DR. NO  is the first James Bond film bsed on the 1958 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming,

DR. NO is a 1962 British spy film, starring Sean Connery, with Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman and Jack Lord, which was filmed in Jamaica and England.

It is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming, it was adapted by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather and was directed by Terence Young.

The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli, a partnership that continued until 1975.

DR NO FACTS

  • Producers Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman (EON Productions) brought Bond to the big screen.
  • 16 January 1962 – Call Sheet No. 1 – the very first day of filming began in Jamaica with a production budget of $1million.
  • Filming on the first day were one of Jamaica’s leading theatre actors Reggie Carter as a villainous chauffeur and Marguerite LeWars, Miss Jamaica 1961 as Freelance Photographer.
  • Chris Blackwell (son of Blanche Blackwell – Fleming’s friend and neighbour In Jamaica) landed the job of Jamaican location manager at the recommendation of Ian Fleming. With his earnings Blackwell began Island Records, the recording label that introduced the world to reggae through artists such as Bob Marley. Blackwell is listed on the first call sheet as arranging Limousine, Leiter’s Car, 2 taxis.
  • Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman asked Ian Fleming to cable his Jamaican neighbour Noel Coward with their offer to play Dr. No. He received a swift response by telegram: Dear Ian, The answer to your suggestion is No…No…No! Thank you. Love, Noel
  • Tessa Prendergast, also known as Tessa Welborn, a Jamaican actress, fashion designer was costume designer on Dr. No and helped create the iconic white bikini Ursula Andress wore when she emerged from the sea.
  • Sean Connery, Director Terence Young and Stunt Coordinator Bob Simmons arrived in Jamaica a week before filming staying at Courtleigh Manor Hotel. On 14 January the rest of the cast and crew arrived in Jamaica
  • Monty Norman, the film’s music composer arrived in Jamaica to absorb the vibe of the island and incorporate it into the score. Location manager Chris Blackwell introduced him to local band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. They appear in the Pussfella’s bar scene playing ‘Jump Up’ to a lively group of local extras while Connery as Bond, Jack Lord as Leiter and John Kitzmiller as Quarrel meet to discuss Strangways disappearance.
  • The band included Jamaican jazz guitarist, Ernest Ranglin, who backed Norman’s wife, Diana Coupland singing ‘Under the Mango Tree’ in Dr. No.
  • American glamour photographer and former pin-up model Bunny Yeager was on location to shoot publicity photos of Ursula Andress. In 1966 Yeager published ‘Camera in Jamaica’ which includes many photos taken while she was on location for Dr. No.
  • 8 February 1962 at Laughing Waters, Jamaica, Ursula Andress made her entrance as Honey Ryder walking out of the sea. Director Terence Young remembered shooting the scene: I saw some people ruin my shot, walking down the beach towards me. We waved them and screamed, “Lie down!” They all lay down and we shot the scene, and we forgot about them. Half an hour later Clive Reed said, “Whatever happened to those geezers on the beach?” and I said, “You better go see.” He came back with Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, Stephen Spender, the poet and Peter Cornell, the critic. Those were the four; it was quite a bridge game. That was the first time Ian came on a Bond set.’
  • 21 February 1962 was the last day filming on location in Jamaica at Sans Souci Hotel which doubled as the exterior of Miss Taro’s house.