Sean Connery is dead at 90. He defined movie cool in the 1960s, and made the James Bond franchise into a huge success. That franchise inspired a million copy cats including a British TV spy series called Danger Man. CBS bought the US rights to the show which they were going to air as Secret Agent. The opening riff is one of the most recognizable in music, and the lyrics included a salute to Connery as Bond: they're giving you a number and taking away you name.
"Iconic" doesn't begin to cover this.
Secret Agent Man (Songwriters: P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri)
There's a man who lives a life of danger
To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
With every move he makes another chance he takes
Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow
Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name
Beware of pretty faces that you find
A pretty face can hide an evil mind
Oh, be careful what you say or you'll give yourself away
Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow
Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name
Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name
Swinging on the Riviera one day
And then layin' in the Bombay alley next day
Oh, no you let the wrong word slip while kissing persuasive lips
The odds are you won't live to see tomorrow
Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name
Secret agent man
But Connery was much more than just James Bond, and went on to many outstanding performances. I particularly liked him in The Wind And The Lion:
I find it charming that, while married twice, he is survived by his wife of 45 years. I wonder what she thought in 1999 (at their 24th anniversary) when People Magazine designated him the Sexiest Man of the Century.
Rest in Peace, Sir Sean (knighted in 2000). Thanks for the grace, and style. They broke the mold when you were born.
11 comments:
Hey Borepatch;
Bummer, and I really liked him in "Highlander" and "A Bridge too Far" also.
Dammit 2020, STOP IT!
"The Man Who Would be King" is one of my favorite movies, he did a great job there with Michael Caine.
He made the James Bond movies what they are today. He will impossible to replace.
Old NFO, the Internets you just won are here ready for pickup. Use the normal password.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld could not be reached for comment.
Coincidentally, I just finished watching The First 4 seaons of Danger Man on Amazon a few days ago.
I'm on to the Prisoner now where they certainly did take away his name and give him a number.
"The Wind and the Lion" was directed by John Milius, who also directed "Red Dawn" among several others. Some movies do not age well. "The Wind and the Lion" is one that truly did. Except for a couple of scenes, it seems as fresh today as it did in 1976. The desert cinematography was extraordinary, the action scenes were top notch, Connery's performance was masterful, and Candice Bergen was at the peak of her beauty.
RIP, old friend.
Iconic song, indeed! My buddy and I used it on the sound track of a Super-8 movie we made in high school.
Don in Oregon
Died in his sleep.
"He was shaken. he has not stirred."
Yes, I went there.
Absolute Hall Of Fame Hollywood icon.
And forever put to death the idea that there's any such thing as a "Bond" curse. Most of his best work, and his Oscar, came long after he hung up the shoulder holster.
Sadly, there are virtually no stars today that live up to the greats of yesterday. Even though he has been out of the acting business for a while, his presence will still be missed.
"They've given you a number and taken away your name."
Be seeing you.
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