George Lazenby-Before and After Bond
On set of OHMSS-between takes having some fun- that is a happy guy….
George was born in New South Wales, Australia. The only Aussie to have portrayed 007 and he was the only actor in the Bond Film Franchise to have been nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year-Actor 1969 for his role in OHMSS. Born in 1939-September 5th. He served in the Australian army for a while, then became a car salesman and mechanic. He later moved to London in pursuit of a woman. There he continued with car sales, then on the advice of an agent he became a model and involved with commercials. George could have stayed in this part of the business and would have very successful. in one year he earned 25,000 pounds British which in today’s economy is worth 444,000 pounds.
He was paid 4 pounds a day above any other male models during the 60’s and was famous for the Big Fry Chocolate ads on Tele. The commercials caught the eye of the Bond producers and at the recommendation of his agent pursued the role most aggressively. What after that we all know.
After Bond, Lazenby having decided not to do any additional Bond roles, worked in Italy, Hong Kong, Hollywood and Australia. George starred in Who Saw Her Die -a Giallo film. Avery good one and critics really liked his performance.
With martial arts films taking the world by storm he went to Hong Kong. Originally meeting with Bruce lee and Raymond Chow to star in what would be Lee’s greatest film had it been completed. George was offered 10,000(today’s market-$55,000 approx). never happened due to Lees untimely death.
But George did stay to make several films for Golden Harvest including two with the Lady of Kung Fu cinema-Angela Mao- Stoner- (74) an excellent actioner taking on drug dealers and an international crime cartel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOXQ4Dx03cA&t=60s
and a caper film involving the assassination plot to kill Queen Elizabeth.
Titled A Queen’s Ransom(1976) which I saw at the Coronet upon its release in the states. Fun movie with a who’s who cast including Wang Yu(One Armed Boxer), Angela Mao(Hapkido), Judith Brown, Yang Sze (Bolo-Enter The Dragon), Chen Kuan and Dean Shek ( A Better Tomorrow 2 and Drunken Master (1978) .
Alternate Title-poster
International Assassin -no mention of Angela Mao
The Man From Hong Kong aka The Dragon Flies (75') which generated a top 40 hit Skyhigh. This outing cast George as the villian. Filmed in Australia and joint production with Golden Harvest and directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. Brian known for his stunt laden films. An excellent director and can be seen on Joe Dante’s Trailers From Hell available on Full Moon Streaming service(via Roku, Amazon and your PC).
For American audiences George appeared in 1978’s Evening in Byzantium based on Irwin Shaw’s bestseller. A two part (mini series) which concerned terrorists taking over the Cannes Film Festival. The television production starred Glenn Ford (Cade’s County & Superman-1978), Eddie Albert (Green Acres/Switch) and Vince Edward s(Ben Casey) and Erin Gray (TV series-Buck Rogers and Silver Spoons).
- ***Trivia***
After Bond, Lazenby having decided not to do any additional Bond roles, worked in Italy, Hong Kong, Hollywood and Australia. George starred in Who Saw Her Die -a Giallo film. Avery good one and critics really liked his performance.
***Fan art for Kentucky Fried Movie -1977 featuring George in one of the segments…
In later years he has appeared as Confederate Gen Johnston Pettigrew in the made for Television film Gettysburg and The Pretender (1996–2000) in a recurring guest role as Jarod’s father. Most recently Hulu- docudrama Becoming Bond 2017 telling the story of how George Lazenby became 007. Over the years he has become a favorite at comic cons throughout the world. The film OHMSS has grown to a cult status and is regarded as one of the best Bonds ever by fans and critics alike.
The James Bond Christmas Connection:
The plot: Bond has been in hot pursuit of Blofeld since the ending of You Only Live Twice. And he is bound and determined to bring him down (Girls). While off in the French Riviera possibly mixing business with pleasure, he runs across literally a girl who can almost out drive 007 and we all that is hard to do. But this is not like some of the other girls that have popped up in his life most are there for one adventure if they even survive till the end of the film.,.she is tough, resilient and still one for the that is not hard to look at all: her name Tracy. But she has a past, one that she seems to be running away from(more girls). Enter James Bond as she basically runs him off the road in a very careless hurry to get to the ocean. She parks her car and then runs into the surf. Her goal not to come back…to end her life. Bond gets to the beach in time to pull her out. But like any gentlemen secret agent trouble usually follows. Just as he is finishes introducing himself . A gun is thrust in his face and his told not to move. The girl is held at knife point and Bond is motioned into an empty rowboat. He manages to disable his opponent and all while playing fist to cuffs in the surf-which is one of the best choreographed fights I have ever scene even by today’s standards. Bond finally catches up with Tracy at a hotel/casino… shortly after a courtship ensues as well as 007’s quest to track down Blofeld. The plot includes Blofeld trying to distribute a bacteria that will threaten the world’s livestock, hoping to ransom this in return for a pardon and proclaiming his heritage as royalty. the story evolves over the Christmas/New Years holiday.
Below-Lazenby in publicity with all the Bond girls from OHMSS
Did I mention girls and more girls-well that is putting it mildly- how about 007 all alone on assignment with a bevy of girls being treated at ze clinic high atop a mountain! Who said this job didn’t come with perks? Here amongst the setting of a big Christmas tree decorated to the hilt and garland strung about. Fireplaces, eggnog what else do you need?
Above-Blofeld(Telly Savalas) decorating for the holidays
There is a song about Christmas trees that appears in the background as Bond is actually in need of rescuing all the while trying to hide at an outdoor ice rink. Just know without revealing anymore of the plot, the film is evenly paced between the romance and action sequences with some amazing stunts featuring 007 on the run from Blofeld’s henchmen via an incredible ski chase and a snow race in cars on a racetrack made of ice. Besides this we get a man to man battle on a bobsled run… whew just doesn’t get any better than this.
Above- fan art
Festive release dates:
Ever since the first installment in the series, Dr No, Bond was an anticipated and welcomed face on the big screen. The series best box-office usually were when they had a late fall/December release. For the movie going audience it meant great holiday fun. This not only made it a tradition to join his latest assignment, but it made for treasured family outing. Although OHMSS had a holiday storyline it also was one of the titles to get a late fall release date along with Diamonds Are Forever, The Man with The Golden Gun, Goldeneye and Skyfall. The first three had special teaser posters and trailers designed to entice the fans to take in the holidays with 007. Goldeneye for example went as far as a regular teaser and trailer for the general release. Then as the holidays approached one for spending Christmas with James Bond and one for New Years…the later to ring in the New Year with 007.
Above: poster for international Bond Festival- Italy
James Bond Film Festivals:
I don’t know how often these take place in today’s world, but I would say not enough as far as I am concerned. There was a time when these were held once or twice a year on college campuses. Which I was privy to attend back in the late 70’s. The nice thing is they were open to the public. The titles would always include all the films that had been released in the theaters up to that time. These were always a sell out-jammed packed -not an empty seat left in the house. People would gather on a Friday night and camp out until the end credits would roll and the one who were still left at the end would receive some neat goodies. The fun was being surrounded with all these Bond fans. Sharing the rollercoaster ride of laffs and thrills with some good pithy comebacks. That funeral parlor humor that would break the tension after a breakneck paces chase and fist to cuffs which usually left someone as a permanent fixture of a glass window. There is nothing like experiencing 007 with a large group of theater goers. Everyone either laughing or sighing at the same time. It’s all about the collective spirit. I bring this up for discussion hoping that fans will bug Fathom Events to release these films again to the theaters and at least On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
I would make it to every screening. These are films that deserve to be on the big screen, it is a great way the introduce the series to new fans around the world. Think about that magic moment when the gun barrel rolls across the screen and a dark figure walks into the view of the gun barrel and draws his gun and fires. From that point on we all know we are in for one great adventure loaded with action and fun. So I urge everyone to reach out to Fathom Events, EON Productions. Tell them how much you would like to see James Bond up on the big screen.
Above-Japanese release poster
As we come to a close wrapping up all things Lazenby, OHMSS and the year 1969 one thing is for certain the year 1969 was a year of change, tribulations,wild fashions and during all that, one man made his mark on the world in his own way- George Lazenby. He was James Bond. Bringing more depth to this iconic character and leaving the world wanting more adventure, more action and more 007. He proved that the role was not limited to one actor, others could portray the most gentleman secret agent and do it with emotion and flair. He stamped his interpretation on Ian Fleming’s Bond and was perhaps one of the closest thus far to the novels. He did it with style. Thank you George for being one of my favorite Bonds and for showing what with zeal and determination can make dreams come true.
So this is Doc saying goodnight Mrs Calabash wherever you are? As always be Dangerous and Diabolik — see ya next issue….
Below links to Fathom Events and Amazon:
Amazon
James Bond Movie Encylopedia By Steven J Rubin(The Twilight Zone)400 pages
Fathom Events:
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# On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 50TH Anniversary,hashtag#Geroge Lazenby as James Bond,#007 in love,hashtag#film trivia,hashtag#Bond Trivia,# film review,hashtag#creative writing
