This one is a little tough because it is one of the lesser Bonds. It has it's qualities but most of them are not particularly unique so it might sound a bit familiar as we go along here. This is one of the few times in the series that a large part of the action takes place in the states, and the setting of Las Vegas was novel for the time. Bits and pieces of the era creep in and make it one of the more dated stories.
001 The Theme Song
It feels like a cheat to include the theme song in so many of my lists for this project, but Bond fanatics know that the music in the movie is one of the draws. This was a triumphant return of Shirley Bassey to the fold, and she does a silky smooth opening song that mixes electronic instruments with a great bass riff.
002 The Henchmen
If they tried this today they would be crucified. The secondary killers for Blofeld are a couple on near mincing homosexuals that are exploited for laughs more than for the danger they present. It is politically incorrect, but it was one of the first times I'd encountered a gay character in any fistion, so it was memorable to me.
003 The Double Entendres
James Bond in the movie is different from the books in a number of ways, one of which is his play with language. Although the puns and risque wordplay are tiresome in the Pierce Brosnan films, they still worked coming out of the mouth of Sean Connery.
James Bond:
Weren't you a blonde when I came in?
Tiffany Case: Could be.
James Bond: I tend to notice little things like that - whether a girl is a blonde or a brunette.
Tiffany Case: Which do you prefer?
James Bond: Well, as long as the collar and cuffs match...
I did not get this joke in 1971, I was thirteen at the time. Years later I almost busted a gut when i heard it again.
Here is another one from the film that I did not get the first time around and now it would get a spit take from me.
"Hi I'm Plenty"
"Plenty O'Toole"
"Named after your father perhaps."
It is hard enough to make a movie, much less one where everything needs to be consistent. Bond and Tiffany are chased through old Las Vegas in their Red Mustang. In order to escape at one point Bond drive up a ramp, tips the car on it's side and drives through a narrow pathway that the cops can't follow through.
All well and good, except when he comes out on the other side, there is a slightyly odd issue with physics that needs to be explained and never is.
Exactly how does the car come out the opposite way it went in?
I'm not that picky, it was still a cool stunt.
Singer Jimmy Dean plays a reclusive billionaire who is kidnapped but no one knows it. Why? because he has not been seen in public for a number of years before it happens. Those of you not familiar with the history of Vegas and Howard Hughes will miss the sly references and outright theft of some of his story.
The above shot also includes frequently used character actor Shane Rimmer (You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, and a voice in Live and Let Die)
Like the fictional Willard Whyte, Hughes occupied the top floors of the hotels he stayed at. He actually bought the Desert Inn while living there to avoid more conflict with the management.
The best part of the story with Whyte is the Penthouse suite occupied by Blofeld. It is another gem of design from the 007
One of the best posters of the series. For a complete discussion check out my post on Bond posters by clicking the image.
Bond has a lot of hand to hand combat in the films. This was a unique fight because it was so brutal and it takes place in an old style open elevator. The conflict with smuggler Peter Franks has drama and a couple of black humor bits because the quarter are so close the combatants can't get much momentum or leverage with one another.
The best sequence in an otherwise less than thrilling film.
James Bond Will Return in "Live and Let Die."
Tiffany Case: Could be.
James Bond: I tend to notice little things like that - whether a girl is a blonde or a brunette.
Tiffany Case: Which do you prefer?
James Bond: Well, as long as the collar and cuffs match...
I did not get this joke in 1971, I was thirteen at the time. Years later I almost busted a gut when i heard it again.
Here is another one from the film that I did not get the first time around and now it would get a spit take from me.
"Hi I'm Plenty"
"Named after your father perhaps."
004 Mustang Mix Up
It is hard enough to make a movie, much less one where everything needs to be consistent. Bond and Tiffany are chased through old Las Vegas in their Red Mustang. In order to escape at one point Bond drive up a ramp, tips the car on it's side and drives through a narrow pathway that the cops can't follow through.
I'm not that picky, it was still a cool stunt.
005 Willard Whyte
Singer Jimmy Dean plays a reclusive billionaire who is kidnapped but no one knows it. Why? because he has not been seen in public for a number of years before it happens. Those of you not familiar with the history of Vegas and Howard Hughes will miss the sly references and outright theft of some of his story.
The above shot also includes frequently used character actor Shane Rimmer (You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, and a voice in Live and Let Die)
Like the fictional Willard Whyte, Hughes occupied the top floors of the hotels he stayed at. He actually bought the Desert Inn while living there to avoid more conflict with the management.
The best part of the story with Whyte is the Penthouse suite occupied by Blofeld. It is another gem of design from the 007
006 The Poster
One of the best posters of the series. For a complete discussion check out my post on Bond posters by clicking the image.
007 The Elevator Fight
Bond has a lot of hand to hand combat in the films. This was a unique fight because it was so brutal and it takes place in an old style open elevator. The conflict with smuggler Peter Franks has drama and a couple of black humor bits because the quarter are so close the combatants can't get much momentum or leverage with one another.
The best sequence in an otherwise less than thrilling film.
James Bond Will Return in "Live and Let Die."
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