JAMES BOND
NEWS

7 September 2024
007 Action had its VIP opening on September 4, 2024 in Vienna, attended by James Bond actresses Maryam d’Abo (The Living Daylights) and Caterina Murino (Casino Royale), special effects supervisor Chris Corbould OBE and stunt co-ordinator Lee Morrison.

“It’s wonderful to be back in Vienna where we filmed The Living Daylights and see how the legacy of Bond continues to captivate new audiences,” said Maryam d’Abo.

Caterina Murino added: “It’s an honour to be a part of the James Bond franchise and be here in Vienna to see this vast collection of iconic vehicles, watches and miniatures.”

FULL STORY AND IMAGES

Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Los Angeles 15th - 18th August 2024

Several important James Bond props and costumes are featured in the live auction including items from Moonraker (1979), May Day's (Grace Jones) Eiffel tower jumpsuit from A View To A Kill (1985); a leather jacket worn by Pierce Brosnan's stunt double in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997); Daniel Craig's Tom Ford suit from Skyfall (2012), and Louis Jourdan's distinctive beige jacket from Octopussy (1983).

Also included in the auction are several props and background items, along with the now obligatory casino gaming chips from Licence To Kill (1989) and Casino Royale (2006).

PREVIEW OF IMPORTANT LOTS 

FULL CATALOGUE

12 August 2024

Today marks exactly 60 years since the death of Ian Lancaster Fleming – journalist, father, ‘the world’s worst stockbroker’, and of course, creator of the world-famous secret agent, James Bond.

To mark this date, and celebrate Fleming’s legacy, Ian Fleming Publications have revealed the covers for their new hardback editions of all fourteen of Fleming’s original 007 adventures, created by legendary designer Michael Gillette.

These prestige hardbacks will be released on October 3, 2024 and will include not only brand new cover art (which will be printed directly onto the boards, rather than as a separate dust jacket) but also exquisite endpapers, also by Michael Gillette, and a range of specially-selected archival material relating to Ian Fleming and his time writing the 007 adventures.

VIEW THE FULL SERIES

25 July 2024
One-time James Bond George Lazenby has announced he is stepping down from public life and retiring from work at the age of 84. The announcement was made via his X (Twitter) channel:

“This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work. Therefore, I won’t be doing any more acting or making public appearances, doing any more interviews or signing any more autographs as of today. It’s been a fun ride but getting older is no fun. I would like to thank my manager and friend, Anders Frejdh, for helping me since 2013 - the best representative I ever had. I can now concentrate on spending more time with my family. My sincere gratitude to everyone out there for your love and support over the years. It has meant a lot to me. George xx”

Organised by 007 MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Graham Rye, the 1994 James Bond 007 Fan Club Christmas Lunch, held at Pinewood Studios, was George Lazenby's first ever UK autograph signing.

007 MAGAZINE On Her Majesty's Secret Service 76-page Special

18 July 2024
The House of Q, a new pop-up experience by Aston Martin inside London’s prestigious Burlington Arcade, has been created to celebrate 60 years of Aston Martin’s long-running association with the 007 film franchise. The relationship began with the 1964 release of Goldfinger, the film which introduced James Bond to the now iconic DB5.

Launched alongside V57, a special James Bond anniversary edition of Aston Martin’s luxury lifestyle magazine, the House of Q by Aston Martin is accessed through a secret door within what appears to be a magazine newsstand inside House 12-13 Burlington Arcade, off Piccadilly in London’s Mayfair. V57 features a specially designed illustration on the cover as well as editorial detailing the relationship between Aston Martin and 007.

FULL STORY

16 July 2024
Ian Fleming Publications have announced a new crime series project in collaboration with Zaffre, the flagship commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK. The new series, The Q Mysteries, will be centred around the iconic character of Q from the James Bond adventures. The first book, Quantum of Menace, will be published autumn 2025. This top-secret project will be written by acclaimed crime writer and Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, Vaseem Khan.

Filled with wit, humour and verve, Vaseem Khan brings his vibrant and dynamic style to one of Ian Fleming’s most beloved characters.

Q Branch – the Secret Service department responsible for weapons and gadgets – was first introduced in Ian Fleming’s groundbreaking CASINO ROYALE and featured throughout the James Bond books. The armourer in Q Branch, Major Boothroyd, first appeared in DR. NO, giving 007 a Walther PPK to replace his Beretta firearm. The character and his interactions with the super spy have entered the cultural zeitgeist. Readers and fans of 007 will now get to spend real time with him in the charming milieu of a crime series.

FULL STORY

17 June 2024
007 Action, a brand new James Bond exhibition, will launch in Vienna on 7 September 2024. Tickets are on sale now for the new exhibit, which will bring iconic vehicles, gadgets, costumes and props to a 3,400 m² space at the METAstadt Convention Centre.

Vehicles will include the Aston Martin DB5 gadget car from No Time To Die (2021), ‘Little Nellie’ from You Only Live Twice (1967), and producer ‘Cubby’ Broccoli’s personal Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud used in A View To A Kill (1985). Costumes include Jinx’s (Halle Berry) gown, designed by Lindy Hemming with Versace, from the Ice Palace scene in Die Another Day (2002), James Bond’s (Daniel Craig) white Tom Ford tuxedo and Madeleine’s (Lea Seydoux) gown by costume designer, Jany Temime, from Spectre (2015).

Vienna is the backdrop for many memorable moments in The Living Daylights (1987), including Bond (Timothy Dalton) and Kara’s (Maryam d’Abo) visit to the Prater amusement park and ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel. 007 Action Vienna will showcase the Aston Martin V8 from the film (pictured left).

007 Action Vienna is a new expanded incarnation of Bond in Motion, which was previously in Brussels and Prague, and is supported by official logistics partner DHL.

14 June 2024
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson & Barbara Broccoli will receive Oscars in a November 2024 Ceremony.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced that its Board of Governors voted to present the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The Oscar statuettes will be presented at the Academy’s Governors Awards event on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood. While her father Bond producer ‘Cubby’ Broccoli received the Thalberg Award in 1981, Barbara will become only the second woman ever to receive this award.

“The recipients of this year’s Governors Awards have set the bar incredibly high across their remarkable careers, and the Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to recognise them with Oscars,” said Academy President Janet Yang. “The selection of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli is a testament to their success as producers of the fan-favourite Bond series and their contribution to the industry’s theatrical landscape.”

28 May 2024
Today marks the birthday of Ian Fleming. To celebrate the day, Ian Fleming Publications have announced a new hardcover collection of the James Bond novels. All fourteen books will be released on October 3, 2024, and each will include bonus material.

The covers for these prestige hardback editions will feature brand new art from designer Michael Gillette, Publishing Director Simon Ward says, “I remember seeing Michael Gillette’s James Bond cover designs in a bookshop window in 2008. They were instant classics and became defining editions for a whole generation of fans. We’ve long wanted to partner with Michael again and we’re thrilled that day has finally come. We believe he’s put together something very special and can’t wait to share these all-new designs with the world.”

15 May 2024

Ian Fleming Publications announce a special paperback edition of Charlie Higson’s ON HIS MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. Issued in a limited run of 200 copies, signed by the author and with exclusive sprayed edges.

Originally written at breakneck speed in time for the Coronation of King Charles III last year, the upcoming paperback edition features a revised beginning and ending. Once again, all royalties from sales of the book will go to the National Literacy Trust.

Available exclusively from the IFP shop the book sold out shortly after being announced.

Charlie Higson will also be attending events throughout the summer. He will be in conversation with Kim Sherwood at the Bath Festival on Sunday May 26, 2024, and at the Idler Festival in Hampstead on 5-7 July, 2024 (tickets).

FACEBOOK VIDEO

9 May 2024
Dr. No under the microscope…

LUKE G. WILLIAMS casts a critical eye over the latest James Bond-related book release from luxury publishers TASCHEN – Paul Duncan’s exhaustive examination of the first ever 007 film – 1962’s Dr. No.

TASCHEN’s recently released book James Bond. Dr. No, edited by film historian Paul Duncan, certainly fulfils the luxury price point criteria, being available in two limited numbered art editions which retail for £1,500 each – and a collector’s edition, priced at £750.

FULL REVIEW

7 April 2024
Daniel Goozee, the  American artist who designed the posters for three James Bond films, has died aged 80.

Born in Astoria, Oregon in 1943, Dan Goozee received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with distinction from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. In addition his work as a fine artist, Goozee had a career creating visual art for motion pictures, film advertising, and theme parks around the world.

Goozee's first James Bond film poster was Moonraker, and his highly-detailed montage-style artwork was seen on all advertising for the film in 1979. He also provided the artwork seen on advance teaser posters, and cover of the Panther paperback of JAMES BOND AND MOONRAKER by Christopher Wood. There was also an alternate international version of the artwork used during the original release of Moonraker (1979). Goozee returned to the series for Octopussy (1983), creating the iconic central image of James Bond surrounded by the eight arms of the title character played by Maud Adams, and an alternate advance teaser poster. The US release posters featured additional background detail painted by Goozee, but for the UK and European posters this art was replaced by new figures and an action montage by renowned Italian artist Renato Casaro.

Goozee's final James Bond poster campaign was for Roger Moore's last outing as 007 in A View To A Kill (1985). The advance teaser posters showed Bond hanging from the Eiffel Tower as May Day (Grace Jones) parachutes in behind him. The international release posters featured a combination of his iconic long-legged back-to-back image of Bond and May Day, with additional artwork of Bond and Stacy Sutton (Tanya Roberts) atop San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, and Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) in his airship.

28 March 2024
Robin Browne, who worked as a special effects and second unit photographer on five James Bond films, has died aged 82.

Browne began his career a clapper boy in the late 1950s, and worked on dozens of distinguished films over the next five decades, progressing to camera assistant, operator and later as director of photography on specialist units. Browne worked as focus puller on Battle of Britain (1969), produced by Harry Saltzman and directed by Guy Hamilton; and as optical effects cameraman (also uncredited) on Mike Nichols’ Catch-22 (1970); and the ITV television series The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972-74), on which he was camera operator for all 52 episodes [pictured left]. Browne joined the Bond series in 1967, contributing optical effects for Maurice Binder's You Only Live Twice main titles; returning as one of the uncredited visual effects cameramen for On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). In 1977 Robin Browne was second unit and special effects photographer (uncredited) on The Spy Who Loved Me, and later credited as optical effects cameraman on Moonraker (1979). His final 007 credit was as part of the Aerial team on For Your Eyes Only (1981).

Later credits include aerial photography on A Bridge Too Far (1977); and Ghandi (1982) both directed by Richard Attenborough. Browne was reunited with director Guy Hamilton as second unit camera operator on Evil Under The Sun (1982). He also served as second unit photographer for David Lean's final film A Passage to India (1984); returning to special effects photography for Krull (1983), Jewel of the Nile (1985), and Gorillas in the Mist (1988) directed by Michael Apted.

20 March 2024
007 MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Graham Rye is one of the many Bond fans responding to The Sun newspaper report that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is being lined up as the next James Bond.

Graham Rye commented: “I don't think Aaron has the look or the charisma to play James Bond. In fact, none of the bookmakers’ favourites have what it takes. Bond needs to be around 6ft 2in, following the Sean Connery blueprint... For me, James Bond needs to go back to his roots...”
FULL STORY

WOKE Bond switch-up gets DITCHED as another straight white 007 is named | Should Bond be inclusive?

‘Creatively it must be very dull to work on something where you're just trotting out the same character.’ Graham Rye responds to author & broadcaster, Nichi Hodgson, who says people are ‘crying out’ for a more unique and diverse Bond character.

FULL VIDEO

27 February 2024
British actor Michael Culver, who had small roles in From Russia With Love (1963) and Thunderball (1965), has died at the age of 85.

Culver began his career in theatre and worked at the Old Vic in London, and Dundee Repertory Theatre 1959-61. In June 1962 Michael Culver appeared in the West End production of French dramatist Jean Giraudoux's 1931 play Judith at Her Majesty's Theatre, which starred Sean Connery as Holofernes - his next role (and final theatre performance) after completing work on Dr. No (1962). In 1963 Michael Culver would appear uncredited in From Russia With Love (1963), [speaking just two lines in his first film] as the young man who passes James Bond and Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson) in a punt on the river Thames as Matt Monro's ‘From Russia With Love’ (playing on Bond's radio) is heard on the soundtrack. Culver then appeared (also uncredited) as the co-pilot of the hijacked Vulcan Bomber in Thunderball (1965), which also featured his father Roland Culver (1900-1984) as the Foreign Secretary.

Michael Culver is perhaps best-known for his roles in several popular British TV series including The Adventures of Black Beauty (1973-74), Secret Army (1977-78), and Cadfael (1994-98). Culver also memorably played Sir Reginald Musgrave in The Musgrave Ritual - a standout episode of ITV series The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986) starring Jeremy Brett (who tested for the role of James Bond in 1972). Another significant big screen performance was as Major MacBryde in David Lean's final film A Passage To India (1984). However, it is Culver's one-scene performance as the doomed Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) opposite David Prowse as Darth Vader, that was singled out in all the news media reports of his death.

21 February 2024
The British actress Pamela Salem, who played Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again (1983), has died at the age of 80.

Pamela Salem was born in Bombay, India, educated at Heidelberg University in Germany, and later studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and started her acting career in repertory theatre. During the 1970s Pamela Salem had small roles in many British television series including Jason King (1971) and The Onedin Line (1972). One of her early film roles was as Emily Trent in The First Great Train Robbery (1978) which starred Sean Connery, but she will perhaps be best-remembered as the evil Belor in all 21 episodes of the children's fantasy television series Into The Labyrinth (1981-82). After appearing in a Tom Baker Doctor Who adventure The Robots of Death in 1977, Salem auditioned for the role of the Fourth Doctor's companion Leela, but the role went to Louise Jameson. Salem returned to the series in 1988 playing opposite Sylvester McCoy in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988). This was followed by 37 episodes of the popular long-running BBC-TV soap opera Eastenders (1988-89). Alternating between television and film, one of her later big-screen roles was as Sarah Whale in Gods and Monsters (1998), which starred Ian McKellen as iconic film director James Whale.

Although her appearance as Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again (1983) was very brief, she took part in promotion for the film with Sean Connery and co-star Barbara Carrera.

Read 007 MAGAZINE's 1984 interview with Pamela Salem

Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Los Angeles 12th - 14th March 2024

Several important James Bond props and costumes are featured in the live auction including Sean Connery's grey Anthony Sinclair suit worn in You Only Live Twice (1967), originally offered by PROPSTORE in London in their 2021 sale, where the item failed to sell.

Also included in the auction are several unusual items including an entertainment unit, a pair of oxygen masks and one of the windows from the Lockheed Jetstar aircraft featured in Goldfinger (1964). James Bond's (Pierce Brosnan) Walther PPK from GoldenEye (1995), and several other prop weapons from Die Another Day (2002), Skyfall (2012) and No Time To Die (2021) are also part of this auction, along with the now obligatory casino gaming chips from Dr. No (1962) and Casino Royale (2006). Some items only seen in the background of certain scenes in the film series are also offered for sale.

PREVIEW OF IMPORTANT LOTS 
FULL CATALOGUE

13 February 2024

BOND SAVE THE KING
Ian Fleming Publications have revealed the cover of the paperback edition of Charlie Higson's 2023 best-seller ON HIS MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. Due to be published on June 6, 2024, the bold cover was designed by Marc Ecob of Mecob.

It's the 4th of May, two days before the coronation of King Charles III and the world's favourite spy has his work cut out for him.

Bond is sent at the last minute to thwart an attempt to disrupt the coronation by the deadly megalomaniac Æthelstan of Wessex, who is on a mission of his own to rule the United Kingdom and rewrite history.

Can Bond thwart his plans by infiltrating Æthelstan’s private army and ending his reign of terror before it begins?

In support of the National Literacy Trust.

The new paperback edition features revised text and exclusive bonus content. AMAZON UK

12 February 2024
Alec Mills, director of photography for the two Timothy Dalton James Bond films, has died at the age of 91. He began his career in the late 1940s, as an uncredited clapper loader and focus puller on several low-budget British films made at the small Carlton Hill Studios in Maida Vale, returning to the industry after his National Service in the Navy.

His introduction to the James Bond series was On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), when he was offered the job of camera operator by director of photography Michael Reed. It was Reed who had also given Mills his big break on television, working on several episodes of The Saint starring Roger Moore in 1966. For OHMSS, Mills worked largely on location in Portugal and Switzerland, but memorably captured shots of George Lazenby at Pinewood Studios, with the pair suspended in mid-air on the set of the cable car winding house of Blofeld's Piz Gloria lair. Mills returned to the James Bond series as camera operator on The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Octopussy (1983).

Alec Mills later progressed to overall director of photography on The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence To Kill (1989), both starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond. Other notable productions were Roman Polanski's Macbeth (1971) [as camera operator], Shout At The Devil (1976) directed by Peter Hunt [Mills was camera operator for cinematographer Michael Reed] and Return Of The Jedi (1983) [as camera operator]. Alec's son Simon Mills (born 1961) worked as uncredited clapper loader on The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill, returning to the series as first assistant cameramen in the underwater unit for Die Another Day (2002).

8 February 2024
It has been announced that all 25 James Bond films are going to be available for the first time on a free streaming service in the UK. From March 4th each day a different James Bond film will screen on the ITV4 channel, and then for 30 days afterwards will be available on demand via ITVX.

Scheduled so far are:
4th March: Goldfinger (1964)
5th March: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
6th March: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
7th March: Licence To Kill (1989)
8th March: GoldenEye (1995)
10th March: Skyfall (2012)

ITV is also adding a pair of official documentary features to its streaming service - Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007, and Being James Bond: The Daniel Craig Story.

The deal that ITV has struck with Amazon MGM Studios for the rights also allows them to screen the official James Bond films several times a year on ITV channels.

Read the controversial story behind the sale of the James Bond films to ITV back in 1975!

6 February 2024
The stunning new spy thriller that blows the world of James Bond wide open!

Six days.

A bomb goes off at the BBC. The country is in chaos, but this is just the start. A global terrorist organisation is plotting a series of deadly attacks. MI6 has just six days’ warning for when the next one will strike.

Three agents.

With James Bond missing, three of MI6’s toughest Double O agents race across the world to stop the attacks. From Venice to Australia to Dubai, they soon uncover a vast network of terror.

One chance to find James Bond.

As the Double Os close in, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to 007. Now the race is on to stop the terrorists – and save Britain’s finest spy.

Published 25 April 2024 AMAZON UK & 23 April 2024 AMAZON US 

5 February 2024
English actor Michael Jayston (born Michael James 29 October 1935) who played James Bond in the 1990 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, has died at the age of 88.

Best known as a theatre and television actor, Jayston began his stage career in 1962, and performed at the Bristol Old Vic and Stratford-upon-Avon. In 1970, he played Henry Ireton in Cromwell -the British historical drama film written and directed by Ken Hughes, which also featured a young Timothy Dalton in the supporting role of Prince Rupert. The following year Jayston starred as Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in the British-made historical epic Nicholas and Alexandra directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Jayston later appeared as Gratiano opposite Laurence Olivier as Shylock in the National Theatre's film The Merchant of Venice (1974). In 1975 Michael Jayston starred in 13 episodes of the BBC-TV drama series Quiller. ‘Quiller’ is the alias of a fictional spy created by English novelist Elleston Trevor (1920-1995) [written under the pseudonym “Adam Hall”], who featured in a series of 19 Cold War thriller novels published between 1965 and 1996.

Another of Jayston's most notable television roles was as Peter Guillam in the seven-part 1979 BBC adaptation of John Le Carre's acclaimed 1974 novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, playing opposite Alec Guinness as George Smiley.

In 1986, Michael Jayston played ‘The Valeyard’ in 14 episodes of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Four stories were broadcast under the umbrella title The Trial of a Time Lord, and was the final season to star Colin Baker as The Doctor. In 007 MAGAZINE's exclusive article ‘The Search For Bond’ Jayston recalled that he had a meeting with James Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli and director John Glen in 1981. During the half-hour interview they discussed James Bond, but Jayston was never offered the role. Michael Jayston later did play James Bond in the 1990 one-off BBC Radio 4 drama adapted by Michael Bakewell from Ian Fleming's 1964 novel YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. The programme co-starred Clive Merrison as Tanaka, James Laurenson as Henderson, David King as M, Sayo Inaba as Kissy, Burt Kwouk as Ando, and Maxine Audley as Irma Bunt. 

29 January 2024
Ian Fleming Publications Ltd have announced a new omnibus that collects Raymond Benson’s six original James Bond novels together into a single eBook. To be published on February 26, 2024 James Bond: The Raymond Benson Years includes Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death, High Time to Kill, DoubleShot, Never Dream of Dying and The Man with the Red Tattoo.

On June 6, 2024 IFPL will publish a paperback edition of Charlie Higson's 2023 best-seller ON HIS MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. The paperback edition will feature some exclusive new content, and as with the hardback, all royalties will continue to support the work of the National Literacy Trust.

2024 marks 60 years since the publication of Ian Fleming’s classic children’s story about a flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. To celebrate this anniversary, IFPL will publish a new paperback edition of this beloved tale on June 13, 2024. Aimed at young readers and featuring brand new illustrations, IFPL also have other plans to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the world’s most famous flying car.

In time for James Bond Day in October 2024, IFPL will be releasing fourteen new hardback editions of Ian Fleming’s original Bond stories.

Vehicle exhibition Bond In Motion is travelling to The International Spy Museum in Washington.

Opening on March 1, 2024 at L’Enfant Plaza, Bond In Motion will feature 17 vehicles from the 007 film series, ranging from the Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008) to the Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day (2002). Other highlights include the submarine from For Your Eyes Only (1981) and the MR Glastron Boat from Moonraker (1979), offering a journey chronicling James Bond’s 60+ years of adventures.

Tickets are available for purchase priced at $12.00. For more information, visit www.spymuseum.org

11 January 2024
British film producer, actor and casting director Dyson Lovell has died at the age of 83. Lovell produced Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson (1990); and served as Executive Producer on Francis Ford Coppola's 1984 musical crime-drama The Cotton Club, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, which featured original music composed by John Barry. Lovell received four Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe nominations for his work as a producer in television.

Lovell was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and travelled to England at the age of 17, where he successfully auditioned for The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. English actor and theatre director John Gielgud became his mentor and life-long friend. After graduating drama school in 1958, Lovell secured small roles in many British television productions; including Laertes in Hamlet at Elsinore (BBC 1964), which starred Christopher Plummer as Hamlet, Michael Caine as Horatio, and Robert Shaw as Claudius. This was followed by The High Fence [pictured left], a 1964 episode of The Saint starring Roger Moore. During the filming of a fight scene on December 4, 1963, Lovell ducked a blow from Moore and lost his balance, cutting his head on a pillar.

Lovell later appeared in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Station - a 1967 episode of The Avengers starring Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. Whilst filming on The Avengers he was contacted by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli who asked for Lovell's help in casting the lead roles for his forthcoming film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (1968); Lovell also played a small part in the film. This led to him being engaged by producers Harry Saltzman & Albert R. Broccoli to help search for the new James Bond following the departure of Sean Connery in 1967. Lovell was instrumental in the casting of George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Joanna Lumley and Jenny Hanley (amongst others) in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).

During the 1970s and 1980s Dyson Lovell cast the all-star Hercule Poirot films Murder On The Orient Express (1974), which starred Albert Finney, Sean Connery and Lovell's old friend John Gielgud; Death On The Nile (1978), which introduced Peter Ustinov as Poirot, co-starring with David Niven and Lois Chiles; and Evil Under The Sun (1982), directed by Guy Hamilton, which starred Diana Rigg. Lovell had also cast Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple in Guy Hamilton’s The Mirror Crack’d (1980), which featured an early film role for future James Bond Pierce Brosnan. Only in recent years has the role of casting director been acknowledged as playing an important role in filmmaking, and most of Lovell's significant work, including On Her Majesty's Secret Service, went uncredited at the time. A new Academy Award category will be introduced for films released in 2025.

1 January 2024
Spies, swingers and shadows were what John Barry, Britain’s greatest soundtrack writer, first encountered in his career. In February and March 2024 BFI Southbank presents a two-part season of films showcasing the musical talents of the celebrated film composer. Included in the season are three classic Sixties James Bond films.

Goldfinger (1964): Sunday 4 February 16:10 NFT1 & Wednesday 21 February 20:45 NFT1 Digital 4K
You Only Live Twice (1967): Sunday 4 February 18:40 NFT1 & Tuesday 6 February 20:45 NFT1 Digital 4K
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): Sunday 3 March 15:00 NFT3 & Sunday 10 March 18.10 NFT1 Digital 4K

Also on Tuesday February 6, 2024 at 16:10 in NFT1 is ‘Spies, Swingers and Shadows: The Films and Scores of John Barry’. Join special guests including season curator Bob Stanley for a richly illustrated discussion about the distinctive sounds of John Barry. With a focus on Barry’s British years, the panel will explore the significance of his scores for the James Bond franchise and other key titles, consider the changes in British music that influenced his compositions, and reflect on John Barry’s legacy.