He seemed to know what he was doing with Bond, and it’s a shame he only did one. TWINE was able to introduce new ideas to the Bond films that have been present ever since, but the classic Bond feel is always there. He would have been great with Craig.
Felt like a modern Peter Hunt in OHMSS and a bit more polished at that.
RIP
I know it has already been posted in the general tributes thread but I felt the passing of Nikki van der Zyl should be posted here in the Bond Alumni thread. She will always be a part of Bond history and should have been more well known and credited than she was. RIP Nikki.
RIP Yaphet Kotto. A fine actor, memorable Bond villain and I was delighted that Barbel was able to interview him on our behalf...great that he turned out to be a delightful gent.
Paul Ritter, who had a small role as Guy Haines in Quantum of Solace, has died of a brain tumour at the age of 55. I always thought he was great in Friday Night Dinner and am sad he's died at such a young age.
PPK 7.65mmSaratoga Springs NY USAPosts: 1,256MI6 Agent
Not sure if anyone has heard of this or not but the upcoming British horror film Last Night in Soho, written and directed by Edgar Wright features the final performances of Bond girls Margaret Nolan (Dink in Goldfinger) and Dame Diana Rigg (Tracy from On Her Majesty's Secret Service) . It opens in both England and the USA in October. Having gotten into the horror genre over the last few years, I am very interested in seeing this.
RIP Leslie Bricusse, lyricist of "Goldfinger", "You Only Live Twice", "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" among many others. 90 years old.
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
edited November 2021
RIP to John Pearson who passed on Nov 13. He was Ian Fleming’s assistant at the Sunday London Times and authored the first Fleming biography, The Life of Ian Fleming and the Authorized Biography of 007, which is my favorite JB fictional narrative outside of the Fleming books. He also authored the books that were the bases for the recent movies, Legend starring Tom Hardy and All the Money in the World, starring Christopher Plummer. He also appeared in some of the John Cork documentaries featured in the Bond video discs.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
I don't know if he counts as a Bond alumni since he only worked on Casino Royale '67, but Burt Bacharach has died! His music for the film is the best thing about the film, particularly "The Look of Love".
Burt Bacharach is one of those people who you know a little about, and then when he dies and you see a list of things he composed you just keep saying "I didn't know he did that!"
I just posted this video link in the general Tributes thread but here it is again, to be sure everyone can enjoy it: Dusty Springfield singing the Look of Love, i think the best song from any Bond film
Thanks for these links, @caractacus potts I have the album on Cd and it's veery good, although not a traditional 'Bond' sounding soundtrack. I'd agree The Look of Love is an exceptional song, not just from a movie, but a great song all round and wonderfully delivered by Dusty. That's probably my fav scene from the whole film - "Do you have the book or is it still in your bed?" is a more slyly obvious seduction line than anything Maibaum ever wrote, but feels quintessentially Bond - and the pictorial framing of the scene is very good. The song was Oscar nominated, which none of the EON songs from the sixties were, which tells you more about the Academy than is does about Burt Bacharach, but a deserved citation nonetheless.
Comments
RIP
Remembering Telly Savalas on what would've been his 99th birthday.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
I know it has already been posted in the general tributes thread but I felt the passing of Nikki van der Zyl should be posted here in the Bond Alumni thread. She will always be a part of Bond history and should have been more well known and credited than she was. RIP Nikki.
Sad to hear if the passing of Yaphet Kotto - a wonderful and menacing Bond villain:
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/yaphet-kotto-dead-dies-alien-bond-villain-1234931654/
Very sad to hear this.
I had the pleasure of speaking with him via phone on behalf of AJB not too long ago. An absolute gentleman and a delight to talk with.
RIP Yaphet Kotto. A fine actor, memorable Bond villain and I was delighted that Barbel was able to interview him on our behalf...great that he turned out to be a delightful gent.
Rest in Peace Mr. Big. Yaphet Kotto was fantastic as Alonzo Mosely, FBI opposite DeNiro in "MIdnight Run"!
RIP Yaphet Kotto. Such a memorable and wonderful performance as Mr Big.
Paul Ritter, who had a small role as Guy Haines in Quantum of Solace, has died of a brain tumour at the age of 55. I always thought he was great in Friday Night Dinner and am sad he's died at such a young age.
RIP Helen McCrory at the early age of 52.
Not sure if anyone has heard of this or not but the upcoming British horror film Last Night in Soho, written and directed by Edgar Wright features the final performances of Bond girls Margaret Nolan (Dink in Goldfinger) and Dame Diana Rigg (Tracy from On Her Majesty's Secret Service) . It opens in both England and the USA in October. Having gotten into the horror genre over the last few years, I am very interested in seeing this.
Last Night in Soho looks like something to look forward to in October, Very atmospheric and great cast.
Longtime marketing/ publicity man Charles "Jerry" Jeroe has died at the age of 98. He worked on the first 16 films in the series and details his adventures with Bond and other films in his book "Bond, The Beatles and My Year with Marilyn". It is quite a read, I highly recommend it. More details about his amazing life can be found here:Charles ‘Jerry’ Juroe (1923-2021) - The EON publicity and marketing director for over 25 years has died at 98 - James Bond 007 :: MI6 - The Home Of James Bond (mi6-hq.com)
RIP Leslie Bricusse, lyricist of "Goldfinger", "You Only Live Twice", "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" among many others. 90 years old.
RIP to John Pearson who passed on Nov 13. He was Ian Fleming’s assistant at the Sunday London Times and authored the first Fleming biography, The Life of Ian Fleming and the Authorized Biography of 007, which is my favorite JB fictional narrative outside of the Fleming books. He also authored the books that were the bases for the recent movies, Legend starring Tom Hardy and All the Money in the World, starring Christopher Plummer. He also appeared in some of the John Cork documentaries featured in the Bond video discs.
Just read that Tommy Lane from Live and Let Die has passed away aged 83, RIP.
Monty Norman, who composed the James Bond theme, has passed away. RIP.
I don't know if he counts as a Bond alumni since he only worked on Casino Royale '67, but Burt Bacharach has died! His music for the film is the best thing about the film, particularly "The Look of Love".
Burt Bacharach is one of those people who you know a little about, and then when he dies and you see a list of things he composed you just keep saying "I didn't know he did that!"
I just posted this video link in the general Tributes thread but here it is again, to be sure everyone can enjoy it: Dusty Springfield singing the Look of Love, i think the best song from any Bond film
and heres Herb Alpert's music from the main credits
the soundtrack LP is well worth searching for, it has the reputation as one of the best sounding LPs ever recorded, a stereo demonstration classic
Thanks for these links, @caractacus potts I have the album on Cd and it's veery good, although not a traditional 'Bond' sounding soundtrack. I'd agree The Look of Love is an exceptional song, not just from a movie, but a great song all round and wonderfully delivered by Dusty. That's probably my fav scene from the whole film - "Do you have the book or is it still in your bed?" is a more slyly obvious seduction line than anything Maibaum ever wrote, but feels quintessentially Bond - and the pictorial framing of the scene is very good. The song was Oscar nominated, which none of the EON songs from the sixties were, which tells you more about the Academy than is does about Burt Bacharach, but a deserved citation nonetheless.
Ricou Browning, who directed the underwater sequences for Thunderball and Never Say Never Again has passed away at the age of 93, RIP.
Ricou Browning was famously the titular Creature From The Black Lagoon in the underwater scenes (and the sequels), he was 93, RIP.
Topol, 1938-2023.
RIP Topol. His Columbo is certainly one of my favourite characters of the Roger Moore era, and reminiscent of classic allies like Kerim Bey.
Also, I've always loved Fiddler on the Roof and his performance in that film.
Oh no... RIP Topol
Congratulations to Michelle Yeoh for winning the Best Actress Oscar!
Sad to hear about the death of Tina Turner at 83
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/65669653
Apparently Yvonne Shima died at her home last year, following a battle with cancer.
https://jamesbond007.se/eng/memoriam/yvonne_shima_1935_2023
" I don't listen to hip hop!"