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James Bond Film Stars To Attend Memorabilia On 7-8 July

The NEC, in Birmingham, UK

Bonding With 007 Film Stars At The July '07 Memorabilia

CBn Forum member 'Gri007' reports on the event

I will try and go to this one agian. I was hoping that some of the stars from the May Collectors show in Milton Keynes would have been there.

Looking forward to another report.

Just recived an email from the NEC. It was just to tell me what events were happening and the Memrobillia sho is taking place. It also mentions that stars from Die Another Day are to appear. So this could we be Micheal Madsen. Hope it is, as I was looking forward to meeting him at the Spring show but was unable to attend.

Sadly it is only me going this time. My friend is unable to come due to work. Bit nervouse about the motorways, but the tom tom should help me

Interesting that the website still doesn't list the addition of whoever the Die Another Day guest[s] are.

David Decio and Christian Simpson were both in Die Another Day (blink and you'll miss em)

Ah! Right you are. Thanks.

I've just got back from the NEC. Do you want me to write anothe report Qwerty? I'll get some pictures up loaded as well

Oh, completely up to you. I'll definitely read it if you do (and will also check out the pics).

My report for Memrobillia show

They always say you can’t beat the original. In some cases it’s true, others it’s not.

The Summer Memorabilia show was something I was looking forward to. Seeing that the Spring Memorabilia show was the first one I had ever attended and enjoyed it thoroughly. The days, the weeks and the months couldn’t come any faster as I was looking forward to the Summer Memorabilia Show.

The friend who I went with last time couldn’t make it so I had to handle the Saturday motorway traffic my self. Which to be honest wasn’t too bad. I had the sat nav. Great help that was too.

I left at 7:15 in the morning and arrived at the NEC at 8.55. Unfortunatly I hadn’t bought an early bird ticket, thinking that I wouldn’t make the trip in under two hours.

I had explained the situation about me arriving a lot earlier than expected and didn’t like the idea of hanging around for 2 hours waiting for 11 o’clock to come. Which is what it said on my ticket. The early bird ticket was a bit more in price but only had to pay an extra £4 to transfer from the 11 o’clock to an early bird.

Just like the Bond films the show stuck to a set formula. We once again had show case of characters from Star Wars. Stromtroopers, Tie Fighter pilots, a Ewen McGregor impersonator and a giant Wookie walked the entrance hall whilst we were all queuing. There weren’t any characters from the Matrix but was a few from Power Rangers.

From my personal opinion the show didn’t seem as packed or busy as it did last time. There wasn’t many stalls. I was hoping that this could be to do with the fact that I was early, but as time was passing it didn’t seem to have got any bigger.

There was a lot memorabilia from Star Trek, Star Wars, Buffy and all the cult TV shows. I did keep a look for some Bond stuff and only came across a few figures, mainly Sideshow and Action men, which were priced at £20 considering they were about £30 to £40 brand new. They was also a few figures made by Dragon which to my knowledge were in the late 90’s and produced the Bond Girl Series and few figures from Tomorrow Never Dies.

There was also giant quarto posters. Thunderball and Octopussy where the only ones I could see. There was ‘The Man From Uncle’ film poster as well. The poster I should think were reprints as they were about £20 to buy.

Walking around I could see more Star Wars figures, which quite frankly I am just as interested in them just as I am with Bond. The difference is I don’t collect Star Wars.

The last show had a lot of original Star Wars toys still boxed that was from the 80’s and were selling for about £300. They had few boxed but they were also selling the newly released figures in the retro packaging from the 70’s and 80’s. Also with this year being 30 years since A New Hope was released, there was a slight celebration feel in the atmosphere.

Unknown to my knowledge was the ‘Cars of The Stars’ which wasn’t there last time. Seeing this had made up for something that had disappointed me and if not upset me earlier on.

I first came across the Kitt Car from Knightrider, and the A team van. I then saw a red Ferrari. I was debating weather or not it was the one from Goldeneye. I looked it at closely and decided it wasn’t. But as I was looking at the Ferrari I saw gleaming green Jaguar XK8, fitted with a gun on the boot and armed with rockets that were out of the grill. This could only be the car that was from Die Another Day. How it could of drove to the NEC and not get pulled over I will never know. There was slight muck under the wheel arches and the tires did look a little worn. Next to Zoa’s Jaguar was Austin Powers Shaguar. Not loaded with weapons but was loaded with patriotism. It was the Shaguar that had the Union Jack on it.

So far it was good. I managed to take pictures for CBN and Myspace. I will admit they probably aren’t has good as the spring show.

I now made my way to star signing. The first person I saw was Gavan O’Herlihy. At first I came across him as being nice. He agreed to sign my NSNA DVD cover and have a photograph. Never realised he was American, I could never remember him being American in Never Say Never Again. I was trying to make small talk whilst he was signing my DVD cover. I just asked him what it was like to work with Sean Connery. He instantly changed the subject to how well I had organised my DVD covers in my folder. From now he seemed strange. Just seemed a little to full of himself. I took a picture of him and thanked him and then he asked for £15. I asked why he said its how much it costs for a signing and a photograph. Last time it was free. This was news to me and was certainly a shock. I never saw nothing or heard nothing about this ‘new’ system of charging. I reluctantly gave him £20. After a few minuets of asking for some change he eventually gave me £5 back.

I wasn’t to sure if it was Gavan who decided to charge or the rest of the stars charged as well. I had asked and they said yes £15. Quite frankly I thought it was a disgrace. I’ve never known any body to charge for autograph signings, and must thank the NEC for letting me know (I’m saying that with slight sarcasm). After what I thought was a scam, I went to see Andreas Wisnewski (Necros from The Living Daylights). Ok it cost me another £15, but I thought well, probably won’t see him again. Once in a life time thing. He came across a lot nicer and easier person to talk to than Mr O’Herlihy. I had asked what Andreas thought of Casino Royale and said that it was better then he had expected. And that it was a lot grittier than the previous Bond’s. I did say that Daniel Craig had played in the same style has Timothy Dalton. I didn’t want to stay talking to long to Andreas Wisnewski in case he charged me another £5. And quite frankly I don’t think I’ve seen someone take money of me so quick. Andrea Wisnewski PA seemed to be rather smug, as she pretty much snatched £15 out of my hand

I was only at the show for about an hour. Still upset and disappointed about the charging of the autograph signing. If anything it was crafty. Luckily I had £40 on me. Probably wouldn’t go down to well if I didn’t have any money on me at all. It was only after Gavan O’Herlihy had signed and had the picture taken that he’d ask for £15. He would have probably stolen to atomic warhead and held the world ransom until I paid him £15.

I would have asked Stanley Morgan and Sylvana Henriques for a picture and an autograph but I thought for £15 they can get stuffed. As if they need the money.

I was expecting to see the man behind James Bond Toys.net but couldn’t find him.

If any of you Cbners are planning to go to the Winter Memorabilia show, then get ready to pay for pictures and signings. Personally I think it’s a rip off. And if they carry on doing so they will lose custom. I’m sure.

The Winter Memorabilia show is taking place on the 24th and 25th November 2007.

A few James Bond stars have been announced. But this may change as I don’t think it has been finalised.

Caroline Munro
Richard Keil
Cathrine Schell (one of the angles of death in OHMSS)
Lana Wood
Blanche Ravelec (Jaw’s girlfriend from Moonraker)

Pictures from the Memrobillia show at the NEC. 7th July 2007