Review of Dr. No (1962) by Jeff B — 27 Sep 2015

Don't dare say No to this character-defining, hard hitting, and hugely suspenseful franchise starter, in which the Dr. puts the first and arguably best James Bond through some winningly soon-to-be familiar paces only to birth a legend. Though not the first (CBS's Casino Royale in 1954 starting Barry Nelson) or only (Never Say Never Again in 1982 starring, gulp, Sean Connery) to usurp the franchise, this Dr. amazingly establishes the tone, wit, persona, and action-packed panache that made 007 a legend right from the get-go despite a slimmed down budget. Between the music, star charisma, and one-liners, you would assume that producers "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman knew what they were doing from the outset. The risks they took, however, historically paid off. It could've all ended up a double goose egg with no lucky seven were it not for their casting acumen.

In the spy caper that started it all, a resourceful British government agent (Connery) seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program.

It's not just the charm of Connery, however, but the direction (Terence Young), writing, and editing that established a billion dollar brand right from the familiar gun-scope view of Bond right as he shoots you at the outset. Despite a stripped down budget in comparison with what would follow, Dr. No organically gets everything nearly right, particularly Ursula Andress's bikini entrance and the introduction of M, Moneypenny, and the Vesper Martini, as well as Bond trading in his Smith and Wesson for a Walther PPK and getting his 00-status (remember, Bond has to kill to get this, which gives the belies the series' tragic undertones). Casting a New York stage actor (Joseph Wiseman) as a Chinese-born terrorist, however, still raises eyebrows.

Bottom line: On the Moneypenny.