The first official James Bond film Dr. No, that hit the theatres in 1962, is often considered a modest detective thriller by today’s standards. However, the film certainly began the 007 phenomenon, featuring Sean Connery as the British Secret Service. Nonetheless, considering Ian Fleming’s infamous novel, Connery faced a heavy burden on his shoulders.
Trying to live up to people’s expectations and do justice to the character while setting milestones as the first ever James Bond star, Sean Connery suffered severe nervousness. Thus, reflecting upon the problematic first day of filming Dr. No, Eunice Gayson mentioned how she helped calm Connery’s nerves, on set.
Sean Connery’s Nervous First Day Of Shooting Dr. No
Well, the initial days of anything are always problematic and filled with nervousness, and certainly, even James Bond couldn’t escape the troubles. Shooting the first James Bond film in 1962 – Dr. No, Sean Connery was chosen to play the titular role of the MI6 secret agent. Thus, the role of Ian Fleming’s infamous character was indeed a huge responsibility for Connery.
Having no one to look up to or take inspiration from, Sean Connery faced the imminent issues of soul-shaking nervousness. The actor was struck down with anxiety, so much so, that he even fumbled for words. Reflecting upon the actor’s first day of filming and the actor’s troubles, the first ever Bond girl Eunice Gayson mentioned how Connery’s nervousness delayed the shoots.
“I’d known Sean for years and I’d never seen him so nervous as he was on that day because of all these delays”
Starting off by sharing her wardrobe disaster, where Eunice Gayson had to wear a dress held together by clothes pegs and deliver the scene flawlessly, the actress reflected upon Sean Connery’s issues. “He had to say Bond, James Bond, but he came out with other permutations like Sean Bond, James Connery. ‘Cut! Cut! Cut!’” Gayson shared.
Eunice Gayson’s Unique Way Of Calming Sean Connery
Discussing how the actor went through a lot of trouble because of his jumbled-up lines, Eunice Gayson mentioned how she eased Sean Connery’s nervousness. Revealing an idea shared by the director Terence Young, Gayson mentioned how the idea worked wonders and Connery felt entirely relaxed thereafter.
“Terence Young told me to take him away for a drink – even though he was meant to be on the wagon – so I took him off for a drink or two and he came back on set and said, ‘Bond, James Bond’”
Feeling happy by how she helped her co-star, the actress revealed, “It was so wonderful. The day took off from that moment – he was so relaxed.” Gayson thus went on to play the first-ever Bond girl, Sylvia Trench in the 1962 cinematic inception of James Bond, Dr. No. She shared a few brief scenes alongside Sean Connery’s James Bond, as his love interest.
Further, Eunice Gayson’s character Sylvia Trench returned in another film, the 1963’s From Russia with Love. Cuddling up to Bond in a riverboat, Sylvia Trench was seen spending time with 007, as he kept on delaying his departure to be with his lover. Grayson and Connery’s Dr. No garnered a 95% RT rating and earned $59M over its $1.1M estimated budget.
Watch Dr. No on Apple TV.
Source: BBC
