Is Bond Science-Fiction?
Thoughts about Bond’s connection to reality, news of another Bond exhibit, and an upcoming book release.
A few days after this edition of the newsletter drops I’ll be one of the guests at a literary science fiction convention being held in Dallas. The first of the five panels I’ll be participating in over the weekend is entitled ‘James Bond: Man of Mystery’ and is billed as a discussion of all things 007.
But I’m not just participating in the discussion, I’ll be moderating it, and as such get to ask my fellow guests a few questions to get things rolling. As we will be at what is primarily a science-fiction-focused event I thought I’d kick things off by asking ‘Is James Bond Science Fiction?’
There are the obvious Bond-in-space moments in the Bond movies such as with Moonraker, and even the futuristic spacecraft of You Only Live, or the laser-powered satellite weapons of Diamonds Are Forever and Die Another Day. But what about the more Earth-bound adventures - does the inclusion of jet-packs (Thunderball) and submarine cars (The Spy Who Loved Me) count as enough to consider those movies as SF? And how does the hyper-realism of most of the movie plots, and Q’s various gadgets fit on the scale from reality to fantasy?
What’s your thoughts - can we place 007 alongside Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, and Luke Skywalker?
Alan
Bond Briefing
A massive thank you to our first few rounds of subscribers. The reception and uptake of folks registering to receive this newsletter exceeded any expectations we had. It was a very humbling start seeing the names roll in as folks signed on.
Bond News
Bond in the Windy City
Another major Bond-related museum experience was announced recently with the arrival of 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond opening at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Once again our friends at the Ian Fleming Foundation will be supplying several of the vehicles for the exhibit which will comprise a total of 13 vehicles and over 90 Bond-related artifacts, plus a “Q-inspired” lab space.
The exhibit will run from March 7th, to October 27th, 2024 and you can find out more details HERE
Bond Reads
A round-up of thoughts on Bond-related books recently read or announced.
James Bond. Dr No - Paul Duncan
Taschen Books, the luxury art book publisher recently announced a new book on the making of Dr. No to be published in March 2024.
According to the information on the publisher's website:
“Access to EON’s James Bond archives was completely unrestricted, so this book is the most comprehensive account of one of the most iconic films the world has ever seen. Step inside the pages to find the true inside story and outstanding insights into the personalities and processes behind the most successful and longest-running film franchise in cinema history.
You can closely follow the making of the film through a day-by-day account of what took place, which scenes were shot, and who made the decisions that shaped the story and characters as it was filmed. Among the 1007 images, you’ll see many rare and previously unpublished stills and on-set shots from photographers such as Bert Cann, Bunny Yaeger, and Bradley Smith, as well as memos, documents, posters, and production designs.
And the behind-the-scenes stories paint their own pictures too, told by the people who were there. From producers Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to director Terence Young and production designer Ken Adam, as well as the cast, the crew, writers, and stuntmen, these personal narratives invite readers back in time and onto the film set itself.”
The book will be limited to a print run of 1,962 copies available in three different editions:
1 - 250 an ‘Art Edition priced at $1,750
251-500 a ‘Publicity Portrait’ priced at $1,750
501 - 1,962 a ‘Collectors Edition’ priced at $850
Let’s hope that at these prices we will eventually see a more reasonably priced edition that your average Bond fan could afford!
Bond Chronology
An extract from our current in-progress project. - A detailed chronology of the James Bond phenomenon from creation until today, one month at a time.
September 1952
15
Ian Fleming writes to J.M. Ruddy the Kemsley newspaper correspondent in Hollywood asking him “What sort of sums do big studios pay for a novel by a writer that is not yet established?”
17
Ian Fleming meets with publisher Jonathan Cape to finalize the details of his contract.
18
Fleming sends Jonathan Cape a four-page letter outlining the contract discussion of the previous day regarding his contract and includes a request for an increase to his royalty rate.
Bond Blatherings
The latest episode of Rogue Agents is now live on the On Her Majesty’s Secret Podcast network, in which the crew takes a slight diversion from the worlds of 007, although remains with a Fleming connection, as we once more revisit the files of U.N.C.L.E to examine “The Deadly Games Affair.”
You can check out the discussion right HERE.
Bond for Sale
Forest Comics & Books, our eBay store, usually has a few Bond items for sale along with all sorts of other pop-culture-related goodies which can be found HERE
Looking for a few James Bond book ideas? - How about checking out our dedicated 007 on-line bookstore?
Of course, there is always our own James Bond Lexicon which you can order from Bookshop.org just by clicking HERE or on the cover below.
If you would like a personalized, signed copy we still have a few copies of both the James Bond Lexicon and James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 in stock. Just drop us a note at alan@jamesbondlexicon.com and we can get that fixed for you. (Sorry US only at the moment due to shipping costs)
Where to Find Us Online
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See you next time
Alan J. Porter & Gillian J. Porter
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