Cracking the Code of Spy Movies‪!‬ Cracking the Code of Spy Movies / SpyMovieNavigator.com

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