'Vue sur Bond 007':
Facing the man who shot Mike Billington
By Andre,
Team member, 'Mike Billington Fans'
Team member, 'Mike Billington Fans'
From Friday February 24th to February 26th, Quebec City was the host of a special event, part of the 'Festival des 3 Ameriques.' For 3 days, we were proud to have special guests from the Bond productions in the persons of Sir Roger Moore, Miss Britt Ekland, Guy Hamilton and Richard Kiel. They were here for 'Vue sur Bond 007' or in English 'View on Bond 007' special event, to honor Harry Saltzman, producer of the first Bond movies, and the head behind this was his daughter Miss Hilary Saltzman, who both are Canadian and she lives close to Quebec City.
Guy Hamilton, producer of 4 Bond movies
My only availability was for the Friday on both press conferences. So I arrived early, and waited close to the audience, trying to find the better spot. Music from Bond movies played in the shopping mall. Then one attracted my attention, Carly Simon's 'The Spy Who Loved Me.' I couldn't resist having a smile, thinking of Mike, 'The spy who loves her' ? Then the troupe of reporters arrived - and of course, they always stand in front of you.
Britt Ekland: Miss Goodnight in The man with a golden gun
While waiting, I remembered I had contacted Anders Frejdh at the beginning of that week. I asked him if he would attend the event and to my surprise he was already in Canada. So my eyes began looking around, first floor then second floor. Then I spotted a guy close to the stage, but wasn't sure. So I went behind him and looked at his bag, but there was something written in French from Ford. Strange for one living in Sweden. So I decided to wait but kept an eye on him. I went on the other side of the stage and stayed close to him and listened carefully to his English speaking. I took my chance and asked the guy if he was Anders. We had some talk and got some photos.
Andre and Anders Frejdh
The magical moment arrived. The four guests appeared on the stage, a few feet from me. One can be old, but for one moment, you feel 20 years younger. Seeing one person who was there so many times through your life is something one should live at least once. I remember when I met Mike in London with Michael Mannion and my wife, I was so impressed, I was unable to say a word; after a few glasses of wine, my English speaking was better...
Richard Kiel: best known as Jaws
Sir Roger Moore was the first to speak. I should say he has a good sense of humor. He began:
"Le plus grand secret de l'agent secret James Bond est qu'il ne parle pas francais ?"
Translation: "The greatest secret of the secret agent James Bond is, he doesn't speak French !"
"Le plus grand secret de l'agent secret James Bond est qu'il ne parle pas francais ?"
Translation: "The greatest secret of the secret agent James Bond is, he doesn't speak French !"
Panel of guests, with Sir Roger Moore: M. James Bond himself
Then each guest spoke to the audience. I should admit, I was surprise to hear Guy Hamilton doing his presentation in French, and I believe this was very appreciated by the people who were present. Then of course was the question period, ending with Anders' question. It was announced then that a second press conference would be held later in the afternoon, and it would be reserved for the audience. There was my chance to ask my question.
I continued to have a chat with Anders and because I had few hours free, I took care of friends of his who came from Newcastle, UK, to the event. Duncan Carter told me he spent 2 nights in Goldeneye, Ian Fleming's house in Jamaica. I will not tell how much he paid, but...
I went back to the shopping mall in the afternoon, and after some talk with some people organizing this Bond event, I was allowed to go inside the theater as a representative of the Mike Billington Fans group, but was supposed to stay in the back of the theater. I discreetly managed to go in front of the cinema, close to Sir Roger Moore and Guy Hamilton.
One organizer said clearly that that period was for the public. After a few questions, I had my chance. So I said: "I represent a Michael Billington website, I would like to know if you can give us a few comments about your experience working with Mike?"
He replied to me nicely:
"Actually, I never got to work with Michael. As you know, Michael was killed by my double. I know he was a very close friend of Barbara Broccoli, he was a very, very good actor, but I never really worked with him, that's all I can say."
Well, I asked my question, and had an answer.
The moral of this day was: I was not facing the man who shot Mike Billington...
