JAMES BOND
NEWS

1 January 2022
007 actor Daniel Craig, James Bond film co-producers Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, are among those honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in the New Year's Honours List.

Daniel Craig is awarded the CMG (Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George), usually given to senior diplomats and spies. The CMG is the same honour received by James Bond in the novels by creator Ian Fleming — and a nod to the character Daniel Craig has played since 2006 up to his fifth and final 007 film, No Time To Die (2021). Craig was also made an honorary Commander in the Royal Navy in September 2021.

James Bond co-producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of their services to Film, Drama, Philanthropy and Skills.

Best-selling author Anthony Horowitz, whose 3rd James Bond novel WITH A MIND TO KILL will be published on May 26, 2022, is also awarded a CBE for services to Literature.

Joanna Lumley who played the ‘English Girl’ in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) is made a Dame for services to Drama, Entertainment and Charitable Causes.

16 December 2021
The JAMES BOND SEASON is back at the Prince Charles Cinema in January 2022! Once again the PCC will screen every official James Bond film from Dr. No (1962) to Spectre (2015), and will also include Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again (1983). The season begins on Saturday January 15, 2022 - and will continue through the first half of the year, culminating in August. Each film will have one afternoon screening each week on Thursday and Saturday, with You Only Live Twice having an additional screening on Sunday June 16, 2022 to celebrate its 55th anniversary.

The Living Daylights will also receive an additional 35th anniversary screening at 18.00 on Monday June 27, 2022. The PCC is working hard to get the latest James Bond film No Time To Die (2021) added in August to fittingly finish the season off. Thanks to Park Circus Films, the PCC have secured these 26 James Bond films for this epic season. Booking is now open to PCC Members, and available to everyone from 10am Thursday December 16, 2021. Book now to enjoy a twice-weekly serving of James Bond on the big-screen, where he belongs! FULL DETAILS AND HOW TO BOOK

16 December 2021
Doug Robinson, the stuntman and younger brother of actor Joe Robinson [Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971], has died at the age of 91. Doug was born Douglas Bowbank Robinson in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on February 8, 1930. Their father Joseph Robinson Senior and grandfather John were world champion wrestlers, and both brothers trained in wrestling and body-building.

Doug's showbusiness career began in the mid-1950s, and early film work included Ben-Hur (1959). Doug was also one of the Argonauts in Jason and The Argonauts (1963), and made numerous British television appearances usually as a tough guy in everything from The Avengers to Steptoe and Son.

Doug became one of the cinema's most popular stuntmen, working on several James Bond films. In 1965 Doug and Joe Robinson co-authored with The Avengers and Goldfinger star, Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence published by Andre Deutsch. Doug Robinson held 7th Dan in judo and Wado ryu Karate.

Read more about Doug Robinson's career

16 December 2021
Jonathan Cape, Vintage and Ian Fleming Publications reveal the title and cover of award-winning novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz's third official James Bond novel.

WITH A MIND TO KILL opens with M’s funeral. One man is missing from the graveside: the traitor who pulled the trigger and 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.

This book follows up Anthony Horowitz's best-selling James Bond novels TRIGGER MORTIS (2015) and FOREVER AND A DAY (2018). WITH A MIND TO KILL will be published on May 26, 2022 by Jonathan Cape in hardback and on the same day in paperback by Vintage.

As Diamonds Are Forever celebrates its 50th anniversary, 007 MAGAZINE takes a look back at the production of the seventh James Bond film, which saw Sean Connery return to the role of 007 after a four-year absence.

Following the disappointing box-office receipts for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) when compared with the first five films in the series, and the less than enthusiastic critical reception afforded newcomer George Lazenby, distributor United Artists were keen to lure Sean Connery back to the role which had made him an international star...

Diamonds goes gold!

9 December 2021
ITV News Meridian report on how the iconic Moon Buggy from a Diamonds Are Forever (1971) was found rusting in a farmer's field in Kent by 007 MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Graham Rye...

Read the full story and watch the video

The complete Diamonds Are Forever Moon Buggy Timeline

007 MAGAZINE presents the complete history of the iconic Diamonds Are Forever Moon Buggy. Presented for the first time, this is the full story of the rescue and restoration of the one-of-a-kind 007 vehicle. From its construction in the USA in 1971, through to filming in Nevada and Pinewood Studios, to its TV appearances and promotional tours in Germany and the UK. 50 years of the James Bond Moon Buggy!

5 December 2021
As Diamonds Are Forever celebrates its 50th anniversary, 007 MAGAZINE presents a new and exclusive article:

“The name's Gavin, John Gavin.”
Long before the short-lived casting of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in 1986, only to be let down by the last-minute renewal of his Remington Steele television contract, there was another actor who was signed to play 007, but unlike Brosnan he never got the chance to appear in front of the cameras. After George Lazenby’s departure from the series in late 1969 before On Her Majesty’s Secret Service had even been released, producers Harry Saltzman & Albert R. Broccoli began another long search for a new James Bond. After many British actors were interviewed and screen-tested throughout 1970, with no one name standing out, the producers began to reluctantly cast their net a little wider and considered some American names...

CONTINUE READING

26 November 2021
Pinewood Studios has renamed their East Side Complex building in honour of legendary Production Designer Peter Lamont. A regular on the lot throughout his 60-year career in the British Film Industry. Peter was most noted for working on 18 James Bond films starting with Goldfinger (1964) and working on all but one of the films until Casino Royale (2006). Tomorrow Never Dies was the only James Bond film that Lamont was unable to work on over 41 years due to his commitment to Titanic. He was nominated for three Academy Awards for his work on Fiddler on the Roof (1971), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and Aliens (1986), all were shot at Pinewood. His fourth nomination, for Titanic (1997), won him the Oscar.

The tribute was hosted by the British Film Designers’ Guild and Pinewood Studios and attended by family, friends and colleagues from the industry including James Bond Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Peter Lamont’s other credits at Pinewood and Shepperton include: The Ipcress File (1965) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and films from the Carry On Series.

Andrew M. Smith, Corporate Affairs Director said:
“We are delighted to honour Peter Lamont at Pinewood Studios and further celebrate the heritage of our Studios, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. Peter Lamont was a giant in the industry and a true gentleman to all those he met.”

20 November 2021
Burlington Arcade in London's Mayfair launched its festive display this week, inspired by the forthcoming 60th anniversary of James Bond in 2022. Complementing this year’s gold and silver festive scheme, the 2021 Christmas spectacle from the renowned London landmark elevates the James Bond installation that launched this Autumn with a 007 inspired Omega clock counting down to the New Year which also marks the 60th Anniversary of James Bond.

FULL STORY AND IMAGES

13 November 2021
John Pearson, the author of The Life of Ian Fleming (1966) and James Bond: The Authorized Biography (1973) has died aged 91.

John Pearson first met Ian Fleming whilst working for the Sunday Times in 1955; eventually becoming assistant to the James Bond author and taking over as the writer of the newspapers' ‘Atticus’ column, for which Fleming had assumed responsibility two years earlier. Ian Fleming also suggested that the young John Pearson act as ghost-writer for the exploits of BOAC security chief Donald Fish, which was published as Airline Detective: The Fight Against International Air Crime in 1962. Ian Fleming also provided the introduction for what was effectively Pearson's first non-fiction book.

Following the death of Ian Fleming on August 12, 1964 Leonard Russell, the literary editor of the Sunday Times, suggested that Pearson should consider writing the biography of his old friend and boss. The resulting biography The Life of Ian Fleming was published in London by Jonathan Cape in 1966, and then in LIFE Magazine in a two-part adaptation in the October 7th & 14th issues to coincide with the release of the US hardcover published by McGraw-Hill.

In October 1973 John Pearson's James Bond: The Authorized Biography was published in hardback by Sidgwick and Jackson. The book is a fictional account of the life of James Bond, Secret Agent 007, written from Pearson's point-of-view as he interviews the ‘real’ James Bond (now aged 53) in Bermuda.

James Bond: The Authorized Biography is not often regarded as an official James Bond continuation story as was the case with COLONEL SUN, and the later John Gardner and Raymond Benson novels. Although originally conceived as a spoof by publisher William Armstrong (1938-2006), the book was sanctioned by James Bond copyright holders Glidrose Productions. John Pearson knew Peter Janson-Smith (1922-2016), the Glidrose chairman, who gave permission for the work to be published. In 1978 John Pearson followed up his James Bond novel with Biggles: The Authorized Biography, which was written in a similar style to his fictionalized 007 story. Pearson will be best-remembered however as one of the UK's leading writers of contemporary biographies, including Donald Campbell, published as Bluebird and the Dead Lake (1965), The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins (1972), and its two sequels - The Cult of Violence: The Untold Story of the Krays (2001) and Notorious: The Immortal Legend of the Kray Twins (2010). His 1995 biography Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty formed the basis for the 2017 film All The Money In The World directed by Ridley Scott.

4 November 2021
HarperCollins Publishers acquire licence to thrill with a fully authorised new James Bond trilogy from Kim Sherwood, featuring the next generation of Double O agents.

HarperCollins Publishers have acquired the UK & Commonwealth and US & Canadian rights to three contemporary thrillers by Kim Sherwood set in the world of James Bond that feature a new raft of Double O agents for the 21st century. The deal was negotiated by Kathryn Cheshire in the UK and David Highfill at William Morrow in the US, with Jonny Geller and Viola Hayden of Curtis Brown, on behalf of Ian Fleming Publications Limited. Kim Sherwood is represented by Susan Armstrong at C&W Agency.

James Bond is missing, presumed captured or even killed. All of Bond’s contemporaries are gone and a new generation of Double O agents has been recruited to replace them and battle a global threat. At the same time, M and Moneypenny are searching for a mole in MI6. Will the truth be uncovered in time – or is this the end of the Double O section?

FULL STORY

16 November 2021
Bellmans is pleased to announce the auction of The Lewis & Hylda Gilbert Collection on Tuesday, 16th and Thursday, 18th November 2021. The Gilbert Collection from Sheldrake Place, Kensington, includes The Lewis Gilbert Film Script and Production Archive as well as a substantial Asian Works of Art collection, but also furniture, paintings, miniatures, porcelain and some jewellery and accessories.

Film Director Lewis Gilbert (1920-2018), best known for his three 007 movies and Alfie, was married to his wife Hylda (1919-2005) for 53 years. Born into an antique dealer's family, Hylda was the quintessentially beautiful, elegant and supportive film director's wife with a career in modelling, but as a theatre lover she was actively involved in spotting potential future films for her husband, a number of which ranked amongst Lewis' most successful titles.

Lewis Gilbert made more than 40 films during a directorial career spanning six decades, including three Bond movies - You Only Live Twice (1967), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979). He had his international breakthrough with Alfie (1966), which also launched Michael Caine's international career. Unlike many other directors he preferred doing small budget films he could produce himself to “secure in the right of final cut” and only made big budget films when he had to.    FULL DETAILS         CATALOGUE

3 November 2021
On the 88th Anniversary of his birth, 007 MAGAZINE pays tribute to the five-time Oscar-winner, and eleven-time James Bond soundtrack composer - the never to be forgotten John Barry:

With a dictionary’s worth of superlatives already written about John Barry during his long and distinguished career, where does one begin an attempt to encapsulate or pay tribute to his unique contribution to the relatively new art of film scoring, and the wider impact his music has had on world culture? Important art should move us, and Barry’s music has often moved us in spades. He is the only film composer ever whose work has transcended a legion of fans to the wider public outside that inner circle of hardcore Barry soundtrack aficionados. While many a ‘man or woman in the street’ may still be unable to tell you who it was that composed much of what they’ve heard of his work, the fact remains that Barry’s music will still be familiar to their collective ear in a way that no other film composer’s work has ever been, or will ever be.

FULL STORY

31 October 2021
Hot on the heels of the record breaking UK success of No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig, comes another cinema release featuring the most successful James Bond film of all -Thunderball! The fourth 007 adventure starring Sean Connery, which premiered in December 1965, features prominently in the time-travelling psychological horror film Last Night In Soho (2021), directed by Edgar Wright, and released in cinemas this weekend. Last Night In Soho stars Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, former Doctor Who Matt Smith, and Sixties’ icons Terence Stamp and Rita Tushingham. Last Night In Soho also marks the final film appearances of Diana Rigg and Margaret Nolan.

FULL STORY - Get it Wright Edgar!

19 October 2021
Leslie Bricusse, the British composer, lyricist and playwright, best-known for writing two iconic 1960s James Bond title songs, has died at the age of 90.

Born in London on January 9, 1921, Bricusse went on to have a long career in musical theatre, including with a successful partnership with singer/songwriter and actor Anthony Newley, which began with their 1961 hit stage musical Stop The World - I Want To Get Off. Bricusse and Newley later teamed with composer John Barry to write the title song for the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, sung by Shirley Bassey (pictured left with Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley [right]).

Although Newley recorded a demo version of the song, it would be Shirley Bassey's rendition of ‘Goldfinger’ that became the standard by which all other Bond songs would be judged. Leslie Bricusse would also write the lyrics for ‘Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, originally intended as the title song for Thunderball (1965). Recorded by Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey, the song would ultimately be replaced by Tom Jones’ recording of ‘Thunderball’ with lyrics by Don Black. 

Leslie Bricusse re-teamed with John Barry to write the title song lyrics for You Only Live Twice in 1967. A title track was originally recorded with English pop singer Julie Rogers, but a completely different alternate version was finally used, sung in the film by American pop star Nancy Sinatra. In the same year Bricusse wrote the screenplay and music & lyrics for the American musical comedy film Doctor Dolittle directed by Richard Fleischer, which also starred Anthony Newley. Although Doctor Dolittle turned out to be a box-office disappointment, the Leslie Bricusse composition ‘Talk To The Animals’ sung by Rex Harrison won the Academy Award for Best Song in 1968. Also nominated that year was ‘The Look of Love’ from the James Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967) sung by Dusty Springfield, with lyrics by Hal David. Bricusse later told Hal David that he thought ‘The Look of Love’ should have won as it was 10 times better than his own song. Bricusse followed his Oscar-winning success with songs and music for Goodbye Mr. Chips (1969), Scrooge (1971) starring Albert Finney [for which Bricusse also wrote the screenplay], and the ever-popular Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) [once again teamed with Anthony Newley] starring Gene Wilder and based on the novel by Roald Dahl. Bricusse would win a second Academy Award for Best Adaptation and Original Song Score for Victor/Victoria (1982).