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Well after he had finished his book about OHMSS he said the same thing, so who knows what Mr Helfenstein has in his sleeve? ;)
On the wishlist for sure.
James Bond FAQ by Tom DeMichael
As I am always intrigued to find new ways to pick up even more knowledge of Bond, I picked it up and give it a look. Having liked what I saw, I gave it a purchase. I haven't delved that much into it beyond a few minor page readings, but it's a book written by a Bond fan for Bond fans. It's very much a pick up and read kind of reference on 007, compiling information on everything from Fleming's life and what sparked his creation of Bond to biographies on each of the acting talents playing 007, his Bond girls and villains alongside great information on the various gadgets seen in the franchise and much more. The author also often interjects with his own opinions on the Bond actors and their supporting casts, which is cool as well. It's a great book for fans like us who are always looking to learn even more about Bond, covering everything from the franchise's inception and endurance as well as examinations of all those that made the films possible, on screen and off. Check it out if you ever seen it. I'll give more detail on it once I've actually began reading some of it.
It'd be a good source for someone like you who writes articles on a lot of Bond related topics. It's got some interesting background on important figures instrumental in making the series what it is today from Fleming himself to Cubby, Harry and more. It's just a book full of Bond knowledge to make us even more like historians on this character. ;)
Yes, it sounds like a wonderful resource that I will certainly pick up after your recommendation.
I'll have to check for the updated version when I finish this one. A real bargain for 2 €.
I believe this book was the published notes Amis prepared for writing Colonel Sun, which was published a year after this book. I would recommend this as an invaluable resource for fans of the literary Bond.
I referenced him in my undergraduate dissertation where I looked at Casino Royale.
Yes, the information on the genesis of the script is worth the purchase price alone. Helfenstein provides definitive evidence of what OHMSS would have been like if filmed in 1965, along with Maibaum's tantalizing original plans for Diamonds Are Forever. Unlike Spectre, OHMSS is a clear example of a script being steadily improved and perfected so that the final draft is clearly best. What also comes through is that OHMSS was a rare example of an auteurist Bond film--the entire production was molded by Peter Hunt's decisions. I doubt anyone will ever again exert such comprehensive power over a Bond film.
I am particularly enjoying the degree of research he put into this. There's a very long page with his sources listed in the back and he thanks several members of cast and crew or the wives of writers for giving him access to their husband's correspondence. I am very impressed. It will probably take me a year to get through all the information here. Today I learned that Fleming's original title for his novel "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was "The Belles of Hell".
That would be a good title for a future Bond film as well, provided it has some female villains. It would also supply the title song, since there's an old WWI marching song called "The Bells of Hell." The lyrics are appropriately pungent:
The Bells of Hell go ting-a-ling-a-ling
For you but not for me:
For me the angels sing-a-ling-a-ling,
They've got the goods for me.
Oh! Death, where is thy sting-a-ling-a-ling?
Oh! Grave, thy victory?
The Bells of Hell go ting-a-ling-a-ling
For you but not for me.
Plus the song is in public domain, so all the Bond producers have to do is tart it up with a new, copyrightable arrangement, hand it over to a brassy-voiced singer, and presto!
Here's a clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-UHaCZSBeM
@Revelator
Thanks for posting that! I hadn't heard the actual song yet so that was a treat. :)
It's also apparently the name of a movie that Fleming's friend Roald Dahl wrote a screenplay for that was filming in Switzerland with Gregory Peck for 5 weeks that was never finished. The book mentions this and the WWII song as well :) without saying that one or the other was definitely the author's inspiration. So far Helfenstein has remained pretty objective in his reporting of the facts, which I find refreshing since a lot of reference books involve the author inserting their opinions, which can be a bit alienating if you don't share the same opinions as the author.
I have! I received a free copy in return for writing one of the essays in it. Obviously I can't offer an entirely objective opinion, but I think it's a pretty good collection of essays on the book and film. All are academic essays and not always easy reading, but they're free of excessive jargon. Since the book was published by an academic press it's priced too high, but if you can find a copy in your local library, or at a discount, you might find it elucidating.
Interesting. I feel all the more like I should check it out now I know you have contributed.
I can confirm that yes this was the working title of an ill-fated movie that was being shot as You Only Live Twice was in early production. Various opinions about why it wrapped early but in part the decision by Dahl to go to Japan rather than Switzerland played a role.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Story-Only-Live-Twice/dp/191148995X/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=the+definitive+story+of+you+only+live+twice&qid=1558103315&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
Otherwise I think all the books mentioned in the thread have their role. I didn't though see any mention of the Tacschen book The James Bond Archives, which I would also recommend. https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/film/all/03416/facts.the_james_bond_archives.htm
I remember buying and reading this one in the mid 60s. Still got it somewhere. A great and readable analysis of the Bond phenomenom. I always had my nose in it. Reread it several times