"My Name is Bond - James
Bond"
Author:
Martin Loughlin
A simple enough introduction, but it has become one of
the most recognizable lines in cinema history. Since Ian
Fleming's master spy was introduced to cinema audiences in 1962,
there have been 20 Bond movies spanning almost 40 years and
accurately reflecting the changing times during which they are
set. But for many of us, Bond belongs firmly to the 1960s, the
decade when the suave secret agent was as popular around the
world as the Beatles and Barbie dolls.
The Bond films had it all and captured the spirit of the
decade like no other films - exotic locations, glamorous girls
in mini skirts or other trendy outfits, exciting car chases,
larger than life villains and clever gadgets. And of course, in
the middle of all of this, James Bond himself, drinking a dry
martini and usually immaculately dressed in a tuxedo, with a
beautiful woman on his arm. And Bond was the ultimate womanizing
bachelor, as befitting the culture of "free love" and the
often relaxed morals of the time.
Even the music to the films
was different, a mixture of smooth strings, jazzy riffs and
jangly guitars that might be described as "spy music".
The third Bond movie "Goldfinger" is generally considered
to be the best of the films, made in 1964 at the height of the
Bond craze and the height of the so-called swinging sixties. The
plot concerns an outrageous plan to rob Fort Knox of all its
gold, which of course is foiled easily by Bond, who has time to
romance several women along the way. And there is even a
reference to the Beatles in the movie, who at the time were also
at the height of their popularity.
The success of Goldfinger spawned many imitators at the
time, both on TV and in the cinema. Many of us of a certain age
fondly remember "The Man from UNCLE", "The Avengers" and "Get
Smart" amongst many others. No other spy or secret agent though
could touch Bond for popularity, and before the 1960s came to an
end there would be 3 more Bond movies, before the series started
to run out of steam.
Apart from the wave of spy movies and TV shows, the
success of Goldfinger meant a merchandising craze of Bond toys,
games, books and everything else. I can still remember being the
proud owner of an Aston Martin toy car based on the famous car
that was featured in the film, and spending many happy hours
playing with the ejector seat.
Needless to say, some of
these items are now highly collectible, not to mention highly
valuable. Drag down your old box of toys from the attic!
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