In Memoriam: Hugh Hefner

007 Travelers is sad to hear about the death of Hugh Marston Hefner 

Born: 9 April 1926
Died: 27 September 2017

Photo © LasVegasWeekly.com

Hefner was an American magazine publisher, editor, businessman, and playboy. He was best known as the editor-in-chief and publisher of Playboy magazine, which he founded in 1953. He was also the founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, the publishing group that operates the magazine. A multi-millionaire, his net worth at the time of his death was over $43 million due to his success as the founder of Playboy. Hefner was also a political activist and philanthropist active in several causes and public issues.

He appeared also in the world of James Bond. 007 met him in Raymond Benson's Bond short story "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999).

" "Excuse me, Mr. Hefner," Lisa said, stepping up to the group.

He turner to her and beamed. "Lisa! he said, interrupting his conversation to give her a hug. "You look lovely."

"Thank you. May I introduce Mr. Bond?"

He held out his hand to Bond and said. "Hugh Hefner."

"Bond, James Bond." The handshake was firm and dry.

The founder and publisher of Playboy magazine looked fit and energetic, and seemed to be taller than Bond remembered. He carried himself with authority and dignity, yet he also exhibited characteristics of playfulness and good humour."

Raymond Benson: "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999) 


Many Bond girls from the movies have been in the pages of Playboy magazine and Bond himself is a member of the London Playboy Club, which is revealed in "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), where Bond (Sean Connery) has a member card.

In "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969) 007 (George Lazenby) reads February 1969 issue of Playboy magazine when he is in Bern, Switzerland.

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Becoming Bond (Official trailer)

The stranger-than-fiction true story of George Lazenby, a poor Australian car mechanic who, through an unbelievable set of circumstances, landed the role of James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969), despite having never acted a day in his life. Then after being offered the next seven Bond films and a $1 million signing bonus, he turned it all down...

Josh Lawson is George Lazenby in the film, Jane Seymour who was Solitaire in Bond movie "Live and Let Die" (1973) plays Maggie and George Lazenby himself is also in the movie.

Source, photos and video: Hulu

George Lazenby

Josh Lawson as George Lazenby

Jane Seymour as Maggie

See more BOND ACTOR NEWS here

50 years of Schilthorn - Piz Gloria special stamps

50 years of Schilthorn - Piz Gloria special stamps available!

(Without or with Interlaken Schilthorn Piz Gloria stamp)

A James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969, starring George Lazenby) was filmed in and around the imposing building on the Schilthorn summit. 

The two special stamps marking the 50th anniversary show the revolving restaurant and the cable car, each in front of the “Swiss skyline” taking in the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The two sheetlets depict the complete route from the Stechelberg base station via Gimmelwald, Mürren and Birg to the Schilthorn summit. 

Source: WOPA World Online Philatelic Agency

Technical details of the special stamps:

Issue Date: 23.02.2017
Printer: Joh. Enschedé, Haarlem, Netherlands
Process: Offset
Colours: 4
Size: Stamps: 33×28 mm, Sheetlet: 192×95 mm (2 rows of 4 stamps)
Values: CHF 1.00

Order here

007 Travelers has visited Schilthorn Piz Gloria a couple of times. We highly recommend that experience for everyone! See our report of 007 WALK OF FAME, VIP OPENING.

George Lazenby 77 years, 5th of September 2016

Photo: @ 007 Travelers

Happy 77th Birthday, George Lazenby!

Who: George Robert Lazenby
Born: 5 September 1939, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia


007 Travelers was happy to see him in Schilthorn, Switzerland, see more here!

George Lazenby's Bond film: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969).

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

George Lazenby trivia facts:

• Is an accomplished skier and in fact had won two skiing contests in Australia before becoming James Bond.

• He was a martial arts instructor in the Australian army, and holds more than one black belt in the martial arts. He studied martial arts under Bruce Lee himself.

• He says that his favorite Bond film is "Goldfinger" (1964).

Mark Knopfler and Peter Frampton / James Bond theme songs

Mark Knopfler and Peter Frampton are among the guests on a new album by Brian Bennett, the longtime drummer with British chart champions the Shadows.

Knopfler plays on "All The Time In The World" (1969), Barry's composition with lyricist Hal David that became a hit for Louis Armstrong, from the soundtrack of the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Frampton appears on a new version of another Bond theme, "Thunderball," (1965) and Marvin on "The Appointment".

Knopfler, a lifelong Shadows fan, says that "All The Time In The World" was one of Barry's personal favourites. It was such a thrill to be asked to contribute to this version by Brian, one of my all-time favourite great drummers and a fine composer and arranger himself.

Listen to Peter Frampton on "Thunderball" (track 1) and Mark Knopfler on "All The Time In The World" (track 9) on the Brian Bennett Orchestra's Shadowing John Barry on Spotify.

Source: UDiscoverMusic.com

007 Related hotel: Hotel Palace (Alpin Palace Gold Crown Resort Hotel)

HOTEL PALACE (ALPIN PALACE GOLD CROWN RESORT HOTEL) CLOSED

Location: Mürren, Switzerland
Address: Hauptplatz 1
007 Connection: George Lazenby stayed here while filming "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969)
Visited by 007 Travelers: July 2014


This hotel is closed but we visited outside since we wanted to see where George Lazenby had stayed during filming his Bond movie. 

This 3 star hotel is located within the city of Murren and was established in 1872. It is close to the Schilthorn. The Hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a conference room. All 42 rooms are equipped with minibar, hairdryer, safe and ironing set. This 3 star hotel is located within the city of Murren and was established in 1872. It is near the Schilthorn.

See more 007 HOTELS here 

In Memoriam: Gabriele Ferzetti

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

007 Travelers is saddened to hear that Gabriele Ferzetti has passed away.


Who: Gabriele Ferzetti
Born: 17 March 1925 (Rome, Italy)
Died: 2 December 2015 (Rome, Italy)


He was an Italian actor. Bond fans remember him as Marc-Ange Draco in film "On Her Majesty´s Secret Service" (1969).



Gabriele Ferzetti as Marc-Ange Draco – Head of the Union Corse, a major crime syndicate and Tracy's father (uncredited voice by David de Keyser). A year before he appeared as Draco, Ferzetti played the railroad baron Morton in Sergio Leone's celebrated "Once Upon a Time in the West".


Gabriele Ferzetti will be in memories of all James Bond fans. His photo, handprint and autograph can be found on the 007 Walk of Fame, located on Piz Gloria mountain, where he made many scenes in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".

Gabriele Ferzetti on 007 Walk of Fame in Piz Gloria, Switzerland

A LICENCE TO ENJOY - JAMES BOND PACKAGE - HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF BERN

What: "A Licence to Enjoy" James Bond package 
Where: Hotel Schweizerhof Bern, Bahnhofplatz 11, Bern, Switzerland
When: 04 November 2015 - 29 February 2016

007 Travelers has visited this 007 hotel in 2014 and we can highly recommend this gorgeous 5 star hotel!

*See our hotel introduction here
*See also how to spend two days in Bern!
*Read our whole 007 travel story here, day 1 and day 2.
*You can also watch our video: Hotel Schweizerhof Bern (SWITZERLAND) here

Hotel Schweizerhof Berne is a 5-Star-Superior (Swiss Hotel Association) hotel, located directly opposite the main railway station, and the connections are great! The old-town and all the interesting tourist attractions are very close and easy to find.

Nearly 50 years ago, Agent 007 (George Lazenby) stayed at Hotel Schweizerhof Bern, when he was “On Her Majesty's Secret Service” (1969). Now you have the opportunity to experience a day as a secret agent in the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern – with a license to enjoy!

The offer
As befits a secret agent, you will enjoy a martini – shaken, not stirred, of course – in hotel´s stylish Lobby-Lounge-Bar, which you can take either before or after your 3-course dinner at Jack's Brasserie. You'll take in "SPECTRE" (2015), the newest Bond film, at Bern's Pathé Westside – hotel´s concierge will take care of your cinema ticket, so you can enjoy the movie without a care in the world. After a luxurious overnight stay, you'll start the next day with the abundance of a Schweizerhof breakfast to choose from, before spending a few relaxing hours in THE SPA or exploring Bern and discovering why UNESCO named it a World Heritage City.


Overview of your arrangement
* 1 night in the room category of your booking
* Schweizerhof Breakfast in Jack's Brasserie or in your room
* Exquisite 3-course James Bond dinner in Jack's Brasserie (beverages not included)
* A martini at the Lobby-Lounge-Bar
* Book "James Bond und die Schweiz" by Michael Marti and Peter Wälty
* 1 cinema entry to see "SPECTRE" at the Pathé Westside
* One-day "Bernmobil" pass on Bern's public transportation network (24-hour validity)
* Free entry to THE SPA: pamper pool, sauna, hammam, fitness and quiet room
* Nespresso coffees, soft drinks, tea and beer from the minibar
* Free internet access



ROOM CHF *
Standard single room from CHF 455.-
Standard double room from CHF 325.-
Deluxe single room from CHF 515.-
Deluxe double room from CHF 365.-
Deluxe Plus from CHF 405.-
Junior Suite from CHF 465.-
Suite from CHF 695.-
Royal Suite Price on request
Presidential Suite Price on request

Prices are per person for one night, including the package "License to enjoy”, VAT and service charge (excluding city tax of CHF 5.30 per person per night). This offer is valid upon request and subject to availability. General terms and conditions of the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern AG apply.

BOOK ONLINE

Bond Blu-ray & DVD Announcement

New Steelbooks and box-set to be released!

Photo: 007.com

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release an all-new line-up of special edition Blu-rays, DVDs and box-sets on 15th of September 2015.

Source and video: www.007.com

"Two never-before-seen featurettes are included with interviews from Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. “The Shadow of SPECTRE” will recount the fictional history of the global criminal syndicate and terrorist organization, “The Story So Far” will provide an overview of Daniel Craig’s first three Bond movies.

Six films featuring the SPECTRE organization (FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, THUNDERBALL, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY) and the three recent Daniel Craig titles (CASINO ROYALE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, SKYFALL) will each get a limited edition Blu-ray Steelbook release, their cover designs inspired by each film’s opening title sequence."

See more information here and Pre-order here!

007 Filming location: Skating place where Bond meets Tracy di Vizenzo / On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

SKATING PLACE WHERE BOND MEETS TRACY DI VIZENZO

Bond movie: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969)
Place and location in the movie: Skating place in front of Hotel Regina, Switzerland
Actual place and location: Bus station in front of Hotel Alpine resort Grand Regina, Grindelwald, Switzerland
What happens here in the movie: Bond meets Tracy after escaping Piz Gloria
Visited by 007 Travelers: July 2014

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here


See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: Stairs to Alpine room / On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

STAIRS TO ALPINE ROOM

Bond movie: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969)
Place and location in the movie: Piz Gloria, Switzerland
Actual place and location: Schilthorn, Piz Gloria, Switzerland
What happens here in the movie: Bond climbing stairs to Alpine room
Visited by 007 Travelers: July 2014

Take a look inside Bond World 007 here

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: Bond (as Sir Hilary Bray) meets Irma Bunt at railway station / On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

BOND (AS SIR HILARY BRAY) MEETS IRMA BUNT AT RAILWAY STATION

Bond movie: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969)
Place and location in the movie: Switzerland
Actual place and location: Lauterbrunnen railway station, Switzerland
What happens here in the movie: Bond, disguised as Sir Hilary Bray, meets Irma Bunt for the first time
Visited by 007 Travelers: July 2014

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here


See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Event: TCM Classic Film Festival Hollywood 2015 (26-29 March 2015)

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

What: TCM Classic Film Festival Hollywood 2015

Where: Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA

When: 26-29 March 2015

Price: Individual tickets are $20 for most screenings and events

Held over four days in the heart of Hollywood, the TCM Classic Film Festival is a place where movie lovers from around the world can gather to experience classic movies as they were meant to be experienced: on the big screen, in some of the world’s most iconic venues, with the people who made them. Moreover, the TCM Classic Film Festival strives to be a place where a community of movie fans of all ages can share their love of classic movies with each other, make new friends and see films as they are seldom seen today.

In keeping with TCM tradition, all Festival screenings include special introductions to provide context about each film.

Special appearance by:
George Lazenby

Special screening of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969) during the festival.


Also during the festival screenings of two Sean Connery movies:

"The Man Who Would Be King" (1975) and
"The Wind and the Lion" (1975)



See more information here

Other Bond girls

Bond girls: Pussy Galore's Flying Circus Pilots
007 Film: Goldfinger (1963)
Actresses: Maggie Wright (Air Squadron Leader), Aleta Morrison, Jane Holland, Jane Murdoch, Maise Farrell, Caron Gardner and Lesley Hill

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Pussy Galore's Flying Circus are five professional women aviators, led by Pussy Galore and were in the employ of Auric Goldfinger.

In Goldfinger's "Operation Grand Slam", the pilots of Pussy Galore's Flying Circus are responsible for spraying Delta 9 nerve gas over Fort Knox. In theory, the deadly gas was to kill the gold depository's defenders, allowing Goldfinger to walk in unopposed and plant an atomic device in the vault. On the day of the attack, Operation Grand Slam began with Pussy Galore's Flying Circus spraying the gas over Fort Knox as planned. However, Bond had seduced Pussy, convincing her to replace the nerve gas with a harmless substance and alert the U.S. government about Goldfinger's plan.

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Bond girls: Bath Girls
007 Film: You Only Live Twice (1967)
Actresses: Mai Ling, Yee-Wah Yang and Yasuko Nagazumi

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: The girl who bath Bond and Tiger Tanaka in Japan

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Bond girls: Blofeld's Angels of Death
007 Film: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Actresses: Angela Scoular (Ruby Bartlett - British), Catherine Schell (as Catherina von Schell) (Nancy), Sally Sheridan (as Dani Sheridan) (American), Julie Ege (Scandinavian), Anouska Hempel (as Anoushka Hempel) (Australian), Zaheera (as Zara) (Indian), Mona Chong (Chinese), Jenny Hanley (Irish), Joanna Lumley (English), Helena Ronee (Israeli), Ingrid Back (as Ingrit Back) (German) and Sylvana Henriques (Jamaican)

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: The Angels of Death are twelve women from all over the world being brainwashed by Ernst Stavro Blofeld under the guise of allergy treatment. Their mission is to help Blofeld contaminate and ultimately sterilize the world's food supply according to their respective allergies, which are staple foods from their homeland. Blofeld claimed he will rescind this threat if all his past crimes are pardoned and he is recognized as the current Count de Bleauchamp.

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Bond girls: Harem Tent Girls / Arab Beauties
007 Film: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Actresses: Dawn Rodrigues, Felicity York, Anika Pavel and Jill Goodall

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: While on a mission in Egypt tracking down a device that has the ability to track down submarines, Bond uses his own tracking senses to explore the treasures of Egypt and all of its Arabian beauties.

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Bond girls: Drax's Girls
007 Film: Moonraker (1979)
Actresses: Chichinou Kaeppler (Signorina del Mateo), Françoise Gayat (as Francoise Gayat) (Lady Victoria Devon), Catherine Serre (Countess Labinsky), Béatrice Libert (as Beatrice Libert) (Mademoiselle Deladier), Christina Hui and Nicaise Jean-Louis (as Nicaise Jean Louis)

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Drax's Girls are a group of femme fatale henchmen working for Hugo Drax.

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Bond girls: Girls at Pool
007 Film: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Actresses: Lalla Dean, Evelyn Drogue, Laoura Hadzivageli, Koko, Chai Lee, Kim Mills, Tula, Viva, Lizzie Warville and Alison Worth

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Girls at the pool of henchman Hector Gonzales in Spain

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Bond girls: Octopussy Girls
007 Film: Octopussy (1983)
Actresses: Mary Stavin, Carolyn Seaward, Carole Ashby, Cheryl Anne, Jani-Z, Julie Martin, Joni Flynn, Julie Barth, Kathy Davies, Helene Hunt, Gillian De Terville, Safira Afzal, Louise King, Tina Robinson Hansen (as Tina Robinson), Alison Worth, Janine Andrews and Lynda Knight

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Acrobat girls working for Octopussy

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Bond girls: Gymnast Girls
007 Film: Octopussy (1983)
Actresses: Susanne Dando (Gymnast Supervisor), Teresa Craddock, Kirsten Harrison, Christine Cullers, Lisa Jackman, Jane Aldridge, Christine Gibson, Tracy Llewellyn and Ruth Flynn

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Gymnast girls working in Octopussy's circus

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Bond girls: Circus Girls
007 Film: Octopussy (1983)
Actresses: Carol Richter, Vera Fossett, Shirley Fossett

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Circus girls working in Octopussy's circus

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Bond girls: The Girls
007 Film: A View to a Kill (1985)
Actresses: Sian Adey-Jones, Caroline Hallett, Nike Clark, Paula Thomas, Gloria Douse, Lou-Anne Ronchi, Elke Ritschel, Mayako Torigai, Celine Cawley, Helen Clitherow, Deborah Hanna, Terri Johns, Karen Loughlin, Patricia Martínez, Kim Ashfield Norton and Jane Spencer

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: The girls are guests of Max Zorin's party.

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Bond girls: Girls
007 Film: The Living Daylights (1987)
Actresses: Odette Benatar, Dianna Casale, Sharon Devlin, Femi Gardiner, Patricia Keefer, Ruddy Rodríguez, Mayte Sanchez, Cela Savannah, Karen Seeberg, Waris Dirie and Karen Williams

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Girls at General Koskov's pool in Morocco.

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Bond girls: Party Guests
007 Film: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Actresses: Kinue Kato, Dennis Matsuki and Sherry Stone

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond connection: Guests at Elliot Carver's party in Hamburg, Germany

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Bond girls: London Commuters
007 Film: Skyfall (2012)
Actresses: Neve Gachev, Rebecca Hickey, Katherine Elizabeth McLean and Lisa Potter

Bond connection: London commuters in England

See more BOND GIRLS AND OTHER LADIES IN 007 FILMS here