Guy Hamilton
BM Hall of Fame Induction Year: 2005
IMDb Page
Contributions: Guy Hamilton was born on September 16, 1922 in Paris, France. Hamilton was the second director to helm a James Bond movie, starting with the most famous, "Goldfinger." Movie goers world-wide saw "Goldfinger" and fell in love with James Bond all over again with his awesome gadgets, his remarkable car, and the beautiful women, as well as the birth of Oddjob, one of the favorite henchmen of fans. Reportedly, the last movie US President, the last movie John F. Kennedy saw before he was assassinated was "Goldfinger." Hamilton later directed "Diamonds are Forever," "Live and Let Die," and "The Man With The Golden Gun." All of Hamilton's movies have been known for their fun humor and unique action sequences. "Goldfinger" featured the razor-blade bowler, the invisible knock-out gas, and the risque name Pussy Galore. "Diamonds are Forever" has a gay couple, a dysfunctional funeral home, a moon buggy, a wig-crazy Bond girl, and a circus act. "The Man With The Golden Gun" has a fun house, a car flying over a river in a barrel roll, and a set of school-girl ninjas.
Hamilton never could sell himself short, and he never underestimated the characters in his movies. Outside of the Bond world, Hamilton never had a break. He was offered the chance to direct "Superman," but had to back out and was replaced by Richard Donner. His talents weren't explored nearly enough for him experiment with everything that he could have. His contribution to the James Bond world was beyond that of many of the other actors. He set up the idea that Bond girls didn't have to be talented, just pretty. He once said, "One of the rules with the Bond pictures is that you're not allowed to have a leading lady who can act - because we can't afford them....If ever we were to have a real leading lady, the next time around we'd have to find another one. And in no time at all we'd have to have, oh, Jane Fonda for $2 million and up." Hamilton believed in making his own movie, and not one just for the studio. His boldness really paid off, and his bond movies will be cherished by Bond fans of today and of the future.
IMDb Page
Contributions: Guy Hamilton was born on September 16, 1922 in Paris, France. Hamilton was the second director to helm a James Bond movie, starting with the most famous, "Goldfinger." Movie goers world-wide saw "Goldfinger" and fell in love with James Bond all over again with his awesome gadgets, his remarkable car, and the beautiful women, as well as the birth of Oddjob, one of the favorite henchmen of fans. Reportedly, the last movie US President, the last movie John F. Kennedy saw before he was assassinated was "Goldfinger." Hamilton later directed "Diamonds are Forever," "Live and Let Die," and "The Man With The Golden Gun." All of Hamilton's movies have been known for their fun humor and unique action sequences. "Goldfinger" featured the razor-blade bowler, the invisible knock-out gas, and the risque name Pussy Galore. "Diamonds are Forever" has a gay couple, a dysfunctional funeral home, a moon buggy, a wig-crazy Bond girl, and a circus act. "The Man With The Golden Gun" has a fun house, a car flying over a river in a barrel roll, and a set of school-girl ninjas.
Hamilton never could sell himself short, and he never underestimated the characters in his movies. Outside of the Bond world, Hamilton never had a break. He was offered the chance to direct "Superman," but had to back out and was replaced by Richard Donner. His talents weren't explored nearly enough for him experiment with everything that he could have. His contribution to the James Bond world was beyond that of many of the other actors. He set up the idea that Bond girls didn't have to be talented, just pretty. He once said, "One of the rules with the Bond pictures is that you're not allowed to have a leading lady who can act - because we can't afford them....If ever we were to have a real leading lady, the next time around we'd have to find another one. And in no time at all we'd have to have, oh, Jane Fonda for $2 million and up." Hamilton believed in making his own movie, and not one just for the studio. His boldness really paid off, and his bond movies will be cherished by Bond fans of today and of the future.
