If Ratoff had held onto the rights, James Bond might have been a forgotten B-movie character from the 1950s. Instead, by letting go, he allowed the franchise to fall into the hands that built the legend.

When Broccoli and Saltzman formed Eon Productions, they wanted to start with Casino Royale , but Ratoff’s lingering claim made it legally impossible. So, they pivoted to Dr. No instead. The rest is history.

By 1955, Ratoff’s option was expiring. Rather than renew a property he couldn't sell to studios,