One hundred years since his birth, the godfather of the filmic Bond would be proud of where his franchise currently is. Critically lauded and still box office dynamite, the heirs to the cinematic Bond legacy have capably ensured that the line opening the current series “Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions presents” has become synonymous with the excitement of the phrase “Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007″.
Long Island-native, Broccoli began working on the filmic legacy in 1961 under the banner of Eon Productions Ltd. with Canadian, Harry Saltzman. This was the UK service company who produced the films for the owners of the film copyright, Swiss-based, Danjaq SA. Released through United Artists, the James Bond film series starring Sean Connery went on to become celluloid schoolboy fantasies which captured the spirit of the age and have gone on to become a cultural institution and a genre in themselves. Broccoli then went solo and slowly involved his stepson, Michael G. Wilson and his daughter, Barbara Broccoli in the productions. Together with wife Dana and other members of the Broccoli clan, Cubby (as he was affectionately known), made Bond a family business. That family extended to cast and crew, spanning generations. And generations of audiences have bonded to Bond. In all of film history, there has been nothing quite as enduring.
It is easy to underestimate the work of a producer. It is a somewhat amorphous role with no clearly defined parameters. For Cubby, being a producer was a total responsibility and he ensured the highest production value not only on what one saw on the screen but also in the manner in which it was produced. The extended Bond family attest to his generosity, his spirit, his elan in keeping the British end up.
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of Cubby. Veteran Bond writer, Richard Maibaum, once opined that Bond films are not written or directed but that they are produced. Over half the world’s population have enjoyed solace in the visions brought to life by the visionary producing talent who was born a century ago. On 5 April 2-Double-09, as we enjoy the DVD release of Quantum of Solace and as pre-production gears up on ‘Bond 23′, we should all be thankful for the expansive spirit, quiet talent and generous soul of Albert Romolo “Cubby” Broccoli, no doubt enjoying our enjoyment from Double-O-Heaven.
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Ajay Chowdhury, March 11, 2009
Editor – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the James Bond Journal
The James Bond International Fan Club
© 2009, Ajay Chowdhury. All rights reserved.
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