Movie history was made in 1962 when Terence Young’s Dr. No hit theaters. At the time, it seemed to be just another spy movie, but as the spy movie that introduced Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy character James Bond to moviegoing audiences, it was anything but. Sean Connery instantly made 007 a cinematic icon, setting in motion a franchise that would still be going strong 50 years later.
Although Fleming dismissed the movie when he first saw it, it’s still regarded by Bond fans to be one of the strongest entries in the series. There are plenty of interesting details behind its production.
10 Cary Grant Was The First Choice To Play Bond
The producers’ first choice for the role of James Bond was Cary Grant. However, Grant turned down the role because many considered him to be too old and he was hesitant to sign a contract for three movies. Plus, the salary he could command was equal to Dr. No’s entire budget.
Before Sean Connery was cast, the producers considered Stanley Baker, Rex Harrison, Trevor Howard, Richard Johnson, Patrick McGoohan, David Niven, and Richard Todd. Niven would go on to play a spoof of Bond in 1967’s Casino Royale.
9 Ian Fleming Initially Hated The Casting Of Sean Connery As 007
Ian Fleming was unhappy with the casting of Sean Connery as Bond because he didn’t suit the character’s description. Bond is English and Connery is Scottish; Bond had an upper-class upbringing, while Connery’s upbringing was working-class; and Bond was clean-cut, whereas Connery was rugged.
However, Fleming came to appreciate Connery’s casting when he saw the movie. He even added Scottish ancestry to Bond’s characterization in the novel On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
8 Christopher Lee Was His Cousin Ian Fleming’s Top Choice To Play Dr. No
Ian Fleming’s top choice for the villainous role of Dr. No was Christopher Lee, who happened to be his cousin. Lee would eventually play a Bond villain in The Man with the Golden Gun.
Noël Coward turned down the part because he didn’t want to wear metal hands. Max von Sydow turned it down so he could play Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told.
7 Eunice Gayson And Lois Maxwell Switched Roles During Pre-Production
Initially, Eunice Gayson was set to play Miss Moneypenny and Lois Maxwell was set to play Sylvia Trench. However, director Terence Young felt that Gayson exuded sexuality, while Maxwell exuded punctuality, so they switched roles.
Julie Christie was considered for the role of Honey Ryder but was turned down because producer Albert R. Broccoli thought her breasts were too small.
6 The Line “Bond, James Bond” Was Improvised By Sean Connery
Bond wasn’t supposed to say, “Bond, James Bond,” in the script for Dr. No. The line was written as “I am James Bond,” but Sean Connery thought this was weak and decided to go off-script with the iconic line we all know today.
In the first few takes, Connery didn’t pause, and it wasn’t really working. When he paused to light a cigarette between “Bond” and “James Bond,” history was made.
5 Contrary To Popular Belief, John Barry Didn’t Actually Write The James Bond Theme
It’s a common misconception that John Barry wrote the now-iconic James Bond theme. The tune actually originated in the song “Good Sign, Bad Sign” by Monty Norman, written for a musical called The House of Mr. Biswas that never got off the ground.
Barry simply arranged and orchestrated Norman’s theme to create the legendary theme for the James Bond movie franchise.
4 The Movie Was Supposed To Have A Lot More Nudity
In the novel Dr. No, Honey Ryder is naked in her first appearance. The filmmakers wanted to stay true to this, but censorship prevented them from depicting nudity.
This also put the kibosh on another nude scene. Sylvia Trench was supposed to be naked when Bond finds her playing golf in his apartment.
3 In 2001, Ursula Andress’ Bikini From The Movie Sold At Auction For £35,000
After the release of Dr. No, bikini sales skyrocketed. This was attributed to the iconic scene in which Ursula Andress emerges from the ocean in a white bikini.
The bikini that Andress wore in the movie sold at auction for £35,000 to Robert Earl of Planet Hollywood in 2001. With commission and taxes added on top, the total figure actually came to about £41,000.
2 Stanley Kubrick Was So Impressed With The Sets That He Hired The Production Designer To Work On Dr. Strangelove
Stanley Kubrick was so impressed with the sets in Dr. No that he hired the production designer, Ken Adam, to work on what was then his next movie, Dr. Strangelove.
So, Adam worked on two “Dr.” movies in a row. His sets for Dr. Strangelove – particularly the War Room – are among the most memorable in movie history.
1 Sean Connery And Ursula Andress Had An Affair During Production
Ursula Andress was reportedly cast as the first Bond girl when producer Albert R. Broccoli saw a picture of her from a wet t-shirt contest. It also didn’t hurt that she demanded a low salary.
During production, Andress engaged in an affair with Sean Connery. The affair was called off when Connery’s wife became pregnant. Later, Connery became the godfather of Andress’ son, Dimitri Hamlin.
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