Ex- tv Saint & Persuader Roger Moore's debut ( with plenty of gadgets unlike Lazenby's debut ) as British agent James Bond 007 is spared no expense with visits to New York, San Monique ( aka Jamaica again ) and New Orleans to solve more missing agents and an international drug trade.

This adventure is influenced by the 'Black' Movies of the time like Shaft with the heavies in the shape of Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big with an "inflated opinion of himself" ( played by Yaphet tv's Homicide: Life on the Street Kotto in the dual role ) and Tee Hee ( actor Julius Harris ).

The stunts which include a drawn out 150 mph boat chase around the Louisana Bayou. The 'cursing' Sheriff J.W. Pepper ( played by Clifton James ) provides the comedy during the action and proves so popular that he returns for the next Bond outing. Also a reminder never to travel on a double decker bus with 007.

Moore is less 'saint-ish' with short hair-cut but still given the usual Bond one-liners ( e.g. "sheer magnetism" & "quite revealing" ). Alas without Q, 007 doesn't "grow up". One of the silliest scenes has 007 in his hotel room playing with his gadgets ( the worst and unnecessary one being the hair-brush for tapping out Morse Code ).

Good score by George Martin and memorable theme tune by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.

Watch out for the tv faces of David Voyage To The Bottom of The Sea Hedison as another Felix Leiter ( getting the chance to reprise the role in Dalton's Licence To Kill ) and Jane Dr. Quinn Seymour as the young, beautiful and psychic Solitaire who with her Tarot cards ( with red 007 logos - handy ! ) foresees future events.

An enjoyable first outing for Roger who immediately stamps his style of Bond on the audience.

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