GOLDFINGER (1964)

Film of the Day #204

GOLDFINGER
1964 • Guy Hamilton

Cast: Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Fröbe, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet, Harold Sakata, Bernard Lee, Cec Linder, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn
Screenplay: Richard Maibaum, Paul Dehn; Based on Goldfinger by Ian Fleming
Cinematography: Ted Moore
Music: John Barry
Producer: Harry Saltzman, Albert R. Broccoli

United Artists

- Do you expect me to talk?

- No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!

James Bond (Sean Connery), faces off against the cunning and ruthless villain, Auric Goldfinger. Bond uncovers Goldfinger's elaborate scheme to contaminate the United States' gold reserves, rendering them worthless and drastically increasing the value of his own gold holdings. As Bond delves deeper into Goldfinger's world, he encounters an iconic cast of characters, including the enigmatic henchman Oddjob and the alluring pilot, the scandalously-named Pussy Galore. The stakes are higher than ever as Bond races against time to thwart Goldfinger's plans. With the help of his trusty gadgets, including the legendary Aston Martin DB5 equipped with an array of high-tech features, Bond engages in heart-stopping car chases and ingenious escapes. Along the way, he encounters unexpected allies and faces dangerous adversaries, all leading to a climactic showdown that will determine the fate of the world's economy in the most beloved James Bond film of all time.

Hands down, Goldfinger stands as the most iconic Bond movie of all time. It's the film that set the, ahem, “gold” standard for all subsequent entries in the series, establishing the essential elements that make a Bond film truly unforgettable. While gadget master Q appeared in the previous film, From Russia with Love, this is when the friendly yet antagonistic relationship between Q and Bond begins. I’m not a car guy, but The Aston Martin DB5 is the coolest car in the history of movies. It steals the spotlight with its ingenious features – the smoke screen, revolving license plate, and tire-shredding blade, transforming the car into a high-tech marvel. These gadgets make an already cool car cooler, but they showcase a uniquely fun innovation and creativity. This incorporation of movie gadget technology not only amused audiences but also set a precedent for future Bond films, where gadgets became an integral part of 007's toolkit. Bond's gadgets became as iconic as the character himself, starting off somewhat plausible in the Connery films, and eventually becoming insanely ridiculous by the end of Pierce Brosnan’s run, before ultimately being scaled back for the Daniel Craig era.

Sean Connery's James Bond in Goldfinger cements his status as the definitive and best Bond in the franchise's history. With his charismatic presence, impeccable style, and unmatched wit, Connery embodies the essence of Ian Fleming's character. Connery delivers a performance that showcases Bond's suave sophistication who can seamlessly transition from moments of intense action to playful banter. Moreover, Connery's chemistry with Honor Blackman heats up the screen. Though, Connery traditionally had great chemistry with pretty much every female co-star in his career. It's Connery's embodiment of Bond's cool confidence and unwavering resolve, coupled with his magnetic screen presence, that solidifies his legacy as the quintessential 007.

James Bond villains have been part of the secret sauce since Dr. No, but Goldfinger introduced us to probably his most famous nemesis: Auric Goldfinger, portrayed with menacing brilliance by Gert Frobe. He isn’t just a one-dimensional mustache-twirling villain; Goldfinger is a multi-faceted character with intelligence, charm, and an insatiable thirst for money and power. His evil nature is not merely defined by his insatiable greed, but by the meticulous planning and ruthlessness with which he executes his sinister schemes. He operates with a cold, calculating intellect, always staying one step ahead of his adversaries. The iconic image of Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton) dead and painted in gold highlights Goldfinger’s ruthlessness. Goldfinger's penchant for sadistic gamesmanship is evident in his choice of henchman: Oddjob, whose deadly bowler hat becomes a symbol of his malevolence. (Also, Oddjob is off-limits as a playable character in the N64’s Goldeneye. You should know that by know.)

The choice of names for Bond Girls has always been a topic of controversy, with creators often walking a fine line between wit and censorship. Some of the more improbable names include: Xenia Onnatop (Goldeneye), Honey Ryder (Dr. No), Kissy Suzuki (You Only Live Twice), Holly Goodhead (Moonraker), Christmas Jones (The World is Not Enough), Plenty O'Toole (Diamonds are Forever), May Day (A View to a Kill) and, um… Octopussy (Octopussy). But among these iconic names, none is perhaps as notorious as Pussy Galore, the Bond girl with the naughtiest name ever. The character's moniker follows the long-standing tradition of Bond girls having names that carry double entendres. When it came to bringing Pussy Galore to the screen in Goldfinger, the producers faced concerns from censors who deemed the name too explicit for the audience. In an effort to appease these concerns, the idea of changing the character's name to "Kitty Galore" was considered. However, director Guy Hamilton and the producers decided to stick to their guns. Meanwhile, Honor Blackman embraced the character's provocative name with a delightful sense of mischief, embarrassing interviewers by repeatedly mentioning the character's name. The film remained uncensored, but the promotional materials referred to the character as "Miss Galore" or simply as "Goldfinger's personal pilot," avoiding any explicit reference to her provocative moniker.

Goldfinger boasts one of the most iconic theme songs of all time. Sung by the incomparable Shirley Bassey, the theme song, titled "Goldfinger,"(duh) perfectly captures the film's essence of intrigue. Bassey's powerful and sultry vocals, combined with the dramatic orchestra set the stage for the high-stakes action thriller about to unfold. The song's lyrics, written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, encapsulate the essence of Auric Goldfinger's character, depicting him as a ruthless and irresistible force. With its bold brass instruments and Bassey's commanding delivery, "Goldfinger" not only enhances the film's mood but also remains a timeless classic, emblematic of the sophistication and glamour associated with the James Bond franchise. Astonishingly, the song was not nominated for an Academy Award that year. The statue went to to Mary Poppins’ "Chim Chim Cher-ee.” which isn’t even the best song in the movie. (“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” represent.)

- My name is Pussy Galore.

- I must be dreaming.

Notable Awards & Accomplishments

• Academy Award Winner: Best Sound Editing

• Ranked No. 70 on the BFI Top 100 British films

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes: A Martini. Shaken, not stirred.": #90

Streaming: Fubo TV, Paramount+, MGM+
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most major digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on Blu-Ray and DVD.