By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Death Anniversary
Although novels of British novelist Ian Fleming were not as informative, fast and catchy like his rivals-American author & lawyer Erle Stanley Gardner & thriller maestro British novelist James Hadley Chase, nonetheless, he went on to create histroy as many Hollywood films were made on his novels.
Scottish actor Sir Thomas Sean Connery featured predominantly in his films. Born 25 August,1930 Sean Connery was the first actor to portray the character James Bond, as a British secret agent, created by Ian Fleming in “Dr. No” featuring enchantress Ursula Andress clad in a white bikini with a dagger tug in her white wet bikini, walking lasciviously on the beach front with droplets of waters on her face .The film turned out to be gold mine for the actor and his popularity rose sky high overnight. The hero enjoys the company of three damsels -Eunice Gayson, Zena Marshall & Ursula Andress, the last as the leading lady. Canadian actor Joseph Wiseman plays Dr. No in the film under reference.
“Dr. No”, as the readers would be well aware of, was directed by Terence Young on the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. The film highlights James Bond’s visit to Jamaica to investigate the sudden disappearance of a fellow British agent, leading him to the underground den of Dr. No. Interestingly, it was the first film of the Bond series to be made into a film. However, Casino Royale was the first novel by the British author Ian Fleming published in 1953, and it paved way for the James Bond series of films. Voted as the sexiest over 60 celebrities, the actor was voted as the sexiest man of the Century in 1999 and has also been named as one of the 100 sexiest men in film history, who a woman would like to ditch her other half for.
Sean Connery took off his shirt, before taking a bath in “Diamonds Are Forever”, to dance straightway into the hearts of millions of his women fans all over the world. Sean Connery, starred in seven Bond films starting with Dr. No to From Russia With Love( 1963) ‘Thunderball’ ( 1965), You Only Live Twice( 1967), Diamonds Are Forever ( 1971) and Never Say Never Again( 1983) His third film, “Goldfinger” (1964), exceeded everyone’s expectations and brought in a record $125 million at the box office. Sean Connery also worked opposite Catherine Zeta Jones in 1999 drama ” Entrapment” , another box office bonanza collecting US $ 212 million against its budgeted cost of US $ 66 million. The film focuses on the relationship between investigator Virginia “Gin” Baker and notorious crook Robert “Mac” MacDougal as they attempt to steal an extremely valuable Chinese mask from Bedford Palace at the turn of the New Millennium. Connery’s commanding presence and enchantress Zeta-Jones did wonders. While many internationally reputed dailies praised the film, it was rated as an average by many critics. “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” ( 2003) was actor’s last film based on a comic series of the same name.
