Shaken, Not Stirred

Movie poster for the first Bond movie Dr. No.

 “The name’s Bond. James Bond”. As some of you know I love the official big screen Bond films. Since 0300 this morning, I have been watching a Bond marathon on Encore. Ian Fleming’s title character has given us many hours of entertainment, double entendres, beautiful women, and memorable songs. He introduced us to the British Intelligence Service (MI6) and its secret agents who were permitted at their discretion to kill if necessary to complete the mission by the designation "00". James Bond was 007. The movies gave us the things we wanted—Girls, Guns, and Gadgets. Who would not want to drive an Aston Martin DB5? Or shoot either a Walther PPK or P99? What about flying through the skies with a jetpack?

Like any great movie, the lines have made it into ordinary conversations. From Top Gun, we have “I feel the need, the need….” Come on, you know it. From On The Waterfront, we have “I could have been a contender”. From the Bond films, many of us have introduced ourselves—tongue in cheek—with last name, pause, then full name. Or have ordered our martini, “shaken, not stirred”. Do you know that there have been several biochemistry studies by reputable labs to determine which method is best? Seriously?

Can you name in order the men that held “Double O” status? I am only referring to the men in the “official” movies. Not made for TV, documentaries, or radio shows. To help, they are as follows:

  

Sean Connery

George Lazenby

Sean Connery (again)

Roger Moore

Sean Connery (again)

Timothy Dalton

Pierce Brosnan

Daniel Craig

Who could forget the Bond Girls? Names like Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), Octopussy (Maude Adams), Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janseen), and Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) have made even the most refined smirk. In addition to these, other notable women include Barbara Bach, Halle Berry, Tanya Roberts, Teri Hatcher, and of course Jane Seymour. I remember her for her beauty and that she shared a name with one of Henry VIII’s wives. Still have a thing for her today. Who are some of the best Bond girls?

What is a good movie if it does not have a great soundtrack? The movie’s theme, songs, and score can make a bad movie good and a good movie great. They set the tempo for the viewing (and listening) audience. The Bond films have given us some great music; I am sure Bond’s theme is as recognizable as that of Darth Vader’s. Here are a few of my favorites? What are yours? The YouTube clip above has all of the Bond films with theme songs and scenes from each movie. [Link broken and removed.]

“Diamonds Are Forever” by Shirley Bassey

“Live And Let Die” by Paul McCartney & Wings

“For Your Eyes Only” by Sheena Easton

“Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey

“Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon

For every great protagonist, you must have an equally compelling antagonist. What good is a hero if he does not have an enemy to combat? Some of the memorable “bad guys” that Bond faced: Mr. Big, Dr. No, Odd Job, Jaws, Goldfinger, and Bloefield the mastermind behind SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion).

One bit of trivia. In The Spy Who Loved Me, a transmitter made in the shape of a music box, plays a song that was prohibited in the USSR at that time: the theme from Dr. Zhivago (“Lara’s Theme”).

Movie poster for the latest Bond movie, Skyfall.

Next month (05 OCT 13) the Bond movies will turn 51. So, let us raise our “shaken, not stirred” martinis and wish Bond. James Bond Happy Birthday.

I would be remiss if I did not include one of my favorite "Bond Girls", the beautiful Robbin Young. While not officially a Bond Girl, in 1981 she won a Playboy magazine contest to appear in the next Bond movie. Her official IMDB character name is "Girl in Flower Shop". To me, she was the prettiest girl in the movie. She capitalized on her exposure to appear in several films and made several pictorials and magazine appearances. As a college student and US Marine after college, I thought of Robbin a good bit. There was just something about her. If my memory is correct, she first appeared in the magazine naming Terri Welles as Playmate of the Year. In 1983, I met Ms Welles in Las Vegas. She was gracious, and to be fair she knew I was a young Marine. We spoke for a few moments. My last question was about Robbin Young; Do you know if she has any other "movies" coming out. She gave me a quick hug and whispered "I'm not sure." I'm glad I met Terri Welles, she is beautiful, but I would have rather have just been in the same area as Robbin Young. Oh well, just a "Young" man's dreams.

Below are some of my favorite quotes. What are yours? Following the quotes is a listing of all James Bond movies with actor, Bond Girl, and theme song facts.

For more information and trivia visit this website. James Bond Facts and Trivia

We Only Live Twice

Bond: Why do Chinese girls taste different from all other girls?

Girl: You think we better. Huh?

Bond: No, just different. Like Peking Duck is different from Russian caviar, but I love them both.

Girl: I give you very best duck.

Tomorrow Never Dies

Bond: I always enjoyed learning a new tongue.

Moneypenny: You always were a cunning linguist, James.

The World is Not Enough

Bond: I was wrong about you.

Christmas Jones: Yeah, how so?

Bond: I thought Christmas only comes once a year.

Goldfinger

Pussy Galore: My name is Pussy Galore.

Bond: I must be dreaming.

Eddy’s Official Bond Movies

1.     James Bond: Dr. No (1962)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Ursula Andress (Honey Rider)

·       Theme Song: “James Bond Theme” composed by John Barry

2.     James Bond: From Russia With Love (1963)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Daniela Bianchi (Tatiana Romanova)

·       Theme Song: “From Russia With Love” performed by Matt Munro

3.     James Bond: Goldfinger (1964)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore)

·       Theme Song: “Goldfinger” performed by Shirley Bassey

4.     James Bond: Thunderball (1965)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Claudine Auger (Domino)

·       Theme Song: “Thunderball” performed by Tom Jones

5.     James Bond: You Only Live Twice (1967)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Akiko Wakabayashi (Aki)

·       Theme Song: “You Only Live Twice” performed by Nancy Sinatra

6.     James Bond: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)i

·       007 played by George Lazenby

·       Bond Girl: Diana Rigg (Tracy di Vicenzo)

·       Theme Song: “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” composed by John Barry

7.     James Bond: Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Jill St. John (Tiffany Case)

·       Theme Song: “Diamonds Are Forever” performed by Shirley Bassey

8.     James Bond: Live and Let Die (1973)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Jane Seymour (Solitaire)

·       Theme Song: “Live and Let Die” performed by Paul McCartney

9.     James Bond: The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight)

·       Theme Song: “The Man With the Golden Gun” performed by Lulu.

10.  James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Barbara Bach (Major Anya Amasova)

·       Theme Song: “Nobody Does It Better” performed by Carly Simon

11.  James Bond: Moonraker (1979)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Lois Chiles (Dr. Holly Goodhead)

·       Theme Song: “Moonraker” performed by Shirley Bassey

12.  James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (1981)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Carole Bouquet (Melina Havelock)

·       Theme Song: “For Your Eyes Only” performed by Sheena Easton

13.  James Bond: Octopussy (1983)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Maud Adams (Octopussy)

·       Theme Song: “All Time High” performed by Rita Coolidge

14.  James Bond: Never Say Never Again (1983)ii

·       007 played by Sean Connery

·       Bond Girl: Barbara Carrera (Fatima Blush)

·       Theme Song: “Never Say Never Again” performed by Lani Hall

15.  James Bond: A View To a Kill (1985)

·       007 played by Roger Moore

·       Bond Girl: Tanya Roberts (Stacey Sutton)

·       Theme Song” “A View To a Kill” performed by Duran Duran

16.  James Bond: The Living Daylights (1987)

·       007 played by Timothy Dalton

·       Bond Girl: Maryam d’Abo (Kara Milovy)

·       Theme Song: “The Living Daylights” performed by A-ha

17.  James Bond: License to Kill (1989)

·       007 played by Timothy Dalton

·       Bond Girl: Carey Lowell (Pam Bouvier)

·       Theme Song: “License to Kill” performed by Gladys Knight

18.  James Bond: Goldeneye (1995)

·       007 played by Pierce Brosnan

·       Bond Girl: Famke Janseen (Xenia Zirgavna Onatopp)

·       Theme Song: “Goldeneye” performed by Tina Turner

19.  James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

·       007 played by Pierce Brosnan

·       Bond Girl: Teri Hatcher (Paris Carver)

·       Theme Song: “Tomorrow Never Dies” performed by Sheryl Crow

20.  James Bond: The World is Not Enough (1999)

·       007 played by Pierce Brosnan

·       Bond Girl: Denise Richards (Dr. Christmas Jones)

·       Theme Song: “The World is Not Enough” performed by Garbage

21.  James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)

·       007 played by Pierce Brosnan

·       Bond Girl: Halle Berry (Giacinta “Jinx” Johnson)

·       Theme Song: “Die Another Day” performed by Madonna

22.  James Bond: Casino Royale (2006)

·       007 played by Daniel Craig

·       Bond Girl: Eva Green (Vesper Lynd)

·       Theme Song: “You Know My Name” performed by Chris Cornell

23.  James Bond: Quantum of Solace (2008)

·       007 played by Daniel Craig

·       Bond Girl: Olga Kurlyenko (Camille)

·       Theme Song: “Another Way to Die” performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys

24.  James Bond: Skyfall (2012)

·       007 played by Daniel Craig

·       Bond Girl: Bérénice Marlohe (Séverine)

·       Theme Song: “Skyfall” performed by Adele Adkins

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i Only Bond movie, James marries. His marriage is short-lived. His bride is killed in a drive-by shooting shortly after leaving the wedding.

ii This is the same storyline as Thunderball. It is considered by most Bond aficionados, as not a true Bond movie. This is why Skyfall used the working title of Bond 23.