 Ian Fleming (I) (qv) received three offers for the film rights to  his "Casino Royale" novel during 1954. Producer and Director  Gregory Ratoff (qv) bought the rights to the novel in May 1954 for  $600. It was a six month option and Ratoff took this to CBS whom  produced and broadcast this one hour episode for  _"Climax!" (1954)_ (qv)[See:  _"Climax!" (1954) {Casino Royale (#1.3)}_ (qv)]. CBS purchased the  rights to the Ian Fleming (I) (qv) novel for $1000. John Shepridge  negotiated the sale of the film and television rights in 1954.  Before the sale, the "Casino Royale" novel had not been successful,  and was even retitled and Americanized for its paperback issue.  Fleming also needed money. Twelve months later, and after the TV  screening, Ratoff bought "Casino Royale" outright in perpetuity for  an additional $6000. Both sales including the option and the buy