James Bond (Barry Nelson), an agent of "Combined Intelligence" and his British contact Clarence Leiter (Michael Pate) set up a high-stakes baccarat game with the goal of bankrupting "Le Chiffre" (Peter Lorre), who is playing with SMERSH (the Soviet counter-espionage organisation) money. Notable only for being the first portrayal of Ian Fleming's iconic secret agent, and, needless to say, difficult to evaluate after five decades of the cinematic juggernaut that is the 007 franchise. Barry Nelson is a bit bland as the sketchily-defined hero, the production values are typical of an inexpensive '50s TV show, and the plot is simplistic (only the rudiments of Fleming's story are depicted). On the other hand, Lorre makes a great, understated but menacing villain (as always) and some elements characteristic of the future franchise are present (a duplicitous 'Bond-girl' (Linda Christian), post-traumatic quips (asked if he was "shot", Bond replies no, he was "missed"), a gimmicky weapon (a silencer-equipped cane-gun), and casual brutality. As 'Climax' was an American anthology series, Bond's and Leiter's nationalities are swapped (even these days, when 'non-traditional' casting is revered, there is something blasphemous about an American James Bond). The provenance of the episode and how it was rediscovered in the 1980s is as interesting as the show itself. Essential viewing for some people, a dated relic for others.