Sunday Morning Post (V.2, #43) – Just When We Needed Him The Most…
It was an iconic film entrance, and it wasn’t even a proper entrance involving any movement of his legs. The camera just picked him out of a crowd at a casino. There, seated at a baccarat table and lighting a cigarette that dangles phallic-like from his lips, he introduced himself to the world:
“Bond, James Bond.”
The tone of his voice made it sound more like a command, then answering someone’s question about his identity. He barked out the words and we can almost hear him hissing under his breath, “And don’t make me say it again.” No problem about never repeating it. Film audiences have excellent memories of the first time they see a character stare them down from the silver screen.
Ian Fleming's fictional intelligence bureaucrat serving under Her Majesty’s Secret Service had existed on best sellers lists for over a decade before Bond got his proper film introduction when a tuxedo-clad Sean Connery starred in Dr. No (1962). Oh, right he was more than just a bureaucrat. He was bureaucrat with a license to kill. Please pardon that oversight, Mr. Bond.
In the ensuing years Connery (and his successors) fought the bad guys on the streets, under the sea, inside volcanoes, and even outer space for God’s sake! No villain bent on world domination — and those were the only ones who seemed to come into Bond’s view — was safe. Then when the fighting was done there would be other tasks like seducing the villain’s comely hench persons, or his allies from other services, or pretty much any member of the opposite sex who crossed his path.
Did I forget to mention that today’s entry is not #MeToo friendly? Hey, welcome back to the 1960’s, which too many people believe is the last time America was great.
Connery was wise enough to step away from Bond before it got to be too overwhelming for a mere mortal. Others have come along and stepped into his shoes, but damn, somehow we still like the first one the best of all of them. This afforded the actor the luxury to build up an impressive filmography, not least of which is his Oscar-winning performance in Brian dePalma’s The Untouchables. And after that he had a nice, long, (we hope) well deserved retirement before his passing this weekend at the age of 90.
It may seem he left us at a most inopportune time. American democracy is eroding and, by extension, global civilization is crumbling. The world is shaken AND stirred at the moment! With all this happening now, the cosmos chose now to take our favorite Bond from us? It may not seem fair, but it is the way life is meant to be.
So, we pay tribute with two iconic moments from Sean Connery’s career.
(Thank you for reading. R.I.P., Sir Sean.)
posted by todd gunther | 9:57 AM
6 Comments:
He was a sexy Bond, but, yeah, not so nice to women.
I don't know if he barked his name as much as slid it comfortably around your shoulders like a silk sheet. And sorry, but you missed the most important role in Sean's life, the one that caught Cubby Bircolli's eye?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTwmjOySDjA
I remember when he left the Bond role and the world was shocked and appalled! But yes, it was the right choice. And it showed that many actors could attempt the same movie role, just like in the theatre.
on Youtube he reads one of my favorite poems Ithaka.
Sir Sean, being one of the most prominent members of the Scottish National Party which advocates independence from the rest of Great Britain, has lost its most celebrated member. I dare say that a certain President [for not much longer we sincerely hope] will be heaving a small sigh of relief if it crosses his minuscule attention-span as that Party will put paid to his vandalising of the raw, natural beauty of the wild Scottish landscapes with his selfish, silly golf courses. There's hardy been a better reason for Scottish independence.
R.I.P. Sir Sean.
Thank you, Bob. Yes, at least one of his comments about striking women was reprinted in the obit I read. Shocking!
Hi Dave R. I'll have to look up that link later.
Thank you Debra. The subsequent Bonds have done an admiral able job, but they couldn't quite do better than Sir Sean.
Thank you, Spo. That's another link I will have to look up.
I hope Scotland will make him pay up, Raybeard. They probably never see any money from him, but it would be worth tarnishing his brand.
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