Ian Fleming and the making of James Bond 007

One thing is sure, if there was no Ian Fleming there would not be any James Bond. Neither generations of James Bond 007 movie enthusiasts. Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908 in London, England. He worked in financial services before writing the 1953 novel Casino Royale, which featured spy character James Bond. The books were a hit, and Bond became the protagonist of a blockbuster film franchise that’s continued into the 21st century. Fleming also wrote the popular children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which also became a film. During the war, Fleming learned the ins and outs of espionage. He received a commission in the Royal Navy and worked for British Naval Intelligence. Eventually serving as the assistant to Admiral John Godfrey, the Director of Naval Intelligence, Fleming was privy to much of Britain's efforts to win the war. He traveled overseas several times, including visits to the United States to coordinate intelligence operations. He also went to Jamaica for a conference, and the island left a lasting impression on Fleming. 

James Bond Novel Collection

Ian Fleming fell in love with his wife Ann Charteris while she was still married to the second Viscount Rothermere. But she didn't remain faithful to her new husband and had a life-long affair with Hugh Gaitskell, the leader of the Labour Party. The Flemings had one son, Caspar, who lived a short and rather tragic life. After losing his father at the age of 12, Caspar took his life when he was 23.

Fleming was a keen bird-watcher and appropriated the name for his most famous creation from a leading American ornithologist. He wrote to the real Bond's wife, explaining his choice, "It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet the very masculine name was just what I needed and so a second James Bond was born." The real James Bond turned up with his wife at Goldeneye in 1964. Fleming said he was "terribly amused by the whole thing".

It has been said that much of Fleming's work in intelligence shaped and informed his James Bond novels. The character of "M," Bond's boss, is believed to have been modeled after Admiral Godfrey. The full impact of Fleming's real-life spy work on his most famous fictional figure will never likely be to known, however. He had been sworn to secrecy by the British government.

''James Bond'' The Story

Fleming's first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953. The book had been written the previous year while he was on vacation at his home, which he named Goldeneye after a military mission, in Jamaica. Fleming also got married to Anne Rothermere around this time. The couple welcomed their only child, son Caspar, in 1952. He later wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a story about a magical car, to entertain his son.

While this first Bond novel came and went with little notice, Fleming's stories of a super spy with a license to kill soon caught on. Live and Let Die came out in England in 1954 quickly followed by Moonraker and Diamonds Are Forever. Readers began eagerly scoop up these tales of fast cars, beautiful women, and deadly intrigue. American president John F. Kennedy and England's Prince Philip were reportedly among Fleming's many fans.

During his writing career, Fleming produced twelve Bond novels and several short stories featuring his super spy. He saw his famed character brought to life on the big screen in 1962's Dr. No with Sean Connery as James Bond. With the help of producer Cubby Broccoli, Fleming's creation became the central figure in one of the longest-run film franchises in movie history.
Death and Legacy

While audiences were packing movie theaters to see James Bond in action, his creator was facing health problems. He had his first serious heart attack in 1962, and he never seemed to fully recover from that incident. Fleming died on August 12, 1964, in Canterbury, England. He had been taken to a hospital there after suffering another heart attack.

Fleming may be gone, but James Bond remains a vital part of popular culture. After Sean Connery, numerous other actors, such as Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton, have taken up the legendary suave spy role. Daniel Craig played Bond in the most recent film in the series, 2012's Skyfall and more movies are in the works. It seems that audiences have an insatiable desire to immerse themselves in Bond's world of guns, girls and gadgets.

Ian Fleming's Goldeneye Estate in Jamaica

He purchased a patch of land of 15 acres (61,000 m2) adjacent to the renowned Golden Clouds estate in 1946 and built his home on the edge of a cliff overlooking a private beach.

Constructed from Fleming's sketch, the three-bedroom structure was fitted with wooden jalousie windows and a swimming pool. Fleming's visitors at Goldeneye included actors, musicians and filmmakers. The property now operates as Goldeneye Hotel and Resort, an upmarket retreat consisting of Fleming's main house and several cottages.

The estate is located in the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, established in 2011 to protect the area's marine ecosystem. It is adjacent to James Bond Beach.

You only live twice: Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face ~Ian Fleming

Bond Girls - What happened and where are they now ?

It's been an amazing century of breath taking Bond movies. I always remember watching Bond movies as a child in the early 80'. Yet the best movie for me is Gold-finger with Sean Connery driving around with a flashy car in Switzerland. But I was always wondering what happened to the numerous Bond Girls in countless Bond movies. Most of them started a great acting career but when silent after Bond movie. Although many were talented, one or two movies was the maximum they're acting throughout their entire career. What attracted these Bond girls to be part of a Bond movie ? Well, my name is Bond, James Bond! what can be more attractive then that ?

This blog will not be covering all Bond girls but at least the most classic ones. There will be countless more Bond girls to add in future.

"From Russia with Love" (1963): Daniela Bianchi played Soviet Army Intelligence Corporal Tatiana Romanova in the film. Her voice was dubbed by actress Barbra Jefford due to her heavy Italian accent.

Now (Age 72): Bianchi starred in small Italian and French films after Bond before retiring from acting in 1970.

"Goldfinger" (1964): Honor Blackman quit her role on "The Avengers" to appear as Pussy Galore. United Artists landed Blackman for the role by incorporating her judo experience into the film.

Now (Age 89): Blackman still stars in films today. She recently appeared in UK thriller "I, Anna" and a horror comedy "Cockneys vs Zombies."

Ursula Andress ''Honey Rider'' from the epic movie Dr. No. Ursula Andress is a Swiss film and television actress, former model and sex symbol, who has appeared in American, British and Italian films. Ursula was born in Bern 1936.

 

Jill Masterson from the epic movie ''Goldfinger'' She was truly covered with gold in that movie. Jill Masterson was employed by Goldfinger to help him cheat at cards. She is seduced by James Bond, and in the process betrays Goldfinger. She was born in January 1937.

One of the awesome James Bond Cars

Domino Derval from the movie ''Thunderball 1965'' Her real name is Dominetta Vitali. She meets Bond at a spa in Monte Carlo, where he poses as a masseur and massages her. This gives her immense pleasure, though she later realizes he is not who he appears to be. She was born in 1942.

Aki from ''You only live twice - 1967'' Akiko Wakabayashi is one of the most beautiful women Bond encountered in Japan, Aki largely favoured traditional Japanese garments and is seen in several different kimono clothes with her long, dark hair arranged in various ornate traditional Japanese styles. She is, however, briefly seen with her hair down and dressed in a more practical western-style outfit of sweatshirt and jeans when rescuing Bond from Osato Chemical Works. She was born 1941.

Maud Adams acting in the spectacular Bond movie of ''Octopussy - 1983'' She is from Sweden and was born 1945. She was discovered in 1963 in a shop by a photographer who asked to take her picture, a picture he submitted to the Miss Sweden contest arranged by the magazine Allers; from there her modeling career took off.

One of the most impressive Bond girl is Grace Jones. She acted in the movie ''A view to kill in 1985'' Grace Jones (born 19 May 1948) is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, lyricist, supermodel, record producer, and actress.