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Apr 23 15 6:29 AM
“Lazenby, 29, was a rebel to the end. Despite pleas by producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli to turn up looking like James Bond, he appeared bearded with his dark brown hair to his shoulders.” (from a Reuters dispatch printed December 20, 1969).
It's a fact that George Lazenby had earlier threatened to boycott the premiere. Then, surprisingly and regardless of the recent and very embarrassing public chest thumping, Lazenby flew from the United States to London to attend the premiere of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service after all. “I am James Bond in the film,” the actor reminded the reporters and photographers who converged on the Odeon to cover the gilded engagement. “Tonight I am George Lazenby.” When directly asked why he chose to attend the premiere after all the very public ill-will of the previous month, George, mindful that the Duke and Duchess of Kent were attending, politely told newsmen “I felt I could not snub royalty.” Such a sentiment was positively gentlemanly, but surely not characteristic of an authentic sixties rebel. It’s interesting to see that at the premiere a frustrated Saltzman had already backed off of his claim that George was under exclusive contract. Saltzman told Reuters, with more than a hint of his usual blunderbuss, “James Bond is the modern Tarzan. There have been fourteen Tarzans. There will be another James Bond.”
Saltzman quote from “Actor George Lazenby officially retires as James Bond.” (Reuters), December 20, 1969.
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