Plenty O'Auction

The Auction had ended but by request from some CBn members if you want to make a Donation to Lana Wood (which we will include in the check we give to her this weekend) I’d like to open up my paypal account for any of your donations. Please make all donation by midnight PST on Wednesday, July 27 so I have time to transfer the money to my bank account before the weekend. Thank you!

UPDATE July 24…
An anonymous CBn member has graciously offered to match the winning bid.

Bidding starts at $20 US (auction ends Monday July 25, 2005)
Please VISIT OUR AUCTION and help make a difference.

Bond fans know and love Lana Wood who played Plenty O’Toole aside Sean Connery’s James Bond in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. Lana has attended many conventions and Bond events in the past, signing autographs and sharing many terrific stories with her fans. Now here’s a chance for 007 fans to do something for Lana and get a couple very cool James Bond collectables as well.

Lana Wood’s daughter, Ev, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is 29 years old, a married mother of two incredibly wonderful kids and as you can imagine, they now have huge medical expenses. Both Lana and Ev’s husband are getting by the best they can, but they could use a little help.

Stuart Basinger (shatterhand007.com) has donated two items from his personal collection that he had signed by Lana Wood in Gaithersburg, Maryland this past May to help raise some money for Ev’s treatments.

“Lana told me at the autograph show that Ev has a negative attitude and feels her life will be cut short. She needs prayers from all of us as well as support that life is still worth living. After reading Lana’s bio and Fred’s message [from her old web-site], I felt drawn to helping out. Even if it is for just a small amount.”

–Stuart Basinger

What You Are Bidding On…

• BOOK: 1958 Diamonds Are Forever PAN edition paperback. It has some wear on the spine but overall not too bad for its age. Lana signed the inside: “I have friends in this town… one of which is you. Lana Wood – Plenty O’Toole – 05/14/05“
• CD: The original Diamonds Are Forevercd soundtrack (not the re-mastered). Lana signed it saying, “You handle those like a monkey handles coconuts. – Lana Wood – Plenty O’Toole – 05/14/05“
• BONUS: Included in this auction, Lana Wood has graciously offered to send a candid photo of her family and herself to the winning bidder.

Lana Wood will be attending the Hollywood Collector Show in Burbank, CA at the end of this month, July 30-31. During this show CBn will present her with a check. All of the proceeds we receive from this auction will be given to Lana that weekend.

Lana signing the cd

“I wish to thank each and every one of you, not for simply helping with this dreadful disease that has struck someone so young, but for also remembering me kindly… I sincerely appreciate every bid, thought and prayer!”

–Lana Wood

To discuss this visit this thread on the CBn
Forums.
A BIG thank you to Stuart Basinger of shatterhand007.com!

If you’re reading this: could you spread the news about this auction to everyone you know — Web-sites, forums, family, friends, enemies, co-workers, etc. That would be awesome. Thanks guys!

Baird May Board 'Casino Royale'

While no official deal has been made, CBn has learned that high-profile editor Stuart Baird is the top candidate for editor of Casino Royale, the twenty-first James Bond film due to start production in early 2006. Baird is currently working with director Martin Campbell on The Legend of Zorro.

The English-born Baird has edited such blockbusters as the first Christopher Reeve Superman film, Lethal Weapon, Mission: Impossible 2, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (for which he also received an executive producer credit). He also directed the last instalment of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Nemesis.

Christian Wagner, who worked with Lee Tamahori on Die Another Day, has long been rumoured to be the editor of Casino Royale. He was even listed for a period of time on the IMDb‘s Casino Royale listing. However, directors usually name the editor they want to work with, and for Campbell it appears that man is “Baird, Stuart Baird.”

With the recent confirmation that GoldenEye‘s Phil Meheux will be returning as Director of Photography, Eon and Campbell appear to be assembling an impressive A-list crew for James Bond’s latest adventure.

There is still no actor cast in the role of 007.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale .

To discuss this news visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

Related stories:

• Phil Meheux to Lens ‘Casino Royale’
• February 11, 2004: EON CONFIRMS CAMPBELL AND ‘CASINO ROYALE’!

'Casino Royale' a One Location Bond?

“I’ve always fancied a trip to South Africa.”

-James Bond
Diamonds Are Forever

CBn has received word that Casino Royale‘s shooting schedule in Prague will be confined to studio soundstage work with no exterior filming in the city. All exteriors and location shooting will take place in South Africa.

Is this an indication that Prague doesn’t feature in the storyline? Is it possible Casino Royale will be a “one location” James Bond film in the spirit of Dr. No (Jamaica) and You Only Live Twice (Japan)?

Further circumstantial evidence supports this. It’s been reported that Eon considered Budapest before settling on Barrandov studios in Prague, indicating that economical studio space is the reason for the Czech Republic location and not any of Prague’s historic sites. This is reminiscent of Eon’s move to France in 1978 for the filming of Moonraker (also for tax reasons). All of Moonraker‘s interiors were shot on soundstage in Paris, yet the French capital was not featured in the storyline.

A one location Bond film would be a refreshing change and would be in keeping with the spirit of the original Ian Fleming novel, which is set entirely in France. Prague has also been a bit “done to death” in recent films (Mission Impossible, xXx, The Bourne Identity, Blade 2) so avoiding it as a major locale might be advisable.

Of course, no Bond film is strictly a one location story as 007’s home base of England usually receives at least a cameo. Despite reports that the filmmakers have “abandoned” the UK, CBn has learned that Casino Royale will shoot for at least a week in England, presumably establishing shots of MI6 or some other essential UK-based Bond locale (Bond’s flat in Chelsea?). Post-production work will also be done in the UK.

While a one locale Bond film is still speculation at this point (but, hey, news has been slow, what else are we going to do?), with details of the Prague filming revealed, there now seems at least a possibility that in late 2006 we will see a South African James Bond adventure instead of a globetrotter.

Back to basics indeed…

A one location Bond film? Do you like this idea? Or is “globetrotting” an essential part of the 007 experience? Sound off in this thread on the CBn Forums.

Related Articles:

• ‘Casino Royale’ Moving to Prague
• Michael G. Wilson Talks ‘Casino Royale’

CBn Reviews 'Diamonds Are Forever'

Over the last several months, members of the CBn Forum have been reviewing all the James Bond films in the “Countdown Threads“. If you wish to join in on the forum discussion all you have to do is register. Now here are some select reviews, varying in opinions, of Diamonds Are Forever…

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Bond111

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ litho by Jeff Marshall

Not quite the mess that The Man With The Golden Gun is, but close. First off, the script is incredibly cheesy and absurd, and the action scenes aren’t up to par (not to mention the special effects). Sean Connery’s performance is obviously lacking, and he just doesn’t seem right for the film, or, rather, the film doesn’t seem right for him. The Bond girl is terrible, and probably one of the worst of the series. Charles Gray as Blofeld is even worse. He’s not even playing Blofeld.

The things I will give it credit for, however, is its quality score by veteran John Barry (though not really in my style), the exciting fight in the elevator, and the epic battle at the end (even though it ends too abruptly).

The end result ends up feeling more of a spoof of James Bond, rather than a wholehearted effort. This is bottom of the barrel Bond.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by DLibrasnow

A podgy, balding actor doing a bad impersonation of Sean Connery stars in this movie that seems confused between wanting to be a more serious James Bond picture and a more jokey seventies entry. What could (and should) have been a great tale of Bond avenging the murder of his wife with 007 tracking Blofeld around the world is instead turned into a wacked out amusement park ride. Flat setpieces (only the elevator fight with Franks gives any real excitement), loosely drawn characters, a ho-hum plot and the worst Felix Leiter of the series mean that this 1971 film fails on so many levels to serve as a swan song for Connery (no wonder he returned 12 years later for the far superior Never Say Never Again).

This movie really is going nowhere fast. Little do we care if 007 carries out his assignment or if the world survives the machinations of Blofeld. With Bond being chased by a couple of gay assassins and Blofeld prancing around dressed as an old lady the camp element becomes so pervasive that one almost expects Charles Gray to jump on a desk and start singing that number from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’

One of the major failings of this movie is Connery himself – he looks simply terrible (and in fact appeared much healthier and effective in Never Say Never Again). He also seems universally bored with the proceedings (as he probably was) and his monotone delivery of several lines produces not awe at his acting ability but yawns at just how uninteresting and boring the story is.

Overall a flat entry that does nothing for the audience. The climax aboard the oil rig must surely rank as one of the worst and least exciting of the series (and this from someone who loves the fight in the monastery in For Your Eyes Only). My least favorite Connery 007 movie.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Freemo

Sixth place in my “all-Connery Top Six” goes to Diamonds Are Forever. Just for being two glourious hours of comic book fun. Perhaps it’s a little flabby, a little cartoonish, but also impossible to tire of. Look at it as an “event” if you need to, Sean Connery the old gang back together again, in Vegas of all places, delivering some first-rate entertainment. The last true “adult” Bond film, with some wonderful witty dialogue and great characters.

Top stuff.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by hrabb04

The opening is really good, even though it’s Bob Simmon’s, armed with Sean Connery’s voice, who is doing all of the knocking the bad guys about. When we first see Sean, it’s almost a shock. He’s older, balder, and fatter, but it’s still Sean! I love it when he rips off the bikini top and strangles the girl. That is Bond all the way. When he nails Blofeld and his goons, welcoming his wife’s killer to hell, that again is Bond. Perfect. So far, so good.

Shirley Bassey’s theme is really good, starting with that effective opening sting. I love it that you can listen to it on the soundtrack now. Great stuff. Maurice Binder, you were a genius! And John Barry is a God amongst film composers. Nobody does it better!

Connery’s scenes with M are priceless, with Tom Mankiewicz’s script really shining here. I love his dialogue, alluding to Connery’s absence from the role. We do function in your absence, Commander!

Jill St. John is a hottie among hotties in this one. Her chemistry with Connery is spot-on, and they strike more than a few sparks. Same with Lana Wood. Her part is mangled through the crappy editing. You have to watch the deleted scenes on the DVD to put two and two together on the what and how of her character. Bad editor, bad!

Wint and Kidd are two of the best henchmen ever in a Bond movie. Bruce Glover is creepy and Putter Smith just cracks me up. He has that weird laugh. Perfect, perfect casting.

But then, well, we have Charles Gray as Blofeld. What the hell? Going from Donald Pleasance to Telly Savalas to this guy? Give me a break! He still has some funny lines, but you don’t want Blofeld to be funny! You want Bond at this point to want to rip his throat out!

Still, Diamonds Are Forever, while fun, is the weakest of the Connery’s for me, since we’re not counting Never Say Never Again.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Loomis

Fun stuff, despite (or perhaps because of) the filmmakers’ apparent desire to urinate on Fleming and totally trash everything held dear by Bond purists. Forget about 007 the spy – here, our hero is a tubby playboy type, involved in some kind of lighthearted jewel thief caper comedy rather than an espionage adventure. You get Connery back, but you don’t get Bond – swings and roundabouts, eh? But, hey, when you’ve got a terrific Barry score, some great locations and Ken Adam sets, and enough goofy and bizarre elements to keep lovers of the goofy and bizarre entertained till the cows come home, who’s grumbling? Not me. Wonderful chemistry between Connery and Jill St. John, some laugh-out-loud comedy moments (Wint and Kidd chortling in the car like Beavis and Butt-Head gets me every time), and hands down the most entertaining first 20 minutes or so of any Bond flick ever (the bra strangulation bit is genuinely unpleasant, though).

An enjoyable “Bond” outing (best to put it in inverted commas, I think) that doesn’t take itself too seriously (which is just as well).

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Moonraker

A great Bond film for Connery to go out with. The action sequences are very elaborate. Sean gives a decent preformance and has great one liners with Tiffany. Tiffany is a good Bond girl, smart and sassy especially at the gas station seen. Charles Gray is decent Blofeld, but not as good as the predecessors. Wint & Kidd are great villians as well. The score is fantastic and Shirley Bassey’s theme is magnificent, sexy, dark and cool. Overall a great film my all favourite James Bond film.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Qwerty

It’s really not all that bad, it’s just not one of those top Connery films in my opinion. Ranking it at #15 seems to make out that I don’t care for this one too much, but you can never have enough Diamonds Are Forever. It’s a light, fast paced movie that keeps you entertained for the most part, throughout.

It’s nice to see Connery return, although I’ve always seen him as looking his worst in this film. While he may be the most disinterested in You Only Live Twice, he looks the least like the Bond we once knew him as in this one. He does get some pretty good lines, thanks to Tom Mankiewicz’s very sharp screenwriting. Charles Gray’s Ernst Stavro Blofeld is, however, the weakest of the three. He is hammed up and doesn’t really have all that much menace. While some of the dialogue he has with Bond is good, it isn’t enough.

Tiffany Case is a fair Bond girl. More enjoyable and believeable in the first half of the movie though.

The finale is one of the main problems with the film. It lacks spectacle, it lacks polish and just seems to be quickly thrown together. We do have, at least, a good score by John Barry, as well as a good main title song. Some good dialogue, but the film has good and bad parts on the whole.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Scottlee

The good: Very witty script from Mankowitz, hilarious in places | Connery looks enthused at playing Bond again. The 4 year break appeared to do him good, even if his weight was slightly dodgy. You couldn’t imagine the 62-65 Connery physique, for instance, getting slapped around by Bambi and Thumper. | Wint and Kidd are superb, and aren’t over-used. | Good score | Decent pre-credits

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Tarl Cabot

A flabby Connery with a bad hair day and a lame revenge of Tracy’s murder makes this outing Connery’s least worthy. It entertains but it’s not the Bond film that the series deserved as a follow up to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. A lot of fans seem to wish Connery had starred in the superior On Her Majesty’s Secret Service but I think Diamonds Are Forever would have been better with Lazenby as Bond.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by tdalton

I have no idea what Saltzman and Brocolli were thinking when they came up with the idea behind this film. It might have been alright if the film had come later in the series, but it just doesn’t work as a follow up to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

First of all, Sean Connery doesn’t really seem all that interested to be returning to the role of 007, and it shows in his performance. He just waltzes through the film as though he is just waiting to pick up that monsterous paycheck upon the completion of the film. George Lazenby should have been allowed to return to the role and at least finish what he started in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the film would have been better off if that had happened.

The main reason that Diamonds Are Forever does not work is the fact that it should have been a revenge story, but instead, it is almost a slapstick comedy, almost a foreshadowing of the Roger Moore Era that was to follow. I just am not willing to believe that someone like James Bond could be put in the same room as the man who murdered his wife (in the previous film) and that he doesn’t seem to have any extra animosity towards Blofeld. It doesn’t make sense, and it is just a crime that the Bond fans were not able to get a true revenge story following On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, one of the best films in the series.

Blofeld also poses another problem. He is horribly miscast in the guise of Charles Gray. Gray is a fine actor in his own rite, but after two consecutive films in which Blofeld has appeared as a short, bald man, it once again doesn’t make sense for him to appear in a third film as a taller man with a full head of hair. Also, instead of the deadpan performances of Donald Pleasance and Telly Savalas in You Only Live Twice and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Gray portrays Blofeld as a camp villian, and even dresses in drag towards the end of the film, something that the Pleasance and Savalas incarnations of the character would not have done.

Jill St. John is also miscast as Tiffany Case. She is just an annoying character that is there simply to fill the need for a Bond girl. After Diana Rigg in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, St. John is very disappointing and does not carry the screen well at all.

Blofeld’s caper is one of the same ho-hum space satellite weapon plots. He once again threatens to destroy cities if his demands are not met, and this is a tired plot device that we have seen before. Also, after the down to earth scheme in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever’s plot seems a bit farfetched.

The idea to set a Bond movie in Las Vegas, however, was a good idea. Las Vegas is the perfect place for 007. Unfortunately, it was not used to its full potential.

The score of the film was decent. Nothing spectacular, but definitely not the worst of the Bond scores. Shirley Bassey’s theme song, however, was outstanding.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by YOLT

I think Connery’s Bond legacy died with this film until 1983. Connery was so-so but the film was awful. It was just a film made to say that “Connery’s back so come and see it”. The locations and the action scenes were dull. The elevator fight was one of the highligths of the film. It was a bad and an awful Bond film.

CBn Reviews 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'

Over the last several months, members of the CBn Forum have been reviewing all the James Bond films in the “Countdown Threads“. If you wish to join in on the forum discussion all you have to do is register. Now here are some select reviews, varying in opinions, of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service…

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by 00-Fan008

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ litho by Jeff Marshall

This is a great film. It’s a shame Lazenby couldn’t do another one; his performance as Bond was very good. I don’t know if you could say his performance was rival to that of Connery’s, but I guess you could say he is still “up there”.

Telly Savalas, in my own opinion at least, was probably the best Blofeld of them all. There was something about him the other ones lacked; he seemed more sure of himself and more cunning, whereas the other ones were more in the manner of Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers films.

The end sequence between James Bond and Blofeld on the bobsleds was a very good idea. Like most of us who have seen movies, we all know a high-speed chase is effective.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by BondIsMoore

This is one Bond movie that doesn’t look or feel like any other Bond film. It has a sense of seriousness to it. Almost like this is a bond movie for adults. We see more intense action scenes and very serious issues facing Bond. The story makes Bond look more human unlike the gadget wielding, aston martin driving bond that we’re used to. George Lazenby was a younger and more comedic Bond then connery which made us feel even more sorry for bond in the end. The story does a great job of setting up a relationship with bond and Tracey in the first half and then sends Bond on his usual mission in the second.

By the third half, Bond is escaping Blofeld and the reintroduction of Tracey helped tighten the story and make it very exciting. The last half is thrilling with the assault on Blofeld’s headquarters as well as the chase with Blofeld himself. The ending is a happy, surprising, and sad way to end a Bond movie but is mostly shocking then anything. This film deserves credit for pushing the boundries and making something different then the average bond.

George Lazenby is great as Bond. His charasmatic acting help make his Bond very likeable. I wish connery didn’t accept to do Diamonds Are Forever. Maybe they would of got Lazenby back. Telly Savalas played a more serious Blofeld that was very beleivable and Diana Rigg was the perfect match for Lazenby.

John Barry creates a score that is perfect for the film. This score ranks as my second favourite.

This is my fifth favourite because the quality of the story outweighs the gadgets and all the flashy stuff from previous Bonds. This story had heart and could of easily been made into another typical bond but Peter Hunt did a great job of making a film more like the books then the Hollywood Bond.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by Qwerty

A grand extraordinaire of a James Bond film. It’s difficult at times to find a better Bond film than this one. Known sometimes to me as “The Christmas James Bond film”, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service never ceases to amaze and entertain.

Geroge Lazenby, while not Connery, gives a solid portrayal of James Bond 007. He’s a man of action, and this film very well supports that, giving him much to do in it. I feel, while I like the four other Bond actors better at times, for this single film, Lazenby showed off some very good points and he gives a better performance in it to just be labeled “that other guy that just did one.”

Diana Rigg; a true angel of a Bond girl. In my opinion, what can be said about her performance as Tracy is mostly all good points. She’s tough and resourceful, but not to a point where she’s trying to be better than Bond, and she doesn’t always remind the audience that she can do as much as he can, she just plays the role, and she plays it well. Her scenes of lashing against her father’s words and her eventual fall for Bond are acted out quite well. As is, which I say is perhaps the classiest moment in the film series, her skating onto the scene to help Bond escape from Irma Bunt and SPECTRE. Her death at the end of the film is a strong one, strong enough that the James Bond theme is played at the very end to remind people that this is a Bond film, no matter what these large differences are that have yet to occur in the series, (such as the Bond girl being killed).

Ernst Stavro Blofeld and Irma Bunt are very solid Bond villains. They both deliver well, with Bunt’s casual barking of orders at dinner to be quite the way she defines her respect. I have come to like Telly Savalas performance more and more over time. His calm manor, almost competitive in that he has moments where it seems he has taken control over Bond’s actions are good touches and add to the film.

John Barry is a master and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is without a doubt one of the places to look for evidence of that. Shows a main title piece doesn’t need lyrics or a performer to be a damned good “killer tune”. The whole score, from the romantic melodies to the fast-paced action cues is on top of the game and is always enjoyable to listen to.

Peter Hunt deserves much credit for taking what many fans call Ian Fleming’s best James Bond novel and doing something great with it – simply turning it into a film. He had the right idea in mind to faithfully adapt many parts of the story, as it worked so well.

It’s a classic Bond film that only seems to get better over time.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by Scottlee

Churned out entirely without gimmick, and what your left with is a true classic. The film just doesn’t seem to give a toss that an new, unknown actor is playing the lead (There’s a brief tip of the hat to Connery in the pre-titles and that’s it). Neither does the film care that at 140 minutes it’s reducing its chances of maximising its profit margin. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service quite simply knows it’s fab, end of story.

The score is wonderful, excelling in both the fast action sequences and the slow mushy moments where Bond romances Tracey. This however is easy to remember should you be reading this as a person who has seen the film several times. What you might not recall are the delicately plotted background pieces when Bond first reaches Switzerland, or the risky but ingenious placing of the Bond theme on the credits at the end. So what if the film doesn’t have a happy ending? Does that mean 007 should hide behind a mopey Serra-esque number as well as Tracey braids? Of course it shouldn’t! Play the Bond theme already. Show audiences that the owners of the characters are proud to have Bond associated with…wait for it….”being human”.

The baddies aren’t the best. Irma bunt is evil enough, but never much of a physical threat. And Telly Savalas’ Blofeld only scores 2nd best in the list of best interpretations of this character. He does though seem well suited as the Blofeld for THIS film, and he rides a mean bobsleigh at the end. On the whole however, Bond’s best tussles with villains in this film are with the un-named ones (shed of bells, cliff edge, beach, etc)

The ski sequences are magnificant, full of atmosphere and suspense, a statement you certainly can’t apply to most of Moore and Brosnan’s dallying with the old white stuff (For Your Eyes Only exempted). Tracey is a magnificant Bond girl, and some of the M16 staff get their best scenes in the entire series. I love the human side to Bond being allowed to shine through, and I love the fact that gadgets are given a rest. I wouldn’t like it if all the Bond films were like this, but as a one off film this is truly superb.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by Tarl Cabot

So what if Sean Connery isn’t in it? This love story required a younger, less jaded Bond with a more open heart. The story is fascinating as it doesn’t develop with the usual briefing. Bond’s personal life and profesional duties overlap while on Holiday in Portugal.Teresa is a first class Bond girl; intelligent and resourceful. Blofeld is deliciously evil as performed by Telly Savales, another so called casting error I happen to enjoy as is.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a fine 007 film. It has enchanting locales, a superb score,an unconventional ending and servicable leading man in George Lazenby. I was born the day it was released in the USA so I have to be a fan!

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by tdalton

It seems to be a theme in the Bond series that, when 007 embarks on a mission that is heavily space-based, his next film is very realistic and grittier, and often one of the better entries into the series. This phenomenon started with On Her Majesty’s Secret Service after Connery’s Bond stopped nemesis Blofeld from starting WWIII by capturing rockets in outerspace in You Only Live Twice.

The biggest story of the film is, of course, that there is a new Bond on duty. Connery left the role after You Only Live Twice. George Lazenby stepped into the role for this one film. Lazenby was fine in the role and was very effective as Bond in a hyper-emotional Bond film. Had Connery stayed around for one more film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service certainly would have been hands down the best Bond film and would have also been widely considered a cinematic masterpiece, but Lazenby holds his own and showed a great deal of promise as 007. Unfortunately, he did not stick around to portray Bond again in Diamonds Are Forever.

In this film, Bond once again faces of against Blofeld, but this time the plan is more realistic. Germ warfare is Blofeld’s game, and he hides it in an allergy clinic in the Alps. Blofeld’s scheme this time is obviously more realisitc than it was in You Only Live Twice, even though the idea of germ warfare was a long way off.

In probably some of the more inspired casting choices in Bond history, the producers assembled a very strong supporting cast to help out Lazenby and keep the audiences mind off the fact that Connery was no longer in the picture. Diana Rigg was a star in the U.S. because of her role as Emma Peele in The Avengers, and was the perfect leading lady for 007. She is quite possibly the best of the Bond girls. Telly Savalas is a serviceable Blofeld, although it would have been better to get a European to portray the part. Gabrielle Ferzetti was brilliant as Marc Ange Draco, the mob boss and father of Tracy.

Some people complain about the lack of action in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but I believe that to be one of its strong points. It is a “talky” Bond, but the tension builds between the characters, especially Blofeld and Bond, and when there is action, such as the car chase and the ski sequences, they are handled very realistically and are very well put together. The action is here because it pushes the story forward, rather than having the story plugged in around action sequences that were pre-arranged by the writers and producers as has happened in some of the Bond films that followed.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ -by TortillaFactory

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. How do I hate it? Let me count the ways. Or, you know, not.

Bond’s romance with Tracy is central to the plot…and it got completely shafted here. In the book, it was clear why Bond fell for Tracy. She was vibrant, she was charming, she was different from everyone else. She had a, if you will excuse my urplyness, “beautiful soul”. Diana Rigg was attractive enough, but it was unclear what separated her from the other girls Bond regularly bedded. She was just…tepid.

And she was only in about 1/3 of the movie. Not cool. We’re supposed to believe Bond loves her, yet he neither speaks nor thinks of her when she’s not there. And he summarily sleeps with at least two other women. Yeah, okay. I’ll buy that! Not.

Lazenby is not a bad actor, per se, in the sense that Hayden Christensen is a bad actor. He played a credible character. It just wasn’t Bond. I read him described somewhere as as “whimpering jellymuffin”, which sounds about right. I like my Bond all snivelling and angsty as much as the next girl, but Lazenby took it a step too far. He was just too damn smug and cheerful about everything. No brooding. No nothing, really. He was just some nice bloke you’d hang out with.

And finally….the kilt. Oh the horror. I mean, he looked good in it and everything, but it still hurts my mind.

Vic Armstrong Not to Return?

According to
The Hollywood News, Vic Armstrong has been signed up to
direct a new film titled Shooting Stars, which,
thanks to computer magic, brings the stars of yesteryear back to cinemas –
including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart. Filming will start
when Vic has wrapped up work Mission: Impossible 3. So is it possible that Vic
Armstrong will not be working on Casino Royale?

Armstrong, who started working for the Broccoli
family as a stuntman in 1967’s You Only Live Twice and who acted as Second Unit
Director for Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day,
has reportedly wrapped up his 2nd Unit work on Steven Spielberg’s War of the
Worlds. Anyway, and this is new and not yet confirmed information, Armstrong is
said to head the 2nd Unit of Tom Cruise’s 3rd outing as Ethan Hunt. Both, Cruise
and Armstrong, got to know each other at the set of War of the Worlds.
Additionally, Armstrong is an experienced action choreographer and has worked in
Shanghai for The Great Raid. Shanghai will supposedly feature as a location in
M:I3.

Shooting of the latest Cruise movie will start in
Italy on July 18th, 2005 and is expected to last several months, because it
seems locations are set all around the globe. This means that the film will not
wrap before late autumn or early winter. After this, his work on Shooting Stars
could commence. It will only be Armstrong’s 2nd movie (after Joshua Tree, 1993)
where he acts as Director, which means that Armstrong will be involved in
pre-production, shooting and post-production. In case Casino Royale really
starts filming in January 2006, Vic Armstrong could not work on the 21st James
Bond film. Since Armstrong never was offered the Director’s chair for a Bond
movie, it is possible that he prefers Shooting Stars to Casino Royale.

Of course, this is all speculation and not based on
confirmed information. A big thank you to ‘Clopin’!
To discuss this news visit
this thread
in CBn’s Casino Royale forums.

CBn Visits 'Club Aston'

Aston Martin. In the automotive world, the name is revered and respected among car aficionados. In the world of James Bond, it’s as easily associated with a Walther PPK, Vodka Martini and a license to kill.

Happily, you only need a license to drive…and about $200,000 lying about.

CommanderBond.net was recently contacted by the PR firm representing Galpin Ford in Van Nuys, California, (the #1 Ford dealership in all aspects for the past 15 years) who asked if we would be interested in a personal tour of their new 2.5 million dollar Aston Martin showroom, ‘Club Aston’, where we would be treated as if we were all purchasing a Vanquish.

Galpin also handles Volvo and Jaguar sales and is only one of two Aston Martin dealerships in California. The other being Rolls Royce of Beverly Hills.

Last Wednesday, May 25, myself along with CBn Team Members Athena Stamos (Athena007) and John Cox (zencat) arrived at the dealership and were warmly greeted by sales director Joe Van De Veere who was very giving of his time and information. Joe is an Aston Martin expert and appreciative of our equal expertise on the world of 007.

## Let the games begin

The showroom is only accessible by one of two means. A private door located outside near the service department, or the main entrance on the second floor of the rather regal showroom. Both require a pass card and an actual thumbprint scan — It’s not just a novel idea, it truly works. Once your print is scanned your entire customer information immediately appears on Joe’s computer and he knows what to do.

The Front Entrance (left) and The Back Entrance (center, right)

A large cylindrical steel door rotates to reveal a circular chamber and cues any music the customer wishes. On this day, the familiar strains of Goldeneye greeted us and then revealed what is simply called “Club Aston”.

At first you’d wonder if you were entering an elegant hotel lounge. Certainly not a car dealership. A fireplace, leather chairs and couches, walls covered in suede, a 50 inch plasma screen and a second smaller one complete with wireless internet access set over a large walnut grain bar (should one wish to toast their purchase or delivery of their Aston Martin), take up the first room.

The shelves surrounding the fireplace and TV are filled with books covering a variety subjects from travel to wine and cigars, some rare first editions of classic literature and, of course, James Bond. Copies of both James Bond: The Legacy and Bond Girls are Forever were prominently displayed.

The center piece of the showroom is a polished black granite mirror finished turntable surrounded by curtains with a swirled steel ceiling design that cannot help but evoke the notion of the famous gunbarrel sequence. Fitted in to this ceiling is a computer controlled lighting system that can produce a variety of different effects. As our Team entered, a shear curtain slid aside to reveal a new black DB9 slowly rotating on the turntable. Joe then explained how it works when you decide to purchase.

To quote Roger Moore (James Bond) from Moonraker upon glimpsing the Drax residence:

> Good Lord?

An Aston Martin DB9 on the Turntable in Club Aston

Via an LCD touch screen located at the bar, he brought both screens to life. One showing a promotional Aston Martin video and the other giving almost Q Branch specs on the Aston Martin of your choice where one is able to design the colours (interior and exterior) and any “optional extras” you may desire. While there are a wide selection of colours available (they have done over 3,000), Aston Martin can match any colour you may wish or provide. Three of Galpin’s customers have had their Aston’s exterior colour matched to their own eye colour. The most popular has been, and will probably continue to be, the famous “Silver Birch”.

Having completed your design specs, and presuming your check is good, the process begins. From completion of order to delivery, the average time frame is around sixty days. All of Aston Martin’s cars are hand built in England.

When your car is ready, another part of the showroom comes into play. It’s actually not a room, but a vault. A large circular steel vault door that looks like it could house Fort Knox with keypad entry sits on the other side of the turntable just off the lounge. Built at a cost of $800,000 dollars, this is where your new Aston Martin will be waiting. Quoting room designer, Beau Boeckmann:

> This is a place that will make a billionaire say, ‘Wow!’

Many celebrities have purchased their own Aston Martin from Galpin and indulged in Club Aston. The showroom opened in April of 2005 with a gala event attended by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a host of celebrities. The Aston on display was Cubby Broccoli’s own 1987 black Volante convertible. One quote from actor Wilmer Valeramma (Fez of That 70’s Show fame) summed it up:

> When I walked in and heard that [Bond] music kick in, I knew I wanted to buy whatever was in that room.

The Club Aston Vault

Of course there was one actor who couldn’t attend due to a schedule conflict, Pierce Brosnan. Galpin personally delivered his Vanquish to his Malibu home and still services the car for Bond #5. Several LA based CBn members have caught a glimpse of Pierce in his silver birch Vanquish zipping about town. He still has yet to visit the showroom, but Pierce, it’s worth your time mate.

Joe continued with some history of exactly how impressive Aston Martin has been as a company with some stats and trivia that really does establish this as one of the finest hand-built motor car companies of the world. Since 1918, 88% of all Aston Martin’s are still registered and actively driven. Joe seems pleasantly surprised to learn that in the new Young Bond novel SilverFin, James learns to drive on a 1.5 Liter Bamford & Martin Sidevalue Short Chassis Tourer (one of the earliest cars built by “Aston” Martin). With a tap of his wireless keyboard, Joe called up CommanderBond.net on Club Aston’s plasma computer screen and promptly bookmarked the site. Yes, CBn is now part of the Club Aston experience.

Joe then gave us the scoop on Casino Royale and Aston Martin’s involvement.

Bond (whoever it may be) will be driving the new Vantage V8 (CBn Story). The first will be available in February of 2006 (probably the first seven or eight will end up in the hands of Vic Armstrong and his boys depending what they have planned) and a convertible model will follow within the first six months. It is to be an “entry level” car and priced between $110,000 to $130,000 — but is “the most important car Aston Martin has ever built.” That’s both the word from Joe and Aston Martin. Joe also promised when the first Vantage hits the showroom floor, CBn will get a call.

Our time in the Club Aston came to a close but not before an inspection of the DB9 and then the Vanquish on their main showroom floor.

Joe described how one should treat one of these magnificent automobiles:

> Drive it like you stole it.

Damn better than:

> Now pay attention 007.

The Showroom A.M. V12 Vanquish with Sticker Shock

Then the fun began for all three of us after our lovely Athena simply asked:

> Can we go for a ride?

Joe’s response (with a sly grin):

> OK — Twist my arm.

Within minutes a beautiful DB9 was available and we each took a turn. Bamboo dash, concealed flip-up GPS flat screen, push-button transmission available for automatic driving, and Formula-1 style “paddle shifters” on either side of the steering wheel for manual or “sports” driving. Left to go down, right to go up.

Zencat and myself allowed the “ladies first” policy and Athena was off for a quick spin with Joe. After a minute or so as we stood in the lot waiting, Zencat pondered:

> Think they’re coming back?

I replied with;

> Athena’s probably thrown Joe out and is headed for Mexico. She’ll be there in less than an hour in that thing.

Joe Van De Veere takes CBn for a testdrive in a DB9

Soon, we heard the now familiar sound of the twin exhausts — incredibly distinctive — and they rolled back in. Now it was my turn. The car goes around corners like a bullet train as if it was bolted to the road. At one point Joe went (on an open stretch) from 0-95+ in less than six seconds — which for the record is the equivalent of 7 G’s in the centrifuge. I’m not that old, but I think the skin being pulled back on my face took off a couple of years in my looks.

Even before Zencat left for his test-drive, I was already calculating my available cash in my stock portfolio and debating a second mortgage…and it would be worth every cent.

So, in conclusion, Aston Martin is the company it is because of what they do and how they continue to do it, Not just because of the company they keep — Bond doesn’t hurt though.

A few closing notes just as an FYI: This showroom is NOT a tourist attraction for Bond Fans. It’s a place of business. We were all (those present and the CBn Team) quite honoured by this exclusive look into a something that only few shall glimpse. If you’ve enjoyed this article and are thinking “Hey, I’ll go check this out.” — WRONG, Unless you’re there to do business and purchase an Aston, don’t bother.

You’re either an owner or there by appointment only. Joe can tell the difference. However, if you’re in the market and committed to a purchase, the people at Galpin and Joe are the kind you want to deal with when buying into a tradition such as Aston Martin… Not to mention buying a car that costs more than most people’s homes.

If you’re going to buy an Aston Martin, call Galpin Ford. They’ll get you in touch with Joe and you can talk about it.

To discuss Club Aston visit this thread on the CBn Forums

This article was contributed to by Team members Athena Stamos (Athena007) and John Cox (zencat), always a pleasure my friends. Pictures by/copyright Athena Stamos.

Special thanks to Ben Cooke of Arlene Howard Management LA for contacting us regarding this and even more special thanks and much appreciation to Mr. Joe Van De Veere Sales director of Galpin Aston Martin for giving us so much of his time and even bothering to add CBn to the Club Aston computer desktop.

Phil Meheux to Lens 'Casino Royale'

We may not be getting any closer to knowing the answer to the big question of who will play James Bond, but the pieces of the puzzle are slowly falling into place for Casino Royale‘s behind-the-scenes stars.

The IMDb has updated its cast and crew listing for the twenty-first Bond picture to include Phil Meheux as the film’s cinematographer. Meheux’s addition should come as no surprise to followers of Campbell’s films, as the duo have worked together on every feature film Campbell has made since 1988’s Criminal Law (with the exception of Vertical Limit, which, curiously, was lensed by Die Another Day‘s director of photography, David Tattersall), including Campbell’s first Bond outing, GoldenEye.

Although the IMDb’s listings should be taken with a grain of salt (the website still lists John Cleese’s involvement in the film, despite the fact that the last we had heard, the current Casino Royale script did not feature the character of Q), Meheux’s past involvement with Campbell’s movies strongly indicate that Casino Royale will, too, be added to their joint resumé.

The IMDb’s listing is currently rounded out by the usual Bond suspects, including costume designer Lindy Hemming, production designer Peter Lamont, casting director Debbie McWilliams and post-production supervisor Michael Solinger.

Cameras are set to roll on Casino Royale early next year for a November 2006 release.

Slowly, but surely, ‘Casino Royale’ is coming together.
Discuss this latest news in this thread on the CBn Forums.

UPDATE (30 Jun, 2005): CBn can now confirm that Phil Meheux is locked in as cinematographer for Casino Royale.

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• LICENCE REVOKED

CBn Reviews 'You Only Live Twice'

Over the last several months, members of the CBn Forum have been reviewing all the James Bond films in the “Countdown Threads“. If you wish to join in on the forum discussion all you have to do is register. Now here are some select reviews, varying in opinions, of You Only Live Twice…

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by DLibrasnow

‘You Only Love Twice’ litho by Jeff Marshall

Yes, it’s the one with the hollowed out volcano and what a fun ride it is too. It should come as no surprise to anyone that for me (who ranked the earily similar plot-wise The Spy Who Loved Me at #2 and is a fan of Roger Moore’s portrayal) that You Only Live Twice is high on my list of favorite Connery movies.

It’s fun and zany and like a Godzilla movie on steroids Bond is plunged into a kinetic, energized Japan. A country that is reeling from an identity crisis following a humiliating defeat in WWII for the traditional nation and the onslaught of 1960s pop culture of which the Bond phenomenon was a major part.

Connery for his part looks bored and tired with the role and so the film makers understandably have loaded this movie with special effects, martial arts fighting, gimmicks and yes, a hollowed out volcano. All in the hopes that Connery will get lost in the mix and his lack of enthusiasm for the part less evident as the viewers senses are assaulted by a vibrant concoction composed of all the spectacle and wonder that screenwriter Dahl and director Lewis Gilbert could conceive.

The mission seems ripped from the headlines to use an old cliché. The time is the late 1960s and with the US and USSR locked in a race for the dominance of space, the two nations are both having capsules hijacked by some unknown power. Of course in the hyperactive paranoia of the Cold War – each blames the other. But Britain, in its infinite wisdom, stands by their claim that their tracking placed the object (that seized an American rocket) land somewhere in the sea of Japan.

The movie begins with one of my all-time favorite pre-credits sequences. Bond is in bed with an attractive Chinese girl. In what appears to be a double-cross however she pushes a button that sends the bed into the wall before letting a couple of assassins in who pepper the bed with bullet holes. Having the hero “killed off” at the beginning of the movie is a gimmick that has been copied often (and in fact first echos the opening of From Russia With Love. But Gilbert crafts it expertly.

A solid entry in the Bond series – too light for some, but certainly a lot of fun throughout.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by freemo

Fourth place in my “all-Connery Top Six” goes to You Only Live Twice. I know story wise it’s completely different to the book, and alot of people don’t like that, but I think the film to a degree has the spirit of the book about it. Like the book the film is set in Japan, and gives a real good look at the place, and like the book the film has this stench of death that hangs around (yeah, I know people die in all the Bond films, but with Twice it always seems to be just when you’ve gotten comfortable, them WHAM!, Henderson gets a knife in the back, or Aki is posioned. Hell, even Bond dies at the start of this one).

Naturally “Little Nellie”, Tanaka’s Ninja Army, and Blofeld’s volcano headquarters are what You Only Live Twice is best remembered for, but I like just as much the first half of the film: Bond going around town following leads, Bond getting a traditional Japanese bath, etc.

Also has my favorite score, and runs neck and neck with Live And Let Die for my favorite title song.

Top stuff.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by Genrewriter

A good, entertaining effort but it really tries too hard to top Thunderball and like Moonraker, just doesn’t hit the marks it needs to hit to top the preceeding film. Connery seems to be phoning it in and while the set design is incredible as usual, the action of the volcano opening and closing gets to be a bit tedious after a while, especially during the final forty minutes or so. The finale itself is basically little mjore than a huge shootout followed by a adequate brawl with Blofeld’s henchman and a nice race against the clock.

As for positive points, I’ve always loved Donald Pleasence as Blofeld. While he’s not a physical match for the Fleming character, he does make a strong impression and if you recall a passage in Goldfinger about all the troubles in the world being caused by short men, the casting is quite clever. The Bond girls are decent enough though a little more insight into Kissy would have been good as much of what we hear could almost qualify as Informed Attributes; we don’t really see her in action enough for her to be believable as an agent. The performance is alright but the character is woefully underwritten.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by Janus Assassin

After some of the earlier great Connery films, You Only Live Twice feels like a let down to me. Maybe it was the setting…maybe it was Connery. I think it was the fact that they totally abandoned Fleming’s book and made the story around a spacecraft capturing other spacecrafts and World War III about to start. Space settings looked very cheesy and bad back in the 1960’s.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by Moonraker

One of Bond’s most outlandish outings. The plot is unbelievable, and is no where near as good as the novel or close to the story lines. There are good characters but not very good characterisation. The setting and the score are lush and beautiful and Ken Adam’s sets are amazing, but the plot is so far out that I don’t care for the last half.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by Qwerty

Quite a tough film for me to always classify due to the slightly tiring appearance of Connery, a wide variety of villains and girls and, yet some of the most breathtaking changes made in the film.

First off, the locations. Japan is portrayed quite well in the film, with the cinematography really captivating the viewer. When Bond looks up in the sky to see the dark, orange lit colors, for the three seconds it’s on the screen it works. The fight at Kobe docks certainly does not need explaining for the sheer difference in the way the camera scales further back in the sky.

The villains and girls are an odd bunch, and because this is much like the deal in DAF, it makes them quite hard for me clasify. Blofeld, Osato, Hans, Helga Brandt, Kissy and Aki all do fine in the film, but there could have been several improvements that would make them move from fine villains to excellent ones. Helga Brandt suffered (I think) from not enough screen appearance and chance to develop her character, and I think the idea to catapult off Fiona Volpe’s role was the main reason for her character’s creation.

The music by John Barry is widely regarded as the most, yes that word again, atmospheric of the series, with lush orchestrations underlining the tense action cues. Maurice Binder is at it again with, (I feel) not his most extraordinary work, but excellent none-the-less. Nancy Sinatra’s song is also supreme.

‘You Only Live Twice’ -by Turn

This is the film where the series really got steered off course into the big-budget fantasy land. Some may argue Thunderball was, but this is really the film where Bond became SuperBond and the gadgets took over. Thunderball at least had an interesting story wrapped around the underwater stuff and stunts whereas You Only Live Twice takes the opposite approach and shoehorns other the story around the numerous locations and vehicles.

Part of the problem is letting Roald Dahl, virtually a screenwriting novice, do the script. Richard Maibaum would have lent some continuity at least. I’d like to see the original script, but it’s more like he came up with the big chase ideas first then built the story and it really hurts the whole thing. A great novel was largely wasted here.

We are supposed to suspend disbelief when watching a Bond film, but here it really goes over the edge — Bond stumbles onto a safe and just happens to have a mini safecracker in his pocket; a helicopter appears from nowhere to magnetize a car and dumps it into the bay; a point is made that there is a cave with poisonous gas at one point, then later on people escape through it with no problem; Bond has handy suction cups just perfect for navigating hollow volcanoes he may stumble across. And the fact somebody could hollow out a volcano without anybody noticing. It’s all just too much.

Other problems — none of the girls are particularly memorable. We are already getting Odd Job, Red Grant and Fiona Volpe clones. The dubbing is atrocious. The Little Nelly sequence is overblown with little suspense as Bond pushes nearly every button in the order Q explained them.

Then there’s the sleepwalking Connery. A lot of people claim his worst performance is in Diamonds Are Forever, but I disagree. His performance there is laid back and he seems to have some fun. In You Only Live Twice, his boredom and the problems surrounding the film and his personal life are evident. He gets little chance to display the old charm as he’s mostly busy racing from vehicle to vehicle and location to location. That would be enough to make Ironman Triathlon competitors winded.

I really want to like You Only Live Twice and there are several things to like — John Barry’s score; the scenery; the cinematography; Ken Adam’s sets. You Only Live Twice has an atmosphere unlike most of the other films in the series, making Japan almost alien in nature, so we are often as bewildered as Bond is by the customs and culture. The film really is a feast for the senses. There’s also a nice sense of urgency that the world’s fate is at stake here, something its clones, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and Tomorrow Never Dies, lack.

Combine those positives with a better story and less emphasis on hardware and spectacle and You Only Live Twice would have been something really special rather than a case of larger-than-life aspects taking over.

Sources: Eon, Sony Considering Young Bonds

The 007 youth movement rolls on. If a series of Young Bond novels wasn’t enough for fans, CBn has learned that Eon Productions and Sony are considering some VERY young actors for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale. Some of the actors being considered are unknowns in their mid and early 20s. One hot contender is only 22.

Clive Owen, who many feel would make an ideal 007, recently expressed puzzlement that he hasn’t been approached for the role. In an interview with UK Cosmopolitan, Owen states, “I’ve always wanted to be James Bond. I’ll pour it all out right now. Why won’t they offer it to me?”

A source had the answer for CBn, “He’s too old.”

The search for a young Bond is justified by the comments of director Martin Campbell that Casino Royale will portray Bond’s first mission as a double-oh agent (leading some to dub the 21st Bond film “Bond Begins”). But is it conceivable that a man could reach the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy and achieve 00 status in the British Secrete Service all by age 22?

This isn’t the first time Eon has considered a radically younger 007. Timothy Dalton was first approached to play Bond when he was only 26 (some sources put his age 24), but told Cubby Broccoli that he felt he was just too young for the part. Most Bond fans agree, saying Bond should be in his 30s at the very least.

However, many don’t realize that we’ve already had a twenty-something 007 in George Lazenby who was only 29 when he slipped on the tux for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. And some shrug their shoulders at age, saying it’s all about the individual actor and how he plays the part. As long as the actor has the gravitas of a Sean Connery, they could accept him as 007.

Bond fans need not panic (or celebrate) just yet. The search for the new 007 is far from over and anything can happen. Despite almost daily tabloid reports of a new “frontrunner,” it’s possible the short list is still very long and final screen-testing may not get underway until Martin Campbell is finished with The Legend of Zorro in mid-summer.

But as it stands at the moment, the idea of a very young 007 is definitely “on the table.”

Discuss this latest news in this thread on the CBn Forums.

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