Mr Reagan promotes Bond movie

Press, 1 July 1983, Page 11

Mr Reagan promotes Bond movie

NZPA Washington President Reagan is appearing in a television promotional spot for a James Bond movie and television programme, and the White House does not approve.

“I’ve been asked to state my feelings about a fellow named Bond — James Bond,” the President says in the spot. “Well, as I see it, 007 is really a 10. He’s our modern-day version of the great heroes who appeared from time to time throughout history. “There were many like him the past — pioneers, soldiers, lawmen, explorers, people who all went out and put their lives on the line for the cause of good.”

The President concludes his tribute to the fictional spy with a reference to his own career: “Of course, some critics might say that

David Beatson (pictured) will become the presenter on the current affairs programme, “Foreign Correspondent”, on Saturday. Beatson is taking on the programme in addition to bis “Eyewitness News” commitment while Bruce Wallace relinquishes the job to concentrate on his new role of head of current affairs. “I’ve enjoyed presenting ‘Foreign Correspondent’,” said Wallace, “but this new position demands all my time.” Beatson said he was looking forward to presenting reports from “the best correspondents in the world.”

Bond is nothing more than an actor in the movies. But then, we’ve all got to start somewhere.” A White House official who asked not to be identified said the President filmed his appearance in April. “It’s my understanding it was done as a one-time testimonial (on films about the fictional spy James Bond) to be shown on London television,” he said.

Discussions have been held with the American distributors of the London show, this official said, “but I don’t know the status of that.”

MGM-UA television acquired the London tribute and sold it to American television stations for use in promoting its own Bond film, “Octopussy”. Station WTTG-TV in Washington has shown a spot of its own drawn from the London film to promote its showing of the London programme. The Programme director, Sandy Pastoor, said: “I don’t know why he did it. But obviously, in this town, the President is of some interest, as is James Bond. If we can marry the two of them to make the programme more attractive to viewers, we’ll do that.”

VIEWS

Programming Sir,—Who is the moron who has changed “The Sullivans” to 6.30 on TV2? Many people watch this programme and now it will stop us watching the news hour on TVI. It is incredible. Also why not place “It’s Academic” in place of that stupid card thing so we can see both “The Young Doctors” and the quiz, which is very good. Yours etc " E. McGLASHAN.