Yet another unknown luscious blond model-turned-actress who would soon appear in a Bond film (“Never Say Never Again”) only to fade away—the usual fate of those lovely but expendable 007 starlets. Well, not exactly!

Delicate, skittish, and somewhat distracted by her make-up man (and husband), Kim Basinger began our shoot as if it were just one more routine modeling assignment on the beach in Malibu. I looked through the lens and saw Ralph Lauren ads! She was indeed beautiful, but she was not there. How could I get her?

Back in my studio, away from the scenery, it finally became about her. Alone, she exploded with a hushed sexuality—that “white heat” filmgoers have since come to relish.

“Batman” made Basinger a bankable star, “L.A. Confidential” gave her an Academy Award, but I loved her best opposite Jeff Bridges in “Nadine.”