Ian Fleming's 'Thrilling Cities' Coming In July 2008

Ian Fleming

Back in March of this year, CommanderBond.net informed readers that in addition to the centenary edition reprints of all 14 of Ian Fleming’s James Bond adventures and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, fans could also keep an eye out for new editions of two of his other non-Bond works: The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities.

First published in 1957 and 1963, respectively, The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities are two of the most overlooked of Fleming’s works and have both been out of print for decades.

Today, we can announce that the new edition of Thrilling Cities will hit bookshelves this July.

Published by Ian Fleming Publications Limited, this hardback edition will retail for £15.00. Cover artwork is yet to be revealed.

Thrilling Cities collects together a series of travel articles originally penned by Fleming for the London Sunday Times. Featured cities include: Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, Geneva, Naples, and Monte Carlo.

The original US edition of the book in 1964 marked the debut of Fleming’s little-known Bond short story, 007 in New York (it has since been included in the Octopussy and The Living Daylights collection as of 2002 onwards).

The new edition of Thrilling Cities can be pre-ordered online:

• Order the UK hardback edition of Thrilling Cities from Amazon.co.uk

Details on the new edition of The Diamond Smugglers remain forthcoming. Stay tuned to the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of all the latest literary James Bond news.

To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Autobiography Of 007 Guitarist Vic Flick Coming In August

An autobiography of Vic Flick, the man responsible for the instantly recognizable guitar strums of the James Bond theme, is in the works.

The Ultimate James Bond Fan Blog alerts us that 007 fans can pre-order Vic Flick, Guitarman now, with the book due for release in August 2008.

The official blurb from publisher BearManor Media follows:

This book is by a musician who worked in every major recording and television studio in London during that wonderful musical period of the 1960s and 1970s.

One of the first call session guitarists in the UK, Vic Flick has a bounty of true stories. Stories of the drama and humor, the tensions and the rewards of working with first class musicians and internationally known artists in the world of recording, Television and Radio.

Vic Flick’s connection with the James Bond films is legend. His guitar sound on the James Bond Theme stirred the hearts and imaginations of a generation. Here is a book that tells of the music business from the inside, about the music, the good and the bad business practices, the money, the agents and the managers.

From the Beatles to Nancy Sinatra, from Tom Jones to Dusty Springfield, it’s all within the pages of Vic’s autobiography.

Vic Flick, Guitarman will retail for $19.95 and can be ordered online at BearManor Media.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond-related news.

Bond On Blu-ray Officially Announced

As previously reported by CommanderBond.net, James Bond is headed to Blu-ray this year with six titles due to hit shelves to coincide with the theatrical release of Quantum of Solace.

Casino Royale has been the only 007 film released on the format to date – and was a massive commercial hit.

The full press release follows.

Bond, James Bond on Disc, Blu-ray Disc

MGM and Fox to Release Six Classic Bond Films on Blu-ray Worldwide This Fall

Includes the Fully Restored Bond Classic Dr. No and FIVE More Action-Packed, Must-Own 007 Titles Available for the First Time Ever in High Definition; Timed to Theatrical Premiere of Quantum of Solace

LOS ANGELES-The world’s most well known secret agent and his bevy of babes are even hotter in high definition when six, must-have, classic James Bond films debut worldwide on Blu-ray Disc – (OCT. 21 North America / OCT. 20 UK/International) – from MGM and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Recently restored and re-mastered for the highest quality picture and sound quality via the state-of-the-art Lowry process digital frame-by-frame restoration and featuring special features galore, Bond is primed for Blu-ray Disc with a selection of 007 adventures spanning the storied career of cinema’s most recognizable spy. Bond titles arriving on Blu-ray Disc, timed to the highly anticipated worldwide theatrical premiere of the 22nd James Bond mission Quantum of Solace this November, include Dr. No, Die Another Day, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love and Thunderball.

The world’s most successful film franchise, Bond… James Bond has generated more than one billion dollars in global box office gross and boasts an astounding 98% global consumer awareness. Casino Royale, the most recent James Bond film starring Daniel Craig, debuted on BD March 2007, and continues to rank as one of the best selling Blu-ray Disc releases to-date.

“With Quantum of Solace on the horizon, Bond fever is building once again and there is no better time to re-introduce these beloved films featuring the best picture and sound quality available today to the 60 million+ HD-capable households worldwide,” said Eric Doctorow, General Manager Worldwide, MGM Home Entertainment.

Exact worldwide market release dates and title configurations will be announced in the coming weeks.

Blu-ray Disc is the next generation optical disc format developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the Blu-ray Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for high definition feature films with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material. Blu-ray also features the most advanced copy protection, player backward compatibility with the current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity.

MGM and Fox’s commitment to emerging technologies is dedicated to enhancing the consumer experience of its products and providing for backward compatibility with their existing home entertainment libraries while also aggressively protecting its intellectual property from piracy. The Blu-ray companies fully embrace the studios’ steadfast commitment to the fight against piracy and the preservation of the integrity of its properties. Twentieth Century Fox is a member of the Board of Directors of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest news about James Bond’s arrival on Blu-ray.

'Devil May Care' Clings To #1 Spot In UK

Sebastian Faulks’ hugely successful James Bond novel, Devil May Care, has clung to its number one spot in the UK, reports theBookseller.com.

In its second week of release, booksellers sold 27,842 copies of the centenary novel, just 17 more than the week’s number two title, Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden.

Last week, CommanderBond.net reported that Devil May Care was Penguin’s bestselling hardback fiction title of all time, shifting 44,093 copies in its opening week.

In the United States, however, sales have slipped more substantially. K1Bond007 reports Devil May Care slipped 20 places to #56 on USA Today’s bestseller list.

On other charts, it performed more admirably. The New York Times pegs Devil May Care at #11 (down from #8), while the Chicago Tribune places it in ninth place (down one spot from last week).

The results make Devil May Care the most successful James Bond continuation novel in years.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest Devil May Care news – including a wrap-up of the critical reaction to the novel.

Barbara Broccoli's $38,000 Kiss With Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig

A kiss with 007? That’ll be £19,000 ($38,000).

That’s how much James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli shelled out for a kiss with Daniel Craig at the Great British Movie Event last night.

The Bond producer also got a kiss with actors Hugh Grant and Robbie Coltrane for her money at the event–an auction to raise money for the National Film and Television School.

As previously reported on CommanderBond.net, a tuxedo worn by Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale was to go up for bid at the event along with several other collectibles and memorabilia. According to a press release, it eventually sold for £9,500 ($19,000).

Craig also bid on Harry Potter memorabilia at the auction, winning the lot for £18,000 ($36,000).

The Great British Movie Event took place at the Old Billingsgate in London.

Photos of Craig, girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell and Broccoli at the event can be viewed online here at Getty Pictures.

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Raymond Benson Presents 'The James Bond Phenomenon' In August

Raymond Benson

Former 007 continuation author Raymond Benson will be appearing for a book signing and presenting a James Bond-themed slideshow in Los Angeles in August.

Bond fans can catch Benson at the The Mystery Bookstore on Saturday, 9 August at 12:30pm. The author will be presenting a slideshow presentation entitled ‘The James Bond Phenomenon’.

The Mystery Bookstore is located at 1036-C Broxton Ave. in Los Angeles, California 90024. The store can be reached by phone: 310-209-0415.

007 fans best know Benson as the author of six Bond continuation novels, three short stories and the film novelizations for Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Click here for CommanderBond.net’s four-part interview with Raymond Benson.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news.

'Quantum of Solace' Coming To Japan In 2009

The worldwide release date information for Quantum of Solace has been updated and now Japan is included on the list.

While a specific date is yet to be announced, the 22nd James Bond film is slated to be released in the country in 2009.

This latest addition almost fills out the entire set of release dates for Quantum of Solace, although there is currently no word whether this 007 film will follow the precedent started by 2006’s Casino Royale and open in China as well.

CommanderBond.net will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Keep watching the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Quantum of Solace' Title Theme Rumours Keep Coming

As principal photography on Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, approaches the end, many fans are anticipating more than ever the release of the trailers, posters and the announcement of the title song performer.

Following up the seemingly neverending “is she isn’t she” question marks surrounding Amy Winehouse, the past few weeks have brought several other contenders to the forefront.

Beyonce’s name was first brought up at the end of May when Just Jared reported that the singer was reported to be in talks with the 007 producers regarding a track written by Amanda Ghost and collaborating with legendary Bond composer John Barry–someone who hasn’t been associated with the series since 1987’s The Living Daylights.

A few days ago, British X Factor winner Leona Lewis was also mentioned as a contender. Showbiz Spy reported that her manager Simon Cowell was said to have suggested to the producers of Quantum of Solace that she would be great given that she has had huge success in both the UK and US lately.

Today, BBC 6 Music adds two more names to the list: Duffy and Jack White.

The website reports that when Duffy was quizzed about a Bond theme at the MOJO awards, the 23-year old Welsh singer refused to deny she had submitted a song. ‘Well, a lady never exposes her secrets.’

Furthermore, Alex Turner spoke to 6 Music and revealed: ‘I’ve heard that Jack White were doing it’–which was immediately followed by his fellow Last Shadow Puppets member Miles Kane adding, ‘I’ve heard other things, I thought it were’ over, that race. We should just say we’re doing it.’

The two then (jokingly?) stated: ‘Yeah, we are doing it.’

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Activision's 'Quantum of Solace' Previewed In Official UK PlayStation Magazine

Activision’s debut James Bond game, Quantum of Solace, has landed on the front cover of this month’s official UK PlayStation magazine. Gaming website sarcasticgamer.com brings full details of the report to the web, including impressive screenshots of Daniel Craig as James Bond.

A few new snippets emerged from the report. In particular, Quantum of Solace, which amalgamates events from Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, promises to remain similar in tone to Craig’s characterisation of 007. This promises to be a change from the hi-tech gadgetry featured in some of Electronic Arts’ recent efforts.

As previously reported, the game will take place predominantly in first-person mode. However, should you take cover as Bond, the camera will revert to a third-person perspective.

As Bond, you will be able to execute “stealth kills”, as well as simply knock out baddies with a kick or karate chop. However, given the game uses context-sensitive buttons, you will be able to take out enemies in louder environments using more extravagant methods.

Gamers will be able to recuperate health by remaining under cover, and once you are hit, the film series’ iconic gunbarrel will indicate your character’s life.

Check out the remarkable likeness of Daniel Craig’s James Bond in the screenshots at sarcasticgamer.com.

Quantum of Solace is due to be released later this year.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond gaming news.

'Quantum of Solace' – Official Blog Report #13

The official Quantum of Solace blog has been updated today with another crew member from the 22nd James Bond 007 film: go-camera operator/rigger Pat Daily.

‘I’m the chief camera operator and rigger for go-camera systems,’ Daily says on location in Italy.

‘Go-cam is a wire-controlled camera system. This one is in the 3D phase. We hang the camera from four points and we can basically move that camera from any of those points; up, down, left, right, back and forth.

‘It took us a week just to place the cranes in Siena. It’s an ancient city. And then it took us another week to string out all the lines since we have 7,000 feet of line to link through this system. The widest part of it, from one end to the other is 800 feet and they’re about 150 feet above. Our playing area.’

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.