Charlie Higson Discusses Young Bond Short Story Possibilities

Even with recent release of Charlie Higson’s Hurricane Gold last month and the recent news that Young Bond 5 will be out next year, it seems that many fans can’t get enough enough of these James Bond adventures. With that in mind, the upcoming news should prove to be a welcomed surprise…

The Young Bond Dossier reports that Charlie Higson is toying with the idea of writing a Young Bond short story set between the events of Hurricane Gold and Young Bond 5.

The author revealed the news during the launch party for Hurricane Gold and further elaborated that it would feature James Bond and Aunt Charmain aboard an ocean liner on their way back to England from Mexico. SilverFin‘s Wilder Lawless would also make an appearance.

Higson cautioned that this ideas was ‘something that might happen or might not,’ so we’ll just have to wait and see.

The most recent short stories in the literary 007 world were Samantha Weinberg’s For Your Eyes Only, James and Moneypenny’s First Date With Bond, both released in November of last year.

Be sure to check out CBn’s brand new interview with Young Bond author, Charlie Higson.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest Hurricane Gold and Young Bond coverage.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum in the world. With thanks to ‘zencat.’

'Double Or Die' Limited Collector's Edition In Stores Now

Young Bond fans hoping to snap up a limited collector’s edition copy of Charlie Higson’s Double Or Die had better get searching!

Charlie Higson’s Double or Die

The Young Bond Dossier today reports that copies of the novel have arrived in Waterstone’s stores across the UK. Despite previous reports that the book could be pre-ordered online, the site confirms that the edition, like those of SilverFin and Blood Fever, is available exclusively in-store.

Charlie Higson signed the 999 copies of the book the same day he signed the 1,500 limited edition copies of Hurricane Gold. And yes, as expected, there is a #007 copy out there… somewhere.

Double Or Die sees James Bond following a series of clues that lead him on a dangerous trek across London.

Keep watching CBn for the latest Young Bond news.

Order Double Or Die from Amazon.co.uk.

Discuss this edition of Double Or Die in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet. With thanks to “zencat”.

Corgi James Bond 'Number Ones' Go Under The Hammer

A massive collection of highly prized Corgi ‘Number Ones’–the first item off the production line–including many James Bond 007 items, is going up for sale at Bonhams’ Knowle salerooms in Solihull, West Midlands on 3 October 2007.

Click Here To View The Corgi James Bond ‘Number Ones’ Up For Sale

Corgi James Bond ‘Number Ones’ Go Under The Hammer

Bonhams–the international fine art auctioneers–has been appointed by Corgi–one of the best-known die-cast model makers in the world–to sell its archive of coveted prototype and “Number One” vehicles. The unique auction will take place on 3 October 2007 at Bonhams’ Knowle salerooms in Solihull, West Midlands.

Corgi was one of the first companies to produce limited edition toys specifically for collectors. Until now, it has been Corgi’s policy to retain the first item off the production line for the archive and it is a selection of these ‘Number One’s’ that Bonhams will sell along with a selection of prototypes used in the manufacturing process, such has hand-painted resin samples and mock-ups.

With over 500 lots for sale the stars of the auction will be the “Number One” models and collectors will be given the unprecedented opportunity of bidding for classic archive properties including models relating to:

• James Bond 007
• Star Trek
• Batman
• The Beatles
• The Thunderbirds
• Captain Scarlet
• The Muppets
• Dr Who
• Starsky & Hutch
• Knightrider
• Only Fools & Horses
• The Avengers
• Noddy

Items from Corgi’s Aviation ranges, such as Spitfires and The Battle Of Britain, will be sold too, along with a selection of classic car models, buses and coaches, commercial, haulage, transport and vehicle ranges.

Corgi will also make one very special lot available at Bonhams’ auction. The “Corgi Golden One” lot will guarantee the successful bidder the “Number One” model from every Corgi Collector die-cast to be released in 2008, comprising over 350 models delivered direct to their door – all certified as the “Number One” of each release. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a unique collection.

“Corgi has a rich heritage stretching back over 50 years, but this means that our archive has reached pretty sizeable proportions and in order to maintain the archive for the collectors of the future we need to make some room,” says Darren Epstein, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at Corgi International. “We felt there was no better way to make space for the next 50 years than to open up the archive and allow everyone a chance to obtain some of the cherished content. Of course we will be sad to see our ‘firstborns’ go but we know that they will be going to excellent homes.

“We are delighted that Bonhams has chosen to recognise the popularity of a contemporary collectible by supporting this auction. Corgi products are very popular with both hardcore and casual collectors of all ages and this auction is an excellent opportunity for anybody to obtain legitimately unique and highly collectable items that have never been made available before.”

Sale catalogues listing all of the Corgi items to be sold by Bonhams, cost £15 each plus postage and packaging. To order a copy, please call Bonhams’ Catalogue Subscriptions on +44 (0)1666 502 200

Hardcover Release For 'Young Bond 5'

According to a report from Bond And Beyond, the final instalment of Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series will be released in a hardcover edition on 4 September 2008.

The book will retail for £12.99.

The currently untitled novel will centre on the events leading to James Bond’s expulsion from Eton. Back in July, Higson revealed he was hard at work on the book, while he later dropped further hints in CBn’s exclusive interview.

The most recent novel in Charlie Higson’s series, Hurricane Gold, was the first to receive the hardcover treatment – and did so in lavish all-gold style.

Young Bond 5 will continue a stellar year for fans of the literary 007, as the Ian Fleming Centenary celebrations take place. Sebastian Faulks’ Devil May Care and Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling are among the treats awaiting James Bond fans in 2008.

The site also reports that the Hurricane Gold paperback is now due 28 May 2008 – the same release date as Devil May Care. The Young Bond Dossier reports that Puffin are yet to decide whether the paperback will be published with the all-gold treatment, or if it will feature artwork in line with the three previous Young Bond books.

Additionally, The Young Bond Dossier reports that Arena will publish the German edition of Hurricane Gold in Spring 2008; the German title is still to be announced.

Keep watching CBn for the latest Young Bond news.

The Spy Who Loved Me's HMS Fearless Heads For Scrapyard

The 44-year-old Royal Navy ship HMS Fearless, which had a brief appearance in Roger Moore’s third James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, is finally headed for the scrapyard.

The BBC News reports that the ship will be scrapped in Belgium, where as much of it as possible will be recycled.

HMS Fearless

The 12,000-tonne ship served in both the Falklands conflict in 1982 and the first Gulf war in 1990. CBn reported back in March 2002 that the the ship was scheduled to be decommissioned in Portsmouth.

Former Royal Marine Colin Waite, who served on HMS Fearless during the Falklands War, is calling for the ship to be saved for historic reasons. He recalled that it was key to victory as, along with HMS Intrepid, it landed troops onto shore.

‘It is sad because she is a ship with more history than most. You had the special forces based on Fearless, as well as all the command and control, she was the pivotal point in that war.’

007 fans best know it as the ship that rescues James Bond and Anya Amasova at the very end of The Spy Who Loved Me.

Discuss this 007-related news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet. With thanks to ‘zencat.’

Related Articles

• The Spy Who Loved Me – Film Articles
• HMS Fearless To Be Decommissioned

Remembering Miss Moneypenny

Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny

Tributes to actress Lois Maxwell are flowing in as the world mourns the loss of the original Miss Moneypenny.

Ms Maxwell passed away, aged 80, on Saturday evening in Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia.

The Golden Globe award-winning actress played the role of M’s famous secretary in the first 14 James Bond films over 23 years, starring alongside three different James Bond actors.

Sir Roger Moore, a close personal friend of Ms Maxwell, has paid tribute to the actress in a number of interviews, including one with Sky News.

Lois and I first met in 1944 when we were in the same class at RADA. We shared the same year of birth and we played opposite each other at RADA. I was the only actor in the class who was tall enough to actually play opposite her. We did Pride And Prejudice together, we did Henry V and then of course she worked with me on the stage and in The Saint and The Persuaders! and all my Bond movies. She had a son called Christian, and I had a son called Christian, so we had a great deal in common. She was my lucky token and those that remember the Bond films with Moneypenny will remember her with great affection. She will certainly be missed by me and I’m sure by millions of fans around the world.

Sir Roger Moore

Ms Maxwell’s loss has also been felt outside the world of cinema; the actress was a strong supporter of the Fremantle Hospital, according to Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation chairman Len Hitchen , who spoke to AAP.

Lois had an illness that caused her to be admitted to Fremantle Hospital, pretty well life-threatening actually. She had something like a thrombosis in her arm and they expected she would lose her arm. The operation was undertaken and was successful and she was so forever grateful that she wanted to do what she could for the Fremantle Hospital. Once she was here and it was known she was here as Miss Moneypenny she was fairly much sought after as a guest speaker or a VIP guest to functions, and if her health allowed her she would say yes to those that she wished to and say that the fee should be payable to the Foundation. So she assisted us that way and also by being a great friend. We were thrilled when she offered to become involved, and we were probably even more thrilled to meet her and then get to know her and become a friend of hers. She was just an absolutely lovely lady. She was a very well-dressed, well-presented English lady but who was down to earth, would speak to anyone and enjoy speaking to anyone. She had been talking about [her autobiography] and her son, who was the reason that she came [to Perth] in the first place and in latter years used to bring her to the functions, he was very keen for us to urge her to complete her autobiography. Now what she’s done in that regard I’m not too sure, but I hope [she finished it].”

Len Hitchen, Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation chairman

Mirror.co.uk has posted a tribute article, in which Ms Maxwell recounted her first meeting with Bond creator Ian Fleming.

[Ian Fleming] told me, “When I wrote Miss Moneypenny, I envisaged a tall, elegant woman with the most kissable lips in the world, and you, my dear, are the epitome of that dream of mine.” He puckered up his lips and I puckered up mine. At that moment, a female voice behind him screeched, “Ian! Bedford wants you”. It was his wife. I never did get to kiss him.

Lois Maxwell

James Bond fans on the CBn Forums have posted over 125 messages of condolence since the news first broke two days ago.

According to reports, Ms Maxwell’s family will hold a private funeral for the actress, with the likelihood of a public memorial service to be held at a later time.

Related article

• Lois Maxwell Dies

New James Bond Art Prints – The Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition

Two new art prints have just been released as part of the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition collection.

As originally reported by CBn back in December 2006, the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition art prints are highly prized by James Bond fans and classic movie artwork collectors alike.

007 fans best know McGinnis as the man behind the memorable poster campaigns for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and more.

The Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition

Robert McGinnis is one of the most admired and influential illustrators working today. A member of the Society of Illustrators, McGinnis is best known for his astonishingly prolific career as a paperback cover artist. But he also painted numerous iconic movie posters–from exciting James Bond movie imagery to the illustrations for Barbarella and Breakfest at Tiffanys.

FACTS/SPECULATIONS

Limited edition of 500 copies each
Each print personally hand-numbered and signed by Robert McGinnis
Size: 17″ x 23″ (42,50 cm x 58 cm)
Four-colour printing on museum-quality paper
Professionally matted and ready to frame
Certificate of authenticity
Price: €159 each excluding postage (special rates for wholesalers!)

Click here to view images of the two newest art prints in the collection: ‘Fit To Kill’ and ‘A Man Of Affairs’

POSTERS MAY BE ORDERED FROM

RMG Artwork Ltd.
Ellenstr. 11
30175 Hannover, Germany
Phone: ++49-511/70 33 22
email: [email protected]

SPECIAL BONUS

If you order two or more art prints, you will receive a Robert McGinnis colour sketch print free of charge.

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

Lois Maxwell Dies

BBC News today carries the tragic news that Lois Maxwell has passed away, aged 80. Ms Maxwell played the role of Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond films, transforming a minor character from Ian Fleming’s novels into a cinematic icon.

Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny

According to a spokesperson for Fremantle Hospital in Western Australia, Ms Maxwell passed away there on Saturday evening.

Lois Maxwell appeared in the very first James Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No, and reprised the role right through to Roger Moore’s final 007 outing, 1985’s A View To A Kill.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Sir Roger Moore said, “It’s rather a shock. She was always fun and she was wonderful to be with. She was wonderful, absolutely perfect casting.”

“It was a great pity that, after I moved out of Bond, they didn’t take her on to continue in the Timothy Dalton films. I think it was a great disappointment to her that she had not been promoted to play M. She would have been a wonderful M.”

Speaking to Sky News, Moore said he wished he had heard the news earlier, so that he and Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson could have paid tribute to her at Saturday’s National Movie Awards.

“It’s a pity we didn’t have the news then so we could have paused for a tribute to her. Lois Maxwell didn’t have enough tributes in her life.”

“She was my lucky token and those that remember the Bond films with Moneypenny will remember her with great affection.”

Moore first met Ms Maxwell at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1944.

Lois Maxwell starred opposite three James Bond actors over 23 years

Born Lois Hooker in Ontario, Canada in 1927, Ms Maxwell’s acting career commenced in radio. In 1948, she won the Most Promising Female Newcomer Golden Globe award for her role in the Shirley Temple film, That Hagen Girl.

Outside of her 14 James Bond appearances, Lois Maxwell appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita. She also guest-starred in a number of television programmes, including The Avengers and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She also had guest roles alongside Moore in The Saint and The Persuaders. Her most recent role was in 2001’s The Fourth Angel, in which she starred with Jeremy Irons and Forest Whitaker.

CBn and its members wish to extend their deepest condolences to the friends and family of Ms Maxwell.

Literary 007 Release Round-up

Although Charlie Higson’s Hurricane Gold may have taken the prize as the most eagerly awaited release last month, several other James Bond-related books also came out. CBn takes a quick look at the recent releases…

The Life Of Kingsley Amis

Originally released in hardback this past May in the US (and November ’06 in the UK), the whopping 998 page paperback edition is now available to order from amazon.co.uk.

In The Life of Kingsley Amis, Zachary Leader, acclaimed editor of The Letters of Kingsley Amis, draws not only on unpublished works and correspondence but also on interviews with a wide range of Amis’s friends, relatives, fellow writers, students and colleagues, many of whom have never spoken out before… [Click Here For Full CBn Coverage]

Order the UK paperback edition of The Life Of Kingsley Amis from amazon.co.uk.

So You Think You Know James Bond

Released in the UK last October, Clive Gifford’s So You Think You Know James Bond feautures over 1,000 questions about the 007 series and the man himself. It is now available at amazon.com.

In which film did James Bond get married? What car equipped with an ejection seat and machine guns did James Bond drive in Goldfinger? Name the two films in which the memorable henchman Jaws appeared. What does S.P.E.C.T.R.E stand for? In which Bond film did Kojak star, Telly Savalas, play the part of the villainous Blofeld?… [Click Here For Full CBn Coverage]

Order the US paperback edition of So You Think You Know James Bond from amazon.com.

The Man Who Saved Britain

Originally released in hardback editions in both the UK and US in mid-2006, a new US paperback edition of Simon Winder’s The Man Who Saved Britain: A Personal Journey into the Disturbing World of James Bond is now available to order from amazon.com.

Bond. James Bond. The ultimate British hero — suave, stoic, gadget-driven — he was more than anything the necessary invention of a traumatized country whose self-image as a great power had just been shattered by the Second World War. Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, was an upper-class wastrel who had found purpose and excitement in the war, and to whom, like so many others, its end was a terrible disappointment–the elation of survival stifled by the reality of the new British impotence. In 1952 Fleming set out to repair this damage. By inventing the magical, parallel world of secret British greatness and glamour, he fabricated an icon that has endured long past its maker’s death… [Click Here For Full CBn Coverage]

Order the US paperback edition of The Man Who Saved Britain from amazon.com.

Pictures And Premieres

Featuring James Bond, the Beatles and ‘virtually every major film star and movie mogul who came to London,’ Pictures and Premieres by Harry Myers, John Willis and Gareth features a vast archive of photographs from the Royal Film Performance as well as a foreword by former 007 Sir Roger Moore.

For nearly six decades, Harry Myers has been a photographer of Royalty and show business occasions. Since 1946, he has been monitoring the annual Royal Film Performance and was continuously employed by what used to be called “Wardour Street” as the film companies’ official photographer at their starry celebrations. He has photographed virtually every major film star and movie mogul who came to London to lead the razzmatazz and ballyhoo as their films enriched the nation’s cinema screens… [Click Here For Full CBn Coverage]

Order the UK hardback edition of Pictures And Premieres from amazon.co.uk.

Daniel Craig

A brand new hardback biography of Daniel Craig by author Daniel O’Brien. The biography is now available to order from amazon.co.uk.

He’s gorgeous, tremendously talented, charming and sexy. His breathtaking performance as the new James Bond in Casino Royale won him legions of fans and proved that, as well as being an outstanding actor; he could cut it as an action hero and could re-define a cinematic icon to huge critical acclaim… [Click Here For Full CBn Coverage]

Order the UK hardback edition of Daniel Craig from amazon.co.uk.

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

Discuss this 007 related news here on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

Panama To Double As South American Country In 'Bond 22'?

According to Telemetro.com, the coasts of Panama have been chosen by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson as a filming location for Bond 22.

Two weeks ago, CBn reported that Bond 22 will have South American locations which means Panama, a Central American country, could have possibly been chosen to double as a South American country for the film.

The site also claims the title of Bond 22 may be The Property of a Lady which seems very unlikely at this point.