The James Bond Bedside Companion Read Online Free PDF

hotel, who moved them into a better suite and offered the use of the private barbershop. Entratta and Fleming had lengthy conversations about gambling statistics and methods of cheating. The entire security system of the hotel was explained to Fleming, and he relished every word.
    One evening, Cuneo told him that they would beat every joint in Las Vegas. "We started out at the Sands. I bet one dollar—one thin chip in a game of blackjack I won $1.00. 'One down,' I said, 'We leave.' We called over a girl, took a shot of champagne, and off we went. We did the same at the Sahara, the Old Frontier, right down the strip. One buck ahead and a one buck bet, we quit, took a sip, and went on to the next joint. Whether it was the liquor or my grim intent to beat every joint, I do not know. But literally, we laughed ourselves sick. One buck ahead and we quit—grandly announcing we had beaten the house to everyone's amazement, took a drink and whisked out, as if there were another notch on our guns. We ended way out at Steamboat Springs, about 4:00 a.m. We went out there because we wanted no possible questioning either in our minds or anybody else's that we beat every house in Las Vegas."

Barry Nelson was the first actor to portray James Bond in a one-hour television version of CASINO ROYALE on CBS' Climax Mystery Theater program in 1954. The kinescope, long forgotten and missing for years, was recently found in Chicago by film historian Jim Schoenberger. The program was "unveiled" again at a gathering in Los Angeles. Here, Nelson is interviewed by Steven Jay Rubin, author of The James Bond Films. (Photo courtesy of Steven Jay Rubin.)

Fleming used much of the material from his cross-country trip in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. He even named a character in the book, a Las Vegas cab driver, "Ernest Cuneo." He later sent Cuneo a plain gold money-clip inscribed, "To Ernie—my guide on a trip to the Angels and back. 007."
    For Fleming the final important event in 1954 was the TV showing of CASINO ROYALE in America on October 21. Presented by William Lundigan on his "Climax Mystery Theater" series (an anthology of suspense stories), the live broadcast was directed by Bretaigne Windust, adapted by Charles Bennett, and starred Barry Nelson as James Bond. Peter Lone was cast as Le Chiffre and Linda Christian portrayed "Valerie Mathis." The basic plot of the novel was somewhat adhered to, with one major change: James Bond was portrayed as an American, and it was Felix Leiter who was British! One amusing incident took place during the live broadcast due to a technical error. After Le Chiffre's "death," the camera remained on Peter Lone until he stood up and began to walk toward his dressing room! The presentation went, for the most part, unnoticed, and was soon forgotten. Clare Blanshard wrote Fleming a critique of the television show. She states that she "tore it to shreds," but Fleming later told her that he laughed at her comments until the tears ran down his cheeks.
     
    I n early January 1955, LIVE AND LET DIE was published in the United States by Macmillan. Again, the critics did nothing to increase Fleming's success. Anthony Boucher wrote that the "high spots are all effectively described. . . but the narrative is loose and jerky. . ." There werea few publications that caught on early, such as the Springfield Republican. Its reviewer wrote, "The narrative moves at a headlong pace, there is sheer terror enough for a month of comic books, and a climax that is truly exciting. Don't read it unless your nerves are in pretty good shape." But the book sold hardly better than its predecessor.
    The American editions of Fleming's books rarely differ from their British counterparts. It is interesting to note, however, one specific change that was made in LIVE AND LET DIE. The title of Chapter Five was changed from "Nigger Heaven" to "Seventh Avenue" for obvious reasons.
    In January and February of 1955, Ian Fleming wrote DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER at Goldeneye.