- Title: JAMAICA: FANS ATTEND FIRST ANNUAL JAMES BOND FESTIVAL
- Date: 24th October 1996
- Summary: OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA (OCTOBER 24-27, 1996) (RTV ) WIDE OF BAY OF OCHO RIOS TOUR BUS ROUNDING BEND INTERIOR OF BUS WITH TOURISTS EXTERIOR OF IAN FLEMING'S FORMER ESTATE, "GOLDENEYE"/ SIGN FOR "GOLDENEYE " AT GATES OF HOUSE WIDE OF PARTY ALONGSIDE A JAMAICAN RIVER A FIRE DANCER TAKES A VOLUNTEER INTO HIS DISPLAY FORMER 007 GEORGE LAZENBY ON BEACH WEARING DINNER JACKET
- Embargoed: 8th November 1996 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA
- Country: Jamaica
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVADXDFI0VI3DNZC86GY4L74BRY
- Story Text: Hundreds of James Bond fans descended on the resort town of Ocho Rios in Jamaica last week (October 24-27) to celebrate the legacy of the film series and its author, Ian Fleming.
Staged as part of a campaign to lure more tourists to the Caribbean island, the three-day festival drew fans of many ages from the United States and Britain.
Fans ranged from an eight-year old boy who came with his father, to ageing couples whose first dates were at James Bond films.
A highlight of the event was the first-ever public tour of Fleming's former estate called "Goldeneye," which also is the name of the most recent Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan.
The estate is now owned by Island Records President Chris Blackwell. He got his start in show business working as a location scout for the first Bond film, "Dr. No," which was filmed on location in Jamaica.
This is the first time tourists have been able to see the actual desk where Fleming wrote all of his novels.
The only ingredients missing from the festival were most of the actors who have played the legendary agent. The only one to attend was Australian George Lazenby, who played agent 007 in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Unlike the other Bonds, Lazenby only played the role once and hasn't had much of a film career since.
The absence of 007 aside, other attractions included several parties. One was held at James Bond Beach, at which "A View To a Kill" villainess Grace Jones made a splashy appearance by lighting a giant bonfire.
Another party, held at the Jamaica Grande Hotel where the festival was based, featured contests to see who could throw a hat onto a hat rack the way Bond does every time he enters Miss Moneypenny's office.
Lois Maxwell, who played Moneypenny in all but a handful of the James Bond films, was at the festival to watch the contest.
Other celebrities attending included the first Bond girl from "Dr. No," Ursula Andress, who arrived in a helicopter, Maude Adams, the only woman to star in two Bond films, "The Man With the Golden Gun" and "Octopussy," and the man with the metal teeth, Jaws, played by Richard Kiel.
The only director to attend was John Glen, who directed five films, including "For Your Eyes Only," "Octopussy," "A View To a Kill," and "The Living Daylights." Other parts of the program included an extensive memorabilia collection, a trivia contest, panel discussions with actors, writers, and directors, and a black tie gala on the final night of the festival at which special awards were given out to all the attending celebrities.
Organizers hope the James Bond festival will become an annual event. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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