Since 1999, the film's rights have been held by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, distributors of the Bond films by Eon Productions. Critical reaction to Casino Royale, however, was generally negative, with many reviewers regarding it as a baffling, disorganised affair. This wacky send-up of James Bond films stars David Niven as the iconic debonair spy, now retired and living a peaceful existence.
The film was a financial success, grossing over $41.7 million worldwide, and Burt Bacharach's musical score was praised, earning him an Academy Award nomination for the song ' The Look of Love', performed on the film's soundtrack by Dusty Springfield.
The budget escalated as various directors and writers became involved in the production, and actors expressed dissatisfaction with the project.Ĭasino Royale was released on 13 April 1967, two months prior to Eon's fifth Bond movie, You Only Live Twice. Believing that he could not compete with the Eon series, Feldman resolved to produce the film as a satire. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, failed to come to terms. According to a DV article, Mike Garrison and Gregory Ratoff purchased film rights to Ian Fleming’s first James Bond spy novel, Casino Royale (1953) in 1955.Twentieth Century-Fox rejected their proposal, and Garrison sold his shares in the property sometime after Ratoff’s death in 1960. Feldman, the producer, had acquired the film rights in 1960 and had attempted to get Casino Royale made as an Eon Productions Bond film however, Feldman and the producers of the Eon series, Albert R.
