James Bond.

Ian Fleming first introduced the suave english spy in a novel ‘Casino Royale’ which was released in 1953. It didn’t
take long for our James Bond to be part of the ‘moving pictures’, when an americanized Bond appeared in the third episode
of ‘Climax!’; one hour feature specialized in noir and thriller stories.

The ‘Climax!’ Casino Royaled feature was a fairly faithful adaption of the novel. Most of the things remained, or were altered a bit. Bond was an American Spy
James ‘Jimmy Card Sense’ Bond, Felix Leiter was changed to a british Spy named Clarence Leiter, Vesper Lynd and Réne Mathis went through a blender and the
result was a character named ‘Valerie Mathis’. Le Chiffre remained most faithful to his novel counterpart.

The show, for obvious reasons didn’t include any ‘balls scratching’, or wisecracks.

Before his early death at the age of 56 Ian Fleming wrote 12 Bond novels and two short story collections ; ‘For Your Eyes Only’ & ‘Octopussy & The Living Daylights, and
he saw two of his stories come into fruition on the big screen. Although Fleming was against casting Connery who he thought was too rough lookin and I believe referred him to resemble a truck driver, than his spy. He later accepted him when he had the chance to meet him on various occasions, while filming the first Albert R Broccoli & Harry Saltzman produced movie that really started it all.
He appreciated Connery’s performance so much that he gave his literature character Scottish heritage. The book, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service also quickly featured Ursula Andress , who was the first Bond girl, Honey Rider and which also gave a title for Pierce Brosnan’s 3rd movie “The World is Not Enough” (Bond’s family motto, like he said in the movie)

The name for James Bond comes from an author of the book ‘Birds of the West Indies’. Fleming chose the name because he wanted to have non-exciting and common name. *insert humor here* Not like the names of Max Power, Dick Steele and other pornographic names, commonly used with superspies for morning cartoons :p

The character is, for a bit, based on Fleming himself. When married, Fleming Had to leave behind his playboy style of life, so he retrieved in his house ‘Goldeneye’ in Bahamas, and started to write about the adventures of James Bond, which he would continue do for the next decade.

This picture is Ian Fleming’s image of James Bond commissioned to aid the Daily Express for their comic strips ;

James Bond Has been portrayed by 6 actors in official fims and two un-official fims, not produced by Albert R Broccoli, Harry Saltzman or Broccoli’s heir.

Sean Connery ; Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever & in un-official Re-make of the Thunderball; Never Say Never Again.

George Lazenby; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Roger Moore ; Live and Let Die, The Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy & A View to A Kill

Timothy Dalton ; The Living Daylights & Licence to Kill

Pierce Brosnan ; GoldenEye , Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day

Daniel Craig ; Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace

These are the men who have portrayed James Bond in un-official movies.

Barry Nelson as James ‘Jimmy Card Sense’ Bond ; Climax! presents ; Casino Royale

David Niven as Sir James Bond in ; Casino Royale , a sixties spoof that has little to do with the other two adaptations . Little less of the novel. But there is a card came with Le Chiffre, that makes one feel that they’re actually watching Casino Royale adaptation. The movie also has a lot of other guys (and girls) taking the name James Bond for enemy distraction reasons. Among the others are Peter Sellers and Woody Allen. Ursula Andress of the Honey Rider fame played Vesper Lynd.

In all official adaptations James Bond is a Commander in Royal Navy, who has since moved onto serving his country as a double-o, 00 - agent. This means he has the licence to kill when he sees fit and does not need a sanction for the kills.

He’s only answering to his boss M.

That’s the character and background information in a nutshell. More to come later. Editing if needed.