It’s no small feat to stay current with popular culture over the decades.
Most literature, movies, TV shows are reflections of the eras they were created in. Very few manage to stay current and relevant.
The James Bond films are the exceptions.
Created by Ian Fleming, James Bond came right out of the late 1950s as a Cold War thriller. Ask most young people today what the Cold War was and very few, if any, could give you a correct answer.
I know of it simply because I lived through it.
James Bond was created as the ultimate counter intelligence spy. He was a glorified assassin, not exactly the most charming person you would meet and his was good at his job which also included taking out his enemy counterparts.
Bond was first seen on the small screen in a American anthology show. It wasn’t until a few years later that Bond appeared on the Silver Screen beginning with Dr. No.
Sean Connery played Bond-not the author’s first pick, and while retaining much of the literary Bond’s persona, he also injected much of himself into the roll: sexy, a bit of humor and a lady killer.
So successful was the first Bond film that more followed over the years with the last film starring Daniel Craig as Bond in No Time To Die-the swansong for his particular Bond.
In James Bond And Popular Culture, McFarland & Company, Inc, Publishers, with essays edited by Michele Britanny, the Bond phenomenon is examined in the great detail.
In the book Bond’s literary adventures, influences on film, TV and literature, popular culture, fashion, moral norms and much more are carefully scrutinized and explained.
For over 50 years James Bond has dominated the film industry, translated from one actor the next, set the standard for spy and action films and has continually been on the forefront of visual and practical effects and the ability to transform the character to fit the times.
The book offers a fascinating look at the spy who changed the world on multiple-levels and still managed to surprise audiences with each film.
A pop culture phenomenon has been born out of the series with novels, merchandise, fashion and more touched by the spy with the license to kill.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" — Romans 8:31
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