Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens)
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Datastream
Actor: Curt Jurgens
Character: Karl Stromberg
Movie: The Spy Who Loved Me
Date of Birth: 13 December 1915
Height: 6' 4" (1.93 m)
Distinguishing Feature: Webbed fingers
Status: Terminated
Organisations & Alliances: Jaws, Naomi,
Sandor
Profile
A rich and successful marine biologist, head of the Stromberg
shipping line and an eccentric recluse, Karl Stromberg
conducts
life on his own terms – beneath the waves. His profession
has lead him to an unhealthy obsession with the
ocean
and as a result the scientist is mad-tack on savoring the
peace and quiet of the deep oceans, at the cost of all
human
life on land. He believes he has the power to decide
who should die and who should live.
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“Well, well... a British
agent in love with a Russian agent.
Détente, indeed.”
Scheme
At Stromberg’s secret laboratory, scientists Dr Bechmann and Professor
Markovitz develop the submarine tracking system, capable of pinpointing
nuclear subs
across
the globe based purely on their wake. With this security-shattering
tool at hand, Stromberg’s organisation captures both
Russian, British and American nuclear submarines. His intent
is to destroy civilisation
so
that
he could
start a new one, a very different one. Stromberg plans to use
the submarines to start WW III by bombing two high-population
cities
- New York and Moscow - causing a
full
scale nuclear war between the USA and the USSR, wiping out most
of the world's population.
I've Been Expecting You
"Why do we seek to conquer space, when seven-tenths of our
universe remains to be explored?"
Bond poses as globe-trotting marine biologist
Robert Stirling in order to get an audience with the elusive
Karl Stromberg. Bond irks Stromberg by attempting to shake hands
- something
he refuses to do (perhaps because of his webbed fingers?) He
lives up to his cover when quizzed about sea life, but 007 does
not fool the manic mastermind for
long
and
Bond
and Anya are
soon set upon by Stromberg’s goons.
Headquarters
Stromberg spends much of his time onboard Atlantis –
the giant, submergible mansion off the coast of Sardinia,
Italy. This massive contraption has living rooms, banquet
halls, aquariums and laboratories. Returning to the surface
only
to receive goods and visitors, Atlantis allows the ocean-obsessed
mastermind the peace and quite he craves.
Gadgets & Vehicles
Stromberg is the commander of the giant Supertanker Liparus,
whose massive bows open to swallow nuclear submarines
whole. On the inside of Liparus is a docking bay, command
post, armory and holding bay to trap the abducted crew.
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Dress Code
Often seen in a polo top and long casual pants, Stromberg
need not worry about style or fashion within the hermit-like
lifestyle he has chosen.
Goodbye, Mr Bond
James Bond: Your time is running out
Stromberg: Yours too, Mr. Bond. Yours too. And faster
than you think.
After seeing the Liparus destroyed, Bond risks everything to
rescue the beautiful Russian agent from Stromberg’s inner
sanctum. Stromberg’s demise comes down to a short sharp
gun-battle in the elaborately decorated dining room of Atlantis.
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Biography
Born Curd Gustav Andreas Gottlieb Franz Jürgens in
Barvaria, Germany – Jurgens is a is a talented bi-lingual
actor of French-German origin.
Curt Jurgens began a career in the journalism industry
before his marriage to Louise Basler, an actress. It was
through Basler that he entered the entertainment industry
and shined.
He began his career on stage in Vienna before making
his first feature film, “Königswalzer” in
1935. He did not, however, frequently make English films
until
the late 1950s. His Hollywood break came with “The
Longest Day” – a classic war film – starring
along-side Bond veteran Sean
Connery in 1962.
In his wide and diverse acting career, Curt Jurgens was
nominated for two BAFTAs and was gifted an honorary award
at the German Film awards for outstanding contributions
to film.
Jurgens appeared in over 160 productions for TV
and film before passing away in Vienna, Austria in June
1982.
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