MovieChat Forums > Topaz (1969) Discussion > Juanita de Cordoba

Juanita de Cordoba

posted 19 years ago by PorkPie007
5 replies | jump to latest

Now, I'm not sure how usual the surname de Cordoba is in Spanish-speaking nations, but it strikes me that it doesn't sound like something you'd hear every day (but I'm British, so I wouldn't know). What I find interesting is that Hitchcock worked with an actor called Pedro de Cordoba on his 1942 film Saboteur (the character named Bones), and here the same surname is recurring twenty-seven years later; however, Topaz is based on a novel, and so the character's name may have originated there—in which case it is purely a coincidence, and I am merely speculating. Does anyone know how common the surname de Cordoba is, or if it means anything?

[–] alejos1 19 years ago

It doesn't sound that weird... Cordoba is a region in Spain and also in Argentina. The "de" means "from" or "of".

It was very common centuries ago, and there are still people with surnames preceded by "de" o "del".

So it wouldn't be that much of a coincidence, see a "Cordoba" people search on this site shows a few, including a 1918 movie.
http://imdb.com/find?q=cordoba;nm=on;mx=20

Hope this is helpful.

[–] PorkPie007 19 years ago

Aye, 'tis. Thank you.

[–] nhlgumby 19 years ago

It seems odd to have the surname de Cordoba instead of a smaller town name of a seaport or some place inland. Da Vinci's birth occured in Vinci which is quite small. It's a small town duty or honor of their home kinda feeling with that surname. Cordoba is far too large to really consider personal. I mean, would you rather have south western pride, or Denver pride? Seems like it could have been picked better by the writer or weeded out by Hitchcock or his script girl.

???

[–] PorkPie007 19 years ago

Remember, though, that de Cordoba is a real surname, however funny it seems. Perhaps it's just a bit rare.

[–] shantizzay 15 years ago

The name is from the novel, it is not something Hitchcock came up with himself.