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James Bond Double Feature At Dryden Theatre In New York

Saturday, 29 December; 'Goldfinger' and 'You Only Live Twice'

Lucky New Yorkers, I would love to see Goldfinger on the big screen. YOLT, I'm indifferent towards.

Watch YOLT on a big screen. Your indifference will turn into love for Freddie Young's gorgeous cinematography of post-WWII Japan with John Barry's music in the background.

GF/YOLT would make a splendid double 007 feature to watch on a big screen.

Yeah, you're probably right. I do like You Only Live Twice, it's just not a film I've ever really cared for that much out of the Bond series. I guess any of the old films would be really fun to watch on the big screen.

I have to say as well, from your sig, I like you views

Thank you sir. Just think of YOLT as TSWLM 10 years ahead of its time and I think your appreciation for it will increase.

I live in Rochester and would love to meet anyone planning on seeing this double-feature. There are a lot of Bond fans, but if you visit Commander Bond and read it's forums, then you are the type of Bond fan I'd like to meet.

This post has been edited by The*SPY*: 17 December 2007 - 03:25

It is nice to see You Only Live Twice included here. While Goldfinger is almost a complete given, You Only Live Twice only seems to show up once in a while at these event screenings around the world. Dr. No, From Russia With Love and even Thunderball seem much more popular lately.

Are you going to drive over to Rochester for the double feature, Qwerty?...

It's true that this is one of the few Bond events that is finally somewhat close to me, but I'm pretty sure I've already got holiday-related plans for most of that weekend.

Just wanted to report on the Dryden Theater (Rochester NY) Bond Double Feature. First, there were quite a few people, not a packed house, but a good amount of attendees. Some left after Goldfinger, some came for YOLT, but most stayed for both. It ws interesting to catch some peoples reactions such as laughter and surprise, as if they had never seen these movies before.

Having never seen these movies on a screen larger than a television, it really opened my eyes to many things. I noticed many more aspects of screnes especially anything with a lot of visual such as the opening Miami scene and move into the Fountainbleau. I never noticed what a nice resort that really was with the pool side and ocean in the background. One disturbing aspect was just how hairy Connery really is both in his body hair and eyebrows. Pretty overwhelming on the big screen. Explosions and fire were more vibrant than I ever remembered them. The space scenes, volcano interior and helicopter battle in YOLT were like watching them for the first time. One really cannot appreciate Ken Adams' work on a small screen. Also, one really could get an idea of how big Hans the henchman was. Considereing Connery was 6'3", this guy was huge.

Both movies were reportedly from new restored 35mm prints but the quality in some scenes was pretty disappointing and especially in YOLT, there were many scenes with a lot of "dirt".

I could only imagine how spectacular these movies must have been at the time of release, as I am sure Goldfinger was ahead of its time for 1964. THe space scenes in YOLT actually hold up a lot better than I thought, although the SPECTRE missile re-entering earth's atmosphere and landing at the volcano appears hokey, but not as hockey and awful as the exploding island volcano at the end. People laughed. This would be one of those scenes where EON should take a George Lucas approach and re-create the scene. Otherwise, just fantastic to see these larger than life.

The Dryden Theater is part of the George Eastman House (founder of KODAK). I would be interested in knowing if they would do a marathon in 2012 to celebrate the 50th/60th Anniversaries.

Nice write-up, Spy. Sounds like it was a good evening.

I'm jealous. Glad to read about the turnout. I think I read about a showing of OHMSS earlier this year and the audience clapped at the end.