With Theodore Bikel's look (hair, tan, suit, etc.) it seemed like they were trying to stay faithful to the book where Goldfinger alters his appearance to almost appear gold. They definitely toned that element down for Gert Frobe, but I do like Bikel's performance (especially the inclusion of that part of the book because it's such a great addition to the character).
He gives me vibes like he is facing off with Humphrey Bogart and not Sean Connery. Like he is in The Big Sleep or something. It is that combination of accent, mannerism and dialog which makes him into very noir villain, not a Bond villain.
Theodore Bikel in his round glasses looks like he’s playing Teddy Roosevelt. Well, not quite, he hasn’t got the stache - but stick a glue-on moustache on Bikel and he could easily play the part. “Speak softly, Mr. Bond, and carry a giant laser beam.”
I thought Bikel was fantastic in this. I'm definitely glad Frobe got the part in the end - he was the perfect Goldfinger, but it's almost a shame Bikel never got to portray another villain.
I too was impressed with Bikel.. I like everything about him his look with the glasses is spot on. The second guy just doesn’t even seem like goldfinger the way he looks and he’s dressed and he looks like he’s trying t hard
There was something more threatening about Gert Frobe than either of these. Both of them look like they’d have been more at home in a late 50s Cary Grant/Alfred Hitchcock production.
Bikel was awfully good, especially with his performance and remembering the longer dialogue; I have never seen his screen tests all the way through and the spectacles do make a difference. They definitely should have used him in the series. Thanks for this, Calvin, you really do make these videos so entertaining for me.
Tito wouldve been interesting to play Goldfinger in the movie of the same name but when it comes to the genuine acting, Gert Fröbe fires on all cylinders.
I got excited when I heard that mentioned, as it seems they were originally planning to shoot the scene at Goldfinger's house in Kent. I'd be even more excited if it turned out they'd shot it.
They used early drafts of the script that followed scenes from the book more closely. Often that is the case with screen tests. Also, it very possible that dialog was changed during filming. Pink and blue pages are used for script changes during filming and sometimes dialog is changed during the filming of the scene where the actors themselves will alter dialog to gain more authenticity. Many times script dialog sounds good until the actor says it, then it can sound clunky or contrived, the director and the actors will come up with new dialog that will make scene flow and sound more realistic. I was in the film business for 25 years.
One thing different that I like is Goldfinger here is sitting down to watch Bond die but Gert Frobe wants to leave and get on with 'operation grandslam' a small detail but I like it. like here he's taking time out of his schedule to watch it.
These early versions of the script are always fascinating and educational. Maybe I'll transcribe these versions some day. (And in this kind of production, there'd probably be 2 or 3 scenes filmed for every major actor trying out the role, so these actors would have done both these scenes. They just didn't include them in this material.) Notice also that Red Grant says o-o-seven at the start of the train scene in From Russia With Love: "Take it easy, o-o-seven."
I've noticed in a few of the audio books Bond is referred to as O O 7 (oh-oh-seven) instead of the usual 007 (double-oh-seven). Whether it was the narrator's choice, or if they were directed that way? I'm not too sure, but it always throws me a little when they say it. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue as nicely as double-oh-seven does.
Theodore Bikel's costume with the glasses has a sort of similar look to the villain in Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'. I don't know if that is coincidence or a homage.
It might've been just me but when Theodore Bikel put on the second pair of glasses, I thought he looked a bit like Ronnie Barker during a Two Ronnies sketch.
It's a great pity that EON never offered Bikel another role as a Bond villain. I think he would have been superb as a more true-to-Fleming Blofeld than anyone who's played the character.
Bikel actually looks pretty good, and I quite like his serious take. He would have been a great Largo IMO. I quite like Vandis (without the wig obviously. My word, what were the filmmakers thinking?!?!) Problem is everytime I see him, all I could think of is his role as Stavros Milos in Woody Allen’s Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex... if you’ve seen that film, you’ll know why his character is unforgettable.
Theodore Bikel was a great actor. I will always remember him from that Columbo episode. Bikel would have been interesting to see. I doupt he would have been dubbed.
That wig! Good grief! There's a like fox on his head for goodness sake! Combine that with a very strange delivery, and I'm glad that that wasn't our Goldfinger! I quite like the round glasses on Bikel, and I'm fan of his tone! As for the other pair of glasses, I think that's just a particular fashion quirk? Both Leiter's sunglasses in DN and Bond's sunglasses in FRWL have the same butterfly-like shape.
Interesting screen tests! Naturally Frobe was best and I'm happy he was selected, but it would have been interesting if Bikel had got to play another role in the series, including a villain as you said. Tito meanwhile sounded a bit too Ricky Ricardo-ish to be taken seriously as Goldfinger, haha. Although not as bad as Goldfinger wearing Dame Edna specs. xD
@@calvindyson Vandis would work as a Godfatheresk goldfinger. But he's too Godfather. I agree no gravitas. And dang it that wig makes him too much look like burnt Trump
Fascinating how much these screen tests suggest they were originally hewing closer to the Fleming novel...! Specifically the mention of Bond meeting Goldfinger at his house in Reculver in the first screentest and the later use of the “Bond as Goldfinger’s secretary” plot in the second.
Difficult to see anyone in the role other than Gert Frobe as Goldfinger, but a fascinating portrayal from both actors. It does hit home though, how we have missed out on some actors playing Bond villains, ranging from Noel Coward to David Bowie
I agree about Gert Frobe. He has this wonderfully playful and boyish charm, similar to how he portrays a spoiled, self centered Baron Von Bomburst in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
The performance of the second actor is somewhat affected by the very different dialogue from what ended up in the film. Any time I watch the laser scene on dvd/Blu-ray it occurs to me how technology has changed- lasers had to be explained to the audience in the initial release, but a laser ( admittedly smaller and less powerful) is being used to show this on my TV.
Titos would've been terribly miscast as Goldfinger, but think he would've made quite a nice Draco-esque character in a different film. His portrayal feels shady and not entirely trustworthy but in a nice, likeable way. What could have been...
Its impossible to imagine this movie without Gert Frobe, but these actors came off well and look like they could have played villains in other Bonds. In particular Vardis might have been a great Largo and Bikel a cool Mr Drax.
Bikel was interesting. He'd previously appeared as Dutch officer van den Heuvel in classic wartime drama The Colditz Story (1955) co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton.
Orson Welles was the first choice for Goldfinger. Without the beard and in somewhat better shape, he would have aced the role. However, Welles asked for too much money, and the producers went with Gert Frobe, instead. Orson Welles appeared in 1967's Casino Royale, an unfortunate waste of his talent.
I think why Goldfinger is remembered as the archetypal Bond-Film, is because it's the first movie to truly feature an over-the-top villain; Dr. No was memorable but very reserved, and From Russia had - to my opinion - more serious villains who were focused on the job. Goldfinger seems to be the first Bond Villain where he flaunts his personality and his habits. In a sense he comes off as a bit more human than Bond's other adversaries. I feel like his love of gold was played-up more with Frobe in order to make him more memorable. Yes, Frobe as Goldfinger is a very fun villain. He is probably Bond's most successful adversary; able to hold Bond captive most of the movie, and yet so secure of himself that he's willing to be cordial with him - discussing Grandslam over a Mint-Julip. The end of the movie however features Frobe really becoming _terrifying_ with how reserved he can be. 15 years of planning devoted to Grandslam, ruined all because of Bond...He doesn't waste words on him anymore and merely holds him at gunpoint. Had the film kept Goldfinger's end from the novel, which ended with a fist-fight between the two that results in Bond literally beating him to death, perhaps that could've showed off more of Frobe as being a more menacing Goldfinger.
Couple of interesting details come out of the changed dialog: Goldfinger here has informants in British Intelligence, he knows what a Q car is, and he knows of M. All this, and he isn't even a member of SPECTRE. His line about "Dismembering" Bond is pretty on the nose for 1964, considering where the laser was going. Interesting that Bond wasn't really scared by the laser as he noticed a restraining point. Goldfinger confirms this, and states he was actually bluffing to slice open Bond.
Titos Vandis, I have a vibe of Mel Brooks trying his luck being a Bond villain. Quite sadly we don't have Gert Fröbe testing, hearing his deep voice would be a treat.
Bikel gives me a lot of Emilio Largo but chubby. I definitely don't mind him and I could see him doing it given the opportunity. Frobe's performance balances out the film however. If Bikel would have gotten the role, I'm not sure if Goldfinger would have been as massive of a hit as it was. As far as Mr. Titos Handmade Vodka himself, I can maybe see him playing Draco from OHMSS in a different world.
Theodore Bikel...great actor and could have easily been a Bond villain in another movie. I think he was playing it more real in this screen test rather than with the bombast that Frobe gave the role. I've heard others mention he would have been good as Blofeld #2...possibly even #3. I'd say he would have made an excellent Stromberg or Drax. It's a shame he wasn't involved in another Bond movie given his very lengthy acting career. Titos Vandis I can see as Kristatos. Acting wise, I liked his screen test but he's more mobster than grandiose villain. I'm still awaiting the day when the 1968 Bond screen tests become available!
It's interesting that Goldfinger's line in the film, "There's nothing you can tell me that I don't already know" also referred to him knowing Bond was an MI6 agent, that he worked for M, and that his car was modified by Q. But that's lost from the release version. Also the scene at Goldfinger's house in Reculver, Kent, featured in the novel, would have originally been in the film.
Theodore Bikel was a fine actor and I seriously doubt that his voice would have been dubbed. He spoke perfect English. But Frobe was a blast as the man with the Midas touch and I’m glad that Cubby and Harry went with him.
I may be wrong, but I think the original plan for Diamonds Are Forever was for the main villain to have been Goldfinger's brother, and Theodore Bikel would have been perfect for the part.
I think Theodore Bikel would’ve played a good Largo in Thunderball. Nothing against Adolfo Celi who I think I did a good job as Largo but Theodore Bikel I think would’ve turned in a terrific performance if he had been cast as Largo.
Theodore bickel was really good, he looked a bit like Raymond burr in rear window. As for the painted on hair.....I think someone was just having a laugh 😁
Gert is the iconic Goldfinger but I wish Bikel was used in a Bond movie at some point. He really was a talented actor of both the stage and screen. He was the original Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music on Broadway, also he played a bit part in My Fair Lady (Zoltan Kaparthy)
Theodore, was an astounding actor of the absolute top tier of acting! He would have been brilliant in a Bond movie, and would have added an extra dimension to it. If you see him, when he appeared in Columbo, yet again his superb in that. Great awesome work, from you again Calvin.
I know this is just screen tests but its fairly interesting to hear the script had Goldfinger actually knowing about M. I've not seen Goldfinger the actual film in a while but I don't remember him having actual knowledge about the inner workings of British Intelligence. Would've been quite the compelling twist to be honest. ☺️
You're right in the film he doesn't. In the novel he works for SMERSH so could have known this, but it's never mentioned. Definitely adds a more sinister edge. In the novel he's the richest person in Britain, so conceivable he has influential informants.
I like the glasses on Bikel. He has a sort of "account villain" vibe going with them. Like he's an industrialist all about crunching the numbers. Vandis would be his goon who's trying to learn all of this, but he ain't so good with numbers.
Star Trek fans know Theodore Bikel as Worf’s adoptive human father, Sergey Rozhenko. He even pulls off a pretty good Russian accent in the Next Generation episode that he was in.
Speaking of Blofeld and dubbing, I never quite realized that Robert Rietti who dubbed him in For Your Eyes Only, also was Largo/#2 in Thunderball and Tiger in You Only Live Twice. And his actor, John Hollis had previously been in Casino Royale 67 as one of the Mata Hari temple priests.
Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis would have been perfect for the “SPANG Gangster Brothers” for Diamonds Are Forever if the Producers and Director would have done that movie correctly 👍🏻.
I lost it at the second auditioners ginger wig :D. Just an Idea Calvin, would you be up for some of your viewers doing basically your selected Bond dialogue in an audition style and sending them to you, you can then critique us the viewers (on the video's you enjoy of course). Interactive Bond!
Interesting screen tests. I think Bickel is the best out of the 2 because he looks more like Goldfinger and how he was written in the books and he does bare a slight similarity to Greg Froebe but I’m glad that Froebe got the role because I think he’s a prefect Goldfinger but it would have been interesting to see Bickel as another villain in the Bond series. Sadly it wasn’t to be though.
@@stuffedsheepshead neither one of those. I'm referring to the German version because he dubbed himself and with his dark and smokey voice it's a real threat
He actually reminds me of the uncredited voice actor who ABC hired to narrate an intro as Bond on their infamous re-edit of OHMSS to allow it to play over two nights.
Very intersting! IMHO both men are great actors with great presence. I like Theodore Bikel with the round glasses a lot, making him somehow very cold and unpredictale. Titos Vandis (no wig of course) is your typical old school Southern European "father figure". Even though he is (was) Greek, there is an Italian vibe to his performance, just a little more calm and collected than your typical movie mobster. Both are way more serious than Gerd Fröbe, who of course was fantastic.
7:11 Might just be me, but I wonder, do those glasses have the lens in them? I noticed his other pair was catching the light when he looked up. Perhaps this wasn't necessarily for costume purposes but to see how the glasses would look with and without the lens with the lighting set up. Could be completely wrong though.
Bikel interestingly enough comes across more erudite than Frobe. If memory serves me correct he more closely resembles Fleming’s creation in the 1959 novel.
Much, much more so at the end of the second run-through from the different camera angle, which suggests to me that there was a lighting problem and his eyes were becoming irritated and less tolerant of the light.
Theodor did have something memorable, but really lacks resilliance in wishing of killing Bond. He is just too relaxed for this role, not to mention lack of sadism when he mentions destruction that the laser can produce. Mispronouncing his number makes sense, but is bit lame.
Titos brought a thug element, and I do like it, has a quality of Goldfinger, but he is just too brutish for laser plotter. Some military villain, militia leader would be his perfect villain role.
I did not pay attention to their looks, something silly about them is not what bothers me. I did not think about this aspect, but when I do think about it and analyze it, playing/writing/being a memorable movie villain, especially for characters like Bond is extremely difficult and requires a lot from actors, from skills to specific mindset to play the role properly
I know I'm quite late but Bikel's Goldfinger felt very in line tone-wise with From Russia With Love instead of the the tone they went for Goldfinger (the film)
I've read the Goldfinger novel twice and Bikel is more like the Goldfinger in the novel. When the decision was made to make the film a big splashy affair I don't think he would have been bombastic enough. The second guy looked like he should have been in a Scorcese film.
I'm the first comment! So naturally I'll take this as an opportunity to tell you that Theodore Bikel looks like walking caramel. EDIT: HAHAHAHA fucking hell! Bikel in the second pair of glasses and Vandis' wig!? They both look SO uncomfortable. The silence is KILLING ME.
With Theodore Bikel's look (hair, tan, suit, etc.) it seemed like they were trying to stay faithful to the book where Goldfinger alters his appearance to almost appear gold. They definitely toned that element down for Gert Frobe, but I do like Bikel's performance (especially the inclusion of that part of the book because it's such a great addition to the character).
Exactly what I was thinking as well! Honestly, I liked that test.
It’s pronounced Bickelle not Bickle.
He gives me vibes like he is facing off with Humphrey Bogart and not Sean Connery. Like he is in The Big Sleep or something. It is that combination of accent, mannerism and dialog which makes him into very noir villain, not a Bond villain.
I do disagree with your sentence about his appearance. I do not like it.
Vandis: can I keep my natural hair colour please?
Director: No, time to dye
....I'll get my coat 😆
No Mr Vandis I expect you to Dye!
@@davidjames579 ok, yours is better haha
Dye Another D'y, son.
He'll dye another day. Tomorrow, never dyes.
Theodore Bikel in his round glasses looks like he’s playing Teddy Roosevelt. Well, not quite, he hasn’t got the stache - but stick a glue-on moustache on Bikel and he could easily play the part.
“Speak softly, Mr. Bond, and carry a giant laser beam.”
HA!
Yeah, right. Hes obviously a Raymond Burr lookalike.
One for Calvin here, but he reminded me of Raymond Burr in Hitchcock's Rear Window.
You can't stop this Bull Moose
I thought Bikel was fantastic in this. I'm definitely glad Frobe got the part in the end - he was the perfect Goldfinger, but it's almost a shame Bikel never got to portray another villain.
He is very 1940s noir villain, like he is facing Humphrey Bogart and not Sean Connery.
Bikel should have been cast as Blofeld in OHMSS. He would have been perfect.
Ohhh that hadn’t occurred to me but I agree completely! He’d have been great in that part
Savalas is my fav Blofeld but yea Bikel would have nailed it too.
I was thinking the same thing while watching this!
Shave bikels head and wow he would have made a great Blofeld his accent his tone
I was thinking Blofeld as well.🙂 He was a good actor and did well in an Episode of the Twilight Zone called 4 O'clock.
"Such a cold finger..." Bikel reminds me of Raymond Burr in Rear Window.
I too was impressed with Bikel.. I like everything about him his look with the glasses is spot on. The second guy just doesn’t even seem like goldfinger the way he looks and he’s dressed and he looks like he’s trying t hard
MI6, we've found a Spectre agent.
There was something more threatening about Gert Frobe than either of these. Both of them look like they’d have been more at home in a late 50s Cary Grant/Alfred Hitchcock production.
Bikel was awfully good, especially with his performance and remembering the longer dialogue; I have never seen his screen tests all the way through and the spectacles do make a difference. They definitely should have used him in the series. Thanks for this, Calvin, you really do make these videos so entertaining for me.
Bikel with the thick, ladies glasses looked like Henry Kissinger
Tito wouldve been interesting to play Goldfinger in the movie of the same name but when it comes to the genuine acting, Gert Fröbe fires on all cylinders.
The opening dialogue mentioning the house in Reculver, suggests they were sticking closer to the book earlier in the process.
I got excited when I heard that mentioned, as it seems they were originally planning to shoot the scene at Goldfinger's house in Kent. I'd be even more excited if it turned out they'd shot it.
They used early drafts of the script that followed scenes from the book more closely. Often that is the case with screen tests. Also, it very possible that dialog was changed during filming. Pink and blue pages are used for script changes during filming and sometimes dialog is changed during the filming of the scene where the actors themselves will alter dialog to gain more authenticity. Many times script dialog sounds good until the actor says it, then it can sound clunky or contrived, the director and the actors will come up with new dialog that will make scene flow and sound more realistic. I was in the film business for 25 years.
One thing different that I like is Goldfinger here is sitting down to watch Bond die but Gert Frobe wants to leave and get on with 'operation grandslam' a small detail but I like it. like here he's taking time out of his schedule to watch it.
These early versions of the script are always fascinating and educational. Maybe I'll transcribe these versions some day. (And in this kind of production, there'd probably be 2 or 3 scenes filmed for every major actor trying out the role, so these actors would have done both these scenes. They just didn't include them in this material.)
Notice also that Red Grant says o-o-seven at the start of the train scene in From Russia With Love: "Take it easy, o-o-seven."
Also, here you can see Michael Collins in an interview the year after Goldfinger: ua-cam.com/video/qqqXBc3tRHc/v-deo.html
Tito Vandis looks like he could of played one of the gangsters from vegas in Diamonds Are Forever
I've noticed in a few of the audio books Bond is referred to as O O 7 (oh-oh-seven) instead of the usual 007 (double-oh-seven). Whether it was the narrator's choice, or if they were directed that way? I'm not too sure, but it always throws me a little when they say it. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue as nicely as double-oh-seven does.
And Red Grant pronounces it as oh-oh-seven
@@kljmaq Yes, but in Red Grant's case this is meant to highlight his ineptness, which should have made Bond suspicious.
I used to say it like that
Theodore Bikel's costume with the glasses has a sort of similar look to the villain in Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'.
I don't know if that is coincidence or a homage.
Titos Vandis has a godfather vibe here.
He reminded me of Adolfo Celi as Largo.
It might've been just me but when Theodore Bikel put on the second pair of glasses, I thought he looked a bit like Ronnie Barker during a Two Ronnies sketch.
Goldfinger '"it's goodnight Mr Bond from me..."
Oddjob "...and it's goodnight Mr Bond from him."
It's a great pity that EON never offered Bikel another role as a Bond villain. I think he would have been superb as a more true-to-Fleming Blofeld than anyone who's played the character.
The transition to Titos new hair was fantastic
I think Theodore Bikel would be a great villain in the bond series. Perhaps if he played either Largo or Blofeld
Bikel actually looks pretty good, and I quite like his serious take. He would have been a great Largo IMO. I quite like Vandis (without the wig obviously. My word, what were the filmmakers thinking?!?!) Problem is everytime I see him, all I could think of is his role as Stavros Milos in Woody Allen’s Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex... if you’ve seen that film, you’ll know why his character is unforgettable.
This was awesome. Great job. I hope we get to see some other screen tests from you in the future.
I remember Theodore Bikel as Zoltan Karparthy (that hairy hound from Budapest) in My Fair Lady against Rex Harrison.
Bikel in his bespectabled Eric T. Cartman appearance would have been
an excellent Sir Hugo Drax, while Tito is more of a henchman material .
Calvin's reaction to Titos Vandis's hair is golden. (Pun intended)
Met Theodore Bikel Had Guy Hamilton Test Him In Accent.Bikel Enjoyed Gert Frobe In Role.Frobe Learned English/German Voice Coach To Get Role.
Theodore Bikel was a great actor. I will always remember him from that Columbo episode. Bikel would have been interesting to see. I doupt he would have been dubbed.
The only thing I think I saw Theodore Bikel in was on Star Trek as Worf’s adoptive human father.
That wig! Good grief! There's a like fox on his head for goodness sake! Combine that with a very strange delivery, and I'm glad that that wasn't our Goldfinger! I quite like the round glasses on Bikel, and I'm fan of his tone!
As for the other pair of glasses, I think that's just a particular fashion quirk? Both Leiter's sunglasses in DN and Bond's sunglasses in FRWL have the same butterfly-like shape.
Interesting screen tests! Naturally Frobe was best and I'm happy he was selected, but it would have been interesting if Bikel had got to play another role in the series, including a villain as you said. Tito meanwhile sounded a bit too Ricky Ricardo-ish to be taken seriously as Goldfinger, haha. Although not as bad as Goldfinger wearing Dame Edna specs. xD
Dame Edna is such a spot on comparable to those glasses!
Fröbe
@@calvindyson Vandis would work as a Godfatheresk goldfinger. But he's too Godfather. I agree no gravitas. And dang it that wig makes him too much look like burnt Trump
Fascinating how much these screen tests suggest they were originally hewing closer to the Fleming novel...! Specifically the mention of Bond meeting Goldfinger at his house in Reculver in the first screentest and the later use of the “Bond as Goldfinger’s secretary” plot in the second.
Theodore Bikel originated the role of Captain Von Trapp in the Broadway production of Sound of Music.
Difficult to see anyone in the role other than Gert Frobe as Goldfinger, but a fascinating portrayal from both actors. It does hit home though, how we have missed out on some actors playing Bond villains, ranging from Noel Coward to David Bowie
I agree about Gert Frobe. He has this wonderfully playful and boyish charm, similar to how he portrays a spoiled, self centered Baron Von Bomburst in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
The performance of the second actor is somewhat affected by the very different dialogue from what ended up in the film.
Any time I watch the laser scene on dvd/Blu-ray it occurs to me how technology has changed- lasers had to be explained to the audience in the initial release, but a laser ( admittedly smaller and less powerful) is being used to show this on my TV.
Titos would've been terribly miscast as Goldfinger, but think he would've made quite a nice Draco-esque character in a different film. His portrayal feels shady and not entirely trustworthy but in a nice, likeable way. What could have been...
Its impossible to imagine this movie without Gert Frobe, but these actors came off well and look like they could have played villains in other Bonds.
In particular Vardis might have been a great Largo and Bikel a cool Mr Drax.
Bikel was interesting. He'd previously appeared as Dutch officer van den Heuvel in classic wartime drama The Colditz Story (1955) co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton.
The only screen test I want to see, but isn't released the Lazenby fight scene test.
Orson Welles was the first choice for Goldfinger. Without the beard and in somewhat better shape, he would have aced the role. However, Welles asked for too much money, and the producers went with Gert Frobe, instead. Orson Welles appeared in 1967's Casino Royale, an unfortunate waste of his talent.
Welles was also considered to play Blofeld in Never Say Never Again.
I think why Goldfinger is remembered as the archetypal Bond-Film, is because it's the first movie to truly feature an over-the-top villain; Dr. No was memorable but very reserved, and From Russia had - to my opinion - more serious villains who were focused on the job.
Goldfinger seems to be the first Bond Villain where he flaunts his personality and his habits. In a sense he comes off as a bit more human than Bond's other adversaries. I feel like his love of gold was played-up more with Frobe in order to make him more memorable. Yes, Frobe as Goldfinger is a very fun villain. He is probably Bond's most successful adversary; able to hold Bond captive most of the movie, and yet so secure of himself that he's willing to be cordial with him - discussing Grandslam over a Mint-Julip.
The end of the movie however features Frobe really becoming _terrifying_ with how reserved he can be. 15 years of planning devoted to Grandslam, ruined all because of Bond...He doesn't waste words on him anymore and merely holds him at gunpoint.
Had the film kept Goldfinger's end from the novel, which ended with a fist-fight between the two that results in Bond literally beating him to death, perhaps that could've showed off more of Frobe as being a more menacing Goldfinger.
I know the question is a bit random but: "Is there going to be a review of "Johnny English Strikes Again" at some point?"
Couple of interesting details come out of the changed dialog: Goldfinger here has informants in British Intelligence, he knows what a Q car is, and he knows of M. All this, and he isn't even a member of SPECTRE.
His line about "Dismembering" Bond is pretty on the nose for 1964, considering where the laser was going.
Interesting that Bond wasn't really scared by the laser as he noticed a restraining point. Goldfinger confirms this, and states he was actually bluffing to slice open Bond.
He was a member of SMERSH in the books
Titos Vandis, I have a vibe of Mel Brooks trying his luck being a Bond villain.
Quite sadly we don't have Gert Fröbe testing, hearing his deep voice would be a treat.
Now that you say that, all I can see is Mel Brooks.
If you watch the No Mr Bond I........bit in the trailer you can hear Gert Frobe's actual voice. He's pretty good.
Doesn't Frobe use his natural voice as Baron Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?
I can imagine Titos Vardis as Largo
Bikel gives me a lot of Emilio Largo but chubby. I definitely don't mind him and I could see him doing it given the opportunity. Frobe's performance balances out the film however. If Bikel would have gotten the role, I'm not sure if Goldfinger would have been as massive of a hit as it was.
As far as Mr. Titos Handmade Vodka himself, I can maybe see him playing Draco from OHMSS in a different world.
Theodore Bikel...great actor and could have easily been a Bond villain in another movie. I think he was playing it more real in this screen test rather than with the bombast that Frobe gave the role. I've heard others mention he would have been good as Blofeld #2...possibly even #3. I'd say he would have made an excellent Stromberg or Drax. It's a shame he wasn't involved in another Bond movie given his very lengthy acting career.
Titos Vandis I can see as Kristatos. Acting wise, I liked his screen test but he's more mobster than grandiose villain.
I'm still awaiting the day when the 1968 Bond screen tests become available!
It's interesting that Goldfinger's line in the film, "There's nothing you can tell me that I don't already know" also referred to him knowing Bond was an MI6 agent, that he worked for M, and that his car was modified by Q. But that's lost from the release version.
Also the scene at Goldfinger's house in Reculver, Kent, featured in the novel, would have originally been in the film.
Theodore Bikel was a fine actor and I seriously doubt that his voice would have been dubbed. He spoke perfect English. But Frobe was a blast as the man with the Midas touch and I’m glad that Cubby and Harry went with him.
I may be wrong, but I think the original plan for Diamonds Are Forever was for the main villain to have been Goldfinger's brother, and Theodore Bikel would have been perfect for the part.
You're right, but they wanted to get Gert Frobe back. Oddly enough they also wanted Daniela Bianchi to come back as Tatiana.
7:12 Ronnie Barker is Goldfinger!
😂😂 spot on!
Ronnie Barker could have played Blofeld, as in the books he looks physically different every time Bond meets him.
I think Theodore Bikel would’ve played a good Largo in Thunderball. Nothing against Adolfo Celi who I think I did a good job as Largo but Theodore Bikel I think would’ve turned in a terrific performance if he had been cast as Largo.
Bikel brought a good menace and intelligence to the character.
Theodore bickel was really good, he looked a bit like Raymond burr in rear window. As for the painted on hair.....I think someone was just having a laugh 😁
Theodore Bikel… funnily enough, played an Aztec gold professor/thief in an episode of the original Knight Rider. “Chariot of Gold”.
Looking to see if anyone mentioned this, I’m a fan of Knight Rider.
@@Thunderwing88 So am I, Michael Knight was a mix of Han Solo and James Bond rolled into one American television hero.
I think he was also one of the Dwarves in the original _Hobbit_ cartoon. Considering they were after Smaug's treasure...
Never mind; he was Aragorn in _Return of the King._
I like that the screen tests are tinted gold, they really went all out for GOLDfinger lol
Gert is the iconic Goldfinger but I wish Bikel was used in a Bond movie at some point. He really was a talented actor of both the stage and screen. He was the original Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music on Broadway, also he played a bit part in My Fair Lady (Zoltan Kaparthy)
This stuff is Gold (pun not intended). I think EoN were right to cast Gert Frobe. He was brilliant with all his mannerisms, inflections and gestures.
Fröbe
Guy Hamilton auditioned for Bond
Theodore, was an astounding actor of the absolute top tier of acting! He would have been brilliant in a Bond movie, and would have added an extra dimension to it. If you see him, when he appeared in Columbo, yet again his superb in that. Great awesome work, from you again Calvin.
12:33 its Klebb’s brother
Oh wow these are great! Are there similar things for other villains out there?
Not that I’ve seen but I do assume there are others tucked away in a vault somewhere!
I know this is just screen tests but its fairly interesting to hear the script had Goldfinger actually knowing about M. I've not seen Goldfinger the actual film in a while but I don't remember him having actual knowledge about the inner workings of British Intelligence. Would've been quite the compelling twist to be honest. ☺️
You're right in the film he doesn't. In the novel he works for SMERSH so could have known this, but it's never mentioned. Definitely adds a more sinister edge. In the novel he's the richest person in Britain, so conceivable he has influential informants.
I like the glasses on Bikel. He has a sort of "account villain" vibe going with them. Like he's an industrialist all about crunching the numbers.
Vandis would be his goon who's trying to learn all of this, but he ain't so good with numbers.
I would give anything to see footage of Jan Werich as Blofeld in You Only Live Twice.
Hey Calvin, are you going to continue your reviews for the mission impossible films?
Indeed! I’ll be working on the fifth one very soon
@@calvindyson Looking forward to it
@@calvindyson Really love that film so can't wait to see your take on it
Star Trek fans know Theodore Bikel as Worf’s adoptive human father, Sergey Rozhenko. He even pulls off a pretty good Russian accent in the Next Generation episode that he was in.
A very interesting looking find, Agent Dyson. Wonder if there's any screen tests for Dr No or Blofeld lying around on the web?
Speaking of Blofeld and dubbing, I never quite realized that Robert Rietti who dubbed him in For Your Eyes Only, also was Largo/#2 in Thunderball and Tiger in You Only Live Twice. And his actor, John Hollis had previously been in Casino Royale 67 as one of the Mata Hari temple priests.
@@expendableindigo9639 You learn a new thing every day...
His gold hair is amazing! 😂
Lol, your reaction to titos vandis' wig was too good
What about Calvin Dyson‘s audition for the Calvin Dyson account?
Bikel is so awesome in this! What a massively pleasant surprise!
THAT WAS AWESOME! :DD
7:11 Those glasses look kind of like the shades Jack Lord wore as Felix Leiter in Dr. No.
Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis would have been perfect for the “SPANG Gangster Brothers” for Diamonds Are Forever if the Producers and Director would have done that movie correctly 👍🏻.
Bikel could have been a brilliant Blofeld
I lost it at the second auditioners ginger wig :D. Just an Idea Calvin, would you be up for some of your viewers doing basically your selected Bond dialogue in an audition style and sending them to you, you can then critique us the viewers (on the video's you enjoy of course). Interactive Bond!
Laserbeams do widen and weaken, they are just very intense to begin with.
I hope in the future we can simply choose any Bond movie, and deep fake the actor playing it
Interesting screen tests. I think Bickel is the best out of the 2 because he looks more like Goldfinger and how he was written in the books and he does bare a slight similarity to Greg Froebe but I’m glad that Froebe got the role because I think he’s a prefect Goldfinger but it would have been interesting to see Bickel as another villain in the Bond series. Sadly it wasn’t to be though.
No one can say "I expect you to die" more intimidating than Gert Fröbe
It is the best line ever in any of the Bond movies.
But Fröbe didn't actually say it, rather Michael Collins. Unless you're referring to footage from the Goldfinger trailer, of course.
@@stuffedsheepshead neither one of those. I'm referring to the German version because he dubbed himself and with his dark and smokey voice it's a real threat
Ian Fleming Was Aware Of Impact The Aston Martin Gadget Car Was.Said It Would Make A Marvelous Toy.
Wow, those auditions are great. Are you going to do anymore Bond audition video reactions? Because this was really fun, thanks Calvin
I quite like Bikel's screentest. They appear to be going closer to what Fleming's Goldfinger was. Subtly menacing voice as well.
on a somewhat, similar note, guy hamilton has a good voice that would make for a nice radio bond
He actually reminds me of the uncredited voice actor who ABC hired to narrate an intro as Bond on their infamous re-edit of OHMSS to allow it to play over two nights.
@@davidjames579
interesting
7:35 - 7:40, clearly had the wrong prescription. Didn't have a clue where he was.
Very intersting! IMHO both men are great actors with great presence. I like Theodore Bikel with the round glasses a lot, making him somehow very cold and unpredictale. Titos Vandis (no wig of course) is your typical old school Southern European "father figure". Even though he is (was) Greek, there is an Italian vibe to his performance, just a little more calm and collected than your typical movie mobster. Both are way more serious than Gerd Fröbe, who of course was fantastic.
For those interested, check Bikel out in the Twilight Zone episode “Four O Clock.”
7:11 Might just be me, but I wonder, do those glasses have the lens in them? I noticed his other pair was catching the light when he looked up. Perhaps this wasn't necessarily for costume purposes but to see how the glasses would look with and without the lens with the lighting set up. Could be completely wrong though.
Bikel interestingly enough comes across more erudite than Frobe. If memory serves me correct he more closely resembles Fleming’s creation in the 1959 novel.
Theodore Bikel seemed to be blinking an awful lot. That detracted a bit from the otherwise solid work he was doing.
Much, much more so at the end of the second run-through from the different camera angle, which suggests to me that there was a lighting problem and his eyes were becoming irritated and less tolerant of the light.
Theodor did have something memorable, but really lacks resilliance in wishing of killing Bond. He is just too relaxed for this role, not to mention lack of sadism when he mentions destruction that the laser can produce. Mispronouncing his number makes sense, but is bit lame.
Titos brought a thug element, and I do like it, has a quality of Goldfinger, but he is just too brutish for laser plotter. Some military villain, militia leader would be his perfect villain role.
I did not pay attention to their looks, something silly about them is not what bothers me. I did not think about this aspect, but when I do think about it and analyze it, playing/writing/being a memorable movie villain, especially for characters like Bond is extremely difficult and requires a lot from actors, from skills to specific mindset to play the role properly
I know I'm quite late but Bikel's Goldfinger felt very in line tone-wise with From Russia With Love instead of the the tone they went for Goldfinger (the film)
I've read the Goldfinger novel twice and Bikel is more like the Goldfinger in the novel. When the decision was made to make the film a big splashy affair I don't think he would have been bombastic enough. The second guy looked like he should have been in a Scorcese film.
Never seen these before, very interesting to see! Gert Fröbe will always be Goldfinger but Theodore Bikel maybe could of been a good Stromberg.
"Stick a wig on him, see if that makes a difference.."
I'm the first comment! So naturally I'll take this as an opportunity to tell you that Theodore Bikel looks like walking caramel.
EDIT: HAHAHAHA fucking hell! Bikel in the second pair of glasses and Vandis' wig!? They both look SO uncomfortable. The silence is KILLING ME.
That wig is something else! I’m not sure whether I would demote or promote the makeup/hair person who thought that would ever be a good idea 😂
I would so love to hear Gert Fröbe saying his lines in the non-dubbed version.
Didn't Goldfinger have red hair in the novel? They were probably just testing a look that was more accurate to the source material.