Sunday 29th October 2023 - Pinewood Studios, London, England In the 70th anniversary year of Ian Fleming’s ‘Casino Royale’ it seemed absolutely fitting to plan an exciting event around it –celebrating the written word of Bond, where it all started.   Ian Fleming Publications Ltd were immediately enthusiastic and supportive, and a date was set of October 29th. The venue: Pinewood Studios, London, England.   Along with Fleming himself there have been several officially appointed continuation authors and once we’d received agreement from Raymond Benson and Kim Sherwood to attend, everything starting locking into place with Charlie Higson and Steve Cole also committing, and Fleming biographers Andrew Lycett and Nicholas Shakespeare coming on board, as did Jon Lys Turner – the curator of Richard Chopping’s work and executor of his estate.   Actor Thomas Wheatley reads an extract from Casino Royale.   What unfolded was a very special day kicking off with morning coffee and a reading from the first Bond novel by actor Thomas Wheatley (The Living Daylights) ahead of the first ever UK public screening of Casino Royale (1954), starring Barry Nelson as ‘card sharp Jimmy Bond’ some 9 years ahead of Sean Connery taking on the famous role.   Thomas Wheatley, Charlie Higson, Andrew Lycett, Steve Cole, Nicholas Shakespeare, Corinne Turner, David Lowbridge-Ellis, Kim Sherwood, Raymond Benson and Madeline Smith.   The live TV drama was considered lost for decades until a black-and-white kine copy was discovered (albeit without the last 2 minutes) in the early 1980s. A second (slightly poorer quality) version was later uncovered and included the complete end sequence; so with the support of Cinema Retro’s Lee Pfeiffer we were able to splice the two copies together to make one complete version and, after securing a licence from owner MGM, this fully intact version of the production received its UK premiere – exactly 69 years on from its broadcast!   Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett interviewed by David Lowbridge-Ellis Fleming biographer Nicholas Shakespeare interviewed by David Lowbridge-Ellis   It was followed by a 12-minute exclusive filmed interview with Barry Nelson discussing the part, perhaps most astonishingly revealing he had no idea Bond was supposed to be British, as the script he received was Americanised and he’d never read the book!   Actress Madeline Smith reads an extract from Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood. Jon Lys Turner gives a fascinating insight into the life and work of Richard Chopping.   Jon Lys Turner next presented a 30-minute illustrated talk on Richard Chopping and his Fleming book covers ahead of further extract readings by Thomas Wheatley (Saunders in The Living Daylights) and Madeline Smith (Miss Caruso in Live And Let Die) to introduce authors Raymond Benson, Kim Sherwood, Charlie Higson, Steve Cole along with the two Fleming biographers who joined in a 90 minute conversation with David Lowbridge-Ellis.   David Lowbridge-Ellis interviews Raymond Benson, Kim Sherwood, Charlie Higson and Steve Cole. A delicious two-course Sunday roast lunch was served before attendees joined attending authors in the Picture Gallery to chat, sign books and browse the memorabilia stalls. Outside the Alpine car, as featured in Kim Sherwood’s new ‘00’ continuation novels, was on display and proved quite an attraction.   Dave Worrall hosts a talk about local James Bond filming locations   Rounding out the day at 4pm Dave Worrall hosted a talk on Bond filming locations, ahead of afternoon tea being served in the ballroom. The long and packed day came to a close at 5.30pm with lots of happy authors, attendees and empty boxes of (sold) books. In fact, the love expressed for the books was actually incredible and the fact so many people admitted falling in love with the written word of Fleming by first watching the films was most gratifying.   Andy & Gareth would like to thank the following for their time and invaluable help with this event.... Raymond Benson, Charlie Higson, Kim Sherwood, Steve Cole, Andrew Lycett, Nicolas Shakespeare, Simon Ward (Ian Fleming Publications) Corinne Turner (Ian Fleming Publications), Thomas Wheatley, Madeline Smith, Alpine Cars, David Lowbridge-Ellis, Jon Lys Turner, Andrew Freeman, Vipul Patel, Matthew Field, Dave Worrall, Mark Mawston, Paul Marchant-Smith, Adrian Head and Chris Winwood.   As many of you will be aware, this is our last event at the studios. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us since our first event in 2004 and everyone who has helped over the years. We really could not have done it without you.     We have limited copies of the exclusive 28 page programme which was only available at the event. If you'd like to purchase a copy, please click here.   We'll be posting more photographs on our Facebook page in the next few days. All photographs (c) Mark Mawston \ Bondstars LLP, please do not use without permission.