So this week it’s been confirmed that production of the next Bond film will at long last start later this year!! It was last April that the James Bond franchise looked in jeopardy, but in the true traditions of the secret agent, a successful rescue has been delivered. If you recall MGM Studios announced last April that they had forced producers to put the next James Bond movie on hold, due to the Hollywood film-maker’s $4bn debt. At the time it  coincided with STV conditionally agreeing in the same week to sell cinema sales house Pearl & Dean for £1 to Image, a company formed by the owner of Empire Cinemas. The global recession was biting hard and it seemed that the iconic MGM lion’s teeth were simply not sharp enough to cut the mustard in the multimedia era!!

For those of a certain vintage, growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, the highlight every two years  was the release of the Bond film. In an era where there were only three TV channels, in a world devoid of rented or bought videos and dvds, a trip to the cinema was an exciting, rewarding experience. And Pearl and Dean was an integral part of that experience, with it’s glamorous commercials for Benson & Hedges cigarettes and Gordon’s Gin prefacing the start of the movie.  There was always a tangible thrill amongst the audience as the lights dimmed in the cinema, the thin veil curtain moved apart and the Pearl and Dean logo jumped out the screen, accompanied by that distinctive soundtrack.

The first Bond film I saw at the cinema ( or anywhere for that matter ), was “Live and Let Die”.  Coincidentally, it was also Roger Moore’s first Bond movie! My parents took me for my 11th birthday in October 1973. Thirty seven years on, I still remember the excitement of the opening theme song, powerfully performed by Paul McCartney and Wings ( and still the best Bond theme recorded in my opinion ). I marvelled at the stunts – Roger Moore using the backs of semi submerged crocodiles as stepping stones to access a rowing boat, driving the double decker bus under the low bridge with disastrous consequences for the pursuing police car and the monumental speedboat chase through the Everglades of Florida. How glamorous James Bond seemed as he puffed on a cigar in his bow tie and dinner suit, as he hang glided into the villain’s remote island retreat and seduced  the glamorous Jane Seymour!!

It’s hard to truly convey the excitement of taking a trip to the cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was a massive occasion and a real treat……..home entertainment with surround sound have subsequently negated that unique experience in modern times.  The bi annual trip to see the new James Bond movie was the pinnacle of any trip to the cinema.

The financial difficulties of MGM caused by the current global downturn, and their decision to postpone the next Bond film, has set me pondering how different the Bond genre might have been, had producers Cubby Broccoli and Albert Saltzman had to operate on a shoestring budget, during the global recession of the early 1970s. Instead of the Aston Martin, would Roger Moore have had to slum it in an Allegro? Rather than Q’s box of tricks and gadgets, would our hero have had to make do with a Swiss Army Knife? And would Bond’s favourite tipple of Martini ( “shaken, not stirred” ), have been a can of Long Life lager?!!

Even the names of the films between 1971 and 1975 would have had to be changed. Instead of “Diamonds are Forever” ( 1971 ), would it have been “Diamonds are on loan from the Pawn Shop”; “Live and Let Die” ( 1973 ) would have possibly been known as “Live and Let Live, we can’t afford to pay hired assasin spies” and “The Man with the Golden Gun” ( 1975) would have transformed into “The Man with the Water Pistol”!!

Despite MGM’s recent financial troubles, the James Bond franchise is here to stay, because like it’s hero, it’s indestructable. As it used to say at the end of every film, “Bond will be back in…….2012”, because quite simply  you cannot keep a good man down!!

Would you like your favourite Bond film theme, in it’s original vinyl  or CD form, framed and mounted?

If so, order it now, by simply clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

If you need a reminder, here is a full list of all the Bond film themes –

Classic Instrumental James Bond Theme – John Barry Orchestra

From Russia With Love – Matt Monro

Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey

Thunderball – Tom Jones

You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra

All The Time In The World –  Louis Armstrong  ( On Her Majesty’s Secret Service )

Diamonds Are Forever – Shirley Bassey

Live And Let Die – Paul McCartney/Wings

The Man With The Golden Gun – Lulu

Nobody Does It Better –  Carly Simon  ( The Spy Who Loved Me )

Moonraker – Shirley Bassey

For Your Eyes Only –  Sheena Easton

All Time High – Rita Coolidge  ( Octopussy )

A View To A Kill –  Duran Duran

The Living Daylights – A-ha

Where Has Everybody Gone? –  Pretenders  ( The Living Daylights )

If There Was A Man – Pretenders  ( The Living Daylights )

Licence To Kill – Gladys Knight

GoldenEye –  Tina Turner

Tomorrow Never Dies – Sheryl Crow

The World Is Not Enough – Garbage

Die Another Day – Madonna

Casino Royale – Herb Alpert

Alternatively you can buy a family member, or friend’s favourite Bond film theme music……this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a 40th or 50th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

Order it now, by simply clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

If you would like to join the James Bond International Fan Club………. www.007.info/

If you would like to subscribe to oo7 Magazine……………… www.007magazine.co.uk/