ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - "R.I.P. Diana Rigg" (1969)

 

This week's Saturday Night Special was the sixth, and probably the strangest, of all the James Bond franchise films!

I'll come right and say it, I never saw this film until just a couple of days ago. I was kind of busy back in 1969, having just gone into the Army, and I was one of those guys who thought the only real James Bond was Sean Connery, so I probably wouldn't have watched it even if I had a chance.

But it ain't necessarily so! 

The guy who plays James Bond is this film is named George Lazenby. George was the number one male fashion model in the world from 1964 to 1968 whose only previous acting was done in TV commercials, and so considering all that, I think he did a pretty good job. I guess that's why the movie is almost two and a half hours long, because you need about an hour before you start believing this guy is really James Bond!

For me the real star of the show is Diana Rigg who I have been in love with ever since I saw my first episode of  "The Avengers" back in the 60's.

Diana was born on July 30, 1938 and just left us two days ago on September 10, 2020, but she will remain in our hearts forever!

There are 255 grand photos of Diana throughout the years on IMDB, and even if you have something better to do,  I still suggest you go look at all of them!

George Lazenly wasn't even British, but instead was actually born in New South Wales, Australia, and he was also the youngest actor to ever play James Bond!

I think another reason I never saw this film before is because of the title. After titles like "Dr. No," Goldfinger," and "Thunderball," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" just did not sound that exciting to me. What was Ian Fleming thinking?

George Lazenly was also a trained martial arms artist who studied under Bruce Lee, and was going to co-star in a film with Bruce, but two weeks before filming started, Bruce Lee died of a heart attack.

 

I just like this shot for some reason!

Diana Rigg was in 51 episodes of "The Avengers" from 1965 to 1968 as the always engaging Emma Peel! It this film, she is known as just Tracy!

Surrounded by beautiful women, James Bond still finds the time to peruse this issue of Playboy that he stole from a guy's office!

 Piz Gloria, Kanton Bern, Switzerland.

What a location!

 

 

Of course there is a bevy of International beauties included!!

 

Geoge Lazenby was offered a seven film deal as James Bond, but opted to be in only this one feature, because he thought the dapper Bond character was a dying breed that people would soon be losing interest in, as the slovenly hippie lifestyle was gaining popularity!

Telly "Kojak" Savalas, one of the most famous chrome domes of all time, has the role of the evil Blofeld!

What can't he do? George Lazenby has raced dirt bikes and stock cars, he's an avid golfer, and was also a very accomplished skier, which I'm sure helped a great deal in filming some of this stuff!

Another one of the strangest things that has ever happened in a James Bond movie, is that he actually falls in love with a woman, and asks her to marry him! Of course, it's Diana Rigg, so how can you blame him?

For all you people who aren't old enough to remember "The Avengers," then I'm sure you will know Diana Rigg from later in her career, and her eighteen appearances as Olenna Tyrell  in "Game Of Thrones!"

 

James Bond and Tracy actually do get married in what has got to be one of the happiest/saddest endings ever in a spy movie because Tracy gets murdered soon after the marriage, and now 51 years later, Diana Rigg has died for real! At least we had her around for 82 years to enjoy!!