Tom Mankiewicz (1942-2010)

After a brave battle with cancer, Tom Mankiewicz, screenwriter on the Bond films during the 1970s, sadly died in Los Angeles on 31 July, 2010, aged 68 years of age. Starting with 'Diamonds Are Forever', Tom became a key part of the Bond film production process during the 1970s, helping to make Sean Connery's return to 007 a smashing success for EON in 1971, and playing a major creative role in the launch of new incumbent Roger Moore as James Bond shortly after.

Tom Mankiewicz tasted some of his first success with his work on 'Georgy Girl', a Broadway musical based on the 1966 movie. And it was through this that he came to the attention of David Picker, of United Artists (UA). Initial work on 'Diamonds Are Forever' had been based on the assumption that American actor John Gavin would be the new Bond, and screenwriter Richard Maibaum had come up with a first draft screenplay that envisaged Goldfinger's twin brother as the main villain.

When Cubby Broccoli was seeking a screenwriter to redraft the story and screenplay for 'Diamonds Are Forever', having secured the services once again of Sean Connery (via a major deal brokered by David Picker), Picker pointed the Bond producer towards Mankiewicz, and the young American writer landed his first major Hollywood movie job. Picker felt that Mankiewicz could introduce some wit and pace to the DAF story, while retaining the important 'British' feel to the character of Bond. The producers and UA were under strong financial pressure to see that Connery's return ran smoothly, as Connery's DAF deal had strict monetary penalties if filming over-ran the agreed period. Mankiewicz was instrumental in re-drafting the DAF material in a short period of time and, for his efforts, received co-writing billing for the screenplay with Richard Maibaum. Mankiewicz's talent was indeed for witty and creative dialogue, and it is said that Sean Connery was particularly impressed with Mankiewicz's imaginative screenwriting skills.

Tom was back for 'Live and Let Die' (1973), Roger Moore's highly successful debut as 007, for which the American writer received sole screenplay credit. He then collaborated with Richard Maibaum on 'The Man With The Golden Gun' (1974), worked on an early draft of 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977), and wrote an early draft outline for 'Moonraker' (1979).

All in all, Tom Mankiewicz served with EON for ten years before he moved on to other projects. He remained very proud of the part he played in helping the Bond movies adapt to the 1970s, and his work clearly refuted many predictions that the franchise would not survive after Connery's departure.