The line stretched down the block for our showing of Goldfinger!
A record turnout of 461 patrons came out for our 50th Anniversary screening of Goldfinger on September 18, 2014. (The film had originally premiered in London on September 17, 1964, but was released in the U.K. on September 18.) Colin Clark of The Ian Fleming Foundation was our special guest and provided the memorabilia seen in the lobby. The main attraction was the Jet Star model plane used in the making of Goldfinger. (Special precautions had to be taken given the extreme value of this prop.)
It was wonderful to have a part of film history on display. In an age where everything is done on a computer, it’s interesting for fans to see a tangible piece of movie magic. (The Jet Star was cleverly used in the film. It was painted differently on each side, and with the simple trick of a reverse camera angle, the plane appeared in a second sequence later in the movie.) In addition to the jet, Colin brought with him one of the gold bricks used in the Fort Knox set. (These were actually made out of lead.) Though hundreds of these were undoutedly made, we like to believe ours was the one thrown at Oddjob in the movie!
After the prize giveaway, which included an Aston Martin collectible car, Colin was introduced on stage and spoke about the history of the jet and how it came into the possession of The Ian Fleming Foundation. The prop originally had been given to an executive of Lockheed Martin after the film’s production, but it surfaced years later in an antique shop where it was acquired. The Foundation, in fact, owns several Bond props and vehicles, many of which are currently stored in a warehouse in Kankakee, IL.
Colin Clark and his wife Kelly representing The Ian Fleming Foundation. With them is the Jet Star model used in the making of Goldfinger.
From its very first image of the famous gun barrel sequence, it was clearly evident– based on the audience reaction– that Goldfinger holds up as well today as it did fifty years ago. The crowd applauded, cheered, and laughed at all the appropriate moments. It’s a film that fans love and respect. Our screening offered a unique perspective, though; this was perhaps one of the few theatrical screenings in its half-century history where the first shot of the jet itself received applause!
We are extremely grateful to all those who helped us with this event, including Colin Clark, our house organist Jay Warren, and our golden Bond girls: Allison, Shannon, Monica, and Elizabeth.
For more about the work of The Ian Fleming Foundation and their role in preserving the James Bond legacy, Click Here!
Film Historian Matthew Hoffman with movie hostess Allison…
Colin Clark discusses the Jet Star– and some Bond trivia!
The lobby afterward…
Striking a Bond pose after the show with one of our Bond girls, Elizabeth.
