I still remember sitting on the living
room floor with my dad when I was very young and watching “Dr. No”. I wanted a
white bikini, dagger attached at the hip, just like Honey Ryder when she
emerged from the sea which in turn made one of the greatest entrances in Bond
history. Then in 2002, Jinx (Halle Berry) emerges from the ocean in her
introductory scene in an orange bikini, dagger at her side. This brings me to
question, have the Bond girls changed over the past 50 years as our society and
culture has evolved?
From what I have seen from franchises, rather it be from movies or TV shows, the characters (from clothing, the way they speak, and overall demeanor) adapt to the current time period’s way of doing things. The language becomes riskier, the amount of clothing becomes less, and controversial issues are brought into play. However it seems with the longest running franchise in history, the Bond girls have remained the same over time, just different faces. Looking back at Goldfinger’s ever famous Pussy Galore, which came out in 1964, I think the risqué name speaks for itself especially for back in the more conservative days. Back to my example of Jinx, she was quite the seductress and the sensual relationship between her and Bond was undeniable, as it always is. The revealing, sultry gowns and makeup have remained consistent from “Dr. No” all the way to “Skyfall”. Bond girls have always been ultra glamorous and classy, and they all have their susceptibly to the charm and wit of Bond himself. Looking at the way some girls dress nowadays and what is considered acceptable is unfathomable. Bond girls may show skin, but it is never trashy. I would be shocked if I ever saw a Bond girl looking like Snooki from Jersey Shore.
From what I have seen from franchises, rather it be from movies or TV shows, the characters (from clothing, the way they speak, and overall demeanor) adapt to the current time period’s way of doing things. The language becomes riskier, the amount of clothing becomes less, and controversial issues are brought into play. However it seems with the longest running franchise in history, the Bond girls have remained the same over time, just different faces. Looking back at Goldfinger’s ever famous Pussy Galore, which came out in 1964, I think the risqué name speaks for itself especially for back in the more conservative days. Back to my example of Jinx, she was quite the seductress and the sensual relationship between her and Bond was undeniable, as it always is. The revealing, sultry gowns and makeup have remained consistent from “Dr. No” all the way to “Skyfall”. Bond girls have always been ultra glamorous and classy, and they all have their susceptibly to the charm and wit of Bond himself. Looking at the way some girls dress nowadays and what is considered acceptable is unfathomable. Bond girls may show skin, but it is never trashy. I would be shocked if I ever saw a Bond girl looking like Snooki from Jersey Shore.
It is nice to see that despite changing
worlds and views, Bond’s girls have remained ideally the same despite changing standards and shifting of principles. What do you think? Have the Bond girls adapted
to culture over time in your opinion?
