in “Our Man Flint” (1966), when Flint “relaxes” (suspending his body supported only by two chairs: one under his head, and one under his heels; the rest, with no support), it was not a special effects shot; James Coburn was able to do so, and it was incorporated into the script.
The film contains direct nods to James Bond in a comedic and outlandish style.
Flint is initially offered a Walther PPK and an attache case with a concealed throwing knife with Flint dismissing both as “crude”. During the French strip club sequence, Flint stages a mock brawl with a patron who is identified as Agent 0008, a British secret agent.
Flint asks if SPECTRE (the criminal organization in the early Bond movies) is involved, to which Agent 0008 replies, “It’s bigger than SPECTRE!” The actor playing the role is similar in appearance to Sean Connery.
Later in the film, the character of Gila (played by Gila Golan) is shown reading a 0008 novel, a reference to the James Bond novels.
The distinctive ringtone of Cramden’s “presidential hotline” telephone was re-used in the films “Hudson Hawk” (1991), “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997), and in Seattle children’s television program, “The J.P. Patches Show”. Popular LA KIIS-FM disc jockey Rick Dees used the sound effect as the “hotline” phone sound whenever the station manager would call and yell at him during his 1980s and 1990s shows.Speaking of recycling, the name “Hans Gruber” (character played by Michael St. Clair) was reused 22 years later in the film “Die Hard” (1988) for Alan Rickman’s character.
In 1973, Coburn was among the featured celebrities dressed in prison gear on the cover of the album “Band on the Run” made by Paul McCartney and his band Wings.
Coburn was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of Bruce Lee along with Steve McQueen.
Coburn gave a speech: “Farewell, Brother. It has been an honor to share this space in time with you.
As a friend and a teacher, you have given to me, have brought my physical, spiritual and psychological selves together. Thank you. May peace be with you.”[(IMDb/Wikipedia)
Happy Birthday, James Coburn!