Of all the old Sean Connery-James Bond films, Goldfinger is one of my favorites. The plot makes some kind of sense, the villain is properly evil (nothing “misunderstood” or “I see his point” about Mr. Goldfinger) and it features one of the coolest assassinations ever: death by skin suffocation, or death by gold paint (a plot point which has since been debunked). Goldfinger also features a kickass theme song (love Shirley Bassey) and one of the best-named villainess/heroines in Ian Fleming’s canon: Pussy Galore. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard Sean Connery work out her name with his thick Scottish accent.
Anyway, Pussy Galore was played by English actress Honor Blackman. Blackman turns 90 years old this year, and she’s still working and she still has opinions about the Bond franchise and everything. And unlike Roger Moore, Blackman doesn’t have a problem with the way James Bond has changed over the years and how he will continue to change. Blackman gave a lengthy interview to The Daily Mirror about Bond and much more. Some highlights:
Her thoughts on Daniel Craig: “I’m sorry to say he’s a better actor – but I think Sean would acknowledge that. I think Dan is terrific. He’s capable of so much more. Sean was perfection as Bond only as Ian Fleming wrote it. He was a Mr Universe entrant, he was handsome and very, very sexy and had that ridiculous accent. Now it’s no longer like Ian Fleming, it’s more like The Bourne Identity. It’s a different kind of film. But that doesn’t make any difference to the fact they’re super films and Daniel is probably the best actor that ever played Bond.”
James Bond has evolved: “You’re talking to somebody who is terribly biased. Ian Fleming wrote a certain character and it was fun when we accepted he was a misogynist and a brutal fellow, but we loved him just the same. But nowadays, unfortunately, we find that totally unacceptable. Now he has to love somebody, he has to care about women, he has to do all the things Fleming never intended.”
She thinks a black James Bond would be awesome: “I think he can be anything he likes. Why can’t he be a black man? You have to be a good actor and you’ve got to be a very attractive man – that’s half the battle – otherwise you can’t play Bond.”
She’s against the monarchy & the Tories: In 2002 the republican turned down the offer of a CBE. Though she’s a traditional Lib Dem voter she says her sympathies could lie with Labour. “The Conservatives bend like mad to the money and they can’t help it – they’re all those kinds of people.”
Damn, I hope I’m as cool as Honor Blackman when I’m her age. She feels very… spicy. And like she actually pays attention to pop culture and societal trends, enough to reference the Jason Bourne films and talk about Daniel Craig’s abilities as an actor. She’s very sharp. I agree with her that Daniel is a better actor than Sean Connery, but I’m not sure if Daniel is the best actor to every play Bond. Pierce Brosnan was and is a very good actor. Timothy Dalton is a good actor too. Lord, I hope Honor Blackman lives long enough to see Idris Elba playing James Bond!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I’ll always have a soft spot for “Goldfinger”…after all, having grown up in Kentucky it’s always a trip seeing Louisville as it was in 1960. And Ft. Knox to boot.
Not to mention one of the best Bond/baddie exchanges ever. “Do you expect me to talk?” “No Mr. Bond! I expect you to die!” as he has a giant laser pointed at his junk.
Can I be Honor Blackman when I grow up?
She proves the point that “he is from a different time” can never be an excuse for bigotry. I detest it when people excuse old peoples prejudice with that line. If I can find just one of your peers who does not think in racist/sexist terms then the problem is YOU. Looking at you, Roger.
I like that she has an open mind about it and her points make sense, not this ” he has to be English english” mess!
I love Honor! And she’s ALWAYS mean about Connery. Doesn’t like him living abroad so he doesn’t have to pay taxes.
More Honor Blackman!
She’s awesome. I love most of the old Bonds because they are such retro fun. I Really don’t think Craig is that great but he’s had better movies to work with. Pierce B was the perfect Bond but those movies are unwatchable.
Now that is a lovely, natural looking face. If she were a young actress today, the pressure would be there to fill out those natural expression lines. But she sounds like someone who might have the guts to refuse.
Honor Blackman, enough said.
+1
Ah, I see what you did here, Kiddo…
Honor Blackman is right. I think all the Bond actors were good in their own way and for their time. I never expected to like DC, but his characterization is now among my favorites, up there w/MD in the Bourne films.
But it’s time for change, and I hope Idris Elba takes on the role of 007.
What an amazing interview, now a new fan girl!
My vote is Pierce Brosnan. Good gracious that is a sexy man! Silver fox.
I agree that Daniel is a better actor, but I just adore Sean. Always have. The accent slays me.
Honor looks fab for her age, no flab for her she said jealously…. And cool with it.
Lots of Stars get rightly criticised here for their attitudes or behaviour, I am Not sure why Connery gets a free pass on Some of the things he’s said about violence against women.
Pierce Brosnan is a beautiful man but I am okay with Ms. Blackman’s comment about Craig being the best actor in the bunch.
I do not include Timothy Dalton in “the bunch” because he is not so much an actor as a god among men.
“You’re talking to somebody who is terribly biased. Ian Fleming wrote a certain character and it was fun when we accepted he was a misogynist and a brutal fellow, but we loved him just the same. But nowadays, unfortunately, we find that totally unacceptable. Now he has to love somebody, he has to care about women, he has to do all the things Fleming never intended.”
It’s an interesting point but I think it’s simply a matter of changing perception and the idea of what a movie hero should be. And how he can attract female audiences. In the context of the time, I love Connery’s bond. If I had to sit through that crap today, if Daniel Craig played that kind of man and that kind of bond in today’s culture, I would want my money back. Not because it’s unacceptable for a character to be misogynist etc. but because Bond wasn’t first and foremost written as a misogynist and brutal but as an attractive, ass-kicking hero. And the idea of what that looks like has changed.
I love her attitude towards Bond and in general.
“if Daniel Craig played that kind of man and that kind of bond in today’s culture, I would want my money back. Not because it’s unacceptable for a character to be misogynist etc. but because Bond wasn’t first and foremost written as a misogynist and brutal but as an attractive, ass-kicking hero. And the idea of what that looks like has changed.”
@littlemissnaughty – excellent point!
There are some current quotes floating around from Elba about the Bond rumours and he sounds soooooo over it! Move on people!
Also why is the question always about a Black actor? Is that just because Elba was fan-cast? In England the “diverse” Bond that would make far more sense from a demographic standpoint would be Asian no? (including Indian actors). The assumption that the first Bond of colour would be Black seems oddly…American?
I have no clue who started the fancasting for Idris to be Bond, but I’m all for it because Idris is sexeh…..
What an awesome lady!
What a wonderful lady!! And her name is %100 on point, given the topic we’re discussing!!
Honor Blackman’s just got a new fan. She makes excellent points and communicates them in a straight-forward manner. Great interview.
She is a very cool lady. But Kaiser, Pierce was a terrible Bond. You have to be able to say that “Bond, James Bond” line. It’s the definitive test. He wasn’t convincing as a smooth, charming cold hearted bastard. Connery, Craig and Dalton ftw.