CommanderBond.net
  1. Ian Fleming's 007 manuscripts to be part of Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-12-16

    AUTHOR IAN FLEMING’S ORIGINAL JAMES BOND MANUSCRIPTS TO BE PART OF UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT WATCH & CLOCK MUSEUM

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming carefully kept the original manuscripts for his James Bond thrillers, in addition to pre-publication book proofs and author’s copies that include summary notes in his own handwriting. For researchers and fans, these represent incredible views into the origins of the 007 character and the mind of his fascinating creator.

    A sampling from among these one-of-a-kind texts will be displayed as part of the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum, opening June 17, 2010. This loan was made possible by special arrangement with the Lilly Library at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

    “We can tell a lot by looking at the actual pages as Mr. Fleming hammered them out at the keys of his Imperial portable typewriter,” notes Dell Deaton of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for the Bond Watches exhibit. “The ‘Rolex’ reference in Live and Let Die, for example, is first-draft. That, then, specifically dates it to February or March of 1953—and establishes a context for examining the role that his friend Commander Jacques Cousteau may have had in providing input on the brand.

    Thunderball, of course, shows how Ian Fleming created the first Bond gadget-watch, in 1960.

    “There’s also what we can see as iterations progress. This National Watch & Clock Museum display, for example, will include four versions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, revealing Fleming’s interesting focus on wristwatch-related details,” Deaton continues. “There’s a curious continuity error that started with the manuscript when it was written at Goldeneye and made it all the way into the ‘Uncorrected Proof’ binding, but which was caught and corrected before the first edition book run and serialized publication in Playboy. We’re planning to show this complete progression as part of this special exhibit.”

    Credit: Imperial War Museum

    Ian Fleming’s personal Rolex 1016 Explorer, which served as his basis for the personal James Bond wristwatch he described in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

    The original James Bond manuscripts, author’s first editions, and other materials were acquired by the Lilly Library in 1970. Thus, the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit will mark the first time in over four decades that the original 007 wristwatch (Ian Fleming’s Rolex 1016 Explorer) and the 1962 manuscript in which it is referenced will be displayed together.

    “The National Watch & Clock Museum is extremely grateful to Indiana University and its Lilly Library for the loan of these materials,” Museum Director Noel Poirier adds. “Through the years, we’ve been able to enter into cooperative exchanges such as this with a variety of other institutions, expanding the reach in sharing what we’ve preserved from the history of timekeeping. It allows us to broaden the context of exhibits such as this, showing not just the watches, but the culture and period in which they were important.”

    Dell Deaton is the creator-author of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for this Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibition. He is a member of both the National Watch & Clock Association and American Marketing Association, and a recognized expert on Ian Fleming and James Bond horology. Previously he was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors that governs the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and served three terms on the editorial advisory board for Exhibitor Publications.

    The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with close to 20,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

    As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

  2. Life and Time of Nikki van der Zyl – Voice of the Bond girls

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-12-05

    Nikki van der Zyl gained fame by re-voicing the ‘Bond women’ – Ursula Andress in Dr No, Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger, Claudine Auger in Thunderball and many others. She also spoke for Raquel Welch in 1 Million Years BC and other stars in 1960’s and 70’s. Later she became a barrister and after that an assistant to an MP in the House of Commons. After a year she was recruited as a political journalist and Lobby Correspondent in the Press Gallery for Television South. In 1994 she founded a theatre company, which produced Blood Wedding at the Bull (starring Nikki and in 1998 she won the first prize in a painting competition and she began a HNC Public Art Course at Barnat College.

    Nikki writes poetry and while working in the House of Commons ahe brought up a book of poetical biographies of MPs and Ministers. She composes and records songs and sung for many years in Residential Homes and Day Centres.

    Multitalented Nikki van der Zyl will reveal to you her fascinating life story, including many interesting anecdotes, beginning from her early life and arrival in Britain, through school years, acting career, studying law, working at the House of Commons, and journalist period, until her retirement.

    James Bond fans can attend Life and Time of Nikki van der Zyl – Voice of the Stars on Sunday, 6 December at 7:30pm at London’s Spiro Ark Centre.

    The Spiro Ark Centre is located at 25 – 26 Enford Street, London W1H 1DW. Tickets are £12.00 (plus a £1.00 online booking fee).

    To book tickets or for further information, visit the official website or phone 020 7723 9991.

    As always, keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the latest details on all James Bond-related events from around the world.

  3. Meet Bond girl Honor Blackman at London's artsdepot

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-12-03

    James Bond fans in London will have the chance to meet one of 007’s leading ladies early next year at the artsdepot venue.

    Honor Blackman, who starred as Pussy Galore opposite Sean Connery in 1964’s Goldfinger, will be giving a talk entitled Word of Honor on Sunday, 7 March 2010 at 7:30pm.

    'Goldfinger'

    Goldfinger

    Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger and Mrs Cathy Gale in the ground-breaking TV series The Avengers, Honor Blackman “captivated us with her stories from childhood to stardom” (Irish Independent).

    Learn about the trials and tribulations of filming epic dramas like A Night to Remember and Life at the Top, and working with stars including Sean Connery, Dean Martin, Elizabeth Taylor, and Dirk Bogarde.

    The event will be taking place at the Pentland Theatre. Tickets are available at £16.00 (concessions £14.00) each.

    To purchase tickets or for further information, phone the artsdepot box office at 020 8369 5454 or visit the official website.

    As always, keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the latest details on all James Bond-related events from around the world.

  4. Sir Roger Moore to attend Age Concern/Help The Aged charity event

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-24

    Age Concern and Help the Aged—two of Britian’s major organzation’s for the elderly—are inviting Londoners to a star-studded Christmas ‘A Star For Christmas’ concert. Tickets have now gone on sale for the festive celebration, which includes poems, readings and music from celebrities such as Sir Roger Moore, Lionel Blair and June Whitfield.

    Taking place at 6.30pm at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, on Monday 7th December, ‘A Star For Christmas’ features a host of star performances and music from the Sylvia Young Theatre School, as well as the opportunity for guests to mingle with celebrities afterwards at a wine and mince pie reception.

    ‘A Star for Christmas’ is supported by the Age Concern and Help the Aged ‘Stage for Age’ committee; the Charity’s celebrity fundraising arm, and award-winning actress Sylvia Syms, who starred in The Queen alongside Dame Helen Mirren, is the Concert Director.

    Sir Roger Moore commented: “I am delighted to be involved with the Age Concern and Help the Aged ‘A Star for Christmas’ concert. I always look forward to spending time in London and the beautiful setting of St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge will certainly make the evening one to remember.

    “Far too often older people are forgotten about in our society, especially over the festive season. It is vital that we remember those older people who are suffering from isolation and loneliness at this time of year—particularly when we’re all rushing about and looking forward to spending time with friends and loved ones.

    “I can’t wait for the Age Concern and Help the Aged ‘A Star for Christmas’ concert, and it’s wonderful that the money raised will give older people the opportunity to meet with friends and get involved in social activities, helping them make the most of the festive season.”

    Tickets are on sale now and are priced at £18.00 each, with concessions available for senior citizens and children priced at £5.00. Contact Sarah Greene in the Age Concern and Help the Aged Events Team for tickets or further details on 020 7239 1964 or email [email protected].

    Make CommanderBond.net your number one stop for all the latest news from the world of James Bond. Be sure to visit our Discussion Forums too.

  5. Six James Bond films at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre in January '10

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-22
    'Thunderball'

    Thunderball

    Six classic James Bond films featuring Sean Connery and Roger Moore will be featured on the silver screen this upcoming January at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

    007 fans will be able to attend three different double features showcasing Dr. No and You Only Live Twice, Goldfinger and Thunderball and Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only.

    The schedule is as follows:

    • Friday, 1 January:
    • 7:30pm – Dr. No and You Only Live Twice
    • Saturday, 2 January:
    • 7:30pm – Goldfinger and Thunderball
    • Sunday, 3 January:
    • 7:30pm – Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only

    General admission is $10.00 unless otherwise noted, $7.00 for Cinematheque members and $8.00 for seniors and students w/valid ID.

    The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, between Las Palmas and McCadden, just east of Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

    To purchase tickets (via Fandango) or for inquiries, visit the official website or phone 323-461-2020.

    As always, keep your browsers pointed to the CommanderBond.net main page and our always active Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

  6. SyFy to host Thanksgiving weekend James Bond marathon

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-16

    Syfy Channel will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with a three-day 007 film marathon featuring 16 James Bond films.

    The curtain goes up on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, 26 November, at 8AM (ET/PT) with the first ever 007 movie, Dr. No. Seven more Bond films air that day, including the network premiere of Casino Royale at 9PM (ET/PT), which introduced Daniel Craig into the franchise.

    Syfy’s Bondfest continues Friday, 27 November, with eight more films, beginning at 8AM (ET/PT) with Thunderball and ending with Never Say Never Again at 2:30AM (ET/PT), both starring Sean Connery.

    CommanderBond.net brings you the complete schedule of 007 films to be aired…

    Thursday, 26 November:

    'From Russia with Love'

    From Russia with Love

    • 8:00am – Dr. No: James Bond’s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No and a scheme to end the US space program. Starring Sean Connery, Ursula Andress and Joseph Wiseman.
    • 10:30am – Licence To Kill: James Bond leaves Her Majesty’s Secret Service to stop an evil drug lord and avenge his best friend, Felix Leiter. Starring Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell and Robert Davi.
    • 1:30pm – Live And Let Die: 007 is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organization and a reliable psychic tarot card reader. Starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour.
    • 4:00pm – The Spy Who Loved Me: James Bond investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warheads with the help of a KGB agent whose lover he killed. Roger Moore, Barbara Bach and Curd Jurgens.
    • 6:30pm – Tomorrow Never Dies: James Bond heads to stop a media mogul’s plan to induce war between China and the UK in order to obtain exclusive global media coverage. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce and Michelle Yeoh.
    • 9:00pm – Casino Royale: With the assistance of Vesper Lynd, James Bond engages Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at Casino Royale. Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green.

    Friday, 27 November:

    • 12:00am – For Your Eyes Only: Agent 007 is assigned to hunt for a lost British encryption device and prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Starring Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet and Lynn-Holly Johnson.
    • 2:30am – The Man With The Golden Gun: Bond is led to believe that he is targeted by the world’s most expensive assassin and must hunt him down to stop him. Roger Moore, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland.
    • 8:00am – Thunderball: James Bond heads to The Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by SPECTRE agent Emilio Largo in an international extortion scheme. Starring Sean Connery, Claudine Auger and Adolfo Celi.
    • 10:30am – From Russia With Love: James Bond willingly falls into an assassination ploy involving a naive Russian beauty in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by SPECTRE. Starring Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi and Pedro Armendariz.
    • 1:00pm – You Only Live Twice: Agent 007 and the Japanese secret service ninja force must find and stop the true culprit of a series of spacejackings before nuclear war is provoked. Starring Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama.
    • 3:30pm – Diamonds Are Forever: A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas, where he uncovers an extortion plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Starring Sean Connery, Jill St. John and Charles Gray.
    • 6:00pm – Casino Royale: With the assistance of Vesper Lynd, James Bond engages Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at Casino Royale. Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green.
    • 9:00pm – GoldenEye: James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean and Famke Janssen.

    Saturday, 28 November:

    • 12:00am – Goldfinger: Investigating a gold magnate’s gold smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. Starring Sean Connery, Honor Blackman and Gert Frobe.
    • 2:30am – Never Say Never Again: A SPECTRE agent has stolen two American nuclear warheads, and James Bond must find their targets before they are detonated. Starring Sean Connery, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Max von Sydow.

    For further details, visit the SyFy website.

    Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net and our Twitter feed for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

  7. Meet two Bond girls at the Vintage Magazine Shop on 14 November

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-12

    James Bond fans will have the chance to meet up with two Bond girls at the Vintage Magazine Shop in the UK later this month.

    Eunice Gayson, effectively the first Bond girl in the Eon-produced series thanks to her role as Sylvia Trench in Dr. No and From Russia with Love will be joined by Madeline Smith, the first Bond girl of the Roger Moore era resulting from her role as Miss Caruso in Live and Let Die.

    They are scheduled to meet and greet and sign autographs for fans on Saturday, 14 November from 12:00 to 2:00pm.

    Visit the official Vintage Magazine Shop website for further details on this upcoming 007 signing.

    Bond Girls Signing
    Saturday, 14 November 2009
    From 12 Noon
    Vintage Magazine Shop
    39-43 Brewer St.
    London, W1F 9UD
    020-7439-8525

    Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

  8. Visit James Bond's London with Brit Movie Tours

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-10
    James Bond's London

    Brit Movie Tours – A unique movie and TV sightseeing bus tour experience. Go on location and see famous film and TV locations in London and across Britain. See fascinating landmarks, get behind the scenes info from your local guide, hear trivia about your favourite stars and movies and most importantly have fun.

    James Bond fans in the area will most definitely want to check out both the James Bond London Locations Tour and James Bond Day Tour of Film Locations, which together feature almost 30 different locations from the world of 007. Both of these tours will kick off in 2010.

    Full details follow below on these two tours:


    James Bond London Locations Tour

    Step into the dangerous world of 007 and other secret agents as we visit the great spy movie locations of London.

    On this afternoon bus tour you’ll visit over 12 James Bond film locations plus sites linked with other British spy characters such as Harry Palmer and Johnny English. We’ll also see places familiar to Bond author Ian Fleming. See where fiction becomes reality as we take you to spots associated with the real world of espionage.

    Learn how the films were made, watch the DVD clips as we pass the actual locations, discuss some of the the novels and get trivia about the actors behind them. Along the way you’ll have the chance to get off the bus, take pictures and see the locations up close.

    Feel free to dress up as Bond, a villain a spy or any other character (only if you want to). Keep your wits about you as we’ll also test your knowledge on the world of Bond with our trivia quiz. At the end of the tour we’ll also send you a souvenir group picture by email.

    PRE-TOUR: Create a spy themed day and visit the Movieum next to the London Eye prior to the start of the tour. You’ll find props from Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough as well as the suit worn by Pascal Sauvage in comedy spy film Johnny English. Brit Movie Tour guests are entitled to a 20% discount on entry to the Movieum when you show your tour confirmation.

    Tour highlights include:

    • See where Ian Fleming was born and died as well as where his world famous novels were written
      Try to spot a real spy at the MI6 HQ
    • Stand on the spot where the traffic wardens were splashed in The World is Not Enough
    • Locate the secret offices used by fellow spy Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) in The Ipcress File
    • See the St Petersburg Square James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) visits in GoldenEye
    • Follow the route used for Bond’s briefing by M (Judi Dench) in Tomorrow Never Dies
    • Pass by the secret offices of Universal Exports
    • Finish the day at Planet Hollywood in London’s Haymarket where you can view some of the props used in the Bond films including the bikini worn by Honey Ryder in Dr No and receive a 20% discount on food and drink upon presentation of your email tour confirmation

    Dates: Sunday at 12:30 (from 14 March – 19 December 2010)

    Length: Approx. 3 1/2 hours

    Cost: Adults £36 | Children (3-12) £30

    Full information and details located here.


    James Bond Day Tour of Film Locations

    Are you prepared for a mission into the dangerous world of espionage?

    On this seven hour bus tour we’ll visit over 15 James Bond locations between London and Oxfordshire, as well as places linked with the life of Bond author Ian Fleming. You’ll also get a taste of the real world of espionage where fiction meets reality.

    Learn how the films were made, watch the DVD clips as we pass the actual locations, discuss the books and get trivia about the glamorous world of James Bond. Along the way you’ll have the chance to get off the bus, take pictures and see the locations up close.

    We’ll stop for lunch at a pub linked with a James Bond movie which will give you time to stretch your legs and soak up the history.

    Feel free to dress up as Bond, a villain a spy or any other character in the series (purely optional) but make sure you are not being followed by any sinister characters. Keep your wits about you as we’ll also test your knowledge on the world of the most famous British spy with our trivia quiz. At the end of the tour we’ll also send you a souvenir group picture by email.

    Tour highlights include:

    • See where Ian Fleming was born, educated and died as well as where his novels were written
    • Try and get a glimpse of a real spy at the MI6 HQ
    • Check in at the Shrublands Health Clinic from Thunderball
    • Pay your respects at the site of Tracy Di Vicenzo’s grave
    • See where Oddjob cuts off the head of the statue at Goldfinger‘s golf club
    • Witness the scene where Necros kills the milkman in The Living Daylights
    • Receive clearance to enter the location of the Blaydon Safe House
    • Get a glimpse of the 007 sound stage at the home of James Bond films at Pinewood Studios (external only)
    • Finish the day at Planet Hollywood in London’s Haymarket where you can view some of the props used in the Bond films including the gun used by Roger Moore in the final scenes of Live and Let Die and receive a 20% discount on food and drink upon presentation of your email tour confirmation

    Dates: Wednesday at 9:30am (7 July – 25 August 2010)
    Sunday at 9:30am (12 September 2010)

    Length: Approx. 7 – 7 1/2 hours

    Cost: Adults £69 | Children (3-12) £60

    Full information and details located here.

    For all general inquiries, phone +44 (0) 20 8989 2181, email [email protected] or visit the official Brit Movie Tours website.

    As always, keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the latest details on all James Bond-related events from around the world.

  9. Bond girl Maryam d'Abo joins Winter '09 Memorabilia line-up

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-09

    The Winter 2009 Memorabilia event—the UK’s longest running and most established event for fans of movies, cult tv, comics, video games, sport and music—is fast approaching.

    Scheduled to take place in late November, several stars from the James Bond films have already been announced as attending (with likely many more to follow in the upcoming weeks). The confirmed guests include:

    • Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore, Goldfinger)
    • David Hedison (Felix Leiter, Live and Let Die, Licence to Kill)
    • Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight, The Man with the Golden Gun)
    • Maryam d’Abo (Kara Milovy, The Living Daylights)
    • Deborah Moore (Air Hostess, Die Another Day & daughter of Sir Roger Moore)

    The Winter ’09 Memorabilia will be taking place from Saturday, 21 November (11:00am – 5:00pm) through Sunday, 22 November (11:00am – 5:00pm) at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.

    There are many different ticket rates available for the event. Phone 0870 330 7446 (inside UK) for details or visit the official website.

    As always, keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the latest details on all James Bond-related events.

  10. Ian Fleming's James Bond first editions go up for auction

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-11-09

    Once again, Bloomsbury Auctions will be tempting literary James Bond collectors with another set of first edition 007 novels penned by Ian Fleming.

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming

    11 James Bond lots join the 950+ others in Bloomsbury’s Bibliophile and Important Books and Manuscripts sales, scheduled for 18 and 19 November, respectively. Note that the sale of these Bond titles is split between the two days. See each lot for full details.

    Highlights will include a first edition/first impression of Casino Royale, first/firsts of Moonraker and Goldfinger and many other titles.

    Bloomsbury Auctions is located at: Bloomsbury House, 24 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1PP. For further details, phone +44(0) 20 7495 9494 or visit the official Bibliophile and Important Books and Manuscripts auction websites.

    Details on selected James Bond lots follow below:

    Lot 374 – Casino Royale

    Casino Royale, first edition , second impression, original boards, an excellent copy, dust-jacket, signed by the jacket artist Kenneth Lewis on inside front flap, price-clipping to same, a little minor spotting, negligible chipping to corner-tips and spine ends, an unusually fine example, preserved in modern morocco-backed drop-back box utilising the jacket’s colour scheme, 8vo, 1953.

    Estimate: £2,200 – £2,800


    Lot 375 – Moonraker

    Moonraker, first edition, first impression , issue with ‘shoot’ on p.10, some browning, slighty dulled, small tears to fore-edge of title-page and bottom edges of p.16 & p.115, original boards, dust-jacket, 8vo, 1955.

    Estimate: £1,000 – £1,500


    Lot 330 – Goldfinger

    Goldfinger, first edition, original boards, dust-jacket, spine slightly browned, rubbed and creased at edges, fraying to corners, 8vo, 1959. (2)

    Estimate: £200 – £300


    Lot 332 – Thunderball

    Thunderball, first edition, ink name on front free endpaper, original boards, dust-jacket, small split at head of spine, corners rubbed, 8vo, 1961.

    Estimate: £150 – £200


    Lot 333 – The Spy Who Loved Me

    The Spy Who Loved Me, first edition , ink name on half-title and front free endpaper, original boards, fine, dust-jacket, a fine copy, 8vo, 1962.

    Estimate: £180 – £220


    Lot 336 – You Only Live Twice

    You Only Live Twice, first edition, first state , ink name on front free endpaper, original boards, slight shelf lean, dust-jacket, corners rubbed with slight loss, small closed tear, 8vo, 1964; and a copy of OHMSS, 8vo

    Estimate: £100 – £150

    Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Twitter feed for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.