James Bond in High Def
By Darryl Wilkinson May 8, 2006 — In June, FILMFEST HD, one of the VOOM HD Networks, will begin a month-long Bond-fest showing high-definition world premieres of 17 classic James Bond flicks. While the very thought of seeing so many Bond movies in High Definition ought to send orgasmic shivers of delight through the remote controls of any James Bond devotee, the news gets even better. The movies will be uncut and commercial-free. David Hasselhoff will serve as the on-air host.

The titles included in FILMFEST HD's "Ultimate Bond" month are:

• Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
• Dr. No (1962)
• For Your Eyes Only (1981)
• From Russia With Love (1963)
• Goldfinger (1964)
• License to Kill (1989)
• Live and Let Die (1973)
• The Living Daylights (1987)
• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
• Moonraker (1979)
• Never Say Never Again (1983)
• Octopussy (1983)
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
• Thunderball (1967)
• A View to a Kill (1985)
• You Only Live Twice (1968)

You can find FILMFEST HD on DISH Network (Channel 9475).

On June 17 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET, TREASURE HD (another VOOM HD Networks channel), will air a live auction from Planet Hollywood in New York with audio simulcast and live concurrent bidding at Planet Hollywood in London. The auction will feature over 50 lots of James Bond memorabilia including the original Lotus prototype driven be Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only. (It's estimated at $250,000 to $350,000, so you'd better check the limit on your credit card before you start bidding.) The auction is being presented by Julien's Auctions, and if you're really serious about owning some of the Bond memorabilia (like Odd Job's gold finger ring worn in Goldfinger, Odd Job's steel-rimmed black felt derby hat, or a pair of opal and rhinestone drop ear-rings worn by Miss Moneypenny in Moonraker), you can bid online at Julien's Auctions web site.