James Bond versus Goldfinger
James Bond movies aren’t really my cup of tea, but when Sean Connery and a hint of golf are involved, then count me in! Last night was just such an occasion: ‘Goldfinger’ came on the box. Oddly enough I had written about this film from 1964 in a post about Peter Alliss earlier this year. But more about that in a moment.
Goldfinger is one of the original James Bond classics which stars the ultra-smooth and cheekily-charming Sean Connery as 007. It features all the usual high-speed Aston Martin car chases, explosions, humour and glamour that fans have come to expect over the years, but with the rather unusual added luxury of some ‘time out’ on the golf course.
James Bond is invited for a golf match with a big wager against the seriously rich Auric Goldfinger, who is not only a gold smuggler but also an avid golfer and a constant cheater. However, when 007 catches his opponent cheating, he conjures up a plan to defeat him by playing him at his own game. After losing his Slazenger 1 ball, Goldfinger gets his body-guard caddie to ‘drop’ another ball using the old hole-in-the-trouser-pocket-trick. He is later baffled and defeated by Bond who secretly switches the cheater’s ball to a number seven. Of course, 007 wouldn’t choose any other number!
Although it is only a film, the scene is well thought out. And let’s be honest, it is a rather amusing and clever way to trick a golf cheat and one which typifies the Great British sense of fair play.
By the way, the golf scenes for the film were actually shot at Stoke Park Golf Club, Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire, England. This is where former tour professional turned television golf commentator, Peter Alliss comes into the picture. He was responsible for teaching Sean Connery to play golf specially for the Goldfinger film. Little did the two of them know back in the Sixties that it would be the start of Connery’s life-long passion for the game.
Wendy Hoad
Pictured: Sean Connery as James Bond (left) and the character Auric Goldfinger.