There is actually a book about the 747SP dive over the Pacific. Cannot recall the title though.
As for a spin in a large airliner. I think that is just non-sense. Nobody would intentionally try to do it.
The 707 roll was accomplished under all positive G. It was a slow and wide roll in order to keep positive G on the wings (read to keep them from breaking from negative G loads) and the fuel, etc all going the right way.
There is a case of a 707 over Japan going into a spin (there is video I think???) due to hitting severe/extreme turbulence. This didn't end well, the spin caused all 4 engines to seperate, the tail to break off and the plane ultimatley slammed into ground. Near Tokyo someplace if I recall.
I fly the Bus. You could roll it, but you would have to get into Direct Law (or maybe Alt Law 2) and hope for the best. I wouldn't even think about trying it though.
Edit - I Google'd the 707 spin over Japan -
BOAC Flight 911 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia