Comments on: Nobody Does Bond Better, 002: George Lazenby, A Model Bond http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond The Movie Collector's Blog sm Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:56:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: chris http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-12560 chris Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:15:44 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-12560 When adjusted for the style of the times(meaning different standards for different decades), I think Sean Connery is still the man. However, if you want a Bond that most reflects the books, I think Daniel Craig is your man. When adjusted for the style of the times(meaning different standards for different decades), I think Sean Connery is still the man. However, if you want a Bond that most reflects the books, I think Daniel Craig is your man.

]]> By: George D. Allen http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-12355 George D. Allen Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:25:07 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-12355 Yes, that Ipcress File piece is really Manciniesque! (Would make a nice alternate theme to "Charade," perhaps, a Mancini score I think is excellent along w/the movie) Yes, that Ipcress File piece is really Manciniesque! (Would make a nice alternate theme to "Charade," perhaps, a Mancini score I think is excellent along w/the movie)

]]> By: Bond Tader. http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-12343 Bond Tader. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:17:37 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-12343 Was John Barry channeling Henry Mancini when he composed "A Man Alone" for "The Ipcress File?" Close your eyes while you listen to it and try to tell yourself it doesn't sound like something Mancini would have written! It's decidedly reminiscent of Mancini's theme for "Experiment In Terror." However, I don't know if this is good or bad. Barry was certainly better than Mancini, but Mancini had his moments, didn't he? Was John Barry channeling Henry Mancini when he composed "A Man Alone" for "The Ipcress File?" Close your eyes while you listen to it and try to tell yourself it doesn't sound like something Mancini would have written! It's decidedly reminiscent of Mancini's theme for "Experiment In Terror." However, I don't know if this is good or bad. Barry was certainly better than Mancini, but Mancini had his moments, didn't he?

]]> By: John http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-12202 John Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:07:15 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-12202 It was good to notice the attention paid to John Barry-the first Bond film I saw in the theater was "Goldfinger" and Barry's music provided the entrance to the world of Bond. His death and that of Jerry Goldsmith-"Chinatown",the best Trek theme for "Voyager",among so many-and Elmer Bernstein-"Magnificent Seven","To Kill A Mockingbird",etc.-brings down the curtain on a truly golden generation of film scorers. It was good to notice the attention paid to John Barry-the first Bond film I saw in the theater was "Goldfinger" and Barry's music provided the entrance to the world of Bond. His death and that of Jerry Goldsmith-"Chinatown",the best Trek theme for "Voyager",among so many-and Elmer Bernstein-"Magnificent Seven","To Kill A Mockingbird",etc.-brings down the curtain on a truly golden generation of film scorers.

]]> By: Bond Trader. http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-12044 Bond Trader. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:04:07 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-12044 By the way BadGnx2 (and Mr. George Allen, please feel free to join in), I know how you feel about "On Her Majesty's Secrtet Service." You called it a "happy mess." Well, YOU know that I disagree with that opinion, but Isn't "Die Another Day" the genuine "happy mess" among Bond films, not OHMSS? Mind you, I'm not saying DAD is the worst Bond film ever made ("A View To A Kill" takes THAT crown), I'm just saying that the hodge-podge script for DAD makes it the true "happy mess" among James Bond films. And in fact, even though most Bond fans think "Tomorrow Never Dies" is Pierce Brosnan's personal worst, I think his worst Bond film actually is "Die Another Day." What say you? By the way BadGnx2 (and Mr. George Allen, please feel free to join in), I know how you feel about "On Her Majesty's Secrtet Service." You called it a "happy mess." Well, YOU know that I disagree with that opinion, but Isn't "Die Another Day" the genuine "happy mess" among Bond films, not OHMSS? Mind you, I'm not saying DAD is the worst Bond film ever made ("A View To A Kill" takes THAT crown), I'm just saying that the hodge-podge script for DAD makes it the true "happy mess" among James Bond films. And in fact, even though most Bond fans think "Tomorrow Never Dies" is Pierce Brosnan's personal worst, I think his worst Bond film actually is "Die Another Day." What say you?

]]> By: BadGnx2 http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-11812 BadGnx2 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:54:18 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-11812 To 'Bond Trader': First and foremost, no apology needed. We are both passionate movie lovers and Bond film fans. I re-read your posts from above and they confirm the fact that you have knowledge and passion. I post on this forum often and on many different subjects. Feel free to verbally fence with me anytime. I also agree to the fact that the (Connery) Bond films perfectly hit upon men's fantasies (as manipulated by the filmmakers) by not showing Bond's home life and personal idiosyncracies as depicted in the books. And instead having him live a full man's life with fancy cars, fancier women and the ability to kick butt and think his way out of dangerous situations. Women were also manipulated by NOT presenting Bond as an ordinary looking guy such as "Hogey Carmichael" (the books original inspiration) and instead as a hunk, imbodied by Connery and others. To 'Bond Trader': First and foremost, no apology needed. We are both passionate movie lovers and Bond film fans.

I re-read your posts from above and they confirm the fact that you have knowledge and passion.
I post on this forum often and on many different subjects. Feel free to verbally fence with me anytime.

I also agree to the fact that the (Connery) Bond films perfectly hit upon men's fantasies (as manipulated by the filmmakers) by not showing Bond's home life and personal idiosyncracies as depicted in the books. And instead having him live a full man's life with fancy cars, fancier women and the ability to kick butt and think his way out of dangerous situations.
Women were also manipulated by NOT presenting Bond as an ordinary looking guy such as "Hogey Carmichael" (the books original inspiration) and instead as a hunk, imbodied by Connery and others.

]]> By: Bond Trader. http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-11792 Bond Trader. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:13:25 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-11792 BadGnx2, I guess my poor choice of words seriously offended you and for that, I apologize. I assure you that I did not wish, nor did I intend, to insult you. In fact, since we're both hard core Bond fans, I have no doubt that we would get along very well if we actually met each other. Our discussions would certainly be spirited but absolutely good natured. There is nothing wrong with well considered disagreement as long as it isn't tinged with anger. And I am never angry. Truth be told, I find your posts interesting and well thought out. I always enjoy reading them. Such as your comments about movie scores. John Barry had an ability that few other film composers demonstrated. Like Jerry Goldsmith, he could work in entirely different musical styles. "Born Free" is nothing like "Thunderball." Even David Arnold, good as he is, doesn't seem to have such great ability as a composer. I miss Jerry Goldsmith. And I will certainly miss John Barry. BadGnx2, I guess my poor choice of words seriously offended you and for that, I apologize. I assure you that I did not wish, nor did I intend, to insult you. In fact, since we're both hard core Bond fans, I have no doubt that we would get along very well if we actually met each other. Our discussions would certainly be spirited but absolutely good natured. There is nothing wrong with well considered disagreement as long as it isn't tinged with anger. And I am never angry. Truth be told, I find your posts interesting and well thought out. I always enjoy reading them. Such as your comments about movie scores. John Barry had an ability that few other film composers demonstrated. Like Jerry Goldsmith, he could work in entirely different musical styles. "Born Free" is nothing like "Thunderball." Even David Arnold, good as he is, doesn't seem to have such great ability as a composer. I miss Jerry Goldsmith. And I will certainly miss John Barry.

]]> By: BadGnx2 http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-11222 BadGnx2 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:04:44 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-11222 To "Bond Trader": Yes we can agree to disagree. I think that would be smoother than meeting you somewhere; where we could exchange blows. However, I do disagree with your feelings that MOST Bond fans think this is a superior entry in the Bond franchise - especially in the sixties. UNLESS a poll is taken or administered, let's just call this one a stalemate. Needless to say, I stand by my critical evaluation from above and I'll leave it alone. In regards to the Cougar being displayed in a museum here in Chicago, I know nothing of that. However the car I PERSONALLY viewed was the REAL DEAL. It was unrestored at the time and the owner (who had documentation) was on the fence about whether or not he should fully restore it to its original glory or leave it as it appears now, slightly battered - as most movie cars end up after filming. As a matter of fact, I had checked with the president of the Mercury Cougars car club, and he verified the facts of the car and its whereabouts, so I must have viewed THE REAL DEAL. The second Cougar is still in Europe and its the one used in the car rally scene. It was pretty beat up after filming (if one looks at that scene, one can see why). These cars were simply advertisements for Ford so they didn't really care about them after they were given to the production companies. However the convertible Cougars were early pre-production models, just as the Mustang used in "Goldfinger" was also. I also agree with the asessment that the score used in "You Only Live Twice" was one of John Barry's best. I think someone MUST HAVE stuck a gun next to the head of Nancy Sinatra while she was singing that song, 'cause her recorded voice has NEVER sounded better or sweeter. The same gun must have been used on Sheryl Crow because her voice also never sounded as strong as it did in singing "Tomorrow Never Dies" - also, I believe one of the best of the Bond title songs. I was actually shocked that Nancy Sinatra's recording of "You Only Live Twice" was left off of the "10th Anniversary" James Bond studio soundtrack, yet it also featured "Underneath The Mango Tree" from "Dr. No". Go figure.... But as far as the music on the early films sounding too "brassy". That, to me, is VERY subjective. Like I stated in an earlier post, the early Bond music sets it aside from other films of the period (up to "Diamonds Are Forever") and sets a specific mood for the Connery films. The thunderous horns and soothing strings and drums that were either cool or frantic, were all hallmarks of the franchise and something that couldn't be easily copied by other filmmakers without sounding stereotypical or corny/laughable. Barry also scored the Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) films and yet they also sounded NOTHING like his Bond work. To "Bond Trader": Yes we can agree to disagree. I think that would be smoother than meeting you somewhere; where we could exchange blows.
However, I do disagree with your feelings that MOST Bond fans think this is a superior entry in the Bond franchise - especially in the sixties. UNLESS a poll is taken or administered, let's just call this one a stalemate. Needless to say, I stand by my critical evaluation from above and I'll leave it alone.

In regards to the Cougar being displayed in a museum here in Chicago, I know nothing of that. However the car I PERSONALLY viewed was the REAL DEAL. It was unrestored at the time and the owner (who had documentation) was on the fence about whether or not he should fully restore it to its original glory or leave it as it appears now, slightly battered - as most movie cars end up after filming.
As a matter of fact, I had checked with the president of the Mercury Cougars car club, and he verified the facts of the car and its whereabouts, so I must have viewed THE REAL DEAL. The second Cougar is still in Europe and its the one used in the car rally scene. It was pretty beat up after filming (if one looks at that scene, one can see why). These cars were simply advertisements for Ford so they didn't really care about them after they were given to the production companies. However the convertible Cougars were early pre-production models, just as the Mustang used in "Goldfinger" was also.

I also agree with the asessment that the score used in "You Only Live Twice" was one of John Barry's best. I think someone MUST HAVE stuck a gun next to the head of Nancy Sinatra while she was singing that song, 'cause her recorded voice has NEVER sounded better or sweeter.
The same gun must have been used on Sheryl Crow because her voice also never sounded as strong as it did in singing "Tomorrow Never Dies" - also, I believe one of the best of the Bond title songs.
I was actually shocked that Nancy Sinatra's recording of "You Only Live Twice" was left off of the "10th Anniversary" James Bond studio soundtrack, yet it also featured "Underneath The Mango Tree" from "Dr. No". Go figure....

But as far as the music on the early films sounding too "brassy". That, to me, is VERY subjective. Like I stated in an earlier post, the early Bond music sets it aside from other films of the period (up to "Diamonds Are Forever") and sets a specific mood for the Connery films. The thunderous horns and soothing strings and drums that were either cool or frantic, were all hallmarks of the franchise and something that couldn't be easily copied by other filmmakers without sounding stereotypical or corny/laughable.
Barry also scored the Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) films and yet they also sounded NOTHING like his Bond work.

]]> By: Kirk http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-10269 Kirk Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:31:16 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-10269 George Lazenby is highly underrated as Bond, especially considering he had no experience as a film actor much less the lead! He was very capable in the action sequences, I love the odd echoey sound effects in the hand to hand scenes. He could've kept on as 007, then again I don't know if I could see him in the goofy Moore type films. As for Dame Diana Rigg, she's easily the best damn actress ever to appear as a Bond Girl (I'm relunctant to refer to her as a "girl" she's so damn classy). Telly Savalas as Blofeld is my favorite. In fact he's only edged out as my favorite Villain from the series by Robert Shaw as Red Grant. Telly had cool in spades and was a intellectual threat as well as an obvious physical one. Plus Telly Savalas was so great with his line delivery. If they'd brought back Pleasance it would have been impossible to take the bobsled fight seriously. Pleasance is a great villain but not a physical threat, more a mastermind type. OHMSS is easily one of the five best in the series. I think if Fleming had lived to see it he would've had bottomless gratitude for damn near perfectly adapting his most complex novel. OHMSS is a true classic film not just a 007 classic but an all around classic. George Lazenby is highly underrated as Bond, especially considering he had no experience as a film actor much less the lead! He was very capable in the action sequences, I love the odd echoey sound effects in the hand to hand scenes. He could've kept on as 007, then again I don't know if I could see him in the goofy Moore type films.
As for Dame Diana Rigg, she's easily the best damn actress ever to appear as a Bond Girl (I'm relunctant to refer to her as a "girl" she's so damn classy).
Telly Savalas as Blofeld is my favorite. In fact he's only edged out as my favorite Villain from the series by Robert Shaw as Red Grant. Telly had cool in spades and was a intellectual threat as well as an obvious physical one. Plus Telly Savalas was so great with his line delivery. If they'd brought back Pleasance it would have been impossible to take the bobsled fight seriously. Pleasance is a great villain but not a physical threat, more a mastermind type.
OHMSS is easily one of the five best in the series. I think if Fleming had lived to see it he would've had bottomless gratitude for damn near perfectly adapting his most complex novel. OHMSS is a true classic film not just a 007 classic but an all around classic.

]]> By: Nobody Does Bond Better, 004: The Dangerous Timothy Dalton | MovieFanFare http://www.moviefanfare.com/staff-notes/nobody-does-bond-better-002-george-lazenby-a-model-bond/#comment-9397 Nobody Does Bond Better, 004: The Dangerous Timothy Dalton | MovieFanFare Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:16:06 +0000 http://www.moviefanfare.com/?p=11608#comment-9397 [...] articles: 001: The Connery Craze; 002: George Lazenby, A Model Bond; 003: Moore, Roger Moore [...] [...] articles: 001: The Connery Craze; 002: George Lazenby, A Model Bond; 003: Moore, Roger Moore [...]

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