John Evan Weston-Davies, alias Berkely Mather, was a renowned British author who penned an impressive fifteen novels and a collection of short stories. In addition to his literary pursuits, Mather ventured into the realm of radio, television, and film, showcasing his versatility as a writer.
One of his notable works is the novelization of the 1965 film "Genghis Khan", for which he had originally penned the story. Mather's extensive portfolio in the film industry includes credits such as "The Long Ships" and "Dr. No", the latter of which saw him borrowing a copy of Ian Fleming's original novel from his son. Furthermore, Mather contributed uncredited rewrites to the screenplays of "From Russia with Love" and "Goldfinger".
In a separate development, James Bond film producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman acquired the film rights to "The Pass Beyond Kashmir" for Columbia Pictures in 1963. The film was set to star Sean Connery and Honor Blackman, with production slated to commence in late 1964 in Britain and on location in the Far East.
