Spy Vibers in the UK got a special treat recently at the Whistable Literary Festival. As I reported back in April, this year's WhitLit shined a spotlight on James Bond author, Ian Fleming, and celebrated his ties to Kent with a series of presentations and talks by Fleming scholars and relatives. Agent Tom over at Artistic License Renewed has just posted a report about his experiences traveling Fleming's Kent and meeting up with Steve Cole, Andrew Lycett, Matthew Parker, and others. Read all about it here. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
The 2016 Whistable Literary Festival (WhitLit) will be celebrating James Bond author Ian Fleming's Kent connections this year with a host of special programs. Bond events kick off on Wednesday May 11th with a brass band concert: "WhitLit presents an evening of music and readings celebrating James Bond. Over the past five decades music from the Bond franchise has become a part of our musical culture featuring haunting melodies and soaring brass scores. Let the 1st Whitstable Scout Band entertain you with a concert of legendary tunes, some with guest vocalists, along with readings from the pages of Fleming. From Skyfall to Goldfinger, Barry to Bassey, prepare to be shaken and stirred." More programming with special guests below.
The Fleming celebration continues on Friday May 13th at 4:00PM with a special reading by Young Bond author, Steve Cole: "Steve Cole introduces his first explosive Young Bond adventure, Shoot to Kill giving a unique insight into 1930s gadgets, gangsters and Hollywood. Join Steve is this interactive event as he explains how he became such a fan of Ian Fleming’s super-spy, shares the research behind his creation, introduces new characters, including a sinister villain, and tests the audience’s spy skills to ask ‘How Bond Are You? Steve Cole has written the bestselling 'Astrosaurs’ adventures. In 2013 he took over from Charlie Higson as author of the Young Bond series exploring the life of the teenage James Bond."
Keynote events are scheduled on Friday May 13th, beginning at 6:30PM with Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett: "Sportsman, womanizer, naval commander, world-traveler, and spy, the creator of the Cold War’s archetypal secret agent was infinitely more complex and interesting than his iconic fictional character, Agent 007. Ian Fleming’s wide-ranging and exciting life inevitably provided the plausible backdrop for his Bond novels. The day after his wedding to Ann O’Neill, Fleming sat down to write his first book, Casino Royale, in order to soothe his nerves. Thus began the long line of Bond novels for which he would earn lasting fame. Andrew Lycett is one of the foremost experts on Fleming’s life and work. He is a biographer and journalist whose other subjects include Wilkie Collins and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."
Next on Friday at 7:45PM: "Historian Matthew Parker reveals the untold story of Ian Fleming in Jamaica, his house Goldeneye, and the creation of James Bond. Amid Jamaica’s beauty, Fleming immersed himself in the jet-set society that clung to its imperial past. Rubbing shoulders with Noel Coward and Errol Flynn, he was part of a world of dangerous glamour that would infuse all his Bond novels. The top 10 Sunday Times Best seller Goldeneye is a revealing exploration of Ian Fleming’s life and work. Matthew Parker spent part of his childhood in the West Indies. He has written five books and contributes to The Literary Review, and BBC History Magazine."
The capstone of the evening will be a special talk by Ian Fleming's step-daughter Fionn Morgon at 9:00PM: "WhitLit is honoured to welcome Fionn Morgan, the daughter of Ann Fleming and her first husband Shane, 3rd Lord O’Neill. Fionn was 16 when her mother married Ian Fleming and has a wise stance on her step- father’s life, work, loves and outlooks. Ann Fleming was the last great polical hostess, a letter writer of rare wit with close friends including Noel Coward, Evelyn Waugh, Lucian Freud and Cecil Beaton. Her long love affair with Ian Fleming started before her second marriage to newspaper baron Lord Rothermere and after their divorce Fleming married Ann in 1952. Fionn will reveal to Andrew Lycett growing up in a fascinating family and spending time with Ian Fleming and her mother in Kent."
For Spy Vibers interested in visiting sites in Kent with ties to Ian Fleming and the James Bond stories, WhitLit has posted a wonderful traveling route of locations. This trail of historical, literary, and film sites includes spots connected to Moonraker, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Diamonds Are Forever, and more! Below: Ian Flemings house White Cliffs in Kent (Will Lord-Flickr).
Other events of interest during the festival: Andrew Lownie's talk "Guy Burgess: Stalin's Englishman", Brooks and Paul Nolan host Book Debate- Goldfinger, Contemporary Spy Masters- Charles Cumming, SJ Parris, Francesca Kay, and The Debs of Bletchley Park. Festival ticket info here. Thank you to Artistic License Renewed for putting this in our radar. I won't be able to travel until July, but hopefully our Spy Vibers in the UK will attend this special festival. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
It is rumored that Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch, has been offered the role of Ian Fleming in a new biopic. The project, which is based on Andrew Lycett's biography of the James Bond author, is said to focus on Fleming's experiences with Naval Intelligence during World War II. Duncan Jones (Moon) was originally set to direct, but unfortunately dropped out to make Warcraft. I'm curious to see how this unfolds. Cumberbatch would certainly bring his own gravitas and touch of rogue energy to the role. I was rather disappointed in the recent Fleming mini-series, which seemed mannered and self-conscious. I expect, with Cumberbatch on board, we could finally see a Fleming film with substance. Spy Vibe will post updates on the new movie as development continues. Image from BBC.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon 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: The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
James Bond readings will return! Ian Fleming Publications recently produced the wonderful Reloaded series of audiobooks read by many prominent British actors. The Series One set included performances of the novels by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead), Toby Stephens (Die Another Day), and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey). After a spectacular launch, the remaining Fleming titles were released with readings by David Tennant (Doctor Who), Kenneth Branagh, Rosamund Pike (Die Another Die), and others. The final recordings of short stories came out last fall and included a special reading of 007 in New York by Ian Fleming's niece Lucy Fleming! The audiobooks were available on CD and for download in England- but only temporarily. With the sudden recent collapse of AudioGo, digital distribution shifted to Audible in the UK, but the CDs went out of print. Fans outside of the UK who looked forward to the second-wave releases have found themselves high and dry, or having to pay premium prices on the secondary market. But you can postpone your plans to knock off Fort Knox. I corresponded with Ian Fleming Publications today and they responded with good news: "Please rest assured- and assure your readers- that
we are working hard to get the 007 Reloaded audiobooks back on the market as
soon as possible, both in the UK and USA. We have found alternative
distributors, but there are a number of hoops to jump through before they can go into
production. They are well worth waiting for!" Thank you to our friends at Fleming Publications for this update. I can't wait to hear the remaining performances. In the meantime, fans can still find excellent readings of Ian Fleming's novels, as well as Lycett's biography, by Simon Vance for Blackstone Audio. See our brief interview with Simon Vance here. Readers may also be interested in checking out David Tennant's current work on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continuation novels.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Fleming Letters Mystery, Appropriating Bond, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon 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.
Spy Vibe is having a spring sale on eBay. New items added very few days and include rare Beatles, James Bond, books, music, and comics. Details here.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Sylvia Anderson, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, Solar & Bionic Man Return, The Saint Library Released, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, James Bond Comic Event, Turkish James Bond Design, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Sherlock Exhibit, Fu Manchu history panel, Striped Light Nude, Buckminster Fuller, Jane and Serge, The Goldfinger Variations, Mod Tales Interview, David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
