Spy Movie News April 26 2022! Bond news, Slow Horses, Spy Kids, Streaming Service News!

Steve Oxenrider is One of the Biggest James Bond Memorabilia Collectors!

Are you a James Bond memorabilia collector or interested in James Bond items? How big is your collection?   Well, in this episode, Dan and Tom talk with Steve Oxenrider, whose name you have  seen -  as he is credited on some of the “Making of” James Bond documentaries and has contributed images for numerous books and articles.

In case you didn’t know, Steve is auctioning off his over 30,000-item collection of James Bond memorabilia.

Take a listen to find out where the auctions are being held, what is being auctioned off, and why he is auctioning his collection.  Steve, who is obviously a big James Bond fan, also explains how he got started collecting and the tremendous connections he has made.

Oh, and his story about talking to Rosa Klebb (twice) is very funny.  Would you have the guts to do what Steve did?  He’s done it more than once and even talked with Harold Sakata using the same technique.

So, take a listen to Steve Oxenrider’s fascinating story!   It might get you started collecting if you don’t already!  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage: https://bit.ly/49Vdg0j

THE HILDEBRAND RARITY and LICENCE TO KILL

Ian Fleming published the short story “The Hildebrand Rarity” in 1960.  In it, he created the character of Milton Krest.  James Bond movie fans will recognize Milton Krest from 1989 movie LICENCE TO KILL.  

In this episode, Dan and Tom decode how this character from the short story landed in this movie.  They also talk about how his character from the novel changed in the movie. And how some of his traits were split between the characters Milton Krest and Franz Sanchez in the movie. 

And what about Krest’s wife?  Parts of her character morphed into Lupe.

Remember that stingray tail that Franz Sanchez uses on Lupe in LICENCE TO KILL?   It had its origin in the novel as well. But it wasn’t someone named Sanchez who used it.

And of course, there is a Playboy tie-in here as well that we discuss.

So, take a listen.  Have you read “The Hildebrand Rarity”?  If so, did Dan and Tom miss anything?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage: https://bit.ly/3uLOH78

In Defense of Quantum of Solace 

Dan and Tom provide a defense of the James Bond movie QUANTUM OF SOLACE, looking at the pros and cons of this oft-maligned movie.   Revealed: What does Quantum of Solace even means!   
QUANTUM OF SOLACE was not the critical success of its successor, CASINO ROYALE. That’s even with it being a direct continuation of the CASINO ROYALE story. 

There were numerous problems, many stemming from the writer’s strike at the time. But, there were also some positives in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. 

So, take a listen – Do you agree with Dan and Tom’s defense of QUANTUM OF SOLACE?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be! 

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Additionally, you can check out our YouTube channel as well. 

Webpage: https://bit.ly/48lubIg

Here are the links to the podcast episodes we mentioned in this episode: 
Audio Podcasts: 

James Bond's QUANTUM OF SOLACE Pre-Title Sequence Decoded! - Spy Movie Navigator 

A Talk with QUANTUM OF SOLACE Director of Photography, Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC - Part 1 - Spy Movie Navigator 

Part 2: A Talk with QUANTUM OF SOLACE Director of Photography, Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC - Spy Movie Navigator

YouTube Video: 

James Bond is Not Likeable - https://youtu.be/vVFyn9w1dcc 

Gadgets in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL

Dan and Tom break down the gadgets in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL – the two Dalton James Bond movies.

Are these gadgets believable?  Flashy?  Dalton changed the tone of the character of Bond and to some extent the gadgets in the movies.

For instance, could the milk bottles really do that?  What about the remote keychain?  And there is also the X-Ray camera, Broomstick Radio, night-vision binoculars, the rocket engine, Dentonite toothpaste, the manta ray costume, and more.

And we get two looks at the use of lasers, one from each movie.  Were they believable?

Well, we take apart these and all the other key gadgets in these two movies. 

So, take a listen – did we miss any key gadgets from these two Bond movies? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Additionally, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/3wgZR4b

Alfred Hitchcock’s Storyboards with author Tony Lee Moral

Dan and Tom bring back author Tony Lee Moral to discuss his latest book Alfred Hitchcock’s Storyboards. We focus on Hitchcock’s spy movies in today’s discussion. Unquestionably, Hitchcock was notorious for his use of storyboards and his practice has been emulated by many directors. 

We read an advance copy of the book prior to its February 6, 2024, release.  Tony’s book is an excellent look at why Hitchcock used storyboards. He also discusses how Hitchcock used them to set up the filming of the scenes in his movies. He drills into many of Hitchcock’s movies.  In addition, one great aspect of the book is the sheer number of storyboards he includes in the book that Hitchcock used. And the industry tricks of the trade including how those have changed over time with the use of technology.

Another thing we love about this book is that Tony teaches us about making movies. He does this by showing us how Hitchcock did it.  For example, in his discussion on THE 39 STEPS, Tony talks about how TikTok users can use a similar approach to what Hitchcock did to string together a bunch of shorts. We drill into this with Tony in this episode.  It’s a great and fun way to learn.

WHERE TO GET ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S STORYBOARDS

You can order Alfred Hitchcock’s Storyboards at the following links (These are non-affiliate links, SpyMovieNavigator receives no compensation if you use them):

• tonyleemoralbooks.com – A site of mystery and suspense

• Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards @ Titan Books

• Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards: Moral, Tony Lee: 9781789099546: Amazon.com: Books

• Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards by Tony Lee Moral: 9781789099546 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

• Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards by Tony Lee Moral, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Share your thoughts

So, take a listen – did this discussion help you decide to buy Tony Lee Moral’s book Alfred Hitchcock’s Storyboards? We highly recommend it if you are a movie fan.  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Additionally, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/hitchcock-storyboards

ARGYLLE– A No-Spoiler Review

In this episode, Tom gives you his no-spoiler look at the latest Matthew Vaughan movie, ARGYLLE.  As with all of our no-spoiler reviews, our goal is to give you our thoughts as to whether or not this latest spy movie is worth your time and money.

We don’t cover the plot because our goal is to not give it away. But, we will say that the plot is pretty complex. You need to pay close attention.

There are a lot of twists and turns in ARGYLLE. And it has a fantastic cast led by Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Henry Cavill.

So, take a listen to this ARGYLLE – A No-Spoiler Review. Is ARGYLLE worth your time and money?  Let us know your thoughts if you go and see it, ideas for future episodes, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website.  Check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/3ulWYOY

Hitchcock's TOPAZ – is it a gem?

Hitchcock’s movie TOPAZ received mixed reviews when it was released.  Some people love it while others don’t like it at all.  Why is that?

Dan and Tom mine what works and what doesn't in this Hitchcock spy movie.  And there is a bit of both here.

That said, TOPAZ is a spy movie with a lot of espionage.  It isn’t an action movie with some spy elements as we often get in today’s spy movies.

The setting for TOPAZ is 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis which brought the US and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war.  So, there is some historical background for this movie. 

Dan and Tom look for the hidden gems in this one.  What works best?  And what doesn’t?

So, take a listen – Hitchcock’s TOPAZ  - is it a gem?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website.   Check out our YouTube channel as well.  Subscribe!

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/hitchcocks-topaz

In 2035 we will see James Bond in the public domain.  What does this mean for the franchise?  Not just for the movies, but the novels, and marketing. 

George Simpson, Senior Film Reporter at the Daily Express joins us to discuss the article he wrote about this impact on the franchise. He explains what public domain means and why it is so important for James Bond but not for other franchises like Sherlock Holmes and The Marx Brothers.  Their material is already in the public domain. Eon Productions is in a tough spot here and they have 11 years to get it right. What do they need to do? 

And, George Simpson gives Eon Productions some advice. 

So, take a listen - do you agree with us and this episode? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be! 

Thank you, George, for providing a lively discussion on a tough topic. 

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website and our YouTube channel as well. 

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/james-bond-in-the-public-domain

Character Spotlight: Rosa Klebb played by Lotte Lenya in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE!

In a continuation of our Character Spotlight series of episodes, Dan and Tom look at the evil character Rosa Klebb in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE.  She may be small in stature, but she knows how to take control of almost any situation.

Lotte Lenya gives an amazing performance bringing this character from the Ian Fleming novel to the big screen.

Here we examine Rosa Klebb’s character in each scene and how Lotte Lenya just nails this character with her acting prowess.  Her facial expressions let us into her emotional state, often without saying a word. She’s just brilliant. Quick, who would you have hired that could have been better?  We can’t think of another actress for this role.

So, take a listen – Does Rosa Klebb deserve to have a Character Spotlight episode?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Our channel name is CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES.   Check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/3O6rZNn

Why Are Spy Movies Still Popular?

Dan and Tom look at the popularity of spy movies and shows, with a focus on James Bond.  They give you their reasons for why they believe the spy genre is so popular.

They also look at influences on spy movies.  Superheroes is one big influencer for spy movies and have helped spy movies’ popularity. But superhero movies are also in competition for the viewer’s money.  So, what is it about superhero movies that are similar to spy movies?

Also, we look at Netflix customer watch-time data that Netflix recently released.  There is some interesting data about spy movies and shows popularity.

So, take a listen - do you agree with Dan and Tom as to Why Are Spy Movies Still Popular? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!

You can check out all of our podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Our channel name is CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES.   You can check out our YouTube channel as well.

Webpage:  https://bit.ly/3vkqIvx