British Culture: Albion Never Dies

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Raymond Benson is the author of over forty published titles. He is most well-known as being the first American to write continuation James Bond novels (six original titles and three film novelizations, between 1996-2002), and for the best-selling and acclaimed five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO (2011-2014). I also mention in the episode that he wrote, JETHRO TULL (POCKET ESSENTIAL SERIES) There's a lot more, so if you want the full story please visit the author at his website: https://raymondbenson.com/ and also his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaymondBenson
I previously reviewed his first two 007 continuation books on my Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/britishculture
"James Bond Book Review | Zero Minus Ten | I've visited these Chinese locations!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_kKtQsZlo
"James Bond Book Review | The Facts of DEATH | Someone I know appears in the book!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow_WnHuU_bY
Benson's newest original novel, THE MAD, MAD MURDERS OF MARIGOLD WAY, was published in 2022. His most recent works also include the suspense novels, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, BLUES IN THE DARK, and HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR.
His backlist of original thrillers (EVIL HOURS, TORMENT--A LOVE STORY, ARTIFACT OF EVIL, A HARD DAY'S DEATH, DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE, and others) as well as his classic reference book from 1984, THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, are much loved.
Raymond is also a prolific tie-in writer: the first two best-selling TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL novels (for the latter he used the pseudonym of "David Michaels"), and with John Milius he wrote HOMEFRONT: THE VOICE OF FREEDOM. He also produced novelizations of other popular videogames--METAL GEAR SOLID and METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY, HITMAN (HITMAN: DAMNATION, and DYING LIGHT (DYING LIGHT--NIGHTMARE ROW).

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This is my favourite chapter of Ian Fleming's penultimate 007 novel 'You Only Live Twice. It's quite different from the classic 1967 film with Sean Connery; we see a world weary Bond at the end of his career. Perhaps we shall see something like it with the 25th 007 film, No Time To Die. On the other hand, perhaps it will forever stand alone, telling its unique story.

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Introduced by Joe Darlington (Being James Bond), I investigate the uniquely British aspects of this 007 film, with 6 special interviews from China thanks to my previous guest Max James Joy (A Brit Abroad... in China - Celebrating a 'British Day' in Guangzhou).
We talk about:

• What makes this film so special?
• British submarines
• British-Greek Relations
• The King's Medal
• Ancient Chinese Sayings
• Elektra
• Saint Cyril
• The Most Famous British Greek
• British Winter Olympics

I draw on a range of books, including but not limited to:

• Bond on Bond, by Roger Moore
• Some Kind of Hero, by Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury
• For My Eyes Only, by John Glen
• The Return of Heroic Failures, by Stephen Pile
• The Complete James Bond Short Stories, by Ian Fleming
• Operation Mincemeat, by Ben Macintyre
• Ian Fleming's Commandos, by Nicholas Rankin
• Ian Fleming, by Nicholas Shakespeare
• A Bond Odyssey, by Adam Muckle
• 30 Hot Days, M.A. Birant

For Greece during the Second World War, I do draw on Winston Churchill's 6 volume account, and recommend the following novel and TV drama:

• Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
• Sword of Honour (2001) starring Daniel Craig

If this podcast prompts any thoughts you would like to share, please do message me at the contact details below.
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Why does an imposing James Bond henchmen wear a school turban? This is the podcast episode that will answer this question, which you may never have asked, but are surely now desperate to have an answer to! 40 years ago, Del Singh was involved "in a very un-orthodox way" with the 007 franchise. This interview with him is so great, so fun, so lively, it cannot be constrained to a single podcast episode.

In this first of two parts, Del explains how he became involved with the filming of 'Octopussy' (1983), after receiving a phone call out of the blue from EON Productions - the dream for any Bond fan! He talks about his time with Roger Moore and Kabir Bedi, who played the imposing Gobinda, and even Del's input into the latter character's wardrobe. Del even comments on the best (and worst) place for a movie crew to buy a turban.

Del talked to Roger Moore about his take on Sean Connery's 007, and observed how Moore dealt with this question differently in sessions with journalists. What did Moore claim he could do as Bond that Connery could not? The answer comes at minute 26. We also hear what Moore said his favourite film was (answer at minute 27), and, hear of Roger Moore's experiences filming 'The Wild Geese' (1978) with Richard Burton and Richard Harris.

The spectacular train stunts in Octopussy were filmed at the Nene Valley Railways near Peterborough, where Del hails from, back before CGI could be used for such scenes, so we also hear Del's memories of watching these incredible stunts done on location, and the immense risks involved: Del says, "they really do earn their money"!

Out of curiosity, do you know how long a turban is?

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Several subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!
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Merry Christmas! I hope you're having a wonderful day. Just a quick chat, as I know some people might have 3 minutes to spare as they dash in a car somewhere, or find some time to themselves, to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

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