Formula 44

They provide reliable, effective escapism: the villan, the girl, the techno wizardry, the fight, the conquest. A rugged, sophisticated, mysterious and lethal leading man anchors the phenomenon. These are the forces and formula behind the 44 year success of 007.

As of today I have seen every Bond film except On Her Majesty's Secret Service. I watched Dr. No last night for the first time, what a hoot. This was the first of the Bond films, released in 1962.

Its interesting that Ian Flemming, the writer for the series of 007 books, had difficulty having his books turned into movies; almost everyone in Hollywood turned him down. I wonder, in retrospect, how many of those who turned Flemming down have removed their collective feet from their collective mouths, considering.

Flemming's first 007 book, Casino Royale, written in the 1950's, is just now being turned into a Bond episode. Casino Royale will be the platform from which they will launch the new Bond, Daniel Craig.


Dr. No is worth watching on many levels. It's exceptional in that its a crazy time capsule: 60's music, furniture, slang, clothing and let's not forget the 60's dancing.


Ursula Andress makes her debut in Dr. No as Honey Ryder. The director called her to Jamaica to star in the role because he saw her picture on a colleague's desk. The colleague was John Derek, Ursula's husband for many years. She never auditioned nor met any of the cast until days before filming.

Her voice on the film is not her own. They had to dub her over since her Swiss-German accent was far too thick to be understood by a 1960's audience. Frankly, even now, I have a hard time understanding her.

I wonder if she thought she would be making movie history as she emerged from the ocean in her now-famous white bikini? I wonder if she knew she was setting the standard for the next 44 years of Bond girls. I think even now, at 70, she probably smiles herself to sleep.

'I wasn't just any Bond Girl, I was THE Bond Girl.'

That she was ... and still is.



The producer wanted Roger Moore for the 007 role but he was not available. The producer's wife saw Sean Connery in one of his lesser known movies and decided that he had all the Bond characteristics. What a lucky break for the then 30 year old Connery, it propelled his career into the big league.

I liked most of the Bonds but Connery had that rough around the edges quality that, at least for me, brands him as the best Bond. I haven't seen another actor portray the character as well as he did.

Of course, the most important reason to watch Dr. No is so that you too can witness the first time one of the most memorable lines in film was spoken.

Bond, James Bond

Dr. No