It's Grεεκ To Me

RichardTheBruce

Thrilling Cities, Ian Fleming, 1963.
Chapter 3 – Tokyo

INCIDENTAL INTELLIGENCE
Hotels

Whatever season you visit Tokyo, cable your accommodation reservations well in advance, and reckon on spending double your normal budget while you are in the most expensive city in the world.

The Imperial Hotel Annexe, to which the reckless always flock, will cost 6,000 yen (£6) a day, but you can get into the original Imperial Hotel, which many people prefer anyway in the autumn and spring, when bedroom air-conditioning is not required, for two-thirds that price.

For 3,000 yen you can get a good enough room at the Shiba Park Hotel, near by and also operated by the Imperial. The Nikkatsu is almost as expensive as the Imperial Annexe but more liberal and tolerant in--shall we say?--its policies. Because of the demand, there is a take-it-or-leave-it indifference at the reception desks in most of the big hotels.

Recommended compromises may be found within fifteen minutes' taxi drive from the Ginza and the heart of down-town Tokyo. One such is the Matsudaira--up to 4,000 yen a day for a small air-conditioned suite.

The Matsudaira has an elegant swimming-pool, is quiet and discreet and caters for foreign airline crews on overnight stop-overs.

Japanese-style inns of good quality like the Fukudaya usually require an introduction for a gaijin (foreigner).

With the next Olympic Games in the offing [Summer 1964], there is a boom in Tokyo hotel-building, so new names will be rising and maybe old names will be becoming less autocratic.

RichardTheBruce

Promised earlier. Getting back to Greek mythos.


Chimera / Χίμαιρα / kīˈ·mir·ə, kəˈmir·ə / noun
1. a Greek monster having the heads of a lion, a goat, a serpent
2. a creature combining animal body parts
3. an elusive hope or achievement

Middle English (Chimaera). Greek (khimaira, she-goat).

Chimera: born of Typhoeus (aka Typhon, the monster of all monsters, a fire-breathing dragon) and Echidna (half-woman, half snake—the mother of all monsters), along with siblings Cerberus (three-headed guard dog of the Underworld) and the Lernaean Hydra (whose many heads would increase when chopped off).

Chimera combined the fire-breathing head of a lion, a goat’s head, plus a serpent’s head at tail’s end. Lived in Lycia, destroying the countryside by fire. Killed in battle with Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasos, with arrows from above.

Chimera.

Chimera battles Bellerophon and Pegasus.

RichardTheBruce

Skyfall, Sam Mendes, 2012.

Bond: I can help you.

Sévérine: I don't think so.

Bond: Let me try.

Sévérine: How?

Bond: Bring me to him.

Sévérine: Can you kill him?

Bond: Yes.

Sévérine: Will you?

Bond: Someone usually dies.

Sévérine: Perhaps you can. When I leave, they're going to kill you. If you survive, I'm on The Chimera. North harbor. Berth seven. We cast off in an hour. Very nice to have met you, Mr. Bond. Good luck.

“The Chimera”, David Arnold.

RichardTheBruce

Superyacht Regina.

Agent_99

Here's one I've just noticed - in Chapter 4 of Casino Royale, Mathis poses as a Director of Radio Stentor:

In Greek mythology, Stentor (Greek: Στέντωρ; gen.: Στέντορος) was a herald of the Greek forces during the Trojan War. He is mentioned briefly in Homer's Iliad in which Hera in the guise of Stentor, whose "voice was as powerful as fifty voices of other men" encourages the Greeks to fight.

Elsewhere, Stentor is said to have died after losing a shouting contest with Hermes.

Stentor's story is the origin of the term "stentorian", meaning loud-voiced, for which he was famous. Aristotle uses the concept in his Politics Book 7, Chapter IV saying, "For who can be the general of such a vast multitude, or who the herald, unless he have the voice of a Stentor?"

Excellent name for a radio company!

RichardTheBruce

Great, @Agent99, I likely wouldn't have ID'd that one soon if ever.

I found another Fleming invocation of it, different novel. Will follow up later this week after I've combed some other sources. Appreciate the education.

Agent_99

My pleasure! I've been waiting a very long time for my four-year Classics degree to come in useful.

RichardTheBruce

Stentor: / Στέντωρ / ˈsten·ˌtȯr / noun
1. a Greek herald with the voice of 50 men
2. a person with loud voice
3. a (trumpet-shaped) protozoan genus
4. a howler (monkey) genus
Stentorian / adjective
1. loud and powerful

Greek (Στέντωρ / Stentōr relates to stenein, to rumble or roar).
Latin (Stentōr, relates to tonar, or thunder).

Agent_99 wrote: »

In Greek mythology, Stentor (Greek: Στέντωρ; gen.: Στέντορος) was a herald of the Greek forces during the Trojan War. He is mentioned briefly in Homer's Iliad in which Hera in the guise of Stentor, whose "voice was as powerful as fifty voices of other men" encourages the Greeks to fight.

Elsewhere, Stentor is said to have died after losing a shouting contest with Hermes.

Stentor's story is the origin of the term "stentorian", meaning loud-voiced, for which he was famous. Aristotle uses the concept in his Politics Book 7, Chapter IV saying, "For who can be the general of such a vast multitude, or who the herald, unless he have the voice of a Stentor?"

Not a lot of Greek art on this one’s heroics.

RichardTheBruce

Agent_99 wrote: »

Here's one I've just noticed - in Chapter 4 of Casino Royale, Mathis poses as a Director of Radio Stentor: …Excellent name for a radio company!

Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, 1953.
Chapter 4 – L’Ennemi Écoute

…
He was lost in his thoughts when the telephone rang. It was the concierge announcing that a Director of Radio Stentor was waiting below with the wireless set he had ordered from Paris.

'Of course,' said Bond. 'Send him up.'

This was the cover fixed by the Deuxième Bureau for their liaison man with Bond. Bond watched the door, hoping that it would be Mathis.

When Mathis came in, a respectable business man carrying a large square parcel by its leather handle, Bond smiled broadly and would have greeted him with warmth if Mathis had not frowned and held up his free hand after carefully closing the door.

'I have just arrived from Paris, monsieur, and here is the set you asked to have on approval — five valves, superhet, I think you call it in England, and you should be able to get most of the capitals of Europe from Royale. There are no mountains for forty miles in any direction.'

'It sounds all right,' said Bond, lifting his eyebrows at this mystery making.

…
'Are you satisfied, monsieur?' he asked. 'You notice how clearly they came over. Are they not a wonderful team?' He made a winding motion with his right hand and raised his eyebrows.

'They are so good,' said Bond, 'that I would like to hear the rest of the programme.' He grinned at the thought of the angry glances which the Muntzes must be exchanging overhead. 'The machine itself seems splendid. Just what I was looking for to take back to Jamaica.'

Mathis made a sarcastic grimace and switched back to the Rome programme.

'You and your Jamaica,' he said, and sat down again on the bed.

Bond frowned at him. 'Well, it's no good crying over spilt milk,' he said. 'We didn't expect the cover to stick for long, but it's worrying that they bowled it out so soon.' He searched his mind in vain for a clue. Could the Russians have broken one of our ciphers? If so, he might just as well pack up and go home. He and his job would have been stripped naked.

Mathis seemed to read his mind. 'It can't have been a cipher,' he said. 'Anyway, we told London at once and they will have changed them. A pretty flap we caused, I can tell you.' He smiled with the satisfaction of a friendly rival. 'And now to business, before our good "Compagnons" run out of breath.

'First of all,' and he inhaled a thick lungful of Caporal, 'you will be pleased with your Number Two. She is very beautiful' — Bond frowned — 'very beautiful indeed.' Satisfied with Bond's reaction, Mathis continued: 'She has black hair, blue eyes, and splendid . . . er . . . protuberances. Back and front,' he added. 'And she is a wireless expert which, though sexually less interesting, makes her a perfect employee of Radio Stentor and assistant to myself in my capacity as wireless salesman for this rich summer season down here.' He grinned. 'We are both staying in the hotel and my assistant will thus be on hand in case your new radio breaks down. All new machines, even French ones, are apt to have teething troubles in the first day or two. And occasionally at night,' he added with an exaggerated wink.

Bond was not amused. 'What the hell do they want to send me a woman for?' he said bitterly. 'Do they think this is a bloody picnic?'

RichardTheBruce

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Ian Fleming, 1963.
Chapter 20 - M en Pantoufles

…
BOND SLEPT in the plane and was visited by a terrible nightmare. It was the hallway of a very grand town-house, an embassy perhaps, and a wide staircase led up under a spangled chandelier to where the butler was standing at the door of the drawing-room, from which came the murmur of a large crowd of guests. Tracy, in oyster satin, was on his arm. She was loaded with jewels and her golden hair had been piled up grandly into one of those fancy arrangements you see in smart hairdressers' advertisements. On top of the pile was a diamond tiara that glittered gorgeously. Bond was dressed in tails (where in hell had he got those from?), and the wing collar stuck into his neck below the chin. He was wearing his medals, and his order as CMG, on its blue and scarlet ribbon, hung below his white tie. Tracy was chattering, gaily, excitedly, looking forward to the grand evening. Bond was cursing the prospect before him and wishing he was playing a tough game of bridge for high stakes at Blades. They got to the top of the stairs and Bond gave his name.

'Commander and Mrs James Bond!' It was the stentorian bellow of a toast-master. Bond got the impression that a sudden hush fell over the elegant crowd in the gilt and white drawing-room.

He followed Tracy through the double doors. There was a gush of French from Tracy as she exchanged those empty 'Mayfair' kisses, that end up wide of the kissers' ears, with her hostess. Tracy drew Bond forward. 'And this is James. Doesn't he look sweet with that beautiful medal round his neck? Just like the old De Reszke cigarette advertisements!'

'Fasten your seat belts, please, and extinguish your cigarettes.'

Bond awoke, sweating. God Almighty! What had he done? But no! It wouldn't be like that! Definitely not. He would still have his tough, exciting life, but now there would be Tracy to come home to. Would there be room in his flat in Chelsea? Perhaps he could rent the floor above. And what about May, his Scottish treasure? That would be tricky. He must somehow persuade her to stay.

RichardTheBruce

The Iliad, Homer.
gutenberg.org/files/6130/6130-h/6130-h.html

...
The best and bravest of the Grecian band
(A warlike circle) round Tydides stand.
Such was their look as lions bathed in blood,
Or foaming boars, the terror of the wood

Heaven's empress mingles with the mortal crowd,
And shouts, in Stentor's sounding voice, aloud;
Stentor the strong, endued with brazen lungs,
Whose throats surpass'd the force of fifty tongues.
"Inglorious Argives! to your race a shame,
And only men in figure and in name!
Once from the walls your timorous foes engaged,
While fierce in war divine Achilles raged;
Now issuing fearless they possess the plain,
Now win the shores, and scarce the seas remain."
...

Note 158: "No trumpets, or any other instruments of sound, are used in the Homeric action itself; but the trumpet was known, and is introduced for the purpose of illustration as employed in war. Hence arose the value of a loud voice in a commander; Stentor was an indispensable officer... In the early Saracen campaigns frequent mention is made of the service rendered by men of uncommonly strong voices; the battle of Honain was restored by the shouts and menaces of Abbas, the uncle of Mohammed," &c.—Coleridge, p. 213.

RichardTheBruce

Politics, Aristotle.
Chapter IV.
https://gutenberg.org/files/6762/6762-h/6762-h.htm
...

As I have now finished what was introductory to this subject, and considered at large the nature of other states, it now remains that I should first say what ought to be the establishment of a city which one should form according to one's wish; for no good state can exist without a moderate proportion of what is necessary. Many things therefore ought to be forethought of as desirable, but none of them such as are impossible: I mean relative to the number of citizens and the extent of the territory: for as other artificers, such as the weaver and the shipwright, ought to have such materials as are fit for their work, since so much the better they are, by so much [1326a] superior will the work itself necessarily be; so also ought the legislator and politician endeavour to procure proper materials for the business they have in hand. Now the first and principal instrument of the politician is the number of the people; he should therefore know how many, and what they naturally ought to be: in like manner the country, how large, and what it is. Most persons think that it is necessary for a city to be large to be happy: but, should this be true, they cannot tell what is a large one and what a small one; for according to the multitude of the inhabitants they estimate the greatness of it; but they ought rather to consider its strength than its numbers; for a state has a certain object in view, and from the power which it has in itself of accomplishing it, its greatness ought to be estimated; as a person might say, that Hippocrates was a greater physician, though not a greater man, than one that exceeded him in the size of his body: but if it was proper to determine the strength of the city from the number of the inhabitants, it should never be collected from the multitude in general who may happen to be in it; for in a city there must necessarily be many slaves, sojourners, and foreigners; but from those who are really part of the city and properly constitute its members; a multitude of these is indeed a proof of a large city, but in a state where a large number of mechanics inhabit, and but few soldiers, such a state cannot be great; for the greatness of the city, and the number of men in it, are not the same thing. This too is evident from fact, that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to govern properly a very numerous body of men; for of all the states which appear well governed we find not one where the rights of a citizen are open to an indiscriminate multitude.

And this is also evident from the nature of the thing; for as law is a certain order, so good law is of course a certain good order: but too large a multitude are incapable of this, unless under the government of that DIVINE POWER which comprehends the universe. Not but that, as quantity and variety are usually essential to beauty, the perfection of a city consists in the largeness of it as far as that largeness is consistent with that order already mentioned: but still there is a determinate size to all cities, as well as everything else, whether animals, plants, or machines, for each of these, if they are neither too little nor too big, have their proper powers; but when they have not their due growth, or are badly constructed, as a ship a span long is not properly a ship, nor one of two furlongs length, but when it is of a fit size; for either from its smallness or from its largeness it may be quite useless: so is it with a city; one that is too small has not [1326b] in itself the power of self-defence, but this is essential to a city: one that is too large is capable of self-defence in what is necessary; but then it is a nation and not a city: for it will be very difficult to accommodate a form of government to it: for who would choose to be the general of such an unwieldy multitude, or who could be their herald but a stentor?

The first thing therefore necessary is, that a city should consist of such numbers as will be sufficient to enable the inhabitants to live happily in their political community: and it follows, that the more the inhabitants exceed that necessary number the greater will the city be: but this must not be, as we have already said, without bounds; but what is its proper limit experience will easily show, and this experience is to be collected from the actions both of the governors and the governed. Now, as it belongs to the first to direct the inferior magistrates and to act as judges, it follows that they can neither determine causes with justice nor issue their orders with propriety without they know the characters of their fellow-citizens: so that whenever this happens not to be done in these two particulars, the state must of necessity be badly managed; for in both of them it is not right to determine too hastily and without proper knowledge, which must evidently be the case where the number of the citizens is too many: besides, it is more easy for strangers and sojourners to assume the rights of citizens, as they will easily escape detection in so great a multitude. It is evident, then, that the best boundary for a city is that wherein the numbers are the greatest possible, that they may be the better able to be sufficient in themselves, while at the same time they are not too large to be under the eye and government of the magistrates. And thus let us determine the extent of a city.

...

Thunderfinger

Great work!

Agent_99

Thunderfinger wrote: »

Great work!

Yes, excellent! Especially the toastmaster.

RichardTheBruce

A little more pop culture.

Sad Sack #119, "Brass Banned," script and art by Paul McCarthy. Covers by creator George Baker.

Description: The General is inspired by the Roman orator Stentor, but over-practices his delivery and loses his voice while addressing the troops in front of the congressman.

The General does not appear on the cover--but does feature on his own comic.

Creator George Baker.

[George Baker himself died at age 59 on May 7, 1975.]

Thunderfinger

ARCADIA is a Greek landscape in the region of Peloponnes, but was also the name of a side-project from three of the members of Duran Duran in the mid-80s.

RichardTheBruce

Who, them? I’ll give it a shot, @Thunderfinger.

RichardTheBruce

Arcadia / Αρκαδία / är·ˈkā·dē·ə / noun

1. a mountain region of Greece, known for its peaceful inhabitants
2. in Greek myth, the natural wilderness home of Pan
3. any real or imaginary place offering peace and simplicity.

Greek (Αρκαδία, Arkadía).

Arcadia (Αρκαδία, Arkadía; also Αρκαδία, Arcady): in Greece, an area in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese administrative region. Greek myth: home of Pan. Known in Renaissance art as unspoiled wilderness.

Arcas (Ἀρκάς, Arkcas): hunter, eventual first king of Arcadia. Born of Zeus and Callisto. Also known teacher of weaving and bread-baking skills, relating to the pastoral reputation of the land.

Dream of Arcadia, Thomas Cole, 1838.


In Arcadia, Arcas aims at a bear not imagining it is his transformed mother Callisto.


Pan in Arcadia.

RichardTheBruce

From Russia With Love, Ian Fleming, 1957.
Chapter Three – Post Graduate Studies

…
At the end of the year, the report that went back to SMERSH concluded `Political value Nil. Operational value Excellent'---which was just what Otdyel II wanted to hear.

The next year was spent, with only two other foreign students among several hundred Russians, at the School for Terror and Diversion at Kuchino, outside Moscow. Here Grant went triumphantly through courses in judo, boxing, athletics, photography and radio under the general supervision of the famous Colonel Arkady Fotoyev, father of the modern Soviet spy, and completed his small-arms instruction at the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Nikolai Godlovsky, the Soviet Rifle Champion.

Twice during this year, without warning, an M.G.B. car came for him on the night of the full moon and took him to one of the Moscow jails. There, with a black hood over his head, he was allowed to carry out executions with various weapons---the rope, the axe, the sub-machine gun. Electrocardiograms, blood-pressure and various other medical tests were applied to him before, during and after these occasions, but their purpose and findings were not revealed to him.

It was a good year and he felt, and rightly, that he was giving satisfaction.

RichardTheBruce

GoldenEye, Martin Campbell, 1995.

Ourumov: General Arkady Grigorovich Ourumov, head of Space Division.

Soldier: General, if I'd known...

Ourumov: You'd have been ready.

Minister: Please, deliver your report.

Ourumov: As you know, 72 hours ago, a secret weapons system - codename GoldenEye - was detonated over Severnaya. As head of Space Division, I personally undertook the investigation. I have concluded this crime was committed by Siberian separatists seeking to create political unrest. Regrettably, the peaceful work and the hard-currency earnings of Severnaya have been set back by several years. Therefore, I tender my resignation.

Minister: It seems the council does not want your head, Arkady Grigorovich. Merely your assurance that there are no other GoldenEyes.

Ourumov: I can give you that assurance, Defence Minister.

Deleted scene: Ourumov and Boris on the train.

Agent_99

When I was in my teens I was lucky enough to be taken to see Tom Stoppard's play Arcadia. It was brilliant and I've been a Stoppard fan ever since.

Did someone call for a Tenuous Bond Connection™?

https://www.writerswrite.com/tom-stoppard-meets-james-bond-527061

(you could also, if you prefer, have Judi Dench in the Stoppard-penned Shakespeare in Love for your connection)

Thunderfinger

RichardTheBruce

Got home, saw your message, had dinner, got cleaned up, turned on (Roald Dahl's) Tales of the Unexpected. Episode 12: "Completely Foolproof".

Straight off Mr. Savalas is on screen. He's next, @Thunderfinger.

Thunderfinger

Synchronisity at large.

j_w_pepper

Thunderfinger wrote: »

Synchronisity at large.

Call The Police!

Thunderfinger

RichardTheBruce

In the interim, here's more Savalas.

A popular recording artist in his day, mostly in the spoken word style.

"If", by David Gates.
Performed by Telly Savalas, 1975.


"Some Broken Hearts Never Mend", by Don Williams.
Performed by Telly Savalas, 1981. (Chart-topper in Switzerland.)


"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin", by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil.
Performed by Telly Savalas, 1974.


"Who Loves Ya, Baby", performed by Telly Savalas, 1976.

Thunderfinger

Top of the lollipops.

Thunderfinger

Telly Savalas real first name was Aristotelis, same as Kristatos.

RichardTheBruce

Telly Savalas.

Born Terry Aristotle Savalas 21 January 1922 in Garden City, New York, to Greek immigrant parents. In his early years shined shoes and sold newspapers with brother Gus.

Military service in the Army, 1941, Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, Virginia.


Pursued radio and television production studies at the Armed Forces Institute. Psychology at Columbia University. Worked on ABC’s Voice of America in the 50s. Executive producer of his own talk show Telly’s Coffee House. Awarded the George Foster Peabody Award (though I’m unable to confirm that on the Peabody website).


Began acting 1959, after attending an audition to support an actor friend and accepting a part himself. Dark roles in television and film followed.

Birdman of Alcatraz, John Frankenheimer, 1962. Cast by Burt Lancaster in the role of prisoner Feto Gomez, earning Savalas a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination.

The Dirty Dozen, Robert Aldrich, 1967.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Peter Hunt, 1969. As Ernst Stavro Blofeld in a very energized performance, participating in the snow action via skis and bobsleigh.

Kojak. He relished this as his most famous role 1973 to 1978: television detective role Theo Kojak. Originally a character from The Marcus-Nelson Murders TV movie--instantly popular and demanded its own series. So successful for Telly that he hired his brother George to appear on the show (as Stavros!). Savalas won one Emmy Award and two Golden Globes for his role on the series.


George Savalas recorded traditional Greek music albums. Pretty good.

Following Kojak, Savalas lived the high life jet-setting the world. Acting, singing, and selling products like Black Velvet Canadian whiskey, Bacardi rum, razor blades, and credit cards.

Mr. Savalas passed on 22 January 1994, Universal City, California.

The hour of departure has arrived,
and we go our ways -
I to die and you to live.
Which is better God only knows.
- ARISTOTLE

[This quote is usually credited to Socrates.]