A telegram from Ian Fleming in September 1959 reveals James Bond's creator wanted Alfred Hitchcock to direct the first 007 movie...

Fleming Letters: Hitchcock

16th May 2012

Alfred Hitchcock could have directed the first James Bond film had 007's creator Ian Fleming had his wish. Whilst plans for Xanadu Films to produce the first silver screen adaptation of his super spy were picking up speed, Fleming telegrammed his friend and fellow novelist Eric Ambler in September 1959 to suggest Hitchcock as his preferred choice to helm. The famed British director turned them down, and Fleming turned the treatment in to the novel, 'Thunderball', which would spark a series of legal battles. EON Productions swooped in to option the series, minus 'Casino Royale', and chose to produce "Dr. No" first in 1962.

ERIC AMBLER 106420 TARANTA WAY LOS ANGELES 24 CAL.

PROHITCH STOP HAVE WRITTEN BOND MOVIE TREATMENT FEATURING MAFIA STOLEN ATOMIC BOMBER BLACKMAIL OF ENGLAND CULMINATING NASSAU WITH EXTENSIVE UNDERWATER DRAMATICS STOP THIS FOR MY FRIEND IVAR BRYCES XANADU FILMS LIMITED WHICH RECENTLY COMPLETED BOY AND BRIDGE ENGLANDS CHOICE FOR VENICE FESTIVAL BUT BLASTED BY CRITICS AND FLOP AT CURZON THOUGH NOW DOING EXCELLENTLY ON PRERELEASE RANK CIRCUIT STOP PRODUCER KEVIN MCCLORY STOP WOULD HITCHCOCK BE INTERESTED IN DIRECTING THIS FIRST BOND FILM IN ASSOCIATION WITH XANADU QUERY PLENTIFUL FINANCE AVAILABLE STOP THIS PURELY OLD BOY WAVE ENQUIRY WITHOUT INVOLVEMENT BUT THINK WE MIGHT ALL HAVE A WINNER PARTICULARLY IF YOU WERE CONCEIVABLY INTERESTED IN SCRIPTING

REGARDEST IAN FLEMING

KEMNEWS LONDON

Thanks to Letters of Note and Naomi Ashley.

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