Part Two-OHMSS 50TH Anniversary and counting…or Nobody Does it Better than George Lazenby!!!! Getting the role…
George Lazenby had to prove he was a ladies man for real. The rest is history…this includes the wonderfully landed punch to the stuntman that sent him flying during the audition. Saltzman and Broccoli were sold. Maybe It was good thing George was not familiar with stunts. This one act finally cementing Lazenby as the next to be sporting a shoulder holster and stepping in front of the camera to be viewed thru a gun-barrel.
OHMSS is simply a great film and combines several genres within an action movie. For one it is a love story. Romance is a prominent feature and theme throughout the story along with it offering two holidays sprinkled in- Christmas and New Year plus wedding festivities. And yes of course spectacular stunts and world class locales.
Jaw dropping photography. A credible editor turned director-Peter Hunt with 2nd unit director -John Glen (would later go on to helm the last three Roger Moore Bonds and Timothy Dalton’s venture into the world of espionage). This Bond outing was a grittier version of 007 and Lazenby provided a 007 who while still be suave and debonair one moment and the next sporting a grimace that gives one the feeling that he would not hesitate to take you out if the occasion called for it all the time throwing out some one liner quibs in funeral parlor decor.
For example during the ski chase with Blofeld and company hot the “heels” of Bond and Tracy one of the henchman runs afoul of a grinder on a large snow removal vehicle with blood spewing out of its vent as James says “well at least he had lots of guts…” So this sardonic humor along with plenty of action that is supported incredible stunt work with car chases on ice, break neck- speed paced fights- even fist to cuffs in 3 feet of water and the intro of winter sports, including high end ski chases directed by Alpine ski champion Willy Bogner Jr. -Below
Bogner would return to the world of 007 twice more behind the camera for The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only(which featured some incredible mountain climbing scenes along with a ski chase that takes place on a bobsled run all in 70mm) and A View to a Kill. Here’s an interesting bit of trivia-Willy Jr is also part of the Bogner Fashion company and inherited the line from his father Willy Sr.
Introducing the new Bond:
There was a huge risk involved with casting a new 007 and the producers were very aware of this. Connery being disgruntled over the last production had tainted the public with a comment during an interview stating that the last couple of Bonds were lacking in the storyline and the gadgets were becoming a larger part of the storyline. Peter hunt decided to go back to the basics and stay close to the original Fleming novels and OHMSS was the wisest choice. Peter stated in an interview that everything was right there in the novel and the screenplay stuck very close to the book. Gone were the gimmicks and gadgets that had become a staple in the later Connery films and like Dr No really did not have to take any liberties.
When it came to marketing On Her Majesty’s Secret Service they didn’t take any chances — the posters advertised Bond, not an actor playing him. The cast is listed below the the title including George and promoting Bond as real person — the plug a different Bond, a different Bond Girl…etc. See the trailer below:
The Classic On Screen Bond Intro or My names is Bond, James Bond. — — Dr No vs OHMSS
Above-a most iconic moment in film history
Comparison to Dr No in how we are introduced to the new 007 is almost a nod or tribute to how the movie audience met Bond/Connery in the very first film. The scene inside a London casino with our subjects back to the audience at times with only a hand distributing cards to an opponent via a shoe is really a classic bit of cinema. We can hear his voice as he gives his admiration to his opponent while playing Baccarat. I admire your courage Miss eh?- Trench, Sylvia Trench and I admire your style Mr eh? We hear the James Bond theme build in the background as Connery lights a cigarette and utters those now famous words- Bond, James Bond
For your viewing/listening pleasure as you read the following paragraph click on link above…
Well in OHMSS we are treated to a similar set up except this time it takes place over a couple scenes as Bond is passed on the road by a recklessly driven, red Cougar (Ford Mercury) and almost forced off the road. Here the scene cuts to from the back of the driver to the mouth as he lights a cigarette and the Bond theme slowly rises in the background. Then we see his eyes as he is peering out through a telescopic lens at th young girl who has now left the jag and headed into the surf with no intentions of coming back. Bond races down the beach and rescues the girl. Places on the sand makes the classic intro as the camera pans up from the damsel in distress freezes on Georges’ face as he says, “Good morning. My name is Bond, James Bond.” As actors would take over the duties as the new 007 thru the years there would almost always be some clever way to reveal the new actors face to the fans. The exception Roger Moore, who was so well known when he assumed the mantle after Sean really said his (final) goodbye to EON Productions with Diamonds Are Forever. Roger stepped into the shoes as 007 in the stunt laden Live and Let Die. He was world famous for his characterization of Leslie Charteris’ The Saint as well as several other TV series and films, so there was no need to be so dramatic.
Bond/OHMSS on Bluray:
Distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment available on Amazon, EBAY and via Best Buy. there are titles available individually and in bundles by actor Sean Connery and Roger Moore have two vols each and Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan have one each. Lazenby one title with Dalton 2 titles or the Ultimate James Bond Bluray collection which currently has been updated to include the most recent film in the series-SPECTRE. The entire series has been remastered and restored. The Bluray picture quality is beyond Bond. Never looking better. What is amazing is that all of these films were originally released in DVD format and had been pushed to the max of that particular technology. Because of this, all that had to be done was covert all material to Bluray. Stunning is what you end up with and all are a must have in your collection for all those fans of Bond and students of the cinema.
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A few years ago several versions of the film were released on Bluray. What I mean by versions are not print versions but packaging-steel case, cover art on cardboard stock as a wrap around with additional pictures and promotional material on inner flaps. All came with a HD digital copy via ultraviolet and the disc itself was loaded with extras and bonus material.
Audio commentaries-sometimes with more than one some include the director and producers, a separate track includes the cast as well as the director & crew,
Inside On-A making of the film : with Patrick Macnee narrating- These are awesome-all with interviews cast and crew plus behind the scenes stories and footage. These were done for all the films from Sean through Roger Moore.
Special documentaries concerning the music of Bond, the affect and influence that 007 has had on the world at large and how this gentleman secret agent created a world phenomenon, special effects artists, stunts, directors , producers and the gadgets of Q.
Trailers and marketing material from around the world which may include images of international posters and publicity material-
Above-Even Diana Rigg gets the star treatment and her character..
OHMSS special Bluray features- specific to this film only- Radio commercials that ran on the airwaves to advertise the films release and were customizable for radio stations in their local markets and interviews recorded on the set with the cast including George Lazenby. This was not done for every Bond film.
Shot on Ice-Ford promo film- a Ford Mustang is the car Diana Riggs character owns in the story and is visible throughout the film especially during a key part of 007’s escape from Blofeld’s lair.
It is the other main vehicle aside from the Aston Martin Bond is seen driving in the beginning and end of the movie.
Right-Vintage car ad 1969
Swiss Movement & Above it All-original 1969 featurettes
Inside Q’S Lab- everything you always wanted to know about all those magnificent gadgets.
Movie trivia fact-
Featurettes-consisted of footage and narration shot on the set during filming along with interviews of cast and crew. These were used to promote the films to distributors, movie audiences and Television. Television networks back in the 60’s and 70’s in order to film slots of time left over from a film that ran less than a 2 hr format would place a featurette in that space to fill a 2 hr window. Especially leading up to the 11 o’clock news. In the later years of the 70’s when networks started to really capitalize on there exclusive contracts with the film studios would use these to promote next years or even their fall/spring movies of the week or weekend film line up. NBC had the Saturday Night , CBS had the Wednesday night ,Friday Night slot and a late nite movie also. ABC had Sunday night movie right after Wonderful World of Disney. and a special Monday night which is I saw OHMSS originally shown in two parts due the almost 2 1/2 hr running time. I know I have left some other nights of the list but you get the general idea. Other than featurettes ABC used to run were shorts from Wide World of Sports and Thrill-seekers ( a 15 min documentary on the likes of Evel Knievel, drag racers, martial arts … extreme sports and stunts) as fillers. CBS would run NFL Films 15 to 30 minutes in length. Also making the scene on the weekends were Warren Miller’s outstanding ski shorts.
Tagline- Far Up! Far Out! Far More! James Bond 007 is Back!
Bond Family Crest- has the moto “The World is not Enough”
Above- Japanese Press Release-
Further reading-
The James Bond Archive- a 10 lb hardcover library addition available on Amazon with over 700 pages with a chapter devoted to each and every Bond film through SPECTRE starring Daniel Craig & including Never Say Never Again and the Casino Royale version from 1967 starring David Niven- helmed by 5 different directors released by Columbia Pictures.
By Taschen-https://www.taschen.com/?utm_source=bingads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=taschen_us
I have the Spectre Edition which has been updated to include that release-the last Bond released to the theaters todate***We all await Bond 25- No Time To Die. Below a page from this extensive “ everything you ever wanted to know about the James Bond” productions and franchise.
Link-
https://www.amazon.com/James-Bond-Archives-SPECTRE/dp/3836551861
ABC -ABC Network licensed all the official EON Production Bond films and began airing the films in the early 70’s. Sometimes with additional *scenes or edits* to the movie. OHMSS was no exception. In fact the night of its’ Television premiere which was on a Monday with an earlier air time of 8:30 pm. I was ready to watch. Had my handy dandy cassette recorder to record**. As far as I know this was the only film to have have edited to affect the timeline of the how the story originally unfolded in front of the movie audience back in 69. OHMSS was edited as if it was a flashback with 007 narrating the opening and the film started in the middle of the story and then went back a few weeks prior. I had no idea for many years that was not the way the film originally played out. But it was effective in this case because it let the audience know right off that this was still an action/adventure story. Since it opened at the beginning of the amazing ski chase as Bond is escaping Blofeld’s hideaway. I was hooked, and this helped with what for a younger viewer would have been considered “mush” — you know all that romance “junk” -just watch a couple of My Three Sons episodes and you’ll understand. So this was a clever idea. Don’t know if that was the intent by the programmers at ABC. It did work for me. And it did do very well in the ratings… I believe that it was near Valentines Day when it first aired…
* Additional scenes or edits to films airing on network Television has been something that has been occurring at a more noticeable rate from the late 60’s thru the late 80’s and into the 90’s. Edits may happen due to mature theme, language or sometimes just to make a films running time fit within a 2hr window. Edits can affect the intent of the film and even affect the emotional content of the scene. I remember seeing Mother, Jugs and Speed in the theater and was laughing my head off at times. When it aired on TV I didn’t even recognize it There had been so many edits that it was enjoyable. Famous one is Scarface- a film heavily laden with adult language and themes(violence was a mainstay of the storyline). There were additional scenes edited in to give it a softer padding and all of a particular word replaced. The result, not such the gut wrenching, hard edged crime thriller that appeared on the big screen.
- * Remember there were no VHS machines around then or if so extremely expensive. say over a $1000.00. And that was a lot of money back then. Ironically today times and prices have changed considerably- say a UHD Bluray can be gotten for less than $200.00 and that would an all region player. *
- Below- spoiler alert-end with credits and the message James Bond will return…
Next Issue- James Bond Will Return! Well at least George will when we cover George after Bond…Stoner , A Queens Ransom and Emmanuelle -The Series…Til then be “Dangerous and Diabolik” and most importantly sage and healthy…see ya next week or my name isn’t Nersinger, Doc Nersinger. All right it sounds better when 007 say’s it…
Link to part one of this series-
