“Dr. No,” the first James Bond movie., (1962).

Albert (Cubby) Broccoli, who gained world-wide accolades for producing 17 James Bond films in an illustrious career before his death in 1996, never forgot his roots in Astoria. He frequently lent his support to the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.

Since his death at the age of 87, his wife, Dana, has continued to support the club. She and her husband contributed generously to help establish a theater, two rooms and a performing arts program at the club at 21-12 30th Rd., according to Ann Buehler, the club’s executive director emerita.

In a recent interview, Buehler said, "The special Dana and Cubby Broccoli addition to the building to enable the club to hold performing arts was opened in 1981 and since then they have funded not only the program, but enabled us to have a theater which opened last year."

Buehler also spoke of Broccoli’s youth in Astoria and of his family’s important and lasting contribution to their adopted country and the world after their arrival here at the turn of the 20th century.

Albert (Cubby) Broccoli on set of “Never Say Never Again.”

The family had a farm on Hoyt Avenue, where they developed a new vegetable called "broccoli rabe" by crossing the cauliflower with rabe. The product which resulted has since become a very popular and healthful addition to many families’ regular diets.

Broccoli and his relationship with the club has been a long-time interest of Bruehler, who has been associated with the organization for 50 years. Broccoli was honored by the club in 1968 when Board of Directors Chairman Salah Hassanein and the board designated him for the Man of the Year Humanitarian Award.

Buehler recalled, "It was one of the most memorable nights in our organization’s history." She said many dignitaries in the entertainment world, all friends of Cubby, attended, including singer Tony Bennett, himself an Astoria-native, Bandleader Artie Shaw and actor Burgess Meredith, now deceased. Also present were local dignitaries, including Peter Vallone Sr.

The tribute to Broccoli raised $150,000 for the club, Buehler said. Not long after, Broccoli held the world premiere of his movie, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in Manhattan. Proceeds from the ticket sales for that event were also donated to the club, which serves some 2,500 boys and girls annually, Buehler said.

The opening of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was memorable for 50 children from the Boys Club who were invited to attend and were introduced to the movie’s stars, Dick van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Soupy Sales, Florence Henderson and Bandleader Skitch Henderson.

"After the club changed its rules to allow girls free use of the club," Buehler said, "the Broccolis contributed heavily towards an addition to the building to house the performing arts center which was named in their honor. It opened in 1981 and they continued to fund it."

Following the famed producer’s death, Buehler said, "[Dana] Broccoli continued her interest in the club and its theater-oriented programs. In 2001, she donated $40,000 to establish a full drama and performing arts program and the Broccoli Theater has produced several plays."

Dana Broccoli visited the club last year, Buehler said. She met Performing Arts Director Liana Riccardi and at a tea with Buehler and Club President Thomas Nowierski, the club’s various programs were discussed.

"She was most gracious and charming," Buehler recalled, "and talked with several of the young people in the program. Over 300 children have appeared in performances, honing their skills in speech, dancing and acting. This has enabled friends and families from the neighborhood to see live performances and attendance at these shows has been overwhelming."

Dana Broccoli visited the club again this month, Buehler said, and donated another $40,000 for the continuation of the program, which is one of the club’s major projects. It involves many of the club’s young members in learning how to make scenery and props in the Arts and Crafts Department. Others become involved as stagehands, set up people or ushers, Buehler added. "The Broccoli Drama Theater has become an outstanding addition to Astoria’s cultural life," Buehler said. "For that we owe a debt of gratitude to Albert and Dana Broccoli."

Buehler said that Broccoli, on the occasions that he came to the club, often spoke fondly of growing up in Astoria before he went to Hollywood as a restless young man seeking an exciting career. He also described his early life in Astoria in his autobiography When the Snow Melts, published in 1998, she added. "He was born on Hoyt Avenue in a red brick house. Besides working on the family farm, he also worked in his uncle Pasquale Iorio’s drugstore. "His work with his uncle was the impetus for his decision as a young man to journey to a place called Hollywood, far from his home, and start in a career which led to fame and fortune and a place in motion picture history.

When Broccoli arrived there, Hollywood was still in its infancy. He had gone there at the urging of a cousin, Pat De Cicco, who was a brother of pharmacist Iorio’s wife. Di Cicco would later become involved in one of the stormiest romances to fill the pages of tabloids from coast to coast.

A big, handsome young man hoping to make it in the movies, De Cicco met and wooed Gloria Vanderbilt, a member of one of the country’s top society families. Her family objected strenuously, but were unable to break up the romance.

Broccoli, meanwhile, launched his career as a "lowly production assistant responsible for making up the extras on the western film "The Outlaw," according to an obituary of the producer on the internet. The film launched Jane Russell’s career.

According to another obit on the internet, by 1938, at 29 years of age, he had become an assistant director at 20th Century Fox.

Eventually, he became an independent producer and in the early 1950s moved to England, attracted by government subsidies available for filmmakers. He founded a movie company there and made several movie which for the most part starred Hollywood has-beens.

But he was fast becoming an important figure in Hollywood. He was on very close terms with eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes and Cary Grant was best man at his wedding.

His big break came in 1962. He had been a longtime admirer of Ian Fleming’s spy novels, and he got a big break when he convinced the United Artists studio to put up $1 million for the 1962 adaptation of "Dr. No," the first James Bond movie. The 17-year series became the most successful and longest-running film series of all time.

To launch the series, Broccoli collaborated with Harry Salzman and chose a little-known actor, Sean Connery, for the lead roll. It’s said that the Scot actor was chosen after Dana Broccoli saw some audition films and exclaimed, "Take that one…he’s gorgeous."

Connery, of course, was perfect in the role and became a huge star. But eventually he and Broccoli had a falling out that developed into a major court battle in 1984 and 1985 over profits from the Bond movies. They eventually settled and made peace.

Broccoli and Salzman parted company in 1976, but Broccoli retained the right to produce Bond movies on his own.

"Broccoli has been credited with developing the Bond recipe for success," said one obit, "exotic locations, colorful villains, dazzling gadgetry and beautiful, scantily clad women." He was honored with the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Award for career achievement at the 1982 Academy Awards.

The most recent Bond movie, "Die Another Day," stars Pierce Brosnan, whom Broccoli signed to a contract, and Halle Berry. It was produced by Broccoli’s daughter, Barbara, and stepson, Michael Wilson. It is Brosnan’s fifth Bond film.

Broccoli’s work has spread far and wide around the world, but a piece of him remains at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Long Island City.