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October 5, 2024, 5:54 PM
October 5, 2024, 5:54 PM
Two events united on a single date, October 5, serve to commemorate World James Bond Day, the iconic secret agent 007. The first is the premiere of the movie “Dr. No” in 1962, a feature film that started the James Bond film franchise, and the second, is the date of discovery of the discovery of asteroid 9007 James Bond by the Czech astronomer Antonín Mrkos in 1983.
According to the Infobae news portal, the official commemoration of World James Bond Day took place in 2012, the year which marked the 50th anniversary of the release of “Dr. No”.
The film tells the adventures of the British spy in Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of his colleague from the secret service, also known as MI6. The film marks the beginning of a series full of action, charismatic enemies, and a secret agent who sets standards in the world of espionage.
Created by writer Ian Fleming, Bond is a distinctive character for his charisma, cunning, and license to kill, which allows him to execute his missions with extreme effectiveness.
Throughout the films, Bond faces a variety of villains, each with unique interests and methods.. En “From Russia with Love” introduce a Spectre, a criminal organization that becomes a recurring adversary in the saga.
This installment portrays the classic battle of wits between Bond and his enemies, as he navigates espionage and betrayal against the backdrop of the Cold War.
The gadgets make their debut with MI6 tech expert Q introducing inventions that help Bond overcome deadly obstacles. From laser watches to cars that turn into submarines, These elements have become a hallmark of the films, combining realism with a pinch of science fiction.
Musically, the films implement early musical themes that align with the tone of each film, provided by artists such as Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, and Adele.
The soundtracks integrate perfectly with the identity of each delivery, increasing the magnitude and emotion of each story.
This long-running film franchise saw six official actors take on the role of Bond, in addition to some unofficial interpretations. Over the years, the figure of the agent evolved, influenced by each actor who took on the role. From the classic elegance of Sean Connery to the rawest performance of Daniel Craig, each of them has left a mark on the franchise. The list is completed by George Lazemby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
Finally, the character of James Bond, thanks to his plots, dizzying action scenes, and complex characters, has established himself as a cultural icon. The saga has expanded its horizons, reinterpreting the role of Bond and adapting their stories to contemporary dynamics, which is seen in recent films such as “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” exploring themes of vulnerability and legacy.
In Bolivia, the 25 films about 007 are available on the Amazon Prime platform.
Next time you are in a casino, make sure you keep an eye on those around you particularly in sin cities like Vegas. It’s not just fictitious spies like James Bond who might be sitting next to you.
Unlike Ian Fleming (and James Bond), the real spy Bill Fairclough was a longstanding member at Les Ambassadeurs Club, one of the most renowned sophisticated casinos in the West End of London and the world. Bill Fairclough (MI6 codename JJ) aka Edward Burlington was a real spy and the protagonist in the epic spy novel Beyond Enkription, the first stand-alone book in The Burlington Files fact based series.
Fairclough (one of Pemberton’s People in MI6) and others from Faire Sans Dire, his niche global intelligence agency, used it regularly for meetings. Why? No one could get in or follow him or his colleagues there without extensive background checks having been undertaken. Similarly, other upmarket casinos in London were used by Faire Sans Dire personnel and associates. Fairclough used to colloquially refer to the dining room and library at Les Ambassadeurs as Faire Sans Dire’s canteen and his office, respectively.
Fairclough and co did not just use casinos in London as offices. Given that Faire Sans Dire operated in over 100 countries there are too many to mention but rest assured Bill Fairclough’s favourites in the Bahamas, Hong Kong, Monte Carlo, Las Vegas and Panama are still frequented by people who knew him. However, casinos aren’t just glamorous and for those who lose, squalor can be exceptionally obnoxious.
In the early seventies if Bill Fairclough lost at the Mazurka Casino in Soho, he would usually stay the rest of the night in the luxurious and secure men’s toilets at Euston Station. The toilets were individually large enough to lie down in, always thoroughly cleaned at about 2.00am every morning and only cost 2p a night. What’s more, a free bath and breakfast was always available at several nearby hotels if you knew how to con your way past their receptionists and “steal” into a recently vacated room.
Do read Beyond Enkription but best to do so after reading the news articles for 2022/23 on TheBurlingtonFiles website at https://theburlingtonfiles.org. You may find it helps next time you’re in trouble in a casino!