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Goldfinger: This is gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I have been in love with its color, its brilliance, its divine heaviness. I welcome any enterprise that will increase my stock- which is considerable... The purpose of our two previous encounters is now very clear to me. I do not intend to be distracted by another. Goodnight, Mr. Bond.
Bond: Do you expect me to talk? Goldfinger: [laughing] No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die! |
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Goldfinger
Most times, when asked, I will tell you that Goldfinger is my all-time favorite Bond movie. This site is not the place to make my arguments for that opinion. But Goldfinger marked the beginning of the giant merchandising campaigns associated with Agent 007, and thus the beginning of the flood of collectibles. Almost every scene in the movie had elements that gave rise to collectible items. And many items had no connection at all to scenes from the movie, they just seemed to be good ideas to produce at the time. I know collectors with several hundred items associated with Goldfinger, and there are still dozens of pieces that they are missing. The appetite of Bond fans for collectibles was proving to be almost as insatiable as Mr. Goldfinger's for gold!
EAGLEMOSS 1:8 ASTON MARTIN DB5
The Eaglemoss model DB5 was originally released as a to-build kit with parts distributed in 86 periodic installments. Completed models at that time were available only at auction, with several selling in excess of £2,000. Eaglemoss then decided to make a limited run of 200 completed models, each of which was hand built to order. The item I have in my collection is one of the limited edition 200 models completed by Eaglemoss.
Each model is a 1:8 scale replica of the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 that was featured in Goldfinger. The fully-built car is nearly 2 feet long and weighs 15 pounds. It replicates many of the special modifications that were made by the film-makers for Goldfinger, including ejector seat, concealed machine guns, over-riders, tire-slashers, bulletproof shield, tracking device and some extra features that were made for, but never seen in, the film: a weapons tray under the driver’s seat and a radio telephone in the door. The model also has functioning electronics that light up various elements of the car.
The Eaglemoss replica was developed by working closely with Aston Martin and was made with careful reference to a real DB5 at Aston Martin’s workshop and to photography of the cars that were adapted for use in the James Bond films. This model is one of the finest I have seen.
Each model is a 1:8 scale replica of the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 that was featured in Goldfinger. The fully-built car is nearly 2 feet long and weighs 15 pounds. It replicates many of the special modifications that were made by the film-makers for Goldfinger, including ejector seat, concealed machine guns, over-riders, tire-slashers, bulletproof shield, tracking device and some extra features that were made for, but never seen in, the film: a weapons tray under the driver’s seat and a radio telephone in the door. The model also has functioning electronics that light up various elements of the car.
The Eaglemoss replica was developed by working closely with Aston Martin and was made with careful reference to a real DB5 at Aston Martin’s workshop and to photography of the cars that were adapted for use in the James Bond films. This model is one of the finest I have seen.
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This is a replica of the Rolex (a/k/a a fake Rolex) worn in the pre-title sequence by James Bond, and used in setting the timer for the explosives. The actual watch is a Rolex Submariner Reference 6538, circa 1958, with a big ('Brevit') crown, no crown guards, and outfitted on a multi-colored regimental fabric strap, often referred to as a NATO strap, that is too small for the watch since the spring bars are visible. Although its use in Goldfinger was its first starring role, the watch also appeared in Dr. No and From Russia With Love. In both films, Connery wore the watch on a leather strap rather than on the stainless steel bracelet specified by Fleming in the novels. This replica was never represented to be, nor was it sold as, an authentic Rolex. The prop is almost an exact replica of the watch used in the movie - I see only one minor difference on the bezel, and the strap is just slightly wider. This watch never fails to draw a lot of stares and comments whenever I wear it in public.
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Of course, from the scene with the Rolex, above, Bond goes to Bonita's room after the explosions, where he is attacked by Capungo. At left is an interpretation of the room key to Bonita's room at Club 'El Scorpio', used by Bond, created by Ed Maggiani - certainly the key tag must have looked something like this!
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This is another highly desirable prop reproduction created by SD Studios. Odd Job's steel-rimmed hat is faithfully recreated in this example. Rather than being presented in the characteristic wooden case with the '007' logo etched onto the glass top, the display is a hat resting above a mirror base, showcasing the steel ring on the bottom side of the brim. The Odd Job hat is often referred to as a bowler in many promotional vehicles, but that is incorrect. A bowler has a domed crown, and the hat in the movie is a top hat which has a flat top (as does the hat in this prop). My collectible is number 66 of 1500. Because I have rarely seen this in anyone's collection, and do not hear collectors discussing the SD Studios' version of this prop, I doubt that 1500 of these were made and sold.
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This is a full set of eight US Lobby Cards, circa 1964, for Goldfinger. The absence of pin-holes, tape marks, etc. suggests these particular Lobby Cards have been unused. There is some slight fading but overall they are in very good condition.
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This item is an example of the incredible work done by some of the prop replica makers in the world of James Bond. This particular replica was done by Andy House. This screen-accurate reproduction of the Flying Circus bills posted on the outside of the hanger in Kentucky was a very limited run and has been signed by Pussy herself, Honor Blackman. My copy is Number 4 of 15.
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A portrait of Shirley Eaton created by my daughter. The framed 'original' of this computer art shown at right was recently presented to Shirley Eaton - she said it made her feel like a Marvel heroine! Below is the photograph on which the portrait is based.
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A copy of a Release Script for Goldfinger, bearing the signatures of Sean Connery, Lois Maxwell, Shirley Eaton, Honor Blackmon, and Gert Frobe. The script came with a Certificate of Authenticity, but no back-up evidence of authenticity has been received. I have made no attempt to authenticate any of the signatures.
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Another collectible from Corgi. This is Goldfinger's 1937 Phantom III Rolls Royce. The car seen in the movie still exists and is on the road - it is owned by EON Productions, and it took Producer Michael J. Wilson and his wife to the Royal Premiere of Skyfall held at Royal Albert Hall in London in 2012.
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A Penfold 'hearts' golf ball as played by James Bond in his golf match with Goldfinger.
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The Hot Wheels 1962 Lincoln Continental, driven by Odd Job.
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A gas-powered pellet-shooting replica of a Walther PPK/S .32 caliber, fitted for a suppressor ('silencer'), and the chamois-pocket shoulder holster worn by Bond.
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An original gin rummy scoresheet from the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, circa 1964.
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TRACKING DEVICES
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A replica of the prop shaver used by Bond to conceal one of his homer devices. Bond retrieved and activated the homer while cleaning up on Goldfinger's jet before his arrival in Kentucky.
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I had a dress shoe modified with a retractable heel, which held a replica of the smaller homer device seen in the film, and as used by Bond.
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A fan-made replica of the smaller homer.
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This is the Tracking Devices Limited Edition Prop Replica made by Factory Entertainment. The larger homer is magnetic, and emits a beep when the slide is pulled back to arm the tracker, just as in the film. The smaller homer also has a slide and sticks to the larger homer. My item is number 85 of 500.
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In 2008, Swatch issued its 007 Villain Collection of watches. This particular watch is the 'Odd Job' watch. Designed to mimic a gold finish, the watch is bulky and heavy but is one I occasionally wear, and it never fails to draw comments.
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The Barbie Collector, Black Label tribute to Pussy Galore.
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This was fun. Many years ago on one of my first trips to London, I went to see the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. I was in for a real treat - play the video and listen closely. You'll hear the band playing the theme from Goldfinger, followed by the theme for On Her Majesty's Secret Service!
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A program from the Goldfinger Reunion event held by Bondstars.com at Pinewood Studios in 2008. Many of the stars and technical people who worked on the movie were there - it was an outstanding event, and offered a rare opportunity to meet these talented artists at the same time in a spectacular venue.
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Replica of the Nazi gold bar issued to Bond by the Bank of England as 'bait' for his golf match with Goldfinger. As you can see, the item needs some repair.
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A fan-made weighty gold bar prop meant to replicate one of the thousands produced for use in the background of the Fort Knox set. This example is far from being screen-accurate. According to noted 007 authority Graham Rye, none of the gold bars or gold ingots used in the filming survived.
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