:
Icons
Unearthed: James Bond
Episode 1: A Spy Is Born - Wed, Oct 4, 2023
Episode 2: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King - Wed, Oct 11, 2023
Episode 3: James Bond-Changing Times - Wed, Oct 18, 2023
Produced by The Nacelle Company, 'Icons Unearthed: James
Bond' will broadcast on VICE TV.
This review from the Independent Film Journal captured the general consensus that was felt by James Bond fans upon the much-anticipated December, 1971 release of "Diamonds are Forever", which brought Sean Connery back to the screen as 007 after George Lazenby quit the role following "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Despite the mixed reception, the film lived up to boxoffice expectations and was a major international hit.
Cinema Retro has received the following notification from Bondstars.com:
In this 70th year of the literary James Bond,
we are celebrating the written legacy of all things 007 at Pinewood Studios
with a very special event on October 29th in association with Ian Fleming
Publications.
The day will kick-off with morning coffee in
the John Barry Theatre and terrace – which faces the new ‘Sean Connery Stage’ –
followed by the first ever UK cinema screening of the original 1954 version of
Casino Royale, plus an exclusive and never-before-seen filmed interview with
Jimmy Bond himself, actor Barry Nelson discussing the production.
We’ll continue in the theatre …
With readings of extracts from books by Bond
actors throughout, as we introduce: Jon Turner to discuss his mentor Richard
Chopping’s designs for Fleming’s James Bond books and archive (which he
curates) as well as Ian Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett will discussing all
things Ian Fleming.
David Lowbridge-Ellis will then host
interviews and discussions with continuity authors Raymond Benson, Charlie
Higson, 00-series author Kim Sherwood, Young Bond author Steve Cole and
(pending filming commitments) Anthony Horowitz.
Lunch will follow and then we’ll move into
the Pinewood Picture Gallery for book signings, mingling, informal chat, some
memorabilia tables and a talk about Pinewood filming locations by author Dave
Worrall on the garden patio, before afternoon tea brings the day to a close.
There’ll also be a 24- page exclusive
commemorative souvenir brochure included.
The cost per ticket will be around £175.00 (excluding
a non-refundable booking fee if you pay by debit \ credit card).
In the star-studded, wildly erratic experience that is the 1967 big screen version of "Casino Royale", there is one oasis amidst the non-stop slapstick and zaniness. In this scene, noted expert gambler Evelyn Tremble (under the assumed name "James Bond"), played by Peter Sellers, engages SMERSH bigwig LeChiffre (Orson Welles) in a high stakes game of backgammon. Not shown in this clip is a preceding bit in which LeChiffre mesmerizes the bystanders by engaging in some marvelous feats of magic. (Welles was a noted magician in real life.) This is followed by an all-too brief interplay between Tremble and LeChiffre that actually approaches a level of seriousness not found elsewhere in the movie, which Bond fans either loathe or love. By the way, an observance of the scene shown here disproves the myth that Peter Sellers refused to ever be on camera with Welles, who he found intimidating. They are indeed seen in the same frame. However, it is true that Sellers' paranoia was in full bloom and he was resentful toward Welles because of his revered reputation and the idolization shown to him by the cast and crew. Sellers made it clear that he would not appear on set with Welles again. This left the production team with the awkward alternative of having to film closeups of Sellers that were shot when Welles wasn't on the set and vice-versa. Making matters worse, Sellers publicly insulted Welles, who responded in kind. Ultimately, producer Charles K. Feldman fired Sellers from "Casino Royale", which was probably what the mercurial actor had hoped for. This explains why his character is killed off and doesn't appear in the wacky, expensive battle royale inside Casino Royale. For all that, the film has plenty of merits: an amusing Woody Allen, a delightful David Niven as the real James Bond, the presence of the first "Bond girl", Ursula Andress, fantastic production design and a marvelous Burt Bacharach score and title theme song, played winningly by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. For more, click here.
Sean Connery didn't always share his sense of humor during interviews but in this appearance on "The Tonight Show" from 1983 (presented in two parts), Connery seems in a fun mood, bantering quips with Carson as he promotes what would be his final James Bond movie, "Never Say Never Again".
In the Golden Age of film criticism, Vincent Canby of the New York Times was one of the most revered (and feared) reviewers. But his tastes weren't only for art house import films and those of Oscar-worthy prestige. Canby could relate to populist entertainment as well. One of the mysteries of the universe is how he came to the conclusion that "Goldfinger" and "Moonraker" represented the best of the James Bond films, which is like saying Laurence Olivier and Jerry Lewis were the finest actors of their era. Nevertheless, with the June, 1981 release of "For Your Eyes Only", Canby was unimpressed with some elements of the film, but was open to providing back-handed compliments to other aspects. In the aggregate, you could say his review was net positive. Read for yourself....
Here's a collection of James Bond vintage international TV commercials. No matter where on the globe you live, you're certain to find a few of them new to you. The production values are great and most of them feature the current James Bond of the era or alumni from the series. (Thanks to reader Nick Sheffo for the heads up.)
Hard to believe, but it's been a bit over ten years since the release of "Skyfall", which would go on to become the top-grossing James Bond movie ever, not to mention one of the most critically-acclaimed. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the film's director Sam Mendes reflects on the making of the film and provides some retrospective personal insights. Click here to read.
Here's a blast from the past. Brief but rare interview with Sean Connery on the set of "Goldfinger" at Pinewood Studios in 1964. Nothing very illuminating but he remains polite while answering some banal questions.
Cinema Retro was
invited to cover the Daniel Craig/ Stephen Colbert interview event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Friday, October 28 as part of the
Montclair Film Festival. It was quite an enjoyable evening and featured the best interview I've ever seen Craig give.
He has been on Colbert's chat show many times and by now they have an Abbott
and Costello-like relationship. The set was designed as a living room, with Craig and Colbert perched comfortably in facing chairs, which gave the impression you were observing two guys speaking privately even though it was in front of an auditorium of over 2,000 people. (Amusingly, if you looked closely, you could see a model Aston Martin DB5 placed on top of a table.)To keep the atmosphere loose, Colbert would periodically walk over to a bar and mix drinks for the two participants. Colbert got Craig to talk about his
hardscrabble early days in Liverpool, his early film career and his experiences working on specific films with specific co-stars. There was plenty of
time devoted to talking about 007. Craig said he only spoke personally with one of his
predecessors in the role, Pierce Brosnan, but said he appreciated Sean
Connery's public comments praising his work as Bond. He was extremely positive
about the producers and everything the series has afforded him, career-wise.
His said his favorite Bond film in which he didn't appear is "Goldfinger". Craig also spoke of his delight at being part of the "Knives Out" series and praised the writer/director Rian Johnson.
(Photo: Montclair Film)
When it was announced
that the event would allow for questions for the audience, I had concerns. We
all know that an open microphone tends to attract at least a few people who can
be relied upon to ask cringe-inducing questions. But Artistic Director Tom Hall
defused this possibility early on and in a humorous manner by advising
attendees that asking the stars to review their personal film project or some
other such pipe dream was not going to happen. Consequently, the questions that
were asked were intelligent and lead to insightful answers.
(Photo: Cinema Retro)
There were some
well-chosen film clips demonstrating the evolution of Craig’s career and he was
also extremely funny throughout the night. It left me with the realization
that, while I greatly admire his Bond films, they never capitalized on his
talent for humor and witticisms the way previous films did for their lead
actors. At the end of the event, Colbert presented Craig with a career achievement award to rapturous applause. In all, a terrific evening. Well done, Montclair Film Festival.
Here's a short but interesting TV spot with Roger Moore promoting the telecast of the London premiere festivities for "The Spy Who Loved Me" in 1977, courtesy of the Internet Archives.
Just as the school holidays were about
to start, way back in the December of 1982, ITV began previewing their upcoming
festive slate. In amongst the sleigh-bell soundtracked shots of Morecambe &
Wise, Ted Rogers and Mike Yarwood et al, Richard Kiel grabbed a thick metal
cable and bit into it with his silver dentures. This little tit-bit was all any
of us kids could talk about in school the next day. ‘Did you see it? Moonraker’s
going to be on TV on Boxing Day!’
I can’t remember anything else about
that Christmas, only the desperate excitement in the run-up to watching the
biggest, best James Bond film ever made! And back then, it was both of those
things because we were, y’know, kids.
Moonraker was (and remains) the entry-level
kids’ Bond movie. Once you realise that the concept of a space shuttle full of
American marines armed with laser guns being fired into space is as
intelligence-insultingly absurd as the idea of a double-taking pigeon, the
lustre wears off rapidly.
And so it came to pass that over the
years, the most successful Bond movie yet released saw its reputation take an
almighty plummet, hovering at the bottom of most Bond popularity charts; an
overblown, camp nadir that even Cubby Broccoli recognised as ‘a bit too much’ (by
contrast, the next Bond adventure, For Your Eyes Only was a pointedly
earth-bound gadget-free caper based on the retrieval of what looked like a ZX
Spectrum keyboard).
Admitting that Moonraker was
one of your favourite Bond movies in the company of cineastes was a faux pas
akin to suggesting that the best Star Trek movie was the fifth one, or
that Robert De Niro never did it for you as an actor until he started making
those hilarious Meet The Parents movies.
The Daniel Craig years - in which Bond
was transformed from a smooth, quip-spouting, all-action Lothario into a
tortured, reluctant assassin, as bruised and broken on the inside as he is on
the surface - made the comic nonsense of Moonraker seem even more
ludicrous, unforgivably so.
Yet all of a sudden, Bond’s misbegotten
Star Wars cash-in has recently started to find voices of support piping
up in its defence. Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary could have chosen from
hundreds of thousands of other movies to launch their new Video Archives
podcast, but for episode 1, out of every movie ever made they went for Moonraker.
Of the two film-makers, Avary is the
one pleading the case forthe
defence.In time-honoured tradition, he
considered it beneath his contempt when it was first released in 1979. “I was
absolutely dubious of it. I hated it.
“I’ve noticed that when I see films
that I dismissed quickly back in the day; I sometimes look at them now and I am
seeing things and appreciating things that I just wasn’t prepared for back
then.” Among those things that Avary now appreciated were Ken Adams’s beautiful
sets, John Barry’s lush score, the still-impressive special effects, Michael
Lonsdale’s cold dismissive performance, and the opening skydiving stunt, which
Avary & Tarantino both cite as one of their favourite pre-titles sequence
in the series: ‘Real people are doing this!’
Avary continued, ‘It’s a spy film, it’s
an action movie, it’s a romance, it’s a travelogue, it’s a sci-fi…it’s also a
horror film. It switches its tone constantly. It becomes whatever it needs to be
in the moment. It’s a comedy, it’s even a western at one point.’ He even
confesses to crying at the end when Jaws finally speaks.
Tarantino’s enjoyment is more
circumspect. He has little enthusiasm for Lewis Gilbert’s handling of action
scenes, especially the gondola chase. At one point he bellows, ‘Any movie that
cuts to a reaction shot of animals doing comic double-takes can never be taken
seriously under any circumstances!’
The Video Archives Moonraker reevaluation
followed on the heels of its surprise appearance in the 2021 Marvel movie Black
Widow, in which Scarlett Johansson’s superhero assassin enjoys some
much-needed downtime by watching Moonraker - a film she’s seen so often
she can recite the dialogue from memory.
Moonraker was, to Johansson’s character, what
it is to so many of us: a comfort watch (it also serves as a witty foretaste of
the rest of Black Widow; a film that ends up set aboard a colossal
airborne sky-station which our hero destroys in mid-flight).
It has also taken on an unlikely
contemporary resonance, thanks to the intergalactic antics of a new breed of
super-billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and - especially - Elon
Musk, who have recently been playing with their little rocket ships and all,
like Drax, clearly obsessed by the conquest of space.
Watching these space-fixated moguls,
all of them rich beyond the wealth of nations, seemingly sharing Drax’s casual
disdain for the trite pauper-concerns of mere earthlings, Moonraker’s
plot suddenly becomes targeted future-satire from the least-likely source.
Then again, it could just be something
far simpler. This new warmth towards Moonraker might well have stemmed
from the loss of Roger Moore, who became the first Bond to head to the great
casino in the sky in 2017. There has rarely been a more beloved actor, and the
shock of suddenly not having him around any more may have led many to
reconsider the legacy of someone we have now lost forever.
Moore’s Bond movies - built around his
unique presentation of the character - were unabashed entertainment. They were
designed at an eye-wateringly huge cost by some of the most talented and
dedicated artists in the industry for one simple, noble purpose: to give family
audiences a thrill ride and make them happy.
Produced for a then-staggering
$34million, Moonraker was released at a time of economic stagnation,
constant strikes, international unrest and unremitting gloom. No wonder
audiences rushed into cinemas to bask in its technicolor glamour, warm humour
and impossible silliness. No wonder its charms seem so suddenly appealing once
again.
The 60th anniversary celebrations of the James Bond film franchise continue on Amazon Prime:
All of the feature films will be available for streaming beginning today in the USA and numerous other international markets for "a limited time", though the specifics were not provided.
"The Sound of 007" official documentary about the music from the series also begins streaming today.
"The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall", a telecast of the recent concert, is also available for streaming.
One criticism that has never been used to describe the James Bond films is that they are corny. That may not be the case any longer. An Illinois farm owned by diehard 007 fans happens to be the site of the world's largest corn maze and this year, they've immortalized the Bond actors in the most unique way possible. However, there is a flaw that will be fatal for Bond fans: the maze does not show George Lazenby. Can't "the other fella" ever get a break? Maybe next year they can do a sequel featuring Barry Nelson and David Niven. Click here for more.
James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are seemingly everywhere lately, receiving honors and awards and having their hand prints immortalized outside of Grauman's Theatre. In this interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the two siblings reflect on the past, present and future of the James Bond franchise but make it clear they are in no hurry to get to the next film, which will involve finding a new actor to replace retired Daniel Craig. Patience is a virtue if you are a Bond fan. It sometimes takes years between entries in the series to make it to the big screen but the success of the last entry "No Time to Die", both critically and commercially, indicates that being slow and methodical can pay off in the long run. Click here to read.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
25 August 2022
Today, Pinewood Studios have announced that a new sound
stage will be named in honour of the late Sir Sean Connery on what would have
been the Academy Award-winning actor’s 92nd birthday. Officially named, The Sean
Connery Stage, the 18,000 square foot purpose-built sound stage is one of five
new stages opening on the Pinewood Studios lot. Recognised as one of the most
influential and successful actors of his generation, Sean Connery was the first
actor to portray James Bond on the big screen in EON Productions’ Dr No, shot
at Pinewood Studios in 1962. The film was produced by Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli
and Harry Saltzman (EON Productions), directed by Terence Young on Pinewood
Studios’ original A, B, C and D stages and on location in Jamaica. Following
the phenomenal success of Dr. No, Connery starred in a further five James Bond
films produced by EON Productions and shot at Pinewood Studios; From Russia
With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice
(1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Connery’s interpretation of the role
helped establish the foundation for the success of the James Bond series which
celebrates its 60thAnniversary this year. Connery’s history with Pinewood and
Shepperton Studios extends beyond the James Bond films returning numerous times
between 1957 and 1999. First passing through the gates of Pinewood Studios for
Hell Drivers (1957), other titles from his extensive filmography include On the
Fiddle (1961) at Shepperton, Woman of Straw (1964) at Pinewood, The Russia
House (1990) Pinewood, Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves (1991) Shepperton, First
Knight (1995) Pinewood and Entrapment (1999) at both Pinewood and Shepperton.
On behalf of the Connery family, Stephane and Jason
Connery commented: “Our family consider it a great honor to have a stage named
after Sean. It is fitting considering the amount of time Sean spent at Pinewood
and we know that he would have been very touched by this privilege.”
Pinewood Group Chairman,
Paul Golding said: “We are delighted to announce that one of our five new sound
stages at Pinewood Studios will be named, ‘The Sean Connery Stage’. The revered
actor, and original James Bond, had a life-long connection with both Pinewood
and Shepperton Studios. It is fitting that the naming ceremony will take place
in 2022, the 60th anniversary year of the James Bond films. ”Connery’s extensive
services to the film industry have been reflected in the many Awards he
received over his illustrious career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA
Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), three Golden Globes, including the
Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 1987, he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts
and Letters in France and in 1991 he received the Freedom of the City honour by
the City of Edinburgh. In the United States, Connery received The US Kennedy
Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999 and the American Film
Institute’s prestigious Life Achievement Award.Connery was knighted in the 2000
New Year Honours for services to film drama.
The James Bond web site MI6-HQ.com provides full coverage of last weekend's "60 Years of Bond" event held at Pinewood Studios. The sold-out event was planned and hosted by Cinema Retro's own Gareth Owen of Bondstars.com and featured many dignitaries from the Bond series. CR's Dave Worrall led a tour of the studio grounds and contributing writer Matthew Field provides this detailed report.
We know for a fact that at least some of our readers of a certain age still have this record album in their collections. It was released in the mid-1960s at the peak of the spy boom that dominated films and television series. This particular album by a variety of jazz artists features themes from popular movies and TV series as well as some original compositions inspired by the spy guys. Click the play button below to hear the entire album.
These British TV adverts from the 1970s are a lot of fun, even if the video quality is lacking. Of note: Joan Collins appears in one advert and another (around the 1:21 mark) is a clever Cabury's ad that plays out as an obvious tribute to "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".
There will be an official James Bond concert held at the Royal Albert Hall on 4 October. Here is the press statement:
Celebrate 60
years of the James Bond film franchise with a charity concert that will
showcase the iconic music of Bond, headlined by the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey.
Curated by
five-time Bond composer David
Arnold and produced by EON Productions,
the concert will feature Bond soundtrack artists including Garbage, as well as
special guests including Celeste,
putting their own interpretation on classic theme songs, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra,
conducted by Nicholas
Dodd.
The date
marks the anniversary of the world premiere of the first 007 film, Dr. No held on 5 October
1962.
Here's a rare July 1973 trade ad for United Artists current and forthcoming releases. The company had Roger Moore's James Bond debut, "Live and Let Die", in theaters but were already promoting "The Man with the Golden Gun", which would not be released until December, 1974. Interestingly, the film promoted as "Harry Never Holds" was ultimately released under the title "Harry in Your Pocket".
James Bond fans have always had mixed emotions when it came to the character of Sheriff J.W. Pepper, memorably played by Clifton James. The bumbling, buffoonish Louisiana lawman was introduced in Roger Moore's first Bond film, "Live and Let Die" in 1973. Everyone pretty much agreed that he was amusing...to a point. There was plenty of criticism among fans concerning the fact that Pepper took up a lot of screen time and turned his scenes into comedy vignettes that bordered on outright slapstick. The producers were so happy with the character, however, that they made the mistake of resurrecting him in the next film, "The Man with the Golden Gun". Trying to logically work him into a story line that takes place in Bangkok was a challenge- and it wasn't met. We had to believe that Pepper and his wife are on vacation and shopping for a new car- in Thailand! Pepper encounters Bond in a showroom, where Bond "borrows" a new AMC Hornet to take off in hot pursuit after the baddies- with Pepper in the passenger seat. Mayhem predictably follows. Clifton James managed to squeeze out a few genuine laughs but the premise was too much for anyone to buy and the good sheriff was retired from the series. There's little doubt that the character inspired Jackie Gleason's immortal portrayal of Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the "Smokey and the Bandit" films...but did you know that the character of Sheriff Pepper was also inspired by another actor's impersonation of a bumbling sheriff? For the full story, and video evidence, click here for the coverage on the James Bond fan site, MI6.
The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., will present a Zoom lecture titled "60 Years of James Bond". Here is the official press release:
Join
film historian Max Alvarez for a multimedia presentation—unredacted and
for your eyes only!—where the mission is to crack the code behind the
high-tech glamour and globetrotting excitement of the 007 film cycle. Alvarez
shares selections from popular Bond adventures as well as archival and
behind-the-scenes production material, including visual breakdowns of legendary
007 stunts and astonishing production design achievements. The occasion calls
for a toast with a very British, Bond-inspired martini (recipe below).
James Bond's Vesper Martini with Recipe
Cocktail
historian Philip Greene, author of The Manhattan: The Story of the First
Modern Cocktail, recreates the drink that Bond instructs a bartender to
make in Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale. The cocktail is named for the
fictional double agent Vesper Lynd, and though Bond originally called for
Gordon’s Gin, Greene favors Tanqueray, since “Gordon’s nowadays is not what it
used to be and Tanqueray is about what Gordon’s was in 1953.” Libations change.
Bond and his Martini are eternal.
Recipe 2
1/4 oz Tanqueray
3/4 oz Absolut Vodka
1/3 oz Lillet Blanc
Shake
well with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
James
Bond is almost surely the franchise that we here
at Cinema Retro have been the most closely associated with, with many of
our contributors having written Bond books, not forgetting our editors-in-chief
and Bond experts Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall’s many tomes including the The
Essential James Bond. There are so many other books about the James Bond
films out there as well that one might be forgiven for thinking that there
can’t possibly be anything left to say about them, but Llewella Chapman’s new
book Fashioning James Bond is proof that there is life in the old spy
yet.
This is the first
book to study the costuming of the Bond franchise, from Dr No (1962)
right through to Spectre (2015), drawing on material from many different
archives, looking at, amongst other things, scripts, correspondence, call
sheets and publicity materials, as well as new interviews with the families of
tailors and shirtmakers who made clothing for Bond, and of course the films
themselves. Clothing was always so important to Ian Fleming, who would
regularly take time out from the action to describe what characters were
wearing in perfect detail, and this was translated over to the films
themselves.
Chapman goes through
each film and analyses the iconic outfits in detail. The measurements of the
stars are supplied (have you always wanted to know Sean Connery’s collar size?
17”), the budget allowances for costuming and how much each outfit cost, and
call sheets provide details as to which costumes were needed at which
locations. Specific costumes such as Dr No’s famous Nehru suit are discussed at
length – it’s historical significance, what kind of shirt would need to be worn
underneath it, and the significance of its Asian stylings as a signifier of the
‘cultural politics of Bond villainy.’
George Lazenby’s sole
effort as Bond is also discussed, with plenty of information about the
different costumes he needed: twenty, more changes than any other Bond actor in
one single film. When Roger Moore came on the scene, his keen interest in
fashion (he had a credit on The Persuaders! for designing his own
costumes) was a big influence on the look that his James Bond would establish
in Live and Let Die (1973) and develop over the next decade. Timothy
Dalton also had some input when he arrived on the scene, preferring that Bond
wore more casual clothing such as a leather jacket, to be more in keeping with
the times.
When Pierce Brosnan
was chosen as Bond and the news got out that he would wear Italian suits there
was an outcry in the press, something which Chapman details. The Independent
claimed that ‘Fleming would be doing somersaults in his grave’! Daniel Craig
also wore Italian suits, before moving on to suits designed by Tom Ford, which
was deemed to suit his grittier, more edgy Bond.
Of course, it’s not
just the various Bonds whose clothing is put under the microscope by Chapman. The
costumes worn by the various ‘Bond Girls’ are also examined in great detail,
from Ursula Andress’ iconic bikini (totally improvised on set using her own bra
and a utility belt from a passing sailor), to Jill St. John’s fabulously
seventies outfits (and wigs), always being sure that the collars and cuffs
match. Again we get details of measurements and designs, and designers, and it
is fascinating to see just how much work goes into this aspect of the
filmmaking process, one which is often easily overlooked in favour of the more
bombastic elements of your average Bond film.
This review has only
really scratched the surface of Fashioning James Bond. There is such a
wealth of insight and information in here that it will keep any Bond fan happy
and will ensure that the next time you watch any of the films your eyes will
linger just that bit longer on the designs and the stitching.
In 1986, the Imperial Toy Company licensed a line of official James Bond products. However, collectors were bewildered by the choice of items ranging from over-sized, cheapo plastic sunglasses to weapons,watches and communications equipment that were never seen in a 007 movie. The web site Plaid Stallions explains why. It seems Imperial had an existing line of generic action toys and decided to use their license with Eon Productions to simply "007" print stickers and packaging that featured Roger Moore and re-market the stuff as official Bond merchandise. Indeed, it was official but only in the technical sense. Ironically, the enthusiasm for vintage Bond memorabilia has seen some of these less-than-inspiring toys sell for surprisingly high prices. Click here for photos and the full story. (Thanks to Nick Sheffo of the Fulvue Drive-in site for alerting us to this amusing article.)
American Cinematographer magazine is providing plenty of catnip for James Bond fans by publishing on-line reprints of its coverage of the series from over the decades. In this article, Second Unit Director (and future Bond Director) John Glen provides a first-hand report on the filming of the 1969 classic "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" starring George Lazenby in his one, memorable turn as 007. Click here to access the article.
Now that Amazon's acquisition of MGM has been finalized, the company isn't letting any grass grow when it comes to exploiting the lucrative James Bond franchise, which they now co-own with Eon Productions. According to Indiewire, Eon and British 72 Films will create and produce an "Amazing Race"-style competition show based on the Bond series. The competitors will travel to locations visited by Agent 007 in a quest to win over $1 million in prize money. The series, titled "007's Road to a Million", will stream on Amazon Prime Video. For details, click here.
A highlight of Sunday's BAFTA awards was the performance of Dame Shirley Bassey, who sang "Diamonds are Forever" as part of a tribute to James Bond's 60 years on the big screen.
British readers of a certain age will remember the Big Fry chocolates TV ads from the 1960s. They featured a hunky model named George Lazenby, who would soon move on to a more illustrious role as James Bond. Her are two of these vintage adverts.
Production Designer Ken Adam, Producer Albert R. Broccoli and Director Lewis Gilbert on the original "007 Stage" at Pinewood Studios.
It was the biggest James Bond film to date. Released in 1977, Roger Moore's third 007 film, "The Spy Who Loved Me", restored the series to its former grandeur, following the anemic reaction to the previous film "The Man with the Golden Gun". Producer Albert R. Broccoli was making his first Bond movie without his former partner, Harry Saltzman, who ended their partnership after "Golden Gun". Broccoli was determined to go all-out and backed his plans by getting United Artists to provide the biggest budget the franchise had ever enjoyed. Broccoli made sure every penny was on the screen and constructed the largest sound stage in the world at Pinewood Studios. American Cinematographer magazine has long provided detailed behind-the-scenes coverage of the making of the Bond films. They have reprinted their on-set visit to Pinewood where contributing editor David Samuelson interviewed production designer Ken Adam and Director of Photography Claude Renoir.
In this special 45-minute retrospective, Daniel Craig
candidly reflects on his 15 year adventure as James Bond. Including
never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to No Time To Die, Craig
shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers, Michael G
Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Deadline reports that MGM and Eon Productions will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise with special IMAX screenings at theaters in the USA this Friday, January 21. Select theaters will also present a filmed Q&A session with Daniel Craig, producers Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson and director Cary Joji Fukanaga. The screening will also debut the new Bond 60th anniversary logo. Check your local IMAX theater listings to see if they will be showing the film. At this time, no information was given regarding how theaters showing the Q&A session can be identified. Click here for more details.
Cinema Retro has received the following notification from MI6 Confidential magazine:
Special
Issue #5
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 fifth release hands
the microphone back to long-serving Bond director, John Glen taking a look back
at his ultimate film as helmsman, Licence To Kill.
Other directors came
and went from the franchise in the blink of an eye, but Glen earned his place
as one of the most trusted, influential and creative confidants to producer
Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli. In this special issue of MI6 Confidential magazine,
we invited the director to reminisce on his final Bond film. To date he has
helmed the greatest number of Bond pictures, and whilst Licence To Kill
was one of the least commercially successful Bonds, it is undergoing something
of a renaissance and reassessment with enthusiasts. Its simple story of revenge
appealed to star, Timothy Dalton, and is – in a sense – timeless. Dalton was
able to influence some more of the characterisation, and even costuming,
helping to make him happier and more assured in the role.
In This Special Issue
100 page special magazine;
professionally printed; perfect bound
Foreword by Robert Davi
John's memories of the
pre-production process, including recces in China
Rarely-seen art from
pre-production
Script history and last-minute
character changes
Dozens of behind the scenes stills
from Glen and other collectors
In this clip from a 1957 episode of "The Jack Benny Program", the world's worst violin player and penny-pincher arrives in Rome and has a brief encounter with a young, ruggedly handsome Italian luggage porter played by Sean Connery. Most amusing is that Connery's brief dialogue is delivered in a unique Italian accent highlighted by a Scottish brogue! (A tip of the hat to reader Doug Gerbino who alerted us to this video.)
Last week, at Deadline's annual film industry event, Contenders: New York, James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were among those participating. They appeared by a video feed from London to discuss "No Time to Die" and were joined by Eon team members Chris Corbould (Special Effects Supervisor), Production Designer Mark Tildesley and actor Rami Malek, who plays the chief villain. While no major news was broken, the team provided some interesting insights into the making of the film, their motivations and some of the challenges they faced. No announcement was made about how they envision a new incarnation of Agent 007, but Barbara Broccoli once again assured fans that Bond will indeed be back.
Although it is still performing strongly in theaters, Daniel Craig's acclaimed final James Bond film, "No Time to Die" , hits U.S. streaming platforms, including Amazon, today for $19.99. If you've been able to resist seeing the film in theaters, Amazon offers a 3-minute free preview of the movie. Click here for more info.
Cinema
Retro's Dave Worrall attended the Royal World Premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in London last night
highlighted by the attendance of the Prince of Wales, the Dutchess of Cornwall
and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Due to the world pandemic this was a
tough event to organise, but EON pulled it off big time, withcast members Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea
Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Rory
Kinnear, Ana Armas, David Denik, Dali Benssalah, director Cary Joji Fukunaga,
writers Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, composer Hans
Zimmer, performers Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Conell, and producers Michael
G.Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, arriving
on the red carpet and with some of them greeting the audience in the
auditorium, who responded with rapturous applause, especially for Daniel Craig.
This
event kick-starts a series of premieres in 57 countries, including 10 in the UK
and Ireland to which health care workers will be invited as special guests in
celebration and gratitude of their extraordinary work during the pandemic. Last
night's performance raised over 1 million pounds for charities supporting
serving and former members of the three intelligence agencies (the Secret
Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ). The evening also assisted
charities supporting past and present members of the United Kingdom Special
Forces, and invited health care workers and members of the armed forces, joined
the cast and other guests inside to watch the film.
Despite
guests having to have had a lateral flow test beforehand, wear a face mask, and
being a little more cautious than usual, it was a spectacular and welcome experience
for everyone who attended, and a great release after being restricted by the
various lockdown situations of the last eighteen months - thanks to Bond. James
Bond.
Here
are Dave's thoughts on the film (No spoilers):
Planes,
boats and automobiles - Daniel Craig's final mission as James Bond is an
emotional rollercoaster of a ride that twists and turns in many directions,
culminating in a finale that left me both exhausted and, dare I admit, in
tears. For many reasons, this 25th chapter in the EON-produced film franchise
has taken six years to reach cinema screens which, interestingly, continues
directly after where Bond and Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux) drove off in the
agent's fabled Aston Martin DB5 at the end of Spectre in 2015, and then continues five years later. No Time To Die ties up a lot of loose
ends relating to Craig's tenure as Bond, and features many subtle elements
relating to films, and novels of the past that will please both Bond fans and
the general public alike.
Like
Sean Connery's You Only Live Twice
(1967), Craig's fifth and final film is also a spectacular adventure boasting
some outstanding set pieces, stunts, stunning sets and lavish location
photography that are now synonymous (and expected by audience) of a Bond film.
However, none of this distracts from the main aspect of the film - Bond and
Madeline's relationship. Like Casino
Royale, this entry is a love story. One with a difference, but definitely a
love story - and Bond is left hurting once again, but not as you would expect.
It is also the most sinister Bond film I've ever seen, with several very tense and
eerie scenes.
Directed
by Cary Joji Fukunaga (who gave us the magnificent first series of the TV show
'True Detective' 2014, Beasts of No
Nation 2015, and 'Maniac' TV mini-series 2018), his creative vision shines
through in every scene, especially those with the main characters, who are
played by a cast that excel themselves. From Rami Malek to Lashana Lynch, Lea
Seydoux to Ana de Armas - and not forgetting old stalwarts Ralph Fiennes, Ben
Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear and Jeffrey Wright - no one is wasted. They
are cherished and welcomed back as much as Craig.
As
promised, no plot spoilers, and unlike a lot of the cynical die-hard fans out
there in the Bond community, I am not an overtly critical person. I was just
happy to see his return in this big screen adventure that delivers the goods in
spectacular fashion - which it does in bucket loads. Was there anything that
disappointed me? Yes - the fact that we shall not see Daniel Craig in the role again,
as he delivers big time in No Time to Die.
Definitely his finest hour.
I've
booked my tickets to go and see it again tomorrow, when the film opens to the
public. Yes, it's that good.
Dave Worrall (29/9/2021)
Photos:
Dave Worrall and Joe Osuch.
No Time To Die opens in
the UK and Ireland from 30 September, and in the U.S. on 8 October.
Well, it's finally here. Perhaps the most eagerly-awaited James Bond film ever, "No Time to Die", had its world premiere in London earlier this evening. Simultaneously, MGM and Eon Productions invited journalists to view the first screening of the film simultaneously in other parts of the globe. Cinema Retro was invited to attend the New York IMAX screening at the AMC theater at Columbus Square. Upon entering the theater, attendees were presented with official 007 studio swag followed by free popcorn and drinks. Thus, it wasn't just the popcorn that was buttered up by the time the film began. After a wait of six years since the release of the prior film, "Spectre", I must say that when the gunbarrel opening appeared, I was reminded of New York Times film critic Vincent Canby who wrote of Sean Connery's return to the role of Bond in "Diamonds are Forever" that it was enough to make a viewer weepy with gratitude.
Because of MGM and Eon's impressive achievement in keeping key plot surprises secret, I will not divulge them here. Instead, I'll give a bare-bones breakdown of important elements.The film finds Bond living blissfully in self-imposed retirement with the love of his life, Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux in a marvelously understated performance), with whom he rode off into the sunset at the end of "Spectre". However, their seemingly perfect existence is torn apart by developments that cause Bond to reject her and promise he will never see her again. When they are reluctantly reunited later in the film, it opens a Pandora's Box of disturbing revelations with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
The Pre-Credits Sequence: Probably the longest such segment in any Bond film. If you walked in a minute late, you would be forgiven for suspecting it was the wrong theater. We find a mother and her young daughter living in isolation in a barren wasteland when a mysterious, unnamed villain arrives and puts into motion the basis of the story line in a chilling and disturbing fashion. The scene is disturbing and highly effective.
The Credits: Daniel Kleinman comes through again with the traditional style that was pioneered by such geniuses as Maurice Binder and Robert Brownjohn. Billy Eilish's crooning of the haunting title song works very well indeed in conjunction with the title credits' images.
The Script: Eon wisely enlisted the services of veteran Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who initiated the Daniel Craig era with "Casino Royale". They know the character intimately, and with an assist from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and director Cary Joji Fukunaga, they deliver the goods with a complex but highly intelligent script. No other Bond actor has had the luxury of having a script specifically tailored to be his final Bond movie and the writers have come through impressively for Craig.
The Direction: Fukunaga distinguishes himself very well indeed in the action scenes but he is an actor's director and he gets the most out of his distinguished cast, with Daniel Craig giving what is arguably his best performance as Bond.
The Villains: It helps when you have two Oscar winners as your main villains. Rami Malek is superb as Safin, a creepy, aristocratic type who lives large and recalls the images of classic Bond villains of years past. Christoph Waltz's Blofeld appears primarily in only one scene, but it's pivotal to the plot and the interplay between him and Bond is riveting.
The Score: Another Oscar winner, Hans Zimmer, provides a highly impressive score that includes John Barry's "We Have All the Time in the World" from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". He also doesn't stint on using "The James Bond Theme" often and in its original format without any modern "improvements".
The "New" 007: When Bond returns from retirement, it's well known through press leaks that he finds there is a new Agent 007: the young female agent Nomi. As played with gusto and wit by Lashana Lynch, the character trades humorous barbs with Bond but the situation is never overplayed and the two make a good team when the going gets rough. As for criticisms that it was a politically correct move to introduce this character, remember that Bond has often been teamed with kick-ass female agents going back to the early days of the series. However, the female agent winningly played by Ana de Armas does seem superfluous and appears to have been inserted just to showcase a somewhat humorous action scene. The character is then all but retired without any further development.
The film is peppered with appearances by the usual reliable players: Ralph Fiennes, especially good as a deeply troubled "M", Rory Kinnear as his Chief of Staff, Tanner and, of course, Naomi Harris as the ever-present Moneypenny. Ben Wishaw's "Q" has a major role this time around and the film is all the better for his portrayal of the quirky gadgets genius. Jeffrey Wright reappears as Felix Leiter, Bond's CIA colleague, and for once, he is given a meaty role of great relevance to the plot.
There have been concerns over the film's lengthy running time of 163-minutes but it never sags, although the sheer number of action scenes become repetitive despite the fact that they are all exciting and thrillingly staged. I've also never warmed to seeing Bond running about mowing people down with machine guns and that remains the case with "No Time to Die". By the time the movie ends, the body count rivals the climax of "The Wild Bunch". I always look to the earlier Bonds wherein 007 was somewhat judicious in his killing. (I believe in "Goldfinger", he only shoots one henchman in the course of the entire film.)
There are wonderful homages to past Bond films and literature and literature strewn throughout the movie from portraits of prior "M"s to a reading by the current "M" of words written by Ian Fleming. Bond purists will love it. I also enjoyed the fact that Safin lives like the Bond villains of old. He has a private island complete with a poisonous Garden of Death (inspired by Fleming's novel "You Only Live Twice"). He also has a big operation complete with an army of henchmen just as some of his predecessors did.
Since the script continues on from events seen in "Spectre", I would suggest revisiting that film before seeing "No Time to Die". I didn't and because I hadn't seen "Spectre" since the premiere in London in 2015, I was a bit rusty on some of the interactions with the characters. For those less acquainted with the Craig Bond films, it would also do to watch "Casino Royale" again, as elements of that plot are also relevant. I would also advise everyone to stay to the very end of the credits for reasons that will become apparent after the film's emotional ending.
"No Time to Die" is perhaps the most ambitious Bond film in terms of character development. It succeeds on every level and really should be seen in its dynamic IMAX presentation. It is a fitting finale to the Daniel Craig era and when the theater lights went on at the conclusion, I was missing him already.
(The film opens in the U.S. on October 8 but there are advance screenings on October 6 and 7.)
The event will lead a series of premieres in
57 cities across the globe, including 10 in the UK and Ireland to which health
care workers will be invited as special guests in celebration and
gratitude of their extraordinary work during the pandemic.
The World Premiere will benefit charities
supporting serving and former members of the three intelligence
agencies (the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ).
The evening will also assist charities supporting past and present
members of the United Kingdom Special Forces.
At the Royal Albert Hall in London, there
will be viewing areas on the red carpet for invited health care
workers and members of the armed forces. They will join the cast and other
guests inside to watch the film.
Please note there is no public access on the
day to the red carpet or viewing areas. Highlights from the event will be
available to view via the official 007
social media channels. A limited number of tickets have been
made available for public purchase via the Royal Albert Hall website. (Note: The Royal Albert Hall web site indicates the public allocation of tickets has sold out.)
Following the World Premiere, No Time
To Die will release in the UK and Irelandfrom 30th September
2021 through Universal Pictures International and in the U.S on 8th October
through MGM via their United Artists Releasing banner.