Next up for my celebrity autograph blog is ex-James Bond star, George Lazenby.
During the filming of 1967's You Only Live Twice, Sean Connery famously quit the role of 007, mainly in part to the constant interruptions by the fanatical Japanese. The search was on for the new Bond, and Eon Productions searched the world over, with many famous names up for contention, including future 007 Timothy Dalton, Adam West (Batman), and Hans de Vries (who was also a contender for the role in 1962's Dr No).
But, thanks in part to his rugged good looks, and his fighting skills, Australian-born George Lazenby was announced with much fanfare as the new 007, to much derision (just like what was seen when Daniel Craig secured the role in 2004, and when Matt Smith was announced as the new Doctor Who in 2009). Nontheless, production for what was to be the greatest James Bond film over them all, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, began in 1968.
With leading lady Diana Rigg cast as the heroin, Teresa (Tracy) di Vincenzo, late in the production, filming occurred at Pinewood Studios, and on location in Portugal, and Switzerland. In what was to be the last Bond film of it's kind (aside from 2006's Casino Royale), the plot for OHMSS was taken almost entirely from Ian Fleming's novel. At 140 minutes long, it involved Bond tracking down arch-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who had built a scientific institute at Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps, and who had assumed the identity of Comte Balthazar de Bleuville. Eager to has his title ratified by the College of Arms, Bond pretends to be Sir Hillary Bray, in an attempt to lure Blofeld across the German border so he can be arrested and prosecuted for his crimes.
The film also had Bond falling in love with Tracy, the daughter of Portuguese mafia boss Marc Ange Draco (played by Gabriele Ferzetti). At first Tracy is distant to Bond's attempts to save her from her own distruction, but she soon has feelings for Bond, and they agree to marry.
Cue an escape by Bond from Piz Gloria, a rescue attempt for Tracy with the help of Draco, and the wedding, and it all seems to be going swimingly for Bond, until the final scene where the newlywed Tracy is shot in the head by Blofeld in a drive-by. The film ends with Bond consoling his dead wife, which many movie-goers felt to be a real downer.
This, coupled with the fact that George Lazenby had rejected Eon's offer of a 7 picture contract (which he later revealed to be poor advice given by his manager), by the time OHMSS at his the cinemas, the search was on for the next Bond.
Regardless, the film is STILL the best James Bond movie of them all. In terms of plot, script, casting, locations, stunts, and the music, it's 10 out of 10.
After OHMSS, George had trouble finding the next big break. In the 70's he was in talks with Bruce Lee to star in a dual Hong Kong/Australian production, but when Lee died in 1973, the role was re-cast to Jimmy Wang Yu, and when The Man From Hong Kong (aka Dragon Flies) premiered in 1975, it did poorly at the box office, despite having some ripping stunts, the world's only fight-scene atop of Ayres Rock (as it was then known), and Rebecca Gilling showing her boobs.
In the late 80's, George was cast as Jor-El in the tv series, The Adventures Of Superboy, but despite the show running for 4 seasons, it never hit the heights of other sci-fi shows at the time (eg: Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Now, as for the autograph, this is a great one. In 2005 I visited Pinewood Studios as part of "An Evening with George Lazenby" which involved a guided tour of the Studios. Production of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory had just finished, and they were currently shooting The Da Vinci Code, and Basic Instict 2. It also included a screening of OHMSS, attendances by former James Bond celebrities, a meet and greet with George, followed by a dinner and Q&A session. It was a real treat!
Until next time.
