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Goldfinger at 60: The Midas Touch

MalloryMallory
edited September 17 in Bond Movies Posts: 2,165
Goldfinger_-_UK_cinema_poster.jpg

Today (Tuesday 17th September) marks 60 years since Goldfinger premiered in London, so I thought it would be appropriate to have a celebratory thread.

Releasing to massive hype, the film truly cemented 'Bond-mania', and on a budget of $3m USD in 1964, the film went on to gross more than $125m worldwide, around $1.25 billion in today's marketplace.

Goldfinger is credited by many for being the film in which the Bond formula was fully established, refined to perfection, and became the template going forward. Whilst Dr. No and From Russia with Love feature many of the Bond elements we know and love, Goldfinger, under the direction of Guy Hamilton, perfected them, along with adding in so many new elements:

- The OTT Villain, Henchman and Plot
- The leading lady with the double-entre name
- The opening titles sequence and main song (woven into the soundtrack)
- The Q Briefing scene
- The gadget filled supercar.
- Quite possibly one of the most iconic film lines ever - "No Mister Bond, I expect you to die!"

The 007.com site have done a good roundup of this:

https://www.007.com/celebrating-goldfingers-60th-anniversary/

I could go on about Goldfinger but all I say is, here is to it's 60th anniversary (and raise a glass of Dom Peringnon, at the right temperature of course) and a legacy that endures to this day!
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Comments

  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,993
    Like the discussion of The Beatles in another thread, Goldfinger is a case of you had to have been there. If you didn't see GF at a theater when it was released 60 years ago, you simply cannot appreciate the film. Seeing it for the first time decades later on your home screen does not convey the impact of this film.

    DN introduced us to Bond with the iconic Bond theme, but the formula and music had yet to evolve. FRWL came close with its hard driving open theme and the 007 theme.
    But nothing prepared audiences for the bombastic, knock you back in your seat title song. And what came after that opening theme song was a great film.
  • 007HallY007HallY
    edited September 17 Posts: 4,157
    CrabKey wrote: »
    Like the discussion of The Beatles in another thread, Goldfinger is a case of you had to have been there. If you didn't see GF at a theater when it was released 60 years ago, you simply cannot appreciate the film. Seeing it for the first time decades later on your home screen does not convey the impact of this film.

    I don’t think thats true, no more than with any other film anyway. It might have those special memories seeing it at the time in the cinema (we all have those Bond films) but I think it’d be quite sad if you couldn’t appreciate it outside of that context (it’s also not true as many people who saw it on home media for the first time have loved it, including me). If it could only be appreciated in that context it likely wouldn’t be a very good film. As it is it’s a great film.
  • DEKE_RIVERSDEKE_RIVERS
    Posts: 1,365
    Great movie. Better than the novel, by the way.

  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,409
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,260
    I never really appreciated gf in the way I do the Terence Young ones. Still, it sure is iconic despite it's flaws, and Gert frobe is an excellent Goldfinger, odd job an amazing 'butcher' sidekick and of course the db5. The golden girl. Perhaps gf does have the most iconic scenes and moments.
  • AgentM72AgentM72
    edited September 17 Posts: 833
    La La Land Records just teased a new release for October 1st.

    https://x.com/LaLaLandRecords/status/1836154703744578024

    One cannot help but notice their chosen typeface is identical to the one used in a certain classic film's logo, which may or may not be relevant to this thread...

    (Reference: https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path[1/7/4/0/4/17404786],sizedata[850x600]&call=url[file:product.chain])



  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,409
    Very interesting, thank you.
    I thought someone said there wasn’t much more on the tapes to release, but who knows. It would certainly make sense for Eon to have asked them to make it considering the effort going into the 60th.

  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    Happy anniversary to one of the all time classics. What can I say that hasn't been said before? A cinematic milestone, in more ways than one. It's a good thing that I didn't know that it premiered today. Otherwise, I might have thought that IFP would have announced something along with it.
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,993
    007HallY wrote: »
    CrabKey wrote: »
    Like the discussion of The Beatles in another thread, Goldfinger is a case of you had to have been there. If you didn't see GF at a theater when it was released 60 years ago, you simply cannot appreciate the film. Seeing it for the first time decades later on your home screen does not convey the impact of this film.

    I don’t think thats true, no more than with any other film anyway. It might have those special memories seeing it at the time in the cinema (we all have those Bond films) but I think it’d be quite sad if you couldn’t appreciate it outside of that context (it’s also not true as many people who saw it on home media for the first time have loved it, including me). If it could only be appreciated in that context it likely wouldn’t be a very good film. As it is it’s a great film.

    Fair enough. I am glad you like Goldfinger. Yes, it can be appreciated in other contexts.
    It was a unique experience seeing it for the first time in a theater with only DN and FRWL as the only two previous films.
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,431
    The film with the midas touch. @CrabKey I was lucky enough to catch GF during a classic film promotion with a local theatre here in Toronto. I can heartily endorse what you are saying. It was a thrill to see it on the big screen. It gave it scope and it gave the film a whole different perspective for me.

    This film to me represents the very best of Bond. A rare occurrence where the film improves on the book. Having GF contaminate instead of steal the gold was brilliant. Not sure who deserves credit for that idea. Having Jill and Tilly both die at the hands of the villain propel the story forward. This is a case of three Bond women working well within the story. Compared to YOTL where it had a feel of "we must tick these boxes".

    The film treads a fine line between a farce and a serious movie. Connery sells it and makes you believe that a car could have all these fantastical gadgets. Compared to the audience reaction when Q unveils the "Vanish" to laughs.

    The Barry score is such a big brassy sound that fits with the big brassy movie. I love that cool ariel shot into the Fontainebleau and the music only makes it better.

    The M Bond relationship is further explored here. M sniffing the brandy and then looking at Bond never fails to bring a smile to my face. M tearing into Bond about Jill's death and asking him to remain cool and objective is powerful. He lets Bond know whose the boss.

    I could gush more but I will stop! Happy 60th to a wonderful film that is a hallmark for the series!
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,993
    @thedove -- Into Miami right after Bassey. What a great piece of music. Glad to know others saw GF the way I did. That opening riff of the title song just knocks your socks off. There are so many great title songs in the series, but nothing as pulsating, although TJ does a pretty magnificent TB.
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,270
    I rewatched the film tonight and as always had a great time with it. Connery is at his best here and the other main players are superb as well. I don't want to give away too many thoughts because I'll be doing a review on it soon but needless to say it's a classic of cinema in general.
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,041
    It's the perfect example of doing over-the-top things in a Bond film, without it affecting the plot. Great Bond film! Every aspect of it had the midas touch....it fully launched the franchise's tropes. I wasn't around when it was released, but I heard it was bigger than The Beatles.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,409
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,041
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.
  • 007HallY007HallY
    edited September 18 Posts: 4,157
    CrabKey wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    CrabKey wrote: »
    Like the discussion of The Beatles in another thread, Goldfinger is a case of you had to have been there. If you didn't see GF at a theater when it was released 60 years ago, you simply cannot appreciate the film. Seeing it for the first time decades later on your home screen does not convey the impact of this film.

    I don’t think thats true, no more than with any other film anyway. It might have those special memories seeing it at the time in the cinema (we all have those Bond films) but I think it’d be quite sad if you couldn’t appreciate it outside of that context (it’s also not true as many people who saw it on home media for the first time have loved it, including me). If it could only be appreciated in that context it likely wouldn’t be a very good film. As it is it’s a great film.

    Fair enough. I am glad you like Goldfinger. Yes, it can be appreciated in other contexts.
    It was a unique experience seeing it for the first time in a theater with only DN and FRWL as the only two previous films.

    It's definitely a unique experience with such an iconic film. GF is one I've always wanted to see on the big screen in general.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    I was born close to two decades after the release of GF, yet I have always thought the world of the film. Not only is it a film that I profoundly respect -- it built the "code" for the Bond series in almost every way, music included -- but I also deeply enjoy the film every time I see it. It's the one more or less straight adaptation of a Fleming novel that bests the author, in my opinion.

    Goldfinger is a Christmas bag full of iconic Bond elements, and one that keeps giving, no matter how often you've seen the film (which is several dozens of times in my case). Is it the best Bond? I don't think so. Is it the quintessential Bond, the iconic Bond, the überBond? Absolutely!
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 18 Posts: 16,409
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,041
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,409
    Oh yes, good points.
  • AgentM72AgentM72
    Posts: 833
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.

    And the bit on Goldfinger's plane when Mei-Lei is 'keeping an eye' on Bond.
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,041
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.

    And the bit on Goldfinger's plane when Mei-Lei is 'keeping an eye' on Bond.

    Oh! Yes. Although, I think that track is on the expanded score as "Bathroom Voyeur/Pussy Galore's Flying Circus".
  • DwayneDwayne New York City
    Posts: 2,847
    I've posted this before, but it speaks to how iconic Goldfinger is among the general population .....

  • AgentM72AgentM72
    Posts: 833
    Dwayne wrote: »
    I've posted this before, but it speaks to how iconic Goldfinger is among the general population .....


    <3

    As a massive fan of both Bond and Frasier, the surprise of this scene delighted me to no end.
  • AgentM72AgentM72
    Posts: 833
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.

    And the bit on Goldfinger's plane when Mei-Lei is 'keeping an eye' on Bond.

    Oh! Yes. Although, I think that track is on the expanded score as "Bathroom Voyeur/Pussy Galore's Flying Circus".

    I don't think the "Bathroom Voyeur" bit is an official release, is it? On the expanded score I've seen it's just the Flying Circus.
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,041
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.

    And the bit on Goldfinger's plane when Mei-Lei is 'keeping an eye' on Bond.

    Oh! Yes. Although, I think that track is on the expanded score as "Bathroom Voyeur/Pussy Galore's Flying Circus".

    I don't think the "Bathroom Voyeur" bit is an official release, is it? On the expanded score I've seen it's just the Flying Circus.

    Oh, Ok. The one I've seen, has got those two tracks merged together, though. Maybe La-La Land can give it to us officially this year. Although, my feeling is, this year is for Moonraker & Licence To Kill from La-La Land. Just a guess, though. Just maybe.
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,993
    Love the guitar version on the album.

    Just listening to the Fraiser riff is a reminder of how iconic that film is.
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,431
    I rather like this jazzy and loose version from Anthony Newley. Of course it doesn't measure up to Bassey.

  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,993
    I don't think any Bond film before or since has had a better blend of film and music.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 19 Posts: 16,409
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    AgentM72 wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    What tracks are missing from the soundtrack which an expanded release could add?

    I think the nightclub dance at the pre-title sequence and when Bond shoots the mirror, thinking it's another car. Those are ones I can think of right now...or maybe Oddjob's hat sound effect too.

    I guess there’s the Kentucky stud music, is the Into Miami variant as Felix walks through the pool crowd there?.. there’s not a whole lot missing though is there?

    Oh, yeah. Those too. Also, when Pussy Galore comes out dressed attractive for Bond and Goldfinger approves. Then the playful fight between Bond and Pussy.

    And the bit on Goldfinger's plane when Mei-Lei is 'keeping an eye' on Bond.

    Oh! Yes. Although, I think that track is on the expanded score as "Bathroom Voyeur/Pussy Galore's Flying Circus".

    I don't think the "Bathroom Voyeur" bit is an official release, is it? On the expanded score I've seen it's just the Flying Circus.

    Oh, Ok. The one I've seen, has got those two tracks merged together, though. Maybe La-La Land can give it to us officially this year. Although, my feeling is, this year is for Moonraker & Licence To Kill from La-La Land. Just a guess, though. Just maybe.

    I certainly hope so. It is Eon who specifically tell LLL which scores to release though according to an interview with the main guy which came out earlier this year though, hence GF probably being on the way, as they’ve put a lot of work into this 60th anniversary.
    thedove wrote: »
    I rather like this jazzy and loose version from Anthony Newley. Of course it doesn't measure up to Bassey.

    I made this version, which part of me half prefers!



    I’ve always found her a touch shrill, but I did get to see her singing it live at the 60th concert, and I must admit it was pretty magical.
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