BIRTH OF BOND THIS WEEKEND

Starts Friday: Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, with a host of amazing events planned at the University of Illinois. In addition to an exhibit of rare manuscripts and materials, visitors can also look forward to film screenings, concerts, and special  presentations by Bond scholars, John Cork, Michael VanBlaricum, and Raymond Benson. It all starts tomorrow! Full schedule on the event website here. Hear VanBlaricum's in-depth NPR interview about Bond and the 60th events here.

From the University News Bureau: "Titled 'The Birth of Bond: Ian Fleming’s ‘Casino Royale’ at 60,' the event will feature a collection of first editions, manuscripts and Fleming ephemera at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library; a film festival and display of Bond movie costumes and props at the Spurlock Museum; a collection of audio recordings, photographs and sheet music (including the original 2006 “Casino Royale” score) at the Sousa Archives; and a performance of music from the Bond movies and books by the U. of I. Concert Jazz Band.

Much of the material featured in “The Birth of Bond” comes from the collection of Michael L. VanBlaricum [below], the president of the Ian Fleming Foundationand a U. of I. alumnus who is loaning pieces of his personal collection of Fleming first editions, manuscripts, letters, recordings, sheet music and movie props to the three campus sites.



VanBlaricum will give a one-hour talk on Fleming and Bond at 3 p.m. on April 12 (Friday), in the library auditorium (Room 66), followed by a reception in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library (Room 346). The jazz concert, on April 13 (Saturday), will begin at 7 p.m. in the Knight Auditorium at Spurlock Museum, and will include a piano medley of Bond themes performed by Raymond Benson,one of the continuation authors hired by the Fleming family to carry on the James Bond novels after Ian Fleming’s death, as well as themes from the Bond movies and music mentioned in Fleming’s books." More details at the event website here.

Ian Fleming on Spy Vibe: recent posts include Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward,Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, 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, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, and our Ian Fleming image archive link here.

Check Spy Vibe for recent posts about Operation Kid Brother (MST3K), PG Tips Brooke Bond, 1960s espionage writers, my review of SKYFALL, 007 at the Intnl Spy Museum, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, and more. 

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