Benson, Kiel, Join Bond Notables in Launch of 'Cinema Retro'

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Richard “Jaws” Kiel and former James Bond continuation author Raymond Benson have joined actress Caroline Munro (The Spy Who Loved Me), author Dave Worrall (The Most Famous Car in the World), author Lee Pfeiffer (The Essential James Bond), and many other notable names from the world of 007 and the field of film criticism in the launch of Cinema Retro, an all new magazine devoted to the classic and cult movies of the ’60s and ’70s. The first issue will arrive in October 2004. Cinema Retro will be a subscription only publication.

Details from the official Cinema Retro website:

CINEMA RETRO: the Essential Guide to Cult and Classic Movies is a new 64-page full colour magazine devoted to those great films of the 60’s and 70’s (but we will probably be tempted to delve into the archives from the 40s and 50s too!). Its aim is to feature in each photo-infested issue:

• A major in-depth look at a classic film or film series.
• Cinema sirens: photos of those delicious sexy actresses whom we all long to see again.
• Reproductions of some of the greatest poster art of all time.
• Exclusive interviews with actors, producers and directors from films of this period.
• Have regular columns about the films of Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, Hammer Horror, Italian Spaghetti Westerns, great Hollywood actors and actresses – and much, much more!

CINEMA RETRO will launch in the fall of 2004. Each issue will be a limited edition collector’s item and will not be sold on newsstands. This is not an amateur fan magazine. Rather, it is written by recognised writers in the field of film criticism as well as from the vantage point of the actors, producers, directors and technicians who were a part of this wonderful era of film making.

With so many familiar Bond names contributing, fans can be assured that 007 will not be ignored. These Bond related articles are already scheduled for the October 2004 debut issue:

THUNDERBALL: BEHIND THE SCENES – we’ll say it up front – our passion for the James Bond films will ensure that Mr. Kiss-Kiss-Bang-Bang has a notable presence in every issue of Cinema Retro. We don’t expect to hear many complaints, especially after 007 fans view six full pages of previously rarely seen photographs taken on location at the French chateau for the pre-credits sequence of the film. Rare shots of pilot Bill Suitor practicing flying the Bell Textron jet pack, Sean Connery holding court with the press and dining with stuntman Bob Simmons (still in drag as the deadly SPECTRE “widow”!) and many other fantastic shots designed to make even the most die-hard Bond clamour for more.

THE “LOST” JAMES BOND FILM HOAX – a version of Moonraker shot in the 1950’s starring Dirk Bogarde and Orson Welles? A recent website appeared purporting to have uncovered rare footage and stills from this aborted effort to introduce James Bond to movie audiences years before Dr. No appeared. We examine this meticulously planned hoax that had some gullible Bond fans believing the hype of this cinematic equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster. [Read CBn’s own coverage of this story here: MOONRAKER: The “Forgotten” 1956 Film Version?]

THE FILMS OF BARBARA BACH – Before she became Mrs. Ringo Starr, the sultry Bach raised temperatures with her eye-popping appearances in a wide range of low-budget Italian films, leading up to her memorable starring role in The Spy Who Loved Me. Tim Greaves, our resident expert on all female sex-bombs of the 1960’s and 1970’s, takes the first in-depth look at Bach’s remarkable career (and for the record, Greaves’ job is not open to other candidates!)

From Russia With Love‘s Jan Williams will feature in an upcoming issue

The debut issue will also feature the first contributions by Raymond Benson and Richard Kiel:

RAYMOND BENSON ON THE BEST FILMS OF 1960 – the acclaimed author of the James Bond novels’ inaugural column for Cinema Retro is an analysis of the best films of 1960. We love these types of articles because they always stir controversy, and this one is no exception… we’re already angry with Benson for leaving out some of our personal favourites. See what you think in the first of a series of articles Raymond will provide, each analysing the films of a specific year.

RICHARD KIEL’S TALL TALES FROM HOLLYWOOD – you know Richard from his many appearances in popular films like Silver Streak, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, Force Ten From Navarone, Pale Rider, The Longest Yard and numerous “B” sci-fi classics such as the notorious Eegah! However, Richard’s formidable physical presence is exceeded only by his talent and we’re proud to have him on board with a regular column in which he looks back on working in Hollywood during the 1960’s and ’70’s. An amusing walk down memory lane with one of the industry’s most successful character actors.

Everyone who subscribes to the first season will be entered in a prize drawing. Upon publication of the first issue in October, three names from the list of subscribers will be drawn and announced on the official web site. Prizes to include a Limited Edition litho print of the James Bond film Thunderball, autographed by actress Martine Beswick; an autographed color photo of actress Judi Dench as ‘M’; a James Bond film novelization signed by author Raymond Benson, and a selection soundtrack compact discs and DVDs.

For more information, visit www.cinemaretro.com (make sure your browser display settings are at 1024 x 768 for best results). Here you can see the amazing lineup of writers and contributors that will be working on the magazine, and sign up for a subscription.

*IMPORTANT* The print run of the first issue will be based on the number of active subscribers so DO NOT wait until October. If you want to ensure that you receive this first issue of Cinema Retro, with all the Bond related articles mentioned above and much more, SUBSCRIBE NOW.