By Lee Pfeiffer
When I read that Cinema Retro's old pal George Lazenby would be coming to New Jersey to attend the massive Chiller Theatre show, I couldn't resist inviting him out to toast the 40th anniversary of his classic Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Accompanying me was George Koodray, president of the Metropolitan Society, New Jersey's top private cigar club and a dyed-in-the-wool admirer of OHMSS. Finding Lazenby proved to be a mission worthy of Bond himself: the jam-packed Hilton hotel where the event took place was so chaotic I felt I was trying to get the last chopper out of Saigon.We finally found George, who was frantically signing autographs for Bond fans. The show was supposed to last until 11:00 PM, but George cut out early to join us in a pub on the premises. He was in fine form and regaled us with many hilarious stories about his life and career. Most most remain understandably private but there were a few gems we can share.
- Prior to playing Bond, Lazenby was selling top-end sports cars from a dealership on Park Lane in London. One day, a striking woman wearing large sunglasses appeared on the lot and asked Lazenby to show her a particular model. Before the deal could be closed, an irate Richard Burton showed up and shouted, "She's not buying any car today!" before dragging the woman away. Lazenby then realized that his prospective customer had been Elizabeth Taylor!
- When filming OHMSS, Lazenby was given a sizable trailer/caravan to use as his dressing room. It was quite opulent and featured a full bar for him to use when entertaining visitors. Telly Savalas, who played Blofeld, was somewhat jealous of the fact that Lazenby, a young man with no acting experience, was getting better perks than he was. When he discovered Lazenby had a suitcase full of cash from the money he saved from his per-diem, Savalas schemed to get the naive new Bond star into a poker game. Lazenby agreed, only to see most of his money quickly disappear. Suddenly, producer Harry Saltzman appeared on the scene and immediately saw that Lazenby was being snookered. He took Lazenby's place and very adeptly won back all of his money, much to the chagrin of Savalas. Although Lazenby and Saltzman were never enamored of each other, Lazenby said that he still appreciates his gesture in helping him retrieve his money.
- Lazenby liked and admired Bernard Lee, the great British character actor who played the part of M. However, Lee had a weakness for the bottle and would drive the producers crazy by appearing on the set drunk. Finally, Lazenby was told that all liquor on the set would be kept under lock and key to prevent Lee from drinking. Despite everyone's best efforts, Lee was still drunk much of the time. Lazenby said that in one scene, Lee was so inebriated that a technician had to crouch down below him and hold him by the waist so he would not totter over during the scene. Finally the producers discovered how Lee was outwitting them and managing to drink on the job: he had a selection of old fashioned fountain pens in his pocket that were filled with liquor!
I hadn't seen Lazenby in a number of years, but he remains a man who prefers hanging out with some friends in a pub as opposed to attending opulent events. He has a sarcastic and abrasive sense of humor that often rivals that of Don Rickles. Yet, if he can dish it out, he can also take it when you return fire in his direction. He's a master raconteur who can tell a funny story as well as any professional comedian, albeit often in a deadpan style.
I first saw
OHMSS on its initial release in 1969. I recognized it as one of the best Bond films of the series and it remains so today. Lazenby is pleased the film has enjoyed a critical re-evaluation in recent years. He remains what he has always been: politically incorrect and the real deal in every sense.