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2015 SPECTRE Spectacular PDF Print E-mail

SPECTRE Premieres Around the World

 

Richard Skillman,reporting.

October 26, 2015

The Bond world gathered the week of October 25th for a celebration of the return of Daniel Craig as 007 in the Bond 24, "SPECTRE" with a fete filled schedule of Bond Parties, Club events, Book signings, Celebrity sightings, culminating in a Royal World Premiere in London and a Paris premiere also attended by the major stars.

The James Bond film location bible, "On the Tracks of 007" stared the week with a 20th Anniversary Party at the Pinewood Hotel hosted by Editor Martijn Mulder and featuring Bond production legend Terry Bamber and Bond Band, "Q the Music". (https://qthemusicshow.com/)

Leslie and I chose Duke's as our hotel, having sample mixologist Alessandro Pallazi Bond inspired cocktails when we visited in 2012 for "Skyfall". Ian Fleming, it is said, invented the Vesper here, and the boutique hotel and small upscale bar is legendary. We recommend a stay on your next Bond visit!

Also on the Bond "life" must list were cocktails at the Ritz and Savoy- unparalleled luxury service and inspired cocktails in their own right. For dinner, Rules Restaurant was the hot ticket this year, as M is seen dining at Rules in the film, "SPECTRE". The oldest restaurant in London, it is founded on the King's game meat and the roast dish and accompaniments are 5 star excellent.

Our Bond event hosts, CinemaRetro's Lee and Janet Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall, coordinated 007 activities that would rival a military operation, loading each day with film locations, Bond surprises and major events...which included...

Bond writers Ajay Chowdbury and Matthew Field hosted the launch of their new extensive tome, "Some Kind of Hero", an exhaustively researched deep dive into the films of Bond, a must for any serious fan of the films. In attendance to celebrate were the Bond girls themselves-- Maud Adams, Martine Beswicke, Madelyn Smith and to my pleasure and a full 30 minutes of one on one discussions, Luciana Paluzzi!

The cars and props from Bond were present at BOND IN MOTION including the new DB10 from SPECTRE and this well attended event included Meg Simmonds, archivist from EON signing her new work, BOND BY DESIGN.And lets not forget 007 himself, Sir Roger Moore, performing a solo show in Bath and book signing for the recently updated BOND on BOND, chock-full of Rogers reminiscences and looks at the 007 Phenom.

Turning to SPECTRE itself, we were honored to have the pleasure of attending two premieres, the Royal in London at Royal Albert Hall and the Paris Premiere at the Rex Cinema. EON continues its top drawer film experience of a star studded and glamorous red carpet walk with many opportunities to see the stars and share photos. My highlight was to have several minutes of discussion with Bond producer Michael Wilson, who along with Barbara Broccoli, have shepherded the film franchise thought out the decades. I expressed appreciation for their dedication to fans and their impact on our lives. He was a most kind and gentle man, giving me more time that probably necessary on such a busy evening. The evening has been more than covered by the media and fan magazines, needless to say, the film, the evening were magical and the film great fun!

Not just satisfied with seeing the film in London, (we checked out the IMAX the next day), several of us hard core fans grabbed the 7 am Eurostream and headed off to Paris to attend the board meeting of the James Bond French Club, led by Luc LeClech along with a legion of Bond French fans and experts. The Club never fails to impress and this was no different, Director John Glen was in attendance to sign his book , FOR MY EYES ONLY as well as several other French 007 authors and noted Bond artist Jeffrey Marshall. The evening wsa capped with the French Premiere of SPECTRE at the Rex Cinema, and Mr. LeClech surprised us all with a special audience with Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux, Christop Waltz, Monica Bellucchi and Barbara Broccoli...what a special treat that was.

Returning home to Orlando, we of course had to organize a Theme Party People premiere of our own..! Choosing the Day of the Dead Bar at the Mexican restaurant chain, Rocco's Tacos..we secured the Dead Bar along with 10 foot statues from the Dead parade. Guests dined on Belvedere martinis and appetizers, wearing skull masks and viewing props from the film, courtesy of a private collector

Exhausting week but as we all know... James Bond will return! As will Theme Party People!