Bond...James Bond

Mikep99 · December 2006

Well that pretty much says it all, however, I have to wonder how this came along. First and foremost, do any of you introduce yourself in that way to someone when you meet them? Surname first then your first name?

Also, why does James introduce himself like that? Excuse my ignorance, but is that, or was that, the proper way of introducing yourself in the 40's?

Thanks

A7ce · December 2006

I use my Surname first. But don't always necessarily follow up with my forename. this goes way back to my grammar school where we were identified by our surname and called each other by our surnames. It's a bit of a habit. nothing to do with Bond, and this was the 80's not the 40's

Mikep99 · December 2006

A7ce wrote:

I use my Surname first. But don't always necessarily follow up with my forename. this goes way back to my grammar school where we were identified by our surname and called each other by our surnames. It's a bit of a habit. nothing to do with Bond, and this was the 80's not the 40's

Thank you. Well the reason why I mention the 40's is because didn't Fleming write the book in the late 40's (Casino Royale0? The point here is that he develops James Bond as that. The coined phrase or introduction, "Bond...James Bond" is probably known around the world.

JCSuperstar · December 2006

I believe that cinematrographically, with Sylvia Trench in Dr. No, the first official Bond film. Bond says, "I admire your courage, Miss?" She eyebrows up, and says, "Trench, Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mister?" This shows intonation of placing surname first, rather than just, "James Bond," but answering with the correct nature of the question or going with the flow, of then saying "Bond, James Bond." Perhaps Albert and Cubby just felt it more elegant, and more stylishly veneered than so straight forward, "James Bond." Plus, they probably felt it to be catchier. Hey, look what it turned into! I've met Chinese people who could do better Sean Connery imitations probably than Sean himself. {:) Just joking to all you Sean wannabes out htere. BOND, James BOnd. THe line which established a millionaire's franchise. WOrldly known, and everyone has imitated it once at least. It's witty! I love it! Then again this could just be all of the coffee talking. Plus one more thing, James Bond's first appearance was in Casino Royale in 1952, not in the '40's. The culture was totally different, take an older man's word on it.

JCSuperstar · December 2006

Does anybody else have an opinion on this?

Hardyboy · December 2006

Just a note: this isn't a CR topic, so I'm moving it to the General Bond Chat. Carry on.

Loeffelholz · December 2006

Well, when your last name is "Loeffelholz," it's really a mouthful to give it the complete "Loeffelholz...Mark Loeffelholz" treatment

What must it be like to have your first and last names have one syllable each?

Dan Same · December 2006

Loeffelholz wrote:

What must it be like to have your first and last names have one syllable each?

Does 'Same, Dan Same' count?

(My full name is actually Daniel Same but very few people call me that.)

Johmss · December 2006

i do it backwards: John... Garcia John (because John sounds more like Bond than Garcia) :007)

But in the CR book, he introduces himself like that to Leiter... it sound classy, and with people you've not that sort of confidence you use your surname, he gives the name to make a better picture.

jbfreak · December 2006

So I must ask you, would "Bond, James Bond" sound better said in any other way?

JCSuperstar · December 2006

No, I think it is a cinematic trademark from the '60's that adds a lovely ring, and touch to the finesse of Bond, James Bond. Hey, most people just call me Father, but "Superstar, JC Superstar" is also a mouthful too, Loeffe...sory, can't remember exact spelling, apologies. How about I make it short and just say, Mr. L, I know your feeling.

|)

cls12vg30 · December 2006

I agree that it wouldn't sound right any other way. But, as stated previously, the first film appearence of this intro was in Dr. No, when the woman asking had used her surname first, and then addressed Bond with: "Mr.?". I think if asked our name in that way most of us would reply with our last name first, since that was in fact the question.

Number24 · December 2006

Perhaps it has something to do with Bond's (and Flemming's) background in public schools and the military. I've never been to a public school, but in the military you allways use your last name only. Of the nine other guys in my squad, I only knew the first name of one of them. Imagine, all those cramped nights in a tent, all those cold hours on watch, but we never used our first names. Perhaps giving your last name comes automatically to "institutionalized" people with a background like Flemming, and saying the whole name became an afterthought? I think this may be the origin of this style of introduction.

Bond...James Bond

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