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The James Bond Files ~ Simon Firth
 In January 2023, on his radio program Flashback, which aired online over the internet radio station KSAV, Wesley Britton kicked off a “James Bond Avalanche” to celebrate the 70 years of Agent 007. Featured were several authors, actors, behind-the-scenes folks, and fans of the world of James Bond. The series began on Monday, January 9, 2023, with an interview with Simon Firth, author of a series of books on Bond film locations, including On the Tracks of 007: Filming James Bond in the Bahamas (2022). Simon Firth takes listeners to exotic 007 places around the globe with many stories about what makes these locations so interesting. Also on the program was Dr. Kathryn Harkup, author of Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond (2022). The interview is available as a podcast on Wesley Britton’s podcast Remember When. To listen, click the link below. Wes chats with two bond experts, Kathryn Harkup and Simon Firth About Filming James Bond in the Bahamas ~  The Bahamas is almost synonymous with James Bond. Author Ian Fleming visited the exotic islands regularly and found inspiration that later found their way into his books, Goldfinger and Dr No. In The Bahamas, cinematic James Bond was born and shaped. Fleming’s 1958 meeting with producer Kevin McClory was integral to the inception of the screen treatment that became the book that became the film, Thunderball. That became Never Say Never Again. Whether the country and its islands provides by way of glamorous location, transcendent beaches or the exalted blues of it clear waters, The Bahamas has seen cinematic James Bond visit no less than 007 times! Thunderball, Never Say Never Again, Casino Royale, and underwater in You Only Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, and The World is Not Enough. Enough reasons for The Bahamas to be called James Bond’s favourite destination, as this book will prove. Speaking to more than 30 people on both sides of the Productions, location owners and those who helped prepare the locations for filming, Simon Firth answers every question imaginable.
Illustrated with images from both the archives of On The Tracks of 007 and those interviewed from the films’ productions, Filming James Bond in The Bahamas is the definitive work charting James Bond in film and book as his adventures take you through the beauty and romance of this stunning country. Featuring a Foreword by Casino Royale’s Director, Martin Campbell and an Afterword by Production Manager, Anthony Waye. About Simon Firth ~ While admitting the complete lack of originality in this introduction, veracity dictates that Simon Firth became interested in, and subsequently hooked on the world of James Bond from a) being asked by his father to come back downstairs from bed to watch on TV Dr No and, months later, Thunderball and b) being taken to the cinema to see The Spy Who Loved Me as a family outing. Being of responsible age sufficient to taking buses by the time Moonraker was released sealed his fate and a collection on was subsequently embarked upon. While in awe of the present day’s dissection of the subject matter of James Bond into its infinite parts – Clothes, Cars, Food, Drink, Books, Films, Graphic Novels and the multitudinous contributors and content makers plying their knowledgeable and artistic creativity to discuss such, it is the poster artwork that by and large was the greater attraction within. But following a love for Villefranche sur Mer and the surrounding countryside’s impact on the James Bond films with a previous book entitled Cô d’Azur, ensured that Simon would briefly enter the Locations department; with all due deference to those who have steadily worked their way up this explicit ladder. For all things professional, he is a self-employed contract Project Manager working in the Telecommunications and Media sector. Links ~ Visit the book series website – On the Tracks of 007 Read an excerpt of On the Tracks of 007: Filming James Bond in the Bahamas. |