Bond girls are more than just a pretty face at Hofstra University

14-Nov-2007 • Event

Ever notice how they don't call them "Bond women"? Since Ursula Andress emerged from the ocean dripping wet and nearly naked in 1962's "Dr. No," every James Bond movie has featured at least one curvaceous female whose main function seems to be hopping into Bond's bed. The "Bond girls," as they're usually called, are as much a part of the films as flashy cars and cool gadgets; critics might say they're all basically objects - reports the Cincinnati Post.

But Bill Kanas, an attorney and Bond fanatic, disagrees. He was at Hofstra University's James Bond symposium to give a presentation titled "The James Bond Girls: More Than Just a Pretty Face."

"The perception of the James Bond girl is more of a bimbo-type character," Kanas said. "But if you look at the books and the films and really analyze them, that's not really the case."

For the most part, Kanas maintains, the Bond girls are fully (ahem) fleshed-out characters with strong personalities. In 1964's "Goldfinger," for instance, Pussy Galore may have a name like a stripper's, but she's the leader of an all-female team of ace pilots. Anya Amasova begins as Bond's rival in 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me," but soon teams up with him to defeat the evil Stromberg.

The most important example may be Vesper Lynd in last year's "Casino Royale." The movie is based on the very first Bond novel, making Lynd arguably Bond's first "girl." The two share intimate moments, but their parting has a profound impact on Bond's character, according to Kanas. "That first novel had a lot to do with how Bond would look at women from that point on," he said. "He basically put a shield around himself."

At any rate, Bond himself is as much of a sex object as his girls. "Who's walking out of the water in 'Casino Royale'?" Kanas said. "Daniel Craig."