JAMES BOND
NEWS

Sunday 20 April 2025 3.00pm
James Bond: Toby Stephens
Vesper Lynd: Susannah Fielding
Le Chiffre: Hugh Bonneville
Dramatised by Archie Scottney
Opening Lines 2.45pm

CASINO ROYALE
Jarvis & Ayres’ tenth James Bond dramatisation for BBC Radio 4. The 1953 spy thriller - the first and most famous of all Ian Fleming’s novels. With a devastating final twist. The mysterious Le Chiffre works in France as undercover paymaster of a communist-controlled trade union. He’s embezzled union funds and lost the lot. His plan - recoup the money at the gambling tables of Casino Royale, Northern France. M, head of MI6, gives James Bond the mission of bankrupting Le Chiffre at baccarat. M has assigned attractive Vesper Lynd as Bond’s assistant. Bond confronts Le Chiffre at the Casino. Will he succeed in destroying the villain? After apparent kidnap and Bond’s torture by Le Chiffre, James realises he’s in love with Vesper. Then events take a wholly unexpected turn. But James Bond, amid extraordinary revelations, remains cruelly professional to the last.

Toby Stephens once again stars as James Bond, with Susannah Fielding as Vesper Lynd, and Hugh Bonneville as Le Chiffre.

The one-hour drama is preceded by Opening Lines - a short programme in which John Yorke looks at CASINO ROYALE, the novel by Ian Fleming that introduced James Bond to the world. First published in 1953, Fleming’s thrilling novel plunges us immediately into the murky underworld of high stakes gambling. Today we may be more familiar with Bond as portrayed in the movies, but here we discover a more nuanced character.

PROPSTORE Online Entertainment Memorabilia Auction
London April 8 - 23, 2025
Several significant and unusual James Bond props and costumes are featured in the live auction including Disco Volante Yacht Instruments with Screen-Matched Depth Sounder from Thunderball (1965), Ernst Stavro Blofeld's Grenade from the bobsleigh chase in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Production Designer Allan Cameron's Hand-drawn Concepts for Elliot Carver's Stealth Boat in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), James Bond's Fencing Trousers from Die Another Day (2002), and unique Burnt Guardianship Document, Death Certificate, and James Bond's Last Will and Testament produced for Skyfall (2012) [although not seen on screen]. Several poker chips from Casino Royale (2006), and a collection of items presented to the crew of Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015) are also included in the auction.

Many of the items have never been offered in auction before.

PREVIEW OF IMPORTANT LOTS

FULL CATALOGUE

2 April 2025
The 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger will return to the National Film Theatre on London's South Bank in May 2025, as part of a series of classic films programmed under the banner “Acting Centenaries”. 1925 was a big year for cinema, it witnessed the birth of an incredible array of future acting talent. To mark it, May's ‘Big Screen Classics’ season will highlight some memorable centenaries. To commemorate 100 years since the birth of Honor Blackman, the NFT will be screening Goldfinger on Wednesday May 14th at 8.50pm; Tuesday 20th May at 8.45pm, and Wednesday 28th May at 6.00pm. All screenings will take place in the 450-seat NFT1 main auditorium.

BOOK TICKETS

26 March 2025
Ian Fleming Publications have announced a new novel coming soon from 007 continuation author Raymond Benson. The Hook and the Eye focuses on Felix Leiter, James Bond’s trusted American friend and ally. This full-length novel will be released digitally in ten instalments, beginning on May 27th, recalling the serialisation of classic pulp fiction in the early twentieth century. This will be followed by the paperback publication of the full story on October 2nd.

Felix Leiter – James Bond’s trusted friend and ally – takes centre stage in a brand new adventure by legendary Bond novelist, Raymond Benson.

It is 1952. Felix has lost his job at the CIA and finds himself working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. What starts as a simple surveillance job turns into a matter of life and death when Felix stumbles upon a murder and a cabal of spies embedded in Manhattan. Hired to transport the impossibly beautiful and impossibly secretive Dora from New York to Texas, Felix is thrust into a non-stop adventure, where danger and deceit lie in wait around every bend in the road.

FULL STORY

25 March 2025
The producers behind two of the biggest film franchises of all time join 007.
Amazon MGM Studios have announced that producers Amy Pascal (best known for her work on the Spider-Man franchise) and David Heyman (who produced all eight Harry Potter films) have come aboard to produce the studio’s upcoming James Bond film.

“We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility,” said Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of Film, Courtenay Valenti.

“Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry. We are honoured to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.”

“James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema,” said Amy Pascal and David Heyman. “We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honoured and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.”

Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Los Angeles 26th - 28th March 2025
Many significant James Bond props and costumes are featured in the live auction including Kincade's (Albert Finney) flat cap from Skyfall (2012), James Bond's (Daniel Craig) Stunt OMEGA Seamaster Watch from Casino Royale (2006), and a prop gold bar from the classic Goldfinger (1964). Some of the items have never been offered in auction before; whereas others - such as a pair of Auric Goldfinger's Lockheed Jetstar Jet Oxygen Mask Units - were unsold from previous PROPSTORE auctions.

PREVIEW OF IMPORTANT LOTS & RESULTS

FULL CATALOGUE

12 March 2025
American actor Bruce Glover, who played Mr. Wint in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), has died at the age of 92.

Before starting his acting career, Glover served in the US Army from 1953-55, which included six months in Korea. Among his early acting performances were numerous appearances in various popular American television shows including My Favorite Martian (1963), Perry Mason: The Case of the Golden Girls (1965), The Rat Patrol (1966), Hawk (1966), The Mod Squad (1968), Gunsmoke (1969), Adam 12 (1969), and Mission: Impossible (1970).

In 1971 Bruce Glover was cast as Mr. Wint in Diamonds Are Forever, opposite American Jazz musician Patrick “Putter” Smith (1941- ) playing Mr. Kidd. The pair of homosexual hitmen were created by author Ian Fleming for his 1956 novel in which they were members of ‘The Spangled Mob’. In the film, it is assumed they are the main villain's (Ernst Stavro Blofeld played by Charles Gray) henchmen, although the three characters share no scenes together, and subsequently are never seen taking any instructions from him.

The final scenes of Diamonds Are Forever are loosely based on the climax of the novel, with Wint & Kidd being despatched by James Bond on board the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth. Kidd is engulfed in flames (doubled by stuntman George Leech), whilst Wint has one final moment of sexual pleasure before being blown up by his own bomb as he is thrown overboard (doubled by stuntman Gerry Crampton) by Sean Connery's Bond who quips: “Well, he certainly left with his tails between his legs!”.

Following Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Bruce Glover appeared as Duffy in Roman Polanski's classic Chinatown (1974) opposite Jack Nicholson; and Hard Times (1975) [also known as The Streetfighter] directed by Walter Hill and starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn. Bruce Glover also taught acting in Los Angeles from the 1950s, and was the father of actor Crispin Glover, born in 1964.

10 March 2025
Robert McGinnis, whose iconic film poster designs defined the James Bond series in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 99. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 3, 1926 McGinnis became an apprentice at Walt Disney Studios in the early 1940s, and then studied fine art at Ohio State University. After wartime service in the Merchant Marines he entered advertising, and a chance meeting with Mitchell Hooks in 1958 led him to be introduced to Dell Publishing, which resulted in a long career as one of America's most prolific pulp paperback cover artists. McGinnis also painted film posters, one of his most famous being the iconic image of Audrey Hepburn with a long cigarette holder for Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961). This was followed by memorable posters for The Odd Couple (1968), Barbarella (1968), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), and Woody Allen's Sleeper (1975).

In addition to his Hollywood film posters, McGinnis will be remembered as the artist who defined the James Bond ‘look’ in the 1960s and 1970s with striking artwork for Thunderball (1965) [with Frank McCarthy], Casino Royale (1967), You Only Live Twice (1967) [with Frank McCarthy], On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) [with Frank McCarthy], Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live And Let Die (1973) and The Man With The Golden Gun (1974). Robert McGinnis later provided the artwork of Roger Moore used on the 1979 US Jove paperback edition of JAMES BOND AND MOONRAKER by Christopher Wood. In 1999 he was commissioned by The Sunday Times to paint the cover for the November 7th Magazine Supplement James Bond special, which included the faces of all five Bond's, set against a montage of villains and poster elements from the world of 007.

The magazine also included the UK debut of Ian Fleming's 1963 short story 007 IN NEW YORK, illustrated by Lyndon Hayes (born 1975). In addition to painting the iconic tattooed girl artwork featured on the Casino Royale (1967) posters, McGinnis later revised this art which was used on the cover of the 2008 Collector's edition DVD and 2011 Blu-ray of the film. In his later life Robert McGinnis was a prolific fine artist, painting many landscapes of the Old West, and will also be well-remembered for his many studies of the female form.

3 March 2025

At the 97th Academy Awards, Die Another Day’s Halle Berry paid tribute to all the recipients of the recent Governors Awards and introduced a musical medley to honour Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli’s Irving G. Thalberg Award. Reflecting on their contributions, Berry remarked, “I had the great pleasure of working with Barbara and Michael on Die Another Day. And let me tell you, they don’t just produce Bond films – they have been the heart and soul of the franchise for decades. Every generation has its Bond. The world changes, and so does he. But that signature mix of danger, style, and intrigue… well, that’s timeless.”

FULL STORY

20 February 2025
Amazon MGM Studios Announces New Joint Venture with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise. Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.

FULL STORY

17 February 2025

007 MAGAZINE investigates the recently released new audiobook recordings from Ian Fleming Publications, and reveals that additional editing has been made to the text of CASINO ROYALE.

The moguls of sanitisation – a James Bond parody
With apologies to Ian Fleming and purely for the purpose of parody, LUKE G. WILLIAMS ponders how the literary 007 might feel about his adventures being continually re-edited for a new generation…

FULL STORY

14 February 2025
Elaine Schreyeck, who was credited with Continuity on six James Bond films from 1971 to 1983, has died at the age of 100. This key, and often overlooked role, involved working on location and at the studio in close collaboration with the Director, to record all aspects of the shooting, including script changes, camera angles, lenses used, and the positions of actors and props on set. As all films are generally made out-of-sequence, Schreyeck's role required her to take detailed notes on every part of the production in order to ensure a seamless and believable flow of the story, by maintaining consistency in the action and environment across shots and scenes. These extensive notes would then be referred to by the Editor during post production. Joining the EON Productions James Bond series with Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Schreyeck then worked closely with Guy Hamilton on Live And Let Die (1973) and The Man With The Golden Gun (1974). Returning to the series with Moonraker (1979), directed by Lewis Gilbert, she then continued with For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Octopussy (1983), both directed by John Glen. Schreyeck also worked with many great American film Directors often on British-made films, such as John Ford on Gideon's Day (1958), Billy Wilder on The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970); and Joseph L. Mankiewicz on Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), Cleopatra (1963) and Sleuth (1972).

Elaine Schreyeck entered the film industry in 1941 at Paramount Pictures in London's Wardour Street. In February 1942, she joined Ealing Studios under Michael Balcon (1896-1977) to work in the script department, before becoming secretary to director Basil Dearden (1911-1971). In July 1943 she worked on her first film as Script Supervisor and continued until her retirement in 1986. During her long and distinguished career, Schreyeck worked on many important British-made films including the Ealing classic Dead of Night (1945), and The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) Directed by Laurence Olivier, and co-starring Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. Schreyeck first worked with Director Guy Hamilton on Battle of Britain (1969), and re-teamed for his two Agatha Christie adaptations The Mirror Crack'd (1980) and Evil Under The Sun (1982). Hamilton had originally been slated to direct Superman The Movie (1978), but was ultimately replaced by Richard Donner, and Schreyeck acted as Continuity Supervisor on that film (and its 1980 sequel Superman II), having previously worked with Donner on The Omen (1976). Schreyeck was a greatly respected figure within the film industry, and multiple collaborations with different directors was testament to her professionalism and keen eye for detail, in a role she made her own.
The British Entertainment History Project - An extensive audio interview with Elaine Schreyeck

29 January 2025
Last year Ian Fleming Publications worked with HarperCollins US to record brand new audio editions of the author's classic 007 adventures. The new recordings were revealed in the US throughout 2024, and IFP are now releasing all fourteen James Bond books (plus Fleming’s non-fiction titles Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers) in the UK on January 29, 2025 The new recordings are available to buy direct from IFP, and other online audiobook platforms.

CASINO ROYALE (Performed by Richard Armitage)
LIVE AND LET DIE (Performed by Adjoa Andoh)
MOONRAKER (Performed by Alex Kingston)
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (Performed by Pippa Bennett-Warner)
FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE (Performed by Mark Gatiss)
DR. NO (Performed by Jon Culshaw)
GOLDFINGER (Performed by Adam Godley)
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (Performed by Johnny Flynn)
THUNDERBALL (Performed by Robert Glenister)
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (Performed by Genevieve Gaunt)
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (Performed by Daniel Weyman)
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (Performed by Eleanor Matsuura)
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
(Performed by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith)
OCTOPUSSY AND THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (Performed by Ben Willbond)
The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities
(Performed by Barnaby Edwards)

15 January 2025
La-La Land Records mark the 35th Anniversary of Licence To Kill, with the release of a remastered and expanded 2-CD edition of composer Michael Kamen’s original motion picture score, which also includes two versions of the film’s title song performed by Gladys Knight. Produced by Neil S. Bulk and mastered by Doug Schwartz from 1/4" stereo tapes and 3-track mag provided by MGM, this is a special 2-CD release, limited to only 5,000 units. The score presentation is spread across both discs, while Disc Two also includes the remastered 1989 soundtrack album, as well as additional source music. The exclusive, new liner notes are by film music journalist and author Jon Burlingame and the art direction is by Dan Goldwasser.

Available exclusively from La-La Land Records or the 007store.com for the first 90 days of release.