You can see the latest James Bond film Wednesday before much of the U.S. thanks to Johns Hopkins life-saving feats and the late Alfred R. “Cubby” Broccoli, the producer responsible for transforming a literary character, James Bond into a $1 billion movie franchise.
Johns Hopkins saved the life of Broccoli and gained an exclusive Hollywood connection when Broccoli, who produced 17 Bond films from 1962’s “Dr. No” to 1989’s “License to Kill,” flew from New York to Johns Hopkins in 1994.
He was admitted for a relatively simple cataract surgery, but during a routine chest X-ray doctors discovered and treated a large aneurysm of the aorta — a deadly ballooned area in the wall of the artery, often called the silent killer, said Dr. Duke Cameron, Director of The Dana and Albert “Cubby” Broccoli Center for Aortic Diseases at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
To show his gratitude to Hopkins, Broccoli donated $1 million to the hospital, which funded the Center named in honor of Broccoli and his wife. Since 1997, his family has given Hopkins the privilege of screening Bond films before the movies premiere in the U.S.
Wednesday’s Baltimore Gala Preview of Quantum of Solace is the fifth charity screening in 11 years that benefits the Broccoli Center for Aortic Diseases. Over the years, these gala previews have raised over $500,000 to support the Broccoli Center’s research, patient care and teaching activities, according to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Smoldering Agent Double 007 Daniel Craig won’t raise a glass of bubbly at the VIP reception or attend the screening, but Dr. James D’Orta, a Broccoli family member, will be there, less than two weeks after he attended the world premiere of the movie in London with British royalty, Princes William and Harry.
Baltimore Gala Preview of Quantum of Solace
6 p.m. VIP cocktail reception at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel; 700 Aliceanne St., Baltimore. Sponsorships begin at $1,000 and include two tickets to the VIP cocktail reception and admission to the 8 p.m. screening.
7:30 p.m. champagne reception and 8 p.m. screening; Landmark Theatre, 645 S. President St., Baltimore. $100 to $200 per person. $200 tickets include a $50 gift certificate to participating restaurants listed at www.baltimore.org/bond/restaurants.php.
Info: 410-516-6668, [email protected].
