YES, THIS ALMOST HAPPENED! A retained copy typed letter from screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz to 007 film producer Harry Saltzman, discussing the possibility of a James Bond musical involving lyricists Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley, with novelist Ian Fleming as the story writer. 1pp., with a few minor creases, staple holes to top right. With related Western Union Cable from 'Brickman and Newberg' [Bricusse and Newley] to Wolf Mankwitz. 1pp.,with stamped and pasted-on texts. A few minor creases, staple holes to top right. In card stationery file, and later envelope addressed by Danny Mankowitz, son of Wolf Mankowitz.

From the James Bond collection of Ian Fleming bibliographer Jon Gilbert, with accompanying provenance. An unusual item concerning an unrealised 007 stage and/or screen musical. From these discussions Bricusse & Newley were employed to write a theme song for the forthcoming film Goldfinger. Wolf Mankowitz (1924-1998) introduced Cubby Broccoli to Harry Saltzman, who formed Eon, the company responsible for producing the James Bond films. Mankowitz was a screenwriter for their first picture Dr. No (1962), and also contributed to writing the non-Eon Bond movie Casino Royale (1967). Lyricists Leslie Bricusse (1931-2021) and Anthony Newley enjoyed a fruitful partnership in the 1960s. They wrote the theme songs for two James Bond films Goldfinger (1964) and You Only Live Twice (1967). The song 'Goldfinger' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Author: MANKOWITZ, Wolf ("Dr. No" screenwriter), & SALTZMAN, Harry (Producer)
Title: Letter from Mankowitz to Saltzman regarding 'James Bond Musical' [together with] Cablegram from Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley
Publication: [UK] 11-12th November 1963

NOTE: Reading the letter, it's obvious that Ian Fleming HATED this idea, but Mankowitz floated the idea that if they let Fleming wright the musical he would be more enthusiastic. Wrong again, Wolf!