Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench)

"Too bad you have to go... Just as things were getting interesting."

Datastream Actress: Eunice Gayson Character: Sylvia Trench Movie: Dr. No / From Russia With Love Date of Birth: 17th March 1931 Place of Birth: Surrey, England Trivia: Her daughter, Kate Gayson, appeared as an extra in the "GoldenEye" casino scene. Pleased To Meet You James Bond faces off against Sylvia Trench at the chemin de fer table as each makes a late-night high stakes gamble. Bond quickly warms to the confident, independent lady who admires his luck. The pair agree to rendezvous the following day for a round of golf and afterwards a leisurely dinner. Caught In The Act When 007 is rushed off to pack for his flight to Jamaica he is met with a surprise at his London apartment. Sylvia has let herself in to both his home and his pajamas. Bond is in a hurry but the delightful Sylvia convinces him to stay a while longer...

Profile
A confident but reclusive bachelorette, Sylvia Trench is a sophisticated lady with a taste for luxury. She is immediately attracted to the handsome civil servant she meets one night across the card table. She also holds the distinction of being James Bond's first on-screen "conquest". She maintains an on-and-off relationship with James Bond and shares a secluded picnic with the spy prior to the "From Russia With Love" mission.

Memorable Quotes
Bond: I admire your courage, Miss...?
Sylvia: Trench. Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mr...?
Bond: Bond. James Bond.

Sylvia: When did you say you had to leave?
Bond: [Kissing her] Immediately. Well, almost immediately.

Sylvia: [Spotting a scar on 007's back] Souvenir from another jealous woman?
Bond: Yes. But I haven't turned my back on one since.

Sylvia: I decided to accept your invitation.
Bond: That was for tomorrow afternoon. Tell me... Do you always dress this way for golf?
Sylvia: I changed into something more comfortable. I hope I did the right thing.
Bond: You did the right thing, but you picked the wrong moment. I have to leave immediately.

Bond: Looks like you're out to get me.
Sylvia: It's an idea, at that.

Bond: [On the phone] Well, I've just been reviewing an old case.
Sylvia: So I'm an old case now, am I?

Biography Born as Eunice Sargaison in Surrey in 1931, Gayson found an interest in the arts at an early age, attending singing and dancing lessons as a teenager before landing an audition for a television revue. Her first feature film credit came at age 17, when she was cast in the 1948 production of "My Brother Jonathan" - a wartime romance. From there she won roles in various features, notably a Goon's film "Down Among the Z Men" (1952), where Gayson worked with regulars Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. The same year she performed in the made-for-TV "Goonreel", a parody of news broadcasts by the famous comedy trio. After a string of forgettable features, Gayson took a semi-regular slot on "Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents", appearing in 5 separate stories between 1954-55. By 1958 she had landed the female lead in Peter Cushing's "The Revenge of Frankenstein", the cult sequel to "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957).

1962 saw Gayson's first run-in with 007. She was initially considered for the role of Miss Moneypenny but instead she was cast as Bond's "recurring" girlfriend Sylvia Trench. Gayson returned for 1963's "From Russia With Love", but her part was reduced to a mere cameo and when Guy Hamilton won the job of directing "Goldfinger" she was not asked back to the 007 set. In both of her Bond adventures, Gayson's voice was dubbed by Nikki van der Zyl. Her real voice can be heard in the Dr. No trailer.

Beyond Bond, Gayson appeared in episodes of "The Avengers", "Danger Man" and "The Saint", with would-be 007 Roger Moore. Her last onscreen credit is a token episode of espionage drama "The Adventurer", starring Gene Barry. Most recently, in 1990, Gayson appeared on stage in the musical "Into the Woods" as Little Red Hood's grandmother at the Phoenix Theatre, London.