Spyfi & Superspies Hits 100 Posts! Today in Bond 365

I hit my 100^th post on Spyfi & Superspies with this blog entry! At the rate I was going last year, I seriously figured it would take me three years to reach 100! And with my Bond 365 in high gear, I’m on course to get to over 400 this year! Okay, now that I’m beaming, let’s get to it…..

Marc Lawrence

Marc Lawrence

Born this day in 1910

Slumber Inc. Attendant in Diamonds Are Forever; Rodney in The Man with the Golden Gun

Marc Lawrence had an amazing long career with 220 acting credits to his name. He started back in 1932 in If I had a Million as the henchman for Mike the Gangster and finished with Looney Tunes: Back in Action in 2003. Born as Max Goldsmith, he was often cast as gangster types throughout his acting career, in part due to his appearance.

Lawrence was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He admitted he had once been a Communist Party member and he provided names of other members. He was blacklisted and moved to Europe. He continued making films and when the committee was disassembled, Lawrence returned to the States and resumed his career.

Denise Richards

Denise Richards

Born this day in 1971

Christmas Jones in The World is Not Enough

Denise Richards was born and raised in the Chicago area then relocated with her family to Oceanside, California when she was 15. At 19, she was cast in her first role as Camille in Life Goes On in 1990. From there, she guest-starred in several television shows through most of the decade. She had a breakout role as Lt. Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers in 1997. She followed it up, for better or worse, as Dr. Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough two years later. In all, she has 64 acting credits to her name.

Richards won a Golden Raspberry for Worst Supporting Actress at the Razzie Awards in 1999. It was the first time that a Bond series had been nominated for the awards. In addition, Richards and Brosnan was nominated for Worst Screen Couple. Entertainment Weekly “criticized as not being credible in the role of a nuclear scientist” (Wiki: The World Is Not Enough) and Richards was ranked as one of the worst Bond girls. Personally, I do not think she was the worst or even one of the worst, but I think the casting could have been better.

Ian Fleming began writing Casino Royale

This day in 1952

The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling – a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension – becomes unbearable and the sense awake and revolt from it.

James Bond suddenly knew that he was tired. He always knew when his body or his mind had had enough and he always acted on the knowledge. This helped him to avoid staleness and the sensual bluntness that breeds mistakes.

Fleming had been telling friends that he wanted to write a spy story and today in 1952, he sat down at his desk at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. With his nuptials pending, Fleming’s internal muse was probably aroused and pushed into action. He wrote 2,000 words a day, not looking back, not editing what he had already written. About a month later, he had completed he first novel. It was a pattern he would follow in his subsequent novels each year.

Like all writers, Fleming was not enamored by his effort, however William Plomer, his friend and later editor, shared the story with the publishing company, Jonathan Cape. Fleming’s older brother, Peter, was influential in getting the publisher to take a chance with Casino Royale. And, the rest is history.

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