April 8, 2014

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG 50TH

Ian Fleming's magical car is racing towards a 50th anniversary celebration! Candlewick Press will release a deluxe hardcover edition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on August 5th. Fleming originally penned the story for his son Caspar, writing out the manuscript while convalescing after a heart attack. Sadly, the author died two months before publication- on Caspar's twelfth birthday. The novel told the exciting adventure about a family with a magical car and their narrow escapes from a band of baddies. You can bet the creator of James Bond made sure the auto was fully loaded with gadgets and special abilities! 50th Anniversary edition below.


Ian Fleming Publications has produced a series of continuation novels by Frank Cottrell Boyce. The first three stories, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Race Against Time, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moonhave been released to good reviews. Candlewick Press published a new edition hardcover of Over the Moon today, so check your local bookshop. The paperback will follow in June. Doctor Who actor David Tennant has recorded audiobook editions of the series. His performance of the original Fleming story was recently rereleased on CD and digital download in the UK and US. Lucy Fleming chats with David Tennant about Chitty, cars, and comics in the clip below.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was filmed as a musical in 1968 with a script by Roald Dahl (You Only Live Twice/1967) and has gone on to become a family classic. A new Blu-ray edition was just released in January. The stage production of the musical was mounted in 2002 and continued with success on Broadway and with international tours. Spy Vibe's earlier coverage of the audiobooks here and here. Listen to Desert Island Discs interviews with Frank Cottrell BoyceDavid Tennant, and Ian Fleming. Coverage of the 50th anniversary by Publishers Weekly here. Enjoy!


Spy Vibe is having a spring sale on eBay. New items added very few days and include rare Beatles autographs, James Bond, rare books, music, and comics. Details here

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japannew poster announced007 Audio Books UpdateAppropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters MysteryDouble 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs IIrare Ian Fleming editionBook Design DopplegangersTurkish Bond designIan Fleming LettersErno GoldfingerNoel CowardWhispering Jack SmithHawaiian GuitarJoe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming CatalogJon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Jason interviewed about Fleming, Bond, and design hereSpy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan007 Audio Books UpdateSylvia AndersonAppropriating Bond Exhibit, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton,  Solar & Bionic Man ReturnThe Saint Library ReleasedDC Fontana Prisoner VideoJames Bond Comic EventTurkish James Bond DesignEdward Gorey's 1960sIpcress File cinematography007 SOLO cover designsGloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder WomanWin Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPYDavid McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff GirlsSherlock ExhibitFu Manchu history panelStriped Light NudeBuckminster Fuller, Jane and SergeThe Goldfinger VariationsMod Tales InterviewDavid Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, Atomic ArtShane Glines Batman.

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