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Whether you're a James Bond purist who likes to see the secret agent take his missions seriously or someone who has a soft spot for the series' campier elements, there's a lot to talk about regarding the legacy of "Moonraker" It's a bizarre entry in the franchise's legacy and the only one in which 007 goes to space. The Lewis Gilbert-directed film also happens to be the only Bond adventure to feature a returning evil henchman in Richard Kiel's Jaws.

The mute baddie with a mouth full of metal made his screen debut in 1975's "The Spy Who Loved Me." Since then, he's been rightfully remembered as one of the best Bond adversaries. Kiel's towering 7ft stature and that quietly sinister smile made the character such an imposing figure without saying a single word. He's also one of the only henchmen to have a redemptive arc in another film.

For a long time, "Moonraker" was considered by many hardcore James Bond fans as the nadir of the franchise. Based on the third novel in Ian Fleming's 007 series, the film was rushed into production to take advantage of the blockbuster sci-fi craze kicked off by George Lucas' "Star Wars" and Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Like most adaptations of Fleming's work pre-2006's "Casino Royale," the film was a goofy, gadget-laden departure from Fleming's grittier, more grounded books. But for some, "Moonraker" went several steps too far. 

From the cheeky references to the aforementioned '70s smashes (particularly punching in a door code with the five-note "Close Encounters" theme) to the laser-gun battle on Hugo Drax's space station, "Moonraker" played like self-parody. And to a degree, it is. But now that we've seen the series successfully course-correct several times over the next four decades,...

 

Our old pal and Cinema Retro contributor Richard Kiel is crossing "the pond" again for a couple of high profile personal appearances in the UK including one at London's Misty Moon Gallery and another at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, where he will be joined by his Moonraker co-star Blanche Ravalec. Click on each ad below for links to web sites.  ...

Jaws is arguably James Bond’s most celebrated rival, and certainly one of the most distinctive with his height and dental work. In The Spy Who Loved Me, it was his looming form that chased Roger Moore as 007 among Egypt’s pillars and pyramids, and his metal teeth that Bond had to confound on a memorable train ride to Sardinia.

So popular was this elongated assassin that actor Richard Kiel was asked back for Moonraker to face his Nemesis once more. But this time around Jaws went soft, and changed sides. So what happened? Well, as in all good stories, it was the simply the love of a good woman.

Jaws as we're used to seeing him - in the clutches of James Bond, and not friendly ones

Kiel, now 73 and strangely gentle as he meets and greets for our chat to celebrate 50 years of Bond, tells me how he...

The Fan Fast is the talk of the town, as evidenced by this coverage in the Evening Standard. Legions of classic movie lovers are expected to converge on London for the event.

The London Film Museum's Fan Fest, April 24-25, is shaping up as one of the most ambitious classic movie events in memory. The event will be of special interest to James Bond fans, as over 30 stars and crew members from the series will be on hand to sign autographs and participate in panel discussions. Among those attending: George Lazenby, Richard Kiel, Maud Adams, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Maryam d'Abo, Jesper Christensen, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton, Britt Ekland, Eunice Gayson, Burt Kwouk, Valerie Leon, Tania Mallet, Margaret Nolan, Blanche Ravalec, Madeline Smith, Shane Rimmer and many others.There will also be an abundance of classic movie props including the original Little Nellie autogyro from You Only Live Twice. There...