16 replies to this topic

[Station Domino]

Since I assume most of the members of the Blades Literary Club have read both
Moonraker and Dr. No I have to ask what if MGM had decided to go with Moonraker as the first Bond movie?

I think this would have been a very good 1st Bond movie in the early 60's and I think the real world events of ballistic missile armament by the Soviet Union and the Western Powers would have made the movie very plausible.

I think the only downside which probably prevented it from being the 1st movie is the fact that the setting is entirely in Britain.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Was something like this actually considered, or is this just an errant thought of yours? Just wondering.

Though I do love Moonraker and believe that a faithful adaptation would've made a great addition to the Bond series, I don't think it would've served as a good opener. It would've made a plasuible, thrilling film as you mention, but not really a good start to showcase a dynamic spy.

That said, I think Sean, in particular could've done the movie extremely well -right down to the end where Gala Brand introduces him to her fiance. Of course, this is probably a moment that most movie Bond fans couldn't handle. It remains one of my favorite endings, however.

[Qwerty]

I think Moonraker would have made a very interesting first film for the series. I wonder what sort of path they would have taken for it, as Moonraker spends a good deal of the first parts of it going over the character of James Bond. Doctor No, in the novel and film, seems to get into the action quicker.

The locations, as you mentioned, may also have had an effect. They'd probably want to show off a different location, as Bond is a British spy.

[Triton]

Tragically, my thoughts concerning a straight forward adaption of Moonraker have been clouded by the prank perpetrated by Simon Bermuda documenting an unifinished adaption of Moonraker starring Dirk Bogarde as James Bond and Orson Welles as Drax in the 1950's by the Rank Organization.

Did the Rank Organization really own the film rights to Moonraker in the 1950's? My facts have been clouded.

But let's presume for the moment that Moonraker was planned as the first Eon produced Bond film for United Artists.

Would the story of a factory operated by Kent-based Nazis building a nuclear missile be cutting edge enough for 1962? Or were ICBMs at this time becoming old news? Was a story of toppling Cape Canaveral rockets more exciting?

Would Kent, London, and other locations within England have been exotic enough?

Could there have been an memorable image created with Gala Brand emerging from the English Channel?

Would the bridge game at the Blades club have had the same impact as the game of Chemin de Fer at Le Ambasadeur's London had in Dr. No?

Would an old Nazi be as fiendish and exciting as Dr. Julius No with his mechanical pincers for hands?

It just don't know if a faithful adaption of Moonraker would have had such an impact as Dr. No did to audiences in 1962.

[Qwerty]

Forum members may find this CBn article of interest:

Moonraker: The "Forgotten" 1956 Film Version?

[Triton]

Forum members may find this CBn article of interest:

Moonraker: The "Forgotten" 1956 Film Version?

John Cox really should have updated his article after Simon Bermuda revealed that his article had no basis in fact and was in fact a piece of speculative fiction.

[GreggAllinson]

Forum members may find this CBn article of interest:

Moonraker: The "Forgotten" 1956 Film Version?

John Cox really should have updated his article after Simon Bermuda revealed that his article had no basis in fact and was in fact a piece of speculative fiction.

Seems to me like he did- even referring to Bermuda's article as The ultimate James Bond 'what if?'"

[Triton]

Forum members may find this CBn article of interest:

Moonraker: The "Forgotten" 1956 Film Version?

John Cox really should have updated his article after Simon Bermuda revealed that his article had no basis in fact and was in fact a piece of speculative fiction.

Seems to me like he did- even referring to Bermuda's article as The ultimate James Bond 'what if?'"

My mistake.

[Station Domino]

I have to admit Sharky the question was influenced somewhat by the Simon Bermuda article but after I read Fleming's Moonraker I found it sooooooo good I thought that EON had to consider Moonraker at least in brainstorming intially before opting for Dr. No.

Atlhough Fleming's Dr. No was great I think a good big screen production of Moonraker would have been just as good as Dr. No if not better, which prompted me to raise this question and see if any body else had any other thoughts.

When I read Moonraker, the Bond-Bentley/Hugo Drax-Mercedes Benz car chase stayed in my head for days and I thought it would be an amazing car scene if it was put on film.

Also Dinner at Blades would have been a great scene.

By the way Triton, thanks for reminding me that a nude Gala Brand with white chalk covering her entire body -head to toe- would have been a real jaw dropper movie scene.......

Which gives me an idea for another topic.....

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

Wow, what an article. First time hearing it!

[Qwerty]

Also Dinner at Blades would have been a great scene.

Indeed, not to mention one of Fleming's best card scenes.

[GreggAllinson]

Thus far, I've read the first three Fleming novels (I'm about 70 pages into Diamonds Are Forever). Moonraker is not as good a novel as Casino Royale, but it's certainly more action packed and "Bondian" than Royale. It's also superior to Live And Let Die (which was OK, but certainly not up to the standards of either of the other books). It'd make a fine film- in the '50s or today (just fiddle with Drax's name so as to avoid confusion/comparison with the 1979 film and make him a SPECTRE agent instead of a Nazi).

[HawkEye007]

I don't know how I feel about using Moonraker as the first movie instead of Dr. No. In my mind its a tough call between the two. Both Books are excellent IMO, but I think something can be said for the globetrotting in Dr. No. Even though it is set entirely in Jamaica, its a lot more colorful than the settings in MR. However, I think that if they would have made a more faithful adaptation of MR in the 1960's, first movie or not, we might not have gotten the Roger Moore Star Wars-esque MR of the 1970's.

[Qwerty]

Thus far, I've read the first three Fleming novels (I'm about 70 pages into Diamonds Are Forever).  Moonraker is not as good a novel as Casino Royale, but it's certainly more action packed and "Bondian" than Royale.  It's also superior to Live And Let Die (which was OK, but certainly not up to the standards of either of the other books).  It'd make a fine film- in the '50s or today (just fiddle with Drax's name so as to avoid confusion/comparison with the 1979 film and make him a SPECTRE agent instead of a Nazi).

Quite. They really wouldn't have to make him working for any higher organization - he could easily be a fine stand alone villain.

[GreggAllinson]

Quite. They really wouldn't have to make him working for any higher organization - he could easily be a fine stand alone villain.

The reason why I said make him a SPECTRE agent is because I love the revenge/"oh $#!+" aspect of the novel, where you start to realise there's something up with Drax, but you're not sure what, and then you find out he's a Nazi. I guess he could be a Neo-Nazi or something, but the impact would be lessened. I just love the idea of SPECTRE being gone for 25 years or so and then we realise that not only do they still exist, they're about to destroy London.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I have to admit Sharky the question was influenced somewhat by  the Simon Bermuda article but after I read Fleming's Moonraker I found it sooooooo good I thought that EON had to consider Moonraker at least in brainstorming intially before opting for Dr. No.

Atlhough Fleming's Dr. No was great I think a good big screen production of Moonraker would have been just as good as Dr. No if not better, which prompted me to raise this question and see if any body else had any other thoughts.

I see, well it's certainly an interesting idea. And Moonraker is quite an excellent book - my second favorite, I believe.

I think I'm happy Dr. No as the first movie, I know I've entertained other what ifs, this one doesn't stick out to me. Good idea, nevertheless!

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Since I assume most of the members of the Blades Literary Club have read both
Moonraker and Dr. No I have to ask what if MGM had decided to go with Moonraker as the first Bond movie?

I think this would have been a very good 1st Bond movie in the early 60's and I think the real world events of ballistic missile armament by the Soviet Union and the Western Powers would have made the movie very plausible.

I think the only downside which probably prevented it from being the 1st movie is the fact that the setting is entirely in Britain.

I think it would have been a good idea for the reasons you suggested. However, I have a feeling they probably would have changed the ending and let Bond end up with Gala Brand as the credits rolled. They probably would not want to launch a film series about a hero who all women want and who all men want to be by having him lose the girl.