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09/06/2026
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Latest Stuff
Tough Guys (1986) – A Review Tough Guys (1986) – A Review The Luckiest Man in America (2024) – A Review The Luckiest Man in America (2024) – A Review Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film Trap (2024) – A Review Trap (2024) – A Review

Latest Stuff

Tough-Guys-1986-comedy-Kirk-Douglas-Burt-Lancaster
  • Comedy

Tough Guys (1986) – A Review

0
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  • Docudrama

The Luckiest Man in America (2024) – A Review

0
Barbara-Broccoli-On-Denis-Villeneuve
  • James Bond

Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director

1
Denis-Villeneuve-Directing-Bond-26
  • James Bond

Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film

1
Trap-2024-Josh-Hartnett-thriller
  • Thriller

Trap (2024) – A Review

0

ACTION

Gymkata-1985-action-cult-movie-poster
  • Action

Gymkata (1985) – A Review

0
Cruise-vs-Bond-007-Thumbnail
  • Action
  • James Bond

Tom Cruise vs James Bond

1

Disaster Movies

Marooned-1969-science-fiction-disaster-space-John-Sturges
1
  • Disaster
  • Sci-Fi

Marooned (1969) – A Review

Gripped-Clmbing-the-Killer-Pillar-2020-mountain-climbing-disaster-survival-filim-Amanda-Maddox
2
  • Disaster
  • Thriller

Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar (2020) – A Review

Disaster-Film-Recipe-Thumbnail
3
  • Disaster

The 1970s Recipe For Disaster

Dantes-Peak-1997-Pierce-Brosnan-Linda-Hamilton-volcano-disaster-movie
4
  • Disaster

Dante’s Peak (1997) – A Review

The-Neptune-Factor-1973-underwater-disaster-movie-Ben-Gazzara-Ernest-Borgnine-Yvette-Mimieux
5
  • Disaster
  • Sci-Fi

The Neptune Factor (1973) – A Review

007

Barbara-Broccoli-On-Denis-Villeneuve
  • James Bond

Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director

1
Denis-Villeneuve-Directing-Bond-26
  • James Bond

Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film

1
Amazon-New-007-James-Bond-Producers-Pascal-Heyman
  • James Bond

Amazon Announces New Bond Producers

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Bond-Gets-A-New-Home-Amazon-Deal
  • James Bond

James Bond Falls Into the Hands of Amazon MGM Studios

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Cruise-vs-Bond-007-Thumbnail
  • Action
  • James Bond

Tom Cruise vs James Bond

1
Pinup-Poster-History-Photo-Art
  • Remember!

Hey, Remember – Pin-up Girl Posters

2

Hey, remember when Pin-up Girl photos & posters were hung everywhere a young man's eyes would fall? I take a look at the history of the Pin-up Girl, from helping soldiers get through WWII to the 1970s/80s poster girl boom to becoming digital downloads

Read MoreRead more about Hey, Remember – Pin-up Girl Posters
Sean-Connery-Life-Films-Gossip-HaphazardStuff
  • James Bond
  • Remember!

Sean Connery – His Life, His Films & Some Gossip

1

I take a look at Sean Connery's life, his films and some gossip about the actor who found fame playing James Bond and remained one of the most popular and successful actors for decades

Read MoreRead more about Sean Connery – His Life, His Films & Some Gossip
Remember When McDonalds Was Fun
  • Remember!

Hey, Remember – When McDonald’s Was Fun

6

Once upon a time McDonalds was a fun place to go, everyone would go there for a salty unhealthy meal and feel absolutely no guilt about it

Read MoreRead more about Hey, Remember – When McDonald’s Was Fun
Tough-Guys-1986-comedy-Kirk-Douglas-Burt-Lancaster
  • Comedy

Tough Guys (1986) – A Review

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A review of the 1986 comedy Tough Guys, starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas as two train robbers released from prison and have to adapt to the radical 1980s

Read MoreRead more about Tough Guys (1986) – A Review
Luckiest-Man-In-America-2024-Paul-Walter-Hauser
  • Docudrama

The Luckiest Man in America (2024) – A Review

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A review of the 2024 drama The Luckiest Man in America, about the Press Your Luck game show scandal where a man learned how to beat the game

Read MoreRead more about The Luckiest Man in America (2024) – A Review
Barbara-Broccoli-On-Denis-Villeneuve
  • James Bond

Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director

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Barbara Broccoli said she thrilled with the decision for Denis Villeneuve to direct the next...

Read MoreRead more about Broccoli Supports Villeneuve As Bond 26 Director
Denis-Villeneuve-Directing-Bond-26
  • James Bond

Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film

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Amazon MGM Studios announced that Denis Villeneuve has signed to direct the new James Bond film

Read MoreRead more about Denis Villeneuve To Direct James Bond Film
Trap-2024-Josh-Hartnett-thriller
  • Thriller

Trap (2024) – A Review

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A review of the 2024 thriller Trap, starring Josh Hartnett and written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Read MoreRead more about Trap (2024) – A Review
Gymkata-1985-action-cult-movie-poster
  • Action

Gymkata (1985) – A Review

0

A review of the 1985 action film Gymkata, starring Kurt Thomas who combines his skills as a gymnast and karate to fight bad guys with a martial arts technique known as Gymkata

Read MoreRead more about Gymkata (1985) – A Review
Amazon-New-007-James-Bond-Producers-Pascal-Heyman
  • James Bond

Amazon Announces New Bond Producers

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Amazon MGM Studios have announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the new producers of Bond 26

Read MoreRead more about Amazon Announces New Bond Producers
Bond-Gets-A-New-Home-Amazon-Deal
  • James Bond

James Bond Falls Into the Hands of Amazon MGM Studios

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Amazon MGM Studios has assumed creative control of James Bond, deciding on films, spinoffs and all content around 007

Read MoreRead more about James Bond Falls Into the Hands of Amazon MGM Studios
The-Voyage-of-the-Demeter-2023-Corey-Hakwins-vampire-horror
  • Horror

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) – A Review

0

A review of the 2023 horror film The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Dracula is onboard a ship traveling to England, expanded from a chapter in Bram Stoker's Dracula novel

Read MoreRead more about The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) – A Review
Cruise-vs-Bond-007-Thumbnail
  • Action
  • James Bond

Tom Cruise vs James Bond

1

It's Tom Cruise vs James Bond! The Mission: Impossible films have often been compared to the 007 films. Here's a video that highlights the similarities between them.

Read MoreRead more about Tom Cruise vs James Bond
Saturday-Night-2024-cast-movie
  • Comedy
  • Docudrama

Saturday Night (2024) – A Review

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A review of the 2024 comedy/drama Saturday Night, about the 1976 television production o the first live episode of Saturday Night Live

Read MoreRead more about Saturday Night (2024) – A Review
Unlawful-Entry-1992-thriller-Ray-Liotta-Madeleine-Stowe-Kurt-Russell
  • Thriller

Unlawful Entry (1992) – A Review

1

Ray Liotta is an unhinged cop who terrorizes couple Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe in the 1992 thriller Unlawful Entry

Read MoreRead more about Unlawful Entry (1992) – A Review
Marooned-1969-science-fiction-disaster-space-John-Sturges
  • Disaster
  • Sci-Fi

Marooned (1969) – A Review

0

A review of the sci-fi space drama Marooned, about three astronauts trapped in space. Starring Gregory Peck, David Janssen, Richard Crenna, Gene Hackman and James Franciscus.

Read MoreRead more about Marooned (1969) – A Review
One-Crazy-Summer-1986-comedy-Bobcat-Goldthwait-Tom-Villard-John-Cusack
  • 1980s Teen Comedies
  • Comedy

One Crazy Summer (1986) – A Review

0

A review of the 1986 comedy One Crazy Summer, starring John Cusack, Demi Moore, Bobcat Goldthwait, Joel Murray and Curtis Armstrong

Read MoreRead more about One Crazy Summer (1986) – A Review
Gripped-Clmbing-the-Killer-Pillar-2020-mountain-climbing-disaster-survival-filim-Amanda-Maddox
  • Disaster
  • Thriller

Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar (2020) – A Review

0

A review of the 2020 mountain climbing suspense film Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar, about two climbers trapped on the side of a mountain and must climb to the top of it to survive

Read MoreRead more about Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar (2020) – A Review
Tootsie-Roll-Pop-Wrapper-Legend-Indian-Shooting-Star
  • Remember!

Hey, Remember – The Legend Of The Indian On Tootsie Pop Wrappers?

0

For generations, kids has believed the legend that finding an Indian shooting a star on a Tootsie Pop wrapper earns them a free Tootsie Pop - it isn't true

Read MoreRead more about Hey, Remember – The Legend Of The Indian On Tootsie Pop Wrappers?
Joanne-Whalley-Trial-By-Jury-1994-courtroom-thriller
  • Thriller

Trial By Jury (1994) – A Review

0

A review of the 1994 courtroom thriller Trial By Jury, starring Joanne Whalley, William Hurt, Armad Assante and Gabriel Byrne

Read MoreRead more about Trial By Jury (1994) – A Review
Special-When-Lit-2009-documentary-pinball-games
  • Documentary

Special When Lit (2009) – A Review

0

A review of the 2009 documentary Special When Lit, about the history of pinball games and impact they once had on culture

Read MoreRead more about Special When Lit (2009) – A Review

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Raquel Welch is Fathom - "She's a sky-diving darli Raquel Welch is Fathom - "She's a sky-diving darling built for action!"

After becoming an international star thanks to One Million B.C., Fantastic Voyage and a whole lot of magazine covers, Welch was given her first starring vehicle in Fathom. It's a lightweight spy adventure with Welch playing an American skydiving champion/dental assistant who gets embroiled in an espionage adventure in Spain. Of course, the film managed to find ways of putting Welch in bikinis and sexy outfits. They didn't want her to just wear her parachute jump suit in the whole film.

The film also stars Anthony Franciosa, Richard Briers, Ronald Fraser and Elizabeth Ercy.

There was some alleged tension on the set. According to screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., there was a bit of a conflict between her and director Leslie H. Martinson during filming. "They had a fight on Day One and never spoke to each other again throughout the rest of the shoot." 

There was also alleged tension between her and co-star Franciosa. 

Welch wasn't particularly happy with Fathom. She didn't understand the opening title sequence, which is her wearing a tight red shirt and a bikini bottom packing up a parachute. It's clearly designed to give audiences pleasing views of Welch. 
"When we were shooting that opening moment in Fathom (1967), it seemed silly to me. They had to explain it to me, and even then I was like 'Okay, fine, whatever you think.'"
The title sequence was done by Maurice Binder.

Welch said about Fathom, "I played a blown up Barbie doll."
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969.

Lazenby's story of being cast as James Bond has become legendary. Whoever was going to follow Sean Connery had huge shoes to fill. Some thought it would be impossible to replace him. A large casting search was underway. Countless actors came in and were rejected. Then suddenly an unknown with no acting experience managed to land one of the most coveted roles in cinema. 

Lazenby was enjoying work as one of the highest paid male models around. He even got voted British Top Model of the Year in 1966, His only real 'acting' experience' was playing 'The Big Fry Chocolate Man' in a series of television commercials for Fry's Chocolate Cream Bars.

Despite his lack of experience, Lazenby was full of confidence. He went to Connery's personal barber, managed to get an unclaimed suit Connery had left behind, walked into the Eon offices, got in front of Bond producer Harry Saltzman and bluffed and lied. Tall tales of Lazenby performing in plays and European films soon set him on the track to being 007.

It's an amazing story. I always thought it was especially incredible after all he did to get the part, Lazenby didn't stick around to do more Bond films. It was a one-and-done deal for him.

Could you imagine this happening with the next Bond actor?!?! One quick Google search would reveal it all and they'd learn 'Oh, he's just the Big Fry Guy. Show him the door.' 

The film was a hit, but Lazenby got lukewarm reviews. The press was eager to run with all the juicy rumors, feuds and stories of difficulty during filming. 

As time has gone on Majesty's reputation has grown and for many Bond fans they consider it the greatest Bond film. Heck, it got heavily referenced in No Time To Die. 

Lazenby has said, "In retrospect, you can only blame yourself, and I do blame myself. I'd love to have that time over again and done another one....or seven, wouldn't matter."

Lazenby's story is told in the 2017 docudrama Becoming Bond.
The opening plane stunt where Bond rides off a cli The opening plane stunt where Bond rides off a cliff on a motorcycle, catches up to a falling plane, hops in it and flies away was created using miniatures, stunts, projection screens, a lot of spare motorcycles and of course Pierce Brosnan. 

Michael G. Wilson explained, "The motorcycle jump was again done in Switzerland. We built the ramp in the fall, and then we had to wait until it snowed. We had [stuntman] Jacques Malnuit go off on his motorbike and open his parachute. We did that for real. Every time they had just enough petrol in the tank so they'd literally run out of gas when they ran off, for ecological reasons because they didn't want to damage the environment. Then in the spring, when the thaw came, we went down and retrieved all the motorbike parts. That stunt started in the fall with building the ramp and ended in the spring with picking up the pieces."

At one point director Martin Campell considered doing the stunt all for real, but ultimately felt it was too dangerous. It's the kind of stunt that Tom Cruise might have done and would have ended up as a centerpiece to a Mission: Impossible film. 

Campbell said,, "I think Jacques went over that 6,000 foot drop or whatever it was about seven times. What a ridiculous job! That whole sequence was about putting Bond in a situation where you wonder how he can possibly escape. There's a bloody cliff at the end of the runway, so what the f*** does he do? That's the thing. Put him in impossible situations all the time. I did have concerns that skydiving into a crashing plane was going too far, to be honest, but we actually considered doing it for real at one point."

 #goldeneye #jamesbond #goldeneye30 #piercebrosnan
Filming begins on For Your Eyes Only. The first Filming begins on For Your Eyes Only. 

The first scenes shot was the St. Georges in the North Sea. It was a real 1946 fishing trawler named MT Thorina. Interiors of the ship were shot in Pinewood Studios. 

For the sinking sequence, Derek Meddings created a miniature model  that was around 25-feet long. The sinking sequence was shot in the outdoor Paddock tank at Pinewood studios.

The MT Thorina was broken up and scrapped in 1984. I'm not sure the whereabouts of the St. Georges model today. I've never seen a Bond exhibit with it on display. They might have just discarded it after the film. It's crazy to think how some film models were just thrown out after filming and not saved.
Tsai Chin’s career spans over six decades. A Chine Tsai Chin’s career spans over six decades. A Chinese British actress, singer, director, teacher and author.

In 1967, Chin played Ling in You Only Live Twice in the pre-credits sequence. Chin returned to the Bond series 39 years later, appearing as one of the poker players at the table in Casino Royale.

#jamesbond #youonlylivetwice #casinoroyale #tsaichin #bondgirl
Ursula Andress photographed by Bunny Yeager, 1962. Ursula Andress photographed by Bunny Yeager, 1962.

Yeager was a former pin-up model and photographer. She became famous for her outdoor glamour photographer, most notably her groundbreaking work with iconic pin-up model Bettie Page. 

United Artists wanted promotional photos of Andress to help market her and this new film, Dr. No. Yeager was hired to be a specialized publicity and glamour photographer. She wasn't responsible for simply taking standard 'stills' on the set, but to get more striking images. 

Yeager arrived on location in Jamaica. Because she was not technically part of the film crew, she wasn't given any set scheduled time with Andress. So, whenever there was a break between filming, Yeager would take Andress aside and they would have an impromptu photoshoot. 

Utilizing the beach setting, natural light and Andress' wardrobe (particularly her white bikini), she created some of the most memorable images of her from the filming. 

She photographed Andress at various areas and backdrops on the location - Laughing Waters Beach, the swamp areas, posing around local fishing boats and docks. Yeager's collection of photos of Andress are beautiful.

One particular time Yeager instructed Andress to pose against thick tree roots - as seen here - using them to frame her athletic body. 

Some of Yeager's photos became some of the most important images used to promote Dr. No and helped launched Andress into superstardom. Her images of Andess essentially created the blueprint of the "Bond Girl".
Charles Gray in You Only Live Twice and Diamonds A Charles Gray in You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever.

The James Bond producers were once much more relaxed about casting actors who had appeared in the films more than once if they liked them. They weren't too concerned with keeping a continuity from film to film. 

That's what happened with Gray, who had played the small role of Dikko Henderson in You Only Live Twice. Five years later, when it was time to cast a new Blofeld for Diamonds, director Guy Hamilton suggested Gray for the villain role because he liked his performance so much in You Only Live Twice. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman agreed.

Gray accepted the offer, but only if he didn't have to shave his head - and that was it. 

Gray's Blofeld in Diamonds is the campiest Blofeld in the Bond series. The character is much different than the ones that had come before, Donald Pleasance, Telly Savalas, the faceless Blofeld just petting his cat. 

Blofeld would take a long break from the Bond series after Gray's performance in the 1971 film. Kevin McClory had his Thunderball rights well in hand, which included Blofeld and the organization of Spectre. The Bond filmmakers could no longer use the character. It would be in Spectre in 2015 Blofeld would finally return as the Bond villain, this time played Christoph Waltz.
Bond POV in The Living Daylights #BondPOV #TheLiv Bond POV in The Living Daylights

#BondPOV #TheLivingDaylights
Barbara Bach as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent XXX i Barbara Bach as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent XXX in The Spy Who Loved Me

Bach was a model appearing in international magazines and an actress, who had acted in small roles in mostly Italian films when she landed the role in the tenth James Bond film opposite Roger Moore’s 007.

In 1975, Bach had done a screen test for British producer/director Tony Richardson for an unmade film titled The Bodyguard. The film never got made, however Cubby Broccoli somehow saw the video cassette of her screen test and was impressed with Bach.

After viewing footage of Bach’s previous nine Italian films she had done, Broccoli and director Lewis Gilbert invited her to screen test for the role of Anya Amasova.

Bach said, “I did the test with an English actor on a Tuesday. They saw it on a Wednesday and I had a call from Mr. Broccoli inviting me to lunch with him and Mr. Gilbert. I did now know if I had got the part. I didn’t have the courage to ask. Then at lunch they told me they wanted me for the part. I was so excited that I couldn’t eat anything.”

The Spy Who Loved Me was a huge success and catapulted Bach to international fame. She would work in other films and projects, but her role in The Spy Who Loved Me would be her most famous. I’ll always think of her as Agent XXX - and also as Lana in Caveman! The 1981 pre-historic comedy where she would meet her future and current husband, Ringo Starr.

How do you rank Bach's Agent XXX on your list of Bond girls?

#jamesbond #barbarabach #thespywholovedme #bondgirl
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNy63FbgqhQ
haphazardstuff HaphazardStuff @haphazardstuff ·
6 Aug

Timothy Dalton is officially announced as James Bond. At the time the news hit, Dalton was working on the film Brenda Starr. He would finish that film on September 28, 1986 and immediately flew to London to Pinewood Studios to sign his contract to be the new 007.

Reply on Twitter 2085368309592044017 Retweet on Twitter 2085368309592044017 52 Like on Twitter 2085368309592044017 557 Twitter 2085368309592044017
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haphazardstuff HaphazardStuff @haphazardstuff ·
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Timothy Dalton is officially announced as James Bond. At the time the news hit, Dalton was working on the film Brenda Starr. He would finish that film on September 28, 1986 and immediately flew to London to Pinewood Studios to sign his contract to be the new 007.

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Raquel Welch is Fathom - "She's a sky-diving darli Raquel Welch is Fathom - "She's a sky-diving darling built for action!"

After becoming an international star thanks to One Million B.C., Fantastic Voyage and a whole lot of magazine covers, Welch was given her first starring vehicle in Fathom. It's a lightweight spy adventure with Welch playing an American skydiving champion/dental assistant who gets embroiled in an espionage adventure in Spain. Of course, the film managed to find ways of putting Welch in bikinis and sexy outfits. They didn't want her to just wear her parachute jump suit in the whole film.

The film also stars Anthony Franciosa, Richard Briers, Ronald Fraser and Elizabeth Ercy.

There was some alleged tension on the set. According to screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., there was a bit of a conflict between her and director Leslie H. Martinson during filming. "They had a fight on Day One and never spoke to each other again throughout the rest of the shoot." 

There was also alleged tension between her and co-star Franciosa. 

Welch wasn't particularly happy with Fathom. She didn't understand the opening title sequence, which is her wearing a tight red shirt and a bikini bottom packing up a parachute. It's clearly designed to give audiences pleasing views of Welch. 
"When we were shooting that opening moment in Fathom (1967), it seemed silly to me. They had to explain it to me, and even then I was like 'Okay, fine, whatever you think.'"
The title sequence was done by Maurice Binder.

Welch said about Fathom, "I played a blown up Barbie doll."
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969.

Lazenby's story of being cast as James Bond has become legendary. Whoever was going to follow Sean Connery had huge shoes to fill. Some thought it would be impossible to replace him. A large casting search was underway. Countless actors came in and were rejected. Then suddenly an unknown with no acting experience managed to land one of the most coveted roles in cinema. 

Lazenby was enjoying work as one of the highest paid male models around. He even got voted British Top Model of the Year in 1966, His only real 'acting' experience' was playing 'The Big Fry Chocolate Man' in a series of television commercials for Fry's Chocolate Cream Bars.

Despite his lack of experience, Lazenby was full of confidence. He went to Connery's personal barber, managed to get an unclaimed suit Connery had left behind, walked into the Eon offices, got in front of Bond producer Harry Saltzman and bluffed and lied. Tall tales of Lazenby performing in plays and European films soon set him on the track to being 007.

It's an amazing story. I always thought it was especially incredible after all he did to get the part, Lazenby didn't stick around to do more Bond films. It was a one-and-done deal for him.

Could you imagine this happening with the next Bond actor?!?! One quick Google search would reveal it all and they'd learn 'Oh, he's just the Big Fry Guy. Show him the door.' 

The film was a hit, but Lazenby got lukewarm reviews. The press was eager to run with all the juicy rumors, feuds and stories of difficulty during filming. 

As time has gone on Majesty's reputation has grown and for many Bond fans they consider it the greatest Bond film. Heck, it got heavily referenced in No Time To Die. 

Lazenby has said, "In retrospect, you can only blame yourself, and I do blame myself. I'd love to have that time over again and done another one....or seven, wouldn't matter."

Lazenby's story is told in the 2017 docudrama Becoming Bond.
The opening plane stunt where Bond rides off a cli The opening plane stunt where Bond rides off a cliff on a motorcycle, catches up to a falling plane, hops in it and flies away was created using miniatures, stunts, projection screens, a lot of spare motorcycles and of course Pierce Brosnan. 

Michael G. Wilson explained, "The motorcycle jump was again done in Switzerland. We built the ramp in the fall, and then we had to wait until it snowed. We had [stuntman] Jacques Malnuit go off on his motorbike and open his parachute. We did that for real. Every time they had just enough petrol in the tank so they'd literally run out of gas when they ran off, for ecological reasons because they didn't want to damage the environment. Then in the spring, when the thaw came, we went down and retrieved all the motorbike parts. That stunt started in the fall with building the ramp and ended in the spring with picking up the pieces."

At one point director Martin Campell considered doing the stunt all for real, but ultimately felt it was too dangerous. It's the kind of stunt that Tom Cruise might have done and would have ended up as a centerpiece to a Mission: Impossible film. 

Campbell said,, "I think Jacques went over that 6,000 foot drop or whatever it was about seven times. What a ridiculous job! That whole sequence was about putting Bond in a situation where you wonder how he can possibly escape. There's a bloody cliff at the end of the runway, so what the f*** does he do? That's the thing. Put him in impossible situations all the time. I did have concerns that skydiving into a crashing plane was going too far, to be honest, but we actually considered doing it for real at one point."

 #goldeneye #jamesbond #goldeneye30 #piercebrosnan
Filming begins on For Your Eyes Only. The first Filming begins on For Your Eyes Only. 

The first scenes shot was the St. Georges in the North Sea. It was a real 1946 fishing trawler named MT Thorina. Interiors of the ship were shot in Pinewood Studios. 

For the sinking sequence, Derek Meddings created a miniature model  that was around 25-feet long. The sinking sequence was shot in the outdoor Paddock tank at Pinewood studios.

The MT Thorina was broken up and scrapped in 1984. I'm not sure the whereabouts of the St. Georges model today. I've never seen a Bond exhibit with it on display. They might have just discarded it after the film. It's crazy to think how some film models were just thrown out after filming and not saved.
Tsai Chin’s career spans over six decades. A Chine Tsai Chin’s career spans over six decades. A Chinese British actress, singer, director, teacher and author.

In 1967, Chin played Ling in You Only Live Twice in the pre-credits sequence. Chin returned to the Bond series 39 years later, appearing as one of the poker players at the table in Casino Royale.

#jamesbond #youonlylivetwice #casinoroyale #tsaichin #bondgirl
Ursula Andress photographed by Bunny Yeager, 1962. Ursula Andress photographed by Bunny Yeager, 1962.

Yeager was a former pin-up model and photographer. She became famous for her outdoor glamour photographer, most notably her groundbreaking work with iconic pin-up model Bettie Page. 

United Artists wanted promotional photos of Andress to help market her and this new film, Dr. No. Yeager was hired to be a specialized publicity and glamour photographer. She wasn't responsible for simply taking standard 'stills' on the set, but to get more striking images. 

Yeager arrived on location in Jamaica. Because she was not technically part of the film crew, she wasn't given any set scheduled time with Andress. So, whenever there was a break between filming, Yeager would take Andress aside and they would have an impromptu photoshoot. 

Utilizing the beach setting, natural light and Andress' wardrobe (particularly her white bikini), she created some of the most memorable images of her from the filming. 

She photographed Andress at various areas and backdrops on the location - Laughing Waters Beach, the swamp areas, posing around local fishing boats and docks. Yeager's collection of photos of Andress are beautiful.

One particular time Yeager instructed Andress to pose against thick tree roots - as seen here - using them to frame her athletic body. 

Some of Yeager's photos became some of the most important images used to promote Dr. No and helped launched Andress into superstardom. Her images of Andess essentially created the blueprint of the "Bond Girl".
Charles Gray in You Only Live Twice and Diamonds A Charles Gray in You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever.

The James Bond producers were once much more relaxed about casting actors who had appeared in the films more than once if they liked them. They weren't too concerned with keeping a continuity from film to film. 

That's what happened with Gray, who had played the small role of Dikko Henderson in You Only Live Twice. Five years later, when it was time to cast a new Blofeld for Diamonds, director Guy Hamilton suggested Gray for the villain role because he liked his performance so much in You Only Live Twice. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman agreed.

Gray accepted the offer, but only if he didn't have to shave his head - and that was it. 

Gray's Blofeld in Diamonds is the campiest Blofeld in the Bond series. The character is much different than the ones that had come before, Donald Pleasance, Telly Savalas, the faceless Blofeld just petting his cat. 

Blofeld would take a long break from the Bond series after Gray's performance in the 1971 film. Kevin McClory had his Thunderball rights well in hand, which included Blofeld and the organization of Spectre. The Bond filmmakers could no longer use the character. It would be in Spectre in 2015 Blofeld would finally return as the Bond villain, this time played Christoph Waltz.
Bond POV in The Living Daylights #BondPOV #TheLiv Bond POV in The Living Daylights

#BondPOV #TheLivingDaylights
Barbara Bach as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent XXX i Barbara Bach as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent XXX in The Spy Who Loved Me

Bach was a model appearing in international magazines and an actress, who had acted in small roles in mostly Italian films when she landed the role in the tenth James Bond film opposite Roger Moore’s 007.

In 1975, Bach had done a screen test for British producer/director Tony Richardson for an unmade film titled The Bodyguard. The film never got made, however Cubby Broccoli somehow saw the video cassette of her screen test and was impressed with Bach.

After viewing footage of Bach’s previous nine Italian films she had done, Broccoli and director Lewis Gilbert invited her to screen test for the role of Anya Amasova.

Bach said, “I did the test with an English actor on a Tuesday. They saw it on a Wednesday and I had a call from Mr. Broccoli inviting me to lunch with him and Mr. Gilbert. I did now know if I had got the part. I didn’t have the courage to ask. Then at lunch they told me they wanted me for the part. I was so excited that I couldn’t eat anything.”

The Spy Who Loved Me was a huge success and catapulted Bach to international fame. She would work in other films and projects, but her role in The Spy Who Loved Me would be her most famous. I’ll always think of her as Agent XXX - and also as Lana in Caveman! The 1981 pre-historic comedy where she would meet her future and current husband, Ringo Starr.

How do you rank Bach's Agent XXX on your list of Bond girls?

#jamesbond #barbarabach #thespywholovedme #bondgirl
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