Sylvia Trench

"I decided to accept your invitation"
Appearance: Dr. No (1962) From Russia With Love (1963)
Played By: Eunice Gayson

James Bond is first introduced to the moviegoing public in the film adaptation of Ian Fleming's Dr. No. As the first film to feature the soon to be legendary secret agent, Dr. No is responsible for laying the foundations of the James Bond "template" which would be fine-tuned until they final settle on the formula with Goldfinger.

After British agent Strangways is murdered in Jamaica, MI6 send out for one of their top agents: James Bond 007. An MI6 official arrives at Le Cercle casino in London where we find a beautiful woman playing Baccarat with a sophisticated gentleman in a stylish tuxedo.
After the man defeats the woman in a round, she asks the casino for more money, at this point the gentleman takes out his cigarette case and exclaims:
"I admire your courage, Miss..?"
"Trench" replies the girl "Sylvia Trench... I admire your luck, Mr..?"
"Bond." replies the gentleman, lighting his cigarette "James Bond."

With that short exchange a character who will provide consistently successful and entertaining movies for decades has been cemented in cinema history. Miss Trench leaves the table and moves to the exit, Bond follows her and questions her on any other games she has talent in, they agree to a round of golf to be played the following morning.


After receiving his assignment Bond returns home to find the delectable but apparently impatient Miss Trench has upped and broken into his apartment. Generally, I'd be expecting Connery to launch into his woman-whacking ways. Fortunately for Sylvia, she has bedecked herself in one of his shirts and an absolutely killer pair of gold heels, putting golf balls toward a cup in the centre of the room, her fantastic legs filling the frame in a scene that made many censors balk.
Seconds later, Sylvia and Bond and in each others arms. Despite her creepy but coy habit of keeping her right eyebrow almost permanently raised, Bond is all over the sexy socialite. The scene then fades into Bond travelling to Jamaica.

Sylvia Trench has a small role, but is hugely important in the bigger picture as she can be classed as the very first "Bond Girl" Trench is the archetype of the kind of beautiful woman who will melt into Bonds arms at the drop of a hat. Looking absolutely incredible whether donning an evening gown for a night at the casino or wearing a shirt and heels for a spot of breaking and entering, Miss Trench sets the standard for the hundreds of women to follow in her footsteps. Sylvia's delivery of her name also feeds Bond the infamous line which will become his iconic introduction.

In From Russia With Love, Bond's second adventure, we see Sylvia again, chilling with Bond by a countryside canal, having lost none of her charm. This makes her the only Bond girl to appear, playing the same character, in more than one film. The rumour is that Miss Trench was to be a recurring character, constantly seen hanging with 007 just before he gets called away to duty, but this idea was dropped.

Sylvia Trench may not have the biggest role in the film, she is often forgotten in the wake of the later scenes starring Ursula Andress, but the few minutes she is on screen pave the wave for many of the ladies to come. Miss Trench's contribution to the series is immeasurable.