In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
There have always been Canadian Connections in the Bond Films, some are more obvious than others, and some are a bit more obscure. Throughout the Bond Franchise, many Companies have provided vehicles, wardrobe, and just about anything else you see on screen in the 007 Films. Product Placement has evolved into “Bond Branding” and the usual suspects such as Aston Martin, Omega & Bollinger are now only a small slice of the Bond pie.
Brands such as Orlebar Brown and N. Peal have provided clothing for the James Bond Films in recent years, and now along with aligned Marketing Campaigns and entire Bond-inspired Clothing Lines available, these partnerships have generated clear connections between 007, and what you might see him wearing on-screen. With a little help from Canadian Publication MacLeans and The New York Times we’re going to rewind the clock back to 1977 and examine a quintessential Canadian Industry, the Fur Trade, and the Legendary Canadian Company, Grosvenor Furs and their connection to the James Bond Franchise.
The Spy Who Loved Me – Screen Credits – Grosvenor Furs
As most Bond Fans are aware, the Opening Sequence of The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed in Baffin Island, Canada. It should come as no surprise that when it came time to keeping a Bond Girl Warm in that mountain cabin, she’d be wearing a Canadian Fur, provided by Grosvenor Canada, as seen in the Screen Credits above.
Grosvenor Furs was founded by brothers Denis & Billy Grosvenor in 1950. When they opened their factory in Montreal they had only 8 employees. That same year they won The Canadian Fur Trade Annual Exhibition & Competition with a coat they entered. Their success and expansion continued across Canada and by the mid-sixties their Furs were sold at Luxury Canadian Retailers such Toronto’s Eaton Centre and Holt Renfrew.
Grosvenor Furs Ad – 1986 – Toronto Eaton Centre
The Grosvenor Furs Logo was distinctively Canadian with the Maple Leaf appearing boldly within the Company’s Name. The Canadian Fur Market represented about $20 Million in 1973, whereas the Fur Market in Germany alone was close to $750 Million. Grosvenor Furs President Martin Landau realized that the American & European Markets were going to be the key to Grosvenors’ continued growth and success. By the mid-seventies, Grosvenor had conquered America & Europe. Their furs were being sold at American Luxury Retailers Bonwit Teller & Bergdorf Goodman. Across the pond things were were shaping up nicely as well. Grosvenor Furs were now being sold exclusively in the Fur Salon at Harrods.
Eventually sales of furs across the globe declined, with consumer awareness for animal welfare. Grosvenor Furs continued to do business around the world but ultimately closed their Montreal Factory in the 2000’s. Their Logo went through several iterations throughout their 50 year history. The Black Text became an Iconic Canadian Red, and the Maple Leaf was still prominently featured. One of their Final Print Campaigns from 1999 showcasing a white mink Parka & a Black Mink Coat is featured below.
Grosvenor Furs Print Campaign – 1999
Now if you want to keep a Bond Girl warm in Canada, she’ll need to be wearing fur coat..it gets cold up in those snow covered mountain cabins. In the Spy Who Loved Me, Actress Sue Vanner, playing the character of Martine Blanchaud is wearing a Full Length Collared White Mink from Grosvenor Furs. She looks beautiful and toasty warm too. This Bond Canadian Connection is by far one of the Best in the Franchise.
Sue Vanner as Martine Blanchaud – Wearing Full Length Collared White Mink by Grosvenor
This is the playlist From the James Bond Canada’s Youtube Channel that covers the last few years that we ran into George Lazenby around the world! Pour a 5 Star Hennessy and enjoy!
Becoming Bond was the Story of George Lazenby before he was Bond.
James Bond Canada’s Jeff Wybo travelled to Montreal Quebec to speak at Montreal’s ComicCon with The James Bond Complex all about Four Faces, Four Decades, One 007. This is a joint effort with The James Bond Complex and James Bond Canada.
Watch Part 1 on James Bond Canada:
The James Bond Complex has an amazing Podcast has an amazing podcast by the hosts Edgar Chaput and Mathieu Auclair.
Watch Part 2 on James Bond Complex:
The James Bond Complex is a podcast hosted by Edgar Chaput and Mathieu Auclair. Two 007 aficionados located in Montreal, Canada (station MC), they go through the Fleming novels, the film adaptations, and much much more! Reviews, anecdotes, behind-the-scenes knowledge, you’ve never been debriefed on Bond’s famous missions like you have with The James Bond Complex!
L/R Jeff Wybo, Mathieu Aucliar, Edgar Chaput, Jean Goyette
This week our friend and colleague David Zaritsky from The Bond Experience asked us to join him for his Vlog Series called The Bond Community. We were honoured and excited to be part of it and we had an amazing tine sharing thoughts on Bond 25, talking about how JBC started and what we’ve got planned for the future. We’d like to thank all of our fans and followers, and of course a Special Thank you to The Bond Experience for keeping us on our toes with great questions. If you’re not subscribed to The Bond Experience on Youtube just click on the link. It’s a must for any Bond Fan. You can also subscribe to our James Bond Canada Youtube Channel to stayed tuned for more Canadian Bond Content. We hope you enjoy the Video.
At a Secret London Location Operatives assembled for #operationwildcard. With our Mission Kit in hand, JBC joined other Bond Fans from around the world for an immersive Cinematic Experience. James Bond Canada would like to extend Special Thanks to Joe Lamb at Visible PR, David Zaritsky at The Bond Experience and Secret Cinema for this incredible experience.
What struck me most about this experience was a feeling of being truly transported to Casino Royale in Montenegro from the moment I arrived. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 1500 people dressed so impeccably in one place before. Upon entering you immediately realize that you are in a different world and that your adventure is waiting for you around every corner.
Your Alias is the the foundation on which you will build your own unique experience. Who are you? Why are you there? What do you do? Don’t think for a moment that you can simply “wing it”. If you focus on the character you’ve created for the evening and are well prepared with a solid background story, you’ll be astonished at how much it can contribute to the successful completion of your Mission. JBC’s alter ego for the evening was Trust Fund Socialite, Jasper Buchanan. We were dressed to kill in a black ensemble, gold tie & pocket square with Gold Sneakers…which seemed to get a lot of cool looks & quite a few ” Hey Dude…Great Kicks!!”
What you will enjoy most about Secret Cinema Presents Casino Royale is that you can enjoy the everything at your own pace. If you care to slow roll your evening enjoying the sights and sounds, top notch food and drinks, and the goings on of the other guests engaging with the Casino Royale performers…you can do exactly that. There is no right or wrong way to take advantage of everything this immersive cinematic adventure has to offer. If you decide to delve deep into your spy persona and strive to complete your mission you will not be disappointed. Watch for clues, interact with the superb cast of the Event, and before you know it you’ll be receiving Top Secret briefings which will help you along the way.
As with all Secret Cinema events, the live action around you transitions into the final act of the evening when you will get to enjoy a Screening of Casino Royale. The interactive nature of Secret Cinema doesn’t end when the film goes up so you will continue to enjoy live action moments that coincide with the on screen scenes. This is really a must attend for any James Bond Fan. If you’ve always wanted to be a Tech Mogul or Music Producer for a evening, and you’re ready to embrace your inner super spy then book your Tickets now. The show runs in London, UK until October 6th.
Casino Royale Red Carpet Photo Credit Murray Gillespie
On Apr. 25 2019, EON Productions broadcast a Live Press Release from Jamaica, at Ian Fleming’s iconic Goldeneye Cottage & Announced the Cast of BOND 25. We can look forward to the return of Q, Moneypenny, M, Tanner and Felix Leiter. New Bond Girls are cast as well as Rami Malek as Daniel Craig’s new nemesis. Filming will take place in Norway, Italy, Jamaica and Pinewood Studios. Bond fans are anxious to see Daniel Craig in what is slated to be his final 007 Film. Check out the photo of the Cast Below. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube for more Updates from JBC.
Thanks to From Sweden With Love James Bond Canada was able to visit Washington D.C. to meet James Bond George Lazenby at the International Spy Museum. George Lazenby gave one of the best interviews I ever heard and didn’t hold back punches! See the 3 part series on our Youtube Channel. Be sure to like and Subscribe!
Eagle eye Bond fans have spotted the latest 007 Adventure Live and Let Die by Dynamite Entertainment. It plans to release on the 24th of September 2019 but you can order it for preorder now.
In this second adaptation of the Fleming novels. Bond is sent to New York City to investigate “Mr. Big”, an agent of SMERSH and a criminal voodoo leader. With no time for superstition―and with the help of his colleague in the CIA, Felix Leiter, Bond tracks “Mr. Big” through the jazz joints of Harlem, to the everglades and on to the Caribbean, knowing that this criminal heavy hitter is a real threat. No-one, not even the mysterious Solitaire, can be sure how their battle of wills is going to end…
