26 replies to this topic

[MajorBoothroyd]

After seeing thecasinoroyale's brilliant Skyfall bond girl appreciation society, I thought I'd do the George Lazenby Appreciation Society. Shame there hasn't been one already. Well, until now.

So start gushing!

-MajorBoothroyd

[thecasinoroyale]

Ah, thanks Major!

 

Well I have to say George Lazenby, although he is the franchises's "One Hit Wonder" and I think in the film I've seen least, there is no end to the real praise he gets for bringing his unique character to James Bond, emulating the literature character and not just stepping in Sean's shadow.

 

A great, meaningful film and one I admit I need to watch soon and appreciate more than I do.

 

I tell you what, after watching the 'Everything Or Nothing' 50th documentary, George comes across really well in that with his take on the events leading up to his casting as 007 and what forced him out of the role, which wasn't his choice and I actually felt really sorry for him as he loved the role and had lots of passion to make the film the best he could I, dare I say, could have shaped the series all the more differently had he stayed on!

 

[AMC Hornet]

Good idea, Major.

 

Love the guy! I'm sure he would have been fine. He really only stands out because of his one turn at bat; because of being the "other guy," the first to replace the apparently irreplaceable Sean Connery. His limited acting ability was irrelevant - I maintain that it didn't matter who took over the role, the new star was bound to be judged harshly, simply for not being Sir Sean.

 

It's a pity that George's subsequent career never recovered (perhaps he should have gone from selling cars to modelling to acting to something else - race-car driving, perhaps - he could have become 'the world's most interesting man'). However, it's always a treat when he pops up in something, sending up his Bond persona, like in The Return of the Man From Uncle, Alfred Hitchcock Presents or the recent '0070 in I've Skyfallen and I Can't Get Up' spoof on This Hour Has 22 Minutes (see YouTube or the link in the GL forums here at CBn).

 

I find I can identify with George's Bond, probably because of how that youthful enthusiasm at the outset of the film turned to bitter cynicism by the end - art imitating life, and vice-versa. I don't imagine - as a lot of flamers do - that I could have done as well under the circumstances, let alone any better.

 

God love ya, George - OHMSS would have been 'just another Bond flick' without you.

[MajorBoothroyd]

One of the main ideas for coming up with this thread was that I'm not really a big fan of Laz, but do you really see him being truly appreciated these days? I reckon AMC sums it up pretty well.

Gotta say, Telly Savalas as Blofeld... (chortles). That's funny.

[lazenbyland]

 I thought I'd do the George Lazenby Appreciation Society. Shame there hasn't been one already. Well, until now

 

Excuuuuuuzzzze me!

 

www.angelfire.com/nm/lazenbyland

[MajorBoothroyd]

 I thought I'd do the George Lazenby Appreciation Society. Shame there hasn't been one already. Well, until now

 

Excuuuuuuzzzze me!

 

www.angelfire.com/nm/lazenbyland

 

Good site, Lazenbyland.  I'll maintain my thread, you maintain your site.

[MajorBoothroyd]

Ah, thanks Major!

 

Well I have to say George Lazenby, although he is the franchises's "One Hit Wonder" and I think in the film I've seen least, there is no end to the real praise he gets for bringing his unique character to James Bond, emulating the literature character and not just stepping in Sean's shadow.

 

A great, meaningful film and one I admit I need to watch soon and appreciate more than I do.

 

I tell you what, after watching the 'Everything Or Nothing' 50th documentary, George comes across really well in that with his take on the events leading up to his casting as 007 and what forced him out of the role, which wasn't his choice and I actually felt really sorry for him as he loved the role and had lots of passion to make the film the best he could I, dare I say, could have shaped the series all the more differently had he stayed on!

 

 

I remember reading on Wikipedia about OHMSS' royal premiere and Lazenby wearing a beard. Apparently he hated working on it.

[AMC Hornet]

The film or the beard?

[MajorBoothroyd]

The film/

[doublenoughtspy]

290 pages of George Lazenby appreciation.

 

http://www.ohmss.info

 

[MajorBoothroyd]

Um, you guys do know that this is supposed to be on this thread?

Not the book, doublenought, in case you were wondering. The appreciation.

[thecasinoroyale]

I recall the brilliant documentary 'Everything Or Nothing' gives you everything you need from George direct about his turn as Bond in 'OHMSS' and his fate with Cubby and Harry and the future of the films, it sure opened my eyes to what happened in George's head...

 

http://www.amazon.co...y/dp/B00ANQXMG0

 

If I remember, it was due to an outside force directing him in the progression of the 70s peace movement, the direction of the film industry itself, and the future Bond films that wouldn't last that prompted Lazenby to grow a beard, in wake of the "hippie" movement and his leaning further from comparison to Connery and the Bond template, that he was his own man and his was his style of James Bond not to be likened to another.

 

But that backfired and they let him go from the role, where all he was doing was following guidance offered, and he was really moved by losing the role and underestimating the series, which is a big shame as you can see and hear his passion for the franchise, even now!

[MajorBoothroyd]

Hmm, that's odd, you changed Laz's piccy, the casinoroyale.

I recall the brilliant documentary 'Everything Or Nothing' gives you everything you need from George direct about his turn as Bond in 'OHMSS' and his fate with Cubby and Harry and the future of the films, it sure opened my eyes to what happened in George's head...

 

http://www.amazon.co...y/dp/B00ANQXMG0

 

If I remember, it was due to an outside force directing him in the progression of the 70s peace movement, the direction of the film industry itself, and the future Bond films that wouldn't last that prompted Lazenby to grow a beard, in wake of the "hippie" movement and his leaning further from comparison to Connery and the Bond template, that he was his own man and his was his style of James Bond not to be likened to another.

 

But that backfired and they let him go from the role, where all he was doing was following guidance offered, and he was really moved by losing the role and underestimating the series, which is a big shame as you can see and hear his passion for the franchise, even now!

 

Yeah, poor George. He deserved better.

[Trevelyan 006]

Here's to you George! (And to wishing he would've stayed with the series longer...)

 

As well as to the Bond film that has the greatest chance of outlasting all the others as my favorite Bond film of all time, just as it has done thus far.

[thecasinoroyale]

Do you think Lazenby made more impact on the franchise with his one film than Dalton did with his two?

 

I wonder only as Laz-ton are sometimes the "forgotten heroes" of the Bond films with their small yet crucial involvement.

[Iceskater101]

Well if we are basing this off of his portrayal of James Bond then great. On his looks.. I don't find him to be that attractive..

[PPK_19]

Lazenby should never have been cast as Bond in the first place. No acting experience, and extremely arrogant. Saying that, I loved the physicality he brought to the role. And while i used to hate OHMSS, it's now one of my favourite Bond films.

[MajorBoothroyd]

Lazenby should never have been cast as Bond in the first place. No acting experience, and extremely arrogant. Saying that, I loved the physicality he brought to the role. And while i used to hate OHMSS, it's now one of my favourite Bond films.

 

Well, he DID play Bond in a kilt, that's

[MajorBoothroyd]

that's one good thing

[sharpshooter]

OHMSS is my favourite film in the series. I think George did a good job considering the circumstances. An actor that had never acted. For me he managed to bring humanity and athleticism. 

Among other things, I like the unique one-off nature the movie has, which also gives rise to the 'what if' fantasies. Lazenby is a large part of that. In any case, for better or worse, he's never going to be forgotten. 

[delfloria]

OHMSS is my favourite film in the series. I think George did a good job considering the circumstances. An actor that had never acted. For me he managed to bring humanity and athleticism. 

Among other things, I like the unique one-off nature the movie has, which also gives rise to the 'what if' fantasies. Lazenby is a large part of that. In any case, for better or worse, he's never going to be forgotten. 

 

Well said.

[ChrissBond007]

I love Lazenby and OHMSS. It's not easy being the second James Bond after Sean Connery, wouldn't have mattered if it was a more established actor like Roger Moore or not. He did a great job bringing a more down the earth side of Bond to the screen in what will probably always be my favourite Bondmovie. 

[Shaun Forever]

Not sure if this has been posted before, so sorry in advance if it has........

 

 

[The*SPY*]

I always found the Lazenby 'era' to be one of the most unique aspects of the history of the Bond films. 

 

On the one hand you have this great, tragic story of this unknown man taking all this effort to create himself in this image of James Bond, then outsmarting the producers to land the role and actaully do quite well in one of the best storylines.  Add to that his naivity and misjudements and it is one of the greatest "rags to riches to rags" stories in Hollywood.  It really is an interesting chapter in the history of the movies.

 

On the other hand is this no-name actor in the role doing an acceptable job in one of the better stories.  I always feel like I am watching the 'real" james Bond when I watch OHMSS.  It just seems so different.  All the other actors have changed over the tenure of their roles or in other movies and Lazenby/Bond is always Lazenby/Bond.  I guess that is why I always view it like I'm watching the "One and Only" James Bond.

[AMC Hornet]

Well said.

 

Perhaps that's what draws me to this one too - George never changes. Despite having the first 'different' Bond, OHMSS remains an oasis of stability in a series that sees so many other changes.

 

It's classic.

 

[Shaun Forever]

Bigger............better..............different!

[Mallory]

Lazenby's Bond could probably kick the asses of all the other Bonds. Maybe Sean and Craig have the best chance but if all the Bond actors had a melee, Lazenby would come out on top.