Ready to rumble with 'Royale'

Finally finished reading Fleming's
1st James Bond novel, movie is next

WINDERMERE — "Casino Royale" was Ian Fleming's first novel, and it introduced James Bond, agent 007, to the world in 1953.

Oddly enough, the other 13 Bond books were made into 14 films ("Octopussy / The Living Daylights" was split into two) before "Casino Royale," so this weekend's premiere will be the ultimate prequel.

(Woody Allen and Peter Sellers did a send-up of "Casino Royale" in 1967, but that spoof doesn't count.)

The book was a fairly easy read — that took me nearly two months to complete. Students in one of my classes at Valencia Community College read three or four chapters each week, followed by eight quizzes, so I resisted the temptation to finish the book in one sitting, which could certainly be done. (I liked the book; most of my kids hated it!)

Now it's time to see the movie, which opens Nov. 17.

Unless you've been ignoring every mass media outlet for the past two months, you're aware of all the hype surrounding "Casino Royale" and the new Bond, Daniel Craig. If you're like me, you'll be looking for a theater near you with a 12:01 a.m. Friday showing.

Midnight Madness they call it, and I'll be at Universal City Walk for the first screening!