The CONNERY-WAS-MY-FIRST-BOND thread (let's reminisce)

chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
edited August 2014 in The James Bond Films
I saw DAF in the theatre when I was 11, it was my first exposure to James Bond, and I thought this guy was cooler anything I'd ever seen before. I immediately bought the soundtrack on vinyl LP, and played it endlessly.
Then at 13, I saw LALD, and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I was well aware that this dude was the guy from The Saint & The Persuaders. I bought that soundtrack as well, and my fascination with Jane Seymour was in full swing, but I really missed the other Bond.
My town theatre's Bond revival double features began after that, and I got caught up on all the Bonds (except OHMSS which for some reason was never played), and determined that this fellow Connery was WAY superior to Moore.
In the ensuing years I went to new Bond movies for the event of it rather than the actual character or stories.
In 1981 I made a Super-8 movie- a fake trailer for a move called "Your Eyes Only Live Twice" in which Connery came back because "He was offered more money than he's seen in his entire life" heh heh... the Bond girl was named Bambi Dear; I thought that quite clever being the goofball that I was.
In 1982 I got a CVD player (short lived vinyl record LP to play movies thing) and bought OHMSS for ten bucks, and REALLY liked it! I was like, "Why have I never seen this before? And WHY didn't this bloke do more movies after Connery quit for good??"
In 1983 when I was in college and NSNA came out I was like, "OH THANK GOD!" :))

So... early Bond stories anyone? :007)
Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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Comments

  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,488MI6 Agent
    I really only saw two Bond films as a kid, GF and TB which are very much tied up together, what with the Aston Martin. That seemed to underline my fandom for years. When TSWLM came out it was my first Moore film and it seemed quite charmless and overblown, the pts and song notwithstanding, compared to the low-key quirky action of Connery's two. Later YOLT came on telly and it seemed more out-there, more in line with Moore's stuff.

    That said, I really loved Moonraker.

    For some reason, Dr No and FRWL were rarely shown on telly from 1975 to the early 1980s and it was like Rog was the guy and Sean was yesterday's man. There were no movie revivals at the cinema that I knew of, and no video or DVD so there was no instant gratification or anything. I first got to see Dr No at a rare Bond festival in 1981 or so, at the London Palladium and it was a special treat, I wasn't allowed to see the other Connery movies as they went on past the last train back home.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    GF and LALD were my first two Bonds -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I saw my first Bond film when I went to see Golldfinger at my local theater when it was originally released and I realized immediately that I was seeing something truly special. It really struck a chord with me, and I wanted more. A couple years later there was a double feature of Dr. No and From Russia With Love and I was solidly hooked after that. Here I was, a skinny little Black kid who grew up in public housing in Harlem, and I was absolutely fascinated by a British secret agent! There was no doubt in my mind that Sean Connery was the coolest human being on earth and that's the guy I wanted to be. I never really recovered from the loss of Connery in the role (can you tell?), but my obsession with 007 continued. It may have flagged a bit during certain periods, but it never faded and here I am many years later still loving forward to the next Bond film with the same giddy anticipation I had as a kid. That Bond is powerful stuff!
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    Here I was, a skinny little Black kid who grew up in public housing in Harlem, and I was absolutely fascinated by a British secret agent!
    When you first saw LALD you must have been rolling on the floor, eh? :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Blackleiter wrote:
    Here I was, a skinny little Black kid who grew up in public housing in Harlem, and I was absolutely fascinated by a British secret agent!
    When you first saw LALD you must have been rolling on the floor, eh? :))

    Exactly! Just the thought of a guy like Roger Moore strolling through my neighborhood was side-splitting! :)) I truly believe that Connery's Bond would have seemed a lot less ludicrous. Something about the way he carried himself...............
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    [ I truly believe that Connery's Bond would have seemed a lot less ludicrous. Something about the way he carried himself...............
    I remember thinking that Connery wouldn't be caught dead in that big old coat & those leather gloves... :D
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Sadly I never got to see Connery as Bond on the big screen.
    ( except for the disappointing NSNA) LALD was my first, missed
    TMWTGG ( for some reason) but was really hooked with TSWLM -{
    So Roger Moore would have been the Bond I grew up with.
    Although as a baby ( about 5, I think) I do remember as a family on
    Holiday seeing bits of OHMSS in the cinema :)) , I slept through most
    Of it. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    Sadly I never got to see Connery as Bond on the big screen.
    Oh my. :#
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Have you read the LALD Novel Blackleiter? Curious.
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    Have you read the LALD Novel Blackleiter? Curious.
    :o
    Is this a trick question? :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    :))

    Just curious, as the Novel talks about Harlem more then in the Film -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    :))
    Just curious, as the Novel talks about Harlem more then in the Film -{
    LOL, yeah, it's just that asking Blackleiter if he's read a Fleming novel is like asking Einstein if he could do algebra.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    Have you read the LALD Novel Blackleiter? Curious.

    Yes I read it, but it was tough going. The racism is a bit hard to stomach.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    Have you read the LALD Novel Blackleiter? Curious.

    Yes I read it, but it was tough going. The racism is a bit hard to stomach.

    I get the impression Blackleiter is much more of a Connery fan than a Fleming fan.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Firemass wrote:
    Blackleiter wrote:
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    Have you read the LALD Novel Blackleiter? Curious.

    Yes I read it, but it was tough going. The racism is a bit hard to stomach.

    I get the impression Blackleiter is much more of a Connery fan than a Fleming fan.

    More precisely, I'm more of a Bond movie fan than a Fleming fan. I have read a few of the novels, but I am not as enamored of the books as I am the films. Just a matter of personal preference.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    I love both -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I too love both, as a matter of interest BL have you tried any of the
    Continuing novels, like Devil may Care or Carte Blanche ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    I too love both, as a matter of interest BL have you tried any of the
    Continuing novels, like Devil may Care or Carte Blanche ?

    I haven't yet. Do you have a recommendation for my first?
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Unlike some I enjoyed Carte Blanche, Devil may Care I also thought was fun
    I didn't care for Solo, although many loved it.
    I'd go for Carte Blanche, it's now in the bargain bins over hear so it's cheap
    To buy ( no big investment, if you don't like it ) and up dates Bond to, today.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    I have read a few of the novels
    :o
    Shocking. Positively shocking.
    *goes into cardiac arrest*
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    Unlike some I enjoyed Carte Blanche, Devil may Care I also thought was fun
    I didn't care for Solo, although many loved it.
    I'd go for Carte Blanche, it's now in the bargain bins over hear so it's cheap
    To buy ( no big investment, if you don't like it ) and up dates Bond to, today.

    Thanks TP!
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Blackleiter wrote:
    I have read a few of the novels
    :o
    Shocking. Positively shocking.
    *goes into cardiac arrest*

    You haven't been paying attention, my friend! :))
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    You haven't been paying attention, my friend! :))
    I have ADD I guess.
    Please tell me you've read Moonraker... ?:)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Have you read any of the Gardner Novels yet BL?
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    There is a scene in LALD, which I think would look brilliant on Film.
    It's the attack on the railway car, The guys arrive and start shooting
    all over the carriage, then throw in a grenade.
    If it was set as in the Book in the 50s, with the old cars etc. I t would
    Look fantastic. With the dawn Breaking and shot in slow motion, very
    Tarantino ! :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I'm sorry to disappoint our friends chrisisall and AlphaOmega Sin, but I haven't read Moonraker, nor have I read any of the Gardner novels. The Bond novels I've read thus far are Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, You Only Live Twice, From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and The Spy Who Loved Me. It seems many of you have very favorable opinion of Moonraker, so I think I'll be reading that one next.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Agreed Moonraker is one of his Best, Drax is a fantastic Villain. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Yes, Moonraker is my favorite of the Fleming Novels -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    edited September 2014
    Common misconception. Just because Blackleiter is anti-Moore, doesn't mean he's a die-hard Fleming purist. :))

    Although I am surprised you haven't read Goldfinger.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • Agent KinoAgent Kino New YorkPosts: 202MI6 Agent
    I have an early story but I'm only 21. Goldfinger was the first Bond movie I have ever seen. I remember it being on Spike TV back in the early 2000's. I've been in love ever since then.
    1. Goldfinger 2. Skyfall 3. Goldeneye 4. The Spy Who Loved Me 5. OHMSS
    Check out my Instagram: @livingthebondlife
    "I never joke about my work, 007."
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