Continuing the blog’s examination of a 1988 treatment by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson for what would become Licence to Kill. The treatment was provided by Gary J. Firuta.
Bond and Pam go to a bank in Isthmus City. They are “appropriately dressed” and meet with the bank manager.
Pam “is now a stunning blonde.”
Bond wants to open an account with an initial deposit of $5 million. He tells the bank manager there will be additional monthly deposits. “Responding to the manager’s questions, he says he is an independent entrepreneur specializing in Investment Opportunities. Presently he is on an extended holiday with his confidential secretary.”
Bond also arranges a credit line of $2 million at Sanchez’s casino.
“The manager assures him there will be no difficulty with that,” the treatment says. “The bank’s chairman also owns the casino.”
Bond and Pam arrive at the casino in “a chauffeured driven Rolls Royce.” Both are well dressed.
What follows is a description of the casino and its clientele. The building is five stories tall “surmounted by a flag pole and a large satellite dish.” The patrons are “handsome and obviously well heeled.”
Bond and Pam “are taken into a private gambling salon reserved for big betters.”
The treatment says the betters include “the oriental group Bond saw at the airport.” The gathering “has one or two members from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and an impressive-looking Chinese from Hong Kong. We later learn he is named Kwang.”
As in the final film, Bond informs the pit boss he wants to play blackjack at a private table. What follows is a description of what’s happening upstairs. Sanchez is watching “a telethon fundraising for the Oaxaca Bible Institute.”
The program is hosted by “an evangelist couple, Deedie and Joe Butcher, who reminds us you know who.”
Presumably, this is a reference to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, who had a popular evangelist program, The PTL Club, in that era. Jim Bakker got into big legal problems in 1988 and 1989. In the final film, we only saw Joe Butcher, who was played by Wayne Newton.
Meanwhile, Chicago underworld types are watching the same program. “Big Boss Benjy reacts angrily” to how Sanchez is using the show to make bids for the drugs.
“The program is obviously not only an appeal for charitable contributions but to also announce prices and receive orders for cocaine,” according to the treatment.
Back at the casino, Bond now wants to play with no limit. The treatment provides more details of how the supposedly religious telecast is part of Sanchez’ empire.
The treatment describes Bond playing blackjack at the private table.
“Bond is obviously not the pigeon the pit boss thought he was,” the treatment reads. “The ten thousand dollar plaques are piling up in front of Bond. Pit boss tells Sanchez the Englishman has recouped and is 200 thousand up.” Presumably, that is $200,000.
Sanchez calls up Lupe who is “bored, leafing through a magazine in the sitting room of a penthouse suite….Sanchez tells her she wants him.”
TO BE CONTINUED
Filed under: James Bond Films | Tagged: Jim Bakker, Licence to Kill, Michael G. Wilson, Richard Maibaum, Timothy Dalton | Leave a comment »
The Spy Command 