Casino Royale (1954), NR, 50 min
Casino Royale (1954), Not Rated, 50 min Franchise: James Bond (Non-Eon) Franchise #: N/A (Unofficial TV adaptation — first-ever screen portrayal of James Bond) Tagline: None (originally aired as part of the Climax! anthology series on CBS) Main Cast Barry Nelson as James Bond (called “Jimmy Bond”) Peter Lorre as Le Chiffre Linda Christian as Valerie Mathis Michael Pate as Clarence Leiter Reviews Synopsis This early TV version of Casino Royale is very different from what most people think of as Bond. It was made for American audiences and aired live in black and white. Here, Bond is an American spy called "Jimmy," trying to bankrupt Le Chiffre at a casino to disrupt Soviet funding. Overview While the production is dated and low-budget, it’s historically fascinating. Peter Lorre adds real menace as Le Chiffre, and the poker scenes are still tense. Bond isn’t quite the suave agent we're used to—he’s more like a Cold War-era detective. Family Friendliness There’s little objec...