Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    edited July 29 Posts: 4,449
    And on to Dr No...

    A brutal opening in Jamaica as Strangways and his assistant are murdered just before checking in with MI6 in London. Very faithfully recreated for the film.

    Bond is back after nearly dying at the hands (or foot..) of Rosa Klebb.

    We learn Bond was jabbed in the leg with 'Fugu' poison (Tetrodotoxin) which comes from the sex organs of the Japanese Globe Fish..!

    M thinks that Bond's 'routine investigation and report' into the Jamaica case will be 'a bit of a holiday..' :))






  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,858
    M thinks that Bond's 'routine investigation and report' into the Jamaica will be 'a bit of a holiday..' :))

    Reminds me of this a bit from Die Hard:

  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,449
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    M thinks that Bond's 'routine investigation and report' into the Jamaica will be 'a bit of a holiday..' :))

    Reminds me of this a bit from Die Hard:


    Absolutely! :))
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    edited August 4 Posts: 4,449
    Onwards with Dr No and on arrival in Jamaica, Bond is met by Quarrel, who he finds 'a splendid companion' (It's been 5 years since their adventures in LALD)

    Bond realises there's something more sinister to the Strangways disappearance as he and Quarrel are followed from the Airport. Bond's choice of drink when he gets to his hotel room is a Gin & Tonic, with two squeezed halves of a Lime and filled with ice. Made me quite thirsty reading that!

    Bond later meets Quarrel for dinner at Pus-Feller's nightspot where Bond learns more about the mysterious Chinaman who owns Crab Key. Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

  • Posts: 6,200
    The All-Important American Market, I would think.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited August 4 Posts: 4,055
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    It's no different from Casino Royale of why Felix Leiter was needed to be there when the book already have René Mathis from French Intelligence as Bond's ally.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,449
    Gerard wrote: »
    The All-Important American Market, I would think.

    That would make sense..
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,449
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    I agree, but were they that confident of a long running series..? I'd probably agree with @Gerard that it would appeal to the American market.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited August 4 Posts: 4,055
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    I agree, but were they that confident of a long running series..? I'd probably agree with @Gerard that it would appeal to the American market.

    I think they're pretty confident as Fleming's books back then are best sellers, his books are so popular that Fleming even decided to continue even though he planned at stopping in FRWL (hence, that ending), so the Producers are also willing to adapt more of his books, especially when JFK listed FRWL as one of his favorite books that led to its adaptation after Dr. No.

    But yes, @Gerard also have a point too.
  • Posts: 2,286
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    They wanted to make TB. They even wrote the script. I guess a lot of things ended up in Dr. No, like SPECTRE.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited August 4 Posts: 4,055
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    They wanted to make TB. They even wrote the script. I guess a lot of things ended up in Dr. No, like SPECTRE.

    Budget was more likely the reason from what I've learned in some sources a long time ago.
    As Dr. No only have one location.

    Although Fleming wanted Hitchcock to direct TB but Hitchcock failed to receive Fleming's request, but again, this was also possible due to the lack of budget, which turned them to Dr. No instead.

    (Edit: Impossible).
  • In terms of starting the film series, I think the rationale went from Thunderball (legal issues) to Casino Royale (rights issues) to Live and Let Die (race issues) to Dr. No.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,449
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Not sure why the filmmakers added Felix Leiter to the mix when he isn't even mentioned in the book...

    I think because Dr. No served as an introduction to Bond, so the film introduced all the characters acting as the elements of what people would expect from James Bond: we have the Elegance of the Casino scene with a beautiful woman in Sylvia Trench, hinting at the elegance aspect of the character, we have the Car Chase, which became the staple of the James Bond films, we have the sex with Miss Taro, introducing Bond's sex appeal and use it for espionage purposes, and Honey Ryder's introduction, which should be iconic because Bond Girls are the second most important aspect of James Bond, then Bond villain in Dr. No, and a lair.

    It's complete to introduce Bond to the world, and part of that introduction was Felix Leiter who was Bond's CIA counterpart, his friend, as Felix Leiter would play crucial roles in the future Bond films, so he was needed to be introduced too.

    They wanted to make TB. They even wrote the script. I guess a lot of things ended up in Dr. No, like SPECTRE.

    Budget was more likely the reason from what I've learned in some sources a long time ago.
    As Dr. No only have one location.

    Although Fleming wanted Hitchcock to direct TB but Hitchcock failed to receive Fleming's request, but again, this was also possible due to the lack of budget, which turned them to Dr. No instead.

    (Edit: Impossible).

    I think it's time for a re-read of Some Kind Of Hero...it's all in there!
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,901
    They lucked out with DN. Can you imagine them starting with TB?
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    Posts: 4,055
    echo wrote: »
    They lucked out with DN. Can you imagine them starting with TB?

    While TB is more of a grand scale than DN, although I think it wouldn't have been as iconic as DN, too many underwater scenes to make it memorable, especially for Bond's introduction, in DN, all were iconic, Bond's killing of Professor Dent, Jamaica as a setting, Honey Ryder emerging from the sea with seashells (probably the most iconic part of the film), and Bond's introduction at the Casino.

  • Posts: 87
    I’d bet vital parts of my anatomy that Gerard is right - Leiter was added to Dr. No the film to try and capture American moviegoers.

    On topic, polished off Diamonds Are Forever last week. Lightyears better than the movie.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,449
    LeighBurne wrote: »
    I’d bet vital parts of my anatomy that Gerard is right - Leiter was added to Dr. No the film to try and capture American moviegoers.

    On topic, polished off Diamonds Are Forever last week. Lightyears better than the movie.

    I really like the book. Especially Fleming's American travelogue. So vivid and evocative.

    The Saratoga mudbath scene is really intense.

    I find it a fast and entertaining read.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    Posts: 4,055
    LeighBurne wrote: »
    I’d bet vital parts of my anatomy that Gerard is right - Leiter was added to Dr. No the film to try and capture American moviegoers.

    On topic, polished off Diamonds Are Forever last week. Lightyears better than the movie.

    I really like the book. Especially Fleming's American travelogue. So vivid and evocative.

    The Saratoga mudbath scene is really intense.

    I find it a fast and entertaining read.

    And Bond's relationship with Tiffany Case is also the best romance that Fleming ever wrote, the two have great chemistry on page, developed and fleshed out.
  • Posts: 2,286
    echo wrote: »
    They lucked out with DN. Can you imagine them starting with TB?

    Yes, ater all, it was written to be a movie. I don't think it would have been much different either. Swap Jamaica for the Bahamas, and it would be pretty much the same.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 5,131
    LeighBurne wrote: »
    I’d bet vital parts of my anatomy that Gerard is right - Leiter was added to Dr. No the film to try and capture American moviegoers.

    On topic, polished off Diamonds Are Forever last week. Lightyears better than the movie.

    I really like the book. Especially Fleming's American travelogue. So vivid and evocative.

    The Saratoga mudbath scene is really intense.

    I find it a fast and entertaining read.

    There is a lot of great material that could be used for future movies/games. I'd like to see Spectreville and the train set be adapted.
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