A FUNERAL WORTH ATTENDING

In my book Film Fatales (co-written with Louis Paul) we profile German actress Eva Renzi who co-starred with Michael Caine in the second Harry Palmer spy film, Funeral in Berlin (1966), which was produced by Harry Saltzman, a co-producer of the James Bond movies. Eva won the role after actress Anjanette Comer withdrew just before filming began.

And in an odd twist, Renzi, based on her excellent performance in Funeral in Berlin, was offered one of the femme fatale roles in the Bond adventure You Only Live Twice by Saltzman but she declined (Karin Dor got the part) commenting, "Bond pictures are good for pretty girls but not for actresses. I would rather sell shoes." Perhaps that is what she is doing today in the netherworld. She passed away a few years ago.

Click below for an interesting look at the making of Funeral in Berlin: