Little Nellie arrives at the London Film Museum

Little Nellie has arrived at the London Film Museum.

The sleek gyrocopter, made famous for her role in Sean Connery’s You Only Live Twice, will be one of the star attractions of the upcoming Fan Fest 2010, which takes place late next month.

Featuring collectibles, memorabilia, shows, Thames rides and so much more, this extravagant event will feature more than 30 cast members from the James Bond films, including George Lazenby, Richard Kiel, Maud Adams, Caroline Bliss and Jesper Christensen.

For full details on the event and the guests attending, check out this CommanderBond.net article.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page and be sure to visit our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

Five James Bond stars to attend Autograph Nationals event

Five James Bond film stars, including George Lazenby, are scheduled to attend the 2010 Autograph Nationals event held in California later this month.

007 fans will be able to meet up with the following 007 alumni:

• Luciana Paluzzi (Fiona Volpe, Thunderball)
• George Lazenby (James Bond 007, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
• Lana Wood (Plenty O’Toole, Diamonds are Forever)
• Richard Kiel (Jaws, The Spy Who Loved Me/Moonraker)
• Virginia Hey (Rubavitch, The Living Daylights)

…along with 150 other celebrities. The event will run from 9:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday, 20 March at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Tickets are $20.00 when pre-purchased or $30.00 at the door.

For further information or to purchase tickets, visit the official website.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page and be sure to visit our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

MGM said to consider prepackaged bankruptcy

New York Times – With about 10 days to go before the next round of bids are due, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is still considering other options to help reorganize its almost $4 billion debt load. They include a potential stand-alone bankruptcy plan, people with direct knowledge of the matter said Tuesday, Michael J. de la Merced reports in The New York Times.

MGM put itself up for sale last fall as part of an effort to pay off the debt it took on in a $5 billion leveraged buyout in 2004. Its 4,000-title film library and rights to the James Bond series and The Hobbit have attracted the eye of rival studios and private equity firms. But potential buyers have signaled that they were willing to pay only about $1.5 billion or so.

That may lead to MGM considering filing for a prearranged bankruptcy that would involve its creditors taking over the studio in exchange for forgiving their debt, these people said.

MGM has been working on potential alternatives to a sale for some time, having hired advisers like the boutique investment bank Moelis & Company and the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. In August, it hired the restructuring expert Stephen F. Cooper to help lead the company.

While a forbearance agreement MGM has struck with its lenders will expire on March 31, the company is likely to seek yet another extension of that agreement, one of these people said. But the studio must also contend with a $250 million revolving credit facility that matures early next month, this person added.

Any final decision is likely to come after March 31, this person said. An MGM spokeswoman, Susan Arons, declined to comment.

MGM has faced several complications in its efforts to reorganize its debt. Its lender group has about 140 members, led by JPMorgan Chase.

Questions have also arisen over the prospects of MGM’s business, given the poor performance of its sole release last year, a remake of Fame. It has several movies lined up for release this year, including the comedies Hot Tub Time Machine and The Zookeeper.

Keep your browsers pointed to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest James Bond news.

Dame Judi Dench to pen autobiography

Dame Judi Dench is all set to reveal her live story—the veteran actress is writing her autobiography. The six-time James Bond film actress will pen the tome, titled And Furthermore, with biographer John Miller, reports the Daily Express.

Weidenfeld & Nicolson acquired the rights to the long-awaited book from the 75-year-old. Although details of the deal haven’t been disclosed it is thought that the actress sold the rights for a six-figure sum.

The tome will document her lengthy career, as well as her 30-year marriage to actor Michael Williams, who died in 2001 after losing his battle with lung cancer. The book is expected to hit shelves in October 2010.

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

MGM expected to draw six bids by 19 March

Reuters – Six companies are expected to make binding offers for storied Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer MGMYR.UL by a newly set March 19 deadline, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.

Those expected to participate in the new round of bidding include Time Warner, Lions Gate, Liberty Media Corp, Access Industries, a company controlled by industrialist Len Blavatnik, and Elliott Management, according to two sources close to the deals.

Several of them had been involved in an earlier round of non-binding bids that went as high as $1.7 billion. It was unclear who the sixth party was, they added.

News Corp, which had been interested, has pulled out of the process. Summit Entertainment, home to the Twilight franchise, has remained on the sidelines throughout the process and was undecided on whether to put in an offer, one of the sources told Reuters.

The source said Qualia Capital has also been waiting in the wings with a plan to restructure some of MGM’s debt into equity, and then infuse cash into the company to keep it running as a going concern if a sale does not transpire.

Bidders, after looking over the books and assets including MGM’s film library of mostly older gems like the James Bond and Pink Panther franchises, are unlikely to put in second round offers above $1.5 billion, the sources said.

MGM, Time Warner, Lions Gate, Summit and Liberty Media all declined comment or were not immediately available.

Once-thriving studio MGM owns a piece of two Hobbit films to be produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, but its attraction lies partly in its library of more than 4,000 film titles.

MGM, which enlisted turnaround specialist Stephen Cooper last year to help it restructure, got saddled with the debt from a 2005 buyout. The studio said in November it was exploring a sale, receiving tentative interest from rival media companies as well as buyout shops.

If the current round of bids comes in too low, MGM’s creditors could decide to keep and restructure the studio, possibly filing for pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, sources say.

MGM is owned by a group including private equity firms TPG, Providence Equity Partners, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and Quadrangle Group, and media companies Sony Corp and Comcast Corp.

Analysts say Time Warner might be in the best position to acquire MGM as its film library would fit well with its Warner Bros. catalog.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest James Bond news by visiting the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

James Bond: Licence To Quote now available in both UK and US

Licence to ‘Quote’ is the first book of humorous quotations solely dedicated to the ever-expanding universe surrounding James Bond 007. This volume—of 1500 light-hearted quote—uniquely focuses on humorous comments made about 007 rather than direct quotes from the Bond films or books.

“The franchise so often portrayed 007 as ass-chaser first and assassin second.”

Christopher Orr in The New Republic (2008)

“The Vatican condemned Dr. No as a ‘dangerous mixture of violence, vulgarity, sadism and sex.’ Ka-ching!”

Manohla Dargis in The New York Times (2006)

Licence to ‘Quote’ is all over the lighter side of Double-0 Seven like a cheap safari suit on Roger Moore. Bond’s life & legend, books & movies, enemies & lovers, cars & gadgets all come in for close inspection. 007 is as much a sitting target for defecation by the sardonic snipers in the press as an object of deification by the eulogistic empathists populating the fansites.

“I have friends who talk about the pleasures of the Bond ‘fantasy.’ What that boils down to is a bald bad guy, a bird in a bikini and loud bangs in a foreign country.”

Cosmo Landesman in The Times (2002)

“Indiana Jones, Arnie, Derek Flint et al owe a major debt to Bond, James Bond. Or perhaps Broccoli, Cubby Broccoli.”

Michael Cooper on Alternative007.co.uk (2006)

Licence to ‘Quote’ turns the tables on the world’s favourite spy and turns the spotlight on him. A veritable Who’s Who of observers and commentators—from all over the globe—take dead aim at James Bond: man & myth, superspy & superstar. Comical contributions come from his creators, his biographers, his critics, his fans, his imitators and from a wide selection of media sources over the last 50 years.

“GoldenEye has a breed of actress who would no more come out of the sea in bikinis like Ursula Andress than they would serve the boys coffee between takes.”

David Lister in The Independent (1996)

“James Bond has about as much to do with the intelligence profession as Billy Bunter has with public schools.”

Stella Rimington – former Dir-General of M.I.5. in The Times (2006)

The depth and diversity of this source material clearly demonstrates the unrivalled level of recognition and the extraordinary fan-base James Bond has built up since he first appeared in the 1950s.

“It is hard to overestimate the effect James Bond had on post-war readers and audiences. Here was the first English hero who didn’t own a sensible jumper.”

Christopher Fowler in The Independent on Sunday (2006)

“Bond has no sense of humour, telling only one joke in all 14 books (in Goldfinger (1959)—and it isn’t very funny).”

Anthony Horowitz in The Daily Telegraph (2008)

Since 1953, James Bond has been at the summit of the best-seller’s list, at the top of the movie box-office and remains at the forefront of the world’s consciousness. His iconic image and cultural footprint are legendary: Licence to ‘Quote’ celebrates that the more flippant side of that legend.

“I’ve always been fascinated by Bond’s gadgets. The guy who gave them to him—’Q’—must have been psychic. He always gave him exactly what he bloody well wanted.”

Eddie Izzard

“In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig develops the character very skilfully. When he starts he is ‘a blunt instrument.’ By the end, he’s the sharpest tool in the box.”

Christopher Tookey in The Daily Mail (2006)

The book is published in two versions:
Licence to Quote for the U.K. & E.C. and
License to Quote for the North American and global markets.

For further details on both Quotable Double-0-Seven books, please go to their respective websites…

BOOK WEB SITE: http://www.LicenceToQuote.com
007 / LTQ BLOG: http://www.LicenseToQuote.com

The U.K. / E.C. version Licence to ‘Quote’ is only available online from these dedicated websites. The USA / global version is also available on Amazon.com.

For up-to-the-minute literary James Bond coverage, always turn your browsers to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

MGM sets deadline for receiving bids

Variety – MGM has set March 19 as the deadline for receiving binding bids on its assets — a sign that it may be close to working out a sale or restructuring.

The studio disclosed the deadline Monday without further comment.

MGM invited a half-dozen bidders last month to participate in a second round of bidding, which included allowing qualified bidders the opportunity to go over MGM’s internal financials.

People with knowedge of the situation said bidders include Time Warner and Lionsgate. With $5 billion in cash remaining from the sale of its cable systems, Time Warner has been viewed as a likely bidder since MGM put itself up for sale in November.

As for Lionsgate, it’s facing a tender offer from Carl Icahn to boost his stake to nearly 30%—partly because the billionaire wants to have a say in possible acquisitions such as MGM.

MGM received two more months of exemption from debt payments on Jan. 29 as lenders agreed to extend the “forbearance” period on interest payments on its debts until March 31.

The studio released a single film, a remake of Fame, in the past year. Its next film, comedy Hot Tub Time Machine, opens March 26.

MGM is facing repayment of its $250 million revolving credit line in early April and a $1 billion payment on its $3.7 billion debt in July 2011. Studio was taken private five years ago by a consortium that included Sony, Providence Equity, TPG Capital, Comcast, DLJ Merchant and Quadrangle.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest James Bond news by visiting the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

James Bond film guests announced for Fan Fest 2010

Last month CommanderBond.net gave you the first details of Fan Festival, a collectors convention and signing event at the London Film Museum in County Hall taking place on 24-25 April 2010.

Featuring collectibles, memorabilia, shows, Thames rides and so much more, this event is perfect for the 007 fan. Now, more than 30 cast members from the Bond films have been confirmed as attending, including George Lazenby, Richard Kiel, Maud Adams and so many more.

The full line-up of Bond guests follows below:

• Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench, Dr. No/From Russia with Love)
• Stanley Morgan (Concierge in Casino, Dr. No)
• Bettine LeBeau (Professor Dent’s Secretary, Dr. No)
• Martine Beswick (Zora/Paula Caplan, From Russia with Love/Thunderball)
• Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore, Goldfinger)
• Shirley Eaton (Jill Masterson, Goldfinger)
• Tania Mallet (Tilly Masterson, Goldfinger)
• Caron Gardner (Flying Circus Pilot, Goldfinger)
• Margaret Nolan (Dink, Goldfinger)
• Burt Kwouk (Mr. Ling/SPECTRE #3, Goldfinger/You Only Live Twice)
• Shane Rimmer (Hawaii Radar Operator/Tom/Commander Carter, You Only Live Twice/Diamonds are Forever/The Spy Who Loved Me)
• Jenny Hanley (Angel of Death, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
• George Lazenby (James Bond, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
• Madeline Smith (Miss Caruso, Live and Let Die)
• Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight, The Man with the Golden Gun)
• Maud Adams (Andrea Anders/Octopussy, The Man with the Golden Gun/Octopussy)
• Edward De Souza (Sheikh Hosein, The Spy Who Loved Me)
• Christopher Muncke (USS Wayne Crewman, The Spy Who Loved Me)
• Caroline Munro (Naomi, The Spy Who Loved Me)
• Albert Moses (Barman/Sadruddin, The Spy Who Loved Me/Octopussy)
• Richard Kiel (Jaws, The Spy Who Loved Me/Moonraker)
• Blanche Ravalec (Dolly, Moonraker)
• John Moreno (Luigi Ferrara, For Your Eyes Only)
• Alkis Kritikos (Santos, For Your Eyes Only)
• John Wyman (Eric Kriegler, For Your Eyes Only)
• Helene Hunt (Octopussy Girl, Octopussy)
• The Meyer Twins (Mishka and Grischka, Octopussy)
• Carole Ashby (Octopussy Girl/Whistling Girl, Octopussy/A View to a Kill)
• Andreas Wisniewski (Necros, The Living Daylights)
• Caroline Bliss (Miss Moneypenny, The Living Daylights/Licence to Kill)
• Maryam d’Abo (Kara Milovy, The Living Daylights)
• Kate Gayson (Casino Girl, GoldenEye)
• Deborah Moore (Air Hostess, Die Another Day)
• Jesper Christensen (Mr. White, Casino Royale/Quantum of Solace)

To book tickets or for further information, visit the official website.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page and be sure to visit our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

Cinema Retro's Movie Magic Tour in April 2010

Prepare yourself for the most thrilling movie experience of the year! The Cinema Retro Movie Magic Tour: April 23 – May 1, 2010!

Since 1996, T.W.I.N.E. Tours has sponsored numerous film-related tours and events in England. Many of our attendees have been on every one of of trips ever since. All of our previous tours have been by invitation only—now, a limited number of spaces are available to Cinema Retro readers for our most ambitious event yet: the Movie Magic Tour, which begins in London on Friday April 23 and runs through Saturday, May 1…

Where else can you experience these incredible movie memories, all on the same tour?

• Spend a night at the legendary 15th century mansion house where the 1963 horror classic The Haunting was filmed—and where the ghosts still walk the halls!
• Enjoy the 1962 mgm classic How the West was Won—in its original cinerama, three-projector splendor!
• Visit the actual village where Patrick Mcgoohan’s classic TV series The Prisoner was filmed!
• Attend the presentation of Cinema Retro’s Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary Sir Christopher Lee
• Celebrate the legacy of James Bond with an exclusive tour of Pinewood Studios, a celebrity event with stars from the series and gourmet dinner at the exclusive golf club where Goldfinger was filmed!
• Attend “Fan Fest”, the major movie show at the London Film Museum that celebrates spy movies and sci-fi classics with over 25 stars from the James Bond movies scheduled to attend.
• Take a private cruise down the thames to the village where the wwii adventure movie The Eagle has Landed was filmed!
• Visit exciting museums containing authentic props from legendary movies!
• Visit the town where Stan Laurel was born and the museum honoring Laurel and Hardy!
• Learn how legendary films were made through exclusive meetings with actors who worked on many of the films we celebrate on this tour!

An exciting invitation to join Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall, publishers of Cinema Retro, for the movie location tour event of the year!

The cost is $1995 per person (double occupancy rate) or $2495 for single occupancy. Includes:

• Eight nights hotel accommadation
• Eight breakfasts
• One lunch
• Six dinners
• Admission to James Bond London event, the London Film Museum/ Cinema Retro event, boat ride to Mapledurham and tour of manor house and village, National Media Museum in Bradford, How the West Was Won screening, Cars of the Stars Museum, Laurel and Hardy Museum, James Bond Museum, Portmeirion village, Pinewood Studios tour and Stoke Park event.
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation throughout
• Gratuities for all meals, hotels, tour guides, and bus drivers.

Full information and itinerary as well as booking details available at Cinema Retro.

As always, keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

Titan's Nightbird James Bond collection pushed to 27 April in US

The forthcoming James Bond newspaper strip collection from Titan Books, Nightbird, has a new release date in the US.

Illustrated 007 fans will now be able to pick up this latest release on 27 April in the US, about a month after it is released in the UK.

The Nightbird collection brings together Hot-Shot and Ape of Diamonds in addition to the title story and following publication, will mark the complete publication of all 52 James Bond comic strips listed in the Titan checklist.

Titan’s Nightbird will retail for £12.99 / $19.95. Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com order links follow below.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.