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Besides posting book reviews, once in a while I will be posting articles on the subject of pulps. I hope we can generate more interest for the Blog. If you would like to share an article on the pulps, you can send me a message in the Comments of a post.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

A Couple Femme Fatals

A COUPLE FEMME FATALES

One of the things I like most about the Secret Agent X novels are the femme fatales that filled the pages. There is a rumor that Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond was a fan of Secret Agent X, and I can easily imagine where he got the ideas for some of his Bond girls. Let's take a look at a few of them and see what you think.
         Edna Cory from Slaves of The Scorpion: The lighting brought out the red-gold glint in her dark hair. Her dark eyes gleamed with excitement. She was bored with her riches and soft life and wanted excitement, even if it meant joining the criminal gang. She thought that she loved the mastermind, but it was only the love of excitement and danger, which surrounded him. She even holds admiration for the Agent:

         "The girl came toward him with lithe, swaying steps. Her eyes were shining, her wondrously soft lips smiling lazily. When she was so close that the bosom of her dress touched his with every breath she drew, she whispered, "This is the greatest moment of my life. I have hunted the world over for such a man as you. Mr. X. The Scorpion. Feared by police and criminals alike, the most powerful figure in the world … yet a lonely figure. That should not be, Mr. X." She raised her head; her eyes warm pools of passion. She swayed slightly forward."

         Perhaps hers was not the complete desire for danger and excitement, as was Vina Tremaine from Horror's Handclasp, but rather the loneliness she felt and the need to be with a strong, exciting man.
         Jane Lenox from Satan's Syndicate: A tall, slim girl with a pretty face and dark, wondrous eyes. Secret Agent X found her to his liking:

         " … Wait!" Jane Lenox put a detaining hand on X's arm. "You … you're going?"
         He nodded. "I must. There's more ahead - more adventure more criminals."
         "Can't I …" she dropped her eyes and whispered … "Would you take me with you? I mean, perhaps I could help."
         X took both her hands in his. "No," he said gently. "You've done more than your share already. I have my duty - you have yours. Some day, perhaps, our paths may cross again. Until then … "

         Sheila Landi - The Moll from The Assassin's League: She was wearing a low-cut evening dress of flame-colored material that hugged her tall, svelte figure. Blonde, the waves of her straw-gold hair were unusual. Her eyes were so deep a blue that in the parchment-shaded lights of the lounge they appeared almost black. She was known as The Moll and was always involved in high crime, political intrigue or espionage. When secret police of Europe smelled scandal in high places, or heard of smoldering revolt, they sought her out. This woman could identity Agent X no matter what new disguise he wore. Her job - identify the Agent to her boss or Sabin the revolutionist. She knew him but would not reveal him to the criminals. She turned out to be innocent and was permitted to go free. Agent X was to miss her beauty and loyalty.


         There were many others, like Madam Death, the Leopard Lady, and Erlika, the daughter of Satan. They could be found in the pages of Secret Agent X.
         Happy reading.


3 comments:

  1. Wasn't it the Leopard Lady who went on to a new, non-criminal, life in one of Fading Shadows' New Pulp titles?

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