Fifty Years of 007

This blog is for entertainment purposes only, and is not for financial gain. 
It is simply a celebration of the greatest movie franchise of all time.

 If there are materials, photos, or comments that are requested to be removed I will gladly do so.

I wish I was James Bond,

Just for the day,

Kissing all the girls,

Blow the bad guys away.

Lyrics Scouting for Girls - 2008

I was ten years old the first time I was audience to a James Bond movie in 1971. The film was ‘Diamonds are Forever’ starring Sean Connery in the seventh film of the James Bond franchise. I had no idea what I was in for since I was taken to the movie by my father whom obviously wanted to see the latest ‘Bond’ flick. My father and I were not very close and every once in a while I had to spend time with him since he was coerced by my mother in taking me out for the evening. Pop and I were like water and oil and there seemed to be a cold invisible wall between us nevertheless the one thing that I can thank dear old ‘Dad’ for was his decision to take me to a James Bond movie so that we could ignore each other for two hours. Little did he know that the outing was perhaps the most memorable evening of my life, because that was the night that I was introduced to the world of 007.

From the opening gun barrel sequence when the incomparable Monty Norman 007 theme music fills the theater and James Bond walks across the screen to shoot at the audience I was hooked. The movie had everything a young impressionable boy could want as I followed James Bond to exotic locations like Amsterdam, Las Vegas and Baja California while tracking down a cache of stolen diamonds. I watched 007 outwit his arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his Henchmen Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd as they joyously liquidate various characters throughout the film. Between spectacular car chases and brutal fist fights Bond takes the time out to charm the clothes off of the leading lady Tiffany Case and buxom bombshell Plenty O'Toole. These were the first of what would be a bevy of iconic beauties that would grace the screen of every 007 adventure and although I was in my prepubescent years I was captivated by their beauty, brashness and boobs.

With over the top action sequences, lifesaving gadgets and an explosive climax as James Bond saves the world from annihilation I was transformed from a young boy to a much wiser young man. I wanted to be James Bond, a super spy that was licensed to kill, blow things up and get laid to boot. But for me there was much more to this movie and the ones to follow because they ignited my imagination more so than any other movie or television show that I was watching at the time. From the publicity movie posters, incredible music score, futuristic set designs, beautiful woman, amazing vehicles and intriguing plots I became obsessed with James Bond and the world that was built around Ian Flemings character. It has been an obsession that has lasted over 40 years and although the original films are outdated (by contemporary standards) they are products of their time and the predecessors of all the espionage thrillers and action adventure films that we see today.

On this blog I will review the James Bond films as well as other spy movies from the 1960’s to now, good and bad, their influences as well as brief biographies of the stars and talent of the films and trivia notes. There are many blogs dedicated to the James bond franchise however I hope that my point of view from when I was a young man to now will be of interest to the James bond fan. Here I hope to stir up nostalgic memories, as well as display some original artwork dedicated to a film franchise that has entertained me for many years.

JV