BunnyWhit

Funny Farm (1988) Next: cattle

Gandhi (1982)

Ace in the Hole (1951) Next: a nun or nuns

Cooper Next: Strother, Steve, and Mary

FYI -- Spencer

Thank you, Cinemaman. Kiel was indeed afraid of heights. When director Lewis Gilbert told Kiel he'd be expected to navigate a high scaffold, Kiel reportedly turned white and replied, "I don't even like being this tall." Your turn, Cinemaman!

Alien (1979) -- Xenomorph and Ash

Flamingo Road (1949)

Open All Hours (1976-1985)

Dangerous Curves (1929)

Storm at Daybreak (1933)

Cattle Drive (1951) Next: Kay Francis

After the Thin Man (1936)

Jeremiah (2002-2004)

Thanks a lot for these remarks, Peebs. It is interesting to learn another's take on the series. I confess I have been rationing viewing a little bit because I know Tennant won't last forever, and I have been so enjoying his way with the character. Stay tuned, as they say.....

Here's a fun little one -- Richard Kiel had a fear. Do you know what it was?

I agree about Bond being a British bloke. There is no reason to remove the character from his home as he was originally written. I don't think that makes me an anti-feminist or an overly enthusiastic Anglophile, rather simply someone who enjoys the literature that spawned a sixty-year franchise. I didn't know about Tennant's podcast; might have to see if I can give it a listen. I often run quite a good bit behind on things; for example, I'm only just now watching Doctor Who. Truth be told, Tennant is so much better in that particular role than Christopher Eccleston was, and I can't imagine anyone else being half as good after him. Almost makes me sad to know others will be coming. Though I have read very good things about Jodie Whittaker -- and, NO, it's not the same thing as Bond, as I'm sure you will whole-heartedly agree!

Phoebe Waller-Bridge -- she's getting to be quite the power-house! I like her irreverent style. She came to prominence writing Fleabag (2016-2019) (which I have not seen) and Killing Eve (2018-) (which I have seen). I know she had a role in Broadchurch (2013-2017), but I am not sure if she wrote on that series; I think perhaps not? (I've seen that one as well; I like David Tennant.) Daniel Craig championed Waller-Bridge, which I think is cool. And Waller-Bridge has gone on the record to say that she is not in favor of a female Bond, and I for one will be eternally grateful to her for doing so!

Thanks so much, Peebs and NoShear! These are great comments about Johanna Harwood! I cannot express how much I love the fact that we have an excellent woman writer to thank (at least in part) for bringing us the suave sophisticate we all know and love as Bond, James Bond. I appreciate that Harwood made it her mission to keep the script(s) close to Fleming's novels. And what a great remark by Roger Moore! Harwood worked for Saltzman as his secretary and eventually as his reader, and he put her to work on several scripts, including the likes of Call Me Bwana (1963) and The Ipcress File (1965), but she was uncredited each time. She expressed an interest in directing, but to my knowledge never did. She was married to the French director, René Clément, for the last decade of his life. She spent many years working for the Reader's Digest in Paris, condensing French novels. Harwood was born in 1930 in Ireland, and she is still with us at 91 years of age. Honestly, if I were ever going to write a fan letter, it just might be to her!

Thanks, NoShear! Here's a succinct one: Johanna Harwood. Discuss....

Thanks for this, Peebs! I agree that Anthony made the right call. Honestly, these pics look like they belong in a Sears catalog!

NoShear, are you referring to Lazenby showing up at the premiere for On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) sporting a full beard and long hair? Some have said that this was Lazenby's way of sticking it to the producers and indicating his belief that James Bond was played out. Though he'd been offered, and I believe signed, a contract for several Bond films, Lazenby let it be known loudly and often that he was having second thoughts about continuing on with the franchise. He did not like the rigors of promoting the film, he did not care for the director's (Peter R. Hunt) hands-off handling of him, and I've read a number of articles that indicated Lazenby was a bit too full of himself and not necessarily all that well liked on set.

I've read about this in a few articles. Columnist Pat Lewis of The Daily Express opened the contest in an effort to find who would be the first James Bond. This after failed attempts at casting Cary Grant, Richard Johnson, Richard Todd, a young Roger Moore, and likely a few others I've forgotten. Over 1100 entries were received, including a man actually named James Bond. Six finalists were selected and actually screen tested for the role. Peter Anthony, a suave model with chiseled good looks, was chosen to be the first Bond, but there was only one problem -- he couldn't act. At this point, everyone was wearying of the search, and Connery was chosen with decidedly he'd-better-turn-out-to-be-good attitude attached.

Zaza (1923)

Anthony Quinn was in Barabbas (1961) with Arthur Kennedy.