Shooting 'Dr. No'

Published: Jan. 16, 2024, 1 a.m.

It had a budget of just $1 million, a lead actor wearing a toupee, and the baddie in the first draft of the script was a monkey. But the first James Bond film, \u2018Dr. No\u2019, which began shooting in Jamaica on 16th January, 1962, kicked off a phenomenally successful franchise that\u2019s still a staple of cinema today.\nIts star, Sean Connery, had been picked out by producers after his appearance in a Disney production, but was marketed as a former lorry driver with little acting experience. \nConcerned that Connery lacked the sophistication of Bond\u2019s background, director Terence Young took him on a tour of swish casinos, posh members clubs and his Savile Row tailors.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Connery came to improvise one of the movie\u2019s most iconic moments; explain why Ian Fleming was first dismissive, then delighted by his casting; and trace the origins of the 007 formula that endures through all of Cubby Broccoli\u2019s subsequent productions\u2026\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 The Bond bunch: the failed contenders for coveted role (The Independent, 2006): https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-bond-bunch-the-failed-contenders-for-coveted-role-423454.html\n\u2022 \u2018The Making of DR. NO: A 60th Anniversary Retrospective\u2019 (Cinema Scholars, 2022): https://cinemascholars.com/the-making-of-dr-no-a-james-bond-60th-anniversary-retrospective/\n\u2022 \u2018Bond, James Bond\u2019 (Eon Productions, 1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b15-P12gIf0\nLike this? There\u2019s five minutes MORE \u2018Dr No\u2019 chat on today\u2019s bonus bit for \U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\U0001f334supporters! https://patreon.com/retrospectors\nLove the show? Join \U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS \U0001f334 to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode every SUNDAY!\nPlus, get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 70 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast.\nJoin now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices