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Last Updated:
Monday, 13 November 2006, 09:03 GMT
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James Bond timeline
1953
Ian Fleming publishes first James Bond book.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Ian Fleming who previously worked in naval intelligence decides to write "the spy story to end all spy stories". The book titled Casino Royale later becomes the first Bond novel to be adapted as a comic strip when it appears in British newspaper the Daily Express in 1958.
1954
Casino Royale is adapted for US television.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Actor Barry Nelson becomes the first screen Bond in a onehour version of Casino Royale made for American TV. The story sees "Card Sense" James "Jimmy" Bond use his gambling skills to defeat the villainous Le Chiffre played by Hollywood veteran Peter Lorre.
1962
The first James Bond film Dr No is released.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R "Cubby" Broccoli Dr No stars relative unknown Sean Connery and is directed by Terence Young. The film features the classic scene where Ursula Andress's character Honey Ryder emerges from the ocean in a white bikini.
1963
Cold war thriller From Russia With Love is released.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The second Bond film sees Canadian actress Lois Maxwell reprise her enduring role as M's loyal and flirtatious secretary Miss Moneypenny. Although not overt in Fleming's novels the frisson between her and Bond becomes a muchloved element of the series.
1964
Goldfinger comes out as Ian Fleming passes on.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Goldfinger becomes one of the most successful titles in the series. Its allstar cast includes Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore Gert Frobe as the eponymous villain and Harold Sakata as mute henchman Oddjob. Sadly Bond creator Ian Fleming dies four months before its release.
1965
Sean Connery dons flippers for fourth Bond Thunderball.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0"Look up Look down Look out" screams the posters for the fourth film in the series. As far as Sean Connery is concerned though it is more a matter of "Look elsewhere". "My only grumble about the Bond films is that they don't tax one as an actor" he tells the Daily Mail.
1967
Casino Royale is filmed as a starstudded spoof.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Producer Charles K Feldman decides to make a spoof of the series in the vein of his earlier success What's New Pussycat Despite starring Peter Sellers David Niven and Woody Allen Casino Royale cannot compete with the year's "official" Bond movie You Only Live Twice.
1969
George Lazenby makes his only Bond appearance.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Forced to find a new James Bond following Sean Connery's departure producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman choose Australian male model George Lazenby to step into his shoes for the sixth Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It is his only outing in the role.
1971
Sean Connery returns to the James Bond role.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Sean Connery returns to the Bond character for a £1.2m salary he uses to establish the Scottish International Educational Trust. Set in Amsterdam and Las Vegas Diamonds Are Forever sees 007 on the trail of his nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld played by Charles Gray.
1973
Actor Roger Moore makes his DoubleOSeven debut.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Established television star Roger Moore is a popular choice as the next James Bond. Live And Let Die directed by Guy Hamilton and based on Ian Fleming's second Bond novel ushers in a new era characterised by the actor's more lighthearted approach to the role.
1974
Christopher Lee is The Man With The Golden Gun.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Man With The Golden Gun becomes the final Bond movie to be produced jointly by Harry Saltzman and Albert R Broccoli. It includes one of the series' most memorable villains ruthless assassinforhire Scaramanga played to the hilt by horror icon Christopher Lee.
1977
The Spy Who Loved Me reenergises the Bond formula.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Albert R Broccoli pulls out all the stops for Roger Moore's third outing as Bond which requires the construction of a gigantic soundstage at Pinewood Studios to house its elaborate sets. Richard Kiel makes a memorable impression as steeltoothed henchman Jaws.
1979
James Bond goes into outer space in Moonraker.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The success of Star Wars encourages the Bond team to take 007 into outer space for the 11th film in the series. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and featuring a title song performed by Shirley Bassey it marks the final appearance of Bernard Lee as Bond's crusty boss M.
1981
Bond goes back to basics in For Your Eyes Only.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0With For Your Eyes Only the decision is made to scale down the Bond series and return to the pareddown style of the earlier entries. That said director John Glen still finds room for a cameo appearance from impressionist Janet Brown as thenPrime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
1983
Roger Moore and Sean Connery go head to head.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The tabloids go wild over a potential faceoff between Roger Moore's sixth Bond film Octopussy and Never Say Never Again an "unofficial" Bond adventure starring Sean Connery. In the upshot however the movies are released at different times of the year.
1985
Moore hangs up his tuxedo with A View To A Kill.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0At the age of 57 Roger Moore makes his final appearance as James Bond in A View To A Kill. British pop group Duran Duran top the US singles chart with their theme tune but only manage the number two slot in their home country.
1987
Timothy Dalton inherits the James Bond mantle.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Timothy Dalton is cast as Bond in The Living Daylights after original choice Pierce Brosnan becomes unavailable. The Welsh actor looks to Ian Fleming's books for inspiration creating a tougher less humorous character than his immediate predecessor.
1989
Licence To Kill earns Bond his first 15 certificate.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Licence To Kill Timothy Dalton's second outing as Bond is given a 15 certificate in the UK for its violent scenes. The movie's original title Licence Revoked is dropped after test screenings in the US reveal audiences do not know what "revoked" means.
1995
Bond returns after a sixyear hiatus with a new face.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0After a sixyear absence Bond returns in the dashing shape of Irish actor Pierce Brosnan. GoldenEye his first film in the role also marks the debut of Judi Dench as the first female M. Tina Turner sings the theme tune written by Bono and The Edge of U2 fame.
1997
Tomorrow Never Dies the worst Bond title ever
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Tomorrow Never Dies the first Bond film to be produced since the death of "Cubby" Broccoli in June 1996 sees Pierce Brosnan confront a media mogul intent on initiating a war between Britain and China. Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher plays an old flame of 007's.
1999
The World Is Not Enough sees Bond tackle the Thames.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The World Is Not Enough Pierce Brosnan's third Bond movie begins with a speedboat chase down the Thames that climaxes at London's Millennium Dome. The film directed by Michael Apted also features actor Desmond Llewelyn's final appearance as gadget expert Q.
2002
The Bond series turns 40 with Die Another Day.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Die Another Day the 20th Bond movie marks the 40th anniversary of the franchise by containing references to each of its 19 predecessors. The film which features a cameo by pop star Madonna also marks Pierce Brosnan's final appearance as Ian Fleming's secret agent.
2005
Actor Daniel Craig is unveiled as the new James Bond.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0After months of feverish speculation Daniel Craig is named as the new James Bond. "Life is about challenges and this is one of the big ones as an actor" the 37yearold says at a packed press conference in London. "I've just got to step up to the plate and deal with it."
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CASINO ROYALE RELEASED
Craig on Bond
New 007 takes Bond back to his roots
Craig's co-stars on the film
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