OHMSS 50TH Anniversary and counting…or Nobody Does it Better than George Lazenby!!!! part one
Start your celebrating early-the 50th Anniversary of OHMSS- On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Yes, can you believe it- this year marks the 50th of the one time portrayal of James Bond-007 by the great George Lazenby. George being the most controversial of all the actors to ever utter “My name is Bond, James Bond”. But OHMSS is also the most dramatic episode in the film series aside from Casino Royale with Daniel (Craig’s 2006 debut as the ultimate gentleman secret agent).
The year was 1969. Lots of things were happening that year. The lingo was far out and groovy man. Think Austin powers with maybe a little more subdued ambiance, but not that off the beaten path. Oh behaave!!!!
Keep in mind that by the end of 60’s we saw a great dane that went on to be one of the most popular cartoon characters of the next several decades and continues to be to this day.
Yes I’m talking about about none other than that lovable, no good, meddling Scooby Doo.
So being the end of the 60’s just could not go out without a bang or a moon landing, which we all witnessed thanks to the brave crew of the Apollo 11.( Celebrating a 50th this year on July 21st-it was a Sunday night back in good ol 69 when the Eagle — lunar module- landed on the moon)
Above : Link to CBS’ Walter Cronkite and the Apollo missions
And they delivered with a hair standing on end finish. Because we are talking almost running out of fuel and being within a few feet of crashing. Also, it was the age of the “love ins”, Woodstock and riots happening just about everywhere -be it a college campus, soccer match between El Salvador and Honduras (this came close to starting a war. But it is a very passionate game as we all know) and civil rights were still in question. Richard Nixon took the oath of the presidency of the United States.
Get Smart was still on the air and making us laugh with his shoe phone and “missed it by this much” & “ Would you believe?”
In music Elvis was recording his comeback album From Elvis in Memphis which included among its titles the hit song Suspicious Minds and In the Ghetto. The Montreal Expos become the first baseball team from outside the US to become part of the American baseball league. The EPA -Environmental Protection Agency is created. and The Haunted Mansion opens in Disneyland. Make love not war was plastered all over. Love beads and peace sings as well. My favorite cartoon made its debut in September of that year on Saturday Morning TV -good ol’ Scooby Doo.
Above- Thumpity Thump Thump look at Frosty go!!!!- Rankin Bass’ Classic animated tale.
On the Christmas special front one of my favorites-Frosty The Snowman began its run on CBS for several runs(a new Deluxe version has been released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment on Bluray and features new bonus material: a first time Audio Commentary) .The BBC and ITV both started regular colour broadcasting. Births that year included Jason Bateman, Jesse Martin (CW-The Flash), Dave Bautista, Patton Oswalt, Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Anne Heche, Benny Chan Ho Man-Hong Kong actor, Chisa Yokoyama Japanese voice actress and Chyna-American professional female wrestler. The box-office was burning up in 69' with soon to be classic cinema that included Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West, Where Eagles Dare( Clint Eastwood/Richard Burton), Sweet Charity(Shirley Maclaine), a much heralded Midnight Cowboy( X-rated at the time), Easy Rider and Disney’s The Love Bug raced to the bank and the hearts of movie goers worldwide.
…Fashion of the late 60’s including 1969 still showcased go-go boots, mini-skirts and . The TV series Laugh- in really put these to good use with flash segments featuring go-go dancers on the floor or in cages leading into a skit.
Turtlenecks were in high demand thanks to films like Bullitt with Steve McQueen(NATO Star of the Year-1969) as the lead and actors like James Garner and James Coburn.
Covers of GQ magazine helped set the trends for mens clothes. It was ok for men to be stylish and of course we all know that that certain British agent was one of the best dressed in the circles of espionage.
Checked patterns and stripes were the thing.Neon colors and psychedelic prints were the rage. Bell bottom jeans and tie die for women. Transparent sleeves for women along with Nehru suits for men rounded out the late sixties.
Oh and how about all those various shades of green & yellow in regards to wall to wall carpeting & mod interior design..ouch!!! it even pervaded into the early 70’s .. uhh!!!
Fashions selling cars? Check this out…
Or was girls selling cars or in this case tires- Goodyear introduced a wide treaded tire — nicked-named Wide Boots. Every ad featured a girl in various stages of dress and of course wearing mod boots. Now think about this- in the united Kingdom girls are referred to as birds and what we call trunks in America are called the boot. In fact Bond mentions boot in OHMSS. Now here’s one for thought — If a lad in England happens to tell a bird she has a nice boot is he speaking about her trunk of her car or something else? hmmm?
In the realm of food- the first Wendy’s restaurant opened in 1969 in Columbus,Ohio. The Frito-Bandito was making his way run across America via national TV and magazine ads. And remember all that fun movie candy- Boston Baked Beans, Atomic Fireballs, Fruit Bombs, gumdrops and Sunkist Fruit Gems. But my favorite was Junior Mints.
Taking in the local Drive-In? Then you might have been trudging back to the convertible or the family station wagon with a load of cheeseburgers, a few orders of fries and a couple of chocolate malts, frozen hand dipped chocolate covered banana or some ice cream sandwiches. Oh! and don’t forget your bug off for those pesky mosquitoes. Whew all this and not even scratching the surface, however something more important than of all these things was weighing in on the minds of many a cinema patron. This one question would be answered at the tail end of this decade….?
The world was awaiting the debut of a new Bond. New Bond movie and a new Bond girl. A new John Barry score accompanied by not one but two songs with lyrics by Hal David. A new first time director and skiing, lots of snow, did i say skiing, avalanches, bob sleds & more skiing. Amazing locations-the French Riviera, Swiss Alps and Spain. If this was not enough, 007’s greatest arch nemesis-Blofeld was back. They would not be disappointed.
Pre- Production started the year before with a search to replace Sean Connery since he made it clear that You Only Live Twice would be his last time he would assume the role of that made him world famous do to the pressures that Bond brought him, being mobbed when out in public… the press showing up once in the bathroom during the filming of You Only Live Twice. Connery had just arrived in Japan and sitting in a bathroom stall at the airport. A reporter decides to take advantage and starts firing away with questions. Not the choice locale for an interview. This was the last straw for Sean. No more, I’m done playing Bond.
Above- courtesy of MI6-HQ-George rehearsing fight scene
George Lazenby had been cast and assigned one of the most challenging assignments to ever come across M’s desk and Universal Imports assignments. Taking on the role originally established by Sean Connery back in 1962. Becoming one of the world’s most famous pop culture personas, George had his work cut out for him. And he was also the youngest ever to play 007 at 29. This brings up what would lead to a concern, was he ready to accept the pressures that went with the gig. He had possibly gotten in over his head, at least it is one of the thoughts that went through his head at least once a day. But to his favor he fought hard and proved himself worthy of all the would-be contenders up for the role. From the moment he found out he was in contention he did everything and anything to land the role as Bond. He went to the same barber that Connery did and had his hair cut in the saem style and then stopped by the tailor Connery frequented and was able to pick up a suit that was cut for Sean. George sported not just the haircut and clothes of 007, he possessed the stature and the cunning as well. His famous ascent up the stairs to Harry Saltzman’s office and the way he sneaked past the secretary is extremely clever. Harry assumed that if this guy was walking thru his door that he must have had an appointment and been thoroughly screened as was not the case at all. But George schmoozed Harry and impressed Peter Hunt. George did have a couple of tests that were a must in order to clinch the role of James Bond. An on screen fight and the rumored girl that was sent to Georges’ room one night- remember george had only done a few commercials and was a male model.
Above: Fruit Parfait ice cream commercial for the theaters- look for a short shot of George-ironic that the words describing these delicious looking desserts are cool, exciting-sophisticated-sounds a little like 007…hmm
Next week Lazenby, George Lazenby proving himself and realizing this role maybe a bit more than he bargained for… but there’s nothing like a challenge and meeting his leading lady-Diana Rigg(Emma Peel-The Avengers) …
So make sure you stop how this became one of the most beloved films in the series…
Doc- Over and Out!!!
