57 replies to this topic

[scissorpuppy007]

Here is this tidbit in an article here (Which is an interesting read about Brosnan's long road to bond.) http://www.klast.net/bond/pb_road.html

"In August 1990, there was some controversy with regard to John Gardner's latest Bond novel, Brokenclaw. According to USA Today, the profiled figure on the dustjacket looked very much like Pierce Brosnan, and people were asking him if he had posed for it. This image had been used on other hardcover editions of Gardner's books, and was actually discontinued for a time."

Looks like Brosnan to me, even the pose seems very Brosnan like.


Several of Gardner's books were re released in the early 90's. All with this pose a variation of or a few others.








I have some pretty knowledgeable "bond" friends out in Hollywood. I will definantly ask around to get to the bottom of this.

[zencat]

That particular Brokenclaw silhouette first appeared on the US paperback edition of License Renewed in 1982 (below), back when Brozzo didn't even look like that (he was spindly thin, had longish hair, and I believe he was sportin' a big old moustache in the early 80s). Brozzo did not pose for these shots, but I have heard the story about Eon objecting to Brokenclaw and hence the one book change with Barbarossa. Always been curious if it's true and exactly what the story is. If you could get to the bottom of this, scissorpuppy007, please do.

[scissorpuppy007]

Are you sure that is the original Licence renewed cover? I always thought that image first appeared in the 90's and then was reused for re-releases.

I have some hard cover versions of the 80's novels with this same image, but they are listed as 1991 reprints.

[zencat]

Actually, that is a later edition, but it's exactly the same as the first except the silhouette is reflective silver on the first. But the silhouette is the same. I didn't have a scan. I can photograph it if you like.

EDIT: Here you go. First US paperback edition of License Renewed (1982).

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[Trident]

I must say, none of these images struck me as particularly Brosnan-ish at the time. I've bought most of the Gardner's right after publishing, but didn't see much resemblance between the cover silhouettes and any actor back then. If I had to point to one now, I would probably choose TLD's Dalton, as I seem to remember him wearing a three-piece suit in that.

BTW: the silhouette shown on TMFB was also used for Doctor No. The Berkley paperbacks of that time, early to mid-80's sported the same model in different poses, most of them kneeling in some way, more often than not using the supressed Walther single-handedly, something not often seen during the Brosnan years.

[zencat]

BTW, these same silhouette's were being used on the Fleming paperbacks from Berkley in the early 80s. Here's the Barbarossa silhouette on Doctor No. Sorry I don't have the book handy to check the date, but it was around 82. (The silhouette used on Goldfinger later appeared on Benson's NDOD paperback.)

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[Trident]

BTW, these same silhouette's where being used on the Fleming paperbacks from Berkley in the early 80s. Here's the Barbarossa silhouette on Doctor No. Sorry I don't have then book handy to check the date, but it was around 82.

LOOOL! Yep, that's the one. My copy is from '85, but the printing history for Berkley starts May '82.

[zencat]

Looks like we posted at the same time.

Yep, 82 sounds right. I believe they started reissuing the Flemings with License Renewed.

Here's the offending "Brosnan silhouette" (reversed ) on a freebie copy of Casino Royale from 1986.

For the record, the first hardcover Gardner to use this silhouette was Role of Honor (1984).

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[Trident]

Think they must have used a new couple of images from IB onwards. For IB the clothes would seem to be either casual or battle dress style, the gun also different (though not connected to IB's HK P7). Role of Honour then sported another suit silhouette with the trousers a somewhat wider cut, 80's style.

[scissorpuppy007]

Nice.

I guess I know for sure this isn't brosnan. It made since if this image appeared in 1990. But since it appeared as early as 1982 then that isn't a possibility. Thanks for the info guys.

[zencat]

Think they must have used a new couple of images from IB onwards. For IB the clothes would seem to be either casual or battle dress style, the gun also different (though not connected to IB's HK P7). Role of Honour then sported another suit silhouette with the trousers a somewhat wider cut, 80's style.

Yes, I always loved the unique take on Icebreaker. I always thought it was ski/Arctic gear.


Good observation on the ROH silhouette. I always liked that one. It was definitely done after the others.

Nice.

I guess I know for sure this isn't brosnan. It made since if this image appeared in 1990. But since it appeared as early as 1982 then that isn't a possibility. Thanks for the info guys.

You wanna see something weird, look at the HB for James Bond The Authorized Bio. Check out the image in the first 0. Now that really looks like Brosnan! Course, this book was released in 1973.

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[Trident]

Think they must have used a new couple of images from IB onwards. For IB the clothes would seem to be either casual or battle dress style, the gun also different (though not connected to IB's HK P7). Role of Honour then sported another suit silhouette with the trousers a somewhat wider cut, 80's style.

Yes, I always loved the unique take on Icebreaker. I always thought it was ski/Arctic gear.


Good observation on the ROH silhouette. I always liked that one. It was definitely done after the others.

I've bought my first suit after that pattern. Absolutely not wearable after '88 or so. Never would advise to go for a too fashionable cut or pattern.

[Loomis]

I own a copy of FOR SPECIAL SERVICES translated into Mandarin (China Wenlian Press, Beijing, 1998) that has a photo of Brosnan on the cover - put there, one presumes, because he was in those days the current Bond actor.

I've also seen other Gardners from the '80s repackaged for Chinese consumption in the '90s with the Brosmeister's mug on the cover.

[Trident]

You wanna see something weird, look at the HB for James Bond The Authorized Bio. Check out the image in the first 0. Now that really looks like Brosnan! Course, this book was released in 1973.

Weird, really! Also seldom seen: Bond in a (trench)coat; remarkable that the world's most famous spy hardly ever wears The Cold War Uniform ™. Here he does.

[Jim]

Actually, that is a later edition, but it's exactly the same as the first except the silhouette is reflective silver on the first. But the silhouette is the same. I didn't have a scan. I can photograph it if you like.

EDIT: Here you go. First US paperback edition of License Renewed (1982).

Whilst I've nothing terribly constructive to add to this - not a first, admittedly - it's rather wonderful to see the jacket blurb "Bond is Back!" - one may as well write "It's a Book!".

[spynovelfan]

That particular Brokenclaw silhouette first appeared on the US paperback edition of License Renewed in 1982 (below), back when Brozzo didn't even look like that (he was spindly thin, had longish hair, and I believe he was sportin' a big old moustache in the early 80s). Brozzo did not pose for these shots, but I have heard the story about Eon objecting to Brokenclaw and hence the one book change with Barbarossa. Always been curious if it's true and exactly what the story is. If you could get to the bottom of this, scissorpuppy007, please do.

I think the shot on the front of Barbarossa and Dr No looks a lot more like Brosnan! While May 1982 is rather early, Brosnan was already making noises in the press about Bond at least as early as '83. In an interview published in the Pitssburgh Press on February 3, 1983, he said that at the time he was approached for Remington Steele by MTM, he was also approached about a remake of The Saint for TV and that there were discussions about his becoming the next James Bond. 'I would have jumped at playing Bond,' he admits, 'but playing "Remington Steele" was the only offer.' In August 1984, Liz Smith's syndicated gossip column had the headline 'Pierce Brosnan Has Eye On James Bond Role' and reported that he had already spent 50,000 dollars on converting a room in his house into a gym so he could get in shape to play the role. Subsequent events show that he had no problem taking modelling jobs that linked him to Bond before getting the part, like this one in 1986:



Or these Japanese adverts:

http://www.tobaccofr...osnan_large.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egLPP--3BEw

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had posed for the photos, and let it be known that he had, in order to get closer to the part. He did practically everything else!

Do any of the hardback editions of these have photo or jacket credits at all? I have Berkley paperbacks of Licence Renewed and Icebreaker, but they don't say a thing.

[zencat]

Here's one for you, spynovelfan. 1983 US magazine article.

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[spynovelfan]

Here's one for you, spynovelfan. 1983 US magazine article.

Very nice - but he doesn't seem to have a bracelet like he did in the Cuervo ad. Thanks for sharing this.

[Attempting Re-entry]

That particular Brokenclaw silhouette first appeared on the US paperback edition of License Renewed in 1982 (below), back when Brozzo didn't even look like that (he was spindly thin, had longish hair, and I believe he was sportin' a big old moustache in the early 80s). Brozzo did not pose for these shots, but I have heard the story about Eon objecting to Brokenclaw and hence the one book change with Barbarossa. Always been curious if it's true and exactly what the story is. If you could get to the bottom of this, scissorpuppy007, please do.

I think the shot on the front of Barbarossa and Dr No looks a lot more like Brosnan! While May 1982 is rather early, Brosnan was already making noises in the press about Bond at least as early as '83. In an interview published in the Pitssburgh Press on February 3, 1983, he said that at the time he was approached for Remington Steele by MTM, he was also approached about a remake of The Saint for TV and that there were discussions about his becoming the next James Bond. 'I would have jumped at playing Bond,' he admits, 'but playing Bond was the only offer.' In August 1984, Liz Smith's syndicated gossip column had the headline 'Pierce Brosnan Has Eye On James Bond Role' and reported that he had already spent 50,000 dollars on converting a room in his house into a gym so he could get in shape to play the role. Subsequent events show that he had no problem taking modelling jobs that linked him to Bond before getting the part, like this one in 1986:



Or these Japanese adverts:

http://www.tobaccofr...osnan_large.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egLPP--3BEw

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had posed for the photos, and let it be known that he had, in order to get closer to the part. He did practically everything else!

Do any of the hardback editions of these have photo or jacket credits at all? I have Berkley paperbacks of Licence Renewed and Icebreaker, but they don't say a thing.

Definitely one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Good God (see, those photos and youtube links have practically turned this hardline, balls to the wall Christopher Hitchens-readin-atheist religious!), I like Brosnan but those adverts were hideously hilarious. "Speak Lark" indeed.

I know that the commercial thing is so very subjective, and people might get annoyed by my position, but don't these people have enough money already without making fools of themselves?

I mean, you never see Springsteen doing stuff like that.

[scissorpuppy007]

Definitely one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Good God (see, those photos and youtube links have practically turned this hardline, balls to the wall Christopher Hitchens-readin-atheist religious!), I like Brosnan but those adverts were hideously hilarious. "Speak Lark" indeed.

I know that the commercial thing is so very subjective, and people might get annoyed by my position, but don't these people have enough money already without making fools of themselves?

I mean, you never see Springsteen doing stuff like that.

Well, while they are no doubt comical you have to put these into perspective.
1. Some of these ads are almost 25 years old. Things were eh, different back then.

2. The Lark ads were done for Asian countries I think, which tend to be a little silly at times. But these ads are dead serious when compared to some. Look up Nicolas Cage's Japanese ads if you want a riot.

3. Enough Money? At the time this was before Pierce was bond. He wasn't doing as well as you would think between Steele and Goldeneye. In fact when he finally won the role of Bond in 1994, he was weeks away from his home being foreclosed on. When your an actor, and you want to stay an actor you take just about any job that pays. Especially if it shows elements of a character you'd love to play. Worked out well for him in the end. His Diet coke ads were very Bond-like and were fun at the time.

4. Springsteen? Nope he doesn't needs commericals to look foolish, he did a fine job of looking silly in the 80's all by himself ;o)

[Syndicate]

Could it be that it was reedited to look like Brosnan. If not then maybe it just came out that way looking like him on the Brokwn Claw dusk jacket.

[Tarl_Cabot]

That particular Brokenclaw silhouette first appeared on the US paperback edition of License Renewed in 1982 (below), back when Brozzo didn't even look like that (he was spindly thin, had longish hair, and I believe he was sportin' a big old moustache in the early 80s). Brozzo did not pose for these shots, but I have heard the story about Eon objecting to Brokenclaw and hence the one book change with Barbarossa. Always been curious if it's true and exactly what the story is. If you could get to the bottom of this, scissorpuppy007, please do.

I always thought those images look 100% like Brosnan...especially the Licence Renewed one. Although the literary Bond of Gardner makes me think of Dalton. How weird is that?

[Trident]

That particular Brokenclaw silhouette first appeared on the US paperback edition of License Renewed in 1982 (below), back when Brozzo didn't even look like that (he was spindly thin, had longish hair, and I believe he was sportin' a big old moustache in the early 80s). Brozzo did not pose for these shots, but I have heard the story about Eon objecting to Brokenclaw and hence the one book change with Barbarossa. Always been curious if it's true and exactly what the story is. If you could get to the bottom of this, scissorpuppy007, please do.

I always thought those images look 100% like Brosnan...especially the Licence Renewed one. Although the literary Bond of Gardner makes me think of Dalton. How weird is that?

That may perhaps be what happened to me, I never even thought about Brosnan when seeing them for the first time. But seeing folks pointing to Brosnan now makes me pause. Strange, truly.

[Aris007]

I really can't see the reseblance between Brosnan and those silhouettes on the covers!

[scissorpuppy007]

Well the pictures are small, In person the large print hardcover versions definantly seem more like Brosnan.

I'd say of all the Bonds this silhouette looks more like Brosnan than the others. Mainly due to the 80's style mop haircut, which Brosnan sported in the 80's and in Goldeneye. (Which I always thought made sense in the PTS, but they should have given him a haircut for the rest of the film)

[David Schofield]

Well the pictures are small, In person the large print hardcover versions definantly seem more like Brosnan.

I'd say of all the Bonds this silhouette looks more like Brosnan than the others. Mainly due to the 80's style mop haircut, which Brosnan sported in the 80's and in Goldeneye. (Which I always thought made sense in the PTS, but they should have given him a haircut for the rest of the film)

And the silhouette pretty much has Brosnan's build and stance characteristics, too.

Did the Brosnan silhouette ever appear on a version of Gardner's "Licence to Kill" though?

[Attempting Re-entry]

I think that that the silhouette on the cover of The Man from Barbarossa looks very much like Brozza.

[spynovelfan]

Well the pictures are small, In person the large print hardcover versions definantly seem more like Brosnan.

I'd say of all the Bonds this silhouette looks more like Brosnan than the others. Mainly due to the 80's style mop haircut, which Brosnan sported in the 80's and in Goldeneye. (Which I always thought made sense in the PTS, but they should have given him a haircut for the rest of the film)

Well, for a long time I thought it wasn't Brosnan because of that mop curling over on Licence Renewed and Brokenclaw. It's Brozza-ish, but a bit over the top, like a caricature. Then I looked more closely, and realized it isn't actually a massive mop curling away from his face, as it looks from afar, but that one half of his face is in fact in shadow. Look at the cover of Brokenclaw again close up and you'll see what I mean: I had thought that the part of his face in shadow was his whole face, but it isn't, and the tip of the curl is actually his eye on the other side of his face. Suddenly you can see Brosnan - or can fill him in from a (deliberately?) darkened shot. The facial features on all the photos are impossible to make out to any great degree, especially at this size, but my hunch (and it's just that - I don't have any evidence for it) is that Brosnan posed for these. Hard to explain, but I think from the stance and the poses, you can just tell it's him. The way some spies can tell a man by his gait, I think these just say Brosnan all over them, especially the LR, FSS, Barbarossa and From Russia With Love poses.

I think it's possible that Berkley were looking for a model and someone suggested this young handsome dark-haired Brit actor who was about to star as a suave playboy in a tux on American TV and was moving to California and desperately wanted to be James Bond, to the extent that almost all the press and publicity about him since the start of his career has mentioned the part in some way.

[Professor Dent]

I never really thought it was Brosnan on the covers. I always think actors like to have their face shown & not be in a silhouette unless it's for some dramatic reveal in a movie.

Here's one for you, spynovelfan. 1983 US magazine article.

Wow, he almost looks like a baby in this one.

[spynovelfan]

I never really thought it was Brosnan on the covers. I always think actors like to have their face shown & not be in a silhouette unless it's for some dramatic reveal in a movie.

They were done in 1982, though, when Brosnan was a jobbing actor, and far from being a star. They could have just been a reasonably well paying gig. He'd apparently met Cubby Broccoli in 1980 during the filming of For Your Eyes Only, and had come away with the impression he had a chance at succeeding Roger Moore as Bond, but he didn't have any profile at all. If he had set his heart on getting the role, as it seems from subsequent events he had, it makes sense that from 1980 on he would seek out and accept jobs that made him look the part and thus be more likely to get it. Remington Steele was obviously the big move in that direction, but being the guy on the cover of the new James Bond novels would also seem like a good idea to cement Cubby's feelings he could do it.

It's also possible that Brosnan did want his face shown on the covers, but that Berkley didn't want to associate the character with one model/actor that much. Or even that he wanted his face shown at first, but then had second thoughts that it might scupper the Bond deal for him. Perhaps less likely. But that he did the job, and his agent then leaked that he had done it to raise his profile for Bond? Well, stranger things have happened, and George Lazenby, Findlay Light and Rikki Lee Travolta could probably tell you about them.

All speculation. It would be nice to ask him and find out! I think there's a story there.