Ian Fleming intially created "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." series for TV, and he named the lead character Napoleon Solo. Fleming dropped out early due to other commitments and he sold his rights for a dollar.
He also named one of the gangsters in "Goldfinger" Mr Solo.
In the first year or two, "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was a fairly serious spy thriller, but became a spoof in the later years.
I don't know if William Boyd knows of the Solo connections.
Frank,
ReplyDeleteIan Fleming intially created "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." series for TV, and he named the lead character Napoleon Solo. Fleming dropped out early due to other commitments and he sold his rights for a dollar.
He also named one of the gangsters in "Goldfinger" Mr Solo.
In the first year or two, "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was a fairly serious spy thriller, but became a spoof in the later years.
I don't know if William Boyd knows of the Solo connections.
Paul