Martine Beswick (1941-)

biography

Born to British parents in Jamaica on September 26, 1941, beautiful Martine Beswick harbored an early desire to be an actress. The adolescent Beswick began to study acting in Britain in the early 1950s, but she moved back to Jamaica in the late 1950s. Beswick won the title "Miss Jamaica" during this period. After modeling for a brief period of time, she was spotted by a talent scout in a travelogue. The budding actress was briefly considered for a sizeable role in the first James Bond film Dr. No (1962; with Sean Connery and Ursula Andress), but Ursula Andress eventually won the part. Nonetheless, Beswick appears in the picture as the dancing girl in the opening credits.

After a small role in the British film Saturday Night Out (1963; with Bernard Lee), Beswick was cast as a fighting gypsy girl in From Russia with Love (1963; with Sean Connery and Lotte Lenya) and was invited back by Bond producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to portray a secret agent in Thunderball (1965; with Sean Connery and Luciana Paluzzi). The following year she was cast in a larger role in One Million Years B.C. (1966; with Raquel Welch and John Richardson) and landed the starring role in the campfest Prehistoric Women (1967). After making a few pictures in Italy, including John the Bastard (1967; with John Richardson and Gordon Mitchell), Beswick moved to the US and did quite a bit of television work. Beyond the Bond films, Beswick's best-known film is perhaps the Hammer horror flick Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971; with Ralph Bates).

the films of martine beswick

Thunderball (1965)

The Penthouse (1967)

Prehistoric Women (1967)

A Bullet for the General (1967)

Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)

Longstreet (1971)

The Last Italian Tango (1973)

Seizure (1974)

The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980)

Evil Spirits (1990)

martine beswick today

Roles for Martine Beswick began to dry up in the late 1980s, yet she found work in television and several films. Some of the latter include the horror films The Offspring (1987; with Vincent Price and Clu Gulager) Evil Spirits (1990; with Anthony Eisley and Virginia Mayo), and Night of the Scarecrow (1995; with Gary Lockwood), her last film to date. Today, Martine Beswick is a frequent interview subject and still looks fantastic.

martine beswick films available from movies unlimited

TELEVISION
Night Gallery: The Complete First Season [DVD](1970) DVD
Along with the pilot film "Night Gallery" (1969), all six episodes from the series' debut season--featuring such stories as "The Last Laurel" with Martine Beswick, "Room with a View," "The Little Black Bag," "Make Me Laugh," "Lone Survivor," "The Doll," and "They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar"--are included in a three-disc set. 8 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: Spanish, French; bonus episodes.
Hart To Hart: The Complete Second Season [DVD](1980) DVD
All 20 episodes from the second season--including "Murder, Murder on the Wall," "Ex-Wives Can Be Murder," "Solid Gold Murder," "The Murder of Jonathan Hart," and "Blue Chip Murder"--are featured in a five-disc set. 16 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Portuguese Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Portuguese.

FILM
The James Bond Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
It's 007 (Sean Connery) versus SPECTRE as evil agent Largo holds the Bahamas hostage with a nuclear warhead and Bond must forego his suntan and suit up for adventure, in "Thunderball" (1965). Adolfo Celi also stars. East meets West when Bond (Roger Moore) teams up with a gorgeous KGB spy (Barbara Bach) to stop a millionaire terrorist from abducting submarines from the superpowers, in "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977), featuring the first appearance of "Jaws" (Richard Kiel). In Moore's swan song, "A View to a Kill" (1985), Bond battles a high-tech villain (Christopher Walken) who plans to start an earthquake that will level California's Silicon Valley. Grace Jones, Tanya Roberts co-star. Bond (Timothy Dalton) has his "Licence to Kill" (1989) revoked, forcing him to disobey his superiors and go on a personal crusade against a Latin American drug kingpin. With Robert Davi, Carey Lowell. In "Die Another Day" (2002), the 20th official Bond film, Pierce Brosnan's 007 is joined by sexy American agent Jinx (Halle Berry) when he tries to track down a North Korean terrorist with a plot to rule the world using a satellite laser weapon. With Judi Dench, John Cleese. 10 3/4 hrs. total on five discs.
The James Bond Ultimate Collection, Vol. 3 [DVD] DVD
First, "From Russia with Love" (1963) is a globe-hopping thriller that pits 007 (Sean Connery) against Soviet spies and SPECTRE assassins, highlighted by a brutal fight aboard the Orient Express. Robert Shaw, Daniela Bianchi, Lotte Lenya also star. In his only appearance as James Bond, George Lazenby stars in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969), courting a beautiful contessa (Diana Rigg) and matching wits with arch-nemesis Blofeld, played diabolically by Telly Savalas. Roger Moore makes his 007 debut in "Live and Let Die" (1973), out to smash a Caribbean crime kingpin's (Yaphet Kotto) plan to take over the U.S. by flooding it with heroin. With Geoffrey Holder, Gloria Hendry, and Jane Seymour as the tarot-dealing Solitaire. Bond (Moore) must retrieve the A.T.A.C. tracking system before it falls into Russian hands, in "For Your Eyes Only" (1981). Carole Bouquet, Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson co-star. And, Pierce Brosnan's initiation into the Bond fold, "Goldeneye" (1995), finds 007 battling a rogue former ally (Sean Bean) who wants to use a "leftover" Soviet laser satellite to destroy London. With Famke Janssen as sexy assassin Xenia Onatopp. 10 1/2 hrs. total on five discs.
The James Bond Ultimate Collection, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
The first 007 feature finds Her Majesty's top spy (Sean Connery) investigating mysterious goings-on at a small Jamaican port, where he meets the diabolical "Dr. No" (1962) and the original "Bond Bombshell," bikini-clad Honey Rider. Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman co-star. Bond (Connery) must stop Blofeld's (Donald Pleasence) plot to incite the world's major powers into war against each other, in "You Only Live Twice" (1967). 007 (Roger Moore) blasts into orbit to bring down an obsessed tycoon with his own space station and a plan for global domination, in "Moonraker" (1979). With Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead and Richard Kiel as "Jaws." "Octopussy" (1983) finds Bond (Moore) trying to thwart the nefarious efforts of a former Afghan prince and Russian general to detonate an atomic bomb on an American air base in Berlin. With Maud Adams, Steven Berkoff. Finally, "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997) for the superspy (Pierce Brosnan) as he goes up against a megalomaniacal media mogul (Jonathan Pryce) with a scheme to dominate global communications. With Teri Hatcher, Joe Don Baker, and Hong Kong action queen Michelle Yeoh. 10 hrs. total on five discs.
From Russia With Love [Blu-ray](1963)
Sean Connery's personal favorite of his Bond films is a globe-hopping thriller that pits 007 against Soviet spies and SPECTRE assassins, highlighted by a brutal fight aboard the Orient Express. Robert Shaw, Daniela Bianchi, and Lotte Lenya, as blade-booted Rosa Klebb, also star. 111 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; interview; storyboards; featurettes; photo gallery; TV spots; theatrical trailers.
Thunderball [Blu-ray](1965)
It's 007 versus SPECTRE when evil agent Largo holds the Bahamas hostage with a nuclear warhead. Sean Connery as Bond must forego his suntan and suit up for an action-packed underwater adventure. Adolfo Celi, Claudine Auger also star. 125 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; TV special; featurettes; photo gallery; TV spots; theatrical trailers.
Thunderball [DVD](1965) DVD
It's 007 versus SPECTRE when evil agent Largo holds the Bahamas hostage with a nuclear warhead. Sean Connery as Bond must forego his suntan and suit up for an action-packed underwater adventure. Adolfo Celi, Claudine Auger also star. 125 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English DTS Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Thai, French; audio commentary.
One Million Years B.C. [DVD](1967) DVD
A prehistoric menagerie animated by Ray Harryhausen and Raquel Welch wearing "Mankind's first bikini" are the highlights in this remake of the caveman adventure epic. Will Raquel's shore-dwelling Shell People learn to live with their neighbors, the Rock Tribe, before they all become dinosaur fodder? With John Richardson, Martine Beswick. 91 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
A Bullet For The General [DVD](1968) DVD
Gun-blazing thriller set in revolutionary Mexico, as an enigmatic mercenary joins up with rebel forces attempting to overthrow the government. But whose side is he really on? Klaus Kinski, Gian-Maria Volonte, Martine Beswick star. AKA: "Quien Sabe?" 113 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English (dubbed) mono; theatrical trailers.
Seizure [DVD](1974) DVD
Oliver Stone made his directorial debut with this haunting chiller which he also co-scripted. Jonathan Frid ("Dark Shadows") stars as a horror writer who hosts a weekend party at his remote estate, only to discover that characters from his imagination are coming to life and killing his guests. With Martine Beswick, Troy Donahue, Mary Woronov, and Herve Villechaize. 91 min. Soundtrack: English.
Strange New World [DVD](1975) DVD
Originally produced as the first two episodes of a proposed TV series, this sci-fi adventure finds a trio of astronauts returning to Earth after being in suspended animation for 180 years. What they find is a planet ravaged by meteors, a civilization made up entirely of clones, and bizarre warring factions. John Saxon, Kathleen Miller, Keene Curtis, Martine Beswick star. 97 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Aspen [Blu-ray](1977)
An illicit affair leads to a shocking crime in the posh Colorado ski resort of Aspen, and a man finds himself convicted of a murder he didn't commit while his lawyer searches for the true killer, in this engrossing three-part mini-series. Sam Elliott, Perry King, Gene Barry, Martine Beswick, Joseph Cotten, and Michelle Phillips star. AKA: "The Innocent and the Damned." 4 3/4 hrs. total. Soundtrack: English.
Aspen [DVD](1977) DVD
An illicit affair leads to a shocking crime in the posh Colorado ski resort of Aspen, and a man finds himself convicted of a murder he didn't commit while his lawyer searches for the true killer, in this engrossing three-part mini-series. Sam Elliott, Perry King, Gene Barry, Martine Beswick, Joseph Cotten, and Michelle Phillips star. AKA: "The Innocent and the Damned." 4 3/4 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Devil Dog: The Hound Of Hell [Blu-ray](1978)
Creepy 1970s made-for-TV shocker focuses on a suburban dad as he brings home a German shepherd for his family, unaware that the pooch is one of Satan's minions. When the demonically possessed canine begins using supernatural powers to wreak murderous havoc, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown between man and beast. Richard Crenna, Yvette Mimieux, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann star. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurette; interviews; photo gallery; more.
Devil Dog: The Hound Of Hell [DVD](1978) DVD
Creepy 1970s made-for-TV shocker focuses on a suburban dad as he brings home a German shepherd for his family, unaware that the pooch is one of Satan's minions. When the demonically possessed canine begins using supernatural powers to wreak murderous havoc, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown between man and beast. Richard Crenna, Yvette Mimieux, Kim Richards star. 95 min. Soundtrack: English; interviews; TV spots.
The Happy Hooker Trilogy [DVD] DVD
The original adaptation of Xaviera Hollander's spicy memoirs, "The Happy Hooker" (1975) stars Lynn Redgrave as the young Dutch woman who comes to New York only to be unceremoniously dumped by her fiance. After seeing a succession of men, she decides to turn her talents into a business, learning how to play for pay. Jean-Pierre Aumont, Tom Poston also star. Next, the sweet Miss, played by Joey Heatherton, travels to the nation's capital to testify before Congress and winds up "serving" her country as only she can, in "The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington" (1977). With George Hamilton, Ray Walston, Rip Taylor, Billy Barty. And, the City of Angels proves uproarious and sexy to Xaviera (Martine Beswick), as she gets involved with some slick movie producers while trying to film her autobiography, in "The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood" (1980). Adam West, Phil Silvers, Chris Lemmon, and the great Dick Miller co-star. 4 1/2 hrs. total on two discs. Standard/Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Melvin And Howard [DVD](1980) DVD
Irresistible American fable from director Jonathan Demme explores Nevada garage owner Melvin Dummar's claim that he once picked up eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes hitchhiking in the desert, and the skepticism that arose after a will turned up naming Dummar as an heir. Co-star Mary Steenburgen and screenwriter Bo Goldman won Oscars; Paul LeMat and Jason Robards play the title roles. 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Evil Spirits [DVD](1990) DVD
Sinister shocker about a deranged boardinghouse owner who kills her tenants. Is the spirit of her dead husband driving her to murder? Karen Black, Michael Berryman, Arte Johnson, and Virginia Mayo star. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Miami Blues [DVD](1990) DVD
This energetic actioner laced with comedy stars Alec Baldwin as a smooth-talking and mentally disturbed hood who "borrows" the badge of scruffy detective Fred Ward and sets out on a violent campaign against criminals, but manages to launch his own crime spree in the process. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Baldwin's hooker girlfriend. 97 min. Standard and Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Critters 4 [DVD](1992) DVD
It's "Critters"-mania as those ferocious, furry creatures return, only this time they're genetically mutated "super-critters" made to take over the universe. This sci-fi-horror-thriller features Don Opper, Angela Bassett and Brad Dourif. 94 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; theatrical trailer.

martine beswick films available from amazon.com

martine beswick photos and posters available

filmography

FILM
Night of the Scarecrow (1995) with Bruce Glover, Dirk Blocker, and Gary Lockwood
Wide Sargasso Sea (1993) with Rachel Ward and Michael York
Life on the Edge (1992) with Andrew Prine
Critters 4 (1991) with Angela Bassett, Brad Dourif, and Eric DaRe
Trancers II (1991) with Helen Hunt, Telma Hopkins, and Richard Lynch
Evil Spirits (1990) with Michael Berryman, Karen Black, Anthony Eisley, Arte Johnson, Virginia Mayo, and Yvette Vickers
Miami Blues (1990) with Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Cyclone (1987) with Heather Thomas, Robert Quarry, Martin Landau, Huntz Hall, and Troy Donahue
From a Whisper to a Scream (1987) with Vincent Price, Clu Gulager, Rosalind Cash, Cameron Mitchell, and Susan Tyrrell
Balboa (1986) with Tony Curtis, Sonny Bono, Chuck Connors, Steve Kanaly, Carol Lynley, and Cassandra Peterson
Melvin and Howard (1980) with Jason Robards, Paul Le Mat, Mary Steenburgen, and Michael J. Pollard
The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980) with Chris Lemmon, Adam West, Richard Deacon, Phil Silvers, and Susan Kiger
The Tenth Month (1979) with Carol Burnett and Dina Merrill
My Husband Is Missing (1978) with Sally Struthers and Tony Musante
Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) with Richard Crenna, Yvette Mimieux, Victor Jory, and Ken Kercheval
Strange New World (1975) with John Saxon, Reb Brown, Ford Rainey, Bill McKinney, Gerrit Graham, and Catherine Bach
Crime Club (1975) wiht Robert Lansing, Barbara Rhoades, and M. Emmet Walsh
Seizure (1974) with Jonathan Frid, Christina Pickles, Herve Villechaize, Troy Donahue, and Mary Woronov
The Kiss (1974)
Last Tango in Zagarolo (1973) with Franco Franchi
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) with Ralph Bates
Longstreet (1971) with James Franciscus, Bradford Dillman, Jeanette Nolan, and Bruce Lee
John the Bastard (1967) with John Richardson and Gordon Mitchell
A Bullet for the General (1967) with Klaus Kinski
The Penthouse (1967) with Suzy Kendall and Terence Morgan
Prehistoric Women (1967) with Michael Latimer
One Million Years B.C. (1966) with Raquel Welch and John Richardson
Thunderball (1965) with Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi, Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn, and Lois Maxwell
Saturday Night Out (1963) with Bernard Lee
From Russia with Love (1963) with Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Pedro Armendariz, Lotte Lenya, Robert Shaw, Bernard Lee, and Lois Maxwell
Dr. No (1962) with Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Jack Lord, Bernard Lee, Anthony Dawson, and Lois Maxwell

TELEVISION SERIES
Days of Our Lives, 1965-present NBC Daytime TV series. Beswick portrayed Abigail Abernathy during the 1984 season
Aspen, 1977 NBC TV miniseries. Beswick portrayed Joan Carolinian

links

Bondstars.com: Martine Beswick
Check out this official Bond site, with information about Martine Beswick. Autographed photos from Beswick's appearances in Bond films are available.