Fifty years ago this week, the most iconic spy in movie history was introduced to audiences with the London premiere of Dr. No. Bond, the brainchild of Ian Fleming, an author and assistant to the director of naval intelligence for the United Kingdom during World War II, was a hit out of the gate. Dr. No wasn’t the first Bond novel (that distinction belongs to Casino Royale, published in 1953) but for much of the nonreading public, Dr. No, the film, became the prototype for all things Bond.
With Sean Connery at the helm, Dr. No had an immediate and lasting effect on pop culture. The famous “Bond. James Bond.” introduction is first made in this film, during a scene in which he plays baccarat opposite Sylvia Trench, the first in a long list of “Bond Girls” to appear onscreen. Of course, it was Ursula Andress who made the biggest splash in the film, walking out of the sea in a white bikini singing “Underneath the Mango Tree” as the sultry Honey Ryder. Then there was the famous “James Bond Theme,” as performed by John Barry & Orchestra. Barry would compose the score of 12 Bond films into the Timothy Dalton era, and the piece has remained a fixture of every Bond film since, although it has been updated to fit the changing times.
Bond is now the second most lucrative movie franchise of all time (trailing only a certain Hogwarts alum) and looks to add to that total in November with the release of Skyfall, the 23rd installment in the series and the third to feature Daniel Craig in the lead.
With all of the buzz surrounding the 50th anniversary of the franchise and the release of Skyfall, it seemed fitting that we create our own spy adventure, set (where else?) in Las Vegas. With our own double agent in tow and a host of local beauties, we set out to weave a tale that took our protagonists around the city, using the inimitable settings and skylines as a backdrop for a tale of international intrigue.
Now, who wants a martini?
