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Sean Connery, who rose to stardom in James Bond’s Dr No and From Russia With Love, wanted to avoid being typecast. Although the former coffin polisher and milkman from Scotland wanted to work alongside Alfred Hitchcock, he was not interested in spying. Surprisingly, the young lead man made an unusual request to Hitchcock that hadn’t been made in a while.
Connery participated in Scene By Scene in 1997. In it, he talked about iconic moments from his films.
The archive footage that was featured in BBC Two’s Sean Connery episode on Talking Pictures shows the actor who passed away last year being asked why he would want to see Hitchcock’s Marnie script before accepting the role – something Cary Grant wouldn’t have done.
He said, “Well because it was something I was curious about.” “I said that I would love to read it.”
Bond’s Bond star was unsure if he was right to play Mark Rutland. He wondered if the role was American enough for him. He said that he liked the role and had a great time with him.
Marnie was the subject of a controversial rape scene. (Image: GETTY).
Connery also spoke out about how Hitchcock wanted Grace Kelly to play the opposite role.
Monaco initially accepted the role, but she wasn’t happy that Monaco was going to let her kiss another man.
Marilyn Monroe was interested in the role, but Hitchcock cast Tippi Hedren as Margaret “Marnie”, a former model who had appeared on The Birds.
Connery’s Mark, a thief played by Marnie, blackmails Marnie to marry him because he is madly in love.
The Birds: Trailer for Hitchcock thriller, released 1963
Marnie, on their honeymoon cruise, is horrified at the idea that physical intimacy could be possible. Mark initially respects Marnie’s wishes and then rapes her.
Connery was questioned about the controversy surrounding the scene during the 1997 interview.
The controversy didn’t bother Bond, who had imposed himself on women such as Pussy Galore and Goldfinger.
Star replied: “No, not at any. These are not the kind of issues I am concerned about.
