20 Things You Didn't Know About Dr. No

3. The First Female Bond Screenwriter

Sean Connery Dr No
MGM/UA

Richard Maibaum is often regarded as the man who originally adapted James Bond for the screen.

However, starting with Dr. No and ending with From Russia With Love, screenwriter Johanna Harwood also worked on Maibaum's first drafts, often in collaboration with other writers.

Director, Terence Young described her contribution as that of a script doctor who incorporated a British tone into the screenplays, but Harwood later explained that she brought the scripts more into line with Fleming's original novels.

Studio politics led to Johanna Harwood leaving the franchise after the second film, but female writers have continued to perform uncredited work on the series during its nearly 60-year run.

Of course, celebrated screenwriter, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is receiving credit for her work on the screenplay for Daniel Craig's last Bond film, No Time to Die.

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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.