albums05

Tuesday, 10 February 2015 15:43

Review of Graham Rye's Goldfinger Portfolio

Written by
Rate this item
(0 votes)

Share this post

Submit to FacebookSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedIn

It's difficult to know where to start when it comes to a review of Graham Rye's new book, Goldfinger Portfolio, because it is such an incredible achievement. Bearing in mind this is primarily a John Barry website, I will clarify from the outset that the book devotes several pages to the music in the film, with the only slight downside being that myself and Pete Walker are the writers! Hopefully we have managed to convey some of the background and the ultimate smashing success of the Bassey single and John Barry album.

Also included is an excellent article by Norman Wanstall, who won an Oscar for Best Sound Effects, and gives a detailed account of attending the ceremony. In addition, there's the opportunity to see production designer Ken Adam's fascinating original sketches.

However, the real stars of the book are the photographs. It's hard to imagine that anything from the film has been omitted, as page after page reveals more and more surprises, with, in many cases, accompanying stories. As well as main stars, Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Harold Sakata & Gert Frobe, there are photos and stories from actors who had less to do in the film, such as Margaret Nolan (Dink), Tania Mallet (Tilly Masterson), Nadja Regin (Bonita), Nikki Van der Zyl (heard, but not seen), and, of course, Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson.

Although inevitably many of the photos were taken at Pinewood Studios, we also go on location to Switzerland and the golf club at Stoke Poges for some terrific shots. There are film posters and pages from press books -- often reproduced to the full extent of the book's large pages -- as, indeed, are many of the photos of the cast, in both colour and black and white. Some of my favourite photographs are those taken when the cast are relaxing in between takes.

The book itself is extremely heavy-duty being a wiro-bound steelbook, and the shiny gold covers are a work of art in themselves!

It's an expensive book at £350 -- there's always a downside -- but it's limited to 350 copies and could well become a most sought-after and valuable collector's item for Bond fans in the future. You probably need to be a dedicated Bond fan to purchase this book, but if you are and do, I don't think you'll regret it!!

To order a copy go to: http://www.007magazine.co.uk/007_magazine.htm

Read 4516 times Last modified on Sunday, 07 February 2016 13:12

Contact the JB site

If you wish to send an email, for example with content for the website, please contact Geoff Leonard:

Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Location
Bristol, UK

Geoff (owner) and Ruud (webmaster) have been running the John Barry website since June 18, 2001.

This website is not endorsed by the composer's family.
Use of copyrighted materials and logos are for promotional purposes only.

All files on this website are for personal use only and cannot be bought or sold.

 

big screen hits s

Plays 007 s

Our other sites

Geoff Leonard writes CD booklet notes, articles, and occasionally books, in partnership with Pete Walker. You can read more about this here:

 

Some albums

Golfinger French s

Best Of Bond s

Bond US 10th Anniversary s

Events or Concerts


Submit your Event or Concert, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We will not be responsible for any errors or inaccuracies.


 


 

Array
(
    [type] => 8
    [message] => Undefined index: view
    [file] => /home/ci9sx3ekq4zk/additional_domains/johnbarry.org.uk/public_html/components/com_k2/router.php
    [line] => 542
)