Tulsa Collector of James Bond Memorabilia

There is a new James Bond movie opening this month, and it promises to be different than previous ones. It is Ian Fleming's first James Bond story, "Casino Royale". <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Rick

Monday, November 6th 2006, 10:40 am

By: News On 6

There is a new James Bond movie opening this month, and it promises to be different than previous ones. It is Ian Fleming's first James Bond story, "Casino Royale".

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells sat down with an avid Fleming and Bond collector who says this will be the truest Bond movie yet.

The new James Bond flick opens next week. Tulsan Brad Frank can't wait. So much so he's heading to London for the world premiere. He's a fan of Ian Fleming the British novelist who created James Bond. "Out of 22 Bond films only maybe 4 or 5 come even close to what Fleming actually wrote." So he's particularly excited 'cause everything he's heard and read, this one will be the best movie adaptation.

Casino Royale was the first Bond novel. Brad has lots of different copies of it. "British, American, foreign language, from first editions to the most recent printings." He's even got a copy of a 1954 TV adaptation of Casino Royale. There was a 1967 "Casino Royaleâ€, but it was a comedy spoof. He loves the opening line of this first James Bond novel. â€œThe scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at 3 in the morning."

To say Brad Frank is just a collector doesn't tell it. He has been a voracious collector, who's been at it 30 years. â€œNow I have, you know, 4,000 or 5,000, easily, items in my collection." In addition to the novels, books and stories about James Bond, movie posters, Bond figures, like a Ken and Barbie dressed as Bond characters.

He also has a part of a costume worn by the villain in "Never Say Never Again." He bought it at a Christie's auction.