In "Goldfinger" Tilly and Pussy Galore were lesbians in the novel? Fascinating!

[astro]

In looking at the difference between the book and the movie it came to light that Pussy Galore and her crew were lesbians in the book but not the movie. I’ve never read the Bond novels. Interesting that the movie and book are so divergent.

Book

Operation Grand Slam commences, and it turns out that Leiter has indeed found and acted on Bond’s message. A battle commences, but Goldfinger escapes. Tilly, a lesbian, hopes that one of the gang leaders, Pussy Galore (leader of a gang of lesbian burglars), will protect her, but she is killed by Oddjob.

Elizabeth Ladenson thought the character of Pussy Galore to be “perhaps the most memorable figure in the Bond periphery.”[8] Galore was introduced by Fleming in order for Bond to seduce her, thereby proving Bond’s masculinity of being able to seduce a lesbian.[10] To some extent the situation also reflected Fleming’s own opinions, expressed in the novel as part of Bond’s thoughts, where “her sexual confusion is attributable to women’s suffrage”;[11] in addition, as Fleming himself put it in the book: “Bond felt the sexual challenge all beautiful Lesbians have for men.”[12] Ladenson points out that, unlike some Bond girls, Galore’s role in the plot is crucial and she is not just there as an accessory: it is her change of heart that allows good to triumph over evil. In doing so, “Goldfinger himself…is a mere obstacle, the dragon to be got rid of before the worthy knight can make off with the duly conquered lady.”[8]

Movie

Operation Grand Slam begins with Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus spraying the gas over Fort Knox. However, Bond had seduced Pussy and convinced her that the gas was poisonous and needed to be replaced with a harmless gas. The military personnel of Fort Knox convincingly play dead until they are certain that they can prevent the criminals escaping the base with the bomb.

[CalMeacham]

In the 1960s they were less open about such things, but they certainly leave the indications that Pussy Galore is lesbian, without actually saying this – “You can turn off the charm – I’m immune,” she says to Bond. This could certainly be a tough-willed wioman being professional – or it could be a lesbian making her declaration.
After Bond’s seduction (which looks uncomfortably like rape to modern eyes), she turns over to his side (“I must have appealed to her maternal instincts”) either because he broke through her hard shell of professionalism or he converted her to heterosexuality. Either possibility is equally improbable. But, heck, they only had 90 minutes to tell it – Goldfinger is by far the shortest Bond film.

[Tim_R.Mortiss]

When I first saw the movie, I had already read the book, so I was predisposed to see Pussy as a lesbian in the film. And as I watched it, nothing in the movie made me think she wasn’t.

My opinion is that they left it ambiguous deliberately, so people like myself could still see her as a lesbian, and people who didn’t want any part of such shenanigans could easily miss it.

[Ellis_Aponte_Jr]

@CalMeacham

But, heck, they only had 90 minutes to tell it – Goldfinger is by far the shortest Bond film.

This didn’t sound right to me - and in fact it’s not. Goldfinger is one hour and 50 minutes long (or 51 or 52 depending on the source). It’s exactly as long as Dr. No.

[Mr.Moto]

I believe it is still the only Bond film where a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant can be seen in a scene background.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

It’s also, I think, still the only Bond film where Kentucky can be seen in the background.

[CalMeacham]

@Ellis_Aponte_Jr

This didn’t sound right to me - and in fact it’s not. Goldfinger is one hour and 50 minutes long (or 51 or 52 depending on the source). It’s exactly as long as Dr. No.

Sorry – my recollection is off, then. But there’s no Bond movie shorter.

By the way, mthere are lots of 1960s movies with KFC prominently in the shot, but they’re mainly forgotten today. Jerry Lewis’ Thre Big Mouth and the Soupy Sales movie Birds Do It.

I don’t recall any other Bond movies with KFC in it (they probably put it in for “local color”), but the Bond films have shamelessly shilled for other products.

[Mr.Moto]

The product placement for the Aston Martin DB5 was rather blatant.

[The_Other_Waldo_Pepper]

@CalMeacham

Sorry – my recollection is off, then. But there’s no Bond movie shorter.

Quantum Of Solace clocks in at one hour and forty-six minutes.

[awldune]

I am not especially a Bond fan and haven’t read the books, but there is a definite lesbian subtext to the Flying Circus and PG herself in the movie.