Dr. No Intro Poster and Theme Song

Dr. No Intro Poster  – For Dr. No, this is one of the publicity posters used to promote the movie.  Also, you will hear the theme song music first associated with the EON Production James Bond films! EON created a masterpiece and a James Bond franchise that has thrived for decade.   And Dr. No is the first film they produced.

Our Dr. No Poster Analysis

By 1962 when the film version of Dr. No is released, Ian Fleming’s books featuring the cold war secret agent and Bon Vivant, James Bond were all the rage. The public was hot for a no holds barred film that would introduce a real flesh and blood Bond.

The film poster for Dr. No features Bond as the dominant figure slightly off-center with a smoking gun in one hand and the signature sixties symbol of cool, a cigarette in the other, signifying a controlled relaxed man of action.

The bright yellow background is like intense sunshine referring not only to the movie’s exotic tropical Jamaican locale, which is further depicted by the simple inset line drawing of palm trees, but also to the heat of passion promised by the four sexy female figures each in various stages of undress and striking provocative poses.

The presumed title character of Dr. No is mysteriously cut in half and barely makes it on to the poster’s left edge. It is clear that he is not the hero of this film in spite of the name. Interestingly the evil Dr. No is dressed in white while Bond is in a very dark blue suit which belies the standard code of cinema that the good guy always wears white while the villain is traditionally in black.

As such, this signals the upside down and unpredictable world of espionage where things are not always what they seem.  Therefore,  it is impossible to rely on your previous experiences. The bright red text shouts out what is possibly one the shortest movie titles of all time and announcing the all-important fact that this is THE FIRST JAMES BOND FILM!

Ian Fleming on the Poster

Note Ian Fleming’s name is also in red making the point that this is based on his already well-known books and setting the stage for his branding empire. There are few films particularly up to this time that feature the book author’s name.

In most cases, you will be lucky to find a short line in the credits that says something like “Based on a book by…”  Saying that a movie is based on a book is a signal that this film has an added level of sophistication and worthiness. It might be action-adventure and it might be sexy but it is based on literature. This is an important distinction in this time of changing morality of the 1960s and the changing morality in film.

It might also be argued in this case that it is based on what many considered a book in the realm of pulp fiction.   And so,  in that way promised to be a little edgier or forbidden. Men wanted to see sexy women on the big screen.   And women wanted to be the desired liberated and strong women Fleming portrayed.

The Women On the Poster

It’s important to note the women in this poster are not victims or being controlled in any way. The posture of the second figure from the right is a classic power pose.   She is using her sexuality to lure you towards her but she is not cowering or submissive.

The next figure almost dead center is barely nude with her back toward you but very much aware of who is behind her and again is drawing you toward her and very much in control.

The sexy two-piece white bikini worn by Ursula Andress will become the iconic symbol of the sexual revolution.  And was quite scandalous at this time. But again notice her hip thrust out indicates that she is in charge of her body and the situation.

The poster designer Mitchell Hooks manages to give the budding film star, Sean Connery, prominence though he is still dominated by the author Fleming. Note he is billed as playing the part of “007” a man referred to as a number which was a symbol of the nascent computer age.

Is the number seven lucky? Maybe so. It is important to keep in mind that for many theatergoers this was their first introduction to this man, James Bond.  And he will become an icon and a symbol of cold war espionage, as well as the symbol of the post-WWII “modern” male .  And, soon to be movie icon.

Thanks to our Colleague Reno Lovison

SpyMovieNavigator would like to thank our colleague, Reno Lovison, for this comprehensive poster analysis.   Reno does video production and podcasts on a variety of topics and can be found at renoweb.net.

And we’d like to add a couple more notes:

  • Ian Fleming’s novels in 1962 were experiencing huge growth in popularity in the United States.  Why?  Because President Kennedy at that time included From Russia With Love as one of his favorite Top 10 novels! So interest in James Bond was high, and now, here comes No!
  • On another note, 1962 was just before the large explosion of the sexual revolution in the US and world.   Countries like Ireland had problems with this poster and required changes to be made – like putting a black dress on Honey Rider, and covering up the other Bond Girls on the poster one way or another.   There is a nice book entitled: James Bond Movie Posters – The Official 007 Collection by Tony Nourmand.   The edition we have goes from No to Die Another Day.

Honey Ryder and “No. I’m Just Looking”

Honey Ryder and “No. I’m Just Looking”

Honey Ryder and “No. I’m Just Looking” – OK, Sylvia Trench was the first real Bond Girl.  Then, you had Miss Taro.  But, come on.   Honey Rider is remembered as the first WOW Bond Girl as she walks out of the waters at Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica in Dr. No.  Ursula Andres, who played Honey Rider, set the standard and a very high bar for all Bond Girls to come.   This is a classic must-see scene.  It reveals a lot more to us about Bond’s character.    Remember – most people are being introduced to James Bond in this film – and hadn’t read the Ian Fleming stories.

When Bond wakes up to Honey Rider singing “Underneath the Mango Tree” as she steps out of the ocean – which has become of the most famous scenes in any movie – he starts singing the song too, and she then notices him.  She asks him what he is doing here, and asks if he is looking for shells, to which Bond quips, “No, I’m just looking!”

Dunn’s River Falls

We have been to Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, and have climbed the falls.   It is a tourist attraction now and very crowded and busy – but still worth the visit.   Climbing the falls (maybe 180 feet from shore to top) is tricky and requires your guide and the help of people in your group to hold you and pull you up.   It is slippery and can be dangerous – but was fun to do.   And to think, this was in Dr. No adds to the thrill knowing Ursula Andres and Sean Connery were just steps away!  They filmed here and on Laughing Waters beach, which used to be a private section of Roaring Falls.

Here we see Honey Ryder as a very strong woman.   When Bond says I promise not to steal your shells, she quips, “I promise you, you won’t either” as she wields her knife that was held on her side by a wide belt.   In the original manuscript, which we examined,  Honey Ryder walks out of the ocean to the shore wearing just the belt and knife!

As a side note, Ursula Andres sold this bikini at auction on February 14, 2001, for the equivalent of about $60,500!  Belt was included!  Honey Rider and “No. I’m Just Looking”    Yes!  We’d be looking too!

The Dragon – Runs On Diesel Engines!

The Dragon  – Runs On Diesel Engines!  Quarrel has talked about the island legend of a fire-breathing dragon on Crab Key and that is why no locals want to venture to this island.  After Bond and Quarrel arrive at Crab Key, after meeting Honey Rider, they find that they must do battle with this fire-breathing dragon.  It is a dark scene, in all respects: a night scene, and a battle with the dragon operated by merciless killers.   A tough scene for Quarrel, to be sure.

The Dragon is of course, is some type of specially equipped vehicle outfitted with a flamethrower and run by some of Dr. No’s henchmen.   It’s the intro of technology to do things you need to do –here, to scare people away from Crab Key.   Of course, later we see Dr. No’s real technology – interfering with the USA Missile launches with a sophisticated nuclear facility and radio beam (in the movie version of course).

Beyond the Dragon – Gadgets in Spy Movies

In future Bond films and in virtually all spy movies after, we will see all kinds of technological gadgets – some to aid the spies on the good side, some to aid the evil villains they combat.  But in Dr. No, there are not a lot of gadgets for Bond to use.  He is pretty much on his own, finding himself in certain situations and trying to figure his way out, MacGyver-like.   Yes, he got his new Walther PPK with a silencer.  Yes, he uses a Geiger-counter sent from MI6.  But what else?  Just his wits and abilities and training as a good spy.   So in our first glimpse of Bond stepping off the pages of Fleming’s novels and into the movies, we see a man who is well-trained, is suspicious of much in his surroundings and is ready to deal with whatever might come his way.

The Dragon Smokes Quarrel

Quarrel, who had believed in the dragon, is consumed in its flames, and Honey Rider and Bond are captured.   Notice, Bond goes back to look at Quarrel after he is handcuffed, and the henchman says, “sorry we ain’t got any flowers.”   When Bond walks over to look at Quarrel, it is a revealing moment where we see Bond’s more human side – where he feels bad that the guy who became his buddy in Jamaica has been killed so violently.

We learn again, that this spy business is a brutal business.     Quarrel was a very likable character in this film.  While The Dragon – Runs On Diesel Engines, this scene runs on adrenalin.

I did some research on the name Quarrel and could not find it as a first name.  It is a surname, meaning your family probably originally lived near a quarry.  Of course, in the dictionary, it is an argument, etc.   If anyone of our listeners knows, shoot us an email! Dan@SpyMovieNavigator.com or Tom@SpyMovieNavigator.com

The swamp where they filmed this scene is at Falmouth, about 40 miles west of Ochos Rio.

Meet Dr. No and SPECTRE

Meet Dr. No and SPECTRE

In Dr. No’s lair, Dr. No confronts Bond.  His lair is exquisitely detailed and furnished with the finest things.  A huge aquarium, artwork everywhere, rich, ornate carved wooden furnishings, silver candelabra, crystal goblets – the best of the best.   And we learn of SPECTRE for the first time – and we will hear about this evil organization in many EON Production Bond films to come.   Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence  Terrorism, Revenge, Extortion.  so here, we meet Dr. No and SPECTRE and understand a lot more of their background.

The West and East refused his services . . .  so he is out to show them how short-sighted they were.   He lost both hands in a radiation accident (in the film). In the book, the Tongs who he stole gold from cut off his hands.  In either case, he has metal hands that are very powerful.  There is a great dialogue between Bond and Dr. No in this clip – pay attention to all the words – they have all been carefully crafted to deliver Dr. No’s message –  the West and East will pay for not taking his services.   And Dr. No never fails . . . Joseph Wiseman plays Dr. No magnificently and convincingly.

The Duke of Wellington is Dr. No’s “Guest”

As Dr. No walks away from Bond after telling his henchmen to “soften him up” he walks past the back of a portrait on an easel – to his left as he walks past.   In a previous scene, when Bond is walking up those same steps to sit at the dining table, he stops for a moment to look at the portrait.   It is the Duke of Wellington.   Simple right?

No.  In actuality, this portrait was stolen from the National Gallery in London in August of 1961, before filming began in January 1962 for Dr. No, and was still missing when they filmed this scene.  Brilliantly, EON Productions worked this real fact into the movie – here, Dr. No has the portrait!  In real life,  it was recovered in 1965, as the culprit who was in possession of the stolen portrait had been sending letters demanding that $140,000 pounds be donated to charities and that the person who stole it should not be prosecuted.

Eventually, the culprit gave up and sent a letter to the newspaper, the Daily Mirror, along with a left-luggage ticket from New Station in Birmingham.  When police when to there, they found the missing portrait, but unframed.  The portrait was brought to London and returned to the National Gallery.

On Location

And in a recent visit to London,  we saw Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington safely hanging on the wall, in full view of all,  at the National Gallery!   So, when you head to the National Gallery in London, go see the Duke – but also visit Room 34, where Daniel Craig as Bond meets his new, young Quartermaster in Skyfall, sitting on a bench in the gallery room, facing Turners “Fighting Temeraire” painting on the wall.  We sat in the same location (but they used different benches in the movie) that Bond and Q sat in Skyfall!  Cool.  Again, fun to be at the actual filming locations and in the same space as the actors!  And the National Gallery is fabulous.  Go there!

Dr. No – The Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End

The finale is grand of course, and Bond somehow manages to escape and with Honey Ryder.  And Dr. No is, well, No-More.  Bond and Honey commandeer a small powerboat, throwing overboard the two men on the boat, and stopping one again from getting back on the boat – just in the nick of time, as the entire Dr. No complex explodes in glorious fashion, assuming all of Dr. No’s workers are lost or will be captured and dealt with later.  As Bond and Honey are motoring away, after a short while, Bond says they are out of fuel.   When Honey wonders what they do next, Bond says something like we can swim or. . . . “come here,” and she does.

To the rescue, Felix Leiter with a small powerboat and an armed crew sees Bond and Honey’s boat adrift.   They throw them a tow rope, and this begins a scene we will see in many more Bond films – Bond and the Bond-girl stranded somewhere, only to be rescued and discovered that they are um having some fun.    When Bond releases the tow rope, look at Honey’s eyes – she is approving.

So we see for the first time the ending of a Bond movie that we will become familiar with over the next decades.  Enjoy as we close out our first Bond film podcast.

Dr. No is a big YES for all spy movie fans! 

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