An extract from a 1952 draft of the first Bond novel, Casino Royale, made public this past weekend to coincide with the book’s 60th anniversary, revealed that the novelist had another name in mind for his most famous creation. “Ian’s first idea was to give James Bond an assumed name as his cover,” niece Kate Grimond told the Sunday Times of London (Grimond’s family owns the draft).
The idea, apparently, was that while the character would still be named Bond, he’d use a different handle in the field. And so when a CIA operative introduced himself to 007 at the Hotel Splendide casino – “My name’s Felix Leiter. Glad to meet you” – Bond’s original response was, “Mine’s Secretan. James Secretan.” The word “Secretan” was subsequently scrawled out in blue ink, and “Bond” became the replacement. Grimond said that, “Ian must have realised it would cause confusion if he had Bond known as Bond to friends and the security services in London, but as Secretan for his cover name to strangers or people he didn’t want to know he was a spy.”
It wasn’t the only thing Fleming ended up changing before the book was published (at an on-sale price that he thought was too low, according to a newly released letter). In the earlier version, Miss Moneypenny was originally going to be named Miss Pettavel.
"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore,"
"Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
Thank you, Blowfeld. I'm really honoured. However, seeing as the character never saw the light of the day, I baptize Craig as James Secertan from now on, because obviously he's not Bond. People are comparing him to Fleming's character, could they have been comparing him to James Secretan? That's possible.
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
I never heard this Name before, if you'd told me I was watching a James Secretan film in CR I might of believe it
Chief of Staff, 007's gone round the bend. Says someone's been trying to feed him a poisoned banana. Fellow's lost his nerve. Been in the hospital too long. Better call him home.
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
Dr. No wrote:I never heard this Name before, if you'd told me I was watching a James Secretan film in CR I might of believe it
My EXACT thoughts, Dr. No. People, Craig fans, are saying that Craig is exactly the same character as Fleming's. Could they have talking about James Secretan? LOL!
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
Favorite Bond Movie: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies.
