The Incredible World of James Bond

Infobox Film

name = The Incredible World of James Bond
narrator = Alexander Scourby
writer = Jack Haley Jr. & Al Ramrus
director = Jack Haley Jr.
producer = David L. Wolper
distributor = United Artists Television
released = November 26, 1965 (USA)
runtime = 51 min.
country = USA|

The Incredible World of James Bond was a 1965 television special produced by David L. Wolper to showcase the James Bond series of films and promote the upcoming December 1965 release of "Thunderball (film)".

In the United States, the show replaced "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." on NBC on Friday, 26 November 1965; the day after American Thanksgiving that unofficially begins the shopping frenzy for Christmas. It was the highest rated American television show for the week. [p.49 Pfeiffer, Lee & Worrall, Dave "The Essential Bond-The Authorised Guide to the World of 007" Harper Paperbacks 2002]

Consisting of commentary, film of Ian Fleming, home movie footage shot by production designer Ken Adam during the production of "Thunderball", and scenes from four Bond films, the narration was to have been originally given by Sean Connery. However when Connery read the script and found out they were referring to James Bond as an actual person he refused to do the show. Telephone calls from Joan Crawford who was a major shareholder in Pepsi Cola, the sponsor of the show, refused to sway Connery and his narrating chores were taken by Alexander Scourby. [p.55 Barnes, Alan & Hearn, Marcus "Kiss Kiss Bang! Bang!" Batsford 2000]

The special is available on DVD on the "James Bond Ultimate Edition" of "Thunderball".

Record album

Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay also sold promotional James Bond tie-in toys and a record album titled "The Incredible World of James Bond" featuring original soundtrack music and cover versions of four of the themes from the first three Bond films played by United Artists Records house band The Leroy Holmes Orchestra. The record was later reissued with an attractive Frank Gauna designed album cover on Unart Records with two music tracks deleted to fit on the budget album. [ [http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=10780 SoundtrackCollector: Soundtrack details: Incredible World Of James Bond, The ] ]

References

External links

* IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438106/
* Record album http://www.317x.com/albums/v/various/card.html