CommanderBond.net
  1. Two James Bond Film Stars At Nostalgia Convention In September

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-30

    Two stars from the James Bond 007 films, Lana Wood (Plenty O’Toole in Diamonds Are Forever) and David Hedison (Felix Leiter in Live And Let Die & Licence To Kill) will be making an appearance at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in September 2006.

    ‘Come spend a weekend with movie stars, antique cars, old-time radio, and old-time TV shows and movies!’ The Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention will take place at he Clarion Hotel, Aberdeen, Maryland, and will run from 14 – 17 September 2006.

    In addition to meeting with the two Bond stars, (as well as many others) an antique auto show, movie screenings, dealer rooms and much more will be featured. Full details here.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  2. James Bond Boat Show Heading To Sydney

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-29

    James Bond fans will get a chance to see four of the magnificent boats used in the 007 films, thanks to the Sydney International Boat Show – reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

    Set for 3 to 8 August 2006 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, the show will feature the Tow Sled from Thunderball, the Bath-O-Sub from Diamonds Are Forever, the Neptune Submarine from For Your Eyes Only, and the Q-Boat from The World Is Not Enough.

    Thunderball: Tow Sled (1965)
    The underwater tow sled was used by James Bond and the villain Largo. There were 14 boats originally built for the production company. Today, there are only two known to exist. The original builder, Jordan Klein, owns the other remaining sled.

    Diamonds Are Forever: Bath-O-Sub (1971)
    The underwater bath-o-sub is one of two originally featured in the film and was used by 007’s nemesis, Blofeld, to escape from the oil-drilling platform that doubled as his headquarters. It can be seen as Blofeld climbs inside and is lowered over the side of the oil platform.

    For Your Eyes Only: Neptune Submarine (1981)
    This Neptune submarine is one of two originally built by the film’s production company. This is the actual working wet submersible that was seen throughout most of the film. It had to be operated by stunt men using scuba gear.

    The World Is Not Enough: Q Boat (1999)
    Major Boothroyd’s famous Q boat. Fifteen boats were originally built for the production. Today only 8 survive. The Q Boat that performed the barrel roll stunt seen on the screen will be on display.

    The Sydney International Boat Show will be located at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre & Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour. Show times are from 10 AM – 8PM.

    Admission: Adults $17; Children (under 16) $9; Pensioner Holders $11 (with ID); Senior Card Holders $15; Family (2 adults and up to three kids) $40. Full details here or visit the official website.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  3. 'Destination Bond:' A Celebration Of 007 And Casino Royale

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-27

    A new 007-themed event will be coming in November 2006 to celebrate the release of Casino Royale. It is planned on Sat and Sun 18th/19th November at the Mill Hotel & Spa Destination, Chester. The press release follows:

    DESTINATION BOND
    A CELEBRATION OF 007 & CASINO ROYALE

    Sat and Sun 18th/19th November 2006
    The Mill Hotel & Spa Destination, Chester

    James Bond is back! And this time he’s played by Chester-born actor DANIEL CRAIG in the upcoming big screen adaptation of Ian Fleming’s debut novel ‘CASINO ROYALE’.

    To celebrate the return of the most successful movie hero of all time, and the debut of a brand new 007, there will be a weekend event at Chester’s popular Mill Hotel on Saturday & Sunday 18th & 19th November. ‘DESTINATION BOND’ producers Gordon Vickers and Brian Gorman promise Bond enthusiasts a fantastic event packed with special guests, musical tributes, Bond merchandise, costume and props exhibitions, an evening 007 themed Dinner Dance, ‘Casino Royale’ evening cruise, and the chance to win some fabulous Bond prizes.

    There will also be the premiere of a special Bond tribute film.

    All profits will be going to CANCER RESEARCH UK.

    Guests include: CAROLINE MUNRO (who played the helicopter assassin Naomi in the 007 classic ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, and who also appeared in the original 1967 ‘Casino Royale’ movie with Peter Sellers and Orson Welles). Caroline is one of the world’s most successful models, and was the famous ‘Lambs’ Navy Rum’ poster girl during the 1970s and 1980s. She starred in several Hammer Horror movies including ‘Dracula AD’ and ‘Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter’. Her biggest screen role came in the cult sci-fi film ‘Starcrash’ when she played the lead character of Stella Starr alongside Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff.

    JOHN GROVER was the film editor on several Bond movies including ‘The Living Daylights’, ‘Licence To Kill’, ‘Octopussy’, ‘Moonraker’ and ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. He has also worked on ‘Who Dares Wins’, ‘Labyrinth’, and ‘Dr Zhivago’.

    JOHN WYMAN played the blonde, muscular bad guy ‘Eric Kriegler’ in the 1981 Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’. He terrorised Roger Moore in a thrilling ski chase before battling 007 to the death in the movie finale.

    MADELINE SMITH was Roger Moore’s first Bond girl, Miss Caruso, in ‘Live And Let Die’. She also appeared in several Hammer Horror movies including ‘The Vampire Lovers’.

    Live music will be provided by popular all-girl band DIAMOND, who have already supported the likes of Girls Aloud, and feature HollyOaks actress CARLEY STENSON in their line-up.

    Gordon Vickers is the co-owner of The Mill Hotel in Milton Street – Chester’s very own ‘Little Venice’. Boasting 129 en-suite bedrooms, unrivalled leisure facilities including a gymnasium, pool, sauna, steam room, and the canal side ‘Peppermill Trattoria’. A venue that would certainly impress a man of Bond’s sophistication and taste, The Mill Hotel recently held a successful Fantasy Bond Girls competition.

    Brian Gorman is a freelance writer, film-maker, and producer for Enigma Productions. His recent events have included evenings at Alexander’s Jazz Theatre featuring COLIN BAKER (The 6th Dr Who), GARETH THOMAS (star of Blake’s 7), CAROLINE MUNRO (who was driven to the event in the latest Aston Martin DB9) and the inimitable JEREMY BEADLE. He also did PR & Marketing, plus interviewing guests for the recent sell-out ‘Dr Who At The Cavern’ event at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool.

    The two men have joined forces to produce an event to promote the city of Chester, celebrate the return of a national screen icon, and raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

    Publicity for ‘Destination Bond’ will be handled by MARKETING PROJECTS (Chester & London).
    Telephone: 01244 330000
    Website: www.marketingprojects.co.uk

    For more details on ‘DESTINATION BOND’ please contact: Brian Gorman (Event Co-Ordinator) on 07749 306508

    Email [email protected] or visit MARKETING PROJECT’s website.

    For venue details, there is a website at www.millhotel.com

    Press Release

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

    Related ‘Casino Royale’ Articles

    Casino Royale Main Page

    Casino Royale Latest News

    Casino Royale International Release Dates

    Casino Royale Cast & Production Updates

  4. Meet With Bond Girl Joanna Lumley In July

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-24

    James Bond fans will get a chance to meet with one of the Bond girls of 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service this July.

    Joanna Lumley, who played the English ‘Angel of Death’ in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service will be appearing at the Vintage Magazine shop on Saturday, 29 July 2006 to meet with fans and sign autographs. Full details available here.

    Meet Joanna Lumley
    Saturday 29 July 2006
    From 12 Noon
    Vintage Magazine Shop
    39-43 Brewer St.
    London, W1F 9UD
    (020) 7439-8525

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  5. International Sports & Entertainment Festival Report

    By righty007 on 2006-07-12

    Chris WrightThe first annual International Sports & Entertainment Festival was held in Cleveland, Ohio on June 15 – 18, 2006 at the Cleveland Convention Center. David Hedison and Priscilla Barnes, aka Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leiter were among the many actors and athletes in attendance. Another actor in attendance worth mentioning is Adam West. Many know him as my favorite superhero, Batman, from the campy but entertaining ’60s television series, but few know him as one of the guys who turned down the role of James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Since Cleveland is my hometown I was able to attend the festival without having to travel too far.

    The festival started on Thursday, June 15, 2006 so my father and I walked to the Cleveland Convention Center from his office around one o’clock, an hour after it officially opened. After paying the $15 entry fee, we took two sets of escalators down to the room where the festival was being held. The sports section included many athletes including two former Cleveland Indians players and Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown and more than a hundred exhibitors selling trading cards, uniforms, bats, balls, bobble heads and other sports memorabilia. I was shocked because I thought we had come to the International Sports & Munsters Festival. Although the entertainment section included a long row of tables for celebrities to sign autographs at and many exhibitor tables selling entertainment memorabilia such as vintage movie posters and autographed pictures, only Butch Patrick, aka Eddie Munster, was signing autographs. All the other tables were empty which meant the celebrities weren’t on a break, they simply weren’t there! The only interesting thing I saw was a guitar signed by all four of the Beatles (earmuffs not included).

    I was furious because I’m used to events starting at the time and date scheduled. Perhaps I didn’t look at the festival’s website close enough but I saw no indication that the celebrities wouldn’t arrive until Friday the 16th. Everything including David Hedison’s official website said the festival would be held on June 15 – 18, 2006 so I assumed he and the other celebrities would be there the whole four days. My father and I went back up the escalator to find out what the deal was with this bogus festival. What did we find? Fours signs, one for each day, listing which celebrities would be there. The names of the three celebrities I wanted to meet were on every sign except for the one for Thursday. These signs were only visible after paying the entry fee. My nose is an old friend of mine and it told me something smelled. It was the smell of a scam.

    It doesn’t feel very good to be scammed now does it? Due to a false title, you thought this article was going to be about me actually meeting David Hedison, Priscilla Barnes and Adam West. Sorry. Check the introduction again, I said I attended the festival but never once mentioned me actually meeting anyone.

    Okay, so I returned the next day. I figured it was worth paying another $15 for a ticket to meet Felix Leiter, Della Churchill and Batman. I was flying solo this time because my dad had had too much “fun” the previous day. I was now equipped with a camera (I was hoping I could get some pictures with the three actors) and my Live And Let Die, Licence To Kill and Batman: The Movie DVD covers (I was hoping I could get them signed for free in addition to paying for a signed picture).

    Alone and nervous, I took the two sets of escalators down to the room where the festival was taking place like I had done exactly twenty-four hours earlier. The first table I saw had a white tablecloth with stacks of Batman pictures. The sign behind the table said ADAM WEST but he was nowhere in sight. I walked a little further down the line and stopped at the table with a sign that said PRISCILLA BARNES. The table was filled with pictures from Three’s Company and Licence To Kill. Ms. Barnes was absent but there was a man sitting in her chair so I figured she either had a sex change or simply wasn’t there. I settled with the latter and moved on. You’re probably thinking to yourself right now that Friday was going to end up like the previous day but I knew it wouldn’t since I could see David Hedison sitting a few tables down.

    CBn's Chris Wright with David Hedison

    CBn’s Chris Wright with David Hedison

    I stopped at the table that not only had a DAVID HEDISON sign but the man was actually in his seat! He was talking to somebody so I patiently waited for my turn. I was really nervous at this point because I was standing inches away from the man who played Felix Leiter in Live And Let Die, the film that introduced me to the James Bond films. I was also nervous because I had never met a celebrity before (seeing Eddie Munster the previous day didn’t count). I introduced myself and shook his hand. I pointed to my shirt and nervously stuttered, ‘I’m a staff member at CommanderBond.net.’ He replied with, ‘Oh, so you’re a Bond guy?’ I nodded. He then pointed to each picture telling me which Bond film they were from (I knew but listened anyway). I asked him to autograph the one of him and Roger Moore in the Filet of Soul restaurant. While he was signing the picture, I asked him if he had heard about the new Felix Leiter. He replied, ‘Jeffrey Wright? He’s a very good actor.’ I agreed and asked him what he thought about Daniel Craig. He said Craig was a good choice but thought Clive Owen was going to get the role. I was happy to know that he still keeps up with the Bond franchise. I also asked him to sign my Live And Let Die and Licence To Kill DVD covers. The grand total was $40 but I was able to turn my two Special Edition DVDs into Ultimate Edition DVDs.

    David Hedison with Roger Moore in 'Live And Let Die'

    David Hedison with Roger Moore in ‘Live And Let Die’

    I thanked Mr. Hedison and left to see if Priscilla Barnes was at her table yet and she was. When it was my turn, I asked her to autograph the picture of her and Timothy Dalton cutting the wedding cake. She also signed my Licence To Kill DVD cover. After I paid her assistant she asked me, “Would you like a condom?” I was shocked, speechless and probably turned a little red. Was Priscilla Barnes advocating safe sex or did she want me to play the role of Felix Leiter in her hotel room later on? I was relieved when she pulled out plastic protection in the form of a slipcase for the picture she had just signed. I will always remember the moment when Della Churchill punk’d me!

    Priscilla Barnes with Chris Wright Priscilla Barnes with Timothy Dalton in 'Licence To Kill'

    Priscilla Barnes with Chris Wright / Priscilla Barnes with Timothy Dalton in ‘Licence To Kill’

    I noticed that the guy behind me in Priscilla Barnes’s line was holding a mini Licence To Kill poster to be signed. Assuming he was a Bond fan, I introduced myself and told him that my favorite Bond film is Live And Let Die and that Roger Moore is my favorite James Bond. I was surprised when he said his name is also Chris and that we share the same favorite Bond film and actor. What are the odds? He told me he had been to CBn before but that he had never posted in the forums. He joined later that day as macgille007. I took a picture of Chris and Priscilla together and he returned the favor. He took a picture of me with Priscilla and then one with me and David. I had met both Bond actors but I still had one objective left.

    Adam West as Batman

    Adam West as Batman

    I walked over to Adam West’s table and to my surprise he was nowhere to be found. His agent was sitting there so I asked him when Mr. West would be arriving. He said 1:30 so I looked at my watch and it wasn’t even one o’clock yet. While I was waiting for him I walked around the festival drooling on original movie posters for Bond films such as You Only Live Twice, Live And Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun, For Your Eyes Only, and The Living Daylights. The $400 – $600 price tags for each poster scared the living daylights out of me so I went to see the other celebrities. Unfortunately Eddie Munster, Joannie from Happy Days, and Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch didn’t interest me. Mr. West finally arrived at around 2:15. He walked down the stairs in a jacket, baseball cap and sunglasses. I followed him to his table and got in line. He sat down and immediately started signing pictures. He charged me $40 for an autograph (it would have cost another $40 to get my DVD cover signed and $10 to get a picture taken with him), shook his hand and left. I was now broke and outraged at his prices but I had got what I came for and left.

    David Hedison and Priscilla Barnes are class acts and I’m glad to have met them. Meeting Adam West was cool because he’s Batman but other than that not very memorable. I forgot to ask him about On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Oh well. I’m glad George Lazenby got the role and that Michael Keaton is my favorite Batman or else I would have been extremely disappointed. I will always remember this festival because I had never met a James Bond celebrity before June 16, 2006.

    The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland hopes it will become a regular summer event and a boost for local hotels and other businesses. The festival organizers plan on holding it annually. Hopefully that means we can expect a bigger line-up of Bond stars in the future. CommanderBond.net will keep you updated on the second annual International Sports & Entertainment Festival coming in 2007.

    Check out DavidHedison.net for more pictures from the event.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  6. 'Bond Days Of Summer' 007 Marathon On Spike TV

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-11

    Get ready for a new James Bond 007 marathon on TV. Yahoo reports that Spike TV will feature James Bond movies all throughout August, telecasting every Tuesday evening in “Casino Cinema,” and every Saturday and Sunday starting at 4:00 PM, ET/PT. The full schedule includes:

    • Tuesday, 1 August
    • 9 PM – The World Is Not Enough
    • Sunday, 6 August
    • 3:15 PM – The Man With The Golden Gun
    • 6 PM – The Spy Who Loved Me
    • 9 PM – Die Another Day
    • Tuesday, 8 August
    • 9 PM – Goldfinger
    • Sunday, 13 August
    • 3:15 PM – A View To A Kill
    • 6 PM – Octopussy
    • 9 PM – Diamonds Are Forever
    • Tuesday, 15 August
    • 9 PM – Tomorrow Never Dies
    • Sunday, 20 August
    • 3:15 PM – Live And Let Die
    • 6 PM – Never Say Never Again
    • 9 PM – For Your Eyes Only
    • Tuesday, 22 August
    • 9 PM – Dr. No
    • Sunday, 27 August
    • 3:15 PM – Moonraker
    • 6 PM – From Russia With Love
    • 9 PM – Die Another Day

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  7. An Evening With Bond Girl Eunice Gayson

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-03

    Fans will get a chance to meet the very first Bond girl of the official 007 series–Eunice Gayson, who played the character of Sylvia Trench in Dr. No and also in From Russia With Love. Bondstars.com presents ‘An Evening With Eunice Gayson.’

    Bondstars.com invite you to spend an evening with one of Britain’s most popular actresses, from her days in live TV at Alexandra Palace to James Bond, Hammer Horror and The Sound of Music on stage in London’s West End, Eunice Gayson has enjoyed a successful and varied career spanning over 60 years. In this unique one woman show, Eunice will recall hilarious tales and anecdotes from her show business career.

    Signed merchandise will be available to purchase from 6:00pm and there will also be a paying bar.

    Bondstars.com

    An Evening With Eunice Gayson
    Saturday 18th November at 7:30pm
    Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
    Malet Street
    London
    WC1E 7JN

    Tickets are £12. Click here for full details.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

  8. James Bond Boat Show Heading To Melbourne

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-01

    James Bond fans will get a chance to see four of the magnificent boats used in the 007 films, thanks to the 2006 Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show – reports bymnews.com.

    Set for 6 to 10 July 2006 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, the show will feature the Tow Sled from Thunderball, the Bath-O-Sub from Diamonds Are Forever, the Neptune Submarine from For Your Eyes Only, and the Q-Boat from The World Is Not Enough.

    Thunderball: Tow Sled (1965)
    The underwater tow sled was used by James Bond and the villain Largo. There were 14 boats originally built for the production company. Today, there are only two known to exist. The original builder, Jordan Klein, owns the other remaining sled.

    Diamonds Are Forever: Bath-O-Sub (1971)
    The underwater bath-o-sub is one of two originally featured in the film and was used by 007’s nemesis, Blofeld, to escape from the oil-drilling platform that doubled as his headquarters. It can be seen as Blofeld climbs inside and is lowered over the side of the oil platform.

    For Your Eyes Only: Neptune Submarine (1981)
    This Neptune submarine is one of two originally built by the film’s production company. This is the actual working wet submersible that was seen throughout most of the film. It had to be operated by stunt men using scuba gear.

    The World Is Not Enough: Q Boat (1999)
    Major Boothroyd’s famous Q boat. Fifteen boats were originally built for the production. Today only 8 survive. The Q Boat that performed the barrel roll stunt seen on the screen will be on display.

    The 2006 Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show will be located at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre: Clarendon Street, Southbank (Melway Map 1C Ref G5). Show times are from 10 AM – 9PM on all days except Sunday 9 July: 10 AM – 7PM.

    Admission: Adults $17; Children (under 16) $8; Students & Pensioner Concession Card Holders $12 (with ID); Family (2 adults and all kids) $40. Full details here.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

  9. 'Viva Bond!' 007 Marathon on AMC

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-06-11

    Get ready for another James Bond film marathon. ‘From swimwear to spyware, he’s got the style that never goes out of fashion. Tune in to Viva Bond for a double dose of the world’s sharpest looking spy.’ Starting Monday, 12 June 2006 and continuing all week long through Friday, 16 June, the Viva Bond! 007 film marathon will be taking place on AMC. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

    The full schedule follows:

    • Monday, 12 June
    • 8 PM – From Russia With Love
    • 10:30 PM – Octopussy
    • Tuesday, 13 June
    • 8 PM – The Man With The Golden Gun
    • 10:45 PM – The Spy Who Loved Me
    • Wednesday, 14 June
    • 8 PM – The Living Daylights
    • 10:45 PM – Licence To Kill
    • Thursday, 15 June
    • 8 PM – Goldfinger
    • 10:15 PM – Moonraker
    • Friday, 16 June
    • 8 PM – Never Say Never Again
    • 10:15 PM – Thunderball

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

  10. James Bond On FilmFest HD In June 2006

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-06-04

    Ready for a new James Bond film marathon? 007 fans will be able to enjoy the classic films in high-definition throughout June 2006.

    Home Theater reports that FilmFest HD, a VOOM HD network, is showing a month-long marathon of 17 James Bond films. Uncut, commercial-free, and in high definition, the marathon is hosted by David Hasselhoff. FilmFest HD is on DISH Network (Channel 9475).

    The James Bond 007 films scheduled are:

    • Dr. No
    • From Russia With Love
    • Goldfinger
    • Thunderball
    • You Only Live Twice
    • On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    • Diamonds Are Forever
    • Live And Let Die
    • The Man With The Golden Gun
    • The Spy Who Loved Me
    • Moonraker
    • For Your Eyes Only
    • Octopussy
    • Never Say Never Again
    • A View To A Kill
    • The Living Daylights
    • Licence To Kill

    On June 17 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET, TREASURE HD (another VOOM HD Networks channel), will air a live auction from Planet Hollywood in New York with audio simulcast and live concurrent bidding at Planet Hollywood in London. The auction will feature over 50 lots of James Bond memorabilia including the original Lotus prototype driven be Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only. (It’s estimated at $250,000 to $350,000, so you’d better check the limit on your credit card before you start bidding.) The auction is being presented by Julien’s Auctions, and if you’re really serious about owning some of the Bond memorabilia (like Odd Job’s gold finger ring worn in Goldfinger, Odd Job’s steel-rimmed black felt derby hat, or a pair of opal and rhinestone drop ear-rings worn by Miss Moneypenny in Moonraker), you can bid online at Julien’s Auctions web site.

    Home Theater

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.