On This Day

RichardTheBruce

May 20th

1917: Major Valentine Fleming is killed during World War I shelling on the Western Front at Gillemont Farm area, Picardy, France. Eulogized by close friend Winston Churchill. A fellow officer calls him "absolutely our best officer".

‘Absolutely our best officer’: Valentine Fleming (1882-1917)

See the complete article here:

https://thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/absolutely-our-best-officer-valentine-fleming-1882-1917

Posted on May 19, 2017 by The History of Parliament

Major Valentine Fleming, Illustrated London News, 9 June 1917, p. 684., via wikimedia

In the latest of our blogs on MPs killed in the First World War, Dr Kathryn Rix marks the centenary of the death of Valentine Fleming on 20 May 1917…

Major Valentine Fleming, Illustrated London News, 9 June 1917, p. 684., via wikimedia

On 25 May 1917, the obituary of Valentine Fleming, Conservative MP for South Oxfordshire since January 1910, appeared in The Times, following his death five days earlier on the Western Front. Its author – ‘W. S. C.’ – was none other than Winston Churchill, who had known Fleming not only as a fellow MP, but also as an officer in the same yeomanry regiment, the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars. A framed copy of this obituary was one of the most cherished possessions of Fleming’s second son Ian, the creator of James Bond. He was just about to turn nine when his father died.

Born in Fife in 1882, Fleming had a ‘distinguished and creditable’ career at Eton and at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he excelled at rowing and athletics. He graduated with a degree in History in 1905. His father, Robert, a wealthy financier, had purchased a country estate at Nettlebed, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire in 1903. Aided financially by his father, Fleming bought his own property in the county at Braziers Park, Ipsden, where he and his wife Evelyn lived after their marriage in 1906.

In January 1907 Fleming was chosen as the prospective Conservative candidate for South Oxfordshire (also known as the Henley division). The chairman of the meeting which adopted him noted his academic achievements, his commercial experience in the City and his involvement as an officer in the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars, which he had joined as a second lieutenant in 1904. He also considered it an important asset that Fleming had ‘a charming wife – who would be of great assistance to him in the campaign, considering the part women now took in politics’. Fleming worked assiduously to cultivate support in the constituency, attending thirty meetings in his first two months as candidate, and also became well-known in the hunting field.

At the January 1910 election, when he advocated the policies of tariff reform and colonial preference, Fleming won a convincing victory over his Liberal opponent. Giving thanks when the result was declared, he was particularly grateful to Oxfordshire’s under-sheriff for performing the duties of returning officer. As Fleming explained, ‘he has rescued me from the somewhat embarrassing position of being returned by my own father’: as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire that year, Robert Fleming should have acted as returning officer.

Fleming was re-elected at the December 1910 general election, but in April 1913 decided that he would not stand again when the next election took place. His father was taking partial retirement from the merchant bank of Robert Fleming and Co., which he had founded. Fleming therefore anticipated having to spend more time on business, especially as he would have to make periodic visits to the United States. Churchill’s obituary of him suggested that his decision stemmed also from his dislike of ‘the violence of faction and the fierce tumults which swayed our political life up to the very threshold of the Great War’.

When war broke out in 1914, Fleming, now a captain, enlisted for service with his regiment. Churchill recorded that Fleming had taken every opportunity to attend training courses as a yeomanry officer, with the result that ‘on mobilization there were few more competent civilian soldiers of his rank’. He fought at the battle of Ypres, was twice mentioned in dispatches and was promoted to the rank of major.

In the early hours of 20 May 1917, Fleming was one of five members of his squadron killed in a heavy German bombardment, while defending Gillemont Farm, near Epehy in northern France. A few weeks before his death he had sent a final postcard to his son, Ian, writing:

In the wood where we slept last night were wild boars. I killed a snake but not a poisonous one. A hedgehog came into Philip’s shelter one night. (J. Pearson, The Life of Ian Fleming)

Philip (1889-1971) was Fleming’s younger brother, who served alongside him in the Oxfordshire Hussars. A talented rower, who had won a gold medal at the 1912 Olympics, he survived the war.

Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Valentine Fleming was buried at Templeux-le-Guerard British cemetery in northern France. Churchill remembered his ‘lovable and charming personality’, while a fellow officer wrote that

The loss to the regiment is indescribable. He was … absolutely our best officer, utterly fearless, full of resource, and perfectly magnificent with his men.

KR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_Fleming

1927: David Hedison is born--Providence, Rhode Island.
(He dies 18 July 2019 at age 92--Los Angeles, California.)

David Hedison, Actor in
'Voyage to the Bottom of the
Sea’ and ‘The Fly’, Dies at 92

See the complete article here:

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/david-hedison-dead-dies-the-fly-voyage-to-the-bottom-of-the-sea-1203275257/

Mackenzie Nichols, Staff Writer

David Hedison, a film, television, and theater actor known for his role as Captain Lee Crane in the sci-fi adventure television series “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” and as the crazed scientist turned human insect in the first iteration of the film “The Fly,” died on July 18. He was 92, and the family said in a statement that he “died peacefully” with his daughters at his side.

“Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father. He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefited from his warm and generous heart. Our dad brought joy and humor wherever he went and did so with great style,” said the family in a statement.

David Hedison, born Al Hedison, was from Providence, R.I. and studied at Brown University where he grew fond of the theater, becoming a part of the university’s theater production group “Sock and Buskin Players.” He then moved to New York, studying with Sanford Meisner at “The Neighborhood Playhouse” as well as Lee Strasberg of “The Actor’s Studio.” In the 1950s, he appeared in “Much Ado About Nothing” and “A Month in the Country,” working with Uta Hagen and Michael Redgrave on productions by Clifford Odets and Christopher Fry, among others.

Shortly after “A Month in the Country,” Hedison first hit the big screen with his role in the 1957 film “The Enemy Below” and in the 1958 film “Son of Robin Hood.” He also played André Delambre in “The Fly,” (1958) which became a cult phenomenon and sparked a remake in 1986 with Jeff Goldblum reprising the role. Hedison then signed with Twentieth Century Fox in 1959 and changed his first name to David, his given middle name. In 1964, he hit his big television break as Captain Lee Crane in producer Irwin Allen’s “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” which ran until 1968.

He also joined Roger Moore in the 1973 James Bond film “Live and Let Die” as well as Timothy Dalton in 1989 with “License to Kill,” becoming the first actor to play CIA agent Felix Leiter twice. In the 1980s and 1990s, he worked on shows such as “Another World,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Who’s the Boss” and “The Colbys.”

According to family members, Hedison joked during his final days that “instead of RIP he preferred SRO ‘Standing Room Only.'” They said that he was “tall and strikingly handsome,” and “a true actor through and through.”

Hedison’s wife, Bridget, a production associate on “Dynasty” and an assistant to producer on “The Colbys,” died in 2016. He is survived by two daughters; Serena and Alexandra, an actress and director who is married to Jodie Foster.

Donations may be made to the Actor’s Fund.

http://david-hedison.com/wp/filmography/
Filmography

Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk (2017) Interviewee #2
Superman and the Secret Planet (Video) (2013) ….. Jor El
The Reality Trap (2005) …. Morgan Jameson
“The Young and the Restless” …. Arthur Hendricks / … (50 episodes, 2004)
… aka “Y&R” – USA (promotional abbreviation)
Spectres (2004) …. William
… aka “Soul Survivor” – USA (cable TV title)
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001) …. Daniel Alexander
… aka “Megiddo” – USA (short title)
Mach 2 (2001) …. Senator Stuart Davis

Fugitive Mind (1999) (V) …. Senator Davis
“Another World” (1964) TV series …. Spencer Harrison (1991-1996, 1999) (unknown episodes)
Sheng zhan feng yun (1990) …. US Ambassador
… aka “Undeclared War” – Hong Kong (English title)

Licence to Kill (1989) …. Felix Leiter
“Murder, She Wrote” …. Mitch Payne / … (3 episodes, 1986-1989)
– Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 2 (1989) TV episode …. Victor Casper
– Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 1 (1989) TV episode …. Victor Caspar
– The Perfect Foil (1986) TV episode …. Mitch Payne
“The Law and Harry McGraw” …. Blake Devaroe (1 episode, 1987)
– Mr. Chapman, I Presume? (1987) TV episode …. Blake Devaroe
“Who’s the Boss?” …. Jim Ratcliff (1 episode, 1987)
– Mona (1987) TV episode …. Jim Ratcliff
“The Colbys” …. Lord Roger Langdon / … (9 episodes, 1985-1987)
“Hotel” …. Dr. Howard Bentley / … (2 episodes, 1985-1987)
– Pitfalls (1987) TV episode …. Dr. Howard Bentley
– Distortions (1985) TV episode …. Jack Fitzpatrick
Smart Alec (1986) …. Frank Wheeler
… aka “Hollywood Dreaming” – USA (alternative title)
“Trapper John, M.D.” …. Miles Warner (1 episode, 1985)
– The Second Best Man (1985) TV episode …. Miles Warner
“The A-Team” …. David Vaun (1 episode, 1985)
– Mind Games (1985) TV episode …. David Vaun
“Crazy Like a Fox” …. Ed Galvin (1 episode, 1985)
– Eye in the Sky (1985) TV episode …. Ed Galvin
“A.D.” …. Porcius Festus (5 episodes, 1985)
“Knight Rider” …. Theodore Cooper (1 episode, 1985)
– Knight in Retreat (1985) TV episode …. Theodore Cooper
“Double Trouble” …. David Burke (2 episodes, 1985)
– The Day of the Rose (1985) TV episode …. David Burke
– September Song (1985) TV episode …. David Burke
“Finder of Lost Loves” …. Neil Palmer (1 episode, 1985)
– Haunted Memories (1985) TV episode …. Neil Palmer
“Simon & Simon” …. Austin Tyler (2 episodes, 1985)
– Simon Without Simon: Part 2 (1985) TV episode …. Austin Tyler
– Simon Without Simon: Part 1 (1985) TV episode …. Austin Tyler
“The Love Boat” …. Cliff Jacobs / … (7 episodes, 1977-1985)
– Love on the Line/Don’t Call Me Gopher/Her Honor, the Mayor (1985) TV episode …. Barry Singer
– Spoonmaker Diamond, The/Papa Doc/The Role Model/Julie’s Tycoon: Part 1 (1982) TV episode …. Cliff Jacobs
– Spoonmaker Diamond, The/Papa Doc/The Role Model/Julie’s Tycoon: Part 2 (1982) TV episode …. Cliff Jacobs
– April in Boston/Saving Grace/Breaks of Life (1982) TV episode …. Bradford York
– Lady from Sunshine Gardens/Eye of the Beholder/Bugged (1981) TV episode …. Allan Christensen
“The Fall Guy” …. Jordan Stevens / … (3 episodes, 1982-1985)
– Her Bodyguard (1985) TV episode …. Monte Sorrenson
– Undersea Odyssey (1984) TV episode …. Milo
– The Snow Job (1982) TV episode …. Jordan Stevens
“Partners in Crime” …. Davidson (1 episode, 1984)
– Fantasyland (1984) TV episode …. Davidson
The Naked Face (1984) …. Dr. Peter Hadley
“Fantasy Island” …. Captain John Day / … (6 episodes, 1978-1984)
Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (1983) (TV) …. Carson
“Dynasty” …. Sam Dexter (2 episodes, 1983)
– The Vote (1983) TV episode …. Sam Dexter
– The Downstairs Bride (1983) TV episode …. Sam Dexter
“Amanda’s” …. David (1 episode, 1983)
… aka “Amanda’s by the Sea” – USA (alternative title)
– All in a Day’s Work (1983) TV episode …. David
“Matt Houston” …. Pierre Cerdan (1 episode, 1982)
– Recipe for Murder (1982) TV episode …. Pierre Cerdan
“T.J. Hooker” …. Saxon (1 episode, 1982)
– The Protectors (1982) TV episode …. Saxon
“Hart to Hart” …. Miles Wiatt (1 episode, 1982)
– Hart of Diamonds (1982) TV episode …. Miles Wiatt
The Awakening of Cassie (1982)
“Nero Wolfe” …. Phillip Corrigan (1 episode, 1981)
– Murder by the Book (1981) TV episode …. Phillip Corrigan
“Charlie’s Angels” …. Carter Gillis / … (2 episodes, 1978-1981)
– He Married an Angel (1981) TV episode …. John Thornwood

– Angels in the Stretch (1978) TV episode …. Carter Gillis
“Benson” …. John Taylor (1 episode, 1979)
– Pilot (1979) TV episode …. John Taylor
The Power Within (1979) (TV) …. Danton
“Greatest Heroes of the Bible” …. Ashpenaz (1 episode, 1979)
– Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar (1979) TV episode …. Ashpenaz
ffolkes (1979) …. King
… aka “North Sea Hijack” – UK (original title)
… aka “Assault Force” – USA (TV title)
“Flying High” (1 episode, 1978)
– High Rollers (1978) TV episode
Colorado C.I. (1978) (TV) …. David Royce
“Project U.F.O.” …. Frederick Flanagan (1 episode, 1978)
… aka “Project Blue Book” – USA (alternative title)
– Sighting 4011: The Dollhouse Incident (1978) TV episode …. Frederick Flanagan
“The Bob Newhart Show” …. Steve Darnell (1 episode, 1978)
– It Didn’t Happen One Night (1978) TV episode …. Steve Darnell
“The New Adventures of Wonder Woman” …. Evan Robley (1 episode, 1977)
… aka “Wonder Woman” – USA (original title)
… aka “The New Original Wonder Woman” – USA (first episodes title)
– The Queen and the Thief (1977) TV episode …. Evan Robley
Murder in Peyton Place (1977) (TV) …. Steven Cord
“Barnaby Jones” …. Paul Nugent (1 episode, 1977)
– The Deadly Charade (1977) TV episode …. Paul Nugent
“Gibbsville” (1 episode, 1977)
– The Grand Gesture (1977) TV episode
“Family” …. Peter Towne (2 episodes, 1976)
– Coming of Age (1976) TV episode …. Peter Towne
– Coming Apart (1976) TV episode …. Peter Towne
“Ellery Queen” …. Roger Woods (1 episode, 1976)
– The Adventure of the Eccentric Engineer (1976) TV episode …. Roger Woods
“Bronk” …. Lyle Brewster (1 episode, 1975)
– Betrayal (1975) TV episode …. Lyle Brewster
“Cannon” …. Bell / … (3 episodes, 1973-1975)
– The Star (1975) TV episode …. David Farnum
– Night Flight to Murder (1973) TV episode …. John Sandler
– The Dead Samaritan (1973) TV episode …. Bell
The Art of Crime (1975) (TV) …. Parker Sharon
The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) (TV) …. Dr. Wes Dolan
Adventures of the Queen (1975) (TV) …. Doctor Peter Brooks
For the Use of the Hall (1975) (TV) …. Allen
“The ABC Afternoon Playbreak” …. Clay (1 episode, 1974)
… aka “ABC Matinee Today” – USA (alternative title)
– Can I Save My Children? (1974) TV episode …. Clay
“The Manhunter” …. Jeffrey Donnenfield (1 episode, 1974)
– The Man Who Thought He Was Dillinger (1974) TV episode …. Jeffrey Donnenfield
The Compliment (1974) (TV) …. Steve Barker
“Wide World Mystery” …. Herbert Kasson (1 episode, 1974)
– Murder Impossible (1974) TV episode …. Herbert Kasson
“Medical Center” …. Dave (1 episode, 1974)
– Dark Warning (1974) TV episode …. Dave
“Shaft” …. Gil Kirkwood (1 episode, 1974)
– The Capricorn Murders (1974) TV episode …. Gil Kirkwood
“The New Perry Mason” …. Calvin (1 episode, 1973)
– The Case of the Frenzied Feminist (1973) TV episode …. Calvin
The Cat Creature (1973) (TV) …. Prof. Roger Edmonds
Live and Let Die (1973) …. Felix Leiter
… aka “Ian Fleming’s Live and Let Die” – UK (complete title), USA (complete title)
Crime Club (1973) (TV) …. Nick Kelton
“The F.B.I.” …. Lou Forrester (2 episodes, 1972-1973)
– A Gathering of Sharks (1973) TV episode
– The Buyer (1972) TV episode …. Lou Forrester
The Man in the Wood (1973) (TV) …. Edmund hardy
“BBC Play of the Month” …. John Buchanan (1 episode, 1972)
– Summer and Smoke (1972) TV episode …. John Buchanan
“ITV Saturday Night Theatre” …. Bill Kromin (1 episode, 1972)
– A Man About a Dog (1972) TV episode …. Bill Kromin
A Man About a Dog (1972) (TV) …. Bill Kronin
A Kiss Is Just a Kiss (1971) (TV) …. Kit Shaeffer
Kemek (1970) …. Nick

“Love, American Style” …. Rob (segment “Love and the Other Love”) (1 episode, 1969)
– Love and the Bachelor/Love and the Other Love/Love and the Positive Man (1969) TV episode …. Rob (segment “Love and the Other Love”)
“Journey to the Unknown” …. William Searle (1 episode, 1968)
– Somewhere in a Crowd (1968) TV episode …. William Searle
“Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” …. Captain Crane / … (110 episodes, 1964-1968)
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) …. Philip
… aka “George Stevens Presents The Greatest Story Ever Told” – UK (complete title), USA (complete title)
“The Farmer’s Daughter” …. Richard Barden (1 episode, 1964)
– The Mink Machine (1964) TV episode …. Richard Barden
“The Saint” …. Bill Harvey (1 episode, 1964)
– Luella (1964) TV episode …. Bill Harvey
“Perry Mason” …. Damion White (1 episode, 1962)
– The Case of the Dodging Domino (1962) TV episode …. Damion White
“Bus Stop” …. Max Hendricks (1 episode, 1961)
– Call Back Yesterday (1961) TV episode …. Max Hendricks
Marines, Let’s Go (1961) …. Pfc. Dave Chatfield
“Hong Kong” …. Roger Ames (1 episode, 1961)
– Lesson in Fear (1961) TV episode …. Roger Ames
The Lost World (1960) …. Ed Malone
… aka “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World” – USA (complete title)

“Five Fingers” …. Victor Sebastian (5 episodes, 1959)
– Final Dream (1959) TV episode …. Victor Sebastian
– The Temple of the Swinging Doll (1959) TV episode …. Victor Sebastian
– The Emerald Curtain (1959) TV episode …. Victor Sebastian
– The Men with Triangle Heads (1959) TV episode …. Victor Sebastian
– Station Break (1959) TV episode …. Victor Sebastian
Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! (1958) (uncredited) …. Narrator
… aka “Leo McCarey’s Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys!” – USA (complete title)
The Son of Robin Hood (1958) (as Al Hedison) …. Jamie
The Fly (1958) (as Al Hedison) …. Andre Delambre
The Enemy Below (1957) (as Al Hedison) …. Lt. Ware (Executive Officer [XO])
“Star Tonight” (1 episode, 1956)
– The Mirthmaker (1956) TV episode (as Al Hedison)
“Kraft Theatre” (1 episode, 1955)
… aka “Kraft Television Theatre” – USA (original title)
… aka “Kraft Mystery Theatre” – USA (new title)
– Eleven O’Clock Flight (1955) TV episode (as Al Hedison)

As Himself

Atomic Recall (2007) (V) (special thanks)
On the Set with John Glen (2006) (V) …. Himself
“SoapTalk” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2004)
– Episode dated 23 March 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
– Episode dated 18 March 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
The Fly Papers: The Buzz on Hollywood’s Scariest Insect (2000) (TV) …. Himself
Inside ‘Licence to Kill’ (1999) (V) …. Himself
To the Galaxy and Beyond with Mark Hamill (1997) (TV) …. Himself
… aka “Hollywood Aliens & Monsters” – USA (original title)
The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen (1995) (TV) …. Himself
ABC’s Silver Anniversary Celebration (1978) (TV) …. Himself
“The Hollywood Palace” …. Himself (1 episode, 1967)
– Episode #5.3 (1967) TV episode …. Himself
“Dream Girl of ’67” …. Himself (5 episodes, 1967)
“The Hollywood Squares” …. Guest Appearance (5 episodes, 1967)

Archive Footage

The 16th Annual Soap Opera Awards (2000) (TV) …. Spencer Harrison
Terror in the Aisles (1984)
The Horror Show (1979)

Luella -The Saint: Season 2, Episode 19 (1964)

1936: Anthony Zerbe is born--Long Beach, California.

1941: Lieutenant Commander Ian Fleming discusses Operation Goldeneye with other Allied intelligence organizations at Lisbon, Portugal.

Operation Goldeneye https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Goldeneye

1963: Richard Maibaum provides his 54 page Goldfinger screen treatment.

1977: Roger Moore and Barbara Bach promote The Spy Who Loved Me at the Cannes Film Festival.

1983: Bond comic strip Flittermouse ends its run in The Daily Express
(Began 9 February 1983. 553-624) John McLusky, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

http://spyguysandgals.com/sgLookupComicStrip.aspx?id=1028

https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=870828


Swedish Semic Comic 1984
https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1984.php3
https://www.comics.org/issue/73111/cover/4/

Vampyrernas Härskare (Flittermouse)

Swedish Semic 1993 https://www.comics.org/issue/74014/#496710
Operation Xanadu; Vampyrernas härskare

Norwegian 1984 https://www.comics.org/issue/369589/

Vampyrenes herskere

1998: Wolf Mankowitz dies at age 73--County Cork, Ireland.
(Born 7 November 1924--Bethnal Green, London, England.)

Obituary: Wolf Mankowitz

See the complete article here:

https://senecalpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Independent.png

John Calder | Saturday 23 May 1998 00:02

THE JEWISH community of London's East End has produced an amazing variety of talent. Some have made their careers in the commercial and financial worlds, while the very significant contributors to the arts have tended to be many-faceted. Joan Littlewood, Steven Berkoff and Mark Anthony Turnage are just a few of the names that spring to mind, but even among such exceptional people, Wolf Mankowitz stands out as a strong and individual voice.

When London first became aware of him as a writer in the early 1950s, he had already made a name for himself as a dealer and authority on antique porcelain, especially Wedgwood. His experience came from working in street markets, then in his own lock-up shop, a practical schooling that he put to good account, becoming both a scholar and (with R.G. Haggar) the editor of the Concise Encyclopaedia of English Pottery and Porcelain (1957). In 1953 he had published his definitive book, The Portland Vase and the Wedgwood Copies, which paid much attention to the copies of that famous Greek antiquity made by Josiah Wedgwood.

Mankowitz's special talent was to make an abstruse and specialised subject read like a detective story, and The Portland Vase sold well. Wedgwood, even in mass-produced modern copies, remained fashionable and Mankowitz cashed in by opening a glittering new shop in the Piccadilly Arcade in London.

At the same time he was using his former experiences, both as a street trader and as a bright young boy with an observant eye - not least for the main chance - to write short novels, which were published by Andre Deutsch; these became very successful. Make Me An Offer (about an antique dealer in search of the Portland Vase) appeared in 1952 and A Kid For Two Farthings a year later. They were both filmed in 1954, directed by Cyril Frankel and Carol Reed respectively.

Next Mankowitz began to write for the theatre and scored a considerable success with The Bespoke Overcoat (1953), in which David Kossoff played Morry, at the Arts Theatre in London, a role he repeated many times. Nobody appeared to notice at the time that the play was an update of a Gogol short story. In 1958 he wrote a musical, Expresso Bongo, based on the career of Tommy Steele, which was filmed the following year.

He followed it with a great outpouring of novels, short stories, plays, musicals and film scripts (including The Millionairess in 1960 and the James Bond film Casino Royale in 1967), some of which were successful with the public. With his ebullient self-confident personality he was always able to convince producers, but in spite of the volume of work, by the mid-Sixties his name had lost much of its lustre. Most of his new plays, especially the larger-scale ones, did not stay long on the boards.

Exceptions were adaptations of French plays or other work done in collaboration, such as the film The Long and the Short and the Tall (1961), directed by Leslie Norman, which was based on Willis Hall's stage play. Others worth noting are the novels My Old Man's a Dustman (1956) and A Night With Casanova (1991), The Mendelman Fire and Other Stories (short stories, 1957), and his documentary on Yiddish cinema in the 1930s, Almonds and Raisins (1984). The influence of Yiddish life and lore is evident in much of his work.

Born in Bethnal Green in 1924, Mankowitz was educated at East Ham Grammar School and Downing College, Cambridge, where he read English and was tutored by F.R. Leavis. During the Second World War he served as a volunteer coal miner and in the Army.

In addition to fiction and drama, he wrote books about Dickens, whose observation of urban life was not dissimilar from his own (Dickens of London, 1976), Edgar Allen Poe (The Extraordinary Mr Poe, 1978), and some historical subjects. He published a small volume of poetry in 1971.

Visits to Central America inspired his work and in 1971 he became Honorary Consul to the Republic of Panama in Dublin, a post which gave him some amusement, but little revenue.

In the Seventies he retired to a comfortable house and small property on the south-west coast of Ireland to continue writing and to take advantage of the government's generosity to writers, who pay no tax. There he turned to art and began to make collages; some have been exhibited in Dublin and London.

In 1982, he took a post teaching theatre at the University of New Mexico as well as being Adjunct Professor of English there. He stayed until the late Eighties before moving back to Ireland.

Wolf Mankowitz was a man of many parts with a voracious appetite for knowledge, an outgoing personality, attracted to women, a good talker, with an underlying interest in philosophy which developed particularly during his illness from cancer in his last years. Much of his work shows an ironic sense of humour, an understanding of human motivation and weakness, and a compassion for those unable to rise from the underside of society.

The works that are likely to survive longest, and which are most often revived in small theatres by such enthusiastic character actors as Leonard Fenton, are the early plays, and The Irish Hebrew Lesson (1978), written about the Black and Tans, although the author had the IRA in mind.

His compulsion towards success marred work that with more attention and time would have been better, but he became stoical about that at the end. At his best he was a craftsman with an ability to communicate with his public in all mediums and to make the complex simple and interesting.

Cyril Wolf Mankowitz, writer: born London 7 November 1924; married 1944 Ann Seligmann (three sons, and one son deceased); died Durrus, Co Cork 20 May 1998.

Screenwriting Lessons from One of Britain’s
Best: A Rare Interview with Wolf Mankowitz

See the complete article here:

https://cinephiliabeyond.org/screenwriting-lessons-one-britains-best-rare-interview-wolf-mankowitz/

One of the most interesting cultural personas of the British fifties and sixties, the versatile writer Wolf Mankowitz made a name for himself in the spheres of literature, film industry and theater. As a child of two Russian Jewish immigrants, he lived in poverty but unexpectedly got the opportunity to turn the tables around when he received a scholarship for Cambridge, where he went to study English and soon dedicate himself to writing. In 1952 he published his first novel ‘Make Me an Offer,’ which was soon turned into a film and a successful West End musical. The very next year his biggest literary success came out: ‘A Kid for Two Farthings’ was translated into many languages and ultimately ended up as a Carol Reed film. In 1960 he wrote the script for Anthony Asquith’s The Millionairess, an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play with Sofia Loren and Peter Sellers in leading roles, and his musical Expresso Bongo, a fine satire of the music industry, blossomed as a successful movie with Cliff Richard and Laurence Harvey. Interestingly enough, one of Mankowitz’s biggest contributions to the world of cinema came surprisingly from a project he didn’t even want his name on. Mankowitz introduced his friend Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli to Harry Saltzman, the man who held the film rights to James Bond. This partnership instigated one of the biggest franchises in the history of film business starting with Dr. No, but Mankowitz, fearing the movie would be a huge flop that could potentially seriously damage his reputation, asked that his name be removed from the credits, even though he worked on the script. Mankowitz would later, however, write the screenplay for the 1967 Bond movie Casino Royale.

Mankowitz continued to write all the way until 1991, when he anounced he suffered from cancer and stepped away from the spotlight. Some MI5 files released in 2010 revealed that the famous screenwriter and playwright had been seen as a security risk by the secret service for roughly a decade after the Second World War due to his Russian roots, connections and the fact that his wife was once a member of the Communist Party, a suspicion that caused Mankowitz to unsuccessfully apply for several BBC positions during the fifties. He was ultimately allowed to join BBC on a three-week contract to translate and dub Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Bear’ for television, but not before BBC consulted the secret service first, concluding that translating Chekhov, despite Mankowitz’s obviously controversial background, failed to present any serious security risks for the country.

Today we bring you a precious interview with Mr. Mankowitz published in the February, 1974 edition of the great Filmmakers Newsletter. The esteemed novelist and screenwriter talks about the differences between writing for the stage, film and literary audiences, about his greatest professional successes, the problems he faced throughout his career, the role of the writer both as someone who tries to illuminate and to entertain, and much more. It’s a wonderful and educational read we wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you want to learn more about the craft from the mouth of one of Britain’s best.

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“The task of adapting the 1958 novel ‘Dr No’ for the screen initially fell to Richard Maibaum and Wolf Mankowitz, with Johanna Harwood and Berkely Mather brought in to polish later drafts. At this time, Mankowitz—a friend of ‘Cubby’ Broccoli’s—was best-known for the Peter Sellers-Sophia Loren vehicle The Millionairess (1960) and the apocalyptic sci-fi The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961). He would later ask for his name to be removed from the Dr No credits after seeing the rushes and fearing a major flop. Maibaum, on the other hand, who had spent the 1950s writing war films like The Red Beret (1953) and The Cockleshell Heroes (1954), as well as Nicholas Ray’s Bigger than Life (1956), would go on to make a career out of Fleming’s secret agent, penning a further 12 Bond films before bowing out with Licence to Kill in 1989. To celebrate Mr Bond’s cinematic anniversary, we present an extract from the fifth draft script. It’s the classic moment part-way into Dr No in which the suave superspy (played in the film by Sean Connery) is first introduced to the world. The scene is a London gambling room called Le Cercle, where at the top stakes table, surrounded by onlookers, a chic woman in a red dress and a tuxedoed man with his back to the camera issue their commands to the croupier…”
—British Film Institute

Wolf Mankowitz (1924–1998)

Writer | Producer | Actor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542554/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

RichardTheBruce

2012: The Daily Record claims James Bond was almost a woman played by Susan Hayward.

James Bond was almost a woman played by Susan Hayward, filmmakers reveal

See the complete article here:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/james-bond-was-almost-a-woman-played-by-susan-878333

EXCLUSIVE: THE name was always Bond…but Britain’s top secret agent was almost Jane, not James, when 007 first hit the big screen.
By Toby McDonald - 08:41, 20 MAY 2012U

THE name was always Bond…but Britain’s top secret agent was almost Jane, not James, when 007 first hit the big screen.

Filmmakers have revealed how Hollywood idol Susan Hayward was first choice for the role.

But the plot to give Ian Fleming’s suave superspy a sex change was dropped and Sean Connery was cast as the legendary MI6 man.

Lorenzo Semple Jr, who was hired to write Casino Royale for the big screen, said:
“Frankly, we thought that James Bond was kind of unbelievable and, as I recall, even kind of stupid.

“So we thought the solution was to make Bond a woman, ‘Jane Bond’, if you will.

“There was even a plan to cast Susan Hayward in the role.”

Semple, who later wrote Never Say Never Again for Sir Sean, admits that the Edinburgh-born former milkman was ultimately the right choice.

He added: “What made Bond work was the fact that Sean Connery wasn’t an upper-class David Niven type.

“That would have been deadly. Sean is working class but has all the required elegance and intelligence.

“The foundation is rooted in something people could relate to.”

Semple said that Fleming had sold the film rights for his first novel Casino Royale for just $6000 (£4000) in 1955 – $218,000 (£140,000) at today’s prices.

But producer Gregory Ratoff, who had bought the rights, and Semple struggled to turn the book into a believable movie.

After a brainstorming session, they hit upon making Bond a woman instead.

Semple said: “Gregory announced one day, ‘We’ll get Susie Hayward. I dated her when she was a $75-a-week actress so she owes me one’.”

But the sultry Oscar-winning actress passed on the role and Sir Sean eventually made the part his instead with Dr No.

The director Terence Young and co-producers Harry Saltzman and Cubby Broccoli were finally won over by the Scot after he brought such passion to their first meeting.

They remember a scruffy, tough-talking young actor who repeatedly banged the table or his thigh to make his point.

Sir Sean had told his acting teacher, Yat Malmgren, a few days before the meeting: “I shall establish myself on overpowering and take the interview like that.

“That would be a good thing, don’t you think, sir?”

Malmgren told his pupil to think about cats “because they are very loose”.

He later said: “I think he walked into that audition very self-assured, very large, very secure.”

Broccoli said: “It was the sheer self-confidence he exuded. I’ve never seen a surer guy. It wasn’t just an act, either.

“When he left, we watched him through the window as he walked down the street.

“He walked like the most arrogant son-of-a-gun you’ve ever seen – as if he owned every bit of the street. ‘That’s our Bond,’ I said.”

Sir Sean shot six 007 films before quitting. But Semple persuaded him out of retirement for one last outing in Never Say Never Again.

Semple, who wrote the Oscar-winning thriller Three Days of the Condor, said in a US interview that he flew to Marbella to win Sir Sean over.

He added: “Sean was tough and his wife, Micheline, was even tougher. She was almost like his agent.

“But I understood how Sean felt. Bond was very special to him and he was very careful about it.

“In the end he loved the idea of Bond coming back.”

He was paid the equivalent of £4.5million in today’s money and a percentage of the profits. In the 1983 film Connery, then 52, played an ageing Bond who is brought back into action to investigate the theft of two nuclear weapons by SPECTRE.

It was released in the same year as Octopussy, starring Roger Moore, and won unanimous good reviews.

A one-off spoof version of Casino Royale was made in 1967 starring David Niven. But it was remade with Daniel Craig – earning almost £400 million at the box office, the most successful of the franchise.

Bond’s 23rd outing for filmmakers Eon Productions, Skyfall, is due to be released in the UK in October and stars Craig for the third time.

2018: Poster designer Bill Gold dies at age 97--Greenwich, Connecticut.
(Born 3 January 1921--New York City, New York.)

Bill Gold, Iconic Master of the
Movie Poster, Dies at 97

See the complete article here:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bill-gold-dead-master-movie-poster-was-97-1111346

1:58 PM PDT 5/20/2018 by Mike Barnes

Courtesy of Bill Gold

His résumé included 'Casablanca,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'The Exorcist,' 'Dog Day Afternoon' and decades' worth of Eastwood films.

Bill Gold, who revolutionized the art of the movie poster over a seven-decade career that began with Casablanca and included A Clockwork Orange, The Exorcist and dozens of Clint Eastwood films, has died. He was 97.

Gold died at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Sunday, according to family spokeswomen Christine Gillow.

The Brooklyn native began at Warner Bros. in the early 1940s and had a hand in more than 2,000 posters during his iconic career, working on films for everyone from Alfred Hitchcock (1954's Dial M for Murder), Elia Kazan (1955's East of Eden) and Federico Fellini (1963's 8 1/2) to Sam Peckinpah (1969's The Wild Bunch), Robert Altman (1971's McCabe & Mrs. Miller) and Martin Scorsese (1990's GoodFellas).

Gold, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Hollywood Reporter during its 1994 Key Art Awards ceremony, had a way of setting the mood for a movie using a less-is-more philosophy.

"We try not to tell the whole story," he told CBS News in March. "We try to tell a minimum amount of a story, because anything more than that is confusing."

Gold's fruitful relationship with Eastwood began with Dirty Harry (1971), and he gave the actor a gun or a gritty countenance on posters for such films The Enforcer (1976), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), The Gauntlet (1977), Pale Rider (1985) and Unforgiven (1992).

Gold retired after working on the Eastwood-directed Mystic River (2003) but re-emerged to do the poster for the filmmaker's J. Edgar (2011).

See More
Bill Gold’s Memorable Movie Posters
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/bill-gold-s-memorable-movie-187230/1-casablanca-1942

"With Bill, I knew he would bring great ideas, and the poster he created would be one less thing we had to think about," Eastwood writes in the introduction to the 2010 book Bill Gold PosterWorks. "He respected the film, he respected the story, and he always respected what we were trying to accomplish.

"Four of the films he worked on won best picture Oscars, including Unforgiven. The first image you have of many of your favorite films is probably a Bill Gold creation."

Movie critic Leonard Maltin once noted that each of Gold's posters is "as individual as the movies they are promoting. I can't discern a Bill Gold style, which is a compliment, because rather than trying to shoehorn a disparate array of movies into one way of thinking visually, he adapted himself to such a wide variety."

Gold "started drawing at age 8 and never stopped," he said in a 2016 interview. After graduating from Pratt Institute in New York City, he approached the art director of the poster department at Warner Bros.' offices in New York.

"He sent me away on a trial to design posters for four earlier films: Escape Me Never and [The Adventures of] Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, The Man I Love with Ida Lupino and Bette Davis' Winter Meeting," he recalled.

Gold passed the test and was hired at age 21, and his first assignment was Casablanca (1942).

As he told CBS News, Gold laid out the poster for Casablanca and placed a gun in Humphrey Bogart's hand at the last minute: "Somebody suggested, 'This is Bogart. Let's put a gun in his hand. That's the way he acts, the way he exaggerates his action. We don't want just a head of him. It's too boring!' "

The gun was taken from another Bogie film, High Sierra (1941). Gold also was assigned work on Warners' Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) around this time.

After enlisting and serving three years during World War II, when he made training films for the U.S. Army Air Force, Gold returned to Warner Bros. and in the late 1950s moved west to work on the studios' Burbank lot. He started his own company in the early 1960s back in New York.

Gold's poster for William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973) — showing the priest played by Max von Sydow under a shaft of light outside the Georgetown home of the possessed young girl (Linda Blair) — was created after he was told not to "show anything that had any hint of religious connotation."

Gold also worked on posters for The Searchers (1956), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Funny Girl (1968), My Fair Lady (1968), Bullitt (1968), Woodstock (1970), Klute (1971), Deliverance (1972), The Sting (1973), Blazing Saddles (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), On Golden Pond (1981), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser (1988).

In 2011, producer Sid Ganis, who headed advertising at Warner Bros. during the 1970s, told THR that Gold was "the maestro. He was the one directing his art directors and directing his copy writers on what to do, which was a great thing. He was also the one who communicated with the studio. He was the guy in charge of the symphony."

Survivors include his wife, Susan, son Bob, daughter in-law Joanne, daughter Marcy, grandson Spencer, granddaughter Dylann and her fiancé Justin, great nephew Jaaron and "man's best friend" Willoughby.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at alzinfo.org.

Bill Gold, designer. Brian Bysouth, artist.




Concept art by Boris Vallejo, as commissioned by Bill Gold.

RichardTheBruce

May 21st

1940: Aodogán Ronan O'Rahilly is born--Dublin, Ireland.
(He dies 20 April 2020 at age 79-- County Louth, Ireland.)

Ronan O’Rahilly obituary: Founder of
Radio Caroline captured spirit of the
swinging 60s

See the complete article here:

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/ronan-o-rahilly-obituary-founder-of-radio-caroline-captured-spirit-of-the-swinging-60s-1.4242812

Dublin-born maverick who launched pirate station was son of 1916 rebel The O’Rahilly
Sat, May 2, 2020, 07:22

Ronan O’Rahilly, third from left, with former Caroline DJs Tony Blackburn, Tom Lodge, Johnnie Walker, Mike Ahern and Mark Sloane, on a visit to the Radio Caroline ship
at Canary Wharf, London, in 1997.
Photograph: Glen Copus/Evening Standard/Rex/Shutterstock

- - -

He also made Universal Soldier (1971), featuring George Lazenby as a mercenary in Africa. It came two years after Lazenby’s starring role as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which not only flopped, but was notable for O’Rahilly having disastrously advised Lazenby – whom he managed – not to sign a seven-film deal because he doubted that the 007 craze would last.

- - -

Ronan O'Rahilly (1940–2020)

Producer | Director | Actor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0642371/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

1941: Barry Rigg (later Carl Rigg) is born--Eton, Buckinghamshire, England.

1960: Comic strip From Russia with Love begins its run in The Daily Express.
(Finishes 1 February 1960. 488-583) John McLusky, artist. Henry Gammidge, writer.

https://www.comicartfans.com/searchresult.asp?txtSearch=John McLusky&PM=1

488

495

506


513

546

549


560

567


Swedish Semic Comic 1980 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1980.php3?s=comics&id=02192

Agent 007 Ser Rött ("Agent 007 See Red"
- From Russia With Love)

Danish 1966 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-no-5-frwl-1966-eng/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 5: “From Russia with Love” (1966)

1967: The British series The Saint starring Roger Moore debuts in the US on NBC.

1967: Kingley Amis confides to Philip Larkin that he's finished writing his Bond novel.

1981: Jonathan Cape publishes John Gardner's first Bond novel Licence Renewed.

BOND is back and he's better than ever.
Miss Moneypenny thinks so. So does
attractive Ann Reilly. And it's only a
matter of time before Lavender Peacock,
the beautiful ward of the Laird of
Murcaldy, will heartily agree. Bond is
drinking noticeably less these days;
he's perhaps more diligent about exercise
and has a special low tar tobacco blended
for his cigarettes at Morelands of Grosvenor
Street. But the 1980s have reached the
department as well. Political restraints are
squeezing in on the Service. The elite
Double-O status, for example, conveying
its authority to kill, is being abolished. But
M takes little notice of these restrictions
when it comes to Bond. In M's words,
'There are moment when this country
needs a trouble-shooter -- a blunt instru-
ment -- and by heaven it's going to have
one.'

One of these moments had indisputably
arrived. There is something very ominous
about the meetings (insufficiently investi-
gated by M.I.5) between the international
terrorist known as Franco and the
renowned nuclear physicist who has
dubiously inherited the title of Laird of
Murcaldy -- Dr Anton (not a well-known
Scottish name) Murik. Someone must
infiltrate the Laird's castle and only Bond
could so deftly extract an invitation from
Murik on Gold Cup Day at Ascot. Then
with a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44
Magnum in its secret compartment and an
impressive selection of Q's latest gadgetry
ingeniously dispersed throughout his lug-
gage, Bond points the Saab 900 Turbo
(with a lower pollution level than a
Bentley) towards the north-west High-
lands and the fun begins.

John Gardner has brilliantly portrayed
the most famous spy in the world as he pits
his nerve and cunning against a danger-
ously deranged opponent -- one prepared
to sacrifice most of the Western world to
prove that only he can make it safe from
accidental nuclear holocaust. As the
seconds tick away on the valued Rolex
Oyster Perpetual, the world comes
nearer a fright death and ever nearer
Miss Lavender Peacock.

JOHN GARDNER has been writing thrillers
since the early 1960s. Among his most
recent international bestsellers are The
Nostradamus Traitor and The Garden of
Weapons. He was commissioned by Glidrose
Publications Ltd, who own the James
Bond copyright, to contribute a further
episode about that immortal among
Secret Service agents.


Jacket design by Mon Mohan, using a
commissioned water-colour painting by
Richard Chopping, and featuring a
Browning 9mm-long 1903, made under
Browning patent by Fabrique Nationale
D'Armes de Guerre in Belgium. Model for
reference provided by Holland and
Holland of Bruton Street, London.

In the photograph by Jerry Bauer on the
back cover, John Gardner is standing in
front of a reproduction of Amherst Villiers's
portrait of Ian Fleming.

1987: Jonathan Cape publishes John Gardner's sixth Bond novel No Deals, Mr. Bond.
Trevor Scobie, cover artist.

Between the Danish island of Bornholm and
the Baltic coast of East Germany a nuclear
submarine of the Royal Navy surfaces under
the cloak of darkness. James Bond and two
marines slip quietly from the forward hatch
into their powered inflatable and set off for a
lonely beach where they are to collect two
young women who have to get out in their
socks. Planted to seduce the communist agents to
run for cover in the West, they have been
rumbled by the other side. Bond little knows
that this routine exercise is but the prelude to a
nerve-racking game of bluff and double bluff,
played with consummate skill by his own chief
M against the East German HVA and the elit
branch of the KGB, formed out of Bond's old
adversary SMERSH.

Over a plain lunch in a sober dining room
in Blades, Bond learns of M's predicament. he
cannot tell the police what he knows about the
series of grisly murders of young women,
found with their tongues removed, which
occupy the day's headlines. Two of his
undercover 'plants' have gone; Bond must find
three others and conduct them to safety before
they meet a similar fate. the first he spirits
away from her Mayfair salon just as the next
strike is made, taking her with him to the Irish
Republic in pursuit of the second. But the
urbane HVA boss, Maxim Smolin, is ahead of
him this time, despite the astute ministrations
of the Irish police. The KGB is soon on the
scene, but nothing is at all what it seems, and
Bond finds he needs all his wits to negotiate the
labyrinth of double-crossing that is to lead him
to a bewildering showdown in a remote corner
of the Kowloon province of Hong Kong.

There, with only the trusted belt of secret
weapons specially devised by Q branch, he has
to fight a terrifying duel in the dark, with all
the cards in the hands of his opponents. No
Deals, Mister Bond is the sixth and by far the
best of John Gardner's OO7 adventures.

1997: Tomorrow Never Dies films the shower scene with Bond and Wai Lin.

2009: Daniel Craig offers the opinion he'd like Moneypenny and Q to return.

2012: Activision releases a trailer for their 007 Legends.

2012: The first Skyfall teaser trailer comes available.

RichardTheBruce

May 22nd

1959: Chris Blackwell forms Island Records in Jamaica.

Chris Blackwell

See the complete article here:

http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/musician/222292fc175d8cb543c962f69af75b96a57ce/biography?app=true

1970: 007 여왕폐하 대작전 (Yuh hwang-pae-ha-dae-jak-jun; 007 Her Majesty the Great Queen) released in the Republic of Korea.

https://m.blog.naver.com/

1977: Bond comic strip When the Wizard Awakes ends its run in The Daily Express.
(Started 30 January 1977. 1-54) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://spyguysandgals.com/sgLookupComicStrip.aspx?id=1020


Swedish Semic Comic 1978
https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1978.php3?s=comics&id=02165

Trollkarlen + Stålspionen
("Magician + Steel Spy" - Fear Face & When The Wizard Awakes)

Danish https://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007dk-no49-1979/

James Bond 007 no. 49: “Nightbird/When the Wizard Awakes” (1979)

1985: US premiere of A View to a Kill--Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, California. Stuntman B.J. Worth descends by parachute to City Hall. San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein in attendance.

San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein.






B.J. Worth skydives to City Hall.

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco. More recent photographs.

2015: BOND 24 films at Covent Garden, London, England.

HuntingBond
James Bond movie locations around the World
https://huntingbond.com/rules-london-spectre/
Rules of Attraction

2019: Top Gear reports on the Aston Martin Superleggera.

Aston has built a Bond-themed DBS
Superleggera

See the complete article here:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/movies/aston-has-built-bond-themed-dbs-superleggera

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is 50 years old. Sound the special edition klaxon!
Vijay Pattni | 22 May 2019

Aston Martins shouldn’t really try to ram home the James Bond connection so explicitly, should they? After all, most sentient beings are well versed in the irrefutable fact that James Bond = Aston Martin. And vice versa.

Exhibit A: this new ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera’,which references 50 years since, well, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was first released into cinemas. You may or may not remember, in that 1967 [sic] film James Bond (George Lazenby) drove a DBS. In Olive Green.

And lo, this new DBS Superleggera gets an Olive Green paint job too. Which is good, because green is a good car colour. Don’t @ us.

Elsewhere, the OHMSS DBS features wild, intricately designed forged alloys (diamond-turned, no less), much carbon fibre, an aero blade and a new splitter. The grille gets six horizontal vanes for a better homage to that 1967 [sic]movie car.

Inside, it’s black leather with red striping, some Alcantara, and the option of a bespoke drinks case that slots into the boot. Naturally, there are badges all over the place to remind you that yes, James Bond = Aston Martin. And vice versa. At some point, you will have to explain these badges to someone.

There’s no more power, but you probably don’t need it. Aston’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 remains on very active duty here, kicking out 715bhp which is plenty to scare yourself down a narrow mountain pass.

“Creating a James Bond special edition is always an exciting challenge as we work to create a car that embodies the legend of James Bond, and the original movie car,” explains Aston’s Marek Reichman.

Only 50 of these special edition cars will be made, each costing £300,007 (ah, we see what you did there, AM). Are Astons cooler when the Bond connection is a little more… subtle? Or should we just rejoice in the fact that this is a very, very attractive car with a little hat tip to its silver screen past?

2024: Dynamite Entertainment release James Bond 007 #5of "Your Cold, Cold Heart".
Rapha Lobosco, artist. Garth Ennis, writer.

JAMES BOND: 007 #5

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513033924905011

SKU: C72513033924905011
Cover A: Dave Johnson
UPC: 72513033924905011
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Rapha Lobosco
Genre: Spy Fiction/Action Adventure
Publication Date: May, 2024
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32
ON SALE DATE: 5/22/2024

Hot on the trail of the stolen STALVODA compound, Bond finds himself in strife-torn Syria, where an old ally may be able to provide some new intelligence. But when 007 stirs up a local hornet's nest, the response involves every gun they've acquired in more than 10 years of civil war. Drastic action is called for, as time is fast running out for the British agent - and the world!
Featuring a statuesque cover by DAVE JOHNSON (100 Bullets, Superman: Red Son, Deadpool) and intriguing interiors by 007 veteran RAPHA LOBOSCO (James Bond: Black Box), Part Five of "Your Cold, Cold Heart" from comics legend GARTH ENNIS stokes the fires of celebration for a decade of James Bond comics at Dynamite!

RichardTheBruce

May 23rd

1960: Comic strip Dr. No begins its run in The Daily Express. (Finishes 1 October 1960. 584-697)
John McLusky, artist. Peter O'Donnell, writer.

610

625

655




https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?Piece=1507554&GSub=191645


Swedish Semic Comic 1973 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1973.php3?s=comics&id=01777

Döden På Jamaica (Death At Jamaica- Dr No)

Danish 1964 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007dk-no-4-1964/

1963: From Russia With Love films Bond and Tatiana Romanova's train escape.

1983: Comic strip Polestar begins its run in The Daily Express. (Ends 15 July 1983, mid-way through the story. Complete versions eventually published in non-UK media. 625-719) John McLusky, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Polestar-by-James-Duncan-Lawrence-Yaroslav-Horak-John-McLusky-Ian-Fleming/9781845767174


Swedish Semic Comic https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1982.php3?s=comics&id=02218

Projekt Polstjärnan
(Project Polestar - The Paradise Plot [Part 2])

1986: Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson complete the script for The Living Daylights.

1988: Putnam releases the John Gardner Bond novel Scorpius in the United States.

https://www.thebookbond.com/2012/04/catching-scorpius-in-1988.html

2016: The Spy Who Loved Me re-released in Barcelona, Spain.
2017: Newsarama reports on the Dynamite Entertainment future release of James Bond - Moneypenny.

JAMES BOND's MONEYPENNY Goes Solo
In Her Own Title

See the complete article here:

https://www.newsarama.com/34601-james-bond-moneypenny-puts-moneypenny-in-her-first-lead-role.html

By Newsarama Staff May 23, 2017 11:00am ET

Hitting stores August 30th, James Bond: Moneypenny focuses on what was intended to be a ‘routine' protection mission for Moneypenny, until she uncovers a complicated assassination plot that bears a striking and unsettling resemblance to a tragic, and life-changing terrorist attack from her childhood. In the face of imminent danger, will Moneypenny be able summon her secret agent skills to stop the impending plot before it's too late?

Writer Jody Houser says, "As someone who came to James Bond late (much to the horror of many of my friends), the idea that I'd get to play in that world is amazing. Writing a character like Moneypenny and exploring what makes her different from the more familiar MI6 operative has been a blast. In this story, we'll get a look at exactly how she operates and some of the events that made her the woman she is."

Houser earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Emerson College in Boston, where she completed her master's thesis in screenwriting and was a winner of the Rod Parker Fellowship for Playwriting. Starting in 2006, Houser began experimenting with webcomics, and in 2010 debuted the popular Cupcake POW!, before going on to work with a number of the top industry publishers to write some of her most successful titles including Mother Panic, Faith, and Orphan Black.

"We're excited to launch James Bond: Moneypenny and bring a fresh, new voice to the Bond universe," says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "We've followed Jody's career and have wanted to work with her for quite a big, and this is the perfect project to work with her on. As the first female writer to tackle the comic book world of Bond, Jody is certain to bring new perspective and a fresh take on the iconic characters, while adding that extra touch of class Jody brings to all her works."

Moneypenny first appeared alongside James Bond in Ian Fleming's very first novel, Casino Royale, published in 1953. As the personal secretary to M, Bond's boss at MI6, she would go on to play a small role in almost all of Ian Fleming's Bond novels, but did not receive much character development until 2006's spin-off series, The Moneypenny Diaries. In 2015, Dynamite published Warren Ellis' James Bond: Eidolon series, in which Moneypenney is featured as a major character. James Bond: Moneypenny marks the first time the character has received a dedicated story in comic book form!

James Bond: Moneypenny will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' June 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of James Bond: Moneypenny with their local comic book retailers. James Bond: Moneypenny will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play,Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.

2017: Sir Roger George Moore KBE dies at age 89--Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland.
(Born 14 October 1927--Stockwell, London, England.)

Roger Moore dies at 89; debonair British actor played James Bond in 7 movies

See the complete article here:

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-roger-moore-snap-story.html

By Steve Chawkins - May 23, 2017 | 7:20 AM

Sir Roger Moore started acting in the 1940s and continued the craft up to his death.

Roger Moore, the suave British actor who starred in seven James Bond movies and brought a likable, comedic dimension to the unflappable secret agent, has died after a short battle with cancer, his family said Tuesday. He was 89.

From 1973 to 1985, Moore was Agent 007 in "Live and Let Die," "The Man with the Golden Gun," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Moonraker," "For Your Eyes Only," "Octopussy" and "A View to a Kill."

He was often compared with Sean Connery, the Scottish actor who originated the film role and in many ways was the prototypical Bond.

"I'm often asked, 'Who is the best Bond?'" Moore wrote in his 2012 book, Bond on Bond.

"Apart from myself?" I modestly enquire. "It has to be Sean."

"Sean was Bond. He created Bond," Moore wrote. "He was a bloody good 007."

From 1962 to 1969, Moore starred on TV's "The Saint" as the rakish Simon Templar, a modern-day Robin Hood who targeted wealthy villains. In his later years, he was a globetrotting goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, a job he embraced after his friend Audrey Hepburn cajoled him into it. In 2003, he was knighted for his charity efforts.

https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-roger-moore-snap-story.html

But he was best known as Bond, James Bond—the dashing British spy who, in Moore's hands, never met a woman or a pun he could resist.

In private, he had distinctly un-Bondlike qualities.

He was a hypochondriac. He feared heights and loathed guns, perhaps because a friend accidentally shot him in the leg with an air rifle when he was 15. And he didn't care for vodka martinis, Bond's trademark cocktail; Moore said that if he had just 24 hours left to live, he would order a dry Tanqueray gin martini, with three olives on the side.

In contrast to Connery's dark, rough-hewn good looks, Moore was fair.

"I was fortunately always offered jobs because I was so pretty," he told the London Evening Standard in 2003. "Women used to complain about it!"

Roger Moore to the London Evening Standard in 2003

Moore was one of seven big-screen Bonds. The others were Connery, followed by George Lazenby, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig. David Niven was Bond in "Casino Royale," a 1967 spoof that was not part of Eon Productions' "official" Bond franchise.

At 58, when Moore announced that he would finally hang up his Walther PPK, he was the oldest of all the Bonds.

Moore recalled that when he took his young son Geoffrey to lunch one afternoon in the early 1970s, he endured an interrogation that would rattle even the suavest superspy.

Asked if he could beat up anybody in the restaurant, Moore said yes, of course he could.

But Geoffrey persisted.

"What about if James Bond came in?"

"I'm going to be James Bond," Moore reminded him.

"No, I mean the real one," Geoffrey said. "Sean Connery."

Decades later, Moore delighted in telling the story of his son's unnerving frankness – while noting that he had gone on to star as Bond in seven movies over 12 years, and had so thoroughly distinguished himself from his most celebrated predecessor that the words "shaken, not stirred" never passed his lips.

Moore later said that Craig had the best build and better acting abilities than the other Bonds.

The subject has been debated as long as maniacs bent on world conquest have sprung open trapdoors and fed their enemies to the ravenous sharks below.

Compared to Connery, Moore conveyed "much more of the flavor of the Etonian dropout that Fleming envisaged," wrote Steven Jay Rubin in "The James Bond Films: A Behind The Scenes History."

He "brought to the role a sophisticated sense of comedy which was not a feature of Connery's style."

When making love to sexy "Bond girls," Moore managed to toss off one bad double-entendre after another without being thrown out of bed. Confronting the world's most demented thugs, like the steel-toothed, flesh-ripping Jaws (played by the towering Richard Kiel), he could seem almost natural when explaining that his new friend had "just dropped in for a quick bite."

Moore claimed there wasn't much of a trick to it; he was going for laughs, he said, not high drama.

"I only had three expressions as Bond," he joked. "Right eyebrow raised, left eyebrow raised, and eyebrows crossed when grabbed by Jaws."

Critics were sometimes unkind.

The New Yorker's Pauline Kael likened Moore in "The Spy Who Loved Me" to "an office manager who is turning into dead wood but hanging on to collect his pension."

Moore himself confessed to feeling too old for the Bond role a couple of years before he gave it up.

"After 'Octopussy,' I resigned myself to thoughts of retirement," he said. "There are only so many stunts an aging actor can tackle, and only so many young girls he can kiss without looking like a perverted grandfather."

Born Oct. 14, 1927, in London, Roger George Moore was the only child of police officer George Alfred Moore and his wife Lily Pope Moore.

As a teenager, he showed some talent for art and landed a part-time job as an animator-trainee at a movie studio that made World War II military training films.

He also worked as an extra on films in London and, for two terms, attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

"They taught me to talk 'properly' without a South London accent, the art of mime, fencing, ballet (I wasn't too keen on that) and something called 'basic movement,' which consisted of wearing swimming shorts and bending and stretching whilst swinging my arms," he wrote in his 2008 memoir, "My Word is My Bond."

One of his classmates was Lois Maxwell, who became the brisk but playful secretary Miss Moneypenny in 14 Bond films.

Moore struggled like many other actors.

He picked up jobs in London plays, but also modeled for women's magazines and knitwear ads. In 1953, he appeared on Broadway in "A Pin to See the Peepshow," a play that opened and closed on the same day.

Still, his performances in early TV dramas brought him recognition from Hollywood, where he signed on with MGM and appeared with Van Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor in "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (1954). Other films followed, including "The King's Thief" (1955) with David Niven, a close friend who cavorted with Moore for decades at their Swiss chalets and in Monaco, where Moore settled to avoid what he felt were excessive British taxes.

Before Moore's breakthrough role in "The Saint," there were other TV series, including "Ivanhoe" and "The Alaskans." Moore also played James Garner's refined British cousin Beauregarde on the TV western "Maverick."

After "The Saint," Moore starred with Tony Curtis as playboy-investigators in "The Persuaders!" a 1971 series more popular in Europe than in the U.S.

"There was no sudden moment when I was famous," he told the York Press, a British newspaper, in 2014. "It was all sort of gradual. It went from one begging letter a month to 400."

Asked how he dealt with that, he said: "I keep writing them."

He did many other movies but remained most closely identified with Bond. In 1981, he played a Bond wannabe – in actuality a girdle magnate – in the zany "Cannonball Run" with Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Sammy Davis Jr. and other big names.

Moore took home a best-acting Oscar in 1973—but kept it for less than 24 hours.

He and Liv Ullman were presenters when Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather declined the award on behalf of Marlon Brando for his title role in "The Godfather." Moore took the statuette to his overnight digs at the home of Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, the Bond producer, where armed guards picked it up the next morning.

Moore was married to ice dancer Doorn van Steyn; British actress Dorothy Squires; and Luisa Mattioli, an Italian actress he met in Rome while filming "Romulus and The Sabines" (1961). Those marriages ended in divorce.

In 2002, he married Kristina "Kiki" Throlstrup, a former neighbor on the French Riviera who connected with Moore over their individual struggles with cancer.

In addition to Throlstrup, his survivors include the children he had with Mattioli: Geoffrey, Deborah and Christian.

With typical self-effacement and Bondian charm, Moore described all his wives as "lovely ladies with bad taste in men."

PRORSUM ARTES PACIS
(Overall Arts Peace)

RichardTheBruce

May 24th

1931: Michael Lonsdale is born--Paris, France.
1939: Ian Fleming is introduced to Admiral John Godfrey.

Ian Fleming's Commandos: The Story of the Legendary 30 Assault Unit, Nicholas Rankin, 2011.

On 24 May 1939 Ian Fleming walked into the downstairs Grill of
the Carlton Hotel, at the bottom of London's Haymarket where
it met the eastern end of Pall Mall. The debonair thirty-year-old,
smoking a Morland Special cigarette, looked a natural denizen of
St. James's, 'someone out of a Wodehouse novel' as Cyril Connolly
once noted when he bumped into Fleming in his bluy suit and
Eton Rambelers' cricket club tie in Brook Street. Fleming's club
was Boodle's, because White's was too noisy, and he often ate in
Scott's just up the road. Someone extremely important whom he
had never met before had invited him to lunch, but polish
of Eton College and a brush of Sandhurst had given Fleming
the social aplomb to deal with such an event effortlessly. He was
good at charming older men and senior officer types: the trick
was not deference but confidence. Tall, dark and handsome (a
broken nose gave him an interesting gladiator look), the chain-
smoking, smooth-haired Ian Fleming was an easily bored flâneur
and gambler who had yet to find his niche, a late starter and a
dabbler who feared that he might be a failure. Because he was
amusing and posed as a cynical romantic, he had little trouble
getting women into bed, though he dumped them afterwards
rather too quickly. The primrose path toward alcoholism was
already looking attractive.

Sitting at the luncheon table were two admirals in dark suits.
Fleming had already met the first, white-bearded Aubrey Hugh-
Smith, one of the two nautical brothers of the senior partner in
Rowe & Pitman, the stockbroking firm that gave him an annual
income without engaging his energies. (He had chosen not to
go into his grandfather's merchant bank, Robert Fleming & Co.)
Smith introduced him to their host, Admiral John Godfrey, with
his air of a stern Roman senator; previously Fleming had only
spoken to him once, on the telephone.

1944: Patti Labelle is born--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1949: Roger Deakins is born--Torquay, Devon, England.

1965: Thunderball films OO7's mission brief by M.

1985: A View to a Kill gets general release in the United States.
1985: The San Francisco Chronicle prints Herb Caen's review of A View to a Kill.

Revelator wrote: »

Here's a column by the legendary San Francisco columnist (and Ian Fleming fan) Herb Caen on the premiere:

For Your Eyes Only

San Francisco Chronicle, May 24, 1985

With the enthusiastic cooperation of the Mayor and the police and fire departments, San Francisco is made to look like a loony-bin in the newest and possibly last James Bond film, “A View to a Kill,” an awkward movie with an awkward title. As I recall, author Ian Fleming’s original title for the flimsy short story on which this $30-million bombo is shakily based was “With [sic] a View to a Kill,” which scans a little more smoothly. It wasn't Fleming at his best but the movie it inspired may be James Bondage at its worst, except for the all-time stinker, “Casino Royale,” which, oddly, used only the title of Fleming's first historic best-seller.

It is an article of faith among civic leaders that having a movie made in your town is, by and of itself, A Good Thing. Some mumbojumble about identity, business, tourism, etc., but how many remember that Errol Flynn's classic “Robin Hood” was shot in Chico’s Bidwell Park? San Francisco, of course, has a lot more to offer than Chico, Velveeta jokes aside, and is ruthlessly exploited by every movie and TV maker this side of the Mitchell Brothers who can capture our publicity-crazed Mayor's ear. One can imagine her ecstasy upon learning that a Bond flick would be made in our own backyard, besides which she is said to be keen on Roger Moore, which is understandable.

In return for her unflagging enthusiasm for the Bond project, what do we get? A series of crashes in which our already shaky Police Dept. is made to look like raving incompetents at best and idiots at worst. Very funny, Chiefie, the way they drive their squad cars up the Lefty O'Doul Bridge on Third at China Basin as it is being raised. It is even funnier when they all slide down into each other. Best of all, the bridge's counterweight crushes the captain's car like an eggshell. Not only THAT, the actor playing the captain is a ringer for Chief Con Murphy! They had all been chasing Bond, James Bond, who had stolen a hook’n’ladder from the firemen fighting a blazing City Hall wherein a city official had just been murdered, and that brings up another point.

For reasons not entirely clear—but what is in a Bond flick?—the laughable villain, played with understandable embarrassment by Christopher Walken, pulls out a pistol and kills a city executive as he is seated behind his desk, American Flag in the background. It could even be the mayor’s office, or a supervisor’s. Have memories of the Moscone-Milk murders already grown so dim? The Mayor, a woman of fine sensibilities, might have suggested that the killing take place elsewhere—or not at all, since it has nothing to do with the plot. By coincidence, and I realize nobody could have foreseen this, Wednesday, May 22, the day of the world premiere, would have been Harvey Milk's 55th birthday. There were no observances, unless you count this crass scene as one. And as City Hall burned on screen, a few remembered that May 21 was the seventh anniversary of the “White Night” riots during which police cars were set ablaze in the fury that followed Dan White's junk-food verdict.

Well, as the saying goes, it’s only a movie and a very tedious one. Unlike the first blockbusters—“Doctor No,” “From Russia With Love,” “Goldfinger”—it is strangely slow, witless and charmless. A scene in a tunnel on the San Andreas Fault (?!) is straight out of “Indiana Jones,'” with flood waters pouring through the shaft as the villainous Walken kills dozens with a submachine gun. In fact, there is more randumb violence in this Bond film than in any other, a sure sign of flagging inspiration. As for Roger Moore, he seems a delightful chap but there is no doubt he has passed his prime, unless we're talking about beef, of which he has a bit too much. He hasn’t got whatever made Sean Connery a believable 007, and to his credit, he knows it. Also in the film: Patrick Macnee, who played the suave Steed to Diana Rigg’s Mrs. Peel in the unforgettable “Avengers” TV series; he too has grown beefy. Come to think of it, Patrick McGoohan as “Secret Agent,” Roger Moore as “The Saint” and “The Avengers” may have constituted a TV mini-golden age.

The premiere Wed. night at the Palace of Fine Arts was the usual embarrassing crush of teenagers screaming from behind barricades (they were screaming for Duran Duran, the rock group, not the movie stars) and cops looking a bit sheepish as limos rolled and cameras flashed. The film's producer, Albert (Cubby) Broccoli, now in his 70s with millions to match, looked weary—a man who has seen it all so many times; his old S.F. friend, Jimmy Flood, with whom he once sailed the Pacific, kept calling him “Mr. Cauliflower,” which drew a wan Broccolian smile. The Mayor made a gung-ho speech, blissfully unaware that whoever selects her clothes (Howdy Dowdy?) had once again betrayed her. Not only that, she has regressed to her short Planet of the Apes haircut. Maybe 007 can have a word with her.

And so the James Bond era draws to a close. The incredible is no longer credible and, with Britain reduced to a third-rate nation, the idea of a British secret agent saving the world becomes laughable. But I will never forget the excitement of that first novel, which I read in the late 1950s on a plane from London—what better setting?—or the impact of the Bondian theme music, still alive after being copied to death. It got every movie off to a brilliant start, even this one. The descent toward twilight comes later.

Revelator wrote: »

Caen was an early Bond fan and even met Ian Fleming. He wrote about Bond in several of his columns, and Fleming in turn wrote an article praising Caen for the San Francisco Chronicle.
https://www.mi6community.com/discussion/comment/606578/

2008: BBC's Radio 4 airs its first Bond radio drama: Dr. No starring Toby Stephens as OO7. David Suchet. Dramatized by Hugh Whitemore.

Dr No

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bfd0d
Saturday Drama
A distinguished cast, headed by Toby Stephens and David Suchet, takes part in this 'radio movie' of Ian Fleming's 1958 novel, dramatised by Hugh Whitemore.

Bond is sent to investigate a strange disappearance on the island of Jamaica, and discovers that the heart of the mystery lies with a sinister recluse known as 'Dr No'. Another chance to hear this classic Bond adventure - the first in Radio 4's ongoing all-star series.

Cast:
'M' ..... John Standing
Moneypenny ..... Janie Dee
James Bond ..... Toby Stephens
The Armourer ..... Peter Capaldi
Chief of Staff ..... Nicky Henson
Airport Announcer/Receptionist ...... Inika Leigh Wright
Airport Official/Pus-Feller/ Henchman .....Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Quarrel ..... Clarke Peters
Miss Chung/ Sister Lily ...... Kosha Engler
Pleydell Smith ..... Samuel West
Miss Taro/ Telephonist/ Sister May/Tennis girl..... Jordanna Tin
Librarian ..... Lucy Fleming
Honey Rider ...... Lisa Dillon
Guard /Henchman/Crane Driver ..... Jon David Yu
Dr No ..... David Suchet
Acting Governor of Jamaica ..... Simon Williams
Voice of Ian Fleming ..... Martin Jarvis

Original music by Mark Holden and Sam Barbour

Producer: Rosalind Ayres
Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

2015: Spectre films at Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, and Whitehall Road in London, England.
2016: Burt Kwouk OBE dies at age 85--Hampstead, London.
(Born 18 July 1930--Warrington, Cheshire, England.)

Burt Kwouk obituary

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-obituary

Actor best known for his roles in the Pink Panther films and the
BBC’s Last of the Summer Wine
Ronald Bergan | Tue 24 May 2016 12.24 EDT

Burt Kwouk, right, was a regular co-star with Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films,
including Return of the Pink Panther, 1975. Photograph: SNAP/Rex/Shutterstock

Anna May Wong, the first of the few Chinese actors to gain Hollywood stardom, explained why she retired from the screen: “I was so tired of the parts I had to play. Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain? And so crude a villain – murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass. We are not like that. How should we be, with a civilisation that is so many times older than that of the west?” Burt Kwouk, who has died aged 85, felt the same way but, as he remarked: “I look at it this way – if I don’t do it, someone else will. So why don’t I go in, get some money and try to elevate it a bit, if I can?”

Kwouk, mostly seen in British films and TV, did manage to elevate many of his roles, finally transcending stereotypes such as his celebrated Cato, the foil to Peter Sellers’ bungling Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies, to become a national treasure, this status being consecrated in 2002 by his joining the cast of the BBC’s longest running sitcom, Last of the Summer Wine.

Kwouk was born in Warrington, Lancashire, “because my mother happened to be there at the time,” but at 10 months old was taken back to the family home in Shanghai. There he remained until he was 17, when his well-off parents sent him to the US to study politics and economics. However, before he was able to graduate his parents lost all their money in the 1949 revolution, and he returned to Shanghai. A few years later, Kwouk took advantage of his dual nationality and returned to Britain, where he took various menial jobs before his girlfriend “nagged me into acting”. Capitalising on his oriental looks, he started getting roles mostly as villainous or comic Chinese or Japanese characters.

One of his first TV appearances was a comic one, in a Hancock’s Half Hour (1957), as a Japanese man presenting two bowls of rice to Tony Hancock, who has won a lifetime’s supply in a newspaper competition. A year later, Kwouk was fortunate, so early in his career, to have one of his better film roles in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, set in China but shot in Wales. Kwouk, one of the few genuine Chinese people in the cast, played Li, who helps Ingrid Bergman, as the English Christian missionary Gladys Aylward, escape from the Japanese with 100 children. After a long and arduous journey, he is shot and killed by Japanese soldiers when he tries to distract them from the children.

He was soon cast in a couple of Hammer Horror films, The Terror of the Tongs, as one of evil Christopher Lee’s hatchet men, and Visa to Canton (both 1961). Kwouk was subsequently to play the sidekick of Lee’s Fu Manchu in The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966), The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1967) and The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969). But in The Fiendish Plot of Fu Manchu (1980), Sax Rohmer’s master criminal was played by Sellers, with Kwouk as his manservant. It was a best-forgotten, dismal ending to Sellers’ career, but it did give him and Kwouk a last chance to work together.

Their first chance had come 16 years before in A Shot in the Dark (1964), the second of Blake Edwards’s slapstick comedies featuring Sellers as the extraordinarily maladroit Inspector Clouseau, who seemed unable to cross a room without breaking something. Kwouk played Clouseau’s Chinese “houseboy”, whose sole function was to ambush his master with kung fu attacks at the most unexpected moments from the most unsuspected places. These brilliantly choreographed running and jumping gags, which always resulted in the destruction of Clouseau’s apartment and Cato coming off worst, were the highlights of all the Pink Panther films, which included The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and The Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978).

“Peter and I fell about laughing so much that very often we were unable to complete the day’s work as scheduled, which the producers hated,” Kwouk recalled. “Cato and I are very different. He never stands still. I only move when I have to.” The death of Sellers in 1980 didn’t prevent Edwards from making The Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) by piecing together out-takes and clips from the previous films in the series. Kwouk was seen as Cato, bravely being interviewed about his boss, and again in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), this time as proprietor of the Clouseau museum. Kwouk’s protracted association with the Pink Panther series ended with Son of the Pink Panther (1993), in which, in various disguises, he attacks villains on behalf of Roberto Benigni in the title role.

Kwouk also appeared in three James Bond movies: Goldfinger (1964), as a nuclear scientist sent to oversee the bomb that China has given to Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) to blow up Fort Knox, but who is later double-crossed and shot; Casino Royale (1967), as a Chinese general; and You Only Live Twice (1967), as one of Blofeld’s gang of Spectre henchmen.

His other roles varied from Chairman Peng of the People’s Republic in Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) to a corrupt Laotian general who’s hoping to save up enough money to buy a Holiday Inn in the US in Air America (1990), to the trustworthy contact in Paris of Jet Li’s Chinese cop in the formulaic martial arts thriller Kiss of the Dragon (2001).

Parallel to his film career, Kwouk made a niche for himself on British television in series including The Saint (1965-68), It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (1977-78), Doctor Who (1982), and as himself in The Kenny Everett Show (1983-84) and The Harry Hill Show (1997-2000). But the role that revealed his underused talents as a dramatic actor was Major Yamauchi, the strict but honourable commandant of a women’s POW camp in Tenko (1981-84).

In contrast was his Mr Entwistle, a philosophical electrical handyman from Hull in Last of the Summer Wine, a part specially written for him by Roy Clarke. “It is a very pleasant and easygoing programme, a lovely gentle comic show,” Kwouk remarked. “There is no one charging around, and even the slapstick is quite gentle – certainly more gentle than I am used to.”

Kwouk’s voice was almost as famous as his face. It can be heard in the video game Fire Warrior, narrating the English version of the Japanese TV series The Water Margin (1976-78), the bizarre “interactive” gambling show Banzai! (2001-04) and in many TV commercials.

Kwouk was appointed OBE in 2011 for services to drama.

He is survived by Caroline Tebbs, whom he married in 1961, and their son Christopher.

• Burt Kwouk, actor, born 18 July 1930; died 24 May 2016

https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/person/223941

Films | Year | Film | Role

1958 Windom's Way (villager)
1959 The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (Li)
1959 Upstairs and Downstairs (Chinese restaurant proprietor)

1960 Expresso Bongo ([Soho youth])
1960 The Terror of the Tongs (Ming)
1960 Visa to Canton (Jimmy)
1962 Satan Never Sleeps (Ah Wong)
1962 The Sinister Man (Captain Feng)
1963 The Cool Mikado ([art teacher])
1964 Goldfinger (Mr Ling)
1965 A Shot in the Dark (Kato)
1965 Curse of the Fly (Tai)
1966 Our Man in Marrakesh (export analysis manager)
1966 The Brides of Fu Manchu (Feng)
1966 The Sandwich Man (ice cream salesman)
1967 Casino Royale ([Chinese Army officer at auction])
1967 You Only Live Twice (SPECTRE No 3)
1968 Nobody Runs Forever (Pham Chinh)
1969 The Most Dangerous Man in the World (Chang Shou)

1970 Deep End (hot dog stand man)
1972 Die Folterkammer des Doktor Fu Manchu (henchman)
1975 Girls Come First (Sashimi)
1976 Return of the Pink Panther (Cato)
1977 The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Cato)
1977 The Strange Case of the End of Civilisation As We Know It (Chinese delegate)
1978 Revenge of the Pink Panther (Cato)

1982 Trail of the Pink Panther (Cato)
1983 Curse of the Pink Panther (Cato)

1990 I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (Fu King owner)
1992 Carry On Columbus (Wang)
1993 Leon the Pig Farmer (art collector)

2004 Fat Slags (Dalai Lama)

2017: Dynamite Entertainment releases James Bond - Service Special.
Antonio Fuso, artist. Kieron Gillen, writer.

JAMES BOND: SERVICE SPECIAL

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C1524104078
Cover A: Jamie McKelvie
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Antonio Fuso
Publication Date: May 2017
Page Count: 48 Pages
ON SALE DATE: 5/24

In contemporary politics, where Britain's world standing is often more zero than 007, an assassin plans to exterminate the "special relationship," and lead Britain and the United States into a very dark place...especially when he does so by aiming down the sights of an ancient Enfield rifle! It'll test Bond's deadly talents to their limits, in order to defeat the assassin and avert certain geopolitical disaster...

A stand-alone, oversized special written by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Darth Vader) and drawn by Antonio Fuso (Torchwood, Drive) with their thrilling take on the icon of espionage. Featuring a cover by Jamie McKelvie (The Wicked + The Divine)!

2022: HarperCollins publish Anthony Horowitz's third Bond novel With a Mind to Kill.

Product description
Review

• The super spy is back, with a fresh injection from novelist and screenwriter extraordinaire, Anthony Horowitz. The expert in suspense takes us back to the beginning of James Bond’s story… the story rips along with plenty of familiar Bond staples: evil villains, fast cars and women falling for young Bond’s charms. Ian Fleming would be proud. ― Guardian
• Horowitz is a worthy successor to Ian Fleming, putting 007 back in his true domain… This New Bond is up there with the better Old Bonds… The denouement is a very fine piece of action writing… Horowitz has done splendidly. ― Scotsman
• A novel that feels very like a film… fast-paced, skilfully written… leaves you wanting more, and for serious Bond junkies [it] is the next fix in a long tale of addiction. ― The Times
• Even better than Trigger Mortis… it is tremendous fun. Anthony Horowitz has the discipline and skill of a first-class action writer. ― Sunday Express
• Exciting high drama… Horowitz stays loyal to the fabulous Fleming formula. And for that he surely deserves another mission guiding the fortunes of the world’s favourite superspy. ― Daily Express
• [Horowitz's Bond] is once again in safe hands, not departing much from Fleming’s entertaining formula... Horowitz’s light touch and smooth plotting create something close to the ideal holiday read. ― Irish Examiner
• Anthony Horowitz writes Bond in the style of Fleming... Total brain candy in the best possible fashion. ― RTE Guide
• Anthony Horowitz's second James Bond book will keep 007 obsessives happy with martinis, beautiful women and an enormously fat Corsican gangster. ― The Times *Best New Novels*
• Horowitz shows that he knows the Fleming books backwards, offering plot twists that are homages to the master's novels. This nicely imagined book... is an amusing and thought-provoking addition to the post-Fleming bond canon. ― The Times *Audiobook of the Week*
• An enjoyably compact thriller, with an absolutely killer last line. ― Guardian
• Forever and a Day is an explosive prequel to Casino Royale which promises to please Bond aficionados and a new legion of fans. ― Northern Insight **Book of the Month**
• This is another great new James Bond novel from Horowitz, who’s filling the shoes of Ian Fleming with apparent ease. ― Trucking
• Highly enjoyable. ― Metro
• Anthony is an enthusiastic writer who relishes the world of adventure he conveys. ― Writing Magazine
• A timeless Bond... has all the elements of a rollicking read. ― Irish Examiner
• Horowitz proves himself so adept at getting inside the iconic character, and Fleming’s writing style, that it’s difficult to see the join. Rip-roaringly recommended. ― Hot Press

About the Author
Bestselling author Anthony Horowitz has written two highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty; two James Bond novels, Trigger Mortis and Forever and a Day; three Detective Hawthorne novels, The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death and the forthcoming A Line To Kill, and the acclaimed bestselling mystery novels Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders.

He is also the author of the teen spy Alex Rider series, and responsible for creating and writing some of the UK's most loved and successful TV series, including Midsomer Murders and Foyle's War. In January 2022 he was awarded a CBE for his services to literature.

2023: Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock) dies at age 83--Küsnacht, Switzerland.
(Born 26 November 1939--Brownsville, Tennessee.)

RichardTheBruce

May 25th

1917: The Times publishes the Winston Churchill-penned obituary for his close friend--"Valentine Fleming. An Appreciation"--who died 20 May in military action in France.

1921: Harold Lane (Hal) David is born--Brooklyn, New York City, New York.
(He dies 1 September 2012 at age 91--West Hollywood, California.)

Hal David, Songwriter, Is Dead at 9

See the complete article here:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hal-david-dies-obituary-songwriter-burt-bacharach-367366

Legendary Lyricist Hal David
Dies at 91

4:57 PM PDT 9/1/2012 by Mike Barnes

The songwriter worked with
Burt Bacharach on dozens of
classic songs, including
Oscar winner "Raindrops
Keep Fallin' on My Head,"
"(They Long to Be) Close to
You" and Dionne Warwick's
"I Say a Little Prayer."

Hal David, the Oscar-winning lyricist who teamed with Burt Bacharach to form one of the most sensational hitmaking teams in the history of popular music, has died. He was 91.

David died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications from a stroke, his wife Eunice said. He had suffered a major stroke in March and was stricken again Tuesday, she said.

"Even at the end, Hal always had a song in his head," she told The Associated Press. "He was always writing notes, or asking me to take a note down, so he wouldn't forget a lyric.

In the 1960s and beyond, David and Bacharach produced some of the most memorable songs for movies, television and recording artists. They received an Oscar in 1970 for “Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head,” recorded by B.J. Thomas for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and a Tony nomination and a Grammy for the score of Promises, Promises, which debuted in 1968 on Broadway.

The team found their muse in a young Dionne Warwick, who rocketed to stardom singing such Bacharach-David tunes as "Don't Make Me Over," "Always Something There to Remind Me," "Alfie," "Walk on By," "Message to Michael," “I Say a Little Prayer" and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"

Their songs also have been recorded by the likes of The Carpenters, Herb Alpert, Marty Robbins, Perry Como, The 5th Dimension, Dusty Springfield and Tom Jones and more recently by such contemporary acts as Alicia Keys, The White Stripes, The Flaming Lips and the cast of Glee.

The pair had No. 1 hits in the U.S. with Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You" in April 1968, with the famed trumpeter making in his vocal debut; Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," which debuted in November 1969; and The Carpenters' "(They Long to Be) Close to You," which bowed in June 1970.

The 5th Dimension's heartfelt "One Less Bell to Answer" from 1970 reached No. 2, and "What's New, Pussycat?" from the sexy British singer Jones got as high as No. 3 in 1965.

A native of New York, David started out penning songs to entertain GIs in the South Pacific during World War II. He worked as a copywriter at The New York Post, then wrote for Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo and other bandleaders before hooking up with Bacharach. He told The Hollywood Reporter last year that he became a lyricist because his oldest brother, Mack -- also a lyricist and composer who came west from New York -- was his role model. (Mack David wrote “I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine” for Patti Page.)

David and Bacharach scored their first big hit with "Magic Moments," a million-selling record for Como in 1957. Five years later, they met Warwick.

"In 1962, Dionne came into our office in the Brill Building in Manhattan to do some demos for us," he told THR. "She sang popular music with a gospel sound and rhythm and just blew us away. Her very first recording we produced, 'Don't Make Me Over,' was a hit.

"We wrote just about every hit she sang. We were a trio, really. Burt and I worked together for 17 years. Eleven or 12 of those were with Dionne, too."

David and Bacharach were a team from 1957 until their 1973 musical remake of Lost Horizon, on which they had worked for two years, bombed at the box office.

Bacharach and David sued each other, and Warwick sued them both. The cases were settled out of court in 1979, and the three went their separate ways. They reconciled in 1992 for Warwick's recording of "Sunny Weather Lover."

After splitting with Bacharach, David collaborated with Albert Hammond on "To All the Girls I've Loved Before," a 1984 hit for Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson that reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100; with Henry Mancini on "The Greatest Gift" for The Return of the Pink Panther (1975); and with John Barry on the title song of the James Bond film Moonraker (1979).

David received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October, and in May, he and Bacharach, 83, were given the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Washington from President Obama. David was unable to attend because of his stroke.

“Award-winning lyricist Hal David was an American songwriting treasure. His legacy of more than five decades of music has inspired fans, performers and other songwriters with its diversity and longevity," Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said in a statement. "He will be missed, but his rich body of work will be with us forever.”

David joined the board of ASCAP in 1974 and served as its president from 1980-86. He was head of the Songwriters Hall of Fame from 2001-11 and chairman emeritus at his death.

"As a lyric writer, Hal was simple, concise and poetic -- conveying volumes of meaning in fewest possible words and always in service to the music," ASCAP's current president, the songwriter Paul Williams, said in a statement. "It is no wonder that so many of his lyrics have become part of our everyday vocabulary and his songs ... the backdrop of our lives."

In addition to his wife, survivors include sons Jim and Craig and three grandchildren. His first wife, Anne, died in 1987.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Songs written by Hal David
https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/3227

Original songs
Title Written by Originally by Original date Covered by

99 Miles from L.A. Hal David, Albert Hammond Albert Hammond 1975 Covered by (13 artists)

A House Is Not a Home Burt Bacharach, Hal David Brook Benton July 1964 Covered by (159 artists)

Alfie Burt Bacharach, Hal David Cilla Black March 25, 1966 Covered by (254 artists)

All Kinds of People Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach 1971 Covered by (9 artists)

Anonymous Phone Call Burt Bacharach, Hal David Bobby Vee with The Johnny Mann Singers November 1962 Covered by Jim O'Rourke

Another Night Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick December 1966 Covered by Dusty Springfield

Another Tear Falls Burt Bacharach, Hal David Gene McDaniels with The Johnny Mann Singers 1961 Covered by (4 artists)

Any Old Time of the Day Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick February 1964 Covered by (7 artists)

Anyone Who Had a Heart Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick November 1963 Covered by (94 artists)

Are You There (With Another Girl) Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick December 1965 Covered by (17 artists)

As Long as There's an Apple Tree Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick February 1968 Covered by (2 artists)

A Whistling Tune Hal David, Sherman Edwards Elvis Presley August 1991 Covered by (3 artists)

Balance of Nature Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwicke 1972 Covered by (2 artists)

Bell Bottom Blues Hal David, Leon Carr Teresa Brewer December 1953 Covered by (4 artists)

Blue on Blue Burt Bacharach, Hal David Bobby Vinton May 1963 Covered by (15 artists)

Broken-Hearted Melody Hal David, Sherman Edwards Sarah Vaughan 1959 Covered by (12 artists)

Call off the Wedding (Without a Groom There Can't Be a Bride) Burt Bacharach, Hal David Babs Tino November 1962 Covered by Don Backy

Casino Royale Burt Bacharach, Hal David Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass March 1967 Covered by (21 artists)

Christmas Day Burt Bacharach, Hal David Edward Winter, Kay Oslin, Rita O'Connor, Julane Stites and Neil Jones December 1968 Covered by (7 artists)

Country Music Holiday Burt Bacharach, Hal David Bernie Nee with Eddie O'Conner and his Orchestra February 24, 1958 Covered by Adam Faith

Donna Means Heartbreak Hal David, Paul Hampton Gene Pitney October 1962 Covered by (2 artists)

Don't Go Breaking My Heart Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach and His Orchestra & Chorus March 1965 Covered by (22 artists)

Don't Let It Happen to Us Hal David, Sherman Edwards The Shirelles August 1963 Covered by (2 artists)

Don't Make Me Over Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick 1962 Covered by (51 artists)

Don't Send Me Home Hal David, Leon Carr Harry James - Toni Harper February 22, 1952 Covered by (2 artists)

Downhill and Shady Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach 1965 Covered by The Waistcoats

Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown? John Barry, Hal David John Barry, Nina van Pallandt 1969 Covered by (2 artists)

Do You Know the Way to San Jose? Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick February 1968 Covered by (112 artists)

Early Morning Strangers Barry Manilow, Hal David Barry Manilow October 1974 Covered by (3 artists)

Everybody's Out of Town Burt Bacharach, Hal David B.J. Thomas April 1970 Covered by (6 artists)

Go with Love Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick December 1966 Covered by Barbara Acklin

Half as Big as Life Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach December 1968 Covered by (4 artists)

Hasbrook Heights Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach 1971 Covered by (3 artists)

Here I Am Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick 1965 Covered by (8 artists)

Home Is Where the Heart Is Hal David, Sherman Edwards Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires August 28, 1962 Covered by (11 artists)

I Could Make You Mine Burt Bacharach, Hal David The Wanderers [US] September 1960 Covered by Patrick Logelin

I Cry Alone Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick 1963 Covered by (4 artists)

If I Could Go Back Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Whitman January 1973 Covered by (2 artists)

If I Never Get to Love You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Lou Johnson June 1962 Covered by (4 artists)

I Forgot What It Was Like Burt Bacharach, Hal David Ray Peterson July 1963 Covered by (2 artists)

If You Never Say Goodbye Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwicke 1972 Covered by Liliane Saint Pierre

I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself Burt Bacharach, Hal David Tommy Hunt August 1962 Covered by (67 artists)

I'll Never Fall in Love Again Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach and Jill O'Hara December 1968 Covered by (169 artists)

I'm a Better Man Burt Bacharach, Hal David Engelbert Humperdinck 1969 Covered by (5 artists)

In Between the Heartaches Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick December 1965 Covered by (7 artists)

In the Land of Make Believe Burt Bacharach, Hal David The Drifters [US] December 1963 Covered by (7 artists)

In Times Like These Burt Bacharach, Hal David Gene McDaniels January 1960 Covered by (5 artists)

I Say a Little Prayer Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick August 1967 Covered by (188 artists)

Is There Another Way to Love You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick February 1965 Covered by Anki

Italian Fuzz Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach 1966 Covered by Fifty Foot Combo

It Doesn't Matter Anymore Burt Bacharach, Hal David Ricky Nelson December 1966 Covered by (3 artists)

It Only Took a Minute Hal David, Mort Garson Joe Brown and The Bruvvers October 1962 Covered by (3 artists)

It's Love That Really Counts (In the Long Run) Burt Bacharach, Hal David The Shirelles August 1962 Covered by (4 artists)

It Was Almost Like a Song Hal David, Archie Jordan Ronnie Milsap 1977 Covered by (13 artists)

I Wake Up Crying Burt Bacharach, Hal David Del Shannon June 1961 Covered by (19 artists)

Johnny Get Angry Hal David, Sherman Edwards Joanie Sommers April 1962 Covered by (4 artists)

Kaleidoscope Hal David, Albert Hammond Albert Hammond 1977 Covered by Kisu

Knowing When to Leave Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jill O'Hara December 1968 Covered by (21 artists)

Let Me Go to Him Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick March 1970 Covered by (6 artists)

Let the Music Play Burt Bacharach, Hal David The Drifters [US] March 1963 Covered by (5 artists)

Living Together, Growing Together Burt Bacharach, Hal David Tony Bennett December 1, 1972 Covered by (8 artists)

Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets Burt Bacharach, Hal David Allison Durbin 1969 Covered by (5 artists)

Long After Tonight Is Over Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jimmy Radcliffe October 1964 Covered by (6 artists)

Long Ago Tomorrow Burt Bacharach, Hal David B. J. Thomas October 1971 Covered by Burt Bacharach

Looking With My Eyes Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick September 1965 Covered by Mike Melvoin

Look in My Eyes Maria Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jay & The Americans September 1963 Covered by Cliff Richard

Lost Horizon Burt Bacharach, Hal David Shawn Phillips January 1973 Covered by (5 artists)

Love Was Here Before the Stars Burt Bacharach, Hal David Brian Foley October 1967 Covered by (6 artists)

Magic Moments Burt Bacharach, Hal David Perry Como December 1957 Covered by (30 artists)

Magic Potion Burt Bacharach, Hal David Lou Johnson July 1963 Covered by (3 artists)

Make It Easy on Yourself Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Butler June 1962 Covered by (69 artists)

Me Japanese Boy I Love You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Bobby Goldsboro July 1964 Covered by (8 artists)

Message to Martha Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Butler December 1963 Covered by (33 artists)

Moonraker John Barry, Hal David Shirley Bassey 1979 Covered by (38 artists)

My Heart Is an Open Book Hal David, Lee Pockriss Jimmy Dean with Ray Ellis and His Orch. September 1958 Covered by (6 artists)

My Little Red Book Burt Bacharach, Hal David Manfred Mann 1965 Covered by (35 artists)

No Walls, No Ceilings, No Floors Hal David, Archie Jordan Barbara Mandrell September 1978 Covered by (4 artists)

Now While I Still Remember How Hal David, Archie Jordan Orsa Lia September 1979 Covered by (2 artists)

Odds and Ends Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick July 1969 Covered by (10 artists)

One Less Bell to Answer Burt Bacharach, Hal David Keely Smith 1967 Covered by (40 artists)

Only Love Can Break a Heart Burt Bacharach, Hal David Gene Pitney October 1962 Covered by (12 artists)

Outside My Window Hal David, Sherman Edwards The Fleetwoods January 1960 Covered by (2 artists)

Promise Her Anything Burt Bacharach, Hal David Tom Jones January 1966 Covered by (2 artists)

Promises, Promises Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach December 1968 Covered by (21 artists)

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head Burt Bacharach, Hal David B.J. Thomas October 1969 Covered by (252 artists)

Rain from the Skies Burt Bacharach, Hal David Adam Wade January 11, 1963 Covered by (3 artists)

Reach Out for Me Burt Bacharach, Hal David Lou Johnson July 1963 Covered by (26 artists)

Rivers Are for Boats Hal David, Albert Hammond Albert Hammond 1975 Covered by Päivi Paunu

Saturday Sunshine Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach and His Orchestra & Chorus 1963 Covered by (5 artists)

Sea of Heartbreak Hal David, Paul Hampton Don Gibson May 1961 Covered by (61 artists)

She Likes Basketball Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach December 1968 Covered by (3 artists)

Something Big Burt Bacharach, Hal David Mark Lindsay December 17, 1971 Covered by (4 artists)

Take a Broken Heart Burt Bacharach, Hal David Rick Nelson December 1966 Covered by (2 artists)

The April Fools Burt Bacharach, Hal David Percy Faith His Orchestra and Chorus 1969 Covered by (27 artists)

The Face Not the Image Hal David, Albert Hammond Albert Hammond 1975 Covered by Euson

The First Night of the Full Moon Hal David, Al Kealoha Perry Jack Jones May 1964 Covered by Ronnie Tober

The Four Winds and the Seven Seas Hal David, Don Rodney Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians May 1949 Covered by (6 artists)

The Good Times Are Coming John Barry, Hal David Mama Cass Elliot 1970 Covered by Henry Dee

The Last One to Be Loved Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick August 31, 1964 Covered by (5 artists)

The Look of Love Burt Bacharach, Hal David Stan Getz 1968 Covered by (382 artists)

The Love of a Boy Burt Bacharach, Hal David Timi Yuro November 1962 Covered by (5 artists)

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Burt Bacharach, Hal David The Fairmount Singers February 1962 Covered by (18 artists)

(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me Burt Bacharach, Hal David Lou Johnson July 1964 Covered by (120 artists)

The Story of My Life Burt Bacharach, Hal David Marty Robbins with Ray Conniff and His Orchestra September 30, 1957 Covered by (30 artists)

The Things I Will Not Miss Burt Bacharach, Hal David Sally Kellerman and Andra Willis January 1973 Covered by (2 artists)

The Windows of the World Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick August 1967 Covered by (33 artists)

They Long to Be Close to You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Richard Chamberlain September 1963 Covered by (294 artists)

This Empty Place Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick 1963 Covered by (10 artists)

This Guy's in Love with You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Danny Williams 1968 Covered by (249 artists)

To All the Girls I've Loved Before Hal David, Albert Hammond Albert Hammond 1975 Covered by (50 artists)

Too Late to Worry Burt Bacharach, Hal David Babs Tino 1962 Covered by (9 artists)

To Wait for Love Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jay & The Americans February 1964 Covered by (14 artists)

Trains and Boats and Planes Burt Bacharach, Hal David Burt Bacharach and His Orchestra & Chorus March 1965 Covered by (80 artists)

True Love Never Runs Smooth Burt Bacharach, Hal David Gene Pitney October 1962 Covered by (5 artists)

Turkey Lurkey Time Burt Bacharach, Hal David Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee
and Margo Sappington December 1968 Covered by (7 artists)

Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa Burt Bacharach, Hal David Gene Pitney October 1963 Covered by (30 artists)

Upstairs Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach December 1968 Covered by (4 artists)

Using Things and Loving People Hal David, Archie Jordan B.J. Thomas July 1979 Covered by (3 artists)

Walk on By Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick April 1964 Covered by (199 artists)

Walk the Way You Talk Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick December 1970 Covered by (3 artists)

Wanting Things Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick November 1968 Covered by (7 artists)

We Have All the Time in the World John Barry, Hal David Louis Armstrong 1969 Covered by (55 artists)

What Am I Supposed to Do? Hal David, Archie Jordan Orsa Lia September 1979 Covered by Iris Williams

What Do You See in Her Hal David, Frank Weldon Helen Grayco with Orchestra Conducted by Harold Mooney August 1955 Covered by (7 artists)

What's New Pussycat? Burt Bacharach, Hal David Tom Jones 1965 Covered by (57 artists)

What the World Needs Now Is Love Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jackie deShannon April 15, 1965 Covered by (240 artists)

Where Would I Go Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick February 1968 Covered by Barbara Acklin

Whoever You Are, I Love You Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jill O'Hara December 1968 Covered by (15 artists)

Who Is Gonna Love Me Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick November 1968 Covered by (4 artists)

Wishin' and Hopin' Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick 1963 Covered by (46 artists)

With Open Arms Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jane Morgan 1959 Covered by Adam Faith with John Barry and His Orchestra

Wives and Lovers Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jack Jones September 1963 Covered by (114 artists)

You'll Answer to Me Hal David, Sherman Edwards Patti Page Featuring The Mike Stewart Singers May 1961 Covered by (3 artists)

You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) Burt Bacharach, Hal David Dionne Warwick July 1964 Covered by (31 artists)

You'll Think of Someone Burt Bacharach, Hal David Jerry Orbach and Jill O'Hara December 1968 Covered by (2 artists)

You You Darling Hal David, Lee Pockriss Eddie Williams 1959 Covered by Willy Hagara - Orchester Rolf Anders und Chor

Adapted songs
Title Written by Originals Originally by Covered by

Baby Elephant Walk Hal David Baby Elephant Walk Pat Boone
Dance Mama Dance Papa Dance Hal David Marriage, French Style Joanne and The Streamliners
No Regrets Hal David Non, je ne regrette rien Edith Piaf Covered by (13 artists)
Sole, Sole, Sole Hal David Sole, sole Covered by Sarah Vaughan
Where There's a Heartache Hal David Come Touch the Sun Oliver Covered by (3 artists)
Who Could Love Me Hal David Mi piaci come sei Shirley Bassey

1985: Title song "A View to a Kill" tops out at number two in the UK Singles Chart.

1985: AMC Puente 10 Theaters holds The James Bond 007 Master Trivia Tournament in Industry, California.

2011: A press release and publicity event involving the Royal Marines Display Team anticipate the Hodder & Stoughton release of Jeffery Deaver's Bond novel Carte Blanche the next day.

See the complete article here:

http://primary.newspress.co.uk/LINKS/64143bm/index.html
http://primary.newspress.co.uk/LINKS/64143bm/64143bm.doc

LAUNCH OF NEW JAMES BOND BOOK, CARTE BLANCHE, LIFTS THE
ROOF AT ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL

(CREWE, ENGLAND May 25) The first copies of the eagerly awaited new Bond book, Carte Blanche, arrived in style at St Pancras International in London today (Wednesday 25 May 2011). Copies of the book by the best–selling American thriller writer Jeffery Deaver, published in the UK tomorrow by Hodder & Stoughton, were delivered by the Royal Marines Commandos in a stunning display involving abseiling, a fast car and a beautiful Bond girl on a motorbike.

In a scene which could have been lifted from a James Bond novel, Jeffery Deaver pulled up at Europe’s longest bar – The Champagne Bar at St Pancras International – in a special Carte Blanche red Bentley Continental GT flanked by a Bond girl clad in black leathers.

It was by air, however, that the author received the first copy of his novel. In a dramatic twist to the launch, four members of the Royal Marines Display Team descended from the iconic roof of St Pancras International onto the concourse below, bearing copies of the novel. The books were handed over to Deaver in front of members of Ian Fleming’s family and invited guests, before being put under lock and key in an undisclosed location. The plot of the book remains, until midnight tonight, a closely guarded secret.

Despite the secrecy surrounding Carte Blanche, it can be revealed that each part of the launch had particular relevance to the new novel and to Ian Fleming, the creator of the original James Bond novels, who would have been 103 this Saturday, 28 May. St Pancras International, at the heart of London, is a fitting venue for a very British icon who became an international phenomenon whilst the Bentley Continental GT is the car of choice for Deaver’s Bond. The day’s Bond girl, who drove a BSA 1966 Spitfire motorbike to the launch, is inspired by one of Bond’s love interests in Carte Blanche, whose passion for speed and fast engines rivals Bond’s own.

As an integral component of the Naval Service the role of the Royal Marines Commandos is also pertinent. A Commander in the Royal Navy, Ian Fleming worked as Assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during the war years and was responsible for the creation of a specialist unit of commandos known as 30 Commando or the 30 Assault Unit: trained commandos specialising in targeting enemy headquarters to secure documentation with an intelligence value. In Carte Blanche, Jeffery Deaver’s 21st century Bond served in the Royal Naval Reserve, including a tour in Afghanistan, before joining the secret service.

Lucy Fleming, Ian Fleming’s niece, commented at today’s launch: “On Saturday my uncle, Ian Fleming, would be 103 years old. If he had been here today he would have loved the occasion.

“With his brilliant plot and clever twists, his perfectly horrible villain and his detailed knowledge of the British intelligence Service, Jeffery Deaver brings Bond straight into the heart of modern espionage.”

Carte Blanche will be published in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton tomorrow, Thursday 26 May 2011, just ahead of Ian Fleming’s birthday on Saturday 28 May. Priced at £19.99, the book will be available nationwide. For more information, visit www.007carteblanche.co.uk.

For further information please contact:
Julia Marozzi
Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

• Official photographs from the event are available through Colman Getty
• Jeffery Deaver will be in the UK for publication and is available for interview through Colman Getty
• Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver will be published in the UK on 26 May 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton priced £19.99
• Audio and ebook versions will be published simultaneously
• The Carte Blanche cover artwork is available from Colman Getty
• All Jeffery Deaver’s books have been published in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton
• Ian Fleming Publications Ltd is the Fleming family owned company that owns the copyright of the James Bond books www.ianfleming.com
• For further information about Jeffery Deaver, visit: www.jefferydeaver.com

Royal Marines Commandos
www.royalmarines.mod.uk

Bentley Motors:
To celebrate the release of Carte Blanche Hodder & Stoughton has partnered with Bentley Motors to create an exclusive Bentley special edition. Each copy of the special edition is custom-produced to Bentley’s exacting standards and arrives inside a stunning metal case. The result is a striking and unique collector’s item. The special edition is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide at a price of £1,000 each.
For more information about Bentley Motors, visit: www.bentleymotors.com

Chesca Miles
Chesca Miles is the first and only female motorbike stunt rider in the UK who combines her career as a rider with modelling and singing. She began riding bikes at 14 and was an experienced rider by the time she was old enough to hold a licence. www.chescamiles.com
For the launch, Chesca rides a BSA spitfire, courtesy of the London Motorcycle Museum. www.london-motorcycle-museum.org

Hodder & Stoughton:
Hodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette. They publish general fiction including bestselling authors David Nicholls, Stephen King, Jodi Picoult and Jeffery Deaver. http://www.hodder.co.uk/

Bond Books

• Over 100 million Bond books have been sold (and over half the world’s population has seen a Bond film)
• Ian Fleming wrote 14 James Bond books: Casino Royale (1953); Live and Let Die (1954); Moonraker (1955); Diamonds Are Forever (1956); From Russia with Love (1957); Dr. No (1958); Goldfinger (1959); For your Eyes Only (1960); Thunderball (1961); The Spy Who Loved Me (1962); On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1963); You Only Live Twice (1964); The Man With The Golden Gun (1965) and Octopussy and the Living Daylights (1966)
• Fleming’s other works include the children’s favourite, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1964), which was made into a film and stage musical, The Diamond Smugglers (1957) and a collection of travel writings called Thrilling Cities (1963)
• Charlie Higson is author of the Young Bond books which are published by Puffin
• Samantha Weinberg, writing as Kate Westbrook, is the author of the Moneypenny Diaries
• Other previous authors of official James Bond novels include Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson and Sebastian Faulks, whose book became the publisher’s fastest selling hardback fiction title

All of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond books are published by Penguin in the UK and the US

2018: Bond at Bletchley Park, once the central site for British codebreakers during World War II, hosts Illustrations and Inspirations which highlights a Fleming connection. Runs through October.

MAY 2018 - Bond at Bletchley Park: Illustrations and Inspirations
https://bletchleypark.org.uk/whats-on/bond-at-bletchley-park-illustrations-and-inspirations

Art exhibition celebrating James Bond
Friday, 25 May 2018 — Sunday, 14 October 2018
From 09:30 to 17:00 Free with admission

New exhibition of contemporary art celebrating James Bond

This summer James Bond comes to Bletchley Park. On display in Hut 12, a temporary art exhibition celebrates Ian Fleming’s original James Bond series, as well as the most recent 007 continuation novels written by critically acclaimed author, Anthony Horowitz.

The exhibition includes a special section presenting new research into Fleming’s connection to Bletchley Park, exploring how his work in Naval Intelligence helped to inspire the creation of the James Bond books. When Ian Fleming was assistant to the Head of Naval Intelligence during World War Two he vowed to ‘write the spy story to end all spy stories’ and went on to create Casino Royale.

The artworks have been newly commissioned by social enterprise Eazl from a carefully selected roster of emerging and mid-career artists from the UK and beyond. Participating artists include Threadneedle Prize finalists David Storey and Tomas Tichy, the Australian painter Marc Freeman, and the prize-winning illustrator Finn Dean. The pieces are each inspired by a specific scene, theme or character from a James Bond novel.

The exhibition is part of a wider project organised by Eazl, with the kind permission of Ian Fleming Publications. The project will culminate in a charity auction in London, in October 2018.

The exhibition coincides with the release of the second official Bond novel by Horowitz ‘Forever and a Day’, the follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Trigger Mortis’.

1 / 4 — Magnus Gjoen, 'Goldfinger' (2018). Inspired by the novel by Ian Fleming.


2 / 4 — Paul Wright, ‘James - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (2018), oil on linen.
Inspired by the novel by Ian Fleming.


3 / 4 — David Storey, ‘Bond Arriving at the Devil’s Own Stone Circle’ (2018),
oil on canvas. Inspired by a passage from ‘Trigger Mortis’ where Bond discovers
Pussy Galore being painted gold.


4 / 4 — Alan Fears, ‘From Breakfast with Love’ (2018). Inspired by the scene
in ‘Trigger Mortis’, by Anthony Horowitz, where Bond and Pussy Galore share
an awkward breakfast in Bond’s flat.

2018: BOND 25 details released from the source.

BOND 25
ANNOUNCEMENT
Director, writer,
distributor and production
start date revealed

See the complete article here:

https://www.007.com/bond-25-announcement-2/

Posted 25.05.2018

Production on Bond 25 will begin in December with Danny Boyle directing Daniel Craig’s 5th outing as Bond. EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM) have reached an agreement with Universal Pictures to partner on the worldwide release of the 25th James Bond film.

Daniel Craig returns as 007 and Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Steve Jobs) will direct from an original screenplay by Academy Award nominee John Hodge (Trainspotting) with production set to begin on 3 December 2018. Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures will release the film theatrically in the US on 8 November 2019 through its new joint venture for domestic theatrical distribution with Annapurna Pictures, and Universal Pictures will release internationally commencing with the traditional earlier release in the UK on 25 October 2019.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented, “We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th instalment of the franchise. We will begin shooting Bond 25 at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and thrilled that Universal Pictures will be our international distributor.”

“Under the leadership of Michael and Barbara, we couldn’t be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle,” said MGM’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kevin Ulrich. MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group Jonathan Glickman added, “It has been 16 years since DIE ANOTHER DAY was distributed by MGM and it’s incredibly gratifying to be releasing this film alongside the powerhouse team at Universal.”

“Universal is extremely proud to collaborate with Michael, Barbara and MGM on the international marketing and distribution of Bond 25,” said Chairman of Universal Pictures Donna Langley. “The unparalleled combination of Danny’s innovative filmmaking and Daniel’s embodiment of 007 ensured we simply had to be partners in the next chapter of this iconic series.”

RichardTheBruce

May 26th

1909: Richard Maibaum is born--New York City, New York.
(He dies 4 January 1991 at age 81--Santa Monica, California.)

Richard Maibaum, Screenwriter For James Bond Films, Dies at 81

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/09/obituaries/richard-maibaum-screenwriter-for-james-bond-films-dies-at-81.html

By ELEANOR BLAU | JAN. 9, 1991

Richard Maibaum, who wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for a dozen James Bond films, died on Friday at St. John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 81 years old and lived in Los Angeles.

He died of a heart attack, The Associated Press reported.

Early in the James Bond series, Mr. Maibaum remarked that the hugely popular movies about British secret agent 007 were really parodies of the Ian Fleming novels on which they were based.

A Sleuth With Humor

In an article he wrote after the first three adaptations, "Dr. No" (1963), "From Russia With Love" and "Goldfinger" (both 1964), he said that the movie character James Bond, played by Sean Connery, retained Mr. Fleming's image of a "super sleuth, super fighter, super hedonist, super lover," but that the film makers "added another large dimension: humor."

"Humor vocalized in wry comments at critical moments," he said. "In the books, Bond was singularly lacking in this."

Mr. Maibaum started his career as a playwright and actor. He was born in New York, attended New York University and then studied dramatic art the University of Iowa, where he received bachelor's and master's degrees and wrote plays, one of which, "The Tree," an anti-lynching play, was produced on Broadway.

Returning to New York, he acted with the Shakespearean Repertory Theater in 1933, and wrote two more plays for Broadway, "Birthright," an anti-Nazi drama, and "Sweet Mystery of Life," a comedy. He then got a contract as a writer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Hollywood. While there, he wrote another play, "See My Lawyer," which was produced in New York by George Abbott and which starred Milton Berle. Invited by Producer

Mr. Maibaum worked with film while serving in the Army during World War II, then became a writer and producer for Paramount from 1945 to 1951. He moved to England in the 1950's to work for the producer Albert Broccoli's Warwick Films, returned to the United States and wrote for television, then was invited by Mr. Broccoli to write the first Bond movie.

He wound up writing most of them, including "Thunderball," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds Are Forever," "Octopussy," "For Your Eyes Only," "The Living Daylights" and "Licence to Kill."

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; two sons, Matthew and Paul, of Los Angeles; a sister, Gladys Gould of Washington, and a granddaughter.

A version of this obituary appears in print on January 9, 1991, on Page D00021 of the National edition with the headline: Richard Maibaum, Screenwriter For James Bond Films, Dies at 81. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe

Richard Maibaum(1909–1991)

Writer | Producer | Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0537363/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

1925: Alec McCowen is born--Royal Tunbridge Wells, Wells, England.
(He dies at 6 February 2017 at age 91--London, England.)

SINCE 1880

Obituary: Alec McCowen

See the complete article here:

https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/obituaries/2017/obituary-alec-mccowen/

by Michael Quinn - Feb 17, 2017

Alec McCowen in The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1993.
Photo: Marilyn Kingwill Actor Alec McCowen, 91.

Few actors were as consistently intelligent and engagingly relaxed on stage and screen as Alec McCowen. They were qualities that shone through a career encompassing the classics and contemporary work and that lit up his two remarkable one-man plays – St Mark’s Gospel (1978) and Kipling (1983).

Both pieces enjoyed runs in the West End and on Broadway, the former – a vivid account from the King James’ Bible – boasted “theatrical merits past telling” according to The Stage, while the latter, a portrait of the Edwardian poet written by Brian Clark, was “a personal triumph” for McCowen.

Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, to devout evangelical parents, he made his professional debut as Micky in Paddy the Next Best Thing with Macclesfield Rep in 1942 while still a student at RADA. He spent the war in India and Burma performing with the military’s Entertainments National Service Association.

His first London appearance was as Maxim in Anton Chekhov’s Ivanov (Arts Theatre, 1950) and he made an impression at the same venue in 1952 as Hugh Voysey in The Voysey Inheritance. A run of successful roles that included Daventry (Roger MacDougall’s Escapade, St James’s Theatre, 1953), Barnaby Tucker (Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, Haymarket Theatre, 1954) and Dr Bird (Herman Wouk’s The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Hippodrome Theatre, 1956) soon saw him rising through the ranks.

He became a regular with London’s Old Vic in the 1960s, making his debut as the Dauphin – “the most striking and interesting… since Alec Guinness” said The Stage – in George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan and as Mercutio to Judi Dench’s Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet, before going on to play Algernon, Richard II, Oberon and Malvolio.

With the Royal Shakespeare Company, McCowen was a knowing Fool to Paul Scofield’s King Lear in Peter Brook’s austere 1962 production, contrasting its severity with the comic relish of Antiphonus in the same year’s The Comedy of Errors.

Forty years later he teamed again with Scofield’s Lear, this time as the Earl of Gloucester, for a recording by Naxos featuring Kenneth Branagh as the Fool.

His “large, sweeping, dominating performance” (The Stage) as the delusional Father Rolfe in Peter Luke’s Hadrian VII at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and, later, the Mermaid Theatre, London, proved to be McCowen’s breakthrough performance. It earned him an Evening Standard drama award and a Tony nomination on Broadway.

In 1970, he returned to Birmingham to play Hamlet and was back in the West End and on Broadway the following year for a second Tony nomination as Philip in the Royal Court’s transfer of Christopher Hampton’s The Philanthropist.

With the National Theatre in 1973, his Alceste was “alive in every way in every moment” in John Dexter’s “dream come true” production (The Stage) of Tony Harrison’s robustly witty adaptation of Moliere’s The Misanthrope.

He reunited with Dexter to create the role of the psychiatrist Dysart in Peter Shaffer’s Equus in 1973 and again the following year for “an apparently perfect” Professor Higgins to Diana Rigg’s Eliza in George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion at the Albery Theatre, London. In 1975, the pair reprised The Misanthrope on Broadway (earning McCowen a third Tony nomination) and subsequently at the Old Vic.

His later stage career was marked by a variety that embraced Antony to Dorothy Tutin’s Cleopatra in 1977 for Toby Robertson’s Prospect Theatre Company and a superlative Frank – the timid researcher thwarted in his attempts to find a cure for the common cold – in Brian Thompson’s Tishoo (Wyndham’s Theatre, London, 1979).

Writing in the Guardian, critic Michael Billington described McCowen’s performance as Adolf Hitler in Christopher Hampton’s The Portage to San Cristobal of AH at the Mermaid Theatre in 1982 as “one of the greatest pieces of acting I have ever seen”. The Stage’s Peter Hepple considered it “the very stuff of great theatre”.

In 1986, he was seen as Henry Harcourt Reilly in TS Eliot’s The Cocktail Party, the inaugural production of director John Dexter and producer Eddie Kulukundis’ New Theatre Company, at London’s Phoenix Theatre.

At the National Theatre in 1987 he portrayed Vladimir in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot as a glorious clown and was seen alongside Scofield and Eileen Atkins as a veteran crime reporter in danger of being ousted in Jeffrey Archer’s pressroom drama Exclusive at the Strand Theatre in 1989. The following year he lent Uncle Jack, the missionary priest sent home from Uganda under a cloud, a sense of seemingly harmless disorientation in Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa at the National Theatre.

Notable late appearances included the pedantic English professor Michael imprisoned in Beirut in Frank McGuinness’s Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Hampstead and Vaudeville theatres; it also marked his Broadway swansong), and a commanding Prospero memorably teamed with Simon Russell Beale’s Ariel in The Tempest, directed by Sam Mendes, for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1993.

He was heard in a radio broadcast of John Osborne’s never-produced screenplay The Charge of the Light Brigade, given a gala charity staging at Armoury House, London, in 2002.

Directing credits include Terence Rattigan’s While the Sun Shines (Hampstead Theatre, 1972) and Martin Crimp’s Definitely the Bahamas (Orange Tree Theatre, 1987).

McCowen’s screen debut came in 1953’s The Cruel Sea and he made his mark as Brown in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner in 1962. His exquisitely underplayed comic timing was seen to delightful effect as the nephew to Maggie Smith in Travels With My Aunt (1972) and as the police inspector forced by his wife to eat rich gourmet food in Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972).

He was also seen as Q in Sean Connery’s 1983 one-off comeback as James Bond, Never Say Never Again. His last screen appearance was a cameo in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York in 2002.

Television credits included the Whitehall spy-catcher title role in two series of Mr Palfrey of Westminster (1984-85), Dr Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest (1986) and Sir Robert Peel in Victoria and Albert (2001).

He published two volumes of autobiography – Young Gemini (1979) and Double Bill (1980) – and was appointed an OBE in 1972 and a CBE in 1986. His partner, the actor Geoffrey Burridge, died in 1987.

Alexander Duncan McCowen was born on May 26, 1925, and died on February 6, aged 91

Alec McCowen (1925–2017)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0566680/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5

Filmography

Actor (81 credits)

2002 Gangs of New York - Reverend Raleigh (as Alec Mccowen)
2001 Midsomer Murders (TV Series) - Sir Christian Aubrey
- The Electric Vendetta (2001) ... Sir Christian Aubrey
2001 Victoria & Albert (TV Series) - Sir Robert Peel
2000 David Copperfield (TV Movie) - Mr. Jorkins
2000 Longitude (TV Movie) - Sir Frank Dyson

1999 Kavanagh QC (TV Series) - Mr. Justice Mansell
- Previous Convictions (1999) ... Mr. Justice Mansell
1998 The American (TV Movie) - Henry James (voice)
1996 Omnibus (TV Series documentary) - Narrator
- A Day on the Mountain (1996) ... Narrator (voice)
1995 Cruel Train (TV Movie) - Supt. Fish
1992-1994 Shakespeare: The Animated Tales (TV Series short) - Narrator
- King Richard III (1994) ... Narrator (voice)
- Macbeth (1992) ... Narrator (voice)
1993 The Age of Innocence - Sillerton Jackson
1992 Screen Two (TV Series) - Father Eugene McCarthy
- Maria's Child (1992) ... Father Eugene McCarthy
1991 The War That Never Ends (TV Movie) - Thucydides

1989 Henry V - Bishop of Ely
1983-1989 Storyboard (TV Series) - Aeneas Sampson / Palfrey
- Hunted Down (1989) ... Aeneas Sampson
- The Traitor (1983) ... Palfrey
1989 Bergerac (TV Series) - Trenchard
- Trenchard's Last Case (1989) ... Trenchard
1987 Cry Freedom - Acting High Commissioner
1987 Personal Services - Wing Commander Morten
1986 The Importance of Being Earnest (TV Movie) - Dr. Chasuble
1985 The Assam Garden - Mr. Philpott
1984-1985 Mr. Palfrey of Westminster (TV Series) - Mr Palfrey - 10 episodes
1984 The Young Visiters - J. M. Barrie
1984 Squaring the Circle (TV Movie) - Rakowski
1984 The World Walk (TV Movie) - Albert Speer
1983 Forever Young - Father Vincent
1983 The Secret Adversary (TV Movie) - Sir James Peele Edgerton
1983 Never Say Never Again - 'Q' Algy
1982 All for Love (TV Series) - Silcox
- A Dedicated Man (1982) ... Silcox
1981 Plays for Pleasure (TV Series) - Ralph
- The Reason of Things (1981) ... Ralph
1980 Twelfth Night (TV Movie) - Malvolio

1979 Henry V (TV Movie) - Chorus
1979 Hanover Street - Major Trumbo
1978 Stevie - Freddy
1978 BBC2 Play of the Week (TV Series) - The Count
- When the Actors Come (1978) ... The Count
1977 The Sunday Drama (TV Series) - Lampard
- The Late Wife (1977) ... Lampard
1976 Private Lives (TV Movie) - Elyot Chase
1976 Centre Play (TV Series) - Finn
- Showcase: A Man of Morality (1976) ... Finn
1974 The President's Last Tape (TV Movie) - Nicholas Hathaway, President of the United States
1973 Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (TV Series) - James Addishaw
- A Point of Law (1973) ... James Addishaw
1973 Chronicle (TV Series documentary) - D.H. Lawrence
- The Mystery of the Etruscans (1973) ... D.H. Lawrence (voice)
1972 Travels with My Aunt - Henry
1972 Play for Today (TV Series) - Percy
- Triple Exposure (1972) ... Percy
1972 The Man Outside (TV Series) - Harry Whichelow
- The Birdwatcher (1972) ... Harry Whichelow
1972 Frenzy - Chief Inspector Tim Oxford
1970 The Hawaiians - Micah Hale
1970 Solo (TV Series) - Van Gogh
- Alec McCowen as Van Gogh (1970) ... Van Gogh

1966 Theatre 625 (TV Series) - Harry
- The Family Reunion (1966) ... Harry
1966 The Witches - Alan Bax
1965-1966 The Wednesday Play (TV Series) - Alfred Poole / Private Secretary
- Ape and Essence (1966) ... Alfred Poole
- Sir Jocelyn, the Minister Would Like a Word... (1965) ... Private Secretary
1966 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) - Willie
- 'Twas on a Sunday (1966) ... Willie
1965-1966 BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) - Philip / Martin Luther
- Where Angels Fear to Tread (1966) ... Philip
- Luther (1965) ... Martin Luther
1965 The Agony and the Ecstasy - Cardinal (uncredited)
1957-1965 ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) - Ralph Quantick / Brandon
- When the Wind Blows (1965) ... Ralph Quantick
- Rope (1957) ... Brandon
1965 Alexander Graham Bell (TV Series) - Alexander Graham Bell - 6 episodes
1964 Festival (TV Series) - Antipholus of Syracuse
- The Comedy of Errors (1964) ... Antipholus of Syracuse
1963 In the Cool of the Day - Dickie Bayliss
1963 The Plane Makers (TV Series) - John Rodway
- A Good Night's Work (1963) ... John Rodway
1962 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner - Mr. Brown
1962 Studio 4 (TV Series) - Tom O'Neill
- Call Me Back (1962) ... Tom O'Neill
1959-1960 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) - Roland / Victor Leach
- The Mirror Maze (1960) ... Roland
- Sunday Out of Season (1959) ... Victor Leach

1959 Armchair Theatre (TV Series) - Maurice Bouillet
- The Model Marriage (1959) ... Maurice Bouillet
1959 Love and Mr Lewisham (TV Series) - Mr. George Lewisham - 6 episodes
1959 A Midsummer Night's Dream - Bottom (voice)
1952-1959 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) - Edgar Perry / Alexander Wood / Johnny Pringle / ... - 6 episodes
1958 The Doctor's Dilemma - Redpenny
1958 A Night to Remember - Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam
1958 Television Playwright (TV Series) - Sammy Noles
- Call Me a Liar (1958) ... Sammy Noles
1958 The Little Beggars (TV Movie) - Mack Heath
1958 The Silent Enemy - Able Seaman Morgan
1957-1958 Angel Pavement (TV Series) - Turgis - 4 episodes
1957 The One That Got Away - Duty Officer, Hucknall
1957 Time Without Pity - Alec Graham
1957 The Good Companions - Albert
1957 Town on Trial - Peter Crowley (as Alec Mc Cowen)
1956 The Third Key - House Surgeon (as Alec McOwen)
1956 No Man's Land (TV Movie) - Major Richard Weston
1956 Private's Progress - 2nd Medical Orderly (uncredited)
1955 The Deep Blue Sea - Ken Thompson
1954 The Divided Heart - Reporter
1953 Escapade (TV Movie) - Daventry (as Alex McCowen)
1953 The Cruel Sea

1944: Bisera Vukotić (Бисера Вукотић, later Olga Bisera) is born--Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

1965: Thunderball films Q issuing gadgets to OO7.

https://www.facebook.com/JamesBond007/videos/thunderball/600933511300155/

1966: 007 contra Goldfinger (007 Against Goldfinger) released in Mexico.

1967: Casino Royale released in Ireland.

1968: Charles K Feldman dies at age 63--Los Angeles, California.
(Born 25 April 1905--New York City, New York.)

Charles K. Feldman

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_K._Feldman

Charles K. Feldman (April 26, 1905 – May 25, 1968) was a Hollywood attorney, film producer and talent agent who founded the Famous Artists talent agency.

According to one obituary, Feldman disdained publicity. "Feldman was an enigma to Hollywood. No one knew what he was up to – from producing a film to packaging one for someone else."

Charles K. Feldman
Born Charles Kenneth Gould, April 26, 1905, New York City, U.S.
Died May 25, 1968 (aged 63), Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater University of Michigan
Occupation Producer and celebrity agent
Notable work: The Glass Menagerie; A Streetcar Named Desire; The Seven Year Itch
Spouse(s) Jean Howard (1935 m.–1947 div.); Clotilde Barot(April 1968 m.–death)

Early life
Charles Kenneth Gould was born to a Jewish family in New York City on April 26, 1905. His father was a diamond merchant who immigrated to New Jersey. Both of his parents, however, died of cancer and he was orphaned at age six, along with his five siblings. He was taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Feldman at age seven. Feldman was from Bayonne, New Jersey and was a furniture-store owner. A few years later, the Feldmans moved permanently to California.

Career
Charles Feldman studied at the University of Michigan and later became a lawyer, earning his degree from the University of Southern California. He earned money to put himself through college by working as a mail carrier and a cameraman in a movie studio. He became a lawyer for talent agencies, and by age 30, he had become known as a Hollywood attorney; however, he became an agent instead.

Agent
In 1932, Feldman left his job as a lawyer and co-founded with Adeline Schulberg, the Schulberg-Feldman talent agency which was soon joined by Schulberg's brother Sam Jaffe and Noll Gurney.] In 1933, Schulberg left to form her own agency and the company was renamed the Famous Artists Agency. Feldman combined his background as a lawyer with his celebrity connections to help find and contract jobs. Among his first clients were Charles Boyer and Joan Bennett. Feldman's Famous Artists was bought by Ted Ashley's Ashley-Steiner agency in 1962 and renamed Ashley-Famous.

Feldman began using new tactics in his field. He would buy story ideas contract them to unemployed writers to make into a screenplay. He would also negotiate one-picture deals for a star, not a long-term studio contract, as was the custom. This way clients could work at multiple studios simultaneously. Feldman also combined several clients into one package and sold them to a producer or studio as one unit. Another tactic was the use of overlapping nonexclusive contracts with clients like Irene Dunne and Claudette Colbert, demonstrating flexible alternatives to the so-called iron-clad studio contract in the classical Hollywood era.

In 1942, Feldman was in charge of the Hollywood Victory Caravan for Army and Navy Relief. As an agent, he became friends with celebrities like Jack Warner, Sam Goldwyn, Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, and John Wayne, among others.

Packaging
In June 1942, Feldman signed Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott and John Wayne and presented them to Universal for Pittsburgh along with the script and director as a "package".

This idea was the beginning of Hollywood's "package deal." One of his greatest successes was The Bishop's Wife which was produced in 1948. He bought the rights to the book by Robert Nathan for $15,000 and sold the screen play for $200,000.

Feldman held considerable sway in the making of some films. It was Feldman who suggested to Jack Warner (as a friend) that he recut Howard Hawks's Big Sleep (1946) and add scenes to enhance Lauren Bacall's performance,[14] which he felt was more or less a "bit part" in the 1945 cut.

Charles K. Feldman Productions
He later produced his own movies instead of selling the screenplays[7] and created the Charles K. Feldman Productions in 1945.

In 1947, he announced a deal where his company would help make three films at Republic Pictures, Orson Welles's Macbeth (1948), Lewis Milestone's The Red Pony (1949) and Ben Hecht's The Shadow. At Republic he also helped produce Moonrise (1948). The Shadow was never produced.

This company produced A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) where Feldman had to fight to protect the script from censorship.

He later produced The Seven Year Itch (1955) It stars Marilyn Monroe of whom he was the agent from 1951 to 1955.

In 1956, he sold six books to 20th Century Fox including Heaven Knows Mr Allison, The Wayward Bus, Hilda Crane and Bernadine.

In 1960, Feldman acquired the film rights to Casino Royale following the death of Gregory Ratoff who purchased film rights to the property from Ian Fleming in 1955.

A 1967 profile on Feldman said "he still sounds much like an agent when he talks."

Personal life and death
In 1935 Feldman married actress Jean Howard. They fought frequently, and divorced in 1947; however, they remained good friends and even continued to share a house for some time. He also gave up gambling in 1947. Throughout his life, his biological siblings often sent him letters asking for money. Although he preferred to not have contact with them, he did send money and old clothes. He married Clotilde Barot on April 14, 1968 just six weeks before he died of pancreatic cancer. He died May 25, 1968, although no funeral was held for him. C. K. Feldman was interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood.

Filmography

The Lady Is Willing (1942) – producer
The Spoilers (1942) – executive producer
Pittsburgh (1942) – executive producer
Follow the Boys (1944) – producer
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945) – executive producer
Red River (1948) – executive producer
Moonrise (1948) – producer
Orson Welles's Macbeth (1948) – executive producer
The Red Pony (1949) – executive producer
The Glass Menagerie (1950) – producer
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) which was nominated for an Academy Award – producer
The Seven Year Itch (1955) – producer
North to Alaska (1960) – producer
Walk on the Wild Side (1962) – producer
The 7th Dawn (1964) – producer
What's New Pussycat? (1965) – producer
The Group (1966) – executive producer
The Honey Pot (1967) – executive producer
Casino Royale (1967) – producer

Unmade Projects
Mr Shadow (1950) – about twin magicians
Once There Was a Russian (1956)
Cold Wind and the Warm (1958)
Mary Magdelene starring Capucine (1962)
Voyage Out, Voyage In from a story by Irwin Shaw (1962)
Fair Game (1962) from a story by Sam Locke
Eternal Fire (1965)
Lot's Wife (1965) from a script by I.A.L. Diamond starring Leslie Caron and Warren Beatty
Take the Money and Run – announced for Feldman in 1965 and was directed by Woody Allen after his death

Charles K. Feldman (1904–1968)

Producer | Miscellaneous Crew | Actor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0271012/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2

2011: Hodder & Stoughton publish Jeffery Deaver's Bond novel Carte Blanche.

The face of war is
changing. The other
side doesn't play by the
rules much any more.
There's thinking, in some
circles, that we need to
play by a different set
of rules too . . '

Fresh from Afghanistan, James Bond
has been recruited to a new agency.
Conceived in the post-9/11 world, it
operates independent of Five, Six and
the MoD, its very existence deniable. Its
aim: to protect the Realm, by any means
necessary.

The Night Action alert calls Bond from
dinner with a beautiful woman. GCHQ has
decrypted an electronic whisper about
an attack scheduled for later in the week:
casualties estimated in the thousands,
British interests adversely affected.

And 007 has been given carte blanche to
do whatever it takes to fulfill his mission.

The best psychological thriller writer
around' THE TIMES

'The master of ticking-bomb
suspense' PEOPLE

In 2004, Jeffery Deaver won the Crime Writers'
Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for
his book Garden of Beasts. Little did he know
that his acceptance speech, where he spoke
about his life-long admiration of Fleming's
writing, would lead to his being approached to
write this James Bond novel.

Deaver is the international number-one
bestselling author of two collections of short
stories and 28 suspense novels. He is best
known for his Kathryn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme
thrillers, most notably The Bone Collector, which
was made into a feature film starring Denzel
Washington and Angelina Jolie. His many
awards include the Novel of the Year at the
International Thriller Writers' Awards in 2009 for
his standalone novel The Bodies Left Behind.

Jeffery Deaver lives in North Carolina. Parallels
between Bond's and Deaver's lives include their
love of fast cars, skiing and whiskey.

For further information, visit www.jefferydeaver.com.

2011: 500 special edition copies of Carte Blanche come available, associated with Bentley.

Hard case: James Bond is back in a
Bentley

See the complete article here:

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/hard-case-james-bond-is-back-in-a-bentley-24622/

April 28, 2011

British agent 007 is set to steer a Bentley Continental GT in his latest epic, and the link is rammed home by the specially designed case for limited-edition copies of the book

The gadget-laden Aston Martins favoured by James Bond have been consigned to mothballs, as the suave British superspy is set to pilot a Bentley Continental GT in his next adventure, titled Carte Blanche.

Written by Jeffrey Deaver and set for the most part in that bastion of bling -- Dubai -- the latest novel is effectively a reboot of the 007 theme, with the new-age Bond said to have been born in the early 1980s and backed by tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq (unlike Ian Fleming’s original character, who was a WWII veteran and Cold War secret agent).

However, the fact the new Bond drives a Bentley is in keeping with the original novels as Ian Fleming was a devotee of the marque and, as a result, his fictional superhero-esque spy owned three Bentleys over the course of the 14 original novels.

The publishers of Carte Blanche, which releases on May 26, are now taking the opportunity to cash in via 500 limited-edition copies of the book that are available for pre-order.

The special edition is said to be crafted to Bentley's exacting standards and is even packaged in a metal case profiled like a Continental GT and allegedly inspired by the deserts of Dubai. Mimicking the exterior of the GT, the case is made from polished aluminium, "giving it a seamless and aerodynamic shape".

In deference to the Carte Blanche title, the book itself is bound in white Nappa leather, said to be of the same grade used in Bentley's interior, and the trim of the Conti GT is replicated with its contrast of white leather trim and Pillar Box red edging.

Meanwhile, the title, author's name and the Bentley winged logo are embossed into the front cover and foil-blocked onto the spine. The text is printed in two colours, black and red, on sumptuous ivory paper, with endpapers of a matching red leather.

The pages are claimed to have been expertly cut and trimmed to reflect the handcrafted techniques of the Bentley construction process. The book sits on a base of black anodised aluminium, chosen not to mark the white leather.

In one last twist, playing on the idea of an agent being given carte blanche, is one of the most dramatic features of the design: a die-cut bullet hole that pierces pages of the book. Hidden within the pages is a single polished 9mm bullet, individually marked with a number distinct to each copy.

Naturally, all this doesn't come cheap as each of the 500 limited-edition copies of Carte Blanche will be sold for £1000 ($1520) and they'll be delivered to their new owners after the publication date. In case you fancy having one for your mahogany bookcase, you can place your order on www.007carteblanchebentley.com.

2011: With the release of Carte Blanche, Bentley continues its influence with a Breitling wristwatch edition that featured in the text.

http://www.jamesbondwatchphotos.com/category/literary-2/jeffery-deaver/carte-blanche-2011/

RichardTheBruce

2016: Neil Cunningham dies at age 53--Mumbles, Swansea, Wales.
(Born 1962--New Zealand.)

Neil Cunningham:
Remembering a national
favourite

See the complete article here:

https://www.autosport.com/national/feature/7066/neil-cunningham-remembering-a-national-favourite

Neil Cunningham was a national-racing favourite who was just 53 when he lost his battle against motor-neurone disease a few weeks ago. Here is a personal account of a popular racer

---

By James Beckett | Published on Friday July 1st 2016

Born in New Zealand, but raised on Australia's
Gold Coast, Neil Cunningham's love of motoring
and motorsport developed at an early age.
Showing a talent for driving cars, he managed to
scrape a number of drives in local championships
down under before travelling to Britain in 1983 as a
winner of the Australian Driver to Europe
competition.

As a Kiwi it was no mean feat in its own right to win an Australian prize! "Tell them you're an Aussie when you get there, they won't know the difference," was the advice as he boarded the plane.

Arriving to race a Formula Ford 2000 car, Neil's prize drive didn't last long, as a lack of funds severely limited his time in the car and, as a well-known Autosport journalist has since observed, Cunningham's participation in the squad was similar to that of a third driver in a one-car team. It was time to look for a drive, and Neil looked hard.

Drives were acquired, by hook or by crook, in a variety of categories, FF2000 and Formula Ford 1600 in particular. During the next few years, if there was a major Formula Ford race somewhere, Neil was in it. And he was quick. Carving out a reputation as a single-seater racer, Cunningham began to star, often referred to as the 'likeable Australian'.

His performances were noticed but, as other racers graduated to Formula 1 and other international categories, Neil's lack of funds prevented such movement.

During the period 1986 to '92, Cunningham was a Formula Ford stalwart - Andy Dawson's Swift, Amity Racing's Van Diemen, a Quest, a Mondiale, the Central Racing Services Van Diemen RF90 and more before the factory Swift team came knocking. The works Swift SC92F presented him with his best shot at glory to date, and Neil led the 1992 Formula Ford Festival Final until a gear-linkage failure ended that dream.

A return to Formula Renault (in which he'd shone in 1990) and a surprise appearance in the DTM at Donington Park during '94 followed, before Cunningham's talents were showcased in the popular Eurocar series. In '96, in the final race of the season, at a rain-soaked Brands Hatch, Neil took the lead on the opening lap and simply drove away to championship victory.

A Marcos Mantis Challenge title followed and soon Cunningham's performances allowed him to enter the world of GT racing. His obvious talents and superb car control soon attracted attention; if a team had a seat going, invariably Neil could be found in it - driving the wheels off it.

The British GT Championship became home for Neil, and in 2005 he enjoyed his best season in the category - third in the championship with Ben Collins and Embassy Racing's Porsche, scoring victories along the way at Knockhill and spectacularly on his 'home' grand prix circuit at Silverstone.

A dream to race at Le Mans was achieved in 2004, when he led the Morgan works team in the 24 Hours, driving the manufacturer's Aero 8 GT in the famous event. Cunningham started the race and also drove the car across the line at the finish. He returned two years later to drive a Courage in the LMP2 class, finishing 21st overall.

Later in his career, Cunningham forged a strong reputation as a racer of historic cars, winning twice at the Silverstone Classic in a Jaguar D-type with its owner, Ben Eastick, and driving like a man possessed in Bob Pepper's Ford Mustang to win the British Grand Prix Historic support race of 2008. Sliding the Mustang around half of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire to victory, all Neil wanted to know afterwards was, "Did I look good? Was I really sideways through Bridge?"

Many historic races followed, including qualifying a Jaguar E-type on pole position at Le Mans for a Legends race, and winning his class in Nigel Webb's XKD 505 D-type during the 2011 Le Mans support event. He was presented with his trophy by Sir Stirling Moss, a driver who called time on his own career during the same meeting.

Cunningham's supreme car control led to his talent being observed, and then snapped up by film and television producers. A stunt driver for the opening sequences of the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, Neil also deputised on occasions as The Stig for the BBC show, Top Gear. V8 cars, tyres smoking and in broadside - that was Neil's forte.

His entertaining sideways style was also often seen in the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone, driving my own FF1600 Van Diemen RF78, a car he christened 'Black Beauty'. Neil and 'Beauty' became common features at the end-of- season showcase. Winning the opening heat of the 2005 event is something I will never forget.

In 2006, Neil became the only driver in the event's history - and maybe at any meeting - to have a race-control bulletin directed at him during pre-race testing for driving too sideways! Quite simply, Bulletin 1 was issued by Dave Scott, race director, and titled, 'Who do you think you are? A Kiwi Superstar?'

No fine was levied, and if there had been there's no doubt Neil would have asked the car owner to pay it, but he bought a box of Mars bars to give to the marshals the following day. All those who thought he 'looked good' and 'sideways' got one!

Maybe it was fitting that Cunningham's racing career ended behind the wheel of a Formula Ford. Driving Dave Morgan's Van Diemen RF90 on a September day in 2011 - the very same car he had raced 20 years earlier - Neil drove his last race. He was really suffering by this time and, as we travelled up to Donington, we chatted about the good old days. I think deep down we knew this could be his last race.

Practice was wet, conditions awful, but Neil showed he still had it. Only afterwards did he tell me he hadn't got the strength to hold the steering wheel with his left hand.

It was a superhuman effort to climb into the car, let alone race it. But that was Cunningham, superhuman and keen to just get on with his job, what he knew best - and that was driving racing cars. When Neil was driven away from the track that night everyone felt numb.

He was my champion and I felt that I had just witnessed him floored by a single punch in the centre of the ring - although his final big fight was underway, and it would be bigger than any challenge experienced on the track.

After his diagnosis with motor-neurone disease, Neil set up a charity to heighten awareness of - and raise funds for - the fight against MND. His many friends stepped up to the plate to support Cunningham and his quest to defeat his condition, with a total of £100,000 raised at the time of his passing.

Neil was forever smiling, and always happy. He displayed strength, courage and a dogged determination - the same qualities that earned him such a fine reputation on-track. He was certain that a cure would be found, that he would live to fight again. Works of the charity will continue, creating a lasting legacy.

Away from the tracks, Cunningham also had a love of the ocean and, following an emotional memorial service held in the Mumbles, close to his Welsh home, it was fitting that his surfing friends should take to their boards under a clear blue sky and head out from the shore for one final tribute.

In the Autosport issue dated January 8 2009, I was described as a 'one-man Neil Cunningham Fan Club', but in the weeks since his passing it is obvious to me that his fan club was huge.

I will never forget the flamboyance and the love of driving, all conducted with a smile on the face. I met Neil shortly after his arrival in Britain back in 1983, and I enjoyed a very special friendship with him from that time. I am going to miss him. I believe we are all going to miss him. Motor racing has lost a fine man.

Neil Cunningham, Looking Back On DSC

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2012/12/25/looking-back-on-dsc-neil-cunningham.html

2020: MANOFMANY showcases the Triumph Scrambler 1200 from No Time To Die.

Motorcycles

Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition is Licensed to
Thrill

See the complete article here:

https://manofmany.com/rides/motorcycles/triumphs-scrambler-1200-bond-edition-is-license-to-thrill

Michael Vane, 26 May 2020

If you’ve seen the trailer for No Time to Die, then you’re aware than 007 scores some motorcycle action, and his ride of choice is the Triumph Scrambler 1200. To celebrate the film, Triumph released a limited-edition Scrambler 1200 dubbed the “Bond Edition” limited to just 250 models worldwide. No Time to Die doesn’t release ‘til November, yet the custom motorcycles have already sold out.

Just because you can’t buy one doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to admire it. So let’s take a closer look:

Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition

For starters, the Bond Edition is based on the top-of-the-line Scrambler XE with a 6-speed gearbox and 1200 cc engine capable of producing 89Hp at 7,400 RPM. Exclusive details begin with the lower side panel finished with 007 branding, a premium genuine leather seat embroidered with “Bond Edition” and the TFT instrument panel has a unique Bond-themed startup screen.

The Bond Edition’s premium Sapphire Black paint scheme showcases an iconic oversized Triumph tank badge and brushed decal foil knee pad with a hand-painted gold coachline. A host of dedicated ‘blacked-out’ finishes include the anodised rear mudguard grab rail, sump guard and infills, front forks, high-value engine badges with gold accents, and black powder-coated swingarm.

The premium details and features continue with a high-level front mudguard with black anodised finish, fog lights with black anodised shrouds, machined front brake reservoir, black rear wheel adjusters, stainless steel headlight grill and Arrow silencer with carbon fibre end caps.

Each Bond Edition Triumph Scrambler motorcycle also has a unique billet riser clamp with laser-etched individual edition numbering and will be presented with a special Bond Handover Pack that includes a numbered certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Triumph’s CEO Nick Bloor, and a premium backpack.

The 250 available motorcycles sold for USD$18,500 each. Expect those numbers to skyrocket next time you see one of these blacked-out beauties up for sale.

2020: The South China Morning Post promotes Aston Martin's DBS Superleggera.

No time to drive? Aston Martin V12
Speedster revealed – while we wait for
Daniel Craig to get behind the wheel in
Bond 25

See the complete article here:

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3085973/no-time-drive-aston-martin-v12-speedster-revealed-while-we

Style /
Luxury
No Time To Die may be delayed by coronavirus, but 007’s favourite carmaker has
revved onwards, launching a new US$950,000 sports car inspired by the DBS
Superleggera that will star in the 25th Bond film
Topic | Autos | Irene Pyne | 26 May, 2020

The Aston Martin V12 Speedster can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 3.5 seconds.
Photo: Aston Martin

What: Aston Martin V12 Speedster

How much: US$950,000

Why: Aston Martin, the go-to vehicle for James Bond, unveiled the V12 Speedster at its Gaydon, UK, headquarters in March, after the global coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show; 88 hand-built cars are expected to be delivered by 2021.

The high-performance car was created by the British marque’s bespoke customisation service, Q by Aston Martin. It has no roof or windscreen. The company advises drivers and passengers to wear helmets or goggles. Aston Martin fans will love lines that are inspired by the DBS Superleggera, the car that will appear in the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die.

The bespoke body is built almost entirely from carbon fibre. The Speedster pays homage to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet with a long spine like a cockpit that divides the driver from the passenger. Design was also influenced by the giant V12 engine, with additional coolers on either side of the grille and an extra air duct on the bonnet, which Miles Nurnberger, Aston’s director of design, says was inspired by the DB5.

The livery of the show car at Gaydon was finished in Skyfall Silver, with satin black exhaust tips, vent grilles and vanes. The interior features a mix of technical fabrics and leathers, including pops of red leather pull-tags.

The Aston Martin V12 Speedster boasts the latest 5.2-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine with a peak output of 700hp and 753Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 186mph (299km/h).

2021: An announcement from Amazon confirms the purchase of MGM movie studios. US$ 8.45 billion.

2022: Anthony Horowitz talks to Matt Stadlen about his new Bond novel With a Mind to Kill. Available online.

Event 13
Anthony Horowitz talks to Matt Stadlen
With a Mind to Kill

See the complete article here:

https://www.hayfestival.com/p-18798-anthony-horowitz-talks-to-matt-stadlen.aspx

Thursday 26 May 2022, 7pm
Starlight Stage

Anthony Horowitz pulls the trigger on his new James Bond novel on its publication day. With a Mind to Kill opens with M’s funeral. One man is missing from the graveside: the traitor who is now in custody, accused of M’s murder – James Bond. Behind the Iron Curtain, a group of former Smersh agents want to use the British spy in an operation that will change the balance of world power. Bond is smuggled into the lion’s den – but whose orders is he following, and will he obey them when the moment of truth arrives? In a mission where treachery is all around and one false move means death, Bond must grapple with the darkest questions about himself. But not even he knows what has happened to the man he used to be.

Anthony Horowitz is the only author in recent years to have been invited by Ian Fleming Publications to write successive, official James Bond novels. In 2015 he published Trigger Mortis, continuing with Forever and a Day in 2018. Both were critically acclaimed bestsellers, and With a Mind To Kill completes Horowitz’s trilogy of original 007 novels.

Price: £10.00
This event will be available online

2022: Christie’s in Hong Kong auctions Picasso’s 1969 musketeer painting, Buste d’homme dans un cadre, from the estate of Sir Sean Connery.

Adventures past and present:
Sir Sean Connery’s iconic Picasso

One of the most powerful musketeers from Picasso’s triumphal late
period to appear on market, this exceptional painting from the estate
of the original James Bond makes its auction debut in Hong Kong

https://www.christies.com/features/picasso-buste-d-homme-dans-un-cadre-12228-1.aspx
[Check out the video]

RichardTheBruce

May 27th

1922: Christopher Frank Carandini Lee is born--Belgravia, London, England.
(He dies 7 June 2015 at age 93--Chelsea, London.)

Christopher Lee obituary

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/11/christopher-lee

Actor known for villainous or sinister roles in films from Hammer
horror to James Bond and The Lord of the Rings
Alex Hamilton | Thu 11 Jun 2015 09.38 EDT

Christopher Lee, pictured in 1959, studied method acting at Rank’s ‘charm school’, but recognised theatre was not his strength and never went near the stage again.
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

Sir Christopher Lee, who has died aged 93, achieved his international following through playing monsters and villains. In his 30s, he was Dracula, the Mummy and Frankenstein’s creature; in his 80s, Count Dooku in Star Wars and the evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. Along the way he was Rasputin, Fu Manchu several times and Scaramanga – The Man With the Golden Gun – opposite Roger Moore as a weak 007, whom Lee did something to offset. For the last of these he was paid £40,000 – his highest fee, among hundreds of screen appearances, until the blockbusters of his later years. “The Bonds get the big money, and they save on the heavies,” he said.

Lee became an actor almost by accident. Through birth and education he seemed a more likely candidate for the diplomatic ladder, but he never reached the first rung. His father, Geoffrey, a colonel much decorated in the first world war, wrecked through gambling his marriage to Estelle, the daughter of the Italian Marquis de Sarzano, and a society beauty of the 1920s. Christopher was born in Belgravia, London. His education at Wellington college, Berkshire, ended abruptly at 17, and he had to get along on the pittance of a City clerk.

But the second world war might be said to have rescued him, making him an intelligence officer with an RAF squadron through north Africa and Italy. At the end, he was seconded for a period with a unit investigating war crimes. Though demobbed with the rank of lieutenant, he had suffered a psychological trauma in training and was never a pilot. In his later civilian life he was endlessly required to fly as a passenger, and it was barely a consolation to him having his film contracts stipulate that he travel first class.

Without previous aspirations or natural talent for acting, except a pleasing dark baritone voice that he exercised in song at home and abroad every day of his life, he was pushed towards film by one of his influential Italian relatives, Nicolò Carandini, then president of the Alitalia airline, who backed the suggestion with a chat to the Italian head of Two Cities Films, Filippo del Giudice. Lee was put on a seven-year contract by the Rank entertainment group, with the executive who signed it saying: “Why is Filippo wasting my time with a man who is too tall to be an actor?”

His height – 6ft 4in, kept upright by his lofty temperament and fondness for playing off scratch in pro-am golf tournaments – actually proved helpful in securing him the parts for which he had the most affinity: authority figures. He lent a severe and commanding presence to James I of Aragon in The Disputation (1986), the Comte de Rochefort in The Three Musketeers (1973), Ramses II in Moses (1995), the cardinal in L’Avaro (1990), a high priest in She (1965), the Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Ivanhoe (1958) and the Duc in The Devil Rides Out (1968).

Christopher Lee in Horror of Dracula (1958). He later regretted taking on so many of the
vampire’s increasingly absurd adventures.
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

He shared his aptness for sinister material with two friends who lived near his London home in a Chelsea square: the writer of occult thrillers Dennis Wheatley and the actor Boris Karloff. The latter once cheered him up when Lee was overloaded with horror roles, remarking, “Types are continually in work.”

Lee initially studied method acting at Rank’s “charm school”, where he was supposed to spend six months of the year in rep. But floundering at the Connaught in Worthing, and humiliated by audience laughter when he put his hand through a window supposedly made of glass, he recognised that the theatre was not his metier and never went near the stage again. Perhaps the most useful coaching Rank gave him was in swordplay: across his career he fought in more screen duels than opponents such as Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks put together.


Sir Christopher Lee, veteran horror film actor, has died at the age of 93 after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure

Terence Young gave Christopher his first – and minimal – chance before the film cameras in Corridor of Mirrors (1948). Over the next 10 years, he played secondary and anonymous characters in a miscellany of mostly low-budget British films. This had a lasting effect into his later years: he would accept virtually any role. The film that lifted him out of obscurity, and showed him to Times Square as a 50ft-tall vampire, was the Hammer production of Dracula in 1958. It cost £82,000 and earned £26m, of which Christopher’s take was £750. It was the first time he and Peter Cushing worked together, in a pairing that lasted through 22 films.

It was often said in the film business that it was not easy to make friends with Lee. But he always knew his part, and he was always in the right place, so that he was at any rate approved of by the cameramen. Furthermore, three other actors who also enjoyed sinister roles in exploitation movies kept a quartet of friendship with him: Cushing, Karloff and Vincent Price.

Lee’s particular difference as Dracula lay in his height and powerful showing, and his terrifying presence even when no words had been written for him. But while admitting that Dracula had been his cornerstone, he eventually left the role to others, and later regretted letting himself in for so many of the vampire’s increasingly absurd adventures.
Christopher Lee: a career in clips
Read more

He took work wherever he could find it, including five times as Fu Manchu. When he could not find roles in Britain, he cast about in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. His ability to say his lines in their languages was a great advantage when it came to dubbing. He became the first actor to play both Sherlock Holmes and, for the director Billy Wilder in 1970, Sherlock’s brother Mycroft. While shooting by Loch Ness in Scotland, Wilder remarked to him, as they walked in the twilight by the spooky stretch of dark water with bats wheeling about: “You must feel quite at home here.”

Supporting roles in action pictures – as a Nazi officer, a western gunman and a pirate – extended not only his portfolio but also the range of lead actors who were his idols. Among them was Burt Lancaster, whose example as his own stunt man Lee strove to emulate. Lancaster once warned him against journalists: “Never let them get too close.” Lee liked to give interviews, but resented the results, since they invariably harped on about Dracula despite his protestations that he had left the “prince of darkness” behind.

Given this attitude, he rather surprisingly gave me, a journalist, the job of ghostwriting his autobiography, which was published in 1977 as Tall, Dark and Gruesome. In 2003, after he had played several roles a year for 25 more years, we updated the story as Lord of Misrule.

Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man (1973).
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

Lee had come nearest to producing something lasting for the cinema in 1973, playing the pagan Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man. With a marvellous script by Anthony Shaffer, and despite almost no money for production, it was a rare horror film that proved to have a long life. Lee was prevented by injury from taking the role of Sir Lachlan Morrison in a sequel, The Wicker Tree (2011), though he made a cameo appearance as “Old Gentleman”.

After the high-profile part in The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), Lee – at the urging of Wilder – left Britain for Hollywood. America delivered some of his hopes. On the downside was the disaster film Airport 77; on the upside, a completely unexpected comic success hosting Saturday Night Live on TV, with such stars as John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. In among the 40 jobs he undertook in the 1970s, Lee’s sword and sorcery, murder and spook movies made way for his roles as a U-boat captain in Spielberg’s 1941 (1979), a Hell’s Angel biker in Serial (1980) and, back in Europe, the studied interpretation of the executioner Charles-Henri Sanson as a dandy, for a 1989 French TV history of the Revolution. Lee was fascinated by public executions. His move to the US allowed him the opportunity to see the electric chair firsthand, in a similarly detached mood of inquiry with which he had previously invited England’s last hangman to come to his house and talk about his own career. One of his favourite pastimes was visiting Scotland Yard’s Black Museum.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, with Christopher Lee as the wizard Saruman.
Photograph: Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

He worked on tirelessly, becoming a familiar figure in the studios of France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Balkans, the Baltic and Russia; he also made films in Pakistan and New Zealand, and in 2000 he struck a touching figure as the butler Flay in the BBC TV production of Gormenghast.

The 21st century saw a major reinvigoration of his reputation – first in the Star Wars prequels, and then even more significantly as Saruman in Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning film sequence of The Lord of the Rings. He was upset when Jackson cut his scenes in the theatrical edition of the trilogy’s final instalment, The Return of the King (2003), but their rift was healed when the scenes were restored in the extended editions on DVD. At last, in his 80s, Lee was earning six figures. He reprised the role in The Hobbit films.

Nonetheless, one of the roles for which he was most proud was a low-budget assignment: the arduous – and politically precarious – challenge of playing the title role in Jinnah (1998). Though Lee worked with all due seriousness and admiration for the founder of Pakistan (and looked remarkably like him), he had to be constantly under armed guard because of an abusive press campaign against the producers for associating the father of the nation with Dracula; the Pakistan government eventually caved in to the pressure and withdrew its funding for the film. The end product was well reviewed; Lee himself thought it his best achievement, though not everybody would agree.

Still, at home he was becoming the nation’s darling. Tim Burton fitted him into small parts in five films and was on stage to introduce him when Lee won a Bafta fellowship award for lifetime achievement in 2011. A BFI fellowship in 2013 was presented to him by Johnny Depp. In France, he was made a commander of arts and letters; he was likewise honoured in Berlin. He was made CBE in 2001 and knighted in 2009. A prolific schedule of film appearances continued and most recently he had taken the lead role in the comedy Angels in Notting Hill.

He is survived by his wife, Gitte (nee Kroencke), whom he married in 1961, and their daughter, Christina.

• Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, actor, born 27 May 1922; died 7 June 2015

CHRISTOPHER LEE FILMOGRAPHY

https://www.fandango.com/people/christopher-lee-389466/film-credits

Year Title Role

2015 Extraordinary Tales
2014 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Saruman
2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Saruman
2012 Dark Shadows Clarney
2011 The Wicker Tree Old Gentleman
2011 Hugo Monsieur Labisse
2011 Season of the Witch (2011) Cardinal D'Ambroise
2011 The Resident August
2010 Burke and Hare Old Joseph
2010 Alice in Wonderland (2010) Jabberwocky

2009 The Heavy Boots' Father
2009 Triage Joaquin Morales
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Count Dooku
2007 The Golden Compass First High Councilor
2007 Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs Narrator
2005 Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Pastor Galswells
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Dr. Wonka
2005 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Count Dooku
2005 Greyfriars Bobby
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Saruman
2002 Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones Count Dooku
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Saruman

1999 Sleepy Hollow Burgomaster
1998 Jinnah Mohammed Ali Jinnah
1997 Ivanhoe Lucas de Beaumanoir

1986 The Girl (1987) Peter Storm
1983 The Return of Captain Invincible Mr. Midnight
1982 The Last Unicorn King Haggard

1979 1941 Von Kleinschmidt
1979 Alien Encounter Captain Ramses
1979 Arabian Adventure Alquazar
1975 The Four Musketeers Rochefort
1975 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. Stephen Hayward
1974 The Man with the Golden Gun - Scaramanga
1973 The Wicker Man (1974) Lord Summerisle
1972 Dracula A.D. 1972 Count Dracula
1972 The Creeping Flesh James Hildern
1972 Horror Express Prof. Alex Caxton
1971 The House That Dripped Blood Reid
1970 The Scars of Dracula Count Dracula
1970 The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes Mycroft Holmes
1970 Scream and Scream Again Fremont

1969 The Magic Christian Ship's Vampire
1968 Dracula Has Risen From the Grave Dracula
1968 The Devil Rides Out Duc De Richeleau
1968 Eve Col. Stuart
1966 Dracula, Prince of Darkness Dracula
1965 Face of Fu Manchu Fu Manchu
1965 Dr. Terror's House of Horrors Franklyn Marsh
1964 The Gorgon Prof. Carl Maister
1964 The Devil-Ship Pirates Capt. Robeles
1962 The Pirates of Blood River LaRoche
1962 The Longest Day
1961 Hercules In The Haunted World (1961) Lichas
1961 Scream of Fear Dr. Gerrard
1961 Terror of the Tongs Chung King
1960 Horror Hotel Prof. Allan Driscoll

1959 The Hound of the Baskervilles Sir Henry Baskerville
1959 The Mummy (1959) Kharis, the Mummy
1958 Horror of Dracula Count Dracula
1958 The Accursed Doctor Neumann
1957 Ill Met By Moonlight German officer at dentist's
1957 The Curse of Frankenstein The Creature
1957 Bitter Victory Sgt. Barney
1956 Moby Dick (1956)
1952 The Crimson Pirate Joseph, Attache
1951 Captain Horatio Hornblower Captain
1950 Prelude to Fame Newsman

1948 Hamlet (1948)
1948 Scott of the Antarctic Bernard Day
1948 Corridor of Mirrors Charles

Christopher Lee (I) (1922–2015)

Actor | Soundtrack | Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000489/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

1964: Από τη Ρωσία με αγάπη (From Russia With Love; also James Bond, praktor 007 se pagida, or James Bond 007 is paging) released in Greece.

1964: From Russia With Love opens in Los Angeles, California. That's after the New York opening 8 April.

1967: Comic strip Octopussy ends its run in The Daily Express. (Started 14 November 1966. 264-428)
Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

http://www.the007dossier.com/007dossier/post/2016/11/04/Octopussy-Newspaper-Comic-Strip-1966



https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/op.php3

Spanish 1989 https://en.todocoleccion.net/comics/james-bond-numero-04-octopussy~x116600976


Swedish Semic Comic 1986 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1986.php3?s=comics&id=02296

Undervattensdöden
(Octopussy - Part 1) | (Octopussy - Part 2)

Danish 1977 https://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-dk-no42-1977/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 42: “Octopussy” (1977)

1971: Diamonds Are Forever films OO7 and Tiffany Case's confronting Blofeld on an oil rig.
1974: Sébastien Foucan is born--Paris, France.

2008: A press party on the HMS Exeter anticipates the release of the Sebastian Faulks Bond novel Devil May Care. Includes delivery of copies on the Thames by speedboat and two Lynx helicopters.

2011: Janet McLuckie Brown dies at age 87--Hove, East Sussex, England.
(Born 14 December 1923--Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.)

Janet Brown

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Brown

Janet Brown
Born Janet McLuckie Brown, 14 December 1923, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died 27 May 2011 (aged 87), Hove, East Sussex, England
Occupation Actress, comedian, impressionist
Years active 1946–2009[1]
Spouse(s) Peter Butterworth (m. 1946; died 1979)​
Children Tyler Butterworth (born 1959)
Emma Butterworth (1962–1996) (deceased)

Janet McLuckie Brown (14 December 1923 – 27 May 2011) was a Scottish actress, comedian and impressionist who gained considerable fame in the 1970s and 1980s for her impersonations of Margaret Thatcher. Brown was the wife of Peter Butterworth who was best known for his appearances in the Carry on films. Butterworth died in 1979 and Brown never remarried.

Career
Brown was born in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, and educated at Rutherglen Academy.

During World War II, Brown enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and was the first female performer to take part in Stars in Battledress.

She entered British film as an actress in 1948 noticeably in Folly to Be Wise (1952) then appeared in several British television series such as The Eric Barker Half-Hour (1952), How Do You View? (1952-1953) and Friends and Neighbours (1954).
Margaret Thatcher impersonations

Beginning with Margaret Thatcher's election as the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975, Brown gained increasing prominence because of her realistic impression of the Tory politician. She performed as Thatcher on BBC TV's Mike Yarwood Show, on BBC Radio's The News Huddlines, and on film in the 1981 James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only.

In 1979, Brown starred as Thatcher on the comedy album Iron Lady: The Coming of the Leader, written by Private Eye satirist John Wells and produced by Secret Policeman's Ball series co-creator/producer Martin Lewis and Not the Nine O'Clock News series co-creator/producer John Lloyd. The largely spoken 'song' "Iron Lady" was released as a single, and Brown promoted it on Top of the Pops as a new release, but it did not chart.

She was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1980 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews.

During the 1970s and 1980s, she was occasionally confused by some with fellow actress and comedienne Faith Brown because they had the same surname and were both best remembered for their Margaret Thatcher impersonations. In 1990, she recorded a spoken word sequence in her Margaret Thatcher voice for Mike Oldfield's album Amarok. Still acting in her 80s, her last role was as Old Lady Squeamish on the London West End stage in a production of Wycherley's The Country Wife at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which opened in September 2007.

She entitled her 1986 autobiography Prime Mimicker.

Personal life
Brown was married to Carry On actor Peter Butterworth from 1946 until his death in 1979. The two appeared alongside each other in the television comedy series, How Do You View? (1947–53), written by and starring Terry-Thomas. The couple had two children, a son, actor Tyler Butterworth (born 1959), and a daughter, Emma, who died in 1996, aged 34.

Brown never remarried, spending the rest of her life in Hove, until her death following a brief illness in a nursing home in May 2011, aged 87. She is buried alongside her husband Peter Butterworth in Danehill Cemetery, in East Sussex.

Filmography

Title Year | Role | Notes

Floodtide 1949 Rosie

Folly to Be Wise 1953 Jessie Killegrew

A Home of Your Own 1964
Hey Boy! Hey Girl 1967
The Adding Machine 1969 Fat Woman

My Lover, My Son 1970 Mrs. Woods
Bless This House 1972 Annie Hobbs
Wombling Free 1977 Womble Voice

For Your Eyes Only 1981 Margaret Thatcher, The Prime Minister

Summer Solstice 2005 Mrs. Armstrong
Underground Ernie 2006 Victoria Voice

Zorro and Scarlet Whip Revealed! 2010 Mrs. McAlistair Voice, (final film role)

Janet Brown (I) (1923–2011)

Actress | Soundtrack
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0113789/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

"The Iron Lady!"


This Is Your Life

2020: Sources like Jaggy Bunnet, Scotland's Motor Rally magazine, give detail for the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars.

27 May: The Perfect ‘Spy’ Car

See the entire article here:

http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/2020/05/27-may-the-perfect-spy-car/

Written by Sumdy Else on May 27, 2020
The Ultimate ‘Company’ Car …

Something is stirring deep in the heart of Newport Bagnall. It has a 4 litre, triple SU fed straight-six, generating some 290 bhp. It might be a bit pricey, but it’s the only way that a very select few will get to feel like James Bond.

Fewer than 900 Aston Martin DB5 sporting saloons were built by the brand between 1963 and 1965, but perhaps the most desirable one belonged to the world’s best-known secret agent – James Bond – who first drove the car in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.

Now, 55 years after the last new DB5 rolled elegantly off the production line at Aston Martin’s then global manufacturing base in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, work is once again under way on a strictly limited number of new DB5 models. Created in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions, and featuring actual working gadgets from the 1964 film car, the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are history in the making.

The latest in Aston Martin’s hugely successful Continuation car programme which began in 2017 with the DB4 GT Continuation the new DB5 models represent among the most valuable new cars yet brought to market by the British luxury brand. Each DB5 Goldfinger continuation car is priced at £2.75m, plus taxes.

The construction process takes around 4,500 hours per car and is being undertaken at Aston Martin’s Heritage Division headquarters in Newport Pagnell. Naturally, all the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are being built to one exterior colour specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original.

Each of the 25 new cars is being built to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, alongside the integration of cutting-edge gadgets developed in association with Chris Corbould OBE, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films.

The list of Bond-inspired gadgets includes the following features:

Exterior:

• Rear smoke screen delivery system
• Rear simulated oil slick delivery system
• Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)
• Simulated twin front machine guns
• Bullet resistant rear shield
• Battering rams front and rear
• Simulated tyre slasher
• Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)

Interior:

• Simulated radar screen tracker map
• Telephone in driver’s door
• Gear knob actuator button
• Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear
• Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray
• Remote control for gadget activation

The cars feature original DB5 styled aluminium exterior body panels wrapped around an authentic DB5 mild steel chassis structure. Under the bonnet the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated inline six-cylinder engine has a six-plug head, three SU carburettors and oil cooler. This is mated to a five-speed ZF manual transmission with a mechanical limited slip differential.

Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and a coil-over spring and damper suspension with anti-roll bar at the front, and a live axle rear suspension with radius arms and Watt’s linkage, complete the dynamic package.

Heritage Programme Manager Clive Wilson is one of those most closely involved in the process of bringing the new DB5 Goldfinger Continuation car into production. He said: “Seeing the first customer car move painstakingly through the intricate production process we have created really is quite a thrill. Obviously we have not, as a business, made a new DB5 for more than 50 years, so to be involved in the building of these cars, which will go on to form part of Aston Martin’s history, is something I’m sure all of us will be telling our grandkids about!”

Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works where the original DB5 was built and the new cars are also being created, said: “We are making, perhaps, some of the most desirable ‘toys’ ever built for 25 very lucky buyers worldwide. Creating the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars and working with EON Productions and special effects supervisor, Chris Corbould, is something truly unique and a real career highlight for everyone involved here at Aston Martin Works.”

First deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers will commence in the second half of 2020.

E N D

2023: Shag's "Bambi & Thumper" Print Release Party at The Shag store in Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shag's "Bambi & Thumper" Print Release Party at The Shag store in Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas

See the complete article here:

https://allevents.in/las vegas/shags-bambi-and-thumper-print-release-party-at-the-shag-store-in-palms-casino-resort-las-vegas/200024552122826

Sat May 27, 2023

Please join Shag as he hosts a release party for his new limited edition print "Bambi & Thumper"! This amazing print showcases some of our favorite architectural and movie details.

We'll be offering a complimentary signature beverage and dress however you like! James Bond would have no doubt been here if he could, but you, your friends and family sure can!

Josh Agle (aka Shag) will be on hand to personalize prints and sign store purchased merchandise.

This event is FREE & Open to the pubic.

We hope to see you there!

Nearby Hotels Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W Flamingo Rd,Las Vegas,NV,United States, Las Vegas, United States
Report a problem ?

Date & Time
Sat May 27 2023 at 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
(GMT-07:00)
Location
Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W Flamingo Rd,Las Vegas,NV,United States, Las Vegas, United States

RichardTheBruce

May 28th

1908: Ian Lancaster Fleming is born--Mayfair, London, England.
(He dies 12 August 1964 at age 56--Canterbury, Kent, England.)

100 things you didn't know about Ian Fleming

See the complete article here:

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/100-things-you-didn-t-know-about-ian-fleming-1-1170076

Published: 21:35 Tuesday 27 May 2008
Today is 100 years since the birth of the author who introduced the world to the coolest spy of all. Now, with a new Bond book written by Sebastian Faulks on sale, we unveil the man who forged a modern phenomenon

1 Ian Lancaster Fleming was born on 28 May 1908, at Green Street, London,

2 His parents were Valentine Fleming, a soldier and Tory MP who was killed during the First World War, and Evelyn Ste Croix Rose .

3 He was given the middle name Lancaster because his mother liked to claim descent from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of Edward III – though she also claimed Highland descent, and dressed her four sons in kilts.

4 Evelyn had an affair with the famous painter Augustus John when in her forties.

5 At Fleming’s prep school, the headmaster’s wife read to the pupils from boys’ classics such as The Prisoner of Zenda.

6 While he didn’t excel as a scholar, Fleming was twice athletics champion at Eton.

7 James Bond, however, didn’t last long at Eton and ended up at Fettes, in Edinburgh.

8 Fleming said he was harshly beaten at Eton by a sadistic housemaster.

9 Withdrawn from Eton at 17, he went to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his tutor declared that he would make a good soldier “provided always that the ladies don’t ruin him”.

10 At Sandhurst, Fleming was indeed ensnared by the ladies – he caught an STI from a prostitute, and was withdrawn from the college and sent to a finishing school in Austria.

11 His broken nose was the result of a football game collision with Henry Douglas-Home, brother of the future prime minister, Sir Alec.

12 Following his signal lack of success at Eton and Sandhurst, He failed exams for a place in the Foreign Office, but in 1931 got his first job with the press agency Reuters. He would later say it taught him to write fast and accurately.

13 In 1939 he was recruited as personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence.

14 In “Room 39”, the intelligence office at the Admiralty, he honed skills as an espionage planner.

15 One of his more imaginative plans (unused) was “Operation Ruthless”, a bid to retrieve a German naval codebook by crashing a captured German bomber into the English Channel.

16 Fleming also went on foreign operations for the Admiralty, travelling to a chaotic Paris as the Germans approached.

17 After the war, he joined the Sunday Times.

18 Having returned to journalism, he also acquired a plot of land in Jamaica on which he built Goldeneye, the hideway where he wrote the Bond novels.

19 He named the house after both a wartime operation and Carson McCullers’ novel Reflections in a Golden Eye.

20 Two years ago, Goldeneye was converted by its owner, Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, into an exclusive holiday resort.

21 Blackwell’s mother, Blanche Blackwell, had had an affair with Fleming and gave him a small boat, Octopussy, which provided the title of one of his Bond stories.

22 Other guests at Goldeneye included Noel Coward and Errol Flynn.

23 The first Bond novel, Casino Royale, came out in 1953.

24 Fleming is thought to have christened his agent after the author of the Field Guide to the Birds of the West Indies, written in 1947 by one James Bond.

25 Fleming was also involved in the creation of 30 Assault Unit, an intelligence-gathering Commando group.

26 Peter Fleming, his older brother may have been part inspiration for the character of Bond. He was a popular travel writer, and also had an eventful wartime career, narrowly escaping death in Greece, where his life was saved by an officer called Rodney Bond. Another suggested model was the Scottish soldier, author and diplomat Sir Fitzroy Maclean.

27 Others point to the brothers’ dead war hero father – and to Ian Fleming himself, his descriptions of Bond matching his own appearance, with his “longish nose” and “cruel mouth”.

28 He said he wanted 007 to have “the dullest, plainest-sounding name I could find ... brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine”.

29 Bond’s boss, “M”, was at least partly based on Fleming’s gruff boss in Naval intelligence, John Godfrey.

30 The codename 007 also stemmed from his Admiralty days, when all top secret communications carried a double-zero prefix.

31 The name of Miss Moneypenny comes from a character in an unfinished novel by Peter Fleming. The main model for her character seems to have been Kathleen Pettigrew, personal assistant to Stewart Menzies, director general of MI6.

32 M’s secretary was called “Miss Pettavel” or “Petty”, in the first draft of Casino Royale.

33 Fleming was actively interested in cars, golf and snorkelling.

34 He was also, from an early age, an avid book collector, amassing a large collection of first editions.

35 His collection, now at Indiana university, includes papers by Einstein and the first printing of the Communist Manifesto.

36 He married Ann Charteris, former wife of Viscount Rothermere, the newspaper magnate, in 1952. Noel Coward was a witness.

37 Fleming had affairs with many women, including the wives of close friends.

38 Ann, for her part, had an affair with Hugh Gaitskell, then leader of the Labour Party.

39 Fleming amassed a large collection of erotica at Goldeneye that he liked to show off to visitors of either sex.

40 He liked to beat Ann – and she liked him beating her. “It’s very lonely not to be beaten and shouted at every five minutes,” she once wrote to him in 1948. “I must be perverse and masochistic to want you to whip me and contradict me, particularly as you are always wrong about everything.”

41 According to Ben Macintyre, the young Fleming cultivated “a sort of rou batchelor-chic” that lasted throughout his life, wearing fashionable suits and either bow ties or old-Etonian ties.

42 Bond didn’t quite take to bow ties and stuck to black knitted silk.

43 Fleming smoked the same brand as Bond, Morland Specials, when he could get them.

44 Fleming never intended Bond to be a particularly likeable character. Himself witty and dry, he wanted 007 to remain “ironical, brutal and cold”.

45 Fleming was caustic about tasteless dressers, bad manners and homosexuals – even though he was close friends with two gay men, Noel Coward and William Plomer.

46 He also became a friend of Somerset Maugham, also gay, whose lavish lifestyle he admired.

47 He was also an accomplished travel writer, his articles for the Sunday Times eventually being published in book form as Thrilling Cities, due to be reissued

48 Another book, about the diamond trade, The Diamond Smugglers, is also about to be republished.

49 These world travels informed his novels – not least in the international cuisine savoured by 007.

50 For breakfast, Bond and creator liked eggs from Maran hens, boiled for 3 minutes and served on Minton china.

51 Giving him a taste for vodka martinis Fleming described him as “basically a hard liquor man … not a wine snob”.

52 In 1961, he sold the film rights to all published and future Bond novels to Harry Saltzman, who co-produced the first Bond film Dr No with Cubby Broccoli.

53 Fleming initially suggested his old friend Noel Coward for the role of Dr No. He also suggested David Niven as Bond.

54 Undaunted, he went on to suggest Roger Moore as James Bond, but he too was rejected in favour of Sean Connery.

55 Fleming met Connery for lunch, but initially wondered whether “this overgrown stuntman”, was suited to the role. He was assured by women that Connery had the right stuff.

56 Fleming was a long-standing member of Boodle’s, a gentlemen’s club on which he modelled Bond’s fictitious haunt, Blades.

57 The Bond books did not immediately catch on in the US, until President John F Kennedy named From Russia With Love as one of his favourite books.

58 Fleming had met Kennedy in 1960, before he was president, and invited him to dinner, reportedly giving Kennedy his ideas on how to discredit Cuba’s Fidel Castro.

59 the first US paperback edition of Casino Royale was retitled You Asked For it. Similarly, the first US paperback of Moonraker went on the shelves as Too Hot to Handle.

60 Fleming said his hero should be portrayed as “a blunt instrument wielded by a government department”.

61 With the impact of the first film, sales of Bond paperbacks in Britain and the US rocketed to 17 million.

62 A stickler for detail and accuracy, Fleming would consult experts about the hardware in his adventures, including science fiction guru Arthur C Clarke

63 He also became friendly with the French diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau, and joined him investigating a sunken Greek treasure ship.

64 Fleming was bored by guns, but owned a Colt .38 Police Positive presented by Bill Donovan of US intelligence, engraved with: “For special services”.

65 Bond frequently uses a Beretta, regarded by some as a ladies’ gun. Fleming, however, had been given a Beretta during his war service.

66 The first actor to play Bond was the American Barry Nelson who turned up as the spy in a US television adaptation of Casino Royale in 1954.

67 Fleming found the transposition of the Bond yarns to screen “a riot”. On visiting the set of Dr No, he arrived just as Ursula Andress was emerging from the lagoon, was yelled at by the filmmakers and had to dive out of camera shot.

68 In his 1991 novel, The Sixth Column, Fleming’s brother, Peter described Britain as being in need of a hero “with the urbane, faintly swashbuckly sangfroid of Raffles”.

69 Fleming regarded post-war Britain as being in decline, reflected in his writings: “The blubbery arms of the soft life had Bond round the neck and they were slowly strangling him.”

70 Of his many villains, he wrote: “It is so difficult to make [them] frightening. But one is ashamed to overwrite them, though that is probably what the public would like.”

71 During the Cold War, Soviet critics of the Bond stories condemned Fleming for creating “a nightmarish world where laws are written at the point of a gun”.

72 Joining the Sunday Times (with whose owner, Lord Kelmsley he had become friendly during the war), he negotiated an extremely generous salary and contract, which allowed lavish expenses and two months off every year to write at Goldeneye.

73 During the 1950s, he developed a sophisticated network for collecting information and intelligence from Sunday Times foreign correspondents.

74 Fleming once remarked that he wrote “chiefly for pleasure, then for money”.

75 Ben Macintyre suggests that “007’s fatherless reverence for ‘M’” in the Bond stories can be traced back to Fleming’s early loss of his father.

76 Fleming gave Bond a Scottish father, Andrew Bond, and Scottish settings are to the fore in Charlie Higson’s “Young Bond” novels, which began in 2004 with Silverfin.

77 Fleming appears as a minor fictional character in William Boyd’s 2002 novel Any Human Heart.

78 Sting wrote the Police hit "Every Breath You Take", at the same desk at which Fleming wrote his Bond Novels.

79 A Conservative, Fleming thought the party too readily associated with the upper classes, and that it should change its name to The People’s Party.

80 He also believed people running company cars should have the name of their businesses on the side – so shareholders would be able to recognise them when pictures appeared in the papers of Rolls-Royces disgorging mink-clad women at premieres.

81 He was also an early supporter of the idea of electric cars.

82 According to his biographer, Andrew Lycett, he proposed that the Isle of Wight be turned into a vast pleasure zone with casinos and brothels.

83 Eventually, the pressure to produce started to tell, and Fleming threatened to kill off Bond, telling a friend: “I used to believe – sufficiently – in Bonds and Blondes and Bombs. Now the keys creak as I type and I fear the zest may have gone … I shall definitely kill off Bond in my next book.”

84 The last book Ian Fleming wrote was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, written for his son, Caspar.

85 It also became a hugely successful film, in which the name of one character, Truly Scrumptious, is droll take-off of a Bond girl name.

86 Following an attack of pleurisy, Fleming died of a heart attack on 12 August 1964. He was just 56.

87 Caspar died of a drug overdose in 1975.

88 The year after Fleming’s death, his books sold some 27 million copies, in numerous languages, throughout the world.

89 Licence to Kill was the Bond film not to have its title based on a Fleming story.

90 Forty years ago, the author Kingsley Amis analysed all of the Bond novels, and compiled a guide for would-be agents, The Book of Bond.

91 Amis also wrote a Bond novel, Colonel Sun, in 1968, while other post-Fleming Bond authors included Raymond Benson and John Gardner.

92 Today’s centenary saw the launch of a new Bond novel, Devil May Care by Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks.

93 Fleming loved scrambled eggs, and ordered them at New York’s ultra-exclusive Lutce restaurant, followed simply by strawberries.

94 In January stamps marking the centenary sold out faster than those celebrating the Beatles in 2007.

95 Penguin is publishing new hardback editions of the 14 Bond books.

96 The Queen Anne Press, formerly managed by Ian Fleming, has been acquired by his literary estate and is producing a centenary edition of his complete works, including a new volume, Talk of the Devil, containing unpublished and rarely seen material.

97 A major exhibition, For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond, is running at the Imperial War Museum until March next year.

98 Among memorabilia, the exhibition includes a letter written to the author written by a Major Boothroyd, who wanted to advise him what handguns he thought most appropriate for Bond.

99 This Fleming centenary week, the Oxfam shop in Edinburgh’s Nicolson Street shop made its biggest ever sale with a rare first edition of From Russia with Love, which went for 300.

100 A centenary exhibition of cover artwork for the Bond books, Bond-Bound: Ian Fleming and the Art of Cover Design, will run in Edinburgh’s City Arts Centre, City Art Centre from 5 July to 14 September.

Compiled from sources including Ben Macintyre’s For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond, written in association with the Imperial War Museum exhibition. See also ianflemingcentenary.com

His name's still Bond, but it's 007 with a brand new twist

1908: The birth date of Ernst Stavro Blofeld from the pages of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Ian Fleming, 1963.
Chapter 7 - The Hairy Heel of Achilles

Bond said urgently, 'So what happened? Have you kept the contact?'

'Oh yes, but rather tenuously, I'm afraid. Of course I wrote at once accepting the commission and agreeing to the vow of secrecy which' - he smiled - 'you now force me to break presumably by invoking the Official Secrets Act. That is so, isn't it? I am acting under force majeure?'

'You are indeed,' said Bond emphatically.

Sable Basilisk made a careful note on the top paper in the file and continued. ' Of course the first thing I had to ask for was the man's birth certificate and, after a delay, I was told that it had been lost and that I was on no account to worry about it. The Count had in fact been born in Gdynia of a Polish father and a Greek mother - I have the names here - on May 28th, 1908. Could I not pursue my researches backwards from the de Bleuville end?

I replied temporizing, but by this time I had indeed established from our library that there had been a family of de Bleuvilles, at least as lately as the seventeenth century, at a place called Blonville-sur-Mer, Calvados, and that their arms and motto were as claimed by Blofeld.' Sable Basilisk paused. 'This of course he must have known for himself. There would have been no purpose in inventing a family of de Bleuvilles and trying to stuff them down our throats. I told the lawyers of my discovery and, in my summer holidays - the North of France is more or less my private heraldic beat, so to speak, and very rich it is too in connexions with England -1 motored down there and sniffed around. But meanwhile I had, as a matter of routine, written to our Ambassador in Warsaw and asked him to contact our Consul in Gdynia and request him to employ a lawyer to make the simple researches with the Registrar and the various churches where Blofeld might have been baptized. The reply, early in September, was, but is no longer, surprising. The pages containing the record of Blofeld's birth had been neatly cut out. I kept this information to myself, that is to say I did not pass it on to the Swiss lawyers because I had been expressly instructed to make no inquiries in Poland. Meanwhile I had carried out similar inquiries through a lawyer in Augsburg. There, there was indeed a record of Blofelds, but of a profusion of them, for it is a fairly common German name, and in any case nothing to link any of them with the de Bleuvilles from Calvados. So I was stumped, but no more than I have been before, and I wrote a neutral report to the Swiss lawyers and said that I was continuing my researches. And there' - Sable •Basilisk slapped the file shut - 'until my telephone began ringing yesterday, presumably because someone in the Northern Department of the Foreign Office was checking the file copies from Warsaw and the name Blofeld rang a bell, and you appeared looking very impatient from the cave of my friend the Griffon, the case rests.'

Bond scratched his head thoughtfully. 'But the ball's still in play?'

'Oh yes, definitely.'

Arae et Foci
[Bleuchamp family motto, hearth and home]

1929: Shane Rimmer is born--Toronto, Canada.
(He dies dies 29 March 2019 at age 89--Barnet Hospital, Barnet, England.)

Shane Rimmer, voice of Thunderbirds'
Scott Tracy, dies aged 89

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/29/shane-rimmer-voice-of-thunderbirds-scott-tracy-dies-aged-89

The Canadian actor had forged a lengthy career in cult TV shows
and films, appearing in three James Bond movies
Martin Belam | Fri 29 Mar 2019 10.49 EDT | Last modified on Fri 29 Mar 2019 14.15 EDT

Shane Rimmer, who has died aged 89, pictured here during
a stint in ITV’s Coronation Street during the 1980s.
Photograph: ITV/REX/Shutterstock

Actor Shane Rimmer, who voiced the character of pilot Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds, has died. The official Gerry Anderson website carried the news, saying that the death of the 89 year old had been confirmed by his widow Sheila Rimmer. Rimmer died at home in the early hours of 29 March. No cause of death has been given.

Rimmer, who was born in Toronto in 1929 and moved to the UK in the 1950s, played the leader of the Thunderbirds crew in 32 episodes produced between 1964 and 1966. The actor also contributed his voice to other Gerry Anderson projects including Joe 90 and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, and appeared in person in the Anderson’s live action project UFO. Behind the scenes, Rimmer also wrote episodes of Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, The Secret Service and The Protectors.

Scott, Lady Penelope and Virgil in Thunderbirds
Photograph: ITV / Rex Features

As well as his work with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson he appeared in over 100 films including Dr Strangelove, Gandhi and Out of Africa. He played three different roles in three different James Bond movies, appearing in Diamonds Are Forever, You Only Live Twice, and The Spy Who Loved Me.

Shane Rimmer with James Bond actor Roger Moore on the set of 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me.
Photograph: Danjaq/Eon/Ua/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Rimmer was also regularly cast in science fiction and fantasy projects, having appeared in William Hartnell era Doctor Who story The Gunfighters, as well as in Space: 1999, and having minor roles in Star Wars and Superman movies. He also played two different characters in British soap opera Coronation Street – in 1988 as shopkeeper Malcolm Reid, and between 1967 and 1970 as Joe Donnelli, an American GI who had murdered an army colleague and eventually shot himself.

Rimmer had continued to work in his later years, and as recently as 2017 was supplying a voiceover in cult kids’ TV show The Amazing World of Gumball.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/29/shane-rimmer-voice-of-thunderbirds-scott-tracy-dies-aged-89

He told the Washington Times in 2017 that it was his Bond work he was most proud of. “That was crazy. I have no idea how it happened. I did Diamonds Are Forever first. It wasn’t much. I just came on and got into a bit of a slanging match with Sean Connery, who slangs very well. Then I did You Only Live Twice. They got rid of me up in space in that one. The third, The Spy Who Loved Me was a good one all around. It was Roger Moore’s favourite of all the ones he did. You just get a kind of intuitive thing about a movie. It worked very well.”

Shane Rimmer (1929–2019)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727300/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Filmography

Actor (165 credits)

Firestorm (TV Movie) (post-production) - Tbc
1987-2017 Dick Spanner, P.I. (TV Series) - Dick Spanner - 24 episodes
2014-2017 The Amazing World of Gumball (TV Series) - Louie - 4 episodes
2016 Darkwave: Edge of the Storm (Short) - Anderson
2015 Thunderbirds (TV Series) - Scott Tracy
2012 Dark Shadows - Board Member 1
2010/II Half Moon (Short) - Maj Thomas Brennan
2010 Lovelorn - The Barman

2006 Alien Autopsy - Colonel
2005 Hiroshima (TV Movie documentary) - James F. Byrnes
2005 Mee-Shee: The Water Giant - Bob Anderson
2005 Batman Begins - Older Gotham Water Board Technician
2004 Caught in the Act (TV Movie) - Father
2003 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (TV Series) - William Kingsley
- The Brooklyn Bridge (2003) ... William Kingsley
2003 The War of the Starfighters - Tantive Base Operative (voice)
2001 Spy Game - Estate Agent
2000 One of the Hollywood Ten - Parnell Thomas

1999 Dockers (TV Movie) - US Longshoreman
1998 I.K. - Ivar Kreuger (TV Mini-Series) - President Hoover
- Episode #1.3 (1998) ... President Hoover
1998 Only Love (TV Movie) - Warren Oliver
1996 Space Truckers - E. J. Saggs
1995 A Kid in King Arthur's Court - Coach
1994 The Saint: The Software Murders (TV Movie) - Bob Harrison
1993 Piccolo grande amore - Mr. Hughes
1993 Lipstick on Your Collar (TV Mini-Series) - Lt. Colonel Trekker / Lt. Col. Trekker
- Episode #1.6 (1993) ... Lt. Col. Trekker
- Episode #1.4 (1993) ... Lt. Colonel Trekker
- Episode #1.3 (1993) ... Lt. Colonel Trekker
- Episode #1.2 (1993) ... Lt. Colonel Trekker
- Episode #1.1 (1993) ... Lt. Colonel Trekker
1992 Double Vision (TV Movie) - Caroline & Lisa's Father
1992 Casualty (TV Series) - Ed Rhinehart
- Cry Wolf (1992) ... Ed Rhinehart
1992 Land of Hope and Gloria (TV Series) - Bob
- The Authentic Taste of England (1992) ... Bob
1992 Year of the Comet - T.T. Kelleher
1991 Stanley and the Women (TV Mini-Series) - Morton Fendig
- Episode #1.1 (1991) ... Morton Fendig
1991 Company Business - Chairman, Maxine Gray Cosmetics
1991 A Kiss Before Dying - Commissioner Malley
1991 Van der Valk (TV Series) - Lovell J Wallace
- A Sudden Silence (1991) ... Lovell J Wallace
1990 Enemy's Enemy (TV Mini-Series) - Skip Harrier
- Del 4 (1990) ... Skip Harrier

1989 The Nightmare Years (TV Mini-Series) - Ambassador Dodd
- Episode #1.4 (1989) ... Ambassador Dodd
- Episode #1.3 (1989) ... Ambassador Dodd
- Part 2 (1989) ... Ambassador Dodd
- Part 1 (1989) ... Ambassador Dodd
1989 Red King, White Knight (TV Movie) - General
1989 Tailspin: Behind the Korean Airliner Tragedy (TV Movie) - Adm. Riley
1989 The Bretts (TV Series) - Ben Silverstein
- Home and Away: Part One (1989) ... Ben Silverstein
1989 Street Legal (TV Series) - Det. Barnes
- Basketball Story (1989) ... Det. Barnes
1988 The Dirty Dozen (TV Series) - Biddle
- Don Danko (1988) ... Biddle
1988 The Fortunate Pilgrim (TV Mini-Series) - Reilly
- Episode #1.3 (1988) ... Reilly
- The Fortunate Pilgrim (1988) ... Reilly
- The Fortunate Pilgrim (1988) ... Reilly
1967-1988 Coronation Street (TV Series) - Joe Donnelli / Joe Donelli / Malcolm Reid - 25 episodes
1988 A Very British Coup (TV Mini-Series) - The Americans - Secretary of State
- Episode #1.3 (1988) ... The Americans - Secretary of State
- Episode #1.2 (1988) ... The Americans - Secretary of State
- Episode #1.1 (1988) ... The Americans - Secretary of State
1988 Crusoe - Mr. Mather
1988 The Bourne Identity (TV Mini-Series) - Gen. Conklin
- Episode #1.2 (1988) ... Gen. Conklin
- Episode #1.1 (1988) ... Gen. Conklin
1987 Roman Holiday (TV Movie) - Hogan
1987 Breakthrough at Reykjavik (TV Movie) - George Schultz
1987 Riviera (TV Movie) - Doc
1987 The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (TV Mini-Series) - Doorman
- Episode #1.2 (1987) ... Doorman
- Episode #1.1 (1987) ... Doorman
1987 The Return of Sherlock Holmes (TV Movie) - Stark
1986 Space Police (TV Movie) - Lieutenant Chuck Brogan
1986 Whoops Apocalypse - Marvin Gelber (US Secretary of State)
1986 Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (TV Mini-Series) - Harvey Coward
- Part II (1986) ... Harvey Coward
- Part I (1986) ... Harvey Coward
1986 Of Pure Blood (TV Movie) - The Colonel
1986 The Last Days of Patton (TV Movie) - Dr. Col. Lawrence Ball
1985 Out of Africa - Belknap
1985 White Nights - Ambassador Smith
1985 Star Quality: Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill (TV Movie) - Brod Sarnton
1985 Dreamchild - Mr. Marl
1985 The Holcroft Covenant - Lt. Miles
1985 Reunion at Fairborough (TV Movie) - Joe Szyluk
1985 Space (TV Mini-Series) - Gen Quigley / U.S. General Quigley
- Part III (1985) ... Gen Quigley
- Part I (1985) ... U.S. General Quigley
1985 Morons from Outer Space - Redneck (Melvin)
1985 Gulag (TV Movie) - Jay
1984 Ellis Island (TV Mini-Series) - Detective Duffy
- Episode #1.3 (1984) ... Detective Duffy
1984 Nairobi Affair (TV Movie) - Mr. Gardner
1984 Mistral's Daughter (TV Mini-Series) - Harry Klein
- Episode #1.3 (1984) ... Harry Klein
- Episode #1.2 (1984) ... Harry Klein
- Episode #1.1 (1984) ... Harry Klein
1984 Fox Mystery Theater (TV Series) - Dr. Hersh
- Last Video and Testament (1984) ... Dr. Hersh
1984 Alas Smith & Jones (TV Series)
- Episode #1.5 (1984)
- Episode #1.4 (1984)
- Episode #1.1 (1984)
1984 Lace (TV Mini-Series) - Press Agent
- Episode #1.2 (1984) ... Press Agent
- Episode #1.1 (1984) ... Press Agent
1984 Master of the Game (TV Mini-Series) - Carroll
1984 Partners in Crime (TV Mini-Series) - Hank Ryder
- The Crackler (1984) ... Hank Ryder
1983 The Lonely Lady - Adolph Fannon
1983 Superman III - State Policeman
1983 Philip Marlowe, Private Eye (TV Series) - Detective Murphy
- Smart Aleck Kill (1983) ... Detective Murphy
1983 The Hunger - Arthur Jelinek
1982 Gandhi - Commentator
1980-1982 Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) - John Smith / Arthur Beauchamp
- A Man with a Fortune (1982) ... John Smith
- My Lady Love, My Dove (1980) ... Arthur Beauchamp
1982 Nanny (TV Series) - Dick Leonard
- Fathers (1982) ... Dick Leonard
1981 Reds - MacAlpine
1981 Priest of Love - Chief Immigration Officer
1981 The Rose Medallion (TV Series) - Sgt. Ed Kusborski
- Episode #1.3 (1981) ... Sgt. Ed Kusborski
- Episode #1.2 (1981) ... Sgt. Ed Kusborski
- Episode #1.1 (1981) ... Sgt. Ed Kusborski
1981 Bognor (TV Series) - Horace Higgins
- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: Part 6 - Feeding Time (1981) ... Horace Higgins
- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: Part 5 - Dummy Run (1981) ... Horace Higgins
- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: Part 4 - I Am Yellow: Memoirs of a Danish Dog Lover (1981) ... Horace Higgins
- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: Part 3 - Meet the Mole (1981) ... Horace Higgins
1980 The Dogs of War - Dr. Oaks
1980 Superman II - Controller #2
1980 Oppenheimer (TV Mini-Series) - Ed Condon
- Episode #1.3 (1980) ... Ed Condon
1980 Very Like a Whale (TV Movie) - Commuter

1979 A Man Called Intrepid (TV Mini-Series) - Willoughby
- Episode #1.3 (1979) ... Willoughby
- Episode #1.2 (1979) ... Willoughby
- Episode #1.1 (1979) ... Willoughby
1979 BBC2 Playhouse (TV Series) - Ambassador Bingham
- Speed King (1979) ... Ambassador Bingham
1979 Secret Army (TV Series) - Canadian Commandant
- The Execution (1979) ... Canadian Commandant
1979 A Deadly Game (TV Movie) - Braley
1979 Arabian Adventure - Abu
1979 Hanover Street - Col. Ronald Bart
1979 Return of the Saint (TV Series) - Falco
- Dragonseed (1979) ... Falco
1978 Superman - Naval Transport Commander (uncredited)
1978 The One and Only Phyllis Dixey (TV Movie) - US Colonel
1978 The Famous Five (TV Series) - Mr. Henning
- Five on Finniston Farm (1978) ... Mr. Henning
1978 The Billion Dollar Bubble (TV Movie) - Fred Levin
1978 The Standard (TV Series) - Jack Putnam
- Two Birds, One Stone (1978) ... Jack Putnam
1978 Warlords of the Deep - Captain Daniels
1977 Julia - Customs Officer (uncredited)
1977 BBC2 Play of the Week (TV Series) - Stone
- Professional Foul (1977) ... Stone
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me - Cmdr. Carter
1977 The People That Time Forgot - Hogan
1977 Alternative 3 (TV Movie) - Bob Grodin
1977 Silver Bears - American Banker
1977 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope - InCom Engineer (uncredited)
1977 Nasty Habits - Officer I / C
1977 The Velvet Glove (TV Series) - Senator William Chandler
- Mother (1977) ... Senator William Chandler
1977 Twilight's Last Gleaming - Col. Alexander B. Franklin
1976 Alien Attack (TV Movie) - Eagle Pilot (voice, uncredited)
1975-1976 Space: 1999 (TV Series) - Eagle Pilot - 6 epsiodes
1976 Horizon (TV Series documentary) - Fred Levin
- Billion Dollar Bubble (1976) ... Fred Levin
1976 Second Verdict (TV Series) - Harold Giles Hoffman
- The Lindbergh Kidnapping (1976) ... Harold Giles Hoffman
1976 Hadleigh (TV Series) - Pollack
- Divorce (1976) ... Pollack
1975 Quiller (TV Series) - Harry Brent
- Thundersky (1975) ... Harry Brent
1975 The 'Human' Factor - CIA Man
1975 Rollerball - Rusty, Team Executive
1975 You're on Your Own (TV Series) - Peter Kovacs
- Value for Money (1975) ... Peter Kovacs
1974 Late Night Drama (TV Series) - Ronald Ziegler
- I Know What I Meant (1974) ... Ronald Ziegler
1974 S*P*Y*S - Hessler
1974 QB VII (TV Mini-Series) - Reporter Outside Court
- Part Three (1974) ... Reporter Outside Court (uncredited)
- Part One & Two (1974) ... Reporter Outside Court (uncredited)
1973 The Protectors (TV Series) - Zeke / Vickers
- Zeke's Blues (1973) ... Zeke
- Vocal (1973) ... Vickers
1973 Take Me High (uncredited)
1973 Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (TV Series) - Police Sergeant Warren
- In the Confessional (1973) ... Police Sergeant Warren
1973 Live and Let Die - Hamilton (voice, uncredited)
1973 The Investigator (Video) - John (voice)
1973 Scorpio - Cop in Hotel (uncredited)
1972 Baffled! (TV Movie) - Track Announcer
1971 The Persuaders! (TV Series) - Lomax
- Element of Risk (1971) ... Lomax
1971 Diamonds Are Forever - Tom (uncredited)
1970 UFO (TV Series) - Lt. Bill Johnson / Alien / CIA Agent / ...
- Computer Affair (1970) ... Lt. Bill Johnson / Alien (uncredited)
- Confetti Check A-O.K. (1970) ... CIA Agent
- Identified (1970) ... Seagull X-Ray Co-Pilot
1970 ITV Playhouse (TV Series) - Goldman
- The Pueblo Affair (1970) ... Goldman

1968-1969 Joe 90 (TV Series) - Radio Control / Colonel Henderson / Taxi Driver / ...
- Double Agent (1969) ... Radio Control (voice, uncredited)
- Business Holiday (1968) ... Colonel Henderson / Taxi Driver (voice, uncredited)
- Big Fish (1968) ... Gardner (voice, uncredited)
- International Concerto (1968) ... Kelly / Clerk / Technician (voice, uncredited)
- Most Special Astronaut (1968) ... Kent (voice, uncredited)
1968 Thunderbird 6 - Scott Tracy (voice)
1967-1968 Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (TV Series) - Sergeant / Pilot / Confused Partygoer / ...
- Flight to Atlantica (1968) ... Sergeant (voice, uncredited)
- Inferno (1968) ... Pilot (voice, uncredited)
- Model Spy (1967) ... Confused Partygoer (voice, uncredited)
- Special Assignment (1967) ... Mason (voice, uncredited)
1967 You Only Live Twice - Hawaii Radar Operator (uncredited)
1966 Thunderbirds Are GO - Scott Tracy (voice)
1965-1966 Thunderbirds (TV Series) - Scott Tracy (voice) - 32 episodes
1966 Orlando (TV Series) - Kahn - 6 episodes
1966 Doctor Who (TV Series) - Seth Harper
- Don't Shoot the Pianist (1966) ... Seth Harper
- A Holiday for the Doctor (1966) ... Seth Harper
1966 BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) - Marine Sergeant
- Lee Oswald: Assassin (1966) ... Marine Sergeant
1965-1966 Court Martial (TV Series) - Ramsey / Morgan
- All Roads Lead to Callaghan (1966) ... Ramsey
- No Wreath for an Angel (1965) ... Morgan
1966 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) - Bud Burdine
- The Flipside (1966) ... Bud Burdine
1965 Secret Agent (TV Series) - Buchanan
- The Mercenaries (1965) ... Buchanan
1965 The Bedford Incident - Seaman 1st Class - C.I.C.
1964 Theatre 625 (TV Series) - Corporal Girtin
- Parade's End #3: A Man Could Stand Up (1964) ... Corporal Girtin
1964 The Saint (TV Series) - Major Smith
- The Hi-Jackers (1964) ... Major Smith
1963-1964 Compact (TV Series) - Russell Corrigan - 30 episodes
1964 Ghost Squad (TV Series) - Doctor
- Seven Sisters of Wong (1964) ... Doctor
1964 Dr. Strangelove - Capt. 'Ace' Owens
1960 Chasing the Dragon (TV Movie) - Corporal Keegan
1960 R.C.M.P. (TV Series) - Tom Hopwood
- Day of Reckoning (1960) ... Tom Hopwood
1959-1960 Armchair Theatre (TV Series) - First generator operator / Campbell / Paul
- Come in Razor Red (1960) ... First generator operator
- Roast Goose and Walnut Stuffing (1959) ... Campbell
- Star in the Summer Night (1959) ... Paul

1959 After Hours (TV Series)
- Episode #2.13 (1959)
- Episode #2.12 (1959)
- Episode #2.10 (1959)
- Episode #2.6 (1959)
1958 Cannonball (TV Series) - Tex
- Sights on Safety (1958) ... Tex
1958 The Day the Sky Exploded - John McLaren (English version, voice, uncredited)
1958 Flaming Frontier - Running Bear
1958 Come Fly with Me (TV Series) - Host
1957-1958 Encounter (TV Series) - Sharkey / Bill
- The Riggin' Slinger (1958)
- Baptism of Fire (1958) ... Sharkey
- One of Our Men Is Guilty (1957)
- 99 Times Around the Block (1957) ... Bill
1957 On Camera (TV Series) - Stanley
- The Egghead Approach (1957) ... Stanley
1957 Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (TV Series) - Farber
- The Prisoner (1957) ... Farber
1957 A Dangerous Age - Nancy's Father
1957 Dorchester Theatre (TV Mini-Series) - Rodney Lauder
- Two Sides to a Tortoise (1957) ... Rodney Lauder
1957 Folio (TV Series) - Byron Moon
- Ring Around the Square (1957) ... Byron Moon

Writer (5 credits)

1973-1974 The Protectors (TV Series) (written by - 2 episodes)
- Blockbuster (1974) ... (written by)
- Zeke's Blues (1973) ... (written by)
1973 The Investigator (Video) (story by)

1969 The Secret Service (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode)
- Hole in One (1969) ... (written by)
1968-1969 Joe 90 (TV Series) (teleplay by - 6 episodes)
- Breakout (1969) ... (teleplay by)
- Relative Danger (1968) ... (teleplay by)
- Big Fish (1968) ... (teleplay by)
- Splashdown (1968) ... (teleplay by - uncredited)
- King for a Day (1968) ... (teleplay by)
- The Fortress (1968) ... (teleplay by)
1967-1968 Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (TV Series) (teleplay by - 3 episodes)
- Inferno (1968) ... (teleplay by)
- Expo 2068 (1968) ... (teleplay by)
- Avalanche (1967) ... (teleplay by)

Soundtrack (1 credit)

2016-2018 The Amazing World of Gumball (TV Series) (performer - 3 episodes)
- The Ghouls (2018) ... (performer: "All Hail All Hallow's Eve!" - uncredited)
- The Father (2018) ... (performer: "The Vermin Man" - uncredited)
- The Compilation (2016) ... (performer: "Weird Like You And Me" - uncredited)

Self (15 credits)

Archive footage (3 credits)

1941: Ian Fleming celebrates his 32nd birthday in New York City then travels by train with Sir Godfrey to Washington DC to discuss the need for a unified US secret service.

1944: Gladys Knight is born--Oglethorpe, Georgia.

1959: Ernest Cunio sends Ivar Bryce a memorandum detailing thoughts for a Bond movie plot discussed with Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory.

The Battle for Bond, Robert Sellers, 2007.
Chapter 2 - The First James Bond Movie Plot

As Bryce's solicitor in the States, Cuneo had represented his interests in
Boy and the Bridge and now flew into London to bring his highly charged legal
brain to bear on Bond. Buoyed by the news that The Boy and the Bridge had
been selected as Britain's sole representative at the Venice Film Festival, vying
for honours alongside works from Ingmar Bergman and Akira Kurosawa ("A
thousand congratulations," Fleming wrote McClory upon hearing the news.
"This is a feather in your cap as tall as the Eiffel Tower!"), a meeting between
the four main protagonists took place at Moyn's Park, Bryce's sumptuous UK
residence. Here ideas bounced around for a possible scenario for the Bond
project which tied-in with McClory's idea of some kind of underwater
adventure: A notion that particularly appealed to Fleming, himself a keen scuba
diver and personal friend of acclaimed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

During the meeting Cuneo carefully jotted down a rough plot based on
the group's ideas. After returning to Washington he sent a memo to Bryce,
dated 28 May 1959, detailing his idea. This was in turn handed to McClory who
later claimed that Bryce told him: "I do not know whether it is any good but
have a look at it. It seems to use most of your ideas and so we might like it."
McClory then sent a copy to Fleming.

Given that Cuneo's memo stands today as the first ever story outline for
a James Bond movie, it was sent by the author with a cautious covering note:
"Enclosed was written at night, mere improvisation hence far from author's
pride, possible author's mortification. Haven't even read it."

1976: A Daily Variety article gives detail to McClory’s lawsuit describing a late 1950s agreement with Fleming toward filming James Bond of the Secret Service and sequels. And the 1965 agreement with Broccoli, Saltzman, and Danjaq that Thunderball film and TV rights belong to McClory as of 1 January.

RichardTheBruce

2008: Penguin OO7 publishes Bond novel Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks.

BOND IS BACK.
WITH A VENGEANCE.

Devil May Care is a masterful continuation of
the James Bond legacy--an electrifying new
chapter in the life of the most iconic spy of
literature and film, written to celebrate the
centenary of Ian Fleming's birth on Ma8 28, 1908.

An Algerian drug runner is savagely exe-
cuted in the desolate outskirts of Paris. This
seemingly isolated event leads to the recall of
Agent 007 from his sabbatical in Rome and his
return to the world of intrigue and danger
where is most at home. The head of MI6, M,
assigns him to shadow the mysterious Dr.
Julius Gorner, a power-crazed pharmaceutical
magnate, whose wealth is exceeded only by his
greed. Gorner has lately taken a disquieting
interest in opiate derivatives, both legal and
illegal, and this urgently bears looking into.

Bond finds a willing accomplice in the shape
of a glamorous Parisian named Scarlett Papava.
He will need her help in a life-and-death struggle
with his most dangerous adversary yet, as a
chain of events threatens to lead to global
catastrophe. A British airliner goes missing
over Iraq. The thunder of a coming war echoes
in the Middle East. And a tide of lethal nar-
cotics threatens to engulf a Great Britain in the
throes of the social upheavals of the late sixties.

Picking up where Ian Fleming left off,
Sebastian Faulks takes Bond back to the height
of the Cold War in a story of almost unbearable
pace and tension. Devil May Care not only
captures the very essence of Fleming's original
novels but also shows Bond facing dangers
with a powerful relevance to our own times.


SEBASTIAN FAULKS's seven previous novels
include the international bestseller Birdsong (1993),
Charlotte Gray (2000), and, most recently, Engelby
(2007). He lives in London, is married, and has two
sons and a daughter.

DEVIL MAY CARE.wmv


The Devil May Care - Sal James Bond Video

2008: James Bond, Bentley Motors and Penguin Books publish a special limited edition of Devil May Care.

Bentley Motors Designs Limited Collector's Edition of the New
Bond Book: Devil May Care

See the complete article here:

https://www.dexigner.com/news/14775

May 7, 2008 11:30 am EDT

In a unique collaboration between three of Britain's iconic brands - James Bond, Bentley Motors and Penguin Books - a special, limited edition of the new Bond book Devil May Care will be published on 28th May. Written by Sebastian Faulks at the invitation of Ian Fleming Publications to celebrate the Ian Fleming centenary, Devil May Care is one of the most eagerly anticipated publications of 2008.

Cars and James Bond have always had a strong association and, contrary to popular belief, Bond's preference has historically been firmly with Bentley Motors. He owned three Bentleys in the course of the fourteen original novels written by Ian Fleming. It is fitting therefore that in Devil May Care - published to coincide with the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth - Bond is found once again in the driving seat of his favourite car.

Dirk van Braeckel and Kate

To mark the reunion, Penguin approached Bentley to produce a luxury, limited edition of https://www.dexigner.com/images/article/17063/Dirk_van_Braeckel_and_Kate_thumb.jpg. The result is a beautiful and striking edition which takes its inspiration from hard-covers of the original 1950s and 1960s Bond books combined with the stylish Bentley owner's manuals and handbooks of the era. Inside the book is a specially designed model pewter Bentley, described in detail by Fleming in Thunderball.

Bentley Chief Designer Dirk van Braeckel says, "Transferring our design knowledge from the car world to a book was a new challenge for us, but working closely with Penguin, we think we have come up with a unique product which is complementary to the history of Bentley and Bond that can be appreciated by all."

Only 300 copies of the Special Series edition will be produced, costing £750 each, available exclusively from the Penguin James Bond books website.

Devil May Care Book

The Design
Evoking the feeling of the Cold War period in which Devil May Care is set, the edition is bound in Bodoniana style cases and finished in burnt oak leather sourced from the tannery in Italy which provides the hides for Bentley's interiors. The iconic Bentley diamond pattern found on the radiator grille and upholstery of modern Bentley's, is hand-stitched on the leather casing and the front cover and spine is finished with the silver Bentley "Flying B" - the radiator cap of the Bentley's of Bond's time.

The inside of the casing is trimmed in deep red hotspur leather and has the striking fluting used on the 1950's and 1960's Bentley interior upholstery. Each book has a unique edition number embossed on a black aluminium plate produced the same company that makes the Bentley engine plates.

Devil May Care Book Open
Fleming described in detail a modified Bentley R type in Thunderball and On Her Majesty's Secret Service which Bond lovingly called "the Locomotive". The car never existed but, using Fleming's exact specifications, a cast and polished 1:43 scale model of the car has been hand crafted by Bentley for this edition. The miniature is inserted into the book in a car-shaped hole and is individually numbered to match the plate on the inside cover. Each book is protected by a custom-made Plexiglass slip case, which will be sealed in protective and numbered wrapping.

Read more: https://www.dexigner.com/news/14775

2015: Orion Publishing announces Anthony Horowitz's next Bond title Trigger Mortis to be available September.

New James Bond novel Trigger Mortis
resurrects Pussy Galore

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/28/new-james-bond-novel-trigger-mortis-pussy-galore-anthony-horowitz

Anthony Horowitz has drawn on an unseen Ian Fleming script for
latest authorised 007 sequel
Alison Flood | Thu 28 May 2015 02.01 EDT

‘The most famous Bond girl of all’ ... Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in the 1964 film of Goldfinger.
Photograph: Allstar/United Artists

Pussy Galore, the violet-eyed lesbian gangster dreamed up by Ian Fleming for Goldfinger, was last seen in a clinch with James Bond, a wanted woman drifting off the coast of Canada. Now she is set to return thanks to the novelist Anthony Horowitz, who is bringing her back this September in the latest official 007 adventure, Trigger Mortis.

The Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders creator unveiled the title and a plot outline for the forthcoming James Bond thriller on Thursday morning, to mark what would have been Fleming’s 107th birthday. Trigger Mortis will be set in 1957, two weeks after the events of Goldfinger, placing Bond in the middle of the Soviet-American Space Race as the US prepares for a critical rocket launch.

As well as bringing back Pussy, who was played in the film adaptation by Honor Blackman, Horowitz will introduce another Bond girl, Jeopardy Lane, as well as a “sadistic, scheming Korean adversary hell-bent on vengeance” named Jai Seung Sin.

The plot also includes Fleming’s own treatment for an unfilmed episode of a television series, "Murder on Wheels", in which Bond gets involved in a Formula One race in Nürburgring in Germany. This will kick off the action in Trigger Mortis.

The cover for the new novel, due this September.
Photograph: PR

Horowitz, the author of the bestselling young adult series about a teenage spy, Alex Rider, and of two authorised Sherlock Holmes novels, said it had always been his intention “to go back to the true Bond, which is to say, the Bond that Fleming created, and it was a fantastic bonus having some original, unseen material from the master to launch my story”.

Goldfinger, he added, was his favourite Bond novel, and he was delighted that Pussy Galore is back. The Bond girl last appeared at the end of the 1959 novel Goldfinger, in “nothing but a grey fisherman’s jersey that was decent by half an inch”. The pair had just been rescued from a life raft after they made it off Goldfinger’s plane.

Pussy asks 007 “not in a gangster’s voice, or a Lesbian’s, but in a girl’s voice, ‘Will you write to me in Sing Sing?’” Bond looks into her “deep blue-violet eyes that were no longer hard, imperious”, and says: “They told me you only liked women.” Pussy replies: “I never met a man before,” and Bond’s mouth “came ruthlessly down on hers”.

“It was great fun revisiting the most famous Bond girl of all – although she is by no means the only dangerous lady in Trigger Mortis,” said Horowitz. “I hope fans enjoy it. My aim was to make this the most authentic James Bond novel anyone could have written.”

Lucy Fleming, the niece of Ian Fleming, said “it was almost as if Ian had written b][i]Trigger Mortis[/i][/b himself”.

“It does feel like a Fleming book,” she said. “It takes place a couple of weeks after Goldfinger – Pussy’s back, which is fantastic, and we’ve got a particularly good villain in Sin – he’s absolutely horrible, a megalomaniac type, but fascinating as well … Pussy Galore is one of the iconic characters from the films and the books … It will be interesting to see what the public make of that.”

Although novelists including Jeffrey Deaver, Sebastian Faulks and William Boyd have all written authorised new Bond novels, Horowitz is the first to place his work directly within Fleming’s original canon, to continue the adventures of one of the Bond girls created by the novelist, and to work with previously unpublished Fleming material.

“Each writer has their own style, but I think Anthony is closest to Ian’s style,” said Lucy Fleming. “And he has the page-turning effect of making you think ‘what the hell is going to happen next?’ … He’s worked "Murder on Wheels" in brilliantly – it’s woven into the whole thing. It was just a treatment, really, with the idea for the plot.”

Orion Publishing will release Trigger Mortis on 8 September. Fleming wrote 14 Bond books in total, from 1953’s Casino Royale to 1966’s "The Living Daylights". More than 100m 007 books have been sold worldwide.

2021: Jonathan Cape announces a third Anthony Horowitz Bond novel to be published in the May 2022.

https://twitter.com/TheIanFleming/status/1398225561047257093

RichardTheBruce

May 29th

1920: Clifton James is born--Spokane, Washington.
(He dies 15 April 2017 at age 96--Gladstone, Oregon.)
2017: Clifton James dies at age 96--Gladstone, Oregon.
(Born 29 May 1920--Spokane, Washington.)

Gladstone hometown hero Clifton James
fondly remembered

See original article here:

http://pamplinmediagroup.com/pt/9-news/357972-237884-gladstone-hometown-hero-clifton-james-fondly-remembered

Raymond Rendleman - Monday, May 08, 2017

James, awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in combat in 1945, went on international fame as Louisiana Sheriff JW Pepper in two James Bond films

Clifton James, Gladstone's hometown hero for his World War II bravery and extensive acting career spanning nearly six decades, died last month at the age of 96.

SUBMITTED PHOTO - In the photo circa 1980, Clifton James enjoys
the Clackamas River with his family near High Rocks in Gladstone.

James grew up in Gladstone, a town that he always loved. After studying drama at the University of Oregon, he lived in New York and Los Angeles for most of his life, but his sisters lived in Gladstone, so he would often visit them along with his nieces and nephews. He moved in with his daughter, Gladstone resident Mary James, for the final years of his life before succumbing to diabetes on April 15.

SUBMITTED PHOTO - Clifton James as Sheriff JW Pepper plays opposite
Roger Moore as James Bond in 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun.

James' memorial service with full military honors is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 S.E. Mt Scott Blvd., Portland.

"He almost always played that tough, Southern sheriff type," said James' sister Bev Anslow of his successful acting career that included more than 50 film credits.

James made his Broadway stage debut as a construction foreman in "The Cave Dwellers" (1958). He was involved in a lot of off-Broadway shows, where he played various roles, including starring with Al Pacino in "American Buffalo" from 1980-81, which was turned into a 1997 film production starring Dustin Hoffman.

James played a floor walker in the classic film "Cool Hand Luke" (1967). His most famous role was fast-talking Louisiana Sheriff JW Pepper in two James Bond films opposite Roger Moore: 1973's Live and Let Die and 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun. Anslow said an elephant was supposed to knock James' stunt double, not James himself as JW Pepper, into a Southeast Asian river during a memorable scene in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Moore paid tribute to James on Twitter: "Terribly sad to hear Clifton James has left us. As JW Pepper he gave my first two Bond films a great, fun character."

As a character actor, James was called upon to reprise variations on JW Pepper many times. Did he mind being type-cast?

"It didn't bother him, and he rather liked it," Anslow said. "He was an actor's actor, and he would act whatever part was given to him and genuinely enjoy the work."

James loved putting on a show throughout his long life. He was a well-known character around Gladstone, often seen with an unlit cigar in his mouth or taking out his false teeth to scare children.

James' mother taught grade school in Woodland, Washington, and would organize local drama productions, including at the old Gladstone Grade School, which which was K-8 at that time. James went to school in Gladstone through the eighth grade and graduated from Milwaukie High School.

SUBMITTED PHOTO - Staff Sgt. Clifton James of Gladstone
served in the U.S. Army for 42 months during World War II.

James was one of the last survivors of WWII's 41st Division, composed of National Guard units from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota and Washington state. Serving in the U.S. Army for 42 months in the South Pacific during WWII, he was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in combat on April 21, 1945.

During the spring of '45, James served as a staff sergeant leading a combat patrol to determine the strength of enemy entrenchments on several ridges on the Philippines' Jolo Island, where previous U.S. attacks had been repulsed. Rather than endanger the whole patrol on April 21, he asked them to stay under cover and watch him try to crawl undetected toward an enemy's trench system. James came under "heavy automatic fire" once he crawled within 20 yards of the trench.

"Then, with complete disregard for his life, [James] charged the position, killing its occupants," a now-declassified military document says. "Continuing on his mission, he crawled to a vantage point, where he could observe the activity of the enemy on the next ridge. With this valuable information gained, the forthcoming attack was a success."

More information about James' military service and letters he sent home to family is available in copies of "Gladstone, Oregon: A History" by Gladstone historian Herbert K. Beals available at City Hall. James suffered various injuries during WWII, including the loss of his front teeth. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a drama degree in 1950.

In 1951, James married Laurie Harper, who died in 2015. He is survived by six children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Clifton James (I) (1920–2017)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416378/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Clifton James The Dukes of Hazzard


Superman II : Zod Gang vs. Police Officer

1962: Soviet Party's official newspaper Izvestiya denounces the film Dr No. Three pages worth.

Inside Russia’s love-hate relationship with James
Bond

See the complete article here:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/movies/inside-russias-love-hate-relationship-with-james-bond/ar-AA19L4Je

Story by Alex Diggins • 12 Apr

On the morning of 29 May 1962, Commander James Bond crash-landed on to 200 million Soviet breakfast tables. But he wasn’t on a mission deep behind borscht lines. Instead, he was on show trial, ordered by the highest echelons of the Party. The USSR was at war with 007.

That day’s Izvestiya – the Party’s official newspaper – carried an extraordinary three-page denunciation of Dr No, the first Bond film, then filming in Jamaica. It reserved especial spite for Ian Fleming, the author of the Bond novels, thundering: “Who is interested in this rubbish?... [His] products enjoy great popularity with American propagandists [but they] are in a bad way if they need to have recourse to the help of an English free-booter – a retired spy who has turned mediocre writer.”

It went on scoff at the film's plot. Bond, it admitted, was “a great detective, who foils the Russians’ plans”, but his squeeze, “Honey Child” [sic], amused herself with “favourite hobby… collect[ing] seashells in the nude”. While Dr No's glitzy trappings earned a stern Soviet stare: the picture was full of “hair standing on end, chilled spines, exotic dishes, subtle wines, luxurious beds and beautiful virgins”.

Fleming took the notice in his stride. In fact, he asked his editors at Cape if the dust jacket of his new novel, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, could carry the damning review in full. It would have one addition – “Ouch! (I.F) [Ian Fleming]”

The end of Bond’s tangle with Russia? Not a bit of it – after all, only last year, Ukraine's spy agency released a list of 620 Russian agents active within European countries on Twitter. One listed their Skype address as “jamesbond007”, and went by the username “DB9”. 007's relationship with Russia, then, is the spy's most enduring – and strangest – in the history of his tangled romantic career. And the Izvestiya editorial was just the start.


“The Soviets were very fearful [about Bond],” says James Fleming, Ian Fleming’s nephew, and author of Bond Behind the Iron Curtain. “It was the usual fear that an authoritarian state has of ideas that are outside of its control.”

Like everything Izvestiya published, the editorial was approved by the Politburo. Its subtitle – ‘On the Other Side’ – suggests it was to be the first in a series of critiques damning the cultural output of the fevered Capitalist mindset. But no further broadsides were published; Bond, as usual, stood alone.

Fleming explains: “They must have thought: ‘We can show how awful Capitalists are’. Particularly in the 1960s, the Russians were quite a prudish nation, and here was Bond going off with a different woman every book, and sometimes more than one, and so they had no hesitation labelling [Bond] pornography.”

Not that Fleming set out to offend the Soviets. On the contrary, he learnt Russian as part of his Foreign Office exams, and he spent long periods in the USSR. As a journalist for The Times, he covered the Metro-Vickers show trials in 1933 – where Soviet authorities accused six British suspects of sabotaging their electricity supply – and returned in the late 1940s, after the end of the Second World War.

“His general attitude to Russia was very respectful,” says James Fleming. “He saw them as strong, intelligent, cunning – worthy opponents. He thought it was in the nature of the beast that Russia wouldn’t always be seen as the enemy, but certainly not as a friend. It was unique.”


In the novels, Russia was the great threat lurking over the eastern horizon. SMERSH, Bond’s nemesis in the early books, was a real-life Soviet counterintelligence agency. A conjunction of two Russian words SMERt and SHpionam (Смерть Шпионам) – which means “death to spies” – it worked with blood-thirsty efficiency between 1941 and 1946, rooting out German spies on the eastern front. Officially, it was dissolved in May 1946 when its duties were transferred to the MGB (Russia’s Ministry of State Security); unofficially, as all inhabitants of Bondiana know, it carried on operating long afterwards, its networks burrowing deep into Allied operations across the globe.

Few Russians, though, would have been aware of their fictional representation. While Western music – such as the Beatles’ first single Love Me Do, which was released the same day as Dr No – was available in pirated editions, novels and films were far dicier propositions for smugglers. Towards the end of the Soviet Union, underground “kinos” surreptitiously screened western films, but literature was another matter.

Only one samizdat copy of a Bond novel is known to exist; an error-strewn and laboriously typed-out version of Dr No, annotated with notes which suggest it was used to warn impressionable young apparatchiks of the beguiling danger it contained. As one Soviet critic put it in Pravda, the Communist Party newspaper: “James Bond lives in a nightmarish world where laws are written at the point of a gun, where coercion and rape is considered valour, and murder is a funny trick.”

But it wasn’t simply the novels’ themes that had the Soviets running scared. They had some very powerful readers, too. In 1961, John F Kennedy was asked by Life magazine about his favourite books, one of which was From Russia With Love. This commendation persuaded Eon to rush into filming of Dr No. Kennedy asked for a special screening: he was shown a rough cut on November 20, 1963, the day before he left for Dallas. It was the last film he ever saw.

Bond might even have inspired Kennedy during one of the darkest moments of the Cold War. Two weeks after Dr No was released, Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba, and commanded Castro to send back what nuclear missiles had already been installed on the island. He refused. The Soviets signalled their intentions to escalate. The world looked on the brink of nuclear war.

Yet charming, dapper and cool under pressure, Kennedy channelled his hero in negotiations with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and the crisis was defused. Dr Jaap Verheul, editor of The Cultural Life of James Bond, explains: “In a way, both James Bond and John F Kennedy embodied a new, glamorous, and cosmopolitan masculinity in the wake of the Second World War – although this was arguably more the case in Sean Connery’s cinematic impersonation of 007 than in Fleming’s literary creation.”


The Soviet Union, though, was now wise to the power of Fleming’s creation. And so, alongside other denunciations of the films and novels, they attempted to launch a spy franchise to rival Bond. It didn’t go to plan.

By the mid 1960s, things were looking up for Bulgarian novelist Andrei Gulyashki. A bookish, unassuming man, he was the editor of the literary journal Plamuk, and his series of novels featuring a studious, pipe-cradling detective, Avakoum Zahov, were selling well. But in 1965, he was tapped on the shoulder by the Bulgarian intelligence service: they wanted to kill Bond, and Gulyashi was the man to do it.

Or rather his detective Zahov was. Gulyashi sketched out a plot whereby Zahov would triumph against the British intelligence agent in a climatic struggle above a crevasse in Antarctica. Much like Conan Doyle’s Reichenbach Falls, the two would tussle above the drop before Bond would overreach a kick and giving “a long drawn-out scream” would plummet into “the snow-obscured bottomless depths”.

To gather inspiration, Gulyashki was packed off to London. Keen to ensure he wasn’t swayed by the decadent enchantments of the West, the KGB provided funding – and a minder. No one, though, told the Bulgarian secret service, who promptly put their own tail on Gulyashki. So ensured a scene from a Tintin comic strip: one agent tailing another agent, tailing a hapless Bulgarian novelist as he tramped around literary London.

There were further complications. While anyone could write a book about “James Bond”, his signature “007” was copyrighted. Ann Fleming, Ian’s widow, who controlled his estate, was immovable on this point: though initially sniffy about her husband’s potboilers, after the success of Dr No, she now saw them as her pension plan. Gulyashki, then, was stumped. Bond’s dramatic death at the hands of a USSR agent would have to occur in a book called Avakoum Zahov versus 07 – the missing “0” allowed Gulyashki to weasel past copyright laws.

Finding a publisher was the next issue. Cassells expressed interest at first, but were warned off by Ann Fleming. In the end, the only Western publisher would dared pick it up was Script, a boutique imprint who otherwise trafficked in adult entertainment; their output, observed one reviewer, consisted largely of “male prostitutes, bored housewives and women in prison”. Copies of Avakoum Zahov versus 07 did not fly off the shelves.

Yet as the Cold War hardened into geopolitical status quo, the Soviet Union began to lose their interest in Bond. For a start, the film adaptations depoliticised Fleming’s novels, as though the producers realised the high stakes with which they were playing. The Soviet SMERSH became SPECTRE, an organisation of international criminals; and the villains gradually morphed from Cold War ghouls to lonesome megalomaniacs. This transnational villainy was captured well by the first villian, Dr No, in Connery's titular debut: “East, West, they are just points of the compass, each one as stupid as the other… Now they will both pay.”


Moreover, the Soviets at last had a credible answer to Bond. Teetotal, quiet and diligent, Max Otto von Stierlitz was closer to George Smiley than the gadabouting 007. But the hero of Yulian Semyonov’s Seventeen Moments of Spring novels – a Soviet spy who infiltrates the Nazi secret service – was enormously popular in the USSR. This was especially the case when his exploits were adapted into a 17-part TV series, originally broadcast in the summer of 1973.

In the avowedly secular state, showings became moments of national communion: when Stierlitz was on, electricity demand surged and crime dropped. An estimated 80 million people watched the NKVD-SMERSH agent outfox his German pursuers, and prevent the nefarious Americans cooking up a secret peace deal with the Nazis. By contrast, 10.2 million caught Dr No when it was first broadcast on ITV in 1975.

So popular was Seventeen Moments of Spring that the Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev rescheduled committee meetings to avoid missing its annual airings. And it was credited with a surge of applications to join the KGB – including by Vladimir Putin, who was 21 when it was first broadcast. This enthusiasm wasn’t surprising: the head of the KGB Yuri Andropov had a direct hand in its inception, believing that Russians needed a model Soviet citizen to aspire towards. And in the steely, calculating, but most of all, devotedly patriotic Stierlitz, they had their Bond.



There was one final twist in Bond’s longest affair. In 1996, GoldenEye became the definitive post-glasnost Bond – and marked the most dramatic shift in 007’s attitude to Russia since Dr No. Brash, thunderous and glitzy, its pre-credits sequence features Pierce Brosnan’s Bond (in his first appearance as the character) literally dropping into the Soviet world as he infiltrates a Russian hydroelectric plant.

But as the film begins proper, nearly a decade has passed, and Bond emerges into a technicolour post-USSR world. To illustrate the change, the titles depict scantily-clad iconoclasts smashing statues of Lenin and Marx. Designer Daniel Kleinman said: “Statues really were torn down, and although it wasn't literally girls in lingerie who caused icons to fall and the Soviet State to break up, in an analogous way perhaps it was, the Soviet people wanted what the west had, goods and glamour.”

Director Martin Campbell went further to appeal to newly-liberated (and wealthy) audiences of the Russian Federation. While set largely in Russia, the Russian state is not the enemy in GoldenEye. Rather the film follows Bond’s efforts to retrieve Soviet satellite technology stolen by a rogue British agent. In accordance with Fleming’s worldview, the Russians are an ambiguous presence: not quite allies, but never outright foes – a duality embodied by the two (Russian) Bond girls in the film. Isabella Scorupco’s Natalya Simonova is his fragrant comrade-in-arms; Famke Jannsen, meanwhile, plays the femme fatale Xenia Onatopp, whose party trick is to squeeze the life out of men while making love.

Despite these concessions, GoldenEye’s production wasn’t painless. The film’s climactic chase sequence, where Brosnan pilots a T54 tank through St Petersburg, ripping j-turns and smashing walls and traffic, was originally due to be filmed on location. But the Russian authorities were understandably reluctant to have a 42-ton armoured vehicle tearing through the equivalent of Westminster. So, after months of negotiations, the sequence was eventually filmed on the backlot of Leavesden Studios in England.

There were further troubles, too – members of the art department were threatened with deportation after the wife of Mayor Anatoly Sobchak accused them of vandalising balustrades on the central Moika canal. The militia were called, and the panicked set-designers had to hastily explain they were in fact working on timber replicas.

Despite these difficulties, GoldenEye was swaggering success on both sides of the newly swished-aside Iron Curtain. Two months after it opened in the US, it premiered in Moscow. The Central House of Cinema was draped in Bond iconography, and the street outside was lined with posters and images of its golden gun barrel. News crews from international and Russian state media filmed the event. Eon’s Russian gamble paid off: GoldenEye became the highest-grossing film in the country in 1996. It was, says Verheul, “the first truly global Bond adventure at the ‘end of civilisation’”.

But what of Bond and Russia now? In No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s Bond dies on the Russian Kurily islands while thwarting a Russian villain, Rami Malek’s Lyutsifer Safin – the only significant Russian character in Craig’s five films. A return to Cold War culture wars? Not quite: despite the Russian specificity of his backstory, Safin is yet another antagonist in a long line of placeless villains.

His confused plan – a whizz-bang fandango of “nano-bots” and biological weaponry – owes little to geo-political reality (or storytelling sense). Of course, Craig’s swansong was completed long before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. (If not before his canary-in-a-coalmine incursions into the Donbas and Crimea). Now, though, with columns of charred T54 tanks clogging the roads towards a European capital, how might the Bond franchise respond?

As it stands, the war is too close, too awful, for Eon to rush anything into production. No Time to Die was a conscious pause; a wiping clean of the slate. But surely the next Bond – whoever he or she may be – cannot avoid being enmeshed in this sudden, bloody end to the end of history? With Bond 26, there is all to play for. “If I were Barbara Broccoli,” James Fleming says. “I would be rubbing my hands together.”

The Mystery of the Russian ‘Dr. No’ Review

See the complete article here:

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/james-bond-dr-no-russian-review/

Martin Kielty
Published: January 19, 2022
Adrian Borromeo, UCR

One might have expected the Soviet Union to be decidedly negative toward the James Bond franchise as soon as it hit silver screens.

After all, Russian spies were often cast as the villains, even if they were sometimes just getting in 007’s way as he hunted down bigger game. And of course, the character himself represented everything Communists professed to hate about Western society.

So it’s hardly a surprise that Izvestiya – the U.S.S.R.’s newspaper of record from 1917 until the bloc’s 1991 demise – was ready to slam Sean Connery’s portrayal of Bond when the first movie, Dr. No, premiered in the U.K. on Oct. 5, 1962. Much more of a surprise was that the review had been published five months earlier.

The original May 1962 article was titled “Love and Horrors,” the Spectator reports, and the author demanded: “Who’s interested in this rubbish?” They went on to describe Bond creator Ian Fleming, himself a former intelligence officer, as “a retired spy who has turned mediocre writer.”

Fleming enjoyed the roasting so much he attempted to have it printed on the back cover of his next Bond novel, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, only for the publisher to refuse. But a mystery remained: “Who at Izvestiya had managed to see the film so early – and how?" the Spectator report asks. “It is an example of cultural espionage worthy of a Bond novel itself.”

There could have been a Russian spy embedded in the movie production team, or among the wide range of media and publicity bodies involved in the project. But it’s just as possible that the piece was built from sheer speculation. After all, what would an official Communist mouthpiece be expected to say about a Bond movie?

In the British World War I comedy Blackadder Goes Forth, a British general describes German spies as “filthy Hun weasels fighting their dirty underhand war,” and in the next breath calls his agents “splendid fellows, brave heroes, risking life and limb for Blighty.”

Alternatively, someone might have simply read the book, guessing that the movie wouldn’t be significantly different, and just chanced to be right on a rare occasion. Its function was almost certainly more political than artistic, no matter what.

As the Spectator went on to report, a slightly more thoughtful reviewer named Maya Turovskaya later offered “a very shrewd and prescient piece of commentary on the Bond ‘brand’ that is as valid today” for the Russian magazine Novy Mir. She wrote:

“Philistine pragmatism takes over in Fleming’s novels. They tend to be indiscriminate, to combine elements of all sorts of sensationalism – political action and thriller, science fiction and advertising brochure, a fashion magazine and nudist film.

“This, briefly, is the secret of the genre, of popularity in its modern shape,” Turovskaya added. “Had it not been for the screen, Bond would have been lost among all the other spy characters out there. A nobody. It was the film industry that made him a myth.”

The Soviet Union was forged in 1922 and collapsed nearly 70 years later. The 007 franchise reaches its 60th birthday later in 2022, but just like the Communist empire, the character has been subject to greater scrutiny and pressure as time passed. It remains to be seen if James Bond can survive longer than the political force that so often provided inspiration.

1963: Dr. No released in New York City, New York. (That's after the 8 May 1963 release in Denver, Colorado.)
1964: Goldfinger films at the Auric Stud stud farm.

1967: Comic strip The Hildebrand Rarity begins its run in The Daily Express.
(Finishes 16 December 1967. 429-602) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/thr.php3


https://spyguysandgals.com/sgLookupComicStrip.aspx?id=997








Hindi https://www.comicsroyale.com/foreign-reprints#/star-comics/


Swedish Semic Comic 1977 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1977.php3?s=comics&id=01952

Ubåt Saknas (The Hildebrand Rarity)

[Ubåt Saknas, translates as Missing Submarine]

Swedish 1986 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1986.php3?s=comics&id=02296

Ubåt Saknad!
(The Hildebrand Rarity - Part 1) | (The Hildebrand Rarity - Part 1)

Danish 1969 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-dk-no17-1969/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 17: “The Hildebrand Rarity” (1969)




Titan, 2004

1989: A kém, aki szeretett engem released in Hungary.

2008: Penguin Books publishes Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories.

2018: Daniel Craig films a Heineken commercial in Cardona, Spain.

2018: Thom Yorke plays Radiohead's "Spectre" as a second encore for his live show.

Thom Yorke plays Radiohead’s scrapped James Bond theme
“Spectre” live for first time: Watch

See the complete article here:

https://consequence.net/2018/05/thom-yorke-spectre-live/

Following the debut of a new solo song called "Axe" earlier this
week

Spectre Live Debut photo by David Brendan Hall

Randall Colburn | May 30, 2018 | 12:46pm ET

We weren’t big fans of the Sam Smith track that served as the sonic backbone of 2015’s James Bond flick Spectre, especially after hearing the song Radiohead composed that was ultimately turned down by the film’s producers. Aptly titled “Spectre”, Radiohead eventually shared the track for public enjoyment, though they’ve yet to play it live as a full band.

However, as Stereogum points out, the song served as the second encore to Thom Yorke’s solo set last night in Milan. Played solo with piano, Yorke’s rendition eschews the song’s cinematic strings, resulting in something infinitely more harrowing. Check out some fan-shot footage of Yorke’s “Spectre” below.

The “Spectre” debut comes on the heels of Yorke premiering a brand new solo song, “Axe”, in Florence on Monday night. He plays Zurich tonight, then will play nine more shows throughout the month of June. Lord knows what other surprises he might have in store. All this new music — “I Am A Very Rude Person” and “Saturdays” debuted back in December — bodes well for Yorke’s follow-up to 2014’s solo effort Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes. In the meantime, he’s also prepping his film scoring debut with Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake.

I'm lost, I'm a ghost
Dispossessed, taken host
My hunger burns a bullet hole
A spectre of my mortal soul
These rumors and suspicion
Anger is a poison
The only truth that I could see
Is when you put your lips to me
Future's tricked by the past
Spectre, how he laughs
Fear puts a spell on us
Always second-guessing love
My hunger burns a bullet hole
A spectre of my mortal soul
The only truth that I can see
Spectre has come for me

Songwriters:
Philip James Selway / Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood / Edward John O'brien /
Thomas Edward Yorke / Colin Charles Greenwood

2021: Royal Albert Hall re-opens. Anticipating a 150th-anniversary event 19 July (delayed from 29 March) and with composer David Arnold performing.

Royal Albert Hall to re-open
on 29 May

See the complete article here:

https://accessaa.co.uk/royal-albert-hall-to-open-on-29-may/

Joe Gallop May 5, 2021 | Latest NewsMusicVenues

The Royal Albert Hall (cap. 5,272) will begin hosting full-capacity events again from this summer, following its re-opening on 29 May.

Aside from staging three 1,000-capacity events in December, the venue has been closed to audiences since 17 March last year.

The venue will initially begin hosting a series of socially-distanced events for 1,000 people, 20% of the Hall’s capacity, followed by a full-capacity James Blunt concert on 6 July.

The Hall is scheduled to host its 150th-anniversary event on 19 July – delayed from 29 March – with a performance from James Bond and Sherlock composer David Arnold. This will be followed by the return of the BBC Proms from 30 July – 11 September, with further details to be announced on 27 May.

The socially-distanced events include a family concert, Albert’s Band: Back with a Bang, followed by the Messiah with the Royal Choral Society, A Country Night in Nashville, and the British Ballet Charity Gala hosted by Darcey Bussell.

Although it successfully broadcasted live-streamed shows by Driift to an audience of 1.5m, the Hall has not welcomed an audience since March 2020 and has refunded more than £7.5m worth of ticket sales. The Hall announced the live-streamed performances will continue alongside the physical events.

Royal Albert Hall chief executive Craig Hassall said, “This has been the toughest period in the Hall’s 150-year history – and not how we ever imagined marking this remarkable milestone. But we are so excited about getting back to doing what we do best, and can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Hall to help us celebrate this anniversary in style

The Royal Choral Society music director Richard Cooke said: “It was so disappointing to have to cancel our 144th annual Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020, and we thought we’d lost this year’s as well – having missed the usual Easter date – so we are indebted to our friends at the Hall for allowing this year’s performance to go ahead, albeit a little later than usual.”

RichardTheBruce

May 30th

1929: Michael Andreas Mellinger is born--Kochel, Bavaria, Germany.
(He dies 17 March 2004--London, England.)

Michael Mellinger (1929–2004)

Actor | Miscellaneous Crew
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0577996/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

1963: Bosley Crowther's review of Dr. No goes to print in The New York Times.
(The Screen: 'Dr. No,' Mystery Spoof; Film Is First Made of Ian Fleming Novels Sean Connery Stars as James Bond.)

Archives | 1963

The Screen: 'Dr. No,' Mystery Spoof: Film Is First Made of Ian Fleming
Novels Sean Connery Stars as Agent James Bond

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1963/05/30/archives/the-screen-dr-no-mystery-spooffilm-is-first-made-of-ian-fleming.html

By BOSLEY CROWTHER | MAY 30, 1963

IF you haven't yet made the acquaintance of Ian Fleming's suave detective, James Bond, in the author's fertile series of mystery thrillers akin to the yarns of Mickey Spillane, here's your chance to correct that misfortune in one quick and painless stroke. It's by seeing this first motion picture made from a Fleming novel, "Dr. No."This lively, amusing picture, which opened yesterday at the Astor, the Murray Hill and other theaters in the "premiere showcase" group, is not to be taken seriously as realistic fiction or even art, any more than the works of Mr. Fleming are to be taken as long-hair literature. It is strictly a tinseled action-thriller, spiked with a mystery of a sort. And, if you are clever, you will see it as a spoof of science-fiction and sex.For the crime-detecting adventure that Mr. Bond is engaged in here is so wildly exaggerated, so patently contrived, that it is obviously silly and not to be believed. It is a perilous task of discovering who is operating a device on the tropical island of Jamaica that "massively interferes" with the critical rocket launchings from Cape Canaveral. Nonsense, you say. Of course, it's nonsense — pure, escapist bunk, with Bond, an elegant fellow, played by Sean Connery, doing everything (and everybody) that an idle day-dreamer might like to do. Called from a gaming club in London to pick up his orders and his gun and hop on a plane for Jamaica before a tawny temptress leads him astray, old "Double Oh Seven" (that's his code name) is in there being natty from the start. And he keeps on being natty, naughty and nifty to the end. It's not the mystery that entertains you, it's the things that happen along the way—the attempted kidnapping at the Jamaica airport, the tarantula dropped onto Bond's bed, the seduction of the Oriental beauty, the encounter with the beautiful blond bikini-clad Ursula Andress on the beach of Crab Key. And it's all of these things happening so smoothly in the lovely Jamaica locale, looking real and tempting in color, that recommend this playful British film.The ending, which finds Joseph Wiseman being frankly James Masonish in an undersea laboratory that looks like something inspired by Oak Ridge, is a bit too extravagant and silly, and likewise too frantic and long. But something outrageous had to be found with which to end the reckless goings-on.

A version of this review appears in print on May 30, 1963 of the National edition with the headline: The Screen: 'Dr. No,' Mystery Spoof:Film Is First Made of Ian Fleming Novels Sean Connery Stars as Agent James Bond. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe

2015: Julie Harris dies at age 94--London, England.
(Born 26 March 1921--London, England.)

Remembering Julie Harris,
costume designer
for Bond and Hitchcock

See the complete article here:

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/remembering-julie-harris-costume-designer-bond-hitchcock

Curator Josephine Botting pays tribute to the late, Oscar-winning
costume designer, one of our last surviving links with the golden age
of British cinema.
Josephine Botting | Updated: 2 June 2015

Julie Harris’s costumes for The Slipper and the Rose (1976)

Oscar- and BAFTA-winning costume designer Julie Harris died on 30 May at the age of 94. Over a 44-year career she worked on more than 80 films and television productions and dressed some of the biggest stars of both the British and American film industries.

Julie was one of the last surviving creatives who learned her craft in the golden age of British cinema, making her solo debut in 1947 on the Gainsborough film Holiday Camp, an assignment which dashed any illusions she had regarding the glamour of the movies, as she and the rest of the crew found themselves on location at Butlins in Filey, Yorkshire.

Harris during her years at the Rank studio

She went on to work with many of the studio’s stars, including Patricia Roc, Phyllis Calvert and Dennis Price but had an especially good relationship with Jean Kent, who specifically asked for Julie to dress her in Good-time Girl (1948), in which she played a juvenile delinquent who gets in with a shady crowd. She and Jean were reunited at BFI Southbank in 2011 at a celebration of Kent’s 90th birthday.

After receiving excellent on-the-job training at Gainsborough, under the tutelage of the studio’s talented head of costume, Elizabeth Haffenden, Julie went on to get a contract with Rank in the early 1950s. There she designed not only film costumes but also evening wear for the stars’ public appearances at premieres and festivals such as Cannes. One of the more flamboyant stars she had to cater for was Diana Dors; she was once instructed to dye an entire outfit turquoise, fur and all, to match her Rolls Royce and also designed the infamous ‘mink bikini’ Dors wore on a gondola at the 1955 Venice Festival (actually made of rabbit as mink was too difficult to get).

As Rank began to wind down, Julie went freelance and found herself in great demand. Over the next 30 years, she worked with Hollywood stars such as Jayne Mansfield, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall and Alan Ladd and directors Alfred Hitchcock, Joseph Losey, Billy Wilder and John Schlesinger. It was for Schlesinger’s 1965 film Darling that she won her Oscar; typically, she was too busy working to go to collect it in person.

Help! (1965): costume design for Ahme
Credit: Julie Harris

After working on the Beatles’ first two films (designing a set of fabulous Indian-inspired costumes for Eleanor Bron in 1965’s Help!), she worked with Bryan Forbes on The Wrong Box (for which she won a BAFTA in 1967), The Whisperers and Deadfall (both 1967). Forbes and his wife Nanette Newman became close friends and she was later invited to work on his 1976 Cinderella adaptation, The Slipper and the Rose. This was to become Julie’s favourite of all her films and still has many fans; while Julie was in hospital at the end of her life, a fellow patient was thrilled to learn that in the next bed was the person who had designed the beautiful ball gown that she had fantasised about wearing as a girl.

The Slipper and the Rose allowed her to dress again one of her favourite actors: Dame Edith Evans. Evans’ demeanour was so regal that it had been incredibly difficult to dress her ‘down’ for the role of the lonely old woman in The Whisperers (1967) – even in a moth-eaten fur coat Julie had picked up on the Portobello Road, Evans still managed to look like Lady Bracknell. Another of her favourite stars was Deborah Kerr – with whom she worked on five films – whose poise and elegance were a costume designer’s dream.

Julie lived for her work and didn’t let up throughout the 1970s and 80s, working on the Bond title Live and Let Die (1973), science fiction film Rollerball (1975) and John Badham’s 1979 version of Dracula, starring Frank Langella and Laurence Olivier.

Harris on location for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

Most of her later credits were TV movies but she brought to them the same style and attention to detail which characterised her work. She was professional to the core: once sitting up all night with a team of local art students painting stripes on the bands of piles of straw boaters to be worn by the schoolboy extras in Goodbye Mr. Chips (1969), which had been delivered minus the school colours.

On her retirement at the age of 70, Julie concentrated on her other passion, painting still life, and her work was exhibited at a London gallery. She loved to meet people and talk about her work but with little regret; she had practised her craft in a period when there was the time and resource to get things right. She knew that the frenetic pace and pressures of contemporary filmmaking would not have suited her way of working, not to mention the absence of the glamour which she so adored. But she always kept up to date and maintained an interest in fashion and production which was testament to her lively engagement with the world.

I was lucky enough to know Julie well and shared many afternoons with her watching her films or listening to her reminiscences of the stars she worked with and the experiences she had. She would welcome friends and strangers alike into her home and loved company of all ages. She will be very sadly missed by her friends and fans.

Harris designs for the schoolgirls in A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Credit: Julie Harris

Harris designs for Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972)
Credit: Julie Harris

Julie Harris (costume designer)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Harris_(costume_designer)
Notable credits

Another Man's Poison (1951)
The Story of Esther Costello (1957)

Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
All Night Long (1961)
The Chalk Garden (1964)
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Carry On Cleo (1964)
Help! (1965)
Darling (1965)
The Wrong Box (1966)
Casino Royale (1967)
The Whisperers (1967)
Prudence and the Pill (1968)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970)
Live and Let Die (1973)
Rollerball (1975)
The Land That Time Forgot (1975)
The Slipper and the Rose (1976)
Candleshoe (1977)
Dracula (1979)

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

Awards and nominations
1965 BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (Psyche 59, nominee)
1966 Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black and White (Darling, winner)
1966 BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (Help!, nominee)
1967 BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (The Wrong Box, winner)
1968 BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (Casino Royale, nominee)

1977 BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (The Slipper and the Rose, nominee)

Julie Harris (II) (1921–2015)

Costume Designer | Costume and Wardrobe Department
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0364916/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3

2015: Spectre films near Westminster Abbey, London.

2017: Molly Peters dies at age 75--Taunton, Somerset, England.
(Born 15 March 1942--Walsham-le-Willows, Suffolk, England.)

Molly Peters, Bond Girl in
‘Thunderball,’ Reportedly Dies
at 75

See the complete article here:

https://variety.com/2017/film/global/molly-peters-dies-dead-bond-girl-1202448700/

By Stewart Clarke

CREDIT: PIERLUIGI/REX/Shutterstock

Bond girl Molly Peters, whose risque scenes in “Thunderball” caused much comment at the time, has died, according to the official James Bond Twitter account.

Peters, 75, played Pat, a nurse tending to Sean Connery’s Bond in 1965’s “Thunderball.” She was the first Bond girl to take her clothes off onscreen in scenes that were considered racy and controversial. Several were ultimately cut from the film.

The Bond Twitter feed said: “We are sad to hear that Molly Peters has passed away at the age of 75. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Peters’ death comes barely a week after that of Roger Moore, who played the part of the suave 007 more times than any other actor.

Peters, who was also a model, had a fleeting acting career, spanning just a handful of films and series in the mid-1960s. “Thunderball” was her most notable big screen role.

Her movie career ended with the 1968 feature “Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River.” She also had parts in various 1960s series, including “Armchair Theater.”

In later life, she talked about her Bond role in 1995’s “Behind the Scenes With Thunderball” and 2000’s “Terence Young: Bond Vivant.”

The cause of death has not been announced.

Molly Peters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Peters

Born Vivien Mollie Rudderham, 14 March 1939, Walsham-le-Willows, Suffolk, England
Died 30 May 2017 (aged 78)
Nationality British | Occupation Actress
Years active 1964–1967
Known for As Patricia Fearing in Thunderball (1965)

Molly Peters (14 March 1939 – 30 May 2017) was an English actress best known for her role in the James Bond film Thunderball.

Career
Mollie Peters started out as a model and was discovered by film director Terence Young.

She appeared in several films during the 1960s. Her best-known appearance was the role of Bond girl, Patricia Fearing or Pat, a nurse who takes care of James Bond (Sean Connery) while he is on holiday at her health clinic in Thunderball (1965). Peters was the first Bond girl to be seen taking her clothes off on screen in the Bond series.

Peters appeared in Playboy, in the November 1965 issue. Her appearance was as part of a pictorial essay titled "James Bond's Girls", by Richard Maibaum.

According to the special edition DVD of Thunderball, Peters' short film career was the result of a disagreement between her and her agent, the specifics of which were not revealed. According to Peters, her agent at the time of Thunderball held her to her contract agreement of representation due to the mega-successful box-office hit of the fourth James Bond film in 1965. Not until many years later, when the fame, the glamour and the chaos had faded from the release of Thunderball, her contractual agreement had ended and so had any modelling and/or film prospects.

Personal life
When she was young, she gave birth to a daughter, whom she gave up for adoption. Peters later married and lived with her husband in Ipswich, Suffolk. She and her husband had a son, who has since died. In 2011, Peters suffered a mild stroke.

Death
Peters died on 30 May 2017, at the age of 78. [75?]

Filmography

Films
Peter Studies Form (1964) (as Mollie Peters)
Thunderball (1965) as Patricia Fearing
Target for Killing (aka Das Geheimnis der gelben Mönche) (1966) as Vera
Das Experiment (1966, TV Movie) as Junges Mädchen
The Naked World of Harrison Marks (1967) as Herself
Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968) as Heath's Secretary (final film role)

Television
Armchair Theatre (1 episode, 1967) as Waitress
Baker's Half-Dozen (1967, TV series, unknown episodes) as The Girl

Molly Peters (I) (1942–2017)

Actress
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0676601/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

2019: The Guardian reports James Bond remains a solid recruitment tool for MI6.

James Bond still a strong 'recruitment
sergeant' for MI6, says expert

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/30/james-bond-still-a-strong-recruitment-sergeant-for-mi6-says-expert

Dr Rory Cormac tells Hay festival Bond still loved by MI6 despite
bearing no resemblance to a real spy

Daniel Craig as 007: ‘A lot of people who want to become Bond get weeded out very early,
as they are psychopath.’ Photograph: EON Productions/PA
Sian Cain | @siancain | Thu 30 May 2019 13.55 EDT

James Bond remains a powerful recruitment tool for MI6, a secret intelligence expert says – despite claims that he is unrealistically posh and violent.

Dr Rory Cormac, associate professor of international relations with a specialty in secret intelligence at Nottingham university, said MI6 loved the positive brand provided by Ian Fleming’s fictional spy.

“They like the image it creates, as Bond is linked to British omnipotence and omniscience,” he told an audience at the Hay festival. “It is a great recruitment sergeant as well – although a lot of people who want to become James Bond get weeded out very early, as they are psychopaths.”

Cormac said the spy was also a positive for intelligence diplomacy. “When MI6 agents are trying to make contact with people in far-flung countries as part of operations, they have been known to be greeted, ‘Hello, Mr Bond!’ It helps to break the ice.”

In a rare interview in 2016, Alex Younger, the chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, said the “fictional stereotypes” in Fleming’s books had created a view of an MI6 officer that bore no resemblance to reality.

“I’m conflicted about Bond,” he said at the time. “He has created a powerful brand for MI6: as C, the real-life version of M, there are few people who will not come to lunch if I invite them. Many of our counterparts envy the sheer global recognition of our acronym … were Bond to apply to join MI6 now, he would have to change his ways.”

Because of Bond, he said, “people have felt that there is a single quality that defines an MI6 officer, be it an Oxbridge education or a proficiency in hand-to-hand combat. This is, of course, patently untrue. There is no standard MI6 officer.”

On Thursday, Cormac said that Allen Dulles, director of the CIA between 1953 and 1961 when Fleming’s first Bond books were arriving on shelves, was a huge fan.

“Interestingly, the impact [of Bond] in America was as big as it was in Britain,” he said. “[Dulles] at the time loved all the James Bond stuff and he saw all the inventions and showed a copy to whoever was in charge of the CIA’s technical desk and said, ‘Get me this, get me this!’”

The pressure inspired the creation of a shoe loaded with a spring-loaded poison knife, as depicted in the first Bond novel that Dulles read, 1957’s From Russia with Love.

The CIA director and the author would go on to become friends, and Fleming would later include a reference to Dulles in The Man With The Golden Gun, ending the book with a scene in which Bond is shown reading Dulles’ 1963 book about his own career, The Craft of Intelligence.

2021: Bruun Rasmussen auctions a bottle of fine Bollinger champagne. James Bond edition.

Auctions | 30 May 2021: 456 lots selling from 8:00 pm CEST

Fine and rare wines

https://bruun-rasmussen.dk/m/auctions/1006771

2121/​3010 | 1 bt.
Champagne “James Bond Edition”, Bollinger 2002 A (hf/in). Oc. Excellent condition.

https://bruun-rasmussen.dk/m/lots/D61CF2F85BCA?auction_day_id=1006771
• Abbreviations | Wine legend
• Preview | At Baltikavej
• Auction | Fine and rare wines, 30 May 2021
• Category | Wine ▸ Champagne
• Selling | at 8:03 pm
• Estimate | 1,400–1,800 kr.

2024: National Mint Julep Day in the United States.

National Mint Julep Day 2022
May 30

See the complete article here:

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-mint-julep-day-2022/

May 30 is National Mint Julep Day. This drink was introduced at the Kentucky Derby in the 1930s and since then it has become the event’s official drink. Mint julep is the best refreshing summer drink, made of water, sugar, Bourbon and spearmint. It’s similar to Mojito, but rum was replaced by Bourbon.

Bartenders have their own trick to enhance the flavour- bruise the mint leaves a little before you add other ingredients, then you’ll have a flavorful drink.

The drink can be made easily at home, and can even be adapted so that it doesn’t contain alcohol. Shake 65ml of bourbon in a glass with 10 mint leaves, 12.5ml of sugar syrup and plenty of crushed ice. Garnish your drink with a sprig of mint. Or if you are feeling adventurous and fancy something a bit more exotic, there are all kinds of fruity amendments that can be made to the recipe.

Whatever your tipple, invite your friends over for a party with homemade mint julep. Enjoy this unique drink even when Kentucky Derby is over. The refreshing taste of mint julep is perfect for any hot summer day.

https://www.diffordsguide.com/on-this-day/may/30

RichardTheBruce

May 31st

1907: Robert Peter Fleming is born--Mayfair, London, England.
(He dies 18 August 1971 at age 64--Black Mount, Scotland.)

Peter Fleming

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fleming_(writer)
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Peter Fleming OBE DL (31 May 1907 – 18 August 1971) was a British adventurer, soldier and travel writer. He was the elder brother of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

Peter Fleming OBE DL

Born Robert Peter Fleming, 31 May 1907, Mayfair, London, England
Died 18 August 1971 (aged 64), Black Mount, Argyllshire, Scotland
Resting place St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Nettlebed
Education Eton College
Alma mater Christ Church, Oxford
Occupation Writer, adventurer
Spouse(s) Celia Johnson (m. 1935)
Children 3
Relatives Ian Fleming (brother)

Early life
Peter Fleming was one of four sons of the barrister and MP Valentine Fleming, who was killed in action in 1917, having served as MP for Henley from 1910. Fleming was educated at Eton, where he edited the Eton College Chronicle. The Peter Fleming Owl (the English meaning of "Strix", the name under which he later wrote for The Spectator) is still awarded every year to the best contributor to the Chronicle. He went on from Eton to Christ Church, Oxford, and graduated with a first-class degree in English.

Fleming was a member of the Bullingdon Club during his time at Oxford. On 10 December 1935 he married the actress Celia Johnson (1908–1982), best known for her roles in the films Brief Encounter and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Travels
In Brazil
In April 1932 Fleming replied to an advertisement in the personal columns of The Times: "Exploring and sporting expedition, under experienced guidance, leaving England June to explore rivers central Brazil, if possible ascertain fate Colonel Percy Fawcett; abundant game, big and small; exceptional fishing; room two more guns; highest references expected and given." He then joined the expedition, organised by Robert Churchward, to São Paulo, then overland to the rivers Araguaia and Tapirapé, heading towards the last-known position of the Fawcett expedition.

During the inward journey the expedition was riven by increasing disagreements as to its objectives and plans, centred particularly on its local leader, whom Fleming disguised as "Major Pingle" when he wrote about the expedition. Fleming and Roger Pettiward (a school and university friend recruited onto the expedition as a result of a chance encounter with Fleming) led a breakaway group.

This group continued for several days up the Tapirapé to São Domingo, from where Fleming, Pettiward, Neville Priestley and one of the Brazilians hired by the expedition set out to find evidence of Fawcett's fate on their own. After acquiring two Tapirapé guides the party began a march to the area where Fawcett was reported to have last been seen. They made slow progress for several days, losing the Indian guides and Neville to foot infection, before admitting defeat.

The expedition's return journey was made down the River Araguaia to Belém. It became a closely fought race between Fleming's party and "Major Pingle", the prize being to be the first to report home, and thus to gain the upper hand in the battles over blame and finances that were to come. Fleming's party narrowly won. The expedition returned to England in November 1932.

Fleming's book about the expedition, Brazilian Adventure, has sold well ever since it was first published in 1933, and is still in print.

In Asia
Fleming travelled from Moscow to Peking via the Caucasus, the Caspian, Samarkand, Tashkent, the Turksib Railway and the Trans-Siberian Railway to Peking as a special correspondent of The Times. His experiences were written up in One's Company (1934). He then went overland in company of Ella Maillart from China via Tunganistan to India on a journey written up in News from Tartary (1936). These two books were combined as Travels in Tartary: One's Company and News from Tartary (1941). All three volumes were published by Jonathan Cape.

According to Nicolas Clifford, for Fleming China “had the aspect of a comic opera land whose quirks and oddities became grist for the writer, rather than deserving any respect or sympathy in themselves”. In One's Company, for example, Fleming reports that Beijing was “lacking in charm”, Harbin was a city of “no easily definable character”. Changchun was “entirely characterless”, and Shenyang was “non-descript and suburban". However, Fleming also provides insights into Manchukuo, the Japanese puppet state in Manchuria, which helped contemporary readers to understand Chinese resentment and resistance, and the aftermath of the Kumul Rebellion. In the course of these travels Fleming met and interviewed many prominent figures in Central Asia and China, including the Chinese Muslim General Ma Hushan, the Chinese Muslim Taoyin of Kashgar, Ma Shaowu, and Pu Yi.

Of Travels in Tartary, Owen Lattimore remarked that Fleming, who "passes for an easy-going amateur, is in fact an inspired amateur whose quick appreciation, especially of people, and original turn of phrase, echoing P. G. Wodehouse in only a very distant and cultured way, have created a unique kind of travel book". Lattimore added that it "is only in the political news from Tartary that there is a disappointment," as, in his view, Fleming offers "a simplified explanation, in terms of Red intrigue and Bolshevik villains, which does not make sense."

Stuart Stevens retraced Peter Fleming's route and wrote his own travel book.

World War II
Just before war was declared, Peter Fleming, then a reserve officer in the Grenadier Guards, was recruited by the War Office research section investigating the potential of irregular warfare (MIR). His initial task was to develop ideas to assist the Chinese guerrillas fighting the Japanese. He served in the Norwegian campaign with the prototype commando units – Independent Companies – but in May 1940 he was tasked with research into the potential use of the new Local Defence Volunteers (later the Home Guard) as guerrilla troops. His ideas were first incorporated into General Thorne's XII Corps Observation Unit, forerunner of the GHQ Auxiliary Units. Fleming recruited his brother, Richard, then serving in the Faroe Islands, to provide a core of Lovat Scout instructors to his teams of LDV volunteers.

When Colin Gubbins was appointed to head the new Auxiliary Units, he incorporated many of Peter's ideas, which aimed to create secret commando teams of Home Guard in the coastal districts most liable to the risk of invasion. Their role was to launch sabotage raids on the flanks and rear of any invading army, in support of regular troops, but they were never intended as a post-occupation 'resistance' force, having a life expectancy of only two weeks. Peter Fleming later served in Greece, but his principal service, from 1942 to the end of the war, was as head of D Division, in charge of military deception operations in Southeast Asia, based in New Delhi, India.

Fleming was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1945 Birthday Honours and in 1948 he was awarded the Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Rosette by the Republic of China.

Later life
After the war Peter Fleming retired to squiredom at Nettlebed, Oxfordshire and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire on 31 July 1970.[14]

Death
Fleming died on 18 August 1971 from a heart attack while on a shooting expedition near Glen Coe in Scotland. His body was buried in Nettlebed Churchyard, where a stained glass window was later installed in the church dedicated to his memory. The gravestone reads:

He travelled widely in far places;
Wrote, and was widely read.
Soldiered, saw some of danger's faces,
Came home to Nettlebed.

The squire lies here, his journeys ended –
Dust, and a name on a stone –
Content, amid the lands he tended,
To keep this rendezvous alone.

Family
After the death of his brother Ian, Peter Fleming served on the board of Glidrose, Ltd, the company purchased by Ian to hold the literary rights to his professional writing, particularly the James Bond novels and short stories. Peter also tried to become a substitute father for Ian's surviving son, Caspar, who overdosed on narcotics in his twenties.

Peter and Celia Fleming remained married until his death in 1971. He was survived by their three children:

Nicholas Peter Val Fleming (1939–1995), writer and squire of Nettlebed. He deposited Peter Fleming's papers for public access at the University of Reading in 1975. These include several unpublished works, as well as the manuscripts of several of his books that are now out of print. Nichol Fleming's partner for many years was the merchant banker Christopher Roxburghe Balfour (b. 1941), brother of Neil Balfour, second husband (1969–78) of Princess Jelizaveta of Yugoslavia. Nettlebed is now jointly owned by his sisters.

(Roberta) Katherine Fleming (b. 1946), writer and publisher, is now Kate Grimond, wife of Johnny Grimond, foreign editor of The Economist. Johnny is the elder surviving son of the late British Liberal Party leader Jo Grimond, and grandson maternally of Violet Bonham-Carter, herself daughter of the British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith. Kate and John have three children, Jessie (a journalist), Rose (an actress turned organic foods entrepreneur) and Georgia (a journalist at The Economist online).

Lucy Fleming (born 1947), now Lucy Williams, is an actress. In the 1970s she starred as Jenny in the BBC's apocalyptic fiction series Survivors. She was first married in 1971 to Joseph "Joe" Laycock (d. 1980), son of a family friend Robert Laycock and his wife Angela Dudley Ward, and was on honeymoon at the time of her father's sudden death in Argyllshire. Lucy and Joe had two sons and a daughter, Flora. Flora and her father, Joe, were drowned in a boating accident in 1980. At the time of their deaths Lucy and Joe were separated on good terms. Lucy later married the actor and writer Simon Williams. Her sons are Diggory and Robert Laycock.

Peter Fleming was the godfather of the British author and journalist Duff Hart-Davis, who wrote Peter Fleming: A Biography (published by Jonathan Cape in 1974). Duff's father Rupert Hart-Davis, a publisher, was good friends with Peter, who gave him a home on the Nettlebed estate for many years and gave financial backing to his publishing ventures.

Legacy
The Peter Fleming Award, worth £9,000, is given by the Royal Geographical Society for a "research project that seeks to advance geographical science".

Fleming's book about the British military expedition to Tibet in 1903 to 1904 is credited in the Chinese film Red River Valley (1997).

Quotations

"São Paulo is like Reading, only much farther away."
– Brazilian Adventure

"Public opinion in England is sharply divided on the subject of Russia. On the one hand you have the crusty majority, who believe it to be a hell on earth; on the other you have the half-baked minority who believe it to be a terrestrial paradise in the making. Both cling to their opinions with the tenacity, respectively, of the die-hard and the fanatic. Both are hopelessly wrong." – One's Company

The recorded history of Chinese civilisation covers a period of four thousand years.
The Population of China is estimated at 450 million.
China is larger than Europe.
The author of this book is twenty-six years old.
He has spent, altogether, about seven months in China.
He does not speak Chinese.
- Preface, One's Company

Fleming's works
Fleming was a special correspondent for The Times and often wrote under the pen-name "Strix" (Latin for "screech owl") an essayist for The Spectator.

Non-fiction

1933 Brazilian Adventure – Exploring the Brazilian jungle in search of the lost Colonel Percy Fawcett.
1934 One's Company: A Journey to China in 1933 – Travels through the USSR, Manchuria and China. Later reissued as half of Travels in Tartary.
1936 News from Tartary: A Journey from Peking to Kashmir – Journey from Peking to Srinagar via Sinkiang. He was accompanied on this journey by Ella Maillart (Kini). Later reissued as half of Travels in Tartary.
1952 A Forgotten Journey – A diary Fleming kept during a journey through Russia and Manchuria in 1934. Reprinted as To Peking: A Forgotten Journey from Moscow to Manchuria (2009, ISBN 978-1-84511-996-6)
1953 Introduction to Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer published by Rupert Hart-Davis, London
1955 Tibetan Marches – A translation from French of Caravane vers Bouddha by André Migot
1956 My Aunt's Rhinoceros: And Other Reflections — A collection of essays written (as "Strix") for The Spectator.
1957 Invasion 1940 — an account of the planned Nazi invasion of Britain and British anti-invasion preparations of the Second World War. Published in the United States as Operation Sea Lion
1957 With the Guards to Mexico: And Other Excursions — A collection of essays written for The Spectator.
1958 The Gower Street Poltergeist — A collection of essays written for The Spectator.
1959 The Siege at Peking — An account of the Boxer Rebellion and the European-led siege of the Imperial capital.
1961 Bayonets to Lhasa: The First Full Account of the British Invasion of Tibet in 1904
1961 Goodbye to the Bombay Bowler — A collection of essays written for The Spectator as 'Strix'.
1963 The Fate of Admiral Kolchak — a study of the White Army leader Admiral Kolchak who attempted to save the Imperial Russian family at Ekaterinburg in 1918.

Fiction

Books
1940 The Flying Visit – A humorous novel about an unintended visit to Britain by Adolf Hitler. Illustrated by David Low.
1942 A Story to Tell: And Other Tales — A collection of short stories.
1952 The Sixth Column: A Singular Tale of Our Times
The Sett (unfinished, unpublished)

Short fiction
"The Kill" (1931)
"Felipe" (1937)

1927: Joe Robinson is born--Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.
(He dies 3 July 2017 at age 90--Brighton, East Sussex, England.)

Joe Robinson (actor)

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Robinson_(actor)

Joe Robinson as Thor in Thor and the Amazon Women

Born Joseph Robinson, 31 May 1927, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England
Died 3 July 2017 (aged 90), Brighton, East Sussex, England
Alma mater Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation Actor, stuntman
Years active 1952–1971

Joseph Robinson (31 May 1927 – 3 July 2017) was an English actor and stuntman born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. He was a champion professional wrestler, as were his father Joseph and his grandfather John. His brother, Doug Robinson, is also an actor and stuntman.

Career
Professional wrestling
Robinson initially embarked on a career in wrestling as 'Tiger Joe Robinson' and won the European Heavyweight Championship in 1952. At the same time, he was also interested in acting and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After injuring his back wrestling in Paris he decided to concentrate on acting. Joe Robinson's daughter Polly Robinson (Hardy-Stewart) has also continued the family's success in martial arts by winning the junior Judo championships in the 1980s.

Acting
Robinson's first role came in the keep-fit documentary Fit as a Fiddle and in the same year, 1952, he followed it up with a part as Harry 'Muscles' Green in the musical Wish You Were Here in the West End of London.

He made his film debut in 1955's A Kid for Two Farthings, in which he wrestled Primo Carnera. His film and television career really took off in the 1960s and in 1962 he appeared in British classic The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner alongside appearances in The Saint and The Avengers in 1963. With his younger brother Doug and Honor Blackman, he co-authored Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence in 1965 (Joe was also a judo champion and black belt at karate). The year after he appeared in an episode of the sitcom Pardon the Expression which referenced this book. During this time he was also a popular stunt-arranger, working on several James Bond films and in 1960 was invited to Rome where he appeared in five muscle-bound Italian epics, including Taur the Mighty (1963), Thor and the Amazon Women (1963) and Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1961). Other notable big-screen appearances include 1961's Carry On Regardless, of the British institution the Carry Ons. According to the book Tarzan of the Movies by Gabe Essoe, Robinson played the role of Tarzan in obscure Italian-made films (Taur, il re della forza bruta and Le gladiatrici); the use of the Tarzan character, however, was unauthorised and the character's name had to be changed to Thaur before the film was allowed for public release. His final big-screen appearance was in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever in which he plays diamond smuggler Peter Franks. Robinson claimed that he was a contender for the Red Grant role in From Russia with Love. Though he did not get it, Connery recommended him for the role in Diamonds are Forever. Robinson also claimed he turned down the role of the Rank Organisation's Gongman.

Retirement
He retired from acting, and lived in Brighton where he opened a martial arts centre. He conducted classes in Wadō-ryū style karate and Judo. In 1998 he hit the headlines after fighting off a gang of eight muggers single-handed. The 70-year-old was alighting from a bus in Cape Town when the gang struck with baseball bats and knives. 6 ft 2 ins Joe overpowered two with flying kicks, karate-chopped another in the chest and broke the arm of a fourth - the rest fled.

Reminiscing about his career in the Daily Mail recently, Robinson spoke on the subject of Laurence Olivier's alleged homosexuality saying 'my kids used to play with his kids at school and I taught him judo ... I have no idea if he was a homosexual... but he did once tell me I had lovely shoulders'.

Death
Robinson died at the age of 90 on 3 July 2017, in Brighton, East Sussex.
Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1955 A Kid for Two Farthings Sam Heppner
1956 Die ganze Welt singt nur Amore Max, der Athlet
1956 Pasaporte al infierno Pete Archer
1957 Fighting Mad Muscles Tanner
1957 The Flesh Is Weak Lofty
1958 The Strange Awakening Sven
1958 Sea Fury Hendrik
1958 Murder Reported Jim

1960 The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll Corinthian Uncredited
1960 The Bulldog Breed Tall Sailor
1961 Carry On Regardless Dynamite Dan
1961 Erik the Conqueror Garian Uncredited
1961 Barabbas Bearded Gladiator
1961 Tartar Invasion Ursus
1962 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Roach
1963 Taur, il re della forza bruta Taur
1963 Doctor in Distress Sonja's Boyfriend
1963 Thor and the Amazon Women Thor
1971 Diamonds Are Forever Peter Franks (final film role)

Joe Robinson (I) (1927–2017)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732750/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Actor

James Bond Fights Peter Franks - Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - James Bond (2:51)

1956: Ian Fleming begins an exchange of letters with arms expert Geoffrey Boothroyd.

The strange tale of the man who armed James Bond

See the complete article here:

https://www.scotsman.com/news/the-strange-tale-of-the-man-who-armed-james-bond-1-558731

THE expert behind the guns used by James Bond has been revealed as a Glaswegian whose world-class knowledge of firearms earned him the role of the Armourer in the 007 books.

Geoffrey Boothroyd, who worked for ICI in Glasgow, wrote to the author Ian Fleming shortly after reading Casino Royale in 1956, pointing out that the gun Bond used, a .25 Beretta, was inappropriate for the character.

The strength of his argument persuaded Fleming not only to incorporate his suggestions, but also to adopt Boothroyd as a paid adviser on arms-related matters in the Bond novels.

Fleming used Boothroyd’s persona as the Armourer in Dr No, describing him as Major Boothroyd, "a short slim man with sandy hair" with "very wide apart, clear, grey eyes that never seemed to flicker".

The character of Boothroyd makes a dramatic entry in Dr No: "M bent forward to the intercom. ‘Is the Armourer there? Send him in.’ M sat back. ‘You may not know it, 007, but Major Boothroyd’s the greatest small-arms expert in the world." Not surprisingly, the major had a rather acerbic view of Bond’s Beretta. When asked as to its use, Boothroyd replied in a clipped manner: "Ladies’ gun, sir."

Correspondence between Fleming and Boothroyd, which is to go under the hammer at Bloomsbury Auctions, the London specialist saleroom for books and manuscripts, reveal how far the author took on board the latter’s technical advice. Fleming frequently asked Boothroyd for more information on weapons and even borrowed his Smith & Wesson to be painted by Richard Chopping for the dust-jacket of From Russia with Love.

Academics and archivists hope the correspondence will not be broken up but kept together and deposited in a library where scholars can use it. Bloomsbury is to offer it as one lot with a pre-sale estimate of 15,000-20,000.

The collection of 30 previously unknown letters, written between 31 May, 1956, and 30 September, 1963, demonstrate Fleming’s passion for guns and attention to detail, coupled with Boothroyd’s intense knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject. From that first letter on, Bond was never without the correct firearm and his enemies were suitably equipped in return.

Potential problems over legally holding guns arise in the letters. Fleming assures Boothroyd that, as the Deputy Commissioner of Scotland Yard is "a close personal friend, we should have no complications over firearms certificates."

The two men’s dry sense of humour often comes through in the correspondence. In a letter dated 3 January, 1962, Fleming writes: "I feel safe in wishing you a Prosperous New Year, and if the tax man becomes too difficult, I suggest you shoot him."

Boothroyd was paid for his technical advice. In a letter to him, Fleming wrote: "I propose to pay you 25 per cent of all revenue I get from this piece and I suggest we needn’t draw up any legal contracts as my secretary, Miss Griffie-Williams, is an extremely honest person and will see that you get your due!" Fleming even signed himself in 1962 as "Comptroller of the Boothroyd Privy Purse".

Boothroyd, who was born in Lancashire but lived in Glasgow from the age of three, became one of the greatest authorities on the history and development of the sporting gun and was a regular contributor to the Shooting Times. He wrote several books, including A Guide to Guns in 1961 and The Handgun in 1988. He died in 2001.

A series of first edition 007 books from Boothroyd’s library are also to be sold by Bloomsbury. Fleming signed very few books and, consequently, there is a large premium for signed and presentation copies. As Boothroyd played such a key role in shaping the character of Bond, two of the books are likely to fetch new world records.

A copy of From Russia with Love is dedicated by Fleming "To Geoffrey Boothroyd - herewith appointed Armourer to J. Bond from Ian Fleming." The inscription in Dr No reads, "To Geoffrey Boothroyd - alias The Armourer from Ian Fleming". Each is expected to make up to 5,000.

Boothroyd even did duty as Armorer for S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel universe.

1963: From Russia With Love films the meeting of Bond and Kerim Bey.

1991: Putnam publishes John Gardner's eleventh Bond novel The Man From Barbarossa in the US.

Nobody could possibly have foreseen
that the abduction of an old man in
New Jersey would be the prelude to a
drama played out on the worlds' stage.

Or that it was the first step in a plot so
ingenious and skillful that the stability
of nations would rock wildly to its
adroit tune.

Or that around the world a name now
indelibly associated with the horror of
genocide--Babi Yar--would once again
be headline news.

Or that soon an unlikely alliance would
take place between the KGB, the Israeli
Mossad, and the French and British
Secret Intelligence Services.

And all because of an organization,
hitherto unknown, the Scales of
Justice.

For James Bond it meant a twist that
no-one could have invented in their
wildest dreams before the era of
glasnost and perestroika--for this new
assignment James Bond would not
simply work with his former arch-
enemy, the KGB, he would be
operating under their control!

In The Man from Barbarossa, John
Gardner's tenth novel featuring Ian
Fleming's indestructible hero, we find
James Bond as ready and able as ever
in the battle for good against evil,
however chilling the new realities of
the 1990s.

John Gardner was educated in
Berkshire and at St John's College,
Cambridge. He has had many
fascinating occupations and was
variously a Royal Marine officer, a
stage magician, theater critic, reviewer
and journalist.

As well as his James Bond novels, John
Gardner's other fiction includes the
acclaimed Herbie Kruger trilogy, The
Nostradamus Traitor, The Garden of
Weapons, The Werewolf Trace.

1993: Putnam releases John Gardner's Bond novel Never Send Flowers in the US.

Illusion leads to murder as 007 crosses the globe, tracking down the wrong killer in Gardner's 12th addition to the classic, bestselling James Bond series. While investigating a murder, Bond is led on a harrowing intercontinental chase that reaches its chilling and fantastic climax outside Paris in the ultimate kingdom of illusion and magic: EuroDisney.

2015: Spectre films near Trafalgar Square, The Mall and Whitehall.
2018: Jonathan Cape publishes Anthony Horowitz’s second James Bond novel Forever and a Day.

A SPY IS DEAD. A LEGEND IS BORN.

The sea keeps its secrets. But not
this time.

One body. Three bullets. OO7 floats
in the waters of the Marseilles, killed by
an unknown hand.

It's time for a new agent to step up.
Time for a new weapon in the war
against organised crime.

It's time for James Bond to earn his
licence to kill.

This is the story of the birth of
a legend, in the brutal underworld
of the French Riviera.

ANTHONY HOROWITZ is one of the
most prolific and successful writer working
in the UK. He has written more than forty
books, including his 2016 stand-alond
novel Magpie Murders, a Sunday Times
bestseller, and 2017's The Word is Murder,
the first in a series of crime novels starring
Detective Daniel Hawthorne.

He is the author of two Sherlock Holmes
novels - The House of Silk and Moriarty
and one previous James Bond novel,
Trigger Mortis. His teen spy Alex Rider
books have sold 19 million copies worldwide,
and he is also responsible for creating
and writing some of the UK's most-loved
TV series, including Midsomer Murders
and Foyle's War.

He is on the board of Old Vic Theatre
and was awarded an OBE for his services
to literature in January 2014.

Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz (0:22)

2018: Michael Ford dies at age 89--Godstone, Surrey, England.
(Born 11 June 1928--England.)

Michael Ford Dies: Oscar-Winning Set Decorator Of ‘Titanic’ & ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ Was 90

See the complete article here:

https://deadline.com/2018/05/michael-ford-oscar-winner-set-decorator-titanic-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-dead-death-obituary-1202400788/

By Andreas Wiseman | May 31, 2018 9:01am

Oscar-winning set decorator Michael Ford, who worked on franchises including Star Wars, Bond and Indiana Jones, has died aged 90.

During a glittering career, Ford won Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration in 1982 for Raiders Of The Lost Ark and in 1998 for his work on Titanic. He also received Academy Award nominations for his work on Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi.

Born in the UK, Ford’s career began in the 1960s. Early movie credits in the 1970s included comedies Up The Front and The Alf Garnett Saga while popular TV shows from the same decade included Space: 1999 and The New Avengers. In the 1980s he worked on movies such as The Living Daylights, six-time Oscar-winner Empire Of The Sun and Licence To Kill while in 1995 Ford worked on his third Bond title, GoldenEye. His final film was adventure sci-fi Wing Commander in 1999.

Oscar-winning production designer Peter Lamont (Titanic) said of Ford’s passing, “I’m so sorry to hear about the death of my friend and colleague Michael Ford, known affectionately as the ‘Flower Arranger’, who collaborated with me on seven productions (Consuming Passions, Living Daylights [sic], Licence to Kill, The Taking of Beverley Hills, Golden Eye [sic], Titanic and finally Wing Commander) from Mexico to Morocco, LA to Luxenberg and the UK.

“When we were on Titanic the producer said to me that he was worried about the costs of set decoration and I said, ‘Don’t worry, Michael is one of the most frugal (at work) with a budget that I know’. Three months later I was talking budget again with the producer, and he said to me, ‘You were right about your Flower Arranger, he is the only HOD who has done all we needed and still have budget left!’

“He was a very talented set decorator and artist. I never once saw him blow a fuse at work, he was a true gentleman and we will all miss him.”

Peter Walpole (Jason Bourne) of the British Film Designers Guild added, “Sad news to hear the passing of Michael Ford. As a production buyer and the an aspiring set decorator, I looked up to Michael with respect and awe. In addition to the productions he worked on with Peter Lamont, there was also, two of the first Star Wars films and of course Raiders of the Lost Ark. I concur with Peter, he was a true gentlemen. He will be sadly missed.”

2019: The Guardian reports on Phoebe Waller-Bridge's vision for Bond and women in Bond films.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge: new Bond film
must 'treat women properly' – even if he
doesn't

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/31/phoebe-waller-bridge-james-bond-film-must-treat-women-properly

Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the Baftas, 12 May 2019.
‘Bond needs to be true to his character’ … Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Photograph: James Veysey/Bafta/Rex/Shutterstock

The Fleabag and Killing Eve writer has expanded on her role
polishing the script for the 25th 007 film – which is rumoured to
concern genetic engineering
Catherine Shoard @catherineshoard | Fri 31 May 2019 10.10 EDT

News of the recruitment of Phoebe Waller-Bridge to polish the script of the 25th James Bond film was met with relief from fans fretful about the film’s hitherto bumpy pre-production.

Waller-Bridge – whose highly acclaimed second season of Fleabag has just begun its run in the US – was brought on board in April to enliven a screenplay that had already been through multiple drafts, apparently at the direct request of star Daniel Craig.

Speaking to Deadline, Waller-Bridge downplayed her centrality to the script, but confirmed she was treating the gender politics of the character seriously. “There’s been a lot of talk about whether or not [the Bond franchise] is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women,” she said. “I think that’s bollocks. I think he’s absolutely relevant now.

“It has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to this character.”

The second woman in the history of the franchise to gain a script credit, following Johanna Harwood, who co-wrote 1962’s Dr No and 1963’s From Russia With Love, Waller-Bridge continued by saying that she wanted to ensure the female characters in the new film “felt like real people”.

“I just want to make sure that when they get those pages through, that Lashana [Lynch], Léa [Seydoux] and Ana [de Armas] open them and go: ‘I can’t wait to do that.’ As an actress, I very rarely had that feeling early in my career. That brings me much pleasure, knowing that I’m giving that to an actress.”

As yet untitled, the 25th Bond film will be directed by Cary Fukunaga, following the departure of Danny Boyle due to “creative differences” last year. Boyle recently confirmed rumours that these differences centred on the script he and long-term collaborator John Hodge had written.

Production was put back to allow time for the completion of a new script by Bond veterans Neil Purvis and Robert Wade; this was then overhauled by Bourne Ultimatum writer Scott Z Burns. Filming finally began in late April, but was put on hold again a fortnight later, following a serious ankle injury sustained by Daniel Craig.

Waller-Bridge said she had long been drawn to Craig’s interpretation of the character. “When I saw his Bond for the first time, there was a wryness to his performance that I really loved,” she said. “So I was really excited about writing dialogue for him. I mean, the script was there. It’s already there. I think it’s unfair to say that I’m writing the script.”

Bond 25 features Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek as the lead villain, alongside returning MI6 cast Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear.

According to the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye, the new script’s subject matter is genetic engineering, and Waller-Bridge was brought on board in part because she could comprehend it. “There aren’t many people in the world bright enough to bring some humour to the topic of genetics and the Human Genome Project,” said Bamigboye’s source.

2023: American Classic Toy re-issues the James Bond 007 Secret Agent Attaché Case.

JAMES BOND 007 SECRET AGENT ATTACHE CASE
PROP REPLICA

See the complete article here:

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB239100

AMERICAN CLASSIC TOY, INC.
JAMES BOND 007 SECRET AGENT ATTACHE CASE PROP REPLICA
FEB239100

From American Classic Toy. Introducing the re-issue of the James Bond 007 Secret Agent Attaché Case, one of the toy world's most coveted collectibles. Celebrating the series' forthcoming 60th Anniversary, fans can celebrate this piece of movie memorabilia once more - this time as a collector's piece, in a numbered special edition series! Inspired by James Bond's trick attaché case seen in From Russia with Love and was first released as a toy in 1965, the 2021 case is made from the original 1965 moulds and includes a coding device for writing secret messages, a code book, a passport, international currency, secret business cards, gold coins and a viewing movie camera. Updates from the original include the flocked red interior (matching the movie prop), a replica of the original James Bond Secret Agent Movie Camera in place of the gun, and gold coins in place of bullets, inspired by those in the film. It also includes a Secret Agent Pen. This pen writes with invisible ink. Can only be read by another "00 Secret Agent" with another "Secret Agent Pen" as the pen has an ultra-violet light to reveal the secret message. This edition is individually numbered and comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity, suitable for framing. The attaché case is made with black simulated leather, gold metalwork and 007 combination locks with a dagger insignia. Dimensions. L21", W21.5", D3".

In Shops: May 31, 2023
SRP: $299.99

RichardTheBruce

June 1st

This Month:
1962: Argosy magazine publishes the Fleming short story "Berlin Escape" (aka "The Living Daylights").

https://illustrated007.blogspot.com/2013/01/ian-fleming-bibliography.html

1942: Tom Mankiewicz is born--Los Angeles California.
(He dies 31 July 2010 at age 68--Los Angeles, California.)

Tom Mankiewicz obituary

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/04/tom-mankiewicz-obituary

Screenwriter from a Hollywood dynasty best known for his work
on James Bond
Ronald Bergan | Wed 4 Aug 2010 13.43 EDT

Roger Moore with Jane Seymour as Solitaire in Live and Let Die (1973), Moore’s first appearance as 007, with screenwriting by Mankiewicz, below
Photograph: Allstar; Al Seib/Photoshot

For most film buffs, the name Mankiewicz immediately recalls Joseph L, the director and screenwriter of All About Eve (1950). For others, it evokes that of his older brother, Herman J, most celebrated as the writer of the screenplay of Citizen Kane. However, Joseph L's son, Tom Mankiewicz, who has died of cancer aged 68, is cherished by James Bond fans as the screenwriter of Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973) and The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), as well as having worked on rewrites of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).

Tom Mankiewicz

At the beginning of his career, Mankiewicz admitted that he probably got work because of his father. "You suddenly started to realise that people were asking you because it was you," he explained. Unlike his father's best films – literate, dialogue-based vehicles – when a director called "action" on a Tom Mankiewicz-scripted movie, he really meant it.

He was born in Los Angeles, where his father was an MGM producer before becoming the Oscar-winning director of Letter to Three Wives (1949) and All About Eve. (His mother, the Austrian-born actor Rose Stradner, killed herself when Tom was 16.) It seemed natural that the boy should follow the family tradition, so he majored in drama at Yale University. Before graduation, aged 18, he worked as production assistant on The Comancheros (1961), a western starring John Wayne. In 1964 he was credited as production associate on The Best Man, Gore Vidal's sharp look at morality in politics.

His first screen credit as a writer was on The Sweet Ride (1968), a pseudo-philosophical movie about three beach bums. It was not a success, nor was the Broadway musical Georgy (1970), for which Mankiewicz's book was based on the 1966 British film Georgy Girl. Nevertheless, the producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hired him for two weeks to doctor the Richard Maibaum script of Diamonds Are Forever. He stayed for six months, receiving a co-screenplay credit.

Differing greatly from the Ian Fleming book of the same name, the script had 007 (Sean Connery) bounding from London to Amsterdam, LA to Las Vegas, on the trail of a huge diamond-smuggling operation, behind which lurks his arch-enemy, Blofeld (not in the novel). Bond has a good fight in an elevator, is pestered by two vicious gay men, and attracted by two beauties named Tiffany Case and Plenty O'Toole.

Connery, who had been enticed back to the role after four years away by a $1m fee, plus a weekly salary of $10,000, had not altered his droll style and sexual allure, although there was some change in his girth. When Roger Moore followed him in the part, Mankiewicz was entrusted to write the screenplay for Moore's first 007, Live and Let Die.

The film, which did well at the box office, proved that Connery was not irreplaceable as Bond. While Mankiewicz stuck to the winning formula – the film had spectacular set pieces, particularly an incredible speedboat chase through the Louisiana bayous – it leaned rather more on the humorous side, honed to Moore's more lightweight personality.

According to Mankiewicz, "the difference between Sean and Roger was that Sean looked dangerous. Sean could sit at a table with a girl at a nightclub and either lean across and kiss her or stick a knife in her under the table and then say, 'Excuse me waiter, I have nothing to cut my meat with.' Whereas Roger could kiss the girl, if he stuck a knife in her it would look nasty because Roger looks like a nice guy."

Although The Man With the Golden Gun, which Mankiewicz and Maibaum adapted from Fleming's last novel, had the usual stunts, exotic locales, a master criminal and sexy women popping up from time to time, it sometimes verged on self-parody. In fact, there is a tongue-in-cheek seam running through most of Mankiewicz's work.

In 1976 three films with Mankiewicz as writer were released: Mother, Jugs & Speed, starring Bill Cosby as a stoned ambulance driver; The Cassandra Crossing, a disaster movie with an all-star cast; and The Eagle Has Landed (based on the Jack Higgins novel), an entertaining but far-fetched thriller with Michael Caine as a German colonel infiltrating an English village in 1943 with the aim of kidnapping Winston Churchill.

In 1977 the director Richard Donner recruited Mankiewicz to work on the script of Superman, for which he received the credit of creative consultant, a fancy name for script doctor. He got the same credit for Superman II (1980), directed by Richard Lester, who added rather too much camp humour to footage that Donner had shot. Mankiewicz claimed to have written most of both pictures. He later helped Donner reconstruct Superman II, restoring all of the original footage that had been altered by the producers.

In between fixing other people's films, he co-wrote the screenplay for Donner's Ladyhawke (1985), a handsome-looking medieval fable of cursed lovers turning into animals. After directing 13 episodes of the TV adventure series Hart to Hart (1979-82), starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, he directed two movies, Dragnet (1987) and Delirious (1991) – the former being a mildly amusing spoof of Jack Webb's 50s TV series; the latter about a writer (John Candy) trapped in his own soap opera.

Mankiewicz is survived by his brother, Christopher, a producer and actor, and his sister, Alexandra.

• Thomas Francis Mankiewicz, screen-writer and director, born 1 June 1942; died 31 July 2010

1947: Jonathan Pryce is born--Holywell, Flintshire, Wales.

1963: 医者はいらない (Isha wa iranai, or We Don't Want Doctors!) released in Japan. (Title improved later.)

1973: Apple Records releases the "Live and Let Die" single performed by Paul McCartney and Wings .

1976: Comic strip Hot-Shot ends its run in The Daily Express.
(Began 16 January 1976. 3061-3178) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://jamesbond.fandom.com/wiki/Hot-Shot





https://jamesbondlexicon.tumblr.com/post/622448664957321216/007-timeline-hot-shot-original-comicstrip-in


Swedish Semic Comic 1977 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1977.php3?s=comics&id=01952

Dödsstrålen (Hot-Shot)

Danish 1978 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-dk-no46-1978/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 46: “Hot-Shot” (1978)
"Dødsstrålen" [= The Death Ray]

1988: Hodder & Stoughton publish John Gardner's seventh Bond novel Scorpius. Earlier Putnam.

Special Branch are not usually
interested in dead bodies found floating
in the Thames, except when the corpse
is a young girl with an impeccable
background when they become very
interested indeed. So interested that
they call on the legendary M, head of
Secret Service.

In turn, M sends for Commander James
Bond, for the body had yielded two
things of interest. First, the only
telephone number in her diary is that of
Bond; second, she is carrying a credit
card which has never been heard of
before on either side of the Atlantic.

Soon, Bond finds himself caught up in
an unusual mixture of intrigue and
mayhem involving a strange, but
deadly, quasi-religious sect known as
the Society of the Meek Ones; their
leader the soft-spoken Father Valentine,
who has links with the shadowy
Vladimir Scorpius, nicknamed 'The
King of Terror' because he is the largest
arms dealer to various terrorist factions
worldwide.

Naturally, with the evil comes the good
--the society girl, the Hon. Trilby
Shrivenham, and a an American IRS
undercover agent, the gorgeous
Harriet Horner. Good girls? Only time
will tell.

Intrigue builds on intrigue and, as ever,
Bond soon finds himself in the middle of
a deadly game of terrorism and arms
supplies. A game in which he is pitted
against one of the most ruthless and
sinister villains that Bond has ever
encountered.

John Gardner is the author of
The Garden of Weapons and
The Nostradamus Traitor and most
recently The Secret Generations and
The Secret Houses.

1994: Dark Horse Comics releases James Bond 007 Shattered Helix #1 (of 2).
Simon Jowett, writer. David Jackson, artist. David Lloyd, cover.

James Bond 007: Shattered Helix #1

https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/92-488/James-Bond-007-Shattered-Helix-1

Bond once again faces the supersecret criminal organization Cerberus. This time, Cerberus has its heart set on acquiring the most dangerous disease known to man, a genetically engineered nightmare buried in a secret base in the Antarctic.

Bond joins forces with scientist Serena Mountjoy to in a deadly race to the South Pole. Unforgettable action, beautiful women, and bizarre, diabolical villains -- this is Bond at his best!

Creators
Writer: Simon Jowett
Artist: David Jackson
Letterer: Elitta Fell
Colorist: David Lloyd
Editor: Dick Hansom
Designer: Scott Fuentes
Cover Artist: David Lloyd
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publication Date: June 01, 1994

https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/sh1_review.php3

Issue #2

https://view-comic.com/james-bond-007-shattered-helix-002/

2001: Praeger releases The Politics of James Bond: From Fleming's Novels to the Big Screen, by Jeremy Black.

2006: Myramax/Hyperion Books release Charlie Higson's second Young Bond novel Blood Fever.
(UK release 5 January 2006 by Puffin.)

https://www.youngbond.com/blood-fever/

2015: On Twitter, Anthony Horowitz confirms Bond will drive a Bentley in his new novel.

2018: Melbourne Ska Orchestra releases James Bond Theme.

Melbourne Ska Orchestra - James Bond Theme (3:39

2021: The National Wax Museum re-opens.

The National Wax Museum Plus

https://www.finnmccoolstours.com/the-national-wax-museum-plus/

Address
The National Wax Museum Plus, 22-25,Westmoreland Street, D02 EH29, Dublin

Opening times
10am – 10pm Monday to Sunday
Last admission 9.00pm
(Closed on Christmas Eve 24th December, Christmas Day 25th December & St. Stephens Day 26th December)

How to book
Go to their website HERE
https://waxmuseumplus.ie/#ticket

RichardTheBruce

June 2nd

1944: Marvin Hamlisch is born--New York City, New York.
(He dies 6 August 2012 at age 68--Westwood, Los Angeles, California.)

Marvin Hamlisch, Whose Notes Struck Gold, Dies at 68

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/arts/music/marvin-hamlisch-composer-dies-at-68.html

By ROB HOERBURGER | AUG. 7, 2012

Marvin Hamlisch, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who imbued his movie and Broadway scores with pizazz and panache and often found his songs in the upper reaches of the pop charts, died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 68 and lived in New York.

He collapsed on Monday after a brief illness, a family friend said.

For a few years starting in 1973, Mr. Hamlisch spent practically as much time accepting awards for his compositions as he did writing them. He is one of a handful of artists to win every major creative prize, some of them numerous times, including an Oscar for “The Way We Were” (1973, shared with the lyricists Marilyn and Alan Bergman), a Grammy as best new artist (1974), and a Tony and a Pulitzer for “A Chorus Line” (1975, shared with the lyricist Edward Kleban, the director Michael Bennett and the book writers James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante).

All told, he won three Oscars, four Emmys and four Grammys. His omnipresence on awards and talk shows made him one of the last in a line of celebrity composers that included Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach and Stephen Sondheim. Mr. Hamlisch, bespectacled and somewhat gawky, could often appear to be the stereotypical music school nerd — in fact, at 7 he was the youngest student to be accepted to the Juilliard School at the time — but his appearance belied his intelligence and ability to banter easily with the likes of Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin. His melodies were sure-footed and sometimes swashbuckling. “One,” from “A Chorus Line,” with its punchy, brassy lines, distills the essence of the Broadway showstopper.

Marvin Hamlisch

“A Chorus Line,” a backstage musical in which Broadway dancers told their personal stories, started as a series of taped workshops, then evolved into a show that opened at the Public Theater in 1975 and moved to Broadway later that year. It ran for 6,137 performances, the most of any Broadway musical until it was surpassed by “Cats.”

“I have to keep reminding myself that ‘A Chorus Line’ was initially considered weird and off the wall,” Mr. Hamlisch told The New York Times in 1983. “You mustn’t underestimate an audience’s intelligence.” The lyricist Alan Jay Lerner called “A Chorus Line” “the great show business story of our time.”

Mr. Hamlisch had a long association with Barbra Streisand that began when, at 19, he became a rehearsal pianist for her show “Funny Girl.” Yet he told Current Biography in 1976 that Ms. Streisand was reluctant to record what became the pair’s greatest collaboration, “The Way We Were,” the theme from the 1973 movie of the same name in which Ms. Streisand starred with Robert Redford.

A rehearsal of “A Chorus Line,” with music by Marvin Hamlisch, from 1975.
Credit Martha Swope

“I had to beg her to sing it,” he said. “She thought it was too simple.”

Mr. Hamlisch prevailed, though, and the song became a No. 1 pop single, an Oscar winner and a signature song for Ms. Streisand. They continued to work together across the decades; Mr. Hamlisch was the musical director for her 1994 tour and again found himself accepting an award for his work, this time an Emmy.

Ms. Streisand said in a statement through her publicist that the world will always remember Mr. Hamlisch’s music, but that it was “his brilliantly quick mind, his generosity and delicious sense of humor that made him a delight to be around.”

Mr. Hamlisch had his second-biggest pop hit with “Nobody Does It Better,” the theme from the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” written with the lyricist Carole Bayer Sager. Carly Simon’s recording of the song reached No. 2 in 1977. Thom Yorke, the lead singer of the band Radiohead, which has performed the song in concert more recently, called it “the sexiest song ever written.”

Mr. Hamlisch with Barbra Streisand.
Credit Alex J. Berliner/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, via Associated Press

Yet for all Mr. Hamlisch’s pop success — he and Ms. Bayer Sager also wrote a No. 1 soul hit for Aretha Franklin, “Break It to Me Gently” — his first love was writing for theater and the movies. His score for “The Sting,” which adapted the ragtime music of Scott Joplin, made him a household ubiquity in 1973.

Despite the acclaim he often said he thought his background scores were underappreciated. He said he would love for an audience to “see a movie once without the music” to appreciate how the experience changed. He would go on to write more than 40 movie scores.

Marvin Frederick Hamlisch was born June 2, 1944, in New York . His father, Max, was an accordionist, and at age 5 Mr. Hamlisch was reproducing on the piano songs he heard on the radio; Juilliard soon followed. According to his wife, Terre Blair, he was being groomed as “the next Horowitz,” but when all the doors were closed and everyone was gone he would play show tunes. He performed some concerts and recitals as a teenager at Town Hall and other Manhattan auditoriums, but soon gave up on the idea of being a full-time performer.

A scene from the final performance of the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line" in 1990.
Marvin Hamlisch won a Tony Award for his score to the show.
Credit Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

“Before every recital, I would violently throw up, lose weight, the veins on my hands would stand out,” he told Current Biography.

He had no such reaction, though, when his song “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,” with lyrics by Howard Liebling, became a Top 20 hit in 1965 for Lesley Gore, when Mr. Hamlisch was 21. The movie producer Sam Spiegel heard him playing piano a few years later at a party and as a result Mr. Hamlisch scored his first film, “The Swimmer.”

Mr. Hamlisch soon moved to Los Angeles, and the successes snowballed. But he remained a New Yorker through and through. He once said he liked New York because it was the one place “where you’re allowed to wear a tie.”

Marvin Hamlisch, right, at the piano with the lyricist Howard Ashman in 1986.
Credit Nancy Kaye/Associated Press

Mr. Hamlisch is survived by Ms. Blair, a television broadcaster and producer, whom he married in 1989. His sister, Terry Liebling, a Hollywood casting director and the wife of his former collaborator Howard Liebling, died in 2001.

After “A Chorus Line,” Mr. Hamlisch scored another Broadway hit, “They’re Playing Our Song,” based on his relationship with Ms. Bayer Sager (who wrote the lyrics), in 1979. It ran for 1,082 performances. After that, the accolades subsided but the work didn’t. He worked with various lyricists on subesequent musicals, including “Jean Seberg” (1983), which was staged in London but never reached Broadway, and “Smile” (1986), which did reach Broadway but had a very brief run. His most steady work continued to come from the movies. He wrote the background scores for “Ordinary People,” “Sophie’s Choice” and, most recently, “The Informant.” His later theater scores included “The Goodbye Girl” (1993), “Sweet Smell of Success” (2002) and “Imaginary Friends” (2002). He had also completed the scores for an HBO movie based on the life of Liberace, “Behind the Candelabra,” and for a musical based on the Jerry Lewis film “The Nutty Professor,” which opened in Nashville last month.

According to his official Web site, Mr. Hamlisch held the title of pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and others.

In more recent years, Mr. Hamlisch became an ambassador for music, traveling the country and performing and giving talks at schools. He often criticized the cuts in arts education.

“I don’t think the American government gets it,” he said during an interview at the Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, Calif. “I don’t think they understand it’s as important as math and science. It rounds you out as a person. I think it gives you a love of certain things. You don’t have to become the next great composer. It’s just nice to have heard certain things or to have seen certain things. It’s part of being a human being.”

Despite all his honors, Mr. Hamlisch was always most focused on, and most excited about, his newest project. Ms. Blair said. And, she said, he was always appreciative of his gift: “He used to say, ‘It’s easy to write things that are so self-conscious that they become pretentious, that have a lot of noise. It’s very hard to write a simple melody.’ ”

Marvin Hamlisch (1944–2012)

Composer | Soundtrack | Music Department
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006121/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

"Nobody Does It Better", Live Instrumental


"Bond 77"

1965: Thunderball films the death of Largo (Stage E, Pinewood Studios).
1967: "Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond" airs on NBC television in the US.

Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond - TV Special 1967 (50:02)

1976: Bond comic strip Nightbird begins its run in The Daily Express.
(Ends 4 November 1976. 3179-3312) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

Swedish Semic Comic 1978 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1978.php3?s=comics&id=02165

Nattfågeln Dödligt Uppdrag För Bond! (Nightbird)

Danish https://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007dk-no49-1979/

James Bond 007 no. 49: “Nightbird/When the Wizard Awakes” (1979)

1994: Agent Fred Spektor gives Pierce Brosnan notice with "Hello Mr. Bond, you've got the part."
1995: GoldenEye's final filming is a close-up of OO7 at the controls of the tank.

2006: Casino Royale films Bond and Mr. White ending the film at Lake Como, Italy.

2011: Skyfall's UK release date moves from late 2011 or early 2012 to 26 October 2012.

2020: Auto Freak says No Time To Die is bringing back another James Bond favourite.

No Time to Die is bringing
back another James Bond
favourite

See the complete article here:

https://autofreak.com/no-time-to-die-is-bringing-back-another-james-bond-favourite-5/32831/

By- Naveen Kumar | Tuesday, 2 June 2020, 08:36 EDT

No Time is the James Bond film for Daniel Craig, who’s had an intriguing journey as 007.

His tenure began with Casino Royale, which jettisoned a lot of what had come before (Dame Judi Dench being the exception) to devote to being a reboot. They released the tone, but also more of the traditional Bond elements, not characters and names as the movies went.

No Time isn’t only bringing back Blofeld again, but photographs from the movie have shown that it is bringing another classic the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Hardcore Bond fans will observe that B549 WUU, the number plate, is the same one as The Living Daylights from 1987, starring Timothy Dalton.

Can this car have mechanics of the older one, missiles, and the laser emitters? We’d have known by now if the film had come out once initially intended, but regrettably, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic supposed those programs had to be scrapped.

Star Lea Seydoux has teased that the movie has ”a great deal of emotion” and will likely make you cry.

It was revealed that Quentin Tarantino wanted to do a Bond movie with Pierce Brosnan in the ’00s, but it wasn’t meant to be. We imagine that Die Another Day has been so bad not even the Kill Bill supervisor might have turned things around.

RichardTheBruce

June 3rd

1942: Frank McRae is born--Memphis, Tennessee.
(He dies 29 April 2021 at age 80--Santa Monica, California.)

May 5, 2021

Frank McRae, Actor in ‘Licence to Kill’ and
‘Last Action Hero,’ Dies at 80

See the complete article here:

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/frank-mcrae-dead-actor-last-action-hero-1234967488/

Haley Bosselman

Courtesy of Universal/Everett Collection

Frank McRae, the actor who appeared in films such as “Licence to Kill” and “Last Action Hero,” has died. He was 80.

McRae died in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 29 as a result of a heart attack, his daughter-in-law confirmed to Variety.

The NFL player-turned-actor was born in Memphis, Tenn. A star athlete in high school, he went on to Tennessee State University as a double major in drama and history. McRae had a brief career as a professional football player and was the defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams.

Making the pivot to a new kind of stage, McRae found his calling in the entertainment industry. In his 30-plus years as a character actor, he appeared in over 40 movies. Standing at approximately six-and-a-half feet tall, McRae took advantage of scooping up tough guy roles in movies like “Hard Times,” “Big Wednesday” and “F.I.S.T.” with Sylvester Stallone. McRae would go on to appear in three more films with Stallone in the ’70s and ’80s, including “Paradise Alley,” “Lock Up” and “Rocky II.”

In the 1973 gangster film “Dillinger,” McRae played Reed Youngblood, a grinning inmate who helps Warren Oates’ titular John Dillinger escape. According to IMDb, he got the role by standing in a production executive’s parking space until granted a meeting. McRae also appeared in the 1989 James Bond film “Licence to Kill” as Sharkey, a close friend of Bond (Timothy Dalton) and Felix Leiter (David Hedison).

Not to be tied down to just playing tough guys and authority figures — he played a police captain four separate times from 1982 to 1983 — McRae was also featured in comedies like “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Batteries Not Included” and “Used Cars.” He even parodied his own role in “48 Hours” with a performance in 1993’s “Last Action Hero” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.

McRae is survived by his son Marcellus and his grandchildren Camden, Jensen and Holden. Donations in his memory can be made to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an orphan elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program in Kenya.

Frank McRae (I) (1941–2021)

Actor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0574433/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

1963: Dr. No released in India.
1967: Record World reviews the United Artists soundtrack LP You Only Live Twice.

Nancy Meets James Bond: “You Only Live Twice” at 50

See the complete article here:

https://nancysinatra.com/blog/2017/04/nancy-meets-james-bond-you-only-live-twice-at-50/"]https://nancysinatra.com/blog/2017/04/nancy-meets-james-bond-you-only-live-twice-at-50/[/cemter]

April 28th, 2017 by Andrew

1969: On Her Majesty's Secret Service films Bond and Tracy skiing at Pinewood's North Tunnel.

1981: The Hollywood Reporter announces the largest planned release of a Bond film to date, for the 26 June opening of For Your Eyes Only in 1,000 theaters.

2005: The Guardian reports on a dispute between Fleming and a villain's namesake that nearly took a nasty turn.

How Goldfinger nearly became
Goldprick

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jun/03/film.hayfestival2005

Author discloses spat between architect and Bond's creator

John Ezard
Fri 3 Jun 2005 05.07 EDT

Goldfinger was a man who thought big, a champion of communism, an eccentric, a bully who put people in fear. And that was just the architect.

The story of the Ernö Goldfinger's vehement reaction when the author Ian Fleming appropriated his name - and aspects of his character - with deliberate savagery for the villain and title of the James Bond novel was disclosed to the Guardian Hay festival yesterday.

The dispute led to legal action. When the film Goldfinger came out, the architect was afflicted by spoof calls in the middle of the night. Callers would intone in bad Sean Connery accents, "Goldfinger? This is agent 007," or sing the film's theme tune, "an irritation still endured by members of the family who list their names in the telephone directory," Nigel Warburton, of the Open University, told a breakfast-time audience.

Fleming turned the dominating, 6ft 2in Erno into the 5ft imperious megalomaniac Auric Goldfinger, who nearly succeeds in stealing the US gold reserves at Fort Knox for the Soviet Union.

Ernö - like Auric - was a British-naturalised foreigner and a Marxist who spent much of the second world war raising money for the Soviet cause. Otherwise there were differences between the two, as Dr Warburton noted, discussing his new book Ernö Goldfinger: The Life of an Architect, the first biography to be published.

But when Ernö's business associate Jacob Blacker was asked for his opinion of a proof copy of the Bond story, he told Ernö ironically that he could find only one substantial difference: "You're called Ernö and he's called Auric."

Ernö Goldfinger was one of the 20th century's prime advocates of London tower blocks. He designed the often reviled Alexander Fleming House at the Elephant and Castle, Trellick Tower in Ladbroke Grove and Balfron Tower in Tower Hamlets.

One story explaining Fleming's animosity is that he lived for a time in Hampstead and disliked Ernö's design for terraced houses in Willow Road, according to Dr Warburton. Fleming knew of Ernö through a golfing friend who was related to Ernö's wife.

The friend appears in the novel - but his woman relative has been transformed into a heroin addict. Ernö somehow heard about the novel when it was in the publisher Jonathan Cape's presses in 1959. His response was, "Shall we sue?"

After hearing Blacker's view, Ernö ordered solicitors to act. Cape agreed to pay his costs and agreed out of court to make clear in advertising and in future editions that all characters were fictitious.

Fleming, in turn, was livid. He asked Cape to insert an erratum slip in the first edition changing the character's name to Goldprick, a name suggested by the critic Cyril Connolly. Luckily for the film posters and theme tune of the future, sung by Shirley Bassey, Cape demurred.

Dr Warburton said the clarification did not appear in the novel's current edition.

The real-life Goldfinger, however, deserved to be remembered as a visionary architect who wrote in 1941: "Cities can become centres of civilisation where men and women can live happy lives. The technical means exist to satisfy human needs. The will to plan must be aroused. There is no obstacle but ignorance and wickedness."

2005: Michael Billington dies at age 63--Margate, Kent, England.
(Born 24 December 1941--Blackburn, Lancashire, England.)

Michael Billington

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jun/29/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries

Charismatic actor whose tough-guy image distracted from his broader gifts
David McGillivray | Tue 28 Jun 2005 19.02 EDT

The actor Michael Billington, who has died of cancer aged 63, achieved minor cult status as Colonel Paul Foster in UFO (1969), the first live action adventure series produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the creators of Thunderbirds. This, and similar roles, resulted in the tough-guy actor being tipped, for more than 10 years, as "the next James Bond".

His failure to succeed first Sean Connery, then Roger Moore, was the biggest disappointment of Billington's career. His compensation, a brief part as the agent killed off before the main titles of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), was not enough to keep him in Britain.

Deciding that he no longer wanted to be an action hero, he went to the United States, where he studied acting with Lee and Anna Strasberg. But the roles that followed, in episodes of series such as Hart To Hart and Magnum, PI, were not that different to what had gone before. He tried, unsuccessfully, to sell the screenplays he had written, and, after returning to the UK, worked mostly as a teacher.

A fine actor with star quality - and a very funny man to boot - Billington could, if fate had decreed it, have become a British Burt Reynolds. I first met him when I was a teenager in 1965, working in a film library he visited regularly, and was awestruck by his charisma, and later by his generosity. He played himself in an amateur film I made and, soon afterwards, got me my first professional job as a screenwriter. He was defeated by bad luck and his uncertainty about what he wanted to achieve.

Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, Billington loved the cinema from childhood and came to London to work for the film distributor Warner-Pathé. Connections made at the gym got him work as a chorus boy in such West End musicals as How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Shaftesbury, 1963) and Little Me (Cambridge, 1964). He also stooged at Danny La Rue's nightclub.

His first film was the short Dream A40 (1964), banned by the censors because of a scene in which male lovers kissed. In 1965, he made his television debut, as Neil Hall in the football soap opera United, and his stage debut in Incident At Vichy at the Phoenix theatre.

Sylvia Anderson spotted Billington in an episode of The Prisoner and cast him in UFO. "I cringe when I see it," he claimed later (but attended UFO conventions almost until the end of his life). His other major TV role at this time was as Daniel Fogarty, in the seafaring drama The Onedin Line (1971-4), which he left after one series. He was credited in the film Alfred The Great (1969), but was a glorified extra. He also had a small part in a television production of War And Peace (1972).

Throughout the 1970s, and into the 1980s, Billington waited for the call that never came to play Bond. In 1980, he sold his only filmed screenplay, Silver Dream Racer. In the US, he had a gag role in a parody, Flicks (1981), and was uncomfortably Russian in KGB The Secret War (1985), two films that were shelved for years before release on video. Back in the UK, he had his last decent role as co-star, with Peter McEnery, of The Collectors (1986), a television series about HM Customs and Excise.

Billington worked on the book of a stage musical about Jack the Ripper, and his last stage appearance was in the highly regarded Never Nothing From No One (Cockpit theatre, 2000). He enjoyed his work at the Lee Strasberg Studio in London, where he was a popular tutor in the mid-1990s. He wrote enthusiastically on his website about the craft of acting that he was able to practise, to his satisfaction, all too rarely.

After eight years as the partner of Barbara Broccoli, daughter of the Bond producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, Billington married Katherine Kristoff in 1988. She died in 1998, after which he devoted himself to raising their son, Michael Jr, who survives him.

· Michael Billington, actor, born December 24 1941; died June 3 2005

2013: Media repeat a rumour Penélope Cruz will seduce 007 in BOND 24.

LATEST NEWS
Rumor: Penélope Cruz Already Eyed to Seduce James in 'Bond 24'

See the complete article here:

https://www.firstshowing.net/2013/rumor-penelope-cruz-already-eyed-to-seduce-in-james-bond-24/

by Ethan Anderton | June 3, 2013 | Source: Yahoo UK

Penelope Cruz

Considering that Sam Mendes was just reported to be taking on James Bond 24, and perhaps even James Bond 25, we're going to take this next casting report with a grain of salt since it still seems way too early to start down that road. However, Yahoo UK isn't one for unfounded gossip, and they have word that the lovely Spanish actress Penélope Cruz is already in talks to play one of the iconic Bond girls in the next 007 sequel starring Daniel Craig. By the time production begins (sometime in 2014), Cruz will actually be 40 years old, making her the oldest actress to play a Bond girl in the long-running spy franchise. More below!

The source is "close to the production" and claims, "the producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments. The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now." Rumors have swirled of Cruz's involvement before, and it helps that the actress' husband, Javier Bardem, played the villain in Skyfall, so discussions between Bond producers and director Sam Mendes likely wouldn't be all that hard to complete this early. The deal could've began during the production of Skyfall. But for now, this is one big rumor especially because production won't begin until next year. Either way, the thought of Cruz seducing Bond is certainly a very satisfying one.

2023: Octopussy's 40th anniversary celebration at Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, Peterborough, England.

https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/news/tracks-007-octopussy-40th-anniversary-celebrations

https://www.onthetracksof007.com/40-years-of-octopussy

RichardTheBruce

June 4th

1927: Geoffrey Dyson Palmer OBE is born--London, England.
(He dies 5 November 2020 at age 93--Lee Common, Buckinghamshire, England.)

Dame Judi Dench recalls how the late
Geoffrey Palmer told her they wanted
another actress for As Time Goes By
during their first lunch meeting

See the complete article here:

By Georgia Simcox For Mailonline | Published: 04:17 EDT, 17 November 2020

They were inseparable friends for almost 30 years.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/17/08/35764394-8956833-image-a-2_1605602264379.jpg
And Dame Judi Dench has revealed her collaboration with the late Geoffrey Palmer nearly didn't happen.

In an emotional interview with this week's Radio Times just days after the comedian died aged 93, the actress, 85, recalled meeting her co-star for lunch to discuss As Time Goes By.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/17/08/35764392-8956833-image-a-3_1605602269137.jpg

'He got us off to a good start': Dame Judi Dench, 85, has revealed her collaboration with the late Geoffrey Palmer nearly didn't happen

She said: 'He got us off to a good start when he informed me that they'd wanted Jean Simmons for the part, but she'd declined!'

Judi and Geoffrey starred in As Time Goes by from 1992 onwards, with Geoffrey playing Lionel Hardcastle.

She paid tribute to her late friend, who died earlier this month, saying she couldn't have done the show with anyone else.

Judi said: 'When you acted with him, you'd just feel very safe.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/17/08/35764392-8956833-image-a-3_1605602269137.jpg
Inseparable: Judi became lifelong friends with co-star Geoffrey, staying inseparable friends for almost 30 years

'Geoffers was so sure on comedy that you could be pretty secure in knowing he would get you through it and make it funny.
Emotional: The actress was speaking to the Radio Times in an emotional interview just days after Geoffrey's death

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/17/08/35764320-8956833-image-a-6_1605602284356.jpg
Emotional: The actress was speaking to the Radio Times in an emotional interview just days after Geoffrey's death

'I certainly couldn't have done As Time Goes By with anyone else.'

Judi presented Palmer with an Oldie award in 2018, joking that he was 'the naughtiest man I ever had the pleasure to work with' and that the trophy should be for 'most promising newcomer'.

The pair also starred in 1997's Mrs Brown and Tomorrow Never Dies, the James Bond blockbuster.

Recalling how Geoffrey was a private man who gave few interviews, she said: 'He took acting very seriously, but he would sometimes say he would rather be fishing on a riverside in Scotland.'

She continued: 'Geoffers was a terrific man and most remarkable friend and actor. I wouldn’t have missed a moment of our time together for the world.'

Geoffrey's agent said on November 6: 'We regret to sadly announce that the actor Geoffrey Palmer died peacefully at home yesterday aged 93.'

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/17/08/35764408-8956833-image-a-4_1605602279308.jpg
As Time Goes By: Judi and Geoffrey starred in As Time Goes by from 1992 onwards, with Geoffrey playing Lionel Hardcastle

The veteran star, known for his hangdog features and distinctive voice, had parts in some of the nation's best-loved TV series and was once a staple on screens watched by millions.

Younger viewers will remember his turn in the 2014 Paddington film where he played Head Geographer.

Those longer in the tooth will remember him from the The Avengers and The Saint in the 1960s, and alongside Leonard Rossiter in The Rise And Fall of Reginald Perrin in the 1970s.

He also starred in multiple episodes of Doctor Who, including the 1970 episode Doctor Who And The Silurians and 2007's Voyage Of The Damned.

Geoffrey Palmer (I) (1927–2020)

Actor | Soundtrack
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0658244/

1951: David Nicholas Yip is born--Liverpool, England.

1963: Agente 007 contra el Dr. No (Agent 007 against Dr. No) released in Barcelona, Spain.

1963: From Russia With Love films Aliza Gur and Martine Beswick fighting in the gypsy camp.
1965: Goldfinger (French title) released in Gent, Belgium.

1970: Izabella Dorota Scorupco is born--Bialystok, Podlaskie, Poland.

1981: Bond comic strip The Paradise Plot ends its run in The Daily Express.
(Began 20 August 1981. 175-378) John McLusky, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=870824





206

254


Swedish Semic 1982 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1982.php3?s=comics&id=02218

007 På Nytt, Laddat Uppdrag | Projekt Polstjärnan
(007 In New Assignment - The Paradise Plot [Part 1]) | (Project Polestar - The Paradise Plot [Part 2])

Del 3 Order Att Döda
(Part 3 Order To Death - The Paradise Plot [Part 3])

1986: Oona Chaplin is born--Madrid, Spain.

1996: Putnam and Sons release the last John Gardner Bond novel COLD (Cold Fall in the UK).

2015: Spectre films on the Thames River, London.
2019: Media report a controlled explosion and a BOND 25 crew member injured.

'Bond 25' Crew
Member Suffers
Injury From
Controlled
Explosion on Set

See the complete article here:

https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/apos-bond-25-apos-crew-184558384.html

Antoinette Bueno‍ ‍ | Entertainment Tonight | 4 June 2019

The actor recently hit up the 'No Time to Die' wrap party,
where he addressed cast and crew while reflecting on his Bond journey.

Filming on Bond 25 hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.

On Tuesday, the film's official Twitter account shared that a crew member has sustained a minor injury after a controlled explosion didn't go as planned.

"During the filming of a controlled explosion on the set of Bond 25 today at Pinewood Studios, damage was caused to the exterior of the 007 Stage," the tweet reads. "There were no injuries on set, however one crew member outside the stage has sustained a minor injury."

https://twitter.com/007/status/1135964684916613125

The news comes after it was announced last month that Daniel Craig, who plays iconic British Secret Service agent James Bond, had to undergo minor surgery after suffering an injury while shooting the latest film in the beloved action franchise.

"BOND 25 update: Daniel Craig will be undergoing minor ankle surgery resulting from an injury sustained during filming in Jamaica," the Twitter post read. "Production will continue whilst Craig is rehabilitating for two weeks post-surgery. The film remains on track for the same release date in April 2020."

True Detective season one director Cary Fukunaga is directing the highly anticipated Bond 25, which will follow 007 as he comes out of retirement to help a friend. Rami Malek will play the villain, and it was previously announced that Léa Seydoux would reprise her role as Dr. Madeleine Swann, as would Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q and Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny. Jeffrey Wright is also returning as CIA operative Felix Leiter and Rory Kinnear will be back as Bond’s stalwart ally, Tanner.

ET spoke with Craig in April at late Bond author Ian Fleming's Jamaican villa -- aptly named Goldeneye, where he wrote all of his Bond novels -- when the cast of the 25th installment of the film franchise was announced. Although Craig is returning to play 007 for the fifth time, he told ET this will most likely be his last turn as the character.

"This is going to be my last Bond I think," he said. "I think I've done enough, people are going to get sick of the sight of me. Someone else should have a go."

2023: Last day for Octopussy's 40th anniversary celebration at Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, Peterborough, England.

https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/news/tracks-007-octopussy-40th-anniversary-celebrations

https://www.onthetracksof007.com/40-years-of-octopussy

2023: The Lanes James Bond 007 Premium Launch Party at Wellington, New Zealand.

The Lanes James Bond 007 Premium Launch Party

See the complete article here:

https://allevents.in/wellington/the-lanes-james-bond-007-premium-launch-party/200024510645634?ref=eventlist-cat#

he Lanes James Bond 007 Premium Launch Party Jun 04, 2023 - Jun 04, 2023

8-strike fair-strike tournament starts 1pm
Entry fee $25 - includes all pinball for the afternoon

Date & Time
Sun Jun 04 2023 at 01:00 pm
(GMT+12:00)
Location
The Lanes, Wakefield Street, Wellington, New Zealand

Hosted by
IFPA NZ - Pinball in New Zealand

2023: The Re-Read - Anthony Horowitz on James Bond at Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Toronto, Ontario.

The Re-Read: Anthony Horowitz on James Bond

See the complete article here:

https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/the-re-read-james-bond/

June 04 at 3:30pm

Conversation
Join us as we explore the influential books and writers who have defined crime and mystery genres and captivated readers for decades. Each session of The Re-Read features a contemporary writer discussing a favourite book or author, to offer their insight as an author and share their joy as a reader.

In this session, internationally bestselling author Anthony Horowitz will do a deep dive into the rich history behind the iconic James Bond series, including his own latest Bond novel, With A Mind to Kill. Taking fans of the series on a spiraling, enthralling mission full of treachery and the highest of stakes, With A Mind to Kill is set after the events of Forever and a Day. Bond must grapple with the darkest questions about himself while a group of SMERSH agents aim to use the British spy in an operation that will change the balance of world power.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear from Anthony Horowitz on what has made James Bond such a globally beloved character for decades – and on his own uncanny ability as a writer to get into Bond’s mindset while so expertly reinventing the series for new generations of fans.

Moderator: Janet Smyth

Event Info:
Date & Time: June 4 at 3:30pm ET
Where: Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Duration: 60 minutes
Available with a MOTIVE Day or 3-Day Pass
*This event will be followed by a book signing

RichardTheBruce

June 5th

1945: Michael Eugene Ebbin is born--Pembroke, Bermuda.
(He dies 27 April 1996 at age 51--Hamilton, Bermuda.)

Michael Ebbin’s Licence To Thrill

See the complete article here:

https://bernews.com/2012/03/michael-ebbins-licence-to-thrill/

March 10, 2012

Acclaimed Bermudian actor and dancer Michael Ebbin [pictured] had a licence to kill along with secret agent James Bond in a 1970s 007 movie.

In the 1973 Bond thriller “Live And Let Die”, Mr. Ebbin played Dambala, one of the chief henchman of villain Dr. Kanaga [Yaphet Kotto].

Dambala is a voodoo priest of sorts who first appears during the pre-credits sequence, killing a British agent named Baines with a venomous snake during an occult ritual on the fictitious Caribbean island of San Monique. In fact, the ritual murder carried out by Mr. Ebbin’s character introduced Paul McCartney’s Oscar-nominated title song for the film. The Dambala character later shows up when Bond comes to the island and is shot by 007 during the secret agent’s attempts to find the entrance to Kananga’s lair.

Mr. Ebbin, who shot his scenes at the Pinewood Studios outside London, was a highly-respected featured performer in many local dance revues.

Born in Bermuda in 1945, he also appeared in a number of major theatrical productions in New York in the 1960s and ’70s.

After a long stint working abroad, he later returned to Bermuda but died at a relatively young age in the 1990s.

Mr. Ebbin became the second Bermudian actor to play a major role in a James Bond film.

In the 1965 blockbuster “Thunderball”, legendary Bermudian performer Earl Cameron was cast alongside Sean Connery’s 007 as Pinder, head of the British Intelligence Secret Service’s Bahamian station.

“Live and Let Die” was the eighth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond.

The film is adapted from the 1954 novel of the same name by Bond creator Ian Fleming.

In the film version, a Harlem drug lord known as Mr. Big plans to distribute two tons of heroin free to put rival New York drug barons out of business.

Michael Ebbin’s Dambala menaces Jane Seymour’s Solitaire character in “Live And Let Die”

Mr. Big, however, is revealed to be the disguised alter ego of Dr. Kananga, a corrupt Caribbean dictator, who rules San Monique, the fictional island where the heroin poppies are secretly farmed.

Bond is investigating the death of three British agents, leading him to Kananga, where he is soon trapped in a world of gangsters and voodoo as he fights to put a stop to the drug baron’s scheme.

“Live And Let Die” also features Jane Seymour as Bond’s love interest Solitaire, Julius Harris as Kananga’s primary henchman Tee Hee Johnson and actor/dancer/choreographer Geoffrey Holder as the enigmatic Baron Samedi.

The movie was released at the height of cinema’s blaxploitation era, typified by gritty urban action films like the Academy Award-winning “Shaft” [1971].

Many blaxploitation plot elements and clichés are featured in the 007 film, including Afro hairstyles, black gangsters and “pimpmobiles”.

It departs from the former plots of the James Bond films about megalomaniac super-villains, and instead focuses on drug trafficking, depicted primarily in early ’70s blaxploitation films.

It is set in African-American cultural centres such as Harlem and New Orleans, as well as the Caribbean islands.

“Live And Let Die” was also the first James Bond film featuring an African-American Bond girl to be romantically involved with 007, Rosie Carver, who was played by Gloria Hendry.

While searching for locations in Jamaica, the film’s crew discovered a crocodile farm owned by Ross Kananga, after passing a sign warning that “trespassers will be eaten.”

The farm was put into the script and also inspired “Live And Let Die screenwriter” Tom Mankiewicz to name the film’s villain after Mr. Kananga.

Michael Ebbin (1945–1996)

Actor

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0247957/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

1950: Malcolm Sinclair is born--London, England.

1964: Goldfinger films the villain's arrival at Fort Knox.

1982: The New York Times correctly reports James Bond is making a wild comeback.

JAMES BOND MAKING 'WILD' COMEBACK

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/05/books/james-bond-making-wild-comeback.html

By Edwin McDowell | June 5, 1982, Section 1, Page 11Buy Reprints

Eighteen years after his creator died, James Bond, the sophisticated spy who was named for an ornithologist, is staging an impressive comeback in the nation's bookstores. ''For Special Services'' (Coward, McCann & Geoghegan), the recently published Bond adventure, is No. 12 on The New York Times fiction best-seller list while ''License [sic] Renewed'' (Berkley), a hardcover best-seller that sold more than 110,000 copies last year, is No. 5 on the mass-market paperback list.

In addition, Berkley reprinted six other Bond novels last month, including ''Casino Royale'' ''Goldfinger'' and ''Doctor No,'' and will reprint ''For Special Services'' next spring.

''It's really wild how well the books have been doing,'' said Victor Temkin, president of Berkley/Jove. ''We've been back to press twice on '[/b]Licensed Renewed[/b]' and the orders for the others are really coming in.''

All this is music to the ears of James Bond fan club members in England, Germany and New York, to collectors who buy or swap 007 toys, photos, books, records and T-shirts and to celebrants who descend on New Orleans each Nov. 11 from as far away as Chicago to mark what is by common agreement the date on which their hero was born in 1920.

Well Under His 61 Years
That should make the urbane Bond a mature 61 years old, but in fact the world's most famous spy hasn't aged a day since the last book about him by the British-born Ian Fleming 15 years ago. The reason, of course, is that ''License Renewed'' and ''For Special Services'' are the products of John Gardner, a Dublin-based author who was chosen to write the Bond books by the copyright owners. Shortly before his death in 1964, in a complex transaction for tax purposes, Mr. Fleming sold 51 percent interest in his future income to a London-based holding company, for $280,000.

But time has worked other changes on Mr. Bond. The updated version drinks moderately, smokes low-tar cigarettes instead of the goldbanded Balkan-Turkish blend, and drives a fuel-efficient Saab 900 Turbo instead of a Bentley. ''It's helped our exposure tremendously, there's just no question about it,'' said Leon Lonigren, director of public relations at Saab's orporate headquarters in Orange, Conn.

''Part of me enjoys the updating, but the other part doesn't think it's particularly necessary,'' said Richard Schenkman, head of the James Bond 007 Fan Club, whose 1,800 members include Bond fanciers from two dozen foreign countries.

But Richard L. Knudson, an English professor at the State University of New York at Oneonta, thinks the updating is important. ''When Bond first came out it was futuristic, really ahead of the times,'' he said. ''Gardner is not quite the romanticist that Fleming was, but he's keeping pace with the espionage techniques.'' Professor Knudson is the editor of The Dossier (''The Official Journal of the International Spy Society'').

Cults Followed High Praise
This rebirth of interest in Bond is poetic justice for a fictional hero who so often eluded eternity at the hands of knaves and knives, sadists and squid, assassins and asps. Some 20 years ago, after praise from President John F. Kennedy in America and Prince Philip in England sent sales of the Fleming books soaring, Bond cults existed on every continent. The 10 Bond books by Mr. Fleming sold more than 18 million copies during his lifetime and reportedly brought him some $2.8 million.

Observers attributed their popularity to the author's mixture of sex, snobbery, loyalty and courage, as well as to Mr. Fleming's mastery of atmosphere and detail.

Professor Knudson thinks that Bond's current appeal might also have to do with the fact that the Bond books (as opposed to the movies) were often strongly anti-Soviet, and ''These days we're experiencing another cold war, or maybe a continuation of the first one.''

All Bond fans hail their hero's derring-do, but beyond that they have divided loyalties. Some prefer the books to the movies, some prefer Fleming books to Gardner, some prefer Sean Connery to Roger Moore, the actors who have most portrayed Bond. The guest of honor at a recent Bond birthday party at Tulane University was George Lazenby, who played James Bond in only one movie, ''On Her Majesty's Secret Service.''

Brian Hughes, the assistant to the vice president for student services at Tulane, said the first Bond birthday party started several years ago as a joke, when 32 students, decked out in coats and ties, crowded into two rooms of a Tulane dormitory. ''Now it's a big event and pure escapism,'' he said. ''It's just like the Bond movies - you have to keep your brain under the seat.''

1987: The New York Museum of Modern Art opens its 007 exhibition and screens fourteen Bond films. Closes 23 July.

2004: Virginia North dies at age 58--West Sussex, England.
(Born 24 April 1946--London, England.)

Virginia North

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_North

Born 24 April 1946 | London, England, United Kingdom
Died 5 June 2004 (aged 58) | East Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Nationality British | Occupation Actress | Years active 1967–1971]

Virginia North, Lady White (24 April 1946 – 5 June 2004) was an Anglo-American actress who appeared in small roles in five films and one TV programme between 1967 and 1971.

Life and career
Born Virginia Anne Northrop in London to a British mother and a U.S. Army father, North spent her early years in Britain, France, Southeast Asia and finally Washington, following her father's military postings. By the mid-1960s she had returned to Britain, where she worked as a model, specialising in swim wear. In 1968 she joined the newly established London agency Models 1, which has since gone on to become one of the major modelling agencies in Europe.

North began her brief film career with small parts in the Bulldog Drummond film Deadlier Than the Male (1967) and the Yul Brynner vehicle The Long Duel (1967). She returned to film two years later as Robot Number Nine in Some Girls Do (1969), the second in the Bulldog Drummond franchise, and as Olympe in two short scenes in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), thus becoming a "Bond girl".

The 1969 Department S episode "The Mysterious Man in the Flying Machine" marked her only television appearance.

Her last and perhaps best-known role was as Vincent Price's silent assistant, the delectably deadly Vulnavia, in the horror comedy The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971).

Personal life
In 1974 North married the wealthy industrialist Gordon White. Later that year she gave birth to her only child, Lucas, who would later become a well-regarded polo player and one of the richest young men in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

When her husband was awarded a KBE in 1979 for services to British industry, becoming Sir Gordon White, Virginia White became Virginia, Lady White. She and White were divorced in 1991. She never remarried and died at her home in West Sussex, England, in June 2004 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 58.

Filmography

1967 Deadlier Than the Male (Brenda)
1967 The Long Duel (Champa)
1969 Some Girls Do (Robot No. 9)
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Olympe)
1971 The Abominable Dr. Phibes (Vulnavia, final film role)

Virginia North (1946–2004)

Actress
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636075/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

2006: Casino Royale films M telling Bond about Vesper and the boyfriend.
2008: The Mirror reports record sales for Sebastian Faulks' Devil May Care.

New 007 book Devil May Care breaks sales records

See the complete article here:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/new-007-book-devil-may-care-311801

New Bond book Devil May Care has smashed the record for Penguin's fastest-selling hardback fiction title.
ByMirror.co.uk | 00:00, 5 JUN 2008

The 007 update, written by Sebastian Faulks, sold 44,093 copies in the first four days of publication.

Waterstone's recorded the highest sales with more than 19,000 books flogged.

A special £100 edition sold out by noon on the first day.

Waterstone's Rodney Troubridge said of the sales: "It's unlikely to be superseded." The novel was published to mark the centenary of the birth of Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Previous best-sellers by the likes of Tom Clancy, Nick Hornby and Dick Francis sold around 11,500 copies in the same time period.

2019: A wedding ring goes to auction at Sotheby's.

James Bond’s Only Wedding Ring Offered for Sale
in London

See the complete article here:
Jewelry | May 30, 2019

https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/james-bonds-only-wedding-ring-offered-for-sale-in-london

By Peter Carr

A gold ring given by George Lazenby to Diana Rigg in 'On Her Majesty's Secret
Service' sold for £52,500 in the Fine Jewels sale in London on 5 June, and marks the
only time in the history of Bond that 007 walked down the aisle.

This curious lot is definitely one for fans of kitsch pop culture as well as abstract British jewelry. Featuring quite heavily in the often-forgotten but superb 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service—starring George Lazenby as the infamous 007 and Diana Rigg as his adventurous but ultimately tragic partner and wife, Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, or less formally Teresa "Tracy" Draco.

Ring, 'All the Time in the World', Charles de Temple, 1960. Sold for £52,500.

This distinctive and incredibly rare item was one of two made for the film’s wedding scene, designed by jeweler Charles de Temple. Born in Mexico in 1929, de Temple became a jeweler in Massachusetts before moving to Britain where he became a central figure on the ‘swinging London’ scene—creating one-of-a-kind jewels for the modern women of the city. He was renowned for flamboyant statement pieces, and was also commissioned to create the ring Honour Blackman wore to the London premiere of previous Bond film, Goldfinger.

Ring, 'All the Time in the World', Charles de Temple, 1960. Sold for £52,500.

Central to the film’s narrative, the ring serves as Bond’s wedding band to Tracy, and features the words “All the Time in the World” spelled out in gold—a motif which runs throughout the film, and is incidentally also the theme tune to the film, sung by Louis Armstrong. In a tragically ironic plot device, newly-married Tracy Bond is murdered by Blofeld’s assassins at the end of the film, and the final moments of the film are 007 sobbing the ring’s fateful words “there’s no need to hurry, we have all the time in the world” as he cradles her lifeless body.

In becoming more human, Bond paid the ultimate price. Bond is never again seen distraught in the subsequent films, instead falling foul of the bawdy attitudes of the 1970s, the violent action tropes of the late 80s, and glamour of the millennium-era.

Diana Rigg as Tracy With George Lazenby as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969.
Phillip Jackson/Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock.

The ring itself is characteristic of de Temple’s style, it is hand-wrought using, its design is bold and sculptural, especially when compared to a plain wedding band. It displays his flamboyant attitude to modern jewelry design and unique abilities when handcrafting gold sculptures. The eye-catching bi-coloured ring’s prominence in the film brought de Temple some considerable success, and he afterwards made a batch of 50 of a similar design which instead stated “All the love in the world” to meet demand.

This de Temple ring is a piece of cinematic history, as although You Only Live Twice, Bond has only been married once. Perhaps the world’s best-loved spy will find romance again in the upcoming Daniel Craig blockbuster, but it is unlikely to be as tragic a story as told of James and Tracy in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

In recent editions, the modern Bond has built a shell of disdain and cynicism, off-hand remarks and distracting quips, and has set the tone for the next one to come along to take up the PPK and the Aston Martin with aplomb. But if Bond does let someone in, it isn’t likely we’ll see the same level of genuine sadness, as the despair, portrayed by Lazenby in the final moments of the film.

The ring was accompanied by a letter from an employee of Charles de Temple and a facsimile of a letter from the consignor detailing the ring’s provenance. It is also signed 'C de T', and comes in a fitted case stamped Charles de Temple.

2021: Bungee jump available at Verzasca Dam, Ticino, Switzerland.

007 Bungy Trekking Team
Bungee Jumping "James Bond 007" - Verzasca Dam, Ticino

See the complete article here:

https://www.checkyeti.com/en/d/1691/12544

Activity Bungee jumping

Languages English, German, French, Italian, Russian

Location Gordola

Meeting place
At our base on top of the Verzasca Dam (Via Valle Verzasca, 6596 Gordola).

Duration: 30-45 minutes - Price for Students/Apprentices (-20)

Start times: 13:00

Next available date Saturday, 5 June
195CHF

total for 1 participant
Duration: 30-45 minutes - Price for Adults (20+)

Start times: 13:00

Next available date: Saturday, 5 June
255CHF

The name's Dam...Verzasca Dam. Yes, you got it right, you'll start your truly life-changing adventure right where James Bond started his in the 1995 Bond classic "Goldeneye"! Get ready for a 220m deep bungee jump from the Verzasca Dam in Ticino, a breathtaking landscape and the biggest adrenaline rush ever! And don't you worry, you'll be in excellent hands with our team. We've been doing bungee jumps in this spectacular setting for over 20 years now and always make sure that you're 100% safe.

Programme
- Preparation:
We offer our jumps on Saturdays and Sundays during the whole season and additionally also on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between July 3rd and August 23rd. We always jump from 1 to 5 p.m. in 20-minute time slots. All you have to do is simply choose a slot (only 3 jumpers max. per slot), meet us directly on the dam approximately 10min before your scheduled start time and we'll take care of the rest! Once you'll have filled in your registration form, we'll get you ready by checking your weight and asking you to empty your pockets. We'll then start with a briefing by going through each step of the jump with you and explain how everything works. This will be followed by a short jump training. Once you've hopped into your harness and are fully strapped in, you'll be good to go and can start the adventure of a lifetime!

- Jump:
Right before the big jump, you'll make your way up to a platform where we'll make sure you're well attached and strapped in. Once we've checked everything, all that's left to do is spread out your arms, lean forwards and fall! Next destination: 220m deeper! Once you've had the chance to fully enjoy this pure adrenaline rush and unique experience, we'll pull you back up. At our base, you'll be rewarded with an award and a drink for your great courage.

Included Services
- High-quality rope with anti-tear and overstretching protection
- Certificate for your first jump
- Drink
- GoPro video (Please note that you're not allowed to bring your own GoPro with you. However, we'll gladly lend you one of ours for 39 CHF. You'll be able to go home with a USB stick that has your unique adventure on it!)

Requirements
- Jumpers under 18 need a signed declaration of consent from a parent. Jumpers over 65 need a medical certification.
- Minimum weight: 45kg
- Maximum weight: 115kg
- Contraindications: Pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, heart disorders, epilepsy, damage to the musculoskeletal system, neurological disorders, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, chronic ear ailments with disturbance of equilibrium. The jumper must not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or mind-altering medication. If you're taking medication or are insecure about whether you are fit to do a jump or not, please refer to your doctor.

RichardTheBruce

June 6th

1944: Ian Fleming is replaced as head of Royal Navy 30 Assault Unit, an intelligence-gathering group of commandos. His "Red Indians".
1944: D-Day. During Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in history, the Allies storm the beaches at Normandy.

1963: Anthony Starke is born--Syracuse, New York

1983: Octopussy premieres at the Odeon Leicester Square, London.
Attendees include Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales.

1997: Tomorrow Never Dies films Elliott Carver's oratio interruptis.

2011: EON Productions confirms Naomie Harris in discussions for a role in BOND 23.
2015: Spectre films on Westminster Bridge, London.

2019: Planned public reading and discussion of Fleming's short story "From a View to a Kill".
Also Friday. Tacoma, Washington.

Thursday, June 6, 2019
From a View to Kill (Short Story) Ian Fleming
https://www.meetup.com/Beer-Graphic-Novels-Short-Stories/events/260764430/https://www.evensi.us/view-kill-short-story-ian-fleming-copper-door/305450679
Thursday 6 June 2019 5:00 PM Friday 7 June 2019 4:00 AM
Tacoma ›

Bond hunts spies: done.

A fun read! We can discuss plot, culture, cold war, perception of others, etc, and fun stuff. What actor do you think would be a good Bond?

Maybe, the dichotomy of Roger Moore and Sean Connery's interpretation of the character. How does the Bond character exists as a modern folk hero?

Thursday, June 6, 2019
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Doyle's Public House
208 St. Helen's Drive, Tacoma

https://spywhothrills.com/foryoureyesonlyfleming


http://spyvibe.blogspot.com/2012/07/for-your-shelf-only-rare-fleming-short.html

2023: Action Romanesque and musical “Casino Royale －My Name’s Bond” continues performances at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, Tokyo, Japan.

“Casino Royale －My Name’s Bond－”

See the complete article here:

https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/revue/2023/casinoroyale/index_tokyo.html

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater (TOKYO)
May.6-Jun.11 2023

Action Romanesque
Based on the novel by Ian Fleming Casino Royale (Japanese edition translated by Rou Shiraishi, published by Tokyo Sogensha)
Script and direction by Shuichiro Koike 　　　　
On sale from: April 2, 2023, at 10:00 AM(JST) -
Price
SS Seat : 12,500 / S Seat : 9,500 / A Seat : 5,500 / B Seat : 3,500
Unit: Japanese Yen (tax included)

Story
“Casino Royale －My Name’s Bond－”
The story is set in 1968. After World War II, the world has been divided into the West, a capitalist society led by the United States, and the East, a communist society led by the Soviet Union. The two blocs have been confronting each other without directly engaging in warfare. People call this struggle for supremacy the Cold War, and the intelligence agents from each country, so-called spies, keep fighting covertly on the front lines.

James Bond, code-named 007, is an outstanding secret agent for the elite British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6. Given a license to kill, Bond has been through fierce battles, taking all kinds of risks. One day, he receives an order to use his gambling skills to beat a KGB agent Le Chiffre who has been regarded as the commander of KGB operations in France.

Le Chiffre runs a nightclub in Paris which is a front business and source of funds for the KGB in France. In fact, however, Le Chiffre embezzled the nightclub’s proceeds and consequently he is in such a tight spot that he secretly has been searching for a buyer for the nightclub. Now he plans to make a quick fortune at a casino. Bond heads to France in order to cut off the KGB’s source of funds.

Paris is currently in turmoil due to anti-establishment protests in the wake of the general strike termed “May 68” by students and workers calling for social change. Visiting Paris to scout the nightclub, Bond encounters and saves Delphine, a female student participating in a demonstration and being chased by the police. He becomes captivated by Delphine who has passion to change the unequal world.

Bond enters the Casino Royale in Royale-les-Eaux, a resort on the west coast of France, to play against Le Chiffre. Bond runs into Delphine whom he saved in Paris.

Coincidentally, the Romanovs have gathered at the same hotel and are fighting over who will be the next head of the family. According to the will of the late Grand Duchess Natalia, it is Delphine who is to inherit a vast fortune as the successor.

The casino’s biggest annual event “Night of Baccarat” has just started. Bond, who is undercover as a Jamaican millionaire, joins the baccarat table Le Chiffre is at. But once Le Chiffre finds out his true identity, the game turns into an intense confrontation between Le Chiffre and Bond…

Bond can’t help but think of Delphine whom he happens to become involved with. Meanwhile, Le Chiffre begins plotting to obtain Delphine's inheritance. Bond risks his life on his mission to counter various conspiracies and schemes.

Performance Schedule Access Info Seating List Download
https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/revue/2023/casinoroyale/ticket_tokyo.html

Main cast

James Bond: Suzuho Makaze

Delphine: Hana Jun

Le Chiffre: Toa Serika

Grand Duke Georgy Romanovich Romanov: Tsukasa Kotobuki

Director M: Akira Matsukaze

Michel Barrault: Minato Sakuragi

Technical officer Q / Detective: Hikaru Akine

Felix Leiter: Ryu Shido

Bill Turner, General Manager / Dealer: Rui Akina

Anna Romanov: Rizu Hanabishi

Maya: Sayo Koharuno

Rene Mathis: Hikaru Rukaze

Dr. Zweistein: Ritsu Wakato

Gerard, Manager: Nagi Sumikaze

Jean: Shion Yuki

Annabel: Mineri Amairo

Ilya: Chiaki Takato

Catherine, Secretary: Sakura Koko

Ivan: Mira Manase

Irina: Shiho Mizune

Henri, Assistant Manager: Renya Setsuki

Moneypenny: Sara Hanamiya

Boris: Haku Kokaze

Grigory Romanov: Hyuga Kazeiro

Vesper: Sakura Haruno

Chief of police: Runo Omi

Rose: Sayaka Yumekaze

Maharaja’s wife: Ki Aria

Anatoly Romanov: Yusei Anon

Wife of a wealthy overseas Chinese businessman: Himari Kanna

Bodyguard: Miusa Ruki

Myron: Shin Arashino

Clement: Yuki Mashiro

Lily: Sara Aimi

Nina: Hibari Yamabuki

PDF Download
https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/revue/2023/casinoroyale/a7ouvb000000aji9-att/casinoroyale_en_tokyo.pdf

宝塚歌劇 公式チャンネル Takarazuka Revue Company (5:01)

RichardTheBruce

June 7th

1940: Sir Tom Jones is born--Pontypridd, Wales.

1971: Filming of Diamonds Are Forever moves to Pinewood Studios and Ken Adam sets across four stages.

1981: The New York Times prints "Behind the Best Sellers; John Gardner" by Edwin McDowell.

Behind the Best Sellers; JOHN
GARDNER

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/07/books/behind-the-best-sellers-john-gardner.html

By Edwin McDowell | June 7, 1981

John Gardner wrote a best-selling spy novel in England some 20 years ago titled ''The Liquidator,'' and he has written 22 novels since, including ''The Nostradamus Traitor,'' ''The Werewolf Trace'' and ''The Dancing Dodo.'' Mr. Gardner made the best-seller list in this country for the first time two weeks ago, and if his name is still not familiar to American readers - except to those who might confuse him with the American writer of the same name - the hero of his License [sic] Renewed bears a name that is indeed well-known: James Bond. Yes, James Bond, 007, that bold, urbane creation of the late Ian Fleming. Fourteen years have elapsed since the last Bond book, and although the world's most famous spy has not aged a day in that time, the James Bond of the 1980's drinks moderately, smokes low-tar cigarettes and drives a fuel-efficient Saab 900 Turbo instead of a Bentley. (Bond only drove Aston Martins in the movies.)

If the new James Bond sounds very much unlike his former self, readers appear to have few objections. Even in Bond's British homeland, Mr. Gardner said in a recent telephone interview, ''The book and I have been welcomed with open arms by the great aficionados of Bond. The reviews have been very kind so far and so have the interviewers. The people who own the literary copyright knew Fleming well and they all worked with him.''

Perhaps one reason Bond fans do not object to the new 007 is that, although the changing times have dulled many of his male chauvinist edges, Bond remains very much a charmer, as Miss Moneypenny would still attest. And even though Bond's pipe-smoking chief, M, is in the process of withdrawing the Double-O status, which conveyed license to kill in the line of duty, changing circumstances soon dictate a renewal of that license.

The owner of the Fleming copyright is Gildrose Publications, Ltd., whose board of directors chose Mr. Gardner to write the Bond books. Gildrose is a subsidiary of Booker and McConnell, which according to Mr. Gardner is a large London-based conglomerate ''to which Mr. Fleming sold his copyright long before he passed away in order to have a regular salary.'' The new book, incidentally, is dedicated to the memory of Ian Fleming.

''Apparently Gildrose had a list of six candidates and I was at the top,'' he said. ''I supplied them with four possible narrative outlines, they picked one of them and asked me to do certain things. What they wanted was for me to think in terms of Bond having been on ice for a while, but being quite up to date about what's been going on in the world during the past two decades.''

In the book's acknowledgments, Mr. Gardner explains that all the ''hardware'' used by Mr. Bond in the story is genuine: ''Everything provided by Q Branch and carried by Bond - even the modifications to Mr. Bond's Saab - is obtainable on either the open, or clandestine, markets.'' That means trouble for Franco, the international terrorist, and the Laird of Murcaldy, the renowned nuclear physicist, when Bond sets out to make the world safe from accidental nuclear holocaust.

Mr. Gardner, 54, was born and raised in England. His father was an Anglican priest, and he himself was ordained as a clergyman, although he soon became a theater and film critic for various British newspapers. These days he lives in Dublin, and his contract calls for him to write at least two more Bond books.

Before he agreed to take up the Fleming mantle, Mr. Gardner said he worried whether it would pose scheduling conflicts, since he had already contracted for several books of his own during the next few years. He intends to honor both contracts. ''Now I don't think it will be much of a problem,'' he said, ''because I'm used to writing all the time anyhow.''

1982: Comic strip Deathmask begins its run in The Daily Express. (Finishes 2 February 1983. 379-552)
John McLusky, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://www.007.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Spectre-clapperboard-Westminster-Bridge-6-June-2015.jpg

Swedish Semic Comic 1983 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1983.php3?s=comics&id=02239

Dödsmasken
(Deathmask - Part 1) (Deathmask - Part 2)

1983: Octopussy released in the UK.

1994: Pierce Brosnan is announced as James Bond number five.

1997: Buena Vista releases The Rock directed by Michael Bay.

https://worldnewsera.com/news/entertainment/movie-reviews/sean-connery-gets-a-touching-and-funny-tribute-from-the-rock-director-michael-bay/

2015: Sir Christopher Lee dies at age 93--Chelsea, London, England.
(Born 27 May 1922--Belgravia, London, England.)

Christopher Lee obituary

See the complete article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/11/christopher-lee

Actor known for villainous or sinister roles in films from Hammer
horror to James Bond and The Lord of the Rings
Alex Hamilton | Thu 11 Jun 2015 09.38 EDT

Christopher Lee, pictured in 1959, studied method acting at Rank’s ‘charm school’, but recognised theatre was not his strength and never went near the stage again.
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

Sir Christopher Lee, who has died aged 93, achieved his international following through playing monsters and villains. In his 30s, he was Dracula, the Mummy and Frankenstein’s creature; in his 80s, Count Dooku in Star Wars and the evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. Along the way he was Rasputin, Fu Manchu several times and Scaramanga – The Man With the Golden Gun – opposite Roger Moore as a weak 007, whom Lee did something to offset. For the last of these he was paid £40,000 – his highest fee, among hundreds of screen appearances, until the blockbusters of his later years. “The Bonds get the big money, and they save on the heavies,” he said.

Lee became an actor almost by accident. Through birth and education he seemed a more likely candidate for the diplomatic ladder, but he never reached the first rung. His father, Geoffrey, a colonel much decorated in the first world war, wrecked through gambling his marriage to Estelle, the daughter of the Italian Marquis de Sarzano, and a society beauty of the 1920s. Christopher was born in Belgravia, London. His education at Wellington college, Berkshire, ended abruptly at 17, and he had to get along on the pittance of a City clerk.

But the second world war might be said to have rescued him, making him an intelligence officer with an RAF squadron through north Africa and Italy. At the end, he was seconded for a period with a unit investigating war crimes. Though demobbed with the rank of lieutenant, he had suffered a psychological trauma in training and was never a pilot. In his later civilian life he was endlessly required to fly as a passenger, and it was barely a consolation to him having his film contracts stipulate that he travel first class.

Without previous aspirations or natural talent for acting, except a pleasing dark baritone voice that he exercised in song at home and abroad every day of his life, he was pushed towards film by one of his influential Italian relatives, Nicolò Carandini, then president of the Alitalia airline, who backed the suggestion with a chat to the Italian head of Two Cities Films, Filippo del Giudice. Lee was put on a seven-year contract by the Rank entertainment group, with the executive who signed it saying: “Why is Filippo wasting my time with a man who is too tall to be an actor?”

His height – 6ft 4in, kept upright by his lofty temperament and fondness for playing off scratch in pro-am golf tournaments – actually proved helpful in securing him the parts for which he had the most affinity: authority figures. He lent a severe and commanding presence to James I of Aragon in The Disputation (1986), the Comte de Rochefort in The Three Musketeers (1973), Ramses II in Moses (1995), the cardinal in L’Avaro (1990), a high priest in She (1965), the Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Ivanhoe (1958) and the Duc in The Devil Rides Out (1968).

Christopher Lee in Horror of Dracula (1958).
He later regretted taking on so many of the vampire’s increasingly absurd adventures.
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

He shared his aptness for sinister material with two friends who lived near his London home in a Chelsea square: the writer of occult thrillers Dennis Wheatley and the actor Boris Karloff. The latter once cheered him up when Lee was overloaded with horror roles, remarking, “Types are continually in work.”

Lee initially studied method acting at Rank’s “charm school”, where he was supposed to spend six months of the year in rep. But floundering at the Connaught in Worthing, and humiliated by audience laughter when he put his hand through a window supposedly made of glass, he recognised that the theatre was not his metier and never went near the stage again. Perhaps the most useful coaching Rank gave him was in swordplay: across his career he fought in more screen duels than opponents such as Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks put together.


Sir Christopher Lee, veteran horror film actor, has died at the age of 93 after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure

Terence Young gave Christopher his first – and minimal – chance before the film cameras in Corridor of Mirrors (1948). Over the next 10 years, he played secondary and anonymous characters in a miscellany of mostly low-budget British films. This had a lasting effect into his later years: he would accept virtually any role. The film that lifted him out of obscurity, and showed him to Times Square as a 50ft-tall vampire, was the Hammer production of Dracula in 1958. It cost £82,000 and earned £26m, of which Christopher’s take was £750. It was the first time he and Peter Cushing worked together, in a pairing that lasted through 22 films.

It was often said in the film business that it was not easy to make friends with Lee. But he always knew his part, and he was always in the right place, so that he was at any rate approved of by the cameramen. Furthermore, three other actors who also enjoyed sinister roles in exploitation movies kept a quartet of friendship with him: Cushing, Karloff and Vincent Price.

Lee’s particular difference as Dracula lay in his height and powerful showing, and his terrifying presence even when no words had been written for him. But while admitting that Dracula had been his cornerstone, he eventually left the role to others, and later regretted letting himself in for so many of the vampire’s increasingly absurd adventures.

He took work wherever he could find it, including five times as Fu Manchu. When he could not find roles in Britain, he cast about in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. His ability to say his lines in their languages was a great advantage when it came to dubbing. He became the first actor to play both Sherlock Holmes and, for the director Billy Wilder in 1970, Sherlock’s brother Mycroft. While shooting by Loch Ness in Scotland, Wilder remarked to him, as they walked in the twilight by the spooky stretch of dark water with bats wheeling about: “You must feel quite at home here.”

Supporting roles in action pictures – as a Nazi officer, a western gunman and a pirate – extended not only his portfolio but also the range of lead actors who were his idols. Among them was Burt Lancaster, whose example as his own stunt man Lee strove to emulate. Lancaster once warned him against journalists: “Never let them get too close.” Lee liked to give interviews, but resented the results, since they invariably harped on about Dracula despite his protestations that he had left the “prince of darkness” behind.

Given this attitude, he rather surprisingly gave me, a journalist, the job of ghostwriting his autobiography, which was published in 1977 as Tall, Dark and Gruesome. In 2003, after he had played several roles a year for 25 more years, we updated the story as Lord of Misrule.

Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man (1973).
Photograph: Everett/Rex Shutterstock

Lee had come nearest to producing something lasting for the cinema in 1973, playing the pagan Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man. With a marvellous script by Anthony Shaffer, and despite almost no money for production, it was a rare horror film that proved to have a long life. Lee was prevented by injury from taking the role of Sir Lachlan Morrison in a sequel, The Wicker Tree (2011), though he made a cameo appearance as “Old Gentleman”.

After the high-profile part in The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), Lee – at the urging of Wilder – left Britain for Hollywood. America delivered some of his hopes. On the downside was the disaster film Airport 77; on the upside, a completely unexpected comic success hosting Saturday Night Live on TV, with such stars as John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. In among the 40 jobs he undertook in the 1970s, Lee’s sword and sorcery, murder and spook movies made way for his roles as a U-boat captain in Spielberg’s 1941 (1979), a Hell’s Angel biker in Serial (1980) and, back in Europe, the studied interpretation of the executioner Charles-Henri Sanson as a dandy, for a 1989 French TV history of the Revolution. Lee was fascinated by public executions. His move to the US allowed him the opportunity to see the electric chair firsthand, in a similarly detached mood of inquiry with which he had previously invited England’s last hangman to come to his house and talk about his own career. One of his favourite pastimes was visiting Scotland Yard’s Black Museum.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, with Christopher Lee as the wizard Saruman.
Photograph: Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

He worked on tirelessly, becoming a familiar figure in the studios of France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Balkans, the Baltic and Russia; he also made films in Pakistan and New Zealand, and in 2000 he struck a touching figure as the butler Flay in the BBC TV production of Gormenghast.

The 21st century saw a major reinvigoration of his reputation – first in the Star Wars prequels, and then even more significantly as Saruman in Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning film sequence of The Lord of the Rings. He was upset when Jackson cut his scenes in the theatrical edition of the trilogy’s final instalment, The Return of the King (2003), but their rift was healed when the scenes were restored in the extended editions on DVD. At last, in his 80s, Lee was earning six figures. He reprised the role in The Hobbit films.

Nonetheless, one of the roles for which he was most proud was a low-budget assignment: the arduous – and politically precarious – challenge of playing the title role in Jinnah (1998). Though Lee worked with all due seriousness and admiration for the founder of Pakistan (and looked remarkably like him), he had to be constantly under armed guard because of an abusive press campaign against the producers for associating the father of the nation with Dracula; the Pakistan government eventually caved in to the pressure and withdrew its funding for the film. The end product was well reviewed; Lee himself thought it his best achievement, though not everybody would agree.

Still, at home he was becoming the nation’s darling. Tim Burton fitted him into small parts in five films and was on stage to introduce him when Lee won a Bafta fellowship award for lifetime achievement in 2011. A BFI fellowship in 2013 was presented to him by Johnny Depp. In France, he was made a commander of arts and letters; he was likewise honoured in Berlin. He was made CBE in 2001 and knighted in 2009. A prolific schedule of film appearances continued and most recently he had taken the lead role in the comedy Angels in Notting Hill.

He is survived by his wife, Gitte (nee Kroencke), whom he married in 1961, and their daughter, Christina.

• Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, actor, born 27 May 1922; died 7 June 2015

CHRISTOPHER LEE FILMOGRAPHY
https://www.fandango.com/people/christopher-lee-389466/film-credits

Year Title Role

2015 Extraordinary Tales
2014 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Saruman
2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Saruman
2012 Dark Shadows Clarney
2011 The Wicker Tree Old Gentleman
2011 Hugo Monsieur Labisse
2011 Season of the Witch (2011) Cardinal D'Ambroise
2011 The Resident August
2010 Burke and Hare Old Joseph
2010 Alice in Wonderland (2010) Jabberwocky

2009 The Heavy Boots' Father
2009 Triage Joaquin Morales
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Count Dooku
2007 The Golden Compass First High Councilor
2007 Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs Narrator
2005 Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Pastor Galswells
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Dr. Wonka
2005 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Count Dooku
2005 Greyfriars Bobby
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Saruman
2002 Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones Count Dooku
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Saruman

1999 Sleepy Hollow Burgomaster
1998 Jinnah Mohammed Ali Jinnah
1997 Ivanhoe Lucas de Beaumanoir

1986 The Girl (1987) Peter Storm
1983 The Return of Captain Invincible Mr. Midnight
1982 The Last Unicorn King Haggard

1979 1941 Von Kleinschmidt
1979 Alien Encounter Captain Ramses
1979 Arabian Adventure Alquazar
1975 The Four Musketeers Rochefort
1975 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. Stephen Hayward
1974 The Man with the Golden Gun - Scaramanga
1973 The Wicker Man (1974) Lord Summerisle
1972 Dracula A.D. 1972 Count Dracula
1972 The Creeping Flesh James Hildern
1972 Horror Express Prof. Alex Caxton
1971 The House That Dripped Blood Reid
1970 The Scars of Dracula Count Dracula
1970 The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes Mycroft Holmes
1970 Scream and Scream Again Fremont

1969 The Magic Christian Ship's Vampire
1968 Dracula Has Risen From the Grave Dracula
1968 The Devil Rides Out Duc De Richeleau
1968 Eve Col. Stuart
1966 Dracula, Prince of Darkness Dracula
1965 Face of Fu Manchu Fu Manchu
1965 Dr. Terror's House of Horrors Franklyn Marsh
1964 The Gorgon Prof. Carl Maister
1964 The Devil-Ship Pirates Capt. Robeles
1962 The Pirates of Blood River LaRoche
1962 The Longest Day
1961 Hercules In The Haunted World (1961) Lichas
1961 Scream of Fear Dr. Gerrard
1961 Terror of the Tongs Chung King
1960 Horror Hotel Prof. Allan Driscoll

1959 The Hound of the Baskervilles Sir Henry Baskerville
1959 The Mummy (1959) Kharis, the Mummy
1958 Horror of Dracula Count Dracula
1958 The Accursed Doctor Neumann
1957 Ill Met By Moonlight German officer at dentist's
1957 The Curse of Frankenstein The Creature
1957 Bitter Victory Sgt. Barney
1956 Moby Dick (1956)
1952 The Crimson Pirate Joseph, Attache
1951 Captain Horatio Hornblower Captain
1950 Prelude to Fame Newsman

1948 Hamlet (1948)
1948 Scott of the Antarctic Bernard Day
1948 Corridor of Mirrors Charles

Christopher Lee (I) (1922–2015)

Actor | Soundtrack | Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000489/

The Extraordinary And Untold Life Of Sir Christopher Lee (12:55)

2015: Spectre films on the banks of the Thames River.
2017: Dynamite Entertainment releases Bond comic Black Box #4.
Rapha Lobosco, artist. Benjamin Percy, writer.

JAMES BOND #4

See the complete article here:

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513025652204011

Cover A: Dominic Reardon
Cover B: Jason Masters
Cover C: Matt Taylor
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Art: Rapha Lobosco
Genre: Action/Adventure, Media Tie-In
Publication Date: June 2017
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32 Pages
ON SALE DATE: 6/7

James Bond #4, "The Suicide Forest"

The latest installment in the Black Box storyline will leave you breathless. An epic car chase through the gritty, neon wonderland of Tokyo gives way to a sexy layover near Mt. Fuji, where James Bond goes "undercover" with the mysterious assassin, Selah Sax. Little does 007 know his mission is about to change -- and danger lurks in the nearby "Suicide Forest," where he and Selah will be both the hunters and the hunted.

2019: Scheduled finish date for filming of the No Time To Die car chase along the Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway.

2023: The Sound of Bond - An evening of 007 - Live Concert at Proud Cabaret, London, England.

The Sound of Bond. An evening
of 007. Live Concert at Proud
Cabaret

See the complete article here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sound-of-bond-an-evening-of-007-live-concert-at-proud-cabaret-tickets-630196212837

James Bond Extravaganza: Immerse into the world of 007 Celebrate the iconic movie sequels and soundtracks in style at Proud Embankment
By RED EVENTS & Distribution ltd.

When and where
Date and time
Wednesday, June 7 · 8 - 10pm BST
Location
Proud Embankment 8 Victoria Embankment London WC2R 2AB United Kingdom

About this event
2 hours

March 2023, London - Last year, the world marked the 60th anniversary of the first James Bond movie. But the party is not over just yet! Red Events UK offers to prolong the celebration with a tribute to the timeless cinema classic as a perfect way to kick-start your summer. On June 7th, the epic music show will be welcoming its guests right at the heart of the city, just underneath the Waterloo Bridge at Proud Embankment cabaret.

Whether you’re a devoted fan of the legendary 007 or you’re just looking for an exhilarating, yet relaxing evening in London - this is your ideal go-to. Revel in the electric atmosphere of world-class spy action as the music takes you on a top-secret mission with James Bond himself. Prepare to uncover the deadly secrets and fall hopelessly in love with the world of 007!

Set at one of London's most Instagrammable venues, the concert will invite its listeners to the glamorous and luxurious interiors of Proud Embankment, where anyone can feel like the main hero of the renowned saga. Spacious hall was selected by the organisers because of its long history of hosting high-class performances, breathtaking shows and roaring cabarets. This made Proud Embankment a household name among London’s most famous venues.

PROGRAMME
Section 1
· Bond theme
· From Russia with love
· Look of love
· You only live twice
· Nobody does it better
· No time to die
· Writings on the wall
30 mins music surprise

Section 2
· Goldeneye
· Skyfall
· The world is not enough
· Goldfinger
· Tomorrow never dies
· Diamond are forever
· Another way to die
· Bond theme

Ticket sales end soon
From £16.96

2023: Dynamite Entertainment releases 007 - For King and Country #3.
Giorgio Spalletta, artist. Phillip Kennedy Johnson, writer.

007: FOR KING AND COUNTRY
#3

See the complete article here:

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513032953003011

Cover A: Joseph Michael Linsner
Cover B: Rebeca Puebla
Cover C: Chuma Hill
Cover D: Lesley "Leirix" Li
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Giorgio Spalletta
Genre: Spy Fiction / Action Adventure
Publication Date: June, 2023
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32
ON SALE DATE: 6/7/2023

With another Double-O agent in hot pursuit, James Bond and Gwen Gann seek out an old ally to help them on their mission to take down Myrmidon. But Bond learns that even Gwen Gann may not be exactly what she claims to be...

RichardTheBruce

June 8th

1898: Mary Fanning Wickham Bond is born--Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
(She dies 13 December 1997 at age 99--Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.)

Mary Wickham Bond

See the complete article here:

https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/Bond__Mary_Fanning_Wickham

6/8/1898 - 12/17/1997

Primary Vocation: Literary
Geographic Connection to Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Novelist and memoirist Mary Wickham Fanning Bond was born in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.
Awards: Philadelphia Browning Society Gold Medal

Abstract:
Mary Fanning Wickham Bond was born in 1898 into a well-to-do family in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. In the early 1950s she wrote her first bestseller, Device and Desire: a Novel of Bad Manners. While an accomplished writer, she is also known for her second marriage to James Bond, the namesake of the famous spy character. Bond passed away in 1997.

Biography
Mary Fanning Wickham Bond was born on June 8, 1898, the daughter of Samuel and Maria Porcher. Her father Samuel made a good living as the chief purchasing agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad. She was born into a life of privilege and was educated at a local private school. As a youth, she enjoyed such pastimes as horseback riding and attending debutante balls. Although born into this lifestyle, she never felt it dictated her behavior. Much to her father's dismay, her first job was selling at Wanamaker's. She was accepted to Bryn Mawr College around the time of World War I but chose instead to be an emergency aide, someone who volunteered as a nurse or air raid warden.

Her first marriage was in 1930 to a man by the name of Shippen Lewis, a prominent lawyer in the region. This marriage lasted until 1952, when Lewis died. Two years later she married a man whose name would inspire one of the most well-known fictional characters in history: James Bond.

Author of spy novels, Ian Fleming, read James Bond's book Birds of the West Indies and gave his international spy the name James Bond. What was to Mary Bond the "dullest name in the world" would become one of the most well-known, much to the chagrin of the real life James Bond and his wife. She didn't mind the attention much during the day, but her husband would get calls at 2 and 3 a.m. from women looking for James Bond. She would answer these calls irritably, saying "Yes, James is here, but this is Pussy Galore and he's busy now." Eventually, she set a meeting up between her husband and Ian Fleming, which led to them becoming friends and also inspired her 1966 book How 007 Got His Name (1966).

Bond's writing career actually began in the 1920s and, although none of her seven novels were published, she did receive the Philadelphia Browning Society's gold medal in 1926 for her sonnet entitled "The Gift." She took a hiatus from writing novels but continued to write poetry, magazine articles, and short stories. Then, in the 1940s she found inspiration at a local library in the form of a book titled Unusual and Eccentric Wills. The book was about a rich Viennese man who left nine of his relatives $25,000 but with one condition: they all had to stay away from his funeral. The real twist was that anyone who did show up would receive his entire fortune. Bond transplanted this story into 1950s Philadelphia, and it resulted in her bestseller: Device and Desire (1949).

In 1980, her book To James Bond with Love was published. In this book she chronicled her life married to James Bond. She accompanied her husband on his frequent trips to the Bahamas to gather information on birds. On one of these trips in February of 1964 they dropped in unannounced at Ian Fleming's Jamaica residence, an event she describes in comical detail. Apparently Mr. Fleming first thought that the Bonds may have dropped in unannounced to slap him with a libel suit for the theft of the name James Bond. This was not the case, and all went well with their meeting. Upon their departure, Fleming even presented them with a copy of his then latest novel, You Only Live Twice. On the fly cover Fleming had signed it "To the real James Bond, from the Thief of his Identity." The remainder of Bond's book describes their other adventures in the Caribbean, everything from traveling between islands on small boats and sleeping in less than desirable conditions, to how James proved through his work that birds in the West Indies originated in North America. She also wrote of these experiences in Far Afield in the Caribbean (1971).

Mary Bond released her autobiography Ninety Years At Home In Philadelphia in 1988. Just one year later, James died in February of 1989.

In 1997, Mary Bond died of congestive heart failure at the age of 99 in her home in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.

Selected Works:

• Device and Desire: A Novel of Bad Manners. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co, 1949.
• The Petrified Gesture: A Novel. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1951.
• How 007 Got His Name. London: Collins, 1966.
• Far Afield in the Caribbean: Migratory Flights of a Naturalist's Wife. Wynnewood, PA: Livingston, Publishing, 1971.
• To James Bond with Love. Lititz, PA: Sutter House, 1980.
• White Swallow and Other Poems. Bar Harbor, ME: Bar Harbor Times Press, 1983.
• Ninety Years At Home in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh: Dorrance Publishing, 1988.

Sources:

• Capuzzo, Michael. "A Philadelphia Lady Takes a Stroll Through the Century Mary Bond's New Book Coincides With Her 90th Birthday." Philadelphia Inquirer 5 June 1988: J01.
• Contosta, David R. Suburb in the City. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1992.
• "Mary Fanning Wickham Bond." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale 2002. 25 Sept. 2011.
• Wallace, Andy."Mary Fanning Bond, 99." Philadelphia Inquirer 17 Dec. 1997: B06.

Photo Credit: rjschatz. "Photograph of Mary Wickham Bond." Photograph. Cropped to 4x3. Source: Online Resource.
Rob Lutz
Written by Rob Lutz, 2011; updated 2018

1926: Kevin McClory is born--Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland.
(He dies 20 November 2006 at age 80--Dublin, Ireland.)

Kevin McClory
Co-author of the 'Thunderball' screenplay who sued Ian Fleming

See the complete article here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/kevin-mcclory-427368.html

Thursday 7 December 2006 01:00
Kevin O'Donovan McClory, screenwriter and film producer: born Dublin 8
June 1926; twice married (two sons, two daughters); died London 20
November 2006.

To devotees of James Bond history, the name Kevin McClory will be forever associated with Thunderball - the Ian Fleming novel, the court case surrounding it, and the film - and his myriad abortive attempts, countered by litigation, to launch an alternative James Bond film franchise.

Born in Dublin in 1926, Kevin O'Donovan McClory was a descendant of the literary Brontë family through his grandmother Alice McClory. His parents were both actors on the Irish stage, which fired Kevin's early desire to become an actor, but this ambition was hampered by severe dyslexia at school, and was finally blocked by a nervous stammer that was caused by a traumatic incident during the Second World War; in 1943, when serving in the Merchant Navy, Kevin McClory's ship was torpedoed while in the North Atlantic. He drifted over 700 miles in a lifeboat in freezing conditions with other crew members for 14 days, before being picked up off the coast of Ireland as one of the few remaining survivors.

In 1946, his desire still strong to be in show business and now with a greater appreciation of life, McClory talked his way into a £4-a-week job as a boom operator and "tea boy" at Shepperton Studios. Keen to be noticed, McClory worked in various capacities on classic British films including Anna Karenina (1948) and The Cockleshell Heroes (1955). It was during this early period at Shepperton that he formed a lifelong friendship with the director John Huston, another larger-than-life Irishman.

McClory was Huston's assistant on pictures like The African Queen (1951) and Moulin Rouge (1952), before graduating to Assistant Director on Huston's version of the Herman Melville classic Moby Dick (1956), starring Gregory Peck. This was McClory's stepping stone to becoming jack-of-all-trades on the mammoth production Around the World in 80 Days (1956), with him as the producer Mike Todd's assistant, as Assistant Producer and as Assistant Director.

McClory wanted more control over his own creative destiny and decided to write, produce and direct The Boy and the Bridge (1959). In the Bahamas, he met the wealthy Englishman Ivar Bryce, who formed Xanadu Productions with McClory to finance his first solo production. Bryce was a very close friend of the James Bond author Ian Fleming, and it wasn't long before, at Bryce's suggestion, McClory read several of Fleming's novels with a view to filming one of them.

The young and enthusiastic Irishman realised that these books had great potential. And great earning potential. However, McClory thought very much in visual terms, a hangover from his childhood dyslexia, and believed that he, Fleming and Bryce should collaborate on an original, more cinematic screenplay. To this triumvirate, he introduced Jack Whittingham, then ranked among the top 10 screenwriters in the UK, whose work had been received with great critical and public acclaim in Ealing Studios films including Mandy (1952) and The Divided Heart (1954).

Whittingham wrote a first-draft screenplay that eventually Ian Fleming would title Thunderball. The Bondwagon was about to start rolling, with the big bucks and the fame only a stone's throw away, or so McClory believed. Unfortunately for him, The Boy and the Bridge performed very badly at the box office and sank without a trace. Bryce and Fleming's initial enthusiasm for the young Irishman's handling the production of their first James Bond film project suddenly faded. Having expected the profits from The Boy and the Bridge to part-finance the Thunderball film, both Bryce and Fleming got cold feet and walked away from the project, leaving McClory high and dry.

When Ian Fleming sat at his typewriter at his Jamaican home, Goldeneye, in January 1961 to write his ninth Bond novel, he was in ill-health with heart trouble and felt very much a spent force. Writing to William Plomer, an old friend from his days with Naval Intelligence, who always proof-read and pre-edited his Bond novels, Fleming complained that he was

terribly stuck with James Bond. What was easy at 40 is very difficult at 50. I used to believe - sufficiently - in Bonds and blondes and bombs. Now the keys creak as I type and I fear the zest may have gone. Part of the trouble is having a wife and child. They knock the ruthlessness out of one. I shall definitely kill off Bond with my next book - better a poor bang than a rich whimper!

Perhaps it was no surprise, then, that a tired writer would turn to a convenient formed idea. Why let it go to waste? So Fleming based his ninth novel, Thunderball, on the collaborative screenplay, without any idea of including any credit for McClory's input and Whittingham's screen treatment. It would prove to be a costly error in judgement.

Before the publication of Thunderball on 27 March 1961 in London by Jonathan Cape, Kevin McClory obtained an advance proof copy of the novel. As soon as he realised that Fleming had plagiarised their collaborative screenplay, he sent a warning letter to the publishers that if they published the book as it stood he would take legal action. Receiving no answer, McClory sued. McClory was out to stop Jonathan Cape from representing Thunderball as the sole work of Fleming.

At a hearing, a judge decided that, since the accused had insufficient time to mount a defence, and publication of Thunderball was already so well advanced it couldn't be stopped, McClory and Whittingham's application would be refused. A little over two weeks after the failed book injunction, Ian Fleming suffered a major heart attack during the regular Tuesday-morning conference at The Sunday Times. He was rushed to the London Clinic, where he remained for a month.

The ensuing case that began on 20 November 1963 at the High Court in London was heavily covered in the media. Newspaper headlines screamed, "James Bond in a Thunderball clash!" Whittingham found it necessary to withdraw as co-plaintiff due to escalating costs, but, although in extreme ill-health, he returned loyally every day to support McClory. After nine days in court both Ivar Bryce and Ian Fleming decided to settle. McClory demanded £55,000.

In the final outcome, McClory was awarded £35,000 and his court costs paid (totalling £52,000), plus the film and television rights to all the existing Thunderball screen treatments. However, even though he had won the case, he was unhappy with the financial result and never paid his lawyer's costs. He also did nothing to help Whittingham meet his crippling court costs.

Fleming had two further serious heart attacks during the trial. On 12 August 1964, he suffered a final, fatal heart attack, aged 56, and died in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Thunderball was eventually made into a film in 1965 by the producers Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli & Harry Saltzman, who "presented' the film for their company EON Productions. McClory was billed as producer on the film and Thunderball credited as being "Based on an original story by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham & Ian Fleming". The film grossed $141.2m worldwide. Whittingham died of a heart attack in Malta in 1973, his contribution to the cinematic legacy of James Bond all but forgotten and unrecognised.

In 1983 Kevin McClory acted as executive producer on Never Say Never Again, a remake of Thunderball, for which Sean Connery returned after 12 years to star as James Bond, going head-to-head with Roger Moore as Bond in Octopussy. The film grossed an estimated £137.5m worldwide.

One of McClory's closest friends during the late Fifties and Sixties was Jeremy Vaughn, who also knew Ian Fleming well as his neighbour in Jamaica. He told Robert Sellers, author of the upcoming The Battle for Bond, that

Kevin was a smooth operator, an attractive character, but not a particularly pleasant one, certainly compared to his brother, Desmond, who was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. If a friend was in trouble, Desmond would always be there. Kevin would just tell you to piss off, if you weren't any good to him.

He's been very cruel to a number of people over the years who thought they were his friends. The overdriving thing with Kevin was that he just wanted to be a celebrity, he wanted to be famous . . . He probably had some semi-professional technical interest in making a film, but he really wanted the glamour.

McClory continued to be involved in legal wrangles over the years. In the 1990s, he announced plans to make Warhead 2000 AD, another adaptation of the Thunderball story, which was to have been made by Sony, with Timothy Dalton in the lead role, but this was eventually scrapped.

"It was Kevin's burning ambition, these [Bond] movies," Vaughn said,

but I don't think he gave a damn who he walked over and what he did in order to get there. Kevin had a project in life and that project was Kevin McClory.

Graham Rye

Kevin McClory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McClory
Second World War

As a teenaged radio officer in the British Merchant Navy, McClory endured attacks by German U-boats on two different occasions. The first attack occurred on 20 September 1942 was while he was serving aboard The Mathilda. A U-Boat surfaced and attacked the ship with heavy machine gun fire. The crew of the ship fired back and the U-Boat retreated. The second attack occurred on 21 February 1943 when McClory was serving on the Norwegian tanker Stigstad, which was attacked by torpedo from multiple U-boats. The ship sank and McClory and the other survivors made it to a life raft. They survived in terrible conditions for two weeks and traveled more than 600 miles before being rescued off the coast of Ireland. Two seaman died on the raft and a third died soon after they were rescued. McClory suffered severe frostbite and lost the ability to speak for more than a year after the incident. When he recovered his voice he was left with a pronounced stammer. He served out the rest of the war in the British Navy.

Kevin McClory (1926–2006)

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565886/?ref_=nv_sr_5?ref_=nv_sr_5

Filmography

Producer (5 credits)

1983 Never Say Never Again (executive producer)

1976 Circasia (Short) (producer)

1965 Thunderball (producer)

1959 The Boy and the Bridge (producer)
1956 Around the World in 80 Days (associate producer - uncredited)

Sound department (5 credits)

1953 Beat the Devil (boom operator - uncredited)
1952 Moulin Rouge (boom operator - uncredited)
1951 The African Queen (boom operator - uncredited)
1950 The Mudlark (boom operator - uncredited)

1948 Anna Karenina (assistant boom operator - uncredited)

Miscellaneous Crew (5 credits)

1983 Never Say Never Again (presenter)

1957 Legend of the Lost (assistant to Henry Hathaway - uncredited)
1956 Around the World in 80 Days (assistant to producer: foreign locations - as Kevin O'Donovan McClory)
1952 Moulin Rouge (assistant: Mr. Huston - uncredited)
1951 The African Queen (assistant: Mr. Huston - uncredited)

Writer (3 credits)

1983 Never Say Never Again (based on an original story by)

1965 Thunderball (original story)

1959 The Boy and the Bridge (writer)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (2 credits)

1956 Around the World in 80 Days (second unit director: foreign locations - as Kevin O'Donovan McClory)
1956 Moby Dick (assistant director - uncredited)

Director (1 credit)

1959 The Boy and the Bridge

Actor (1 credit)

1965 Thunderball - Man Smoking at Nassau Casino (uncredited)

Location management (1 credit)

1955 The Cockleshell Heroes (location manager)

Self (6 credits)

2010 Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (Documentary) - Himself - Interviewee
2006 Thunderball: Ken Adam's Production Films (Video documentary short) - Himself
2003 Brits Go to Hollywood (TV Series) - Himself
- Sean Connery (2003) ... Himself
1996 John Huston: An t-Éireannach (Documentary) - Himself

1983 Never Say Never Again: Royal Film Premiere (TV Special short) - Himself

1965 Thunderball: The London Pavillion Premiere (Documentary short) - Himself[/u\

Thunderball Premiere Ireland

Thunderball Premiere Tokyo Japan

1939: Bernie Casey is born--Wyco, West Virginia.
(He dies 19 September 2017 at age 58--Los Angeles, California.)

Bernie Casey, Football Star
Turned Actor, Poet and
Painter, Dies at 78

See the complete article here:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bernie-casey-dead-actor-nfl-910749

4:38 PM PDT 9/20/2017 by Mike Barnes

Bernie Casey

His film résumé includes
'Boxcar Bertha,' 'Never Say
Never Again,' 'Brothers,'
'Revenge of the Nerds' and
'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.'

Actor Bernie Casey, who appeared in such films as Boxcar Bertha, Never Say Never Again and Revenge of the Nerds after a career as a standout NFL wide receiver, has died. He was 78.

Casey, who also starred in Cleopatra Jones and several other blaxploitation movies of the 1970s, died Tuesday after a brief illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his representative told The Hollywood Reporter.

In the Warner Bros. drama Brothers (1977), Casey distinguished himself by portraying a thinly veiled version of George Jackson, a member of the Black Panther Party who was killed in what officials described as an escape attempt from San Quentin in 1971. His writings had inspired oppressed people around the world, and Bob Dylan recorded a song as a tribute to Jackson in 1971.

Casey also wrote, directed, starred in and produced The Dinner (1997), centering on three black men who discuss slavery, black self-loathing, homophobia, etc. while sitting around the dinner table.

Casey played a heroic former slave and train robber in Martin Scorsese's Boxcar Bertha (1972), was CIA agent Felix Leiter (a recurring character in Bond films) in Never Say Never Again (1983) and portrayed U.N. Jefferson, the president of the Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity, in Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and two follow-up telefilms.

In Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), Casey played schoolteacher Mr. Ryan ("Who was Joan of Arc?" he asks, and Keanu Reeves' Ted guesses, "Noah's wife?"), portrayed a detective opposite Burt Reynolds in Sharky's Machine (1981) and stood out as the prisoner who protects Eddie Murphy in jail in the sequel Another 48 Hrs. (1990).

And not long after he unexpectedly retired from the Los Angeles Rams, Casey portrayed Chicago Bears player J.C. Caroline in the 1971 ABC telefilm Brian's Song, the heart-wrenching tale about the friendship between Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams).

A true Renaissance man, Casey also was a published poet as well as a painter whose work was exhibited in galleries around the world.

Bernard Casey was born on June 8, 1939, in Wyco, West Virginia. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Bowling Green on a football scholarship (he returned to the school years later to earn a master's in fine arts).

An elegant 6-foot-4 halfback and flanker, Casey led the Falcons to the national "small college" championship in 1959 and was named to the Little All-American team. He also excelled in the high hurdles for the track team and competed in the 1960 U.S. Olympic trials.

The San Francisco 49ers made Casey the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft, and he spent six seasons with the team (1961-66) as quarterback John Brodie's favorite receiver. In one game in his final year with the team, he caught 12 passes for 225 yards.

Casey then spent two solid years with the Rams but shockingly retired in his athletic prime before the 1969 season, finishing his pro career with 359 catches for 5,444 yards and 40 touchdowns. Just 30, he wanted to concentrate on acting, painting and poetry.

"When that sojourn is over and you're 32 or something, when most people are just beginning to understand who they are, what they can do and what life is all about, you have been considered in the world of sports a dinosaur," he once said in a piece for NFL Films. "From that point on, it's a downward spiral into the abyss of non-consideration and obscurity and a lot of other things that they never recover from. I want to think in my instance, it's the beginning. There's a lot of life left after 32."

Casey made his movie debut in the sequel Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) and then starred opposite Jim Brown, another recently retired NFL star, in ...tick... tick... tick... (1970).

Casey received top billing in Hit Man (1972) as the title character, a no-nonsense guy who investigates his brother's death at the hands of mobsters, and then played Reuben Masters, Tamara Dobson's lover, in Cleopatra Jones (1973).

His other blaxploitation work included Black Chariot (1971), Black Gunn (1972) and Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976), and years later, he appeared in the genre parody I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.

Casey portrayed basketball star Maurice Stokes, who spent the last 10 years of his life paralyzed, in Maurie (1973), was a cop in Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975) and played Col. Rhumbus in Spies Like Us (1985). He also appeared in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness (1994), The Glass Shield (1994) and Once Upon a Time … When We Were Colored (1995).

On television, Casey played a minor-league baseball coach who could still hit on the short-lived Steven Bochco drama Bay City Blues and was in Roots: The Next Generations and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Casey received an honorary doctorate degree from The Savannah (Georgia) College of Art and Design, where he served for years as chairman of the board and advocated for arts education.

He had many fans of his paintings.

"I cannot see what Bernie Casey sees," Maya Angelou said in 2003 to promote an exhibit of his work. "Casey has the heart and the art to put his insight on canvas, and I am heartened by his action. For then I can comprehend his vision and some of my own. His art makes my road less rocky, and my path less crooked."

Duane Byrge contributed to this report.

Bernie Casey (1939–2017)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143378/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Filmography

Actor (81 credits)

2007 Vegas Vampires - Bloodhound Bill
2006 When I Find the Ocean - Amos Jackson
2005 Girlfriends (TV Series) - Judge Edward Dent
- Judging Edward (2005) ... Judge Edward Dent
2002 On the Edge - Rex Stevens
2001 The Last Brickmaker in America (TV Movie) - Lewis
2001 Tomcats - Officer Hurley
2000 Just Shoot Me! (TV Series) - Bernie Casey
- A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn (2000) ... Bernie Casey
2000 For Your Love (TV Series) - James, Mel and Reggie's Father
- Father Fixture (2000) ... James, Mel and Reggie's Father

1999 Batman Beyond (TV Series) - Tyrus Block
- Once Burned (1999) ... Tyrus Block (voice)
1999 The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (TV Movie) - Silas
1997 The Dinner - Good Brother
1995 Babylon 5 (TV Series) - Derek Cranston
- Matters of Honor (1995) ... Derek Cranston (uncredited)
- Hunter, Prey (1995) ... Derek Cranston
1995 SeaQuest 2032 (TV Series) - Admiral Vanalden
- Chains of Command (1995) ... Admiral Vanalden
1995 Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored - Mr. Walter
1994 In the Mouth of Madness - Robinson
1994 The Glass Shield - James Locket
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (TV Movie) - U. N. Jefferson
1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) - Calvin Hudson / Commander Calvin Hudson
- The Maquis: Part II (1994) ... Calvin Hudson
- The Maquis: Part I (1994) ... Commander Calvin Hudson
1993 Street Knight - Raymond
1993 Time Trax (TV Series) - Ernest Cooper
- The Contender (1993) ... Ernest Cooper
1993 The Cemetery Club - John
1992 Evening Shade (TV Series) - Director
- The NFL on CBS (1992) ... Director
1992 CBS Schoolbreak Special (TV Series) - Edwin Gaines
- Sexual Considerations (1992) ... Edwin Gaines
1992 Under Siege - Commander Harris
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation (TV Movie) - U.N. Jefferson
1990 Hammer, Slammer, & Slade (TV Movie) - John Slade
1990 Chains of Gold - Sergeant Falco
1990 Another 48 Hrs. - Kirkland Smith

1989 Hunter (TV Series) - Sgt. Del Weber
- Investment in Death (1989) ... Sgt. Del Weber
1989 Mother's Day (TV Movie) - Cale Sturgis
1989 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) - Doc Evans
- Three Strikes, You're Out (1989) ... Doc Evans
1989 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure - Mr. Ryan
1989 Boogie Down Productions: Jack of Spades (Video short) - John Slade
1989 L.A. Law (TV Series) - Lieutenant Jack Dolan
- To Live and Diet in L.A. (1989) ... Lieutenant Jack Dolan
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka - John Slade
1987 Rent-a-Cop - Lemar
1987 Amazon Women on the Moon - Maj. Gen. Hadley
(segment "The Unknown Soldier" [TV cut & DVD only]) (uncredited)
1987 First Offender (TV Movie) - Charlie
1987 Backfire - Clinton James
1987 Steele Justice - Det. Tom Reese
1986 Pros & Cons (TV Movie) - Lt. Bernie Rollins
1985 Spies Like Us - Colonel Rhombus
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) - Bernie
- Method Actor (1985) ... Bernie
1984 Revenge of the Nerds - U.N. Jefferson
1983-1984 Bay City Blues (TV Series) - Ozzie Peoples
- Rocky IV-Eyes (1984) ... Ozzie Peoples
- Play It Again, Milt (1984) ... Ozzie Peoples
- Look Homeward, Hayward (1984) ... Ozzie Peoples
- Going, Going, Gone (1984) ... Ozzie Peoples
- I Never Swung with My Father (1983) ... Ozzie Peoples
1984 The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (TV Movie) - J.T. Collins
1983 Never Say Never Again - Leiter
1982 Hear No Evil (TV Movie) - Monday
1982 Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) - Thornie Thornberry
- Love and Marriage (1982) ... Thornie Thornberry
1982 A House Divided: Denmark Vessey's Rebellion (TV Movie)
1981 Sharky's Machine - Arch
1981 The Sophisticated Gents (TV Series) - Shurley Walker
- Episode #1.3 (1981) ... Shurley Walker
- Episode #1.2 (1981) ... Shurley Walker
- Episode #1.1 (1981) ... Shurley Walker
1980 The Martian Chronicles (TV Mini-Series) - Major Jeff Spender
- The Martians (1980) ... Major Jeff Spender (credit only)
- The Settlers (1980) ... Major Jeff Spender (credit only)
- The Expeditions (1980) ... Major Jeff Spender

1979 Harris and Company (TV Series) - Mike Harris
- That's What I Owe You (1979) ... Mike Harris
- The Loneliest Night of the Week (1979) ... Mike Harris
- A Very Special Person (1979) ... Mike Harris
- Choices (1979) ... Mike Harris
1979 Roots: The Next Generations (TV Mini-Series) - Bubba Haywood
- Part IV (1917-1921) (1979) ... Bubba Haywood
1978 Love Is Not Enough (TV Movie) - Mike Harris
1978 Ring of Passion (TV Movie) - Joe Louis
1977 Ants! (TV Movie) - Vince
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (TV Movie) - Dave Williams
1977 Brothers - David Thomas
1975-1977 Police Story (TV Series) - Hamilton Ward / Duke Windsor
- The Six Foot Stretch (1977) ... Hamilton Ward
- Company Man (1975) ... Duke Windsor
1977 Police Woman (TV Series) - P.J. Johnson
- Once a Snitch (1977) ... P.J. Johnson
1976 The Man Who Fell to Earth - Peters
1976 Joe Forrester (TV Series) - Cleveland
- The Answer (1976) ... Cleveland
1976 Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde - Dr. Henry Pride
1975 Cornbread, Earl and Me - Officer Larry Atkins
1974 Panic on the 5:22 (TV Movie) - Wendell Weaver
1974 The Snoop Sisters (TV Series) - Willie Bates
- Fear Is a Free-Throw (1974) ... Willie Bates
1973 Maurie - Maurice Stokes
1973 Cleopatra Jones - Reuben
1972 Black Gunn - Seth
1972 Hit Man - Tyrone Tackett
1972 Gargoyles (TV Movie) - The Gargoyle
1972 The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) - Richard
- Timelock (1972) ... Richard
1972 Boxcar Bertha - Von Morton
1972 Longstreet (TV Series) - Ray Eller
- Field of Honor (1972) ... Ray Eller
1972 Cade's County (TV Series) - Patrick
- Slay Ride: Part 2 (1972) ... Patrick
- Slay Ride: Part 1 (1972) ... Patrick
1971 Brian's Song (TV Movie) - J.C. Caroline
1971 Black Chariot
1970 ...tick... tick... tick... - George Harley

1969 Guns of the Magnificent Seven - Cassie

Director (1 credit)

1997 The Dinner

Thanks (1 credit)

2018 The Oscars (TV Special) (in memoriam)

Music and Fruit (Songs in Eden)

In a Dark Time of Two Moons, 1966

Rhea's Ray, 1968

The Dinner (1997) | Written & Directed by Bernie Casey (1:25:16)
(Login required to verify age)

1940: Nancy Sinatra is born--Jersey City, New Jersey.

1994: EON introduces Pierce Brosnan as their new Bond in the Drawing Room of London's Regent Hotel.

2006: The American Film Institute through Harrison Ford presents Sean Connery with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sir Sean Connery Accepts AFI Life Achievement Award in 2006

2006: Casino Royale films Bond resigning.

RichardTheBruce

2018: Eunice Elizabeth Sargaison (Eunice Gayson) dies at age 90--London, England.
(Born 17 March 1928--Croydon, South London, England.)

Eunice Gayson obituary

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jun/10/eunice-gayson-obituary
Stage and screen actor who found fame playing Sylvia Trench, the
first Bond girl, opposite Sean Connery
Toby Hadoke | Sun 10 Jun 2018 13.04 EDT | Last modified on Mon 11 Jun 2018 17.00 EDT

Eunice Gayson as Sylvia Trench in Dr No, 1962.
Photograph: Danjaq/Eon/UA/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock

Eunice Gayson, who has died aged 90, was an actor with a film, television and theatre career that spanned several decades. Despite this, she will be forever associated with her unique place in cinema history as the first Bond girl.

Exactly eight minutes into the running of the 1962 film Dr No, Sean Connery utters the words “Bond, James Bond” for the first time, in answer to a question from Gayson, whose character has introduced herself at the card table as “Trench, Sylvia Trench”. With typical efficiency, Bond adds Miss Trench to his list of conquests shortly after their casino encounter and he later finds her hitting golf balls in his apartment dressed only in his shirt. Their playful exchange is momentarily interrupted when he is summoned to Jamaica on a mission, a clear demonstration of Bond’s constant juggling of business and pleasure.

Unlike the other women on the Bond girl list, Gayson played the same character in more than one of the extremely successful franchise’s films. Trench turns up again in From Russia With Love (1963), when her afternoon punting with 007 has to be curtailed when he gets a call from headquarters. The intention was that Miss Trench would be a regular presence in the films, part of a running joke involving their assignations being cut short when espionage obligations arose at an inopportune moment. Guy Hamilton, the director of the next film in the series – Goldfinger (1964) – had other ideas however, and kiboshed the plan.

Eunice Gayson and Sean Connery in Dr No, 1962.

Photograph: Danjaq/Eon/UA/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock

No matter, for by then Gayson’s claim to cinematic immortality was unimpeachable, even though her voice was not heard in either film: she was dubbed by the actor Nikki van der Zyl. No criticism of Gayson should be inferred – Van der Zyl dubbed the majority of female voices in Dr No and many others in future Bond films. Gayson’s perfectly acceptable vocal performance, playful and seductive, can still be heard on the film’s original trailer. She might have had a different slice of Bond movie immortality had the original plan – that she play the recurring role of Miss Moneypenny – gone ahead. As it was, Lois Maxwell took the role (and played it for 23 years). Nevertheless Trench was an important part – Gayson received higher billing than Maxwell in both films – and the actor helped a nervous Connery during that crucial first scene.

She was born in Streatham, south London, the elder of twin daughters and the middle of three children of John Sargaison, a civil servant, and his wife, Maria (nee Gammon). The family moved to Purley, Surrey, then Glasgow and finally Edinburgh, where Eunice enrolled at the Edinburgh Academy. A gifted soprano, she trained as an opera singer and in 1946, aged 18, made her professional debut playing a small role in Ladies Without at the Garrick theatre in London.

That Christmas, she was Princess Luv-Lee in Aladdin (Grand theatre, Derby), with the Stage describing her as a “vivacious” performer “who sings, dances and acts extremely well”. By the end of the decade she was appearing regularly on television – in music shows, revues and television pantomimes. In 1954 she was selected to be a panellist on Guess My Story, a programme in the vein of What’s My Line but featuring disguised celebrities.

Her film break had come in 1948, in My Brother Jonathan, and her other work on the big screen included Melody in the Dark (1949), Dance Little Lady (1954), Basil Dearden’s Out of the Clouds (1955) and Hammer’s The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), in which she played the female lead.

When she was cast in Dr No she was having success on stage playing the Baroness in the original London production (at the Palace theatre, 1962) of The Sound of Music which ran for more than 2,000 performances (she was one of its longest running cast members).

Her other theatre work included Over the Moon (Piccadilly theatre, 1953) and Uproar in the House (Whitehall theatre, 1968, taking over from Joan Sims), Victor Spinetti’s production of Duty Free (on tour 1976-77), The Grass is Greener (with Richard Todd, 1971, in Stratford-upon-Avon for the Royal Shakespeare Company), and An Ideal Husband and Kismet (both 1980, at the Connaught theatre, Worthing). One final run in the West End as the grandmother in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (Phoenix theatre, 1990-91) was followed by pantomime in the Isle of Man in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Gaiety theatre, 1992).

Her 1953 marriage to the writer Leigh Vance was seen by three million American viewers when it was part of the television show Bride and Groom (“sponsored by Betty Crocker’s Piecrust Mix”). The marriage was dissolved six years later and in 1968 she married the actor Brian Jackson. That marriage also ended in divorce but produced a daughter, Kate, who survives her. Kate appeared in the casino scene in the Pierce Brosnan Bond film GoldenEye (1995).

• Eunice Gayson (Eunice Elizabeth Sargaison), actor, born 17 March 1928; died 8 June 2018
• This article was amended on 11 June 2018, to add further details of Eunice Gayson’s early life

Eunice Gayson (1928–2018) [/b]

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0311013/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Filmography

Actress (54 credits)

1972 The Adventurer (TV Series) - Countess Marie
- Thrust and Counter Thrust (1972) ... Countess Marie
1970 Turkey Time (TV Movie) - Louise Stoatt
1970 Albert and Victoria (TV Series) - Madame Aix
- Lovers' Quarrel (1970) ... Madame Aix
- The Gothic Church (1970) ... Madame Aix

1968 The World of Beachcomber (TV Series)
- Episode #1.5 (1968)
1967 The Reluctant Romeo (TV Series) - Gina Darletti
- What's in a Name (1967) ... Gina Darletti
1967 The Further Adventures of Lucky Jim (TV Series)
- Jim Cleans Up (1967)
1967 The Dick Emery Show (TV Series)
- Episode #6.3 (1967)
1967 Before the Fringe (TV Series)
- Episode #1.3 (1967)
- Episode #1.2 (1967)
1966 The Avengers (TV Series) - Lucille Banks
- Quick-Quick Slow Death (1966) ... Lucille Banks
1963-1965 The Saint (TV Series) - Christine Graner / Nora Prescott
- The Saint Bids Diamonds (1965) ... Christine Graner
- The Invisible Millionaire (1963) ... Nora Prescott
1964 Secret Agent (TV Series) - Louise Bancroft
- A Man to Be Trusted (1964) ... Louise Bancroft
1963 From Russia with Love - Sylvia Trench
1962 Dr. No -Sylvia Trench
1961 Stryker of the Yard (TV Series)
- The Case of the Bogus Count (1961)

1959 Theatre Night (TV Series) - Liz Pleydell
- Let Them Eat Cake (1959) ... Liz Pleydell
1958 Adventures of the Sea Hawk (TV Series) - Carmelita
- Episode #1.25 (1958) ... Carmelita
1958 The Revenge of Frankenstein - Margaret
1958 Duty Bound (TV Series) - Arlene van Hoyk
- Cows Don't Fly (1958) ... Arlene van Hoyk
1958 Educated Evans (TV Series) - Lady Fanny Kozatski
- Musical Tip (1958) ... Lady Fanny Kozatski
1958 The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (TV Series) - Yasmin Rashied
- The Hand of Hera Dass (1958) ... Yasmin Rashied
1958 White Hunter (TV Series) - Thelma Thomas
- This Hungry Hell (1958) ... Thelma Thomas
1957 The New Adventures of Martin Kane (TV Series) - June Hartley
- The Heiress Story (1957) ... June Hartley
1952-1957 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series)
Madame Caprice / Chris Cummings / Louka
- What the Doctor Ordered (1957) ... Madame Caprice
- The Whiteoak Chronicles #2: Whiteoak Heritage (1955) ... Chris Cummings
- Arms and the Man (1952) ... Louka
1957 Light Fingers - Rose Levenham
1957 The Ship Was Loaded - Jane Godfrey
1956 Zarak - Cathy Ingram
1956 The Last Man to Hang - The Story: Elizabeth
1955 Count of Twelve - Valerie Dyson (episode "Blind Man's Bluff")
1954-1955 The Vise (TV Series) - Angelia Clifton / Valerie Dyson / Julia
- The Bargain (1955) ... Angelia Clifton
- Blind Man's Bluff (1955) ... Valerie Dyson
- Death Pays No Dividends (1954) ... Julia
1954-1955 Rheingold Theatre (TV Series) - Nora Kenealy / Angela / Dolly / ...
- The Thoroughbred (1955) ... Nora Kenealy
- The Mix-Up (1954) ... Angela
- One Way Ticket (1954) ... Dolly
- The Apples (1954) ... Micky
- Johnny Blue (1954) ... Milly
1955 Out of the Clouds - Penny Henson
1954 One Just Man
1954 Dance Little Lady - Adele
1953 Both Sides of the Law - Janet (uncredited)
1952 Miss Robin Hood - Pam
1952 Down Among the Z Men - Officer's Wife (uncredited)
1952 Goonreel (TV Movie) - Various
1952 Nine Till Six (TV Movie) - Beatrice
1951 La belle Hélène (TV Movie) - Leoena
1951 To Have and to Hold - Peggy
1950 Dance Hall - Mona
1950 Mother of Men (TV Movie) - Jennie
1950 Treasures in Heaven (TV Movie) - Carol Benson
1950 Here Come the Boys (TV Series)
- Episode #2.1 (1950)

1949 Dick Whittington (TV Movie) - Alice
1949 The Director (TV Movie) - Katie
1949 Pink String and Sealing Wax (TV Movie) - Emily Strachan
1949 Melody in the Dark - Pat Evans
1949 The Huggetts Abroad - Peggy (uncredited)
1948 Lady Luck (TV Movie) - Faith
1948 It Happened in Soho - Julie
1948 Halesapoppin! (TV Movie)
1948 My Brother Jonathan - Young Girl
1948 Between Ourselves (TV Movie)

Trivia (7)

Appeared on stage in the musical production of "Into the Woods" in 1990.

Her daughter Kate Gayson later appeared as an extra in the '007' film GoldenEye (1995).

Initially cast as "Miss Moneypenny" (the role ended up going to Lois Maxwell) at the beginning of the James Bond film series, she instead was given the part of seductive "Sylvia Trench" which was to be a recurring role as well. She has the distinction of appearing in the opening casino scene with Sean Connery in Dr. No (1962), in which she says, "I admire your luck, Mr..." and Connery says, "Bond. James Bond". Her part was cut after the second movie, From Russia with Love (1963).

Originally trained as an opera singer, before entering films.

She was dubbed by Nikki Van der Zyl in Dr. No (1962).

Appeared on stage in London for many years playing The Baroness in "The Sound of Music" at the Palace Theatre.

For a long time, she was the only non-'MI6' actress to play the same character in more than one James Bond film until Léa Seydoux played the same character in Spectre (2015) and No Time to Die (2020).

2021: Three classic Aston Martin automobiles come available for viewing at the London Concours, Honourable Artillery Company’s HQ, London.

Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Trio –
Coupe, Convertible and Shooting
Brake – up for sale

See the complete article here:

https://www.carsuk.net/aston-martin-db5-vantage-trio-coupe-convertible-and-shooting-brake-up-for-sale/

June 4, 2021 By Cars UK

Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Icons Collection

A trio of Aston Martin DB5s – a Coupe, Convertible and Shooting Brake – is up for sale with a price tag of £4 million.

The Aston Martin DB5 is forever imprinted in our brains as the ultimate Aston Martin, driven by James Bond and the coolest car on the planet.

Aston Martin only ever built just of 1,000 DB5s, and if you want one with ‘Bond’ history you’ll be digging deep – a James Bond Aston Martin DB5 sold in 2019 for £5.25 million – and even the James Bond DB5 ‘Continuation’ models – which you can’t use on the road – will cost you £3.3 million.

But if you can live without the Bond connection, then the chance has arisen to buy what is perhaps the ultimate DB5 collection, a trio of DB5s with a Coupe, Convertible and Shooting Brake all for less than a Bond DB5 – a mere £4,000,000.

Not only is this collection of DB5s rare, but it’s made rarer still as all are Vantage models of which fewer than 70 were ever built – and the DB5 Vantage Shooting Brake is the only one ever built, complete with Radford aluminium body.

Each of the three has been restored by a leading Aston Martin specialists and comes with BMHIT certificate, maintenance records, ownership documents and history files.

If you have a hankering for this unique collection you can see it at the London Concours starting on 8 June at the Honourable Artillery Company’s HQ in the City of London.

Offered by Nicholas Mee, founder Nicholas Mee said:

"In the 40 or more years I have been dealing in Aston Martin
cars, I have never been more excited than to offer this
fabulous collection of Iconic DB5 Vantages. Each one of
them extremely rare, they are all in a beautifully restored
condition and we are delighted to bring to market, this
once in a lifetime opportunity for a collector to invest in this
unique DB5 Vantage collection."

Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Icons Collection Video

2023: World Gin Day. For the World.

GIN – THE RISING STAR OF THE SPIRIT WORLD!
https://www.pandorainn.com/gin-the-rising-star-of-the-spirit-world/
It’s hard to believe that, until a few years ago, gin was considered old-fashioned. A pink gin or a G&T were definitely the drinks of the older generation. Then suddenly – gin was in! Artisan gin producers started springing up everywhere and pubs, like ours, began stocking lots of different brands, quite a few of them locally produced.
• Though James Bond’s famous “shaken, not stirred” line is probably the most remembered Martini quote in the world, the majority of bartenders disagree and would recommend a stirred Martini instead, as shaking prompts too much dilution.
• Most authorities seem to agree that Gin is English – not Dutch. Genever, a malted spirit that more like a light whisky with juniper, is Netherlands’ version. Gin, as we know it, was developed in London and is a unique and much purer spirit.
• Gin was born around 1689. The earliest known food pairing occurred in 1731: gingerbread!
• By 1726, London had 1,500 working stills and there were 6,287 places where you could buy gin.
• Gin’s primary flavour is the sweet pine and soft citrus of the juniper berry. All other botanicals are added to highlight nuances of this complex and sophisticated flavour.
• The gin and tonic first gained popularity in the British colonies, as the quinine in the tonic water was an effective deterrent to malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, the bitterness of the quinine was awful, so gin was added to make the drink taste better.
• Though James Bond’s famous “shaken, not stirred” line is probably the most remembered Martini quote in the world, the majority of bartenders disagree and would recommend a stirred Martini instead, as shaking prompts too much dilution.
• Gin’s primary flavour is the sweet pine and soft citrus of the juniper berry. All other botanicals are added to highlight the nuances of this complex and sophisticated flavour.

The Pandora Inn
Restronguet Creek
Mylor Bridge
Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 5ST

Tel: 01326 372678
[email protected]

Opening Hours
We are open 10.00am – 10.00pm daily
Food served every day:
Hot drinks & cake from 10.00am
Food served from 12 noon – 8.30pm

https://www.facebook.com/UKDelish/videos/happy-world-gin-day/1382189581980099/

RichardTheBruce

June 9th

1917: The Roll of Honour in The Illustrated London News recognizes Valentine Fleming.

Valentine Fleming's Eulogy by Winston Churchill Known at: May 1917

See the complete article here:

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/2483530

AN APPRECIATION
‘W. S. C.’ writes of the death of Major Valentine Fleming, M.P., who,
as announced in The Times on Wednesday, was killed in action:-

This news will cause sorrow in Oxfordshire and in the House of Commons and wherever the member of the Henley Division was well known. Valentine Fleming was one of those younger Conservatives who easily and naturally combine loyalty to party ties with a broad liberal outlook upon affairs and a total absence of class prejudice.

He was most earnest and sincere in his desire to make things better for the great body of the people, and had cleared his mind of all particularist tendencies. He was a man of thoughtful and tolerant opinions, which were not the less strongly or clearly held because they were not loudly or frequently asserted.

He shared the hopes to which so many of his generation respond of a better, fairer, more efficient public life and Parliamentary system arising out of these trials. But events have pursued a different course.

As a Yeomanry officer he always took the greatest pains to fit himself for military duties. There was scarcely an instructional course open before the war to the Territorial Forces of which he had not availed himself, and on mobilization there were few more competent civilian soldiers of his rank. The Oxfordshire Hussars were the first or almost the first Yeomanry regiment to come under the fire of the enemy, and in the first battle of Ypres acquitted themselves with credit.

He had been nearly three years in France, as squadron leader or second in command, and had been twice mentioned in dispatches, before the shell which ended his life found him. From the beginning his letters showed the deep emotions which the devastation and carnage of the struggle aroused in his breast.

But the strength and buoyancy of his nature were proofs against the sombre realizations of his mind. He never for a moment flagged or wearied or lost his spirits. Alert, methodical, resolute, untiring he did his work, whether perilous or dull, without the slightest sign of strain or stress to the end. ‘We all of us,’ writes a brother officer, ‘were devoted to him.

The loss to the regiment is indescribable. He was, as you know, absolutely our best officer, utterly fearless, full of resource, and perfectly magnificent with his men.’ His passion in sport was deer stalking in his much-loved native Scotland. He rode well and sometimes brilliantly to hounds, and was always a gay and excellent companion.

He had everything in the world to make him happy; a delightful home life, active interesting expanding business occupations, contented disposition, a lovable and charming personality. He had more. He had that foundation of spontaneous and almost unconscious self-suppression in the discharge of what he conceived to be his duty without which happiness, however full, is precarious and imperfect. That these qualities are not singular in this generation does not lessen the loss of those in whom they shine.

As the war lengthens and intensifies and the extending lists appear, it seems as if one watched at night a well-loved city whose lights, which burn so bright, which burn so true, are extinguished in the distance in the darkness one by one.

Published in The Times, United Kingdom

1934: Donald Duck debuts in the Disney cartoon short “The Wise Little Hen”.

The Wise Little Hen

1963: Director Terence Young hosts a party with guest of honor Pedro Armendáriz.
1967: Reprise Records releases the Nancy Sinatra single "You Only Live Twice."
1967: The NBC-TV special Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond airs.

Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond - TV Special 1967 (50:02)


http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/Welcome_to_Japan,_Mr._Bond

1972: Tom Mankiewicz submits his first draft of the Live and Let Die screenplay.
1973: The "Live and Let Die" single by Paul McCartney and Wings enters the UK singles chart.

1997: Tomorrow Never Dies films action in the parking garage.
1999: The World Is Not Enough films Desmond Llewelyn's last scene as Q.

2009: Media speculation on BOND 23 locations runs to Afghanistan and drug capers.

2015: A Spectre TV spot during Game 3 of the NBA finals (Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors) reveals new footage.

SPECTRE TV Spot 01 (NBA Finals)

2016: An event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh awards, Buckinghamshire.
In attendance are The Royals, Sir Roger Moore, Dame Judi Dench, Michael G. Wilson C.B.E.

2021: Dynamite Entertainment releases James Bond Agent of SPECTRE #4.
Luca Casalanguida, artist. Christos Gage, writer.

JAMES BOND: AGENT OF
SPECTRE #4

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513030383704011
Cover A: Butch Guice
UPC: 725130303837 04011
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publication Date: June 2021
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32
ON SALE DATE: 6/9/2021

It's all-out action in Athens, Greece as Bond and Blofeld's tenuous alliance is tested under fire! Can they survive the mountainside attack by upstart SPECTRE member Titania Jones...and can they survive each other? The double-crosses and triple-crosses hurtle toward a shocking and explosive conclusion in this penultimate issue!

2022: Taryn Simon exhibit “Birds of the West Indies” at the Conservatory Gallery, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York.

Taryn Simon: “Birds of the West Indies”

See the complete article here:

https://www.bbg.org/visit/event/taryn_simon_birds_of_the_west_indies

Taryn Simon: “Birds of the West Indies”
Exhibits | For the Birds
June 7–October 23, 2022
Conservatory Gallery

In “Birds of the West Indies,” which takes its title from a taxonomy by American ornithologist James Bond, Taryn Simon identifies, photographs, and classifies every bird that appears in the first 24 James Bond films. Casting herself as Bond the ornithologist, Simon trains her eye away from the agents of seduction—luxury, power, violence, sex—to look only in the margins.

26 images in a matted frame, each with a label
Taryn Simon, “United Kingdom, Birds of the West Indies,” 2014.
Archival inkjet prints in boxed mats and aluminum frames, 39⅞ × 94⅞ inches.
Edition of 4. © Taryn Simon. Courtesy Gagosian.

7 images with labels elegantly framed with a matte
Taryn Simon, “Morocco, Birds of the West Indies,” 2014.
Archival inkjet prints in boxed mats and aluminum frames, 26⅞ × 33⅞ inches.
Edition of 4. © Taryn Simon. Courtesy Gagosian.

About the Work
In 1936, an American ornithologist named James Bond published the definitive taxonomy Birds of the West Indies. Ian Fleming, an active bird-watcher living in Jamaica, appropriated the name for his novel’s lead character. He found it “flat and colourless,” a fitting choice for a character intended to be “anonymous… a blunt instrument in the hands of the government.” This co-opting of a name was the first in a series of substitutions and replacements that would become central to the construction of the Bond narrative. Conflating Bond the ornithologist with 007, Taryn Simon uses the title and format of the ornithologist’s taxonomy for her work, “Birds of the West Indies.”

In “Birds of the West Indies,” Simon casts herself as James Bond (1900–1989) the ornithologist, and identifies, photographs, and classifies all the birds that appear within the first 24 films of the James Bond franchise. The appearance of many of the birds was unplanned and virtually undetected, operating as background noise for whatever set they happened to fly into. Simon ventured through every scene to discover those moments of chance. The result is a taxonomy not unlike the original Birds of the West Indies. The artist has trained her eye away from the agents of seduction—glamour, luxury, power, violence, sex—to look only in the margins. She forces the viewer’s gaze off center, against the intentions of the franchise, by focusing on the forgotten, insignificant, and overlooked.

Each bird is classified by the time code of its appearance, its location, and the year in which it flew. The taxonomy is organized by country: some locations correspond to nations we acknowledge on our maps, including Switzerland, Afghanistan, and North Korea, while others exist solely in the fictionalized rendering of James Bond’s missions, including Republic of Isthmus, San Monique, and SPECTRE Island.

Simon’s ornithological discoveries occupy a liminal space—confined within the fiction of the James Bond universe and yet wholly separate from it. The birds flew freely in the background of the background, unnoticed or unrecognized until they were catalogued by Simon. Sometimes indecipherable specks hovering in the sky or perched on a building, these birds will never know, nor care, about their fame. In their new static form, the birds often resemble dust on a negative, a once common imperfection that has disappeared in the age of Photoshop. Other times, they are frozen in compositions reminiscent of genres from photographic history. Some appear as perfected and constructed still lifes while others have a snapshot quality. Many appear in an obscured, low-resolution form, as if they had been photographed by surveillance drones or hidden cameras. These visual variations are also affected by feature film’s evolution from 35 mm to high-resolution digital output.

Simon’s taxonomy of 331 birds is a precise consideration of a new nature found in an alternate reality. Bird study skins, correspondence, awards, and personal effects of James Bond the ornithologist have been collected by Simon and are displayed in vitrines alongside the photographic works. These artifacts present remnants of the real-life James Bond in his parallel existence to the fictional spy who took his name.

2023: National Donald Duck Day in the US.

https://nationaltoday.com/national-donald-duck-day/

Alvin Silvrants
https://www.catawiki.com/l/38191185-alvin-silvrants-disney-donald-duck-james-bond-007

Donald Gets Drafted 1942 (8:54)


Donald Duck - Der Fuehrer's face | eng sub (9:16)

RichardTheBruce

June 10th

1906: Ivar Felix Charles Bryce is born--London, England.
(He dies 27 April 1985 at age 78--Birdbrook, Braintree District, Essex, England.)

Ivar Bryce

See the complete article here:

https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKbryceI.htm

Ivar Bryce was born in 1906. His father had made a fortune trading guano, the phosphate-rich deposit of fish-eating seabirds which had been widely used as a natural fertilizer. His mother was a painter and a published author of detective novels.

In 1917 Bryce met Ian Fleming and his brothers on a beach in Cornwall: "The fortress builders generously invited me to join them, and I discovered that their names were Peter, Ian, Richard and Michael, in that order. The leaders were Ian and Peter, and I gladly carried out their exact and exacting orders. They were natural leaders of men, both of them, as later history was to prove, and it speaks well for them all that there was room for both Peter and Ian in the platoon."

Bryce was sent to Eton College where he resumed his friendship with Fleming. Bryce purchased a Douglas motorbike and used this vehicle for trips around Windsor. He also took Fleming on the bike to visit the British Empire Exhibition in London. They also published a magazine, The Wyvern, together. Fleming used mother's contacts to persuade Augustus John and Edwin Lutyens, to contribute drawings. The magazine also published a poem by Vita Sackville-West. The editors showed their right-wing opinions by publishing an article in praise of the British Fascisti Party. It argued that its "primary intention is to counteract the present and every-growning trend towards revolution... it is of the utmost importance that centres should be started in the universities and in our public schools".

During the Second World War Bryce worked for William Stephenson, the head of British Security Coordination (BSC), a unit that was based in New York City. According to Thomas E. Mahl, the author of Desperate Deception: British Covert Operations in the United States, 1939-44 (1998): "Bryce worked in the Latin American affairs section of the BSC, which was run by Dickie Coit (known in the office as Coitis Interruptus). Because there was little evidence of the German plot to take over Latin America, Ivar found it difficult to excite Americans about the threat."

Nicholas J. Cull, the author of Selling War: The British Propaganda Campaign Against American Neutrality (1996), has argued: "During the summer of 1941, he (Bryce) became eager to awaken the United States to the Nazi threat in South America." It was especially important for the British Security Coordination to undermine the propaganda of the American First Committee that had over a million paid-up members. Bryce recalls in his autobiography, You Only Live Once (1975): "Sketching out trial maps of the possible changes, on my blotter, I came up with one showing the probable reallocation of territories that would appeal to Berlin. It was very convincing: the more I studied it the more sense it made... were a genuine German map of this kind to be discovered and publicised among... the American Firsters, what a commotion would be caused."

William Stephenson approved the idea and the project was handed over to Station M, the phony document factory in Toronto run by Eric Maschwitz, of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). It took them only 48 hours to produce "a map, slightly travel-stained with use, but on which the Reich's chief map makers... would be prepared to swear was made by them." Stephenson now arranged for the FBI to find the map during a raid on a German safe-house on the south coast of Cuba. J. Edgar Hoover handed the map over to William Donovan. His executive assistant, James R. Murphy, delivered the map to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The historian, Thomas E. Mahl argues that "as a result of this document Congress dismantled the last of the neutrality legislation."

Ivar Bryce

Nicholas J. Cull has argued that Roosevelt should not have realised it was a forgery. He points out that Adolf A. Berle, the Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, had already warned Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State that "British intelligence has been very active in making things appear dangerous in South America. We have to be a little on our guard against false scares."

Bryce wrote to Walter Lippmann in March 1942. He sent him a book by Hugo Artuco Fernandez that had been written at the behest of British intelligence. "I am sending you a copy of my friend Artuco's book, which I think will interest you... Some of it sounds rather alarming and exaggerated but it is much more accurate than most books on South America.... If you felt at all inclined to write anything about the dangers to South America, I could give you any number of facts which have never been published, but which my friends here would like to see judiciously made public at this point."

Bryce was based in Jamaica (his wife Sheila, owned Bellevue, one of the most important houses on the island), during the Second World War, where he ran dangerous missions into Latin America. Ian Fleming, who was personal assistant to Admiral John Godfrey, the director of naval intelligence, visited Bryce in 1941. Fleming told him that: "When we have won this blasted war, I am going to live in Jamaica. Just live in Jamaica and lap it up, and swim in the sea and write books."

In 1945 Bryce helped Fleming find a house and twelve acres of land just outside of Oracabessa. It included a strip of white sand on a lovely part of the coast. Fleming decided to call the house, Goldeneye, after his wartime project in Spain, Operation Goldeneye. Their former boss, William Stephenson, also had a house on the island overlooking Montego Bay. Stephenson had set up the British-American-Canadian-Corporation (later called the World Commerce Corporation), a secret service front company which specialized in trading goods with developing countries. William Torbitt has claimed that it was "originally designed to fill the void left by the break-up of the big German cartels which Stephenson himself had done much to destroy."

In 1950 Bryce married Josephine Hartford. Her grandfather, George Huntington Hartford, was the founder of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. Josephine was the daughter of Princess Guido Pignatelli and Edward V. Hartford, who was an inventor and president of the Hartford Shock Absorber Company. A former concert pianist she was one of the leading racehorse owners in the United States.

Bryce joined with Ernest Cuneo and a group of investors, including Ian Fleming, to gain control of the North American Newspaper Alliance (NANA). Andrew Lycett has pointed out: "With the arrival of television, its star had begun to wane. Advised by Ernie Cuneo, who told him it was a sure way to meet anyone he wanted, Ivar stepped in and bought control. He appointed the shrewd Cuneo to oversee the American end of things... and Fleming was brought on board to offer a professional newspaperman's advice." Fleming was appointed European vice-president, with a salary of £1,500 a year. He persuaded James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, that The Sunday Times should work closely with NANA. He also organized a deal with The Daily Express, owned by Lord Beaverbrook.

Bryce became a film producer and helped to finance The Boy and the Bridge (1959). The film lost money but Bryce decided he wanted to work with its director, Kevin McClory, again and it was suggested that they created a company, Xanadu Films. Josephine Hartford, Ernest Cuneo and Ian Fleming became involved in the project. It was agreed that they would make a movie featuring Fleming's character, James Bond.

The first draft of the script was written by Cuneo. It was called Thunderball and it was sent to Fleming on 28th May. Fleming described it as "first class" with "just the right degree of fantasy". However, he suggested that it was unwise to target the Russians as villains because he thought it possible that the Cold War could be finished by the time the film had been completed. He suggested that Bond should confront SPECTRE, an acronym for the Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Revolution and Espionage. Fleming eventually expanded his observations into a 67-page film treatment. Kevin McClory now employed Jack Whittingham to write a script based on Fleming's ideas.

The Boy and the Bridge was a flop at the box-office and Bryce, on the recommendation of Ernest Cuneo, decided to pull-out of the James Bond film project. McClory refused to accept this decision and on 15th February, 1960, he submitted another version of the Thunderball script by Whittingham. Fleming read the script and incorporated some of the Whittingham's ideas, for example, the airborne hijack of the bomb, into the latest Bond book he was writing. When it was published in 1961, McClory claimed that he discovered eighteen instances where Fleming had drawn on the script to "build up the plot".

President John F. Kennedy was a fan of Fleming's books. In March 1961, Hugh Sidey, published an article in Life Magazine, on President Kennedy's top ten favourite books. It was a list designed to show that Kennedy was both well-read and in tune with popular taste. It included Fleming's From Russia With Love. Up until this time, Fleming's books had not sold well in the United States, but with Kennedy's endorsement, his publishers decided to mount a major advertising campaign to promote his books. By the end of the year Fleming had become the largest-selling thriller writer in the United States.

This publicity resulted in Fleming signed a film deal with the producers, Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, in June 1961. Dr No, starring Sean Connery, opened in the autumn of 1962 and was an immediate box-office success. As soon as it was released Kennedy demanded a showing in his private cinema in the White House.

Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham became angry at the success of the James Bond film and believed that Bryce, Ian Fleming and Ernest Cuneo had cheated them out of making a profit out of their proposed Thunderball film. The case appeared before the High Court on 20th November 1963. Three days into the case, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. McClory's solicitor, Peter Carter-Ruck, later recalled: "The hearing was unexpectedly and somewhat dramatically adjourned after leading counsel on both sides had seen the judge in his private rooms." Bryce agreed to pay the costs, and undisclosed damages. McClory was awarded all literary and film rights in the screenplay and Fleming was forced to acknowledge that his novel was "based on a screen treatment by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham and the author."

Fleming encouraged Bryce to write his memoirs and gave him some advice on how to deal with the process. "You will be constantly depressed by the progress of the opus and feel it is all nonsense and that nobody will be interested. Those are the moments when you must all the more obstinately stick to your schedule and do your daily stint... Never mind about the brilliant phrase or the golden word, once the typescript is there you can fiddle, correct and embellish as much as you please. So don't be depressed if the first draft seems a bit raw, all first drafts do. Try and remember the weather and smells and sensations and pile in every kind of contemporary detail. Don't let anyone see the manuscript until you are very well on with it and above all don't allow anything to interfere with your routine. Don't worry about what you put in, it can always be cut out on re-reading; it's the total recall that matters." Bryce's autobiography, You Only Live Once, was published in 1975.

Ivar Bryce died in 1985.

Trivia

His wife Jo had a mansion on the New York / Vermont border which is the setting for two of Ian Fleming's James Bond stories, "For Your Eyes Only" and "The Spy Who Loved Me".

The Diamonds Are Forever James Bond novel is co-dedicated to Ivar Bryce (as "i.f.c.b") along with two other friends of Ian Fleming.

After Ian Fleming visited Jamaica in 1944 and decided he wanted to live there, Bryce home-hunted the island to find him a residence and discovered "Goldeneye" for him.

Ian Fleming named his James Bond character's CIA agent friend after Ivar Bryce's middle name, Felix. His surname was named after another of Fleming's friends, Tommy Leiter.

Is played by actor Patrick Ryecart in Goldeneye (1989).

Was involved in the early stages of the development of the James Bond movie Thunderball (1965).

He was married to A&P Supermarket heir Huntington Hartford's sister, Josephine Hartford. Huntington Hartford was the original owner and developer of Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Bryce and Fleming leave court after settling with McClory.

1937: Luciana Paluzzi is born--Rome, Lazio, Italy.

1972: Comic strip Trouble Spot ends its run in The Daily Express.
(Started 28 December 1971. 1810–1951) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://www.popoptiq.com/trouble-spot/



http://venusianfrogbroth.blogspot.com/2016/07/trouble-spot-by-lawrence-and-horak.html


http://parttimefanboy.com/?p=667


https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/comic_ts_review.php3


https://books.apple.com/ec/book/james-bond-and-trouble-spot/id1108333542?l=en

Swedish Semic Comic 1979 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1979.php3?s=comics&id=02181

Dödligt Budskap (Fatal Message -Trouble Spot)

Swedish Semic Comic 1989 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1989.php3?s=comics&id=02358

Dödligt Budskap (Trouble Spot)

Danish 1974 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-dk-no27-1974/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 27: “Trouble Spot” (1974)
"Dræbende budskab"

1983: EON releases Octopussy in the US.

1983: Vincent Canby reviews Octopussy in The New York Times.

JAMES BOND MEETS 'OCTOPUSSY'

See the complete article here:

Octopussy
Directed by John Glen
Action, Adventure, Thriller
PG | 2h 11m

By Vincent Canby | June 10, 1983
Credit...The New York Times Archives

LET'S face it: the sensationally successful and long-lived James Bond films will not quit, and for good reason. They are ''Star Wars'' fantasies for the middle-aged of all ages. ''Octopussy,'' the 13th in the series that began with ''Dr. No'' in 1961, is actually better than most.

The film, which opens today at the National and other theaters, makes no pretense of being based on anything except the Ian Fleming character and the high good humor and wit of the film makers. Agent 007 faces a succession of unspeakable dangers and obliging women with the absurdly overstated, indefatigable waggishness that has outlived all imitations. Roger Moore, who plays Bond yet again, is not getting any younger, but neither is the character. The two have grown gracefully indivisible.

Much of the story is incomprehensible, but I'm sure that the characters include a crazy Soviet general (Steven Berkoff), who is as feared by the Russians as by the Allies; a decadent Afghan prince (Louis Jourdan), who gambles with loaded dice and would not hesitate to blow up the world for personal profit, and the glamorous tycoon of the film's title (Maud Adams), who lives in a lake palace in Udaipur, India, from which she runs an international business empire of hotels, airlines and an East German circus.

The point of any Bond adventure is its incredible gadgets - this film includes a virtually pocket-size jet plane - and the variations worked on the chases, sequences that, like great vaudeville gags, build from one surprise to the next to discover the unexpected topper. In ''Octopussy'' the best of these are a hilarious, precredit sequence in which Bond flees Cuba, another in India where Bond finds himself in league with a tiger in the course of an unusual ''shoot'' and one across East Germany involving an automobile, a circus train and an atomic bomb.

George MacDonald Fraser, Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson are responsible for the story and screenplay, which was directed by John Glen, who does much better than he did with ''For Your Eyes Only.'' However, the material is markedly better, and the budget seems noticeably larger. Peter Lamont's production design is both extravagant and funny.

''Octopussy,'' which has been rated PG (''Parental Guidance Suggested''), includes a lot of low-voltage sexual hanky-panky and some scenes of mayhem that are more picturesque than realistically violent. Vincent Canby

Palace Life in India

OCTOPUSSY, directed by John Glen; screen story and screenplay by George MacDonald Fraser and Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson; director of photography, Alan Hume; edited by Peter Davies and Henry Richardson; music by John Barry; produced by Albert R. Broccoli; released by M-G-M/U.A. Entertainment Corpora- tion. At the National 2, Broadway and 44th Street; Gemini 1 and 2, 64th Street and Second Avenue; 86th Street Twin 2, at Lexington Avenue; New Yorker 2, Broadway and 88th Street; Bay Cinema, Second Avenue and 31st Street and other theaters. Running time: 130 minutes. This film is rated PG.

James Bond . . . . . Roger Moore
Octopussy . . . . . Maud Adams
Kamal . . . . . Louis Jourdan
Magda . . . . . Kristina Wayborn
Gobinda . . . . . Kabir Bedi
Orlov . . . . . Steven Berkoff
Twin One . . . . . David Meyer
Twin Two . . . . . Tony Meyer
Vijay . . . . . Vijay Amritraj
Q . . . . . Desmond Llewelyn
M . . . . . Robert Brown
Gogol . . . . . Walter Gotell
Minister of Defense . . . . . Geoffrey Keen
Gwendoline . . . . . Suzanne Jerome

1985: Lawrence O'Toole reviews A View to a Kill in Maclean's. He likes it.

The chivalrous knight of old
A VIEW TO A KILL Directed by John Glen

See the complete article here:

June 10 1985 LAWRENCE O’TOOLE

A VIEW TO A KILL Directed by John Glen

Of all the modern formulas in the movie industry, the James Bond series is among the most pleasurable and durable. Lavish with their budgets, the producers also bring a great deal of craft, wit and a sense of fun to the films. Agent 007 is like an old friend whom an audience meets for drinks every two years or so; he regales them with tall tales, winking all the time. The 15th and newest Bond epic, A View to a Kill, is an especially satisfying encounter. As Bond, Roger Moore takes on a brilliant but psychotic Russian named Zorin (Christopher Walken) and his lethal assistant, May Day, played by the astonishingly muscular and sleek Grace Jones. The villain’s plan, as in most Bond films, is nothing less ambitious than the takeover of the world, which he plans to do by controlling the international microchip market. Because 80 per cent of the world’s microchip production comes from California’s Silicon Valley, Zorin simply has to close up the San Andreas Fault with an explosion and bury the valley under a massive flood.

Opening with a breathtaking ski chase in Siberia, A View to a Kill is the fastest Bond picture yet. Its pace has the precision of a Swiss watch and the momentum of a greyhound on the track. There is a spectacular chase up and down the Eiffel Tower and through Paris streets, which Bond finishes in a severed car on just two wheels. But none of the action prepares the viewer for the heart-stopping climax with Zorin’s dirigible tangled in the cables on top of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. For all its similarities to earlier episodes—deadly villains and gorgeous women—A View to a Kill is a little different. It is less gadget-ridden, and Bond relies more on old-fashioned know-how: trapped underwater in a car, he escapes and breathes through the tire valve while waiting for his would-be assassins to leave. The world’s technological advances have caught up with Bond, but they never render him obsolete.

The Bond movies operate on a level much deeper than their dazzling surfaces: they represent assurance in a world laden with global anxiety. And not only does goodness win out, it does so with style and humor. The movies are fantasies of idealism in which even the hero’s sins are turned into delicious double entendres. “Did you sleep well?” asks Zorin. “A little restlessly,” replies Bond after a night in May Day’s arms. “But I finally got off.” Their comic-book characters, the good ones that is, are especially alluring—dashing, talented and impervious to danger. Most of all, Bond is a gentleman—a chivalrous knight who has time-travelled. When he saves the “good girl” of A View to a Kill and holds her in his arms on top of the Golden Gate, it is a sublime romantic gesture. It is true that Roger Moore is showing his age (57) in the role, but there are plenty of tunes left in his violin. James Bond is still a virtuoso, with a licence to thrill.

LAWRENCE O’TOOLE

1997: Tomorrow Never Dies completes filming scenes with Paris Carver.
Actress Teri Hatcher was three months pregnant at the time.

2011: Orion re-releases the fourteen John Gardner Bond novels in the UK. Plus two novelizations.

2020: Dynamite Entertainment releases James Bond #5.

Comic Book Preview – James Bond #5

See the complete article here:

https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/06/comic-book-preview-james-bond-5/

June 10, 2020 by Gary Collinson

Dynamite Entertainment releases James Bond #5 this coming Wednesday; check out a preview of the issue here…

Fakes are everywhere. 007 has no clue who to trust. His training and intuition are all that stand between the shadows and the light.

By VITA AYALA (Morbius, Gamora), DANNY LORE (Queen Of Bad Dreams) and ERICA D’URSO (Captain Marvel).

RichardTheBruce

June 12th

1914: William Lundigan is born--Syracuse, New York.
(He dies 20 December 1975--Duarte, California.)

William Lundigan,Actor,Dead; Made
125 Films Over 38 Years

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/22/archives/william-lundigan-actor-dead-made-125-films-over-38-years.html

December 22, 1975, Page 31

William Lundigan, who appeared in more than 125 films during his 38‐year career in Hollywood, died yesterday after a long illness in the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, a suburb of Los Angeles. He was 61 years old and lived in West Los Angeles.

Despite his active career in Hollywood, in which he appeared in an average a more than three films a year, including a handful of starring roles, critical acclaim largely eluded the lean, sandy‐haired, blue‐eyed actor.

A Critic's Description
A critic for The New York Times wrote 25 years ago, “He is more suggestive of a prep school football “coach abruptly plunked down in the middle of the Rose Bowl, in the pink, but dot quite seasoned to the shouting.”

In the 1940's and 50's, Mr. Lundigan played the male counterpart to the‐girl‐nextdoor, a role that, brought stardom to such actresses as Susan Haywood, Dorothy McGuire, Jane Greer and Jeanne Crain, all of whom he appeared with.

In 1951, after he appeared opposite Miss Haywood in “I'd Climb the Highest Mountain,” the story of a Methodist circuit rider in the hills of Georgia, Mr. Lundigan described his first years in Hollywood.

After he signed a contract with Universal Pictures in 1937, “nothing much happened,” he said in an interview.

“I was at Warners and Metro for two years each in pictures like ‘Dodge City,’ The Fighting Sixty‐ninth’ and ‘The Old Maid.’

“I was always turning, up as Olivia de Havilland's weak brother. Well, I got in a rut—that old bugaboo, type‐casting —and made one quickie after another.”

Mr. Lundigan was born in Syracuse, where he worked as a salesman in his father's shoe store. The elder Mr. Lundigan also owned the building that housed the local radio station, WFBL, and the actor‐to‐be often filled in as an announcer between stints as a pre‐law student at Syracuse University.

After 13 years as an announcer, Mr. Lundigan was heard by a visiting film man, who was impressed by his. crisp, resonant bass voice. He was sent to a movie studio in Astoria, Queens, for a screen test and soon he was in Hollywood.

“In, but not inside,” he was to recall years later.

After making “Salute to the Marines,” in 1942, he was drafted into the Marines and served two and one‐half years, mainly with the First Division in the**

Pacific. With Hedy Lamarr

After the war, the, actor tried freelancing, with little success. The one exception was 11 supporting role in “Dishonored Lady,” with Hedy Lamarr and his good friend, Dennis O'Keefe, with whom he often went duck hunting.

Two years later. Mr. Lundigan was cast at the Elia Kazan film “Pinky,” starring Jeanne Crain. Other films include “The Man Who Talked Too Much,” “The Case of the Black Parrott,” “Sunday Punch,” “The Fabulous Dorseys” and “Mother Didn't Tell Me.”

Mr. Lundigan was later host for the television series “Climax” and “Shower of the Stars.”

He leaves his wife, the former Rena Morgan; a daughter, Anastacia, and two brothers, Robert and John.

William Lundigan (1914–1975)

Actor | Soundtrack
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0526485/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsXWp0nj2c

1927: Yaroslav Horak is born--Harbin, Manchuria.
(He dies 24 November 2020 at age 93--Sydney, Australia.)

In Memoriam: James Bond comic artist Yaroslav
Horak

See the complete article here:

https://downthetubes.net/?p=123513&fbclid=IwAR2OztK1Hj9eCj16H9EVQrZag8EkYebdcpRSqcU9hC89hhm5JsT_La3IpR4

By John Freeman on December 5, 2020

We’re sorry to report the passing of James Bond newspaper strip artist Yaroslav Horak, who passed late last month, aged 93. He passed away peacefully at his rest home in Australia, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Manchuria to the son of a Russian mother and Czech father in 1927, Yaroslav was renowned for his dynamic black and white art for James Bond 007, which he drew for the Daily Express from 1966 to 1977, taking over from John McLusky.

James Bond – The Man with the Golden Gun

Horak and his family migrated to Sydney, Australia before World War Two, first working as an artist as a portrait painter but switching to illustration for the larger Australian magazine publishers. His appreciation for storytelling, art and adventure led him into writing and illustrating comic strips, and became one of Australian’s most prolific cartoonists, producing thousands of pages of comics in Australia before moving to England in 1962.

In his detailed biography on Comics Down Under Kevin Patrick notes Horak’s first published comics work, “Grey Thorne, Counter Espionage Agent”, appeared in Frank Johnson Publications’ Gem Comics in 1947.

He created his first recurring character, “Rick Davis, Special Correspondent”, as a supporting feature in H.J. Edwards’ top-selling Action Comic. This was followed by “The Skyman”, which ran in both Action Comic and John Dixon’s Tim Valour Comic. This aviation-themed series was the first comic to carry the artist’s Anglicised by-line, “Larry Horak”.

(Documenting the holdings of Horak’s held by the National Library of Australia, Liesl Mitchell notes it was publisher John Edwards who gave Horak the name “Larry” by which he is also known. This was not to the artist’s liking and he only managed to shed this imposed name when he moved to Europe).

Art from Jet Fury #17 via Pikitia Press

Horak’s first solo comic book, Mr Combat, for Elmsdale Publications, was published in 1950, but his “globetrotting crime-buster” was cancelled after just three issues. But “Jet Fury”, a series which began as a supporting feature in Michael Chance Comic, about a masked aviator who flew to global trouble-spots aboard the Comet, an “anti-gravity” jet, firmly established his reputation as a comics artist. Its popularity led to the title being re-named as Jet Fury Comic with its 16th issue in 1951.

Other early credits include The Mask – The Man of Many Faces for Atlas Publications – but Comics Down Under notes the ran foul of Queensland’s Literature Board of Review, which objected to the character’s full-face mask, and imposed a state-wide sales ban on the comic, forcing Atlas Publications to reluctantly cancel the title with its third issue in 1954.

Disillusioned, Horak turned to newspaper strips, creating “Captain Fortune“, running in Sydney’s Sun-Herald from December 1957 until July 1962; and drawing “Mike Steel – Desert Rider“, for Woman’s Day magazine, written by editor Keith Findlay (under the pseudonym “Roger Rowe”), running from August 1962 until January 1969.

Moving to England in 1963, he secured work from DC Thomson his known credits including “Johny Hop” for The Victor, telling the adventures of Constable Bill Lennox and his Aboriginal tracker companion, Wally Omes, in Outback Australia in 1964, followed by “The Bent Copper” for The Hornet, about ex-Scotland Yard detective John Bright, who sought revenge against the criminal who framed him for a crime he did not commit, published in 1965.

Between 1963 and 1966, he also drew stories for Fleetway’s War Picture Library and Battle Picture Library, before replacing John McLusky on the James Bond newspaper strip, at the suggestion of writer Peter O’Donnell, drawing some 33 adventures starring the secret agent between 1966 and 1984.

Horak’s take on the secret agent resembled Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, long before either actor took up the role on the big screen.

He first drew adaptations of The Spy Who Loved Me, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy, The Hildebrand Rarity, and The Living Daylights, followed by an adaptation of Colonel Sun (the Bond novel written by Kingsley Amis).

It was Horak’s acclaimed adaptation of The Man with the Golden Gun, published between January 1966 and September 1966, that led to writer Jim Lawrence being given permission by the Fleming Trust to write original Bond stories for Horak to draw, including River of Death, Trouble Spot and The Girl Machine.

Horak returned to Australia in 1975, drawing a newspaper strip adaptation of the Australian TV show Cop Shop for Sydney’s Sun-Herald, which ran from 1980 to 1983, collected in a tie-in magazine.

His final comics project was his own – the SF series, “Andea”, published by Australia’s Daily Mirror, centring on a glamorous female extra-terrestrial who travelled to Australia from the distant planet Xavax.

“‘Andea’ showcased Horak’s storytelling skills to brilliant effect,” notes Kevin Patrick, “with his intricate plots, fantastic characters, and exquisite artwork demonstrating his complete mastery of the medium throughout the series’ seven-year run. It was a fitting end to Yaroslav Horak’s incomparable career as one of Australia’s great comic artists.”

Refocusing on painting in later life, Horak was awarded the Ledger of Honour in recognition of his contributions to Australian comics, as part of the Ledger Awards for 2018.

Our sympathies to his family at this time, who requested that donations in his memory be made to Dementia Australia.

Yaroslav Horak, artist, born 12th June 1927, died 24th November 2020. Survived by his wife, Jacqueline and children Anton, Natasha and Damon

Comics Down Under

Yaroslav Horak: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

See the complete article here:

http://comicsdownunder.blogspot.com/2015/06/yaroslav-horak-portrait-of-artist-as.html

While recently browsing through a box of old magazines and newspapers in an antiques shop, I came across a tattered and torn copy of The News, a tabloid newspaper produced by the Australian Journalists Association and the Printing Industry Employees' Union during a wartime industrial dispute with Sydney Newspaper Proprietors' Association. This copy of The News, dated Tuesday, 17 October 1944, caught my eye because it contained a brief profile of a talented young high-school student from Sydney, Yaroslav Horak (See image). The text of the article reads as follows:

Sixteen-year-old Russian, Yaroslav Horak, of Centennial Park, pupil of St Mary's Cathedral High School, displays a poster he has entered in the Australia-wide Second Victory Loan School contests. Born in Manchuria, Yaroslav came to Australia four years ago. He has since learnt to speak English fluently.

Yaroslav Horak, of course, went on to become a talented and highly sought-after comic book artist in Australia following World War Two, creating such popular characters as Jet Fury (originally a back-up feature in Michael Chance Comics), along with The Mask, which was controversially banned by Queensland's Literature Board of Review in 1954, at the height of anti-comics hysteria in Australia (A comprehensive interview with Yaroslav Horak was published in the Australian Cartoonists' Association's Inkspot magazine in 2009).

Emigrating to Great Britain in the 1960s, Horak worked for British comics publishers, such as IPC's popular Battle Picture Library series, and went on to succeed John McLusky as the illustrator of the James Bond comic strip appearing in The Daily Express newspaper (An informative profile of Horak's work on James Bond appears on the Dave Karlen Original Art Blog).

Posted 25th June 2015 by Kevin Patrick

A blog for original comic art collectors! Please visit my other blog, TARZAN FOREVER!, and my original art web site at... Dave Karlen Original Art
Dave Karlen Original Art Blog

Yaroslav Horak on James Bond

See the complete article here:

http://davekarlenoriginalartblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/yaroslav-horak-on-james-bond.html

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Russian born Yaroslav Horak began his early career as a portrait sketch artist, but soon switched to illustration for the larger Australian magazine publishers after migrating to Sydney. His successful comic series The Mask, ran afoul with Victoria's State censors, but was soon followed by his daily outback adventure strip Mike Steel for Sydney's, The Woman's Day. A quick talent for animation and storyboards also kept Horak busy on many different projects. When given the James Bond strip in 1965, Horak's adaptation of The Man with the Golden Gun was highly praised in the new direction he approached the series. The syndicate was so pleased with their creative team that Jim Lawrence was given permission by the Fleming Trust to produce original stories for Horak to draw. Overall they worked on thirty-three thrilling Bond tales for the Daily Express and other various newspaper syndicates in Europe.

[MORE]

In the UK recently he presented Pierce Brosnan with a portrait of the "Brosnan Bond", at a UK fan club occasion, in Horak's new rough style. I have a full size copy of it and he also did one of Ursulla Andress, which he didn't get to present to her for some reason, the large original ink on paper is of her in a bikini depicted from Dr. No. with two diving knives.

Yaroslav Horak

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaroslav_Horak

War Picture Library

WPL 214 Rough Justice 1963
WPL 303 Death Or Dishonour 1965
WPL 304 Battle Drill 1965
WPL 315 Cross For Courage 1965
WPL 323 Passage Of Arms 1966
WPL 648 The Curse 1971
BPL 156 The Savage Sands 1964
BPL 173 The Stronghold 1964
BPL 190 Killers Code 1965
BPL 197 Gun Crazy 1965
BPL 231 Victory Cry 1965

James Bond strips

Title | Writer | Published date | Serial no.
The Man with the Golden Gun | Jim Lawrence 10 January 1966 – 9 September 1966 1-209
The Living Daylights | Jim Lawrence 12 September 1966 – 12 November 1966 210-263
Octopussy | Jim Lawrence 14 November 1966 – 27 May 1967 264-428
The Hildebrand Rarity | Jim Lawrence 29 May 1967 – 16 December 1967 429-602
The Spy Who Loved Me | Jim Lawrence 18 December 1967 – 3 October 1968 603-815
The Harpies | Jim Lawrence 10 October 1968 – 23 June 1969 816-1037
River Of Death | Jim Lawrence 24 June 1969 – 29 November 1969 1038–1174
Colonel Sun | Jim Lawrence 1 December 1969 – 28 August 1970 1175–1393
The Golden Ghost | Jim Lawrence 21 August 1970 – 16 January 1971 1394–1519
Fear Face | Jim Lawrence 18 January 1971 – 20 April 1971 1520–1596
Double Jeopardy | Jim Lawrence 21 April 1971 – 28 August 1971 1597–1708
Starfire | Jim Lawrence 30 August 1971 – 24 December 1971 1709–1809
Trouble Spot | Jim Lawrence 28 December 1971 – 10 June 1972 1810–1951
Isle Of Condors | Jim Lawrence 12 June 1972 – 21 October 1972 1952–2065
The League Of Vampires | Jim Lawrence 25 October 1972 – 28 February 1973 2066–2172
Die With My Boots On | Jim Lawrence 1 March 1973 – 18 June 1973 2173–2256
The Girl Machine | Jim Lawrence 19 June 1973 – 3 December 1973 2257–2407
Beware Of Butterflies | Jim Lawrence 4 December 1973 – 11 May 1974 2408–2541
The Nevsky Nude | Jim Lawrence 13 May 1974 – 21 September 1974 2542–2655
The Phoenix Project | Jim Lawrence 23 September 1974 – 18 February 1975 2656–2780
The Black Ruby Caper | Jim Lawrence 19 February 1975 – 15 July 1975 2781–2897
Till Death Do Us Apart | Jim Lawrence 7 July 1975 – 14 October 1975 2989-2983
The Torch-Time Affair | Jim Lawrence 15 October 1975 – 15 January 1976 2984-3060
Hot-Shot | Jim Lawrence 16 January 1976 – 1 June 1976 3061-3178
Nightbird | Jim Lawrence 2 June 1976 – 4 November 1976 3179-3312
Ape Of Diamonds | Jim Lawrence 5 November 1976 – 22 January 1977 3313-3437
When The Wizard Awakes | Jim Lawrence 30 January 1977 – 22 May 1977 1-54
Sea Dragon | Jim Lawrence 1977 55-192
Death Wing | Jim Lawrence 1977-1978 193-354
The Xanadu Connection | Jim Lawrence 1978 355-468
Shark Bait | Jim Lawrence 1978-1979 469-636
Snake Goddess | Jim Lawrence 1983-1984 822-893
Double Eagle | Jim Lawrence 1984 894-965

1958: Ian Fleming writes Naomi Burton regarding his pursuit of a Bond television opportunity.

Ian Fleming, Andrew Lycett, 1995.
Chapter 11 - Emotional Turmoil

On 12 June he wrote to Naomi Burton telling her he was “on the edge
of a vast television deal” which would keep him occupied for the next
eighteen months. He asked her to tell her colleague Jo Stewart that he
would be out of the television market for the whole of that period. He
subsequently informed Stewart that because of his commitment to CBS,
he could not proceed with the deal she was negotiating over Dr No, since,
for the time being at least, he needed to retain al his television rights.

At the end of June he few to New York to finalize arrangements with
CBS. He was clutching a proposal for thirteen episodes (one of which
centered on the Monte Carlo casino), together with some suggestions about
how James Bond should be played. He counselled Hubell Robinson against
introducing “too much stage Englishness. There should, I think, be no
monocles, moustaches, bowler hats, bobbies or other ‘Limey’ gimmicks.
There should be no blatant English slang, a minimum of public-school
ties and accents, and subsidiary characters should generally speak with a
Scots or Irish accent. The Secret Service should be presented as a tough,
modern organization . . . “ and Bond as a “blunt instrument wielded by a
Government Department”. Ian’s memo for Robinson was interesting for
its general comments about how to communicate Bond to an increasingly
astute and well-educated audience. He said that in his recent discussions
about strip cartoons, he had persuaded the Daily Express that “the action
can be speeded up far more than its usual in this ‘art’ form. But, in
this speeding up of the action and the leaving of much to the reader’s
imagination, I suggested that the artist should linger over the physical details
and perhaps devote as much as four boxes to the details of, for instance,
a particular gun.” This mannered pictorial style reflected what Ian was
trying to do in hiss books. Indeed, in an interesting commentary on his
style, he told Hubell Robinson, “It is the gimmicks in my books, rather
than the more or less straightforward plots, that stay in people’s minds.”

1958: Ian Fleming writes Bond television series outlines for CBS, later used for short stories collected in For Your Eyes Only.

FLEMING, Ian. For Your Eyes Only. London: Jonathan Cape, [1960].
https://www.davidbrassrarebooks.com/pages/books/04319/ian-fleming/james-bond/?soldItem=true

Gilbert A8a (1.1).

For Your Eyes Only. "Following the success of the 1954 American television adaptation of Casino Royale for the drama series Climax!, CBS approached Ian Fleming again in 1958 regarding a proposed television show based on the James Bond character, wanting the author to write thirty-two episodes over a two-year period. Henry Chancellor, in his book, James Bond: The Man and His World states that a deal was negotiated for thirteen episodes, and that Fleming provided a compilation of seven new stories, plus recycled episodes from his already published novels at that time. A letter in the Jonathan Cape archive concerning the project states: 'what I wish to sell is the television rights in the name and character of James Bond, together with ten specimen episodes and some editorial notes. These I have supplied and are with him [producer Maurice Winnick]' (TLS, to Wren Howard, 13th May 1959/Cape Archive MS2446). Fleming further states that he did not wish to be contracted to 'writing episodes or otherwise slaving', and the proposed shows never went into production. Later that year, and seemingly with his plots running dry, Fleming gathered his outlines and developed them into a collection of short stories." (Gilbert).

For Your Eyes Only is a collection of short stories by the British author Ian Fleming, featuring the fictional British Secret Service agent Commander James Bond. Fleming's eighth novel to feature his British Secret Service agent James Bond. Published by Jonathan Cape on 11th April 1960 it marked a change of format for Fleming, who had previously written James Bond stories only as full-length novels. The five short stories were From a View to a Kill; For Your Eyes Only; Quantum of Solace; Risico; and The Hildebrand Rarity.

1967: London premiere of You Only Live Twice.

1972: Bond comic strip Isle of Condors begins its run in The Daily Express.
(Ends 21 October 1972. 1952–2065) Yaroslav Horak, artist. Jim Lawrence, writer.

https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/ioc.php3?s=comics&id=01483

https://www.popoptiq.com/isle-of-condors/




Swedish Semic Comic 1974 https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/comics/semic_1974.php3?s=comics&id=01800

Kondorernas ö (Isle of Condors)

Danish 1974 http://www.bond-o-rama.dk/en/jb007-dk-no-28-1974/

James Bond Agent 007 no. 28: “Isle of Condors” (1974)
"Kondorernes ø"

1989: MCA Records releases "If You Asked Me To" sung by Patti LaBelle.

Patti LaBelle - If You Asked Me To (Official Video) (3:52)


Patti Labelle on Tonight Show (4:08)

2012: Penguin publishes My Dad Was Nearly James Bond by Des Bishop.

My Dad Was Nearly James Bond
Des Bishop

See the complete article here:

https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/my-dad-was-nearly-james-bond-9780241956502

A son's funny, frank and moving story of the lessons his father taught
him

For years acclaimed comedian Des Bishop wanted to write a show about his father. Mike Bishop was a model and actor who gave up that life to become a hard-working man of the suburbs - a good husband, a caring father, a responsible citizen. Still, he sometimes talked wistfully about the glamourous life he might have had. But after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2009, Mike's regrets about his fantasy other life crumbled. He cherished his family and they came together to surround him with love, laughter, tears and talk. Lots of talk.

The insights that emerged during Mike Bishop's illness became the show his son always wanted to stage. He and his father collaborated on My Dad Was Nearly James Bond - a hilarious, outrageous and moving celebration of what Des calls 'the heroics of fatherhood'. The show has attracted rave reviews and sell-out audiences around the world.

Mike Bishop died in February 2011. Now Des has written a memoir inspired by the stage show, by the startling discoveries he made about his father's background before he died, and by his own realization of what it means to finally grow up. The book is a funny, wise and unforgettable story of a father, a son and what really matters.

2019: Sotheby's auctions (one of) the most famous cars in the world at Monterey, Canada.

The Most Famous Car In The World: RM Sotheby's Presents James
Bond Aston Martin DB5

See the complete article here:

https://www.conceptcarz.com/a32413/rm-sothebys-james-bond-aston-martin-db5.aspx

June 12, 2019 by RM Sothebys

THE MOST FAMOUS CAR IN THE WORLD: RM
SOTHEBY'S PRESENTS JAMES BOND 007 ASTON
MARTIN DB5

CAR FEATURES 13 FUNCTIONING BOND
MODIFICATIONS AS SEEN IN GOLDFINGER AND
THUNDERBALL BOND DB5 LEADS 'AN EVENING WITH
ASTON MARTIN' AT MONTEREY SALE

• RM Sotheby's offers nearly unrepeatable opportunity to acquire an original 1965 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond Car at record-setting Monterey auction

• DB5 is one of two examples outfitted with John Stears-designed Bond gadgets from new and used on the North American promotional tour for Thunderball

• Beautifully restored, all 13 Bond modifications are fully-functioning, including a Browning .30 caliber machine gun in each fender, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, smoke screen dispensers, revolving license plates, and more

• Experience the gadgetry and performance that the DB5 afforded 007 in a film trailer starring Florence Walker: VIDEO

• Additional information and updated list of entries for Monterey sale available at rmsothebys.com

The Most Famous Car In The World: RM Sotheby's Presents James Bond Aston Martin DB5

BLENHEIM, Ontario (12 June 2019) – RM Sotheby's, the official auction house of Aston Martin, has announced 'the most famous car in the world' and perhaps the most iconic Aston Martin of all time to lead 'An Evening with Aston Martin', a special single-marque sale session at the company's 2019 Monterey auction on 15 August. RM Sotheby's will present a 1965 Aston Martin DB5, one of just three surviving examples commissioned in period by Eon Productions and fitted with MI6 Q Branch specifications as pictured in Goldfinger.

No one could have predicted the fabulously successful multi-decade synergy that would develop when production designer Ken Adam and special effects man John Stears visited Aston Martin's Newport-Pagnell plant in late 1963. The two men were on a mission to source a pair of the latest Aston Martin models for use in Eon Productions' third adaptation of an Ian Fleming novel, again about the MI6 superspy with a license to kill, James Bond. The film was called Goldfinger.

Two near-identical cars were built and loaned to Eon Productions for filming, with each fulfilling various roles; one for stunt driving and chase sequences and therefore needing to be lightweight and fast, and the other for interior shots and close-ups, to be equipped with functional modifications created by Stears. As Desmond Llewelyn's legendary weapons-master Q would go on to explain to Sean Connery's 007, the Snow Shadow Gray-painted DB5 was equipped with front and rear hydraulic over-rider rams on the bumpers, a Browning .30 caliber machine gun in each fender, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, a raising rear bullet-proof screen, an in-dash radar tracking scope, oil, caltrop and smoke screen dispensers, revolving license plates, and a passenger-seat ejection system. Although never used during the film, the car was also equipped with a telephone in the driver's door to communicate with MI6 headquarters and a hidden compartment under the driver's seat containing several weapons.

The smash success of Goldfinger was also a success for Aston Martin, which saw DB5 sales surge to fuel an unprecedented level of production. The producers at Eon also took notice of the enormous appeal and potential marketing opportunities. In preparation for Thunderball's release, the company ordered two more DB5 saloons, receiving chassis nos. DB5/2008/R, the example on offer at RM Sotheby's Monterey sale, and DB5/2017/R. The two cars were fitted with all of Stears' Goldfinger modifications and were shipped to the United States for promotional duties for Thunderball.

Reached through his son, Stephane Connery ahead of the sale, legendary actor Sean Connery, who originally portrayed James Bond on film in both Goldfinger and Thunderball said: 'These DB5s are amazing – I remember the Furka Pass tire shredding as well as the promotional events with these cars – they have become increasingly iconic since Goldfinger and Thunderball, in fact I bought a very fine DB5 myself relatively recently.'

Following the tour, the two cars were no longer required as the next two Bond films debuted with different, more current automobiles in the hero roles and, accordingly, they were quietly offered for sale in 1969. The cars were soon purchased as a pair by well-known collector Anthony (now Lord) Bamford, whose British registration for chassis no. 2008/R remains on file. The Aston Martin build record lists Eon Productions as the original purchaser, with the important designation of being a '(Bond Car)' noted.

Bamford then sold DB5/2008/R to B.H. Atchley, the owner of the Smokey Mountain Car Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Aston Martin was featured as the museum's centerpiece, remaining in a pristine state of display for 35 years, receiving regular start-ups for exercise. In 2006, RM Sotheby's (previously RM Auctions) was privileged to offer this very Bond DB5 for public sale, in a largely unrestored state.

Since that time, a well-documented, no-expense spared restoration by Switzerland's esteemed Roos Engineering was completed. Roos Engineering is one of 13 specialist facilities whom Aston Martin have appointed as official Heritage Specialists. Not only were the chassis and body completely refinished to proper standards, but all thirteen of the John Stears-designed Bond modifications were properly refurbished to function as originally built.

Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby's comments: 'No other car in history has played a more important leading role on film and in pop culture than the Aston Martin DB5. The DB5 is the iconic cornerstone of a marketing relationship that still exists to this day—with the model's collectible status rooted largely in its 007 fame—and we look forward to exciting car and film enthusiasts alike in the lead up to the auction. This is an unbelievably rare chance to play secret agent in a car that offers incredible performance and style in its own right and we're honoured to offer the Bond DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin.'

The first Stears-modified car has been lost since 1997, narrowing the number of surviving examples to just three. The car on offer is one of only two built from new with all Bond gadgetry, and chassis no. 2008/R stands apart with its extremely minimal chain of ownership, having had just three private owners over 50 years, including a 35-year period of museum exhibition. An incredibly rare and exciting example of what has been deemed 'the most famous car in the world', the DB5 offers a highly desirable acquisition for the serious marque collector…or secret agent (Est. $4,000,000 - $6,000,000).

RM Sotheby's will display the Bond DB5 in North America this summer, with July dates to be announced. The car leads 'An Evening with Aston Martin', a special third auction evening on 15 August during RM Sotheby's flagship Monterey sale, featuring more than 30 of the world's most sought-after road-going and track-ready Aston Martin sports cars from across the marque's illustrious history. This year's Monterey sale (15-17 August) will once again present more than 120 of the world's most important motor cars in the ultimate collector car destination.

For further information on RM Sotheby's 2019 Monterey auction and to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit rmsothebys.com. Interested consignors are invited to call RM Sotheby's global headquarters at +1 519 352 4575 to speak with a car specialist about entering an important motor car in the Monterey sale. Consignments are invited through 3 July 2019.


RM Sotheby's is the world's largest collector car auction house by total sales. With 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from auctions and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby's is currently responsible for six of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction. In February 2015, RM formed a strategic partnership with Sotheby's, uniting the two companies for the full calendar of future automobile auctions. For further information, visit rmsothebys.com.

Photo credit: RM Sothebys
posted on conceptcarz.com

RichardTheBruce

June 13th

1940: During an air raid, Lieutenant (Sp) Ian Fleming RNVR on an RAF plane lands at a deserted airfield near Chateaudun, France, between Orleans and Le Man.

Ian Fleming and Operation Golden Eye: Keeping Spain out of World War II, Mark Simmons, 2018.

On 13 June 1940 Commander Ian Fleming of the Royal Navy
Volunteer Reserve was flown to Le Bourget airfield, near Paris in
France. It was not the first time he had gone there in recent weeks.
France was lurching toward defeat and Paris was expected to fall
soon. The Admiralty in London and Winston Churchill were
desperate to know what would happen to the powerful French
fleet. Contact had been lost with its commander Admiral Francois
Darlan who Churchill described at the time as becoming ‘ … very
important. My contacts with him had become few and formal.’

Admiral John H. Godfrey, Director of Naval Intelligence,
wanted to re-establish contact in order to give the First Sea Lord
and the PM the best advice. He wanted to go himself but that was
impossible. So he sent his personal assistant Ian Fleming.

Fleming wrote later that it was his suggestion that he, wit a
wireless operator, should go to France to find Darlan and stay with
him: ‘I cannot imagine what made me suggest this, expect perhaps
my usual desire to escape from Room 39 and get some fresh air.’
Indeed Godfrey was to write about Fleming: ‘He had plenty of ideas
and was anxious to carry them out but was not interested in and
would prefer to ignore, the extent of the logistics background
inseparable to all projects.

In June 1940 Ian Fleming had been in Naval Intelligence less
than a year. He was thirty-two and a colleague at NI described him
as ‘ … tall and dark, elegant in his uniform and elastic-sided sea
boots, with the worried down-the-nose look, and the heavy loping
gait.

1967: General release of You Only Live Twice in the US and the UK.

1982: Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia dies at age 45--Hawaii.
(Born Fanene Pita Anderson 6 April 1937--American Samoa.)

Peter Maivia

See the complete article here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Maivia

Not to be confused with Neff Maiava.

Peter Maivia

Birth name Fanene Pita Anderson
Born April 6, 1937, American Samoa
Died 13 June 1982 (aged 45), Hawaii, U.S.
Cause of death Cancer
Spouse - Lia Maivia, Children - 2
Relatives Dwayne Johnson (grandson), Nia Jax (grandniece), Rocky Johnson (son-in-law)
Family Anoa'i
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s): Peter Anderson; Peter Maivia
Billed height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Billed weight 275 lb (125 kg)
Billed from "The Isle of Samoa"
Trained by Steve Rickard
Debut 1960

Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia (born Fanene Pita Anderson; April 6, 1937 – June 13, 1982) was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known as Peter Maivia. He is the maternal grandfather of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He was also part of the famous Anoa'i family and was a promoter for the National Wrestling Alliance in Hawaii.

Professional wrestling career
Early career
Maivia made his debut in 1960 working for NWA Hawaii. He also worked in France, United Kingdom, and the United States.

New Zealand and Australia (1964–1968)
After spending his first twenty years in American Samoa, Maivia moved to New Zealand. He began his wrestling career, wrestling not as The High Chief, but as Prince Peter Maivia. Athletic, naturally talented and a quick study, Maivia received his original ring training in New Zealand, under the watchful eye of local wrestler/promoter Steve Rickard.

Both in and out of the ring, Rickard taught the young Samoan a great deal about his new profession, and under his guidance, Maivia developed at an amazing rate. On August 3, 1964, after less than a year in the business, the popular rookie sensation stunned New Zealand's wrestling fanbase by toppling the rugged, experienced Rickard to win the prestigious New Zealand Heavyweight title in Auckland. The title victory was impressive, indeed, however Maivia's reign turned out to be extremely short, and he held the coveted New Zealand title for just three days, dropping the championship back to Steve Rickard in Wellington on August 6, 1964. The point had been made though, and from that period forward, Maivia enjoyed main-event status in the NWA's New Zealand territory.

Later in 1964, Maivia followed up his previous success by winning another very prestigious championship, the NWA Australasian Heavyweight title. Maivia became the new Australasian champion by defeating Kangaroo Kennedy in Auckland, and he carried the belt for four consecutive years before finally losing his title to Steve Rickard in 1968. After developing his repertoire and ring skills in New Zealand, Maivia slowly began to branch out and take bookings in other (and often larger) promotions, with success invariably following the popular islander.

Maivia in 1975

Various Promotions (1968–1977)
Maivia continued working mainly in Hawaii during most of his career. In 1968 he worked for International Wrestling Enterprise in Japan. From 1969 to 1975 he worked in NWA San Francisco, NWA Hollywood, World Class Championship Wrestling, Houston Wrestling, and the American Wrestling Association winning many titles.

Maivia in 1977

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1977-1981)
During his stay in the then called World Wide Wrestling Federation, he was one of its most prominent stars, making numerous appearances on Championship Wrestling. He worked matches with many well-known wrestlers who became WWE Hall of Famers, such as Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Putski and Bob Backlund. He turned heel in 1978 on Bob Backlund in a match against Spiros Arion and Victor Rivera. During his tenure in WWWF he also made trips to Hawaii, Japan, Toronto, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New Zealand. He left WWF (WWWF) in 1981.

Later Career (1981-1982)
After leaving WWF, Maivia return to California as he won the NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship. He wrestled his last recorded match in Hawaii in February 1982 defeating Victor Rivera.

Personal life
Maivia, also known as the Flying Hawaiian, was of the Ali'i lineage of Malietoa. Maivia's traditional Samoan tattoos, which covered his abdomen and legs, were a symbol of his High Chief status. According to Superstar Billy Graham, they were completed in three days. Maivia's grandson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson revealed that they were done with traditional Samoan instrumentation: a small hammer, a needle, and ink.[citation needed] His wife Ofelia Fuataga, who became known as Lia Maivia, was regarded as one of the first female wrestling promoters. He also adopted Lia's daughter Ata.

Maivia disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Rocky Johnson because he was a wrestler. The duo married despite Maivia's objections. His son, Peter Jr., also wrestled in Hawaii and the West Coast after the passing of Peter Sr. sometimes under the name "Prince Peter Maivia".

Maivia was considered a "blood brother" by Amituanai Anoa'i, the father of the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika), thus the Anoa'i family regard the Maivia line from him on forward as an extension of their own clan.

Maivia was also in the fifth James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, where he plays a driver who transports a disguised Bond to Osato headquarters. His character also fights Bond, is hit with a sofa, wields a katana, and is put down when a statue is broken on his head. He was the (uncredited) stunt fight co-ordinator for the film.

Death
In 1981, Maivia was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, having reportedly ignored symptoms along with his friends and family’s admonitions to see a doctor. He died on June 12, 1982. Maivia was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, along with his son-in-law Rocky Johnson, in 2008 by his grandson Dwayne Johnson. The award was accepted on his behalf by his daughter Ata Maivia-Johnson. During his tribute video, WWE chairman Vince McMahon refers to him as a 'tough S.O.B.' and somebody 'you didn't want to mess with' outside the ring, but added he was 'a real wonderful, likable guy'. On October 19, 2008, Maivia's wife, Lia Maivia, died.

Legacy
In the 2016 Disney animated film, Moana, the character design of Maui was derived from photographs of Peter Maivia, according to interviews with his grandson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices Maui in the film.

Filmography
You Only Live Twice (1967) - Dodge driver

Championships and accomplishments

50th State Big Time Wrestling
NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Jim Hady (1), Billy White Wolf (1), and Sam Steamboat (2)
NWA All-Star Pro Wrestling
NWA Australasian Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Big Time Wrestling
NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[11][12]
NWA Hollywood Wrestling
NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (2 times)
NWA New Zealand
NWA New Zealand British Empire Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
NWA San Francisco
NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (San Francisco version) (2 times)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time)[2] - with Ray Stevens
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Class of 2016
World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2008)
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Most Washed Up Wrestler (1981)

Rocky Johnson Discusses His Final Memories Of Peter Maivia


Hall of Fame: Peter Maivia Package


You Only Live Twice: James Bond vs High Chief Peter Maivia

1985: General release of A View to a Kill in the UK.

1989: Licence to Kill premieres at the Odeon, Leicester Square, London.

1996: The MTV Movie Awards nominate GoldenEye for Best Fight and Best Sandwich.

Best Fight
Nominated: Pierce Brosnan and Famke Jansen in GoldenEye.
The Winner(s): Adam Sandler vs. Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore.

Best Sandwich
Nominated: Submarine Sandwich With Tomatoes and Provolone in GoldenEye.
The Winner: Ham and Cheese Sandwich in the film Smoke.

2001: German media company Mission Productions applies for registration of the word sign ‘Dr. No' as a Community trade mark. The action is quickly opposed by Danjaq, manager of James Bond film intellectual property rights.

CJE30 June 2009

THE COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE DISMISSES THE ACTION
OF THE OWNER OF THE RIGHTS TO THE ‘JAMES BOND'
FILMS AGAINST REGISTRATION OF THE COMMUNITY
TRADE MARK ‘DR. NO' BY ANOTHER COMPANY

See the complete article here:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/CJE_09_57

Page contents

PRESS RELEASE No 57/09
30 June 2009
Judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-435/05

Danjaq LLC v OHIM

THE COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE DISMISSES THE ACTION OF THE
OWNER OF THE RIGHTS TO THE ‘JAMES BOND' FILMS AGAINST
REGISTRATION OF THE COMMUNITY TRADE MARK ‘DR. NO' BY
ANOTHER COMPANY

The proprietor, Danjaq, has failed to establish either that the signs ‘Dr.
No' and ‘Dr. NO' were used as trade marks or that the title of the film Dr.
No was used in the course of trade, which might have enabled it to
oppose registration of the mark.

On 13 June 2001, Mission Productions, a German media company, applied for registration of the word sign ‘Dr. No' as a Community trade mark.

Danjaq, the American company which manages the intellectual property rights to the ‘James Bond' series of films, opposed that registration, claiming that there was a likelihood of confusion with its earlier well-known marks ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO' and relying on its non-registered marks and the earlier signs used in the course of trade ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO'.

OHIM rejected the opposition, holding that Danjaq had not proved either that the signs ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO' had been used as trade marks or that they had previously been used in the course of trade as signs other than trade marks. 1

Danjaq brought an action against the OHIM decision before the Court of First Instance.

First of all, the Court of First Instance points out that the essential function of a trade mark is to identify the commercial origin of the goods or services in question. It notes that the signs ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO' used by Danjaq do not indicate the commercial origin of the films, but rather their artistic origin. Those signs, affixed to the covers of the video cassettes or to the DVDs, help to distinguish that film from other films in the ‘James Bond' series. The commercial origin of the film is indicated by other signs, such as ‘007' or ‘James Bond'. In those circumstances, the signs ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO' cannot be regarded as well known trade marks or non-registered trade marks that could be relied on in order to oppose the registration of a Community trade mark.

1 - Following that decision, Danjaq applied for registration as a Community trade mark of the other James Bond film titles. 18 of those 21 titles were registered. The registrations of the remaining three, Casino Royale, Octopussy and Goldeneye, were the subject of opposition proceedings brought by other companies, and the applications are still pending.

Next the Court of First Instance recalls that the protection provided for by copyright cannot be relied on in opposition proceedings, but only in proceedings for a declaration of invalidity of a Community trade mark after it has been registered.

However, the titles of artistic works are protected by certain national laws against the use of a subsequent mark, as distinctive signs outside the area of copyright. Thus, German and Swedish law afford protection against a subsequent trade mark which gives rise to a likelihood of confusion with the titles in question, provided that such titles have distinctive character and are used in the course of trade. Nevertheless, since the documents submitted by Danjaq were too general, not objective, and irrelevant to the countries concerned, they are not sufficient to establish that the title Dr. No was used in the course of trade in the territories in question, even though the extent of use of that title could have been established without too much difficulty, for example by providing programming details of the film, either for cinemas or television.

Consequently, the Court of First Instance dismisses the action, since Danjaq has failed to establish either that the signs ‘Dr. No' and ‘Dr. NO' were used as trade marks or that the title of the film Dr. No was used in the course of trade.

REMINDER: An appeal, limited to points of law only, may be brought before the Court of Justice of the European Communities against a decision of the Court of First Instance, within two months of its notification.

Unofficial document for media use, not binding on the Court of First Instance.
Languages available: EN, FR, DE
The full text of the judgment may be found on the Court's internet site

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=T-435/05

It can usually be consulted after midday (CET) on the day judgment is delivered.

For further information, please contact Christopher Fretwell Tel: (00352) 4303 3355 Fax: (00352) 4303 2731

2006: Casino Royale films the Miami airport tanker chase (at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Cranleigh, Surrey, England).

2010: Jimmy Dean dies at age 81-- Varina, Virginia.
(Born 10 August 1928--Plainview, Texas.)

Jimmy Dean dies at 81; country music star and sausage king

See the complete article here:

https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-jimmy-dean-20100615-story.html

By Dennis McLellan
| Los Angeles Times | Jun 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM


Jimmy Dean helped bring country music into the mainstream in the 1960s. (CBS TV)

When the Country Music Assn. announced in February that Jimmy Dean would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, Dean joked, "I thought I was already in there."

"Seriously, it brought a huge grin to my face," he said in a news release. "I am honored."

Dean already had been inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

That's not to mention his 2009 induction into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.

Indeed, Dean, who died Sunday evening at his home in Henrico County, Va., at age 81, may be better known by some today as "the sausage king" of TV commercial fame than a hit-making country music star and one-time TV show host who helped bring country music into the mainstream in the 1960s.

The Texas-born entertainer and businessman, who began his recording career in the 1950s, scored a No. 1 hit on both the country and pop singles charts in 1961 with his spoken-narrative song about a coal miner — "a giant of a man" — who saves fellow workers from "a would-be grave" after their mine collapses.

"Big Bad John," which Dean said he wrote in an hour and a half on a flight from New York to Tennessee, earned a Grammy Award for best country and western recording.

The 1960s were the down-home entertainer's heyday.

He went on to record hits including "Dear Ivan," "Little Black Book," "P.T. 109" (inspired by the Naval vessel commanded by John F. Kennedy during World War II) and "The First Thing Ev'ry Morning (And the Last Thing Ev'ry Night)."

From 1963 to '66, he hosted "The Jimmy Dean Show," an hourlong TV musical variety show that ran on ABC and featured singers including Roger Miller, George Jones and Buck Owens. The show also regularly featured Dean's humorous banter with a "dog" named Rowlf, the first of Jim Henson's Muppets to attract national attention.

Along with headlining in Las Vegas and performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall and the London Palladium, Dean played fur trapper Josh Clements on Fess Parker's "Daniel Boone" series in the late '60s and had the supporting role of a reclusive billionaire in the 1971 James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever."

He launched the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. in the late '60s, after previously buying a hog farm in his native Texas.

"Everything was fine and dandy until hog prices dropped out," he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2004. "One morning I was having breakfast at a little old diner in Plainview — sausages and eggs — and reached up and plucked a [large] piece of gristle out of my teeth."

It was then, he said, that he became determined to produce a quality sausage.

"It was not something I just put my name on," he said. "It was my money and my sausage and my work — and those commercials that they think are so funny."

After selling his meat company to what later became known as the Sara Lee Corp. in 1984, he remained as chairman of the board and TV spokesman. After he was dropped as spokesman in 2003, Dean reportedly stopped eating the products that bear his name and changed his license plates that read SSG KING.

Dean was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Olton, Texas, and grew up in Plainview. He and his brother Don were raised on a farm by their mother after their father left when Dean was still a child. They were so poor, he once said, he wore shirts that his mother made out of sugar sacks.

Poverty, Dean told the Times-Dispatch, "was the greatest motivating factor in my life."

He began singing early on, and his mother taught him to play his first chord on the piano when he was 10. He later taught himself to play the harmonica, guitar and accordion.

Dropping out of high school at 16, he joined the Merchant Marines and later served in the Air Force. While stationed at a base in Washington, D.C., Dean and three other airmen formed a country music quartet that played local honkytonks.

After his discharge in 1948, Dean formed the Texas Wildcats. He began developing a following with a show on an Arlington, Va., radio station and had his first country top 10 hit, "Bumming Around," in 1953.

Dean and the Texas Wildcats moved to local television in 1955, and from 1957 to 1959 he hosted the first version of "The Jimmy Dean Show," a half-hour daily variety series on CBS.

Thirty Years of Sausage, Fifty Years of Ham: Jimmy Dean's Own Story, a 2004 autobiography, was co-written with his second wife, Donna Meade Dean, a singer and songwriter he married in 1991.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children from his first marriage, Garry Dean, Connie Dean Taylor and Robert Dean; and two granddaughters.

[email protected]

2021: Christie's in New York City auctions what they call a head-to-head battle of the Rolexes.

Head to head: Battle of the Rolexes

https://www.christies.com/features/Head-to-head-Battle-of-the-Rolexes-9224-1.aspx

[MORE]

Which watch will win the 13 June showdown between two
extremely rare and highly desirable Rolexes in New York? Our
in-depth look at the strengths of both contenders should offer
some pointers

RichardTheBruce

June 14th

1963: From Russia With Love films the Russian consulate explosion and following action.

1966: A demo of Wing Commander Ken Wallis' one man autogyro at Pinewood Studios brings him into the You Only Live Twice production.

Some Kind of Hero: The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films, Matthew Field, Ajay Chowdhury, 2018.
Chapter 9 Don't Think of Danger - You Only Live Twice

Little Nellie had been discovered by Ken Adam while he was shaving
one morning. Adam had heard Ken Wallis, an eccentric wing commander,
being interviewed about his small one-man helicopter by Tony Scase on
the BBC Today programme. The film’s aviation advisor Hamish Mahaddie
called Wallis and invited him to demonstrate the autogiro at Pinewood.
Adam was a fighter pilot during World War II so was naturally impressed
with Wallis’s contraption. Following the Pinewood demonstration on 14
June 1966 Wallis remembered, ‘Cubby Brocolli stood looking at it and
said “We shall want it in Japan in six weeks’ time.”’ Wallis was in fact
scheduled to appear in a James Bond-esque spoof in Brazil when he got
the call. Dahl soon found a place in the script for Little Nellie and
suggested she should fold away and arrive in a series of suitcases.

1967: The New York Times prints Bosley Crowther's review of You Only Live Twice, "Screen: Sayonara, 007: Connery Is at It Again as Whatshisname".

Screen: Sayonara, 007: Connery Is at It
Again as Whatshisname

See the complete article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/14/archives/screen-sayonara-007connery-is-at-it-again-as-whatshisname.html

By Bosley Crowther | June 14, 1967
Credit...The New York Times Archive

ALTHOUGH there's a lot more science-fiction than there is first-vintage James Bond in "You Only Live Twice," the fifth in a series of veritable Bond films with Sean Connery, there's enough of the bright and bland bravado of the popular British super-sleuth mixed into this melee of rocket-launching to make it a bag of good Bond fun. And there's so much of that scientific clatter — so much warring of super-capsules out in space and fussing with electronic gadgets in a great secret underground launching pad—that this wayout adventure picture should be the joy and delight of the youngsters and give pleasure to the reasonable adults who can find release in the majestically absurd.Are your nerves frayed and mind bewildered by the war in the Middle East? Give them a rest via this violent excursion with Double-O Seven in Japan. Go with him on this crucial mission to find out whence come those cannibal capsules that move in to devour those American spaceships that are innocently orbiting the earth, and plunge with him into the strange crater of that dead volcano on the Japanese coast to discover it isn't the Russians who are doing the mischief and save us by a hair's breadth from World War III.You may find the noise slightly deafening when the chasing autos scream around those Tokyo curves, or the four massive enemy helicopters loose their machineguns on the minicopter carrying Bond, or especially when the Japanese commandos rain down upon that secret launching pad and assist Bond in happily blasting this Spectral installation to smithereens.This noisy and wildly violent picture, which opened yesterday at the Astor, the Victoria, the Baronet and Loew's Orpheum, is evidently pegged to the notion that nothing succeeds like excess. And because it is shamelessly excessive, it is about a half-hour too long.Probably its profligate producers. Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli, figured they had spent so much on it—on that fantastic launching pad set, which could be put down at Expo 67 and be a hit pavilion; on a sparkling color production and some beautiful location shooting in Japan—that they wanted Lewis Gilbert, the director, to keep it going as long as he could.As a consequence, there is a lengthy build-up of tooling around Tokyo with Bond, buzzing through a wrestling arena, stealing secrets from a chemical company's safe, firming a Japanese contact and trifling casually here and there with a few girls, before it gets to an even lengthier playout of the discovery and raid on the launching pad.Through it all, Mr. Connery paces with his elegant nonchalance a little more non than usual (he is evidently getting slightly bored), but altogether able in the clinches and in tossing off the gags of Roald Dahl. Able as conspirators and scenery are several lovely Japanese girls whose names are so superfluous and difficult there is no point in spelling them out. A fellow named Tetsuro Tamba is dandy as a Japanese partner-spy, and Donald Pleasence is grandly grotesque as the evil genius who would rule the world. It is notable that only Bond, the title and the location of an Ian Fleming book have been used by Mr. Dahl in writing his screenplay. The rest, with, just a Dahl touch here and there, is blueprint Bond stuff cum science-fiction. The sex is minimal. But, then, Bond is getting old. And so, I would guess, is anybody who can't get a few giggles from this film.

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, screenplay by Roald Dahl; directed by Lewis Gilbert; produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman; released through United Artists. At the Astor Theater, Broadway and 45th Street; the Victoria, Broadway and 46th Street; the Baronet, Third Avenue and 59th Street, and Loew's Orpheum, Third Avenue and 86th Street. Running time: 115 minutes.
The Cast
James Bond . . . . . Sean Connery
Aki . . . . . Akiko Wakabayashi
Tiger Tanaka . . . . . Tetsuro Tamba
Kissy Suzuki . . . . . Mie Hama
Osato . . . . . Teru Shimada
Helga Brandt . . . . . Karin Dor
Miss Moneypenny . . . . . Lois Maxwell
Q . . . . . Desmond Llewelyn
Henderson . . . . . Charles Gray
Chinese girl . . . . . Tsai Chin
M . . . . . Bernard Lee
Blofeld . . . . . Donald Pleasence

A version of this article appears in print on June 14, 1967 of the National edition with the headline: Screen: Sayonara, 007: Connery Is at It Again as Whatshisname.

1973: Goldfinger re-released in The Netherlands.

1989: Licence to Kill UK general release.

2001: Putnam publishes the Raymond Benson Bond novel Never Dream of Dying in the US.

THE NEW BOND ADVENTURE

After a moment's silence came the voice. "Here we are
again, Mister Bond. We seem to meet under the most
unusual circumstances"

Bond shot toward the voice, but then he heard
Cesari laugh behind him. Bond twisted again and fired.
There was silence and then the voice came from yet
another place in the dark.

You're in my habitat now, Mister Bond," Cesari
said. "You can't see a thing, can you?"

Bond could hear Cesari's voice moving. He fired the
gun into the darkness again, but the laugh came from
a different direction.

Then the club struck him hard on the right shoulder
blade.

"Have you any strange dreams lately, Mister
Bond?" Cesari asked as Bond fell to the ground in
agony. "You know what they say . . . never dream of
dying. It just might come true."

NEVER
DREAM OF
DYING

In Raymond Benson's chilling new James Bond
novel, 007 comes face to face at last with the
most cunning criminal mastermind he has ever
fought--the blind genius behind the brutal
organization called the Union.

It begins at a movie studio in Nice, where
a police raid goes horribly wrong, with inno-
cent men, women, and even children killed. It
continues in an English prison, where a corspe
discloses an intriguing secret about the Union.
The trail leads James Bond to Paris, where
he meets the tantalizing movie start Tylyn
Mignonne and embarks on a voyage of sensu-
al discovery.

But Tylyn is in mortal danger. Her former
husband, a volatile French film producer, has
not forgiven his glamourous ex-wife for ending
their troubled marriage--and he is connected
to the Union's thugs.

Meanwhile Bond's friend Mathis, a French
agent, has disappeared while tracking down
the Union's mysterious leader, Le Gérant.
Bond's search for Mathis takes him to a
thrilling underwater brush with death, a chase
through the Corsican wilderness, a surprise
encounter with an old friend--and a final con-
frontation with a twisted criminal genius.

Raymond Benson is the author of Doubleshot.
High Time to Kill, The Facts of Death, and Zero
Minus Ten, and the novelizations for the films
The World Is Not Enough and Tomorrow Never
Dies. A director of the Ian Fleming Foundation,
he lives and works in the Chicago area.

Jacket design, Thomas Tafuri
Front Jacket image courtesy
Fontenille Pataud, France

2003: The Queen's Birthday Honours see Sir Roger Moore promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his philanthropic work with UNICEF and Kiwanis International. (He was already created a Commander of that order on 31 December 1998 in the New Year Honours List, for services to UNICEF.)

2011: Simon & Schuster release Jeffery Deaver's Bond novel Carte Blanche in the US.

"The face of war is changing.
The other side doesn't play by the rules
much anymore.
There's thinking, in some circles,
that we need to play by a different set of
rules too. . . "

James Bond, in his early thirties and already a veteran
of the Afghan War, has been recruited to a new organi-
zation. Conceived in the post-9/11 world, it operates
independent of MI5, MI6 and the Ministry of Defense,
its very existence deniable. Its aim: To protect the
Realm, by any means necessary.

A Night Action alert calls James Bond away from
dinner with a beautiful woman. Headquarters has
decrypted an electronic whisper about an attack
scheduled for later in the week:

Casualites estimated in the
thousands, British interests
adversely affected.

And Agent 007 has been given carte blanche to do
whatever it takes to fulfill his mission . . .

The new thriller by Master of the Mind Game
JEFFERY DEAVER
featuring
JAMES BOND
as you've never seen him before.

In 2004, Jeffery Deaver won the Crime Writers' Associa-
tion Ian Fleming's Steel Dagger Award for his book Garden
of Beasts. Little could he know that his acceptance
speech, in which he spoke aloud about his lifelong admiration
of Fleming's writing, would lead him to being approached
to write the next James Bond novel.

The international number-one bestselling author of
two collections of short stories and 27 suspense novels,
Deaver is best known ffor his Katthryn Dance and Lincoln
Rhyme thrillers, most notably The Bone Collector, which
was made into a feature film starring Denzel Washington
and Angelina Jolie. His many awards include the Novel
of the Year at the International Thriller Writers' Awards in
2009 for his stand-alone novel The Bodies Left Behind.
The latest entries in the Lincoln Rhyme series are The
Cold Moon, The Broken Window and The Burning Wire.

Deaver's most recent stand-alone thriller, Edge, was
called "an exciting new weapon in the author's arsenal of
memorable characters" [Pubishers Weekly].

JEFFERY DEAVER lives in North Carolina. Parallels
between Bond's and Deaver's lives include their love of
fast cars, skiing and whiskey. Deaver is the fifth author
to continue Ian Fleming's legacy by penning a James
Bond novel.

For further information, visit
www.jefferydeaver.com.

Based on the legendary character created by IAN FLEMING

JAMES BOND is back.
#1 international bestselling author
JEFFERY DEAVER
brings Agent 007 into the modern age . . .

Critical acclaim for Jeffery Deaver
Author of 17 New York Times bestsellers

"A master ticking-bomb suspense." - PEOPLE
"Dazzling" - THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Cunning and deceptive" - THE DENVER POST
"Scarily believable" - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"The most creative, skill, and intriguing thriller writer
in the world." - THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (UK)

www.ianfleming.com

2015: Spectre films on the River Thames, London.

RichardTheBruce

June 15th

1959: In a letter responding to Ernest L. Cuneo's film outline, Ian Fleming suggests an organization called SPECTRE--vice SMERSH--be used to avoid the politics of the Soviets as the enemy. ("‘Since the film will take about two years to produce, and peace might conceivably break out in the meantime..."). It also identifies a beautiful double agent named Fatima Blush.

The Battle for Bond, Robert Sellers, 2007.
Chapter 3 - Enter SPECTRE

Despite Fleming's glowing appreciate of Cuneo's work, he saw problems
with it, too, like the lack of a heroine for his hero to dally romantically with.
Cuneo had suggested one of the female entertainers could turn out to be CIA.
"Love interest easy to insert," he wrote, offhandedely.

In a fascinating memorandum dated 15 June, Fleming suggested instead a new character, a beautiful double agent under M's control that assists the
enemy spy. Her name - Fatima Blush. It's from her that Bond learns details
of the spy plot. In the underwater finale Fatima would be on the enemy side
and Fleming wrote: "Her appearance in tight-fitting black rubber suiting will
make the audiences swoon." As the battle progresses the spy finds Fatima
sabotaging his aqualung and realises that she's a double agent. In the ensuing
fight Bond kills him just as he is turning of the valve in Fatima's oxygen
tanks. "The curtain goes down as Bond and Fatima kiss through their
snorkels," Fleming envisaged, adding, "My imagination has slightly run riot
over this last scene but you see the point." Perhaps too much. At the [future] trial
McClory stated that he thought Fleming's idea of a hero and heroine kissing
though their snorkels "infantile." Indeed when the passage was described in
court there were bursts of laughter.

After the memo neither the name nor the character of Fatima Blush
reappeared in any of the subsequent treatments or screenplays relating to
Thunderball, nor the novel or the 1965 film. Fleming too never reused it. But
it was too good a name to ignore and McClory resurrected it for the black widow
SPECTRE assassin played by Barbara Carrera in Never Say Never Again, thus
becoming one of the few bona-fide Fleming contributions to the film.

By far Fleming's biggest criticism was with Cuneo's use of Communists as
the principal villains. "It might be very unwise," he wrote, "to point directly at
Russia as the enemy. Since the film will take about two years to produce, and
peace might conceivably break out in the meantime, this should be avoided."
So what to put in their place? Fleming's suggestion turnout to be the most
significant contribution to the entire Thunderball story-line, and one of the
most important for the future of the Bond legend - the creation of super
villains SPECTRE.

1964: Goldfinger films the villain's arrival at Fort Knox.

1989: Reviews of the latest Bond film include:

• Derek Malcolm's "James the Sixteenth: Bond is Back" in The Guardian,
• David Robinson's "Business as usual; Cinema" in The Times, and
• Adam Mars-Jones' "Low-tar espionage: Licence to Kill" in The Independent.

2001: German DVD premiere of the 1967 Casino Royale.

2015: Nintendo's E3 press conference announces a modernized GoldenEye 007 game with Daniel Craig, an updated script by Bruce Feirstein, and Nicole Scherzinger covering the original title song. As developed by Eurocom, and published by Activision for Wii and Nintendo DS November 2010. Later in 2011, ported to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as GoldenEye 007: Reloaded.

GoldenEye 007 - James Bond | intro sequence Nintendo Wii (2010) Nicole Scherzinger


Launch Trailer - GoldenEye 007: Reloaded

2016: Dynamite Entertainment release James Bond #7.
Jason Masters, artist. Warren Ellis, writer.

JAMES BOND #7

https://dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513024181807011
Cover A: Dom Reardon
Writer: Warren Ellis
Art: Jason Masters
Genre: Action/Adventure, Media Tie-In
Publication Date: June 2016
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32 pages
ON SALE DATE: 6/15

After World War Two, army intelligence groups created ghost cells called "stay-behinds" across Europe in the event of a Warsaw Pact surge. "EIDOLON" is the story of a SPECTRE stay-behind structure - ghost cells of SPECTRE loyalists acting as sleepers until the time is right for a SPECTRE reformation and resurgence. The time is now.

2016: Dynamite Entertainment releases James Bond Vol. 1 VAGR hardcover edition.
Jason Masters, artist. Warren Ellis, writer. Jason Masters, cover.

JAMES BOND VOL. 1: VARGR HARDCOVER

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-James_Bond_Hardcovers
Cover: Jason Masters
Writer: Warren Ellis
Art: Jason Masters
Publication Date: June 2016
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 168 pages
ON SALE DATE: 6/15

After a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, James Bond returns to London and assumes the workload of a fallen 00 Section agent. His new mission takes him to Berlin, presumably to break up an agile drug-trafficking operation. But Bond has no idea of the forces gathered in secret against him, the full scope of an operation that's much scarier and more lethal than he could possibly imagine. Berlin is about to catch fire... and James Bond is trapped inside. Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents VARGR, the debut storyline in the all-new James Bond comic book series, as crafted by masterful writer Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, The Authority) and artist Jason Masters (Batman Incorporated, Guardians of the Galaxy).

• "We are officially spoiled when it comes to the adventures of Agent 007, for casual and diehard fans of the character alike." - Ain't It Cool News
• "Tense and fast-moving." - Comic Book Resources
• "This debut from Dynamite Entertainment is everything I could have wanted." - Newsarama
• "An amazing interpretation of the James Bond characters and his world in a way that feels like it's an ode to both Fleming's writing and the film adaptations." - Multiversity Comics
• "A slick, action-packed action thriller... Bloody entertaining." - Big Comic Page
• "The art team of Jason Masters and Guy Majors steals the show." - Geek Tyrant
• "Strong action pieces... full of pace and movement." - Comic Crusaders
• "This is classic Bond here. Odd, strong henchmen, brutal fighting, lots of bodies, and a maniacal mastermind leaving Bond in a deathtrap..." - Bleeding Cool
• Wonderfully highlight(s) character and motivations for 007 and his foes." - Comic Buzz

2017: Pegasus publishes Goldeneye – Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming`s Jamaica by Matthew Parker.
2018: Film and Furniture gives detail to an immersive James Bond museum opening July in the Alps.

Immersive, minimalist mountaintop James
Bond museum
https://filmandfurniture.com/2018/06/immersive-minimalist-mountaintop-james-bond-museum-in-the-austrian-alps/
Feature By Film and Furniture
15 Jun 2018

A museum like no other opens in Soelden, Austria this July. Set 10,000 feet up Gaislachkogl Mountain sits the new stunning, immersive James Bond Museum – 007 Elements.

007 Elements – The James Bond Museum. Photo by Kristopher Grunert

Snowy landscapes and ski chases are an integral feature of Bond movies: Soelden’s striking architectural jewel the Ice Q restaurant was the real live location for the Hoffer [sic] Klinik in Spectre (2015). Accessed by cable car, the new series of multi-sensory galleries and cinematic installations that make up 007 Elements allow visitors to experience the Bond world of luxury and intrigue.

The “Briefing Room” at 007 Elements. Photo by Kristopher Grunert

The jaw dropping space was designed by Neil Callow (art director on Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and the forthcoming Bond 25 ), Tino Schaedler (head of design at Optimist Inc.) in collaboration with Austrian architect Johann Obermoser and the team at Arch Omo Architektur, who designed the Ice Q.

The “Tech Lab” at 007 Elements. Photo by Kristopher Grunert

Built inside the mountain itself, each room of the museum allows visitors to explore different elements of the film – the characters, gadgets, music and locations.

“Our aim with 007 Elements is to tell the story of the making of 007 films in an ultra-modern, emotive and engaging way.” says the Museum.“Visitors are taken on a multi-sensory journey, with emotive soundscapes, dramatic programmed lighting, and high-quality visual projections.

“The structure of the storytelling, the rhythm of the spaces within the building, and the movement between light and shadow was designed to give visitors an experience closer to a movie than a traditional museum.”

A real spectacle!

2020: Waterstones shops begin reopening.

https://www.waterstones.com/help/coronavirus-updates/2104

2020: AntikBar gallery reopening.

https://antikbarposters.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/covid-19-coronavirus-update-gallery-re-opening-on-15-june/

https://antikbarposters.wordpress.com/tag/you-only-live-twice/

2024: World Martini Day.

A Martini for Every James Bond
https://beer-flicks.com/a-martini-for-every-james-bond/#google_vignette
November 14, 2021 Brianna Gunter
The MI6 agent’s martini order leaves a lot of questions. We’ll go ahead and fill in the blanks for him — with a complete martini recipe for every Bond from Connery to Craig!

• Sean Connery – Classic Stirred Vodka Martini
• George Lazenby – Dry Gin Martini (with a Side Shooter)
• Roger Moore – Extra Dry Gibson Martini
• Timothy Dalton – Champagne Martini
• Pierce Brosnan – Mojito Martini
• Daniel Craig – Vesper Martini