The Incredible World of James Bondwas a 1965television specialproduced byDavid L. WolperforUnited Artists Televisionto showcase theJames Bondfilm seriesand promote the upcoming December 1965 release of the filmThunderball.
| The Incredible World of James Bond | |
|---|---|
 Original television advertisement designed prior toSean Conneryquitting the project | |
| Written by | Jack Haley Jr.& Al Ramrus |
| Directed by | Jack Haley Jr. |
| Narrated by | Alexander Scourby |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Producer | David L. Wolper |
| Running time | 51 min. |
| Production company | Wolper Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | November 26, 1965 |
In the United States, the show replacedThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.onNBCon Friday, 26 November 1965; thedayafter AmericanThanksgivingthat unofficially begins the shopping frenzy forChristmas.It was the highest rated American television show for the week.[1]
Plot and production
editThe show featured film scenes of the worldwide popularity of James Bond novels, films, andtie-inmerchandise, black and white scenes ofIan Flemingat his homeGoldeneyeinJamaicagiving comments on his writing, a biography ofJames Bondwith footage ofGlencoe,Eton,Fettes College,andRoyal Marine Commandoson exercise, home movie footage shot byproduction designerKen Adaminthe Bahamasduring the production ofThunderball,and scenes from four Bond films.
Behind the scenes footage from themaking ofThunderballincluded scenes of the preparation and filming of a scene of a rocket firing motorcycle destroyingCount Lippe's car, a choreographed fist fight in a studio mock up of the cabin of theDisco Volante,aphoto shootof theBond girlson a beach in the Bahamas, and a scene of theAston Martin DB5driving away from theChâteau d'Anetthat was not seen in the finished film.
DirectorTerence Young,producersAlbert R. Broccoli,Harry Saltzman,Kevin McClory,editorPeter R. Huntand action director and stuntmanBob Simmonsare shown during sequences. The "James Bond Theme"and other music from the Bond film soundtracks are heard with thegun barreltitles and 007 logo from theGoldfingerfilm trailerappearing in the opening titles.
Thenarrationwas to have been originally given bySean Connery.[2][3]However, when Connery read the script and found out they were referring toJames Bondas an actual person he refused to do the show.[4]Telephone calls fromJoan Crawfordwho was a major shareholder inPepsi Cola,the sponsor of the show, failed to sway Connery and his narrating chores were taken byAlexander Scourby.[5][6]
Pepsi Cola used the special to unveil commercials for its latest products.[7]
The special is available as afeaturetteon the "James Bond Ultimate Edition" DVD ofThunderball.
Record album
editPepsi Cola andFrito Layalso sold promotional James Bondtie-intoys and a record album titledThe Incredible World of James Bond.The album featured the originalsoundtrackmusic andcover versionsof four of the themes from the first three Bond films played byUnited Artists Recordshouse band TheLeroy HolmesOrchestra. The back of thealbum coverwas full of photographic stills from the Bond films. The record was later reissued with an attractive Frank Gauna designedalbum coveronUnart Recordsin 1967 with two music tracks deleted to fit on thebudget album.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^p.49 Pfeiffer, Lee & Worrall, DaveThe Essential Bond-The Authorised Guide to the World of 007Harper Paperbacks 2002
- ^Adams, Val (August 25, 1965)."Connery To Host TV Special".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 17,2021.
- ^Humphrey, Hal (November 10, 1965)."From Agent 007 NBC Draws Blank".Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe original(Fee required)on June 20, 2012.RetrievedJuly 6,2011.
- ^Humphrey, Hal (November 12, 1965)."007 Gives NBC The Slip".Akron Beacon Journal.RetrievedFebruary 17,2021.
- ^Barnes, Alan & Hearn, MarcusKiss Kiss Bang! Bang!Batsford 2000; p. 55
- ^https://news.google /newspapers?nid=888&dat=19651121&id=ncMNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K3QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5230,1122606[dead link]
- ^p. 90Business week1966
- ^SoundtrackCollector: Soundtrack details: Incredible World Of James Bond, The
External links
edit- The Incredible World of James BondatIMDb
- documentary creditshttp:// davidlwolper /shows/details.cfm?showID=196
- Record albumhttp:// 317x /albums/v/various/card.html