Roger Moore | Film Music Central

Thanks to my parents, I grew up watching a lot of older films, including a lot of comedies of the screwball variety. One of these is a film that I enjoy to this very day, and that is The Cannonball Run, a film that is fantastic not just because it’s hysterically funny, but also because it’s based on something that actually existed. The Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was an actual (unsanctioned) race run five times between 1971 and 1979, and just as in the film, one team actually used an ambulance as their race vehicle.

Let’s start from the beginning: The Cannonball Run is based on the aforementioned real-life race and follows a gaggle of racers as they all seek to reach the finish line first by whatever means necessary. Aside from the comedic hijinks, this film is also notable for having an all-star cast, including such names as Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Chan (in his second Hollywood appearance), Roger Moore, Jamie Farr, and Farrah Fawcett, just to name a few. It’s not often you see so many stars in the same film at the same time, and it makes for hysterically funny comedy more often than not.

An additional comedic factor is how poorly thought out some of the racer’s plans to win are. For example, the team of JJ McClure and Victor Prinzi (Reynolds and DeLuise) light on the seemingly brilliant idea of racing in a souped-up ambulance (reasoning that no one would want to stop an ambulance running with lights and sirens on). However, the drawback is that wherever they go, people assume they’re the real thing and want them to stop and help people who’ve gotten hurt. Similarly, the team of Blake and Fenderbaum (Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.) get the brilliant idea to disguise themselves as priests, not realizing that 1) priests typically aren’t seen driving in a Ferrari and 2) Blake is an incurable womanizer and…well, I don’t really need to explain why that’s a problem for their cover now do I?

The film jumps back and forth between a number of the racers as they make their way across the country, but the story largely focuses on McClure’s team (and their various misadventures). Several teams even have their own unique musical themes to let you know who’s who in a hurry. For example, Jamie Farr’s character (a ridiculously wealthy sheik), is made known by an almost obnoxious Arabian-like theme. And Roger Moore’s theme, funnily enough, is a riff on the James Bond theme (the filmmakers really couldn’t mention Bond by name so they spoofed the character in every way without actually uttering the Bond name).

Some trivia to keep in mind during the film:

-The ambulance driven in the film is the actual ambulance that appeared in the 1979 real-life Cannonball race (it didn’t make it however, as the transmission blew in Palm Springs, CA).

-Every time we revisit Roger Moore’s character, there’s a different woman in the car with him.

I really enjoy The Cannonball Run, and if you haven’t seen it before, you definitely need to check it out, it’s really funny (and they just don’t make movies like this anymore).

Let me know what you think about The Cannonball Run in the comments below and have a great day!

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James Bond is everyone’s favourite British spy. Since the first film in 1962 Dr. No was aired, the Bond fandom has grown year on year. Now with the release of the 25th film looming and the franchise approaching 60 years of production – we have come to expect a certain level of danger and glamour when it comes to James Bond, including his gambling ways. If you want to be more like Bond, you can find plenty of games to play online at Paddy Power https://games.paddypower.com/

Throughout the years we have seen Bond in numerous glamorous location across the world. From a very long list we have handpicked some of our favourites all around the globe. You can visit these locations and even holiday in some, so be sure to consider them when choosing your next destination!

Thunderball

The locations for the 1965 film are heavily varied, you’ll find some scenes shot in the heart of Buckinghamshire, England and then others in The Bahamas. As one of the first James Bond films, Thunderball has all the glamour and luxury you would expect.

Head over the Atlantic to the Caribbean where you can take a James Bond Wrecks dive package to discover the remains of Thunderball’s Avro Vulcan Bomber. Be sure to check out Clifton Pier in Nassau Harbour, you can find stunning views from the likes of Largo’s Palmyra Lair.

Live and Let Die

Another Caribbean location but this time for the 1973 film, Live and Let Die. This time Roger Moore was the man who would get to film in such stunning locations. You can actually stay in the Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios which was a hotel and nightclub in the film. While you holiday in luxury you can explore the other locations on the island including the Green Grotto Caves where Bond took out Doctor Kananga or visit the Louisiana crocodile farm known as Jamaica Swamp Safari Village, where the first owner ran across the top of the crocs for the film’s unforgettable stunt.

For Your Eyes Only

This time the Bond adventures remain in Europe for the 1981 film, For Your Eyes Only. In Corfu, just off the shore of mainland Greece we can find the Achilleion Palace. The casino which is located on the top floor of the palace is in the scenes where Bond intends to meet up with Kristatos and play a game of chemmy, we also see Bond playing Baccarat here against Bunky before dinner. You can visit the Palace via many different organised tours or head to the town of Gastouri and explore it for yourself.

License to Kill

Timothy Dalton stars as James Bond in this 1989 film, it is one of his two appearances as the British spy. In Key West, Florida, USA we find Dalton filming scenes in the Ernest Hemingway home and museum. Possibly one of the most famous scenes of Dalton’s career is when his character Bond is told his license to kill has been revoked.

The building was named a historic US landmark in 1968, but to this day still accepts visitors from all around the world. Here you can book weddings and tours or even just discover more about the man himself. Book ahead or simply turn up, the surrounding areas are stunning so there is plenty to do in the local area as well.

The World Is Not Enough

In the more recent film of 1999 we see Pierce Brosnan play James Bond in the 21^st film of the franchise. This film has one of the most iconic London scenes in it where we see Bond in a high speed boat chase. If you head to the O2 Arena in London you can stand next to the Thames and witness where the chase took place, as well as ride a cable cart over the river. If you really want to check out the views in London you can book in advance and walk over the O2 Arena.

Skyfall

One of the most recent films with possibly the most personal storyline Bond has ever had is Skyfall. The film reaches into the past of James Bond, with his family and childhood home. Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, travels all over the world in this film, from Macau and Shanghai to the highlands of Scotland.

The Scottish highlands are where we see the depiction of the Bond family home, Skyfall Lodge, although the house and church were actually built for the purpose of the film in Elstead, Surrey England. Much of the films scenic shots were filmed in Scotland, especially that iconic scene with Bond driving up to his family mansion through the valleys of Glencoe. The stunning scenery is the perfect backdrop for the haunting scenes of M dying and Bond reminiscing on the memories of his childhood.