James Bond in Beverly Hills!

James Bond in Beverly Hills!

James Bond in Beverly Hills!

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"Bond, James Bond." The epitome of cool. For the lead actor, they’ve grabbed the gold ring of their career. For the moviegoer, it’s a wannabe fantasy that lives in the minds of men and women alike. But when the credits roll, unless filmmaking is our own career, we’ve petered out by then. We saw what we came for; getting to look at beautiful women, a suave handsome man and lots of action. Who stays for the credits? Not so fast. Sometimes the credits tell a story almost as intriguing as the script. Such is the case with the James Bond films, past, present and future.

It all started with film producer, Albert R. Broccoli, who produced over 40 notable films in his lifetime. As a young man in 1950’s New York City, Albert learned that England would give a subsidy to anyone who would produce films using British actors and actresses. He moved to England and went into partnership with Irving Allen and they formed Warwick Films. Warwick was prolific and made many popular films for Columbia Pictures. He started thinking about producing films based on the James Bond character in the series of books and stories by author Ian Fleming. Unfortunately, he found out that the film rights were owned by a then small-time Canadian producer, Harry Saltzman. When they met, Saltzman refused to sell the film rights but said Broccoli could produce the films if he, Saltzman, was co-producer. That was the beginning of a series of James Bond films that have grossed over $6 billion in sales so far.

While working, Albert enjoyed having his children around him as much as possible and they were raised much of the time on the movie sets learning the workings of the industry. Fortuitous for Bond fans, though Albert Broccoli died in 1996, his children continue to produce the highly popular and lucrative series. Albert’s oldest son, Tony has acted as producer, actor, director in other films as well as the Bond series. Now for sale in the Hollywood Hills above Sunset Strip, Tony is selling his stunning home.

Just the kind of impressive home one would expect of a movie mogul, the classic architecture blends perfectly with California’s outdoor living style - French doors that open out to huge terraces and views that stretch south past Palos Verdes out to Catalina. The drama begins at the stately two-story entrance that opens to a marble floored grand foyer with crystal chandelier casting light over the color scheme of black, white and off white. Entering the 6,800-square-foot mansion, one finds beautifully detailed formal rooms with light pouring in from banks of French doors along the entire west side of the structure optimizing the view across the large terrace and beyond. Those in the formal dining room open onto a blue tiled sunroom which also looks across to the view. Floors throughout the five-bedroom, six-bath home are in dark polished wood and lead to the chef’s kitchen that includes a built-in banquette, also with sunny views as far as the ocean. The master suite includes his-and-hers master baths that have sauna showers, built-in shelving and televisions. Her walk-in closet is outfitted for royalty with every convenience a Bond woman could desire. Outside is a swimming pool and spa as well as a championship tennis court and gazebo. Below the gazebo is a separate, secluded guest house with kitchenette, full bath and built-ins. For more information.

New to the market, Tony Broccoli of James Bond film fame is selling his European inspired estate on a quiet cul-de-sac high above Sunset Strip. Priced at $17 million.

Source: www.theagencyre.com