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Evolution of the Opening Titles

BirdlesonBirdleson
edited November 2021 in Bond Movies Posts: 2,161
This is an aspect of the franchise that I have been interested in, and followed the changes made to, going back to my teens. I've finally decided to catalogue it.

Harry Saltzman & Albert R. Broccoli present
Ian Fleming’s DR. NO
(007 appears in the graphics)
starring Sean Connery
Harry must have won the coin toss. Connery was an unknown, so the marquee name is Ian Fleming.

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
Ian Fleming’s FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
(007 appears in the graphics)
starring Sean Connery
Carrying over from DN.

Albert R. Broccoli
Harry Saltzman present
Sean Connery in
Ian Fleming’s GOLDFINGER
Cubby gets to come first, finally, which does not occur again until six films hence. Sean has become an international celebrity and demands to be billed accordingly.

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
Sean Connery in
Ian Fleming’s THUNDERBALL

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
Sean Connery in
Ian Fleming’s YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
(Pre-Title Sequence)
Ian Fleming’s ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
Starring George Lazenby
For some reason Harry & Cubby get moved to the Gun Barrel. George is dropped to pre-Superstar Connery status.

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
Sean Connery in
Ian Fleming’s DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Back to the format of Connery's previous two outings.

Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli present
Roger Moore as James Bond 007 in
Ian Fleming’s LIVE AN LET DIE
With Roger, "as James Bond 007" is added after his name. Roger being an established name (along with EON probably having learned that you need to bill your star as a star) is the first actor to begin his tenure with his name above the title. All following actors in the role will follow suit.

Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman present
Roger Moore as James Bond 007 in
Ian Fleming’s THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
Cubby, for the second time, gets his name in front. This is also the last time that Harry is involved in the production of a James Bond film.

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Roger Moore as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
At least in name, Broccoli will present the following nine films in the same fashion. For the first time Ian Fleming's name is out in front of the character's name rather than before the title. I remember noting this at the time and assuming, which I still do, there was no internet to check with then, that it was because this was the only novel of his that Fleming did not want adapted. He authorized that the title only was allowed to be used.

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Roger Moore as James Bond 007 in
Ian Fleming’s MOONRAKER
Here, for a final time, we have Fleming's name back before the title.

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Roger Moore as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
I was disappointed that they chose to separate Fleming's name from the title, especially since this adaptation was so much closer to the source material than MR was. This will remain the format through to today.

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Roger Moore as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
OCTOPUSSY

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Roger Moore as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
A VIEW TO A KILL

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Timothy Dalton as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS
No changes for Tim.

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Timothy Dalton as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
LICENCE TO KILL

Albert R. Broccoli presents
Pierce Brosnan as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
GOLDENEYE
No changes for Pierce.

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Pierce Brosnan as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
TOMORROW NEVER DIES
Cubby dies, from here on in the production company bearing his name will open the titles.

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Pierce Brosnan as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Pierce Brosnan as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
DIE ANOTHER DAY

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
CASINO ROYALE
I was pretty disappointed when they didn't revert to putting Fleming's name directly before the title with this one, but it was quite a thrill (to be honest, it brought a few tears to my eyes) when Based on the novel by Ian Fleming appeared with the screenwriting credits.

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
QUANTUM OF SOLACE

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
SKYFALL

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
SPECTRE

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions Limited presents
Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in
NO TIME TO DIE


Feel free to comment, amend or add.

Comments

  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    Interesting. I had thought Broccoli and Saltzman alternated the order of the credit. But Cubby makes up for lost first credit once the partnership dissolves...
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    w2bond wrote: »
    Interesting. I had thought Broccoli and Saltzman alternated the order of the credit. But Cubby makes up for lost first credit once the partnership dissolves...

    I was surprised to see the imbalance as well. Perhaps in the closing of the Title Sequence, with the Producers' credit, they rotated. That I did not check.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    I love this. So geeky and something I would do.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,551
    This is great! They must have been so thrilled to get Connery back for Diamonds, I’m surprised they didn’t have it like:
    SEAN CONNERY
    In Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli’s presentation of
    Ian Fleming’s DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. ;)

    Lots of great tidbits here, thanks for sharing!
  • IGotABrudderIGotABrudder UK
    Posts: 631
    Yes I can understand your disappointment with CR. With the single exception of TSWLM for legal reasons, all the other novels are credited as “Ian Fleming’s” + the novel’s title.

    It reminds me of the MR poster. I vaguely recall that MR’s poster was originally “Ian Fleming’s Moonraker” until the Fleming estate objected on the grounds that the film is hardly anything like the novel, so later posters said “Ian Fleming’s James Bond in Moonraker.” I hope I recall that correctly.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    I don’t remember that specifically, but I do remember seeing it go both ways with the MR in some form.
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    edited November 2021 Posts: 4,520
    For Bond 24 & 25 i wish there use Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in.

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents 007 in New York starring Daniel Craig as James Bond

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Risico

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless Part 1: Property Of A Lady

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless: Property Of A Lady

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Property Of A Lady

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless Part 2: The Hildebrand Rarity

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless: The Hildebrand Rarity

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in The Hildebrand Rarity

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless

    Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents Daniel Craig as James Bond in Operation Ruthless: Save Our Souls
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    I didn't know if this was true, but I was sure I read at some point that the order of the producers' names depended on the country where the film was being shown. Different prints for different countries.

    Now look what I found.

    Screenshot of my copy of the Special Edition DVD of Diamonds Are Forever (NTSC R4 - Latin America):

    4ZAzAYh.png


    Screenshot of a Chilean TV broadcast of Diamonds Are Forever, recorded around 1996:

    4qaGagu.png
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    edited November 2021 Posts: 7,021
    The order of the producing credits right before the end of the title sequence is also reversed. The titles appear to have been adapted for the 4:3 aspect ratio. There is a possibility that the change was accidental, but I don't know.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    mattjoes wrote: »
    I didn't know if this was true, but I was sure I read at some point that the order of the producers' names depended on the country where the film was being shown. Different prints for different countries.

    Now look what I found.

    Screenshot of my copy of the Special Edition DVD of Diamonds Are Forever (NTSC R4 - Latin America):

    4ZAzAYh.png

    Well that throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing!

    Screenshot of a Chilean TV broadcast of Diamonds Are Forever, recorded around 1996:

    4qaGagu.png

  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    I think Peter Hunt's name is missing from the South African cut of Majesty's, as the censors didn't like nipples.

    Intriguing subject as always @Birdleson

    On posters and the like, Harry and Cubby got first billing in what hemisphere the movie was being shown. I wonder if Binder produced two copies of the producers credits?
  • AgentJamesBond007AgentJamesBond007 Vesper’s grave
    Posts: 2,632
    mattjoes wrote: »
    I didn't know if this was true, but I was sure I read at some point that the order of the producers' names depended on the country where the film was being shown. Different prints for different countries.

    Now look what I found.

    Screenshot of my copy of the Special Edition DVD of Diamonds Are Forever (NTSC R4 - Latin America):

    4ZAzAYh.png


    Screenshot of a Chilean TV broadcast of Diamonds Are Forever, recorded around 1996:

    4qaGagu.png

    This American VHS release of Diamonds are Forever also had Cubby's name first:

  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    edited November 2021 Posts: 45,489
    royale65 wrote: »
    I think Peter Hunt's name is missing from the South African cut of Majesty's, as the censors didn't like nipples.

    Intriguing subject as always @Birdleson

    On posters and the like, Harry and Cubby got first billing in what hemisphere the movie was being shown. I wonder if Binder produced two copies of the producers credits?

    I think this was the case. It is a weird arrangement, haven t heard of something similar. It s as if the other side of the world would have Royce Rolls, Packard Hewlett and so on.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    If possible, we should check more VHS tapes to see if there are any changes in the producer credits.

    I've also got a 90s TV recording of FRWL, but it mentions Saltzman and Broccoli in the same order as the other commonplace copies of the film.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    That sounds like a daunting, yet worthy, task!
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    royale65 wrote: »
    I think Peter Hunt's name is missing from the South African cut of Majesty's, as the censors didn't like nipples.

    Intriguing subject as always @Birdleson

    On posters and the like, Harry and Cubby got first billing in what hemisphere the movie was being shown. I wonder if Binder produced two copies of the producers credits?

    I think this was the case. It is a weird arrangement, haven t heard of something similar. It s as if the other side of the world would have Royce Rolls, Packard Hewlett and so on.

    Or Johnston and Johnston?

    The lengths that they went to protect the producers fragile egos. Imagine if Harry and Cubby had agreed to take Young on as a producer? They would have to invent a third hemisphere. "Broccoli, Saltzman and Young". Sounds more like a firm of lawyers. Representing a vegetable.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    royale65 wrote: »
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    royale65 wrote: »
    I think Peter Hunt's name is missing from the South African cut of Majesty's, as the censors didn't like nipples.

    Intriguing subject as always @Birdleson

    On posters and the like, Harry and Cubby got first billing in what hemisphere the movie was being shown. I wonder if Binder produced two copies of the producers credits?

    I think this was the case. It is a weird arrangement, haven t heard of something similar. It s as if the other side of the world would have Royce Rolls, Packard Hewlett and so on.

    Or Johnston and Johnston?

    The lengths that they went to protect the producers fragile egos. Imagine if Harry and Cubby had agreed to take Young on as a producer? They would have to invent a third hemisphere. "Broccoli, Saltzman and Young". Sounds more like a firm of lawyers. Representing a vegetable.

    It would be Broccoli, Saltzman and Young in North America, Broccoli, Young and Saltzman in South America, Saltzman, Broccoli and Young in Europe, Saltzman, Young and Broccoli in Asia, Young, Broccoli and Saltzman in Africa and Young, Saltzman and Broccoli in Oceania.
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