Dr. No (1962)

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay) &
Johanna Harwood (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

8 May 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

NOW meet the most extraordinary gentleman spy in all fiction!...JAMES BOND, Agent 007!

Plot:

James Bond's investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No and a scheme to end the US space program.

Plot Keywords:

James Bond | Island | CIA | Scientist | Jamaica

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 2 wins

Cast

Sean Connery	...	James Bond
Ursula Andress	...	Honey Ryder
Joseph Wiseman	...	Dr. Julius No
Jack Lord	...	Felix Leiter
Bernard Lee	...	M
Anthony Dawson	...	Professor R.J. Dent
Zena Marshall	...	Miss Taro
John Kitzmiller	...	Quarrel (as John Kitzmuller)
Eunice Gayson	...	Sylvia Trench
Lois Maxwell	...	Miss Moneypenny
Peter Burton	...	Major Boothroyd
Yvonne Shima	...	Sister Lily
Michel Mok	...	Sister Rose
Marguerite LeWars	...	Annabelle Chung - Photographer (also as Marguerite Le Wars) (as Marguerite Lewars)
William Foster-Davis	...	Superintendent
Dolores Keator	...	Mary
Reggie Carter	...	Jones (as Reginald Carter)
Louis Blaazer	...	Pleydell-Smith
Colonel Burton	...	General Potter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anthony Chinn	...	Decontamination Technician (uncredited)
Eric Coverley	...	Three Blind Mice Assassin (uncredited)
Margaret Ellery	...	Stewardess (uncredited)
John Hatton	...	Radio Operator (uncredited)
Bettina Le Beau	...	Prof. Dent's Secretary (uncredited)
Byron Lee	...	Singer at Puss Feller's (uncredited)
Henry Lopez	...	Three Blind Mice Assassin (uncredited)
Stanley Morgan	...	Concierge in Casino (uncredited)
Tim Moxon	...	John Strangways (uncredited)
Malou Pantera	...	Hotel Receptionist (uncredited)
Lester Prendergast	...	Puss Feller (uncredited)
Milton Reid	...	Dr. No's Guard (uncredited)
Robert Rietty	...	John Strangways (voice) (uncredited)
Maxwell Shaw	...	Communications Foreman (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	...	James Bond in Gunbarrel Sequence (uncredited)

Directed by
Terence Young

Writing credits
Richard Maibaum		(screenplay) &
Johanna Harwood		(screenplay) &
Berkely Mather		(screenplay)
Ian Fleming		(novel)
Terence Young		uncredited

Produced by
Albert R. Broccoli	....	producer
Harry Saltzman	....	producer
Stanley Sopel	....	associate producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Monty Norman
John Barry		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Ted Moore		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Peter R. Hunt		(as Peter Hunt)

Casting by
James Liggat		(uncredited)

Production Design by
Ken Adam

Art Direction by
Syd Cain		(uncredited)

Makeup Department
John O'Gorman	....	makeup artist
Eileen Warwick	....	hair stylist

Production Management
L.C. Rudkin	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Clive Reed	....	assistant director
John Meadows	....	third assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Freda Pearson	....	set dresser
John Chisholm	....	prop man (uncredited)
Ron Quelch	....	production buyer (uncredited)

Sound Department
John Dennis	....	sound recordist
Archie Ludski	....	dubbing editor
Wally Milner	....	sound recordist
Norman Wanstall	....	dubbing editor
Don Wortham	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Frank George	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Cliff Culley	....	matte artist (uncredited)
Roy Field	....	visual effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Peter Brace	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gerry Crampton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Cummings	....	stunts (uncredited)
Steve Emerson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Alan Gold	....	stunts (uncredited)
Arthur Howell	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Leech	....	stunt double: Joseph Wiseman (uncredited)
George Leech	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dinny Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	stunt arranger (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	stunt double: Sean Connery (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	stunts (uncredited)
Rocky Taylor	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
John Winbolt	....	camera operator
George Pink	....	camera operator (uncredited)
John Shinerock	....	focus puller (uncredited)

Animation Department
Trevor Bond	....	animator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Tessa Prendergast	....	costumes (as Tessa Welborn)
Eileen Sullivan	....	wardrobe mistress (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Ben Rayner	....	assistant editor (as Ben Reyner)

Music Department
Burt Rhodes	....	orchestrator
Eric Rogers	....	conductor (as Eric Rodgers)
Diana Coupland	....	singing voice: Ursula Andress (uncredited)
Vic Flick	....	musician: guitar (uncredited)
Sidney Margo	....	music contractor (uncredited)

Other crew
Maurice Binder	....	title designer: main title
Albert R. Broccoli	....	presenter
Harry Saltzman	....	presenter
Helen Whitson	....	continuity
Chris Blackwell	....	location manager (uncredited)
Bob Simmons	....	body double: James Bond, in opening sequence (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Eon Productions

Distributors

• United Artists Corporation (1962) (UK) (theatrical)
• Les Artistes Associés S.A.B. (1962) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1962) (Australia) (theatrical)
• C.B. Films (1963) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1963) (Norway) (theatrical)
• Tuschinski Film Distribution (1963) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (as Nova)
• United Artists (1963) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1963) (Italy) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1963) (USA) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1963) (France) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1970) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1974) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
• Home Box Office (HBO) (1981) (USA) (TV) (cable television)
• RCA (1981) (USA) (VHS) (Selectavision videodisc)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1983) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (Australia) (DVD) (Special Edition)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2000) (UK) (DVD) (Special Edition)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (2006) (worldwide) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (UK) (DVD) (Ultimate Edition)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (????) (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (Greece)
• CBS/Fox (????) (USA) (VHS) (laserdisc)
• Criterion Collection, The (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Warner Home Video (????) (worldwide) (video) (Europe) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Turnbull & Aser  James Bond's suits (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Doctor No (UK) (alternative spelling)
Ian Fleming's Dr. No (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Norway:12 (re-rating) (1979) | Singapore:PG | West Germany:16 (nf) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:PG (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-15 (re-rating) | Ireland:PG | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Peru:14 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Approved (certificate #20322) | USA:GP (re-rating) (1971) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1994) | UK:A (original rating) (cut)

Filming Locations:

2171 Magenta Drive, Jamaica

Company:

Eon Productions

Trivia:

The gun Bond puts the silencer on at Miss Taro's house is not his famous PPK. It's a FN 1910 easily distinguishable by the FN logo on the grip. The reason is that the prop department couldn't get a silencer fitting the PPK.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the professor sneaks into the room and shoots the pillow 6 times, you can see him after he notices Bond. When he does come in, you can see his tie really messed up and the back of the tie you can see the label. When you see the shot again, when he sits down, the tie is tucked in and it is straightened.

Quotes:

[first lines]
John Strangways: That's it. Hundred honors and ninety below.
Professor R. J. Dent: Nicely done, Strangways. I have to give it to you.
John Strangways: I must leave you for a few minutes. Order a round on my chit, will you Professor.
Professor R. J. Dent: Right.
Gen. Potter: Damn it all! Must you break off at this time every evening?
John Strangways: Sorry, General. My managing director is a creature of habit. There's a call booked through to me every day about this time.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Silhouettes: The James Bond Titles (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

Jump Up

Smashing Debut of 007 in Innovative Adventure...

DR. NO, the first of the "James Bond" film series, was a dazzling adventure that would change the 'look' of action films, forever. While the film's 'plot' would become 'Standard Bond' (a maniac attempts to 'heat up' the cold war by provoking America, in this instance, by crashing it's rockets), and reappear in many incarnations over the years, the story behind the first film is still fascinating.

From the completion of his first 007 novel, "Casino Royale", in 1952, 41-year old author Ian Fleming believed that movies and television would be the best 'forum' for James Bond. But deals usually fell through (one that didn't, resulting in an American TV adaptation of "Casino Royale", in 1954, was a flop), and failed screenplays would be rewritten into best-selling short stories and novels, instead. Not surprisingly, the novels impressed many film producers with their cinematic sweep and potential. Two of the producers, American Albert (Cubby) Broccoli, and Canadian Harry Saltzman, would become the key players in bringing DR. NO to the screen.

Saltzman had managed to obtain an option to most of Fleming's work, but the move left him too financially strapped to produce them. Broccoli had wanted to produce the Bond novels, himself, but didn't own the rights. When Saltzman refused to sell, but offered a partnership, instead, Eon Productions was created, and United Artists, impressed by both men's enthusiasm and vision, agreed to bankroll their proposed "Bond" series. DR. NO was chosen as the first to be filmed, and, after several directors (including future Bond legend Guy Hamilton) passed on the project, Terence Young, as smoothly elegant as 007, himself, signed.

Who would play James Bond? Fleming jokingly suggested 52-year old star David Niven (who would, in fact, later play Bond in the spoof, CASINO ROYALE). Broccoli wanted Roger Moore, 34, but he was under contract for "The Saint". Then, independently of each other, both Broccoli and Saltzman heard about Scottish actor Sean Connery, 31. After viewing DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, Broccoli arranged an interview, was greatly impressed, and hired Connery, assigning director Young to teach the 'rough-edged' actor some style and sophistication. Connery was a quick learner, and soon was so impressive that even Ian Fleming would call him perfect, and would, in fact, incorporate elements of Connery into the Bond of the novels.

New York actor Joseph Wiseman was chosen as Dr. No, after Noel Coward refused the role ("Dr. No? No! No! No!"), and Fleming cousin, actor Christopher Lee, was unavailable. Future "Hawaii 5-0" star Jack Lord, a protégé of longtime Broccoli friend Gary Cooper, was cast as C.I.A. agent Felix Leiter, and Swiss bombshell Ursula Andress became Honey Ryder, Bond's first leading lady (her voice dubbed, because of her thick accent). With Bond 'regulars' "M" (Bernard Lee) and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) in place, the Bond legend began.

A few bits of trivia: the 'gunbarrel' introduction, created by 'Opening Credits' designer Maurice Binder, featured stunt 'double' Bob Simmons, rather than Connery, as it was added after shooting was wrapped; Ken Adam's futuristic sets would not only become Bond highlights, but would influence 'real' interior design styles for a generation; and the film's score was by London theatrical composer Monty Norman, with John Barry's participation consisting of conducting the orchestra, and orchestrating Norman's "James Bond Theme"...which Barry did so well that he would become THE Bond composer for over twenty years!

DR. NO was a hit, particularly in Great Britain, and it received a HUGE boost in the U.S. when it was discovered President Kennedy was a 007 fan (FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE was chosen as the second film, in part, because it was a favorite novel of JFK). While the film lacked the 'overabundance' of gadgets and style elements of the later Bond entries, it was a remarkable debut!

And James Bond WOULD return...