Spike Lee’s favourite James Bond
He might be famed for his incendiary and socially-conscious dramas that have won him plenty of acclaim, awards season recognition, and a status as a monumental figure in independent cinema, but Spike Lee still holds a soft spot for one of the most iconic blockbuster franchises in Hollywood history.
Or at least, he does as it relates to one of its many eras, with the filmmaker being an outspoken fan of Sean Connery’s stint as the original big-screen James Bond. Lee was just five years old when the Scotsman made his first appearance as Ian Fleming’s literary creation in 1962’s Dr. No, which proved to be a pivotal moment for the youngster’s burgeoning love of cinema.
As per IndieWire, the Do the Right Thing and She’s Gotta Have It director was asked about his favourite films growing up. Without missing a beat, he outlined his undying love for the first – and in many minds still the best – version of cinema’s most famous secret agent: “James Bond! Sean Connery! Dr. No, Thunderball, From Russia With Love.”
While Goldfinger wasn’t one of the first titles to roll off the tip of his tongue, Lee does have a hilarious story about his first time seeing the third instalment in the series that he told The Washington Post: “My mother loved James Bond. Loved Sean Connery,” he said. “And she took me to see Goldfinger the first week it came out and the theatre was packed. I’m six or seven.”
Sharing the anecdote that got him in big trouble, Lee revealed the second-hand embarrassment he caused his poor mother: “It’s very rare in a James Bond film, especially a Sean Connery film, where there’s silence and not, you know, guns being shot, ships being blown up,” he continued. “But there’s a silent moment in the film. And I said to my mother, ‘Mommy, why is that lady named Pussy Galore?’ Oh, people died laughing. My mother was so embarrassed, she grabbed me and said, ‘Spike, don’t you say another word.’ True story!”
Lee even paid tribute to Connery on Instagram following his death, remarking that some of his earliest memories came from his mother taking him to see “James Bond joints”. Although he prefaced it with a polite “no disrespect to the other actors who later played 007,” in his own words, “Sean is my guy.”
Why? Because of the way “he was kicking much ass and taking names,” not to mention “all da fine ladies”. Even if he asked his mother some unfortunately-timed questions, it’s clear that their shared appreciation of the Connery era left a lasting impact that won’t see any other star replace the original vintage as Lee’s favourite spin on MI6’s finest.
