Few franchises are as iconic as James Bond’s. And 007’s first screen appearance in 60 years has spawned a popular culture phenomenon that has grossed over $7 billion in cinemas. So here to welcome the release James Bond vs Dr. No May 8, 1963 in North America, everything you need to know about the very first Bond.
Contrary to what one might think, it wasn’t Sean Connery that interested producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, but Cary Grant. Too bad, the latter’s fee matched the film’s entire production budget, which amounted to…$1 million! Also, Grant didn’t want to commit to three feature films. The two men then began looking elsewhere before settling on Sean Connery, a then-unknown. Ian Flemming, the author of the novels, was not convinced, however, as the actor was too far removed from his British character and came from a middle-class family. After seeing the film, he changed his mind.
Ursula Andress, the legendary Honey Ryder and sex symbol after this role, was an unusual choice to say the least. In fact, his Swiss-German accent was so pronounced that it could not be overheard. So it was Nikki van der Zyl who dubbed all her dialogue. Also, Andress couldn’t sing and it’s Diana Couplan we hear humming Underneath the Mango Tree. And for those interested in gossip: Ursula Andress and Sean Connery had a chat while filming James Bond vs. Dr. No one affair they ended when the actor’s wife got pregnant.
The famous music that has become synonymous with James Bond is not, as one might think, the work of John Barry. In fact, it was composer Monty Norman who wrote the sheet music for Bad Sign Good Sign for a musical adaptation that never saw the light of day. John Barry then rearranged it and the tune became a spy anthem. And for the record, we note that it is not Sean Connery who is accused in the credits – the famous gun barrel opening sequence – of James Bond versus Dr. No shows up, but a stuntman named Bob Simmons. .. to Thunderball.
Sylvia Trench, played by Eunice Gayson, is the woman who meets James Bond at the baccarat table and ends up in his bed. Normally, she should return in the following films, taking the place of the secret agent’s official mistress. But the producers changed their minds after Kisses from Russia. Also, Eunice Gayson must have been naked when Sean Connery opened the door to her hotel room and she played golf… an initiative that censorship at the time was quick to ban.
The James Bond vs. Dr. No” impressed none other than legendary director Stanley Kubrick. So he decided to hire production designer Ken Adam for his 1963 release Doctor Strangelove.
And finally, Sean Connery’s cult line “Bond, James Bond” was improvised. The actor found that the intended words “My name is James Bond” didn’t have the leeway needed for his character.