23 replies to this topic

[RazorBlade]

I haven't read the Modesty Blaise books yet. They can be a tad hard to find. Does anyone have a recommendation as to which one I should read first?

I saw the film MY NAME IS MODESTY and thought it was awesome. What a cool character! I wish the Weinstein Co would do a big budget version. I vote for BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER actress Elisa Dushku (Faith) as Modesty. She can handle both the action part and the drama. What do you think?

Edited by RazorBlade, 31 May 2007 - 10:58 AM.

[doublenoughtspy]

I'm a Modesty fan as well and I think it's always best to start at the beginning.

She debuted in a comic strip May 13, 1963. Those strips have been reprinted by Titan between 1984 and 1988 and again in 2004. I've got 3 of the 80s collections and they are decent. Apparently more recent reprints in 2004 are of better quality but I have not seen them in person.

The books didn't come along until 1965.

You should check out the 1966 film - it's a bizarre masterpiece.

[spynovelfan]

I highly recommend reading the first novel, MODESTY BLAISE, and working your way through the books from there. I haven't read all of them, but all the ones I have read have been excellent - I think O'Donnell was certainly the equal of Fleming, and would have made an excellent continuation author for Bond. Kingsley Amis was a massive Modesty Blaise fan - many editions of the books feature a quote from him to the effect that Modesty and Willie Garvin are one of fiction's great duos, like Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Parts of COLONEL SUN are much more reminiscent of the MB novels, and the first novel in particular, than they are Fleming.

It might be tricky to do a big-budget Modesty Blaise film now, because ironically it would seem like it was ripping off stuff like Lara Croft, when in fact Lara Croft is a Modesty Blaise-style character. But if they do it, they'd need a very good actress, not just someone who looked the part. She would also need to be British, I think, preferably not too famous, and be plausible as an extremely smart operator. I'd therefore not go for the Zeta-Joneses of the world, nor Keira Knightley (too thin-lipped and not at all plausible physically in KING ARTHUR). Bearing in mind the character looks something like this:



I would go for someone like:

Indira Varma:


or Jaime Murray:

[pgram]

I have all the comics released by Titan so far, and have been waiting for the new one for ages, but none is released. Does anyone here know if the series is stopped? The website of Titan is not very informative.

As far as a film adaptation is concerned, there was this Tarantino project. Is it still on?

I 'm not sure if an actress has to be british. Modesty isn't, though, of course, she lives in England and probably has an English accent. I 'd want someone exotic looking, someone whose ethnicity is not easily identifiable. Romero's depiction of modesty always remind me of Nicole from Pussycat dolls, for some reason!

[spynovelfan]

She has British nationality - she married a 'derelict Englishman in Beirut' for that very purpose - has lived in Britain for many years and works in the interests of the British state. She has to be British!

[Roebuck]

As far as a film adaptation is concerned, there was this Tarantino project. Is it still on?

Quentin's Modesty project is a dead duck. Negotiations were dragging on too long, so he did Kill Bill instead. Likelihood is that Uma would have played Modesty if the movie had gone ahead.

I made the mistake of trying to read all the books in one go; by the end I found the plots a bit repetitive and got fed up with O'Donnell's clunky prose. Mrs.R, however, has been buying the reprints and is loving them.

[Trident]

Modesty Blaise is GREAT.

Just GREAT. Full stop. Nothing else.

Did I tell you that Modesty Blaise is GREAT?

No other description fits Modesty Blaise IMHO. Be that the newspaperstrips or the novels. Both are remarkably ingeniuos adventure storys that not only feature interesting characters in extraordinarily perilous, dangerous and thrilling circumstances. They also transport a very destinct atmosphere of style (weak I know, but I can't think of any better way to describe them).

The newspaperstrips, coming before the novels as doublenoughtspy has pointed out, were such a success that O'Donnell thought of writing a book, 'MODESTY BLAISE'. Which was another immediate success that has led to a series of eleven novels and two collections of short stories. In some ways the novels are even more gripping, lend their characters and the plot even greater depth. O'Donnell has managed the trick of describing genuinely OTT heroes (Modesty, Willie, the many villains) in a way that really makes you believe in their existance. There is nothing two-dimensional about Modesty or Willie. They really seem to be alive, although their lives are far from ordinary. And, on top of that, the two are also genuinely likable characters. You get the impression you'd really enjoy their company even if no lives (theirs, yours, anybodys) or countries or secrets are at stake. Just imagine an evening with Willie at a pub (better avoid the darts) or a dinner with Modesty! My right arm wouldn't be too much to pay for such a privilege.

Likewise, the villains O'Donnell has invented for his heroine are basically believable. Their aim usually is about money, yet they and their plots are often more remarkable, ingenious, inventive and memorable than Fleming's (What I'd give for an O'Donnell Bond continuation? Well, of course my left arm would have to go. Sad, but true nonetheless.).

Gabriel, sitting in the livingroom of his Greece villa, relaxing to Tom & Jerry cartoons and the odd execution performed for him by his competent employee Mrs. Fothergill (ever thought about what Mr. Fothergill must look like?).

Brunel with his African ranch and his gorilla.

Mr. Sexton with his health fixation, dojo exercises and his staff of martial arts experts.

Simon Delicata, the apelike killer who is also one of the very few (in fact the only one) to have succeeded in putting a certain cockney to the hospital ward. Two times, if you please. Still, said cockney lives to tell the story.

Paxero, Damion and Aunt Bonita with their extremely exclusive VIP-plantation Limbo set in the South-American jungles of Guatemala.

Beauregard Browne, killer extraordinair

Edited by Trident, 31 May 2007 - 06:09 PM.

[pgram]

She has British nationality - she married a 'derelict Englishman in Beirut' for that very purpose - has lived in Britain for many years and works in the interests of the British state. She has to be British!

I was obviously referring to ethnicity, not nationality...

Edited by pgram, 31 May 2007 - 05:59 PM.

[spynovelfan]

Pgram, I simply meant the actress has to sound British and be convincing as someone who has lived in Britain for a long time. Obviously, she has to look like she was once a teeanger of unknown origin in a Middle Eastern displaced persons camp.

[Loomis]

As far as a film adaptation is concerned, there was this Tarantino project. Is it still on?

Quentin's Modesty project is a dead duck. Negotiations were dragging on too long, so he did Kill Bill instead. Likelihood is that Uma would have played Modesty if the movie had gone ahead.

As I understand it, the plan was to make at least two films, with Rodriguez directing the first and Tarantino the second.

It appears that the Tarantino Modesty Blaise project ended up as a not-particularly-successful straight-to-DVD affair that was *ahem* sponsored by Tarantino. From http://en.wikipedia....aise#The_movies:

In 2002, Miramax, the current holders of the Modesty Blaise film rights, made a film called My Name is Modesty, with British actress Alexandra Staden as Modesty Blaise, based on a story from Modesty's life before "The Network" days, plus flashbacks to her childhood.

The film, made primarily to retain the film rights, did not receive theatrical release, being released straight to DVD in Europe in October 2003; it didn't receive DVD release in North America until September 2004, more than two years after it was produced. Critical reception appears to depend upon the critic's familiarity with the comic strip. Those aware of Modesty's history seem to be far more receptive to the film than those expecting an action film or another comedy. Still, fans were disappointed that the character of Willie Garvin was not featured and by the poor plot and discrepancies regarding Lob.

Staden's performance was generally praised, although she was seen by some as too frail-looking to convincingly play Modesty. The consensus, however, is that this version is at least better than the 1966 spoof.

Alexandra Staden as Modesty Blaise in a flashback sequence from My Name is Modesty.Quentin Tarantino has been interested in directing a Modesty Blaise movie for many years, and at one point Neil Gaiman even wrote a script treatment based upon O'Donnell's novel, I, Lucifer. So far, nothing has come of these plans. Tarantino "sponsored" the release of My Name is Modesty by allowing it to be released under the label "Quentin Tarantino presents ..." Nicole Kidman has also gone on record as being interested in making a Modesty Blaise movie.

Amazed no one's mentioned Eva Green for Modesty.

[Trident]

Amazed no one's mentioned Eva Green for Modesty.

Interesting idea! Certainly my favourite actress for the part up to now. Although I'm not really sure about the physical side of the part. But who would have given Uma Thurman an action part before Tarantino? So, why not?

[spynovelfan]

She has to sound British, Loomis. Not like a strangulated French cat.

Trident, had no idea you were such an MB buff! You've made me want to read all the books I've yet to. And yes, how frightening Mrs Fothergill is!

Clunky prose, Roebuck? Not in any of the novels I've read.

[RogueSpy007]

I would go for someone like:

Indira Varma:

Great choice in Indira Varma. I like her a lot. She's a good actress, whether it's been in Kama Sutra, Bride and Prejudice, Rome, etc. Plus she's definitely very beautiful. I've just started really getting into Modesty Blaise. I like it so far. I would love to see a new movie of it. I have seen the 1960's version starring Monica Vitti. I can certainly visualize Indira as Modesty now.

[Trident]

She has to sound British, Loomis. Not like a strangulated French cat.

I wouldn't mind. In Germany she'd be dubbed anyway.

Trident, had no idea you were such an MB buff! You've made me want to read all the books I've yet to. And yes, how frightening Mrs Fothergill is!

I came across MB through a lengthy background article, explaining the history of the series, its characters and many qualities in a 'serious' comic book magazine in 1981. That's where I learned that the character I until then knew only as 'Jessy Fox' (her name in the German versions of the Agent X9 magazines) was really Modesty Blaise. And that there were several novels that even topped some of the strips. My interest was sparked and I tried to lay my hands on everything MB connected. Surprisingly, most comic books already were out of print. But practically all of the novels were available. New novels usually were published within a year of the English editions. So, the fans of the MB novels were really treated like royalty as compared to the followers of the graphic adventures. Only towards the end of the 80's the Holdaway strips were collected in Titan fashion. These reprints stopped with 'The War Lord Of Phoenix'. Today, no German MB reprints are currently available, making the Titan reprints the only source for graphic MB material. Sadly, the last MB short story collection 'Cobra Trap' also wasn't published in Germany.

PS: Oh, and by the way: MB novels are quite a 'how-to'-series.

For example

-how to break into a safe secured in a ship from the outside

-how to survive a parachute jump minus parachute (and minus a friendly fellow willing to help you out with his)

-how to defeat an army of mercenaries by making use of the surroundings

-how to collect a ransom and not get caught

-how to blackmail without actually blackmailing

-how to get the contents of a closely guarded safe by use of such sophisticated and sensitive equipment as a demolishing caterpillar

-how to play snooker if you've only got a .303 carbine and when it's time to start playing Cricket

and so on. You can really learn a lot with Modesty and Willie.

Edited by Trident, 31 May 2007 - 08:10 PM.

[Roebuck]

Clunky prose, Roebuck? Not in any of the novels I've read.

Like I said, my wife loves 'em but the novels didn't work for me the way the newspaper strips do. Just couldn't believe that dialogue coming out of the mouths of real people.
I can see why Joseph Losey would have wanted to film it as a spoof.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I have the MY NAME IS MODESTY DVD, which has few extras (commentary track, etc), and my understanding from what Tarantino had in mind was to establish the character in this 70 minute "prologue" (if you want to call it that) before making any Modesty Blaise movie proper. MNIM was made on a shoestring budget in about 45 days to minimize initial funding outlay before the "main event" movie.

It didn't work, did it?

[spynovelfan]

I believe MY NAME IS MODESTY was also made in order to ensure that their hold on the rights didn't run out.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I believe MY NAME IS MODESTY was also made in order to ensure that their hold on the rights didn't run out.

I can't remember this being mentioned on the DVD, but I can quite believe it to be so.

[RazorBlade]

It was on the DVD that MNIM was made to retain the rights. I believe in the interview with QT and the director Scott Speigel.

I knew there were bound to be some MB fans here but you guys are awesome. I can't wait to start.

I still stand by Elisa Dushku as MB. Her ethnicity is Albanian and I think she looks somewhat exotic. As for an accent, I know actors who have learned to adopt any number of accents. ED is a talented actress, hugely, and I have no doubt that she can handle it. But not Nicole Kidman. Sorry Nicole.

[Trident]

As SNF already recommended it's best to start the novels from the beginning with 'Modesty Blaise'. At the moment it seems that many novels are a little hard to get. Two of the best though are 'I, Lucifer' and 'A Taste For Death' and they should be read in order (as well as the rest of the series, if possible). In fact, with these two (the third and fourth) the novel series settles into its terrain, establishing a careful balance of pace, thrills, action and style with a measure of the fantastic element as well as a bit of humour. If you follow MB through her adventures you can find pieces of Modesty in Kathy Gale and even more so in Emma Peel of 'The Avengers'. In fact much of the direction towards the weired, strange and fantastic 'The Avengers' took with the Peel season of '65 to me has a definite feeling of O'Donnell about it, though not as a knock-off but more as a nod towards the clever inventiveness O'Donnell shows in his MB series.

There are some websites that can give you further information on Peter O'Donnell and Modesty Blaise:

http://www3.sympatic...ttison/modesty/

http://www.cs.umu.se...th/modesty.html

http://groups.msn.co...se/welcome.msnw

and of course the wikipedia article

http://en.wikipedia..../Modesty_Blaise

[RazorBlade]

Thanks for all the referals. You guys are the best.

[pgram]

New volume, 'The inca trail', of the Titan comics is out. Got mine already, but not time to read it yet. The first story, 'reluctan chaperon' rather average...

[RazorBlade]

New volume, 'The inca trail', of the Titan comics is out. Got mine already, but not time to read it yet. The first story, 'reluctan chaperon' rather average...

I just got THE INCA TRAIL. If these stories are average they are SMASHING! I love MB. Now I can say, "I'm a fan."

[pgram]

New volume, 'The inca trail', of the Titan comics is out. Got mine already, but not time to read it yet. The first story, 'reluctan chaperon' rather average...

I just got THE INCA TRAIL. If these stories are average they are SMASHING! I love MB. Now I can say, "I'm a fan."

If you haven't read the previous ones, I strongly recommend that you do, then. There are stories there that are really a lot more interesting than 'the reluctant chaperon'.
I just finished James Bond's 'DeathWing' yesterday night. Tonight, back to Modesty...