DR. NO, the very first James Bond movie, is one of the seminal films from the landmark movie year 1962. Ian Fleming’s exploits of espionage agent 007 launched the most successful franchise in motion picture history, still going strong today. Starring Sean Connery in his signature role, arguably the most memorable James Bond of them all. The film opened in October 1962 in the UK and internationally throughout 1963, reaching the United States in May of that year, giving American audiences the opportunity to hear one of the most famous introductory lines in movie history, “Bond. James Bond.”
The film adaptation of the spy novel written by former British intelligence officer Ian Fleming was produced by Harry Salesman and Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, on a modest one million dollar budget. The film fed into the Cold War mentality of the era, and was a worldwide box office hit, spawning the franchise that has endured through twenty-seven films and now entering a seventh decade. The iconic James Bond theme, composed by Monty Norman (arranged by John Barry) has also lasted, entering the film music pantheon with its subsequent use throughout the franchise. The film also features Ursula Andress, Jack Lord, and Joseph Wiseman as Dr.No.
Connery would portray Bond five more times in the series over the next decade, with a seventh and final appearance in a Bond film not considered part of the “official” franchise, Never Say Never Again in 1983. The memorable characters at Bond’s employer MI6, M (Bernard Lee) and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) would return for several of the subsequent Bond films. Although Connery would retire from the role after seven portrayals, he is indelibly linked to agent 007.
Back on the big screen after 60 years, the first James Bond movie Dr. NO returns for one night only December 28, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the Royal theater in West Los Angeles. Tickets and information at http://www.laemmle.com/ac
