30 Years of Knight Rider to be celebrated at Memorabilia

No, they didn't have the internet as we
know it back in 1986. That URL has been
added by David's fan site.

Break out your Look Ins! The 30th Anniversary of cult SF detective show Knight Rider will be marked at Memorabilia at Birmingham's NEC later this month, with a rare signing event by its original star, David Hasselhoff.

Memorabilia Birmingham, Britain's biggest collectors' event, returns to the NEC on 24-25 November, and there's a host of special guests already confirmed for the show - from Hollywood stars to sci-fi heroes, cult favourites to sporting legends.

Here's just a small selection from the first wave of announcements:

World First Signing

- David Hasselhoff will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Knight Rider by making Memorabilia his first ever signing event. The Knight Rider and Baywatch star will be meeting fans at the show on both Saturday and Sunday.

Movie & TV Guests

- Warwick Davis - Show favourite and star of Life's Too Short, Warwick's movie credits include Willow; Star Wars; Harry Potter and Leprechaun..

- Michael Biehn - Starred in James Cameron sci-fi movies The Terminator as Kyle Reese, Aliens as Cpl. Dwayne Hicks, and The Abyss as Lt. Coffey.

- Eddie McClintock - Star of Warehouse 13, where he plays co-protagonist Pete Lattimer. Other credits include Bones and Desperate Housewives

- Britt Ekland - Best known for her roles as an iconic Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun and as Willow in cult British horror film The Wicker Man.

- Craig Charles - Most famous for playing likeable slob Dave Lister in Emmy Award-winning sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, which recently retirned to UK screens for its tenth season in Dave.

- Only Fools And Horses - Cast member reuniting at Memorabilia include John Challis (Boycie); Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel); Sue Holderness (Marlene); Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra); Patrick Murray (Mickey Pearce); Paul Barber (Denzil) and Christopher Ryan and Roy Marsden (The Driscoll Brothers).

- Craig Parker - Best known for his roles as Haldir in The Lord of The Rings movie trilogy and Gaius Claudius Glaber in Spartacus: Blood And Sand.

- Virginia Hey - Starred in sci-fi favourite Farscape as Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan, the Delvian priestess imprisoned aboard Moya for assassinating her planet's leader.

- Ken Foree - Most famous for playing Peter in George A. Romero's classic Dawn of the Dead, widely regarded one of the best horror films ever made.

- Jeremy Bulloch - Best known for playing Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy. Jeremy's TV credits include Doctor Who and Robin of Sherwood.

- Claudia Christian - One of the main cast in J. Michael Straczynski's popular science fiction series Babylon 5, starring as Commander Susan Ivanova.

- Peter Lamont - First ever signing by Oscar-winning art director and production designer famous for working on 18 James Bond films, Titanic and Aliens.

- Eunice Gayson - Best known for playing James Bond's girlfriend Sylvia in Dr. No and From Russia with Love. Also appeared in The Saint and The Avengers.

- Alan Tomkins - Oscar-nominated art director who has worked on movies such as The Empire Strikes Back; Batman Begins; Saving Private Ryan and JFK.

- Garrick Hagon - Best known for his role as Biggs Darklighter in Star Wars: A New Hope, Garrick's credits also include Batman, Doctor Who and Spy Game.

- David Hedison - Played James Bond's ally Felix Leiter in Live And Let Die and Licence to Kill. Also appeared in The Fly, Knight Rider and Charlie's Angels.

- Kathryn Leigh Scott - Best remembered for regular appearances in US gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, which continues to enjoy a strong cult following.

For an up-to-date list of confirmed Memorabilia guests - including sports guests - and when they'll be appearing at the show, go to www.memorabilia.co.uk/birmingham.

For Memorabilia tickets, visit: www.memorabilia.co.uk/birmingham/tickets and for more about Memorabilia Birmingham, visit: www.memorabilia.co.uk.

You can discover more about MCM Expo events at www.twitter.com/mcmexpo; www.facebook.com/mcmexpo and www.youtube.com/mcmexpo

For more information about shows coming up at the NEC, visit www.thenec.co.uk

Classic images captured in new jigsaws

Children of the late 1950s and early 60s who eagerly awaited birthdays and Christmas in the hope of receiving a fast paced Scalextric or iconic Corgi James Bond Aston Martin DB5 are in for a real treat with the launch of Gibsons latest 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles depicting the ultimate toys of that time.

These new releases join a number of puzzles featuring art from classic toys - and comics.
First hitting the shop shelves in 1957, Scalextric was an immediate winner and initial demand was so strong that that the original manufacturers were barely able to keep up. Just as popular today, Scalextric is synonymous with the term 'slot racing' and apart from moulded plastic replacing the tin plate cars and a few other technical refinements, remains the much loved racing game we're all familiar with today.

Likewise, there are few boys who didn't own a collection of coveted Corgi die-cast cars and Gibsons' new jigsaw puzzle shows all of the features pioneered by Corgi including clear windows, opening doors, detailed interiors and removable wheels.

Also in Gibsons catalogue are these fun Beano and Dandy jigsaws - just two of many from the company's catalogue utilising art from classic products of yesteryer such as model kit company Airfix and train company Hornby.

Established in 1919, Gibsons is a British icon in its own right, with a plethora of awards for many of its jigsaw puzzles and games.

With both IPC and Egmont licensing their comic art, wouldn't it be great to see some other classic comics covers as jigsaws? Which would you choose?

• More info at: www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

Titan Books Announce Bond Omnibus

Titan Books has put together an omnibus collection of some of James Bond newspapers strips they originally released in shorter albums.

On sale next month, The James Bond Omnibus Vol.1 collects the first time eleven of the Bond strips first published in the Daily Express, which were adapted from Fleming’s novels, before the film adaptations were made.

The first bumper volume of its kind from Titan, ‘Volume 001’ presents Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, Risico, From a View to a Kill, For Your Eyes Only and Thunderball.

Collected together with an introduction by Sir Roger Moore, this slick volume features over 300 pages of beautiful women, thrilling action, incredible gadgets and the odd Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred..

• The James Bond Omnibus Volume 1 is released by Titan Books on 25th September 2009

Silverfin Graphic Novel announced

(with thanks to Reuben Willmott): Penguin Books will publish a graphic novel version of Charlie Higson's first Young James Bond story, Silverfin, in October.

Drawn by 2000AD's Kev Walker, the story begins with James Bond's first day at Eton, and already he's met his first enemy. This is the start of an adventure that will take him from the school playing fields to the remote shores of Loch Silverfin and a terrifying discovery that threatens to unleash a new breed of warfare.

The official Young Bond web site reports Times entertainment critic Amanda Craig scored an early look at the 160 page SilverFin Graphic Novel by Charlie Higson and Kev Walker and described this first Young Bond comics adaptations by Kev Walker, as “a bold and brilliant Manga-inspired treat."

Walker, now working on Marvel Zombies 3 which also launches in October, is well known to 2000AD fans for his art on strips such as Judge Dredd, Rogue Troper and ABC Warriors. He's contributed to the Young Bond website, is also responsible for the cover art on the US releases of Blood Fever and Double Or Die.

The Young Bond series follows the adventures of the schoolboy James Bond, from arriving a friendless orphan at Eton to a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle, the young hero leading a thrilling and dangerous life in a series of novels by Charlie Higson. All of the Young Bond books, including the latest adventure, By Royal Command, are published by Puffin in the UK.

Released on 2 October, both Kev Walker and Charlie Higson will be signing copies of the books at the London Forbidden Planet Megastore on Thursday 9 October from 6.00 - 7.00pm. More info at www.forbiddenplanet.com/Signings.html

• Buy the Silverfin graphic novel from amazon.co.uk
• Visit the Penguin Young Bond web site

James Bond Theme Spoof

Fun parody from one Joe Cornish, who would like to offer this song to the makers of the new James Bond movie 'The Quantum of Solace', entirely free, for use over the opening credits of their forthcoming movie.



-- with thanks to Frank Garcia for the link.

Bond on the Radio, New Titan Collection

Ian Fleming, renowned author and creator of iconic spy James Bond, was born 100 years ago and to mark this special anniversary, BBC Radio 4 is joining in the celebrations - which include the release of more James Bond comics collections from Titan Books, including The Paradise Plot - with a short season of programmes dedicated to the author.

The shows include an all-star dramatisation of the first James Bond book, Dr No; a documentary following Fleming's niece on a personal journey to find out more about her uncle; and an exploration of what the creation of James Bond tells us about post-Empire Britain.

On Saturday 24 May (at 2.30pm), Toby Stephens and David Suchet star in the first ever full radio adaptation of Dr No, Ian Fleming's 1958 James Bond novel.

Recovering from the after-effects of his last assignment, Bond is given what appears to be an easy job on his next case. Sent to Jamaica to investigate the mysterious disappearance of two of his colleagues, Bond discovers that the heart of the mystery lies with a sinister recluse on Crab Key, Dr No, and before long Bond comes face to face with this bizarre creature and soon he is fighting for his life in a murderous game.

The cast also include Samuel West, John Standing, Martin Jarvis and Peter Capaldi.

In The Bond Correspondence, also on Saturday 24 May (10.30am), Ian Fleming's niece, Lucy Fleming, sets out to discover more about both her uncle and the creation of his most famous character, James Bond. Her uncle has, until now, been someone Lucy vaguely remembers from her teens but after she delves into dusty old boxes of letters to see the wealth of correspondence from readers and his responses, she discovers a lesser known side of Ian.

She goes inside the old Naval Intelligence Unit where her uncle worked in the Second World War, visits his wartime girlfriend Joan Bright Astley, and stepdaughter Fionn Morgan, and, in doing so, brings to life ghosts from the past.

On Monday 26 May, Professor David Cannadine argues that the Bond novels are a fantastic response to the moment when Britain lost an Empire but was still struggling to find a role in the new world.

In James Bond, The Last Englishman, Cannadine claims that Fleming's Bond novels have played a key role in shaping England's national self-image and Bond is the consolatory fantasy of Fleming, the nostalgic conservative appalled by Britain's collapse as a great power.

There will also be another chance to hear Amis, Amis and Bond on Sunday 18 May (1.30pm) in which Martin Amis explores his father's obsessive interest with James Bond and the writing of Ian Fleming with fellow Bond enthusiast Charlie Higson.

• The Paradise Plot is released by Titan Books on 27 June 2008 and sees the publication of a story not seen since its original publication. Follow Bond in this ultra rare Ian Fleming adventure as he teams up with fellow 00 agent Suzi Kew to investigate the mysterious disappearances of the world’s most valuable scientists. But with a series of mind-controlled assassins baying for his blood at every turn, can 007 avert disaster once again?

Published with rarely seen story Deathmask the book also includes a new introduction by David Hedison (who played Felix Leiter in Live and Let Die, but is perhaps better known to genre fans as Captain Crane from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) and a feature on James Bond comics from around the world.

• Pre-order The Paradise Plot from amazon.co.uk

Book And Magazine Collector 294

The latest issue of Book and Magazine Collector, issue 294, is now available and has a selection of interesting articles.

David Ashford and Norman Wright's Great British Comic Artists series hits number 28 with Philip Mendoza who worked for Thriller Comics Library and Playhour as well as producing painted covers for Pan Books.

The Ian Fleming cover refers to two different articles, one on the type of books that Fleming collected himself and one on the collectiblity of books signed by Fleming.

The issue also has a long article on The American Rivals of James Bond (due to conclude in the next issue) of various other spy and adventurer book series, as well as an article on the science fiction author Jack Williamson.

Book and Magazine Collector costs £3.50 and is available from WH Smith or directly from the B&MC website.

007 Exhibitions

With the Royal Mail's James Bond stamps already with us, the centenary of the birth of Bond creator Ian Fleming is continuing to be being celebrated with two separate exhibitions.

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond will take place at the Imperial War Museum in London and run from Thursday 17th April to Sunday 1st March 2009.

The exhibition will look at the author and his fictional character in their historical context and examine how much of the Bond novels were imaginary and how far they were based on real people and events. It is described as exploring "the early life of Ian Fleming, his wartime career and work as a journalist and travel writer and how, as an author,he drew upon his own experiences to create the iconic character of James Bond that continues to have global appeal". An official book to accompany the exhibition will be written by Ben MacIntyre. More details can be found on the IWM London website.

Bond Bound: Ian Fleming & The Art of Cover Design will take place at the Fleming Collection in London from Tuesday 22nd April to Saturday 28th June 2008.

This exhibition will concentrate on each published Bond book, charting the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Bond look. It will go beyond the Fleming novels to include Charlie Higson's Young Bond novels, Kate Westbrooks' The Moneypenny Diaries, and the new Bond book Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks.

More details of this free exhibition can be found in the Future Exhibitions section of the Fleming Collection website.

Talks are underway with Edinburgh City Council for this second exhibition to transfer to the Edinburgh City Art Centre from July to September 2008.

Bond girl cast

British newcomer Gemma Arterton, currently in cinemas as one of the girls of St. Trinians, has been cast as the Bond girl for the latest installment of the James Bond franchise now filming in London.

Her RADA profile lists he specials skills as "Music, gigs, film, socialising, drawing/painting, playing the guitar, making clothes and jewellery". Make of that what you will...

Miss Moneypenny Dead

We were sorry to hear the news that actress Lois Maxwell died at the weekend.

Best known as the actress who starred as M's long-suffering secretary Miss Moneypenny in fourteen James Bond movies, she appeared in over 50 films (her uncredited first film role in A Matter of Life and Death earned her The Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Golden Globes in 1947) and also guest starred in episodes of shows sushc as Danger Man, The Saint and The Persuaders!. But she will also be remembered by genre fans as the voice of Atlanta Shore, the oft-disappointed would-be girlfriend of Troy Tempest in Gerry Anderson's Stingray.

Maxwell (also known as Lois Ruth Hooker), who died as a result of cancer on Saturday aged 80, near her home in Perth, Australia, apparently once predicted her obituary would start with ‘Miss Moneypenny Dead.’

The actress, who all but retired in 1989, gained the role of Miss Moneypenny after her husband, TV executive Peter Marriott, developed a heart problem.

“I had a husband who was desperately ill, with two small children and no money, so I called producers I had worked with before and said ‘help me’,” she revealed in an interview broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2005.

Although she had to provide her own clothes and was paid just £100 a day for her appearance in Dr. No (according to the Bond book Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Maxwell instantly made the most of an essentially cameo role and was still getting fan mail from Bond lovers up until her death.

"She was always fun and she was wonderful to be with," recalled Sir Roger Moore. "She was wonderful, absolutely perfect casting. It was a great pity that, after I moved out of Bond, they didn't take her on to continue in the Timothy Dalton films. I think it was a great disappointment to her that she had not been promoted to play M. She would have been a wonderful M."

• Lois Maxwell: Wikipedia Entry
• Time Obituary 1 October 2007
• Lois Maxwell Obituary on MI6

Bond Back at Pinewood

James Bond will not be returning to the Czech Republic. Variety reports that because of the lack of financial incentives in the country, 007 production company Eon has informed Prague's Barrandov it will not be using the studios for "Bond 22," according to Barrandov head Vladimir Kuba.

The Bond team are following the Hellboy franchise out of the Republic and Bond producers Eon have confirmed today that they are basing the Marc Forster helmed pic, which starts to shoot in December, at Pinewood.

MI6.co.uk reports the newly rebuilt 007 Stage will once again be central to the schedule, and Bond 22 is expected to take up much of Pinewood's lot. Pre-production and set construction is expected to begin late this year. Filming is due to start in January 2008 with Daniel Craig resuming his duties as 007 for a theatrical release on 7th November 2008. No details on foreign shooting locations are available yet, as no official announcements have been made.