Talk:On Her Majesty's Secret Service (novel)

James Bond Theme

The James Bond theme song was written by and has always been credited to Monty Norman. This is the second time it's been changed. The John Barry Orchestra has only been credited with playing the tune, Norman is the one credited with writing it. K1Bond007 16:20, Sep 17, 2004 (UTC)

I'm not referring to the James Bond Theme. I'm referring to John Barry's alternate action theme, entitled the '007 Theme', which appeared in most of the films Barry scored until Moonraker (it allegedly made a return in Die Another Day, but I can't find it). The best example I can think of it being used is in You Only Live Twice, when Bond is in Little Nellie, but before he meets the bad guys, when the James Bond Theme takes over. The 007 Theme was used as a minor action theme, with the James Bond Theme reserved for more major set pieces, and the OHMSS instrumental was used in a similar role in OHMSS: it plays during the skiing and the escape in Tracy's car, with the James Bond Theme reserved for the gunbarrel, introducing Bond at the start of the film (when the OHMSS version is used), and Bond and Draco's assault on Piz Gloria (where the Dr. No version is used). Hig Hertenfleurst 22:17, 17 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Ok, I know what you're talking about, but are you sure it's titled '007 Theme'? I think it's just a small medley he incorporates into his Bond soundtracks, I wouldn't call it the '007 Theme', especially since someone like myself will get it confused with the James Bond theme. According to the You Only Live Twice soundtrack, the scene you specifically pointed out was listed as "Little Nellie" (you can look it up and give it a listen on Amazon.com). I don't think it's in Die Another Day either, if it is I don't recall it at all. K1Bond007 22:51, Sep 17, 2004 (UTC)

I'm quite sure that it exists as a seperate piece of music and was used quite deliberately several times as an alternative action theme. Trying to think of another one off the top of my head, and I can't: second-hand info from a message board tells me it's in From Russia With Love (as Bond and chums steal the Lektor from the Russian consulate), Thunderball (during the final underwater sequence), Diamonds Are Forever (during the final battle on Blofeld's oil rig), and Moonraker (during the second boat chase, not the one with that idiotic gondola). As for somewhere where it's definitively identified, it's on the From Russia With Love soundtrack ( http://home.triad.rr.com/smrainey/JB02Russia.htm ), apparently titled '007'. And finally, concerning possible confusion with the James Bond Theme, surely the best thing to do is to create an entry for the 007 Theme? I'd do it right now if I could only track down some decent information on the sodding thing. Hig Hertenfleurst 00:48, 18 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Ok, making a new entry on the 007 Theme and it differing from the James Bond theme is ok. As long as we make it known theres a difference. K1Bond007 01:13, Sep 18, 2004 (UTC)

Savile Row suit

Where did we get the info that this suit "cost[ing] him most of the money he had"? Various biography sites for Lazenby indicate that he was already a wealthy playboy before he got the gig. (Supposedly earned £100,000 in 1967, equivalent to a little over £ 1 million per annum today.) Securiger 14:08, 22 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Alternate Edit

In addition to the normal sequential version of OHMSS I remember seeing a version using a flash-back narrative. Does anyone else have info on this? Fritz Freiheit 15:57, 2004 Nov 22 (UTC)

Ah yes, the American TV-edited version with an ersatz Bond narrating. IIRC, it started with Bond's escape from Piz Gloria and was rather heavily chopped. It deserves a mention: maybe I'll add something later. Hig Hertenfleurst 21:05, 22 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Lazenby's departure

I'm certain I heard or read somewhere -- possibly on the DVD making-of documentary for OHMSS, or in one of John Cork's books -- that Lazenby actually announced his departure from the Bond role even before OHMSS was even released which may or may not contradict the letter of intent story (which is mentioned in The Bond Files). I don't want to add it to the article without a source, but I'm certain I heard this. Can anyone provide a source? 23skidoo 01:36, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

I was under the impression he did it during filming because I can recall the initial script had Tracy not dying and instead that was going to be carried over for the PTS of Diamonds Are Forever. When he announced he wasn't going to do it anymore (prior to the film's release) then they changed it to have the origianl Fleming ending restored. Lazenby did sign a letter of intent or he verbally agreed to the 7 film deal and I'm pretty sure he was paid a first installment. Cork's Legacy probably has this, but unfortunately I don't have the book so I can't check. K1Bond007 02:43, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

According to The Bond Files, Broccoli planned to film Moonraker after OHMSS. I wonder if that included the Tracey carry-over? (Actually, doing Moonraker at this point would have made sense since it was in the midst of the Apollo moon landings. I'm willing to bet the bit in DAF with the moon buggy was probably a carryover from the original plan. 23skidoo 04:50, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

I don't think so. That sounds kinda farfetched considering Moonraker has nothing to do with actual space exploration. It's about a missile defense system. It's widely acknowledged that the idea of the Moonraker film was influenced by Star Wars. It's also doubtful Moonraker would follow OHMSS because they had just previously (YOLT) done a film involving space, if it were going to involve space. I'm 99% sure it was Diamonds Are Forever where the PTS was gonna be Tracy dying [1]. The idea of Moonraker might have been a thought at one time (this wouldn't obviously be the first time or maybe even the 5th time at that point in history about what was going to follow). I'd say the Bond Files is wrong. Honestly, if you haven't heard about it before and it's not coming from an official source or John Cork, I would question it's authenticity. K1Bond007 05:10, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

For what it is worth, Diamonds Are Forever does include rockets in space. Asa01 (talk) 22:08, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Technicolor

I've just finished watching it : what a brilliant James Bond movie ! except Lazenby is not really convincing as 007, the plot is absolutely perfect. I just had one question, though : The credits say the film was shooted in Technicolor. I thought Technicolor was not used after 1960. 1. Can anyone explain this ? 2. Do you think it is worth putting this (not very relevant) fact on the article ?

Thanks,

King mike 20:59, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

According to the Technicolor article, The Godfather was released in Technicolor. It was falling out of favor by the late 60s but continued to be used into the 70s. I don't think it's worth mentioning in the article. 23skidoo 21:41, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Extended version / Lost scene?

When this was re-released on VHS in the UK in the early to mid 90s, I'm sure there was much trumpeting of it being an extended version, with a lost scene restored. The DVD makes no mention of this, and there are no deleted scenes included... Anyone know what the "lost" scene was? Is it missing again from the DVD, or is it now just included in the film as standard and doesn't warrant a mention anymore? --Cardinal Wurzel 18:16, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't know what you're specifically talking about to be honest. One scene in the script that was filmed and ultimately cut had a SPECTRE agent spying on Bond when he met with Sir Hillary Bray. Bond chases him and kills him. Apparently it was too violent. Another edit, I suppose you could be referring to, is the ABC cut which shuffled the movie around. You can read about it here. K1Bond007 19:35, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

That's what I thought as well. Maybe there once was a UK release of the "narrated" 2-part version of OHMSS that featured narration by a guy who sounded nothing like Lazenby. To my knowledge the SPECTRE agent chase sequence has never surfaced; if it isn't included on the upcoming Special Edition DVDs, I'll surmise it no longer exists. 23skidoo 20:32, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

I asked on IMDB too, and apparently it's the photocopying scene in the office. Thanks anyway! --Cardinal Wurzel 08:28, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

I've never heard of that being a cut scene. To my knowledge it's in all the versions of the film. Maybe some TV print omitted the brief view of the Playboy centrefold? 23skidoo 13:26, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

No, on further googling it seems that the scene was omitted from lots of UK prints and TV screenings. The 1995 British VHS was the first time that scene had been included in a video release of the film in this country. --Cardinal Wurzel 20:44, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

That's weird. Any idea why it was cut? I don't recall it being particularly objectionable or anything. 23skidoo 00:57, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Just pacing I imagine. It does seem kind of superfluous - Bond doing some photocopying isn't the most action-packed moment in the series :-) --Cardinal Wurzel 06:20, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

The name

The name is fairly clearly a reference to OHMS, but people outside the UK and Canada probably don't get it. Should we should mention it somewhere? Marnanel 13:58, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Suggested Move

Since most the the other James Bond novel articles are titled name of book (novel), shouldn't this article be On Her Majesty's Secret Service (novel) because there was a movie too. Emperor001 (talk) 02:24, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

If no one responds soon, I will move this article. Emperor001 (talk) 20:10, 26 January 2008 (UTC)