Further developments in MGM's finances.

Christian Science Monitor: MGM bankruptcy

M16: James Bond news

James Bond has met his greatest foe! Accountants!

Hello all, In rare moments of spare time at work, I've been taking all of the open credits scenes from each movie and editing them together as one long video. I'm three or four away from having them all tied together and it's pretty interesting seeing how the movies have progressed from styles of music, technology, and trends of the time.

On 2010-04-22 15:22, VampiressRN wrote:
WELL THIS IS SAD NEWS...

Maybe 007 could display fashion à la the Great Recession throughout the movie. He could wear off the rack sports jackets from Macy's, or at least recycle classics from his closet, like the Tom Ford duds and the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 m Co-Axial Chronometer. In a fashion minute, Bond would expand his brand by inspiring thrifty fashionistas.
.

wh wha..WHAT. bond not wearing slick suits from saville row????? preposterous

All I can say is WOW!!!

American Businessman Buys the Ultimate Bond Car  
Published: Thursday, 28 Oct 2010 | 3:32 AM ET  
Text Size  
By: Robin Knight  
CNBC Associate Web Producer

Arguably the most famous car in the world has sold to an American car enthusiast for £2.6 million ($4.1 million) after being put on the market for the first time ever.

The actual Aston Martin DB5 - as driven by Sean Connery in the James Bond movies Goldfinger and Thunderball - was expected to raise in excess of $5 million during the auction Wednesday night in London.

The successful bidder and American business man, Harry Yeaggy, is only the second person to own the iconic car after it left the factory.

“This is a car that I’ve always wanted, after all it is the most famous car in the world,” Yeaggy said in a statement. “My plan is to display it in my private car museum in Ohio just as it is.”

The car comes complete with authentic Bond gadgets that actually work, including a bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen.

They’re all controlled from specially designed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm-rest, just like in the film.

It even has an ejector seat and machine guns – but these, predictably, don't work.

The car was originally bought from the factory, after it returned from an extensive promotional tour, by American radio broadcaster Jerry Lee.

Lee convinced the factory to sell the pristine DB5 to him for $12,000 in 1969. He kept it over the next 40 years on display at his home and it has since been carefully returned to running condition.

Lee plans to use the proceeds to further his charitable work at The Jerry Lee Foundation, an initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, with an emphasis on crime prevention.

“The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” Lee said in a press statement. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.”

Lee is not the only person to have first-hand experience of the unique automobile. One lucky man, Mike Ashley, had the job of driving it around the world from premiere to premiere during the film promotional tour and passed on a message to its new owner.

“If they knew the joy I had when I drove it round the world. It is the most magnificent crumpet wagon in the world,” Ashley told CNBC.com.

Ashley confirmed that that car was great to drive and that all the special gadgets worked perfectly.

“The smoke screen was probably the most magnificent thing because you could actually put the smoke canister in the exhaust and trigger it off, like we did down the main street in Zurich,” he said. Real Boys' Toys.  But can the ultimate Bond car stack up as an investment? Peter Wallman, spokesperson for RM Auctions, thinks it can.

“It’s a unique, one-off opportunity and we would consider this being more than just a car; it’s a trophy and it’s a cultural icon,” Wallman told CNBC.com.

With interest in the James Bond franchise likely to carry on well into the future, the car will remain important and is likely to retain its value, he said.

“If you compare this to something like a great work of art… it’s not actually that expensive in real terms,” he added.

For investors inspired by the DB5 auction, the classic car market in general makes a good alternative to standard assets such as stocks and property, Richard Hudson-Evans, auctions analyst at Classiccarsforsale.co.uk, told CNBC.com.

“First and foremost, unlike other assets, they’re fun. A share certificate is not a lot of fun in a desk drawer or merely as a figure on a computer screen. These are real, these are big boys’ toys you can touch, feel and enjoy,” Hudson-Evans said.

And they can be transported across borders to where there is strong demand or where the currency is favorable, he pointed out.  The classic car market has performed well during the recession and since then, according to Wallman.

It saw a severe decline after the Dotcom bubble burst, but it was an immature market then, while the latest recession hasn’t caused the same turmoil as many investors saw classic cars as a better alternative to keeping cash in the bank, he explained.

“The recession came along and almost saved us, it helped prices stabilize. People kept their money in their cars, they didn’t run away, they were collectors,” Wallman said. “What else can you buy, have this fun with and still make a profit at the end of it?"

I watched the RM Auction that sold the Bond car a month or so ago. Or it may have been the 2006 episode where they sold the replica that was used for promotion. Not sure.

I would SOOO pay the taxes in England for this...a measly $275,000.
"The original registration number ‘FMP 7B’ for the Aston Martin DB5 Bond car is available from DVLA in the UK. We are informed that if the car is taxes paid in the UK, then the potential buyer of the car could apply for this license plate to be registered to the car at the point of registration, although the new buyer will have to satisfy himself of the procedure. Please note that should this vehicle remain in the UK, HMRC has verbally confirmed that this vehicle is eligible for the reduced Import Tax Rate of just of 5% collected on the full purchase price of the vehicle."

http://www.greyhoundog.org http://vivakate.org/

[ Edited by: Mr. NoNaMe 2010-10-28 09:20 ]

Interesting...oh to have money and deal with such quandaries. :wink:

Saw this article today...who knew...LOL.

![](https://tikicentral.com/uploads/6053/4cca3a34.jpg)

She's got the Midas touch!

Kelly Osbourne is unleashing her inner Bond girl in a "Goldfinger"-inspired campaign for the Sky+HD TV channel that has her covered from head to toe in gold body paint.

Rocking platinum blonde locks and just a pair of bikini bottoms, the budding designer and newly 26-year-old starlet (her birthday was Oct. 27) is virtually unrecognizeable as she poses topless in the sexy ad shot by photographer Andi Southam.

Let's just hope the gold-plated look isn't toxic -- film buffs may remember that the original look, rocked by character Jill Masterson in the 1964 007 film, suffocated the Bond babe. Oh, but what a good-looking corpse!

"Since my weight loss I'm a lot more body confident in front of the camera," the recently de-inked star says in a release.

"It's not just celebration for Sky+HD, but for me too."

Way to go, girl. But good luck getting all that paint off!

![](https://tikicentral.com/uploads/6053/4cca3a50.jpg)

For those of us still in shock from the "no Bond Movies from MGM in the future" news, we get a little hope. Saw this information today.....

MGM has issued an official press release confirming that debt-owners supported the plan voted on yesterday (Friday 29th October) to swap their debt for equity after the company emerges from pre-packaged bankruptcy.

Press Release
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (“MGM”) today announced that the secured lenders voting in the Company’s solicitation process have overwhelmingly approved its proposed plan of reorganization (“Plan”).

MGM will now move expeditiously to implement that Plan, which will dramatically reduce its debt load and put the Company in a strong position to execute its business strategy. MGM is appreciative of the lenders’ support.

(edited to add this additional information)

MGM lenders have approved, by a comfortable margin, a financial reorganization of MGM led by Spyglass Entertainment, a source told Hollywood Reporter this Friday.

An official statement with details of the vote was expected by Friday evening.

Under the plan that the lenders have approved -- and which now must be filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court as a Chapter 11 reorganization -- Spyglass Entertainment co-toppers Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum are in line to become co-CEOs of the Century City studio.

The more than 100 MGM lenders voted to give the Westwood-based production company operating control of the studio.

However, in an eleventh hour deal pushed by MGM debt-hold Carl Icahn, terms no longer call for Spyglass to get a four percent stake in the studio and more than a dozen Spyglass library titles were removed from the transaction.

Icahn was also promised a seat on the MGM board.

MGM was due to pay more than $450 million in long-delayed debt payments Friday. But the debt payments become moot once the studio files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, as stipulated in the Spyglass plan.

The MGM-Spyglass reorganization plan likely will be filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles on Monday.

Lionsgate – with key backing from Icahn – had proposed an alternate plan to merge the film and TV company with MGM. With the Spyglass proposal approved by debt-holders, the only question now is whether the oft-combative and ever-resilient Icahn will continue to press for a Lionsgate merger in coming weeks or even months.

Icahn agreed to vote for the Spyglass plan after winning the concessions, but he still favors an eventual MGM-Lionsgate merger, a well-placed source said.
MGM’s current owners -- including Providence Equity, TPG Capital, Sony, Comcast, DLJ Merchant and Quadrangle -- will see their equity positions in the studio wiped out once the bankruptcy process is completed.

For more than a year, MGM has been grappling with ways to reduce or eliminate almost $4 billion in debt. Icahn has acquired notes on at least $400 million of the MGM debt and has offered to buy up more from other creditors.

Eventually, his debt holdings will convert to a large minority stake in the studio in the bankruptcy process. But it’s unclear if that can translate into corporate clout, as MGM is privately held.

The bankruptcy court’s review of the “prepackaged” MGM-Spyglass reorganization plan is expected to take 30-60 days. Assuming Barber and Birnbaum get their mandate, the studio’s first two priorities will be to firm up a 50% interest in the upcoming production of a two-part movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Hobbit” and to restart development of the next James Bond film.

The Spyglass duo also must choose a distribution partner for those and other MGM pics, as they plan to shut down distribution operations at the Lion. Some suggest that Paramount -- as a regular collaborator on Spyglass productions over the years -- is a front-runner for the distribution rights, but others believe MGM will award distribution rights picture by picture, with co-production partner Warner Bros. in line to distribute “Hobbit” pics in any event.

"Oh waiter, another cocktail please!!!"

[ Edited by: VampiressRN 2010-10-30 20:18 ]

UPDATE...

NEW JAMES BOND FILM STARRING DANIEL CRAIG APPROVED
11 January 2011 Last updated at 17:32 ET

The 23rd Bond will see Daniel Craig star as 007 for the third time

A new James Bond film has been given the go-ahead and is due to be released on 9 November 2012, film studio MGM and EON Productions have announced.

Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and MGM said the 23rd Bond would go into production in late 2011.

The latest 007 adventure, starring Daniel Craig for the third time, will be directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes.

The franchise had been on hold amid financial troubles, with MGM filing for bankruptcy protection last November.

A rescue deal and restructuring plan put US firm Spyglass Entertainment at the helm of MGM, which had struggled due to several box office flops and a DVD sales slump.

Work on the 23rd film was suspended in April 2010 because of uncertainty over the company's future.

James Bond is one of the longest running franchises in film history.

Its return marks a four-year gap since Bond's last outing in 2008's Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig - who made his Bond debut in Casino Royale in 2006 - is the sixth actor to play the British secret agent in the official Bond series.

Sir Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Sir Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan preceded him in the iconic role.

Craig's debut, in Casino Royale, was the most successful instalment in the franchise's 48-year history, taking $594m (£385m) at the global box office.

The latest Bond screenplay has been written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

This is pretty cool!!!

Jamaica's third international entry point opened this week with a name James Bond fans will instantly recognize: Ian Fleming International Airport. Formerly a small center known as the Boscobel Aerodrome, the airport was expanded in order to accommodate international travelers and now features sections for customs and immigration sections. The airport has one runway that will cater to private jets and small commercial aircraft.

The airport was named after the British writer who invented the character of James Bond because it is close to the scenic retreat where Fleming reportedly penned his entire series of books about the charming, crafty spy.

Lucy Fleming, the 007 author's niece who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said her uncle would have been "thrilled" to see an airport bearing his name in Jamaica.

"He adored Jamaica and found so much inspiration and relaxation here. So I tell you something, to have this accolade of having an airport named after him here I know would have been a great honor for him," Ms Fleming said. "Honestly, I don't think he would have written those (Bond) books without Jamaica."

Fleming first came to Jamaica in 1942 while he was an intelligence agent stationed in Bermuda.

Four years later, he returned and bought property he called "GoldenEye" and started to write Casino Royale, the book that launched the successful James Bond series.

The property once known as GoldenEye is now the site of an exclusive resort owned by Chris Blackwell, the owner of Island Records who is credited with introducing Bob Marley's music to the world.

Judi Dench Returns for 'Bond 23'

Things were looking pretty bleak for the Bond series last year as MGM's continuing financial woes had cancelled the 23rd installment in the franchise. Rumors of the secret agent's untimely demise proved exaggerated, however, as MGM has filed bankruptcy and restructured their debt load, meaning the film can move forward and should hit its 2012 release date with little difficulty. That was great news for fans, and the positive announcements just keep on coming.

The latest comes from Judi Dench herself. The beloved actress, who has played M since way back in 'GoldenEye,' will reprise her role in 'Bond 23'. (Can we please get this movie a real title soon?) Speaking at the Southbank Sky Arts Awards in London, Dame Judi was asked if she'd be returning to the project. Her answer was a simple "yes." When asked for more details, the actress played coy, saying "Nothing ... My lips are sealed. I can't tell you anything at all!"

Dench did go on to add that she's very excited about the prospect of reuniting not only with Bond co-star Daniel Craig but also director Sam Mendes, whom she worked with on a stage production of Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard.' The actress seemingly echoed the sentiments of fans worldwide when she proclaimed, "I'm so glad it's ['Bond 23'] coming back. It's wonderful."

The as-yet-untitled film finds Dench reprising the role of Bond's boss for the seventh time, which still leaves her four appearances away from tying original M, Bernard Lee. With the cast now taking shape, things are moving ahead quickly with the project.

John Barry (1933-2011) R.I.P.

Javier Bardem has been cast in Bond 23 (presumably as the bad guy?).

On 2011-01-31 20:58, tikibars wrote:
Javier Bardem has been cast in Bond 23 (presumably as the bad guy?).

Thanks for the update.

So sad to have lost John Barry...he made his mark on the spy genre with fabulous scores and collaborations. I still get the chills every time I hear the James Bond theme.

Saw interview info recently (don't remember where) that claimed Judy Dench was looking forward to her role in the next JB film. In the past, she has been quoted as wanting to get out of it...so glad she will be back..she is an excellent M. Glad that Daniel Craig will play Bond...he has really done a great job so far.

I can't wait.

OK...this is only rumor at this point...but would be totally awesome!!!

EMPIRE February 4, 2011

If all the rumoured casting choices Sam Mendes has been making for Bond 23 pan out, this could turn into one of the best casts ever to grace the screen for the series. The latest word on a possible actor comes from The Mail’s Baz Bamigboye, who writes that Ralph Fiennes might just be contemplating a role.

While details about the possible part are being held in EON Productions’ secret dossier for now, Bamigboye reports (via The Playlist) that Mendes has reached out to another of his old theatre muckers (he directed Fiennes in RSC productions years ago) and that according to one source on the film, ‘The part is one of extreme complexity and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on — and Ralph’s name is top of our list.’

Right now, Fiennes is simply talking about the job: there have been no formal negotiations. The rumour comes on the heels of Javier Bardem being tempted by a role. Should they jump aboard, they’ll join Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, who are already confirmed to return.

And according to Bamigboye’s source, “It’s the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging.” We’re already hoping this one comes together with everyone in place. But if they don't get Fiennes, there is someone else who could stand in...James White.

Check out the latest Quiet Village podcast. It's Marty Lush and Joe Banks on James Bond !!

http://www.digitiki.com/podcast/QuietVillage36.m4a

Plus my humble review :)...

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=27968&forum=11&vpost=574908

Hi

Does anyone out there have a copy of the book Thrilling Cities by Ian Fleming?

Please PM me if you do!
Just need to ask you a quick question...

Wow...I missed that post of your JOHN-O, just now saw it. Thanks for the link to the Quiet Village Podcast.

Muchas Gracias to Marty Lush and Joe Banks for the wonderful bits of trivia and the orchestrations I haven't heard before...what a treat!!! Thanks for mentioning Maurice Binder...I love his work.

~That version of Goldfinger still shows what a fabulous voice Shirley has...the song fits her like a glove...and very nice piano work.
~Into Miami...what a great vision enters my head (of that pool with the diving platforms and the view of Miami in the background).
~Search for Vulcan is a great choice...it is so mysterious and powerful, one of my favorites. I can see Bond at the wall and slipping into the underwater "lair" sans sharks...LOL That song makes me want a martini!!! Didn't have that Basie album...got it now...thanks. :)
~Wow...the Bjork song is verrrrrry interesting.
~Love the On Her Majesty's Secret Service version you played (I enjoy Flamenco), that was just awesome...THANX
~Nice closing...I agree, very feminine sounding voice...but beautiful.

Marty...can you post the follow-up podcast to this when you get a chance...GREAT JOB!!!

If you haven't listened to the podcast...please do, it is delightful. :wink:

Sorry, I don't have that other Ian Flemming book. :(

Amusing story concerning Sean Connery and Apple. Love his letter:

http://scoopertino.com/exposed-the-imac-disaster-that-almost-was/

And yes, I know it's fake, but you still gotta love the letter...

Just some star gossip....

Hush-hush wedding for Craig and Weisz
By: Kitty Raymond | Special to The Examiner | 06/26/11 8:11 PM

Well, we didn’t see that one coming! Rachel Weisz married hunky actor Daniel Craig last Wednesday in a top-secret ceremony in New York. His rep confirmed the nuptials but gave no details.

The pair, who costar together in the upcoming “Dream House,” had just four guests: his daughter Ella, 18; her son Henry, 5; and two family friends.

“Daniel and Rachel insisted on having a small, quiet wedding,” a source told the News of the World. “They are madly in love and couldn’t wait to be husband and wife — but they wanted minimum fuss.”

Daniel was previously engaged to Satsuki Mitchell, his girlfriend for five years. Rachel was in a relationship with Henry’s dad, director Darren Aronofsky, for nine years, and the couple were engaged for five … but they never married. The Oscar-winning actress was first linked romantically to the James Bond actor in November 2010, though the longtime friends initially denied the rumors.

I love all the cars in the Bond movies...check out this database as it has all vehicles even those in the background.

http://www.imcdb.org/

For the new movie, Bond 23...
Javier Bardem to play villain in new James Bond film

[->>King Bushwich 33rd

Thanks King...I think he will do a great job.

Also confirmed for Bond 23 is:
-Bond Girl BERENICE MARLOHE http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2966102/
-Unknown role) BEN WHISHAW
-waiting for confirmation about RALPH FEINNES

Title of the 23rd James Bond film is Skyfall.

BBC News: James Bond

Thanks again King. It will be interesting to see who does the title song.

Not sure how I heard about them but there is aJames Bond tribute band and maybe they should do the title song? But if that were to happen then the James Bond movie would have to acknowledge that it is a James Bond movie and, thus, it would be self-aware much like the Scream Movies. That might be an interesting twist for this upcoming movie.

In 2012, we will have a new James Bond movie, the 50th aniversary of Dr. No and a spy themed Tiki Oasis. It will be a good year for spyphiles (is that a word?).

[->>King Bushwich 33rd

...and Tiki Oasis is supposedly a spy theme...how convenient is that!!!

did anyone here have a thing for miss moneypenny? i always kinda did- adjusts tie just because she was such a tease.

Socks, I always liked Moneypenny. I think she was more of a flirt than a tease though.

Here are my Bond discs.

ETR

Lunch box..........James Bond lunch box. From 1966 and not in the best shape but just try to find one and yes I have a collection of vintage lunch boxes as well as Tiki.

Youzer!!! That lu lu lunchbox if spyalicious!!!

Just saw that the next Bond film will have him changing from martinis to beer -- and not just beer -- Heineken. One of the few European beers that actually sucks. Not much of a Bond fan, but this is pandering, even for them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2125022/James-Bond-Skyfall-Daniel-Craig-ditches-martini-beer-new-movie.html

Does that lunchbox have that authentic vintage "sour milk and overripe bananas" smell?

Heineken? Are they attempting to remake bond into a "regular guy's" guy?

Bear

This summer the Barbican Centre in London, with the support of Swarovski, will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond franchise from 1962’s DR. NO to SKYFALL in 2012 by joining forces with EON Productions to create a unique exhibition showcasing half a century of Bond style. Designing 007 – 50 Years Of Bond Style is a unique, multi-sensory experience covering five decades, six actors and a legion of highly skilled adversaries that takes Bond fans through a 50 year journey covering some of cinema’s most iconic artefacts. In providing unprecedented access to its archive, EON has opened the doors to half a century of sets, automobiles and gadgets, including work by special effects experts John Stears and Chris Corbould and artwork for sets and storyboards by production designers Sir Ken Adam, Syd Cain and Peter Lamont. But of course it’s the lavish costumes and livery that are destined to steal the show, with items from fashion heavyweights Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy, Gucci’s Frida Giannini, Douglas Hayward, Rifat Ozbek, Jenny Packham, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Anthony Sinclair, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro, Donatella Versace and Anthony Mendleson all taking their pride of place at this unique exhibition.

“We intend, having explored the contents of the extensive EON archives, to thrill visitors with an insight into some of the design processes involved in the many different ways of making the Bond films,” explains costume designer and Oscar® winner Lindy Hemming, whose own work sits alongside Bond’s bespoke tailors Anthony Sinclair, Douglas Hayward and Tom Ford.

And for those lacking a keen sense of tailoring, fear not; there is a plethora of props, weapons, production designs, special effects and accessories – including the steel teeth worn by Richard “Jaws” Kiel on show.

Designing 007 – 50 Years Of Bond runs from 6 July – 5 September 2012

At the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in England, the have the Bond in Motion exibit. With fifty vehicles on display, BOND IN MOTION is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles the world has ever seen. On display until December 2012.

National Motor Museum:Bond in Motion

Alongside the most famous vehicles like the Aston Martin DB5 and the Lotus Esprit S1, there is a host of treasures dating back to From Russia With Love including the elegant Fairey Huntress Speedboat, Goldfinger’s 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, the buzzing autogyro from You Only Live Twice and Octopussy’s screeching Acrostar Jet.

YouTube: 007 Bond Cars at Beaulieu

It's a good year for Bond, wish I could see the show in London...it will be awesome.

The Inside Story of James Bond is Cubby Broccoli's autobiography and is available now and as an eBook.
http://www.007.com/the-inside-story-of-bond/

On 2012-04-04 11:13, TikiHardBop wrote:
Just saw that the next Bond film will have him changing from martinis to beer -- and not just beer -- Heineken. One of the few European beers that actually sucks. Not much of a Bond fan, but this is pandering, even for them.
l

But Bond does on occasion drink beer under some permissible circumstances, from Lt. Colonel William ('Bill') Tanner's 'The Book of Bond or, Every Man His Own 007'

Basically you're a hard liquor man (though, as explained below, you go for certain wines). You avoid sherry, port and liqueur brandies, which belong to stuffy connoisseurship. On the other hand, you must never drink beer, at least in England. A Lowenbrau in Geneva, a Miller's Highlife in New York State, a couple of Red Stripes in Jamaica, as many as four steins of the local brew in Munich with an ex-Luftwaffe pilot - these are legitimate, but keep things within bounds. English beer, like stout, cider, etc., to belongs to pubs and you avoid these where possible, except when the place turns out to be deserted apart from the landlord. To be seen with a pint of beer in your hand would be instant death to all your hopes of 007ship.

Red Strip,Bond sez yes!

Hold on switching to the Trainspotting mode...

"Ye ken wur Seans fae Edinburgh, he widna' be seen deid drinkin' that pish, hee's ah pure radge Buckie man, pure mental!'

[ Edited by: atomictonytiki 2012-04-11 22:42 ]

On 2012-04-04 11:10, Joe Banks wrote (in the Tiki Oasis 2012 thread):

After THE BEST of the series, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", Diamonds is an embarrassment!. John-O, I beg you to re-listen to the fine 2-part podcast that Digitiki and myself did on the Quiet Village on James Bond...only then will you see the truth!...

OK I revisted OHMSS, probably for the first time in over 30 years. Now while it didn't topple "Diamonds" as my favorite, I did enjoy the following...

1. One of the best opening credit sequences (and score) in the series.

2. The one-footed stunt skiing. And in an old-school leather boot no less !!

3. The coolest thing in the film however had to be the way Telly Savalas held his cigarette. I would take up that bad habit just so I could smoke like he did :)...

On 2012-05-16 09:41, JOHN-O wrote:
OK I revisted OHMSS, probably for the first time in over 30 years. Now while it didn't topple "Diamonds" as my favorite...

....and then, you lost me.

You know which is my least favorite Bond film ??

"Live and Let Die", if only for the great waste of actress Gloria Hendry...

She was portrayed as a 2nd-rate spy and eventually turned out to be a traitor !!

I would have liked to see her kick some major butt (especially Roger Moore's) like she did in "Black Belt Jones".

And I'm still really annoyed how Bond treated Quarlo in "Dr. No".

Like a dog !! Remember Connery's line... "Go fetch my shoes" :evil:

I'm really looking forward to the "1970's Blaxploitation" Tiki Oasis. :)

A tad plain, but it's only a teaser one sheet anyway.

NICE!!!!

50 years of James Bond Movie Posters

Oh! that's a big gun barrel.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills has the best deals in Southern California. The general public pays $5 for some really remarkable programing if you're a movie buff. There is even FREE parking in their garage!
You can't eat or drink in the theater, but that's why it still looks nice.
I've even met some famous actors, directors and producers at these things. They've all been remarkably nice. The stage is flanked by 2 big gold Oscar statues which you're able to get some good pics of from the floor. There is an ever changing rotation of movie posters and film stills too.
Surprisingly enough people don't dress up to attend the events.

I thought some of you might be interested in The Music of Bond: The First 50 Years.

http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2012/10/bond.html

Event Information
Friday, October 5, 7:30 p.m.
Samuel Goldwyn Theater
8949 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Ticketed seating is unreserved.

Hosted by music historian and writer Jon Burlingame

With Special Guests lyricist Don Black and guitarist Vic Flick
Fifty years to the day after the U.K. opening of the first Bond film, "Dr. No," on October 5, 1962, the Academy pays homage to the memorable title songs and indelible scores that have become as celebrated as the character’s many exploits.

Over the 22 films released to date as part of the official James Bond series, there have been several constants: suave but deadly leading men, gorgeous and barely clad Bond girls, over-the-top villains and incredible music. Bond theme songs, sung by such leading performers of their era as Shirley Bassey ("Goldfinger"), Nancy Sinatra ("You Only Live Twice"), Paul McCartney and Wings ("Live and Let Die"), Carly Simon ("Nobody Does It Better") and Sheena Easton ("For Your Eyes Only"), consistently landed on the pop music charts. Duran Duran’s "A View to a Kill" became the first Bond song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Combine those notable elements with the remarkable scores by composers including John Barry, Marvin Hamlisch, Bill Conti and David Arnold, and you have a body of work that continues to play a major role in popular film culture.

Hosted by music historian and writer Jon Burlingame, the program will feature many of the people who made the music, including lyricist Don Black (title songs for "Thunderball,""Diamonds Are Forever," "The Man with the Golden Gun" and "The World Is Not Enough") and guitarist Vic Flick, who laid down the famous guitar lick for the "James Bond Theme."