Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!

How many of the gadgets do you remember from Pierce Brosnan’s first two James Bond movies, GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES? In this episode, Dan and Tom decode about 30 of them.  We also let you know if we think a gadget is believable!  So, how many different pitons do we talk about in these two movies?  Do we think they are believable? Do you?  Tom calls out a favorite weapons/gadgets in any movie and how TOMORROW NEVER DIES enhances that!  How realistic is an exploding pen?  How about digital scopes with the ability to transmit data?  Would either of those things have worked in 1995 when GOLDENEYE was released or in 1997 with the release of TOMORROW NEVER DIES?  And, what was that thing in Wai Lin’s lab that took the one thug out?  How many different uses did we point out for the remote controlled BMW and it’s remote control?  So have a listen, getting a better understanding of these gadgets will enhance your viewing experience next time you watch GOLDENEYE or TOMORROW NEVER DIES.  Links we mentioned  In this episode, we mentioned an article about a guy who made a laser watch.  Here’s the link to that article: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/home-made-laser-watch-is-real  Tell us what you think about the gadgets in GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES  So, did we miss any gadgets?   Which are your favorite gadgets?  Did any gadgets strike you as believable?  If so, which ones?  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4dBH705 

A Salute to George Lazenby Click here to watch the video version of this episode George Lazenby has announced his retirement from public life.  This is a well-earned retirement and we wish him nothing but the best. In this episode, Dan and Tom bring Mike Reyes back for a salute to the second Eon Productions actor to play James Bond.  George had huge shoes to fill in following Sean Connery.  We think he filled them very well. Some of the topics we decode include: How George Lazenby landed the role of James Bond The Hulu show “Becoming Bond” How his James Bond was introduced in the movie and his “This never happened to the other fella” line in the ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE pre-title sequence. The pressure of taking over for Sean Connery who emblazoned his version of James Bond in the moviegoers’ minds. Lazenby’s upbringing How his work on ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE shaped the role of James Bond for the rest of the series What they think the next James Bond movie George Lazenby should have done.  Hint, it isn’t DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, which was the successor to ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE So, once again, we wish George Lazenby well in his retirement.  And we thank him for his work on ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE. You can read Mike Reyes’ articles on CinemaBlend.com. Tell us what you think Let us hear from you about George Lazenby.  What did you think of his performance as James Bond in ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE.  Do you wish he’d done another Bond movie? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3X8RO4j

  What makes a spy movie great?  Are they built with common elements? Dan and Tom decode the blueprint that most spy movies use in creating their story.  From the protagonist, the villain and a variety of other essential elements we look at how to build a spy movie. What do we need if we want to build a spy movie? Some of the things decoded include: Obviously a spy movie needs a protagonist or spy.  But, what characteristics does that, or those spies have? What does he or she look like? Importantly, do they have different characteristics if the spy movie is gritty, an action spy movie, or a comedy? Next, what are the characteristics of the mission?  We look at some examples of different spy movies to highlight some of these. And of course, every spy mission’s protagonist needs a villain. And these villains aren’t all carbon copies. They each seem to have their own physical traits. Again, we look at some examples of successful spy movie villains. If you have a male spy, do you need a femme fatale?  What about allies? And what are some examples of how locations influence spy movies?  What are some successful locations that we’ve seen in spy movies. One area of contention is around how much of the movie needs to be action sequences and what are some of the ways a studio can blow these for the audience? As we often talk about, there is a moral ambiguity in most spy movies.  We look at this ambiguity and how it has two sides. Of course, there is more that we discuss, but this list gives you some good reasons to listen to this episode: How to Build a Spy Movie. Tell us what you think Are you ready to build your own spy movie?  Are there things Dan and Tom missed? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3AiYKCR

HOGAN'S HEROES – a comedy spy WW II TV series “Hogan’s Heroes” was a comedy series in the US from 1965 to 1971. But it was a spy, espionage and sabotage show as well – with plenty of violence.   It was based on a group of prisoners of war in World War II who were assigned to Stalag 13.  On this show, spy missions rule!  Decoding this show, we will show you why! Dan and Tom tunnel their way into this series by looking at the characters, the actors who played them, and many of their missions. And yes, “Hogan’s Heroes” is a bit dated with some of its portrayal of Germans and women, but we still think it holds up today.  We talk about the German roots of some of the key people involved with the series and what Werner Klemperer required of the show for him to take on the role of Colonel Klink.  Klemperer was born in Germany and he had a specific demand. We also include clips from the show to highlight our points and bring fun to it as well. With the lunatics running the asylum, there are some classic lines in the series. Some Hogan's Heroes Influencers Some of the episodes we decode have ties to real-world events or other movies. For instance, did you listen to our episode THE HEROES OF TELEMARK-DECODED? Well, one of the “Hogan’s Heroes” episodes had roots in the underlying mission portrayed in the movie THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  We tell you which one. Another episode of Hogan’s Heroes had similarities to the 1946 Sherlock Holmes movie, DRESSED TO KILL. Other episodes paid homage to TV game shows that were popular at the time. And what did synthetic fuel have to do with the war and this series? So, take a listen to hear about these and many more fun facts about this comedy spy series. Tell us what you think Have you watched “Hogan’s Heroes”?  What did you think? Is it a spy series? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4dzxDSG

THE HEROES OF TELEMARK – Decoding a movie about real World War II heroes In this episode, Dan and Tom decode a movie about some real World War II heroes, namely, the movie THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  This movie stars Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris, Ulla Jacobson, and Michael Redgrave.  Plus, many supporting actors in this movie have appeared in other spy movies.  We call some of those out for you THE HEROES OF TELEMARK is a dramatization of some real operations from World War II.  These operations were: Operation Grouse Operation Freshman Operation Gunnerside And the sinking of the Norwegian ferry Hydro. These operations all focused on the Allies' attempts at keeping the Germans from getting “Heavy Water”.  Heavy Water was used in the process of creating an atomic bomb.  The Allies had to stop or slow down the Germans so that the Allies could create the bomb first. We decode this movie against the backdrop of the real missions, while diving into what “Heavy Water” is and where it comes from. Tell us what you think Have you been involved in atomic bomb development? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the accuracy of this movie’s scientific information. Have you watched THE HEROES OF TELEMARK?  What did you think? Was the romance a negative for your enjoyment of the movie? So take a listen to hear what we think of THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3A20ikR

MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY - Is it worth your time?  MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY is the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2020 action-comedy MY SPY. It reunites a wonderful cast led by Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman. The movie takes us on a feel-good adventure set in some of Europe’s most storied destinations.  In this episode, Dan and Tom decode this movie, while not revealing any spoilers.  The goal is to enhance your viewing experience when you watch this movie.  Good or bad or both?  We think this is a good spy movie for some spy movie fans, while some spy movie fans won’t like the lighthearted, comedic feel of MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY.  One of our goals is to ensure the right people watch this movie.   So:   If you are a teenager or a young adult, we think you are the target audience for this movie.  Listen to this episode to find out why.  If you are sensitive to some language, jokes targeted to the Catholic Church, or some nude statues, listen to find out if this is a movie you won’t like. We spell out why this has a PG-13 rating in the US so you can make your own decisions. After all, not all movies are for all people.  If you are an adult who isn’t sensitive to those things and who wants to watch a comedy spy movie, we think you’ll like MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY.  So, in short, this movie has some good laughs, a pseudo-plausible plot, and a chase scene with a vehicle we’ve never seen in a spy movie before.  We like MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY, and this episode should help you figure out if it is worth your time.  Tell us what you think  So, have you watched MY SPY: THE ETERENAL CITY? If so, did Dan and Tom hit the mark?  If not, will you watch this movie?   Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3YdhWMl 

Build-A-Bond – What Does The Next Bond Need to Be? Dan and Tom look at how to Build-a-Bond.  In other words, what are the key elements of Bond over the decades that should go into the best Bond?  We will help Eon Productions here as we Build-a-Bond!  What were the positive qualities of James Bond for each of the previous six actors that Eon Productions has cast for the role? What are the qualities that they each brought that we think must be included in the next hire? James Bond has had a different personality with each actor to play him.  Yes, we all know that Sean Connery, with Director Terence Young’s tutelage set the stage. George Lazenby brought a little more rough and tumble. Roger Moore brought more humor.  Timothy Dalton turned out the lights and made Bond dark.  Pierce Brosnan was cool. And Daniel Craig darkened things up again. So, we know all that.  But there’s much more to it.  Dan and Tom dig deeper to find the personality traits that were common to all of the actor’s portrayals.  Take a listen to find out what these are. Finally, what actors do Tom and Dan think are in their Build-a-Bond box? Tell us what you think So, did we miss any personas for the next actor to play James Bond?  What do you think of our list of persona needs?  And, who do you want to see take up the role of Bond, James Bond? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4bJFA6l

EYE OF THE NEEDLE – A WW II spy thriller  EYE OF THE NEEDLE is a 1981 spy thriller starring Donald Sutherland. In it, one key plot point exposes one of the acts of deception that we discussed in our episode “OPERATION BODYGUARD - Behind the Spies in Movies and Novels”.   In this episode, Dan and Tom decode EYE OF THE NEEDLE, discussing the high-level plot and 10 good reasons to watch it. The deception which is centerfold in this movie has its roots in the real Operation Fortitude – which frames the discussion. One big plus for this movie is Donald Sutherland. He gives an excellent performance playing Henry Faber.  He really knows how to play a villain. This DECODING session answers the questions: Is this an engaging espionage plot ? What of the atmospheric setting ? The character development? Does the movie sustain a  tense and suspenseful feeling? Strong supporting cast ? What’s the movie's historical context?  What is the moral ambiguity? How visually impressive is this movie? Spy taxis? U-Boats? Abide With Me? This movie is an adaptation from a Ken Follett novel  Dan and Tom also discuss criticisms of EYE OF THE NEEDLE, weighing in as to whether they agree or disagree with the critiques.  Tell us what you think  So have you seen EYE OF THE NEEDLE?  What did you think of it?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3S0k2LP   

OPERATION BODYGUARD AND DECEPTION IN WORLD WAR II  Your field operatives, Dan and Tom, talk with author and historian Rick Beyer about the deception techniques used in the war.  Operation Bodyguard and its sub-operation, Operation Fortitude, which helped win the war, are highlighted.   Operation Bodyguard was an overall deception operation to assist the Allied Forces in World War II.  It is one example of how deception was an important part of the Allied success.  Operation Fortitude was designed to deceive Adolph Hitler as to the location of the Allied invasion of Europe.  You know the landing came at Normandy.  Listen to find out the ruses and locations the Allied Forces used to keep Hitler believing that Normandy was not going to be the landing location.  We also talk with Rick about a deception unit called Ghost Army of which Rick co-authored the excellent book, “The Ghost Army of World War II”.  Ghost Army deployed just after D-Day, so they weren’t directly involved in D-Day.  But they are the source of the inflatable tank. Listen to find out what that means  Finally, we look at some of the spies who were involved in the deceptions, highlighting double agents who Hitler thought was working for him.   Without real spies, we have no spy movies or spy fiction!    Tell us what you think   So, prior to listening to this episode, did you know about these deceptions?  Would you like more episodes like this that talk about real-world spies and their techniques?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and your thoughts on this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!     You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.     You can get Rick’s book on his website: The Ghost Army of World War II | Rick Beyer.  Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3W85SuA

3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR – A Fresh Look  The 1975 spy movie, 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR, is a “reluctant spy” movie starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway. Cliff Robertson, and Max von Sydow.  Dan and Tom take a fresh look at this movie, decoding the plot, characters, direction, and more.  What are the influences on 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR as well as what movies/TV shows may CONDOR have influenced?  What about Hercules (the myth, not the movie)?   “Seinfeld?” The James Bond series, Mission: Impossible, or the Bourne series?   And then, there’s the actor Sterling Hayden, the MCU, and more. 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR has an intriguing plot that has Robert Redford’s character, Turner – codenamed Condor, dealing with a series of murders, with him being a target as well.  Turner works for the CIA in the role of a reader. Significantly, Turner is not an agent.  What other spy movies can you think of where the protagonist wasn’t really a spy?  Decoded!  We take a deep dive into the positives and negatives of 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR.  The movie generally has positive feedback, but there are some criticisms.  Do you agree with our discussion of these?  Tell us what you think  We like 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR.  But its ending left Dan and Tom divided.  Dan didn’t like the ending whereas Tom thought it worked well. Who do you agree with?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Webpage: https://bit.ly/4bxW2GR  

SPIONE And Its Influence On Spy Movies  SPIONE And Its Influence On Spy Movies is a look at this 1928 Fritz Lang spy movie. And, Dan and Tom fill you in on just how big an influence SPIONE is in the spy movie genre.    Significantly, SPIONE is the first spy movie we’ve been able to find that isn’t based on a war. Not surprisingly, this movie laid out the blueprint for most non-war-based spy movies to come.  SPIONE was a very influential movie  Even if you don’t watch the movie, this episode will fill you in on how SPIONE blazed the trail and influenced spy movies to come, which all spy movie fans should know. You’ll certainly recognize some tropes you’ve seen in more modern spy movies.  Tropes such as: how did that guy not die when he was shot at close range? What was that pill that guy bit down on?  What is a spy movie villain supposed to look like?  A train in a spy movie? What things in this movie did we then see Alfred Hitchcock do? How was that guy dressed? And more!  What are the positives and the negatives of SPIONE?  We should warn you that SPIONE is a 2 ½ hour black and white silent movie. Watching a silent movie is a different experience from what we get when watching modern  movies.  Although the movie was filmed in Germany, there are many versions with English subtitles available.  You can certainly find different releases of SPIONE on YouTube. The English title of the movie is SPIES.  So, have you seen SPIONE?  Will you watch it after you listen to this episode?  Tell us what you think  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Webpage: https://bit.ly/3xjW0US

SPECTRE – can this James Bond movie be defended? Dan and Tom bring Vicky back to answer this question. While SPECTRE is not often in a James Bond fan’s top 5 list, it is often in a Bond fan’s bottom 10 list.  Why is that?  What about this movie turns fans off? Dan, Tom, and Vicky uncover both the positives and the negatives of SPECTRE to try to figure out if it can be defended. Let's Look At The Negatives They start with a look at some of the negatives of SPECTRE. Dan, Tom, and Vicky think one of the problems is the reason Blofeld hates James Bond.  At least the reason Blofeld tells Bond.  Dan says that this plot point irks him. Or maybe it is the character of Madeleine Swann.  Vicky says she thinks the character is too flat. Or maybe it is the writing of Purvis and Wade.  You know Tom will chime in on that one. And more. And Now The Positives To be sure, there are some positives in SPECTRE.  Such as: The production quality is top-notch, a signature of Eon Productions’ James Bond movies. The spectacular pre-title sequence. The supporting cast. And more. This is a lively discussion as the three of them aren’t in agreement on all the positives and negatives. So, What Do You Think: SPECTRE – can this James Bond movie be defended? So, what are your reasons for liking or disliking SPECTRE?  Can you defend it? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Additionally, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Webpage: https://bit.ly/3XlnXpN We welcome back Vicky for this episode. You can visit her channel THE BOND ROOM UNLOCKED on YouTube and on Facebook. You can also catch her at the 007GB Fan Club website.

Before you go on to this episode, "You Only Live Thrice, Mr. Bond,” if you haven't seen NO TIME TO DIE, there are some spoilers here so you probably should skip this one – NOW!   You Only Live Thrice, Mr. Bond James Bond is dead!  Dead as a door nail.   Dead!  Your field operatives Dan and Tom decode the fundamental meaning of James Bond dying in NO TIME TO DIE and detail the HOW of what Eon Productions can do to move on!  From James Bond returning to the Daniel Craig “arc” – nothing is left to chance in this lively debate.  So, how does Eon deal with the fact that the Daniel Craig arc took OO7 from obtaining his OO status up to his death? The end credits told us “James Bond Will Return”.     Is it problematic?  Surprisingly, Eon is in a very tough position.  What were they thinking in clarifying for us that JAMES BOND IS DEAD?  Dan and Tom examine realistic ways the Bond series can continue after NO TIME TO DIE’s ending. Also, they have some future advice and warnings to tell Bond: “You Only Live Thrice, Mr. Bond!”  Give us your thoughts So, take a listen.  What do you think Eon Productions’ next move must be?    In a previous episode “Come On Bond, Where The Hell Are You – How James Bond Can Survive” we took a sarcastic look at some crazy ways Bond could survive after the ending of NO TIME TO DIE.   Also, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Additionally, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Webpage: https://bit.ly/3V0b1mk

Dan and Tom decode the 1952 classic spy movie, 5 FINGERS.  This excellent movie starring James Mason is a fantastic espionage thriller, but not an action thriller.  And we think it works quite well that way. 5 FINGERS is based on the true story of Albanian-born Elyesa Bazna, who worked as a valet for the British ambassador to Turkey during World War II and became a Nazi spy. Also, it is based on the L.C. Moyzisch novel “Operation Cicero”.  If you are a fan of our podcast, undoubtedly noticed that we generally like spy movies based on reality.   Emphatically, 5 FINGERS is no exception. We look at James Mason’s character's codename which is Cicero, and discuss the significance of that name. As well as the significance of the title. Specifically, beyond the “5-finger discount’s” obvious significance. Dan and Tom also look at what they think are the positive aspects of 5 FINGERS. These include an intriguing plot, strong acting performances, a suspenseful atmosphere, and more.   Tom is a huge fan of this movie.  And without a doubt, the last 90 seconds of this movie are a big reason.  The build-up, stress, and apparent relief throughout make this ending spectacular. James Mason’s performance at the end takes it significantly to great heights. Dan and Tom also look at some of the negative comments they’ve read about 5 FINGERS and share their thoughts on those. It is 5 FINGERS, not FIVE FINGERS We should highlight that this episode is about the 1952 movie 5 FINGERS with the numeral 5 at the beginning.  There is a completely different movie from 2006 that has nothing to do with this one. What are your thoughts? Did you see 5 FINGERS? If so, do Dan and Tom have the right perspective? What did you think of this episode? Please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and if you want to be notified of our next event. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/3WSdt11

Chicago 007 Fans May 2024 Meetup Dan and Tom held their first Chicago 007 Fans Meetup on May 9, 2024, at Ma O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Chicago. Part of the event was a James Bond trivia quiz and people from all over the world played, including those in the pub. The questions ranged from fairly easy to "nobody got this one". The winning score was 18 out of 25.  Congratulations to William Kanas for the win. This episode highlights the interviews they streamed of some of the 007 fans in attendance. In fact, one of the fans we talked with, stuntman Ross Scharphorn, placed second in the trivia quiz.  He answered the same number of questions as William Kanas, but Kanas answered faster for the win. In addition to Ross, we interviewed Scott Winterroth and Brandon about their favorite Bond movies, actors, and the direction they would like Eon Productions to take the franchise. Finally, we talked with Leonard Johnson and Chris MacGregor from the Ian Fleming Foundation.  They talked about the foundation, its charity focus, and how they obtain and refurbish James Bond movie vehicles.  We also held a drawing with James Bond tchotchkes awarded to the winners. A big Thank You goes out to all who attended our Chicago 007 Fans May 2024 Meetup and those who agreed to be interviewed.  What do you think? What did you think of this episode? Also, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and if you want to be notified of our next event. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/4avMfR0  

John Morris Russell Talks Shaken Not Stirred Dan and Tom interview Maestro John Morris Russell (JMR) about his Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert, “Shaken Not Stirred,” musical scores, and James Bond music.  As you might have guessed, the concert’s focus is the music of James Bond.   You may know JMR from his work as the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for the past 13 years.  Joining JMR in the concert is the amazing vocalist Capathia Jenkins. She possesses the wide vocal range needed to cover the various styles of singers from the James Bond catalog. We will be attending the concert and we’re sure James Bond fans will enjoy this one.   In this episode, JMR talks about what to expect in this concert and how they put it together.  He also talks about his career, why he decided to conduct instead of play an instrument, some influential composers, and film scoring in general.  If you’ve ever wanted to know what a composer has to deal with in scoring a movie, JMR gives you a good idea.  It is really amazing how they do it. One other area we discuss is how technology has made composition more efficient.  Much is the same as it's been for hundreds of years.  But, some of it is streamlined today. Raymond Benson with an assist Dan and Tom wanted some expertise for this interview, so they asked Raymond Benson for an assist.  Of course, Raymond graciously agreed. Raymond helped us delve into other composers' works and JMR’s experiences with them.  Plus, Raymond tells of a very scary experience he had with composer John Barry. What do you think? So, we’re excited to be going to this concert and see John Morris Russell put what he told us into action.  We think this will be a good one.  Do you have plans to go to this concert?   If so, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/3UxXUJ2 Credit: John Morris Russell pictures courtesy of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.  

Dan and Tom decode SPY HUNT, a 1950 espionage B movie.  And they don’t agree on this one. SPY HUNT was based on the book “Panther’s Moon” by Victor Canning. It has espionage, a MacGuffin, a train, a dead drop, escaped black panthers, a budding romance, and quite a few interesting characters. Dan and Tom call out some interesting plot points that may have been influenced by earlier movies such as THE LADY VANISHES, THE 39 STEPS, and others.  In addition, you’ll find out what a black panther really is.  We’re sure you’ve lost sleep trying to figure that out. Above all, they look at some places where SPY HUNT may have influenced spy movies that followed, including one very interesting piece of dialogue.  How much influence did this movie have on the James Bond franchise? So, if you’ve seen SPY HUNT, do you agree with Dan or Tom on one? What did you think of this episode, SPY HUNT – 1950 Cold War Espionage Classic Decoded? Overall, if you hadn’t seen SPY HUNT did this episode encourage you to watch it? If so, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/3JMn8OO

Dan and Tom talk with Matt Sherman about the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Las Vegas and OCTOPUSSY Utah filming locations. Besides being a James Bond expert, Matt Sherman leads tours to many different James Bond filming locations – check his website https://bondfanevents.com/. In this episode, we discuss what we experienced on Matt’s tour of two relatively close filming location areas for two movies, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (DAF) and OCTOPUSSY.  Much of DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER was filmed in and around Las Vegas, Nevada in the U.S. For instance, the casinos, the desert, the mortuary, the car chase and more are all there. Surprisingly, if you take a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas into southwestern Utah, you’ll end up in some key locations from OCTOPUSSY. Much of the OCTOPUSSY pre-title sequence was filmed in this stunningly beautiful part of the U.S. Some of the scenes toward the end of the movie were filmed here as well. Some of the filming location questions we answer are: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER LAS VEGAS What airport did James Bond arrive in when he came to Las Vegas? How many locations were used when Plenty O’Toole was tossed from the hotel window? Where is the location of the parking lot from the car chase? Why is visiting the Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetary not enough to experience the mortuary scenes?  What game can you still play at the Circus Circus arcade area? OCTOPUSSY Utah Where was the gas station that James Bond’s jet pulled up to when Bond said “fill ‘er up”? How did they film the take-off and landing of Bond’s jet? Where is the bridge the plane flies under? Where did James Bond jump from his horse onto Kamal Khan’s plane? When standing near the bridge, you can see places portraying what countries from what movies? This is a fun discussion.  The next time you are in Las Vegas, go visit these sites.  You’ll be glad you did. So, have you been to any of these sites? If so, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/3wdPJt9  

SPY x FAMILY CODE: White Review - No Spoilers! Here’s our NO-SPOILER review of the new spy movie, SPY x FAMILY CODE: White. This anime movie is the first movie in the SPY x FAMILY franchise.  If you are familiar with the Manga or anime series versions of SPY x FAMILY, you will feel right at home with the movie. EPISODE GOALS Provide you with our no-spoiler opinion of the movie Enhance your viewing experience of the movie We look at your viewing options (subtitles or dubbing) Why it has a PG-13 rating here in the US We fill in some of the details from the anime series that aren’t included in the movie.  These are designed to give you more detail if you haven’t seen the Manga or anime series.  We still keep this a no-spoiler review We talk with a Japanese Culture and Language college student who is part Japanese.  He helps fill in some of the nuances in the language and culture of this movie. We discuss some of the movie tropes in this movie that we have seen in earlier movies.  We love pointing out the relationships of scenes in movies. In a nutshell, we like SPY x FAMILY CODE: White.   We think you might too, so take a listen to hear why. So, had you seen SPY x FAMILY CODE: White before listening to this review? When you see the movie, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! Check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. Webpage: https://bit.ly/49QWTkK

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Review – No-Spoilers! Here’s the full NO-SPOILER review of the new spy movie, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE. This movie opens in theaters on April 19, 2024. Guy Ritchie’s THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is a dramatization of real-world events that helped shape the outcome of World War II.   Of course, it has an excellent cast starring Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, Til Schweiger, and many more.  This review will enhance your viewing experience of the movie.  We keep the spoilers out but give you nuggets of background information. And, given this movie’s historical background there is much to know: real-world characters, places, and vessels behind the movie, and, there is an Ian Fleming tie-in as well.  What other movies come to mind while watching THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE?     We liked this movie a lot and think you will too.  Listen to find out why.  So, had you heard of Operation Postmaster prior to our discussion? When you see THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    Check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.  Webpage: https://bit.ly/3TYeYaS