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Lot Essay
Berkley Mather was the 'nom de plume' for Lieutenant-Colonel Jasper Weston-Davies (1909-1996). Mather had begun writing whilst in the army, and as moonlighting was not officially permitted, adopted a pseudonym for his stories concocted from the names of the Berkeley Grill (he mis-spelt it) and Mathers, a chemist in Poona. Fleming wrote a glowing review of his second book, The Pass Beyond Kashmir, and though he had never met the author recommended Mather to his producers, Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, as the one person gifted enough to complete the screenplay for Dr. No. Exasperated at Fleming's rejection of treatment after treatment of the novel, the film producers were willing enough to give Mather a try, even though he had not read a single Bond book and had to borrow his son's paperback copy of Dr. No (included in this lot) in order to supplement Richard Maibaum's earlier script. By largely rewriting the dialogue and lacing it with puns and quips, Mather added a vital element of spoof. Famous one-liners, often attibuted to Fleming, were apparently Mather's inspiration. These are said to include "[The name is] Bond -- James Bond"; and Bond's celebrated preference for vodka Martini, "..shaken, not stirred",
Although Fleming was delighted with Mather's alterations, the producers grew nervous as the première approached. .. No one knew how the public would react to what amounted to a send-up. But the result was a triumph which set the tone for the highly successful series of films which followed. This surviving script is vital evidence of the role played by Mather in the creation of the James Bond screen hero. Dr. No is still regarded by aficionados as the best of the series. Unwisely, Mather refused a percentage deal in favour of a flat fee, and so never enjoyed the fruits of a box office success that was so much of his making.
After the reception of his first adaptation, Mather was asked for a similar involvement with the second film From Russia With Love. Mather however apparently felt uncomfortable ...about adapting other's work and using characters he had not created himself... and was not keen for a similar commitment to the second film. Although Berkley Mather's name is not listed in the credits he did work on Maibaum's script for From Russia With Love, largely concentrating on dialogue. Mather even had a walk-on part in the second Bond film and apparently maintained his Equity membership for the rest of his life. According to his son, Mather had a particularly good working relationship with Sean Connery, who would request that he was present on the set. When Connery found a line difficult to convey, he would ask Mather to ad-lib an alternative for him.
Berkley Mather also contributed to the script of Goldfinger although, again, he is not listed in the credits of this film.
Although Fleming was delighted with Mather's alterations, the producers grew nervous as the première approached. .. No one knew how the public would react to what amounted to a send-up. But the result was a triumph which set the tone for the highly successful series of films which followed. This surviving script is vital evidence of the role played by Mather in the creation of the James Bond screen hero. Dr. No is still regarded by aficionados as the best of the series. Unwisely, Mather refused a percentage deal in favour of a flat fee, and so never enjoyed the fruits of a box office success that was so much of his making.
After the reception of his first adaptation, Mather was asked for a similar involvement with the second film From Russia With Love. Mather however apparently felt uncomfortable ...about adapting other's work and using characters he had not created himself... and was not keen for a similar commitment to the second film. Although Berkley Mather's name is not listed in the credits he did work on Maibaum's script for From Russia With Love, largely concentrating on dialogue. Mather even had a walk-on part in the second Bond film and apparently maintained his Equity membership for the rest of his life. According to his son, Mather had a particularly good working relationship with Sean Connery, who would request that he was present on the set. When Connery found a line difficult to convey, he would ask Mather to ad-lib an alternative for him.
Berkley Mather also contributed to the script of Goldfinger although, again, he is not listed in the credits of this film.