MI6 reports on the From Pinewood With Love event held at the legendary studios this month with a host of 007 talent...

From Pinewood With Love - Event Report
27th August 2009

On a bright sunny Sunday morning, on August 23rd, 150 guests descended upon Pinewood Studios for the BondStars 'From Pinewood With Love' event. The day centred around celebrating the centenary of Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli, and a screening of his favourite Bond movie, From Russia With Love.

Following registration and morning coffee, attendees mingled in the Pinewood ballroom - meeting some of the early arrival special guests Eunice Gayson, Jan Williams, Norman Wanstall & Maddy Smith - and browsed the memorabilia stalls, before scratching their heads on starting to fill in their Bond Mastermind Quiz papers.

At 10.30am, in the surrounds of Pinewood's luxurious Theatre 7, a capacity crowd watched a special tribute montage to Cubby Broccoli, introduced by Sir Roger Moore.

Eunice Gayson, one of the stars of From Russia With Love was joined on stage by sound editor Norman Wanstall to introduce a special digital presentation of the movie - thanks to our friends at Park Circus and EON Productions, we were able to screen the digital master and all agreed it was the best quality presentation of the movie they'd seen.

Following the movie, it was back to the Pinewood Mansion to meet some of the other arriving special guests: Honor Blackman, Martine Beswicke, Caroline Munro, Tania Mallett, Shirley Eaton, Margaret Nolan, Jenny Hanley, Alkis Kritikos, Directors Lewis Gilbert & John Glen, editor John Grover, second unit director Arthur Wooster, cinematographers Alan Hume & Alec Mills, and stunt co-coordinator Martin Grace. Guests signed autographs, chatted with fans and posed for photographs. Meanwhile, on the terrace the delicious summer BBQ was served.

Following lunch, Gareth Owen and Dave Worrall lead two tours around the studio gardens where the opening From Russia With Love was screened - being joined along the way by Jan Williams, in the exact same spot where she appeared in the movie; and Martine Beswicke in the area where the famous gypsy camp was built and where she filmed her exciting fight scenes!

Back at the house, the ballroom was now re-set theatre style in readiness for the Q&A session. Gareth Owen first chatted with Lewis Gilbert, who shared memories of working with Cubby Broccoli on three Bond movies. Lewis said that prior to Bond he had produced a number of the films he also directed, but after working with Cubby he changed his entire approach to producing. "I copied Cubby," Lewis said, "as I realised after working with him what the role of a producer should be. He was amazing."

Above: Bond directors John Glen and Lewis Gilbert.

John Glen talked about his first meeting with Cubby, his then being offered the chance to direct a Bond movie (and four others afterwards) and the joy he shared working with Cubby.

Alec Mills, Alan Hume, Arthur Wooster and Martin Grace then took to the stage to share a few anecdotes about working on the movies, before a quartet of beautiful girls rounded out the chat along with taking a few questions from the audience: Caroline Munro, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton and Margaret Nolan. The Quiz champions were then announced and awarded their prizes by Shirley Eaton: which included a Bond scalextrix set, books, a Goldfinger Swatch Villain watch and playing cards!

Afternoon tea and pastries were served in the gardens, and following a final autograph signing and stall browsing hour, the event wound up. It was another great day at Pinewood, with absolutely terrific weather.

Thanks to Gareth Owen and Andy Boyle of BondStars.
All photographs (c) Marc Pearce - www.marcpearce.co.uk

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