HMSS Weblog on Twitter

We’ve only mentioned this in passing in responding to comments on some posts: the HMSS Weblog is also available on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/hmssweblog. It’s a modest presence, but we’re linking posts here.

Report: MGM may go on sale (yet again)

MGM, the home studio for James Bond movies, may be put on the sales block yet again, Peter Bart of Variety writes.
An excerpt from Bart’s Nov. 11 story:
Several sources say they expect that MGM will essentially be auctioned off within the next few weeks.
This would mean that a major, such as Time Warner, could [...]

Appreciating Thrilling Cities

The cultural-observer website, When Falls the Coliseum, has posted today really terrific column by crime and espionage journalist, Paul Davis. In Through a Thriller Writers Eyes: The Life and Work of Ian Fleming, he celebrates Fleming’s two nonfiction books, Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers. The former volume, a collection of pieces on cities the [...]

How ‘The Trouble With Harry’ still affects the 007 franchise

Our co-publisher has sounded the alarm on how troubles at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. could imperil the movie future of James Bond. But in many ways, it’s merely the latest chapter of “The Trouble With Harry.”
Harry, of course, is Harry Saltzman who launched the Bond series with partner Albert R. Broccoli with 1962’s Dr. No. Saltzman, though, [...]

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. turns 45

Forty-five years ago — Sept. 22, 1964 — a show debuted that had been pitched to NBC executives as “James Bond for television.”
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. turned out to be more than that. It ushered in an era where spies would be welcomed into U.S. living rooms and not just be seen on movie screens. [...]

1975: When Marvel Comics ripped 007

One of the more unusual titles published by Marvel Comics came out in the mid-1970s. That’s when the company’s Dealy Hands of Kung Fu magazine ran a detailed critique of The Man With The Golden Gun. The article by Don McGregor, then a writer for Marvel, ripped almost everybody associated with the movie.
Some background: Deadly [...]

1990: 007 stuntman appears on To Tell The Truth

Back in the days before DVD extras (including “making of” documentaries), being a stuntman — even one who did spectacular skydiving stunts — was a profession one could practice in anonymity. Thus, B.J. Worth, who had performed major stunts in Moonraker, A View To a Kill and The Living Daylights would be a perfect contestant [...]

Quentin Tarantino: ‘Daniel Craig shouldn’t be James Bond’

http://www.showbizspy.com/article/189759/quentin-tarantino-daniel-craig-shouldnt-be-james-bond.html
Daniel Craig wouldn’t be playing James Bond — if director Quentin Tarantino had his way.
The eccentric movie maker said he would like to have directed Casino Royale — but with Pierce Brosnan as the suave British spy.
“The reason they did Casino Royale all comes down to me,” Quentin said.
“I made it a point, I said [...]

Casino Royale still influencing the masses

With Parkour, the whole world’s a playground – Fast growing extreme sport offers thrills, raises safety concerns
By Jacqueline Stenson
July 21, 2009
Chad Bowers didn’t learn about his favorite new workout at the gym or by reading an article about it. He watched videos on YouTube, where people have posted thousands of clips of themselves jumping over [...]

1989: For 007, a preview of things to come AND the start of a long hiatus

For James Bond fans, 1989’s Licence to Kill, originally to be called License Revoked, is a polarizing film. For some, it’s a grittier James Bond, more in line with Ian Fleming’s character. For others, it’s a cheaply made 007 movie with a lot of U.S. television actors.
It’s also, to some, a preview of things to [...]