The Barbican in London will present a major exhibition dedicated to the style and design aspects of the James Bond films. The exhibit will run from 6 July to 5 September, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the film series. Here is an official announcement:

With unprecedented access to EON’s archive, Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style is a multi-sensory experience where screen icons, costumes, production design, automobiles, gadgets, special effects, graphic design, exotic locations, weapons, stunts and props combine to immerse the audience in the creation and development of Bond style over its auspicious 50 year history. 

Highlights include gadgets and weapons made for Bond and his notorious adversaries by special effects experts John Stears, Syd Cain and Chris Corbould; artwork for sets and storyboards by production designers Sir Ken Adam and Peter Lamont and costume designs by Bumble Dawson, Donfeld, Julie Harris, Lindy Hemming, Ronald Patterson, Emma Porteous, and Jany Temime.

On display too will be lavish screen finery produced for the six actors who played Bond and his sidekicks over five decades by Hollywood costume designers and major fashion names including Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy, Gucci’s Frida Giannini, Douglas Hayward, Rifat Ozbek, Jenny Packham, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Anthony Sinclair, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro and Donatella Versace.

Lindy Hemming, costume designer says, “In our exhibition, we intend, having explored the contents of the extensive EON archives, to thrill visitors with an insight into some of the design processes involved in the many different areas of making the Bond films.”

For more click here

Here's a nice video tribute to the A.C. Gilbert 1965 James Bond 007 Road Race Set featuring the Aston Martin DB5. The elaborately produced toy was quite expensive in the day and sold only in Sears Roebuck stores. Unfortunately, the toy contributed mightily to the financial demise of Gilbert when countless people returned the set due to mechanical defects. However, the set remains extremely valuable on the collector's circuit, often selling for well over $1,000. To view click here

Filming Skyfall: Mendes consults with Judi Dench.

Director Sam Mendes has launched the first of planned blog updates on the filming of the new James Bond film Skyfall. The first 90 second installment is primarily an interview with Mendes, who says he has been a Bond fan since age ten. He also cites the 2006 Casino Royale and Daniel Craig's performance as motivating factors for wanting to try his hand at directing a 007 flick. There is precious little footage from the new movie, but you do get to see Mendes directing at Pinewood Studios and on a London street.  For more click here

The web site MI6-HQ pays tribute to actor Bernard Lee, who played James Bond's "M" in every 007 film from Dr No through Moonraker. Take a stroll down memory lane and relive the cinematic M's involvement in those early Bond movies, along with fascinating details about Lee's status as a superb British character actor. Click here to read

James Bond is back- and so is his legendary Aston Martin DB5, the car introduced way back in 1964 for Goldfinger. A DB5 with Daniel Craig and his stunt driver Ben Collins alternately behind the wheel was photographed in the Scottish countryside while filming the new 007 flick Skyfall. Click here for more

The latest issue (#13) of the UK-based James Bond magazine MI6 Confidential is now shipping and, as usual, there's plenty of great articles and eye candy for fans. What I admire most about this slick publication is their dedication to covering all possible aspects of the Bond phenomenon. Consider the contents of this issue, which concentrates on the artistry of all things 007: 

• A look at the life and work of the great artist Richard Chopping, who provided those legendary covers for the early Ian Fleming British hardback novels.
• An excerpt from Bond cinematographer Alan Hume's forthcoming autobiography in which he candidly recounts filming A View to a Kill.
• A tribute to Russian-born artist Yaroslav Horak, who created great Bond comic strip art in the 1960s and 1970s
• Interview with Kevin Walker, the artist who illustrated Charlie Higson's Young Bond book
• A celebration of the career of legendary production designer Ken Adam
• Art concept pieces from the Everything Or Nothing 2004 video game
• A gallery of superb international artwork pertaining to rare film posters from the Sean Connery Bonds

In short, there's something for everyone. I admire the fact that, although the magazine has been around for years, they always present 100% new, original material and actual photos, not those DVD screen grabs that anyone can easily create on their own computer. (I also can never get enough of artist Robert McGinnis' eye-popping poster art for Diamonds Are Forever that illustrates the front cover.)- Lee Pfeiffer

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A photographer has snapped Daniel Craig in action, wielding a Walther while dashing through the streets of London for the new James Bond flick Skyfall. Click here for other photos

Sony has sent Cinema Retro an announcement regarding the release of the first official photo from the new James Bond film Skyfall. It's hard to read anything into it, but it does show that Bond is again see unshaven. It remains to be seen whether this indicates a new, funky look for Daniel Craig's 007 or whether Bond is under such pressure he can't get near a razor. In any event, we're psyched. For more perspectives on the new film from the MI6 HQ site, click here