So viewers can pick their favorite Bond, three selections feature Sean Connery, two boast Roger Moore, with one film each for Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. There's also a great opportunity to compare and contrast actors over the decades. One thing has not changed—the dashing, dapper British Agent 007's hyper cool attitude in perilous situations.
A string of superb actresses have appeared as well, with Miss Moneypenny portrayed by Lois Maxwell to Caroline Bliss to Samantha Bond and M by Bernard Lee to Robert Brown to the best in my opinion with Dame Judi Dench. With a resourceful team supporting him at home base, Bond relies on his wits, great cars and ingenious gadgets to combat insidious villains with thrilling chases and always a beautiful woman, a sexual fantasy figured into Bond's inventive escapades. The thoroughly sexist treatment of her has changed minimally over the years, though Bond does fall in love in Casino Royale. Familiar, even conservative, attitudes certainly reinforce Bond's appeal. Even with modernized villains and updated world threats, these films have offered a measure of comfort and reassurance in their escapist diversion.
The fun-filled possibilities are, in order: January 19th Dr. No, January 20th Goldfinger, January 21st Thunderball, January 22nd Live & Let Die, January 26th The Spy Who Loved Me, January 27th Licence to Kill, January 28th GoldenEye, and January 29th Casino Royale. It's gratifyingly nostalgic to remember outstanding moments from each of these films and to revisit them. Connery was only 32-years-old when he took on Joseph Wiseman as Dr. Julius No and tangled with Ursula Andress. Her famous walk from the sea onto the Jamaican beach has its modern echo with Daniel Craig emerging from the ocean in Casino Royale.
The Bond-a-Thon: Celebrating 007 screens at Webster University's Winifred Moore auditorium at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday, January 19th through Sunday, January 22nd and Thursday, January 26th through Sunday, January 29th. For more information about the eight Bond films, you may call 314-968-7487 or go to the web at: Webster.edu/filmseries.
