20 Things You Didn't Know About Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

11. My Boss May Not Like It

Diamonds Are Forever Moon
MGM/UA

The subplot involving Blofeld holding reclusive magnate, Willard Whyte in “cold storage” was literally dreamt up by Cubby Broccoli.

Cubby had befriended the hermit-like billionaire and filmmaker, Howard Hughes during his early days in Hollywood and knew Hughes by his nickname, Sam.

During pre-production, Cubby dreamt that he went to Hughes’s penthouse and called to his friend, who turned around, revealing that he was not Howard Hughes at all, but an imposter. This led to the creation of philanthropist, Willard Whyte who is abducted and impersonated by Blofeld so that he can use Whyte’s organisation as a cover to develop his next plan for world domination.

Texan singer, actor, and food entrepreneur, Jimmy Dean was cast as Whyte, but was uncomfortable satirising Howard Hughes as he was employed at Hughes’s hotel and casino, The Desert Inn in Las Vegas at the time.

However, Hughes was flattered by Cubby’s idea and supported it by granting him unrestricted access to his properties in Las Vegas. Reportedly, his fee was one 16 millimetre copy of the finished film.

Contributor

I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.